It was a lazy Sunday, and Jax had no plans, so when he had a craving for a blueberry muffin, he threw on some clothes and took a walk to the coffee shop down the street.

The moment he walked into Central Perk, he got the strangest feeling. He turned around and saw a familiar blonde woman. He looked away, and then he did a double take. It was Chloe!

Chloe sat at the table by the window, mindlessly stirring whatever she had in a mug.

Jax walked over to her. "Chloe?"

Chloe looked up at the sound of her name. Her eyes lit up. "Jax! Oh my god! Hey!" She stood up and gave him a hug, then slowly pulled away. "What are you doing here?!" she asked excitedly.

"I was just about to ask you the same question," Jax said with a smile.

"Oh please, join me," Chloe offered.

Jax sat down. "Wow, this is great. I didn't expect to run into you here. So, really, what are you doing here?"

"Well, Molly is at a birthday party for one of her friends who lives close by, so I was just killing some time. Now, your turn, what are you doing here? Are you stalking me?" Chloe laughed.

Jax laughed too. "No. Actually, I live here."

"You live here? In the coffee house?" Chloe asked with a confused expression.

Jax laughed. "No, I meant here in this neighborhood."

"Oh, of course. Duh, Chloe!" Chloe blushed in embarrassment.

Jax laughed again. "No, I'm sorry, I should have worded it differently."

"No, I should have known what you were talking about. You know, I had no idea that you lived in this part of the city!"

"Yep. This is where I live."

The waitress, seeing Jax, came by to get his order. Chloe ordered another mocha.

"This is a really nice coffee shop," Chloe commented. "Do you come here all the time?"

"Yeah, fairly often. Maybe a few times a week. But not as much as that group of six over there." Jax pointed toward a group of people sitting around a couch. "They are here every time I come here, and they're always sitting around that orange couch. I've never been able to sit on that couch!"

Chloe laughed. And before long, the two realized that they had spent half an hour chatting.

"So, what did you have planned for the afternoon?" Jax asked tentatively.

Chloe looked at her watch. "Well, I don't have to pick Molly up until five, sooooo….nothing!" She said with a big smile.

Jax grinned. "Well in that case, would you like to kill the next two hours with me?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Chloe said. Then they got their things and got up from the table. "You know what, Jax?" Chloe said as they walked out the door.

"What?"

"We met each other three days ago, and we have seen each other every day since then. And I wasn't even expecting to see you today because well, the odds of running into a familiar face in New York are slim. So I have a sneaking suspicion that fate is behind this."

Jax laughed. "I think you could be right about that."

Since Central Park was right across the street, Jax and Chloe decided to go for a little stroll.

"It must be nice to live right across from the park," Chloe said.

"Oh yeah, it's great. I go for a run here some mornings."

"I bring Molly here a lot on the weekends, when it's warm like this. She goes crazy over those hot dogs they sale at the little stands here."

"Oh, best hot dogs in the world!" Jax said.

"Oh no, not you too!" Chloe laughed.

"I love them! You have to admit, nothing in the world beats a hot dog from the city."

Chloe shook her head. "Very true."

Before long, Chloe realized that it was almost time to pick up Molly. "Shoot, I didn't realize the time. I have to pick up Molly in a bit. I really hate to cut our afternoon short! I've had fun."

Jax suddenly got an idea. "Hey wait, I've got it. Dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yeah, dinner. Look, I live right across the street, and you said that Molly's friend lives nearby as well. Why don't you pick her up, and we can all eat at my place?"

Chloe thought about it for a while.

"Oh come on," Jax persisted, "who's going to turn down free food, huh? I can't cook, and don't worry, I won't! But we can order delivery."

Chloe cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you said you didn't know of any good restaurants in the city."

"Well sure, I don't know all of them, but I certainly know all the ones that have great take-out and delivery!"

Chloe laughed.

"So?" Jax asked.

"I would love too."

"Great!" Jax cheered. "So, what are you in the mood for?"

"Well, Molly is a really picky eater. She'll only eat pizza and chicken, so either one of those will be just fine with me."

