I Can't Stop (Part 2)

Part 12

"That's a big bag." Don said as Alice came downstairs.

"Yeah, I thought, I'd stay at mom's longer. If that's alright with you." Alice added. 

"Of course it is. Sweetheart, you're not a little kid. There's no visitation schedule." Don smiled, placing his hand on Alice's shoulder, when she came to stand in front of him. "I'm not going to think that you love me any less if you choose to spend more time with your mother."

"No, I know." She shrugged, casting her eyes down. "It's just... Lindsey's there, too."

"I don't see, how that is any problem. Lindsey and your mother are together, I'm okay with that. I don't believe that you being around him is going to somehow change our relationship." Don shook his head. "We're all adults."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Alice smiled. "Of course, you're right." 

Alice still wasn't completely sure, how to deal with having two fathers. One was there since she was born, the one who raised her, and without the other, she wouldn't even exist. Alice still viewed Lindsey as more of an uncle, however, she couldn't deny that the bond between them was much stronger than that, despite all the damage that had been done. She didn't want to hurt anybody.

"Well, come on then." Don hugged Alice around her shoulders and led them outside. Putting her things in the back seat, Don got in behind the wheel.

Alice was used to Don leaving as soon as she got out of the car, however, this time, he turned the engine off and took the key out of the ignition. She gave him a confused look.

"I, uh- I'm going to go with you, say hello." Don explained.

"Are you sure?" Alice asked, before opening the car door. 

"Yeah."

Having heard the car pull into the driveway, Stevie made her way to the front door. She was surprised to see Don following Alice. Giving her mother a hug, Alice stepped inside, leaving her parents on the front step, alone.

Folding her arms over her chest, Stevie looked up at Don. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"You don't have to put up those walls, Stevie." Don sighed. "I'm here, as a friend. Look, the other night, at the restaurant, I tried to come off as friendly, but I don't think that I succeeded. I walked away and it felt fake." He admitted. "But I do want to be your friend. I want to be able to restore some of what we had. I don't have any bad intentions, I just..." He shrugged. "I just miss you, Stevie."

She'd be lying if she said, she didn't miss him at all. She trusted him, she believed he was being sincere. "I miss you too, Don. And I truly wish we could be friends. It felt weird, not having any contact with you whatsoever for such a long time." She smiled at him. "I think we both have moved on, moved past all that crap, we've put each other through. Me especially." She added. "I want you to be a part of my life."

"So do I." Don could breath easier, he couldn't predict her reaction. 

"Why don't you and Sharon come over for dinner Friday night?" Stevie offered, unsure of why she just blurted that out, without having talked to Lindsey first.