Thanks ace5492, isabel camilla scott, arubagirl0926, onlyyoujarly, wordsmeaneverything, kelly, stagediva23, sb1218, ghostwhispererjimel, and cullentreehill. Light on the reviewing this week, hopefully its just because everyones as busy as I am and not that it wasn't up to par.

SOOOO this coming week will be the death of me. Tech week, two plays, family weekend, four tests, a poster presentation, and two papers all within now and next monday... um yeah. I've already had a fight with my roommate and two breakdowns already with my BFF Hil. So hopefully that doesn't happen again. I tried super super hard and got this one out for you. But you probably won't see another update for two weeks, obviously, all things considered. Sorry. School is number one priority. I wish this could be but writing fanfic won't help me get a college degree. Darn.

Some twist stuff at the end of this one. I realllllllly hope you're surprised and that you like it! Enjoy.

AGE 7 1/2

;

(Ages: Avery 3.5, Jamie 16, Lydia 8.5, Madison 16, Chuck 17, Melodie 5.5, Clay&Quinn son Seth James, 1.5)

Looking up at sky, Jude Baker squinted at the sun as it emerged from behind a small cloud. He wiped the small bead of sweat off his forehead as he stood up off front steps of his house. He was glad he didn't have his arm cast anymore, because he could only imagine how sweaty his arm would be under all that plaster in the summer. It was bad enough in the fall. He looked down at the small scar he had on his inner wrist. It was the only remaining mark from that painful and bloody day. His wrist still wasn't as strong as it once was and it was achey sometimes, but he could deal. But the best thing about the cast being gone is that his arm could get wet again.

"It's all set Jude. Go turn the water on."

When the water went spirting out of the hose and down the slide, Jude raced his little red, white, and blue bottoms bum over towards his dad. He grabed Julian's hand.

Jude smiled at his dad and ran towards the faucet on the side of the house. Julian had just set up an inflatable slip'n'slide and water slide in the front yard. Today just happened to be the Fourth Of July and the Bakers were hosting a big party at their house, with an afternoon full of water slides and games and food and a night of ice cream and flashlight tag and fireworks.

"Come play dad."

"Nah, sorry bud. I gotta help your mom for awhile, at least until after we eat, okay?"

"Okay." Jude shrugged and ran through the water.

Julian walked inside to see his wife wiping off the kitchen counter.

"You didn't leave him out there alone playing in the water, did you?"

"Brooke... he's not a baby. He's fine. Plus you can see him out the window."

"I just really don't like the idea of the kids being outside alone in the front yard. Can you please just go watch them?"

"But I thought I was on grill duty..."

"Not until people get here. Then you can start cooking."

Julian smiled as his other son came down the stairs. Davis, too, had a patriotic bathing suit.

"Is the water slide ready, Daddy?"

"You bet."

Davis and Julian headed to the door but Julian stopped when he heard a squeal.

"Daddy wait!"

Avery raced into the room, having tried to put her one-piece bathing suit on alone. Well Julian was taken aback. Something was definately wrong.

"Uhh Brooke. Please tell me that isn't on right."

Brooke turned her head and saw Avery's little white belly sticking out of the hole in the one-piece that was supposed to be in back. Her daughter's whole chest and belly were exposed while there was a small pocket of extra material at the bottom that was supposed to hold her bum.

"Oh Ave, come here before you give your daddy a heart attack. It's on backwards."

Julian sighed and told Avery he's meet her outside. He was just really glad his wife hadn't picked out a swimsuit that made his baby girl look like a slutty escort.

Brooke crouched down and slunk Avery's suit off her shoulders and pooled it down around her ankles. Avery nakedly stepped out as Brooke grabbed her and turned her body around. As Brooke helped her into her bathing suit the right way, she noticed the birthmark on her lower back. It was now bigger than t used to be, but Avery was a growing girl. It kind of looked like a wide heart shape now. She wondered if Sam had one of those. Actually, Brooke really wished that she or Julian had a matching one.

"Mommy, whose birthday is it?"

"No one's baby. Why?"

"We're having a party."

Brooke smiled. "Ohhh. We're having a birthday party for our country I guess."

"How old is it?"

"Uhh... Old."

"Like Gramma?" Avery asked, referencing Victoria.

Brooke shook her head. "Oh no, no, no baby. if you want to make it to next year, you better not say that in front of Gram or she'll get very upset."

