At 7:55 the next morning, Jamie stood outside the Kerr house, her index finger poised to ring the doorbell, the slight hitch in her actions caused by a case of nerves. On one hand she was excited to be starting a new job, babies always brought a smile to her face, and Alex sure seemed like a sweet baby. But on the other hand, she was not looking forward to another confrontation with Mitch. Not only did the sheer site of the man rendered her mute, it was entirely too early to be verbally assaulted by him.

After ringing once cautiously, Jamie was greeted by Madeline's smiling face.

“Good Morning Jamie, I'm glad you're here.”

“Morning.” Jamie replied.  The slight glance over Madeline's shoulder that she thought had been casual, unfortunately didn't go unnoticed.

“Mitch left for work already, it's his first day back in a little while so I don't think he'll be back here anytime soon. You don't have to be afraid of him you know, he's all bark and no bite, really.”

They walked together into to the living room where baby Alex sat in his swing being softly rocked back to sleep. He had his father's dark hair curled atop his head and just the tiniest, little fingers and toes. Jamie tiptoed over to him, amazed at how peaceful and carefree babies always looked. She brushed her fingers softly over the dark pelt of his hair, his tiny hands, even his little sock clad feet, trying desperately not to wake him. She couldn't help but smile as he wrinkled his nose, stirring just a little. Babies are so perfect, Jamie thought as she slowly rose to leave Alex to his morning nap. She wandered into the kitchen where Madeline sat drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper.

“Alex is an adorable baby, Madeline. You must be such a happy grandma.”

“He's the spitting image of Mitch as a baby. Except for the eyes, it's unbelievable how alike they are.”

 “He's even got a bit of his father's temper.” Madeline added, chuckling a little.

“Are you sure you're ready to leave him just yet?”

“I wish I could stay longer, but I've got classes to teach, in fact they've already started. Besides, with me here, Mitch would probably keep feeling sorry for himself. He's my only son and I'm sure I baby him a little. I was watching you in there with Alex, I know he's in good hands.” Madeline smiled at Jamie then, pouring her a cup of coffee and handing her the section of the newspaper that she'd just finished.

The two women sat and chatted while enjoying the quietness of a sleeping baby. Madeline took the opportunity to show Jamie where the bottles and formula were and where things were in his room.

At nearly 4 months he was awake most of the day except for 2 or 3, hour to hour and a half long naps. That would give Jamie plenty of time to do his laundry, read, and make her own lunch or dinner. For the most part, Madeline tried to stay out of the way and let Jamie take over so that Alex could get used to her. She was a natural with children, obvious in her interaction with Alex, playing with him and singing to him to make him smile and prattle happily.

Jamie left at about 8 that night before Mitch made it home. She felt silly for having been so caught up with any possible run in, only for him to not be home when she left. I'm probably blowing this whole thing out of proportion.

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When Mitch got home, Alex was tucked in his crib, his mom reading in the guest room he’d designated for her and his father, and Jamie was already gone. His mind was solely on food as he dropped his stuff on the kitchen table, and opened the fridge. His back was turned while he rummaged through looking for leftovers for dinner.

“Jamie made a delicious lasagna for her and I, there's some left in that pan.” He heard his mother say just as he'd reached to remove the foil on that very tin.

At the mention of her name, Mitch felt his stomach turn. He'd been having more....thoughts about Jamie and hadn't a clue how to control them. He'd had one particularly vivid fantasy while in the shower the night before.

 His mind had drifted back to the woman who would be taking care of Alex while his hand traveled over his soapy, chiseled chest. His skin had been warm, wet, and slick from the lather and hot water and he'd fisted his dick while images of Jamie and her sexy mouth and beautiful brown skin danced in his head. With his arm braced against the shower wall, he'd worked himself into a frenzy stroking quick hard strokes followed by long slow ones, imagining what it would be like to bring her pleasure, until the force of his ejaculation took the strength from his legs.

Mitch still couldn't believe he'd cum that hard just fantasizing about her. I really need to get laid, he thought. I finally meet a girl that I'm instantly attracted to and I have to ruin it by acting like a complete ass. He was 24 and he'd acted like a little boy, stomping his feet and hiding out in his room.

“When did she leave?” Mitch asked as he fixed his plate and set in the microwave to heat.

“I sent her home around 8. She was great with Alex, I don't even think he'll miss me. He was just smiling and laughing with her all day.”

“Of course he'll miss you, Mom. We'll both miss you. I don't know what I would've done without you the first few weeks.

 “But you're right. I need to get on with my life, be a good role model for Alex, you know?”

“You already are, son. You're a great father and you two will be just fine. I'm going to apologize for going behind your back too. I shouldn't have done that. You're an adult and I should have treated you like one. But Jamie's a great girl and she's here to help you with whatever you need.”

“I'm sorry too, mom. I don't think I gave such a good first impression yesterday. And I would hate for the person taking care of my little man to hate me. I'm gonna do something to make it up to her. It's the least I can do for acting like an asshole.”

“Language, Mitchell!” Madeline reprimanded, outrage and a hint of a smile playing on her face.

Sorry, Mom” Mitch replied, a flush of red staining his cheeks. She always had a way of making him feel like he was 12 again.

“That sounds like a good plan, I'm sure she'll appreciate it. I'm going to head back up, read a bit before I go to sleep.”

Mitch hugged and kissed his mother goodnight. She whispered something in his ear and headed back up to her room.

When Jamie came the next morning and followed Madeline in to the kitchen for their cup of coffee, she found a bouquet of purple lilies in a vase sitting in the center of the island.

“These are beautiful Madeline! Did your husband send them?” she asked.

“Oh no dear, we're way past that point in our marriage. If Jasper remembers our anniversary, it's a miracle.” Madeline laughed.

“I think those are for you.”

Jamie found the card, tracing her fingertips over the embossed script that spelled “I’m Sorry”, before flipping it open to read the note. It was printed neatly in block letters, the message warming Jamie to the core, a bright smile forming on her face.

  A little birdie told me purple was your favorite color. Let's start over. Dinner?

                                                                                                               - Mitch

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