Warning: This ones kinda long. It got away from me. Thanks for waiting! Now that I'm stuck in self quarantine for the next two weeks, my updates will definitely come on time and maybe even earlier if I'm feeling up to it! We get to some more exciting stuff in this chapter.
Also, there is one point where a chapter says the F word. I did bleep one letter out, but it is clear what it is so just be warned. This book is not as PG as Clash of Spies since they're adults now, so just FYI. Also everyone be safe and wash your hands. COVID19 is spreading rapidly right now. Alright on that note, please enjoy!

It took me a while to process that we were finally at Zoe's house as we got out of the car. Erica walked up on the porch first and then I followed. She rang the doorbell.

We heard a dog barking, a sequel of a child and little footsteps running towards the door. The door suddenly swung open to reveal a little boy with sea green eyes and a big toothy grin looking up at us. The boy looked about three years old, had light blonde hair, piercing sea green eyes and a cute, playful smile. Oh my god. That was Zoe's son. I could see parts of her in this boy. Their eyes were the exact same color. Zoe's hair was a darker shade of blonde than the kid's but they had almost the exact same face shape.

"Are you Dory the Doctor?!" The kid exclaimed in awe. He had a cute little kid lisp.

I whirled around to look at Erica due to the kid's comment, "Who?"

Erica shot me an embarrassed side look, "I was on this kid show as a guest star. It was a show like Sesame Street. He must have seen me on that."

I snorted in hidden laughter. I would love to see the Ice Queen on a kids show.

I was jarred out of my thoughts by someone coming up behind the little boy.

"Jackson," we could hear this person say, although we couldn't see them yet, "What did I say about opening the door?"

The boy, Jackson apparently, turned around sheepishly, "Not to do it. Sorry mommy."

The person chuckled and came into the doorframe, but their head was down, looking at her son. She ruffled his hair.

She finally looked up, "What can I do for- oh my god."

I haven't seen Zoe in ten years. She even stopped posting pictures on Instagram three or so years ago. Her hair was dark blonde in a messy bun at the top of her head. She was wearing a loose t-shirt and gray sweatpants. It looked like she was in the middle of baking, as she had flour on her clothes. Zoe looked almost the same, no different features, just older, obviously. She was still very pretty though. My feelings for her were over, however, since she was married and I haven't seen her in so long.

"Hey Zoe," Erica smiled and they embraced. She still looked in shock.

"Uh... hi," Zoe looked like she was having trouble processing all of it, "What, who... why are you here? It's good to see you! Come on in!"

We both expertly avoided eye contact. It was super awkward. I don't know why it should have been, she was married and I was over her. But remembering all those feelings while being reminded she was married was the uncomfortable part.

Her house was nicely decorated. It had dark brown hardwood floors and stairs leading up to a second level. The house was painted very lightly. All throughout the house there were pictures of the family and the kids and even had some artwork by Jackson framed. I noticed a family picture. It was of Zoe, her husband, Jackson and their newborn girl. It seemed to have taken been taken a year ago.

Zoe led us to the main living and kitchen area. She had a huge kitchen with a giant island. It was open concept, so there was a rustic dining table and the living room was visible from here. It felt super homey and happy, with soft light colors and pictures hanging on the walls. Jackson's toys were everywhere and there were some cribs and other stuff for the newborn.

The kitchen was a mess, though, as they were making cookies. Jackson skipped over to the oven and asked his mom to turn the oven light on, so he could see his masterpiece. He plopped himself down right in front of the oven. Erica and I took seats at the island while Zoe leaned against the counter and gave an exhaustive sigh.

"Can I get you guys anything? A water, snack, maybe some orange juice?"

"No but when those cookies come out I would love to help you get rid of them," Erica said playfully. Zoe smiled at this.

Zoe looked the same as before for the most part, but her attitude and vibe was very different. Before, she was always happy and looking for the good in everything. Now, she just seemed exhausted and I had a feeling that something was bothering her. I'd had the feeling ever since I walked in the door.