Avery didn't think much of her mother's comments as her bathing suit was now all set and way more appropriate for going outside. The little one quickly headed for the door to go outside with the boys.

;

A few hours later, Julian and Brooke's house and yard were full of people. The Scotts, the McFaddens, the Evans's, the Adams's, the Kensington family (Riley's family), grandparents, and a few others families and friends and assorted groups of people were talking and playing and laughing and catching up. Julian manned the grill pretty well, especially with Nathan's help. Everyone had a great meal of burgers and hot dogs and every sort of fixing side dish you could think of. But Brooke really couldn't take the credit for all that, though. Haley had brought most of it...

Outside, the younger kids were having a blast with the slip'n'slide and Jamie was over there, so all the fathers really had to do was keep an eye out. They each had a nearly empty beer in their hands when 'old bar manager' Chase came walking over with another round for everyone.

"Whoa, no thanks, man. I've been designated driver since Quinn stopped breastfeeding," Clasy shrugged. Their son Seth James Evans (the S after Sara, James for Quinn's maiden name and father obviously) had been wheened for awhile now, but Quinn still pulled the 'I gave up my body for our child, you can do this one thing for me' card often.

Julian laughed and patted Clay's back. He'd been there not too long ago. Well, it was kind of a long time ago, but it still seemed like yesterday. He glanced over towards the kids and saw Avery and Melodie (age 5.5) standing by Seth (age 1.5) as the little tyke splashed in the water. It was wierd, Avery wasn't the littliest one anymore. She wasn't even really a toddler anymore. Time was certainly flying.

Julian took the extra beer from Chase and put it down on the side of the grill.

"Someone will get to it."

From the side of the water slide, Jamie's friend Chuck got a bright idea as he watched the adult males casually drinking and talking. Chuck had smartened up a tad over the years but he still had his wild side at times. And he was seventeen now. (He's a year older than Jamie, Madison, etc.) He'd drank before... a lot actually. Way more than one Jamie Scott.

"Chuck? Will you slide with me?"

This pulled Chuck out of his thought when his best friend's 'baby' sister touched his shirt. Lydia Scott had a crush on her brother's tall friend, and it wasn't very subtle either. Poor Nathan was worried enough about her dating in the future as it was, nevermind that she was picking the Chuck-type at 8 and a half years old.

"Leave him alone Lyd." Jamie rolled his eyes as he and Madison approached. Jamie and Madison were still denying the 'we love each other' thing, but that's another story.

"Sorry Bobby. I don't have a bathing suit here," Chuck shrugged. He liked Lydia. She was cute, and he tried extra hard to be nice. But really, she didn't make it hard and he enjoyed that it sort of drove Jamie mad.

"Oh okay," Lydia walked off sadly towards Avery.

"Let 'em down easy tiger," Madison joked to Chuck.

"Hey! I did."

"But you totally lied to her. You don't even own a bathing suit. If you wanted to you could have just swam in those shorts," Madison pointed to his navy blue basketball shorts.

"No, she just needs to get over whatever she sees in him. It's annoying," Jamie barked.

"Well you should quit being so possessive over me," Chuck teased Jamie. "I can have other Scott friends besides you, honey."

Jamie shrugged off Chuck's sarcastic comment. Madison couldn't help but laugh.

"Anyways," Chuck continued. "There's a reason I didn't take up her offer. It's because we have opportunity here my friends."

"And what's that?"

"We're at a party with beers and drinks everywhere. A couple missing from the fridge in the garage won't make a difference or warrant suspicison from anyone."

"Oh Chuck, come on."

"No you come on, Madison. I've seen you knock 'em back."

"Once!" Madison confirmed. "But definately not with adults around in broad daylight."

"We'll take 'em to the Rivercourt or something. I'll grab my backpack."

Chuck walked away and Madison turned to Jamie.

"This is your family, Jame. It's up to you."

Jamie looked around at his family. Everyone seemed preoccupied and they wouldn't really have much to drink, but a beer or two wouldn't hurt anyone.

"Let's go."

;

Davis flew through the sliding door and went running across the wooden floors towards the couch. And he just so happened to be soaking wet.

"Whoa whoa whoa," Brooke stepped out of nowhere and scooped up her towel clad son. "What do you think you're doing ruining my wooden floors and on yoru wat to ruin my furniture?"

"Uhhh," Davis smiled.

"Yeah, thats what I thought."

Brooke walked her son back out to the deck.

