Nerve Damage!!!

Crash and Burn album version or live recording?

Nice.  It could use a little more Lifehouse, especially in the first few chapters.  I'm biased though.  

Haha

There's a Paint Ball place on Cape Cod that's pretty popular.  It's called "Balls to the Walls" lol  (I'm not joking about the name!!!!) 

Sure:)

It's really lobg rthough and it's unfinished.  I'm Leonardob DiCaprio's girlfriend and the guys are my friends Bryce has just joined and I'm just getting to know him.  If there are any ways  can get them in more or need to change something to hit their personalities let me know.  Enjoy:)

Unexpected Lulliabies

Chapter One
   
 

     Leonardo DiCaprio yawned loudly as he stumbled up the front walk that led into his lavishly enormous mansion. He had worked twenty hours getting things ready for the new movie he was doing with Matt Damon but the stress was starting to get to him. 
    "Steph, I'm..." he called as he walked through the front door, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw the woman he had given his heart until she shattered it standing near his spiral wooden staircase with white trim under each step. He noticed that her slender hand was resting on the dark colored railing. He had always had a thing for models and she was no exception. He loved her gorgeous frame, long legs and that flowing brown hair she had recently highlighted with blond streaks. "Gisele?" his eyes darted to the crying toddler his ex girlfriend was holding. His jaw dropped at the resemblance she had to his own features. She had the same dirty blond hair and ocean colored eyes that he did and she looked exactly like he did when he was her age too.
    "This is Madeleine. Your daughter.  It's time you deal with what I've had to for the past year." Gisele replied as she placed the child in his arms.  "Here is all she needs. Records, doctor visits, Everything. Oh and there is a letter in there too that will explain this." she turned to leave as Leo stood there holding the large manila envelope she had given him along with a blue and white striped diaper bag.
    "Wait...How did you get in?" he looked from Madeleine to Gisele and back to Gisele totally stunned. Was this really happening? He was hoping this was all a dream and was sure he'd wake up in his warm king sized bed safe and sound.
    "I still had a key idiot." she rolled her dark blue eyes at him. "Just read the letter. Everything she needs stroller, car seat is in the hall closet.  I have to go."
    "Wait!"
    "I don't have time to bring over all her things. I leave for Paris in the morning. Leo, I really must go now."
    "Gisele, why...?" he glanced down at the child he held to find she had suddenly stopped crying and was now sucking her thumb.
    Gisele glanced back at her daughter one last time before she walked out the door closing it behind her. Madeleine looked around for her in a panic as the little girl's lower lip began to tremble and the next thing she did Leo wasn't prepared to handle.
    "MAMA! MAMA!" she began screaming at the top of her lungs as her face turned a bright shade of red. She started to struggle against the masculine grip he had on her, her eyes wide with fear Leo ran to the kitchen and grabbed the cordless phone from the wall, his fingers flying over the keypad as he struggled to keep a grip on her as she screamed for Gisele and wanted to be put down. He drummed his finger tips on the cool marble counter of his island as the phone rang in his ear.
    "C'mon Charlie…" he mumbled as he walked over to the window and looked out.     Madeleine patted his cheek as she whined to be put down again but Leo was too preoccupied to notice.
    "Yes Mr DiCaprio?" the head of his security at his front gate asked when he answered an agonizing thirty seconds later.
    "Gisele hasn't..."
    "Hasn't...what sir? And who's that screaming? Is everything okay?"
    "Forget it bro," Leo hung up, knowing all too well that Gisele wouldn't come back and talk even if he wanted her to.
     "Waaaahhh!" the shrill sound made him jump and he looked over nervously.
    "Holy fuck..." he mumbled as his head began to swim from dizziness. "I have to call someone." he frowned as her screams increased and he found himself wondering if she was ever going to stop. He pressed the ON button and listened for a minute as the dial tone droned annoyingly in his ear then he dialed another number.
    Madeleine, meanwhile, was growing impatient as she tugged on Leo's sleeve trying to get his attention. He glanced at her wondering what she could possibly want.
    I come home after working almost a full day non stop and I have to deal with this shit? What the hell could be her problem? Does she actually think I can understand her?
    "Hello?" Tobey Maguire mumbled as he swallowed a bite of the tofu burger he was eating.
     "Dude, man…holy shit" Leo stuttered.
    "What the...Leo, what the fuck are you on man? Don't tell me you decided to call me while you and Steph are having sex."
     "Tobes, LISTEN to me man! I have...a
daughter..."
    Tobey dropped the glass of Dr Pepper he had been holding.
    "Say that again. Very slowly."

Chapter Two

 "I...oh shit I..." he glanced down at Madeleine who was staring up at him, tears streaming down her face as she pointed to the ground. "Fine, you want down?" he lowered himself into a squatting position and put her down. "There you're down."
    "MAMA!" her voice took on a high pitched squeal as she scooted behind the chairs that were in front of the island to get away from him and Leo thought for sure his ears were going to start bleeding.
        "How the HELL..." Tobey didn't know what to say or think. "I mean I know...so she just...dropped her off?"
    Leo didn't answer him as he pulled out one of the chairs slowly, hoping she would come to him.
    "Leo! I'm home!" his girlfriend Stephanie called as she entered their two story mansion. She rubbed her tired brown eyes as her white stiletto shoe hit something hard and she glanced down. "Where the hell did that car-"     "MAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
    "Okay, what the hell is going on?" Stephanie mumbled as she followed the sound to the kitchen to find Leo kneeling beside the island, the phone between his ear and shoulder. He was still trying to coax Madeleine out of her hiding spot without much luck, when he looked over and noticed Stephanie. as her voice rose with every ear splitting cry.
    "Tobes, I gotta go Steph just walked in." Leo said quietly into the phone as his girlfriend stood staring at him, her arms crossed. "I know this uh...looks bad..." he licked his lips quickly as he hung up.
    Stephanie shrugged as she glanced at Madeleine who was now on the verge of hysteria.
    "I've never seen her before...is she a cousin I don't know about?"
    Leo shook his head and took a deep breath
    "No...this is Madeleine. I came home and Gisele was here with her. She says she's my uh...daughter.  I think."
    Stephanie stared at him too shocked to even respond.
     "Your...hold up. You're kidding me, right?"
     Leo shook his head Stephanie just looked at Madeleine in total confusion.
    "Steph, I'm-" Leo began
     "Leo I...I don't really want to talk to you right now okay?" Stephanie mumbled as she turned to leave the kitchen leaving him alone with Madeleine who was now screaming in hunger as she tried to pull the stainless steel refrigerator open. She pulled as hard as she could and Leo walked over to help her out.
    He turned and glanced around the corner at the open door of the living room and sighed knowing she was pissed.
    Stephanie stormed through the living room, down the hall and to the front entrance before she reached the stairs, the news of what had just been revealed to her still replaying over and over in her head as she stormed up the spiral steps, her shoes clomping loudly against the wood. "How the hell could he do this?" she mumbled as she walked into their bedroom and slammed the door behind her, the ringing of her cell phone making her jump.
    She grabbed it silencing it in the middle of Jet's song "Hold On". sighing when she saw Tobey's number. "Figures he'd get you to call. Look Tobes, when I said I didn't want to..." she burst into tears as she fell on her knees "God...PLEASE tell me you....didn't k-know...a-a-about..." she sobbed hysterically.
    "Steph...he didn't cheat on you." Tobey said as he cleared his throat. "I know what you must think right now but Leo wouldn't betray you like that I swear."
    "Well, then WHAT did he do?" she cried as she began choking on her tears.
    "Steph, baby, calm down please?" Tobey sighed through the phone. "That's easy for...."
    "WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
    "Damn I heard that." Tobey laughed.     "Obviously he doesn't know how to get her calmed down." Stephanie rubbed her forehead as a few more tears slipped from her eyes.
    "Of course not since he isn't around little kids that much."
"And I am?" she snapped angrily into the phone. "I'm his fucking girlfriend not a damn child care worker!"
    "Has she eaten anything today?"
    "How the hell am I supposed to know that Tobias Vincent?" "Ohhh the full name. You are pissed"
    "You wouldn't think this was so funny if it were happening to you, Tobey." Stephanie sighed as she started down the stairs again, the piercing shrieks of Madeleine's loud cries met her ears with a deafening roar.
    Leo glanced at her as she walked into the room looking for her purse as he tried to calm the toddler's cries as best he could.
    "Where are you going honey?" he glanced at her, his face turning white as she grabbed her purse before marching for the front door. "Steph! Wait!" he called out as he jumped to his feet accidentally jostling Madeleine, who was sitting in his lap facing the island, causing even more screams to escape.
    "I'm leaving." Stephanie said as she let the heavy oak door slam shut behind her. She walked to her car as tears filled her eyes.
    How could he do this to me? she thought sadly as she stumbled to her car and got in, not really sure where she was headed.
    She sighed as she started her Chrysler Sebring convertible and backed down Leo's driveway. How could he have not know about her? I bet he was just keeping her from me hoping I wouldn't find out. I hate that bastard. And Gisele….some friend she turned out to be! Why didn't she at least tell me? Stephanie was consumed with her thoughts so heavily everything outside her car window along Sunset Strip seemed to be happening in slow motion and she didn't even notice that she had already ran three red lights but thankfully the police were nowhere to be seen. "I'm not crazy I'm just a little unwell. I know right now you can't..." her cell phone blared suddenly making her jump for the second time that night.
     She reached for it, her sobs growing louder as she blindedly hit the tiny green phone button to answer the incoming call. "H-h-hello?"   
     "What's wrong?" came the voice on the other end.
     "Leo...h-h-he...Gisele...Ash, Gisele is accusing him of being a...FATHER!"
     Ashley Logsdon's, one of her best friends, jaw hit the floor and she looked over at their other friend Amanda Hall, her face going completely white.
    "What's wrong with you?" Amanda asked. "What'd ugly do now?"
    "Impregnated Gisele I….think." Ashley said as Amanda jumped to her feet.
    "I'll kill him. I swear he's dead."
    "Can I help?" Ashley asked her jaw set angrily.
    "Wait a second...is he sure?" Amanda looked at Ashley. "Let me talk to her." she motioned for the phone and Ashley handed it over but not before she said,
     "Is the fucking prick sure? I'd want a blood test if I were you."
    "I...I...don't know what to...DO!" Stephanie burst into tears as Ashley put her phone on speaker so she and Amanda could both talk.     "First off you're going to come to my house so you, me and Amanda can talk about this and we'll run to Wal-Mart and get some snacks and stuff to pig out on so if we aren't here when you come just let yourself in."
    Stephanie gave a tiny laugh.
    "Okay. See you guys later." she sniffed before hanging up and tossing her phone into the passenger's seat.
    Stephanie pulled into Ashley's apartment complex that faced the Pacific Ocean a little while later and sighed as she walked up to Ashley's door. She then realized they weren't back yet so she just unlocked the door with the spare key Ashley had given her and walked inside, turning on the hallway light as she walked upstairs and into the room she used when she stayed over and fell onto the bed in exhaustion.
    Kevin Connelly, Ashley's husband and one of Leo's best friends, frowned as he turned the door knob of a little while later and found that it was already unlocked.
    "What the hell...that light wasn't on when I left." he mumbled as he stepped inside. "Ash? Where are you baby?"
    "Hey, sweetie" she whispered kissing the back of his neck as she and Amanda walked up behind him. "How was your day?"
     "Long and tiring." he sighed as he turned around. "Ohh food!" he exclaimed as he grabbed the Wal-Mart bags from Ashley and Amanda's hands and began looking through them. "Thanks baby I was starving."
     "This stuff is for Steph." Ashley laughed grabbing the bags from him. "so hands off."
    "You didn't even get me any beer?" he pouted Ashley laughed as she shook her head.  "You were the last thing on my mind." she bit her lip to keep from laughing.
    "...Let the rain come down and wash away my tears let it feel my soul and drown my fears..."
Stephanie's cell phone rang from upstairs.     "Where's Steph?" Ashley laughed when she heard the sound.
    "She's here?" Kevin looked around and Ashley rolled her eyes
    "Why else would I ask where she is?"
    "Smart ass" he grinned as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him as Stephanie walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen.
     "Hey, guys." she sniffed wiping her eyes as Ashley's collie and lab mixed dog padded up beside her, sensing that she was depressed and licked her hand as he whimpered sadly.
    "You look exhausted." Ashley walked over and gently pushed Stephanie's hair from her face as her lower lip trembled.
    "I can't...I can't BELIEVE..." her words were left unspoken as a loud ear splitting wail erupted from her mouth.
     Ashley sighed as she hugged her friend's frail shuddering body to hers.
     "It's okay." she whispered placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
    Stephanie sank against Ashley, her body physically worn out.
     "Don't think about him right now." Amanda smiled as she began putting away the stuff she and Ashley had gotten at Wal-Mart.
    "Yeah. Tonight's supposed to be girl's night." Ashley put her arm around Stephanie's shoulders and grinned. "We don't want to be thinking about guys. They're scum."
    "HEY!" Kevin protested with a scowl as Ashley laughed. "That's mean." he pouted with a laugh as Stephanie grinned. "I got a smile out of her and you guys didn't so ha!"
    "You're a dumbass." Amanda rolled her eyes and laughed.
    Kevin shook his head.
    "You three are so weird when you get together."
    "That's us." Ashley grinned as she put her arms around Amanda and Stephanie. "The Three Musketeers."
    Kevin laughed and shook his head again as he left the kitchen and walked into the living room to see if there was anything good on TV.

****

    "I love One Tree Hil.l" Amanda sighed dreamily as she got up to put in the second disc a few hours later.
    "It is a good show but I'm glad Kevin went out with Jerry and Adrian because if he hadn't he'd be making fun of us." Ashley laughed.
     "Especially you." Amanda said. "I looked over during that episode when Lucas had his accident and you were bawling like a baby."
    "It was sad." Ashley frowned as Stephanie's phone rang and she groaned as she pulled it out of her purse and glanced at the caller ID. "Want me to talk to him?" Ashley asked as she dipped a tortilla chip into the cheese dip they had made.     "No it's okay. I'll handle it. When are we ordering those pizzas anyway?" she asked as she flipped open her phone. "What Leo? What do you want?"
    "Please don't hang up." Leo begged pleadingly. "Just hear me out." he took a puff from his cigarette before he continued.
    Stephanie told him where he could go before she did exactly what he hadn't wanted her to.    

Chapter Three

Amanda glanced over at her in shock
    "You…you hung up on him!"
    Stephanie shrugged
    "Yeah, so?  I'll do it again if he calls back."
    Ashley and Amanda glanced at each other in disbelief and Stephanie rolled her eyes.  "You guys really don't think I can stay mad at him, do you?"
    They shook their heads.
    "Nope."  Amanda started to laugh.   "In face I bet you won't even last two days."
    "I really am pissed at him."  Stephanie protested as she ate another tortilla chip then looked at the screen.  "I mean, he had to have at least some idea she existed."
    Ashley thought about that as she got up and walked across the multicolored area rug that outlined the living room floor.
    "Not unless Gisele paid people off to keep quiet.  What's that called?  Hush money or something?"
    Stephanie laughed
    "You knowing about hush money amuses me"
    Ashley rolled her eyes
    "Haha."  she replied as she put in another DVD.
    "But what I don't get is why she didn't at least tell me?  We were friends."
    Ashley made a face.
    "I still have a hard time understanding that one."
    Stephanie gave her a look.
    "That isn't the point.  Fact is we were and she didn't say a word to me."  she sighed and looked at her phone as it started to ring, but she made no move to answer it.    "Anyway, I guess I'll look for someplace else to live.  He can play Daddy alone for awhile.  I can't face it right now, not when all I want are answers and he apparently can't give any."
    Ashley shook her head.  This was almost too unbelievable for her as long as she and Leo had know each other.
    "Me too.  So you're really going to move out?"
    "Wouldn't you if Kevin dropped this bombshell on you?  I don't know what else to do."  she sighed and leaned back against the couch as her head started to pound,  "I wonder if that was him that just called?"
    Amanda picked up her Motorola Razr to check it.
    "Yeah he has.  Left a message too.  Want me to check it?"
    Stephanie shook her head and got to her feet and took her cell phone from Amanda to check the time.  It was way too early to be going to bed but then again that was all she wanted to do..
    "I'm just going to go ahead and go to bed I think."
    Her friends watched as she left the room then headed down the hallway towards the stairs.
    As she ascended the steps, the front door opened and in walked Kevin with his friends and co stars from Entourage, Jerry Ferrara and Adrian Grenier.
    "Hey, Steph."  Kevin smiled.  "What are you doing here?"
    The next thing the two men knew, Stephanie was sobbing loudly and running up to the second floor.
    Adrian and Kevin glanced at each other then walked into the living room.   "Hey, Ash, what's wrong with Stephanie?"
    "Yeah he just asked her what she was doing here and she starts to cry."  Adrian added  as they sat down.
    Ashley took a deep breath, not sure how to tell him what she needed to.
    "When Stephanie came home from work she found Leo there with a…"
    "A what?"  Adrian pressed as he leaned forward.
    "A kid.  He says when he got home Gisele was there claiming that the kid she had with her was his."
    "What?"  Kevin and Adrian gasped and Ashley nodded.
    "Did he um…"
    Kevin shook his head.
    "No of course not."
    Ashley nodded.
    "I didn't think so but she's still pretty upset."
    The three guys just stared at each other in shock.
    "So Gisele just…How did anyone not know?"
    Amanda picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
    "Holy shit."  Jerry replied.  "Are you sure it's his?"
    "Her name is…"  Amanda paused.  "Well, we don't know that yet but it is a girl."
    "Wow."  Adrian said as Amanda got up.
    "I'm going to see if she's okay."
    Ashley nodded as Amanda left the room and walked down the hall to the stairs.  When she entered Stephanie's room, she found her face down on the bed, crying her eyes out.  "Hey…"
    "Have you ever been so mad…that you had no emotion?"  she asked through her tears.  "I-I don't even know how to feel or what to think."
    Amanda frowned as she took a seat on the side of the bed.
    "You have every right to feel, or in this case not feel, anything."
    Stephanie sniffed as her phone rang from the living room and a few minutes later, Ashley appeared in the doorway.
    "Leo called again and left another message.  I didn't check it though."
    Stephanie moved onto her side but didn't respond as Ashley quietly laid her phone down on the nightstand beside her.
    "I'm going to sleep now.  Night."  she mumbled.
    Amanda and Ashley got to their feet and said goodnight before they left the room.

    The next morning, Stephanie woke up to a splitting heaadache.  "I hate that bastard even more."  she grumbled as she looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand with a sigh.  "Noon?"  she exclaimed and sat up quickly.  "Marty is going to kill me!"  she jumped up and grabbed her clothes and began to hurriedly put them on.  Knowing she didn't have time to shower or put on make up, she ran a brush through her hair then went to brush her teeth before she bolted from the room.

    By the time she arrived at the shooting location, she was an hour late and as luck would have it the only space left in the parking spot was next to his silver Pruis.  "That figures."  she sighed as she opened her door and got out.  At least he was nowhere around.
    Stephanie walked across the parking lot as one of the doors to the buildings opened and Leo walked out.  She rolled her eyes as he spotted her then made his way over.  "I'll be by for my stuff after work."  she told him as she continued walking and he followed.
    "So that's it.  You're leaving without giving me a chance to explain."
    "Right now I don't give a shit about your explanations."  she mumbled as she headed over to where Marty was standing.
    "You're late."  he replied as she approached.
    "I know, I know.  I overslept.  I don't know if Leo told you.."
    "It's okay."  Marty stopped her.  "Just don't let it happen again.  Especially when filming actually starts."
    She nodded and made her way to the make up trailer, passing Leo's assistant Cynthia who was holding the little girl from the night before.  Stephanie just then realized she wasn't sure what her name was.  She shook her head as she walked up the stairs and pulled the door open.
    "Sorry I'm late everyone.  I over slept.  What are we doing today?"
    "Make up testing."  Adrianna, one of the other make up artists told her.  "For the scene where Billy and Maddy have sex."
    Stephanie sighed.  Great.  Now not only was she mad but she was going to have to fight the hormones she knew would be raging when he walked through the door.  "Stephanie?"  Adrianna waved a hand in front of her face and she blinked.
    "Huh?"
    "I said Leo is up first.  Are you okay?"
    She nodded and walked to her station.
    "Yep.  Couldn't be better."  she sighed softly as she began to set out containers of make up.  It was going to be a long day.

    Leo exhaled sharply as he shuffled his sandaled feet along the pavement towards the make up trailer and up to the door.  He had to figure out a way to get Stephanie to understand he wasn't at fault the way she thought he was.  That wasn't going to be an easy task since she was so mad at him.
    He walked inside and walked over to a chair and sat down.
    "Man I'm so tired"  he sighed as he rubbed his eyes.  Stephanie had to resist the urge to give him the finger; instead she just continued setting out containers of make up and ignoring him, which was sort of hard considering he kept watching her every move.
    "Can you please stop staring at me?"  she snapped as she dropped a tube of lipstick and he leaned down to get it.  She grabbed it out of his hand without so much as a thank you.
    He was about to say something when Vera Famiga, the actress who played Madolyn Madden, walked in and sat down in the empty seat at Stephanie's station.
    "Hello everyone."  she smiled.  "Who's little girl is that out there?  She's adorable."
    Stephanie glanced over at Leo.
    "Yeah I wonder."
    He sighed as he sank down lower in his seat then yanked his hat over his eyes.
    "She's mine."
    Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at him as he cleared his throat and Stephanie began to apply foundation to Vera's face.  This was getting to be more than she could stand.
    Leo eyed her then got up.
    "Can I talk to you?"   he asked before he stormed from the trailer and she followed quietly. Once they were out on the pavement, she watched as he took in a deep breath before he spoke again.  "First of all I didn't cheat on you.  I figured it up and she was conceived in April.  You and I met in May."
    Stephanie watched him closely; she sensed there was more to this.
    "What aren't you telling me?"
    There was a long pause before he answered and when he finally did she really wished he hadn't.
    "I knew about her.  I've been sending money…"
    Stephanie's mouth fell open.
    "And you never TOLD me?  You've done some stupid low down things before Leo but this…God I can't even look at you right now!"  she fumed as Leo chewed on his bottom lip.
    "I'm sorry.  I was just never sure how to…"
    She didn't give him time to finish, just turned on her heel, went back into the trailer and slammed the door behind her.

    When it was finally time to go home, Stephanie practically ran to her car and got in.  Working the fifteen hour days she did was hard enough now she had to find out Leo was a father.  That sucked what little energy she did have right out of her.  Her lungs felt like they were being deprived of oxygen every time she took in a deep breath; she had to stay calm.  Passing out certainly wouldn't help anything.
    After sitting there for several minutes collecting her thoughts, she started the engine, then reached over and turned the radio to KIIS FM just as the DJ was introducing the next song after coming back from a commercial break.
    "Here's Lifehouse with their new single You and Me…"
    Stephanie sat and listened until it was over then sighed.  She and the lead singer, Jason Wade whom she was friends with, hadn't talked for a while and she missed him.  Maybe he could shed some light on this situation.
    She checked the glowing numbers of the clock and saw that they read three am.
    "I guess going to Ralph's is just as good as going tomorrow."  she mumbled as she pulled out of the parking lot.  She wasn't sure why she was even going, but at least it would give her something to do for a little while since she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep if she went back to Ashley and Kevin's.  That was another thing she had to figure out; moving in with them wasn't an option.  She decided that her day off tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity to look for a place.
    Stephanie frowned as Leo's words replayed over and over in her mind.  He hadn't cheated but he had known about the little girl which left her wondering why he had chosen not to come clean from the start.  If there was one thing that got under her skin more, it was being lied to and the fact that he had looked her in the face and did it repeatedly hurt even more.

    Leo stared at the screen of his phone, his finger hovering over the speed dial button for Stephanie's number.  He wanted to call her, but he was pretty sure she would hang up on him.  She had become an expert at that.
    He sighed and dialed Cynthia's number instead as he headed for his Pruis.
    "Hello?"
    "Hey, it's me.  I'm on my way home."  he told her as he unlocked the driver's side door
    She nodded.
    "Madeleine's in bed by the way.  Just in case you were getting ready to ask."
    He stopped and stood there with the door open and the interior light and buzzing noise going off from inside the car.  Cynthia waited for him to say something then shook her head when he never did.  He was going to have to get better at this.

    Stephanie yawned as she walked out of Ralph's with her bags of junk food.  She was starting to think that this could have waited until later after all as tired as she had become wandering around the store.  She sighed as she headed for her car, got in and drove off towards Ashley and Kevin's.

   
When she walked in the front door a little while later, Kevin was coming out of the kitchen, a glass of lemonade in his hand.
    "Hey."  Stephanie smiled as she set her keys and purse down.
    "Hey, Steph.  Ash and I were getting worried.  You…"
    "Where is Ashley?  I need to tal…no, actually I'll just ask you.  Did you know about Leo's double life?  That he knew about that little girl all along but never bothered to tell me?"
    Kevin didn't answer right away and that was all she needed for her anger to boil over.  "Wait…You ALL knew and not a single one of you didn't think I had a right to know?"
    Adrian and Jerry walked up behind Kevin just then as he opened his mouth to respond.
    "I really don't think you're being fair.  This is between him and Gisele not you.  At the time they thought it was the best thing to do it the way they…"
    "I KNOW that!"  she yelled.  "Excuse the fuck out of me for wondering why I was being lied to!"
    The three men stared after her as she ran up the stairs and slammed the door to her room.
    Stephanie sighed and pulled out her phone to call Amanda as she flung herself across the bed.
    "Hello?"  the petite redhead answered a few seconds later just as Stephanie became hysterical.
    "So guess who already knew Leo had a kid and they did bother to tell me?  Why the FUCK didn't they say anything?"
    "Calm down or you'll get a headache."  Amanda said gently and that only made Stephanie cry harder. 
    "I mean…I don't care anymore that it happened…just that I was lied to and his friends were in on it."
    Amanda frowned.  She hated seeing her best friend so down and wished there was something she could do to help.
    "If it makes you feel any better I wasn't in on it."
    Stephanie began sobbing uncontrollably.
    "I feel so betrayed and now I don't know what to do."
    Amanda frowned again as her phone beeped.  She saw that it was Justin Timberlake  calling from Vegas where he was shooting the Signs video with Snoop Dog, but she decided she would just call him back.  She had met him through Leo two years earlier and had been dating ever since.  
    "Too bad you couldn't just take off or I'd suggest we go down to Vegas to be with J."
    "And risk Marty killing me?"  Stephanie scoffed.  "No thanks.  Besides, you've never been one to just pick up and go anywhere on the spur of the moment.  What about school?"
    "You need a break so I'm willing to bend the rules this once.  They're all online classes anyway."
    "I honestly think Marty was on the verge of killing me for being an hour late so I believe I better pass."
    "What happened?  Your alarm didn't go off?"  Amanda asked as Stephanie put her head in her hands.
    "I think I forgot to even set the thing after all that shit that went on last night.  I really wish I could go somewhere for a few days but I know that wouldn't fly over too well.  I am off tomorrow though.  Want to go apartment hunting with me around eleven?  You have a good eye with that sort of thing."
    "Are you saying you don't?"  Amanda laughed.  "You really don't give yourself enough credit."
    "The shape I'm in right now I might end up buying some dump."
    "What pisses me off even more than him lying to you I think is the fact that it almost seems like he wanted to keep her a secret and to me that's a dead beat dad."
    Stephanie exhaled slowly.
    "I know.  That's been bothering me too.  I mean, that little girl didn't ask for any of this."
    "And it isn't her fault."  Amanda added.
    "Right."
    They talked for a few more minutes, trying to decide what to do after they went apartment hunting, then hung up.

Chapter Four

    The next morning, Stephanie noticed that Ashley was standing in her doorway watching as she put on her make up.
    "Hey.  How did you sleep?"
    "Fine."  Stephanie answered  as she applied mascara to the lashes on her left eye.  "I guess Kevin told you about what happened last night.  I still can't believe he knew and never told me."
    Ashley sighed as she walked over to the bed and sat down.
    "If it makes you feel any better  it caused a fight between us."
    Stephanie glanced at her through the mirror
    "So you didn't know about it either?"
    She shook her head.
    "I couldn't believe  it.  I mean, I never pictured him as the type to hide  something like that."
    "What bothers me more is the fact that he didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth so he lied."  she said as she replaced the wand back in its container then shook her head before applying mascara to her right eye.  She picked up her tube of lip gloss next and unscrewed the cap.  "If he lied about this I wonder what else he hasn't told me."
    Ashley frowned.
    "Everything will eventually work out.  Maybe you should try talking to him again."
    Stephanie turned around to look at her.
    "You're seriously not suggesting that are you?  Right now as far as I'm concerned he can go back to Gisele and they can live happily ever after."
    Ashley watched in silence as she pulled her hair up into a pony tail.
    "You really want to end it?"
    Stephanie didn't answer as she started looking for her shoes.
    "I'm not sure what I want right now."  she sighed as she slipped her feet into a pair of flip flops then picked up her purse and sunglasses.  "All I know is how angry I am at him."  her brown eyes darkened even more as she covered them with the sunglasses.  "I'll talk to you later."  she replied as she left the room.

