It's been awhile -- Winter 2017

I shook my head at her.  "You don't get to shove me out right now, Morgan.  Not when your son is staying at my house," I said to her simply.

I looked at Dean with surprise.  But he was right.  He deserved to know some things....and I had to make them as vague as possible so he would not get hurt by any of this.  "Tommy doens't understand that what I am doing will help him," I explained to Dean.  "Just know that I can't tell you everything," I added.  Hoping that he would at least respect that.

I sighed and nodded, conceding that Morgan might not be able to tell me everything.  I was not oblivious to the worried looks both Tommy and Ryan had on their faces whenever they had their whispered conversations.  "Alright," I said to her.  "But Tommy's worried about you... he's just confused and doesn't know what to do."

I bit my lip and nodded.  "I know," I said to him, shaking my head.  "I know he doesn't want to talk to me, but I wish he would let me try to explain.  It's all so complicated..."  It was so hard not to tell Dean everything, but I knew that there was no way he would understand what was going on.  Especially with who it involved.... I knew what Sebastian did to Addison... I hated him for it.

I sighed listening to her.  "Let him cool down for a little bit," I said to her.  "Then I'll talk to him and see if he would see you..." I was nto sure if that would work, but it was worth a shot.

I knew that would not work.  Tommy was so bloody stubborn.  And now he was staying with the most stubborn man I knew - Dean.  I smiled at him.  "Thank you," I said to him sincerely.  "I do appreciate you looking out for him."  It was the least I could say anyways.  "And if you need any help or anything with him... I know he eats like crazy..."

I laughed at Morgan and nodded.  "I suspected that," I said, knowing how my boys could eat.  "Just... try to get whatever is bothering him and sort it out?"  That was really the least that she could do.

I sighed.  "I've already by trying, Dean," I said to him slowly.  "It's just not that simple.  He doesn't realize that what I'm doing is helping him."  if only he realized... well, maybe he still would not be okay with any of it.

I put up my hands.  "I know you're doing what you think is best for him... at least, that's what I'm hoping.  But being a kid, he wont' realize any of it," I said to her.  "Just... be careful and don't ruin a relationship with Tommy because of something okay?"  I had a crappy relationship with someone they loved.

I wanted to glare at Dean, but kept my composure; that was something I learned while I was with Sebastian.  "Of course I'm doing what's best for his sake," I said to Dean calmly, though I hoped he could sense the slight venom that normally would have been in my voice.  "Tommy is hot headed... he just needs time to cool off and then he'll talk to me.  I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you helping him right now.  I know it has to be hard at home..." 

I trailed off because I was unsure if he wanted me to speak fo Addison.  Though she and I had a falling out, I still had good memories of us before everything happened.

My jaw tightened when she mentioned my home life.  Of course it was difficult; it was only six months or so since Addison died.  granted, my relationship with her was not at it's best, but the kids loved their mother.  "I think tommy being there with Ryan is a good thing," I explained.  "Helps him have something to focus on."

I nodded a bit, understanding.  "Again, like I said, if Tommy gets to be too much," I said to Dean, knowing that having one more kid in the household would be taxing to say the least.

I knew she meant well.  "He's a good distraction for Ryan right now," I said, shrugging.  "He'll be fine.  He's a good kid, Morgan."

I smiled at Dean.  "I know he is -- both of them are," I assured Dean.  Tommy had Ryan over plenty for me to see how well Addie and Dean raised him -- even if he had issues with them at times.  "How are you with everything?  I mean... besides having another kid in the house?"

I could not believe that Morgan was asking me details of how I was doing... especially with Addison.  I knew what she was implying.  I shrugged.  "They haven't been easy," I said to her honestly.  "But we're managing."