Three months had passed since Nathan met Lucas's parents after dating for a month. Since that day, Nathan had spent more and more time with Lucas's family. Keeping his promise, he took Dylan with him the next time he visited; as he suspected, Emily barely took her eyes off of him for a second and spent all of their time together playing, only stopping when it was time for Dylan to have a nap. As Lucas promised, Zena accepted him completely now, even offering to look after Dylan when Nathan needed it. Despite not seeing each other as much any more despite living together, Nathan and Scarlett still spent as much free time together as they could, with Scarlett was focusing completely on school. With Josh being ungrounded, Nathan had invited him whenever he was going out, something that improved their relationship. Nathan was shocked when he heard Dylan's first word. He never thought being called 'Dada' would make him so happy.

For the last week, Nathan had been planning for Dylan's first birthday party, that was later that day. It was going to be just the Woods and Lucas's family, at the Wood's house after lunch.

Nathan forced his eyes open as the overly cheery tone of his alarm rang through the room. He reached over, turned his alarm off before unplugging it and bringing it up to his face ad squinted at the screen.

After his eyes got used to the brightness, Nathan groaned and shut his eyes in protest when the numbers 8:00 were shown.

Realising what date it was, Nathan instantly opened his eyes and climbed out of bed, ignoring the icy feeling that spread through him when he placed his foot on the floor.

Walking into Dylan's nursery, Nathan smiled when he saw his child sleeping peacefully, cuddling up to his bunny toy. Despite Nathan and other people buying the boy countless other toys, Dylan never seemed to sleep without his bunny.

When he reached his son's cot, he ran his hand through his son's jet black hair, succeeding in slightly suturing the boy.

"Sorry Buddy, daddy didn't mean to wake you up," Nathan whispered, leaning down and placing a kiss to his son's head.

"Dada," Dylan winded, lifting his arms towards Nathan.

"What's wrong, Buddy?" Nathan questioned, picking Dylan up and wrapping the boy into his arms.

"Dada," Dylan cried, tears pooling in his eyes, as he extended his hand towards his cot.

"Do you want Bunny?" Nathan questioned, leaning down and picking the toy up and handing it to his son, which quickly ended his son's tears.

"There you do, see everything's fine," Nathan whispered, picking his son up and changing him before walking back into his room and placing Dylan onto his bed. Nathan then walked towards his wardrobe and pulled out a random shirt, before walking over and picking his son up.

"Happy Birthday, Dylan," Nathan said and picking Dylan back up securely into his arms and carrying his son downstairs.

"Morning," Ryan greeted when Nathan walked into the kitchen. "Happy birthday you," Ryan said, walking up and taking Dylan out of Nathans arms and into his own.

Nathan got himself a glass of water and instantly drank it before getting Dylan's breakfast ready.

Picking the baby food up, Nathan placed it on the tray attached to his son's highchair before meeting Ryan half way and taking his son back into his arms.

"Are Scarlett and Erin still in bed?" Nathan questioned, placing Dylan in his highchair and unscrewing the lid off of the baby food.

"Yes, you know what there like, they won't get up early if they don't have to," Ryan said, walking over and placing some bread in the toaster.

Nathan hummed and placed a plastic spoon into the green mush and gathered a health portion into it.

"I just thought they would be up early, I mean it's Dylan's birthday. I know he doesn't understand it is, but still," Nathan ranted and lifted the spoon to his son's lips, praising the boy when he took the contents off of the spoon.

"You weren't always the best at getting out of bed on special occasions, let alone everyday if remember correctly " Ryan began, as Nathan filled another spoonful with his son's breakfast.

"I was younger than; what fifteen-year-old enjoys getting up in the morning?" Nathan questioned as he lifted another spoonful to his son's lips.

"Well, considering it was Erin's birthday, I thought you would have made more of an effort," Ryan admitted, sending the boy a chastising look that went unnoticed.

"Scarlett didn't get up ether, she actually got up later than me," Nathan argued, rolling his eyes at the elder's statement as he continued to feed his son.

