Meeting Daddy

[stephanie michelle davis]

Kennedy was nervous as she paced around the house. Lance hadn't seen her child since he was born, but Kennedy sort of wanted it that way at first. She'd caused so many problems with Lance and Rachel and had felt horrible, yet on the other hand she couldn't help but just get this great feeling in the pit of her stomach when she was around Lance before. Things were good between her and Rodney, and when Lance entered the picture everything just seemed to be thrown around. She didn't know what to do, so she did the only thing possible and left town to be away from everybody (and everything such as problems). She learnt that you can't run from your life though forever, and decided that it was time for Lance to meet his son Ryan.

She'd sent him a text message. That was all she could do, she was too nervous to call. She hadn't spoke with him for a while so of course it'd be weird for her. Hopefully he'd respond and come over to the house, but then again she was nervous of what they would say to each other and everything else. God why did she care so much? Lance was a great guy and wouldn't be mad or anything of what she did, or would he given the chance that he could have seen his son a lot less than six months...

Sigh, she took a deep breath and stopped to watch the little boy crawling around on the carpet. He was gorgeous, and Kennedy was the happiest person in the world now that she had him. Lets just hope Lance was happy to about him being in the world.

[lance warren wright]

Lance had been shocked when he had received the text that morning from Kenn. He was pretty sure he would never have gotten to see her again. He had had this jumpy feeling in his stomach ever since he had gotten the text message. He wasn't sure why. He loved Rachel and no one else right? Yeah that was right, or at least he hoped.... He had just got off work and noticed he didn't have time to change even though his apartment was right down the street from Kenn's house. He didn't want to be late for this even if a time wasn't set. He didn't want to end up showing up and the little guy had gone to bed or something. So Lance figured his slacks and black polo would be fine plus Rachel said he looked good in his work outfit anyway.

Though of course that didn't matter it wasn't like he was looking to impress Kennedy. He shook his head slightly at the thoughts as he pulled up infront of her house. He looked over at the place and remembered it as if it was yesterday. He still had scenarios running through his head of how this night could go. There would probably be many awkward moments between him and Kennedy but he didn't want that. He also knew though that there would be some moments when they were fine.

Lance came to a conclusion that tonight would just be strange. Though a good strange. He sighed and finally pulled his keys out of his ignition and stepped out of his car. He walked up to the front door and knocked on it quietly not wanting to disturb anything that was going on inside. He made sure he looked ok through a nearby window where he could vaguely see himself. He couldn't help it. He knew he wanted to look good for Kenn even if he wouldn't admit it. He placed his hands in his pockets and waited for Kennedy to come to the door.

[stephanie michelle davis]

Kenn's heart jumped into her throat it seemed when she'd heard the knock on her door. The only person she'd been expecting that night was Lance, and that was only if he decided to show up. She stood up from the couch that she'd just sat down on to watch Ryan a bit more carefully, and started towards the door. She had told Ryan that his father might be showing up tonight, she didn't want to be one of those mothers that never let their children get close to their fathers, and when he heard the knock his head pulled up and he let out a scream so Kennedy would pick him up.

The boy wasn't walking yet or it would have made it that much easier. She was sure Ryan could feel her hands trembling as she scooped him up into her arms and rested his frame against her side, his butt resting on her hip. Though it didn't take more than a minute to get to the door it seemed like hours when she was pacing it, but alas her hand was reaching for the door knob. If I could only begin to describe the thoughts that were going through her head, most of them about the times that her and Lance had had. The things they had done together knowing that they both were in committed relationships, and yet something about the entire thing had seemed so right to the both of them.

She stalled long enough, the boy was squirming in anticipation, and Kennedy couldn't handle the nerves anymore, so she turned the knob and opened the door slowly. Kenn was the first to be seen, and soon her son was too when the door was swung open entirely. She didn't say anything at first as she looked the man from head to toe, as if trying to see what had changed (or stayed the same) about him. He looked just as she'd remembered him, only more mature and not clad in his usual jerseys. "Hi," was all she managed to say. Ryan was just at the point where he can make noises, but he couldn't form whole words yet, and still for being so `talkative` normally the boy stay stiff against his mother just looking at the man. His head lay rested on her shoulder. "Come in."

