Hi, guys :) I know I wasn't around for a quite long time, but finally I managed to write a new chapter :) Thanks Linda for sticking with a story abd your very nice comments :) I can't promise you everyone would get a good ending, but surely I'd try to give him a bit happiness in their lifes :) Anyway, I hope you'd like a new chapter Xx

28 September, 2011

She knew he was talking to her and keeping his hand on her own, but any of his words reached her ears. She was just staring at him numb, in mind trying to process everything she heard. Her head was spinning around and she knew she was going to faint in a minute. He rushed from his seat across hers and quickly opened widely the window, before he disappeared behind her back and she could hear he was calling someone.

'You have to be wrong.' She whispered, when he handed her a plastic cup with water. 'It's not possible.'

'I'm afraid, Sarah, it is.' He sighed and gently stroked her hand. 'But it's not the end of world. We just need to start the treatment and everything would be fine.'

'What would be fine? I'm dying!' She squealed and covered mouth with hands.

'You're not dying.' He said firmly and tilted over her to keep the eye contact. 'We need to do another extra examination and then we'd start a treatment, okay?'

'It's a nightmare…' She muttered and felt how the tears start gathering in her eyes. 'I'm too young!' She cried.

'You're never too young or old for getting sick.'

'But it's impossible, I was always health!' She shook her head. 'I'd lose my contract.' She added quieter as the realization hit her. 'I'm only good in modeling.' It was the only thing she was living for.

'You don't need to give up on your job, Sarah. You're young, strong woman and I'm sure you'd win your fight. You just need to believe in that.' He said firmly, but she didn't trust him. He was lying to her, she could sense it.

'I don't want to die.' She repeated quietly with desperation staring deep into his eyes. 'You need to check everything once again. They did mistake.'

'We can repeat the examinations, but it's only waste of time and your money. They won't change if they do them once again.' In one moment he ruined her all hopes. Just like that.

'It's my money and I can decide for what I'd spend them.' She snapped and quickly stood up, didn't want to stay here any longer. 'Tomorrow they need to examine me once again.'

'If it's your wish.' He shrugged and sighed heavily. 'But don't expect miracle, Sarah. You need to start treatment.'

'We'll see.' She threw her purse over her right shoulder and marched away from the cold office, before she'd broke in tears in front of him and finally understands seriousness of the situation.

29 September, 2011

He has never liked reading poems, let alone interpret them and justify in front of the class why your interpretation is better than your colleague, but today he was again forced to face it regardless if he wants it or not. It was just the way his life goes, he stated.

'You really think the writer had it in mind when he was writing it?' No, he didn't, but he'd never admit it loud. 'It looks a bit…bizarre.' He felt his eyes at himself as he bite down on the end of pen and searched for a sign on his face, he was right.

'Well, do you have any better idea?' He decided to turn things a bit around, before he'd make a total idiot of himself. 'Besides your homework is saying to write your own interpretation, not wonder what author had in mind.' He added as he glanced at the exercise book.

'I know, but still…' He scratched his hair and looked unsurely at him. 'It sounds bizarre.'

'You can always ask someone else for help.' He said outraged.

'Like who?'

'I don't know. It's not my problem, isn't it?' He smirked and grabbed his cap as he noticed Marilyn waving at him from behind the counter. He quickly put it on his head and shuffled toward her. 'What's the problem?'

'They need you at the back to take care about delivery.' She announced with a slight smile, making him growl.

'Boss didn't hire me to take care about deliveries.' He snapped back and looked irate toward the white door of the kitchen. 'We have enough work here.'

'I know, but Martin is on sick leave and there's only Arthur there. They need a hand and since we have only three occupied tables and any orders and it's noon, I think I can handle situation here on my own.' She shot him this sickly sweet smile he hated. 'And don't worry I'd keep an eye at Chris, until you finish or he decides to go back to home.' She assured him.

'Fine. And help him if he has some questions about his homework. I'm sure you'd be better than me.'

