Saturday afternoon Chloe took a train to the Bronx to pick up Gabby. 

“Hey there Bug.” Chloe said smiling as her mother opened the door.

Immediately, Gabby jumped into her mother’s arms.

“Mommy!” Gabby exclaimed.

Chloe hugged her daughter tightly for a moment before pulling away.  One of the hardest parts about being a single mom, or just a mom, was the guilt.  Any time Chloe did something for herself she felt guilty about leaving Gabby.

“Did you have fun with Grandma and Grandpa?” Chloe asked smiling.

Gabby nodded.  “We made hot chocolate and popcorn and watched “The Santa Clause.”

Chloe smiled.  “I love that movie.”

“Did you know that there is a “Santa Clause 2?”

Chloe giggled and nodded.  “I did.”

“Can we watch it sometime?”

Chloe couldn’t help but smile more.  “Sure, just maybe not today.  Mommy has to go to work tonight so you and Uncle Adam will be hanging out.”

“What about tomorrow?” Gabby replied, her eyes wide.

Chloe bit her lip and tried not to blush.

“Umm…well…I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow…” Chloe started to explain.

“What’s happening tomorrow?” Gabby asked.

Chloe felt her cheeks go warm.  She was definitely blushing.

“Yes, what is happening tomorrow?’ Her mother added noticing her daughter’s expression.

Chloe just giggled.  “Umm…well…WE have been invited to go Christmas Tree shopping?”

Chloe’s mother was grinning from ear to ear.  She knew by the look on her daughter’s face whom the invitation was from.  Gabby did not.

“Who invited us?” Gabby wondered out loud.

“My friend.” Chloe explained.

“Your new guy friend?’ Justin?” Gabby continued.

Chloe nodded. 

“What about Uncle Adam?” Gabby replied.

Chloe bit her lip.  “Uncle Adam is still working on that big case.  He has to go to court on Monday so he said he was going to go to the office for a few hours tomorrow.”

Gabby bit her lip, just like her mother causing both older women to smile. 

“So, it would be me, you and your friend…” Gabby started.

“Yup…but only if that’s ok with you.” Chloe explained.

Gabby was quiet for a long time and although the anticipation was killing Chloe, she would give her daughter all the time she needed to process.

“Can we get hot chocolate?”

Chloe grinned.  “I think that can be arranged.”

“He wants me to come?” Gabby asked nervously.

Chloe cracked a smile.  She completely understood why Gabby was hesitant but Justin had it right.  Getting to know her meant getting to know Gabby too.  They were a package deal and it was time that they met.

“It was his idea!”

Gabby’s eyes were wide.

“So, he likes kids?” Gabby continued.

Chloe smiled and nodded.  “He does.”

“Do you think he will like me?” Gabby replied, her tone hopeful.

“I think he’s going to love you.”

“Ok.” Gabby replied nodding.

“Ok?” Chloe repeated.

Gabby nodded again.  “We can go tree shopping with your friend tomorrow.”

Chloe grinned.  “Ok!”

***

Saturday night at the hospital was a busy one.  Chloe was in surgery almost all night.  It was snowing in New York and with the snow came slick roads and therefore car accidents.  By the time Chloe left the hospital Sunday morning she was exhausted.  Thankfully, everyone in the house was still asleep when she returned home. 

Quietly, she tip-toed down the hallway to her bedroom.  After a long, hot shower Chloe pulled on a t-shirt and a clean pair of pajama bottoms and crawled into bed.  She was hoping for at least a few hours of sleep before she had to get up and get ready. 

Thank goodness for Adam. He made breakfast and lunch and made sure Gabby was ready for the day so that Chloe could sleep. Shortly before 1 p.m. Chloe got up and got ready for the day. She was excited and a bit nervous all at once. She was looking forward to seeing Justin but also a bit nervous about his first meeting with Gabby. She really wanted it to go well. Chloe wanted her relationship with Justin to continue but didn’t see how that was possible if he and Gabby didn’t get along for some reason.

 Taking a deep breath Chloe took one last look at herself in the mirror and then headed for the kitchen. The scene she was met with was not at all what she expected. Gabby was seated at the kitchen counter on a stool, swinging her legs back and forth as she sang along to the video on the kitchen television while Adam was trying his best to pull her hair back into a pony tail.

