Chapter 3: Lines of Forgiveness

 

The weeks came and gone Aria was so excited her friends who were a year or two years older than her just thought she was just great she knew more things than they did and they enjoyed her company. It turns out Rylie's cousin is autistic and Madison has a cousin who is in their thirties but their mind thinks they are only about twelve after a car accident. So they had all the patience in the world for someone as wonderful as Aria. Aria was showing them make up tricks and how to make cookies. How to do a couple of special braids to their hair. It turns out she wasn't the only girl on campus who have been surrounded by men her whole life. She finally was in a group she felt she belonged in to. 

 

 The girls tried to come over most weekends or most week days. Tris taught them girls how to hem and sew up some clothes, hair styles, some exercises, facials. How to do their nails, helped them on chemistry and math being a nurse that helped a lot. Tris has been involved now for about few months and a half. The girls were all at Killian's house talking about Aria's birthday. Killian had to admit he was starting to love the sound of his baby laughter and her friends in the house. They all applied and got into the same college. So most of his fears were calming down a little bit. She was too young to do half of the things they would be able to do, but luckily they weren't that big in partying. They guys were laughing at the poker table. When they heard the knock on the door.

 

 Killian got up waving Tris down to let her know he got it. "Are you Killian Jones?" One man almost as tall as big as he is asked as Killian opened the door noticing three other guys behind him arms crossed. "Yeah. I am. Can I help you?" He asked. "Damn it's good to meet you man. I'm Drevon Wilton call me Dre' I'm Rylie's dad." He said shaking his hand smiling brightly at him. "Oh you guys are the girls dad's come on in please, make yourself welcomed. I actually have a poker game going on in the back room here, if you need to talk?" He asked letting them all in. "Yeah great thanks." He said as the rest of the guys smiled coming in.

 

 Once they got in the back Killian decided to introduce themselves. "Guy's these the girls dad's. Please meet my friends and coworkers Ryder Brooks, Hunter Hall, Zain Russo, Nathan Hill, and Elijah Moore." The guys all smiled and waved. "Alright well I am Drevon or Dre' Wilton, this is Lucus Newman Alexia's dad. Victor Phillips Maddison's dad, and then Roman Turner Callie's dad. Well the reason we're here beside to get our kids is we wanted to talk to you." "Ok. Sit please there's some extra chairs over there." They grabbed them and sat down. "Is there a problem?" Killian asked. 

 

 "Well there is something. It's not really a problem it has been a bit of a big change on our parts. See, well let me start by saying this Killian you are like us we are a part of a very specific group we have a huge common interest as in we are all single fathers and our girls have never been around anyone growing up that basically wasn't majority male." Dre' said scratching the back of his head. "Oh. Ok, I did not know that well hell maybe we should all get us some matching jackets." Killian joked making them all smile. "Yeah our baby mama's didn't want nothing to do with our babies either. See Dre' ex wasn't ready for kids, seeing as she was seeing another guy. My Ex got cancer and decided she wanted to see the world on her short time, she got better and just stayed away. Victor's ex was more into drugs than a family, and Roman's ex decided she wanted to trade up to a man who made more than a cop and the other guy wasn't going to take her if she was going to be in her baby's life. This is one of the reasons our girls are work so well together. They know what they are all going through." Lucas said.

 

 "Wow, mine wanted to abort her to go to college, we just paid her off than she died over dosing on drugs." Killian said simply. "Look our girls have done a complete 180 since they have been hanging around Aria. They are smiling more. Their doing more, trying more things. They, just. Well their just like finally happy like someone flipped a switch. You know once in a while they would get into these depressed moods and we just couldn't pull them out of it. The therapist thinks it's just their way of coping trying to understand why their moms didn't want them you know crap like that. Something they felt they might be missing out on certain things." Roman said. "Then we noticed that Aria was showing them some things and then they have been spending almost every minute they can here or hanging out somewhere like movies or mall like regular girls it took us forever to finally pinpoint what happened to them. It was because of you." Victor said. 

 

 "What did I do?" Killian asked the guys all looked around confused. "You have a house keeper right? A nanny like person to help watch over Aria?" "Yeah. What you mean they changed because they've been learning things off Tris?" Killian asked. "Well think about it man Tris is always doing things with them girls, hell Ellies comes every time she get a chance. They always doing something." Eli said. "Look how much we all noticed Aria has changed, damn man that woman is slowly taking over the younger generation." Zain said shaking his head. 