"Please stay outside and dry off in the sun before you come back inside."

"Can I ride my bike in the driveway then?"

"Okay, but don't you dare go into the street and watch out for the littler kids."

"I will."

Davis bounded off the deck, away from his mom and went to grab his bike. When the boy turned the corner and bounded through the open garage door, he ran into Madison.

"Whoa, uh hi." Madison tensed up and stepped to the side.

Davis stepped back and noticed how uncomfortable and panicked Madison looked. He peered around the teenage girl and saw his cousin Jamie. He and Chuck were standing at the open refridgerator.

"What are you doing?"

Chuck stuffed another can into his bag and turned away. Jamie closed the refrigerator door.

"Nothing Dave. What are you doing in here?"

"Getting my bike," Davis pointed.

"Oh.. uh. Yeah.. cool, right. This is your house... um-"

Jamie stopped babbling when Chuck hit his arm.

"Well have at it, little man." Chuck said.

"Do you want to ride with me? You can use my Dad's bike."

Jamie felt bad but he was still going to say no.

"I'll catch you another time, okay D."

"Okay."

Madison moved so Davis could get his bike from behind her. Chuck put his bag on his back. The teens started walking out of the garage, headed down the driveway.

"What drinks did you take from the fridge? Cuz the berry Kool-aids are Avery's and she'll get mad if they're all gone."

In any other context, that comment would be funny since it was clear that Avery (and Brooke) ruled the Baker household. But not this time. The three teens were thrown off my that direct question when they thought they were home free.

Jamie turned back but Chuck and Madison kept walking.

"Don't worry, bud. We just took waters."

;

Julian walked over to Brooke and Alex talking on the back deck and stood between the two girls.

"So question... How many of us thought that Brooke would become Alex's bridesmaid as she married the man that Brooke de-virginated in high school? Anyone?" Julian raised his own hand.

Alex and Brooke both gave Julian a face and pushed him off. Alex grabbed her like-a-brother best friend's ear.

"You think you're funny mister?"

"Ow... kind of."

"I totally saw it coming," Chase smiled, walking into the conversation and kissing Alex.

Alex and Chase's wedding was a long time coming, a year and a half actually, but with Alex's actress schedule and Chase's military job, they waited. They knew they were going to be together forever, so there was no rush. They wanted everything to be perfect and go off without a hitch. So now was the time. The wedding was in three weeks. It worked out wonderfully for everyone's schedule.

"Oh stop it you guys." Brooke laughed.

"Sorry Brooke, you gave up this great and talented pilot, so Alex scooped me up. Jealous much?"

Brooke shook her head.

"I believe at that time it was espiring pilot but actual carpet salesman..." Brooke countered.

"Okay, I don't like this game anymore," Chase frowned.

The two couples laughed.

"Oh Alex, I forgot to tell you. I just completed Avery's flower girl dress if you want to come by the store tomorrow to approve the finished project."

"Aww, I'd love to. I'm sure it's nothing less than perfection."

"Well hopefully she'll keep it that way. I swear she gets into things more than the twins even did at that age."

"I'm sure she's an angel," Alex doubted.

"Oh no. Last week it was just me and her home for lunch and we were making sandwiches after we had played out in the sprinklers," Julian told the Adams couple, "I turned away for two minutes and she had covered herself in mayo."

"Ooo gross," Chase scrunched his face.

"After we had played out in the sprinklers...?" Alex mocked, picturing big and tall Julian playing like a kid.

"Yes Alex, so funny. I play with my daughter."

"Funny and adorable," Brooke smiled and kissed his cheek.

Just then, Davis and Jude came running up to their parents from different directions.

"Mom can I have a popsicle?" Jude asked.

"Oh sorry boys, I meant to put them out for everyone. Let's go get them." She'd gotten red,white, and blue ones for the occasion.

Brooke and Jude walked inside and left Julian wondering why Davis didn't follow his Mom.

"What's going on, champ? You don't want a popsicle?"

Davis looked up, wide eyed at his Dad. That was a dead give-away that something was wrong.

Julian crouched down as Alex and Chase walked away to give the father and son some privacy.

"I think I have to tell you something."

"Okay, what?"

Davis looked to the ground. He didn't really know what was really going on, but he knew it was against the rules.

"Davis, you can tell me."

Davis took a breath.

"I saw Jamie and Chuck taking the cans out of the fridge that you said aren't for kids..."

