---The Next Day---

~Jada's POV~

I walk downstairs after getting dressed and ready for the day and I can smell the mouthwatering aroma of pancakes and maple syrup.

"Oh, you're just in time! I was just gonna call you down for breakfast." Michael says as I enter the kitchen.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I could've done all this for you!" I smile at how sweet he is.

"I wanted to make breakfast for you and the kids and plus, I didn't wanna wake you. I knew you'd be tired after the workout we had last night." He winks as I walk over to the table.

"Oh, I was quite tired. You worked me hard last night." I giggle as he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I sure did." He whispers against my neck before kissing it lightly as I rub his hands that are on my lower abdomen.

"Michael, stop." I giggle.

"I don't wanna." He whines playfully against my neck.

"The pancakes are getting cold." I chuckle.

"I don't care." He says.

"Oh, get a room!" We hear someone growl from the doorway.

We look and see Hope entering the room.

"Oh, someone's upset. What's wrong, sweetie?" Michael asks, sitting at the table as she sits across from us.

"Well, ever since the dance last night, Ashley has only been texting Christian and not me. And when she does text me, it's always about how great of a person he is." She says, rolling her eyes.

"Aw, is someone jealous of her brother?" Michael chuckles.

"No. I'm not jealous. I just want my best friend back." Hope says, crossing her arms and flipping her hair.

"Honey, you'll just have to deal with this. This is how life is. It's normal for Ashley to be busy with Christian because they're in love. Me and your father were the same way when we were teenagers. You'll understand when you get a boyfriend." I say.

"If that ever even happens." Hope mumbles.

"Hope, it will happen. I promise. You're a beautiful, sweet, smart, and very kind girl and someday, a boy out there somewhere is gonna see that and they'll be in lode with you so deeply. I promise you that, sweetheart." I say and she smiles lightly.

"Thanks, Mom." She says quietly.

"You're welcome, sweetie. Now, eat your pancakes that your father made for us." I say and she nods.

"Where's Christian?" Michael asks suddenly.

"Right here." Christian says, walking into the room.

He sits at the table and I smile at him.

"How was your sleep, son?" Michael asks him.

"It was good." Christian shrugs.

"How was the dance last night?" I ask and I see him and Michael exchange looks.

I frown, wondering what they're hiding.

"It was great." Christian smiles.

"That's good. I heard you and Ashley became an item and you slow danced with her?" I say before placing some pancakes in my mouth and chewing.

"Yeah. And we had our first kiss too!" Christian smiles widely.

"Ah, yes. I heard about that too. So, when do we get to meet this young lady that my son is so fond of?" I ask and he chuckles.

"I don't know." He shrugs.

"We'll have to have her over for supper sometime." Michael says.

"Yeah that would be great." I smile and Christian nods.

"Mom, you've met her before. She was at my 6th birthday party." Hope says.

"Oh, yes! She was such a sweet girl. So quiet and polite." I say.

"She's still like that. And she's soooo very beautiful." Christian says.

"Aww, how sweet. My son's in love." I sing and he and Michael giggle.

"Did you guys get any pictures together?" Michael asks him.

"Oh, yes. Here's one." He says, pulling one up on his phone.

I look at the picture and smile.

"So cute."

"Yes, very sweet." Michael says.

There's a silence and Michael decides to break it.

"So, I decided to have a come back tour in a few years." He says.

"Oh, that's nice. When are you thinking you'll have it?" I ask.

"I think I'll announce it in 2008 and then have it in 2009. That'll give me enough time to be with you guys and then go tour." He says.

"Ohh. Am I gonna be in it?" I chuckle.

"Yes, of course! You'll be one of my backup singers and you'll sing I Just Can't Stop Loving You with me!" He says, hugging me.

"Yay!" I giggle.

"Mom? Dad? Can I go over to Ashley's house today?" Christian asks and Michael pulls away from me.

"Yes, it's fine with me as long as it's okay with your mom." Michael says, looking over at me.

"Yes, sure." I shrug.

"Thank you." Christian smiles.

After breakfast we drive over to Ashley's house and her parents invite us in.

"Such a beautiful home you guys have here!" I compliment.

"Oh, thank you so much, Jada. That means a lot coming from you guys." Sarah, Ashley's Mom, smiles.

"So, you guys hear about Ashley and Christian becoming an item last night?" Michael asks as Christian and Ashley go up the stairs.

"Oh, yes. We heard about how much of a gentleman he is and how sweet and adorable he is." Steve chuckles.

"He really is a sweet boy. We definitely have no problem with him dating our little girl as long as he keeps her happy and treats her right. Which, I'm sure he will." Sarah nods.

"Yes, I'm sure he will, too. He's very much like his father was when he was his age. He's definitely a carbon copy of Michael." I chuckle.

"Well, I'm just glad Ashley's finally found a nice boy. She's liked him forever but she didn't know he liked her back so she tried to replace him with another boy. Which was her ex. He was so mean to her. He's a bully. So, Christian is definitely a better choice for her." Sarah says.

"Well she makes him happy, too. She's such a great girl. Very polite and sweet." Michael says.

"Thanks. I think that comes from me." Steve chuckles as Sarah slaps him playfully.

A couple hours go by and we decide to leave.

"Bye Mom. Bye dad. I'll see you guys later." Christian says as we head out the door.

"Goodbye, honey. Be good!" I say as they close the front door.

~Christian's POV~

I sit on Ashley's couch in her room as she turns on her TV then she cuddles up to me.

"Ow." She whispers.

"Are you okay?" I ask, concerned.

"Yes. A little sore from..y'know.." She says and I blush.

"Oh. I'm sorry." I say.

"It's okay, it's not your fault." She says as I kiss her forehead.

"I still feel bad." I say.

"Well, don't. My gosh, you're too nice." She giggles.

"Well, of course I'd feel bad for you.. I love-" I stop myself before I finish the sentence and she looks up at me.

"You what? You love what?" She asks, eagerly.

"I love you.." I whisper as I look down into her crystal blue eyes.

"You love me?" She whispers as her eyes start to get wet.

"Yes, of course I do." I smile.

"I-I love you, too." She whispers as a tear rolls down her cheek.

"I'm glad you do. Please, don't cry." I say, wiping her tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so happy you love me." She chuckles, looking down.

"Ashley." I whisper.

"Yes?" She whispers, looking back up at me.

"I love you. I really really do." I whisper as I lean in closer to her face.

"I know. I love you too, Christian." She whispers before we're locked in a passionate kiss.

After we pull away, she cuddles closer to me so her head's on my chest and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight as we continue to watch a movie.