 

 "I just wish there were more women out there who would take time to relate to young girls like ours. You know we tried the dating thing and they were great as long as they got more attention and cash than our kids got. Like that was going to happen." Dre' said in a huff. "My favorite is the woman who had kids themselves but didn't want your involved in their family. Such a waste of time." Victor said. "The ones who want to try to play over controlling mother and treat them more like a doll." Roman said. "How about the ones who were scared of them and would talk loudly out of fear like the kids deaf." Lucus said shaking his head. "Damn I thought dating was just bad for us single guys but damn screw that shit." Hunter said with a laugh.

 

 "It's horrible out there. Well anyway we wanted to thank you for hiring her and thank you guys for bringing her into town. You changed our babies for the better and we couldn't be more grateful, it does our hearts good to know that they will be an hour away in college all together." Victor said. "We also wanted to know if you wanted to watch a game or something, figure it would be nice to get to know you, seeing as our kids are always her hunting your woman down." "Wow, that ain't my woman." Killian said raising his hands up. Not that he hasn't thought about it…A LOT. "So she single? Is she dating because let me tell you I'd snatch that up in a minute. Girl can parent, cook, clean, great sense of humor and is so damn beautiful hell I'll take her." Dre' said all the guys smiling behind him. "Dude I will gut you where you stand." Killian warned. 

 

 Dre' smirked. "You say she aint your woman. You sure about that?" "That don't mean he don't want her to be." Ryder smirked out making everyone laugh around them. "I will cross that bridge when we get to it." Killian said. The guys shook his head. "Anyway well swing by here next Sunday. The girls are going to want to swing by here anyway. Hope to see you all here." Lucus said as they got up collected their kids thanked Tris and left. When the girls left. Tris was grabbing her things and was heading out the door. "Tris wait up." Killian said. "What's up boss man?" She said in that teasing voice. They have grown close in the time they had been talking. "Look I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do here for us and for some others. It doesn't go unnoticed everything you do that you don't have to I could never repay you for everything you've given us." Killian said taking a deep breath. Looking into her eyes.

 

 "You're an amazing person Tris and every morning I thank god Ryder and Ellie gave me your number because honestly I would still be so lost without you. Every day you show us something else I didn't know even it's so freaking simple. I just want you to know how truly appreciated you are here and how much you'll always be wanted and needed here and not just by Aria and I. You helped change so many for the better. Thank you." He said as he kissed the back of her hand and pulled her in for a big tight hug." She hugged him back. With a couple of tears threatening to fall. "I never had anyone say anything so truly beautiful to me before. Thank you Kills. I'm going to go before I just girl out and get emotional on you." She said as she turned and grabbed the door frame. "You know, Jones. You're not the only one truly grateful that I am here. I can't remember the last time I was ever this happy, than with you two… and all the rest." She said as she shut the door, walking home. 

 

 Killian went back to the guys who didn't fail to notice the smile he sported for the rest of the night, like a hanger was in stuck in his mouth. She is truly happy with them. She thinks she's lucky to be with them. Meanwhile down the hall, Aria shutting her door smiling greatly at what she heard. Wondering if her dad and Tris could see everything between them. Aria heart felt so full. For once she had a taste of what a real mother could be like and it wasn't from some woman who wanted to just get with her dad. Tris actually felt lucky to be able to be a part of her life. Aria couldn't stop the smile or the tears for most of the night. She finally had friends, she had people in her life who understood her, who were proud of her, who wanted to be in her life, who honestly loved her and wanted her to succeed. Best yet, she finally learned how to take care of herself and she was finally learning how to become a real woman by the best one she ever met. Life was looking good.

 

 A couple of weeks later Aria had the best party she ever had. They went to the lake, barbecued, got some jet skis and some tubes, water balloons. They had all kinds of games. Aria had about thirty other seniors come and celebrate with her and some of their families. They ran out of everything but it was an awesome day filled with pictures. Graduation was about two weeks away now. Aria couldn't be more excited. That was until it was a Saturday that Killian asked her to come in and keep Aria company while they finished a project. Tris just got done cleaning house top to bottom and finished putting the fridge back together closing it shut when she heard Aria screaming at the top of her lungs. 

 

 "What happened? ARIA!" Tris said banging on the bathroom door. "IT's opened." Aria said. The best thing that happened to Aria her stutter almost completely went away. Apparently all the reading out loud and singing, the finally accepting who she is calmed her anxiety so down that it just one day up and stopped. Only thing is Killian had yet to noticed it and it's been a few weeks. "What's happening to me it hurts." Aria said showing Tris the blood when she wiped and clutching her stomach and her lower back her head ached along with her body. "Oh honey, I thought you were dying. Aria this is just your period honey you're going to be fine. Here I got these for you last month you have a couple of bags here in supply along with extra toilet paper and some Ibuprofen, or you can use the Aleve back and muscle. I am honestly relieved you a very late bloomer love bug." Tris said handing her all the stuff.

