AN: Whoot Whoot! Another chapter! This one is a bit more light hearted and I'm probably going to work my way into that fluffy categories again though there will probably still be some angst thrown in from time to time before the end. Enjoy and thanks for reading it!

James had double checked with Christina and after she had said it was alright, he called Lily on the drive over to the pub/restaurant that they were headed for. Though he hadn't asked her to come to the funeral, he still wanted her there. He just hadn't wanted to cause a huge scene (though now that he looked back it seemed like it had been unavoidable) and he knew Alastair was more level headed.

He especially wanted Lily to meet them at the restaurant now as Christina truly seemed interested in getting back in contact. It did seem that her main motive was that she thought James would be a good role model for Vincent but that fact only made James flattered if anything.

The car ride over was fairly uneventful and James mostly used it as a time to get completely calm. Once there, he took a few seconds to get in a few deep breaths before giving Alastair a rather unexpected kiss.

"What was that for?" asked Alastair, pleased that James was looking a bit better but still rather confused.

"I just needed that," James replied. He did let out a huge breath that he'd been holding in and muttered, "Is this really happening?"

"Well I'm fairly sure it is. Unless I'm a figment of your imagination which in that case I'd probably only say what would most likely keep you in your illusion."

"Ha ha. Very funny. Now come on. Crying takes a lot of energy and I'm starving now."

Alastair snorted but nodded and followed James into the establishment. Lily was actually the first one there having been the closest due to work. She got up and gave James a quick comforting hug. Though he hadn't told her all the details, she could easily tell he probably needed one at the moment. When she pulled back, she asked, "Alright, so did you ask me over to beat her up or do you honestly want me to get along with this woman?"

"I would much rather prefer it if you got along," James replied. Lily gave him a not so sure glance which he could only shake his head out. "I'm serious! She's a good enough person and from what I can tell, Vincent is very sweet. So I'd prefer it if you were on good behavior."

"Oh the kid's coming?" Lily asked, suddenly perking up and looking genuinely interested. "How is the little tyke? What's he like? Does he look like you at all?"

James opened his mouth to reply when somebody said, "Take a look for yourself."

The group turned to see Christina standing behind with Vincent clinging at her side. He looked around at the space, unsure about the unusual atmosphere and unknown people but gave a slight wave towards James and Alastair nonetheless.

"Hey kiddo," Lily said with a comforting smile. "I'm Lily."

"Vincent," the kid mumbled. He remained where he was but from the look on his face he seemed pleased with her introduction.

"I'm Christina," the mother quickly added. "Shall we sit?"

"Yeah, sounds fine," said James and they got into the booth. Thankfully it was a longer one and James, Alastair, and Lily slid into their side while Christina helped Vincent in before sitting with him. Almost immediately after a waitress came by to get orders for drinks and afterwards, James asked, "So, what have you been up to since I slammed the door in your face during out last talk?"

"Wait, what did you do?" asked Lily rather confused.

"Remember when I told you my brother's wife came by to try and convince me to talk to my brother? Well I basically answered her by slamming the door shut," James replied.

"That's not very nice," muttered Vincent with a rather serious look for a five year old.

"Well I promise I won't do it again," answered James assuredly. "But Christina, what have you been up to? It's been ages."

"Well the past few months have been…stressful to say the least. I've started up writing though. Published a novel and a book of poetry."

"Really?" asked James, utterly surprised.

Christina gave a small laugh as she shook her head. "Don't sound so surprised. Anyone can publish a book. The hard part is having people that want to buy it," she replied.

"Still, that's pretty neat."

"I suppose so. But what about yourselves? I'd like to know how you all met," Christina said.

"Uh, well I think Lily should really tell that story. The one where we met," James responded.

Though at first uncertain, when Christina appeared to be completely open to listening to it, Lily began rather adamantly. "Well we actually didn't meet until three days after I moved in. And I wasn't fully moved in yet. My parents had just brought the last box to me from their house and—Christ this sounds really stupid now that I'm saying it out loud—but anyways I was carrying it upstairs and James was rushing to something pointless—"

"It was for my current job!"

"Like I said, something pointless, and he ran into me so hard that I fell flat on my back just as my stuff went everywhere," Lily continued. "He didn't even pause to help. Just continued running."

"Well at least we know you're loyal to the work," Christina replied while Alastair let out a snort.

Lily shook her head in exasperated agreement as she added, "But the next day he came by early and asked if he could take me out for breakfast. I thought it was kind of weird and figured he was trying to do some date thing but I figured he was cute enough and I could go for a free breakfast."

Alastair rolled his eyes at that as James laughed while the memories came back.

"But we talked and hit it off pretty well. It helped to that not long after he rather unwaveringly clarified that it wasn't a date," Lily said.

"And you became friends like that?" asked Christina.

"Bascially, yeah."

"And what about yourselves?" asked Christina as she turned to Alastair. "How did you two meet?"

"Well, if you weren't amused with Lily's story, I doubt you will with this one. We basically met on my first day at work in our current job," James replied.

However, before anyone could say anything to that, Alastair gave him an incredulous look as he held up his hand to stop him. "Hold on one second. In no way are you making this simple and meaningless. This little shi—uh piece of um…crap was possibly the most hellish piece of my existence for those first few months."

Vincent giggled at Alastair's near curse word as James faked a look innocence. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"No, you don't understand. I have never met somebody as easy going and utterly happy as this man and hopefully never will. Despite the fact that I made it rather clear I didn't like to be around people, he practically made it his life's mission to make me irritable and uncomfortable."

"Now don't go that far," James said. "Irritable? Definitely but I did make sure you weren't uncomfortable about any situation I put you through."

"Urgh, fair enough. But that doesn't excuse the blatant showing off and stupid nicknames and comments."

"Oh come on. You know you thought they were endearing."

"I most certainly did not."

"Well you must have thought so at least a bit because no way in hell could you put up with James' antics if you didn't find them a little bit appealing," responded Lily

"Besides, you wouldn't be able to exercise that brilliant sarcasm you have if it wasn't for me," James added with a grin.

"Really? How about I knock you out so we can test that now?"

James rolled his eyes though he was still smiling. At that exact moment, the waitress came back over and asked what they'd like to order.

"I think we'll need just a few more moments," Christina responded just as Vincent cried out, "I know what I want."

"Maybe so," said Christina, "but the rest of us don't so you'll have to wait a bit okay?"

"Fine," replied Vincent as the waitress left. Though he made a pouting face, it was clear he wasn't actually angry as the look slipped away to be replaced by curiosity at what might be said next.

"So before we start to actually look at this menu," James said, "I do have a proposition to give you."

Looking on curiously, Christina asked, "Oh?"

"I have this sort of friend slash niece slash little sister, though she is actually Alastair's little sister, who Vincent might like to meet. You know, just to hang out with a kid. Even if she's twice his age."

"You mean Roxy," Alastair clarified. "I think she would love to meet your nephew."

As Vincent looked on, excited at that news, Christina replied, "That sounds like a fine idea. But before we discuss any of this more, I believe we should order so that waitress will stop giving us those looks."

"I whole heartedly agree," replied James.