Boston, Massachusetts

"How did everything go with Dr. Lukas?"

I pinch my cellphone between my ear and shoulder as I step back into the classroom, juggling art supplies from the storage cabinet. Con was having lunch with his best friend in the entire world today, and Ethan's mom agreed to bring Con back to school for the afternoon session.

"Can we talk about that when I see you tonight? I'm swamped getting ready for my afternoon-ers."

"Sure thing, honey. One and a half adult pizzas coming your way this eve, and half a kiddie pizza. You want anything else? Beau asked if we could get one of those super fudge chill cakes as well. He thought our noodle would get a kick out of it, and well, you know his sweet tooth."

I laugh, "Sure, Beau can bring the cake, Con will enjoy that. I can't wait to see you guys. I can't wait to see you, Aims."

It's only been ten days since we last saw one another, but it's a long stretch for us, and considering we've been friends for over twenty-five years, and have never gone more than thirty days between seeing each other, to say we're a little co-dependent is putting it mildly.

"You sure you're okay, Bells?"

"I'll be better once I see you and talk to you tonight. I promise. For now, I really have to run. Bye, Aims."

"See you tonight."

I drop down to my corner chair, planning to sort through the storybooks and tidy up before the class gets back. When the classroom door opens, I glance up absently, preparing myself to tell whichever parent wants to talk about their child that my office hours are after school on Mondays and Wednesdays.

My jaw nearly drops when Rob walks through the door.

"Rob? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

He glances around the shabby, but tidy classroom. How he must think this is a step down from the cushy private school job I'd once had in Wellesley. But, I cherish this job, more than any other post I've ever held. I can actually make a difference here.

"Hello Anna, where's Conal? I thought he'd be here." His voice is cool, matter of fact, and brisk as he closes the door behind him.

I bite my cheek, reminding myself to be patient. "If you'd called before coming, I would have made sure he was here to see you, but he's having lunch with his friend Ethan today. He'll be back just before one, if you'd like to have a coffee with me and wait?"

Rob glances at his watch, then slides his hand into the pocket of the sleek wool coat he's wearing. "I'll have to take a rain check, I only have half an hour between meetings in the city."

His long, slender fingers hand me an envelope, and I already know it's the alimony check. "Thank you, Rob." A slightly stiff nod is all I get in response.

"You're looking well, Anna." His eyes roam over my body, dressed simply in a snug ribbed dark green sweater dress with a wide brown leather belt. My long legs were covered by a pair of brown leather boots in a similar shade.

"It's nice to see you're taking better care of yourself these days."

I press my lips together, knowing better than to let his careless comments goad me into any reaction. It's not his fault his mother raised him to be so shallow when it comes to other women. It's only his fault he hasn't realized it, or corrected the habit. It's also my fault for never looking hard enough at the man I married.

I'd never had any issue with my curves, they'd certainly become more pronounced, and softer, as I'd been pregnant, then perhaps I hadn't managed to lose all the baby weight after Con, but I was a mother of a beautiful boy who loved me regardless. My body gave me my life's greatest treasure, no matter what, I will love my body forever— in whatever shape it's in. I only wish his father had felt the same.

Now? The only reason I'm slimmer than usual is because I put all of Con's needs before my own. Even if it means skipping a meal here and there myself. More often than not these past weeks.

No, I've always loved my body. It was Rob I never really loved, and had a hard time connecting intimately with him, especially in the end— when I knew he didn't truly desire me for me.

"I hope you didn't come here to fight, Rob. We've done this dance before. You wish I'd gone back to the size eight curvy coed you met and claimed to love after I had Con. I wish you'd stop sleeping with your secretary. Neither of us got what we wished for, so we both agreed we should go separate ways. The only thing we have in common now is our son."

The smug look on his face dissolves, and a frown takes its place. For a moment, he actually looks apologetic, but I'm sure it's a figment of my hopeful imagination. Rob isn't one for apologies or recognizing when he's in the wrong.

I'm just glad he already handed over the alimony first. Not that I think he would ever deny us the support, but still.