[lance warren wright]

Lance had a short intake of breath as she opened the door. A smile was brought straight to his lips as he saw how she still looked like the same old Kennedy. She was beautiful and then he looked to the little boy in her arms and smiled even wider. He finally got to see his little boy. Lance felt the immediate awkwardness that he had wanted to avoid though. He wanted to feel comfortable around her and he wanted her to feel the same. He kept his hands in his pockets as he returned a charming smile and an even more charming, "Hey." He kept the smile on his face as he walked in passing by her feeling the body warmth radiate off her body and hit him. He grinned down at Ryan and saw the boy shift in his mother's arms and return a small smile.

Lance walked into the living room after Kennedy taking in her beautiful features that he found himself missing. He felt guilty for thinking this but he couldn't help himself. He didn't know if he should take a seat so he stood with his hands in his pockets. He knew he was creating the awkwardness and wanted that to stop so he tried to think of something to say to break the ice. "He's gotten so big." He said smiling at Kenn before looking at Ryan. He felt a sense of pride in himself when he saw his son. He knew this guy had a lot going for him and Lance wanted him to have an amazing life and would make sure that happened.

"So uh..how've you been Kenn?" He asked loving to be able to say her name again. He finally looked up from his son to her and saw the beautiful eyes he had fallen for so easily. He wanted to know everything that had happened to her while they had been away from each other. Lance was glad he was getting to see her again. He wondered if those feelings he had for her would return and he couldn't help but think he wouldn't mind if they did. This was the mother of his kid and he couldn't help but have this feeling like he should be with her. Plus having feelings for her just made that feeling so much easier.

[stephanie michelle davis]

Kenn had walked into the living room knowing he would follow her. She was rather stiff though with a slight jitter in her knees as she walked due to her nerves, and she sat down quick knowing that it'd be better for her (and the trembling nerves). She watched as Lance had just stood there, hands in pockets, and couldn't help but feel even more ackward watching him. He'd felt so comfortable in her house before, and now it seemed like he was more uncomfortable than anything. "That he has." she replied to the `he's getting so big` comment. "Considering he was rather tiny as an infant." Though, in all reality, he was a solid 8 lbs and 1 oz. That was a pretty average weight so he was a fair sized baby.

Before she answered him from his next question she patted the couch beside her. "You're welcome to sit down you know. Unless if you have somewhere to be..." She didn't want him to feel like he had to be there, especially if he had prior plans before her text message, but then again now that he was in the house she didn't want him to just leave that easily. Ryan looked up at his dad while he was standing there, and watched as Lance had taken the seat that she'd offered. Ryan wiggled a bit so he could turn to face the man that had helped create him (though obviously he didn't understand any of that yet). He let out a few murmers of sounds, but he wasn't talking yet so pretty much it was just babble.

"I'm doing good," she commented as she looked over at him, her whole body shifting so she could be facing him on the couch. "It was hard the first few months with him getting up at all odd hours of the night, and we went through a bit of a stretch when he'd got a cold, but other than that he's as healthy as ever right now. Loves to crawl around and enjoys spending time with his mommy." She kept the conversation mostly about her, well their, son feeling rather ackward to be talking about herself. Did Lance even want to know about how she was? Jesus he looked good sitting there next to her, and such fond memories just bombarded her as she squirmed a bit. Not out of being nervous but more just being uncomfortable in that position.

[lance warren wright]

Lance let his arm lay back on the couch behind him as he let his body shift to face hers as well. He kept his eyes on his son and smiled as he babbled a bit. He was such a cute baby and I know you must be thinking well he is his dad so of course he would think that but even if he wasn't this baby was cute. He made eye contact with the little boy and made a funny face which in return Ryan laughed. He grinned afterwards and looked back over at Kennedy just observing the two as she talked. He of course listened to every word she had to say not wanting to miss anything. It was like he was hanging on every single word she said. He wanted to know more. He wanted to know if she had met anyone though he doubted it since Ryan had probably been a handful. Though more importantly did she still have feelings for him?

