Victoria Price was seated on her couch watching a movie, it was the first time during her son's birthday that she felt lonely. December 14th was always one of her favorite dates, because it was a day for her to remember how life blessed with her son. Now that he was away it felt horrible. She took her phone and called Michael, hoping he would be available.

"Hey Vic, what's up?"

"Are you free?"

"Is everything all right?"

"No. Today is Jeremy's birthday, and I can't celebrate with him. It makes me really sad not to be with him today."

"I'll be there in five minutes."

Michael Stewart arrived at his girlfriend's home as soon as he could and gave her a huge hug seating next to her. 

"You miss your son?" he asked grabbing her hand.

"I do, I never imagined it would be so hard. Is it the same for you missing Paige?"

"It is. Even though I had been a terrible parent to her she found forgiveness in her heart and gave me a second choice. If I told you how horrible I was to her I don't think you would want to see me again."

"It's enough for me to know your daughter cares about you. From what I have seen she loves you. That shows you are a good man."

"Thanks. I do understand what you say about missing Jeremy, it's hard not having Paige around. Last time I spoke to her she told me she considers transferring to Parsons."

"Parsons? The design school?"

"That one. I told her she has my full support. It has been her dream since she was a kid to be a designer."

"For real?" she asked.

"I remember her dressing her dolls with anything she found. I remember her making dresses with a napkins and plastic bags. She has always been so creative."

"I'm sure she is. Thanks for coming, I do feel better talking with you. At least tomorrow Jeremy will spend time with his dad."

"And you are okay with that? You told me how he never wanted anything with you or him."

"I forgave him already, and I can't deny him getting to know his son. And I know deep inside Jeremy wants to know him too, as much as he denies it. I think it will make them good to share time together. Even though sometimes I fear he'll love him more than me."

"You can't be serious, Jeremy adores you. And he might grow closer to Jason but he'll never change his feelings toward you." he expressed kissing her on the cheek.

"Thanks. I needed that."

"You know, we can't be miserable talking about our kids. We should go out. It's my treat."

They both went out feeling better about themselves and their kids.

Next day Jeremy was about to see Jason on a restaurant for lunch. Somehow seeing him made him feel uneasy, not knowing what to expect. He appreciated his effort of traveling to see him, but at the same he felt nervous. Would they really click? His thoughts were interrupted by Micah, who had lost the game last night to Jeremy, just like the other guys. Jeremy had used his instincts and his ability to understand where the other guys were and used it to his advantage. 

"Getting ready to see your dad?" Micah said.

"I'm not sure if I should call him dad, but yeah." he said placing on his glasses. 

"Why don't you use your contact lenses anymore?" 

"I want to rest my eyes a bit, I have been using them several days in a row."

"By the way, how come you didn't tell me you and Jamie had a moment yesterday?She was the one who told me and not you being my pal and roomie." he said pretending as if he was hit on the chest by something and being heartbroken.

"I'll tell you more when I come back. Better behave." he said grabbing his wallet and walking out.

Jeremy arrived at the place Jason texted him. It was a small pizzeria, and he was seated outside waving at him. He did seem happy to see him and gave him a short hug.

"Sit, order whatever you want. I'll pay." Jason said seating down. "By the way, you look different with glasses. Not in a bad way, just different. I'm used to seeing you with lenses."

"I guess. How are you?"

" I have been well, thanks. How was your birthday?"

"It was fun. I went laser tagging with my friends, it was my first time, and it was great."

"I'm glad."

A waiter came to take their orders and left.

"I hope you mind, but your mom told me about you broke up with your girlfriend. How are you coping with that?"

"It has not been easy, but I'm dealing with it."

"Let me tell you, it's hard at the beginning. But it eventually turns easier with time, when you meet someone new, and the past becomes the past. "

"It was like that when you dumped my mom? You just forgot about her and married Eleanor?" he snapped not thinking twice what was on his head.

"Not at all..."

"Then how was it? You make it sound like really easy on how you left her pregnant with your child and move on to someone else."

"Fuck. I messed everything. That's not what I meant." Jason said in his head while looking down.

 "Listen. I do regret the way I ended things with Victoria. I really do, I was only twenty at the time, I had no job, nothing to offer her and you, and I got scared. It's no excuse, I know. I was stupid back then, and I hoped I would have done things differently. I would have offered you a different life, like the ones your siblings have."

"Half siblings. " he corrected. " And there's nothing wrong with the life my mom gave me. She did her best and I am who I am today due to her."

"This is not how I imagined this conversation with him would go."

" I just want to know; did you ever think of looking for me? Knowing if I was, okay?"

"I did. I just didn't know how, when I spoke with Victoria letting me know she was pregnant she was upset and made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me. Not that I can blame her."