"That's why I'm happy one of you grew out of it at least," Ryan said, taking his toast out of the toaster and getting a butter knife.

"I had to. This one didn't exactly let me have a lie in," Nathan said, sending a smile towards his son.

"That's what happens when you have a child," Ryan informed, opening the butter and lathering it over his toast.

"I leaned that one the hard way," Nathan reminded, getting the rest of the tubs contests onto the spoon and lifting it towards his son's mouth, only for the baby to turn his head away.

"Come on Bud, just one more bite, then your done alright?" Nathan questioned, despite knowing his son doesn't understand.

Instead of opening his eyes and doing what Nathan wanted, Dylan just cried.

"Shh," Nathan whispered, placing the spoon back in the empty tub and lifting his son out of his highchair and into his arms.

"It's alright, you don't have to eat it," Nathan whispered, rocking his son and placing a kiss to his head.

Nathan continued to rock his son while Ryan took the rest of the baby food and spoon and emptied it into the bin, before going back to his toast.

"Come on Buddy, it's your birthday, don't cry," Nathan whispered, bouncing Dylan in his arms. His words did little to calm the boy's tears.

"Wait until he calmed down, then put him down for a nap. All of this crying will definitely take the energy out of him," Ryan instructed gently.

"I will. I just don't get why he's crying," Nathan said before returning to whispering calming things into Dylan's ear.

"He probably just didn't want to eat anything else. Or he just wanted your attention. He's one Nathan, he'll cry over something that's nothing to us," Ryan explained.

Not wanting to disturb his already slightly calmed son, Nathan just nodded.

After comforting his son for around ten minutes, the waterfall of tears finally ended.

Nathan sent Ryan a smile before picking up Dylan's bunny from his highchair and giving it to the boy. Nathan held a fond smile on his face when he saw his boy cuddle up to his toy.

"That's probably what he wanted," Nathan said, not taking his eyes off of his boy.

"Let's get you to bed, Buddy," Nathan whispered, sending Ryan a smile before carrying his son upstairs to his nursery.

Nathan placed Dylan gently on the boy's chaining table, in case the boy's tears resulted from needing his nappy changed. When he saw his son was dry, he buttoned the boy's baby grow up and picked Dylan back up and transferred him to his cot.

Nathan wrapped the blankets secretly around his boy. After making sure Dylan wouldn't be cold, Nathan tucked his son's bunny beside him and placed a gentle kiss to Dylan's forehead.

"Have a good sleep, Dylan," Nathan whispered.

After making sure the baby monitor was on, Nathan made his way back into his room and unplugged his phone from its charger and slid it into his pocket before making his way downstairs.

"Morning," Nathan greeted, seeing Erin standing in the kitchen with a cup of coffee nestled in her hands.

"Morning Nathan; is Dylan still asleep?" Erin questioned, taking a sip of her coffee.

"He's having a nap; he had a little cry after I tried to get him to finish his breakfast," Nathan explained, seeing Erin's confused look.

Erin nodded and sent him a smile.

"Have you had anything to eat?" Erin questioned, finishing her coffee.

Nathan shook his head and took a seat at the island.

"Do you want anything?"

"No, I should be able to wait until breakfast. If Scarlett isn't up in an hour, I'll make myself some toast or something,"

"Alright; are you going ti have a day off?"

"Jason hasn't sent me any more work. I don't know if he's being nice because he knows it's Dylan's birthday, or there's no work for me to do," Nathan explained.

"I think he's being kind to you. I refuse to believe there is no work to do, Anyway, do you know what time everyone else is coming?" Erin questioned, giving Nathan a curious look.

"Erm, I have heard nothing, so I assume after lunch," Nathan answered hesitantly as he removed his phone from his pocket and checked for any messages. "I'll call Luke later and let you know," Nathan promised, sending Erin a smile.

"Thank you."

Nathan nodded and walked into the living room, for the first time in a long time, feeling boredom flow through him like a wave.

Nathan sat down on the couch and pulled out his phone. Deciding to call Lucas before he forgot, Nathan unlocked his phone, opened his contacts and called his boyfriend.

