A couple months had gone by, and several things had changed. Taylor and Natalie had grown stronger together as a couple. They were in the process of planning a wedding, which of course made their kids very happy. The only one's truly affected by their upcoming marriage were Arielle and Christopher. They knew that is was difficult for them, especially for Arielle. As upset as she was at her mother, Taylor knew there was a small part of her that wished he would get back together with her. But things just weren't that simple anymore. He knew she was trying hard to accept their marriage, and although she had been supporting them in their decision, that she was falling apart on the inside. It just seemed that nothing he did was helping, not even all the father/daughter time together was helping.
Zac's divorce had come through, and he hadn't been the same since. He had since moved officially out of his house with Kate, and into his own place. It didn't seem right to live with Ashley, as much as he cared about her. He missed his ex-wife, and he was determined to find a way back to her.
Ashley had not yet said anything about the baby she was carrying to anyone. Although she was about three months along, she managed to keep it hidden. Of course she knew it was impossible to keep it hidden forever, but she was scared to tell Zac. She knew that he would never care for her the same way he cared for Kate, and didn't feel it was fair to tell him. It hurt to keep it from him, as she knew he would be a good father to the kid no matter what. But what about what it would do to ruin his case with Kate?
Christopher had turned thirteen recently, and had just gone on his first date the other night. He had asked a girl from school out, and it had been a successful night. He had taken her to dinner, and then to a movie. Arielle had driven them around, but had stayed out of sight while they were enjoying themselves. She couldn't help but playfully tease him a little when she first found out he had asked someone out, but she was happy that he was finding some confidence in himself.
In another month, Arielle would turn eighteen. She would be graduating high school soon, but hadn't quite picked out a college to go to yet. Rachel was supporting her at this point, trying to help her through her dad's wedding to Natalie, as well as her relationship with her mom. If it wasn't for her, Arielle probably would have gone out of her mind. She was falling apart, and not even counseling was helping at this point. It didn't help that nothing ever happened with Aiden, the guy who she had liked. He had started dating one of the most popular girls in the school she had left behind, and she never heard from him again.
As she lay in her bed, Arielle tried to concentrate on reading one of her favorite romance novels, something her dad knew nothing about. Given her history with men, she was afraid how he would feel about her reading a romance novel. But thoughts of the day she caught her mom cheating on her dad with Zac came rushing through her mind, and she tossed the book aside finally. Tears came to her eyes, which she quickly wiped away when there was a knock on her bedroom door. " Who is it?" She called out.
" It's your favorite aunt and your god daughter. May we come in?" Nikki opened the door slightly, peeking in on her.
Sitting up in bed, Arielle nodded. " Of course." She reached out for Leigh, and Nikki handed her off to Arielle.
Nikki sat down on the bed. " I hear you've been spending a whole lot of time in this room, when your not out with your best friend Rachel of course." She sighed. " I realize you are having a tough time with this. I really do, but..."
" I don't want to hear it, aunt Nikki." Arielle rolled her eyes, then proceeded to give Leigh lots of kisses. She couldn't help but giggle a little when Leigh laughed herself at all the kisses she was getting.
" Well, I don't really care if you don't want to hear it." Nikki snapped. " Arielle, your mom ruined things with your dad. Things were never one hundred percent between them and you know that. There may have been a time when it seemed that way, but it was short lived." She took a deep breath before continuing, in order to calm herself a little. " Honey, I love you so much. I know you are hurting. The only thing you can do is to go to your mom. Just because neither of us care for her much, doesn't mean you have to care any less for her. She is your mother, and I am sure she needs you as much as you need her. You won't disappoint your dad by going to see her, or anyone else in this family."