"Alright, that works. I just discovered the best place for pizza in New York City last week!"

Jax waited outside for Chloe and Molly. A black and white kitten sniffing around the building caught his attention. It reminded him of Molly and how she loved kittens. And just as he was thinking about her, he heard her.

"Jax! You're here!" Molly exclaimed and ran over to him. Before Jax could even say hello to the girl, she had already threw her little arms around his legs. "Mommy says we're going to have pizza at your house!"

Jax smiled. "Yeah," was all Jax could think of to say.

Chloe smiled and took hold of Molly's hand. "Did you have fun at Charlotte's birthday party?"

"Yep! A clown came and made us all balloon animals! See?" Molly held up hers. It was a giraffe. "And Charlotte got a Baby Dill with a pacifier! Can I have one too?"

"We'll see," Chloe said. "So, you say your place is right around the corner?" Chloe asked Jax.

"Yeah, it's in walking distance."

"Great, lead the way," Chloe said.

"Yeah, lead the way!" Molly repeated.

"Oh wow, you have got a nice place!" Chloe said as she and Molly walked into Jax's penthouse.

"Thanks. It's a little bigger than the one I use to have, so it's not bad."

Chloe walked over to the window. "Wow! You have a great view of the park from here!"

Jax went over to where Chloe was standing and looked out the window too. It was funny how he never really realized how great a view he had until now.

"Mommy, look at me!"

Chloe and Jax both turned around. Molly was sitting in Jax's desk chair spinning around.

Chloe rushed over to her. "Molly! You shouldn't spin around in that chair; you could break it!"

"Oh, no she won't," Jax shrugged it off.

"I'm getting dizzy, Mommy!" Molly laughed.

"Molly, Mommy doesn't want you doing that." She turned to Jax. "I'm sorry about this."

"No, it's okay. Really, I don't mind if she plays in the chair. You're only young once, right? Remember how fun that used to be?"

Chloe shook her head. "All right."

"So, what kind of pizza did you want me to order?"

"Oh, just cheese is fine. It's the only kind Molly will eat."

"Really?" Jax asked, stunned.

Chloe laughed. "Yeah. I told you she was a picky eater."

Jax smiled. "Okay, so did you want cheese too?"

"I like just about anything."

"Well maybe I'll make it half n half? Cheese and pepperoni?"

"That sounds great."

"Good. Okay, I'll go call in the order."

When Chloe turned around, she saw that Molly was gone. She scanned the living room. The child was not in sight.

"Oh no," Chloe muttered under her breath.

Chloe went to the hallway and peeked into the rooms for Molly.

"Molly?" she called out. There was no answer, except for the sound of some shuffling in one of the bedrooms. "Molly?" Chloe said softly and walked into the room.

Molly had been exploring in the closet. She slowly stepped out of it and closed the sliding door behind her. "Mommy, look, this is a big closet like you have at home. And it has the doors that slide."

"Molly, you shouldn't be in here, baby!" Chloe said in a hushed tone.

"I was just looking, Mommy."

"Baby, it's rude to go looking around in other people's rooms."

"There you two are," Jax said, standing in the doorway.

Chloe looked up, surprised. "Jax, I'm so sorry! Molly was just looking. I didn't know she was in here."

Jax laughed. "That's alright."

"Molly, why don't you go to the living room and find some cartoons to watch on television?"

"Okay!" Molly ran out of the room

"And don't run!" Chloe called out. She turned to Jax. "Again, I'm sorry about that. I swear, every two seconds, that child gets into something!" Chloe laughed.

"Really, it's okay. Well, I just ordered the pizza. It should be here in about a half hour."

"Great, I'm starved!"

Chloe glanced around the room, actually seeing it for the first time. She was surprised that it was so clean and neat. She had never met a guy who could keep his bedroom tidy. Then, a picture on the dresser suddenly caught her attention. Chloe walked over to it and picked up the frame. It was a picture of a beautiful woman with dark hair. She was leaning against a couch with her hand to her chin, wearing a light blue shirt and a big smile. "Is this Brenda?" Chloe asked softly.

