Her words didn't fall on deaf ears, but James was unusually silent, and his eyes were certainly glazed over. This, this was exactly what he never wanted to do. So, suddenly he was realizing that perhaps the apple didn't fall as far from the tree as he had hoped, but recoiling into his shell would just prove to Amelia she was right. Perhaps he had been a dick, but he wasn't ready to admit it, or entirely change who he is, but he could still show her that since they had last spoke, he had changed. He had, perhaps not enough, but he had. He still loved his women, and I mean LOVED HIS WOMEN, but he was getting older and the idea of settling down had occured to him.

Something he would never admit.

But there was something else driving him now. Amelia's sudden cold fire. Cold in the sense of personality towards him, fire in her being so passionate. He would never admit this either, but it was breathtakingly beautiful, and something that he never expected. Still, he would figure this out too. "I get it, you're pissed, and I get that walking into your life again was probably the most unexpected thing ever. To be honest, I never thought I would see you again. But know, I am not giving up on this one. Know that."

He had finally managed to get words to come, and he stood. He walked towards the door, and looked back to her before taking something from his pocket, shoving it inside a rather wrinkled, almost bank looking envelope and slipped it into her purse before she noticed and took off towards the office. He poked his head back in, briefly, "Just tell Dan that I am in the car. Please."

He headed back to the car now, his eyes taking to the windows as he walked past... he wasn't giving up. Notjust yet.

*~*~*

Ryan looked up to Daniel as Ayden and Lily played. She gave a gentle nod with a chuckle. "Its quite sweet really, and you can just twll he adores her. He gets in a lot of trouble for her, and I just can't help but to laughat it. HHe's so in love, and he is five." 

What Daniel said next caused her eyes to follow the children before she grabbed hold of his hand in both of hers. "I am glad you think that he is a good kid. I am so glad he didn't take after his father like that, so glad. But I don't know about being better than you. You're sweet, caring, kind, not to mention a very understanding sort. I am glad you came into our lives, and I can't say that enough."

Ryan had always been hesitant to say she loved anyone, but she had been working on it. Most of her lofe had been heartache and mistrust, so it made it hard, but Ayden was changing her views on the world. So was Daniel. Soon Ayden ran over, and poked his mother's knee, and she looked to him. "Mommy, will you and Daniel push us on the swings?"

Ryan smiled. "Of course, but we have to go soon, honey. I know you have some homework."

He gave a pout, but when he saw his mothers face, he let it disappear and turned to Lily. "She said yeah! I'll race you to the swings!"