Nothin’ I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance

Feel a good, good creepin’ up on you

So just dance, dance, dance

 On the screen there was Justin dancing, dressed all in white. Chloe couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“What’s going on here?” Chloe giggled.

 Adam looked over at his sister and huffed a little.

“I was TRYING to get her ready for you but someone is being a wiggle worm.”

 Chloe had to fight not to laugh at her brother. “She’s excited.”

Adam made a face. “You think?!”

Chloe ignored the face and nodded to the screen.

 “And what’s this? Are you prepping your client?”

 Adam’s eyes went wide. “She doesn’t know?!”

“No.” Chloe answered. “

You didn’t tell her?” Adam shot back.

 “No.”

“Why not?” Adam asked shaking his head with a smirk.

“How exactly do you suggest I explain this to a five-year-old?” Chloe snapped.

Adam chuckled. “Ok, you may have a point, but seriously, she’s a really smart kid and she’s not blind. She’s going to figure it out.”

Chloe sighed and nodded. “She is smart, and I know, but I didn’t want her to be nervous or put any ideas in her head ahead of time. This is new for her, and for me, I am kind of figuring it out as I go.”

Adam smiled then quickly hugged his sister. “It’s going to be fine.”

 “I certainly hope so.”

Adam smirked a bit. “I get it, you’re in “mom” mode. It’s your job to worry, but promise me you’ll try to have fun today. If she sees you having fun then she will.”

 Chloe opened her mouth to respond but the doorbell rang before the words could come out.

“Let me get that.” Adam said with a wink.

Chloe laughed. “No way!”

“Oh, come on.” Adam teased.

“Not a chance. I don’t want to scare him off.”

“I’m not scary.” Adam scoffed.

 “You can be.” Chloe giggled.

Adam laughed. “Like I said, he’s not JC.”

 Chloe just rolled her eyes and made a face before turning to Gabby.

 “Go put on your shoes and get your jacket. “

“Ok, Mommy.” Gabby said before darting down the hall.

Moments later Chloe was opening the front door.  Standing on the other side was Justin.  He was dressed warmly, but casually in a dark blue sweater and a pair of jeans.  On his feet a pair of Nike tennis shoes.  He was also wearing a wool lined denim jacket and his beard and moustache were freshly groomed. 

Chloe’s heart skipped a beat.  Then she noticed the drink tray in his hands.

“Peppermint white mocha, right?” He asked grinning.

Chloe grinned.  “Yes, thank you.”

At that moment thundering footsteps echoed down the hall and then a tiny person appeared at Chloe’s side.  She was dressed almost exactly like her mother.  A pair of dark wash jeans; khaki brown, lace-up boots; a khaki brown cardigan and a red, long sleeve shirt underneath.  Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail and her hazel eyes were wide as she looked up at him.

“Mommy?!” Gabby said, her tone confused.

Chloe could only imagine what Gabby was thinking at the moment. 

“What’s up Bug?” Chloe asked, trying not to smile.

“Mommy, is this your friend?” Gabby asked cautiously.

Chloe smiled.  “It is.  Gabby this is Justin.  Justin this is my daughter, Gabby.”

Justin smiled then kneeled down so that he was at Gabby’s level.

“Hi there.  It’s nice to finally meet you, Gabby.” Justin said smiling at her.

Gabby looked from Justin to her mother and then back again. 

“Mommy, this is Justin Timberlake.” Gabby said seriously.

Chloe tried not to laugh.  “It is.”

Justin looked up at Chloe, his eyes wide.

“You didn’t tell her?”

Chloe blushed.  “I didn’t know how.  I didn’t want her to freak out ahead of time.”

Justin nodded.  Although it made things a bit more awkward, he completely understood why Chloe had withheld certain information from her daughter.

“Hey Gabby, I hear you like hot chocolate.” Justin said, still smiling at her.

Gabby nodded.

“What about Peppermint hot chocolate, do you like that?” Justin asked carefully.

Gabby looked thoughtful.  “I don’t know, I’ve never tried it.”

Justin grinned.  “Hmm.  Well, I have some here, just for you, if you want to try it.”

Gabby looked up at her mother, her eyes searching for an answer.

Chloe smiled and nodded.  “It’s fine with me.”

“Ok.” Gabby said smiling.

Justin handed her the cup then waited patiently as she took a sip.

As soon as the warm liquid hit her taste buds Gabby couldn’t help but grin.