Pressing his phone closer to his ear, Nathan waited patiently as the ringing continued. After three rings, he heard Lucas's groggy voice.

"What?"

"Have you just gotten up?" Nathan questioned as a smirk formed on his face.

"Oh! Hi Babe." Nathan smiled as Lucas's voice instantly changed to his normal voice.

"Who did you think it was?" Nathan questioned, failing to stifle his laughter.

"I didn't check who it was. Anyway, what was your question?" Lucas admitted, causing Nathan to laugh again.

"I woke you up, didn't I?" Nathan repeated his question when his laughter died down enough for him to talk.

"Maybe...Not that I don't enjoy talking to you, Babe, but did you want anything? I really want to get back to bed," Lucas admitted.

"I was just wondering when you all were planning on getting here. Considering you've just woken up, I can call again later," Nathan answered.

"I'm pretty sure were coming for half twelve, I think. It's definitely around that time. Now, what are you doing up this early?"

"Unlike some of us, I have a child to look after. So I haven't had the luxury of lying in for a while now. I think the last time was when I was ill," Nathan responded, shifting into a more comfortable position.

"Probably was-" Lucas mumbled, a yawn interrupting his sentence.

"Well. I'll let you get back to bed. I'll see you later," mumbled.

"See you later, Nate," Lucas answered sleepily, before Nathan heard the beeping noise, signifying the end of the call.

Placing his phone on the armrest of the couch, Nathan closed his eyes. Only to open them again a couple of minutes later when he heard footsteps.

"Morning," Scarlett mumbled, flopping onto the couch opposite Nathan.

"Morning Scar," Nathan responding, casting a glance to the baby monitor when he heard Dylan move.

"I'm going to check on him," Nathan mumbled to himself, standing and walking out without casting a glance at Scarlett.

Walking faster as his nerves quickly consumed him, Nathan reached Dylan's nursery in record time.

Lightly turning the door in case Dylan was still asleep, Nathan quickly walked close enough to see his son. Seeing the one-year-old peacefully sleeping brought a pleasant smile to his face.

Nathan walked over to his son's cot and placed a gentle kiss on the sleeping boy's head, before silently leaving the room, not wanting to disturb his son anymore.

Returning to the living room, Nathan saw Scarlett looking intently at her phone.

"Do you have any plans today?" Nathan questioned, gaining the other teen's attention.

"Nope, not until everyone comes over; why?" Scarlett answered, logging off her phone and placing it beside her.

"Do you want to go into town then?" Nathan questioned.

"Sure. I've got nothing better to do. Do you want me to drive?"

"How about you take your car, I'll take my bike?"

"Sure. You're going to become addicted to that bike soon enough," Scarlett said, chuckling gently.

"Probably will. How long do you think it'll take for you to get ready?" Nathan questioned.

"Give me an hour, then I should be ready." Scarlett said, standing up and pocketing her phone.

"Alright, tell me when your ready," Nathan answered, sitting back down as Scarlett walked away.

For the remaining hour, Nathan just watched tv and scrolled through his phone. Around half an hour into waiting, Dylan woke up. After chaining his son, Nathan spent the remaining half an hour playing until Scarlett returned.

Passing the playing onto her, Nathan walked into his room and quickly changed into his riding gear and grabbed his helmet.

Walking back downstairs, Nathan saw Scarlett waiting.

"My mom is with Dylan," Scarlett said.

"Alright. I'll just say goodbye." Nathan walked away, not even bothering to wait for a response before walking into the living room and saying goodbye to his son.

Walking outside to his parked bike, Nathan made sure he had his licence in his pocket. He then turned on his bike and removed his helmet from the seat and placed it securely on his head. Nathan then followed Scarlett's car into town.

Nathan couldn't deny it felt good just walking around town and spending time with Scarlett. Despite saying she had everything, Scarlett still found some clothes and another toy for Dylan.

"Who's going to wrap those?" Nathan questioned, following Scarlett outside of the third toy shop and into the icy cold.

