"Hey Kat!" I said hugging her, "You two go on in, I'll get your luggage," I said putting them both down. I picked up the kiddy size suitcases and took them inside.

"When'd you get a puppy?" Turner asked as he played with it.

"Just today," I replied. I saw Nick walk in. He looked surprised at the sight of the two kids. I didn't understand why. I told him they were coming.

"Who's that?" Kat whispered in my ear.

"Kat, Turn, this is Nick, he's a friend of mine. Nick these are Turner and Kathleen also known as the troublesome twosome," I smiled.

"Yo, what up boy?" Turn asked trying to seem older than 3.

"Nothing here hommie G," Nick replied and gave him a high 5.

"Aunty Al, he's cute," Kat whispered to me again.

"Go asked him to be your boyfriend," I encouraged.

"Um, Nick," Kat started shyly.

"Yes little princess?" he asked sweetly.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" she asked still shy. Nick looked at me panicked. I just shrugged.

"Kat and Nick sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Turn sang happily.

"Turn! Be quiet!" Kat yelled embarrassed.

"Of course I'll be your boyfriend," Nick smiled and picked her up. He sat
down on the couch and put her on his lap.

"What's the puppy's name?" Turn asked. I looked at Nick then back
at Turn.

"Roadie," I grinned. Nick gave me a shocked look. He looked like he was
having a good time. He seemed like he could be a good father if he wanted to be.

"Hey Roadie," Turn said very interested in the puppy. I put in a Teletubby movie and they both fell asleep halfway through.

I picked up Turn and put him in bed. Surprisingly Nick picked up Kat and
put her in bed too. We went back out to the family room.

"How old are they?" Nick asked.

"They're both 3. They're twins," I replied, "And no Ashley's not a slut,
her step brother raped her and she refused to have and abortion. He's in jail not, but pays what he can. I give her half my paycheck for them, but never mention it. I make her take it. She never asks," I explained.

"Whoa, I had no idea," Nick replied.

"I know Nick, you just thought," I said pulling Roadie into my lap.

"I can't win with you!" he said getting angry.

"Nick, you live a perfect life. You have millions of people who love you,
money for natural talent and you take it all for granted, " I told him
angrily, "You even take me for granted."

"I've never taken you for granted. Yes, my life is easier than others and
maybe I do judge before I know, but I never take anything for granted," he snapped back at me.

"Ali, I had a night mare," Turn came out crying.

"Oh, honey," I said going over and picking him up, "Lets get you a glass
of water and maybe you'll feel better." he nodded and rubbed his eyes. I went in the kitchen again and got him a glass of water. He drank it down fast.

"Feel better?" I asked.

"Yeah, but can Roadie sleep with me?" he asked.

"She's all yours for tonight," I smiled. I picked Roadie up and carried her back in the bedroom with Turner, "Now you sleep well. G'night," I kissed his forehead, but he was already asleep. Roadie hopped up in bed with him.

I walked back out to the family room.

"I better go," Nick said grabbing his stuff.

"That's right Nick, when things get hard runaway," I said smugly to him.

"I'm not running away," he replied.

"Yeah you are. I'm not going to see you for 5 months and your going to
walkout. All because we had an argument," I said getting mad.

"Al," he started.

"Just go, you don't want to be here," I replied.

"FINE!" he yelled and left. I broke down in tears and fell to the floor.

"Ali," Kat came out of her room.

"Hi honey," I said and hugged her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Oh, I just let my mouth run is all," I slightly smiled for her sake.

"Is my boyfriend still here?" she asked hopeful.

"No but if you want to call him, that's fine," I replied. Why spoil her image of him? I picked up the phone and dialed the number for her. She took the phone and waited to hear his voice.

"WHAT!?!?!" he yelled into the phone.

"Um, its Kat, I just, I us," she said quietly.

"Oh, Kat, I'm sorry. Does Ali know you're using the phone?" he asked.

"Yeah, why is she crying?" he asked.

"She's crying?" he asked shocked. He didn't think Ali would cry over that. She started it.

"Yeah, but I just wanted wish you sweet dreams since you're not here
anymore. Can I see you tomorrow?" she asked.

"I'm not sure yet. It depends on if Ali will left you," he replied, "But Kat I gotta go, and its past your bedtime."

"Okay, bye Nick," she hung up.

"Okay Kat, bedtime," I said picking her up.

"Okay, can Nick come over tomorrow?" she asked as we went in her room.

"Oh, I don't know think he'd want to come over, but you could meet Brian,
he's even cuter than Nick," I smiled.

"Okay, g'night," she said and fell asleep.

"Night," I smiled. I went back out and the phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hi, is this a miss Alison MacLaren?" a male voice asked.

"Yes, yes it is," I replied.

"Your friend Ashley Smith was on flight #427 this evening and one of the
engines gave out in midflight. She passed away an hour ago," he explained. The conversation went on longer and I hung up crying. I was now the legal guardian of Kat and Turn.

The memorial service was being held the next day in California which we
couldn't make. I didn't sleep much that night. I had so much to do. How
was I going to tell Kat and Turn?