 

 "Tris what's a period?" "Aria didn't you take health class?" "Well yeah but I got sick for two weeks and missed a lot the class was only for a month." She said a little scared. "You're dad never gave you the heads up of a menstruation cycle?" "She shook her head no. "Ok well take two of these pills, take a warm shower and then when you get out place this on your underwear like this and later when it fills up change it out for a fresh one ok always keep at least two in your backpack and two in your purse from now on and I will explain everything to you when you come out. I just need to make a quick call ok." "Tris wait is this, does this have something to do with sex? Am I going to get pregnant now? How does the whole sex thing work? IS this related" Aria asked getting scared. "You will not get pregnant from getting a period this is your bodies way of telling you not only are you a woman but this is how it's going to filter itself out every month. Every one of every species goes through this. It's normal it's not scary just breath and come out when you're ready." Tris said making her feel better.

 

 Picking up her phone she called Killian. "Hello. Tris Hello?" "Killian I need to talk to you real quick Aria started her period and now she's asking all these questions about sex and I need to know if I have your permission to answer her questions or if you want to handle this yourself." "She started her. "Are you serious? Why she asking questions about sex?" "Well she missed that class in school because she got sick and thinks they're all related which let's face it they are." She said simply. "So can I talk to her about sex or do you want me to wait for you." "Oh crap Billy get that damn thing off it doesn't go there. Jesus. Tris just get handled I'll come home in a few hours." He said in a pleading voice and hung up. "Ok than." Tris said a little confused. 

 

 "Tris what's going on with me?" Aria asked with tears in her eyes. "Sit down love bug I'll answer anything you want to know." After several hours of talking about what a period is. What sex is, how it happens, how your body and brain handle it differently. The proper ways of safe sex, the diseases that can come, and all the myths in between. Of course the pregnancy talk. Aria felt so much better. Killian came through the door as Tris pulled oven baked chicken out of the oven with all the fixings were already on the table. He was dead tired and went to kiss Aria on the head and ask her how she was feeling. Until he saw what she was looking up sexual diseases and ways people come in contact with them and another page of the human body so she could connect what parts are actually affected. "WHAT THE FUCK ARIA?! What the hell is this?" He snapped.

 

 "Well I started my period dad and I just had all these questions and Tris explained everything to me, I get it now. I feel a lot more comfortable with my body now. " She said with a smile. "Tris! You stay in here and don't come out." He said as he slammed her door. "What's wrong does she need another warm bottle?" Tris asked looking towards Aria's door. "No she's fine she's looking up sexual transmitted diseases and how you come in contact with them without having sex. Why the hell did you talk to her about sex without me?! That's my kid Tris. This is a sensitive fucking topic that you should have waited for me on." He was snapping at her. "I called and you told me to handle it. I did, I answered her questions. I handled it." "Fuck Tris. You know what you starting to cross some major fucking lines now Tris. You don't even think about where they are anymore. You got her into makeup, you helped her changed how she dresses, now you telling her about sex and menstruating there are some places that are not yours Tris. Do you understand that?" He was snarling at her. 

 

 "No Killian what I understand is that YOU are having issues letting her grow into a young woman. SHE is the one going through these changes Kills not you, HER. It's not HER issues of growing up it's YOURS. She is finally finding out who she is as a person. She is going through self-discovery and she just wanted a little help along the way to learn some new things that every other girl her age already does. It's not fair to hold her back because you aren't ready to see her grow up. You'll never be ready Killian it's a parent's nightmare. It's a struggle. You can't keep her from knowing things her body is going to go through Killian she was scared to death because she had no idea she was a late bloomer. I am sorry you feel left out lately about her coming to you. But let me ask you something Killian when's the last time you bled out of your vagina. Oh wait you don't have one but yet you think you know everything she's going to go through right, because you've been through it. You've shed inside your uterine wall right so you can tell her why her body has to do that?" Tris took a deep breath.

 

 "You want to be mad at me Killian fine be mad at me. GO ahead and be pissy about something you should have told when she was ten. She's about to go to college Killian and you still haven't warned her about sex or the date rape drugs or how to defend herself against predators. Yeah I may have crossed your damn lines but that's only because you won't step up to the plate. I understand you're a busy man but this is what you hired me for to protect her, to watch out for her, to be there for her. I did that. Hell Killian I am a nurse you know. I didn't make anything dirty or like some damn porn. I gave her the educated information they teach inside the same classes she missed. Those diseases she's looking up is how easily they are to be contacted even through a toilet seat she's going to college Kills, who know what kind of roommate or people she's going to have to share bathrooms with. She is just curious on what they are, and how to prevent getting in contact with them. That's being smart and preparing yourself." She snapped back. 