'Forget about it!' He rolled his eyes and marched at the back with hope it won't take him too long.

'Oh, Darren! Give me a hand, will ya?' The Irish guy in his forties grinned at him as he pointed at few boxes lying under his feet, when he only crossed the threshold of the kitchen. 'These bloody cooks can't handle even a one thing!'

'I'm not a bloody strongman!' One of the cooks yelled outraged and Darren had to agree with him. Even Craig seemed to not be so skinny as him.

'I know, Queen.' Arthur snorted ironically and shoved Darren heavy box with meat. 'Take care about it, okay? Maybe I'd force one of them to help us, otherwise we'd spend here half of the day!'

'Don't stop yourself!' Darren smirked, didn't has nothing against the extra help if it means he'd end here during two hours.

Just like Arthur promised he has managed to force even two cooks to help them and they have finished their job during one hour, regardless of the lot of moans and sulking from their sides. He was already drowning in sweat and desired for something cold to drink, when he was called back at the main hall as new clients come over for a lunch and Marilyn had a problem with pick up the all orders.

'Eww…You're smelling!' Marilyn pulled out her face as he stopped next to her and with friendly smile took the order from two teenage girls.

'You wouldn't smell better if you worked at the back.' He snapped back. 'You have to deal with that.'

'I just hope Marge would come back soon.' She rolled her eyes.

'Where's Chris?' He asked as his eyes accidently moved toward the table he occupied with his son earlier. His heart immediately start pounding as he looked nervously around the restaurant, but there was no sign of him. 'You said you'd keep any eye at him!' He almost yelled at her, ready to leave everything in a minute.

'And I am!' She bristled annoyed and pointed toward the right wing of the hall. 'He's sitting at the table in the corner. You told him to find someone to help him in homework, so he did it.'

'He asked client to help him in homework?' His mouth hang opened as he stared at her in disbelief. 'And you let him? Are you mad?'

'It was your regular client's idea to help him. Anyway, they had a great fun when I checked them few minutes earlier.' She shrugged.

'My regular? You mean Mr. Lewis? He's in his seventies, if not older. I'm not sure if he still sees anything and most of the time he's talking about the Second War World. I don't know how he might help him in the English Literature.'

'Not him!' She rolled her eyes with a sigh. 'I mean this guy who was here few times and always taking the table in the corner. You'd know when you see him!' He just shook his head at her and with a growl quickly swaggered between customers. Just like Marilyn said Christian was sitting at the corner with some young guy and was giggling as kept writing something down to his exercise book.

'Chris!' He called softly and smiled as the boy turned around and grinned back at him. He quickly approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder before turned toward clients.

'I'm very sorry for my son, sir, but…' The rest of words died on his lips as the man looked at him with a small grin and he recognized in him a funny man from few days before, who was asking for an extra plate for his daughter.

'It's okay. Me and Jas were boring anyway, so it was nice to help your son with his homework. He's a very nice young man.' He grinned and Darren could see how his son's eyes lightened up.

'Yes, he's very nice.' He smiled as small head popped from behind the man's shoulder with a shy smile.

'If you say so.' He shrugged and winced as Christian's small fist nudged him into rib. 'Hey! What I did wrong, eh?' He smirked.

'You never believe when someone says I'm nice.' He sulked and dropped his pen down.

'I'm sure your dad is just winding you up, that's all.' The man interfered with cheeky grin. 'You don't have to be all so upset at him.'

'Exactly.' He nodded his head and smiled back at the guy. 'Okay, Chris take your things out and we're going.' He ordered as he took a glance at the counter. 'I have a work to do and you need to finish your homework.'

'Just give me ten minutes, dad!' He pleaded. 'We're almost done.'

'It's rude to sit down at someone table without ask.' He said in a low whisper as he bended over him, but it looked like the man had to hear him as he quickly spoke up.

'I asked him to join us. He was sitting there completely alone and I heard your colleague trying him help in English literature, and well…let's say I'm sure you could chose someone better!' He wondered why this man was always grinning, like he didn't know that something like smile is existing.

