Victoria had asked for a glass of water to sober herself up. Not that she was drunk, but probably Jeremy would drink more, and she would have to drive back home. As she sat on her own, she meditated on how her life had been. Jason had told her what she wanted to hear several years ago, and if he would have, she would have accepted without a doubt. But it was different now. He was married, she had a boyfriend. She was no homewrecker, and she wouldn't separate Jason from his other children. She smiled to herself thinking how blessed she was to be Jeremy's mother, she wouldn't change anything from her life, even if that meant having Jason in her life. Steve came closer to her, and almost stumbled.

"Are you all right?" she asked placing a hand on his arm but he slapped her hand. 

"Don't you dare touch me, you filthy whore!"

He exclaimed this hard enough for everyone to listen and make them turn towards them curiously. Victoria felt her face reddening.

"Sweetheart, whatever made you upset we can talk it. Let's look for your mother..." she said speaking lowly but was interrupted.

"Don't you dare talk about my mother when you want to steal her husband and break apart my family. You and your bastard son have caused issues since the moment you both appeared. You can both go to hell."

It all happened really quick, and the next second Jeremy grabbed Steve's shoulder and punched him in the face making him fall to the ground where his nose started bleeding. Everyone was gasping in horror when seeing the scene. Jeremy kneeled down and pointed at his half brother.

" You can talk all the crap you want about me, but I won't let you disrespect my mother. I hope you learned your lesson."

He stood up and walked away with Victoria not looking back. He didn't care about any of that people, he just wanted to check on her. Jeremy knew Sterling was disappointed in him for what happened, but he didn't regret what he did. 

"Oh Jeremy, you shouldn't have done that." she said as she looked for something inside her purse when they had reached their car.

"I wasn't going to let that brat talk to you like that. He was out of place."

"But son, you'll miss the chance to bond with Sterling... "

"Look, I won't lie. I had a good time with him, but he was being my grandfather for the last hour, you have been my mom all my life. And I would never see someone disrespect you and do nothing."

Victoria wrapped her arms her son not wanting to let him go. Jeremy was certainly the best decision she had taken, and no one would ever change her mind. 

Amy was seated next to Connor, to her surprise as she had expected him to seat with Clarice, who was clearly not happy with her son seating next to his girlfriend. Amy decided to play oblivious. Everyone ordered and he grabbed her hand below the table. His warmth made her feel comfortable and safe. 

"So, how has school been?" James asked while drinking his water.

"I have felt stressed sometimes, but I try to do my best. And hopefully I can join soccer again."

"Sounds great." JP said smiling. 

"Again? Why?" Clarice asked looking shocked. 

"I like soccer, you know it. And I miss it."

"But how are you going to balance classes, your fraternity duties and soccer? Sounds tough, son."

"I know what I'm capable of, Mom." he answered with a short smile. 

"You are an excellent soccer player, if you try out, I'm sure you'll be on the team." Amy said squeezing his hand. 

"Do whatever you like son, I know you'll be doing great." James said raising his glass of water. 

Clarice faked her disappointment with a smile, she was clearly not happy with the idea of Connor playing soccer again. Amy was just confused, why couldn't she just be happy for him? In fact, Amy thought he would continue playing not long after his enrollment at Yale. The food was brought and everyone started eating. 

"Wanna go out for a walk after dinner?" Connor asked whispering to Amy.

"Sure." she whispered back. 

He gave her a soft peck on the lips.

"Paige, are you not hungry?" Michael as he gave a bite to the baked potatoes he had prepared for dinner. He had searched the recipe on internet and did his best to try cooking it the best he could.

"Why?" she asked raising her view to face him. 

"You have been toying with your food. I know I'm not the best cook, but it would be nice to see you try it. Or are you sick?"

"No, I'm fine." she answered while giving a bite to her food. 

"Is something bothering you?" 

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Is your relationship with Victoria serious?"

" We are still getting to know each other, and hoping the course of the relationship takes it way. Why?"

"Just asking. I would like to know if you see a future with her."

"You mean if I see myself marrying her?"

"Yes."

"It's too soon, we have been only dating for a few months. Only time will say. But I do think she's a great woman. Do you like her?"

"Absolutely. She is nice and sweet, and I'm not saying it only because she is my friend's mom."

"Thank you love, it means a lot to hear you say that. " 

He stood up and washed his dish at the kitchen. Paige was seated down trying to settle with the idea that someday she would be related to Victoria and Jeremy.

After the party fiasco, all the guests at the Miller Christmas Party left while whispering on the incident in which Jeremy had punched Steve. Sterling was at his studio with his son, daughter-in-law and grandson, who was holding ice against his nose to stop the bleeding.

"Sterling, you need to push away that boy from the family. See what he did to my son!" Eleanor exclaimed angrily. 

"If you ask me, he was way too nice. " Sterling said sipping down his whiskey. 

"Excuse me?" Eleanor asked not believing what she heard. 

"Steven disrespected his mother, he deserved that and more. If someone would have insulted my mother, I would have sent that person to the hospital."

"Grandpa..." Steven started but was interrupted. 

"I don't want to listen to you. Leave. You are a disappointment. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Steve walked away and so did his mother. Sterling directed his attention to his son.

"I hope that Jeremy still wants to be a part of the family, he must be really upset. He is way more capable to handle the family business than Steven."

"Dad, I need to teel you something. I'll be divorcing Eleanor and I want to pursue Victoria." he said stuffing his hands on his pockets.

"What? Why?" he said serving himself another drink.

"Things with Eleanor have not improved, and after seeing Victoria this night I just remember how easy everything with her was. I want to try it again with her."

"Don't do that. You are just being emotional, not rational."

"I'm not, I know what I'm saying."

"No son, you are not. Leave her alone."

"Why not? I want to fix things with her. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Did she tell you that? She wants to go back with you?"

"No."

"Then stop insisting. You need to respect her wishes. If you excuse me, I need to think on how to fix tonight's mess. I need some privacy."

Jason closed the door while walking downstairs slowly. He couldn't stop thinking on how he could win Victoria's heart again, no matter what his dad said he was willing on getting back with her. He would be a family with her and Jeremy.