Jax walked over to Chloe. "Yeah. That's Brenda."

"She's very pretty. Beautiful actually." Chloe carefully set the picture back on the dresser as it had been before.

"Yes, she was very beautiful," Jax said softly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Chloe apologized. "Here I am giving a lecture to Molly about snooping in other people's rooms and then I look at the things on your dresser."

"No, don't apologize. I don't mind. I actually debated for a long time whether or not I wanted to keep that picture out. When she died, it took me a long time to let go. I kept her things exactly where she had left them. I don't know why; I guess a part of me was hoping she would come back. But I eventually packed her things up. But I…well, it just didn't feel right to put up everything, to put her entire life in a box. So I left this one picture out. I didn't want her to think I was forgetting about her, you know?"

Chloe nodded.

"Anyway, that had always been my favorite picture of her."

Chloe smiled. "It's a lovely picture."

Jax nodded, not really sure of what else to say.

"Well," Chloe finally said, "I suppose I better go see what trouble Molly has gotten into now!" she said with a laugh. Jax laughed with her and they walked out of the room.

When Jax and Chloe got back to the living room, Molly was sitting on the couch, her eyes glued to a Looney Toons cartoon and playing with her balloon animal.

"She doesn't look like she's in much trouble to me," Jax whispered.

"Ah, a rare moment of peace." Chloe shook her head. "This won't last long," Chloe assured with a laugh.

Jax looked at the TV. "I loved Bugs Bunny when I was kid."

Chloe smiled at him. "Me too. I still do actually!"

"Me too," Jax agreed. "So, I guess I'll go set the table."

"Oh, I'll help you," Chloe offered. She followed Jax into the kitchen.

"What kind of drink do you want? I have water, coke, grape juice, wine…" he laughed at that last one.

Chloe laughed. "Coke is fine with me. Maybe the juice for Molly. I don't want her drinking too much soda; she's had enough caffeine today already! I can get the plates. Which cabinet are they in?"

"Oh uh, the top one on the left."

Chloe opened up the cabinet and got out the plates. She looked in the other cabinet out of curiosity. "Wow, you really don't cook, do you? You don't have any pots and pans."

Jax laughed. "That's why I'm on a first name basis with the Chinese food delivery guy."

As they chatted and set the table, Chloe heard some suspicious sounds from the living room. She peered into the living room and saw Molly running around the couch. "Molly, what did I say about running?"

"Sorry!" Molly said and changed her run to a fast walk. Chloe couldn't help but laugh.

Jax looked over at her. "She's a cute kid," he said.

"What she really is is a handful! I really hope she's not getting bored. I didn't think about it until now, but she really doesn't have any of her toys with her to keep her occupied."

"I have some computer games that she might like. Wait, what am I thinking? She's three, she probably doesn't know how to use a computer."

"Oh no! Jax, she *knows* how to use a computer! She probably knows more than I do!"

"Are you serious?" Jax laughed.

"Yes, and she *loves* computer games! She's plays them all the time on our computer. In fact, she has a whole collection of CD-ROMs."

"Okay, great. That can be something she can do if she's bored."

"Wait, they're not violent games, are they?"

"Oh no, they're pretty tame. Just games I downloaded off the Internet and stuff, like Elf bowl."

"Oh, Molly loves that one!" Chloe laughed. "Especially the part where the elves moon Santa!"

Jax laughed. "It's a crazy game!"

"Molly," Chloe asked, "Jax has some computer games if you want to play with them."

"Ooo yeah!" Molly exclaimed and ran over to the computer desk. "I wanna play some games!"

Jax set everything up and Molly was content playing with it. Jax was still amazed how a three-year-old could be so skilled with a computer.

After their pizza came and Molly finished up, she went to go play. Jax and Chloe stayed at the table to finish up their food and talk.

A few minutes later though, they heard a loud crash. It came from the living room. Chloe immediately got up from the table and went to see what happened. Jax followed.

In the living room, Molly stood by the end table with a broken vase lying on the floor, shattered into bits and pieces.