'Trust me, you didn't see me yet.' He smirked and patted his son's back. 'Come on, Chris.'

'Where's the hurry?' The man cocked an eyebrow at him. 'I don't see any clients around. Everyone have their meals and tables.' He added as he looked around restaurant.

'It doesn't mean I don't have anything more to do.' Probably he'd clean the counter and chat with Marilyn until his shift ends. 'I'm a busy man.' He just preferred to stay away from the guy he knows nothing about. He was too nice as for his taste.

'Yea, right.' The small Brutus snorted.

'Chris you really don't want me to repeat it.' The warning evident in his voice and boy finally seemed to understand his situation as he reached for his things without more sulking.

'Why don't you join to us?' The man offered and pointed at the two free chairs across them. Darren stared at him like he just got an extra pair of antennae on his head. 'No one ever asked you to join him or her at the table?' He just felt like he has been asked for a date, and that clearly annoyed and upset him. What the hell this guy was thinking about?

'Yea, my wife.' He replied sharply, cutting him off. 'Enjoy your meal, sir.' He grabbed Chris for his arm and leaded him toward the counter without looking back at this strange man. 'Sit here and try to not make more problems, okay?' He pushed him toward the small stool.

'You were rude to him.'

'I don't think you're allowed to giving me lessons, son.' He said sharply and threw his cap on the counter. 'Finish your homework and go back to home. I'm sure mum is already waiting for you.'

'I don't want to sit with mum and Crystal!' He whined. 'Can I meet with Joey? I don't want to stay another all day in my room, when Crystal runs to mum to say I again did something to her.' He rolled his eyes.

'If you promise me, you'd stay at Joey's house and come back to home before six. I don't want to get reprimand from mum, if you don't come for a dinner or stay late outside the home. Am I clear?' He was a typical boy and he knew from his own experience, if he doesn't let Christian meets with his friends or stay away from home, he'd break out the all rules when he only get a chance and they wouldn't keep him in house. He only learns to solve his all problems with running out from the house, and from his own experience, he knew it won't bring anything good.

'Sure, dad. Don't worry, mum wouldn't even notice I'm not in home.' He winked at him and with a small smile returned to his homework totally forgetting about his father, but Darren was still watching him intently with worried expression, trying to process in mind what his son just said. In one moment he understood that his conversation with Nancy was inevitable and this time it won't stop only at her job.

28 September, 2011

The knocking repeated for the fourth time and she knew she doesn't has any choice like stop hiding and answer the door. She wrapped her old, violet sweater around herself and slowly approached the door. Her hand paused at the door handle, until she made sure her hair was back from her face and her cheeks were dry and clean.

'Finally! I was waiting for you in the bar for a good hour. I was trying to phone to you, but your phone is switched off. I was worried something bad happened to you.' A small ghostly smile appeared on her face as she faced Hannah, but she quickly dropped it as she felt how watery her eyes became.

'I'm so sorry. I've just had a really hard day in work and I totally forgot we were supposed to meet tonight.' Sarah apologized with hoarse voice. 'I had to asleep.' She lied.

'Yea, I can hear that.' She smiled warmly and looked above her shoulder. 'So, you want me to let you get back to sleep, or can I see your famous apartment and keep you company?' Everything in Sarah's mind was saying to tell her to go away, before she could notice she spent the last two hours on crying, but on the other hand she was afraid if she pushes her away, she'd never come back. Besides she likes her company, she always feels relaxed and comfortable around her and she could talk about something else than finance; Craig's favorite topic.

'Come in.' She moved aside, deciding to take a risk. She already had pushed enough people from her life, to do it once again. Hannah barely came inside, when she almost fall down on the floor as her foot stumble on something. Sarah quickly caught her arm and helped to steady her. 'I'm so sorry.'