;

Avery Baker had a mind of her own and she was not afraid to use it.

"Grampa, am I a baby?"

Paul turned his head as he sat in a chair in the backyard and shook his head.

"Of course not, angel. You're a very big girl."

"So where do we get a new baby?"

Paul almost choked on his beer.

"Well... I don't know."

"Mommy's books say from a a-dope-tin. Where's that?"

She didn't really remember what the word adoption meant exactly, but it was a common theme in the books her parents read at bedtime these days.

Paul didn't really understand what Avery knew either, but he knew for a fact that HE was not the one she should be talking to about it.

"Uhh... I'm going to go find your Mom real quick, but you hold onto that question for her, okay?"

Avery nodded and smiled and Grampa scurried away. But in the few minutes Avery was alone in the backyard she looked around and walked towards the front yard. The gate was open for once so the three and a half year old strolled through to the front yard by herself no problem. No one from the party was in the front yard, but there was a black truck stopped in the middle of the road. A man with scruffy light brown hair was looking at the house and spotted the little girl immediately. Avery saw him, and being as polite as can be, smiled and waved at him. The young man waved back.

"Avery!" Someone from the back yard was coming and Avery turned to see her Aunt Haley approaching.

"Honey, it's going to get dark soon. You can't go wandering off somewhere, okay? We'd all miss you so so much," Haley smiled.

Avery turned her head back towards the man, but instead she saw the back of the truck moving down the street.

"Truck.."

Haley didn't reconize the car.

"That's no one we know, Ave. Everyone's here."

Haley leaned down and scooped up the little girl into her arms. Avery started to laugh and Haley walked with her towards the front door to get back to the party.

Little did Haley know that, even though Avery didn't know who that owner of the truck was, she did.

;

Madison laughs extra hard and leans into Jamie. He puts his hand at the small of her back, not thinking much of it. She didn't think anything of it either, but actually, she was starting to have a hard time thinking much of anything. She was a bit of a lightweight.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a deep clearing of the throat radiates through the three teenagers' heads.

They all turn to see Julian facing them with his arms folded. It was too late to hide their empty beer cans and wine cooler glasses.

Madison gasps.

"Uncle Julian... uh..." Jamie stands up and shields Madison.

"Don't think you can expect my seven year old son to keep your secrets, Jamie," Julian says seriously.

"I... um.. this isn't..."

"Come on guys. I'll let the Scott parents handle this one."

"No please!" Madison looked embarrassed and desperate. She knew that if her parents caught wind of this, she's be in so much trouble.

"No come on, Julian. You're supposed to be the cool Uncle. It's just a few beers. I'll pay you back." Jamie puts his hand in his back pocket to grab his wallet.

"Actually Clay's the cool one. He's kind of girly." Chuck says honestly.

"Shut up Chuck, you're not helping!"

"I don't want your money, Jamie, and I can't cover for you. I'm sorry." Julian shakes his head.

"Aw shit." Chuck throws up his hands and heads towards Julian's truck.

"Why not!" Jamie yelled.

Julian shook his head.

"Let's go guys."

Jamie groans and steps off the bleachers.

"Are you okay Madison?" Julian stepped forward to help but Madison gets to her feet quickly on her own.

She says a quiet "Yes, sir," and walks to the car.

From just the short time it took to get back to his house, Julian could tell that he wasn't about to gain any 'trusted, cool uncle' points today. Or ever again.

;

Brooke and Haley walked to the curb when Julian's car parked in front of the house.

"Where did you go, husband?" Brooke raised her hands in question.

Julian got out of the car and the three teens trailed out of the car and stood behind him looking uneasy.

Julian walked up and put an arm around Brooke before answering.

"Uh, these guys were just too lazy to walk back so 'cool Uncle Julian' went to give them a ride."

Jamie looked up hopefully, not sure if Julian had actually just covered for them or not. He said just a few minutes ago that he couldn't cover for them. All of a sudden, Julian must have changed his mind.

"...Right guys?" Julian continued.

Jamie tried to speak without getting all tongue-tied.

"Yeah. Thanks Uncle Julian. I really appreciate it."

"Thank you Julian," Madison smiled fakely since she had just been having a heart attack inside her chest for the time it took to get back to the party.

"J-man. You're the best," Chuck pointed and continued with the praise. He then walked forward and went to high-five Jamie's uncle. Chuck knew about the 'Julian high-five' so he did the same thing too, to the amusement of everyone else.

