wannabe father;

Dakota: Hey :)

Dakota: We're not actually. Why?

Kyle: :)

Kyle: Hey...

Allie bit down on her lip as she nodded.  Her and Kyle had been close for years, ever since her sister joined the force and it was hard for her to think of them not being friends just because they’d both been too curious about what it would be like for them to sleep together.  “I’ll see you around, Flynn.” She promised, kissing his cheek gently before taking the flowers and leaving.

Last thing Kyle wanted to do was lose his friend especially since how close they had been. Allie was his best friend regardless of what happened between them. “I’ll you see you around, Willis.” He smiled a little bit when she kissed his cheek. “Promise.” He spoke before she left, watching her go. He took a deep breath and let it out. Hoping to keep his promise to her.

Allie couldn’t think about a world where her and Damien were together and happy.  Not when he was moving on and doing so well without her.  She tried not to show how upset she truly was though her brow was furrowed rather intensely and her jaw clenched as she kept nodding at his words. She backed up towards the table, putting her hand down on the flowers that she had brought. “I, uh, I should probably go..try to find them a vase or something..” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this embarrassed and she mostly just wanted him to stop looking at her with pity

Kyle nodded his head a little bit. Maybe within time or something the two of them could become friends again. Or whatever Allie wanted. He never meant to hurt her and it seemed like he had and he hated that. But he couldn’t deny how he felt towards Dakota. That had always been there even when he was with Annie. “Right. You can text me or call me whenever you want. I’m still going to be here for you, Allie.”

Allie listened as he spoke.  She knew she couldn’t be too upset about the kiss because it had been her idea to keep things casual between them but she had to admit, this wasn’t she had been expecting.  She was the mother of his kid, it made sense that he would want to pick her over herself and she couldn’t blame him, right? She shook her head when he mentioned Damien. “You didn’t break us up, I made my own choice there.” She said softly. 

“I still feel like I pushed you towards that decision.” Kyle glanced over at her for a moment before leaning against his counter. “I’m sorry about all of this, Allie. I should have told you that there was a chance that I still had feelings for Dakota. You deserve better than any of this even if we are just casual. You deserve someone who can be with you full heartedly.”

“Sometimes I just don’t even know how guys are able to function.” Allie teased with a sigh, moving to put the flowers down on the table.  She watched as he fussed with his hair over and over, knowing something was on his mind. She walked back over to him and nodded. “What is it?”

“We manage somehow.” He should just come out and say it. And that was what he was planning to do, she deserved that and so much more. So much better. “Uhh--I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to say it. I kissed Dakota on New Years Eve, and I can honestly say with the time that I have been spending with her and the kids that there are some feelings there. And I shouldn’t have broken up Damien and you if I had doubts and I’m sorry. I understand if you hate me.”

Allie smiled when he chuckled, coming in and kissing his cheek. “I brought you flowers. Please tell me there is a vase in this house and we don’t have to put them in an old bean tin.” She teased, handing him the flowers. She shook her head at the question. “No, I’m alright, thanks.”

Kyle smiled a little bit when he felt her lips on his cheek. “Sorry no vase just the old bean tin.” He chuckled a little bit, before looking over at her for a moment. Running a hand through his hair. “Okay. Good.” He ran a hand through his hair again, looking down for a moment before back at her. “Can we talk about something?” 

Allie: Need anything?

Kyle: Nope.

Allie: Yeah, whichever. I'm out. Want me to stop by yours?

Allie: Am I ever?

Kyle: Maybe..

Kyle: Hey.

The last thing Kota wanted to do was repeat the Annie situation with him. She probably shouldn’t even go here because if it went wrong it could be bad but she was overthinking. It was a kiss. It was the new year. She smiled as she watched him leaning in too and then gladly kissed him back, moving her arms around him.

Dakota smiled. She was really glad that he was enjoying his role in their lives. Honestly, it’s all she’d ever wanted for them all since she had Luke. But she’d forgiven all the in-between stuff. She smiled, glancing down but when he took her hand she lifted her gaze again. Dakota blinked back at him, running her tongue over her lower lip briefly as he spoke. “Don’t you..have a girlfriend..” She murmured knowing most girls didn’t really like their men kissing their exes even at New year but honestly she was already sort of leaning towards him because god did she want to.

Dakota chuckled, shaking her head a little but she really appreciated him saying that. It felt nice. And she had to admit it was nice having him here, being able to just be normal. Be parents, not weird ex hook-ups with Annie jumping down Kota’s throat every five minutes, or being angry at him for ignoring Luke. “Well, believe me, I really lov–like having you around them.” She did think he would be a good influence that the kids could use in their life - she used to be bitter and think he was a deadbeat but he’d proved himself otherwise since just before his dad, so… she was more than grateful. And happy. “No, thank you. For showing up.”

This was really nice being here and Kyle loved it actually. Being able to be there for them. Even James. It was nice being normal parents and not weird exes or anything like that. Annie was the furthest person from his mind, hell even Allie wasn’t on it. Of course he noticed that she almost said love. “Good I’m glad, cause I really lov--like being around them.” He was still doing the best to prove that he could be a good dad. He was trying. “I’d show up for you guys anytime.” He told her softly. Reaching for her hand to give it a gentle squeeze. When the bells started. “Can I?” He wanted to ask before he just did it. Given their history.

Dakota grinned at him. “Oh, I don’t know about that…” She ducked her head slightly, smiling down at her hands. It was really nice to hear someone say something like that and quite honestly it meant a lot coming from him. She looked back up and had another few sips of wine before setting her glass back down on the side. “It’s been so much more hectic with little Ellie but I really wouldn’t change a minute of it… these kids are the best parts of my day. Anyway Luke’s really been loving having you around. I can tell.”

“You may not think so but you totally are.” Kyle pointed out, looking over at her still. Watching her for a moment, he couldn’t help but feel something that he hadn’t felt in awhile. Not even when he was with Allie. Reaching for his beer, he took a drink before setting it back down. His eyes went back to Dakota. “I can only imagine. But I’m not going to lie seeing the kids whenever I can even little Ellie and James totally makes my day better. I really like being around for Luke and just all of you in general. So thank you, Kota for letting me do that.”