I hold my hands up, signalling surrender. "I'm sorry, Rob. Let's not argue. We know we both wanted out, so here we are." I take a steadying breath. "I was trying to reach you last night after an appointment with Dr. Lukas. He's referring us to a Dr. Limnionas at the Boston Children's Hospital for some more tests. It looks like we might spend a few nights there in the beginning, we'll see after that."

I quickly take Rob through everything Dr. Lukas explained to me, watching as first concern, then resignation, then annoyance flickers over his face.

"What do you need from me? Can't you handle the day-to-day stuff? I'm very busy with work."

I press my fingers together in my lap, squeezing hard.

"Rob, I can't do this alone. Between teaching all day, and Con's regular routine, I'm going to need some help. Even with the alimony, which we appreciate, it's a struggle for me to make ends meet." I swallow my pride with this admission.

"You were the one who asked for sole custody when we separated, Anna. I didn't fight you on that. You can't expect me to drop everything now, not after nearly three years. Look, make a priority list. What would be most helpful for me to do at the top, then I'll work my way down."

I fight the urge to scream in frustration and disbelief. He hadn't wanted custody at all. The only part of this man I still love is the part of him that's inside Con, the DNA that gave me my son. How could such a frigid man have made such a warm and loving boy?

But, then again, he'd changed the way he acted around me when he thought I was the frigid one. To him, it was my my lack of physicality that drove him to his secretary— now wife number two.

"Forget I said anything, Rob. The only thing I need is for as many of your family members to get some blood work done, and to send the results to Dr. Lukas as soon as possible. We might need to do direct donations for blood. Con's blood type is quite unique as you know. I also need to make sure you still have Con as a dependent under your insurance policy. My insurance isn't as extensive as yours."

"Send me the details, I'll have my assistant make the appointments from my side and check on the paperwork. Leave Dr. Lukas' contact information with her. Is there anything else, Anna?"

I swallow my frustration and anger, putting everything aside for Con. "Would you like to have dinner with Con and I this weekend? I'm sure he'd love to see you."

Rob's eyes soften, just a little. For a moment, in that soft gaze, I see the man I once loved, or thought I loved. I see the man who convinced me to trust him, to dive head first into having a family.

But, just like he thought with me, it was only an ideal for both of us. We can't blame one another for that.

Finally, he shakes his head. "I'll have Pam contact you to put something in the schedule. I meant to call earlier this week, but I guess now is as good a time as any. Holly's expecting. In case you have a hard time reaching me, I'll be splitting my focus between work, and Holly. I'll help you as much as I can, but you can always reach out to Pam, she'll know where to find me."

"Of course. My best to Holly. Congratulations." The words taste like acid in my mouth, considering he'd announced his engagement to her only two weeks after we'd signed our divorce papers. We'd been separated for months, but, still.

"Thank you. Anyway, I'd best be off, Anna. I'll be in touch."

"Sure."

He absently kisses the air in the vicinity of my cheek before closing the door behind him on his way out.

Closing my eyes, I wrap my arms around myself, trying desperately to find comfort in this brutally lonely moment. Somehow, somewhere, I have to find the strength to manage on my own, well, not entirely on my own, but at least without Rob.

By the time my last student is picked up from the afternoon class, Con is bouncing with excitement to see Aunty Aims, Uncle Beau, and their rescue dog, Dundee.

As I lock the classroom, his excited chatter fills my ears as he tells me in as much detail as his brain can muster how he's going to play in the backyard with Dundee all night.

"I'm sure he's going to love that, Con. Come on now, seatbelt on, please." When he's settled into the booster seat, I clip him in.

"Do you think Dundee will like the tennisth ballsth we found?"

I smile, thinking of our walk down by the community center where Con had collected as many balls from the treeline— wayward remnants of kids learning to play. "Of course he will. He'll chase them as long as your arm can keep throwing them."

His overly excited squeal reminds me of how much he wants a puppy, and I wish I could give one to him, but with everything else, the funds are just too tight.

Driving the familiar route home, I check the mirror several times, watching him as he watches the world pass by with that gleaming curiosity that just pours out of him.

Pulling into our driveway, I turn to look back at him. "You can stay up past your bedtime tonight if you help me tidy up for Aims and Beau, deal?"

