CHAPTER 29

~Break-Ups & Friendships~

So the inevitable has happened. Mike has made the decision to break up with Paula. After finding out how much of a wild side she has, like he can talk, he decides that things are just out of his control and that he wants things back the way they used to be with no strings attached.

It is not clear how Paula has taken it yet. She seemed upset learning from friends that Mike wanted to break up but when they talked face to face, she seemed completely okay. Time will tell.

Tonight is Mike's first night as a free man. Pauly and Ronnie dared Mike to wear his Let's Make it Unofficial shirt but Mike laughed and declined. It is a slow night at the club but everyone still makes the most out of it.

To show how slow things are the biggest talk of the night is if Nicole will invite Mike and Vinny to the wedding and if she and Mike will ever be cool again. Nicole basically finalized her feelings stating that Mike doesn't exist to her and that Vinny will have to apologize for his behavior and make good with Jionni before that can happen.

Speaking of making good with each other, Pauly decides that tonight is the night that he will make peace with the situation in the house between him and Deena. He doesn't want to start anything up with her so he waits for the right moment to talk to Chris.

When Deena is distracted with girl-talk Pauly walks up to Chris.

Pauly, "Mind if we rap a minute?"

Chris, "No, not at all."

Chris and Pauly slip off to the side and Pauly starts things off.

"Listen. I know some of the things that you've been hearing about me probably haven't been the best image maker, but I'm here to tell you the truth."

Chris listens and Pauly continues.

"It's all most likely true. I have been wanting to kick your ass since you walked into Rivoli's that first night seeing you."

Chris, "Well…I never knew that."

Pauly pauses, "…Oh…Well, now you know."

Chris doesn't know how to take that he just rolls with the punches (hopefully not literally).

Pauly, "However, I can't get mad at you. You stepped in where I probably couldn't and I doubt that Deena would be so crazy for you if you weren't a decent guy."

Chris, "Well, I'd like to think that I treat her like she should be treated. Deena is a great girl."

Chris says it in a little bit of defense for Deena. Once again, Pauly cannot get mad nor deny it. He knows Deena is a great person; he just let his ego get the best of him.

Pauly, "I don't dispute that. Deena deserves to be happy and if that means it's with you then I won't make a big deal out of it. You two do you and I have no say so."

Chris nods and Pauly just feels that he has to get one last thing straight.

Pauly, "The only thing you will ever see me get involved about is with my daughter. That's my heart right there and I can't give my complete trust over to anyone with her, unless it's Deena's family or mine."

Pauly continues.

"So unless you're plannin' on marrying into the family or something, I don't consider you family just yet. I think you know what I'm trying to say."

Chris nods, "I've always been aware of that. I am not trying to replace you as a Father in any way Pauly. I respect that, Pauleena is your concern, Deena is mine…so long as you respect that, we're good."

For his height Chris is no punk, Pauly respects that alone. He agrees and they slap hands and half hug.

Back over with the girls Deena looks around for Chris. She eventually spots him talking to Pauly. She gets alarmed and starts to walk over when Chris leaves from Pauly and makes his way back over to her.

When he reaches Deena, she doesn't even give him the chance to say anything before questioning him.

"What'd he want? Was he bothering you?"

Chris sees the panic on her face and he rubs her shoulders to calm her.

"Relax Dee'. Everything is fine now. Pauly just wanted to talk to me about what's been goin on and clear some things up."

Deena is skeptical, "Like what?"

Chris, "For one thing, he admitted he's been wrong about stepping to you about us. He seems willing to get to know more about me and he said that he is happy that you're happy with me. Bottom line."

Deena looks at Chris and responds.

Deena, "…and he said that?"

Chris smiles, "Yes. What is so hard to believe about that?"

Deena, "I wasn't expecting it. Maybe from the old Pauly but he's been acting out of his mind lately."

Chris, "Well, I think things will get much better now that we got everything out in the open."

Deena, "He didn't with me. He never even apologized to me for how he's been acting."

Chris, "He will, don't worry about it. Let's just have a good time tonight. Okay?"

Those are words that are music to Deena's ears. Chris is a great boyfriend that keeps her sane. The two walk back over to the girls' table and Chris orders another drink for Deena and himself.

At the end of the night everyone piles into the Cabs and head back to the Shore House. Once inside, all the couples go to bed. For once Paula hasn't come by, since she and Mike have broken up. He goes to bed and it is just Pauly and Vinny left downstairs.

Vinny, "I saw you talkin to Chris. How'd it go?"

Pauly, "I just let him know his role, he understood, and we're cool…he's cool."

Vinny smiles, "Great. So you all GTL'in tomorrow now?"

Pauly laughs a little, "I didn't say we're that cool. I'll give him a chance but like I said, I'm single and I'm here to have a good time. I got no time for that, let them do them."

Soon after that, Deena comes through the door minus Chris. She looks at Pauly and Vinny on the couch. She looks as if she wants to talk so Vinny picking up on it right away, bids goodnight to the two and he scampers upstairs to bug Mike.

Deena walks over to Pauly and stands in front of him.

Deena, "Chris told me you talked to him."

Pauly, "Yeah, I did. Take a seat."

Deena shakes her head.

"I'm goin to bed but I just wanted to say I appreciate you making good with him. Chris is a great guy and I wouldn't be with him if he was a douche."

Pauly, "I said that. I know you're a good person and that you don't mean to attract jerks."

Deena half smiles, "Even though I have in the past? I know one that emerged out of no where within the last couple of weeks…"

Pauly figures she is talking about his recent behavior.

Pauly, "Yeah…I'm sorry Dee'. I think part of me was thinking that you were trying to X me out of Pauleena's life. This whole thing with me not bein able to see her…I don't know."

Deena responds, "It's never been where you can't see her Pauly. With you and I fighting, I've been partly to blame. I was being a bitch in not letting you see her. (Getting a little teary) Hell, I haven't even seen her. I've been here, I didn't make good on my responsibility to go home as often as I should."

Pauly nods and responds.

"Don't feel bad about it, just work to make it betta. You and I both…"

Deena wipes a tear, "Yeah. You're right. (Thinking) She'll be six months in August. The Visitation restrictions will be lifted a little, you'll be able to take her then. We've got another court date scheduled."

Pauly, "When is it again?"

Deena, "I've got to check with the lawyer. I think it's the second week in August."

Pauly nods. Soon thereafter Deena says goodnight. Hopefully all this is settled and they can get back to making Pauleena their main focus as her parents again.

A/N: Wishful Wednesday...What do we all want to happen from this day forth...? It's been a changing month so far but hopefully for the better. Reflection of this Chap I think. Comment as usual and we will keep it moving.