It has been 3 weeks since the date in New York and since then Erica and Jaime have decided to really work on a relationship. They went on a few more dates and a few days ago Jaime finally asked Erica if she would be his girlfriend and she said yes.

Everyone close to them knows about them now and are all fairly happy for them, none of them were all that surprised. The pair of them has explained to the children how Erica is now daddy’s girlfriend and they’re probably the most excited about this whole thing.

Jess hasn’t been spending as much time with the children lately and Jaime was meeting with her today because he needs her to take the children at the weekend, the gang are going away to Vegas for the weekend, all kids are staying at home.
Jacob is at school and Amanda is at kindergarten so he’s meeting with Jess just before he goes and picks them up.

Erica is currently at Think Ink with Jane and Sammy; Sammy is another artist in the shop.

“Erica have you seen this?” Jane asked as she walked over with her iPad in hand.

“Seen what?” She wondered.

“I was on your tag on tumblr because I like to stalk you” She began with a joke “And I came across some hate, and I know how much we love to read hate” She giggled.

“Oh gosh, let me see. Is it bad?”

“It’s not too bad, just silly opinions from people that don’t know anything” Jane informed.

“Great” Erica chuckled.

Jane handed over the iPad and Erica read through a text post that someone had uploaded. Jane was right, just a silly opinion from someone who clearly doesn’t know anything:

So, if you follow me, you will know how much of a PTV fan I am. You will probably also know that I’m not a big fan of Erica. I like AITG? But her as in an individual I’m not that big a fan. I always thought she was wrong for Mike and now he’s no longer with us and she’s just going through the band. I mean for those that don’t know, she’s clearly dating Jaime. Any fool can see it. Well I don’t think she’s good for him either. I think they should just keep their relationship one with the title best friends and not complicate anything.

I know that what I think isn’t going to change their minds but let’s face it, it’s weird; getting with her dead husband’s best friend. Weird.

That was quite a strong point of view and despite Erica saying she wouldn’t let things like this get to her it kind of did. She didn’t think people would be so harsh towards her.

“Well, that’s quite an opinion” Erica said.

“I know, I think whoever wrote it is out of order” Jane replied.

“Well at least she knows that her opinion isn’t going to change anything. I’d be lying if I said this doesn’t bother me but whatever, it’s my life and I’ll date who I want.” Erica was pleased with the way that came out.

“You go girl. Ignore what she wrote about you being wrong for Mike, hell you were the most perfect thing for him. He wouldn’t have bloody married you if you weren’t” Jane comforted.

“I know I was” Erica did a dramatic hair flip and laughed along with Jane. These two had become close since working together and would always joke about hate from fans or non-fans. It always brightened up their day.


Jaime had just got to the coffee shop where he and Jess were meeting.

“Hey” He said with no emotion after sitting down with a latte he just ordered.

“Hi, how are you?” Jess asked. The small talk was always awkward between them.

“I’m good, really good actually, yourself?” Jaime asked with a big smile across his face.

“Not too bad” Jess replied.

“Good, so I wanted to ask if you could have the children this weekend. We’re all going to Vegas. It was a spur of the moment decision and I thought since you haven’t seen them in a few weeks it would be a good idea” Jaime said.

“Actually yeah that’s fine. I need to tell you something though” Jess bit her lip out of nervousness.

“Sure, what is it?” Jaime got a little worried.

“Well, Joseph and I are moving. He got a promotion at work but it’s in Michigan and he’s taking it and I’m going with him” Jess admitted.

“Oh, what about Jacob and Amanda though. You haven’t been around them for the last couple of weeks and then you’re just going to leave them?” Jaime sounded angry.

“I thought it would be easier than goodbyes. I’ll still see them, they can come and stay with me whenever they want but they’ll just be coming to Michigan instead of a thirty minute drive away” Jess said.

“I can’t believe you Jess, seriously. Do you not think it’s hard enough for them as it is, not seeing you every day and now they’re going to see you even less? You could have at least spent more time with them lately so they’d have had some time with you” He hissed at her.

“I said I’d have them this weekend didn’t I? I leave on Tuesday so it’s all I can do” Jess sighed.

“They’re your children Jess; it shouldn’t be such a demanding task to take them.” Jaime was still angry. “I have to go pick them up. I’ll drop them off Friday afternoon about 4, okay?” Jaime asked as he stood up.

“That’s fine. Tell Erica and the guys I said bye please” Jess asked.

“Yeah okay, I’ve got to go though. Bye” And with that he walked out of the coffee shop, really mad.

Jaime went and picked his children up and Jacob wanted to surprise Erica because he had painted her a picture so Jaime took them over to the shop.

“Auntie Erica” Jacob and Amanda called in unison as they entered the tattoo shop.

“Guys don’t run off, it’s dangerous in here” Jaime warned them. Erica heard the three of them and came out of the office to greet them.

“Hello you two” She said through a smile as she attacked the little ones in hugs and kisses.

“Auntie Erica I drawed you a picture” Jacob said excitedly as he passed over the piece of paper.

