A/N: Hey guys sorry this is so short and late, it's been a crazy couple of weeks. My boss had her baby earlier than planned and now I'm working crazy hours at work. Thanks for sticking with me.

Chapter 5: Kindergarten

"So what do you think about it though?" Lilly asked nervously, waiting for the answer.

"I think that it's too bad you aren't feeling well. Otherwise I'd be dragging you out to celebrate. It'll have to wait for another time I guess." She saw the giant grin on his face as he pulled her into a giant hug.

"So you're happy about this?"

"Of course I am. Why would I not be?"

"I dunno. It's just we didn't plan this. And with the store and the new house I just didn't know if you would think it was too much too soon." The tears started to build up a little bit. "I've just really wanted another baby for awhile now, and I was afraid you wouldn't feel the same way."

"Oh honey, why didn't you tell me before? You need to quit letting these things build up because you always end up miserable."

Lilly knew it was true. He was always telling her she could tell him anything. That she needed to quit holding things inside. But she couldn't seem to make herself talk to him. She was always afraid that one day he wouldn't want to hear what she had to say and that would be the end. It was silly she knew, but she couldn't help herself from feeling that way.

"I know. I'm sorry Jackson. I'll try harder I promise."

"Alright then, that's all I ask. Go to sleep now, you need your rest." He shut off the lamp before wrapping her in his arms and snuggling both of them into the covers. Lilly slept peacefully that night knowing everything was alright.

The next weekend Lilly and RJ had finally gotten over their virus and were heading downtown. Today was the day they'd hit the stores to get him ready for Kindergarten. First they'd hit a department store in the mall designed just for children.

Lilly told him how many of each thing he could get and then let him decide what he wanted. She figured he was the one that had to wear them every day. He might as well have things he chose so he'd want to wear them.

They had long ago decided to raise him to be as independent as he wanted to be as long as he stayed inside the boundary lines they had set for him. It seemed to be working too. People always commented on what a polite and well mannered child he was.

Lilly had run into a few people who were shocked that such a young girl could raise such a child. Yet she saw older parents every day with bratty kids. It seemed to her like people put far too much stock in age. She had long ago realized age had nothing to do with a person other than judging how long a person had been on this Earth. Your character made you who you were and how other's interacted with you.

It took more than an hour before RJ was able to decide what he wanted, but finally he was ready to leave. Paying for all the clothes they headed out.

Next on the list was school supplies. The school had sent out a list the week before of what all he needed. It wasn't a whole lot, but there were a few things.

RJ was so excited, he took off towards the backpacks. Lilly followed closely behind having a hard time keeping up with her overzealous little boy. It took him all of five minutes to find the perfect Spiderman two-pocket backpack.

Lilly handed him the list of everything else he needed. He tried to slowly sound out each word with her help here and there. She couldn't believe how fast he really was growing up. Most hard to believe was that he would be starting school in less than a week. It didn't seem possible.

After gathering some much needed groceries they were headed towards the front of the store when Lilly thought she heard someone calling her name.

"Hey Lilly Truscott is that you?" Lilly turned around surprised to see who was calling her name.

"Well it's Lilly Stewart now, but yeah it's me. Oh my gosh Katie I haven't seen you in years. How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. I was living out of state for a while but I just moved back a few weeks ago. I think the last time we saw each other was at your baby shower wasn't it?"

"Oh that's right." Lilly remembered that day well and looked for any sadness on Katie's face, remembering what she had told her that day, but there didn't seem to be any. Instead she saw Katie look around a little bit to the boy attached to her side. Putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, Lilly introduced him. "This is my son Robert Jackson Stewart."

"He's so cute." Bending down so she was more on his level, "Hello there, I'm Katie. I'm an old friend of your mom's."

He held his hand out to her, she took it and gently shook his hand. "Hi I'm RJ, least that's what everyone calls me. Nice to meet you."

"Well isn't he a polite thing."

"Yeah he is, not sure where he gets it either. Must just come natural to him I guess."

"That's sweet. So how are you doing Lilly?"

"I'm doing alright. Getting ready to send this little man off to kindergarten. Hard to believe he isn't my baby anymore."