'It's fine, but could you switch on the lamp?' Hannah asked as she massaged her sore ankle. 'I barely could see anything.' Sarah bite down on her low lip and reluctantly moved over the other side of the couch to switch on the small lamp on the stylish cabinet. She heard Hannah's chuckle behind her back and when she turned around, the woman shook a head on her.

'I thought about a top lamp, silly. Don't you think it's still too dark, here? I even can't see your face!' Sarah stood like a pile of salt, mortified. 'Where do you have a switch?'

'Behind you.' She muttered and terrified looked around the room. 'Look, I'd just pop to the kitchen for something to drink.' She suddenly said and almost ran toward the kitchen. 'What would you like to drink?'

'Something cold, please.' She hid in the room in the same time as the whole living room has been lightened up. 'You have a really nice and big apartment. I think your living room is the same size as my whole flat.' She smiled slightly to herself and removed a box of orange juice from the refrigerator.

'Please, sit down and feel like home!' Sarah called as she heard her steps. 'I'd be back in a minute. I just take drinks for us and fix something to eat.' She added and moved her eyes around the contest of refrigerator. She quickly stated the only thing she could do is a light salad and maybe scrambled eggs. In other words, she needed to do shopping, if she wanted to have something for a breakfast and maybe another dinner, if she won't go at the party.

'Oh, I give you a hand! I don't like sitting alone and useless.' Her heart immediately start beating rapidly.

'No!' She shouted. 'I can take care about it on my own. Just sit down and you can read some magazines I have on my desk. Maybe you could help me to pick up a dress for a party.'

'Oh, sure!' She smiled hearing how enthusiastic she was. 'I hope you don't mind if I choose something a bit vanguard? I just hate this all casual, smart dresses. You should wear something which would stand you out from the crowd.'

'If you think so.' She shrugged with a small smile. 'I don't mind anything, till I can afford it. Feel free to choose something and I'd join you for few minutes.' She sighed with relief when the steps faded away. She quickly washed her face in the kitchen sink and kept saying approval; yhm, yea, it sounds good, why not, every time Hannah suggested another outfit. She managed to emptied the whole refrigerator and began prepare everything for a dinner.

'Do you like eat scrambled eggs with tomatoes?' She asked as she fished for a bowl. 'Hannah?' She called once again, but she again didn't hear her saying something back…Did she go out?

She nervously left the kitchen and almost on the same tiptoes, she slowly moved toward the living room. The first thing she noticed it was Hannah's blue coat threw over the back of the couch, and it calmed her down. It was obvious she wouldn't go back to home without it, so she has to be still here.

'Hannah, are you fine?' She asked softly as she passed by the wall to see the whole room. 'Where are…' She was standing next to her desk with some card in her hands, while magazines were lying spread around her feet. Her face was serious as her eyes moved along the lines. Sarah felt as everything began spinning in her head and she began sweating.

'That's why you didn't want to meet with me?' Hannah asked her quietly as she finally took her eyes off from the paper. 'You weren't going to tell me about it?'

'There's nothing to say.' She replied almost in whisper and fixed her eyes at the opposite wall, couldn't stand her stare.

'You're going to have a biopsy, I don't think it's nothing.' She could say she was angry at her.

'I don't need a pity.' She muttered and was going to run back to the kitchen, when Hannah quickly approached her and grabbed her shoulder.

'I'd offer you a support.' She said softly. 'I know we barely know each other, but I like you, and I would like to be your friend one day…If you need my help or someone to talk with, I'm always for you, okay?' She smiled slightly as the first tears fall down from Sarah's eyes and she wrapped her arms around her shoulders as she pulled her into embrace and she began sobbing. 'Just promise me, next time you'd be honest with me and say what is lying on your heart, okay? I want to help you.'

'I just don't know what to do.' She sobbed. 'I don't want to die…'

'No one is going to die, Sarah Barnes. We're not living in nineteenth century. You don't have any idea how the medicine has gone forward recently. I can bring you some magazines to read.' She offered quickly. 'And go with you to the doctor. Do you have a good one? My friend would be able to help us in find someone really good. He has his sources in the hospital.'