"No I don't have anything to do you and Ryan are my top priority." He said giving her a charming smile. Lance's eyes glanced over her body and back up to her face. After the pregnancy it seemed like she had gotten back into shape easily. As he heard the stories of the hard times with Ryan he felt a pang of guilt, "Look Kenn i'm sorry I haven't been around I feel terrible. Though I want that to change." He said his eyes going from Ryan up to meet hers. He made eye contact and felt his stomach do a flip or two. God those eyes that had entranced him in the first place. He could never get over how much he had loved her eyes.

"Ah so he's gonna be a mommas boy huh?" He asked with a quick grin in her direction before looking down at Ryan. He wondered if Kenn would let her stick around tonight to help take care of Ryan. He wouldn't be shocked if she asked him to leave because it was a bit much to ask if he could just take the couch downstairs or something. Rachel had gone out of town for some modeling thing anyway so he didn't have anything to go home to. He wasn't going to tell Kenn that was one of the reasons but the major reason was because he wanted to spend more time with Ryan and Kennedy.

[stephanie michelle davis]

Kennedy looked down at the boy after Lance had made the face, and to ensure he'd kept the giggles up she tickled the sides of his belly (the very ticklish areas on the boy). She quickly felt guilty when he'd said sorry to her, and had to make things right right then in there. "No, it's not your fault at all. I was the one that'd left town. I don't know why I did it, maybe I felt bad that i'd ruined two perfect relationships-" of course she was talking about the one with Lance and Rachel, and also her and Rodney's that had plummeted after that moment. "I just couldn't take being here for a while, it would bring up too many bad memories, so I did what anybody in my situation would have done...I ran away from it all. Stayed with some folks until I could handle coming back here and being on my own." All the words came out of her mouth too fast, and most of them probably sounded jumbled, but after seeing how Lance would have actually wanted to be there...well it just had made her feel horrible inside. "If I would have known you-" No, she wasn't going to say that. She did what she thought was best, and she'd have to stick to those views. She wasn't going to let Lance in, no she wasn't going to let him break the tough exterior she'd formed over the past six months. But...those walls were sure getting weaker.

At the comment about being a momma's boy she felt relieved. Maybe he would just drop that last part of the conversation, but then again maybe they did need to talk about what had just been said. All of it. "I sure hope so..." He couldn't be a daddy's boy already obviously since he'd only known the man for five minutes, but in due time he'd probably come around to wanting to do a lot with his daddy. That is if Lance were around that long. "I've pretty much been the only person he's seen like 24/7 so..." Yeah, she wasn't going to continue that because she'd been the one to push the father away like that.

"So, how are things with you?" She said, desperately trying to shift the conversation again. Hopefully it'd work and she'd feel a bit better about everything, but knowing her luck he'd see right past that and keep back on the other conversations. She was ready, or at least she thought she was, for the two of them to meet. Why'd he always do this to her?

[lance warren wright]

As Kenn said she'd left because she had ruined two perfect relationships he felt terrible. He had also been a culprit and he didn't want her to have to deal with everything. He reached over and placed his hand over hers, "Kenn I'm just as much to blame." He rubbed his thumb gently over the back of her hand then took his hand back because he was pretty sure she would feel a bit uncomfortable. Though he had to admit he liked being able to touch her again. He wanted so badly to lean over and feel her lips against his but he knew he couldn't do that freely anymore. He leaned back against the couch and his eyes went down to his lap as he realized that he couldn't be hers and he was pretty sure she didn't want to be his by the way she was acting. "Kenn I want to be here for Ryan and you. Don't forget you always have me as an option for help or anything you want. I'll be here for you." He said letting his eyes wandering up to hers.

He didn't even care if the boy favored his mother even as he got to know his dad more. He would completely understand considering Lance had been given a late start in getting to know his kid. He watched as Ryan just looked around and squirmed in his mother's arms. He couldn't get over the little boy. He kept seeing both hints of himself and Kenn in the boy. This baby was gonna be gorgeous, not to be cocky or anything. He just knew that they were both considered 'pretty people' as were half the people in this town but that was besides the point.

