Part 4

The day of the BBQ finally arrived and you were nervous as hell. You knew you shouldn't be really. You and Jensen had only hung out as friends and he was still married. Sure, you had a major crush on the guy and so what, you guys may have flirted a little. Doesn't mean he cheated or that you broke up a home. You flirted while you were with your ex-fiance and he flirted too. It's not like anyone ACTED on any of it.

"Mom! Can I have JJ play in my room when they get here for little bit?!" Rose yelled downstairs at you.

"Is your room clean?!" You yelled back up to her.

"Yes! You told me I had to if I wanted her to play!"

"Ok then!"

Just then your phone alerted you of a text.

"Almost there...invited a few other people too, hope you don't mind. Thought it would ease some of the tension...brought some food to cover for it."

"Ok...no problem. Always eager to make more friends. :)"

Your mind rattled trying to think of who he would be bringing. You did and you didn't want it to be Jared, Genevieve, and the boys. You thought they would be great to get to know and hang out with as well. However, they had all been friends and family and you didn't want to be the "odd one out," or seen as the "rift" between Jensen and Daneel. You didn't have much time to think about it, because the doorbell rang tearing you from your thoughts.

"I got it!" Rose came rushing down the stairs towards the front door as you walked to go answer it as well.

Rose swung the door open to be greeted by Jensen, Daneel, and JJ.

"JJ! Come on! Let's go play in my room! I have a TON of toys to play with!" Before you could protest, they were off running up the stairs.

"Rose! What I have told you about running in the house?!"

"Sorry mom!" You could hear them giggling as Rose was giving JJ a tour of her room.

Now you were left in the what felt awkward position of letting Jensen and Daneel in your home. You turned to the couple and fiddled with your hands a moment before gesturing them inside.

"Come in, come in. Please excuse the 'in process of moving' look we have going on." You let out a nervous laugh.

"It looks great so far y/n." Jensen replied as he walked in taking a look around.

Daneel looked around too, but more of in an inspecting, judging fashion. She automatically went to the pictures you had on the fireplace mantel taking a look.

"You have some great pictures." She said upon inspecting them further. It was when she came to your last family photo you did with your ex that she stopped.

"Is this your husband?" She asked.

"Umm..ex-fiance actually." You were a little ashamed and still upset over the whole thing to mention it to someone you just met, but it was something you had to live with.

"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that." She did actually sound somewhat sorry, but also maybe curious?

Jensen looked at you and then down as if starting to understand some of the comments and remarks you've said before, why some of the topics of discussion were a sore spot, and why you always quickly changed the subject when it came to that one in particular.

"Sometimes people just aren't actually ready to make that commitment really, even when they promise they are..."

Thankfully your doorbell rang again to end the awkward silence that was following your comment. You looked curious as to who else might be here, but then you recalled Jensen said he invited a few others to join.

"That should be the Padeleckis." Jensen said. He started to make his way to the door, but you both ended up there at the same time.

You saw Jared look a little lost at what he saw, because it looked as if you and Jensen were answering the door together like a couple, it was almost like a scene out of a sitcom or family movie.

"Hey Jared, Gen, and boys." Jensen greeted them all.

"Come on in." You gestured for them all to file inside.

"Rose! You have some more kids here that I'm sure would LOVE to play with you ladies!" You called up to your daughter.

You then hear two pairs of feet coming running down the upstairs hall to the top of the steps.

"Tom! Shep!" JJ yelled, "Come play with us!"

They didn't need to be told twice as they bolted up the stairs to go play with the girls.

All the formalities were done as Jensen introduced you to Jared and Genevieve and you showed them all to the back patio where you had the grill already warmed up and ready to be used.

"Ok, so how does everyone like their burgers? Well, Medium Well, Bloody, or just black?" Jared had a smile splash across his face as Gen let out a light laugh.

"No, no, no. Let us men handle the cooking of the meat while you women relax." Jensen started to shoo you away from the grill.

"But I'm the host?"

"Yes, you are, but this is how we do things. Men get to cook the meat while the women get to relax and watch the children."

"Come on y/n. Let the guys do their thing and we'll do ours." Gen started to guide you back inside. "Got anything good to drink?"