    When she made it to Amanda's apartment a little while later, she parked in a space closest to her friend's door and got out.  "Hey."  she said as she let herself in the one bedroom residence.
    Amanda turned away from the refrigerator and smiled     as she snatched a container of orange juice from the top shelf.
    "I have to go J.  Stephanie just got here."
    "Okay, baby.  Tell her when I get home on Friday I'll help you guys move her stuff out if she's found a place by then."
    Amanda smiled.  That was so nice of him.
    "That's so sweet   I'll tell her.  I love you.  Bye."  she smiled again then hung up.
    "Was that Justin?"  Stephanie asked as Amanda tossed her a Dr. Pepper.  "Thanks."
    Amanda nodded.
    "Yeah.  He said when he gets back on Friday he'd help you move if you want him to."
    "Sure.  That's nice of him."  she smiled as she opened her drink and took a sip.  "Ready to go?"
    "Yeah."  Amanda picked up her purse and they left the apartment.  "Where do you want to start looking?"
    "West Hollywood I guess."  Stephanie answered as they walked across the parking lot to the Lexus IS Justin had bought her for her birthday the year before.  The two girls got in and Amanda pressed the push button start then pulled out of her parking space as she slid her sunglasses on.
    "Do you want to go to Starbuck's to get coffee?  I'll pay."  she smiled.
    Stephanie nodded.
    "Sure and I'll get lunch.  How about The Ivy?  I haven't been there in a while."
    "It's a little too early to be thinking about lunch, don't you think?"  Amanda laughed and she rolled her eyes.
    "I was just making a suggestion."
    Amanda laughed again as she reached over to turn the radio on and Stephanie looked out her window.
    "I hate being mad at him."  she sighed.  "But I can't get over the fact that he lied to me."
    "I wonder how many people do know?"  Amanda replied as she switched lanes.
    Stephanie didn't say anything as she started chewing on her thumb nail and her eyes filled with tears.
    "I have no idea what to do.  I really don't."
    Amanda frowned as Rob Thomas' Lonely No More came through the speakers just then.  "Things will never be the same between us again.  Maybe I should just cut my losses and get out while I still can."
    She looked over at her friend.
    "That would really kill you then I'd have to kill him."
    Stephanie sighed as they slowed for traffic.
    "I hate LA's traffic.  It takes you twice as long to get anywhere."
    Amanda nodded in agreement.
    "But at least we have nice weather year round.  Can't complain about that."
    Stephanie just stared straight ahead as her mind raced; she couldn't concentrate on anything.  Nothing seemed to matter anymore.

    Leo parked his Pruis into a space, grabbed his script for the table reading, then got out quickly.  Cynthia had been late getting to his house, in turn making him late for work which had not put him in the best mood.
    He ran across the parking lot and into the building where they were having the meeting.
    "Hey, everyone."  he replied out of breath as he rushed in and took a seat in the empty folding chair in the middle of the table.  "Sorry I'm…"
    "Late?"  Marty  eyed as he sat down in between William Monahan, one of the film’s producers, and Jack Nicholson to start the meeting they had been waiting on him for.  
    Leo had really messed up this time.

    "You’ve rejected every house we saw in West Hollywood so where to now?"  Amanda asked as they got into her car for what seemed like the thousandth time already in the half an hour they had been looking and she started the engine.
    "Let's try Malibu."  Stephanie said as she shut her door and her phone rang.
    She got it out of her purse and said hello.
    "Hey."  Marissa Nash, another close friend and college roommate, smiled from the other end of the phone.  With her short dark hair and eyes many said she could pass for her favorite singer, Mandy Moore, and Stephanie agreed. She was even around the same age, although unlike Mandy, Marissa was born and raised in Wilmington, South Carolina. "I heard about what happened with Leo.  Is there anything I can do?"
    Stephanie shook her head.
    "No, I'm okay.  I think.  Just looking for an apartment with Amanda's help."
    "Which so far she isn't taking."
    Stephanie laughed as Amanda pulled out then headed West towards Malibu.  "Well, she is pretty picky."
    "Hey!  Is it my fault I haven't found anything I like yet?"
    "Yes, as a matter of fact it is."
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    "Okay, I promise the next one we look at I'll take."
    Amanda laughed and turned up the air conditioner and a blast of cold air hit them.
    "I'm holding you to that."
    Stephanie just shook her head as the car stopped at a red light.
    Shew  and Marissa talked for a few more minutes then she hung up and began to look for something in the backseat.
    "Do you have your laptop with you?"
    "I think so.  The battery may not be fully charged though."  she replied as Stephanie got it from the back and opened it.
    "I'm just going to do a search and see what I can find online.  Maybe I'll have better luck.  Besides, this traffic doesn't look like it'll be moving anytime soon."  she said as she began typing.
    She scrolled through several pages until one caught her eye.
    "Here's one.  The address is 6438 Lunita Road 128 Malibu, CA 90265.  'Sophisticated and elegant."  she read. " 'Immaculate 3+2.5, 2 large decks with ocean views, wood floors, stone and carpet. Large designer kitchen, with champagne granite, stainless appliances, fireplace in living room. Romantic master with dual fireplace, private deck to enjoy the views, large master bath with tumbled floors and countertops. Extra large walk in closets with built-ins. Second and third  bedroom share a balcony each with lots of closet space. Large laundry room, two car garage has work bench and extra storage. Complex features pool, spa and gym just minutes to Broad Beach or Zuma, close to market and Starbuck's. Beautiful and move in ready!' Good lord the person that typed this up could use some lessons in grammar."
    Amanda laughed as she leaned over to look at the web page.
    "Why is it in caps?"
    Stephanie shrugged.
    "I was wondering the same thing."
    "Sounds nice though."  Amanda commented as Stephanie clicked on the link for the virtual tour.  "I wonder who you contact?  Oh Deborah Valavicius."
    "Shouldn't you be looking for something in New York?"  Amanda asked as traffic began to move and so did they.
    Stephanie sighed and she pulled up a search for New York apartments.  "Since we don't actually have to be there until next week renting something there too didn't even cross my mind."
Amanda turned up the radio a little as Kelly Clarkson's Miss Independent began playing.
    "Have you talked to him since…"
    "He told me?"  Stephanie shook her head.  "I don't know what to say or even if I want to say anything at all."  she mumbled.  "He has a kid by someone other than me…"
    Amanda didn't say anything as they continued towards Malibu to look into the listing Stephanie  had found.

   
    After the realtor had walked them through the condo and Stephanie agreed to purchase it, she and Amanda headed to The Ivy for lunch.  "Oh God he's calling again."  Stephanie groaned as Amanda pulled onto Robertson Boulevard.  "He's called like ten times in the past twenty minutes."
    "Shouldn't he be at work?"  Amanda asked as Stephanie glanced at her watch.
    "He's on his lunch break."  she answered as the car moved into the valet parking and they got out.  Just then the paparazzi rushed towards them, their cameras flashing.  The two friends ignored them as they made their way inside.
    "Good afternoon."  the hostess smiled.  "How many?"
    "Just us."  Amanda motioned to herself then Stephanie as the girl picked up a couple menus.
    "Would you like to eat inside in one of our private rooms or outside on the patio?"
    "Outside is fine."  Amanda told her and they followed the girl out into the warm sunshine.
    The hostess led them to a table near the back, passing Leo's on the way.
    He looked up as they kept going then took a seat and the girl handed over the menus.
    "Your server will be right with you.  Enjoy your meal."  she grinned before she walked away.
    "Is he still looking?"  Stephanie mumbled as she opened her menu and Amanda glanced over.
    "Yeah.  What are you getting?"
    "The Ivy burger."  she replied as he got up and walked over.
    "Stephanie, can we talk?"
    She sighed and rolled her eyes.
    "What the hell do you want?  I have nothing to say to you."
    Leo frowned.
    "Please sweetheart."
    "No!  I would like to know one thing though. How many people have known all along?"
    He looked around before giving her an answer.
    "Leo…"
    "Just all the guys but in their defense I told them not to say anything because I wasn't sure about any of it myself.  Gisele and I hadn't planned it and…"
    Just then their waiter walked up.
    "My name is Tom and I'll be serving you today.  What can I get you guys to drink?"
    "I'll have and ice tea.  Is it sweetened?"
    He nodded and wrote that down
    "And I'll have a lemonade."  Amanda replied then the guy looked at Leo.
    "What about you Mr. DiCaprio?"
    "Oh he isn't with us."  Stephanie said quickly and the guy nodded.
    "I'll be right back with your drinks."
    Stephanie looked over at Leo after the waiter left.
    "Just go.  I really don't want to talk to you right now.  I really wish you'd leave me alone."
    He glanced at Amanda.
    "Don't look at me.  I'm on her side."
    "Fine."  he scowled and stood up as Tom came back with their drinks.  "I'll go but I wish you'd let me explain."
    "That ship has sailed."  Stephanie replied as she put her straw in her drink then took a sip.
    Leo watched her for a second before he turned and walked away, shaking his head.

Chapter Five

"Are you ready to order?"  Tom smiled at them and Stephanie glanced at Amanda.
    "Have you found anything you want yet?"
    Amanda nodded and closed her menu and he took them.
    "Can I get the Mexican Griddled Chicken Salad without the guacamole?"
    "Sure.  Do you still want the tortilla chips that come with it?"
    She nodded.
    "Yeah.  Can I get sour cream with that too?"
    "Of course."  the waiter "Is that it?"
    "Could I get fries with my order?"  Stephanie questioned and he nodded.
    "Anything else?"
    She shook her head.
    "No thanks."
    "I'll be right back with your food."  the guy smiled then walked away.
    So how do you think the paparazzi are going to handle this one?"  Stephanie sighed as she sat back and took a sip of her tea.
    "Not very well."  Amanda replied as she looked around.  "They'll take the story and run with it.  Probably to say you dumped him while we were here or something."
    "But I didn't."  Stephanie looked confused.
    "I know but they don't know that.  All the more reason for them to make something up from the pictures they get."
    She scowled.
    "Great just what I need."
    "Welcome to LA."  Amanda raised her glass and she gave her a look.
    "Are you mocking me?"
    Her friend gave her a huge grin.
    "What makes you say that?"
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    "You're so mean."
    Amanda laughed.
    "Thank you."
    Stephanie just shook her head as their food arrived.
    "Let me know if you need anything else."  Tom said and Stephanie nodded.
    "We will.  Thanks"
    He smiled as he walked away and Amanda picked up her fork.
    "This salad better be good or I'm blaming you."  sje said as she took a bite.  "Mmm.  This is good."
    Stephanie laughed.
    "You ordered it so how were you going to blame me if you didn't like it?"
    Amanda shrugged and took another bite.
    "I just was.  So what are you doing tonight?  You can stay with me if you want."
    Stephanie smiled and started eating her own food.
    "Thanks but I'll just get a suite at the Four Seasons or the Beverly Wilshire and stay there until I move into the condo.  I just hate imposing on people."
    "How are you imposing if I offer?"  Amanda looked at her.  "Hmm?"
    "That's sweet but I'll just stay in a hotel for a few days."
    Amanda nodded and they began eating silently.
    "Why don't you, me, Marissa and Ashley go out later?"  she asked after a few minutes had gone by.
    "Sure.  Can I invite Braeden too?  She and I do stuff whenever Lifehouse is touring."
    "Has it started yet?"  Amanda asked as she took a drink of her lemonade.
    Stephanie shook her head.
    "So far they've just been doing radio shows but they're even on break from them right now I think.  I'm not sure though since I haven't had a chance to talk to Jason much since they started recording this album.  I mean, we've talked but not for long periods of time."
    "How did you guys meet again?"
    "Back in 2000 at a concert at the House of Blues. I had to go to the bathroom just as it ended and by the time I got out he was leaving.  I don't know why but we ended up talking about the way his writing style is the way it is and I told him how inspirational it was.  Then later that night I'm at In-N-Out Burger and so is he.  We start talking about how odd it was to see each other again and the rest is history.  We ended up staying in the booth for like two hours."
    Amanda smiled as she glanced around.
    "Talk about lu…oh lord he's still over there."
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    "He is determined to drive me nuts."
    "I don't know why the guy can't just take a damn hint.  You don't have anything to say to him.  I mean, how much clearer can you make that?"
    "Apparently I need to tattoo it to my forehead."  Stephanie sighed and ate a few fries.  "I honestly don't know if we're going to be able to get passed this."
    Amanda watched her as she continued to eat.
    "Do you want to go to Vegas?  It isn't too late."
    Stephanie laughed and took a bite of her food.
    "You just want to go see Justin."
    "And get you away from all this for awhile."  Amanda replied as they finished up and their waiter walked by.
    "Can we get a box of chocolate chip cookies to go please?"  Amanda asked and he nodded.  "I'll be right back with your check."
    Tom returned a few minutes later with the box of cookies and the check.
    "How was everything?"  he asked.
    "Very good."  Stephanie smiled as she got her wallet out of her purse and took out her Visa card and handed it to him and he walked away.

    Her phone started ringing as the valet was bringing Amanda's car around.
    "It's Leo."  Stephanie groaned.  "This is getting ridiculous.  I'm not talking to him.  I wish he'd just give it up."
    Amanda shook her head as a throng of photographers ran up to them, their flashes  going a mile a minute.
    "Why didn't you leave when Leo did?"  one of them asked and Amanda rolled her eyes.
    "Just ignore them."  she sighed as her car pulled up and the valet guy got out.
    "Here you go miss."
    "Thank you."  she smiled as they got in and she drove away.

    "CUT!"  Marty yelled.  "Leo, can I see you for a second?"  he asked as he got to his feet and Leo walked over.
    "What's up, Marty?"  the older man sighed and removed his glasses
    "I think in light of what's just been thrown on you, you should  take a few days off."
    Leo's eyes widened.
    "Marty, no!  You can't do that.  I'm fine."
    He shook his head.
    "No, you are not.  You're distracted and it's starting to show in your work.  Take off until Monday."
    "But…"  Leo started to protest then sighed.  "Okay, okay."  he grumbled as he turned and headed for the parking lot.  He couldn't believe he was being forced to take a week off.  That would mean he couldn't come back until the fifteenth.
    He wasn't sure what this would help, but he would do it if he had to.

    Cynthia glanced up when she heard the front door open.
    "Leo, is that you?"  she called.
    "Yeah."  he mumbled and threw his keys on the hall table then headed towards the kitchen where Cynthia and Madeleine were,
    Willie, his boxer and Django, his Boston Terrier, rushed up to him excitedly.  "How are my boys?"  he grinned as he reached down to pet them.
    The little girl watched him as she drank from the sippy cup Cynthia had filled with watered down apple juice for her.  She pointed and babbled something and his assistant nodded.
    "I was wondering the same thing sweetie.  What is he doing home so soon?"
    "Marty demanded that I take a week off because he's convinced I'm not as focused as I normally am." 
    "Good now you can be the parent and I can take a little vacation."
    Leo stared at her.
    "Wait a second.  You can't do that.  You work for me, remember?"
    She rolled her eyes.
    "I seriously doubt my job description included being a nanny.  I did it today for you but it will not continue."
    Leo watched her walk from the room then ran after her.
    "Cynthia, wait.  It's only been a day.  How can you be tired of helping me?  What am I supposed to do?"
    She turned to face him.
    "Look I just don't feel like I should be doing all this extra stuff since you'll be home for a week anyway."
    He drew in a breath as she picked up her purse.
    "I don't know how to take care of a kid."
    "That's why you need to learn."  Cynthia replied as she walked to the front door and Leo glanced around in a panic.
    "Wait!  What if she starts crying?"
    His assistant rolled her eyes.
    "Oh lord.  See you Tuesday."  she said as she walked out.
    He headed for the kitchen nervously to find Django growling at something.
    "What's your problem?  Do you want to go outside?"  Leo asked him.
    The dog eagerly ran over to the patio doors and began to paw at the glass anxiously and Leo went to slid the doors open to let him out.
    Madeleine grinned and clapped her hands and Leo looked over.  "You want to go out too?"
    She nodded and continued to play with her food.  "Finish your lunch first."  he remembered his mom used to tell him that if he wanted to do something other than eat.
    She scowled and shook her head.
"No.  Pway wif doggies!"  she pouted and he laughed.
    "Wow that's quite a vocabulary you've got there."
    She giggled then dumped the rest of her lunch to the floor.
    He grabbed some paper towels to clean it up, not sure how to correct her.
    Willy ventured over to the spill and used his long tongue to lick up the mess.
    Leo rubbed his head.
    "Hungry?  Did you eat all the food I put in your bowl buddy?"
    He barked then licked Leo's hand,  "Okay, okay.  I'll give you more."  he laughed as he stood up from the crouching position he had been in then walked over to the cabinet where he kept the dog food.
    Madeleine watched him quietly while she drank her juice.
    Leo glanced at her after he was done and saw that she was wearing half of what she had been eating.
    "You've got to be kidding me!"  he groaned as he went over to get her from the high chair.
    The little girl stared up at him wide eyed as he searched for the release button.  "Damn it."  he mumbled.  "Where is it?"  he side as his fingers ran over the side.  "Oh right there."  he pressed it then removed the tray, unbuckled her and lifted her out.  "I guess you probably need a bath, huh?"
    She giggled and shook her head.  "I get the feeling you like to disagree."  he smiled as he carried her out of the kitchen with Willy right behind him.  "So um…where is your room?"  he asked as he started down the hall towards the stairs.
    Madeleine just looked at him as he carried her up to the second floor.  This was already beginning to drive him insane pretty much talking to himself.
    He finally found her room then went to get her a clean pair of clothes and a fresh diaper, which he just stared at like it was a rattle snake ready to strike.
    Leo sighed as entered the bathroom and shut the door,  "Okay, let's get this over with."  he mumbled as he laid her down and started to undress her.
    After that was done, he made sure he had a towel and all the other stuff he needed before he turned on the water.
    Madeleine saw this as an opportunity to get away and ran for the door.  Leo was so busy checking the water temperature that hr didn't even notice she was gone until Django, who had been waiting on the other side of the door, barged in.  "Django, what…"  he stopped as his eyes went wide and he jumped to his feet.  "Madeleine Hope DiCaprio!"  he yelled as he ran from the bathroom and looked around frantically.  
    His first thought was her heading for the top of the stairs but when he made it to the hallway he didn't see her anywhere.  Just then he heard crying coming from a few doors down and he sprinted towards the sound.
    Madeleine sat in the middle of his room bawling her eyes out and for a second Leo was puzzled as to why but then he remembered that he had yelled.  "Did I scare you?"  he frowned and she just looked at him as her nose started to run.  "I'm sorry."  he said as he moved closer.  "But you can't run from me like that.  I don't want you to get hurt and you could on the stairs."  he picked her up and carried her back to her bathroom where the water was still running in the tub.
    After he tested the temperature, Leo gently lowered her into the water, his arm securely around her so she wouldn't slip.  She started to wiggle immediately, sending a good portion of the water over the side of the tub and directly on him.  He scowled as his free hand reached for the shampoo and he realized her hair was still dry and he didn't have a way of wetting it.  
    He groaned again as he lifted her from the tub and carried her down to the kitchen to get the biggest cup he could find.  Once he was back in the bathroom and she was once again in the tub, he slowly began to pour water over her head.  Thankfully, that produced no major incidences.  He grabbed the shampoo again as she eyed it fearfully as he squirted some onto her hair then began to work it into a lather with his free hand.  "Piece of cake."  he mumbled as she started to splash around, making water go everywhere and his grip tightened on her so she wouldn't get hurt.  "Oh screw it."  he sighed as he climbed in with her.
    The little girl looked at him and giggled as she splashed away happily.  She continued as he tried his best to keep a hold on her.  "You're a slippery little thing."  he laughed as he used a wash cloth to wipe her face and she began to squirm.
    It took a little longer than he expected, but Leo managed to get her clean.  "Alright kiddo.  Time to get out."  he stood up and climbed from the tub while still holding her.
    "Brrr…"  she shivered as her teeth started to chatter..
    "Oh, sorry."  he grabbed her towel and wrapped her.  "There ya go sweetheart.  How's that?"
    Madeleine giggled as he laid her down then sighed when he saw the diaper.  "Okay, um…how do you do this?"  he looked at the little girl in confusion as he picked it up and opened it.  He put it under her like he had seen on TV, not realizing that he had the front in the back.  After he had fastened the tabs on the sides, he reached for the pair of Bratz shorts he had picked up and struggled to get her into them.  
    She whimpered as he pulled up to a standing position gently.  "I'm almost finished honey."  he smiled and reached for her mismatched Barbie t-shirt. Madeleine grinned and pointed to it and he nodded.  "You like Barbie?"
    She just looked at him as he pulled it over her head awkwardly then straightened her shorts.  "So what would you like to do today?"  he picked up his brush and started to run it through her long blond hair as she screamed.
    Leo jerked back.  "Oh god baby.  Did I hurt you?"  Let me try again."

    A few minutes later, when he finally got her dressed, they headed for her room to pack her diaper bag which he had seen Gisele do a few times whenever he would visit.
    Madeleine put her thumb in her mouth and started to babble something he couldn't understand.
    Leo chuckled as he put in a change of clothes and extra diapers then zipped the bag up before he lifted her into his arms.  "Okay, let's go find your car seat."  he grabbed his phone before he went to look in the hall closet.
    Madeleine watched him dial Tobey's number as he opened the door.  "Tobey, hey.  Want to run a few errands with me?"
    "What kind of errands?  Oh okay.  Have you talked to Gisele?  Did she say why she just dropped her off?"  Tobey asked as his girlfriend, Jennifer Meyer, looked up from where she was reading a magazine, then when she realized it wasn't anything important, went back to reading.  
    Leo sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
    "She said that since she had been raising her for a year on her own it was my turn."
    Tobey shook his head.
    "Wow."
    Jennifer glanced up again.    
    "Wow what?"
    "Gisele showed up with her and Leo's kid."  his eyes went wide as he suddenly realized he had never told her.

Chapter Six

Jennifer's mouth dropped.
    "Whoa, whoa.  WHAT?  His kid?  Since when…oh my god."  she grabbed her phone and dialed Stephanie's number.  "Sweetheart I just found out about Leo's kid.  Are you okay?  Do you want to meet somewhere?"
    Stephanie sighed.
    "Let me guess.  You saw it on TV.  How did it get out so fast anyway?  I'll come over later whenever Tobey isn't there."
    Jennifer watched as he got up and grabbed his keys. 
    "He's leaving right now."
    Tobey looked at her then walked from the room with a sigh as he continued his conversation.

    Leo finally found the car seat as he hung up with Tobey and lifted it off of the floor. 
    "Okay, we're ready to roll as soon as Tobey gets here.  Want to watch TV while we wait?"
    Madeleine grinned at the suggestion then wobbled unsteadily towards the living room as he followed.  "Oh no, no, no.  Don't mess with that."  he said as he rushed towards her to stop her from pressing the buttons on the remote control.
    She ignored him and giggled in delight as she made his plasma TV go on and off.  "Madeleine, no."  he said firmly as he gently pried her tiny fingers loose from around the device and her eyes filled with tears.  Her face turned a deep shade of red, almost the color of a tomato, before she started to cry.  Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, she began to scream at the top of her lungs.
    Leo flinched slightly at the volume of the noise.  "Okay, okay.  Come here."  he mumbled as he picked her up and walked over to his recliner.  "You're fine.  I'm not mad.  Everything's cool."  he said calmly as he combed his fingers through her blond hair and her crying continued.  "Want to watch TV?"  he asked as he turned it on and started to flip through the channels.
    She glanced at the screen as Leo tried to find some sort of children's show for her.  "This looks good huh?"  he glanced  at her as he came across a girl with short black hair speaking Spanish to a monkey.  Madeleine's eyes lit up and she began to watch the show intently.  "Wow just like me when I'm watching a Laker's game."  he shook his head in disbelief.  "Hey, are you thirsty?"  he asked.
    She ignored him and he laughed lightly.  "Guess not."

    A little while later, the front door opened and Tobey walked in and headed for the living room.
    "So how is everything going?"  he asked as he took a seat on the couch.
    "Bath time was an experience.  Get her in water and she gets all slippery."
    Madeline giggled as if she knew he was talking about her and Tobey smiled.
    "Jennifer isn't speaking to me or you even though I tried to tell her that we weren't together when you told me.  Besides, how did she think I was supposed to bring the subject up?"
    Leo sighed.
    "Let me guess why she's mad at me.  She thinks I should've been a better father too."
    Tobey didn't say anything and instead tried to get the conversation back to him bathing Madeleine.  That amused him for some reason.  "I would have loved to see you bathing her.  I bet that was hilarious."
    Leo rolled his eyes as he stood up.
    "Are you ready to go?"
    Tobey nodded and stood up as well.
    "Whenever you are man
    Leo picked up the remote and turned the TV off as Madeleine frowned and stuck her lower lip out.
    "Dooooora!"  she whined.
    "We're leaving."  Leo told her as he picked her up along with her bag.
    The little girl looked at him then started cry.  Tobey and Leo looked at each other as they walked from the living room to the front door.  It was going to be a long day.

    Stephanie pulled up into Braeden and Jason's driveway and got out.  After she and Amanda got back from lunch, she went to the Miyako Inn and Spa
and rented the Tokyo Executive Room. and decided to charge her Master Card for at least four nights since she wasn't sure how long it would be until she could move.  She was surprised she found such a nice place in the downtown area of LA.  Most places around there were really expensive but at eighty-two dollars a night she found it to be a bargain.   
    As she started up the driveway towards the front door, her phone rang and she reached into her purse to get it and flipped it open.
    "Hello?"
    "Hey, it's me."  Jennifer said from the other end.  "I just wanted to call and tell you that Tobey left a few minutes ago to go help Leo with Madeleine so it's safe for you to get your clothes or whatever."
    "Thanks Jen.  I'm assuming they'll be…wait.  Why is he even home now?  It's only like three."
    "I'm not sure since I'm not talking to either of them right now."
    Stephanie shrugged as she knocked.
    "That's what they get for keeping secrets."    
    Just then the door opened and Braeden smiled at her and motioned for her to come inside.  "Hey, Jen I have to go.  Thanks for calling.  When I come by to get my stuff come over, okay?"
    Jennifer nodded and said she would before they said bye and hung up.
    "Hey, Braeden."  Stephanie smiled as Jason walked down the hall with Rick Woolstenhulme and the newest member of Lifehouse, Bryce Soderberg.  This was her first time meeting Bryce and she noticed right away that he seemed rally quiet.
    "Hey, Steph."  Rick waved.  "Have you met Bryce?"
    She shook her head.  "Bryce, Stephanie.  Stephanie, Bryce."
    "Hey."  she smiled at him.  "Nice to meet you."
    "You too."  he smiled back.
    "What are you guys up to?"  she asked them.
    "Just hangin out."  Jason answered and she nodded.  "Do you want a beer or something?"
    "Sure I'd love one."  she replied and they headed for the kitchen.
    "We heard about Leo."  he said as he went over to the refrigerator to get her beer as she sat down in a chair.  "That's insane that he never told anyone."
    "I know."  Braeden agreed then shook her head as she too sat down and her and Jason's two labs, Charlie and Beeker, entered the kitchen.
    "When did he finally come clean?"  Rick asked as he leaned over and started petting the dogs.
    "Pretty much as right after he was caught."
    Jason shook his head.
    "There are so many things wrong with that situation."
    Stephanie sighed.
    "Tell me about it and his excuses don't help him any.  He said he never told me because he wasn't sure how to tell me."
    Jason picked up a bottle and took it over to her.
    "So what's the plan now?"
    "Become Lifehouse's own personal groupie."
    Rick laughed.
    "You mean to tell me you want to be around us 24/7?"
    "It'd be better than being around him."
    The four adults looked at each other.
    "Has he talked to Gisele since she dropped the little girl off?"  Rick questioned as Braeden asked Jason to get her a glass of lemonade.
    Stephanie twisted off the cap on her beer and took a drink.
    "I don't think so.  Talk about feeling like you were stabbed in the back.  I can't believe she never told me."
    "Maybe she thought you'd freak or something."  Braeden said as he got a glass down from the cabinet and poured Jason his drink.
    "Who wouldn't?"  Stephanie grumbled as she took another sip.
    Bryce, who hadn't said a word the whole time they had been in the kitchen, looked around shyly and Rick nudged him.
    "You can talk you know."
    "I know."  Bryce nodded.  "I just don't feel it's my place to say anything."  he said as Beeker walked up to him and put his front paws on his knee.
    Jason and Rick laughed.
"Stephanie won't bite.  Unless you're Leo and well she won't be biting him anytime soon."  Jason replied.
    Stephanie and Braeden rolled their eyes.
    "Why don't the three of you go rehearse or something?"  his wife suggested.
    "Are you trying to get rid of us?"  he gasped and Bryce laughed.
    "I don't think they were until you made that comment."
    Stephanie smiled.
    "I love the new band member guys.  He's a lot smarter than the two of you put together."
    Braeden burst out laughing as she walked over to refill the dog's food and water bowls.
    "Boy, have I missed having you around Steph."
    Jason and Rick rolled their eyes as Bryce laughed.
    "I like her.  She's funny."
    "Are we going to rehearse or not?"  Jason grumbled as he started from the room and Rick followed.
    "We still love you Jay!"  Stephanie called as Bryce walked from the room while the two girls hung out in the kitchen a few more minutes until the dogs were taken care of then they too headed for the basement.

