A/N: Here's the next chapter! Please review if you're still reading this!

Sophia returned home from Chicago early in the morning and cuddled up to Ryan in bed, waking him up.

"I'm sorry!" She said, wrapping her arms around his torso. "I didn't want to wake you up."

"It's okay," he said, wrapping his around her body. "I wanted to see you as soon as you got in," she smiled. "I missed you this weekend."

"Me too," she nodded. They kissed softly. "But the wedding was beautiful! I wish you could have come!"

"I don't think I would have been much fun," he shrugged, motioning towards his leg.

"Come on," she sat up. "What did we say about that?"

"That I shouldn't be so negative," he rolled his eyes. She gave him a look. "Sorry… I just, I feel useless."

"Don't," she said, caressing his cheek. "You're not. It's just a minor set back for the next few months. You know your place on the team is still there when you get back."

"No, I don't really know that for sure anymore," he said. She looked at him worriedly. "Tryouts have been going on all summer, I'm sure they've found someone better to replace me."

"Don't be so hard on yourself; you were one of their best players!" She said, encouragingly. "I doubt they're going to just replace you."

"Whatever," he sighed. "I don't want to talk about it anymore." She nodded. "Can I make you some breakfast?"

"Sure," she smiled.

He stood up and reached for his crutches but stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Ryan!" She got out of the bed and rushed over to help him but he pushed her away.

"Stop!" He yelled. "I don't need you to baby me, OK?" She stared at him in shock. "I can take care of myself."

Sophia swallowed a dry lump in her throat as she watched him leave the room.

Andria and Ava were eating breakfast when their buzzer rang. Since the nanny had taken the morning off, Andria went to answer it and freaked out when she heard it was Will.

"Coming up, OK?" He said, and buzzed out before she could protest. She started panicking, she really didn't think they were far enough in their relationship for him to meet Ava yet.

She turned to her daughter. "Ava, go to your room!"

"What?" The five-year-old questioned. "But I didn't do anything!"

"I said now!" Andria yelled. "And don't come out until I say so!"

Ava groaned and angrily marched to her room with her arms over her chest. Andria sighed and started towards the elevator where Will would soon appear.

He finally did and she walked over to him. "You just love surprising me, don't you?"

He smiled. "Is that so wrong?" He asked and they kissed. "What are you doing?"

"Um… I was just getting ready to go to the gym," she lied. "Ava's at a sleepover so I wanted to get a quick workout in before I have to go pick her up."

"Oh," he nodded. "Can I walk you down then?"

"Uh," she stalled. "Sure, let me just go get changed and we'll walk there."

He nodded and she ran into Ava's room.

"What's going on, Mommy?" Ava asked, looking up from one of the dolls she was playing with. "Who is that man?"

"Just a friend of mommy's," Andria said. "I'll be right back, OK?" She quickly ran out and walked over to Will. "You know what? I'm suddenly not feeling too good, I think I'm just going to rest at home."

"Well, can I join you then?" He asked. She looked at him. "I make a really great chicken soup; it was my mother's recipe."

She stared at him, knowing he wasn't going to give up and she couldn't lie to him anymore, not when he was being so sweet. "I'm not really sick," she confessed. "I lied to get you out of the apartment."

"Yeah, I figured that when you ran into Ava's room to get changed," he said, with a smile. "Is it because you don't want me to meet her?"

"I'm sorry," she sighed. "I'm just… I've never let anyone I'm dating meet her and the only male adult she's was ever close to that isn't family was Nick and-"

"Nick, her father?" He questioned.

She looked at him. "No, he was a friend who was there for us when she was first born," she explained, he nodded. "Anyway, I know you really want to meet her but I just don't know if I'm ready yet…"

"It's okay, really," he nodded. "It's not like you've met Ben either so I understand how you feel," he said. I just want you to know that I don't want to hurt you or Ava. I like you, no matter how many times you reject me," he said. She laughed. "And if you want to continue this, then so do I… at whatever speed is good for you."

She smiled. "I'll be right back," she said, disappearing into Ava's room. She came back out a few minutes later with the five-year-old close to her. "Ava, this is Will, Mommy's friend."

Ava stared at him. "Like that underwear model was?" She asked.

"No!" Andria gasped. Will laughed as Ava approached him. "He is special though," she said and they smiled at each other. "So be nice, OK?"

Ava nodded and they shook hands. "I'm Ava and I'm five!"

"Nice to meet you, Ava," he smiled. "I've heard a lot about you."

"How old are you?" She asked.

"Much older than you, that's for sure," he laughed, kneeling down so they were on the same level.

"Well, I don't want my mommy to be dating an old fart!" She said, the two adults laughed. "So tell me!"

"I'm twenty-nine," he said.

"Hm… as long as he's not over thirty-five 'cause that means he's ancient, right mommy?" Ava asked, looking back at her mother.

"She repeats everything she hears," Andria shook her head as Will stood up. "Not that I think that! I just um…"

"You're cute when you're nervous," he said, walking over to her. He placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thank-you." He whispered. She smiled. "So, are you still up for that chicken soup?"

"Definitely," she nodded. "What about you, Ava? Are you hungry?"

"Yes please!" She nodded. The three of them headed into the kitchen and spent the morning cooking.

Later that night, Ryan arrived home from a physiotherapy session, the first one he had gone to without Sophia. He walked in the kitchen and saw that she was preparing dinner.

"How was your session?" She asked, as she cut a few tomatoes.

"It was OK," he nodded. "Felt kinda weird without you there though." She stared at him knowingly. "I'm sorry, Sophia."

She sighed, putting down the food. "You know, I understand this is very hard for you, I get it," he looked at her. "And all I want to do is make it easier for you,"

"I know-"

"But," she interrupted. "If you don't want that then just let me know and I'll stop."

"Of course I want that," he said, slowly making his way over to her. "It's just, this is messing with my head. I feel useless and I don't want you to have to take care of me even though it's probably what I need," he sighed. "I need you, Soph, I can't get through this without you."

"Well, I'm not going anywhere," she smiled.

"Good because my physiotherapist said that I'm probably going to need that surgery," he informed her. She looked at him worriedly. "And I hate to admit this but I'm scared… scared that I won't get to play again."

"Well, you can't think like that, OK?" She said, cupping his face in her hands. "I want to help you through this, and I'll do whatever you need to make it better."

He nodded. "I love you."

She kissed him softly. "I love you too."