"I think I have a couple of options."

Jensen darted past you ladies as you all looked at him wondering where he was going.

"Forgot the food stuff we brought," he replied to your looks.

"Can you grab what we brought too?!" Gen yelled out to him.

You all heard a muffled response you guessed was a yes.

You got the ladies to the kitchen for them to pick out what they wanted as you put a pie and some brownies in the oven.

"You're going to win those kids' hearts with those right there y/n." Gen laughed at you.

"I hope so. They're my favorite too."

You ladies got to talking about the kids for a little while and then it shifted to work where you peaked their interests.

"Ok, so you're a freelance designer AND you're opening your own business? How do you have time for all that? Does Rose's dad help out a lot?" Gen noticed your face drop a little at the question. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"No, it's fine...if we're going to be friends, I'd be telling you all anyways...Ummm...I'm not entirely sure where it all went wrong...he was supportive while I was going to school, I supported him through his apprenticeship and then we were finally getting ready to get married and try at having another kid, it all went south...I guess he just wasn't really ready for it or was too afraid? I don't really know, he never wanted to talk about it really and just kept giving me vague answers. He never wanted to go to couple's therapy or anything either, so I got tired of putting more of myself into it than he was and called it off and moved out here."

"Why here though of all places?" Daneel asked.

"I don't really know the answer to that, other than that my sister and her boyfriend live a couple towns over and there's a HUGE wedding clientele out here just like in San Diego, great venues, and it was somewhere completely new to us."

Before anyone could have the conversation go any further, Jared came in to tell you all that the food was ready. You ladies called down the kids as you all went outside to eat since it was a good weather day.

After you had been seated for a few minutes your doorbell rang again. You looked confused and looked to Jensen to see if he had invited anyone else.

"Don't look at me, all my guests are here." He put up his hands defensively.

You made your way to your front door and upon opening it, you were not happy to see your ex at your door.

"Eric...what are you doing here?"

"Eh...good to see you too? Is this a bad time? I see you have company."

"I'm not sure if there would ever really be a GOOD time for you to be here...what ARE you doing here?"

"Can I help you?" Jensen appeared from behind you.

Eric looked at him confused and defensive.

"Jensen...this is Eric...my ex. Eric, this is Jensen."

"Yeah, I know who he is...from that show you were obsessed with. What the hell is he doing here?"

"I could be asking you the same thing," Jensen replied.

"Would both of you stop it?...Jensen, go ahead and go back to the table, I'll be right there...Eric, come inside before you make a scene."

Both men grumbled, but complied.

"I'll be right outside if you need anything." Jensen let you know before going outside.

"What the hell is his problem?!" Eric asked you as soon as Jensen was out of sight.

"He's just a concerned friend...He knows we didn't end on the best of terms and he's just concerned."

"Well if he IS "just a friend" I don't think it's much of his business."

You let out a sigh of frustration, "What do you want Eric? Why are you here?"

"I...I miss you guys..."

"Are you serious right now?!"

***Jensen POV***

I walked back out to the table all eyes on me.

"Her ex is here..."

"Oh really?" Daneel seemed to sound a little too excited at the fact. I do still love her, but she's been overly affectionate today. She hasn't been like this in forever and I think it's because she's intimidated by y/n. But y/n and I are just friends. She's good company. I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her attractive at all, but I'm still married/somewhat separated and she just got out of a serious relationship. Neither of us can or should be thinking if us as anything else.

"Yeah...uninvited obviously." Jensen replied.

"Is she ok?" Gen asked.

"I guess...hey, Rose where are you going? "

"To find my mom."

"Wait...she'll be right back." Before I could even get one foot away from the table, she was already inside.

***Your POV***

Before he could respond we were interrupted by Rose coming in and running up to him completely thrilled to see him.

"Are you here to join the BBQ with us dad?"

"Uh..."

"He can't stay babe."

"Aw, but why?"

You hated seeing her be put through this. He was an amazing dad for the most part.

You sighed, "Fine...BUT, he can only stay for a little bit."

She had a thousand watt smile shine from her face as she dragged him outside to join everyone.

You took a second to gather yourself as you took a few deep breathes running your hands through your hair before you rejoined everyone outside.