"So, wow, what brings you guys here? I mean, Ben, I haven't seen you in years!"

"We have, well, an old enemy that's been-" I was cut off however by yelling from upstairs.

"ZOE! THE BABY JUST CRAPPED! DEAL WITH HER PLEASE!" It was a man's voice. The tone was exasperated and had a rude edge to it.

For a second, I could see her face fall into annoyance, but then a happy mask was put on.

"Honey, you think you could change Stella this time? We have guests and I would like to talk with them." Zoe gently called this up the stairs.

We heard him grunt in anger and movement upstairs. Zoe's back was slightly turned on us but on her face, I could make the expression of slight fear and apprehension. It didn't seem like she stood up to this man that often. And she kinda looked mildly terrified at the fact that she just did.

I stole a glance at Erica. Her face was hard and cold. She too noticed Zoe's tone and expression, and probably picked up more emotions that I did. Erica's body language told us she was ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

The person stomped down stairs. The house was quiet, so the footsteps sounded deafening. The person came down the hall and into the kitchen.

The man was about my age, around twenty five years old. He was super handsome, with a chiseled jawline, strong build and lucious sandy blond hair. In his arms, was a crying little baby, only around six or seven months old. He had an unpleasant scowl on his face.

He marched up to Zoe and shoved the baby in her arms. She was super unhappy with him doing this, but tried her best to mask it.

"Here," he said, aggressively, "Change the baby. I provide for this family, the least you could do is change it." Zoe immediately stiffened in anger at his comment, but didn't say anything back. Erica, however, looked like she wanted to punch him. To be honest, so did I. A husband should never speak to his wife like this.

After a few beats of silence, Zoe gently told him, "Thank you, and I appreciate what you do Kurt. However, I have guests and I have been changing Stella for the last few months so I figured you could do it this one time. I'm sorry if I am wrong."

She seemed to be talking to him like a five year old. Her tone was patronizing but it seemed weird to me how she just went along with Kurt's behavior and didn't fight back.

He scoffed, "Yeah you are wrong. Change her. And after that, get me a beer, would you?"

Zoe's face was hard in anger, but her tone to Kurt was light, "We have some in the fridge if you'd like to grab one." It seemed like Zoe was scared to speak up to her husband.

"No, I'd like you to grab one," He made his way to the couch and finally noticed us.

He gave me a judgmental smirk. It was obvious he was judging me and my appearance. But then his eyes went wide when he saw Erica. It was evident he definitely recognized her. Kurt gave a big smile. But then he scanned her body, looking up and down. It seemed pretty clear that he was checking her out. With his wife in the bathroom with their child about twenty feet away. Kurt gave Erica another wolffish grin. Erica gave him a stare that would make me pee my pants. She did not find it great that he was checking her out. In fact, we both found it awful. Kurt seemed a little shaken by the glare, but ignored it.

"Well, I didn't know I would be in the presence of the gorgeous Erica Handler today," he grinned, "Why are you here? Not that I'm complaining or anything."

"Ben and Erica are visiting me. We went to the same middle school," Zoe said as she came walking out out of the bathroom with a happy baby on her hip. Zoe set Stella down in the crib.

"No f*cking way. Zoe, why the hell didn't you tell me that you knew Erica Handler!"

Zoe wheeled around at Kurt, "We do NOT swear in this house, especially around the kids!" It was the strongest I've heard her voice yet.

Kurt glared back at her in dismissive annoyance. "Whatever. But how did you never tell me you knew her?"

"You never asked." Was Zoe's simple reply.

He huffed and rolled his eyes very rudely. I already hated Kurt but it seemed like Erica completely despised him.

Erica stood up however, "I guess you already know who I am," she shook his hand, "Erica." While her words were calm, the tone was dangerous.

He smiled, completely disregarding her tone, "Yep, I know exactly who you are. Kurt Andrews. Pleasure to meet you."

Erica took her hand away and ignored his comment.

I shook his hand too. He looked at it like it was disgusting.

"Ben Randolph."

