"Dommy why do guys suck so badly?" Ashley asked her younger cousin while they enjoyed some quiet early morning gym time. She pedaled hard on her exercise bike trying to burn off some of her annoyance. She long brunette hair was thrown into a sloppy bun as her chest heaved making the top of her breasts rise up against the restraint of the sports bra she was wearing.

Domonique who was clad in a similar workout outfit took a moment to study her cousin before opening her mouth "It could be because they don't think with their right heads"

"I still can't believe John just blew me and the kids off like that" the elder girl blew a piece of hair out from in front of her face.

"Maybe he had a legitimate reason" she gently tested the waters "it's not like you have spoken to him since yesterday"

"So you think I overreacted huh?" she asked.

"Just a little John truly cares about you so there has to be a good reason for his sudden rudeness"

"Maybe …"

They took their time returning back to the house. The kids had been fed and bathed by the time they returned and as soon as they walked through the door Randy was rushing Domonique back out of it.

Ashley looked around the empty living room knowing that John was somewhere inside the house. It was then she realized how alone they were.

After stepping out of the shower she threw on an old pair of raggedy sweats and a white tank top. Throwing her hair up once again she sighed before sliding her bare feet into her comfortable dear foam slippers and left the bathroom. John was waiting for her in the living room, she passed by him on her way to the kitchen, He followed her, wrapping his arms around her waist as she was bent over in the fridge rummaging through it.

"We're going out," he announced.

"My ass isn't going anywhere with you" she replied bitterly.

"I had to tell your son that his daddy was too busy to come with the rest of his family to the zoo and it broke his little heart"

"I promise I'll make it up to him" there was honest regret in his eyes "but for right now I'm making it up to his mommy"

"I'm still pissed at you"

"Girl I swear if you don't get into the car now I will carry your behind out the door"

She relented when she saw the excitement in his blue orbs. She allowed him to take her by the hand and lead her out to his GTO.

"See we are even taking your favorite car" he said trying to get some kind of excitement out of her.

"It's your favorite car too jackass"

John helped her into the car and shut her door for her. He hopped into the driver's side and started the engine.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"It's a surprise"

"I hate surprises," she mumbled to herself.

"We're here" he got out of the car.

She looked around puzzled and having no idea where they were. She stepped out of the car also and as she did a huge 747 flew overhead the sudden rush of air almost knocked her over. John put his arm around her in order for her to keep her balance.

"You remember when we first started dating and we would sit on the hood of my jeep and just watch the airplanes go by and talk about anything and everything?" he asked.

"Yes I do" she found herself thinking back to those simple time quite a bit lately.

She had a seat on the hood of the car with her back resting against the windshield and he followed suit.

"Did you ever think life would be like this?" she suddenly asked him.

"No but then again I can't say I mind it too much" he replied.

"I think about those simple times quite a bit lately … John when did we go from those two careless kids to the people we vowed never to be"

"What do you mean?"

"I couldn't even imagine being in an argument with you back then and now that's all we do" she shrugged.

"It's not healthy not to argue," he pointed out.

"John I'm trying to be serious here" she sighed.

"What do you want from me Ash?" he asked her.

"I don't know I just want to feel the way we used to … don't get me wrong I love our kids and that will never change and I would die for both of them but do you ever find yourself thinking what if we had gotten to that Wal-Mart 30 minutes later … or what if Phinnigan never cried or we never heard him or Kelly never asked you to stop or I never became attached to Phin … I mean sometimes I could go crazy just thinking up different scenarios"

"Do you regret adopting Phin and Faith?"

"No did you miss the part where I said I loved both kids and would die for them. I don't know it just seems so surreal I mean this time two and a half years ago we were just best friends"

"I loved you then too I always have since the first moment I saw you cry at that beach party. I remember it like it was yesterday there you were trembling and I can remember thinking that all I wanted to do at that moment was take you in my arms and make you feel safe forever"

"Did you really?" she asked kinda surprised.

"Yes and for the record I like where life has taken us and I would never change anything except for maybe agreeing to our breakup without a fight"

"Why did you agree?" she finally found the courage to ask him the question that had been on her mind for a while now.

"I figured that having you as a friend was better than taking the chance of not having you in my life at all"

"Why would you sacrifice yourself like that?" she couldn't understand why he would do that to himself and for the first time she felt ashamed of herself for putting him through so much torment.

She turned away from him utterly ashamed. She couldn't find the strength to look him in the eyes. He reached over and placed his palm under her chin picking up her face to look at him.

"I didn't tell you that to make you feel bad I told you because I thought you should know that I would do anything for you"

"You are so stupid" there were tears in her eyes.

"I know I am but if being stupid means I can have you then I don't want to be any other way"

"I'm still not ready to commit just yet," she told him.

"I said I would wait and I meant it when you are ready I'll be here"

"You are too good for me," she said.

"No I'm just a man lucky enough to have found his other half"

She leaned into him and they sat there watching airplanes until after the sun had set. They talked for a little while but most of the time was spent in silent contemplation. Ashley finally realized that maybe the thought of being with a man forever wasn't as scary as she originally imagined.