With a perfect timing the waiter came with two salads and a pizza placing them on the table. Jeremy didn't feel like having a bad digestion and suggested eating first and continue the conversation later, to which Jason agreed. As he ate his first slice, Jeremy wondered how the conversation was his parents had eighteen years ago. He couldn't have these conversations with his mom, he knew it was too painful for her. He just wished he could get into Jason's head and know the truth. He gave a small glance to him, focusing on that memory, wanting to learn what happened, what they told each other and how their last words to each other were. Somehow, as a movie playing, he had success, and the memory was playing before him.

******

"I don't get it; how did this happen?" Jason said while sitting on a park bench with a burrito on his hand not looking at Victoria as she had just told him she was pregnant.

"We both know how it happened, stop acting like you don't know. We need to know what to do. And can you please put that away, it's making me sick." she said looking away covering her mouth.

"We? I don't want to change my future for some baby. My dad wants me to work with him at the company."

"And what about my future? You are not the only one whose life is changing, this baby needs us. Both." she said softly patting her stomach.

"Victoria, you are being irrational. We are not ready to be parents."

"And what do you suggest? We need a plan. Besides you have it easier, I'm the one who's going to be labeled by everyone, being called slut or whore. You'll get a free pass for just being a guy."

"Why don't you just get rid of it? It's easier for everyone. We can just pretend it didn't happen and move on."

Victoria looked at him shocked not believing what he had suggested.

" Jason, I'm not doing such a thing. I'm no murderer." she said embracing herself protectively.

"You said it yourself. You are three weeks pregnant; the fetus is the size of a freaking jellybean. It's easier that way."

"You mean easier for you; I can't live with myself knowing I killed my baby. I am not aborting."

"Then what do you suggest? And don't say getting married, we would be miserable in a marriage of this type. It won't work."

" So, whenever we spoke about marriage you were just bluffing? You lied to me?"

"That's not it, and you know it. Neither of us are ready to be a parent, I told you."

"Fine, I'll raise my baby on my own. I don't need you and I don't want anything to do with you." she said standing up.

"As you wish, don't look for me crying for money or anything." he said standing up as well.

She cleaned her eyes not wanting him to see her cry, but it was too late. She just walked away not looking backwards once as she continued shedding more tears.

******

Jeremy had no idea what to think of what he saw, and a part of him regretted digging into the past. He knew that his father wanted didn't want to be a part of his life, but it was something very different to learn he wanted him dead. He got nervous to be with him, and even dropped his eating utensils.

"Are you okay?" Jason said looking at him. 

"No, I can't be here. Bye. " Jeremy said dropping a twenty-dollar bill in the desk. 

He just walked away as fast as he could not wanting to be close to Jason. Never.

Paige was seated below a tree working on a dress sketch. She had an iced coffee next to her as she worked. She felt someone sit next to her and it was Dylan. 

"Hi." he said.

"Hello." she answered.

" I want to apologize for my attitude last time we spoke. I had the feeling I freaked you out, and I'm sorry."

"It's all right, I just never thought you had that side of you. There was no need."

"Can I ask why you want to leave for Parsons? My mom mentors you, and she loves you like you are her daughter."

"I'm grateful for everything you and her have done for me. But Parsons is a great opportunity, if I get accepted it will be something huge for me."

"I like you Paige and I want a relationship with you, isn't that a reason to stay?"

"Look Dylan, if you would have said that to me months ago I would have been on cloud nine. But I have changed, I think we are better as friends."

"Is this for Jesse? Do you like him?"

" Stop it, this has nothing to do with him or you."

"But you seem to pick him over me. Why?"

"Jesse has been supportive, in anything. And I'm not picking you over him. I'm picking myself, but if I had to pick between you and him, I would choose him."

She grabbed her stuff and went away.

Aunt Beth was helping Amy trying new hairstyles for the bachelorette party, they had both been watching YouTube tutorials. Amy felt her hair being pulled and she started feeling a headache, but she decided to hold on the pain. Her aunt seemed excited, and she didn't want to take of her enthusiasm. She knew deep inside her aunt never had the chance to comb a daughter since she didn't have one and this was the closest she had to taste the experience.

"I can place some flowers on your hair to give you the exotic touch. Do you prefer big or small flowers?"

"You have flower hair pins?" she asked turning around. 

"I have some lovely ones, let me bring them so we can pick together."

She rushed from the room and Amy admired her reflection on the mirror. She did like the way her aunt combed her. Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing. 

"Hi Dana, you need to see the hairstyle my aunt did. I'll sent you a picture."

"Can I go to your place? I really need a shoulder to cry on."

She sounded really sad, and Amy felt concerned.

"What happened?" 

"I went to Liam's apartment to surprise with him some wine and chocolates. And there was a naked girl laying on his couch."

"What?" Amy said almost screaming and making Aunt Beth drop the hairpins to the floor.