"What are you trying to say?" Scarlett questioned, sending Nathan a glare, challenging him to speak.

"That you can't wrap to save your life." Nathan zipped his jacket up completely, the cold air nipping at his skin.

"Yes, I can," Scarlett defended. Even though he was a few meters away, Nathan could clearly see her shivers.

"Keep telling yourself that," Nathan mumbled, clearly not quite enough as Scarlett shoved him.

"I'm better than you," Scarlett lamely defended. "Can we leave soon? I'm getting hypothermia," Scarlett said, closing the gap between them, making the chattering of her teeth even more obvious.

"I'm ready when you are. Do you have everything?" Nathan questioned, already changing his direction to walk towards the car park.

"I think so," Scarlett answered, quickening her pace. "Even if I don't, I'm not staying any longer."

Nathan nodded and continued walking, having to walk faster to keep up with her.

"So-" Scarlett began, gaining Nathan's attention. "What time is everyone coming?"

"Lucas hasn't called me back to confirm, but the last thing I heard, it was around twelve. Knowing Lucas, that could mean anywhere between twelve and one," Nathan answered, a slight smile adorning his face.

"Right," Scarlett said, mockery lacing her tone as a matching smirk on her face.

"What are you smirking at?" Nathan questioned, shocking Scarlett's shoulder lightly.

"The fact that you know him so well, when you've only known him... How many months?"

"We've been dating for three months and known each other almost five," Nathan answered, as he pulled his bike keys out of his pocket with his free hand.

"Why didn't you just keep the helmet on? It would have saved you from carrying it." Scarlett pulled her own keys out of her pocket and unlocked her car.

"I don't think it would have been. Besides, it's not heavy." Nathan rolled his eyes before placing his key in the ignition, putting his helmet on and getting on his bike.

"Whatever." Scarlett mumbled, Nathan took his phone out of his jacket pocket and attacked it to the phone holder on the front of the bike.

Nathan unlocked his phone and connected his air pod to the device. Once that was done, Nathan called Scarlett.

"Don't bother waiting for me," Scarlett's voice rang through his ear.

"Wasn't planning on it," Nathan answered, revving his bike and pulling away, not even waiting for his friends' response.

As the ride went on, Nathan slowly began regretting his decision to call Scarlett. She seemed to have the most awkward habit of walking when he was trying to concentrate.

With around five minutes of the ride left, Nathan ended up hanging up.

Finally, being able to not worry about having Scarlett's voice randomly ring through his ear, Nathan was able to completely concentrate on his driving.

After placing the kickstand down and turning his bike off, Nathan took his key out and placed it back into his pocket.

Nathan got off of his bike and removed his phone from its holder and into his pocket just as pulled up his visor before he walked inside just as Scarlett's car slowed down.

When Nathan walked inside, he smiled when he saw his son running towards him. When Dyan saw him, the boy quickly burst into tears.

Nathan instantly moved towards the boy to calm him however his actions only seemed to upset the boy further.

Realising he still had his helmet on, Nathan quickly swiped his helmet off. Seconds Later, Nathan felt two arms wrap around his shoulders as his boy continued to sob into his shoulder.

"It's alright, it was just me," Nathan whispered, picking his son up and slowly rocking him.

"What happened," Erin questioned as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"He got a fight when I came in. I still had my helmet on and he didn't recognise me," Nathan explained quickly, before turning his attention back on his son.

"Where's Scarlett?"

"Parking up and getting everything out of her car," Nathan responded, just as Scarlett walked through the door.

"I'm going to get changed," Nathan announced, leaning down and picking his helmet up, keeping a secure arm around his son, before walking upstairs.

Reaching his room, Nathan used the fingers of his hand holding his son to open the door by not without difficulty.

Once he opened the door, Nathan placed his helmet on top of his dresser. He then walked over and placed Dylan onto the middle of his bed.

Nathan then removed his riding gear and changed into more comfortable clothes, after taking his phone from his pocket.

Lying down next to his son, Nathan unlocked his phone and called Lucas.

While the ringing inside, Dylan crawled over to his father and lay directly on top of him, earning a chuckle and a kiss on the head from his father.