"Deal!"

He flits from here to there, moving his toys from one spot to another, not really tidying, but at least they aren't on the floor. I whip around with the vacuum and tidy the small guest bathroom, ensuring it's stocked and shining.

As soon as Aims gets here, she wraps me in her long, perfectly toned arms, holding me tightly. Her light blonde hair is cropped just above her shoulders, and perfectly styled. She's added a wispy layer of fringe bangs to the look since I last saw her.

"You look amazing, Aims. I love your hair!"

"So do you, babe." Her voice drops to a whisper close to my ear. "You've lost even more weight since I last saw you. Are you even eating? It's a good thing we brought an extra pizza with all your favorite toppings! Carbs, fat, and wine can fix everything— the three food groups we all need and love!"

Laughing, I smack her butt playfully as she sashays over to the kitchen. She gives it a sassy wiggle, winking over her shoulder at me.

Beau follows her in, kisses my cheek, smiling down at me warmly with a twinkle of humor in his chocolate brown eyes. His wide face, with high cheekbones, and full lips that always have a smile on them make me feel immediately like I'm at home. I wrap my arms around his ribs and squeeze tightly, snuggling deep when his arms band around me. "Hi Belle, it's great to see you."

"You too. And you as well Dundee. What a good boy you are." I drop to my knees in front of Beau, holding a hand up for Dundee to tap with his paw. I immediately snuggle him in a big hug and he licks my face.

"Dundee! Dundee! Dundee!" Con races over, but he's scooped up by Aims before he can reach the dog.

"What am I, noodle? Chopped liver?"

He shrieks with delight when Aims blows a raspberry on his neck. "Thsowrry Aunthy Aimths."

"Whoah, whoah, whoah, little man. Are those two teeth I see missing? God, people are going to think your mom beats you, missing teeth like that. Please tell me the tooth fairy came to visit."

Con wiggles until she puts him down and he races to greet Dundee, who sits expectantly, calmly; trained well by Beau.

"I goth five dollarths from the toof fairy." Con trips in his hurry to reach us and slams into the dog, who immediately lowers his chest to play, licking my son's face in every spot he can reach. His butt wiggles maniacally as he waits for Con to play.

Beau hauls Con up into his arms from his sprawled position on the floor, and grins at my son. "Talk about a crash landing, yeah? You okay, squirt?"

Con nods enthusiastically. "Did you thsee? He licked me all over."

"He sure did! You sure you didn't rub liver paste or bacon grease on your face? Dundee doesn't lick just anybody like that. You must taste real good, or he must really like you."

Beau kisses Con's cheek noisily, pretending to taste his skin. "Hmm, no liver paste or grease here. Guess he likes you!" I can't help but think that Con deserves to have a dad like that.

After ruffling Con's hair before setting him down again, Beau helps him into a jacket and hat then tugs both boy and dog outside. "We're going to enjoy some manly bonding. We'll catch you ladies in a bit."

"You come in if you get cold, okay, Con?"

"Okay, Mommy."

"Why are you worried about him? I'm the transplant from the deep south into the deep-ish north-east. My blood is practically still coursing with salt water taffy, pecan pie filling, and honey, Bells. Best you worry about me, first. Your boy is used to this cold."

"Says the man who plays professional hockey at sub-zero temperatures on a daily basis." I roll my eyes at him.

"There's a reason I'm one of the few, southern-raised black athletes on skates, Bells—the others mostly have better sense to play any other sport. Warmer sports."

I laugh at his old, frequent joke, then play along. "You come in too, then, if you get cold, okay, Beau?" He winks at me, then lifts Con onto his big, broad shoulders.

"Uncle Beau, I found a whole bunch of tenniths ballths. Look!"

Sitting on my butt on the floor of my front hallway, I turn and raise my arms to Aims. She pulls me up, laughing as I let the momentum carry me into another hug. "It's so good to see you. I always miss you like crazy when you're on the road."

I pour us each a glass of wine, then clink my glass to hers. "To the best friend a girl could ever dream up."

She grins at me. "To the best friend a girl could ever find."