Chapter Seven

    "I can't believe how much money you spent on baby supplies."  Tobey replied as he and Leo walked out of Babies R Us and across the parking lot to Leo's car.  "I didn't realize they needed all this stuff.  It was almost three hundred dollars!"
    Leo rolled his eyes as he opened the trunk of his Pruis and began loading stuff in as Tobey placed Madeleine in her car seat from the stroller Gisele had also left and buckled her in.  "Where to now man?"
    Leo checked his watch.
    "Let's go to Cold Stone's."
    He nodded and shut her door as she yawned.
    "Sounds good to me."  he said as they got in and Leo started the car then pulled out.

    By the time they made it to Cold Stone's, the little girl was getting crankier by the minute and kept rubbing her eyes and crying.
    The two men glanced at each other.  "I think she's tired dude.  Do you still want to get the ice cream?"
    "We're here aren't we?"  Leo snapped as her wails increased in pitch.  He let out a frustrated sigh and jerked off his seat belt as Tobey watched in silence.  "Are you coming or not?"  Leo asked as he opened Madeleine's door and his friend followed his lead without saying a word.
    Leo struggled with the straps for a few seconds, cursing under his breath as Madeleine continued to cry and his head started to throb.  It hadn't even been a day yet and he already felt like he was going insane.
    As they walked inside, her crying and turned into full blown screaming and Leo immediately regretted taking her in, but he had promised.
    The girl behind the counter glanced up as they approached, her eyes growing wide.  He noticed and prayed she wouldn't freak out.  He needed to deal with one crisis at a time.
    "May I…um, help you?"  she stuttered with a wavering smile.
    "Can we get three of the Grab and Go please?"  Leo asked as he shifted Madeleine to his other hip so he could get his wallet out.
    "Sure.  What…"  she stopped abruptly as Madeleine started throwing a tan trum due to her exhausted state and Leo wanted to crawl under a table.
    Tobey glanced at him to see what he would do.
    Leo looked back at him with a blank stare.  He didn't know the first thing about disciplining a child.
    "You have no clue what to do, do you?"
    He shook his head.
    "Nope.  Any ideas?"
    "Take her to a corner and calmly tell her that screaming in public isn't aloud."
    He gave  him a funny look.  "Hey, you don't grow up in a house with brothers and not learn about getting in trouble."
    "You act like you were such an angel."  Leo laughed.
    "Point is that's how you deal with kids."
    "Okay, okay.  I'll give it a try."  Leo glanced at the little girl he still held in his arms.  He felt really awkward being strict with her but he had to do something, her screaming was starting to attract attention.  "Let's go out to the car.  Order me a shock-a-cone."  he said before he walked out.
    Somehow the paparazzi had figured out where he was and as he carried her out to his car, they followed shouting questions at him.
    He ignored them as he opened the door and put her in her seat.  "Now let's talk about why we're out here and Tobey is in there getting ice cream.  Honey, I realize you missed your nap and you're tired but screaming is not…good lord now I sound like that British woman from that TV show.  Anyway, my point is you shouldn't scream in public."  he cringed at the way that sounded.  "Lord I hope I get better at this."
    Madeleine looked at him quietly with wide blue-green eyes as her cries turned to sniffles.
    Just then Tobey walked out of Cold Stone's with their ice cream and Leo wondered if he shouldn't get her some.  He knew she was being punished but not getting any ice cream seemed sort of cruel.  "Should I get her some?"  he asked as his friend opened the passenger's side door and got in.
    "Huh?"  he looked at him as he shut the door.
    "Should I go in and get her some ice cream?"  Leo repeated.
    "She's being punished.  Are you saying your mom gave you ice cream every time you got into trouble?"
    "Well, no.  But I feel bad."  Leo frowned.
    Tobey just shook his head.
    "Fatherhood should be interesting with you as the dad."
    "So should I or not?  She can eat it later."
    "I guess we know you'll be the guilt ridden parent giving in every time she gets into trouble."
    Leo didn't answer him as he got out and headed across the parking lot.

    "I can't believe how long that took us."  Leo sighed as he drove down Sunset Boulevard towards the Hollywood Hills.
    Tobey looked back at Madeleine, who was now sound asleep.  
    He nudged Leo.
    "She's out cold man."
    "All that crying must've wore her out.  Hey, you want to stay for dinner?  I'll order a plain cheese pizza.  For all I know that's all she'll eat."
    "Sure.  Jen probably doesn't want me home yet anyway."
    Leo sighed as he pulled up into his and Tobey's neighborhood.
    "They're pretty mad, huh?"
    "I think they're way past mad.  Especially Stephanie.  You'll be lucky if she ever talks to you again.  Why did you do it man?  Were you ashamed of her?"
    Leo shook his head.
    "No, of course not.  I just didn't know how to handle it."
    Tobey stared at him.
    "Listen to yourself.  You're putting the blame on someone who doesn't deserve it.  Besides, did you really think no one would find out about it?"
    He sighed again.
    "I can't change any of that now so what do I do?"
    "Start by being a better parent."  Tobey replied as Leo turned onto his street then headed towards his wrought iron gate.
    They didn't say anything else until they got inside.
    "So we want one cheese and one pepperoni?"  Leo asked as he took his phone from the pocket of his cargo shorts and dialed the number to California Pizza Kitchen while Tobey went into the kitchen to put the ice cream away.
    Madeleine watched with a frown then pointed after him and started to whine.
    Leo, who was still listening to the recording of specials, looked at her.
    "You can't have that until after you eat."  he told her and she scowled at him as Tobey came back into the room.
    "Ohh look at me I'm Daddy Hard as Nails."
    "One you're not helping and two that was the dumbest thing I have ever heard you say."
    Tobey shrugged.
    "It's just weird hearing you talk like that."
    Leo rolled his eyes as someone came on the other line and he ordered the pizzas they wanted.
    "Go unload the stuff from the car."
    "Already on it man."  Tobey replied as he walked out the front door and Leo carried Madeleine into the living room and sank into his arm chair.
    The little girl looked back at him then pointed to the TV.  Taking that as a hint, Leo reached for the remote and turned it on for her and began going through the channels as Tobey came in with his first load then left again.
    While he went in and out, Leo sat with Madeleine and half heartedly watched whatever show was on.
    "So this is what my life will be like from now on…"  he mumbled and looked around as Tobey came back in carrying a large box that held a Graco playpen.
    "Talking to yourself man?  I just realized we forgot to get a baby monitor but you can order that online."
    Leo rubbed his eyes.
    "Why the hell would I need that?"
    Tobey shook his head.
    "You really are up shit's creek without a paddle."
    He sighed and let out a moan.
    "I guess I better put that gate up and call the pool guy about coming tomorrow to put a fence around there.  What else do I need to do?  Oh yeah.  Install those locks on the cabinets, doors and light sockets.  I should probably shorten the blinds and cords too."
    Tobey's blue eyes widened in surprise.
    "Wow I take back what I said.  You do know more than I thought you would."
    "Your confidence in me is so overwhelming."
    Tobey laughed as he took a seat on the couch and Leo stood up and handed the little girl to him.  "Will you watch her while I go put the gate up?"
    Tobey nodded and Leo smiled as he left the room.
    Madeleine looked around in confusion.
    "He'll be back."  Tobey told her.  "Just watch TV."
    "Hey, Tobey, where did you put the…oh never mind."  Leo spotted the baby gate on his way to get a screw driver.
    When he reached the bottom of the stairs again, he turned his hat around backwards and opened the box to get the gate out.  Once the first one he had bought was laid out in between the opening, he squatted down and started to screw the sides in.
    "Do you think she's thirsty?"  he heard Tobey ask a few minutes later as he stood up and walked through the gate.
    "How should I know?  Ask her.  Hey, come here for a minute.  Wait bring the playpen up first then come here."
    He heard Tobey get up, grumbling to himself about being given orders    
    "What is it your Majesty?"  his friend asked as he strode down the hall a few minutes later.
    "Help me get that other gate up to the top."  Leo pointed to the second box and Tobey looked at him.  
    "You called me all the way in here for that when I was all into me some Sponge Bob?"
    "Just get up here will you?"  Leo rolled his eyes  "All into me some Sponge Bob…good lord."
    Tobey laughed and picked up the other box then carried it up the steps.
    "Where are Django, Hazel and Willy?"
    "Outside.  I'm not sure what to do with them since Django hasn't stopped growling."
"What do you mean?"  Tobey asked and handed him the box which he put down beside him and started to open it.  "He doesn't like her?"
    Leo paused as he pulled the gate out.
    "I never thought about my animals not liking kids."
    "Well, you can't just get rid of them."
"I don't plan to.  The only thing I can think of is to somehow get him used to her and vice versa."
    Tobey nodded.
    "Are the other two cool around her?"
    "I guess."  Leo shrugged.  "Django was the only one who growled but I just went ahead and put them all outside."
    Tobey watched him as they silently fixed the gate.  He couldn't believe how dramatically his friend's life had changed in the last twenty four hours.  It was almost like a dream he could never be awakened from.

Chapter Eight

    Once they had finished and walked back into the living room, the doorbell rang and Tobey took his Visa out of his wallet.
    "Dinner's on me buddy."
    "Thanks bro."  Leo smiled as Tobey walked from the room.  He glanced down at Madeleine, who was staring at him through the net of the playpen.  "Are you hungry?"  he asked as he leaned down to pick her up.  "I think you need to be changed."  he made a face at her as he carried her from the room and up the stairs.
    "Got the pizza."  Tobey called from the hallway as he shut the front door.
    "We'll be right down."  Leo told him as he entered the nursery then went to get a diaper so he could change her.

    Stephanie glanced at the clock on the dashboard and let out a groan when she saw it was already almost four in the morning.  Marty wouldn't be very happy if she was late for work again but in her defense she couldn't bring herself to sit alone in a empty hotel room all night so after she left Jason and Braeden's she ended up going to Marissa's and they ordered Chinese and watched movies until she left around three.
    She sighed as her phone rang and she reached into her purse to answer it.
    "Hello?"
    "Hey, girl.  Just wanted to see if you were okay."  Marissa said from the other end.
    "I'm fine Rissa."  she smiled.  "This hasn't crippled me or anything."
    "It's okay to be upset.  I mean, you are in a meaningful relationship and you do love him.  Plus he did lie to you."
    "If you're trying to make me feel better it isn't working."
    "Sorry Steph.  I'm just trying to help.  Do you have plans for lunch tomorrow?"
    "No."  she yawned as traffic inched along.
    "Want to do something?"
    "Sure.  Come by around noon or something and we'll figure out where we want to go."
    "Sounds good to me."
    Stephanie smiled.
    "See you then."
    They said bye and hung up as the traffic picked up and Stephanie was glad since she had been sitting there for over an hour.

    A little while later, she was entering the elevator that would take her to the third floor of the  Miyako Inn and Spa.  The doors closed behind her and she pressed the button that would take her to her floor as she got the electronic keycard from her purse.  All she wanted to do was go bed. 

    Once she made it to her room and unlocked the door, she stepped into a a medium sized room and looked around, noticing the king sized bed with white down comforter.  She wandered over to the window and look out.
    The frown that had already started to form on her face deepened when she saw that her room overlooked the Hollywood Hills.  That suddenly made it all too real the situation she was in and she burst into tears as she sank to her knees, her cries turning to loud sobs.  Her life was officially starting to crumble.

    Leo moaned when he heard Madeleine crying from her room the next morning.  He grabbed his alarm clock to see what time it was.
    "Seven?"  he sighed and tried to wake up.  "What is she doing up so early?"  he mumbled as he sat up and her crying got louder.  "I'm coming, I'm coming!"  he yawned as he stumbled out into the hallway to her room.  "Good morning."  he smiled as he walked over to her crib and lifted her out.  "You need to be changed, don't you?"  he carried her over to the changing table and laid her down.  "What would you like for breakfast?"  he asked as Madeleine just stared up at him blankly.  "Oh I have to guess, huh?  Well, let's see.  Do you like bananas?"
    The little girl's eyes lit up and she nodded.  "Good.  Now we're getting somewhere.  What about oatmeal?"
    She just stared up at him.  "It's good.  There are a bunch of flavors but the Apples and Cinnamon is the best."
    Madeleine looked at him as he lifted her up after he had changed her then carried her downstairs to the kitchen.  "Do you like the park?"
    She clapped her hands excitedly.  "I'll take that as a yes."  Leo laughed and walked over to get a banana.  
    Madeleine watched as he peeled it then grinned and reached for it.  "Wait a minute.  Let me slice it and put it in a bowl for you."  he smiled at her as he walked over to get a bowl to put it in.
    After that was done and she was safely in her high chair, he went to find the instant oatmeal he had in the cabinet.
    Leo got the box down and opened it then took the single package out.  He walked over to the stove and put water on to boil then added the oatmeal and stirred it for a minute like the directions said to.  "Breakfast is served.  That was fast, huh?"  he smiled and put some into a bowl so it could cool.
    Madeleine watched as she ate her banana pieces quietly.  He glanced back at her and smiled.  "You're chowing down over there aren't you?"
    She giggled as he walked over with her oatmeal.  "You want to feed yourself?  Can you do that?"  he handed her one of the rubber baby spoons Tobey had told him to buy and watched as she attempted to get some of it in her mouth.  "Probably should have checked the temperature on that."  he mumbled.  
    He would have to remember that for next time.
    Just then his cell phone began to play 'I Just Called to Say I Love You' and he got up to answer it.  "Hello?"
    "Hey, baby."  his mom said from the other end.  "You won't believe the rumor that's going around about you."  she started laughing and he didn't say anything.  "Supposedly…You got Gisele pregnant and now you have the child with you."
    He looked back at Madeleine, who had somehow managed to wear the oatmeal more than eat it and he cringed.  Giving her another bath wasn't on his top ten list of favorite things to do.  "Leo, are you there?"  his mother's voice broke him from his daydream and he blinked.
    "Huh?  What Mom?  Oh yeah I'm here."
    "Did you hear what I said?"
    He sighed and took a deep breath.
"Mom…can you come over?  We need to talk."
    Irmelin paused then frowned.  This didn't sound good.
    "Is everything okay?"
    "Just come over."  he said as he hung up and his hands started to shake.  He wasn't sure if he could do this at all but he definitely felt that doing it over the phone wasn't the way to go.

    Stephanie cursed again for the millionth time that morning since she realized she had forgotten to go get her clothes the night before.  Now she had to take a chance on him still being there, which she hoped he wasn't.
    She turned off the engine and got out.  Her pulse raced as she made her way to the side of the house where she usually went in.  She suddenly felt really nervous, almost as if she were just any other random fan sneaking on to his property or something and she shook the crazy thought from her head as she walked inside right into the kitchen where he was.
    "Stephanie."  he walked towards her and she dodged him and continued from the room and down the hall towards the stairs.
    Leo followed her and Madeleine began to scream and he sighed as he turned to go back into the kitchen.  
    She took the steps two at a time so she could shower and change.
    Leo sighed and plopped down in a kitchen chair,  The little girl was a mess from head to toe once again and the thought of cleaning her up wasn't his favorite one.
    He got up and lifted her to his hip, looking around for something to wipe her face off with.  "Ahh, here we go."  he said as he spotted the roll of paper towels.  He tore one off then wet it and brought it to her face as she turned away and shook her head.
    "No!"
    Leo sighed and put her back down.  "Maybe Mom will have better luck."  he mumbled as she wandered off as he looked around the cluttered kitchen.  It definitely looked like it could use a good scrubbing.

    Stephanie sighed as she stepped into the shower then closed the door.  All she wanted to do was hurry up and get dressed so she could get out there; she couldn't stand the thought of being near him right now.  It hurt too much.
    She sighed as she let the hot water cascade down her body, relaxing her tense muscles as she closed her eyes.  Images of the two of them making love in the shower, which was a personal favorite of hers, began to fill her mind and she could feel her knees start to go weak.  It seemed so real that his lips actually felt like they were pressed firmly against hers.  His strong muscular arms around her waist as he pulled her down for a kiss under the waterfall…
    Her eyes flew open and she shook herself to clear her mind of the images.  She refused to let her imagination get the best of her as she wet her hair then reached for her bottle of shampoo.

    A little while later, she got out and wrapped herself in a towel then walked over to the cabinet below the sink to get the blow dryer out.  She didn't notice that Leo was standing in the doorway with Madeleine as she started to dry her hair.
    "Can I talk to you?"  he called over the roar of the small appliance as he reached over and made the lights flicker to get her attention.
    Stephanie whirled around and glared at him as she turned the blow dryer off.
    "What do you want?  I already told you I don't want to talk to you.  The only reason I'm even here is because I needed to get clothes and take a shower.  That's it."  she said as she turned the blow dryer back on then picked up her brush.
    He sighed.
    "Why in the hell won't you let me talk?"  he groaned in frustration as he ran a hand through his hair, spiking it even more.
    "What could you possibly have to say other than 'I'm sorry'?  You've said that a bunch already."
    "That's because I am."   he scratched his goatee and frowned as she started to apply her make-up.
    She rolled her eyes.
    "Seeing as how you won't leave me alone if I don't let you say whatever it is you have to say I'll give you sixty seconds.  Starting…now.  Go."
    Leo gave her a look.
    "Just sixty?  That doesn't give me time to say any…"
    "Tick-TOCK!  I'm serious Leo,  If I'm late again Marty will fire me.  Or maybe that's what you want."
    "Now you're not being fair."  he shook his head.
    She stared at him.
    "I'M being unfair?  You LIE to me and I'm the one who's being unfair."  she rolled her eyes again.  "Poor you.  Everyone is treating you so bad; like a criminal.  It breaks my heart."
    Leo exhaled loudly.
    "No matter what I say it won't help, will it?"
    Stephanie just looked at him as she readjusted her towel.  She then groaned in frustration before she turned away from him and Madeleine wandered over to the toilet and tried to lift the lid.
    Leo saw what she was trying to do and ran over.
"No, don't.  The toilet is nasty plus you could hurt yourself."  he picked her up and put her on his hip as Stephanie looked over.  "Aren't you supposed to be getting ready too?"
    "Marty made me take an involuntary leave of absence for a week but I still get paid.  He claimed I wasn't giving it my all or whatever." 
    Stephanie didn't say anything as she left the room to get dressed and Leo followed.  Once she had finished getting ready, she glanced at the little girl.  
    "Okay, I'm going to do the one thing for you and clean her up just because I can't stand to see the poor thing like this."  she reached over and took her from him, talking to her softly as she laid her down.  "Go get me a warm wash cloth."
    Leo got up and went to get what she asked for.

Chapter Nine

    Half an hour later, Stephanie was gone and he was once again alone.  He glanced at his watch and saw that it was only nine thirty.  
    "Want to watch some TV?"
    Madeleine, who was now clean and in a matching outfit, looked up at him.
    Stephanie had also showed him how to diaper her correctly since he had apparently been doing it wrong.
    Leo smiled down at her as he leaned down to pick her up then carried her into the living room. He sat her down on the couch then turned on the TV and started flipping through the channels just as his mom entered through the patio doors in the kitchen.
    "Why are the dogs outside Leo?"  she called as she walked through the kitchen and down the hall towards the living room.  The theme to Sesame Street was playing, which she found odd.  "Leo."  she called again as he sat down on the couch and put his face in his hands.  This conversation wasn't going to be easy.
    "In the living room Mom."  he called then heard her footsteps a second later.
    Her mouth dropped and she stared at him wide eyed.
    "I know this may come as a shock to you, but this is your granddaughter Madeline."
    Irmelin just looked at him in surprise then her expression turned to anger.
"How could you have kept this from me?"
    Leo sighed and rubbed his eyes.
    "I kept it from everyone.  At the time I thought I was doing the right thing but now I realize I should have went about it another way."
       His mother stared at the little girl as she made her way over slowly.
    "Hi sweetie."
    Madeleine just looked at her as she chewed on her hand and Irmelin laughed lightly and picked her up, carrying her over to the couch with her.  "She's adorable."
    He sat back and watched the two interact with a smile.  "So what happened?  How did you get her?"
    "Gisele dropped her off.  Said she had dealt with it for a year and now it was my turn."  he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.  "What do I do now Mom?  I'm so confused."
    Irmelin watched him fidget for a few minutes before she answered his question.
    ""You have to take responsibility for your actions."  she looked at the little girl again, unable to believe this was her grandchild and shook her head.  "I can't believe you lied to everyone including me."
    "I know Mom.  I know and now I'm in a position that I don't know how to fix."
    "I just wish you had come to me earlier."  she sighed and he frowned.
    "I'm sorry.  I know you're disappointed in me."
    "Oh honey, I'm way past disappointed and on the way to feeling betrayed."
    His frown deepened and he glanced over at Madeleine, who was watching a skit with Bert and Ernie intently.  He had to make everything okay.

    Stephanie took a deep breath as she exited the make up trailer to take her break.  She passed Mark Wahlberg on the way, who didn't say anything.  She just shook her head as she continued towards the vending machines.
     Ever since Mark had been getting into character, his attitude had changed.  He seemed to have a problem with everyone, including Leo, which had caused several arguments so far..     
    Stephanie on the other hand, had learned real quick how not to do anything to make his mood worse so she more or less didn't say anything to him.
    She continued on her way, her mind running back to Leo as it had been for the last hour.  He was all she could think about and she realized that seeing him earlier had been a mistake but since she had no way of knowing he would be there she really couldn't avoid.
    She unzipped her purse to get her wallet out not realizing that someone was heading right for her, talking on the phone not paying attention.  Just then they crashed into each other causing her to drop her things.
"Shit."  she mumbled as she knelt down to pick the items up at the same time the guy said,
    "Here let me help you with that."
    Stephanie looked up slowly recognizing the voice and trying not to scream like an obsessed fan when she looked into the blue eyes of Matt Damon.
    "I-I'm sorry.  I didn't see you coming towards me."  She blushed as he smiled.
"It's totally my fault honey.  I didn't see you either.  Are you alright?  Did you get all your stuff up?"
   She nodded.
       "Yeah I'm fine."
       "Can I buy you a drink or something to make up for my clumsiness?"
"Oh it's okay.  You don't have to.  I appreciate it though."
       Matt shook his head.
       "I don't mind.  It's the least I can do."
       Stephanie smiled slightly.
       "You're sweet.  I guess I can't refuse an offer like that now can I?"  she watched as he took some change from his pocket.
       "What would you like to drink honey?"
       "Dr. Pepper's fine."  She told him as he dropped some money into the coin slot then looked at her. 
       "Anything else?"
She shook her head and hoped her stomach wouldn't start to growl.  She was hungry but wasn't about to ask him to buy her something when she had her own money to spend.
       He bent down to retrieve the drink then handed it to her.
       "There you go."
       She took it then unscrewed the lid to take a drink as he proceeded to get what he had come for.
       "Thanks.  I really do appreciate this."  She said for what felt like the hundredth time.  "Even though you really didn't have to."
       "Don't worry about it.  I wanted to.  If I hadn't I wouldn't have offered."  He smiled again as he stepped away from the machine, his drink in hand.  "I didn't catch your name…"
       "Stephanie."  She smiled and fought the urge to grin like an idiot as the butterflies began to overtake her stomach.   She hadn't felt this weak in the knees since she first met Leo.
"Well, I'll see you later."  Matt smiled as he started to walk away and all she could do was stare after him.
 
 
       By the time everyone's lunch break rolled around, Stephanie was starving.  Thankfully Marissa had gotten there early and was waiting for her while she looked at a magazine.
       "Hey."  Stephanie said as she walked up.  "Ready to go?  I'm about to starve."
       Her friend nodded and they started for the parking lot.
       "Where to?"
       "I called Jason a few minutes ago and asked if he wanted me to bring him a sub from Subway by and he was like, 'if you do I'll write a song about my best friend'."  She started laugh.  "He's such an idiot.  I told him I would since I'm a good friend like that."
    "Ha if you were such a good friend you'd offer to buy me lunch.  After all we are taking my car."
       Stephanie shrugged.
       "I can do that."
       Marissa laughed. 
"I'm kidding girl.  I appreciate it though.“
      Stephanie smiled as they headed for Marissa's

car and got in as her phone rang from her purse and she got it out to answer it.
       "Hello?"
       "Hey."  Amanda said from the other end.  "What are you doing?"
       "About to run to Subway for lunch.  Want to meet us there?  I was supposed to take a sub to Jason but I think I'm just going to tell him to come and I'll buy his lunch."
       Amanda nodded.
       "Yeah that sounds good.  I was really just calling because Justin wanted me to ask you  if you still wanted his help to move."
       "Sure if he still wants to but tell him he isn't obligated to or anything."
       'He knows that.  If he didn't he would say 'No, I don't want to help her'.  He doesn't care to help you out."
       "I know, I know but I just don't want him to feel like he has to or anything."
       Amanda rolled her eyes.
       "For the last time he does not care.  I can tell him to if that would make you feel better."
       Stephanie rolled her eyes.
       "Okay,  okay.  He doesn't care.  I get it."
       "Finally."  Amanda laughed as Marissa started her car then pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road.  "I didn't think you ever would."  She teased.
       Stephanie just shook her head.
       "So are you coming to Subway or not?"
       Amanda shrugged.
       "Sure.  I'm on my break in between classes anyway.  See you guys over there."
       They said bye and hung up then Stephanie called Jason and asked him if instead of her bringing him the sub, did he just want to come to Subway too and she buy his lunch.  He agreed and said he'd meet them there.
 
   Leo looked around over at his mom as they entered Macy's.
       "You've got to be kidding me.  You know how I hate shopping for clothes Mom."  He complained with a sigh.
       She glanced over at him.
       "She needs them plus she needs toys too.  I didn't see that many around your house."
       Leo just shook his head and pulled his hat down lower.  He could already tell she was going to eat this up. 
       "I doubt Gisele wanted to pack up every single thing she owned and bring it with her."
Leo glanced down at the little girl as Irmelin continued looking through the racks of clothes and sighed then bit his lip.  Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would be in this position at this point in his life.
    His mother glanced over.  “Are you going to help me or not?  You need to learn how to do this.”
    Leo rolled his eyes but started to look through the clothes anyway.
    “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
    “Just get matching sets in this size.”  she showed him.
    He looked over several then handed them to Irmelin.
    “These are cute.  I think I’ll go look at the toys.”
    Madeleine’s eyes lit up and she clapped her hands excitedly and he bent over to look at her.  “Would you like to go with me?  You can pick out anything you want.”
    The little girl giggled as he pushed her down the aisle then rounded the corner where the toy section was.  As he looked around he realized there was quite a selection to choose from.  “Wow.”  he mumbled and ran a hand through his hair as Madeleine started to yell and point.
    Leo looked over trying to figure out what was going on when he noticed what she wanted.  “You want this?”  he asked and picked it up as his eyes glanced over it.  “Dora the Explorer, huh?  I’ve never heard of her.”  he moved her closer to the toys then squatted down and picked up a Tickle Me Elmo box.  “Try me.”  he read then squeezed the furry red doll’s stomach.  “That’s cool.”  he laughed when the creature began to giggle and shake.
    “Need any help?”  a salesperson smiled as he approached them while Leo continued trying out all the items on the shelves.  The teenaged boy’s eyes widened when he realized who it was, but he decided he would play it cool.
    Leo looked up quickly.
    “Oh…yes you can actually.  We need help finding toys she would like and money is not an issue.”
    The guy nodded.
    “What does she like?”
    “You know…girly things.  Baby dolls and Barbies and things that make noise.”
    “How old is she?”
    “Sixteen months.”
    “Okay, follow me Mr. DiCaprio.  I’m sure we can find a lot of things she would like.”
    Leo did just that and an hour later, he had two shopping carts full by the time he met back up with his mom.
    She just looked at him and shook her head as they walked towards a check out line; he had gotten more involved alright and learned how easy it was to spend three thousand dollars in an hour.  Oh yeah he and parenting were going to mix real well.