“This is really good, thank you.” Gabby said politely.

“You’re welcome.” Justin said, inwardly sighing with relief.

“You sound like Branch.” Gabby blurted out.

Justin chuckled and nodded.  “You think so?”

Gabby nodded emphatically. 

Justin grinned and leaned in close.  “Can you keep a secret?”

Gabby eyed him skeptically.  “Maybe.”

“Ok, but I am trusting you, Gabby.  You can’t tell anyone, except your mom.”

Gabby looked from Justin to her mother.  She was beyond curious. Chloe nodded at her daughter reassuringly.

“I am Branch.” Justin whispered.

Gabby’s eyes went wide as saucers.  “But how?”

Chloe laughed.  “Gabby, sweetie, do you remember how I told you that there are real people who do the voice for cartoons? They go into a studio and record the voice and then it gets added to the cartoon.”

Gabby nodded.

“Well, Justin does the voice for Branch.  When you see Branch talking on the screen that’s Justin’s voice.”

Gabby looked to Justin for confirmation.

Justin nodded and smiled.  “Your Mom is right.”

“So, then do you know Guy Diamond?” Gabby asked, her smile evident.

Justin chuckled a bit more.  “I do.  He’s a friend.  Is he your favorite Troll?”

Gabby grinned and nodded.  Meanwhile, Chloe couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t feel too bad, it’s the glitter.  She has a thing about glitter.”

Justin grinned.  “Got it.”

“Branch is too sad and grumpy all the time.  I don’t like to be sad and grumpy.”

Justin bit his lip and did his best to hide his smile.  Only five minutes and he adored this little girl already.

“He is pretty sad and grumpy, isn’t he?” Justin replied.

Gabby nodded.

“Well, I promise I’m not.  Especially not when I get to go Christmas tree shopping with two lovely ladies like you and your Mommy.”

He was being absolutely adorable with Gabby and it was making Chloe melt right there in the doorway.

Justin looked up at Chloe and smiled.  She looked amazing as always and he liked the matching outfit with Gabby. 

“I found a Christmas tree lot just a couple blocks from here.  They had quite a few trees left.  We could easily walk there…if you ladies are up for it.” Justin explained.

Chloe looked down at her daughter.  “What do you think Gabby? Do you want to go for a walk?”

Gabby screwed up her face in thought.  “Is it cold?”

Justin cracked a smile.  “Not too bad.  You’ve got a sweater and a jacket so you should be good.”

“Ok.” Gabby said nodding.

“We are leaving.” Chloe called back to her brother.

“Ok, have fun.” Adam replied from the kitchen.

“Your brother’s here?” Justin asked as he stood up.

Chloe nodded.  “Yeah, but he’s getting ready to leave.  He’s in the middle of a really big case and Opening Arguments start tomorrow so he was going to go in to the office to go over things with his 2nd Chair.”

Justin chuckled a bit.  “Apparently hard working is a family trait as well.”

“Something like that.” Chloe giggled.

Once they were out of the apartment and walking down the street Chloe found her voice again.

“Thank you for the coffee, and the hot chocolate.” Chloe said smiling.

Justin grinned and nodded before taking a sip of his own drink.  “It was my pleasure.  I’m just glad I remembered your drink order.”

Chloe grinned back.  “Me too.  Did you order an extra shot?”

Justin nodded.  “I did.  I figured after being On Call last night you probably needed the extra boost.”

Chloe beamed.  “Yes! I did! It was so busy last night.  I think I did four surgeries.”

“Did you get any sleep?’ Justin asked, his eyes and his voice full of concern.

Chloe shook her head.  “Yes, and no.  I didn’t get any sleep at the hospital but once I got home, I crashed for about 5 hours.”

“That’s better than I expected.” Justin replied.

“Me too.  Thank goodness for Adam.”

“It’s good you have him.”

Chloe smiled wistfully and nodded.  “I’d be lost without him.”

Just then Gabby joined the conversation.  She’d been walking beside her mother, hand in hand, holding her hot chocolate cup with her free hand and taking in the sights but had remained quiet.

“Umm…Jus…I mean…umm…Mr. Timber…umm Sir…what do you want me to call you?” Gabby stuttered.

Justin chuckled slightly.  He didn’t want to seem like he was laughing at her but he couldn’t help himself.

