After Risa's and Aaron's official meet, all the tension in Jeanna's life started to melt away.

Her neighbor, Cristian, had asked her out to a Thai restaurant, and she actually accepted, asking Aaron if he would babysit. Giddy and completely nervous, she waited in her living room for the knock on her door. By the end of the night, she realized how silly her nervousness was. Cristian was a great guy. She already knew that, but she was glad to find that he was genuine and wasn't just trying to get into her pants. After the date, she had been the one to lean forward for a kiss goodnight. One date turned into two dates which turned into three dates... and Jeanna wasn't complaining. This was the first time she had had fun since college, and the first time she'd been seeing someone for three years.

Jeanna's good fortune continued at work where she was able to focus her attention at work successfully. Her work allowed her to get on Cruella's good side who ended up asking her to cover Vera Wang's new bridal line in Times Square. She was elated, and nothing could ruin her. She could hardly contain her excitement.

Likewise, Aaron had been spending a lot of time with Risa. He would pick her up from daycare and take her to the park or to get ice cream before bringing her home for the night. Jeanna had thought Risa was crazy for Aaron when he was her Fiyero, but now that she knew he was her Daddy, Risa was practically glued to his side. The first night Aaron brought her home, Risa cried after him, and it broke Jeanna's heart.

Jeanna was exiting the subway when she felt her phone vibrate in the pocket of her jeans. (It was casual Fiday at the office.) “Hello?” she mumbled, climbing the stairs to the above ground.

“Hey!” she was greeted with Aaron's voice.

“Hey, what's up?” she asked, making her way towards Risa's daycare. She silently prayed they were going to make it to the pediatrician for her check-up in time.

“I had a question I wanted to run by you really quickly.” He paused and Jeanna mhm-ed, signaling that he could continue. “Can Risa spend the weekend with me?”

“Sure, but are you sure you wanna walk back and forth that much?”

“No,” Aaron said abruptly. “I want her to spend the night. Jacqui isn't going to be here. She's going to Florida with some of her friends. Risa can sleep in my bed or I can make a place for her to sleep on the couch.”

Jeanna frowned. As much as she really didn't want to be without her baby for a whole weekend, she had to be fair for Aaron. “Okay. I'm on my way to take her to the doctor for her usual check-up now. What time do you want to pick her up?”

“Does six o'clock sound okay?”

“Yeah, sure. We usually eat around seven, so I'll let you feed her.”

“Sounds good. Thanks, Jeanna,” he said. Jeanna could hear the smile in his voice.

“No problem, Aaron. See you later.” She ended the call a few seconds before stepping into the daycare lobby.

~*~

“Are you sure you've got everything, Risa-E?” Cristian teased from his seat on the couch.

“Uh-huh!” Risa tugged her over-stuffed Ni Hao, Kai Lan luggage over to the coffee table in front of Cristian and took her equally huge backpack off, throwing it to the ground. She was practically bouncing all over the place, super excited that she was going to spend the weekend with Daddy.

“What about Geoff?” he asked, referencing Risa's beloved stuffed giraffe.

“No!” she screeched, taking off back to her room.

Jeanna sighed, sitting down beside Cristian on the couch. “Hey, now,” he said, pulling her into a hug. “No crying. Everything's going to be alright. It's just for the weekend.”

“I know,” Jeanna replied, snuggling closer to Cristian's side. “She's really excited, too.”

“Maybe just a little bit, seeing as she's packed practically her whole room,” he agreed, kissing the top of Jeanna's head. “Maybe while she's gone, we can get dinner, have a lazy day, whatever. Whatever you wanna do, let's do it.”

Jeanna turned her head so that she could look directly into his deep brown eyes. “That sounds perfect,” she grinned, giving him a peck on the lips. “Thank you for making me feel better.”

“Ew!” Risa announced her re-entrance, now hugging Geoff securely in her arms. Jeanna jumped away from Cristian. She didn't like to show any PDA around her daughter. “Mommy, when is Daddy supposed to get here?”

“He'll be here in a little bit, sweetie. Be patient. You wanna watch Dora while we wait?” Risa nodded, but just as Jeanna had found a recording of Dora on the DVR, a knock sounded at the door. Risa bolted to open it, but Jeanna stopped her. “Risa Eydine do not open that door. You don't know who it could be!” Jeanna got up from the couch and turned the doorknob, revealing Aaron dressed in red basketball shorts and a white wifebeater.

“Daddy!” Risa squealed, rushing past Jeanna and leaping into Aaron's arms.

“Hey, Baby. Are you ready to go?” he asked, kissing her cheek.

She nodded excitedly and squirmed to get down to get her stuff. “Here!” She thrust her backpack at him, wanting him to carry it.

