A/N: So no one plans on taking a five month hiatus. It just sort of happens. My life decided to become crazy with work, school ,family, and I had pretty much no inspiration. Plus I think my last two chapters got maybe two reviews and I just didn't feel the need or the encouragement to update, so I stopped. But I'm back. I realized that I need to finish this story. I need to finish this story for the people who still read this fic, for the people who still believe in Palex, for Palex, and for myself. Also I really want you guys to meet Jordeth's baby and I want you guys to see AJ all grown up, because trust me when I say that she is a hoot. So I will finish this. I promise you that.

Disclaimer: I don't now own Degrassi or its characters. Actually I probably either would have ended Degrassi by now or I would have done a Palex spin off.

They say not everything is a competition. They say that being too competitive isn't good for you. I don't know who "they" are but they're probably the same people who would say that a grown woman competing with a toddler in a staring contest isn't healthy. Yet here I am doing it.

"You're going down AJ," I say as I continue staring, focusing.

AJ is just looking back at me with the same focus in her eyes. I'm not going to let her get me this time. This time I'm ready and focused.

Brrt!

Oi! I close my eyes and quickly cover my nose. AJ starts clapping and giggling. What the!

"You cheater!" I yell and point an accusing finger at her.

"No," AJ says and she's shaking her head.

"Don't you say 'no'," I tell her. "You totally cheated with that baby fart you just passed."

Paige and Alex walk over to us. "What are you yelling aboot now?" Paige asks.

"Your baby is totally a cheater," I tell them seriously.

Paige looks at me as if I've grown another head. "My baby is also a BABY Jordan," she says. "Hon, I don't know why or how you're having a staring contest with her and I don't even know how she would be able to cheat."

I look over at AJ, the staring contest baby cheater. Oh my God! She is totally smirking right now.

"You're baby is totally smirking right now," I half shout.

Alex rolls her eyes and picks AJ up.

"Mama," AJ says happily and smiles.

"Hi baby," Alex says to AJ. "I know you're not a cheater. And even if you are it's ok because today is your birthday and you can have and win whatever you want."

Alex kisses AJ on the cheek. AJ kisses her right back, while still making the kissing sound as she does it. I look at Alex with my arms crosses around my chest.

"That's not a very good lesson to teach her," I tell Alex. "Just because today is her birthday doesn't mean she can cheat."

Alex scoffs. "Says the woman who declared on her eighteenth birthday that her birthday was officially an international holiday," she says.

I roll my eyes. "Because it is, duh."

"Well today is a holiday in this household," Alex says.

I look around and see tons of people, thousands of pink decorations with pirate skulls on them. Over the patio is a huge banner that says, Happy 1st Birthday Athena! There's a tower of presents wrapped in colorful paper on a table waiting to be ripped open. There's G rated music playing in the background and I know inside is a very nice and decorative birthday cake waiting to be eaten.

"Oh trust me I know today is a holiday for y'all," I tell them. "Actually it's a double holiday, which is almost as good as a double rainbow."

Yep, believe it or not today is AJ's first birthday. My favorite, only, niece is one year old. Since today is AJ's birthday you know what that means, today is also Palex's wedding anniversary, their third wedding anniversary to be more accurate. So of course today is a big day that needed a big party, even though it's a Monday.

So let me catch you up on what's been happening since the whole "Alex is cheating" situation. I was able to get Perez to post a retraction to the previous article. A lot of the comments on the retraction said they knew Alex would never cheat on Paige and that Perez was a stupid ass who needed to get his facts straight. I have to admit, the comments made me feel a little better. Paige came home for about a week break from her tour. From what I saw everything seemed ok but I'm not too entirely sure because I decided to really stay out of Palex world for that week. Oh and I also got chewed out by Kelly. She told me that I needed to do my job and keep an eye on Alex because if anymore accusations like that popped up again it could potentially hurt Paige's career. I told Kelly that I wasn't Alex's babysitter. Kelly then pulled me up by my collar and told me that if anything like that ever happened again she would kill me, slowly and painfully. Let's just say that Kelly can be VERY scary when she wants to be.

So right now the party is in full swing. Everyone you would expect to be here is here and then some. Jay and Manny with little Emma are here, actually I'm pretty sure Jay is playing hide and seek with Emma right now. Craig got some time off from recording to be here. Of course Paige's parents are here, they're talking to my parents right now. Major is having an argument with Dylan about how he's the better uncle because of his age. Ellie and Beth are lounging on some chairs right now, doing nothing. And then some of Alex's work friends are here and some of Paige's co-workers are here. Overall I'd say this party is a bash so far.

"This party is amazing so far," I tell them.

Paige smiles. "Thank hon," she says. "My princess' first party just had to be amazing."