'Okay, slow down.' She chuckled slightly. 'You don't have to hold me for hand all the time. There are some things I can and should do on my own.'

'Okay, but I want to know everything what's going on with you. And you need to calm down. I know it's easy for me to say, but trust me, you need to think positively.' She said firmly as she pulled back from her to might look into her eyes. 'You'd be okay. I believe in that.' They both smiled at each other.

'Thanks.'

'For what? I didn't do anything, yet.' She frowned.

'For wanting me to be your friend and being here with me when I need you. I don't know anyone who'd do something like that to me.' Hannah's face softened and her eyes became watery.

'Yea, because the last thing we need now, it's me crying on your shoulder.' She chuckled slightly. 'Come on, sit down, and forget about the dinner. Just talk with me, tell me what are you feeling.' Sarah obedient and nervously sat down on the couch across Hannah. She shyly looked down at her hands and began tell her about everything what has crossed her mind, while Hannah patiently listening to her without judge her. And for the first time from the long time, Sarah felt understood.

23 September, 2011

The paper balls were lying everywhere, along with rubbers, remains of breakfasts and other things which were easy to throw across the room. There were pansies drew on the middle of blackboard and white powder from the crushed chalk on the floor as some clumsy kid has to stepped on it. And then there was him, crossing the threshold of the class and watching everything what was going around with a thought he just crossed the gates of hell.

'Are you sure it's my new class?' He asked quietly Harold French standing behind his back and nervously rubbing his nose.

'Positively.' The man nodded. 'You've just became an owner of twenty kids.'

'Are you kidding me?' He asked in harsh whisper. 'They're not kids, only devils! Do you see what they've done here during one break?'

'I'm sure you'd put everyone on their places.' He assured him with a slight smile. 'It's not a bad class, I saw worse this year.'

'Still it didn't cheer me up.' He muttered and shook his head at a blonde, small boy who tugged a black haired girl for her pigtail, making her scream. 'I don't have any experience. I was only teaching English Literature for the last two years.'

'And you were doing great! Kids loved you.' He smiled wider and patted his back. 'Don't worry. Just give yourself and them a chance.'

'For now, I don't even like what I see.' He sighed heavily and for the last time glanced at the man. 'I just hope they won't give me any troubles in future.'

'Just spread your McQueen's charming around and everything would be fine.' He winked at him. 'Good luck.' He added before walked out of the class. John Paul turned around and skeptically glanced at the crowd of kids turning everything upside down, before he moved toward his desk and put rucksack on its surface. He began removed his things out as he realized there was no more any ear killing sounds around and twenty pair of eyes were watching him intently as they just noticed his presence. He put his the last item on the desk and moved around it, before he leaned against it and with a slight smile spoke up.

'Good morning, kids.' He welcomed them softly and noticed kids immediately walked back to their desks.

'Good morning, sir.' The choir of voices returned, pleasing him.

'I'm John Paul…' Some brave kid immediately sneakered, when few others smirked stupidly at him.

'Just like a pope?' Red haired, young boy asked and there was a salve of laugh around the class, until John Paul's one harsh look quieted everyone.

'Yes, just like pope.' He said and when he made sure any of kids try to play tough anymore, he continued. 'Like I said I'm John Paul McQueen and this year I'd be your educator.' He introduced himself. 'As some of you may know, I'm also teaching English Literature in school, and we're going today to start the class with it. I hope everyone brings their books.'

'Yes, sir!' The choir replied and they began making a noise once again, as they pushed their chairs aside and removed their things out.

'Now, there's no need to make such a noise around!' John Paul shouted irate. 'I'm sure you're able to do it quieter.' And he was right. 'And before we start the class, clean up the all mess you've done here. I want to see everything shine.' The kids exchanged the looks, but without complains listened up to him, although grimaces on their faces said him, they weren't enjoying it even a bit. 'Good. I've just got a feeling we'd get along pretty good soon.' He smirked at them as he sat behind his desk and opened the book. Maybe in the end Howard was right, and it won't be so bad as he has thought at first.