"Hi, babe," Nathan heard Lucas's voice in his ear.

"At least you haven't just woken up this time." Nathan said lightly, running his free hand through his son's ink locks.

"It's not my fault you wake up with the sun," Lucas mumbled, causing Nathan to chuckle.

"At least I don't wake up at noon," Nathan fired back, earning a laugh from Lucas.

"Whatever Nate." Nathan knew his boyfriend was rolling his eyes.

"By the way-" Dylan interrupted, reaching up and attempting to grab Nathan's phone.

"Dylan wants a word. I think he's wondering where you are," Nathan commented. He placed the phone on the bed and picked Dylan up and adjusting his position. Once Nathan was certain Dylan would be comfortable, Nathan placed his squirming boy into his lap and held the phone up to his son's ear.

"Hi Dylan," Lucas's sweet voice rang through the phone, causing the boy to squeal in excitement.

"Lu!" Dylan squealed, causing Nathan to laugh at his son's ridiculous nickname for his boyfriend.

"Hiya, how's your birthday going?" Lucas questioned.

"Lulu" Dylan squealed again in his way of answering.

"It's been good? That's great! Now I need you to pass on a message for Nathan for me, can you do that?"

Dylan just babbled some nonsense and attempted to shove the phone closer to his ear.

"Great! Now, I need you to tell you dad that I'm going to be over for half twelve, okay? Can you do that?" Lucas questioned, Nathan could tell there was a smile on his boyfriend's face.

Daylan once again babbled some nonsense.

"Give me the phone back now, Dylan. I need to talk to Lulu, okay?" Nathan questioned, taking the phone away from his son's ear, finding it hard to ignore the tears already pooling in the boy's eyes.

"I take it Dylan delivered my message?" Lucas questioned, causing Nathan to smile.

"Yes; it was 'I'm going to be over for half twelve' right?" Nathan questioned, running his hand through his son's hair to calm him.

"I knew I could rely on him," Lucas announced, causing the pair to laugh.

"You have his presents ready, right?" Nathan questioned.

"Yes, don't worry.; I won't wreck his birthday," Lucas assured.

"I trust you," Nathan said kindly as Dylan squirmed on his lap. "I'm going to have to go Babe, Dylan's getting restless,"

"Alright, well I'll see you both later, Baby," Lucas responded, Nathan heard beeping swiftly after.

"Alright, how about we play?" Nathan questioned, slipping his phone into his trouser pocket, grabbing Dylan and standing up. The hold he had on the boy only increased his squirming.

"It's okay-" Nathan sighed. "I'll tell you what, you can walk until we get to the stairs, okay? Then I have to carry you to the living room." True to his word, Nathan placed the squirming boy down and grabbed his hand.

"Are you ready?" Nathan questioned as Dylan started walking slowly.

Nathan stayed in pace with his son, even if that meant it took a lot longer to reach the stairs.

Upon reaching the stairs, Nathan removed his hand from his son's grasp and picked the boy up, only for him to instantly start squirming and crying.

"Dylan, calm down, your safe. I'll put you down again when we're down," Nathan whispered as he started to walk down the stairs.

When he was safely downstairs, Nathan placed Dylan down and grabbed his son's hand before walking slowly into the living room.

"Go and grab some toys," Nathan ordered, finally letting go of Dylan's hand.

Nathan watched as Dylan grabbed multiple toys out of his toy-box before dumping the three blocks that fit into his small arms onto the floor before going back over to his toy-box and getting another armful of blocks.

Nathan walked over and grabbed the blocks out of his son's arms and placing them onto the floor with the others. Nathan then walked over to the toy-box and grabbed the remaining blocks.

Seeing the upset look on his son's face, Nathan took one of the blocks and gave it to Dylan. Nathan smiled when he saw a bright grin on his boy's face.

Once all the blocks were on the floor, the father and son ended up stacking all the blocks.

"Good Boy!" Nathan praised as Dylan stacked the tenth block on top of the tower.