Chapter Ten

    “I can’t believe you bought all this stuff.”  Tobey laughed as he and Leo carried in his purchases once he and his mom had mad it home.  “What caused you to temporarily go insane?”
    “That’s what I asked him.”  Irmelin laughed as she walked in with Madeleine.
    After they left Babies R Us, they stopped off at Ralph’s to do a little grocery shopping and ended up spending another two hundred dollars on varieties of Lil Entrees  and Kid Cuisines.  Aside from that Leo also picked up the stuff he normally bought, which wasn’t a whole lot to begin with.  “I’ll put everything away Leo.”  his mom smiled as she continued across the hardwood floor and down the hall towards the kitchen.
    “Good lord man what all did you buy?”  Tobey asked as Leo shrugged.
    “Mom insisted since I don’t really have anything here.”
    The two men lugged the rest of the toys and baby clothes inside and into the living room.
    “What’s this sit and spin thing?”  Tobey asked as he pointed to one of the boxes.
    Leo bent down to get a closer look.
    “I have no Idea.  Looks like a spinning top.”
    Tobey started to laugh as he took it out and they worked quietly for a while, assembling the items that needed to be put together.
    “Want me to make dinner?”  Irmelin called as Tobey and Leo glanced at each other and their stomachs rumbled in hunger, needing to be nourished.
    Thoughts of her macaroni salad, green beans, fried chicken and mashed potatoes  made their mouths water.
    “I have no objection to that, do you?”  Leo grinned as he scratched his goatee and Tobey shook his head as they stood up.
    “Nope.”

    Leo awoke the next morning and squinted at the sunlight streaming in through the window.  An early riser he was not and unfortunately for him, as luck would have it, he always rose before seven am even when he didn’t have to.
    “Here I don’t have to get up and yet I am wide awake.”  he grumbled and glanced at his alarm clock with a deep scowl.
    Just as he had predicted, it was only a little after seven, which made his mood even worse than it already was.  “Please go back to sleep.”  he pleaded with himself as he tried to will his body to do so.
    After several minutes of not having much luck, he opened his eyes and laid there until his phone started to ring.  He reached for it from where it was on the night stand and said hello.
    “Turned on the TV today Leo?”  his publicist. Ken Sunshine, asked from the other end and Leo cringed at his not so warm tone.  “Or looked at the latest  issue of People?  Apparently, according to an unknown source, it‘s being said you have a daughter?  Why the hell…wait I’m going with the assumption that it isn’t true.”
    “It is Ken and I was planning on telling you.  I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.  I’ve had a lot to deal with since all this happened.”
    Ken forced himself not to sigh as he shuffled the papers on his desk.
    “So what do you plan to do?”
    For some reason that rubbed Leo the wrong way and his blood began to boil, so much so he was seeing red.
    “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?  I’m going to take care of her.  Okay, I admit I’m not all that thrilled about this disrupting my life but I’m handling it.”
    His publicist pinched the bridge of his nose and let out that pent up sigh he had been holding in.  Why couldn’t his client see that he was just looking out for him?  Now that the whole world knew of his situation he was about to be eaten alive by a flood of media outlet, none of which excluded Perez Hilton and Ken was trying to soften the blow as much as he could.
    “That’s good because you need to.  This will not go away and you will be thrown back into the spotlight because of it.  It’ll be Leo Mania all over again.”
    Leo shuddered.  He had always hated that phrase.  It was like people thought he was immortal or something and he definitely wasn’t anything close to it.  “Are you going to issue a statement?  If so we need to do it as soon as possible.”
    Leo nodded as he walked over to his dresser to get a pair of sweats.
    “Yeah.”  he said as he pulled them on then walked over to his desk and opened his laptop to check his email.  “I will as soon as I can find the time or you can just do it for me.”
    “I figured that was coming.  Okay, I’ll write one up then call later and read it to you before I take it to the press.”
    Leo nodded again.
    “Alright talk to you later.”  he replied before he hung up then finished what he was doing.

    He was interrupted a half an hour later by Madeleine waking up from her room.  Leo rolled his chair back then stood up and left his room for hers.
    The little girl looked at him when he walked in, her cheeks stained with her tears as she continued to cry for Gisele.  It broke Leo’s heart hearing that and knowing there was nothing he could do.  “Hey, sweetheart.”  he smiled as he walked closer to the crib and lifted her out.  “It’s okay.  Are you hungry?  I can make you some oatmeal if you want.  You like that, huh?”  he asked quietly as he rubbed the back of her head.
    She watched him as she sucked on her thumb and he carried her over to the changing table and laid her down.  “So what do you want to do today?”  Leo asked her as he unsnapped the legs of her sleeper.  “Go to the park maybe?”
    Madeleine grinned as her legs moved back and forth rapidly and she clapped her hands.
    He smiled at her reaction.  It was clear to him that she liked the idea.  She babbled happily as he removed her diaper then cleaned her off as he talked to her in a soft voice.  Having a small child around was still a little too surreal, but he was doing his best to get used to it.
    Not having anyone on his side wasn’t easy though.  He felt more alone than he ever had in his life and all because everyone he loved had abandoned him.
    Leo sighed as he secured a fresh diaper to Madeleine as she watched his face intently.  “You’re a good girl aren’t you?”  he smiled as he pulled a pair of shorts over her hips then reached for the matching shirt.
    Once she was dressed, he carried her downstairs to the kitchen.  “Do you like to swim?”  he asked as he took her over to the high chair across the kitchen.  “Maybe after you eat we can go outside to the pool.”
    The little girl chewed on her fist as she watched Hazel, Willy and Django walk into the room.  Leo glanced over as Django walked up and licked his hand.  “Hey, buddy.  You guys hungry?  Want some food?”
    The dog let out a happy sounding bark followed by a furious wag of his tail.  “Okay, let me get her oatmeal going then I’ll get you guys your food.”  Leo bent down to rub his head.
    After Madeleine and the dogs each had their food, Leo went to start a pot of coffee.  While he was waiting on that he headed for the freezer and pulled open the door, his eyes surveying the contents inside.  A frozen Red Baron pizza, French fries and a box of Toaster Strudels stared back at him, none of the choices seemed very appealing so he just decided on a cup good strong coffee.  “I’m hungry Maddy but I don’t want anything I have.”  he sighed and sat down at the table as his phone rang.  “I wonder who that is?”  he groaned as he reached for it.  “Hello?”
    “Leo, what in the world is going on?”  came Kate Winslet’s voice from the other end.  “I turn on the TV and there you are holding a little girl?”
    He let out another moan, here was yet another person he had to explain himself to.  This was beginning to get a little repetitive. 
    “She’s mine and Gisele’s.  We…”
    Kate’s blue eyes widened slightly.
    “What?  When did…”
    “She’s sixteen months and it just sort of happened.”
    “And you hid it from everyone.  Why?”
    “Oh dear god.”  he mumbled with a roll of his eyes.  “Not you too.”
    “What’s that’s supposed to mean?  I haven’t said anything.”
    Leo just shook his head.
    “Everyone has turned their backs on me.”
    “I wonder why what with that warm reception and all.”
    He frowned.
    “I’m sorry Kate.  I’m trying the best I can with what little knowledge I have.”
    “Well, that’s good.  At least you’re trying.”
    “I’m just so confused.  I mean, I came home yesterday and there she was.”
    “Gisele just dropped her off?”
    Leo nodded as he got up to check on the oatmeal.
    “Yeah and I have no idea what to do.”
    “Leo, you know I’m here if you need me.”
    “Thanks.  I appreciate it.”
    She smiled.
    “Anytime and if there’s anything I can do let me know.”
    “I will.”
    They talked for a little while longer, then Leo hung up so he could get Madeleine’s oatmeal.  He watched her quietly as she ate, getting more of it on her than in her mouth and he laughed.  “Is it good?”
    The little girl giggled in response then shoved another spoonful in.  It wasn’t going to be easy but he was determined to find a way to make it work.

****

    Stephanie pulled out her phone as it started to ring and looked at the caller ID, surprised to see that it was Adrian.
    “Hello?”  she said as she turned on the TV.  She had the day off and was bored our of her mind since Marissa and Amanda were both in class, so hanging out with them wasn’t an option.
    “Hey, Steph.  I was just…”
    “Calling because Leo asked you to?  Well, I don’t have…”
    “He didn’t get me to call.  I’m doing it to see how you are.”
    “Does he know you’re on my side?”
    “I’m not on anyone’s side but you are my friend and I want you to know if you need to talk or anything I’m here.”
    She let out a quiet sigh.
    “Well, since you brought it up, no I’m not okay.  How could he just…I mean, I don’t blame the little girl.  I blame him for lying to me.  I was under the impression we had this connection…I feel weird talking to you about this.  I’m sorry.”
    “No, no don’t be.  I said you could talk to me.”
    “Thanks.  Hey, I’m not doing anything.  Want to grab some breakfast?”
    “Sure.”  Adrian smiled.  “How about Burger King?”
    “That’s fine.”  Stephanie nodded.  “Meet you there in half an hour?”
    “Sure.  See you then.”
    “Okay, bye Adrian.”  she hung up then got to her feet, deciding she would take a quick shower before going to meet him.  She left the living room and walked down the hall and into one of the three Italian marbled bathrooms.  Relaxing in a tub full of sudsy water for about ten minutes was just what she needed at that moment.

****

    She pulled into Burger King’s parking lot a little while later to find Adrian already there, sitting in his Pruis waiting on her.
    “Hey.”  he smiled as he got out the same time she did.
    She slipped her sunglasses on and returned his smile as they made their way inside.
    “Thanks for coming.”
    “You’re welcome.”  he said as they entered the air conditioned building then stepped into the small line of hungry customers.
    “I miss him.”  she blurted out trying to keep herself composed so she wouldn’t start crying in front of the people in front of them.  “But I can’t let him think what he did was okay.  I still don’t understand why he lied.  It’s almost like he didn’t trust me or something.”
    Adrian put his arm around her as the  line inched forward.
    “It’s okay.  We’re jerks sometimes.  We don’t like admitting that but it’s true.”
    Stephanie laughed.
    “Well, I can’t argue with that.”
    “So was this incident the straw that broke the camel’s back or what?”
    She thought for a minute. 
    “I hope not but I guess that’s up to me.”
    He watched her sigh as the line moved again.  “I have no idea what to do.”
    By then it was their turn and they gave their orders.
    “You just wanted hash browns and an orange juice?”  he asked and she shrugged.  “I’m not really all that interested in food right now.”
    Adrian frowned.  He could tell she was depressed but decided to leave that issue alone as they got their food and drinks then headed for a booth in the back.
    They say down then quietly began sorting out what each had ordered.  “All I’m saying is I don’t want to go running back to him so soon.  He did hurt me pretty bad and…I can’t forgive him yet.”  she opened her orange juice and took a sip.
    “I think you should at least consider working it out in the future.  Leo is a great guy.”
    Stephanie pushed her hash brown around and sighed.
    “I know that.  I’ve always known that but with something like this…”
    Adrian watched as she got up and walked out and he followed.  “I’m not going to say I know how you feel.”
    “Then don’t that’s the last thing I need.”
    “All I’m saying is when you’re ready at least hear him out.”
    “You know instead of standing here talking to me why don’t you go ask Kevin why he knew all this time and never told me?”
    “Maybe he…”
    “Don’t you dare say ‘maybe he didn’t know how’ or felt that it wasn’t his place because that’s bullshit and you and I both know it.”
    “Stephanie…”  Adrian sighed as she got in her car and drove away, leaving him staring at her tail lights

Chapter Eleven

    Stephanie sighed as she watched Adrian in her rear view mirror.  She hadn’t meant to get so mad at him the way she had but this was taking its toll on her.  Her phone rang from her purse, which was sitting in the passenger’s seat and she reached for it as she came upon a red light.
    “Hello?  Oh hey, Jason.  What’s up?”
    “Just calling to see what you’re up…”  he stopped as she started to cry.  “What’s wrong?  Are you okay?”
    She was about to answer him when her call waiting beeped in her ear and she wiped her eyes quickly before she checked it.
    “Can I call you back?  I have a beep.”  she didn’t wait for him to answer before she clicked over.  Hello?”
    “Stephanie Corvin?”
    “This is she.”
    “Hi, this is Deborah Valavicius with Keller Williams Realty.  You were interested in the condo on 6438 Lunita Road in Malibu that I gave you a tour of the other day?”
    “Yes, I was.  Is it still available?”
    “No I’m sorry to say it isn’t.”  the woman frowned.
    Stephanie sighed.  She should’ve know that wasn’t meant to be.
    “Okay, well, thanks anyway.”
    “You’re welcome.  I’m sorry mine went so fast.”
    Stephanie shrugged.
    “That’s business.  Thanks again.”  she said by then hung up so she could call Jason back and waited as the phone rang in her ear.
    “Hey.”  she said when he answered.  “Sorry that was the real estate agent.”
    “Cool.  What’d she say?”
    “That the property is now unavailable but she gave me the name and number of someone who sells beach houses in Malibu.”
    Jason nodded.
    They talked for a little while longer then Stephanie and started to apartment search.  She couldn’t believe how all this was turning out.

****

    “Okay, who’s ready to go swimming?”  Leo asked as he wiped the oatmeal from Madeleine’s face.
    She nodded excitedly and clapped her hands.
    Leo laughed lightly as he lifted her from her high chair.  “Alright then let’s go for a swim.”  he smiled as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.
    He carried her from the kitchen and up the stairs to her room then removed her pajamas and put her in a clean diaper.  “Now let’s go to my room so I can change.”  he said as he picked her up and left the room.

    Once they were outside in the warm sun, Leo sat down with her in a patio chair so he could put sunscreen on her.  She glanced at him as he squirted some into his hands.  He gave her a reassuring smile as he applied it to her arms and legs.
    She squirmed and shook her head furiously.
        “No!”
        “Honey, you have to.”  he said as he finished rubbing it in.  “Look I’m almost done.”
    She scowled as he stood up with her then headed for the shallow end of the pool.

    “Hey, man.  Where are you?”  Tobey called as Leo and Madeleine splashed around in the water.
    “Out here bro.”  Leo grinned at the little girl as he watched her kick and wave her arms and legs.
    “I thought you didn’t like the water anymore?”  Tobey laughed as he walked out then went to sit down in a patio chair.
    “Yeah and that was how many years ago?”
    “Funny.”  his friend scoffed then rolled his eyes.  “Have you turned on the TV today?”
    “Ken told me about the unknown source that gave the information to US Weekly along with everyone else.”
    “Do you have any idea who it it?”
    “Probably the sales dude at Babies R Us.  He recognized me.”
“The day you and I went?”  Tobey asked as he got up to get something to drink.
    Leo nodded.
    “Yeah.”
    “Talked to anyone?”  he asked as he snapped open a can of Minute Maid lemonade and took a sip while he walked back out.
    “Kate called a little while ago.”  Leo replied as he sat down on the pool steps with his daughter in his lap.
    “How did she react?  Had she heard about it?”
    “I’m starting to wonder who hasn’t.  This is going to turn into a three ring circus.”  he mumbled with a sigh.
    “Have you…talked to Gisele?”
    Leo shook his head then stared into the water.
    “I don’t think that would be a very good idea right now.  I’m too pissed.”
    Tobey walked over to the side, sliding his feet from his Nike flip flops before he sat down by the edge.
    “Why were Kevin and I the only ones who knew?”
    Leo didn’t answer for what felt like an eternity, then when he did give a reaction, it was in the form of a long drawn out sigh.  “It was like…you were hiding her or something.  Were you ashamed of her?”
    “No, of course not.  I just didn’t…”
    “You know how people are going to look at you now, don’t you?”
    “Like a deadbeat dad but I don’t care.  They don’t know me or my reasons for doing what I did.  To them it’s all just speculation anyway.”
    Tobey looked at him as he took another drink.
    “What are your plans for keeping her?”
    Leo gave him a funny look as Madeleine tried to get away from him.
    “Wawa!  Wawa!”  she squealed happily while she pointed.
    “I have to hold you.”  Leo told her and she shook her head.
    “No!”
    “Yes.  So you’ll be safe.”
    “Look man I just meant…”  Tobey began. 
    “I know what you meant and I don’t appreciate being talked to like that by you.  Of all people.  Please leave.”
    Tobey just stared at him before he stood up, shoved his feet into his shoes then stormed off as Leo sighed and shook his head.  He looked down at Madeleine.
    “Well, now what should we do?”
    She babbled excitedly in response, giving him no help at all and he laughed.  “Since I don’t own any kids movies how about we go rent some?”  he asked as he stood up and walked from the pool over to a chair where their towels were laying.  After he had dried her off then himself, they went inside to change.

****

    Jason looked over at Stephanie as he drove her towards the Hollywood Hills.  It had taken some convincing, but somehow he managed to talk her into going back to her old residence and getting all that would fit in his car in one trip.  At first she argued saying how she was afraid to face him, but soon gave in when she realized she needed to sooner or later.
    “He may not even be there.”
    “But what if he is?”  she mumbled as she chewed on her thumbnail nervously.
    “Then we ignore him.  Simple as that.”
    Stephanie sighed because she knew it wasn’t.

    “Madeleine Hope….”  Leo let out a groan as he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, feeling a headache coming on.  The little girl had decided she wanted juice as they were leaving so he gave her some, only problem was he didn’t realize the lid to her sippy cup wasn’t on very good and as soon as she took a drink it spilled all over her and himself.  “It’s okay, honey.  We’ll just get you cleaned up.  It was an accident.”  he glanced down at his soaked t-shirt and jeans and made a face.  Having juice spilled on him wasn’t the most pleasant thing in the world.
    The little girl looked up at him as he carried her upstairs to her room.  Moments later, he heard the front door open and let out a sigh, figuring it was Tobey.  “I told you to leave Tobey.”
    Stephanie and Jason glanced at each other as they walked up the steps quietly and into the master bedroom.
    “Let’s just get this over with and leave before he sees us.”  she whispered as she hurried over to the dresser to start getting her clothes while Jason helped.
    “Want me to get a trash bag?”  he asked and she nodded.
    “Yeah.  I did have a set of luggage around here somewhere but I don’t know where they are.”  she replied as she walked back over to the dresser to get her jewelry box.
    Looking down at it, she realized that it contained mostly things Leo had given her so she put it back down.  She would just leave it.  Next she decided to get her stuff from the bathroom and headed in that direction.
    “I was wondering when you’d come back.”  a voice said from the doorway.  She turned slowly to find Leo standing in the doorway holding Madeleine.
    “I just came by to get the rest of my stuff.”  she answered as she took a deep breath and tried not to look at him.  If that happened she knew she would crumble for sure.  “I’ll be gone as soon as I get everything.”  she turned back to the sink and grabbed her make up with trembling hands then picked up her toothbrush.  Her heart was beating so loud it was pounding in her ears.
    “Can you at least give me five minutes?”  he asked.
    “Nope.  I don’t have time for liars.”  she said as she slid past him.
    Leo sighed in defeat.
    “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes as she finished what she was doing then left the room.  She ran into Jason coming up the steps as she was going down.
    “I can’t handle this.  I’ll just wait for you down here.”  she sighed as she headed for the living room.
    But what if he…”
    “He’s busy with Madeleine.  Don’t worry he won’t bother you.”  she said quietly as she walked away.
    Jason watched her go then started up the steps.

    A little while later, after she had talked to Adrian and apologized, Jason returned with her bag of clothes plus her make up and toothbrush she had left.
    “Ready?”  he asked her as she stood up.
    “Thanks for getting my stuff.”  she smiled as they walked from the living room and down the hall to the front door.
    “Steph, you know I love you so when I say this it’s out of love.  You need to face this thing or it’ll eat you alive.”
    He was right but she had no idea how to.

    By the next morning, Amanda and Stephanie were on their way to pick up Justin from the airport.
    “So you finally got all your stuff out?”  Amanda asked as she looked over.
    Stephanie nodded.
    “Except now I have no furniture.”
    “That’s why you go buy some.”  Amanda laughed.
    “You know what I mean.”  Stephanie shook her head as Amanda turned onto the off ramp that would take them to Los Angeles International Airport.
    “Where do you want to go?  There’s an Ikea in Burbank I think.  That’s the closest one.”
Stephanie pushed her sunglasses up then reached over to turn the air conditioner up a little more.
    “That’s fine. I just wish I didn’t have to go through the hassle of buying all new stuff.  Damn it’s hot.”
    “Well, you could always sleep and eat on the floor.”  Amanda shrugged and Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    “I don’t want to do that.”
    “Then you buy furniture.”  she repeated as Stephanie’s phone rang.
    “It’s Leo.”
    Amanda looked over at her.
    “Tell him not to call.”
    “I have but the dumbass doesn’t seem to get it.”  she groaned before she answered.  “Hello?”
    “Hey.”  he smiled.  “Can we tal…”
    “What part of ‘leave me alone’ don’t you get?”
    Leo let out a loud groan and closed his eyes.
    “I wish we could get past this.”
    “We wouldn’t be going through anything if you had just been honest with me.  God Leo.”
    “I didn’t fucking know how to tell you.  What don’t you get about THAT!”
    Stephanie could sense from his tone that he was starting to get annoyed but by that point she didn’t care how he felt about anything.
    “But you told Tobey and Kevin.”
    “That’s different and I tell them every…”
    “How the fuck is that…Go to hell!”  she sputtered as her mind raced for something to say.  Amanda glanced over as she hung up.  “Fucking asshole!”
    “I take it that went well.”
    Stephanie took a deep breath to calm herself and get the images of her strangling him out of her head. 
    “He wanted to know why we can’t get past this.”
    “Please tell me he isn’t that stupid.”  Amanda groaned  “Doesn’t he get that telling his friends and not you is the issue here?  What about his family?  Do they know?”
    “I don’t think so.”  Stephanie shook her head.
    “Well, here’s what I think.  Take a break from him for awhile.  He can’t expect to do that then for things to just be okay.”
    She nodded in agreement.
    “I know.”

    A little while later, they pulled up at LAX’s private landing strip and got out as a slight breeze began to blow.  The air felt good against Stephanie’s face, almost as if it were cleansing her.  What time is Justin’s plane supposed to land?”  she asked and her friend glanced at her watch.  Around three I think but we’re ten minutes early.”
    Stephanie didn’t respond as she reached into her purse for a stick of gum.  She was starting to wonder of she was even making the right decision.  Depression had really started to weigh on her, to the point that she could barely function.  “Maybe I’m making a mistake.”
    Amanda looked over at her.
    “No, you aren’t.  He screwed with you not the other way around.”
    She didn’t answer as she stared out at the empty landing strip.
    “But I still love him.  I don‘t want it to end like this.”
    Amanda frowned as she watched her friend burst into tears.
    “Everything will work out.”
    “Why does everyone keep telling me that?”
    “Because it’s true.”  Amanda smiled as Stephanie wiped her eyes.
    “I hope you’re right.”  she sniffed as she looked up at the white puffy clouds that floated in the clear blue sky.  “It’s a beautiful day today.”
    “Yeah it is.  I was worried it was going to rain and delay J’s flight but it ended up staying nice and sunny.”
“Yeah I know.  Hey, after he lands and we go for the walk through of that house want to go get something to eat?”
    Amanda nodded.
    “Sure.  I’d say he’s hungry unless he ate on the plane.”
    “Justin is always hungry.”  Stephanie laughed.
    “True.  Hey, look.  I think I see something.”
    They watched silently as the aircraft got closer then landed onto the landing strip.
    “I bet you’re glad he’s home, huh?”
    Her friend nodded with a smile.
    “I did miss him.”
    “Aww, I know he missed you too.”
    When Justin saw them as he was getting off, he smiled and waved.
    “Hey.”  Amanda smiled as he came closer with his body guards Dre, Eric and Tiny.
    “Hey, Mandi.”  he grinned and they greeted each other with a kiss.
    “How was Vegas?”  Amanda asked as she pulled away.
    “Great but I would have had more fun if you had been there.”  he kissed her cheek and Stephanie’s eyes filled with tears as she watched.
    “So what’s the plan now?”  he smiled and put an arm around Amanda’s shoulders.
    “I was going with Stephanie to look at an apartment complex in Long Beach.”
    “The damn condo fell through then I realized I couldn’t have afforded it anyway.”  she sighed as they started walking to Amanda Lexus. 
    “Hey, guys.”  Amanda waved to the body guards and Stephanie gave them a small smile.  Truth was they scared her a little.
    “Do you need us to take your stuff by your house J?”  Eric asked and he nodded.
    “Sure.”
    “Alright.  Well, we’ll see you later then.”
    “Hold up let me get a car for you guys.”  he said as he pulled out his black card to call the concierge service.
    They talked for a few minutes then Amanda, Stephanie and Justin got into Amanda’s car and she pressed the push button start.  “So what happened with the condo?”  Justin asked as he fastened his seat belt.  “Besides the fact that it was out of your price range?”
    “The woman had already sold it to someone else.  This is way I hate only making an okay living.  I’m not like Mr. Twenty Million a Movie.”  she sighed and stared out the window as tears stung in the corners of her eyes once again.
    That was all she seemed to get done lately.  She cried everywhere she went, no matter what she was doing.
    Justin glanced at Amanda.
    “Is she okay?”  he mouthed and Amanda shook her head.
    Her phone started playing the theme to Entourage and she half heartedly checked her text messages and saw that Marissa had sent her one.  They hadn’t talked since Wednesday and she knew her friend was wondering why.

    Hey girl.  Just wondering how you’re doing.  Call me or whatever.  I miss you.  M.

    Stephanie sighed through her tears.  She was really starting to doubt whether or not she could pull herself up out of this.

    After the walkthrough of the apartment and telling the landlord that she was definitely interested, Justin, Amanda and Stephanie headed to the Ivy for lunch.  As hard as Stephanie tried to have fun, her heart just wasn’t in it.  All she could do was think about what had happened with Leo and she started to wonder if maybe she deserved what was happening to her.
    “Look Steph.  If Leo couldn’t see that you were special enough to share everything with than that’s his loss.  You will get through this.”
    The sound of Justin’s voice broke into her thoughts and she blinked.
    “I’m sorry, J.  What?”
    He was about to repeat what he said when her phone rang and she let out a sigh as she got it out of her purse.  “Hey, Marissa.”
    “Hey, Steph.  How are you doing?”
    “The condo didn’t work out so I went to look at Oceangate, Linden & Valentine Garden apartment complex in Long Beach with Justin and Amanda.”
    “What about furniture and stuff?”
    “I still need to get that.  We’re going after we leave here I think.  You can go with me if you want   That way Amanda and Justin can spend some time alone together.”
    “We don’t mind.”  Amanda smiled.
    “I’m sure J has better things to do than go furniture shopping.”  Stephanie laughed lightly as he shrugged.
    Marissa and Stephanie talked for a few more minutes until she heard a beep.  “Hang on a second.  I have another call.”  she said as she clicked over.  “Hello?”
    “Hey, Steph.  Are you busy?”  Jason asked from the other end.  “The guys and I recorded a song for you that I wrote last night.  Can you come by?”
    “I’m actually at the Ivy right now with Amanda and Justin.  We’re waiting on Marissa to get here so we can go to Ikea to get some furniture.  You can come too and give your opinion.”
    Jason laughed.
    “On furniture?  Okay…if you think my opinion matters all that much.”
    “You know it does to me.”  Stephanie smiled as her tears died on her cheek.  Her eyes were dry and itchy from her crying and she was sure her mascara had run.
    “Aww you’re sweet.”
    “I try to be.  So where do you want to meet?  Here or Ikea?”
    “I’ll just come there.  Are Amanda and Justin going too?”
    “Yeah I think so.”
    “Cool.”  Jason nodded.
    “So we’ll see you…oh shit what’s he doing here?”  she sighed when she saw Leo come in with Madeleine, shielding her from the camera flashes.  He was wearing a Laker’s hat and sunglasses to hide his identity even though they obviously knew it was him.  “What’s he doing?  Following me?”  she rolled her eyes as she watched him climbed the steps at the entrance.
    “This guy really is serious about wanting to talk to you.”  You know a person eats at the Ivy too much if the first place people think of to look is here.”  Justin laughed as Stephanie glanced at Amanda.
    “Can I hit him?”
    “You hit him I’ll go punch Leo.”   
    Stephanie started to laugh and watched as he removed his sunglasses and looked around the patio before going in. 
    “Go ahead.  Knock the sense back into him.”  she said as she stood up.  “Let me go talk to him.  Maybe if I give him the five minutes he’s been begging for he’ll leave me the hell alone.  I‘ll call you back Rissa.”
    Amanda and Justin watched her walk over to where he was with Madeleine on one hip and her diaper bag over the opposite shoulder.  “You have five minutes so talk fast.”  she replied as she slid her phone into her pocket then folded her arms, staring him down.  It was surprisingly easy to look at him the more she thought about what he was putting her through.  Maybe she did bring it on herself by leaving, but at the time she knew she couldn’t stay there.  “Well?  Go ahead and tell me what you’ve supposedly been  trying to.”
    “Look baby, I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of this exact reaction plus, and I think I’ve said this before, I didn’t know how to.”
    “Who else knows?”
    He sighed and hoisted the little girl higher up on his hip as she began to whine.  “Mark.”
    “Oh great.  Another person who knew when I didn’t.  Anyone else?”
    “Claire knew too.”  he cleared his throat and looked down.
    Stephanie took a deep breath as she fought back tears. 
    “You hurt me so bad Leo.  You didn’t trust me enough with your past but you trusted your friends.  It wouldn’t have mattered as much if you had just been honest with me.”  the tears came before she could stop them and all he could do was stand there and watch her silently.  “I love you…so much.  Why can’t you see that?”  she gulped before she turned and walked away.
    Justin looked over as Stephanie returned, tears cascading down her face.  “Has…Jason got here yet?”
    Justin shook his head as she sniffed and sat down.
    “You okay?”
    She nodded and wiped at her eyes before they moved towards the valet parking to check to see if Jason’s Explorer had pulled up yet.  It had so she dialed Marissa’s number.
    “Hey, girl.”  her friend smiled when she answered.  “Want me to come now?”
    “Sure.  Jason just got here.”  she replied as he made his way up the steps, trying to avoid the cameras.
    “Okay, well give me about fifteen minutes.”  Marissa told her as she walked out of her house and her collie, Ginger, whimpered after her sadly.  “I’ll be back later girl.”  she replied as she walked to her red Ford Fusion and slid behind the wheel.

