one way or another

Brian could think what he wanted about Dan, but Ivy knew him way back in middle school. Actually, it was church. She was sure he'd be a priest by now. He was older but always there to help out when needed. It was like a true blessing when she found out he was a nurse at the hospital

When she told him about everything that had happened with Lenny in the Black Hills and how she wasn't sure living with Brian and Bom was the right thing to do, he told her she could live with him.

True, it felt too good to be happening, but he was an old friend. A very good looking old friend, indeed. But she didn't think she was his type.

"You mean, he's gay?" Brian wanted to know.

"I don't know," Ivy winced at the idea. No way, but who knew. It was a possibility. "He's mom-approved."

Her mother knew him and at the moment her mother was being kind to her, sort of. Although, Ivy knew it was best not to get real chummy with her mom. Perhaps her mother was right about a lot of things, but there was still hate in her heart that her mother was so livid about Jay. Would she even treat Jay's baby as a grandchild?

Ivy didn't even want to think about it. She felt bad enough that she wasn't out in Arizona seeing Jay, but it would be a health hazard and her arm was still in a cast. It felt it would never be over. Mistakes were made and Jay should have been out of prison by now, but he had the virus.

Meanwhile, she looked into getting a job at the hospital. She would be on the phone, but it was work and a well-paying job that gave her insurance. These were all things she needed. She couldn't depend on Brian for everything. She didn't want to depend on Dan for anything either.

"It's just temporary," Ivy told Brian. "I know its best if I keep busy and out of your hair. You and Bom have done so much for me, already. I just..I just want to see Keanu when I can. And, I promise I'll help with expenses."

He shook his head, no. He told her he only wanted her to stay healthy and be a good mother. She was expecting a new baby. "I don't want anything from you," he told her. "You're Keanu's mother and I..I am trying to respect that."

But she could see the pain in his face. She was glad he'd found Bom, who was like a mother and wife wrapped up into one.

"You better marry her," Ivy informed him that he wasn't easy to live with.

"Well, you're no bed of roses, either," He smirked.

Ivy sighed. She couldn't wait to get to Dan's place.