"Molly!" Chloe said.

"It was accident! It was accident, Mommy!" Molly cried, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It was accident!"

"Oh, baby, it's okay. I'm not mad at you. I know it was just an accident."

Molly looked at Jax and started to cry again. "Are you mad at me? I didn't mean to break it!"

Jax smiled. "Molly, it's alright."

Molly started to step away from the mess.

"Oh, Molly, don't move!" Chloe said, and picked her up. "There's glass everywhere and I don't want you to step on any. Where are your shoes?"

"Over there," Molly said, sniffling as she pointed to the couch.

"Hey, Molly, don't cry," Jax coaxed.

"I'm sorry I broke it," Molly apologized again.

"It's okay. You know what, Molly; I never really liked this vase anyway. So actually, I'm glad you broke it!" Jax smiled big.

"Really?"

"Yes really. I hated it. So cheer up, don't cry. I'm not mad!"

Chloe put Molly down. "Molly, why don't you go play on the computer, okay?"

"Okay," Molly said softly and went over there to play another game.

Chloe got down on her knees and helped Jax clean up the broken glass.

"Jax, I am so sorry," she whispered. "I'll pay for. How much did it cost?"

"No, no, Chloe, you don't have to do that. I wasn't lying when I told you I hated this thing."

"Really?"

"Yeah. See, my mom bought it for me, sort of as a housewarming gift, and I really hate it, but I only have it out in case she decides to drop in for a surprise visit."

"Are you sure?" Chloe asked once more.

"It's okay, Chloe. Molly actually did me a favor, believe me!"

Chloe laughed. "Alright. But for future reference, you should know that this is why I don't keep fragile things on low tables!"

Jax laughed too. "I'll keep that in mind!"

After Jax and Chloe got the mess cleaned up, Chloe helped him clean up the kitchen. Then they went to the living room.

"Mommy?" Molly said.

"Yes, baby?" Chloe asked.

Molly held up a CD. "I wanna play this one."

Chloe walked over to the computer and took the CD. She looked at it. "Baby, I don't think this is a game. I think you make greeting cards with this. Right?" she asked Jax.

"Is that the Print Artist?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah, you make cards with that."

"I wanna make a greeting card," Molly stated.

"But, Molly, it's not a game. You make actual cards with this."

"I wanna make a greeting card," Molly repeated.

"It's okay," Jax said, "she can play it. But I've never used it before, so I don't know what it is like."

Chloe smiled at him. "Do you always buy software that you never use?"

"Huh? Oh no!" Jax laughed. "My mom gave me that. See, my dad bought her a CD rewriter last Christmas, and ever since then, she has gone crazy making copies of everything. I tried to tell her that I am not the greeting card type person, but she didn't listen. In fact, you can even keep it, I'll never use it."

Chloe laughed. She made a mental note to ask Jax to tell her more about his parents later. She sat down at the desk with Molly to try to figure it out. "Oh yeah, I guess we have to install it," she said. "Hmm, let's see, I haven't done this in a while."

"You have to click on that, Mommy," Molly told her.

Chloe looked at Jax. "It's a sad thing when your three-year-old has to tell you how to install something!" Chloe laughed.

Jax pulled up a chair to the desk and sat down with them to check it out. The program started, and the three of them tried to figure out how it worked.

"Who do you want to make a card for, Molly?" Chloe asked.

"Uh, I wanna make a card for Nana."

"Okay, we'll make one for Nana." They came upon some pictures.

"Okay, I think you have to pick what picture you want on the card, Molly. Which one do you want?"

"Find a picture of Scooby-Doo, Mommy."

Jax and Chloe laughed softly.

"Baby, I don't think there are any pictures of Scooby-Doo here."

"Why?"

"Because, I think you just have to choose from the ones they have. But look, there's one of a puppy. Do you want that one?"

"No."

"How about that one of the bear."

"Ooo, Mommy, I want the one with the kitties!" Molly pointed excitedly.

"Alright."

Just after they made the card and were printing it out, Jax heard a knock at the door.