;

When it got dark out, everyone at Brooke and Julian's Fourth of July party moved from the house to the TTHS football field where they set off fireworks every year.

The Bakers got out of Julian's truck and headed towards their group of friends that had already arrived.

As they walked, Avery pulled on Julian's hand.

"Daddy? Can I go on yo shoulders now?"

"Not yet honey. The fireworks aren't gunna start for a half hour."

He turned his head smiled at Brooke, grabbing her hand in the process.

Brooke pulled him in closer.

"It's not fair that she gets all of your attention... Don't I get some Julian time?"

Julian grinned.

"You get as much time as you want."

"I can't wait," Brooke flirted.

As he said that, Julian spotted Jamie standing down on the field, standing alone, texting on his phone.

"Uh... I'll be right back."

Brooke faked offended.

"Well that was short lived..."

"I'm sorry babe, I'll be just a minute I promise."

"Fine."

Julian kissed Brooke's head and passed her, walking towards his nephew.

"Jamie?"

The teenage Scott turned his head and half smiled.

"Hey... I meant to say thank you before, but I didn't really have a good opportunity until now... so thank you."

Julian nodded. Jamie cleared his throat.

"Why'd you cover for us after you said you weren't going to?"

Julian let out a breath. He was really thinking about what he'd do if and when it was the twins drinking. But he was sure he'd be more strict with his kids in the future. But he and Jamie had always been buds, even when no one else from Brooke's world seemed to like him in the beginning.

"I was never a popular kid in high school who did that sort of stuff...drinking and all. But if I did, I'd want someone to give me a break for a single offense."

Jamie nodded.

"But if I ever see that again, Jamie-"

"I know, I promise it won't happen again. This was a one-time thing."

"You can only push your cool uncle so far."

The teen smiled.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you or something?"

Julian put his hand on Jamie's shoulder.

"My sons adore you, and they obviously notice what you do. So please just give them a good role model example. You have so far, but I don't want them to watch you slip."

"I won't I promise. But the only guy they really look up to is you..."

;

Julian made his way back to Brooke, who was now talking to Haley and had Davis in her arms.

"Well look at how strong Mommy is..."

Brooke turned to her husband.

"Haley said she didn't think I could still pick him up! She thinks I'm weak."

"You're not weak Mama," Davis said.

"Thank you buddy."

"I didn't say that Brooke..." Haley looks to Julian. "She always jumps to dramatic interpretations of what I say."

Julian laughed, knowing that Brooke did have an overdramatic side.

"Well do you mind if I steal my wife away for a minute before the fireworks start?"

"No problem, I've got my eye out for the kids."

"Great."

Brooke put Davis down, trying to hide the fact that her arms and back did hurt a bit, and followed Julian.

"Where are we going?"

Julian pulled her arm as they walked towards the high school.

"Julian... do you even know where you're going?"

"Well I did read Lucas's book," Julian joked.

"Ha ha."

Julian finally stopped and turned to Brooke. He looked around.

"What are you- -"

Brooke got cut off when Julian grabbed her waist and pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers.

That always shut Brooke up.

Julian walked backwards and spun the couple around so Brooke's back was to the brick wall of Tree Hill High.

Brooke pushed away with her wrists and took a breath.

"Julian..."

"I just never got to do this in high school."

Brooke let out a laugh, and then looked into his eyes.

"And I know you might have done this a lot, but... I wanted to show you what we could have been like back then."

Brooke smiled sadly. "I wish high school Brooke had met you."

"Don't worry. She's got me now."

Brooke leaned up and in so her lips matched the height of his. Julian grabbed her hands.

"I love you," she whispered.

The married couple made out for a few minutes, there, outside the school, during sundown, the way only teenagers did. After a moment of fun, they knew they had to get back to the field so they could be with their children during the fireworks.

;

Brooke and Julian held hands as they walked back towards the crowd of people. When they got back to where they'd left Haley and the kids, they heard whines. Then they saw all the women crowded around their sons.

"What happened?" Julian asked.

Nathan stood back but knew what was happening.

"Jude burnt himself on a sparkler."

"Oh geez."

The parents shoved their way through the small group.

"It hurts!" Jude looked down at his red and blistered knee..

Brooke crouched down.

"I thought they'd be okay, but Davis's burnt his finger and when he let go of it, the sparkler hit Jude accidently. I'm sorry Brooke."

