Over a month had gone by since Amy had last talked to Ben. Two weeks after their breakup at her house, school let out for the summer. Now, Amy was so busy juggling taking care of Aidan and her new job at the daycare, that Ben was the least of her worries. Ricky was still working alongside Ben at Leo's shop, though the two of the rarely talked. Occasionally Ben would ask, "How's Aidan?" but he never dared to ask about Amy. Ricky was still enjoying his daddy-status and spent most of his time with Amy and their son. In fact, Ricky and Amy had grown exceedingly close, especially after the Amy/Ben breakup. They weren't dating, yet they had a special relationship with one another, one that everyone could see, especially Ashley. Once, when she came over to visit while Ricky was there, Amy went to the bathroom. Before leaving the house, Ashley grabbed Ricky's hand and handed him three condoms. she told him as she walked out the door.

"Before you two start multiplying like rabbits,"

X

One early evening in mid-July, Ricky was playing baseball with his summer-league team. It was horribly humid out, and the game was tied 10-10 in the last inning. He stood guarding second base waiting for the pitcher to throw his pitch. He looked over at the bleachers and saw Margaret smiling at him, waving. He smiled back, she was so happy Ricky was back into playing sports, something that no one could get him to do for awhile. He hadn't even thought about playing baseball for a summer-sport until Amy suggested it. She told him she'd bring Aidan to come watch him play. But Amy could never make it to the games; her work schedule wouldn't allow it. This disappointed Ricky, but he was glad to get back to something he loved to do, other than playing the drums. *Crack* A ball was rushing right toward him when he reached out and caught it in his glove. That was three outs. Ricky's team was up to bat next, and he hoped his team would get a run in. He couldn't imagine playing in the sweltering heat for one more inning.

X

"Maybe I wanted to teach him how to play baseball," George told her turning into the park.

Amy shook her head.

"Dad, you can. So can Ricky."

She got out of the car as soon as George parked and opened the backseat.

"Hey handsome! Guess what? We're going to see Daddy play some baseball!" she told Aidan, taking him out of his car seat.

He was dressed in a blue and red top, with little jeans and topped with a red and blue baseball cap that Ricky bought for him when he was a few weeks old. It even looked similar to Ricky's baseball cap that he was wearing right now.

Amy, George and Aidan made their way to the bleachers in a rush. Amy knew she'd be late, but she didn't care if she saw only a few minutes, she just wanted to see something. Margaret saw them coming and excitedly motioned for them to come sit with her.

"Oh, I'm so glad you made it," Margaret said, "It's such a great game," she told them pointing to the scoreboard.

*Crack* the batter hit the ball clear into left field. With Aidan sitting in her lap, Amy took hold of his hands and clapped them together. "Yay!" she said to him as Aidan laughed. George was even watching the game contently. It had been years since he had watched an actual baseball game, especially since he had two daughters; which is why it was so important to him to teach Aidan play when he got older. Margaret was squeezing Aidan's cheeks and taking a fit over his mini baseball hat.

"Aren't you just your mini-daddy," she said to him.

The next batter was up, and struck out.

Ricky was putting his batting helmet and gloves on. He watched as another batter swung and hit one out to the center field. A new batter was up, Ricky swung his bat to the air, practicing. The batter swung hard, "Strike!" the Umpire yelled. Ricky hadn't been hitting well the whole game, maybe it was because of the heat, or maybe it was because he hadn't seen his son all day, due to his new summer work schedule. Whatever it was, he just couldn't seem to focus. "Strike!" the Umpire called again. Ricky swung at the air again as his teammate swung his last strike and was called out.

It was Ricky's turn; he walked up to the base and raised his bat, ready to swing. He watched the pitcher. This pitcher was good, good and yet he knew it. He wore a cocky smirk on his face that almost reminded Ricky of himself, Ricky didn't like this, no one could pull that smirk off like Ricky. The pitcher threw a curveball, "Strike!" yelled the Ump from behind him. Shaking his head with frustration, he looked out into infield at his teammates on the bases. There were two players on base, and two outs. If he could just hit and get one of them in, he could win for the team, go home and take a shower then spend the rest of the evening with Aidan and Amy. He looked back at the pitcher who threw another pitch. "Strike!" the Ump yelled again. Ricky hit his bat to the ground and raised it back up, he needed a hit; he needed something. He looked up the bleachers to see if Margaret was still there watching, and his heart sank. There, sitting beside Margaret was Amy and George, and sitting in Amy's lap was Aidan. He was even wearing the tiny baseball cap Ricky found and bought for him once he found out he was going to be playing again. When Amy caught Ricky looking their way she smiled and picked up Aidan's arm, making him wave; Aidan giggled. They came, Ricky thought, his heart pounding; and that was the little something that he needed. Ricky swung his bat once more and *Crack*, the ball went soaring. He watched it as he ran to 1st base, until it was clear over the ball field fence. He ran and ran making his way around the bases. As he passed the pitcher, he smirked back at him. His teammates met him at home-plate congratulating and smacking him on the back. Ricky looked up at the bleachers and grinned. Margaret and Amy were both standing up cheering. Amy was bouncing Aidan in her arms pointing to Ricky, as he continued to giggle. Even George managed to clap.

Amy stayed with Aidan after the game to talk to Ricky. After everything on the field was cleaned up, Ricky walked over to them. He smirked as he approached them, taking Aidan out of her arms.

"That was…..… awesome." Amy told him beaming.

"It was, wasn't it?" Ricky told her playfully.

He turned to Aidan,

"Did you like that buddy? We'll play someday."

Amy looked at them and laughed.

"What?" Ricky asked still smiling.

"Nothing," Amy replied, "You two just look even more alike with your matching caps."

Ricky looked back at Aidan and smiled, "Nothing wrong with that, huh buddy?"

He turned back to Amy.

"Hey, what are you doing tonight?" he asked her.

"Oh um.. I'm not sure," Amy told him, caught off guard. "Why?"

Ricky was in such a good mood that he felt as if he could do anything, even something that he had been too afraid to do for months.

"Wanna go out tonight?" he asked.

Amy's mouth dropped a little.

"Go out? Like on a date?"

The smile faded from Ricky's face, maybe he shouldn't have asked her.

"Yeah," he said, focusing on readjusting Aidan's cap, "We don't have to though; I just thought maybe if you wanted a break from everything, we could-"

"No! I'll go." Amy cut in.

"You will?" Ricky asked surprised.

"It's just that.. I don't know if I can get a sitter. My mom left straight from work with David, she won't be back until late." She paused and her cheeks went pink, "Unless, you didn't mean that kind of a date.. We can always bring him with us, too."

Ricky laughed. He was relieved that she wasn't turning him down.

"I meant that kind of a date," he told her, "And don't worry about the sitter, I'm sure Margaret would do it in a heartbeat. She's been wanting to baby-sit him anyways. I'll ask her when I get home. If not, with us, he'll go." He picked Aidan up into the air, which professed even more giggles.