"fear is stupid. so are regrets"

“Yay!” she said excitedly, clapping her hands and jumping up and down for a moment. She grabbed her purse and walked with Lizzie out. “Honestly, if you ever need me to do anything at all, just say it is for Ryder and it’ll be done.”

“You’re too good you know that?” Diana was one of the most genuinely great people around. Lizzie was glad she had gotten to know her. Lizzie picked up Ryder. “Want to spend some time with mommy and auntie Diana?” She asked her son.

Kory’s brows rose as he saw her. “You look amazing you know that?” He told her as he walked over and kissed her cheek. “Come on lets go.” He grabbed the skates by the door, as he intended to take her ice skating tonight, something a little different for a first date. There was a lake that had frozen over, he had tested the ice to make sure it was safe earlier and well he knew they could skate on it.

Lizzie blushed slightly, Kory had always had that effect on her. “You look pretty handsome yourself.” She complimented looking up at him. She was more than ready to spend some one on one time with him again and get a night out. She loved Ryder of course, but she could use a night away. She looked at the skates as she followed him out.

“Alright then blondie…” Ryan got on his feet, “And what do you suggest we do to help me, then? Since you’re an expert and all….”

“Get on a better sleep schedule?” She shrugged. “But since that won’t help you at this very moment, I guess we go pump you with caffeine.”

“Of course. Well, I’m about done here, so do you want to walk out with me? We can drop by and see my favorite little guy in the entire world.”

“That sounds like a good plan to me.” Lizzie smiled and they started walking. 

Part of Kory was wondering what the hell he was doing. Taking Lizzie out on a date, he dropped their son off with his moms he was shooed off to go enjoy his night. Kory walked downstairs and saw Lizzie. “So uh, you ready to go on out?” He questioned and then cursed inwardly, why was he so fucking nervous? The last thing he wanted was to start another fight between them because he didn’t want to lose her.

@littl3lizzi3

Lizzie had spent an embarrassingly long time picking out what to wear and getting ready. She hadn’t been on a date in forever and the fact that it was Kory made it even more important to her. She knew he had told her many times he didn’t mind how she looked, but she wanted to look nice for him. She smirked at him. “Definitely ready.” 

“Good. I need some tough love at times so I don’t become too overbearing,” she said with a soft laugh of her own. “Sounds good. I’ll be there no matter what. You deserve all the naps,” Diana said with a bright smile.

Lizzie smiled. “Thank you, Diana.”

“I always want some Ryder time, but I don’t want to be pushy and take up all your time with him. I don’t want to be a hover aunt who basically tries to be a second mom to him or something. I gotta let you figure stuff out on your own, as much as I just want to jump in and help,” Diana explained. “Aw, don’t make me cry. Talking about that little guy always makes me emotional,” she said, reaching over to hug Lizzie.

“Okay, that all makes sense. Don’t worry though, even though I love you I have no problem kicking you out.” She laughed slightly. “Tell you want. I’ll give you a call the next time I feel like I could use a break. You can get some Ryder time and I’ll take a nap or something.” Lizzie suggested. She hugged Diana back. 

“So…. you’re telling me if someone put 4 gallons of your favorite drink in front of you, that you wouldn’t be happy? Also… sleep is for the weak, blondie.”

Lizzie just rolled her eyes. “All I’m saying is it looks like your past the point of where coffee could help.” She pointed out with a shrug. 

“Yeah, why don’t you go pack your bag and I’ll go grab some stuff for the little man myself.” Kory told Lizzie as he then looked over at her. “So my moms offered to watch Ryder on Valentines day if you want to go out on a date maybe?” Kory asked her figuring they could get around to that first date if she wanted.

Lizzie nodded. She listened to him continue to speak as she headed for her room, but stopped and turned back to him when he asked. “Kory, are you asking me on a date?” Aside from his ex, Lizzie hadn’t known Kory to be the type to ask on dates. Her tone was teasing, but a smile was on her lips. “I couldn’t think of a better way to spend Valentine's Day.” She answered honestly before going to pack a few things in a bag. 

Ryan let out a yawn, looking up at Lizzie, “Hmmm… wha…? Yeah yeah… just exhausted.” He cleared his throat, “Need like four gallons of coffee.”

“Four gallons might be a bit excessive. Looks like you could use some sleep honestly.”

Josie walked into her sister’s place with the baby girl in the stroller.  She smiled at the baby on the floor as she took Maisie out and moved to sit next to her sister.  “Not much actually.  Just felt like getting these two wigglers together.”

“That’s a great idea. They need to bond more.” Lizzie loved that her and her twin both had young children around the same age. “You know I haven’t seen either of you in what feels like years. We need some twin time.”

“Don’t even tempt me. I’d do anything for that adorable little boy. Literally,” she stated, shaking her head. “He is everything to me and I will do anything for him. And you and Kory.”

“Hey whenever you want some Ryder time let me know. You can watch him whenever you want. Or stop by to play.” She nodded and smiled at Diana. “I know. I couldn’t have asked for Ryder to have better aunts. He’s lucky he has you as one of them.”

“Well maybe you should have had faith, because it’s always been you Lizzie.” Kory remembered his sisters words, the fact that his sister reminded him that he had been in love with Lizzie all along. When he finally got to taste her sweet lips again, he smiled and kissed her back. His hands came up to frame her face holding her closer.

She smile at hearing it had always been her. It was hard to have faith before with her thoughts and him being with someone else. She tightened her own grip on him, almost afraid to let him go. Her lips broke from his for a moment. “Should we get ready to head to your place?”

When Lizzie tried challenging him to say how he felt he shrugged. “I thought she knew.” He shot back, he just wasn’t good at starting with the mushy words and all of that bullshit. “Come on Lizzie don’t make me say it.” It wouldn’t come out right, he just knew it wouldn’t. 

“She had her doubts.” Yes, there had been a time when Lizzie thought she and Kory would be together, and thought he had felt the same. When he started seeing someone else though she questioned if it had all been just in her head. She smiled softly and snuggled closer into his arms. Her nose gently brushed his before she was kissing him again.