****

Half an hour later, they headed into Ikea, that song Jason wrote and recorded for her still in Stephanie’s head.  She had spotted Leo as they were leaving, once again setting off her emotions and of course rumors since they were at a paparazzi breeding ground.  They both saw each other but Stephanie quickly looked away even though half of her didn’t want to.
    “….Are you getting?”  Jason asked and she blinked then looked around.
    “Huh?”
    “What are you getting here?”  he repeated. 
    “Oh.  Bedroom and living room suit.”  she answered as a saleswoman approached them.
    “Welcome to Ikea.  How may I help you?”  she smiled.
    “I’m looking for bedroom and living furniture.”
    “Oh okay.  What were you looking for?  Anything in particular?”
    “I’ve never shopped here before so I’m not sure what you have.”
    The woman smiled at her.
    “Follow me and I’ll show you everything we have.  First of all what type of bed were you looking for?”
    “Do you have any canopies?”
    The woman shook her head and led them down an aisle.
    “No I’m sorry we don’t but here are the models we do have.  This Malm frame is really nice and we have it in all sizes.”
    Stephanie walked over to get a closer look.
    “That is nice.  How much is it?”
    “Um let’s see…A hundred forty-nine plus tax.”  the woman replied after looking at the sticker that had the price on it.
    She nodded as the woman proceeded to show her some more stuff.  “Here are some nice sofas and sofa beds.  The Beddinge Lovas is our most popular item right now.  Oh and here‘s a lovely leather arm chair by Poang.  It‘s quite comfortable and environmentally friendly.  It‘s frame is made of layer-glued, bent beech wood and provides high flexibility and comfort.”
    They walked across to another aisle where the end tables and coffee tables were. 
    “That end table looks interesting.”  Stephanie pointed and the woman looked over.
    “Oh that’s our Montreal model.  Don’t you just love how it’s curved?”
    “What type of wood is it?”  Jason asked.
    “Warm cheery ash veneers on hardwood solids.  It even has a lower shelf in the middle there.”
    When they were finished there, the woman showed them the dining room sets.  “Oh I forgot to mention something about that chair you want to get.  You have to assemble it.  I wasn’t sure if you knew that or not.”
    “I can do that no problem.”  Jason replied as Stephanie looked at him.
    “Jay, you have extordinary musical talent…assembling stuff?  I’m not too sure.  Remember the microwave incident?  Hence where your nickname comes from.”
    “Hey, that’s totally different.  That was an electrical appliance and I wasn’t trying to put it together.”
    She laughed and rolled her eyes as they followed the sales woman up to the front so she could pay for her purchases.
    “For an additional charge we can deliver it for you.”  the woman smiled as she stepped behind the cash register to put in her total.  “That’ll be two thousand dollars.”
    Stephanie pulled her wallet from her purse to get her credit card out.  “You look so familiar.”  the sales woman said as she took Stephanie’s Master Card and ran it through the machine.
    It beeped and the woman looked at Stephanie.  “I’m sorry but it seems this one is over the limit.  Do you have another one I could try or maybe some cash?”
    “I don’t…carry cash.”
    Jason placed a hand on her shoulder as he pulled out his own wallet.
    “I got this Steph.  Don’t worry about it.”
    “Jason…”  she began to protest but his American Express was already being ran through.
    Marissa and Amanda glanced at each other, knowing how humiliated she must be.
    Stephanie glanced around before she fled from the store, tears of embarrassment flowing down her face.  When she reached Jason’s SUV, she got in and slammed the door behind her.
    “I can’t believe that happened!”  she sobbed to an empty car, not even realizing that Marissa and Amanda and Justin had followed her out.
    “It’s okay Steph.”  Marissa said as the door to her left opened and she got in along with Amanda and Justin.  “Hey, it’s happened to me before.” 
    They watched as Jason walked out and up to her door. 
    “The woman wanted me to ask you when you wanted it delivered.”
    “Now.”  she mumbled then sniffed as he went back inside.

****

    The weekend passed by in a blur and before Leo knew it, it was already Sunday afternoon and he was picking up Madeleine’s toys from the living room.  After the last doll was in the small chest he kept in the corner of the room, he glanced at his watch.  The little girl should be waking up from her nap soon.
    “Okay, the living room doesn’t look so messy anymore.”  he replied as he headed for the kitchen and over to the cabinets to get something for Madeleine’s lunch.
    He grabbed a Lil Entrée’s cheese ravioli in tomato sauce.  If she was anything like him she was going to love that.
    As he set her food and some milk on the table, he heard her crying from upstairs.  “Coming sweetheart.”  he called as he left the kitchen then walked down the hall towards the stairs.
    “Dada!”
    “I’m almost there honey.”  he laughed lightly as he reached the top then continued to her room.  “Did you have a good nap?”  he grinned when he saw her.
    She shook her head as he walked over to the crib and lifted her out.  “No, huh?”  he laughed as he carried her over to the changing table and laid her down.  “That’s too bad.”
    The little girl giggled and clapped her hands as he tried to keep her from squirming.  “Are you hungry?”
    “No.”
    “Oh really?  Well, when you see what’s in the kitchen you might just change your mind.”
    She shook her head then nodded which caused him to laugh.  “You’re one silly girl.”  he smiled as he finished what he was doing then picked her up.  “Come on.  Let’s go eat.”
    “Bababawawalala!”  she babbled and he looked at her.
    “I thought you weren’t hungry?  See, I knew you’d change your mind.”  he kissed her cheek as he started down the stairs then headed for the kitchen then over to her high chair.  “Are you thirsty?  Want some juice?”
    She nodded and he went to get the juice he had set out with her food from the kitchen table.  “Here you go.”  he smiled and handed it to her and she took a drink as he stirred her ravioli around in the tomato sauce.  “Open up.”  he said as he held the spoon out to her. 
    She opened her mouth and took the bite he offered but spit it a second later.  “What’s the matter?”  he asked as he tasted it himself.  “Don’t you…Oh God that’s horrible!”  he made a face then reached for the box.  “It said you could serve these damn things at room temperature.  Want me to nuke it for you?  Maybe that would make it taste better, you think?”
    Madeleine just looked at him as he stood up and carried her food over to the microwave.  “Okay, let’s try this.”  he said when he came back over a minute later.  He took a small bite and tried not to look disgusted.  Heating it up didn’t seem to be much of an improvement but maybe it would fool her. 
    After blowing on a bite, he fed it to her and thankfully she enjoyed it much better than the first time.
    Once she was settled, he managed to slap together a peanut butter  and strawberry jelly sandwich for himself along with a glass of milk.  After inhaling it, he picked up his phone and dialed Amanda’s number to see if she knew where Stephanie might be.  She didn’t answer so he tried Marissa’s number.  When she didn’t answer either, he dialed Jason’s.
    “Hello?”
    A look of confusion washed over Leo’s face when he heard the unfamiliar voice.
    “Uh…who is this?”
    “Bryce.  Who’s this?”
    Leo’s eyes widened.  This dude didn’t know who he was talking to?  Well, at least that way he knew there wouldn’t be any freaking out.
    “Stephanie’s boyfriend Leo.  Is she there?  I need to talk to her.”
    “I know she moved to those apartments on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Long Beach.  Something Oceangate Gardens and I guess Jay is with her because me and Rick are the only ones here.”
    “Thanks bro.”  Leo said as he hung up then dialed Tobey’s number.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, man.  Just wanted to call a truce plus I need a favor.  Can you watch Maddy for awhile?  I need to go find Stephanie and give her her jewelry box.”
    “Find her?  She SKIPPED town?”
    “I guess you could say that.  Anyway do you know of an apartment complex in Long Beach with the name Oceangate Gardens?  That’s all I have as far as a name goes.”
    “You mean Oceangate, Linden & Valentine Gardens.  Yeah I know where that is.  I’ll print out the directions for you.”
    “Thanks man.  See you in a few minutes.”

****

    Stephanie sighed as she checked her email and sang along with the song Jason and the guys had recorded for her.  It fit the situation perfectly, almost as if he could read her mind when he wrote it.
    She was so caught up in the song and what she was doing that she didn’t hear the knocking at first until it became louder.
    “I’m coming!”  she called as she turned it off then ran to the door, pulling it open to find Leo standing there.

Chapter Twelve

   
    “How the hell did you find me and what the hell do you want?”  Stephanie asked as she looked him up and down dressed in jeans, wife beater and a navy blue button down shirt open at the front  with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
    She watched as he removed his sunglasses, those eyes of his seemed to see right through her.  It was so powerful she had to force herself to look away.
    “Can I come in?”
    She folded her arms and just looked at him.
    “Why?”
    He sighed.
    “Please?”
    She rolled her eyes but stepped to the side so he could enter.  “You left your jewelry so I thought I’d bring it by.”
    Stephanie took the box from him, opened it then picked up what was inside and threw it at his chest.
    “I left it for a reason dumbass!”
    He glanced down as the bracelets and necklaces he had bought for her over the two years they had been together fell to the floor.
    “Stephanie…”  he shook his head and followed her.  “Would you stop acting so juvenile over this?”
    She spun around to face him.
    “I’M juvenile?  Oh no, no, no.  Who’s the one hiding things like he‘s three and afraid of getting in trouble?  Really Leonardo, what did you think that would do?  Make the situation go away?”
    He rolled his eyes.
    “Here we are back to that again.”
    She glared at him and put her hands on her hips.
    “We wouldn’t be going back to anything if once again, you had just been HONEST with me but you seem to have a real problem with that.”
    Leo sighed as he sat down and pulled a pack of cigarettes out and took one out to light it.
    “Nice furniture.  Where did you go?”
    She eyed him.  She knew where this was headed.
    “Ikea and don’t even try to…”
    He glanced at the two end tables that sat on either side of the couch.
    “Is it eco friendly?”
    There it was, the question of the hour that seemed more like an accusation more than anything else.  “How many trees had to die to make them?”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    “You are such an ass.”  she mumbled.
    “You know how I feel about the environment and yet you’ve never respected that.”
    Her eyes widened.
    “Excuse me?  What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It MEANS what I care about, you couldn’t care less about.”
    “Just because I didn’t get eco friendly furniture.  This us a joke right?  You know what  you can do with your eco friendly furniture?  Shove it up your NON EXSISTANT ass!”
    As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she had crossed a line and her hand flew over her mouth.  “Leo, I’m…”
    He jumped up as his eyes darkened and his brow furrowed, the cigarette he held clenched between his teeth glowed a bright orange.  She could hear his breathing as it became more ragged and that was when she knew she had really made him mad.  “I didn’t mean it honey.”  she said as she made her way over to him.  “I didn’t mean it like that.”  she reached up to touch his face but he smacked her hand away.  “I’m sorry.”  she said as she started to cry.  “But you don’t seem to get why I’m so pissed.  If the situation were reversed wouldn’t you be just as mad?  I can’t just…sweep this under the rug.”  she sobbed even harder and he pulled her against him for a hug.
    “I’m sorry I put you through all this.”  he kissed the side of her head as his arms tightened around her.
    “I just need time to sort through this.”  she mumbled.  “Away…from you.”
    “Can you do it without us fighting?  I miss you.”
    Stephanie frowned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
    “Anything you want Leo.”  she sighed as his hands landed on her hips.  “I miss you too.”  she mumbled as he backed them over towards the couch.  “Just so you know I do have a bed.”
    “What’s your point?”  he grinned as he reached up to remove her tank top followed by her bra.
    “So you don’t care where we have sex just as long as we have it right?”  she laughed lightly as she undid his belt then unzipped his jeans and pulled them down.
    His hands started to massage over her skin as his boxers fell down around his ankles and Stephanie pushed her hips up towards his impatiently, her hand going in between her legs.  “Fuck me.”  she demanded as her fingers slid inside her opening and she sighed.
    “Oh, is that what you want?”
    She nodded and he gladly plunged himself into her over and over as hard as he could.
    “YES!”  she screamed as her hips met his violently while his mouth and tongue sucked on her neck hungrily.  “I’ve missed you so much.”  she mumbled as her fingers slid through his short hair.  “I’m sorry I got so…”
    “Shhh.”  Leo placed a against her lips gently as he got a steady rhythm going.  “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
    “But promise me…we’ll never fight…like that again.”  she gasped and grabbed his hips.
    He nodded then leaned down to kiss her softly.  “Stop worrying honey, okay?”
    “I want to be there for…you sweetheart.  I just…I didn’t know how to deal with…”  she could feel the hot tears as they ran down her face and she began to sob uncontrollably.  “That was the worst pain…I have ever felt…”  she brushed away the tears and sat up and he moved over next to her, pulling her against him.
    “I know.  It was for me too.  I thought we were over.”
    Stephanie cried even harder.  Hearing that only made her feel worse and she was starting to hate herself for the way she had treated him.
    Leo frowned as he wiped her tears away gently with his fingers, the sensation made her shiver.  Nothing felt as good as that right now.  The tears continued to flow as he leaned down and kissed her, his lips whispering how much he loved her.  “Steph, if anyone should feel guilty over our fight it should be me.  Not only that but now I can’t even look at myself in the mirror anymore knowing how I treated that little girl.  Yes, I sent money and went to see her when I could but I wasn’t much of a father.  I never have been but I want to be now.  I want to make up for it all.”
    Stephanie sniffed and laid her head on his shoulder as her right temple began to throb.  It felt like a vice that kept tightening.  Her only hope was that they really could survive this.

Leo stayed another hour before he decided he should probably leave.
    “I really wish you didn’t have to go.”  she pouted as she walked over to kiss him goodbye.
    “Well…I was thinking.  How about dinner tomorrow night?”
    Stephanie couldn’t help but smile when she heard that.
    “Like a date?  I’d like that.”  she nodded.
    “Better than our first one.”  he promised and she grinned.
     “I can’t wait.”
    “Me either.”  he smiled and reached for the handle on the door.
    “Leo?” 
    He looked over at her.
    “Yeah?”
    “I really am sorry about everything.”
    “I know.”  he kissed her cheek then opened the door and walked out into the warm sunshine.  “See you tomorrow.”
    Stephanie waved to him as he slipped on his sunglasses then headed across the parking lot to his car.

****

    Tobey stared at his friend as Leo tried to figure out what to wear that next evening.
    “So let me get this straight.  You went over there to return her jewelry and you fucked?”
    He nodded as he grabbed a pair of beige khakis from his dresser then reached for a blue polo shirt from another drawer.
    “But it wasn’t planned.  It just happened.”
    “It just happened.”  Tobey laughed and shook his head as Madeleine, who was sitting on the bed beside him watching cartoons, giggled.
    Leo turned and looked at her as he went over to his closet in search of a belt.
    “What are you and Tobey going to do while I‘m gone?”  he asked her as he found a belt then looped it around his waist.  He then looked around for a pair of shoes.  Finally spotting a pair of Birkenstocks, he slid his feet into them then shut the door. 
    “Order a pizza.“  Tobey whispered in her ear and she nodded.
    “Ceeeese!“
    Leo laughed as he walked over and kissed her bye.
    “Cool.  You two have fun and keep Tobster out of trouble.”
    Tobey mumbled something with a grin then flipped him off as he walked from his bedroom.

    Stephanie stared at her reflection in the mirror as she sprayed herself with perfume.  For some reason she was very nervous, it was like this was their first date instead of their millionth or so.  She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
    “Get a grip.”  she told the image staring back at her.  “It’s Leo.  You’ve seen the man burp and scratch his ass when he thought no one was looking.”  she shook her head and picked up a tube of lipgloss, applying it to her lips as the butterflies in her stomach began swarming even more.
    As she was finishing her make up, there was a knock at the front door.  Stephanie took another deep breath as she got up and left her room to go answer it.  When she pulled it open and her heart skipped a beat.
    “Hey.”  he flashed her a wide grin.  “You look nice.”
    She blushed slightly as she glanced down at her jeans and pink crop top.
    “Thanks.  So do you.”
    Leo smiled and reached for her hand as they walked outside and across the parking lot to his car.

    A little while later, they arrived at LAX and she glanced over at him in confusion.  “Where in the world are we going for dinner?”
    “I was thinking N9ne’s Steakhouse in in Vegas.  Is that okay?”
    Stephanie looked over at him, her mouth dropping open.
    “Just for a few hours?  Are you nuts?”
    He just grinned.
    “Only about you.”
    “I take that back.  You’re a suck up.”
    Leo’s grin widened.   
    “Hey, if that’s what I am then that’s what I am.”
     Stephanie rolled her eyes as he parked and turned off the ignition.
    “You’re so much prettier when you don’t talk.”  she said with a groan as they got out of the car and walked into the airport.
    “There’s a couple seats over there.”  he pointed to a row of empty seats and they made their way over and sat down to wait until their flight was called.

    “Flight four seventy-two from Los Angeles to Las Vegas now boarding at gate three.”  a woman announced over the loud speaker a few hours later as Stephanie checked her watch. 
    It was already eight twenty and she stifled a yawn as she and Leo stood up then took her hand.  Sitting in an airport for almost three hours wasn’t exactly the most exciting thing in the world to do.  “We didn’t have to go through all this just to go out to dinner.”  she smiled and he shrugged.
    “It’s no big deal.  I feel like a steak and N9ne’s has the best around.”
    “Not according to Jerry.  He says Morton’s has the best around.”
    Leo gave her a look.
    “Are you kidding me?  The guy’s a Knick’s fan for crying out loud.  You think he has good judgment on a great steak?  I think not.”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    “We’ll go to N9ne’s ole wise guru of steaks.”  she assured him as they headed for their gate and got in line to board the aircraft.
    Leo laughed as he slid his arm around her waist and she leaned into him.  “How did you figure out where I had moved to?”  she asked a few minutes later as she looked up at him.
    “I called Jason’s house and someone named Bryce answered.  Told me pretty much where it was.  I guess Jason had mention where you had moved when Rick asked and he overheard.” 
    “I’m just glad we worked everything out.”  Stephanie smiled and he kissed the side of her head.
    “I am too sweetheart.”
    There was a lull in the conversation as the line moved forward.
    “Are we going dancing too?”  she asked as they approached the flight attendant taking tickets and he handed theirs over.
    “Enjoy your flight with Northwest Airlines.”  she smiled.
    “Thank you.”  Leo nodded as he and Stephanie began to make their way to first class.  “You know I don’t dance.”  he said in response to her previous question as they continued walking hand in hand down the aisle looking for their seats.  “Row seven, row seven, row seven.”  he mumbled and looked around.  “Ah, here it is and here are the seats.  Eleven and twelve.”
    “You can have the window seat.”  Stephanie said as she walked over.  “You know how I am about heights.”
    He nodded as he slid over to the window and sat down while she took the seat beside him, leaving the aisle seat vacant.  “So how long will it take for us to get there?”
    “About an hour.”  he answered as he reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone to turn it off as Stephanie did the same.
    “That isn’t too bad.”
    Leo shook his head as he pulled a pack of Big Red from his pocket and took a stick out then placed it in his mouth after he had unwrapped it.
    “Want one?”  he offered her a stick and she smiled and took it.
    “About the dancing.  Are we going or not?  We could find a break dancing club.”
    He glanced over at her sternly and she couldn’t help but laugh.
    “Okay, now you’re just making fun of me.”
    That only made her giggle even harder as she kissed his cheek.
    “Aww, I’m sorry.”
    He rolled his eyes as a small smile played on his lips.
    “Yeah, I bet you are.”
    “I am.”  she grinned and he laughed then shook his head.
    “How about I take a rain check?  We should probably just go eat then head on back.  I go back to work tomorrow so I don’t need to be laying out and risk being yelled at by Marty.”
    Stephanie nodded as two older women sat down in front of them and a flight attendant went over the safety procedures while everyone listened quietly, except for a few noisy children and crying infants.
    A few minutes later, they were ready for take off and Leo and Stephanie, along with the rest passengers settled in for the short flight to Las Vegas.

****

    Once they landed, Leo and Stephanie exited the plane, then headed down the terminal hand in hand, weaving their way through the crowd until they reached the doors that led outside.  They walked out into the cool night air to the car that was waiting for them.
    “This was a good idea.”  she smiled and he nodded in agreement.
    “Yeah it was.”  he opened the passenger’s side door for her then kissed her softly as she went to get in.
    “I love you.”  she smiled at him as he shut the door then walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
    “I love you, too.”  he answered as he pressed the power button and she took his free hand and rubbed the back of it with her thumb gently.
    Silence fell over the couple as Leo  thought about the best way to ask her for the favor he needed.  Things were finally getting back to normal for them and he was afraid that asking her to watch Madeleine that next day might mess everything up.
    Stephanie glanced over at him as the lull in the conversation continued.
    “Something wrong?”  she asked and he shook his head.
    “I just.…I need a favor but I’m not sure if I should ask you since…I‘ll just try to find someone else.”
    “What?”
    “Well, I’m going to ask Jen to watch Maddy during the day but haven’t had a chance to ask her yet so I was wondering…”
    “I’ll watch her.”  Stephanie smiled and he looked over.
    “Are you sure?  You don’t have to.”
    “I know.  I want to  I was going to ask off tomorrow anyway since the Direct TV guy is coming and everything.”
    Leo grew quiet as he concentrated on the road.  “You okay?”  she frowned.  “You got quiet again.”
    “Just thinking about everything.  I’m okay though.”
    She reached over and rubbed the back of his neck gently.
    “Well, you’ve been through a hell of a lot.”
    He nodded and stopped for a red light.
    “No kidding.  That’s the understatement of the year.”
    “You’re doing great though.”  she replied as she ran her fingers through his hair.  “I can’t tell you how proud of you I am.”
    He smiled softly.
    “That means the world to me to hear you say that Steph.”
    The light turned green and Leo started driving again until the Palms Hotel came into view on their left.
    “I haven’t had a good steak in a long time.”  Stephanie said as he pulled into the parking lot then looked around for an empty space.
    “Me either.  I’m really looking forward to this.”
    She laughed.
    “You just like to eat.  You look forward to a frozen pizza.”
    He rolled his eyes.
    “Haha.  You act like all I do is eat.”
    “You do.”  she giggled and he shook his head.  “Aww I love you though…and your three stomachs.”
    Leo gave her a look as he found a space, parked and they got out.
    “What?”  she giggled even harder as he walked around the car towards her.
    “Why are you always so mean to me?”  he pouted as she giggled even more.
    “Aww, poor Leo.”  she reached for his hand.  “I love you.”  she smiled as they walked inside and headed for the elevator that would take them to the floor N9ne Steakhouse was on.
    “Damn it’s packed.”  he mumbled as she looked around for the host or hostess once the walked into the overly crowded steakhouse and bar.
    “I’ll be right back.”  Stephanie told him before she walked away.  “Excuse me.”  she smiled as she approached a guy dressed in khakis and a white dress shirt and tie.
    “How may I help you?”  he asked and she removed her sunglasses.
    “My boyfriend and I would like a table please.”
    His eyes widened slightly as they flashed with recognition.
    “Right away Miss Corvin.”
    “Thank you.”  she smiled before she turned and headed back over to where Leo was waiting.  “He said he’d get us a table.”  she said as she reached for his hand.
    A few minutes later, the host motioned for them to follow him and he led them to a booth near the back.
    “Enjoy your meal.  Your server will be right with you.”  he smiled as he walked away.
    “So you’re getting a steak?”  Leo asked as he opened one of the menus that had been provided.
    Stephanie nodded as she opened hers as well and began to look it over.
    “Probably a New York sirloin.  Do they have salads?  I can’t remember.”
    “Yeah I think so.  I’m getting the Porterhouse and calamari.”  he decided as he closed his menu.
    And a tall glass of Pepto Bismal to wash it all down?”  Stephanie asked with a laugh.
    He gave her the finger as he slid out of his side of the booth and got out.  “I’m going to get a glass of wine.  Want a long island ice tea?”
    “Sure.”  she nodded as their waitress walked up.
    “Hi, my name is Alana and I’ll be your server this evening.  Are you guys ready for drinks?”
    “We’re just getting them from the bar.  We’re ready to order though.”  Leo said before he walked away and the girl turned to look at Stephanie.
    “And of course he leaves me that job.”  she shook her head and smiled.  “Um okay, he wants the Porterhouse and calamari and I want the New York sirloin with uh…the garlic fries.  Oh and the shrooms as an appetizer.”
    The girl wrote that down then said she would be right out with their appetizers.  Stephanie watched her walk away just as Leo came strolling back to the booth with their drinks.
    She took a sip of her tea as he sat down.  “I got garlic fries too.”  she said as his eyebrows lifted.
    “Remind me not to kiss you goodnight then.”  he laughed and took a sip of his wine as she rolled her eyes.
    “Who said I wanted you to kiss me with that attitude?”
    “If you eat garlic?  Hell no I won’t kiss you.  Go kiss a vampire.”
    “Garlic repels vampires smartass.  It doesn’t attract them.  Didn‘t you ever read Dracula as a kid?”
    Leo gave her a funny look.
    “No…and knowing you did just creeps me out.”
    “I didn’t.”  she rolled her eyes.  “But I have heard of it.”
    He watched her amused as he took another drink of his wine then offered her some.  She took a small sip just as their waitress arrived with their appetizers.
    Leo pointed to the stuffed mushrooms as Alana set a plate in front of her.
    “What’s in those?”
    “Alaskan king crab and lemon.”  the girl smiled at him as she set his plate of calamari down.
    He nodded as he took one.
    “They look good.”
    “Help yourself.”  Stephanie laughed as she picked one up and ate it.  “Mmm, they are good.”
    “I’ll be back with your food in a few minutes.”  their waitress said before she turned then walked away.
    Leo took a bite of his calamari as Stephanie stole a bite then chewed.
    “Do you even know what you’re eating?”  he asked as he tried not to laugh.
    She stopped and looked at him.
    “Oh God what is…”
    He leaned over the table and lowered his voice dramatically.
    “Squid.”
    Her eyes widened as she grabbed a napkin and spit into it.
    “Ewww, gross!”
    “It isn’t that bad.”  he laughed as he watched her make a face then drink down half of her tea to rid her mouth of the taste.
    He was glad things hadn’t ended between them.

    A little while later, after dinner and a few drinks, they got up to leave.  Leo was a little more intoxicated then Stephanie was so she offered to drive as they walked from the restaurant then out of the Palms hotel to the parking lot.

    Neither of them said much on their way back to the airport.
    “What time will you be at my house in the morning?”  she asked as she looked over at him.
    “Um…around four.”
    Stephanie made a face but nodded.
    “Okay”
      Silence fell between them again as she stopped for a red light and he glanced over.
    “Is that okay?”
    “Oh yeah.”  she nodded while at the same time watching the light.
    A few more minutes passed and she felt her eyes on him again.
    “Are you still mad?”
    She shook her head.
    “No baby.  I’m just tired.  All this stress has really taken its toll on me.”
    Leo frowned and took her hand.
    “I’m sorry sweetheart.”
    “I just wish it hadn’t happened like this.”  she let out a sigh.  “I mean, Gisele didn’t even care enough about me as a friend to tell me.”
    “Look baby you may not believe me, but I wanted to tell you a long time ago.  I was just scared of what ended up happening.”
    Stephanie frowned as she felt tears well up in her eyes.  It was then when she realized how bad her leaving had hurt him.