“Justin is fine.  What’s up Gabby?  It is ok if I call you Gabby?”

Gabby smiled and nodded.  “You can call me Gabby.”

“Ok, what did you want to say Gabby?” Justin continued.

Gabby stopped briefly and looked up at Justin, so Chloe and Justin stopped too.

“Well, I was just wondering…about your video…”

“Which one?” Justin answered biting his lip.

“Can’t Stop the Feeling.  You have more?’ Gabby replied, her eyes growing wide.

“A few.” Justin chuckled.

“May I see them?” Gabby asked, looking to her mother.

“Umm…well…” Chloe giggled.

Gabby sighed and made a face.  “Oh, let me guess, they’re not appropriate.”

Justin laughed and shook his head.  “Some of them are, but some aren’t.  I’ll let your mom decide which ones she’ll let you watch, but what did you want to ask about?”

“Did you really ride on the shopping cart or did you just pretend to for the video?’ Gabby asked seriously.

Chloe gave Justin a warning look then tried not to laugh.

Justin laughed.  Her curiosity was absolutely adorable.

“I really did.” Justin said smiling.

Gabby immediately placed her hands on her hips and gave her mother a look.

“How come he can do it and I can’t?” Gabby exclaimed.

Chloe had to fight back her laughter and try to appear serious.  “Because he’s a grown-up and because the store was mostly empty so there was no one to run into with the cart.”

Gabby appeared to pout for a moment, but only briefly. 

“You’re a really good dancer.” Gabby blurted out after several quiet moments.

“Thank you.” Justin answered smiling.

“Did my Mommy really help you?” Gabby asked, again changing the subject abruptly.

Justin cracked a wistful smile and nodded.  “She did.  I was hurt pretty bad and your Mommy helped fix me.”

“I’m glad.” Gabby said smiling.

Justin smiled back at her then looked to Chloe briefly.  “Me too.”

Just a few minutes later they arrived at the Tree lot and immediately Gabby was dragging Chloe towards the back of the lot where the bigger trees were.

“Gabby, these are too big, they would never fit through the door.” Chloe laughed.

“I want a big tree.” Gabby insisted.

Justin laughed.  “Oh yes, you definitely need a big tree, the bigger the better.”

Chloe just giggled and shook her head at Justin.  Seeing him interact with Gabby was the best thing she’d seen in a really long time.

“Fine, we can get a big tree, but it has to fit in the apartment.” Chloe conceded laughing.

“Deal!” Gabby exclaimed.

“You two are trouble together.” Chloe teased as she and Justin followed Gabby through the rows of trees.

“I promise I won’t corrupt her too much.” Justin teased back.

“Thank you.” Chloe laughed.

Then things took a bit more serious tone.

“Chloe, she’s amazing!  Really. She’s a great kid.”

Chloe cracked a smile.  “Thanks.  I’m just glad to see her having fun and enjoying herself.  She’s been through a lot over the past year.  She deserves to be happy.”

Without giving it a second thought Justin reached for Chloe’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“So does her mother.” He whispered.

Chloe looked up at Justin and tried to not tear up.  Seeing Justin interact with Gabby, being there with him, the feel of her hand in his.  It was almost more than she could handle. 

“I found it Mommy!  This is the one!” Gabby squealed from the end of the row.

Justin cleared his throat and gave Chloe’s hand another squeeze but didn’t let go. 

“Should we go check it out?” Justin asked quietly.

Chloe simply nodded.  Hand in hand they walked to where Gabby was standing, jumping up and down in place in front of her chosen tree.

“Wow! Nice tree! Are you sure this is the one?’ Justin asked grinning.

“Yup! It’s perfect!” Gabby exclaimed.

It was a beautiful tree! Big, and full, and just the right shape.  However, Chloe wasn’t completely convinced that it was going to fit in her apartment.

“I don’t know Bug…I’m not sure it will fit.” Chloe replied.

“Then let’s measure it.” Gabby said seriously.

Chloe made a face.  “Measure it? How? We don’t have a tape measure.”

“Yes, we do.” Gabby said as she pulled a small tape measure from her jacket pocket.

It was all Justin could do to keep from busting out laughing.  Yes, Gabby was definitely her mother’s daughter.

“Where did you get that?” Chloe asked as she tried to smother a smile.

“The toolbox in the laundry room.  Uncle Adam said our ceilings are 9ft tall.”

