***

Ed made his way home and was making his way up the stairs to his room in the attic when Lee called out to him.

"Hey you back early he said"

"Yes Lucy has her uncle Jack to keep her company so I don't think she will miss me much"

"Oh he's not taking your job is he?"

"No no his just visiting, he actually he offered me a job"

"Well well if I don't know any better Ed, I would say you're beginning to get a reputation in your line of work" Lee said jokingly

"Yes I think I am" running his hand through his hair as he stoop to sit of a step.

"But how is going to work, are you leaving the little girl you currently talking care off?"

"No I will be a nanny to both Stella and her brother."

"I see well congratulations I guess"

"Thanks"

"Am going to hit the hay ... I spent half my day helping Page rearrange her book store so am exhausted .

Nodding his head response to Lee's statement, Ed then promised to lock up before turning in for the night.

The following day Ed made his way to Stella's at the usual time, she was heading out and so were Jack and Sam.

"I hear you are to take care of Jack's baby when he moves here?" Sam asked his attention fixed on Ed

"Yes I am happy to help" Ed replied

"Good well am off" Sam said kissing his wife and stepping out the door

Ed watch him leave he was used to his short and to the point conversation with Sam and didn't seem to mind anymore.

Jack promised to be back as soon as he was done with the realtor and proposed taking Lucy and Ed to the amusement park on his return.

Ed watch all three drive of before going up stairs to see the sleeping child. satisfied that she was asleep he proceeded to make preparation for the outing Jack had promised .

Jack spent most of the day with his realtor going over final details and documents for his new home, leaving Ed spend his day as usual with Lucy .

By the time Jack returned Ed had given Lucy a bath and was putting away Lucy's fresh laundry .

"Hey you guys ready" he called from down stairs to Ed who was now making his was out Lucy's room bag in hand.

"I think so, as soon as Lucy makes her way down".

He jug down the stairs and turn to watch the little frame of Lucy make her way down the stairs on both hands and knees. Jack smiled and stepped forward to pick her up.

Stepping to the door Jack pushed it open and held it open for Ed to push the stroller through, after strapping Lucy into her car sit Ed climbed into the passenger sit beside a smiley Jack.

They drove in silence for a while before Ed spoke

"Hey do you mind if I asked you a personal question?"

"Sure go ahead, we friends right?" Jack asked in a hopeful tone while he tried to keep in attention on the road in front of him.

"why didn't you try to to work it out your ex ...I mean for the baby sake that is."

"Well I can't make her to marry me or force her raise her own child she didn't want any of that, trust me I tried my best to convince her to do both."

"Is that the personal question, I kind of talked about it last night"

"That not what I wanted to ask"

"Then out with it Ed you don't have to watch what you say with me you know we've been friends for a while now and I hope we can stay that way"

Ed look at the man beside him even though his eyes where fixed on the road he could sense Jack meant every word, he did consider him a friend but Ed just couldn't afford to let his guard down.

"I know it's non of my business but since we are friends I can't help but ask , do they pay cops that much that you can afford to buy a house at a moment notice, I mean you not that much older than me so you can't say you saved up"

Jack grinned "so that what's got you so twisted up inside you think am a dirty cop or what?"

Ed shook his head vigorously in the negative and tried to put it in to words when Jack cut him off

"If you most know, its old money. my parents left both Stella and my self well off and to tell you the truth this is the first time I actually took advantage of my little inheritance, if I may say in my defense"

Shifting his gaze from the road to take quick glance at Ed he added "I still believe in being patient and working hard for what I want no matter what it may be."

Ed caught a look in Jack's eyes that he couldn't explain, felt he was trying to tell him something different from what he actually said. The rest of the trip was made in silence aside from the occasional giggle and random babbling from Lucy.

The three spent most of the afternoon walking around the park trying to find rides Lucy was tall enough to go on .

Lunch time came and Jack lead the group of three to a small stall where Ed proceeded to make Lucy's lunch while Jack went off to buy hot dogs from the stall for  Ed and himself.

"You don't mind it plain do you ?" Jack asked Ed as he approach their table.

"I didn't know what toppings you liked so to be safe I just got a plain one"

"Nope am good, this will do just fine thanks" thanking the offered hot-dog from Jack, Ed toke a bite of it.

"Hey so will you like to go see the house when we get back or after you done? The place is still not ready, I'm having some minor work is done to get if fixed up for the baby's arrival."

"Sure,why not... maybe after work . I don't think it will be safe to take Lucy to a constructions site" Ed replied smiling down at Lucy who sat sucking on one of her sippy cup, he offered her some of he's buns and she took it.

Jack watch the two with a smile of content on his face, he knew he had made the right decision to move out here with the baby , he just hoped he would be half as good a father to it and seeing Ed's interaction with Lucy gave him strength to venture to hope.

"Hey you ok?" Ed asked bringing him back to the present.

Jack tired small talk Ed to keep him entertained, he didn't understand why he felt he always had to keep Ed's spirits up when ever they were together, even when he called every week when he was away from him. He felt a span of joy when ever he had ed's voice, He could close his eyes and recall every line and curve of his face . After months of putting it off and just assuming he was glad he had a new friend, he finally admitted to him self that what he felt for Ed was not what he felt when he saw any of his other good friends he's had for ages.

"I think we should head back for the day" Ed said as he packed up Lucy's lunch . Grabbing the bag Jack helped Ed push a safely strapped Lucy in her strollers towards the car.

😐 sorry had a busy Sunday but here we go...hop u enjoy.vote comment let me know what u like.