Chapter Thirteen

    The next morning came far too quickly for Stephanie and she groaned when her alarm clock went off at three fifteen, just enough time for her to jump in the shower so she wouldn’t smell then change into a clean pair of pajamas.  She refused to get fully dressed that early in the morning just to have the little girl go right back to sleep as soon as she set foot in the door.
    After hitting the snooze button a few times, she finally forced herself out of bed then walked over to her dresser to get a pair of panties, a bra and a tank top and sweat pants before heading into the bathroom to start her shower.

    Leo swore under his breath as he glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard of his car.  He was still twenty minutes from Stephanie’s apartment and he was stuck in traffic.  Marty was going to love his being late.  He glanced into the backseat to find Madeleine once again fast asleep and he wished he was in the same position.

    When Stephanie stepped out of the shower and checked the time on her cell phone, she realized she only had ten minutes left before Leo was supposed to be there and here she was still in just a towel.  The morning was off to a great start and as she started to dry off she discovered her “Aunt Flow” had stopped by for a visit.
    “That figures the god awful cramps weren’t enough of a clue.”  she grumbled as she grabbed a pad from under the sink then sat down as her phone rang.  Maybe it was Publisher’s Clearing House with a check for two grand but she highly doubted it.  “Hello?”
    “Don’t you sound upbeat and happy?”  Leo yawned from the other end.
    “And you sound exhausted.”  she laughed lightly.
    “Glad you think that’s funny.”  he grumbled.  “I’ll be there in like…twenty minutes.”
    Before Stephanie could respond, he hung up.

    There was a knock at her front door a little while later and Stephanie hurried down the hall and pulled it open.
    Leo stood on the other side looking very frazzled and ready to drop at any minute.  “Morning.”  he mumbled as he walked inside with Madeleine sound asleep on his shoulder.  “Bet you slept better than I did.”  he whispered as Stephanie leaned up and kissed him softly.
    “Awww.  How much did you manage to get?”
    “Three hours?  I don’t know.  Seems like I just keep getting less and less lately.”  he sighed as he handed the little girl over after kissing her gently.  “I hate to leave her.”
    “She’ll be fine with me, I promise.”  she reassured him as he lingered.  “Would you go before Marty decides to replace you for someone with better talent and looks?”
    Leo gave Stephanie a look and she giggled.  “I’m kidding but you seriously do need to go.”
    “Maddy has some toys and food in her diaper bag.”
    “Bye, Leo.  Have a good day.”  Stephanie smiled as she kissed him then gently shoved him towards the door.
    She waved to him before she shut and locked it then glanced down at his sleeping daughter.  His life had totally changed in such a short period of time.

    The next time Stephanie awoke, it was to the sound of crying.
    She opened her eyes to find Madeleine sitting up with tears running down her face looking for Leo.  “Are you looking for your daddy?”   Stephanie mumbled as she sat up.  “He’ll be back.  He had to go to work.”
    “No!”  she started to scream at the top of her lungs.
    She groaned inwardly as she sat up and reached for her before she could venture off the bed.  “Are you hungry?  What do you like for breakfast?”
    Suddenly, her cries subsided and she looked at her as they died down to sniffles.  “Wow…I’ve never been known to render someone speechless before.  Think that’s my new talent?”  she asked as she started to tickle her and she giggled.  “So what do you want to eat?  Do you like…pancakes?  Waffles?  How about a banana?”
    The little girl’s eyes lit up at the last suggestion and Stephanie breathed a sigh of relief.  “That should have been my first suggestion.”  she laughed as she got out of bed then picked Madeleine up then carried her to the kitchen where she sliced a banana for the little girl.
    Stephanie’s phone started to ring from the living room as they headed down the hall in that direction, Madeleine insisting that she carry her breakfast.  “Okay, you can carry it.”  she smiled as they entered the living room and she grabbed her phone off the coffee table.  “Hello?”
    “Hey, I was just checking in.  How is she…”
    “Your daughter is fine baby.”  she laughed lightly.  “We just woke up and she’s eating a banana.”
    “Thank you for watching her.”  he smiled.  “I really appreciate it.”
    “I wouldn’t have offered if I hadn’t wanted to.  Now don’t you have things to be doing?  Like a job?”
    “I snuck out of a table reading, big deal.”  he shrugged.
    “Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio!  You get your non existent ass back to that meeting right now!”  Stephanie reprimanded.  “That was…never mind.  I’ll save it for when you get home.”
    “Okay, okay.  I’m going, I’m going.”
    “Sorry I had to be so hard on you.”
    “Not as sorry as you’ll be with no sex tonight.”  he grumbled before he said goodbye and they hung up.
    Stephanie glanced at Madeleine, who had found the remote to the TV and was trying to turn it on.
    “I don’t have very much for you to watch right now.  When the Direct TV guy comes later then you’ll have all kinds of things to watch.  Didn’t your daddy…”  she paused as her phone started to ring.  “I bet that’s him now.  Ever heard of out of work actors?  That will be him if he doesn’t…hello?”  she smiled into the phone sweetly.
    “I forgot to tell you there are a few movies in with Maddy’s stuff.”  Leo said from the other end.
    “I would have figured that out Leo.”  Stephanie laughed.  “But I’m glad you called back and told me.  Now she has something to watch until the satellite is hooked up.”
    “Want me to send Nick out…”
    “We don’t need your Vin Diesel look alike to protect us.  No matter how much I like the guy.”  she shook her head.  “Thanks though.   I’ll call Jason or something.  We’ll be fine.”
    Leo sighed but didn’t say anything.
    “Okay, well, I’ll see you guys later.”
    They hung up for a second time and Stephanie got up to get her laptop then stopped as she remembered her modem from Verizon hadn’t arrived yet.  Before she sat back down, she put in one of Madeleine’s DVDs from her bag and a second later, the Little Mermaid started play.  “I wish…”
    Just then there was a knock at the door and Stephanie got up to go see who it was.
    A few minutes later, she walked back in carrying a few boxes that contained the equipment she needed to hook up her internet.
    Once that was completed, she decided to venture into a chat room to kill a little bit of time.  She glanced at the list of people in the room, one particular screen name catching her eye-poof_begone.  “That’s an interesting screen name.”  she laughed as she clicked on it then began typing:

CluelessLA:  I usually don’t randomly IM people, but I was intrigued by your sn
Poof_begone:  You have to know me to understand it.  I’m crazy like that.  Who is this? 
CluelessLA:  Stephanie.  What’s yours?
Poof_begone:  Amanda…speaking of the meaning of sns, what’s yours?
CluelessLA:  my boyfriend gave it to me.  He’s always saying how I’m clueless about LA since I’m not from here, lol
Poof_begone:  Lol.  Where are you from and do you have a name?
CluelessLA:  Stephanie.  VA originally but I hated it so bad I moved here to LA.  Where are you from and what do you do?  (I hate the introductory questions, but they have to be asked, lol)
Poof_begone:   I know what you mean.  I go to a local community college here in Chicago and waitress at a restaurant in the downtown area.  What do…

    Out of the corner of Stephanie’s eye, she saw movement and immediately put her laptop down.
    The little girl babbled as if she were talking while ran around the side of the couch.  “Maddy, come here sweetie.”  Stephanie smiled and led her back over to the couch as the doorbell rang.  “Let’s go see who’s at the door.”  she said as she left the room then walked the short ways to the front door.
    Standing on the other side, trying to blend in with his surroundings was Nicholas West, Leo’s body guard.  Blending in wasn’t the easiest thing in the world for him to do since the guy could pass as Vin Diesel’s twin, and standing at six feet, Stephanie knew better than to mess with him.
    She gave him a once over with an icy glare.  “Leo sent you, didn’t he?  I swear sometimes that man grates on my last nerve.  I told him I was going to call Jason to come over.”
    Nicholas laughed as he removed his sunglasses then stepped inside.  “He just wanted me to stop by.”
    Stephanie couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling.  “Oh good Lord.  Does he really think I’m that incompetent when it comes to children?”  she grumbled and turned to go back into the living room as Nicholas followed.  “Madeleine, can you say hi to Nicholas?  He’s keeps your daddy safe.”
    “I try.”  Nicholas laughed as he took a seat on the couch then glanced at Stephanie’s open laptop as it dinged incessantly with incoming messages.
    “Who’s…poof_begone?”
    “Some girl I started talking to.”  Stephanie shrugged as she sat down, one leg under her, and began typing:

CluessLA:  Sorry, Madeleine got away from me then someone was at the door
Poof_begone:      Madeleine?  Who’s that?  Kind of a weird name for a pet, don’t you think?
CluessLA:  LOL.  She’s my boyfriend’s daughter.  Long story short, her mother dropped her off  and now expects him to take care of her
Poof_begone:  Wow.  That sucks

    Stephanie was about to respond when here phone rang and she resumed typing after she flipped it open.  “Hey, I was just about to call you.”
    “Really?”  Jason laughed from the other end.  “So what’s up?”
    “Hanging out with Nick because Leo sent him over to spy on me, the sneaky bastard.”
    “Spy on you?”  Jason laughed again.  “What in the world for?”
    “He apparently thinks I’m stupid when it comes to kids.” 
    Nicholas shook his head.
    “That isn’t it.  He’s just really nervous…”
    Stephanie ignored him as she continued her conversation with Jason.
    Who’s poof_begone?”  Nicholas asked her a few minutes later as she hung up.
    “You internet junkie.”  he shook his head and she rolled her eyes.
    “I was bored, okay?  Besides, I know for a fact you know your way around a chat room.  Who’s NaughtyGirl73?”
    When his face turned about twenty different shades of red, she grinned.
    “Don’t be embarrassed.  That’s actually how Leo and I met.  He was horny one night and well…I ‘delivered’.”
    Nicholas just looked at her then started to laugh.
    “Yeah right.  You’re lying.”
    “I am not.  His screen name was LakerFan24.  We talked online for about a month before we first met.  Ask him if you don’t believe me.”
    “I will because I don’t.”  he rolled his eyes.  “So Jason’s on his way?”
    Stephanie nodded and reached for Madeleine so she could change her.
    “Yep.  You can leave if you want to.”  she said as she removed the soiled diaper then reached for a baby wipe. 
    “Or I could stay just to annoy the hell out of you, which is a bonus.”
    She gave him a look as she fastened a clean diaper on Madeline then sat the little girl back up.
    “I’m sure it is.”
    Nicholas grinned then got to his feet.
    “Well, since you seem to have everything under control I’ll leave you alone.”
    “Nice to know you think I’m competent enough for the task.”
    The body guard grinned.
    “See you guys later.”  he smiled and waved just as Stephanie’s phone rang.
    “Bye Nick.”  Stephanie smiled as she flipped open her phone.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, what are you doing?”  Amanda asked from the other end.
    “Trying to get Nick out of my house.”
    The body guard rolled his eyes.
    “I’m going, I’m going.  Bye.”
    Stephanie laughed as he walked out.
    “What was he doing over there?”
    “Leo sent him to spy on me since I’m so incapable of watching one kid by myself.  Wait until he comes home.  I’ll show him I’m capable of a lot of things…murder being high on the list.  Anyway, I was thinking of making spaghetti for dinner later.  You and Justin want to come over?”
    “Let me ask.  J, do you want to go to Stephanie’s later for spaghetti?”  she yelled.
    “Where in the world is he?”
    “Shower.”  she replied as she opened the bathroom door then walked over to the glass door.  “J, do you want to go to Stephanie’s later for spaghetti?”
    The water stopped and the door opened with Justin poking his head out while water dripped down his face.
    “Why are you yelling baby?”
    Amanda smiled as she leaned up and kissed him softly. 
    “Because you couldn’t hear me.”  she smiled again and repeated for a third time what she had said.
    “Sure.”  he nodded.
    The two girls talked for a few more minutes, deciding that Amanda and Justin would come over around five or six, before Stephanie hung up.  No sooner had she done that then the doorbell rang and she went to see who it was.  A second later, Jason entered the apartment and removed his sunglasses as Madeleine looked at him curiously from where she was perched on Stephanie’s hip.
    “Hi.”  he grinned and held his arms out to her as she looked him over.  “Aww, you’re adorable.  Can I hold you?”
    “At least that proves she’s Leo’s.”  Stephanie laughed as Jason nodded and followed them into the living room.
    “Yeah I guess so.”
    They took a seat on the couch and he looked around.
    “Nice place.”
    “Thanks.  I can’t believe…”  Stephanie stopped as the doorbell rang.  “Mind watching her for a second?”  she asked as she got to her feet.
    Jason shook his head.
    “No problem.”
    “Thanks.”  she replied as she left the room then headed for the front door.
    “Hello.”  the guy that stood on the other side smiled after she had pulled the door open.
    “Hi, how are you?”  she asked as he stepped inside.  “This way.  I want hook up in the living room and my bedroom.”
    “Alright.”  he nodded as he followed her back to where Jason was first.
    Stephanie took a seat on the couch and they watched as he checked everything he needed to.  “I won’t have to drill another hole or anything but I do need those tables moved.  I’ll bring in the receivers.  Be right back.”  he said before he left.
    Stephanie checked her watch then yawned.
    “Damn I’m tired.”  she sighed and rubbed her eyes as Jason got up to move the tables out of the way.
    “What time did you get up?”
    “Like three thirty or something.  I need a nap.”
    Jason laughed.
    “You do look tired.”
    “Thanks.”  she mumbled.  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

    Stephanie thanked the satellite guy then shut the door and headed for the living room to find Jason engrossed in ESPN.  “I hate sports.”  Stephanie declared as she plopped down next to him.
    She watched him for a second then shook her head.  “What is it about that channel that when men watch it they become…robots?”
    “Huh?  Did you say something?”
    Stephanie laughed lightly.
    “Don’t worry about it.”  she shook her head as her phone rang.  “Oh Lord.  I wonder if that’s you know who?  If it is I’m changing my number.”
    Jason laughed as she looked down at the screen and sighed in relief when she saw her friend, Ivana Kolanovic’s number.  The two had known each for a while and ever since Ivana found out that Stephanie lived in LA she expressed how much she wanted to move there.  And she was doing just that, even after her long trip to Italy from seeing her boyfriend, Alessandro.  “Hey!  How was Italy?”
    “Great.  Very beautiful.  I just got back about an hour ago and have started packing some more.  I should be out there by the weekend.”
    “I can’t wait.”  Stephanie smiled.  “But just so you know it won’t help your chances with Leo because he’s already taken.”
    “Minor set back.  You know how he is with relationships.”
    “I think he’s giving up all that.  I’ve brought out his committable side.”
    Jason, who had went into the kitchen to get something to drink, almost choked on his water as he started to laugh as he walked back into the living room and sat down.  Madeleine crawled over to him as he picked up one of her toys and made it dance as she giggled.
    “Who’s there with you?”  Ivana asked and it was then that Stephanie realized she hadn’t had a chance to tell her about any of what had had happened.

Chapter Fourteen

    There was silence and Ivana wondered if they had gotten disconnected and she tapped the back of her cell phone with her nail.  “Steph?”
    “Leo’s...daughter.”
    Leo?  Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio?  THAT Leo?”
    “How many other Leonardos…never mind.”  Stephanie sighed as she ran her fingers through her long blond hair.
    For the first time in her life she was craving a cigarette.  “I’m sorry Ivana.  The whole thing still has me a little on edge.”
    “How did you find…WHEN did you find out?”
    “About a week or so ago.”  Stephanie shrugged.
    She hadn’t kept track, to be honest those days that had passed were now a blur whenever she tried to think back.
    “Are you okay?”
    “For the most part, yeah but at first I wanted to kill him.”
    “Hey, if you don’t want him, pass him over to me.”
    Stephanie laughed and rolled her eyes.
    “I may have been mad but I’m no fool.  In other words, you’re out of luck.”
    “Seriously though.  Give the guy a break, he’s been through a lot.”
    “I realize that now.”  she nodded as a beep sounded in her ear.  “Hang on a second.  I have another call.”  she clicked over.  “Well, speak of the devil…I was just talking about you.”
    “Oh Lord…”  Leo laughed.  “Does it have anything to do with me sending Nick over?  If so…I love you baby.”
    “Can it DiCaprio.  You’re off the hook.  You know I can’t stay mad at you for long.”
    “So who were you talking to me about?”
    “Remember my friend Ivana from New York?”
    “Oh yeah.”  Leo nodded as he popped a few spearmint flavored Certs into his mouth then rolled them to one side of his jaw.  “Isn’t she moving to LA?”
    “Yeah.  How come we’ve never went to see her when we’ve been there?”
    “Because I’m busy sweetheart.”  he laughed lightly.  “You do remember what I do, don’t you?”
    “Don’t make fun of me.  You knew what I meant.”
    Leo’s response was another quiet laugh and Stephanie rolled her eyes.  “Anyway, what do you want for lunch?  That is why you called, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, but you don’t have to fix it.  I can do it when I get there.”
    “I offered honey so I don’t mind.  What do you want?  I don‘t have a lot just turkey, ham and cheese.  Maybe some peanut butter but I can‘t remember if I got that or not.”
    “Turkey, ham and cheese with Dijon mustard sounds great baby.  With lettuce and tomato if you have it.”
    “What makes you so sure I have the fancy mustard?”  she teased as she got the loaf of bread out then headed for the refrigerator.  “I mean, for all you know I just have the regular.”
    There was silence on the other end and Stephanie laughed.  “Is it possible that I rendered Mr. Hotshot Actor speechless?  Damn I can’t believe that.  I must be dreaming.”
    “You’re funny.”  he said dryly.  “How’s Madel..”
    “I was WONDERING how long it would take you to bring her up!  To be honest it took a little longer than I thought.”
    “You had me side tracked with the mention of food.  Besides, Nick really thought you were pissed when he came back so I thought I wouldn’t ask right off just in case you were.”
    “I was just hurt that you didn’t seem to trust me.  I mean, the first chance you got you send your security over to check up on me like I really didn’t know what I was doing.”
    Leo frowned.  He hadn’t meant it like that at all.
    “I’m sorry baby.  That wasn’t my intention.”
    “I know, I know.  I’m sorry I’m being cranky.  I just don’t feel all that well.  When will you be here?”  Stephanie asked as Jason walked in with Madeleine, who was rubbing her eyes and crying.
    “Half an hour at least.  I’m still stuck in traffic.”
    “That’s one thing I don’t miss about Hickville,
Virginia.  Small towns tend to lead to very little traffic which in turn cuts down on road rage.”
    “If you’re insinuating that I have road rage you’d be…Just go dude?  Damn!”
    Stephanie started to giggle quietly.
    “You don’t, huh?  Calm down.  You don’t need to be put on blood pressure medicine at your age.”
    “Oh so now I’m old?”  Leo grumbled as he bit down on his thumb nail impatiently.  “Good to know.  I’ll pick up some Viagra on the way there.”
    “Baby, trust me, that’s the LAST thing you need.”  Stephanie mumbled as she reached for Madeleine.  “See you in a little while.”
    “Okay, Leo nodded and they hung up as Stephanie glanced at the little girl, who was yawning.
    “Someone looks ready for a nap.  I’ll be right back Jason.”  she replied as she carried Madeleine from the kitchen and down the hall to the guest room.

    When she returned a little while later, Leo was walking through the front door and lighting a cigarette.
    “Hey, honey.”  he smiled as he shut the door behind him.  “Hey, bro.”  he nodded towards Jason.
    “Hey, man.  What’s up?”
    “Nothing much.  How’s the rock star life?”
    “Can’t complain.  Our new CD comes out on the twenty-second so we’re pretty excited about that.”
    “I’m sure Stephanie already has her copy.”  Leo grinned as he followed them into the living room and sat down.
    “Yes, I have, but I’m still getting it the day it’s released.”
    “Aww.”  Jason smiled and gave her a hug.  “Thank you.”
    “You really thought I wouldn’t?”  Stephanie laughed and rolled her eyes as she started for the kitchen to fix Leo’s sandwiches and they followed.  “Good lord.  I can’t do anything without you two following me.”
    “Well, this is a kitchen and I am hungry so…”  Jason’s voice trailed off as she went over to the refrigerator and took out two beers.
    “What would you guys do without me?”
    They grinned and looked at each other.
    “Starve?”
    She shook her head and smiled as she proceeded to make their food.
    “If you want chips there are some in the cabinet I think.”  she gestured with the butter knife she was using to spread mustard onto Jason’s ham and turkey.
    Leo smiled as he walked over and slid his arms around her waist then kissed her neck.
    “I’ll be back.  I’m going to go check on Madeleine.”  he smiled against her skin and she squirmed at the roughness of his goatee.
    “Please don’t baby.  It took me forever to get her to sleep.”
    “I promise I won’t wake her.”  Leo reassured her before he kissed her again then headed out of the room.

    When Leo approached the door to the spare room Madeleine was in, he slowly pushed it open then tip toed inside and over to the bed.  He watched her with a smile for a second before he leaned down and kissed her softly as she rolled from her side to her back with a deep sigh.
    Leo froze as she moved again then opened her eyes and looked up at him.
    “Dada!”  she grinned as she sat up.  “Pway?”
    “No sweetheart it’s naptime.  We’ll play later, okay?”  he smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck.  “No baby, you have to go back to sleep.”  he told her as he gently loosened her arms from around him.  “Daddy loves you.”  he replied as he laid her back down and she scowled.
    “Pway!”  she insisted and he shook his head.
    Not liking that answer, Madeleine began to kick him.
    “Hey.”  he said sternly.  “There’s no need for that.”
    “Wasn’t going to wake her, huh?”  Stephanie shook her head from the doorway as she folded her arms over her chest.  “I knew you were lying.  Probably had your fingers crossed.”
    “I did not.  I swear it was an accident.”
    She just stared at him before she turned and walked back down the hall, mumbling how men never listened to anything.
    Leo glanced down at his daughter and made a face.  “Why did you have to make me look bad in front of her?”
    The little girl giggled as Leo laid down next to her.  “Okay, time to go back to sleep.”  he said as he closed his eyes.
    When he was sure she was once again sound asleep, he got up quietly then left the room, leaving the door cracked.

    Jason and Stephanie looked up as he walked into the kitchen a few minutes later.
    “How did you do?”  she smiled and handed him his sandwich and open beer.
    He eyed her as he picked up the bottle and took a sip.
    “Why must you patronize me?”
    “I’m not.”  she smiled.  “I think it’s cute, actually.”
    Leo rolled his eyes as he took a bite of his sandwich.  “So how long do I have to look at you anyway?  When is your lunch break over?”
    “Marty gave us the rest of the day off.”
    “Lucky me.”  she pretended to look disgusted and Leo slid his arms around her.  “I guess Amanda and Justin could always entertain me.”
    “Hey!”  Jason nudged her and she laughed.  “You too.”
    “They’re coming over?”
    Stephanie nodded.
    “To eat spaghetti.”
    “That you’re cooking?”  Leo paused.  “Better let me handle that babe.  We want to keep Mandi and Justin coming around, don’t we?”
    Stephanie narrowed her eyes.
    “What are you saying?”
    “Face it sweetheart.  You can’t cook.  Your noodles are even rubbery.”  he replied as she let out a huff and hit his arm.
    “How long have you been keeping that from me?”
    “Well…for a while.  I didn’t want to hurt your feelings but when you started to criticize my parenting skills, being nice went out the window.”
    Stephanie ignored him as she picked up her phone and dialed Amanda’s number to tell her that she and Justin could come whenever they wanted to.
    “Okay, that’s fine.”  Amanda smiled.  “We’ll see you guys in a little bit.”
    They said bye and Stephanie hung up as Leo finished his sandwich.
    “That was good Steph.  Thanks.”
    “Oh, so my sandwiches aren’t crap but everything else I make is?”
    “I think he just means you shouldn’t cook with ingredients or…”  Jason stopped as she glared at him.
    “Don’t side with him he’s the enemy!”
    “I was just trying to clarify everything.”
    “Well, stop.  It just makes him gloat more.”
    Leo looked at them with a satisfied smirk and Stephanie rolled her eyes then walked from the kitchen.

    An hour and half later, there was a cry from upstairs and Stephanie got up from her spot on the couch to go down the hall.  After realizing Leo was nowhere to be seen, she shook her head as she continued on her way.  “Probably outside smoking.”  she mumbled as she reached the guest bedroom and opened the door.  “I wish he’d quit that.  Nasty habit.  Hey, sweetheart.”  she smiled at Madeleine, who was slowly waking up.  “Did you have a nice nap?”  Stephanie asked as she walked over to the bed as the little girl rubbed her eyes and looked around.  “Your daddy’s here somewhere.”  Stephanie grinned as Madeleine’s eyes lit up and she began to clap her hands excitedly.  “Let’s get your diaper changed first then I’ll take you to him.  How’s that?”  Stephanie smiled and stood up to get one.

    As she was carrying Madeleine downstairs a few minutes later, there was a knock at the front door.  “It isn’t locked Leo.”  Stephanie laughed as she walked over and pulled it open.  “Oh hey, guys.”  she smiled when she saw Amanda and Justin.  “I thought you were Leo wanting in.”
    “Nope sorry.”  Amanda replied as they walked inside.
    Stephanie glanced out and saw him off to the side puffing away.  “You get ashes on the sidewalk you’ll be sweeping them up.”  she teased in a mock warning tone.  “I am not your mother.”
    That made Leo laugh.
    “I’m not scared of you.”
    Stephanie gave him a look which only made him laugh harder.  “That helped.  Now I’m really terrified.”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    “Well, if you need us, Madeleine and I will be in  the living room.
    “See you in a minute baby.”  he winked and Stephanie’s breath caught in her throat.  Even after years of dating he still always managed to unnerve her with the littlest things.
    “Bye-bye.”  Madeleine waved and Leo blew her a kiss.
    “Bye sweetheart.”  he smiled as Stephanie shut the door then headed back to where Amanda, Justin and Jason were talking in the living room.

Chapter Fifteen

    “What are you watching?”  Stephanie asked as she sat down then settled Madeleine on her lap.
    Justin and Jason didn’t say anything so Stephanie looked at Amanda.
    “ESPN.”
    She rolled her eyes.
    “Good lord.  I hate that channel.”
    Amana laughed.
    “I know how you feel but it makes them happy.”  she smiled and looked at Justin.
    “I guess it’s worth it then.”  Stephanie agreed as Leo walked into the room.
    “What’s worth it?”
    “Letting you watch ESPN because it makes you happy.”
    “It does.”  he nodded as he sat down beside her then reached for Madeleine.  “I don’t get to watch much TV.”
    “Amen.”  Justin nodded and the two women rolled their eyes.
    “You two choose to be as busy as you are so excuse me if I don’t give you any sympathy.”
    “She’s right.”  Stephanie replied.  “If you stayed gone any longer I’d forget what you looked like.”
    Now it was Jason who rolled his eyes.
    “Over dramatic, don’t you think Steph?”
    “When do you guys want to eat?”  Stephanie asked, hoping to change the subject.
    “Oh yeah.  I better get started on the sauce since Stephanie’s been banned from cooking.”  Leo replied as he stood up.
    “You’re not funny.”  Stephanie gave him a look.  “That was mean.”
    “Aww.”  Leo smiled and kissed her softly.  “I’m sorry.  Would you watch Maddy for me?”
    “I guess since you did apologize.”  Stephanie smiled and he turned towards the kitchen.
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “You guys can come keep me company if you want.”  he called over his shoulder.
    “So he finally admitted what a horrible cook you are?”  Amanda laughed and Stephanie glared at her.
    “Did you say anything?  He just randomly said that to me.”
    “Hmmm…”  Amanda said as they walked into the kitchen where Leo was getting everything he needed.
    Stephanie glanced at Justin.
    “What is she not telling me?”
    He held up his hands.
    “I know nothing.”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes but kept quiet as Jason asked Leo if there was anything he could do to help.
    “Hey!  You think MY overcooked noodles are bad?  HE blew up a microwave!”  Stephanie blurted out as Leo handed over a medium sized onion.
    “I think he can handle chopping an onion.”  Leo smiled as he turned on an eye on the stove to start browning the hamburger and Jason grinned at her.  “Can you grab the bacon from the refrigerator, please?”
    “Bacon?  In spaghetti sauce?”
    Stephanie made a face.  “What else is in it?”
    “The usual plus five cloves of garlic.  Oma likes it with a lot of garlic.”
    “I like garlic too but FIVE cloves?”
    “I guess you guys won’t be kissing that much tonight then.”  Justin laughed.
    “Don’t you know that if both people eat garlic they cancel each other out…or something like that.”  Stephanie replied as she shifted Madeleine to her other hip.
    “So you’ll be making out in front of us?  I didn’t know it was THAT kind of party!”  Jason grinned and Amanda rolled her eyes.
    “I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way.”
    “I didn’t.”  Stephanie said as her phone rang from her purse.
    Leo glanced up at the sound then went back to mincing the cloves of garlic as she walked from the kitchen and down  the hall to her room.
    After she shut the door, she flipped her phone open.
    “Hey, I thought you had decided not to come or something.”
    “My plane was delayed but I should be there in…two hours.”  Kate Winslet smiled from the other end with her thick British accent.  “How’s he doing?”
    “Leo’s taking to fatherhood really, really well.  It’s kind of scary.  I hated to ask you to come all the way out here but I didn’t know what else to do.  I figured seeing you would be good for him.”
    “I’d do anything for Leo, day or night.  Don’t worry about it.”  Kate smiled as her flight was announced and she got to her feet then reached for her son, Joe’s, hand.  “That’s us Mia.”
    “Are we going to see Uncle Leo?”  the little girl exclaimed as she jumped up from the hard plastic chair she had been sitting in.
    “Yes we are.”  her mother laughed as they started for their gate.  “I’ll call you when we land Steph.”
    “Have a safe flight.”  Stephanie smiled before she hung up then made a face at Madeleine.  “Can you keep a secret?”  she whispered and the little girl just stared at her.  “Your daddy’s best friend Kate and her kids are coming but it’s a surprise so shh.” 
    “Shh.”  Madeleine repeated and put her finger to her lips.
    “That’s right.  We can’t tell him.”  Stephanie replied as she slid her phone into her pocket before she headed back towards the kitchen.