He shrugged at her question knowing she wanted things shifted off of her, "Things are ok I just go to school and work and that's pretty much my life." He said laughing lightly at his patheticness. He wanted to talk more about her though which was why he kept his answer short and to the point so things could be put back on her.

[stephanie michelle davis]

Work and school. At least he was going to school, she'd wanted to go to college so badly after high school, but the most she could do was take a few courses at the community college. She didn't want to have to go onto a campus. "Thats great, at least you're keeping yourself busy." Maybe he was still single since he hadn't said anything about spending any time with a girl, but Kennedy wasn't going to come right out and ask him. That'd make it sound like she wanted him like before, and she didn't even know herself what she wanted right now. "I mean thats really great that you're shuffling both school and work." Yes, she was pathetic but couldn't think of something else to say at that moment.

Oh, she had an idea and quickly picked herself and the baby up off of the couch. She layed the boy down on the floor where his blanket and toys were, and walked into the other room quickly to get the photo album that was full of pictures of Ryan since he was a newborn. She wasn't about to put the boy on Lance's lap, she wasn't sure how either of them would react, but if Lance wanted to he could very well go over to the little boy. He wasn't going to bite, but than again his mouth seemed to hurt since he'd been teething so maybe he would. "I have some pictures if you want to look at them..."

[lance warren wright]

Lance nodded as she said that was good for him. He started wondering if she was going to college though he highly doubted it. He wanted to give Kenn that option because she was an amazing cheerleader and he wouldn't mind seeing her during his practices for lacrosse. That was the only way Lance had gotten into college because he would not have been able to pay for it was scholarship for lacrosse. He knew for a fact that Kennedy had been given a scholarship but she must have denied it due to the baby. That was where he felt bad. "Yeah it is good." He said with a slight smirk at how she was trying to make conversation. He was getting more comfortable around Kenn even if she wasn't around him. He was the type to get more comfortable the more he was in the presence of the person.

As Kennedy stood up his eyes went to her curiously. He wanted her to know how he felt so badly. He watched as she set Ryan down and the boy started to play with some of his toys. Lance smiled but his eyes went back to Kennedy as she left the room. That was it he couldn't take it anymore. He pushed himself up off the couch and as Kennedy walked back into the room he walked over to her. He placed one arm around her waist and the other at her cheek lightly as he leaned in to pressed his lips against hers. He was shocked that he was being so forward with her but he couldn't help himself. It was like they were back in high school again. He could never control himself against this beautiful girl. She always got him even if she didn't know it.

[stephanie michelle davis]

Whoa, what had just gone on right there? First thing she knew she was walking out of the room to just pick up a photo album, and next thing she knew she was walking back in and ended up getting kissed by a man she hadn't seen in many months. She had no idea how to react, but once her stomach had tensed up she pushed away and bit her lip nervously. Sure, it'd felt great and she wasn't going to deny that, but what if he wasn't single? That was how it had happened before and Kenn didn't want to play games like that anymore. She was sick of being the girl that helped grown men cheat, but that kiss she'd just received sure did feel good on her lips.

"Lance, I-" she didn't know what else to say and sort of just stood there in shock for a moment. Was she supposed to tell him how much she'd wanted that since he'd walked into the house, or how much it'd hurt her everytime they were close knowing that she'd let both relationships they were in fall apart. She was part of something that shouldn't had happened, but she wasn't about to say it was a mistake. Following your heart is never a mistake, or so her mother had always taught her that at least. "Wow."

[lance warren wright]

Lance felt her hand on his chest which he thought was a good thing but then felt her using it as leverage. Lance chewed on the inside of his mouth while Kennedy just bit her lip in nervousness. He couldn't help himself he knew he had had really strong feelings for Kennedy though he had felt bad that he had messed up his relationship with Rachel. He really wasn't sure which girl he loved more. He finally found that it was possible to love more than one person but who would he end up with? He had his son with Kennedy and then he had Rachel who was just amazing to have let him back in her life. His head was running with thoughts and he didn't know what he was going to do. Though this was hoping that Kennedy felt the same about him. Though with that one uttered wow he couldn't help but let a small smile come to his lips while he let his eyes wander back up to Kenn's.

