Three weeks had passed since Sophie had abandoned Nathan and Dylan. Despite his best efforts, Nathan hadn't been able to contact her family to see if they wanted to remain in Dylan's life. Even visiting them proved useless as Samantha just told him to leave.

The teen had looked around for another job, determined to find one. That determination only increased when Thomas began increasing his hours again, leaving him little time to bond with Dylan. This gave him no choice but to rely more on Scarlett, something that made his stomach turn with guilt.

Nathan groaned in protest as he heard Dylan's cries from the baby monitor. Having only come home two hours prior from an eight-hour shift at work, and a full day at college. Forcing himself out of bed, Nathan spared a glance at the clock 2:00. He ignored the aches in his bones and the groans of protest with every movement as he stood up.

Five minutes passed when Nathan got back to bed, having fed, changed and rocked his son back to sleep.

Nathan sighed as he opened his laptop. It was midday, and Dylan was sleeping, much to the delight of the teen. Deciding to do something productive with the limited time he had, Nathan continued his look for a new job. With only one year left on his course, Nathan wanted a job that could help with his future, he wasn't old enough.

After looking for an hour, Nathan had once again found nothing. They were zero- hour contracts or required him to be eighteen.

One of the many good things on the scale from Dylan's birth was his inspiration. Before Nathan found out Sophie was pregnant, he had written his own novel. However, as work continued to build up and his worries for Sophie's pregnancy increased, he found less and less time for his hobby. Even though his time was decreased by the responsibility of raising Dylan, he could find time to write something that calmed the young man.

Dylan's cried brought happiness to the young man, giving him a chance to forget about his pointless search.

Having no choice, Nathan stood up and walked to his son's mercury to care for him. After changing him. With his next feed in half an hour, Nathan saw no point in trying to get Dylan back to sleep. Instead, he took the boy into the lounge and into his playpen. Nathan knew from experience Dylan wouldn't play if you just left him. Avoiding tears, Nathan kneeled down and began playing with Dylan. The chore became a joy when he heard his son's angelic laugh.

Nathan was thankful for the distraction Dylan constantly provided. Having to care for his son and work, gave him little time to slip into his thoughts and nightmares.

After feeding Dylan Nathan placed his son down to play once more, not before setting another alarm to remind himself to place his son down for another nap.

Being too busy fussing over his son, Nathan didn't hear the vibration of his phone signaling someone was calling him. Only when he moved to place his phone on charge as it had reached 10% did he see the notification saying hr had a missed call. Swiping the icon he rang Scarlet back.

"You rang?" Nathan questioned, placing his phone on speaker as he began the ironing.

"Yep! I was wondering if you wanted to come to town with me?" Nathan could hear the muffled tv in the background.

"What time?" Nathan questioned, folding his shirt and placing it in the basket.

"I'll just fit around you."

"What time do you have to be home?" Nathan questioned, remembering she still had a curfew.

"It's only 3:30! I have to be home for like 10. How long do you plan on staying out for?"

"Not long. I've just put Dylan down for a nap. He should be asleep for around three hours. I'm willing to go out in an hour, he can sleep while we're out. Where did you want to go?"

"Just shopping. I don't really know. Parents are still o9n my back about getting a job, they'll look after Dylan apparently. I'm sick of it."

"I wouldn't mind then looking after them, I've known them for a long time. Listen just tell them you don't want to get a job."

"I wouldn't mind getting one. It's just...your experience isn't helping right now. Any success?" Scarlett questioned.

"Success with what?"

"Finding another job?"

"Of course not. I couldn't get that lucky."

"That sucks. I'll pick you up in an hour."

"I keep forgetting you have a car," Nathan admitted, annoyance in his tone.

"You should take your test."

"With what money? I'm barely making ends meet as it is."

"I could lend you some. I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind buying you a car."

"I couldn't ask him or you to do that," Nathan spat.

"You're not. I will. You know he regrets kicking you out."

"I know, it was my fault. I shouldn't have lost my temper."

"If you say so. Alright, see you in half an hour."

"Yea, see you,"

Nathan sighed as his phone beeped, signalling the end of the call.

Nathan was thankful for the distraction Dylan provided. Having to care for his son and work gave him little time to slip into his thoughts and nightmares.

After feeding Dylan, Nathan placed his son down to play once more, not before setting another alarm to remind himself to place his son down for another nap.

Being too busy fussing over his son, Nathan didn't hear the vibration of his phone signalling someone was calling him. Only when he moved to place his phone on charge as it had reached 10% did he see the notification saying he had a missed call. Swiping the icon, he rang Scarlet back.

"You rang?" Nathan questioned, placing his phone on speaker as he began the ironing.

"Yep! I was wondering if you wanted to come to town with me?" Nathan could hear the muffled tv in the background.

"What time?" Nathan questioned, folding his shirt and placing it in the basket.

"I'll just fit around you."

"What time do you have to be home?" Nathan questioned, remembering she still had a curfew.

"It's only 3:30! I have to be home for like 10. How long do you plan on staying out for?"

"Not long. I've just put Dylan down for a nap. He should be asleep for around three hours. I'm willing to go out in an hour, he can sleep while we're out. Where did you want to go?"

"Just shopping. I don't know. Parents are still on my back about getting a job, they'll look after Dylan. I'm sick of it."

"I wouldn't mind then looking after them, I've known them for a long time. Listen, just tell them you don't want to get a job."

"I wouldn't mind getting one. Any success?" Scarlett questioned.

"Success with what?"

"Finding another job?"

"Of course not. I couldn't get that lucky."

"That sucks. I'll pick you up in an hour."

"I keep forgetting you have a car," Nathan admitted, annoyance in his tone.

"You should take your test."

"With what money? I'm making ends meet as it is."

"I could lend you some. I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind buying you a car."

"I couldn't ask him or you to do that," Nathan spat.

"You're not. I will. You know he regrets kicking you out."

"I know, it was my fault. I shouldn't have lost my temper."

"If you say so. Alright, see you in half an hour."

"Yea, see you,"

Nathan sighed as his phone beeped, signalling the end of the call.

After Nathan finished as many chores as his deadline aloud, he got his son's buggy ready. After spending five minutes getting everything ready, he walked into Dylan's nursery, as he grabbed his keys as he passed.

After waking and changing his child, shushing him to end his cries. Once Dylan was secure in his buggy, Nathan placed his son's white rabbit beside him, unable to hold his smile back as he watched the baby snuggle up to his toy.

After receiving a text from Scarlett informing him she was here, Nathan double checked he had everything and pushed Dylan's buggy into the elevator, unable to ignore the clenching of his stomach as they descended towards the car park.