"You didn't do anything, Haley. We've just got an accident prone kids, that's all."

"I'm sorry," Davis said, standing nearby. "I didn't mean to."

"We know you didn't buddy," Julian patted his shoulder."

"It's not too bad. I have big bandaids in my purse, just to cover it until we get home."

Alex all of a sudden ran over with a bag of ice.

"Here you go, handsome. This should make it stop stinging."

Brooke took the ice and thanked Alex. She put two big bandaids over the injury and put the ice on. That seemed to do the trick so Jude felt a little better.

"You're a brave one mister."

"Well this one doesn't hurt like last time," Jude shrugged, remembering when he fell off his bike.

"I bet," Brooke nodded.

;

When the fireworks started, Brooke was sitting behind the boys as they looked up in the sky. Julian was beside her with Avery on his shoulders.

The first big bang was sudden, and it scared Avery a bit. Julian felt her twitch.

"I wanna get down!" Avery crouched her body down.

Julian swung her down and Avery sat between Brooke and Julian. She grabbed Brooke's arm.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, honey?" Brooke told her.

"The booms are scary."

Brooke pulled Avery into her lap and put her hands over her daughter's ears.

Avery shook it off and buried her head in Brooke's shirt.

"No honey, watch the pretty lights and I'll make it less loud."

Brooke replaced her hands over Avery's ears as Julian slid closer to his wife. He leaned forward.

"Do you like it boys?"

"So cool!" Davis shouted.

"They should do this every night!" Jude's eyes were wide.

Julian chuckled and leaned back. He reached for Brooke's hand and his gaze lingered on his wife and daughter. Avery was getting a little more comfortable with the whole fireworks thing, so she leaned back lightly into Brooke, enjoying the pretty flashed of light.

Julian looked around at all his friends and family, together, having fun and making memories on this country holiday. He then looked up at the sky, thanking whatever was beyond those lights and that moon for giving him this life with all these amazing people.

;

Looking up at the sky from behind the windshield of his truck, a young twenty-something boy-turned-man shuttered as he heard each boom of the fireworks.

They were beautiful and everything, but he had always been scared of them. His older brother had made fun of him all his childhood for that. But it was a legitimate fear. Without the colors and lights, they were just loud and angry sounding booms. Each one was like a gun shot. He knew way too much of gun shots in his life. He didn't need any more reminders.

Trying to get the fireworks out of his mind, he thought of what he had almost done this afternoon.

A few days ago he had gotten a frantic untraceable call from his first love, Samantha Walker. It was short and she sounded out of it, and she said a lot of 'I'm sorry', and 'I lied'. But it was the only contact he'd had with her in years. She only called him now when she was in trouble or in distress; at least, that's what happened last time. They comforted each other. That was always the arrangement. He hadn't heard her voice since they had a random night together but then had a huge fight. He'd fallen asleep after that and when he woke up she was gone.

So in an effort to track down Sam, he had gone to the very source of Sam's true home: Brooke.

He found out where she lived now and migrated back to a place he never thought he's return to: Tree Hill.

He'd been as close as the end of the driveway, but he saw Brooke had a lot of company. He didn't want to intrude on her party. So he decided against it. But as he looked around, a tiny little magical sign walked into his life. A little girl with fair skin and dark brown hair. She belonged to Brooke, he was certain, but there was more to the child than that.

The little girl wasn't afraid of him. She waved. He waved back but he was almost certain she was an angel or a ghost or something. She was so precious and perfect.

So Sam.

And so... so him.

He couldn't explain it, but the connection was there. It was a sign; a pull of his heartstrings.

He almost turned off the engine. He almost said something. But he didn't get the chance.

He heard a voice. He saw Haley and he bolted. It was like he was a freshman, troubled kid again and his teacher was about to catch him doing something wrong.

But this wasn't wrong. It was fate.

He wasn't a kid anymore. Despite everything, he had done something with himself. He wasn't a billionaire or a CEO but he was on his way to becoming the adult Haley knew he could be. The man Sam deserved.

The man who may or may not have a role in that little girl's very existence.

He was once Jack Daniels. Now he prefered to go strictly by John.

But as of right now, he wasn't certain who he was. Or what he was going to do next.

;

Dun dun duhhhhh!

Who saw that coming? Well if you did, wow, because I didn't myself. Yep, in the middle of writing I got inspiration. So... what will happen with Jack's new discovery? We'll seeeeee!

~Haley :)