 

 "You pushed too far this time. I have no issues with her growing up, hell I can see it every damn day I was raising her alone. I think you need to leave." He said looking away from her. "Welp if that's how you feel, I will." "THAT"S HOW I FUCKING FEEL TRIS. I feel like you mentally slapped me in my face. I feel like you did this shit behind my back that was my place. MY PLACE Tris not yours. YOU"RE NOT HER MOTHER!" He growled at her. "Neither are you Killian. There are going to be so many things you can't help with, because you're not a girl. I may not be her mother. After all this time though Killian doesn't mean I love her any less than one. You can explain to her why I'm fired that place is yours but don't you dare take it out on her." Tris said grabbing her keys and phone and walking out the door going back to her house. 

 

 "How. How could you say that to her? All those evil things? I needed help. You told her it was ok I heard it. You said it was ok and then you threw it in her face because I was just trying to learn if I can catch an STD from a toilet seat? Dad I'm going to college in a few weeks living in a dorm room with sharing a bathroom with other people who most likely will be sexually active because they won't be barley seventeen years old. Don't you think I should know these things? Why didn't you tell me, it's not like you haven't had plenty of chances." She was snapping at him.

 

 "You've had plenty of chances to warn me that I will bleed from my lower half for days you didn't tell me that either. Do you know how mortifying that could have been if I started anywhere else. I was scared out of my mind. You want to know why I go to Tris dad because it's embarrassing to talk to you about it. You don't have a vagina you don't know what it's like when I need the guy's opinion I will come to you. I will always come to you. Tris said if I wasn't ready to talk to you about sex than I wasn't ready to be having it. So until I can come and talk to you about the guy's side I won't even think about it. I changed the way I dresses because I always wanted to try something different and I like the way I look. So I wear a couple of long dresses every now and then with some light make up is it wrong to want to feel like I am a girl dad? I finally feel free. I feel pretty not just on the outside but all the way through. I finally feel like me. You just scared the very reason all that happened walked right out the door because you have control freak issues and you feel left out that I don't come to you for everything like I used to. I'm not supposed to though. There are going to be things in life down this road you just don't need to know about me and I just don't need to know about you, some things that will happen in my life are just for me dad, I will be willing to share them down the road but for a while they should be just mine." She said shaking her head fully crying out now.

 

 "She may not have been my mother but I wasn't good enough for that one to stay. Tris stepped up and stepped in when no one's wanted to. When no one else had to. This isn't just a job to her. WE ARE NOT JUST A JOB TO HER! You just shouted at her because you had a bad day at work and in a few weeks everything is changing and it's finally hitting you isn't it. That is not my fault or hers. The only one who crossed any lines was you. She did everything you hired her to do and more." "When did you stop stuttering?" He asked wide eyed. "Few weeks ago. Glad to see you noticed. Tris helped me get rid of it. She told you; you would see. You would see how everything is in words. Now I guess we see how quickly words can end things. I'll be in my room and I want to be alone." She said as she slammed her door.

 

 What the hell just happened? What the hell did I really just do. I just snapped at the other person who loves my kid as much as I do. The person I really can't stop thinking about. She was in the wrong though she should have waited. I did tell her to handle it. I never said how. What good would I have been, she was right I don't have a vagina how am I supposed to describe symptoms other than you'll cry one minute and turn into a dragon the next. I don't know shit about birth control obviously. What good would I have been compared to a medical professional. It was actually the perfect person to explain it to her. My god their both fucking right. I felt like I've lost so much control lately because now that she's leaving sooner than she should I realize I have no control of her. I should have had about two more years before this happened and I didn't my baby may have been a genius; this may have been what's best for her. It's just in the end I got cheated. I got cheated with the time I should have still had with her. I spent fifteen years building my life around hers so bad I forgot to let her start living one for herself. I never actually fired Tris though. I did tell her to leave and didn't ask her to stay.

 

 She must have been as furious as I was to assume that. Then I again I did snap at her. Wow I was a real dick, of course I figure that out now that I had time to cool off. Why didn't I walk away until I was calm to begin with? Aria was right how could I say such hurtful mean things to such a sweet person. Man everyone is going to be so pist. I already feel bad. I wasn't completely wrong though. I can't help how I felt. I could help what comes out of my mouth though. Fucking grown ass man throwing a fit like a child. I didn't even noticed when Aria's stutter went away. I know I have been busier lately at work coming home later, I didn't think I missed out on so much. I just had so much trust her in Tris, I figured everything was alright.

 

 Did she even take a day off? He started to think to himself. She was here every week day by about six thirty and most days wouldn't leave until almost eight. On weekends if the girls all didn't come here they went to her place from about ten in the morning to about eight or nine at night. Damn I turned this woman into a personal slave never asking if she was busy or had something to do. She never took anytime time for herself, she never complained once. Only when to have me let up about Aria. Fuck I need to go talk to her. I will later after work sometime this week. He thought to himself. No matter how much he tossed and turned guilt just couldn't let him sleep.