29 September, 2011

It was one of this lazy, nice afternoons when he didn't has to bother about coming back to home too soon and could enjoy his free time with his bunny twittering happily about everything what crosses her mind. He really enjoyed those days and was very pleasant to listen to her babbling even all day, happy that she was still there with him. But today was a bit different. Jasmine wasn't so chatty as always and was more focusing at her meal than at him, and he, well he tried his best to listen to her and reply for her each question, although he couldn't help from looking aside from time to time as his eyes methodically searched for the waiter. He didn't understand his today's outbursts and why he has taken his son out from them, like they were going to spoil him. Well, it was kind of his fault, he should knew better to not try a flirty talk with him and ask stupidly to join him at their table, but sometimes his mind seemed to fail and his big mouth takes the better of him. And besides still he didn't has to react so emotionally. It wasn't like he was asking him for a date or saying him how gorgeous he is.

'Daddy…' He took off his eyes from the waiter serving new clients their orders and looked quickly at Jasmine watching him intently with a fork in the half way to her mouth.

'Sorry, sweetie, I've just kind of trailed off.' He said with sheepishly smile and felt as his cheeks burned him slightly.

'I was asking you about something.' She said as she put a fork to her mouth. 'But you were staring at something behind my back.'

'Like I said I just trailed off.' He replied reluctantly, but his little missy didn't let him fool herself. 'So about what you were asking me?' He tried to change the subject, but he very quickly learned it was an illusory hope.

'At whom you're looking at all the time?' Sometimes he regrets she's so similar to him. Stubborn, little missy.

'At nothing particular.' He replied and was going to take a sip of his coke, when she turned around on her chair and moved her eyes straight at the person he was so persistently watching for the last hour. 'You were watching this man who serves the meals?'

'No…Well, maybe once or twice my eyes slipped at him.' He wasn't sure why he was telling her everything and why he was feeling so guilty. He didn't do nothing wrong, did he?

'Do you like him?' There was something in her eyes, didn't let him to lie to her or dismiss with some cheap excuse. Maybe it was because she'd never lie to him and he felt obliged to do the same, but whatever reason it was, she was the only person to whom he'd never lie. She was too precious for him.

'He's nice.' He replied evasively.

'But he was a little rude to you and Chris today.' She noted, but Spike dismissed her with a wave of hand.

'Everyone have bad days, sweetie. You know how nasty I can be, when I'm angry or very tired.'

'But you like him?' Her lips widened in a small smile.

'Yes, I do. Like I said he's nice and I like chatting with him.' He confirmed.

'Do you like him as much as you liked dad David?' It wasn't the question he expected to hear, especially from his daughter. Well, he understood she was too small to understand some things and couldn't distinguish friendship from love, but still she compared his feelings toward David with a waiter, like they were already in a deep friendship or love. It disturbed him. He didn't want her to compare David to some foreign man he saw only twice in his life! It were two different things and he wanted her to know that.

'Of course I'm not.' He said firmly, staring at her intently. 'I love your father, not only like him. I can like the waiter, but not even as much as I feel for your dad. It's different. I like the waiter like aunt Hannah, okay?' It was still too much to compare him to his and Hannah's friendship, but he guessed it'd be easier way to distinguish those two feelings. Friendship is a friendship and love is a love.

'But you're staring at him all the time.' He knew he blushed and he felt a pang of guiltiness. He almost felt like he was cheating on David, although he knew it was stupid of him to feel it. David was his past and he has rights to find some guys attractive and might even date with them, but whenever he tried, he always failed. But on the other hand did he really need a guy to be happy? He had his little Jasmine so why he'd like to find a man for himself? They were both happy in each other company and they didn't need anyone else. He didn't want Jasmine to feel unloved and thinking that some guy takes her place. He just couldn't do that to her.