Paige kisses AJ on her cheek while AJ claps.

"Down," Aj commands.

Wow at the tender age of one AJ is already sounding like both Paige and Alex.

Alex looks at her with questioning eyes. "Are you sure?" she asks. "I don't want you to hurt yourself again."

I wave Alex off. "Stop being a worrywart," I tell her.

Alex looks at me with a dark look. "Be quiet," she says. "Last time I put her down she fell on her face."

"And she got right back up," I remind her.

"Lexie we have to at least let her try again," Paige says.

"Down," AJ commands again.

Alex sighs. "Alright, alright," she says, giving up. "But I'm holding on to your hands this time."

Alex gently puts AJ down on the ground, on her feet. AJ tries to balance herself while Alex is holding onto her hands. See, for the past month or so AJ has been trying to walk. First it just started with her lifting herself up by grabbing onto something, usually people's pants legs, or grabbing a chair or the side of the couch but lately for the past week she's really been trying to get this walking thing down. She's been able to stand up by herself for about ten seconds but then she just falls on her butt.

AJ is taking small baby steps while Alex is holding on to her hands and following behind her. There's this look of determination on AJ's face that matches the same look Alex has on her face when ever she's up against a hard task.

"Lexi, you have to let her go if she's going to do it by herself," Paige says.

Alex looks at Paige with a worried look on her face.

"Go ahead hon, she can do it," Paige encourages Alex.

Alex slowly lets go of AJ's hands. AJ places her left foot in front and then her right foot. So far, so good. AJ does the same action as before. Plop! And now she's on the ground. A look of frustration appears on AJ's face. To me it looks like she wants to curse, if she could. Instead she bangs her fists on the ground and huffs in frustration.

Alex picks AJ up. "Are you ok?" she asks her.

"She did the same thing you do when something doesn't go your way," I tell Alex. "First you bang your fists and then you huff in frustration."

"I do not," Alex says.

Paige is nodding her head. "Actually hon, you do," she says. Paige looks at AJ. "It's ok sweetie. That was a very nice try."

I see Major making is way over to us.

"Hey twerp," I greet him.

Major waves me off. "Yeah, whatever," he mumbles. Major turns his attention to Palex. "Hey, not to be rude or anything because this party is great and all, but I'm nine and I have a bed time which means I don't have too long till this bedtime."

"Get to the point Major," Alex says.

"Are we going to cut this cake or what?" Major asks.

I whistle. "Wow, he just gets straight to the point," I say.

Alex looks at Paige. "I guess it is time to cut the cake," Alex says. She looks at AJ. "Are you ready for cake?"

"Yay!" AJ cheers and claps her hands.

"Alright, I'll go grab Dylan so we can get the cake," I tell them.

I walk to the patio where a lot of the adults have gathered and are just talking. I walk up to Ellie and Beth who are still just laying on the lounge chairs. Beth has on sunglasses and everything, just relaxing.

"Look at you two," I say. "Just layin around, doin nothing."

Beth tilts her sunglasses down and looks at me. She rests her hands on her stomach and I already know what she's going to say.

"Carrying a baby is very tiring Jordan," she says seriously.

I chuckle. "In two months you won't be able to say that anymore," I tell her.

"Well in two months I'll get to say that being a mother is very tiring."

"But then I will also be able to say that." I look at Ellie. "Maybe then Ellie can babysit for us."

Ellie's eyes widen in fear. "No thank you," she says quickly.

I laugh at her response. "Calm down Ellie," I tell her. "I'm going to go get the cake."

I kiss Beth on the cheek and leave those two doing whatever they were doing before. I place my hand on Dylan's shoulder as I walk past him and Marco, signaling that it's time to get the cake.

Dylan follows me into the kitchen to get the pink number one shaped birthday cake.

"What flavor did Paige say this was again?" Dylan asks.

"Um vanilla I think?" I tell him. "I'm not one hundred percent sure. Honestly I zone out when Paige starts talking to me sometimes."

Dylan chuckles. "I do too honestly."

Dylan lifts one side of the cake while I lift the other. As we make our way outside I notice that everyone has gathered on the patio. I notice Major jumping up and down in excitement. You'd that that it was his birthday we're celebrating. I see Palex and AJ sitting at the head of the picnic table that's set up for the cake. As we get closer to the table Dylan and I stop so Brian can light the single candle that is on the cake. As soon as the candle is lit everyone begins to sing.

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Athena

Happy birthday to you!

Everyone begins to clap and cheer. Dylan and I put the cake down on the table in front of Palex and AJ.

"Make a wish baby girl," Alex tells AJ.

Palex helps AJ blow out the candle and everyone claps and cheers even louder. Paige and Alex each kiss AJ on the cheek as the little girl claps and smiles. There're flashes everywhere from people taking pictures.