"Were you expecting someone?" Chloe asked.

"Not really. Let me go see who that is, excuse me." Jax walked over to the door and opened it. It was Jerry.

Jerry sauntered in. "Hey little brother, I came by to, oh…" Jerry suddenly noticed Chloe. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company."

"Oh, Jerry it's okay. Chloe, this is my brother Jerry. And, Jerry, this is Chloe. You remember I was telling you about her?"

"Right." Jerry extended his hand to Chloe. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Chloe said. "Jax has told me about you."

"All good things I hope," Jerry winked.

Chloe laughed.

Molly ran over to the group. "Here's my card, Mommy! Look at it!"

Chloe looked over the card. "It's wonderful, Molly. Nana will love this; I'll mail it in the morning."

Molly looked up at Jerry. "Who are you?"

"I'm Uncle Jerry, and you must be Molly." Jerry smiled at her.

"Yep, that's my name!" Molly smiled and ran off to go play with the computer again.

"Well look," Jerry said, "I won't stay long. I don't want to interrupt. Jax, I need that bank statement we were going over."

"Oh right. Let me get that for you."

Jerry sat down on the couch and Chloe joined him.

"So, Jax told me what happened Thursday."

"Oh, I know! I still shudder the think what could have happened. I'm so grateful your brother was there."

"Well my brother may not admit it because he's so modest, but he's a real hero with a heart of gold."

Chloe smiled. "Yes, he is."

"So, are you two, what, having a date?"

"Uh, not exactly. Jax just invited us over for pizza. I was in the neighborhood."

"Well you know uh," Jerry leaned forward, "if you get tired of this bozo," he pointed to Jax. "I'm free."

"Jerry, stop trying to flirt with her," Jax said.

"I'm not flirting with her! Was I flirting with you?"

Chloe just shrugged her shoulders.

Jax leaned closer to Chloe. "Chloe, whatever you do, avoid his advances! You do not want him. Trust me! He's a player."

"I resent that!" Jerry retorted. "And I am not a player!" He turned to Chloe. "I'm not a player."

Chloe laughed.

"Goodbye, Jerry!" Jax said, handing him the bank statement.

Jerry stood up. "Alright, I can see when I've overstayed my welcome. I'll let you two get back to your date…or whatever."

Jerry walked out and Jax closed the door behind him.

"Your brother seems nice."

"My brother is annoying," Jax said.

Chloe laughed. Then she looked at her watch. "You know, I should probably go in a bit. I don't want it to get too late."

"Alright, I understand."

"Molly, we're going to have to go in a few minutes."

"Nooo! Mommy, I wanna finish this game!" Molly complained.

"Alright, you can finish the game, but then we gotta go." She turned to Jax. "Jax, I just wanted to tell you that I had a great day. And thanks for the pizza, it was really good too."

Jax smiled. "I had fun too. Do you uh, do you want to do it again sometime?"

"I'd love to." Chloe looked over at Molly. She was engrossed in the game she was playing. Chloe looked back at Jax. He had not taken his eyes off from her. And then, she saw him leaning closer.

Chloe closed her eyes and felt Jax's lips on hers once again. She had almost forgotten how much she enjoyed this Friday night. He kissed her softly, and then slowly pulled away.

"Well, uh, I really should go now," she said softly. "Thanks again, Jax."

"You're welcome."

"Molly, are you finished with your game?"

"Just one more second, Mommy!" Chloe looked at Jax and sighed. Jax smiled.

Molly then came running over. "I'm done, Mommy."

"Okay, baby. Say goodbye to Jax."

"Bye, Jax!"

"Bye, Molly."

"Molly, did you put your shoes back on?"

"Yes, Mommy."

Chloe turned to Jax. "So I'll see you soon?"

"Sure," Jax said. "I'll give you a call."

"Okay great. Bye."

"Bye."

Jax closed the door and sat down on the couch. He realized that Molly had forgotten her balloon animal. He smiled, thinking about how wonderful the day had gone. Molly really was a cute kid, and she had a beautiful mother.

To be continued…