'He's good looking, that's why sometimes I'm looking at him.' He replied truthfully with suppressed throat. 'But it doesn't mean I'd like him to take dad David's place. I do not love him.'

'You think he likes you, too?' She asked with her childish innocence.

'Sweetie, it's not always working that way. Sometimes we like someone, but this person might don't like us.'

'But it's stupid.' She frowned. 'Why he wouldn't like you, if you like him?' She was clearly confused, but he didn't blame her. Not once he was confused with the way some things going on in the big world, and probably he'd never understand them. He guessed he was too much into fairytales than in the real world.

'It's just how the adult's world works.' He sighed and smiled sympathetically at her. 'But for now you don't have to worry about that.'

'Well, I hope he likes you dad. He's nice and if you start meeting with him like you're meeting with aunt Hannah, he could bring with himself Chris.' Her face lightened up. 'I like him.'

'I noticed it.' He grinned. 'Now, finish your meal and we'd be heading back to home.'

'I already finished.' She replied quickly and put the fork at the almost empty plate.

'But you didn't eat…Jas!' He shouted as the girl jumped out from the chair and in a spring steps ran toward the counter where their favorite waiter was leaning against it and reading a magazine. His chair almost crashed on the floor as he violently stood up and followed her with beating heart, afraid of what she might tell the guy or do. He noticed how she popped her little head around the counter and waiter smiled at her as he said something back to her. He was almost there when Jasmine disappeared for the other side. 'Jas!' He called irate once again.

'It's okay, she just pop around to say goodbye to my son.' The waiter said with a slight smile, which quickly disappeared from his face as their eyes met. 'I hope you enjoyed your meal and would come back to us.' He said politely, although he knew the man was hoping he wouldn't come back.

'It was great, just like always.' He said on the one breath as the man nodded slightly his head at him and managed to gave him a small smile. 'Can I talk with you for a moment?' He asked quietly as he noticed the man was going to return to reading.

'About what?' He asked him puzzled and he could noticed how the man tensed immediately and pulled back a bit from him, like he was afraid he might jump at him.

'I want to apologize.'

'For what?' He stared at him back confused, his hand scratched his dark, thick hair stylish with a gel.

'For mine a bit flirty tone I used to talk with you and for making you felt uncomfortable. Sometimes I'm saying things without thinking and sometimes I'm saying straight what I think. I just like teasing people.' He noticed that man looked down at his feet almost ashamed and small smile crawled on his lips. 'You look nice so I thought we could chat a bit and well, it wasn't a good idea.' He smiled sadly at himself, thinking how pathetic he is. 'And I guess I shouldn't invite your son to my table without your consent. It was stupid of me and I apologize for everything. I really didn't want you to feel uncomfortable.'

'Wow, it's…' He scratched his head even more as he let his eyes met with his. 'There's no need to apologize. To be honest it should be me, apologizing you. I was rude to you at the table and well, I shouldn't take everything so emotionally. It's just, you seemed to be a flirty with me and it kind of scared me. I didn't know what to think about that.'

'Yea, sorry for that.' He said quietly, taking his eyes off. 'I'll try to keep my mouth shut.'

'No, it's fine, you're nice.' He smiled nervously. 'I don't mind you talk to me or being here. Just don't be so…'

'Flirty?' He asked with a gleam in his eye, small grin appeared on his face.

'Yea.' The man nodded and chuckled slightly. 'It just look weird, you know. I know maybe it's the way you're, but not every people like it…If I was flirty with someone when my wife is around, I'd get my balls cut off.' He grinned slightly. 'I guess you're lucky to have a wife as yours.'

'Sorry?' He frowned surprised.

'I mean she's a tolerant one, if she lets you be a bit flirty with a waiter, even if it's a guy.' Spike bite down on his low lip. 'You have to be more careful. Someone would might think you're gay.' He advised.

