Here it is! All done! Enjoy and thank you so much for reading!

***

A bouncing head of black curls shot into the kitchen and launched at Liam's leg. "Daddy!"

Liam looked down over his shoulder, a smile forcing its way onto his face despite the sharp pain to his thigh. "Hey, princess. Are you ready to go?"

Lila frowned hard, brows pulling in and creasing her tiny forehead. "I don't want to go. He's scary." Liam zipped up the snack crackers he'd been packing and knelt down in front of his daughter.

"I know, love, but we talked about why this is important. Do you remember?"

The bundle of energy crossed her arms tight across her yellow dress and pursed her lips in deep thought. "Because...he's not all bad. He's just sad."

"He's hurt and he made a mistake, which he's paying for," Liam added, saying it just as much for himself and for his daughter. Their daughter.

"Right, yeah," Lila agreed and nodded before suddenly throwing her arms out and smiling wide. "Do you like my dress, Daddy?"

"It's lovely, Li. And the purple socks just go so perfectly with it," he said as he smirked.

Lila simply tilted her head haughtily. "Thanks. I picked them out myself."

Liam winked at her and stood back up. "I can tell." He sighed and grabbed the baggie of crackers. "Grab your coat. It's time to go."

The drive was long; their small town didn't have the proper facilities, but more often than not, Liam was glad for the distance. It was hard enough living in that house, he didn't need any other reason to run away with Lila and never look back. Lila had gotten used to the bi-monthly visits but the reasoning behind them was still mostly lost on her. Honestly, Liam could wait a few more years before she really understood.

The gates of the prison rolled open with a nod from the guard. The stone walls were tall and the gate was taller. The entire driveway up to the guest lot was fenced in for protection. A few officers were walking from building to building as Liam parked. He turned in his seat and told Lila, "Hey, you know I'll always keep you safe, right?"

Lila didn't even look up from poking her stuffed animal to say, "I know." Liam shook his head but smiled a little. He would never be mad that his daughter took his protection for granted because it would always be available to her. Always.

He got them both out of the car, took Lila by the hand and walked her up to the waiting room. Inside, another familiar head of curls was waiting for them. He walked up to Harry and hugged him. "Hey, mate."

Harry patted him hard on the back, trying to infuse as much gratefulness as he could into the hug. "Thanks for coming."

"I do every time," Liam reminded and shrugged. Harry pressed his lips into an awkward form of a smile before turning his attention to the small human next to his fellow slave.

"Hey there, cutie," he greeted and reached down to give her a high five. The little girl reached up to return it and said, "Hey, Mr. Harry."

Liam scoffed, "Mr. Harry. Gets me every time."

Harry shoved him playfully. "I'm a grown up man. I can be Mister."

Liam rolled his eyes. "Uh huh." Harry rolled his eyes back, more blatantly, before he thumbed behind him.

"He's waiting on us."

Liam squeezed Lila's hand as they walked through the multiple gates into the visiting area. He recognized Niall's now brunette hair instantly; it haunted the occasional nightmare. For his part, Niall always looked appropriately cautious and humble when Liam visited, first by himself and then with Lila. Niall stood, trying to tamp down his eagerness, and a guard shouted over to them to sit down.

They all convened at one of the many identical tables, Lila in Liam's lap. Harry instantly reached across the table and took Niall's hand, kissing his knuckles. Niall hesitantly flicked his eyes over to the guards before ducking it and kissing Harry's wrist. Still, he earned a, "No touching," and they parted.

"Hi, Liam," Niall greeted, still skittish after all those visits. Liam was glad; he deserved to squirm.

"Hey."

"Hi, Lila," he tried next. Lila sank back into Liam's chest and the slave sighed.

"Go on, Li. Say hi if you want. I'm here."

Lila chewed on her lip for a long moment before leaning forward a little and saying, with defiancy in her tone, "Hi, Mr. Niall. Are you still sad?"

He huffed a laugh at her directness but tilted his head in thought. "I'm doing better, but if you mean about your dad, I'll always be sad about that." Niall's eyes dropped to his lap as everyone went quiet.

Lila saved Liam yet again, as she was want to do since the moment he saw her picture. "Mr. Niall? If you're sad all the time, why did you do it?" she asked. Liam's mouth dropped open a little. She'd never been this brazen with his old friend before. Harry cringed and sent a whispered, "She deserves to know," to his Master.

Niall looked to Liam. He answered, "She knows my side of it. It's up to you." Niall nodded, inhaled deeply to steel his resolve, and exhaled. "Your dad was my best friend..."

***

Big s/o to Maya, my beta, for sticking it out with me! Thank you everyone for reading! Have a great day and a great life. I'll see you around. You've made it through the madhouse. Xoxo, Jess