"To the best friend a girl can never lose." We finish together before sipping the fragrant red wine.

"Now, spill the beans, Bells. Aunty Aims is here." She turns the oven on low, then slides the three large pizza boxes into the oven to keep warm, and puts the extra large chill cake in the fridge.

I know she'd never admit it, she knows I'll never say it out loud, but I know they bought extra so Con and I would have leftovers for a day or two.

No matter what, I know she's there for me, just like I try to be there for her.

So, after another sip of wine, I tell her everything Dr. Lukas told me. Then, I replay the surprise lunchtime visit from Rob.

Once I finish, I look up at her, waiting for her outrage to kick in over Rob's cold response. Instead, she surprises me with a steady, warm, calm, and gentle smile.

"When should Beau and I go in for the tests? We'll be in town this time for a week, maybe ten days after the team night. We can do the tests anywhere though and send them in."

I breathe a sigh of relief, not even realizing I'd been doubting whether they'd be willing to do that for us.

"Thanks, Aims. Can I let you guys know? Once I know more, I mean."

"Of course. Anytime. We'll make it work. We're here for you, he is our God son, after all. How are you feeling? What does Rob say?"

"I'm scared, Aims. I don't understand everything that's happening. Thankfully, we have Dr. Lukas, but still, it all seems so foreign. Rob is Rob. Now with Holly expecting, he's coasting on the bare minimum. Part of me knows he loves Con, but neither of them seem so engaged with one another. That connection, it's fading the more time Rob spends away."

"Well, we've always made a fine little family on our own. Nothing will change that. We'll tackle this just like we tackle everything else. Together, and one chapter at a time. It's just like any new subject, or a research project, we'll break it down and learn all about it. You'll see."

The weight that had settled on my shoulders after yesterday's appointment with Dr. Lukas lifts a little.

Amy steps around the counter to wrap me in a bone crushing hug. "Now, this is top priority, but I think you need to have something to look forward to as well. Let Beau take Con to the Bruins game, we can spend the day at the spa instead, deal? Consider it an early birthday gift from Beau to both of us."

"You're sure Beau won't mind? I don't want to burden him with Con."

Amy smiles at me and rolls her eyes. "Honey, Beau adores Con. He wants three or four of his own exactly like him any time now. We're just waiting till things are a bit more settled before we get serious about it. You're doing him a favour letting him play father figure with Con whenever he likes. Trust me."

When Beau and Con return from their wild backyard antics with Dundee, I shake my head at them, Amy's words hitting home at the happy expressions on their faces. It's enough to push me to accept my friend's suggestion with a nod and a wink.

While Aims screams in excitement, the three boys look at me unapologetically; Con whose face is flushed with happy pleasure, Beau's with amusement, and Dundee's with a devoted kind of love as he gazes at my son.

I practically have to give Con a bath before dinner, though— he's covered head to toe in grass, dirt, dog hair, and slobber. The normalcy centers me more than anything else could.

Once everyone's cleaned up, we settle down with our pizza, watching after Con finishes his first and only large slice, then moves to lie on the floor with the dog again.

He lines up every single Bruin's hockey card he has, the entire collection sponsored by Beau, and proceeds to try and memorize the names and faces of the hockey heroes he'll be meeting next week.

Every few minutes, he runs to Beau, asking questions, or for help deciphering the cards. I watch the patience with which Beau addresses every question, indulges every curiosity. I watch happily as my baby boy eventually wobbles back to Dundee, and crashes into a hard, fast sleep on the floor, wrapped around the happy dog.

My heart squeezes at the sight before me, and I grab Aims' hand, then Beau's, silently letting them know how much it means for me to have them with me, and knowing that without asking, Aims will let Beau in on all the little details I shared tonight, so we'll be a united front.

The four of us, well five, counting Dundee, against the world. With them in my corner, I choose to believe there's nothing that can keep me down.

- - -

Please forgive the slow and irregular updates on this one! I'm working on it as a second project, but I do intend to finish this story! 

Hope you'll hang in there with me ;) 

As always, let me know what you think in the comments, by voting, or feel free to DM me! Always a big highlight to hear from you! 

Xx Toria