“Oh sweetie thank you, this is so good” Erica cooed.

“Look, this is me and this is ‘Manda, that’s you and that’s daddy” He pointed to each of the stick figures on the page. Erica felt a little sad because it was her there and not Jess. A child should be drawing pictures of their moms and dads. As much as it hurt her it warmed her, she loved the picture and she loved that Jacob saw her as part of the family.

“I’m going to hang this on my fridge when I get home, okay?” Erica said as she stood up. She walked over to Jaime and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She could sense that something was off with him.

“Are you okay?” She whispered.

“I’ll tell you later” He responded and Erica nodded.

“So who wants a picture on their arm?” Erica asked the two children that were both sat on the tattoo table at Erica’s station.

“Like yours and daddies?” Amanda asked.

“Just like ours” Erica said.

“Yeah” both children shouted out which caused everyone in the shop to laugh.

Erica took one of her freehand pens and started to draw a princess on Amanda’s arm. When she was done with Amanda she moved onto Jacob and drew a Ninja Turtle on his leg. They posed in the mirror as if they really had just got a tattoo and Jaime took a picture of them both.

They all went back to Erica’s for dinner, they ordered pizza. They had put on an animated movie and sat on the floor, around the coffee table.

“So guys, you get to see mommy this weekend” Jaime told them. Amanda smiled and got a little excited but Jacob didn’t look too fussed.

“What’s the matter Jacob?” Erica asked.

“I don’t want to go, I want to stay here with you” He said with a pout.

“Jacob you have to see your mom, she’s moving away and she wants to see you before she goes” Erica looked at Jaime with surprise; she was intrigued about what he had to say.

“Is she going away like Uncy Mikey?” Amanda asked.

“No sweetie, you can still mommy, you can’t see Mikey. But you just won’t see her all the time like you can now” Jaime informed the little girl.

“Oh okay” Amanda said and thought no more of it.

“I still don’t want to go” Jacob said.

“Hey buddy, we won’t be here this weekend so you can’t stay. You only have to spend a few days there and then you can come back and we’ll be here waiting” Erica said trying to compromise with the 6 year old.

“Fine” He huffed and took another slice of pizza.

Erica gave Jaime a soft smile, hoping he wasn’t mad at her for playing parent.

When the kids got sleepy Jaime decided he would take them home. Erica carried Amanda
down to the car and Jacob ran off ahead of them. When Erica strapped Amanda in she gave her another hug and told her she loved her.

“Love you Erica” Amanda said in reply and it made Erica smile broadly.

Erica walked to the other side of the car and gave Jacob and kiss and a cuddle “Love you little man.” She said to him.

“Love you too Erica” He replied, Erica smiled widely again. She then turned her attention to Jaime.

“I’ll phone you later and tell you everything” He said referring to the Jess situation.

“Okay, be safe driving home.” Erica gave a small smile. It took her so long to not be scared of getting in a car after Mike’s accident and she still gets a little wary from time to time.

“I will. Night pumpkin” He said as he leaned in and gave her an innocent goodnight kiss.

“Night” She replied and waved them off. When the car was no longer in her sight she walked back into her apartment, stuck Jacob’s picture on the fridge, poured herself a drink and ran a bath.

About an hour later, Erica was still in the bath when her phone rang. She answered it to hear Jaime say hello. He proceeded to tell her everything Jess had told him and Erica was shocked, she really didn’t think Jess would up and leave her kids entirely. Like moving out was one thing but to move to a different state, while the kids were still so young, was another thing entirely.

When they got off the phone and Erica got out of the bath and into her pyjamas, she decided to send Jess a message.

I can’t believe you’re leaving. Jaime just told me. I know we’ve barely spoken since I saw you at the beginning of the year but I want you to know that I’ll miss you. I wish you would stay and you, Mal and I could have girls’ night like the old days but I guess that won’t happen. Have fun in Michigan, I’ll make sure Jaime doesn’t turn the kids into a pie or something. Love you – E xx

Erica felt a bit weird writing that out but she meant every word of it. She still thinks that Jess and Jaime were the perfect couple, even though they’ll never be together again. She still sees Jess as one of her closest friends, she may not have spoken to her properly in ages and she may be the ‘new mother figure’ in Jacob and Amanda’s lives but Jess will always have a place in Erica’s heart.

Maybe this is Erica’s chance to be a mom. The only chance she’ll ever get and she wasn’t going to let it pass her by. She already loves the kids and they already love her. They both understand that Erica and Jaime are together; much like Jess is with Joseph. They both accept Erica as part of the family. Yes they still call her Auntie Erica but Erica would rather that over another, mommy related, nickname.

She knows that the kids will barely see Jess; she hardly ever sees them when she’s living in the same state so it will be even worse when she leaves on Tuesday. Erica knows what it’s like to have a mother walk out on you and never look back and she wouldn’t wish it on anyone so for that reason she was going to be as good a substitute mother as she could be. She’s going to eradicate the stereotype of step moms being evil because she was going to be the greatest step-mother ever.