****

    “Taste this.”  Leo instructed when she returned to the kitchen a few minutes later.
    Stephanie eyed the wooden spoon he held out warily.  “It’s really good I promise.”  he laughed at her hesitation.
    “I just hope Madeleine isn’t a vegetarian.”  Stephanie laughed as she walked over and he placed the spoon to her lips.
    “Wow…that’s really good!”
    “Told you.”  he smirked.  “Bacon is her secret but don’t tell her I told you otherwise she’ll kill me.”
    “I’ll be sure to relay the information.”  Amanda said as everyone got up to get their plates as Leo drained the noodles.
    “Lucky for him you don’t know her.”  Stephanie laughed and sat Madeleine down so she could get the bread from the oven.
    “Daddy!   Daddy!  Daddy!”  she squealed and ran over to him.
    “What?  What?  What?”  he responded with just as much as enthusiasm while grinning down at her.  “You hungry sweetheart?”
    She nodded vigorously as if she had understood him and that made him smile even more as he leaned down and scooped her up.  “Will you let Mandi hold you while I get you some food?”  he asked as he kissed her forehead.
    Madeleine looked over at Amanda who was smiling at her as she held her arms out and Leo handed her over so he could finish what he was doing.
    “Who was that on the phone Steph?”  he asked as he put some spaghetti into one of the little girl’s brightly colored plastic bowls.
    When she didn’t answer right away, he looked in her direction.
    “Ivana.  She said she might be here before the weekend.”
    He nodded and set the bowl down as Amanda walked over to the table.
    Everyone became quiet as they sat down and started eating.
    “How much longer do you guys have off?”  Stephanie asked Jason, breaking the silence.
    “We have a radio interview on the eighteenth.”  he answered as he twirled a mound of spaghetti onto his fork then took a bite.  “I think it’s with Ryan Seacrest but I’m not sure.”
    She nodded and took a bite of her salad. 
    “I can’t believe we forgot about the bread.”
    “Or dessert.”  Justin spoke up.  “If you have the stuff for cobbler Steph I can make that.”
    “That sounds really good.  I’ll head to the store after I finish eating.”
    “I’ll just call Cynthia so you don’t have to do all that babe.”  Leo told her.
    “I can just go myself.  I don’t care to.”
    “Are you sure?”
    She nodded.
    “Does anyone want anything while I’m out?  I know you want another pack of cigarettes Leo, although I have no idea why I’m supporting your habit.”
    He laughed lightly as he fed Madeleine another bite while making airplane noises.
    Stephanie watched him, trying not to giggle.  Most people would look beyond ridiculous doing something so stupid, but not Leo.
    He stopped when he saw her watching.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”  she smiled and took a sip of her drink as they went back to eating quietly.

    Stephanie returned from the store a little while later and carried everything into the kitchen with Jason’s help.
    “I wonder where they are?”
    He shrugged.
    “Maybe the living room?”
    “Probably watching ESPN.”  she scoffed.
    “You’re so not funny.”  he shook his head as they started to put stuff away.

    When they were finished, they walked into the living room to find Justin and Amanda sitting on the couch.
    “Is Leo putting Madeleine to bed?”  Stephanie asked and Justin nodded as he stood up, his eyes still on the screen.
    “You can wait until the game is over.”  Amanda laughed as Stephanie walked down the hall where Leo was.
    She smiled from the doorway; his back was to her and he was swaying back and forth while he stared out the window.  Stephanie snuck up behind him and slid her arms around his waist.
    “That works better in a rocking chair.”  she whispered in his ear with a grin.  “The effort is cute though.”
    “Stephanie’s making fun of me Maddy.”  he grumbled with a scowl.
    “Awww I am not.”  she smiled and kissed the back of his neck.  “It actually turns me on.”
    “Anything turns you on.”  he laughed and kissed the little girl then placed her on the bed before he surrounded her with pillows.  “Goodnight sweetheart.”  he mumbled and Stephanie smiled.
    “You’re great with her.”
    “Yeah okay.”  he rolled his eyes as his cheeks turned a bright shade of red.
    He was thankful that the only light in the room came from a small lamp by the bed so she didn’t notice.  “What are you going to do about all of this?”  he gestured around him.  “You are moving back in with me, aren’t you?”
    Stephanie nodded and looked at him.
    “I’m sorry about everything.”  she sighed as he turned to face her.
    “You don’t have anything to be sorry for baby.  If anyone should apologize it should be me.  You did have a right to know, but you getting pissed and thinking I cheated on you?  Come on.”
    “I know, I know.  I was just scared you would want to get back with Gisele.”  she said quietly as tears filled her eyes
    Leo frowned and pulled her against him.
    “I’m sorry I put you through all that.”
    She nodded as he wiped way her tears.
    “We better go so we don’t wake Maddy.”  she slipped her fingers through his and led him from the room.

****

    “This cobbler looks really good J.”  Amanda smiled as she scooped some into a bowl along with some vanilla ice cream.
    “I bet you had to wrestle your granny to the ground for the recipe.”  Stephanie joked from where she stood in line to get hers.
    “Nah.  She just handed it over.”
    “Or you used your charm to get it.”
    “Sadie’s pretty much wise to his game…most of the time anyway.”  Amanda laughed.
    “Are you kidding me?  I’ve got her wrapped around my pinkie, just like you.”
    Amanda eyed him as Stephanie’s phone rang.
    She shook her head as they continued their argument and ducked when a handful of flour sailed in her direction.
    “You make a mess you clean it up.”  she warned as she headed for her room then closed the door.  “Hello?”  she whispered into the phone.
    “I just landed at LAX.  Does Leo know I’m here?”
    “No, so I have to figure out how I’m going to leave…let me call you back in a few minutes, okay?”
    “Okay.”  Kate yawned and Stephanie hung up and immediately dialed her friend, Mandy Moore’s number. 
    Meeting her had been the idea of Adrian Grenier and Kevin Connolly’s the minute they found out she was a fan and since she had worked on their show, Entourage, Stephanie was introduced to her.  As it turned out they got along great and started hanging out whenever they were free.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, Mandy.  What’s up?”
    “Steph!  I haven’t had a chance to talk to you in a few days.  How are you?”
    “I’m…Listen, can we meet somewhere?  I have to talk to you about something.”
    “Sure.  Everything’s okay though, right?”
    “I don’t want to get into it over the phone.”
    Hearing that sent alarm bells off in Mandy’s head and she got up from where she had been laying on the couch watching a movie.
    “How about we meet at the Ivy then?”  she asked as she bent down to put her shoes on.
    “Well, I have to get Kate Winslet from airport so can I just pick you up?”
    “Sure.”  Mandy nodded then sat back down, even more curious now than before.
    “Thanks.”  Stephanie smiled.  “See you in a few minutes.”  she said as she hung up then dialed Kate’s number again.

    Stephanie was quiet as Jason turned his black Escalade up onto the Sunset Strip.
    “Okay, where to now?”  he asked and she tore her eyes from the passing scenery outside the window to look at him. 
    “Turn left.  Her house isn’t much further.”
    Jason drove as he was instructed and a few minutes later he was pulling up a long winding driveway.  He glanced over at her again as she checked the time on the dashboard.
    Neither of them said anything as Mandy walked out and got in.
    “What’s going on?  I’m freaking out here.”
    “Turns out Leo’s a daddy.”  Stephanie said bluntly and Mandy’s mouth dropped.
    “What the fuck?  Say that again.”
    “Please don’t make me.  It was hard enough the first time.”
    Mandy sat back and let that sink in as Jason drove down her driveway to the main road then turned in the direction of the airport.

    By the time they met Kate at baggage claim, Stephanie was completely silent as her mind continued to replay what she had been living for a week even though it felt like years.  “It doesn’t bother me anymore that he didn’t tell me, what gets to me now is not only did Gisele not confide in me as a friend, but she abandoned her child.  I could never do that.”  Stephanie replied as they weaved through the crowd towards the exit.
    “The whole thing just shocks me.”  Kate spoke up while she adjusted Mia and Joe, who were both asleep, in her arms.
    “Did you already know?”  Stephanie asked her and Kate paused, unsure how to answer.  “It’s okay.  I won’t go all Freddy Kreuger on you if you say yes.”
    “I didn’t mean to mislead you, I just didn’t think I should be the one to tell you.  I felt torn because I wanted to tell you, but I also felt like I needed to be loyal to Leo.”
    “I respect that.”  Stephanie smiled.  “I don’t blame you.  I mostly blame myself for getting so worked up.”
    “He hurt you.”  Mandy explained as Jason opened the door and they stepped out into the cool night air and started towards his SUV.
    “I overreacted.”  Stephanie shook her head as they crossed the parking lot.
    “But you had a right to know.  Him hiding it makes it seem like he was ashamed or something.”
    “He wasn’t.”  Kate spoke up.  “He just didn’t want his daughter thrust into the spotlight and as far as Steph goes, he wasn’t sure how to tell her.”  Kate glanced over at the slender blonde.  “He wanted to; he was just afraid.”
    Stephanie thought about that the rest of the way back to her apartment as Kate and Mandy fell into a quiet conversation about one of Mandy’s favorite movies, Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  She knew Kate was right; she just wish she hadn’t been the one in the dark about the miniture version of Leo asleep in her guest room.

    When they pulled into her apartment complex an hour later, Stephanie was glad to see Justin’s BMW still parked in its spot.  She felt bad for ditching them. 
    “I should have sent Leo on a ‘secret mission’ to get you from the airport Kate.  I felt bad about leaving Amanda and Justin alone, but just seeing the look on his face when we walk in will be worth it.”
    Kate grinned as she got out and Stephanie helped her get Mia and Joe from the car.
    “The kids tried as long as they could to stay up so they could see him, but fell asleep right before we were ready to land.”
    “Aww.”  Stephanie smiled as they walked towards her door.  “Jason, Mandy, we’ll go in first then you follow us, Kate.”
    She nodded as the door opened and they headed inside.  “Is there any cobbler left?”  Stephanie called as she dropped her keys on the hall table by the door.
    “Yeah, but you better hurry.  Justin’s already eyeing the last few pieces.”  Leo laughed as Stephanie eased the front door open and ushered Kate inside.
    “There’s still half the pan left man.  Stop lying.”  Justin retorted and Kate started to giggle quietly.
    “Yeah, but you…”
    “Hey, Leo, could you help me bring something in from the car?”
    “Sure baby, what is it?”  he asked and they heard his footsteps coming down the hall.
    Stephanie kept quiet as he came closer.  “What did you need me to…KATE!  What are you doing here?”  he looked between her and Stephanie, who just stood there smiling at him. 
    “Surprise!”  Kate grinned.  “Steph thought you seemed a little down and asked me to come for a visit.”
    Leo glanced over at her then smiled.
“Thank you.”
    Stephanie slid an arm around his waist then kissed his cheek.
    “Anytime.”  she smiled and he kissed her softly.  “Go get some cobbler before J eats it all.”
    “I heard that!  This apartment isn’t that big you know.”
    Leo laughed.
    “Ooops.”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    “Come on Kate.  You can put Mia and Joe in with Maddy and take my bed.”
    “No.”  she shook her head as Stephanie led her towards the guest bedroom.  “I can’t take your bed.”
    “Well, I’m not letting you take the floor.”  Stephanie insisted.
    “So um….how is he?”   
    “He’s handling this whole thing better than I would be.  I guess that’s because he’s known about her all along and this isn’t some huge surprise for him.”
    “When he first told me I thought I was hearing things.  I mean, Leonardo DiCaprio getting someone pregnant?  I almost didn’t believe it.  Not that I thought he never would…”
    “Yeah I know.”  Stephanie nodded as she pushed open the door to the bedroom and they walked into the dark room and she went to turn on the lamp by the bed.
    “Wow…she’s beautiful.  I never got a chance to see her.”  Kate whispered as she laid Joe down then Mia while Stephanie gently scooted Madeleine over to make room.  “She really looks like him.”
    “Let’s just hope she doesn’t inherit my big feet.”  a voice said from the doorway and they turned towards the sound.  “No female should ever be cursed with feet that look like boats.”  Leo smiled as he walked over to the bed.  “She is cute though.”
    “Hard to believe she’s yours.”  Kate joked as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
    “Haha.”  he smirked and Stephanie smiled as she quietly slipped from the room to give them a chance to talk.
    Both Kate and Leo were quiet as they tucked the kids in then tip toed from the room. 
    “Never thought we’d be doing that together.”  she grabbed his left hand.  “Nope, I don’t see a ring.  Good then we didn’t elope to Vegas.”
    “How would that even be possible?  You’re married.”
    She laughed.
    “You’re okay though, seriously?”
    “Why does everyone keep asking me that?  Yes, I’m okay.”  he insisted as they walked down the hall to the kitchen.  “How are things with you?  How’s Romance and Cigarettes going?”
    Kate didn’t answer him and he nudged her gently.
    “We’re finished shooting but it’s delayed in distribution.  Don’t change the subject Leo.  You might be able to hide how you’re really feeling from everyone else but you can’t fool me.”
    Leo sighed and glanced down at his feet.
    “Okay, okay.  But if you say anything to anyone I’ll deny it up one side and down the other.”
    “Yeah wouldn’t want to destroy your ego or anything.”  she rolled her eyes as he opened the refrigerator and took out what was left of the peach cobbler.
    “Want some?”  he asked.
    “Yeah sure.”  she nodded.
    “A la mode?”
    “No thanks.”
    “Oh come on.  You can’t have peach cobbler without…”
    “Leo, quit stalling!”
    He didn’t respond as he spooned some of the food into bowls then placed them in the microwave.
    “You want the truth?”
    “That would be nice, yes.”
    “I’m terrified Kate.”  he mumbled.  “I’m only thirty-one; I’m hardly around any kids.  How the hell can I take care of a kid on my own?  Sure I have money to burn and I can provide for her, but other than buying her stuff HOW do I do that?”
    “With love.  That all children want from their parents aside from the essentials.” 
    “What if that isn’t good enough?”  he asked as he removed the bowls and slid hers over to her as he topped his with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream.
    “Trust me.  It will be.”  Kate smiled and took a bite.  “This is really good.  Who made it?”
    “Justin.  I never knew he could bake.  Dude’s just full of surprises.”
    Leo took a bite then swallowed.
    “You said you had more than enough money to take care of her, but sometimes money isn’t what they need.”
    “That right there is what I’m worried about.  What if I’m not what she needs emotionally?”
    “Do you live in What Ifville twenty-four seven?  Stop being so hard on yourself.”
    Leo sighed and shoved another spoonful of cobbler into his mouth.
    “I guess you’re right.”  he mumbled.
    Kate watched him quietly as he continued to eat, wishing she had the answers he was looking for.

Chapter Sixteen

    Kate finally decided to veer from the topic of Madeleine for a while.
    “You’re in the process of starting a new movie, huh?”
    He nodded as he took his bowl and spoon to the sink to wash them.
    “Yeah, but we haven’t really started anything yet.  Not all of the characters have been cast and we’re still looking into locations.  Hopefully we’ll be able to start the table reading by next week but I don’t know.”  Leo paused as he poured himself a glass of milk then took a drink.  “How long are you guys staying?”
    “Probably until Friday.“  she replied as she took a bite of her cobbler.
    “Want me to make a pot of coffee?”  Leo asked as he stood up.
    “Don’t go to any trouble.”  Kate shook her head.  “Unless you want some yourself.”
    “I don’t mind.  Just let me go ask Steph where the coffee maker is.”  he smiled as he walked out of the kitchen then towards the living room where she was.  “Hey, Steph.  You have a coffee maker, don’t you?”
    “Yeah but it’s still in the box.”
    “Why haven’t you taken it out yet?”  Justin laughed.
    “She just uses it to make tea.”  Leo explained. 
    “I hate coffee.”  Stephanie added as she got to her feet.  “You guys want a cup?  I know he and Kate can’t drink an entire pot…well, I know Kate can’t.”  she giggled as she passed him and he made a face.
    “I like caffeine.  What’s wrong with that?”
    “Nothing if you’re responsible about it.  You, on the other hand, can down half a pot in thirty minutes.”
    “Yeah…okay.”  he rolled his eyes.  “Just come with me and show me where it is.”
    Stephanie saluted him with a giggle then flipped him off behind his back.
    “You want a cup Jason?”  she asked as he got to his feet then checked his watch. 
    “Can I rain check it for tomorrow?  I should probably be getting home.”
    “Sure.  Tell Braedan I said to come with you tomorrow.”
    He nodded as he walked towards the hallway that led to the front door.
    “I will.  You guys have a good night.”  Jason waved as he started down the hall.
    “Bye.”  Amanda, Justin, Stephanie and Leo said.
    Stephanie led Leo into back into the kitchen as Kate looked up.
    “I told him not to go to any trouble.”
    “You know Leo.  He’s not one for listening very well.”  Stephanie laughed as she got the coffee maker out and plugged it up.  “There you go.  Think you can handle it from there?”   Stephanie smiled and patted his back before she glanced at Kate.  “He would be lost without me.”
    “Thanks for the help Steph.”  Leo kissed her cheek.  “Want me to make you some hot chocolate?”
    “Sure.”  she smiled and sat down at the table as he went to the refrigerator to get the milk then strolled over to a cabinet to get a package of instant coco.

****

    A few hours and a pot of coffee later, Amanda and Justin were gone and Stephanie, Kate and Leo were getting ready for bed.
    Kate still insisted on taking the couch, but Stephanie reassured her that she and Leo would be fine sleeping in the living room.
    “We’ll switch tomorrow night.”  Leo suggested  as he grabbed a few pillows and a pile of blankets from Stephanie’s room.  “I’m so exhausted even the floor sounds good right about now.”  Leo yawned and began undoing his jeans.  “Night Kate.”  he said as they walked to the door.
    “Night guys.”  she smiled before she closed the door.

    Neither of them spoke as they spread the blankets out onto the floor then turned out the lights and climbed into the makeshift bed.
    Stephanie snuggled closer to him as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer.
    “In case I haven’t thanked you yet for asking Kate to come out here, thank you.”  he mumbled as she ran her nails up and down his bare chest lightly.
    “You’re welcome.  I thought it would be a nice surprise.”
    “I don’t want you to think I’d rather talk to her about this than you though.  Believe me, it wasn’t any easier.  I guess I haven’t gotten it all straightened out in my head yet.”
    “It’s okay.”  he smiled as she kissed his mouth softly and he parted his lips in eager anticipation.
    Stephanie pulled back a second later, unsure that they should even be doing what she knew he wanted so badly to take place, but one look into his sea colored eyes quickly changed her mind and she returned the kiss with a vengeance.
    “For a minute there I thought you didn’t want me.”  he teased as she climbed on top of him then ran her nails over his bare skin.
    “You’re crazy if you think that.”  she rolled her eyes as his hands started to wander up and down her hips slowly.  “I’ve been in love with you for nine years.  Why in the world would I find you unattractive now?”
    “I was twenty-two then.”  he gasped.
    “So?  I was seventeen.”
    “Most people call that jailbait, honey.”
    “You wouldn’t have dated me anyway?”  she asked as she leaned down and sucked on his ear lobe gently.
    “You seem to forget the word ‘jail’ in that phrase.  Would you have really wanted to see me do twenty to life for defiling you of your virginity?”
    Stephanie just laughed as she kissed his mouth again softly.
    “You’re so cute when you’re serious.”
    Leo grinned and slipped his tongue inside her mouth as his hands found their way to the elastic of her pajama bottoms.
    “Well, then let me show you how serious I can be.”  he mumbled as he pulled her pants down then slid his hand in between her legs.
    Stephanie groaned loudly as she begged for his hand to move even further up.  “Wouldn’t you rather my mouth be there instead…or my dick?”
    She sighed as his lips found their way to her neck.
    “I want you…”
    “Oh really?”  Leo grinned as he settled her on top of him and she placed his hands on his bare chest then slid them down to his chiseled abs.
    “Yes and I’ll do anything you want.”  she smiled as she leaned down and nibbled on his ear.  “Just name it.”
    “Well…you’re off to a pretty good start.”  he sighed as she began to move her hips up and down slowly.  “Mmm…”  Leo moaned and reached up to remove her pajama top, where he then proceeded to massage her breasts.
    “That feels good.”  she mumbled and leaned down to run the tip of her tongue across his lips.
    He smiled as he rolled them over until he was on top and thrusting in and out of her rapidly, feeling her walls close around him tightly.  He could sense she was nearing her climax by the death grip her teeth had taken to the flesh of his shoulder blade.
    When she begged for him to go faster, he complied until the only thing that could be heard between them were low groans and panting.  “Oh my God that was amazing.”  Stephanie gasped as she collapsed against him and he kissed her sweat drenched forehead.
    “I love you.”
    “I know.”  she whispered as his arms tightened around her securely.
    “Night baby.”
    “Night Leo.”

    Stephanie awoke a few hours later to the feeling of something hard against her back.  She and Leo had fell asleep spooning each other so she knew what the sensation was and she struggled to roll over in his arms as her hand found its way to his swollen erection and she began to rub it while he moaned.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Hey, you woke ME up first.”  she grinned as she rubbed faster.  “So I was thinking…”
    He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.
    “Oh yeah?  About what?”
    Stephanie just grinned again and kissed him softly as he smiled.
    “You really expect me to be able to think right now with you doing what you’re doing?”
    “You started it.”  Stephanie laughed lightly.
    “No, I didn’t.  I was asleep.”  he protested as she laughed again.
    He smiled up at her as he ran his hands down her hips.
    “Maybe tomorrow…”
    Before she could finish, an ear shattering scream erupted from where the kids were.
    Leo immediately jumped to his feet and grabbed his boxers when he realized it was Madeleine crying for Gisele.
    “What’s wrong?”  Stephanie asked as he ran down the hall towards the guest room and she followed to see if he needed help, but stood in the doorway so it wouldn’t look like she was intruding.
    “Hey, hey.  It’s okay sweetheart.”  he mumbled as he walked over to the little girl who was crying so hard she was gasping for air.  “Shhh.”  he whispered as he pulled her to him and her tiny body clung to him while it trembled with her loud sobs.
    “MA-MAAAAAAAA!”
    “I know, baby.  I know.”  Leo replied in a soft voice as he rubbed the back of her head in an effort to calm her down.
    “What’s wrong with her?”  Stephanie frowned.
    “I don’t know.”  Leo murmured as he rocked back and forth gently while he whispered soothingly into the little girl’s ear.  “She’s been doing this ever since I’ve had her.  Every night.”
    Stephanie shook her head sadly.
    “She misses Gisele, but in time she’ll get to where she won’t wake up like this anymore.”
    “I hope so.”  Leo sighed softly then looked down at his daughter.  “Let’s take her into the living room so they don’t wake up.”  he motioned to the two other children who were still asleep on the bed as he got to his feet.
    Stephanie nodded and followed him from the room.

****

    The next morning, Stephanie woke up to the smell of waffles, bacon, and eggs.  Thinking Kate was cooking breakfast, she reached out for Leo, intending to go back to sleep for awhile longer, but he wasn’t beside her.  She sat up confused and rubbed her eyes as he padded bare foot into the living room dressed in a pair of sweat pants.  “Hey, sleepy head.”  he smiled as he walked over and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
    “When did Maddy finally go back to sleep?”  she stifled a yawn as she peered up at him.
    “An hour later.”  he watched as she tossed back the comforter they had used then walked with him hand in hand to the kitchen.
    “Smells good in here.  I had no idea you could cook since I always have to.”
    He laughed and went over to the stove with her only steps behind him.
    “Any reason why you’ve suddenly become my shadow?”  he teased with a grin.
    “You’re hot and I love staring at your half naked self.”  she simply shrugged and watched his hand as it nonchalantly played with the waist band of his sweats.
    “Well, it would only take me a split second to become totally naked if that’s what you really want.”  he grinned and she hopped up onto the Formica counter next to him.
    Stephanie pretended to think that over as she jumped down, intending on giving him a hand.
    “No, no.  Go sit down babe.”  he waved her away with his hand and she scowled.
    “I just want to help.”  she protested while she planted a kiss on his cheek.
    “I know but you don’t have to.”
    Stephanie shrugged then walked over to the table and sat down.
    “What time is it anyway?”
    Leo glanced at the digital clock that glowed with large green digits.
    “After nine.”
    “What time do you have to go in today?”
    “I don’t so I’m going to spend time looking for pediatricians in the phone book and the internet.”
    She watched as he slid the spatula under the pancake to flip it then poured more batter into the other side of the hot skillet.
    “How many do you want?”
    “I’m not really all that hungry.  Thanks though.”
    “But I put chocolate chips in them.”  he pouted as he went to get a serving bowl to put the scrambled eggs in.
    “Well, since you went to all that trouble I will take one.”
    Leo grinned and placed one on a plate for her as they heard the sound of shuffling feet coming down the hall.
    “ ‘Morning Uncle Leo.”  Mia mumbled sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.
    He turned to smile at her.
    “Good morning sweetheart.  Want some breakfast?  I made chocolate chip pancakes.”
    “He burned them.  You don’t want those yucky things.”  Stephanie made a face as Leo shook his head. 
    “I did not.  Don’t listen to her.  She lies.”
    “I’m kidding honey.”  Stephanie smiled.  “They’re fine, a little dry, but otherwise fine.”  she started to laugh as Leo shot her a dirty look.  “No, really.  They’re good.”
    He smiled as he carried the food over to the table and Mia sat down.
    “How’s school?  You got a boyfriend yet?”
    The little girl made a face, as if just the mere thought was too horrible to think about.
    “No Uncle Leo.  Boys are yucky!”
    “But I’m a boy.”  he frowned  “Am I yucky?”
    “Yes extremely.”  Kate chimed as she walked in with Joe on her hip.  “I love how you think of yourself as a boy.  Good call.”
    Leo ignored her and turned his attention to the little boy.
    “My main man Joe!  Would you like a pancake, buddy?”
    He nodded as Kate and Stephanie looked at each other before they burst out laughing.
    Leo shot them a confused look.
    “What?”
    “You really showed your age there.”  Stephanie giggled.  “ ‘My main man’?”
    He rolled his eyes as Kate took a seat at the table beside Mia then settled Joe in her lap.
    “I’m glad I can serve to amuse you two.”  Leo said as he brought Joe’s pancake over along with the syrup.  He then proceeded to draw a happy face on each of them.
    “Impeccable sketch of a smiley face.”  Kate gave him a thumbs up, trying not to laugh.
    “Are you mocking me?”
    “Oh no…not at all.”  Kate declared as she gulped back the giggle that was rising in her throat.
    She cleared it then set to work on cutting up Mia and Joe’s food for them.
    “What do you guys say to Uncle Leo for making breakfast?”  she prompted her children and that thanked him.
    “You’re both more than welcome.”  he grinned at them with a quick wink as Madeleine called for him from the guest room.
    Stephanie, who was finishing the last of her food, got up to put her dishes in the sink.
    “Want me to make her a pancake?”  she offered as he headed for the doorway.
    “I’d appreciate that Steph.”  he smiled as he walked out.

    Leo walked down the hall and entered the room to find his daughter sitting up and rubbing her eyes sleepily.
    “Good morning honey.”  he said softly as he walked over to her and scooped her up, finding out quickly that she needed to be changed.  “Let’s get you dressed then you can have some breakfast.  Do pancakes sound good?”
    “Pancase!”  the little girl exclaimed and he nodded in agreement.
    “Seems to be a favorite on the menu today.”  he told her as he carried her out of the room.