 

 The next morning he walked into the kitchen pouring himself some coffee. He winced at the taste it was ok but Tris's was so much better. She normally would swing by and make the pot for him and talked for a little bit with him before she went for a jog in the mornings. It was their own little time together. He missed that right now The untouched kitchen was proof that maybe she needed more time to be mad. Aria came in do to the noise. She looked like sleep wasn't easy either. "Good morning." She rolled her eyes. "Yeah right." She said knowing how well both their nights went. 

 

 "Can I spend the night at Rylie's we're having study group for the last test of the year and we want to finish strong." "Sure. Just make sure you have all your school stuff, I can't swing by and drop nothing off tomorrow morning." He said drinking his coffee. "You're coffee smells like crap." She said as she poured it out and made it the way Tris showed her. "Didn't know you knew how to make that." "Well someone had to be around to show me how to do most things, guess I get to go back to trying to figure it out on my own, or learning online. I'll get my things. Maddy is coming to walk with me over to Ry's house." She said walking away. "Watch that attitude before you get yourself into trouble." "What more do I have that you can honestly take away from me? My books? My bed? That's all I was doing before Tris came? What am I supposed to do now. Go back to how it was before? I can't do that." She said as she shut the door. 

 

 "Me either kid, me either." He whispered. Missing seeing Tris around already. He decided to go to the grocery store. He was moping around grabbing the things they needed when a sudden slam of the cart got his attention as it went into his stomach. Not in the mood he looked up to see someone he tries to avoid. Sienna Calloway she was just a few years younger than he was a fake dark red head, who just a little too much make up, her nails always done and no matter what the weather was she was always in some type of heel. Even her hiking boots at one point had a heel. She has been trying to get in his bed for years and it just made him feel physically sick. She was not a very friendly person only if she needed something. 

 

 "Oh my. I am so sorry. Killian, I'm so sorry, please forgive me. It is good to see you this wonderful morning. How have you been?" She asked in a sickening sweet tone. Her shirt a little too low, and tight. "I'm fine Sienna how are you?" Small town he thought just keep it pleasant and she'll get the hint and leave. "So I hear that little genius of yours is going to be graduating and going to college early with some of the other girls. You must be so proud of her." She asked tossing her back a little bit and tilting her head to the side. "Yeah. I am she worked very hard to get where she is." He said proudly. "I bet she did. It's truly incredible. You must be beside yourself knowing she is going to be leaving the nest so soon." She said in with a sad face. "Well you know maybe you could use this time to start thinking about yourself for once. You know maybe get out there back into the dating world." She said as she tried to step closer to him. He started to push his cart away. 

 

 "Don't know I'm a busy guy. You know new college fees to pay for not going to be a whole of time." He grabbed the rest of the stuff quickly as he checked out and walked outside with that little leech following him the whole way. "You can't keep just sitting back waiting for life to happen Killian. You can't tell me you haven't been even just a little bit lonely with a teenage daughter and a house keeper around all the time. What about your needs? You need someone who is going to take care of you. You know I'm right." She tried to purr out. "You know what Sienna I haven't been lonely like you said I have Aria and Tris and frankly. I really don't think I need anyone else." He said as he realized those words were true. 

 

 "Tris? Oh honey please the maid cannot meet all the needs I know you need to feel. How about you give us a shot and I can show you everything you've been missing out on. Of course we can wait a few weeks so Aria can get settled and be off to school." She said trying to get closer to him as he shut his truck door. "Ok Sienna look I've tried to be subtle; I've tried being nice, I've even been rude, but here it is. My daughter is not some burden she will always be first in my life and we both know basic bitches like you can't stand that. I don't find you attractive. I don't want to date you. I don't even care to talk to you, you're not a nice person. Sienna everything about you is fake from your hair to your nails, to your personality all fake. You can't give me what I want because you will never be her. What I need is Tris, Aria and for you to keep all this mess to your damn self. So please stop hitting on me. Never going to happen. My daughter can't stand you. You go out of your way to always make her feel unwelcomed and like she is in the way, so please understand I just can't stand you." He said as he got in the truck fired it up and drove straight to Tris's house noticing her car was gone. He just drove home. 

 

 Monday came he got up and tried to get to Tris's house he knocked and knocked but no one was home. So he left. He did this for almost two whole weeks. The guys were mad at him but got over it. After about three days they saw his point but still told him he was wrong. Something he already knew. Aria wouldn't speak to him for about six days. She was just depressed; she cleaned the house and was getting ready for her graduation in two days. Saturday his baby would be officially out of school. She was already enrolled in the college she will start the summer school classes with the rest of the girls so he only had about three weeks with her before she left for the dorms. "Dad." Aria said softly.