Justin grinned at Gabby.  “We don’t have to measure it.  The tag on the tree should say how tall it is.  As long as it isn’t a 9ft tree you should be fine.”

“Where is the tag?” Gabby asked as she started to search the front of the tree.

“Hmm…let’s look.” Justin replied.

With Justin’s help Gabby quickly found the tag.  It was an 8 ft tree.  This meant that it should fit in the house. 

Gabby immediately looked to her mother.  Chloe had to bite her bottom lip to keep from giggling.   The look on her daughter’s face was priceless.

“This is the one you want?” Chloe asked.

Gabby nodded as a huge grin spread across her face.

“Your sure you don’t want to look around more…just in case…”

Gabby shook her head.  “Nope.  This is the one.”

Chloe smiled.  “Ok.”

Justin grinned.  “I’ve got you Gabby.  Just wait right there, I’ll go find someone to help us out.”

A few moments later Justin returned with a young guy who looked to be in his mid- twenties.

“Do you want it delivered?” The young man asked.

“Yes, please.” Chloe answered as she started to dig in her handbag for her debit card.

“Oh no, I don’t need payment.  It’s been taken care of.  I just need an address.”

Chloe looked to Justin; her eyes wide.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Chloe said.

Justin grinned.  “I did it for Gabby.”

Chloe blushed.  “That was sweet of you, but not necessary.”

“Of course, it was, I can’t have the sweetest girl I know going without a tree.  Just don’t tell my nieces I said that.” Justin said with a grin.

“Your nieces?” Chloe asked looking confused.

“Briahna and Kloey, Joey’s two girls.” Justin answered.

Chloe laughed.  “Oh, right!”

It was weird, when they were together, she didn’t see Justin Timberlake, Pop superstar and former member of *NSYNC.  She just saw Justin.  The guy she was very much falling for.  However, every time she started to relax and forget about his status something snapped her back into reality.  It was a lot to take in.

A little bit later, after making arrangements for the tree to be delivered Justin, Chloe and Gabby started back towards the house.

Chloe took the short walk and Gabby’s preoccupation with the window displays and people watching as an opportunity to talk to Justin about a few things.

“You really didn’t have to pay for the tree.” Chloe said as they walked.

Justin smiled.  “I know, but I really wanted to.  I wanted to do something nice for the both of you.”

Chloe blushed.  “I appreciate it, but please don’t think for one second that I expect that type of stuff from you.  Really, just having you around is enough.”

Justin smiled more and reached for her hand.  “I don’t think that at all. “

There was a quiet moment that followed.  Chloe was trying to figure out the best way to bring up the topic.  In the end, she decided to just go for it.

“What are you doing on Friday night?” Chloe blurted out nervously.

Justin stopped for a moment.  The look on her face was one he hadn’t seen before.  She looked nervous and excited all at once.  It made him smile.

“Umm…this Friday?”

Chloe nodded.  “It’s the work Christmas party…really it’s the hospital fundraiser disguised as a Christmas party.  It’s sort of a formal thing.  Everyone gets dressed up, there is a big auction, dinner and dancing.  They usually hire some lame ass entertainment and give away an award for Doctor of the Year.  Everyone is encouraged to bring a date.  Last year I went solo because…well…but this year I was sort of hoping…”

She was rambling and he found it totally adorable. 

“It’s this Friday?” He asked again.

Chloe nodded.

Justin’s face fell.  “Chloe…I…I want to …”

“But…” Chloe replied sighing sadly. 

“I have something I’ve committed to that night.  I want to be your date, believe me, I do, but this is something I committed to doing weeks ago.  If I could get out of it or reschedule I would…”

Chloe nodded.  “I get it.  I should have asked sooner. I just didn’t want to seem like …”

Justin squeezed her hand and raised her chin to meet his gaze.  “Chloe, please, don’t do that.  You don’t seem any sort of way other than wonderful.”

Chloe forced a smile and nodded.

“Can Justin stay for dinner?” Gabby interrupted, snapping Chloe from her thoughts.

Chloe cracked a real smile.  “That’s up to him.”

Gabby looked up at Justin, giving him her best “Puppy dog” eyes.

“Mr. Justin would you like to stay for dinner?  We’re going to make Pizza.”

Justin grinned.  “Sounds yummy.”

Gabby’s eyes were wide.  “Does that mean you’ll stay?”