He quickly mustered up a, "Sorry.." He lifted one hand to scratch the back of his head while he stood there infront of her. He took one step back hesitantly figuring that she would probably like her space back. He couldn't help himself though his eyes wandered back down to her lips. He was dying to feel her lips against his again but he knew he couldn't get away with that again. Lance didn't know what to say or do so he was gonna let Kenn choose the next steps. He wanted to know if she would just play it off and pretend like it didn't happen or if she would actually confront the kiss. He doubted she would though. He knew Kenn she didn't like doing that kind of stuff. Earlier she had quickly changed the subject because she didn't want to talk about it and moved on. Lance had let her unfortunately. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable but he really wanted to know what Kenn was feeling at this very moment.

[stephanie michelle davis]

Kenn couldn't look at him anymore, and walked over almostly robotically (please be a word) over to the couch to sit down. She opened up the first page of the photo album and started to spout off which each of the pictures were. "This is Ryan when he was only a few minutes old, and again this one is probably like 10 minutes old now. Had my aunt take the pictures while he was getting cleaned up and checked out because obviously I couldn't be there right next to him." She was trying to let that kiss go, but as she came to a picture where her lips were pressed against the newborn babies forehead she just sighed and stared down at it. That picture would have looked so much better if Lance were there as well.

"I mean his whole entire life is pretty much in this book right here, and you can really see how much he's grown throughout time." she commented not looking at Lance as she kept flipping through the pages. She'd wished he'd come and sit next to her to make her feel a bit more easy about everything, but was too nerved up and confused to let anything about him fall from her lips. She'd keep looking down on the blanket to make sure Ryan was still doing fine, and to her dismay the boy had fallen asleep right there holding onto one of his toys. She wasn't going to move him just yet though, moving him would just stir and wake him up, and he really needed a nap around this time.

[lance warren wright]

Lance's eyes watched the blonde as she moved across the room to the couch and sighed. He was pretty sure she heard him even though he tried to keep it quiet. Again to avoid the situation. He scratched the back of his head and then let his hands fall to his sides. He looked at some of the pictures but found his eyes coming back to the girl's face. He moved across the room and took a seat next to Kennedy. His hand brushed against her leg as it went to the photo album. He took it from her lap as she had just let go after a few minutes not being able to say anything. He set it in his lap and started to flip through the pages. He smiled to himself as he saw his baby boy just grow as each page was flipped. He couldn't believe he had missed this much of his kid's life. He felt terrible and wished Kennedy hadn't run from him. He had wanted to be there when she had given birth but Lance wasn't going to hold it against her.

She had become scared and Lance at the time had been too. They had messed up both of their relationships and then Lance had gotten her pregnant. Now he would never say he regretted it because he didn't. His son had been brought into the world and he couldn't be happier as he saw the sleeping form on the ground. He finished looking at the pictures and shut the album. He looked over at Kenn and said in a hushed tone, "He's got an amazing mother from what I can see." He said gazing at her eyes but then slowly looking away as to not make her uncomfortable. "Kenn...." He finally whispered after moments of silence, "...I missed you so much. I don't think you understand that. I thought about you every day and how you were doing and how Ryan was doing. I just....I missed you." He finally ended his rambling as he looked down at the book in his lap.

[stephanie michelle davis]

That was not what this girl had wanted to hear at all, but then again deep inside it made her feel good that he'd had feelings like that. Feelings, that although they should have never went behind everyones back, he still was fond enough of her to miss her. "I missed you too Lance," she whispered as she pushed herself to lean on the back of the couch. "Ryan missed you too," Sure the kid didn't even know the man, but she tried to take it all off of her right now. Yes, she'd thought about him all the time too, but having him sit down right next to her made her feel...she didn't even know how to explain it.

"I just thought that if i'd went away you'd be happy. Maybe you and Rachel would patch things up and get back together. Live a life that would make you happiest." She let all these words flow from her lips not even knowing where she was getting the courage to say all of this. "I thought that if I would have left things could all go back to normal." Normalicy is a thing of the past though it seemed for her, but only because last year she was shaking pom-poms having the time of her life, and this year she'd let a scholarship go to dust to take care of a fragile life. "I just thought-"