 

 "Yeah Angel?" He asked as they just finished some sandwiches, salad and soup for an early dinner. "I've been texting and talking to Tris since you told her to leave and I invited her Saturday and slid the ticket under her door. I just wanted you to know so when you see her, you won't be upset or anything." She said as she kissed his cheek and took their plates. This was enough he thought to himself no one knew where she has been except for Ellie and she wouldn't tell anyone not even Ryder. Everyone started to feel sad because it's been two weeks and she hasn't shown up for anything. Even though he knew Aria and the rest of the girls had seen her. He had enough of this. He grabbed his cell and took off walking like a man on a mission. For once her car was there. He came up and knocked with a purpose.

 

 Opening the door she glared. He stood there staring at her. He forgot how beautiful she was. He got caught up in her eyes for a moment. "Well you standing her for a reason or not?" She said bitterly crossing her arms staring at him. "I came here to see you." He said snapping to reality. "Good job you've seen me." She said as she went to shut the door, his foot right into it. "I have been trying to get ahold of you for days, your never home, you don't answer your phone, your text's, your emails, hell not even the letters I left on the door. I am so sorry Tris. You know I didn't mean any of that. You knew every emotion I was going through as I was going through it and you even tried to show and tell me that and I still snapped like an asshole. I've been guilt ridden for weeks. I am so so sorry I said any of that crap to you. It was wrong. I need you to find it in your big, beautiful heart to forgive me. Everyone misses you Tris, the guys, the girls, Aria, I doubt very seriously though no has missed your fucking beautiful face more than me though." He said looking down at her small form. 

 

 "You really think a nice thought out apology would seriously be enough dude?" She asked still pist. "No! I don't know I think some space which you've gotten and an apology is a good place to start. I want to make it up to you. I told you before how grateful I was for you being in our life, now what do I have to do to show you?" He asked a little teary eyed. "What do I have to do to show you how much I need you around? My day doesn't start until I see that smile or see you singing dancing around the kitchen, it doesn't end until I hear you and Aria laughing at whatever silly thing you were watching or doing. I swear to god it's like you just decided one day to just come waltzing right in my door and take our life by storm because now it's like we actually can see the rainbow the effects of the wreck we were in. The way you rebuilt us from the ground up, I can never repay or make any amends great enough for all of that. Just tell me what I have to do to get you to come back to us; because girl my praying knees starting to bleed now." He said with a lonely little tear going down his cheek.

 

 "I'm not coming back to work for you Killian. You hired me to take care of Aria and keep the place clean. Aria is going to college she will no longer be there. You only need someone to come clean once a week after that. I need more than that to survive on. I got a job at the doctor office with Ellie. I'm off on weekends now. I can come help you on a day of one of them if that helps you out. I will start hanging back around with everyone. I just didn't want to make you upset seeing me, hanging around your friends. You know I didn't want you to think I was crossing anymore of your magical lines." She said with finger quotes. He looked down sadly. "I'm sorry. I was wrong and full of crap. I just. I can't go without seeing you Tris. I really like you. It's so hard not to have feelings for someone as great as you are but I do. It gutted my like a damn fish to know I hurt you in any type of way. It hurt even worse when I couldn't get ahold of you. Could you? Do you think you could forgive me enough to give me a chance and to take you on a date?" He asked, just taking the plunge going full on straight honesty.

 

 "I don't know I'm a little busy I got long day of work tomorrow and a very important graduation I can't miss but maybe we can work something out next Friday?" She said with a wink and a smirk. "So do you forgive me?" He asked pleading eyes. "I forgive you." She said he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into the tightest deepest hug he ever gave anyone. He looked her deep in the eyes as he pulled away from her for a moment took both his hands on her cheeks and kissed her deeply. Catching them both off guard. He was just about to pull away when she got her hands on his neck and started returning the gesture. Pulling both away. She stared at him for a moment. 

 

 "I'm not going to say sorry for that, I've waited a long time for that." He smirked proudly. "Maybe you should take a step back for a minute." She said looking at the ground. "What you mean? Do you regret that?" He asked looking back at her. "I just thought since you said." She cut him off. "No, no all that is fine. More than fine but I mean maybe you should step back and talk about this with Aria. See how she would feel about this developing into something more than a friendship. I don't think I could go forward with anything with you if it's going to put her in a bad place." Killian looked at her than kissed her again. No one has ever put his baby's feeling's first. Everyday there is something new about her that makes him fall for her a little deeper. 