'Yea, I'd think about that.' Spike nodded and this time it was him who felt uneasy. Maybe the guy was a cute and he could be a good mate to hang around, but he definitely had something against gays and Spike wasn't going to check at himself how far his hate reached. 'Anyway, once again I'm sorry, and well, see you later.'

'Yea, sure. Have a nice day.' The man smiled at him as he bended over to might see his little bunny chatting happily with older boy. 'Come on, Jas. We're going out.' The girl growled slightly and with a sad face looked at him like she expected he'd change his mind. 'You can forget.' He waved a finger at her and she finally pulled back from her knees.

'Jas?' The waiter asked with curious. 'Isn't a shortcut from Jason?'

'No, it's a shortcut from Jasmine.' He replied firmly, didn't like the tone of voice he used. 'Come on, missy. I need to do a few things.'

'Jasmine from Aladdin?' He definitely had a good laugh at him.

'No, more like mine Jasmine.' He retorted irate, finally rubbing off the bloody smirk from his face.

'Look, sorry…' Spike grabbed Jasmine's hand and quickly pulled her forward.

'Why we need to get back to home so quickly?' She asked with a slight moan.

'I thought we could play a scrabble with Marie. Maybe we could invite uncle John Paul to join us.' He suggested when they walked outside the restaurant.

'I preferred to stay with Chris.' She sulked, but obediently followed him.

'Maybe next time, sweetie.' He squeezed slightly her hand and quickly pulled down on his knees as suddenly she became cough and she almost fall down on the ground. He grabbed her and sat on his lap as he began making firm, but gently circles on her back. 'Calm down, sweetie. Everything's fine, daddy is here.' He whispered nervously.

'It's fi…ne. I'm just tired.' She said between coughs, suddenly losing her all strength. She was breathing heavily, her face pale and wet from sweat.

'I should knew it was a bit too much effort for you. The walk and then all thing with Chris.' He muttered and cursed himself for his stupidity. 'Come on, I'll carry you to the home.' She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck as he lifted her without problems. She weight almost nothing. He was ready to go, when he felt someone's hand on his back.

'Everything's okay? Chris said she was choking.' Surprised he watched as the man gently lifted Jasmine's head from his shoulder and pressed the glass with cold water to her lips. She eagerly began drinking the offered drink as her body relaxed. 'Do you want me to call ambulance?'

'She was only coughing.' He replied quietly and shook his head at the waiter. 'Thanks for water.' He muttered.

'Are you sure you don't need ambulance? She looks ill.' With concern he touched her forehead. 'She probably has a fever.'

'I'd call her doctor.' He replied and pressed her tighter to his body. 'Thanks for concern, but we're fine, now. I just take her back to home.'

'You're pale and all shaking.' He noticed. 'Are you sure you manage to carry on her to your house? Where do you live? Somewhere close? I can help you.' He offered and was already looking after his colleague.

'No, I'm fine. I can handle her on my own.' He assured him.

'You look like you might faint in a minute.' The waiter didn't give up. 'You have a child to take care about.' He added sharply, like he already didn't know that. 'I can call a taxi for you if you need so badly to take her to her doctor.'

'Fine, but it won't change anything.' He shrugged not convinced. 'I could call the doctor down my house.'

'You both need someone to take care about you.' He said firmly, staring deeply into his eyes. 'Do you want me to call your wife? I'm sure your daughter would prefer to have her around. Kids always feel saver when there's a mother with them.' He suggested, but Spike shook his head.

'No, it's fine. I'd contact with Hannah, later.' He replied evasively and watched as the man removed his mobile phone. 'Anyway, thanks for help.'

'No problem, mate. Kids are the best thing which can happen in our lives.' He said with a slight smile. 'I'm sure you'd do the same for me.'

'I'd do anything for my little princess.' He whispered and kissed her lightly on the forehead as she closed her eyes, exhausted. He let his eyes moved upward and focused at the handsome, hard-headed man calling the taxi as his hand softly stroked his girl's pale cheek. He just knew his wife has to be the most lucky woman in the whole world.