"Mama's going to have a baby. I'm going to be a brother." RJ piped up.

"Is that so?" Katie asked looking to Lilly for the answer. She just gave her a simple nod. "Well congratulations then."

"Thanks. We just found out last week so it's still kinda new. We're supposed to be having a family dinner tonight and we'll be telling everybody then."

The two girls spoke for a few more minutes and exchanged contact information, thinking that they should keep in touch. After saying goodbye, Lilly once again headed towards the cash registers and headed out.

As soon as they arrived home, Lilly had RJ help her carry everything inside and up to his room. Once that was done, RJ settled in front of the TV to play video games while Lilly got started on dinner. She wanted it to go off without a problem knowing that both families would be here for their announcement.

Jackson got home just in time to help her get everything set up before everyone arrived. Miley entered the house just as Lilly was making the final touches.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves that night. Congratulations were given out by the entire party when they made their announcement. Even Lilly's father seemed to be genuinely happy about the baby.

Although it wasn't so hard to believe when you realized the only disappointment he seemed to hold was in Lilly herself. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson. It seemed he'd easily love another grandchild as well.

They all sat around for awhile longer chatting and just enjoying each other's company. Finally everyone left one by one towards the end of the night. RJ had long ago fallen asleep on the couch. Jackson carried him up to his room and put him in his pajamas, careful not to wake him up.

Lilly made it up there just as Jackson was tucking their son into bed. The each kissed him goodnight before head to their own room.

Wednesday morning Lilly woke up early to the sound of the alarm clock. She had set it early enough to allow her time to settle her stomach before having to get RJ up and ready. She was showered and ready before even entering RJ's room.

Walking over to his bed she kneeled in front of him and gently pushed some hair out of his eyes. "RJ, sweetie, time to get up little man. You gotta get ready for your first day of school." He rolled around a little bit but didn't wake up. "Don't make me pull a chapter from Grandpa's book and get the water bucket."

"I'm awake."

Laughing, "I figured that might work."

Lilly fixed some breakfast for him while he got himself dressed in some of his new school clothes. He came down a few minutes later and sat down at the table.

"Where's Dad?"

"He had to be to the store early for a delivery."

"Oh. I wish he could take me to school too."

"I know son. He wishes he could too, but he just didn't have a choice. He said he'd take you another time."

"Ok. I guess."

As soon as he was finished with breakfast, he ran upstairs to brush his teeth and grab his backpack. Running back downstairs he met Lilly waiting for him at the bottom.

"All ready, sweetheart?"

"Yep."

They headed out to the car and got in. It didn't take long before they were pulling up in front of the same elementary school Lilly had attended so many years ago.

RJ looked at the giant building before him and all the kids wondering around the outside. He turned to his mother with a concerned look on his face. "Do I really hav'ta go to school?"

"Yes you have to go to school."

"Can't I just be homeschooled?" He pleaded.

"Where'd you hear that?" Lilly asked him curiously.

"One of my shows. Can I?"

He wasn't giving up and this made Lilly a little worried. He never acted nervous about anything. "Honey, what's the matter? You've been so excited about this."

"What if nobody wants to be my friend?"

"Honey, they are going to love you. And Tony is in your class so you already have a friend. You two can be together every day. Won't that be fun?"

"I guess," he agreed hesitantly.

"Come on, I'll walk with you to your class." They got out of the car and Lilly held his hand as they made their way inside.

They reached his classroom where the teacher was standing outside to greet the students. "Hello, I'm Mrs. Pierson. Who do we have here?"

"I'm Lilly Stewart and this is my son Robert, but he's gone by RJ since he was born."

"Good to know. Hello RJ. Welcome to kindergarten."

"Thank you Ma'am."

"You're very welcome." Mrs. Pierson gave him a smile before turning it on Lilly, seeming impressed.

"Alright RJ, you're going to have fun I promise." Lilly bent down to give him a hug.

"Love you Mama."

"Love you too Son. I'll be right out here when you get out." Letting him go, she watched him walk into class before turning to leave. She allowed the tears she had been holding back to come out. She hadn't wanted him to know she was having as hard a time letting him go as he was.

Today was going to be a long day for her.