 

 Pulling away she smiled. "I'm serious. You need to stop. You're not the only one who would like this to happen you know. Why don't you go talk to her now. Maybe you can tell me where we stand tomorrow after work. It gives you two a night to sleep on it. Just in case anyone changes their mind." She said kissing his cheek, turning around and telling him goodnight. He turned and walked away with the world's biggest smile on his face. He went back in the house it should it was about seven o'clock, he came in and saw Aria getting a drink from the kitchen walking back to her room. "Where did you go?" She asked confused. "I went and talked to Tris. Sit down we need talk." He said scratching the back of his head. "Ok." She said looking at him with a little worry.

 

 "So I have been going over there a lot and you know I have, well today she was finally home. Did she tell you what she's been doing lately?" Aria shook her head no. "Well Angel she has taken a job at Auntie Ellies doctor office. She's a nurse there. She has informed me she is not coming back here to work but will come over every now and then to help keep this house clean. She said since you're leaving there is no job for her. Plus she can see and text you whenever you want anyway. So after I went groveling like a dog begging for forgiveness. She forgave me. Then .I may have asked her on a date." He said looking down to Aria who waited for him to tell her whatever he was hiding. "I may have…also…kissed her. A little. Twice." he mumbled the last part. 

 

 "Wow, you don't have no shame do you dad?" Aria asked smirking at him. "Well not anymore. Anyway that's the not the issue here, what is the issue is we need to know if you're ok or how you feel about all this before we allow ourselves to think about going past a more than friendly stage. We don't want to put you in a awkward position and I don't even know how you feel about me dating." Killian was kind of starting to talk to himself at this point. "DAD!" She said trying to get his attention. "Dad. I love Tris. I am more than happy about this. She is important to me she is a special person. I think you deserve some happiness. I mean hell dad you're not dead. Your human and I just want you guys to be happy. You both deserve this. Besides I am leaving so your free to do whatever you please. I'm ok with this. In fact if this works out I'll be the girl the rest are jealous of because we all love her and think she was our real mom anyway." She said looking down. "I'm sorry honey. That was the one thing I just couldn't give you. I would do it everything all over again for you though baby. Maybe I would have just tried to have found her a little sooner." Killian said making them both laugh. 

 

 "Everything happens for a reason and when it needs to dad." She said. "So are you together, or just going on a date?" She asked. "Just a date so far. Hopefully she won't keep me on the hook to long. I mean it's not like were strangers. I should not be talking about this with you." He shook his head." "Dad I know I'm seven-teen now but I would like us to be able to openly talk about stuff like this with you. I mean you were my first best friend." She said putting her hand in his. "Ok, So far it's just going to be a date but we'll find out how it goes ok." "When are you going?" "Next Friday." "You going to cancel poker night?" "Oh crap, I forgot about that. You know what we're chilling with the dad group Sunday it's cool." He said with a chuckle. "Well I'll be at Callie's house spending the night there anyway. So the house will be all yours. Where you going to take her?" Aria asked.

 

 "Maybe the Chinese place we like. We all love it there. Maybe take a walk or something. Hell I don't really know Girl I have not been on a date two years before you were conceived." Killian laughed shaking his head. "Hell I don't think I would even know what to do anymore." He said. "Go to bed." He said as he locked up and went to his room. Taking out his phone. He sent the woman running through repeat on his mind. "Aria is on board. I think she more excited than I am actually. I don't need a day to change my mind. Will you go out with me next Friday?" Killian sat there on his bed nervously, until he heard the ding. "I would love too. Maybe you can pick me up Saturday for the ceremony and we can all go get lunch and treat the girls. Everybody will already be there? I asked the other dads last week, they said they were in." Tris texted back.

 

 Killian just shook his head. "So did you already know I would come crawling to your door or something? Is there anything you don't know or plan for?" "Nope see you later Kills." She sent with a kissing emoji and a wink. Finally feeling happy. All the years raising Aria he never stopped to think if he felt lonely because it was always what he needed to do for her the next day or at work he threw himself into so many things he never had time to feel or worry about what he was missing. Now that he got a big eye opening daily right in front of his face, he can't believe how lonely he felt the las few weeks. How just something as simple as seeing one person could throw off his whole day and more. He was in shock himself at how much his mind and heart needed her around to function properly he already knew his body wanted her hell he wasn't blind. The thing shocking him he most was how excited he was to see where this thing with her was going to go he had been silently hoping for this for so long. He drifted off to sleep happier than he's been in a while.

 

 

 Friday poker game came the next day and the boys and dads came over to enjoy their last poker night as fathers and uncles to their high school girls. It made them feel old and sad their babies were leaving them. The guys looking at each other, even the sad dads who couldn't help but noticed the smile Killian couldn't keep off his face. "Got to say man I thought you would be moping around still maybe even a little harder today like you have been was not expecting this." Ryder said using his hand to point up and down at his best friend. "Yeah man. The hell did you do. You smoke something or just get a hanger stuck in your mouth?" Roman asked making everyone laugh with him. 