By twelve, they abandoned the blocks in favor of playing with the stuffed dragon and bunny. Their game only ended when Erin walked through the door, interrupting their battle.

"I hate to interrupt your game, but dinners going to be ready soon," Erin announced, smiling slightly at the boys.

"Okay Dylan; how about we get you some dinner?" Nathan asked, standing up and offering his hand to his son.

Once Dylan's hand was in his, Nathan started walking toward the kitchen, letting Dylan lead.

When they reached the kitchen, Nathan released Dylan's hand and grabbed his highchair and pulled it closer to the table. Once that was done, he walked over and opened the cupboard and get Dylan's food and grabbed a plastic spoon from the draw, before walking over and placing it on the tray.

Nathan smiled when he saw Dylan already walking over to him. When Dylan reached him, Nathan picked up his boy and placed him in his highchair. When that was done, he pulled out one chair from the table and turned it so he was facing his boy.

Nathan took the lid off of the tub and filled the spoon with the orange mush before lifting the spoon towards Dylan. The boy instantly turned his head away, causing Nathan to roll his eyes.

"Come on Dylan, it's nice I promise," Nathan said lightly. Thankfully, he suppressed the annoyance he felt.

"Dylan, come on. We can play again after lunch, I promise." Nathan pushed the spoon closer to his son's mouth, only for the boy to keep resisting.

After turning eating into a game, Nathan could get it over quickly.

"Why can't you be as easy to feed as you used to be," Nathan mumbled, standing up and taking the empty baby food tub and spoon and placing them in the bin. He then returned and took his half asleep boy into his arms.

"He goes from being wide awake to asleep in two minutes," Nathan mumbled, wrapping his arms securely around his boy.

"He's still a baby, he needs his sleep," Erin reminded gently, moving from the kitchen with a couple of sets of silverware.

"I know," Nathan answered gently as offered Erin a gentle smile. "I'm going to put him down for a nap. I just hope he'll be up when Lucas and his family arrive." Nathan walked slowly towards the door.

"Even if he isn't it doesn't matter, they'll just have to wait," Erin announced.

Nathan nodded in response and carried Dylan out of the room and upstairs to the boy's nursery.

As soon as he entered his son's nursery, Nathan placed Dylan on his changing table and changed him. Once that was finished, Nathan buttons his son's baby growth and lifted him towards his cot. After placing his boy down for his nap, Nathan kissed his son's head and made sure he was warm and comfortable, before leaving the room and heading back into the kitchen.

"You're just in time," Erin said, the second Nathan stepped into the kitchen.

Nathan's eyes were instantly drawn to the table where everybody else sat, feeling like he wasn't a part of the family was always there with him. He could lie to himself, saying they cared about him and thought of him as a son, just like they thought of Scarlett as a daughter. But he knew they didn't. Maybe at some point, before he messed it all up, but he knew he was nothing more than a burden. He knew they only took him in out of pity; he knew they felt like they couldn't turn him away. It was times then he saw them together, like a family, that he was reminded of the chance he threw away, just two years ago.

Forcing himself out of his thoughts, Nathan forced a pleasant smile on his face and took his seat next to Scarlett.

"Have you got your wrapping done?" Nathan questioned as he sat down.

"Shut up!" Scarlett hissed, shoving Nathan's shoulder while he sniggered.

"I'll take that as a no?" Nathan winced as Scarlett punched his shoulder.

"You know your running out of time, right?" Nathan sent the other teen a smirk as he started eating his lunch.

"Well, Dylan's asleep, so I have more time," Scarlett insisted, taking a sip of her drink.

"Whatever you say." Nathan lifted his food onto his fork.

"Enough you to. You're not five," Ryan scolded, sending them both warning looks.

"Sorry," Nathan mumbled, with Scarlett echoing his words.

"I'm sick of this bickering! Both of you need to act your age! You have a child, Nathan! You certainly can't act like one! If you don't-"

"What are you going to do!?" Nathan interrupted, sending a glare to Ryan. "Kick me out again!? I mean, we all know you aren't above that!" Nathan yelled, standing up and storming out.