    They returned to the kitchen a few minutes later and Leo placed Madeleine in her high chair as Stephanie set her food in front of her.  “Aright let’s get you some syrup on there!”  Leo said with a little too much enthusiasm as he grabbed a knife and fork and the bottle.
    “I’d go sparingly with that or not give her any of it unless you want her to experience a sugar high.”  Kate cautioned and he looked over at her.
    “I’m sure it won’t be THAT  bad.”
    Kate shrugged as she took a bite of her eggs.
    “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    He rolled his eyes as he drizzled the sticky substance over the little girl’s food then gave her a forkful.
    “Mmm that’s good, huh?”
    “Daddy still doesn’t get that in a little while you’ll be bouncing off the walls.”  Kate grinned as she reached over and tickled Madeleine.
    “There you go with the dramatics again.  Why haven’t you won that Oscar yet?  The Academy has so unfairly looked you over for far too long.  It’s a shame really.”
    “Should that make me feel anything?”
    “I was thinking maybe blessed but if you’re going to get sarcastic…”
    “You want sarcasm?  I’ll show you sarcasm.”  she paused then picked up the syrup bottle.  “I’d like to thank the Academy and all the little people, yes, that means you, Leo.  I’ve always wanted something shaped like Mrs. Butterworth to put on my mantle.”
    By that point, Stephanie was cracking up.
    “That was good Kate.”  she giggled while Leo continued to feed Madeleine without saying a word to either of them.
    “Awww, did I hurt your feelings?”  Kate teased him and still he kept silent.
    She glanced at Stephanie.  “I think I really did.”
    “Nah I don’t think so.  If anything he’s just playing you.”   
    Leo glanced over at them.
    “Now I know why I’ve never won an Oscar.  I suck.”  he frowned as he hung his head and Mia gave her mother a look.
    “Stop being mean to Uncle Leo.”  she scolded.
    “I’m not really upset Mia.”  he reassured her, touched by her concern then glanced over at Stephanie and Kate smirking.  “Did that performance deserve an Oscar you guys?”
    “Maybe that’s why you’ve never won.”  Stephanie mumbled and he smacked her playfully.
    She just grinned as she leaned over and whispered in his ear.  “I love you.”

    A few hours later, when Stephanie walked into the living room, she found Leo sitting on the couch staring intently at the screen of her laptop.
    He looked up when he heard her enter,
    “Hey.”
    “Hey.  How’s the search going?”  she asked as she stretched out on the other end then propped her feet up on him.
    “I never realized there were so many pediatricians in this area.”  he sighed and rubbed his goatee.
    “Of course not.  You never needed to know until now.  Have you at least narrowed it down any?”
    “Well, I was going to go with this doctor named Jim Sears, but he’s too far.”
    “What areas are the closest?”
    “Santa Monica and West Hollywood I think but I guess I’ll just look in Santa Monica.”
    “What about her?”  Stephanie pointed halfway down the page he had clicked on.
    Leo moved closer to the screen for a better look.
    “Sienna Marcel.  This review says she is happy to answer any questions the parents may have.”
    “That’s good because I’m sure I’ll have a lot of them.”
    Stephanie laughed lightly.
    “I’m sure.  You know what I think would be a good idea?”
    Leo draped an arm across her shoulders then looked at her and smiled.
    “What’s that?”
    “You should take an infant CPR and parenting class.”
    “By myself?”  Leo made a face.  “Baby, I don’t think…”
    “No, no I’d take it with you.  Duh.”  she smiled and he thought about it.
    “That might not be a bad idea.  I could use the practice and everyone should be skilled in CPR.”
    “I’m surprised you agreed to it so quickly, although any good father would have.”
    “You think I’m a good father?”  he grinned.
    “I never doubted that Leo.  I only doubted myself…I think.  Anyway, your capability as a parent was never the issue.”
    “Don’t go getting all down on me.”  he frowned as he programmed the number of the doctor’s office into his phone. 
    “I’m not.  I just regret acting the way I did.  I treated Adrian like shit after I first found out not to mention you and…”
    “It’s okay Steph.”  Leo stopped her with a smile.  “We’re past all that remember?”
    “Why do I keep blaming myself then?”  she sighed and rested her head back against the couch and closed her eyes.
    “I don’t know honey.”  he said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.  “You really shouldn’t worry about it anymore.  It’ll just drive you crazy.”
    Stephanie sighed; she knew he was right.
    “Are you going to make that doctor’s appointment for Maddy today?”
    Leo nodded.
    “I’d like to, yeah.”
    “Want me to go with you?”   she asked as she leaned against him.
    “Of course.”  he smiled and kissed the side of her head before he dialed the number to Sienna Mancini’s office.
    “Hey, guys.”  Kate chirped as she walked in with Mia and Joe and Madeleine trailed behind.  “I’m going to take the kids to the park for a little while.  Is it okay if Madeleine comes along?”
    “Sure.”  Leo nodded.  “If I can get her an appointment today you can just meet me and Steph in Santa Monica.”
    Kate nodded as she picked the two younger children up.  “Sounds good to me. Who’s ready to go to the park?”
    Joe’s eyes lit up and he started chanting,
    “Park!  Park!”
    The three adults laughed as he started to jump up and down.
    “We’ll see you all later.”  Kate smiled as Leo walked over to give Madeleine a kiss.
    “You be a good girl for Kate, okay sweetheart?”  he smiled.
    She just looked at him then started to giggle as Kate ushered the children from the room.

    Leo glanced at Stephanie as the front door closed.
    “I’m going to call the doctor then we…”  he stopped as she got up and straddled his lap.  “What are you doing?”  he smiled as she undid his jeans then reached down to rub him through his boxers until she was satisfied with the stiffness.
    “Well, we are alone so I just thought…”
    He watched her quietly as she proceeded to remove their clothes.
    “At least now we won’t be interrupted.”
    “I know.  I could kiss Kate for suggesting she take the kids somewhere.”
    Leo raised his eyebrows at her with a smile.
    “You had something to do with that, didn’t you?”
    Stephanie shook her head.
    “That was pure coincidence.”
    “Maybe she could sense that we wanted to be alone.” 
    “And where would she have gotten that idea from me saying I was going to look for pediatricians?”
    She shrugged.
    “Anyone who knows us knows how much we enjoy sex.  That isn’t hard to figure out.”
    Leo laughed then nodded in agreement.
    Stephanie smiled and slid her arms around him in a hug.
    “I love you for more than just that though.”
    “I know Steph.”  he smiled and started to suck on her neck.
    She moaned and went faster as Leo ran his fingers through her hair.
    “Oh God Leo…”   she sighed as his hands slid up and down her spine lightly, while his mouth and tongue traced along her jaw line.
    “Feels good not to be interrupted huh?”  she mumbled and flashed him a wide grin as her hips moved up and down.
    He let out a moan in response, letting her know he was close. 
    Stephanie continued to slide up and down on his shaft rapidly, both of them moaning in ecstasy.
    “Come on baby, let it go.”  she whispered as he groaned into her shoulder.
    “You know, once we have a house full of kids alone time will get harder and harder to come by.”
    Stephanie smiled and kissed his neck.
    “A house full, huh?  How many would that be exactly?”
    “Twelve.”  Leo replied as he tried not to laugh and she shook her head.
    “You’re nuts if you think I’m having twelve kids.”
    “I don’t want that many.”  he laughed and kissed her mouth softly.
    “One or two children are fine, I could even go for three, but twelve?  I’m not up for creating a basketball team.”  she shook her head again as she reached for her clothes, his eyes on her.
    “What do you want to do later?”
    “What did you have in mind?”  she smiled as she sat down on his knee then leaned over and kissed his cheek.
    He shrugged.
    “Maybe get some dinner and just hang out here?”
    “Haven’t we been doing that?  You may be getting old but I’m still in my prime honey.”  Stephanie reminded him as she laid her head on his shoulder.
    “Is that supposed to be a joke?”  Leo pouted.  “Because if it is…”
    “Oh, go ahead and cry you big baby.”  she mocked him as she got up.  “Want some lunch?”
    “You don’t have to sweetheart.”
    “I don’t care, I’ll just have to go to the store first though.  Unless you want pizza.”
    “I can ask Cynthia to go.”
    “For pizza?  Damn you are lazy.  I’ll go.  You get that poor woman to do everything for you.  If she were a guy you’d probably ask her to piss when you didn’t feel like it.”
    “How would that even be…”  he started to say as she left the room.

    When she returned to the living room after changing her clothes, Leo was already off the phone.  “I made an appointment for later today.  It’s just a consultation type of thing though.  She said it’s best for us to meet before an actual visit.”
    “Well, at least Maddy won’t be freaked out by a shot or anything else that may traumatize her until next time.”
    “Shot?”  Leo frowned.
    He hadn’t thought about any of that.
    “Yes, a shot.  You know, those sharp things that sting that you had to get periodically as a kid?”
    Leo rolled his eyes then pulled her on top of him.
    “Want me to go with you to the store?”
    “What happened to forcing Cynthia to go?”
    “Can’t a guy change his mind?  Besides, I thought it might be fun.”
    Stephanie gave him a funny look.
    “You really don’t get out much, do you?”
    “There’s no reason to be a smartass.”
    “Just following your lead Old Man.”
    “Do you want me to go with you or not?”  he rolled his eyes and she laughed.
    “Yes.  Let’s go.”

    Stephanie quickly realized how fast the news had traveled when she and Leo fought paparazzi as they inched their way across the parking lot, cameras literally surrounding them.
    “Can we please get through?”  Leo shouted over the roar of questions as they continued towards Whole Foods’ double doors.
    “I didn’t know it was this bad.”  she mumbled as he picked up a few of \the reusable bags that were near the door.
    “I’d rather have to deal with them then have to listen to Ken again…no, wait.  Scratch that.”
    Stephanie leaned up and gave him a kiss.
    “I’m proud of you regardless of what they all think.”
    He smiled as they started towards the produce section, several girls on their heels.  “We have company.”  she whispered and he glanced behind him.  “It’s Leo Mania all over again.”
    “Haha.  Very funny.  Just ignore them.”
    She picked up a handful of strawberries while he tore off a plastic bag.  After they were dumped in then weighed, the couple grabbed a few more fruits and vegetables then headed for the snack food aisle.

    “I can’t believe that followed us through the entire store!”  Stephanie shook her head as she helped Leo load the groceries into the back of her car.
    “I expected it.”  Leo replied as he shut the trunk and they got in.  “All of America is in shock.”
    “Not to mention non English speaking countries.”  she added with a grin as he started the engine then pulled out of the parking lot.
    “You think you’re such a comedian, don’t you?”
    She nodded with another wide smile, this was their relationship; the teasing.
    He shook his head with a roll of his eyes.  His girlfriend was something
else.

Chapter Seventeen

    “We’re back!”  Kate called as she shut the front door behind her, two sleepy toddlers holding both of her hands while Mia trailed behind.
    “Did you guys have fun?”  Leo asked as they walked into the living room.
    “They had a blast, but these two are exhausted.”  Kate replied motioning towards the younger children.
    “Uncle Leo, Maddy ate sand!”  Mia giggled and he looked at Kate in amusement.
    “You let her eat sand?”
    “She tried to…I stopped her.”  she huffed defensively, which made him laugh.
    Kate responded with a roll of her eyes.  “Were you able to get an appointment?”
    “Yeah.  At three.”
    Stephanie checked her watch.
    “We still have an hour.”
    “Mommy, can we order a pizza for lunch?”  Mia asked as she tugged on her mother’s sleeve.
    “Sure, we can.  My treat.”  Leo smiled as he picked up his cell phone to call California Pizza Kitchen.

****

    The woman behind the sliding glass window of Dr. Sienna Marcel’s office didn‘t even look up when Leo and Stephanie approached a little while later.
    “Name?”  she asked with a brisk tone as her long manicured nails hovered over the keyboard.
    “Madeleine DiCaprio.”  he whispered, lowering his voice as he leaned closer to the window.
    The woman’s head snapped up suddenly, her eyes flashing with recognition and she grabbed the receiver that was next to her.  After speaking into it briefly, she hung up as a door opened and a girl dressed in scrubs stepped out.
    “Right this way Mr. DiCaprio.”
    “If she’s busy, we can wait.”  Leo replied as Stephanie took the forms attached to a clipboard that the receptionist handed her.
    His biggest pet peeve was getting special treatment, and it wasn’t like it was an emergency or anything anyway.
    The girl held open the door with a smile.  She either hadn’t heard him or she was choosing to ignore him.  Whatever the case, he let it slide as he and Stephanie followed her down the hall to a vacant examining room.  “My name’s Erica, by the way.  What’s yours sweetie?”  she cooed to Madeleine, who was looking around with wide eyes.
    Leo wasn’t sure if she could tell her, so he answered for the little girl.  “This is Madeleine.”  he smiled.
    “Would you like me to get a toy for her while you wait?”
    “She has some in her bag.”  Leo smiled as he carried her over to the examining table and took a seat.  “Thanks though.”
    The nurse nodded before she walked out and Stephanie handed him the clipboard.  Silence overtook the room as he started to fill out the forms while she watched quietly.
    “I was thinking…”  she waited for him to look up and when he didn’t she went on.  “Let’s go to Catalina this weekend.”
    “What about Maddy?”
    “You never talked to Jennifer?”
    “Well, yeah, but she said she’s too swamped with her jewelry line, so I don’t know what to do.”
    “Want me to ask Amanda if she’d be interested in doing it for a while?”
    “I can’t just spring that on her.”  Leo shook his head as he started on another form.  “That wouldn’t be fair.”
    “It doesn’t hurt to just ask.”
    Leo sighed and rubbed his goatee.
    “She’s busy with school sweetheart.  Why would she just drop that to work for me.”
    “She wouldn’t have to drop anything.  She’s taking her classes online anyway.  Let me just ask her and she what she says.”
    “I’d be willing to pay the cost of her tuition plus an additional ten thousand.”
    Stephanie scooted her chair closer to the table as he continued,   “I’m just afraid I’m putting her in an awkward position.”
    “I give up!  If Amanda knew you needed…”  she stopped and pulled out her phone and he watched as she dialed her friend’s number.  “Hello?  Hello?”
    From the other end, Stephanie could hear crackling static accompanied by the faint sound of Amanda’s voice echoing the same word, before the call faded.  “That’s strange.”  she mumbled.  “All I heard was…”
    A second later, her phone rang.  “Hey, Amanda.  What’s up?”
    “Just finished taking an exam.  I was riding the elevator when you called.  What are you doing?”
    “Sitting with Leo in the pediatrician’s office.  I was just wondering how you would feel about working for Leo since Jennifer can’t.  He said he’d pay the cost of your tuition plus ten thousand if you were interested.”
    Stephanie could tell her friend was speechless by her lack of response.
    “That’s…that’s over eighteen thousand!”  she gasped, finally able to speak.  “I’ll do it.”
    “Come by later so you and Leo can work out the details.”  Stephanie laughed.
    They talked for a few more minutes then hung up.  “I told you she’d do it.”
    “Thanks for calling her.”
    “You’re welcome.”  Stephanie smiled as the door opened and a woman with long dark hair and eyes walked in  Over her slender frame was a doctor’s coat with a stethoscope around her neck.
    Hi, I’m Sienna Marcel.”  she extended her hand and Leo shook it.
    “Nice to meet you.  I’m Leo and this is my girlfriend Stephanie.”
    “And this must be Madeleine.”
    Leo nodded.
    “Can you say hi?”  he asked her and she shook her head then giggled.
    “Yes you can you silly goose.”  he made a face at her which made the doctor laugh.

    The next hour was spent asking and answering questions; just talking about parenthood in general.  When Leo walked out into the parking lot, he knew he had made the right descision picking Sienna Marcel.

    “So you’ll pay me over eighteen thousand every two weeks?”
    Leo nodded as he took a sip of his Coke.
    “Plus expenses and you’d get every other weekend off with pay and sick time.”
    “Sounds good to me.”  she said as he got up to go check on the steaks that were on the grill.
    “I’ll be right back.”  he replied as he opened the sliding glass doors then slipped through them.
    Meanwhile, Stephanie took a seat at the table with a cucumber she was slicing for a salad.
    “Are you really okay with all of this?  I mean, I know it’s just been thrown on you.”
    “I want to do it.”  she smiled.  “It won’t effect my classes and it’ll help him out.”
    “He appreciates that by the way.”  Stephanie said as Justin walked in and over towards them to sit beside Amanda.  “Who appreciates what and Leo said the steaks are almost ready.”
    “I was telling Amanda that Leo appreciates her helping him out.”
    “That’s what he told me too.”  Justin nodded.  “I think you should take him up on it.  The dude’s basically paying for you to go to school.”
    Leo came back in just then, catching the tale end of the conversation.
“She wants to pay for it herself?”  he asked confused and Stephanie rolled her eyes.
    “No.  Your eavesdropping skills need work and before you ask her if she’s okay with doing this I already did.”  Stephanie laughed and he looked over at her.  “You can thank me later.”  she added with a wink as she walked from the kitchen.

****

    After dinner, Stephanie got up to do the dishes while Amanda helped.  “J mentioned something about a little vacation this weekend.  Do you think you and Leo…”
    “I said something to Leo about going to Catalina on Friday and was going to ask you if you and Justin wanted to go.”
    “What about Madeleine?”
    Stephanie looked down as she busied herself with filling the sink with hot soapy water
    “Well…”
    “Wait a minute.  Is that why he asked?”  Amanda glanced over at her friend as Leo strolled into the room.  “YOU!”
    He looked at her in confusion.  “ME what?  Did they forget to up your dosage again Mandi?”  he shook his head.  “What a shame.”
    “She’s on to us.”  Stephanie laughed.
    Amanda glanced between them.
    “So that was the only reason you asked if I wanted the job?”
    “No, no.  I was going to ask you even before she brought up the Catalina thing, then when she did I thought that would be a good way for her to get used to you if we all spent the weekend together.”  Leo explained.
    “Are there any restrictions on me and J seeing each other?  Speak up now because if so I walk.”
    Stephanie had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as Leo shook his head.
    “Just as long as you keep the sex to a dull roar around my daughter we’ll be fine.”
    “Speak for yourself Mr. ‘I’m the King of the World’.”  Amanda shot back and Stephanie burst out laughing.  “And FYI, that was the worst movie quote known to man.”
    “FYI, I didn’t write the script.”
    “Yeah, but aren’t you known for adlibbing?”  Justin asked.
    “You’re confusing me with Jack Nicholson.”
    “You do it some too.”  Stephanie giggled and stood up from where she had been sitting on the couch.  “I’m going to get a drink.  Anybody want anything?”
    They shook their heads and she headed for the kitchen.

    When she returned, Justin and Leo were in the middle of seeing who could tell the most dirty jokes.
    “How are women and tornadoes alike?”  Leo asked and Justin shook his head.
    “They both moan like hell when they come, and take the house when they leave.”
   
    “A dog, a cat, and a penis are sitting around a camp fire one night. The dog says, ‘My life sucks, my master makes me do my business on a fire hydrant!’. The cat says, ‘I don't think so, my master makes me do my business in a box of cat litter.’  The penis outraged, says, ‘At least your master doesn't put a bag over your head and make you do push ups until you throw up!’ “  Justin grinned then stopped.   “We should get someone to keep score.”
    “I’ll tell you right now that Leo’s in the lead.”  Stephanie smiled.  “You’re joke wasn’t funny.”
    Amanda gave her a look as Leo started with another one,
    “A man and his wife go to their honeymoon hotel for their twenty-fifth anniversary. As the couple reflected on that magical evening twenty-five years ago, the wife asked the husband, ‘When you first saw my naked body in front of you, what was going through your mind?’  The husband replied, ‘All I wanted to do was to fuck your brains out, and suck your tits dry.’  Then, as the wife undressed, she asked, ‘What are you thinking now?’  He replied, ‘It looks as if I did a pretty good job.’ “
    “Hold on.”  Stephanie went to find a pen and some paper, scribbling down their names and two tally marks beside Leo’s when she walked back over.  “Okay, your turn Justin.”
    He thought for a minute.
    “Did you know there are four kinds of sex?”
    “That’s funny.  Amanda’s always telling me a billion ways you two do it so I know there‘s more than four.”  Stephanie smiled sweetly as her friend reached over and smacked her.
    “Go ahead J.”  she told him.
    “Well, first there’s house sex.  That’s when you are newly married and have sex all over the house in every room.  Next is Bedroom Sex.   After you’ve been married for a while, you only have sex in the bedroom.”
    Stephanie started to laugh as she marked four tallies onto Justin’s side.
    “Sorry Leo, but that one put him ahead.  I’d suggest a really good joke if you want to catch up.”
    He rolled his eyes as he walked over to his laptop.  “No cheating!”  she exclaimed and ran over to him.  “If you can’t think of anymore then I guess the game is over and Justin wins.”
    Leo grabbed the piece of paper Stephanie had written the scores on and looked it over.
    “He has two more points than I do.”
    “Yeah, so?”  Amanda blinked at him as Kate, who had been giving the children their baths, walked into the room. 
    “Justin was funnier.”
    Leo glanced over at her.
    “You can’t say that.  You weren’t in here.”
    “Anyone’s funnier than you.”
    “Haha.”  he rolled his eyes.  “Why don’t you go back to what you were doing?”
    “I would but your daughter wants you.  She’s in your room.”
    “Thanks Kate.”  he smiled and got to his feet.  “I’ll be right back.”
    They watched as he walked from the room.
    “So how did the doctor’s visit go?”  Amanda asked as she took a sip of her juice.
    “Really well.  Madeleine was given a clean bill of health and Leo asked all kinds of questions.”
    “I couldn’t imagine being told I was the father of Britney’s baby.”  Justin shook his head as Amanda eyed him.
    “Yeah me either.”
    Stephanie laughed as she got up.
    “That news would shock the entire world.”   
    “Unlike when they found out about Leo.  They just yawned a collective sigh of boredom.”
    Stephanie rolled her eyes before she started from the room just as her phone rang.  “Always when I can’t get to it.”  she grumbled as she ascended the steps to the sound of Leo’s voice reading Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.  She tip toed down the hall to the open doorway and waited until he was finished and laying her on his bed.
    “Never figured you for the sentimental type.”  she replied as she stepped into the room and walked over to his bed, the polished wooden floor creaking underneath her feet.
    “What this?”  he picked up the book he had set down.  “Mom used to read it to me when I was little and thought I could carry on the tradition.”
    Stephanie smiled down at the little girl, who was already fast asleep with her thumb shoved into her tiny mouth.  She had to admit Leo really was stepping up to the plate with his responsibilities.
    “So you don’t need any help?”
    “I’m good.”  he replied and tucked her in.  “I’ll be down in a minute.”
    She nodded before kissing him then heading for the door, closing it softly behind her.

    Later that night, when everyone was in bed and the house was quiet, Leo and Stephanie laid awake talking.
    “I was thinking instead of going to Catalina we could go to North Carolina.”  she mumbled as she ran her fingers through his hair.  “There are plenty of beaches there.  I wanted to hang out with the guys as much as I can until they go on tour.”
    Leo turned onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow,  Stephanie watched him take a deep breath.
    “So instead of wanting to spend time with me and my daughter you’d rather follow your friends around?”
    She frowned as he reached over and flipped the lamp by the bed off then turned away from her.  This wasn’t how she had imagined this conversation going.
    “Leo, that’s not…”
    “Don’t talk to me right now.”
    She sighed.
    “You really are upset about this, aren’t you?”
    “What was your first clue?”  he snapped and she could feel her eyes welling up with tears.  “You’re basically saying that spending time with them versus me and Madeleine is more important.”
    “That’s a pretty cheap blow to bring her into this.  If we can go to the beach on Catalina Island then we can in North Carolina too.  What‘s the difference?”
    “Didn’t I tell you not to talk to me?”  he grumbled and closed his eyes.
    “If it were you you’d be doing the same thing.  Why are you acting like this?  You make seem as though I‘m trying to get out of being alone with you and that isn‘t it.”
    Stephanie could feel the weight of the mattress shift as Leo moved.
    “Then why don’t you tell me how it really is.”  he whispered, his warm breath hitting the crook of her neck.
    “You’re being so childish about this.  What’s the big deal where we go for vacation?”
    “Because I can’t help thinking you don’t want to go there for me, but to be with your friends.”
    “A beach is a damn beach.”
    Leo rolled his eyes.
    “No shit.  You’re not even seeing my point.”  he mumbled through clenched teeth as he got up and grabbed his pillow before he walked from the room.
    Stephanie sighed as the door slammed shut behind him and she spent the next several minutes tossing and turning unable to get to sleep.  It wasn’t until an hour and a half later that she finally succeeded.

    When she awoke the next morning, the sun was barely up over the horizon.
    She tossed the covers aside and got to her feet, yawning as she walked over to the balcony doors and walked out.  As she leaned over the railing, she found herself wondering how Leo’s night had went.

    Leo sighed as he turned onto his side for the millionth time then got up.
    “Might as well smoke a cigarette since I can’t sleep.”  he mumbled and reached for his pack of Camel’s and lighter then headed out to the backyard.
    As he looked out across the lawn, a cigarette dangling from between his teeth, his mind wandered back to the conversation he and Stephanie had had the night before and he still felt like she wanted to go to North Carolina for reasons other than him, but he decided to let it go.  Besides, arguing about it was pointless.
    Maybe he should apologize.  “Yeah looks like it’s time for you to bite the bullet DiCaprio and say you’re sorry.”  he mumbled as he finished his cigarette then rubbed it out with the toe of his flip flop before he went back inside.
    Just as he was about to go up the stairs to his room, Stephanie was coming down them.  “Hey, can we talk?”
    She nodded.
    “I’m sorry.  I realize now how that must’ve sounded.  I’m just going to miss the guys that’s all.”
    “We can go to some of their concerts.  That isn’t a problem.”
    “It really was a stupid thing to fight over, huh?”  she laughed lightly as he wrapped an arm around her.
    “Well, yeah.  Just a little.”
    She leaned up and kissed him softly as his arm moved up to dangle loosely off her shoulders.  “Let’s go back to bed for awhile.”  he whispered with a sly grin.  “I feel like I didn’t get any sleep last night.”
    “Me either.”  Stephanie yawned as they entered the master bedroom.  She was glad they had talked things out.

Whoops, Skrappy!  lol

Cool cake baker, Dre.  Soooo glad you are feeling happy again.

I have to make Ben's WAY overdue cupcakes.  I was hoping to find out what his new tattoo was of, but I'm not having any luck.  However, I have enough ideas to make enough cupcakes.

I can't help talking about it.  7 days, just one week, til my first concert.  This week will not go by fast enough for me.

Daughtry, we have 2 paintball places in Upton, MA.  One is called Friendly Fire and the other is called Fox 4. 

I used to love to do aerobics to that song. lol

You go girl.  I love that you chose yourself over him.  You deserve much better.  I'm sooo happy for you.

I'm not bugged this morning.  That's a switch.

That trailer made me cry.  It makes me think how hard it must have been for my dad trying to talk to me.

Q-tip

Dre, It just hit me like a "wrecking ball" this morning that I'm see Lifehouse in a week.  So, I had to call Skrappy and go nuts for a while and see if we had any info.  My dad is going to hang out with the kids while Paul and I are in Boston.  And I have to give him a time to come over the house.  I'm so excited I could jump out of my skin!!!!

Thanks for letting me talk your ear off, Skrappy!!!!

Good afternoon, sorry I'm late.

I'm very sad to hear of the loss of someone so young.  My prayers and support go out to her fanily and friends.  Thank you Lifehouse for giving such a special gift to this young girl.  I personally thank you for your generousity of time and support.

That was a very cute interview.  Thanks for posting it.  I appreciate that Jason is afraid of the boat sinking like me.  I'm not going on the cruise, unless I win tickets but if I were to go I would be worried about the ship sinking.

And It better not sink because it is holding my favorite band on it.  Darn it!

Shutter Island was AWESOME!!! I seriously might go see it again. Not what I was expecting at the end, which is really good for a movie cause I usually sit there going, "This is what's going to happen..." nope!


A similar movie (I think) is The Lazarus Project with Paul Walker (<3). Has anyone seen that? It's a great movie!

^Me too! =) And on with the 80s theme...VH1 playing The Best of I Love the 80s. <3

There was ONE picture where I was like, "Well, maybe if I were to squint reallyyyyyyy hard..." but other than that, no. XD Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Ear Wax

Wow....yeah...that looks like a tear jerker.  I wanna see it!!!!  haha 

cheezy 80's songs

I've never heard that song before--that's a fun little song.  I love that movie. 

I heard this song on the radio and this 80's cheezy classic just made me laugh today.  I was thinking of what my hair used to look like in the 80's... oh lordy.   I had such an atrocious perm.  lol

Don't Wake Me When It's Over in my pants.

This movie will make you .
 

It's a beautiful movie though.
 

Near life experience in my pants.

I bought DVD movies today. Can't wait to watch them all!

Candy In The Sun - Swirl 360

1999 Never Been Kissed Soundtrack

Friends.

Ear Damage *misheard song title*  

Nerve Damage