 

 "Hell no I didn't smoke anything you damn tools. I'm just happy. My genius child and her best friends are graduating tomorrow and will be going to school close to home and coming back every Friday through Sunday, well mostly anyways. It's a good week. Yeah bummed she won't be around but you know it's like a fresh start to new and better things for her and I am proud and happy they get them." Killian said with a shrug never looking away from his cards still smirking. 

 

 "Well that was a pretty and I believe that but bull shit to why that would be a smile on your face." Dre said making the rest nod and laugh in agreement. Killian place his head on both his arms and laughed with them. "Well a little bird told me as she was getting pizza for her girls night with her bestie that she saw and heard a very all dark and handsome man, apologizing or more like graveling on his hands and knees to a very wonderful woman and former nanny." Ryder said with a sing song voice. Catching everyone's attention and mouth hanging open in shock. "Oh now we got to hear this." Eli said in an amusing voice. "We in the middle of a hand." Killian said looking at them like they were nuts. "We fold." Hunter said as everyone tossed their hands on the table. Leaving the pot just to be doubled for the next hand. 

 

 "OK! Fine! For the record I was not on my hands and knees but damn I was willing if I needed to." Killian said tossing his hand down to. "So you were graveling though?" Victor joked. "Yup, sure felt like I was. I gave her the apology she deserved from a real man who knew he was wrong alright you all know I've been trying for weeks to do that shit." Killian said opening his hands like they knew it was true. All nodded at him slightly. "I was a total asshole and I made it known and I basically begged her to forgive me. She did but she's not coming back here like she was before because she said he soul job was Aria and now Aria was basically an adult in college who is now you know leaving the nest for the most part. She agreed to come over on her days off from the doctor's office she been working at with Ellie. She got only weekends off which is great since she can see all the girls anyway than you know." The dads all smiled deeply at the amazing woman still thinking of their daughters.

 

 "So she's agreed to helping me keep the house clean once a week on her day off. Knowing I crash and burn without her. I told her how much she is missed here. How much we needed her How sorry I was forever hurting in any way. It literally made me feel like I was getting gutted daily. My heart and mind couldn't take it anymore when I stormed out of here and walked up to hers like I was on a damn mission and then she opened that door and I looked at her, and when I did I was so lost in just looking at her I forgot why I was there it was like she was finally in front of. It was like a fucking slap in the face that everything I needed was right there starring back at me. I waited to long to get here so I begged for forgiveness and once I got it I took my shot and asked her out." Killian said looking around the room. The guys all looking at him like they were all ten year old boys who just got told Santa was not real.

 

 "I also may have… kissed her. A bit. After she said she would only say yes if Aria did." He said scratching the back of his head. "You guys going to catch flies and shit pick up your damn jaws man." Killian said teasing and smirking not knowing what else to expect from them. "What did Aria say, did you talk to her?" Lucas asked. "Damn this girl makes me fall more in love with her every day I swear. Aint known of these other tricks out here be putting our daughters feelings ahead of their own." Dre' said shaking his head sadly. "Aria was ecstatic we are going out this coming Friday. We will be joining you guys tomorrow for the lunch party though." Killian said as they all nodded they got a reservation just for them, the guys, Ellie, the girls and Tris in a banquet hall at a nice restaurant in town. "So is she coming like as a date?" Hunter asked putting his fist under his chin looking at his friend with amusement. "Uh I don't know does it count as one? I know our date is Friday but she asked me if I wanted to pick her up and all go together to all the events tomorrow does that count as a date or just something friendly with like family?" Killian asked looking around the room for answers. 

 

 "What the hell you looking at us for man a couple of us only get one night stands, the rest of you don't even date anymore and the only who has a girlfriend been with her so long he don't know this shit either hell he practically married he didn't know these things while he started dating Ellie." Nathan said snapping at him like he thought they would magically know the answers. "Damn, well do I ask? Do I just make a couple of small moves and see if they get rejected?" Killian asked shrugging. "Do whatever feels natural in the moment with her. Working well for me this whole time." Ryder shrugged back. "OK, man talking to you guys was supposed to help. Y'all make it worse damn man." Killian said making the rest laugh at him.

 

 The night went on as Aria was fast asleep in her room Happy listening to the guys gush about girls like they were girls with a high school crush. She's never seen this side to him ever, but she really liked it. Seeing her dad getting nervous, being happy going after something he wanted for himself. Her heart felt full. She was lost in thinking of the threesome they have been in almost the full year could be an official permanent thing. She finally felt at peace enough to sleep.