His eyes went wide and burst into laughter.

"Hahahahaha you're Ben? This is the infamous Ben?! You?! Hahaha!" Kurt kept on laughing, "Wow, Zoe, I would expect more out of you."

Zoe's face turned red in embarrassment and anger. I was offended. How dare he speak to me like this? Erica looked like she was ready to punch him. I wasn't far from doing it myself.

But this also means that Zoe spoke about me before, which was nice to hear. And positively I guess. Despite what Kurt was saying, it boosted my ego a little bit too.

"Kurt," Zoe said in a warning tone, "Can I have some time to talk to my guests please?"

"Yeah, sure, but first I want a picture with Erica." Without even asking Erica, he reached and layed his arm around her shoulders. As soon as he touched her, she grabbed his arm and twisted it and pinned in on his back. He cried out in surprise and pain.

"Don't touch me," Her voice was ice cold, "And definitely no pictures."

"What?" He whined, "You're in my house. The least you could do is give me a picture."

"Kurt, no means no." Zoe said in a warning tone.

"And if I find any picture of me without on my consent online or on social media, I will sue you." Erica said.

He opened his mouth, then closed it. He finally decided to roll his eyes. "Whatever. Oh and Zoe, I'm going out with the boys tonight."

Zoe's face fell a little bit. Despite the way Kurt treats her, she still wanted to hang out and be with her husband.

"Again, babe? You just went out with them two nights ago." Zoe tried to hide her disappointment but it didn't work.

"Yeah," he shrugged, unapologetic, "Chad's going through a rough breakup so we're trying to cheer him up."

Zoe looked sad, "Okay," she said doubtfully, "We'll miss you."

He nodded and kissed her on the head. Then he went upstairs.

I forgot Jackson was sitting there until he popped up and hugged Zoe's legs.

"Daddy's not gonna be here for dinner again?" Jackson said very sadly.

Zoe looked sad too and rubbed his head, "Sorry bud, I guess not."

Erica bent down to Jackson's eye level and smiled, "But we'll be with you for dinner. If that's okay, Zoe."

Zoe brightened, "Of course! I was wondering if you wanted to stay! How long are you in town for?"

"Well we wanted to talk to you about school. There's an old enemy who we find suspicious. We were wondering if you wanted to join us in taking him down." And then I explained it all again to her.

At the end, Zoe was shocked, "You think Joshua is up to something? You know, I was reading in the paper about that whole House of Reps thing. Interesting. But I can't."

I wasn't surprised at this point, but it was still disappointing.

"I mean, how could I? I have two kids and a husband who's not here half the time." Zoe looked like she wanted to go, but logistics held her back.

"When was the last time you went on a vacation, without the kids?" Erica asked gently.

Zoe blew out, "God, a little more than two years ago? It was for our honeymoon. My mom watched Jackson."

"Hmmm." Was all Erica said.

Zoe opened her mouth to say something but then Jackson went up to Erica and jumped. She easily caught him. He giggled.

"Hi there," she said, bopping him on the nose, "My name's Erica. It's nice to meet you."

Jackson gave her a big, toothy smile. It was super cute seeing the Ice Queen be so gentle with the little boy. Zoe and I exchanged a smile.

Then Jackson's face turned to confusion. He shook his head rapidly. "You're not Erica," he said with his toddler lisp, "You're Dory the doctor."

Erica laughed, a real, genuine laugh, "No, not in real life. I played that character on TV. In real life, I'm no doctor."

Jackson looked at her suspiciously then shook his head again, "Don't believe you."

Zoe laughed and went to ruffle his hair, "Okay, buddy, whatever you say. What do you want to do for dinner? You can pick since we have guests today."

His whole face light up in excitement, "Rwed Rwobin!" That's what it sounded like with his lisp.

He jumped down from Erica's arms. "Red Robin, Red Robin, Red Robin!" He sung as he skipped around the living room.

Zoe chuckled, "Does Red Robin work for you guys?"

Erica and I shared a smile.

"It's perfect." I said.