Justin chuckled and nodded.  “Sure.  Sounds like fun.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening just hanging out.  They watched the Santa Clause 2, ate homemade pizzas and played Candyland.  It was perfect, or so Gabby thought.  Justin thought it was pretty perfect too.  In fact, he couldn’t remember a time when he’d had this much fun and although they’d just met, he absolutely adored Gabby.

“Time to get ready for bed.” Chloe said once the movie finished.

“Aww…do I have to?” Gabby grumbled.

“Yes ma’am.  It’s a school night.  Your last week of school before winter break.  You need your rest.”

“Do I have to take a shower?” Gabby replied.

Chloe tried not to laugh.  Gabby’s negotiating tactics were paralleled only by her uncle.

“Yes ma’am.  Like I said, tomorrow is a school day.”

“Aww man.” Gabby grumbled as she shuffled off down the hall.

“I should get going.” Justin said standing to leave.

Chloe smiled.  “You don’t have to rush off.  I mean, unless you have somewhere else to be.”

“Are you asking me to stick around?” Justin replied, biting his bottom lip.

“Only if you want to.” Chloe replied, her cheeks flushing a bit.

“What do you want Chloe?” Justin asked grinning.

“Stay…please.” Chloe said, blushing wildly now.

“Of course.”

“I just need to get Gabby in bed.  It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.”

“I think I can manage that long.” Justin teased.

Justin sat quietly, taking in his surroundings a bit more while he waited.  The house was quiet, so quiet that he could plainly hear Chloe helping Gabby get ready for bed.  He heard the sound of her electric toothbrush running and Chloe’s voice as she read to Gabby.  It was a heartwarming sound.

However, it was the sound he heard after Chloe finished reading that caught him completely by surprise.  In fact, the longer he listened the more he began to tear up.  The sound of Chloe’s voice singing drifted down the hallway and as he listened to her sing the familiar song the words took on a whole new meaning. 

Aren't you somethin' to admire?
'Cause your shine is somethin' like a mirror
And I can't help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone
And the glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I'm always
Parallel on the other side

'Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go
Just put your hand on the glass
I'll be there to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

'Cause I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

When Chloe stepped back into the living room a few minutes later Justin was trying to swallow back his tears so she wouldn’t see.

“Wow! That was…” Justin stammered as Chloe sat down beside him.

Chloe blushed.  “You heard that?”

Justin cracked a bashful smile.  “Hard not to.”

Chloe nodded and tried to appear unaffected.  “I was pregnant when that song came out.  I started singing it to her at night, before I went to bed, when she was most active.  It seemed to settle her, so I kept doing it, every night.  On nights when I am working Adam has to play it for her.  He tried to sing it once…it didn’t go well.”

“You sound great.”

Chloe smiled.  “Thanks. I’m not you, but…”

Justin shook his head and placed a finger to her lips to silence her.  “It was sweet. I loved it.  I get why you sing it to her.”

“You’re not upset?” Chloe wondered aloud.

Justin’s eyes went wide.  “Upset?! No! Not at all!   I’m flattered, but I do have a question?”

“What’s your question?”

“Gabby’s father…is he…I mean…why doesn’t…” Justin stuttered.

Chloe took a deep breath.  It made sense that he was curious, that he had questions and he deserved the truth but it didn’t make it any easier to talk about.

“As part of the divorce, and custody agreement Eddy…my ex…he had to complete Anger Management classes and agree to counseling.  He refuses.  He still believes he did nothing wrong and that he’s being made the villain.  Until he completes the required number of hours, he’s not permitted to see Gabby in any capacity.”

“Oh.” Justin replied.

“It’s been really hard on Gabby.  She doesn’t understand why her Daddy doesn’t want to get help.”

“I can imagine.” Justin said nodding.

“I keep hoping he’ll come through, for Gabby, but he’s stubborn.”

Justin nodded.  “I’m sorry.  That must be hard on you too.  Is there anything I can do? Anything I can help with?”

Chloe cracked a smile.  He was so sweet and charming and seeing how much he cared made her heart melt even more. 

“You already are!  Truly, seeing you with Gabby today, how kind and gentle you were with her, spending time with both of us…that’s what I needed.”

“Anytime!  I think you’re both stuck with me now.” Justin said grinning.

“No complaints here.” Chloe said before kissing him softly.