"Alright, let's cut this cake!" Major yells.

Brian flicks Major's ear, warning him to mind his manners. Major turns and looks at him with an angry face, which quickly softens when he sees Brian's angry face.

"Sorry I'm late," a voice says behind me.

I turn around. Oh crap, it's Sage. And she's holding a present. How nice. I turn back and see Palex and AJ notice Sage as well. Now knowing who Sage is AJ waves at her. Alex has a nervous smile on her face while I'm not quite sure what Paige is thinking. I think due to her being in public and this being a happy event for her family she's keeping the bitch face on the inside.

"Hey Sage," Alex greets her nervously.

Those of us who know the whole back story and situation look at each other with the same thing running through our minds, "Oh shit". I look at Beth, but like Major, her whole focus is currently on the cake. I look at Jay and he's looking back at me shaking his head. He mouths "I'm staying out of it" to me. What a pansy.

Paige smiles. "Hello Sage," she greets her.

"Hi Paige," Sage greets her with both happiness and nervousness in her voice. "Hi AJ, happy birthday."

"Gifts go on the gift table hon," Paige says.

Ok so there are three different meanings behind Paige's notorious "hon". The first way can be the enduring loving way. She usually uses that one for family and friends. The second one is when she's doing it in sort of a condensing sort of way. Like if someone does something stupid or asks a stupid question. Then there's the third way. This is when Paige says it in a really bitchy way; the way where when she says it means you're in deep shit. The way Paige just said "hon" to Sage was a mix of number two and three.

Sage nods her head. "Ok, cool," she says.

Sage walks over to the gift table. I look at Kelly and she puts her hands up.

"Today is my day off," she says and takes a swig of her beer. "I'm her as a friend, not Paige's assistant. Besides I told you to fix this over a month ago."

I roll my eyes at her. I turn my focus back to Palex and AJ. Alex is currently cutting cake for guests while Rose has AJ sitting in her lap while she eats cake. Major has already moved on to his second piece of cake.

"Slow down Major," Brian tells him.

Major ignores him and continues stuffing his mouth with cake. The music begins again as everyone enjoys cake and goes back to the conversations there were having before singing the birthday song. I notice Paige whisper something in Alex's ear. Jay takes over the cutting of the cake as Alex follows Paige into the house.

"Are you going to follow them?"

I turn around and Ellie, Craig, Marco, Dylan, and Beth are all staring at me.

"What makes you think I'm going in there?" I ask them.

"Because you're Jordan," Marco says.

"Yeah, you always jump in at moments like this," Dylan says.

"Why do I have to jump in?" I ask. I point at Dylan. "Your sister is part of that relationship as well buddy."

"Yeah but see as you've mentioned many times before, I wasn't really here for the formation of Palex and I spent many years in Switzerland, therefore-"

I hold my hand up. "Stop," I tell him. "You're excuse is starting to turn into a long story that no one wants or needs to hear. I'm going to let them solve this one for themselves."

Craig scoffs. "I give her five minutes," he says.

"I say two," Beth says.

I look at Beth. "That hurts," I tell her.

Beth shrugs her shoulders. "I know you," she says. "Now I must go get another piece of cake. The baby REALLY likes vanilla."

Beth waddles back to the picnic table with Ellie right behind her. I sigh and roll my eyes. I head inside and head up the stairs. I know in a situation like this with a party going on in the backyard Palex would take this discussion to the bedroom. As I reach the second floor I hear voices but they're not yelling, so that's a good thing.

As I approach their bedroom I notice that the door is cracked open. They took it upstairs but didn't close the door.

"Paigey, I honestly think you're making a bigger deal out of this than is needed," I hear Alex say.

"No Lexi, don't," Paige says angrily. "Don't try to make this seem like I'm the crazy one, like I'm overreacting, because I'm not."

"But you are! So what Sage came to the party?"

"This was invitation only. Not just some party for her to crash."

"She didn't crash it! I invited her! Sage is my friend Paige, and AJ likes her. Why shouldn't be invited to the party?"

I open the door slowly.

"Hey guys," I say.

Paige looks at me. "No," she says quickly and angrily.

"Paige I-"

"No Jordan, stay out of this."

"Listen I just wanted to say-"

"No," Paige cuts me off. "I am serious Jordan, stay out of this. This is between me and Alex. Not you!"

Paige pushes me out of the room and slams the door shut. Wow, how rude. I go back down the stairs to join the party. Everyone is doing their own thing, either eating cake, talking, or playing with children of their own. I see Sage sitting next to Beth and Ellie on the lounge chairs. Major is off in the yard with AJ, holding her hands helping her walk, while Rose and Roger are supervising. I begin walking toward them.

Beth grabs my hand, stopping me. She tilts her sun glasses down so I can see her eyes.

