(Present day, Ben's POV)

My fingers flew across the keys as I started the song I had composed.

"Without you, I'm no longer me, without you I'm no longer free." I began.

"Now I can't do anything, I guess jealousy is king because I clearly don't rule your heart, the way we worked and loved was art." I sang, my voice trembling the slightest bit.

"And now it's gone. I'm stuck missing you, not knowing if you miss me too." A tear slipped down my cheek as my fingers pressed the keys delicately, teasing the sound out of the keys.

"All that we were is no more, heart and sense are now at war. Perfection was what we were,
but doubts made your heart deter."

"I thought we had happily ever after, nights filled with jokes and laughter, time together was time well spent, and I never told you how much it meant." My hands were shaking and it was getting progressively harder to continue playing.

"To me, you're an angel without wings, Oh Angel, how my heart stings! All that we were is no more,
heart and sense are now at war. We had everything. 
And now it's gone. Because you're gone."

How was the song? I wrote it but I don't think it's very good. 😕

I collapsed in my seat, my posture slumping, and my head rested on my hands.

Mike came into the door whistling cheerfully.

"Why are you so happy?" I groused. A broad grin split across his face. "The adoption attorney said we could have Ever placed in our home as a foster kid to see if we're a good fit!"

My head snapped up. "There's going to be a kid here in 24ish hours?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

Mike nodded his head cheerfully. "And you are helping me raise her!" I shook my head in disbelief. "How old is this kid?" I asked fearfully. I really hope she isn't a baby.

"She's four." I slumped forward in relief. "Oh. That's a good age."

Mike started skipping around the house, more cheerful than he had been in weeks.

"And don't forget!" He shouted over his shoulder. "Shave, shower, and get out of your pajamas! You look like a hobo in expensive pajamas!"

I grumbled under my breath but went to the bathroom.

I grabbed my shaving kit and mirror and stepped into the shower.

I carefully stuck the back of the mirror to the shower wall and turned on the water. I rubbed shaving cream against the sides of my stubbly cheeks and started to shave. I accidentally nicked myself with the razor once or twice, but otherwise, I did pretty well.

I stepped out of the shower, cinched a towel around my waist, and went to the mirror hanging over the sink. I selected a comb and carefully ran it through my hair, taking great care to make it as neat as possible.

In Mike's words, not mine, I didn't look like a 'Hobo dressed in expensive pajamas' now.

I winked at myself in the mirror and made finger guns. "Lookin' good!" I exclaimed. I extended a hand towards the mirror. "The name's Ripley. Ben Ripley." I heard loud laughing behind me and I whirled around. Mike was bent over, clutching his sides as great peals of laughter escaped him.

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment. "Uhm, uh..." I stuttered.

"I can't believe you just did that!" Mike wheezed. He straightened up, and his laughter subsided. "Put on some clothes, she's going to be here in about an hour.

I shambled to my room, my cheeks still aflame.

"Gods alive, that guy is such a nerd." I heard Mike snort. I rolled my eyes and started thumbing through my closet.

I wanted to look welcoming and presentable, so I put on a blue checked shirt and some nice slacks.

I straightened my collar and headed down to the living room. Mike was already there, his blond hair immaculately gelled, and his hazel eyes shining with anticipation.

He was wringing his hands excitedly and talking rapidly, his legs jiggling.

We passed by an hour just talking, and finally, after what seemed like forever, the doorbell rung. I straightened importantly, and Mike hurried to the door. "Omigosh, I'm becoming a dad, oh my gods!" He muttered.

The door opener and there was a tiny girl standing there shyly, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her shirt.

"Ever!" Mike exclaimed and pulled her into a gentle hug. She looked up at him with wide adoring eyes. "You go' me ou' of there!" She breathed in admiration.

Mike nodded joyfully and wrapped her into a bear hug. "Welcome home." He said softly into her ear.

Her face split into a huge grin, and she skipped over to me. I couldn't help smiling as she came over, she just had this infectious enthusiasm.

"So. Are you my other papa?" She asked, in an innocence, only a four-year-old could posses. I spluttered, at a loss for words. Mike chuckled and answered for me. "No, we're just best friends. This is technically his house, and he's going to help raise you.

Ever looked at him curiously. "Why are you living a' his house? Are you homeless?" She asked very matter of factly. She seemed to have a pretty large vocabulary for a four-year-old, not mixing her words up at all.

Mike looked down at his feet. "No, I actually have a penthouse, but Ben and I both needed a person." She nodded. "Alrigh' why you need a person?" She asked.

"Well, aren't you nosey!" I said, but I chuckled. "I was going through a breakup, and I suppose Mike was going through a breakup of sorts."

She nodded, her curiosity finally satiated. "You can call me Uncle Ben," I informed her. "Okay, Unca Ben!" Came the answer.

"You can call me dad if you want to," Mike told her. A shy smile spread over her face. "I would like tha." (She had a difficult time pronouncing her T's, it seemed.)

A huge grin spread over Mike's face, and I could feel one spread over my face as well.

Maybe this kid would be good for us.

I am bored. Terribly bored. So freaking bored. Also I love jily. Still bored. And stuck in book club.