Two months had passed. Madison still took pills for her cancer. She was adjusting well to John being her father. She still called him John. Riley's divorce was final. Jesse had transferred to a school in another district. The only time Riley ever saw Jesse now was when he was picking Lucas up or dropping off a child support check. This weekend Lucas was staying with Jesse. It was one Riley wasn't looking forward to. She and Madison were going to John's house in Tampa. They were getting on a flight as soon as Riley picked Madison up from preschool. Riley didn't want to go but she knew it would make Madison more comfortable. Madison was having lunch with the teacher that replaced Ashley. Her name was Jenny. When she first came to the school she was a first year teacher. Riley had taken her under her wing. Over the years they'd become close friends.
"Are you still going to your exes this weekend?" Jenny asked.
"Yeah." She said not sounding to happy.
"I know this situation has to suck for you."
"It does." "I want Madison to be comfortable though." "So I'm doing this for her."
"How long were you together again?"
"Well if you even wanna call it together." "Five months." "Then I broke things off and met Jesse." "Then about a year after that John and I started fooling around again." "That's when I got pregnant with Madison."
"Well something had to be nice when you were together." "Or was it purely a sex thing."
"No." "Although the sex was fantastic." "When we were together he was nice and sweet." "All that's over now though."
"Is it?"
"Yeah I mean, I'll always feel something for John because he's the father of my daughter but that's all."
After school Riley when and picked Madison up. They got on the plane. By the time they got to John's it was nine o'clock at night.
"Hi you guys." John said.
"Hi John." Riley said.
"Hi Riley." "Hi Madison."
"Hi." Madison said. She looked at Riley. "Mommy I'm hungry."
"Well what would you like?" John asked.
"A cheeseburger."
"That does sound good." "Let's go into the kitchen and make you one." They all went into the kitchen. "I think I'll have one to." "Riley, you want one?
"Sure." Riley said. "After that it's time for bed." She said looking at Madison.
After they ate Riley put Madison to bed. Riley and John both said goodnight to Madison. They were in the hall.
"Where will I be sleeping?" Riley asked
"Second door on the left."
"Ok." "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The next morning Riley woke up. She looked in Madison's room and didn't see her. She went downstairs to the kitchen.
"Hey you're just in time." John said. Riley said down at the table.
"Morning mommy." Madison said.
"Morning." Riley said.
"John's making pancakes." "He says you ate them before."
"Yeah I did."
"When you lived here?"
"I never lived here."
"Oh."
"Alright." John said. "Everyone ready for breakfast?"
It was around one in the afternoon. Madison went up to Riley.
"Mommy, I have to throw up." Madison said.
"Ok let's go upstairs."
A few minutes later they came back down. John was sitting on the couch. To Riley and John's surprise Madison went and sat on John's lap and hugged him.
"John it's hurts." She said.
"What hurts sweetie?"
"My tummy." "The stupid cancer made me throw up again."
"I know."
"I want it to go away."
"I know." "So do me and your mommy." "Let's do something to take your mind off of it ok?"
"Ok."
"Wanna watch a movie?"
"Yeah."
"Ok." "Any movie you want."
Later that night John read Madison a bedtime story. Then he went downstairs where Riley was sitting. He sat down next to her.
"You know I think Madison is really warming up to you." Riley said.
"Me to." "I felt bad for her today."
"Me to." "I wish all the cancer would just leave her."
"Well at least it's not spreading."
"Yeah that's a good thing." "You're a really good dad John."
"Thanks Riley." "I have to admit at first I was a little scared but I love it."
"I can tell."
"We made a beautiful daughter."
"Yes we did."
"She's just as beautiful as you."
"Thanks."
"Riley."
"What?" She said looking at him. He kissed her. She kissed him back then broke it. "We shouldn't have done that."
"Why not?"
"Goodnight John." She stood up.
"Riley stay, please."
"Goodnight." She went upstairs.