Dawn was making lunch when there was a knock at the door. Arianna went running to see who it was. AJ followed close behind her and opened the door, it was Kevin. He bent down and scooped the little girl up in his arms and tossed her in the air.

"Geez Kev, be careful with her. You’re gonna put her through the ceiling," AJ scolded.

Kevin looked at him, puzzled.

"You’re no fun, Dad".

"Daddy, no fun!" Arianna mimicked.

Dawn walked out from the kitchen laughing.

"Who’s that causing trouble out here?"

She walked over and gave Kevin a hug as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Hey sexy, how are ya doing?" He joked.

He put Arianna down and she ran off, yelling, "sexy, sexy, sexy!" at the top of her lungs as Kevin laughed.

"Nice one Kev," AJ said. "Want something to drink?" He asked as he walked into the kitchen.

"Actually, lunch is ready. Do you want to join us?" Dawn asked, looking at Kevin.

"Oh no, I don’t want to intrude, you guys need some family time. I just wanted to invite you guys over for a cookout at my house this Saturday. You can bring the munchkin if you want, but I don’t think there will be any other kids there."

"We can see if my mother can watch her. We don’t really go out, just the two of us that much," AJ said.

"Sounds good, we could bring your friend, so she can meet Nick, too", Dawn suggested. "But I have to meet her first. I have to approve".

"What? You don’t trust my judgement?" He joked.

"Well, you have had some pretty good judgement lately," Dawn teased.

Arianna came running into the room and AJ picked her up as she tried to make her way past him.

"Time for lunch, jellybean," he said as he swung her around.

Dawn and Kevin looked at each other.

"I have two kids," she joked.

AJ put her in her highchair and put on her bib. Kevin stood watching the three of them. This was exactly what he wanted, he was so jealous. He would’ve never thought that AJ would be the first one to settle down. Not only that, but he could tell that he really enjoyed it. Having a family definitely affected AJ, he matured a lot. Kevin couldn’t believe how much sometimes.

"I’m gonna get going and let you guys eat lunch".

"Are you sure you don’t want to stay for awhile"? Dawn asked.

"Stay, stay, stay", Arianna chanted.

Kevin laughed.

"No, you spend some time with your Mommy and Daddy. I’ll stop by and see you this weekend sometime. Okay, Button?" Kevin said, playfully grabbing her nose.

He had called her Button since the day she was born because he thought her nose looked like a little button. One of the greatest joys in his life was being Arianna’s godfather. Being a part of the little girl’s life really made him re-prioritize his life.

Arianna looked up at him and gave him a big smile. She had spaghetti sauce all over her face.

"Eeeewww," he said, making a face at her.

She mimicked it back at him and everyone laughed. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and headed towards the door. AJ got up and walked with him.

"What time do you want us there on Saturday?" He asked.

"I told everyone noon, but you can come whenever you want".

There was silence as they approached the door.

"So, any updates on a wedding date?" Kevin asked.

AJ sighed.

"That seems to be a touchy subject these days, but we are making progress".

"Why? What’s the problem?"

They proceeded to walk to Kevin’s car.

"Since she can’t have anymore kids, she has this idea in her head that she’s defective or something. I try to reassure her, but I don’t know if I’m getting anywhere."

"That’s a hard thing to deal with. Knowing Dawn, though, she’s probably more worried about you and making sure you’re positive about wanting to marry her".

"Exactly," he thought for a minute. "Kev, I have never wanted anything so bad in all my life. I’m absolutely positive that this is what I want."

"Keep telling her that. It’ll sink in eventually".

"Yeah, I hope so".

AJ shook Kevin’s hand and Kevin got into his car.

"See ya on Saturday," AJ said as he walked back into the house.

He walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He looked over at Arianna, who was almost completely covered in spaghetti sauce.

"We’re gonna have to toss you in the washing machine to get you clean," he joked.

The little girl looked over at him, her blue eyes twinkling, and stuck out her tongue at him.

"You definitely have your daddy’s attitude," Dawn teased.

"She better not," he laughed.

"Oh, I almost forgot, your friend called when you were outside. You have a thing for Dawn’s or what?"

"Hey, I can’t help it Dawn’s are good in.." he glanced over at Arianna who’s eyes were glued to him as she was listening intently to what he was saying.
"...many ways", he finished.

"Nice save, you sicko," Dawn said to him.

"But everyone just call her 'D'.

"That’s a good thing, it would get awfully confusing. Does this girl know that you want to set her up with Nick?" She asked.

"No, I didn’t say anything about it to her".

"Then why does she think you gave her your phone number?"

He shrugged his shoulders

"I don’t know, late night rendezvous, maybe?"

Dawn folded her arms

"Did you tell her about me?" She asked.

"Of course I did, I told her we’re engaged, but I can’t get you to actually walk down the aisle and I told her that we have a little spaghetti wearin’ munchkin," he joked.

Dawn rolled her eyes, ignoring his wedding comment.

"So, why does she think you gave her your number", Dawn pressed.

"I don’t know, geez! Maybe she thinks we’re gonna have a big, wild..." He looked over at Arianna again listening to his every word.
"...tea party".

"Tea party?!" The little girl said, excited.

"That’s right honey, your daddy is gonna have a nice little tea party with you and all your dollies later on".

Arianna’s eyes lit up.

"Sure I am, then Mommy is gonna give Daddy a nice long massage and sponge bath tonight," he threw back.

"Sshh. Do you want her repeating that stuff to your mother?" Dawn whispered as AJ laughed.

"I’ll call D and invite her over so you can meet her, you clean up jellybean here, then I’ll go have this splendid little suaree with her and her dolls".

"Hey, you said it, that’s what you get," Dawn laughed.

"Well, had I said what I was really gonna say, I’m sure I would’ve been smacked. Either that or it would make for some interesting dinner conversation when she repeated it to my mother".

They both laughed.

"And remember what your plans are for the evening," he whispered in her ear.

She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a kiss, then pushed him away.

"I feel so violated," he sighed as he began to walk away.

"You wish," Dawn picked up one of Arianna’s toys from the floor and threw it in his direction, hitting him in the butt.

"You’ll pay for that!" He yelled as they both laughed.

Chapter 4
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