Another month or so had gone by and things were still not to great between Lita and Adam. Lita still didn't want to talk about anything, she just wanted to keep pretending nothing happened. Adam was just annoyed by the whole situation and with her avoiding it all, but decided he would wait for her to come to him- if she was even going to do that at all- because he didn't want to cause any trouble.

The two acted as friendly as they could to one another, especially in front of Ethan. Adam even took Lita to her doctors appointment a couple of weeks ago where the doctor told her the results of the CT scan which fortunately for her, came back negative meaning the tumor was gone and didn't come back. The doctor told her that everything looked good, but if she began to sense that the symptoms she previously suffered from came back, then she should go back to the doctor so it could be checked out again. Both were relieved to know she was okay.

But Lita wasn't able to fully relax because she still had those bills to worry about. It seemed like she kept getting more and more bills from the hospital every week. She applied for financial assistance from the hospital so they would reduce the bill and they could set up some sort of plan. Thankfully for her, the application was approved and the bill was reduced. Plus, it wasn't something she didn't think she couldn't handle because she did go through a similar situation when Ethan was born, but she did actually have help from her mom back then. But then again, it was far worse back then which was why she was optimistic she would be able to get through this and it was just a little setback.

Adam and Lita still didn't really talk to each other other than when it concerned Ethan. It was Ethan's birthday two days earlier so they decided to throw him a birthday party that weekend. It was the first time Ethan was having a party for his birthday so they wanted it to be something he would be able to remember. They actually thought of the birthday party back in January when Lita was still saying with Adam. They did something just them and Ethan on his actual birthday and decided that since he was actually in school and had more than just a friend or two, it could be fun for him to have a party. They agreed to have the party at Adam's house since he had a backyard they could use. They didn't want to do it at the park because it felt like a hassle having a party at the park and it was just easier and convenient to have it at home. And then Adam brought up the whole financial situation once again when he said he would handle the full cost of the party which just pissed off Lita. She said they would just split it and it would be better if he didn't bring it up to her again which he didn't.

It was the day of the party and there were eight four and five year old kids running around the backyard. Everyone from Ethan's class was invited which was nine other kids but two were unable to make it. That also included Sophia and John was also there since parents were invited to stay as well. Some parents didn't stay and said they would pick up their kids later. Brooke was also present with her parents. There was also another kid from daycare, so in total it was ten little kids running around. Some parents didn't stay and said they would pick up their kids later. Lita also invited Trish, but she was unable to make it because she was scheduled for work that day.

They decided to go for a carnival theme because it would be fun for both boys and girls and not just boys. Fortunately, Adam's backyard was big enough for the multiple games they set out in the back for the kids to enjoy. There was a bean bag toss game, an egg relay game, a duck fishing game, as well as other activities. Each game earned different amount of tickets depending on how well the kids did at a certain game just like a real carnival and they would be able to redeem the tickets for a prize at the end of the day. There was also a temporary tattoo booth which Dawn volunteered she would be in charge of. Adam even rented a bounce house without Lita's knowledge. Lita was a little annoyed that Adam didn't say anything to her about it previously, but she got over it when she saw how happy Ethan looked playing in it with his friends.

"I think it's time for the group games," Lita said to John who was observing the scene along with her. Adam was supervising the bounce house and Dawn was busy giving kids fake tattoos. "All the kids had a chance to play the individual games so I think we should start the group games in a bit so the kids could have fun together as a big group rather than the small group they seem to have divided themselves in."

"Okay. I'll help you set up."

"Well, we already have pin the nose on the clown set up," she gestured to the area where the game was going to take place, "so I guess we could do that first. Or should we save the least chaotic game for last?"

"What are the others?"

"Musical chairs and the egg relay. I know musical chairs isn't really carnivalish, but it's a must for every birthday party."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is. Shut up."

"Can adults play too?"

Lita arched a brow as she turned to face him. "I thought it wasn't a must game."

He shrugged. "It's not, but I wanna play too."

She let out a small laugh. "Yes, adults can play too. You were allowed to play the other little games if you wanted, why would I say no to musical chairs? But please refrain yourself from pushing a kid down."

He rolled his eyes. "I would never do that."

"Whatever. Help me get the chairs together."

Dawn approached the duo by the time the two were done setting up musical chairs. That was also about the same time Lita noticed Adam talking to someone.

"What is he doing talking to that bimbo?" Lita asked to no one in particular. "Why is that bimbo even here? No one invited her."