"Is everything alright?" she asks.

I nod my head. "Yeah," I say nonchalant.

"I hope I didn't cause any trouble," Sage says.

I wave her off. "Well today is also their anniversary, so they're just spending some couple time together."

I continue my journey to Major and AJ.

"Hey Major," I greet him.

Major looks up at me and smile. "Look Jordan," he begins. "I'm helping AJ walk."

"You sure are buddy."

"Jordan," Rose says my name. "Where are Alex and Paige?"

"They're just talking. Just trying to have some alone time," I reassure her.

Major gently places AJ down. "I think I'm going to get more cake," he announces.

"You're going to throw up," I tell him.

He shrugs. "Eh, whatever."

I sit down across from AJ. AJ is just looking around, it's like she's looking for someone. She turns her head and now she's looking at me. AJ sort of looks confused. Can a baby look confused?

"Mama?" AJ says. Well sounds more like asking.

"Are you asking me where your mother is?" I ask her.

"Mama? Mommy?"

AJ starts turning her head, like she's looking for Palex. The look of confusion turns into slight frustration.

"Mama! Mommy!" AJ calls out.

Ok not knowing where they are is really starting to get to AJ. A look of concentration mixed with frustration appears on the young girl's face. AJ puts her hands on the ground and pushes her butt into the air.

"AJ…"

Steadying her butt AJ slowly lifts herself up. Ok, she's standing up by herself now. Wow she's gone ten whole seconds without falling down. A look of determination is on the young girl's face. AJ places her left foot in front and then her right. She repeats the action. Oh my God.

"AJ?"

The girl has taken five steps without falling.

"Mama!" AJ calls out.

AJ continues taking step after step. She's a bit wobbly but she's still holding up.

"Oh my God Athena!" Rose shrieks.

Everyone's attention turns to us as AJ continues walking. Oh my God she's walking!

"Mama! Mommy!" AJ calls out once again.

"Jordan, go get the girls!" Rose yells at me.

I run into the house as AJ continues walking. I run up the stairs. Unlike last time I can hear yelling. I slow down my pace.

"I saw the pictures Alex!" I hear Paige yell.

"Nothing happened Paige!"

"That's not the point Alex! I'm off doing my job while I get reports about you hanging out with Sage! Having lunches and dinners with her? And then I hear how you had her babysit AJ? How do you think the makes me feel? And then you didn't even tell me aboot it, like you're hiding something!"

"Paige I can't believe we're arguing about this! I love you! What I had with Sage is over! I married you and committed my life to you. Why can't you see that? Why can't you stop being so insecure?"

"Don't tell me I'm being insecure Alex! How would you feel if I just started having private dinners with Riley or Spinner while you were away doing your job?"

Well seeing as Spinner is married I don't really think she can use that one. Also she was only with Riley for a couple of months.

"I would trust you because that's what a wife does," Alex says. "She trusts her partners and don't believe the stupid rumors that are on some gossip blog site."

"Maybe I'd be able to trust you if you were sneaking off with your ex!"

"Who's sneaking off? I'm not sneaking anywhere. I'm right here Paige, just like I was right here every night waiting for you to come on."

Paige scoffs. "Except for the nights where you were off having dinner with Sage."

Ok, I've had enough of this. I open the door and walk into the bedroom. Paige turns her head quickly and looks at me with fire in her eyes.

"I said this is none of your business Jordan!" she yells.

"Jordan, just get out," Alex says.

"No!" I yell.

"Jordan," Alex says my name sternly.

"No!" I repeat. "You two are up here arguing while your daughter is downstairs looking for you! Your daughter just took her first steps!"

Palex gasps. Alex runs her hands through her hair angrily while Paige has her hand over her mouth, surprised.

"Your daughter was downstairs looking for you," I tell them. "Calling out for you! And then she stood up with determination and concentration on her face and took her first steps, looking for her mothers who were up here arguing about the same issue that's been argued so many times before."

"Jordan…" Alex starts.

"No," I tell her, interrupting her. "Today is about your family, not some stupid rumor flying around that we all know to be false. It's not about a woman that was once in Alex's life and is back now. It's about your daughter and your marriage. Three years ago you two made promised to each other. You two made vows to each other. You promised to love each other no matter what and to trust each other but yet you're up here arguing about someone who doesn't even matter anymore."

"I can't believe we missed it," Paige says, sadness coating her voice.

I shake my head. "Just grow up," I tell them. "Stop being insecure, stop lying to each other, stop keeping secrets. Just grow up."

I leave the room, walking down the stairs. I guess it wouldn't be a party without some drama.

A/N: So this might be the last time I bring up the Sage issue because I think I might be beating a dead horse with it. Soon Jordeth will have their baby!