“All this for the weekend?” he asked, raising his eyebrows at her. He looked at Jeanna. “Does she really need all this?”

Jeanna laughed. “Of course not, but she's a little girl, Aaron, and she's excited, so you can't tell her what she can and can't take. You learn to pick your battles.”

He nodded and adjusted the straps so he could sling the bag onto his shoulder. “Hello, again, Cristian,” he said cordially when he noticed Cristian sitting on the couch, watching the spectacle before him.

“Aaron, how are you?” Cristian asked politely, extending his hand for a handshake. He stopped himself from kissing Aaron on both cheeks, a custom common in Uruguay, but not in America.

“I'm good. Well, if I were honest, a little nervous about this weekend.”

Cristian laughed. “She's a good kid, you can't break her. Everything will turn out great.”

“Aaron, here's a list of her emergency numbers. Of course call me if anything happens! I don't allow her to have a lot of sugar... so, she's used to that and if you let her eat up on junk food she will get sick. It's happened before. No food after ten or she'll be sick, too.”

“Whoa, Jeanna. Calm down.” Aaron reached out and grabbed her shoulders, keeping her steady. “We'll be okay. If there's a problem, I'll call you. No problem.”

Jeanna took a deep breath and tears filled her eyes. How was she going to sleep without the firm knowledge that her baby was across the hall sound asleep? Instead, she was going to be a good thirty minute walk away. She nodded and stepped away from him.

“Okay, Reese. Come give me hugs and kisses bye.” She knelt down and picked her giggling little girl up, giving her a good squeeze. “I love you,” she said, kissing her cheek.

“I love you, too, Mommy. I promise I'll write to you!”

Jeanna laughed. Where had she gotten that from? “How about you call me tomorrow night?” she asked, looking up at Aaron to make sure he heard.

“Okay!” Jeanna put Risa down and helped her get her rolling luggage situated behind her.

“I assume you're taking a cab?” Jeanna asked, motioning to the bags.

Aaron nodded. “Relax, Jeanna. I got this. Don't worry about anything.”

“Okay.” Jeanna sighed, watching as Aaron reached down, grabbed their daughter's hand, and made his way out the door with the most precious thing in the world. She closed the door behind them softly and leaned her head against it. “You wanna do burgers and go dancing tonight?” she asked, turning to Cristian enthusiastically. If she was going to be worry-free, she needed to get out and keep busy.

Cristian laughed and stood up from the couch, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Whatever you want. Just as long as we swing dance.” He winked before leaning down and kissing her lips sweetly, causing Jeanna to smile into the kiss.

Everything was going to be just fine.

~*~

An hour and a half into their date night, Jeanna was regretting her choice of heeled shoes. Though her outfit looked cute and garnered looks from other guys, making Cristian jealous, Jeanna felt kind of out of place (x). Usually on a Friday night she would be at home getting Risa ready for bed. The music started to die down and fade into another when Cristian stopped moving and turning her around.

“What's wrong?” he asked, pulling her gently away from the crowd of bustling swing dancers.

“I'm just thinking,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders. “I wanna get another drink and relax my feet for a while. Why did you let me wear these shoes out?”

Cristian laughed and guided her to the booth where their half-eaten asados were left on their plates. “Because you looked too beautiful to say otherwise.”

Jeanna rolled her eyes and playfully pushed against his chests. “Someone's got an alternative agenda.”

“No, seriously, Jeanna. I don't want you to feel pressured into anything. I really like you,” he said, covering her hand with his. “You're smart and beautiful and kind and you're one hell of a mother.”

Jeanna smiled, a blush forming on her cheeks. “Thanks,” she mumbled humbly. “I like you, too.” To confirm her words, she leaned in and kissed his lips. “Now, how about that drink?”

“Hey, whatever the lady wants!” Cristian laughed, signaling a waiter over.

“Can I get another flirtini?” Jeanna asked.

“Sure, coming up.”

Jeanna's phone buzzed and she held it in her hand, opening the message. It was Aaron: “I need a little help... Can you come over tonight?”

Jeanna felt her stomach drop through to the ground. She looked up to Cristian, her eyes full of worry. “Cristian, something's wrong with Risa and Aaron. I'm sorry I gotta go. He needs my help.”

“Here, let me come with you,” he said, getting up immediately and throwing enough money to cover their bill on the table.

“No, that's okay. I don't want to burden you. For all I know she has a splinter in her finger and won't let him touch it. I'll call you tonight?”

Cristian sighed, defeated. “Okay... and call me if you need anything?”

Jeanna nodded and gave him a quick hug and kiss before turning and practically running out of the dance club. She hailed a cab and gave Aaron's address to the driver. The feeling of dread kept growing in her stomach and she prayed silently that Risa, indeed, only had a splinter in her finger.