Dawn and John followed her gaze to where Adam was talking to Stacy outside of the bounce house. Dawn rolled her eyes when she saw who Lita was talking about. This wasn't the first time that day Lita asked the second question. "For the hundredth time, Stacy is Cheyenne's aunt. Stacy brought her here and you did say parents, guardians, or whoever brings them are allowed to stay as well."

"Ew. Did you see that? She just did the hair flip. She is so flirting with him and um... is he laughing? Are they laughing? Why are they laughing?"

Dawn and John glanced at one another before the latter spoke up this time. "I don't think it's against the law to laugh. I'm pretty sure they're allowed to laugh."

"She's probably laughing at some stupid joke she made and he's probably laughing at how stupid she is."

The two brunettes shared another glance. "Li sweetie," this time it was Dawn who talked. "Are we getting a little jealous?"

Lita turned her attention away from the two blondes and looked at Dawn and scoffed. "She is flirting with him at a little kid's birthday party. Not just any little kid, his kid. How inappropriate is that?"

"Not at all really. It's okay to admit you're jealous." John said which earned him a glare.

"No because I'm not jealous in the first place. If he wants to get with her and get all of her STD's, then he should feel free to do so because I don't care."

John was too busy laughing so Dawn decided to say something. "Yea and that's not something inappropriate to say with a bunch of kids around."

"None of them are actually near us or could hear me talk." She continued before she could get a response from either of the two. "I'm going to tell everyone musical chairs is about to start. You should come too if you want to play Johnny." With that said, she walked off to do what she just said. Dawn and John both erupted in laughter once she left. It was clear to them she was jealous watching Stacy flirt with Adam who seemed to be reciprocating. It was a shame she couldn't just admit it to herself.

"So did you ask her out?" Christian randomly decided to ask Adam as they were finishing cleaning up the party after it ended a little over an hour ago. Lita, Dawn, and John were previously helping as well too, but the latter left when Sophia was getting restless. The two woman went inside moments after John left since Brooke and Ethan were getting cranky and were in need for a nap.

"Who are you talking about?" Adam asked confused.

"You know, that tall blonde you were flirting with."

"Oh. Stacy? I wasn't flirting with her. We were just talking."

Christian snorted. "Sure okay. She was flirting with you."

The taller of the two shrugged. "Maybe she was. It doesn't make a difference to me because I don't really care."

"So did you ask her for her number?"

"No," Adam shook his head, "but she did give it to me herself."

Christian rose a brow. "Are you going to call her?"

"I don't know."

"Okay. So have you and Lita talked lately?"

"Can't say we have other than about Ethan, this party, and her doctors appointment."

"Well then you know maybe it is time to move on. And I don't mean how you tried to move on with Torrie, I mean actually move on." That earned him a questionable look which he took as a gesture to continue. "It doesn't seem like anything is going to get better between the two. As much as I know you don't want to think about it, I think the Lita and Adam ship has sailed."

Adam sighed. "You're probably right."

"So maybe the first step in moving on could be by calling Stacy and asking her out. She seems interested in you."

"I don't know." Adam continued before the other man could say anything. "We're almost done so let's try to hurry and finish up here so we can finally relax. And thanks by the way for helping out today."

"No problem." With that said, they finished cleaning up in silence before they went back inside.

"Where's Li?" Christian asked Dawn when him and Adam entered the living room where Dawn was.

"Out front on the porch," Dawn answered. "She's a little... upset."

"Why?"

"Something about how Ethan is going to leave her soon."

"What?" Adam spoke for the first time he and Christian entered the house.

Dawn shrugged. "I don't know. She said something about how Ethan is five already and how soon he's going to be eighteen and leave her and never look back."

"That's silly," Adam said as he began to walk out the living room.

"That's what I said, but she said I won't understand because Brooke is a girl and girls actually still keep in touch with their parents even after they leave the house."

"I'm going to go talk to her."

Dawn punched Christian, who was now sitting next to her, on the arm once she heard the door close meaning he was outside.

"Um, ow," Christian said as he rubbed at the spot. "What was that for?"

"I heard you encouraging him to move on and call Stacy?"

"Was Lita with you?"

"No she wasn't. But why would you do that?"

"Because Lita is acting stubborn and it doesn't seem like she's going to forgive him any time soon. And I don't really think they're going to get back together again. He should just move on. I mean, it's like five and a half years now."

Dawn simply glared at him for a few moments which kind of scared him. He knew she was angry. "You are such an idiot! I know Li more than you do so I know she's going to crack some time soon. I know she's going to stop acting so hot headed and she's going to talk to Adam soon. I know they are going to get together again. She's angry and upset right now, but she loves him way too much to let him go. She just needs time."

"Well, she sure is talking a lot of it." That earned him another glare.

"You're annoying me right now, so just stop talking. Please. And don't encourage him to go ask out bimbos."

Meanwhile, outside on the porch Adam was trying to get Lita to talk about what was troubling her at the moment.

"What's wrong?" He asked her for what felt like the hundredth time in the past few minutes even though he knew some what because Dawn told him and Christian.

"I can't believe Ethan's five already," she finally gave him a different answer rather than the typical 'nothing' answer she kept giving him. "He's growing up way to fast. Next thing we know, he's going to be eighteen. He's going to move out, have a family of his own, and forget all about me."

"First of all, I don't think that's going to happen. You didn't forget about your mom when you moved." He was about to say more, but was interrupted by her.

"Yes, because I'm a girl," she said finally looking up at him for the first time since he joined her outside. "We're close with our parents no matter what. Boys are the ones who don't care and don't look back."

"You're wrong. I'm still as close to my mom as I was before I left the house."

"That doesn't matter. It's going to happen because this kind of stuff always seems to happen to me. All the important guys in my life just leave." He knew where she was going with this but said nothing. He didn't really think she was even aware of what she was saying and to who she was saying it to. "First my dad left, then you left, and now Ethan is going to leave."

"First of all, that's still 13 years from now. I really don't think that's going to happen. Your his mom, he really loves you."

Lita snorted at his last statement. "Love doesn't matter. My dad supposedly loved me but that didn't stop him from leaving. You lo..." She trailed off and looked away when she finally became aware of what she was saying and to who she was saying it to. "What if when he gets older he decides he's sick and tired of me and he wants to move in with you instead?"

"Nothing because that's not going to happen."

"But if it does?"

"Then we'll think about it then. Don't over stress yourself about a hypothetical situation."

It was quiet for a while until Lita thought of something that previously annoyed her. "Why did you rent a bounce house without discussing it with me first?" She asked finally looking back up at him.

"I thought it would be something fun for Ethan and his friends."

"And you could have told me."

He shrugged. "Must have slipped my mind. It's not a big deal."

"Whatever." Then she said something that caught him by surprise. "So you like Stacy?"

"Excuse me?" He looked at her in shock.

"I saw you talking to her and it looked like you two were having a nice time getting to know one another."

"Um, she's okay. She's a nice person."

Lita snorted. "She's annoying that's what she is," she muttered under her breath then continued aloud. "You should ask her out if you like her."

It felt a bit awkward for him to hear that coming out of her mouth. It felt to him she was trying to hook him up with someone. "I don't think that's going to happen."

"Why not? You said she's nice. And she's pretty so I mean, get her to know her and who knows, maybe you'll actually like her."

"Um, why are you trying to get me to ask her out?"

"I'm not really trying to get you to ask her out, just you know..." she looked away before she said the next words so she missed the hurt look on his face, "move on."

Dejavu, Adam thought to himself. This was starting to sound like the conversation he had with Christian earlier but it was definitely more uncomfortable this time. "It's not that simple. You can't just move on when you're in love with someone else." He wasn't surprised that she said nothing in return. A part of him thought maybe if he said that, then maybe she would be willing to actually talk about it. But he had no such luck when she finally did speak up because she changed the subject completely.

"I have to go to Atlanta on Thursday. I'm off that day until Saturday and I have to get some stuff done up there. The tenants at my moms house called and there's some problem and I have to actually go up there in order to solve it." She finally looked back up at him before she continued. "So you think you can keep Ethan?"

"You need me to go with you? Do you need me to take you?"

She shook her head. "Nope. I can drive now, but I don't want to drive that far. Just gonna take the bus, train, or something."

"Okay. I'll watch him then."

"Perfect. Thanks. I'm going to go inside now. Have to wait for Ethan to wake up so we can go home." She got up from one of the chairs and left to go inside. Adam stayed out a little longer thinking that maybe Christian was right. Maybe the Adam and Lita ship had sailed and was never going to come back again. Maybe he should try and move on. But that was so much easier said then done. After all, he did try doing that some years ago. It didn't work then and he knew it wasn't going to work now.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for the reviews. Hope you liked the chapter.