T/W: Mentions domestic violence, abuse, alcoholism and prison time, and stalking.

***
Steve

While I still don't totally believe that Eric wasn't involved with Knox Marshall in stalking Lex, I decide to take Dave's advice and try to be less negative towards him. I manage to catch Eric while he's on lunch break.

"What is it this time?" Eric snaps.

"Listen," I say. "I came to apologize." Eric just stares at me.

"You may not be my favorite person, but for Lex's sake, maybe we could at least try to get along?" I add.

Eric just continues to stare at me. I put my hand out and Eric finally responds. He shakes my hand.

"I doubt we'll ever be close," Eric says. "But for Lex's sake, I'm willing to be civil." I withdraw my hand.

"Ditto," I say.

"Did things ever get resolved?" Eric asks.

"Not officially," I respond. "But we got the answers we needed."

"I, uh, knew that Marshall guy," Eric says.

"Did you ever talk to him?" I ask.

"A few times," Eric replies. "He's not a bad person. Just sorta..lonely. I don't think he has many friends."

"As long as he stays away from Lex, I don't care how pathetic he is." Eric nods.

"I gotta go. Thanks for stopping by."

"Sure."

***
Lex

Jay has come by and I can tell by the look on his face, he has something heavy on his mind.

"You got a few minutes, Lex?"

"I'm the mother of a one year old," I reply, smiling. "What do you think?" Jay laughs, but I gesture for him to come inside.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Your mom told me how you've asking her a lot of questions about the past," Jay says.

"I have."

"I thought maybe I could fill you in some," Jay says.

"Let's go sit down," I say. Jay follows me into the living room. "You actually came at a decent time. Aria's down for her afternoon nap." Jay takes a seat on one of the chairs while I sit on the couch where I was folding laundry.

"First of all, does Mom know you're here?" Jay nods.

"I have her permission to speak with you."

"Great. So? What's first?" I ask.

"First, I want you to know how much I love your mother." I pause, mid-fold on a towel.

"Then why didn't you two ever get together?" I ask quietly.

"Your mom thought it was a bad idea," Jay says.

"Why? Because of my..dad?"

"Partly." Jay looks down at the floor. "Your dad wasn't a nice guy. He was an alcoholic and your mother refused to raise her child in that toxic environment. So..she told him to leave. He did. But not before he beat your mother, nearing killing her." I cover my mouth with my hand.

"Oh my gosh."

"I was the one who walked in on them," Jay says. "I'm not proud of this, but I beat your dad..badly."

"You..did?"

"Yeah. I..nearly..killed him." Jay clears his throat. "I went to jail for a couple of years because of that."

"Is that where my..dad is?" I ask. "In jail?"

"He could be," Jay replies. "I don't know for certain."

"How come Mom never told me any of this?" I ask.

"She was ashamed," Jay responds. "She didn't want you to know what a piece of shit your dad was. And that she allowed herself to get involved with such a toxic man."

"I wouldn't have judged her for that," I murmur.

"I told her you wouldn't," Jay murmurs. "But you know how stubborn your mom is." I nod.

"Okay. I get that part, but why didn't you get together later on?"

"Your mom just wasn't interested."

"But now, maybe she's changing her mind?" I ask.

"Maybe. We've been talking about it," Jay replies.

"I hope you do," I say, getting up to hug Jay.

"I thought you were against it?" Jay asks.

"I was," I admit. "But now, if you really want to, it's okay with me." Jay hugs me back.

"Thanks, Lex. That means a lot to me."

"Of course."

***
Steve

When Lex tells me the story of what happened with her parents, I start to understand why Shari is so cautious about having a serious relationship with someone.

Lex had called her mom, too, and they talked together. There were a lot of tears, but more from Shari than Lex. I think they both feel better about stuff, now that it's out in the open.

"Hearing about Mom's previous problems makes me that much more grateful," Lex murmurs. I kiss her forehead.

"It should."

"I kinda wish, though, that Mom had just told me," Lex says. "It couldn't have been easy, dealing with that."

"No," I agree. "By the way, not to change the subject, but I talked with Eric again."

"How did that go?" Lex asks.

"We're gonna at least try to be civil," I reply.

"I'd appreciate that," Lex says, touching my cheek.

"I know I could have handled it differently," I murmur.

"So could have Eric," Lex says, surprising me.

"Really?" I say. "You aren't gonna make up some excuse for him?"

"No," Lex says. "He could have tried harder to be nicer to you."

"You know, I did try some," I say softly.

"You did," Lex agrees. "I'm proud of for doing that too." I lean over, gently kissing Lex. She smiles.

"These last few weeks have been incredibly difficult and insane," she says.

"No shit," I agree.

"But we weathered it," Lex murmurs. "Together."

"Yes," I whisper. Lex grins.

"Oh and by the way, Mr. Speedle?"

"Yeah?" I say warily.

"I might be interested in expanding our family. If you're up for it?" I grin, kissing Lex again.

"Oh I'm definitely up for it."

"Good!"

****

A/N: Phew! That was a heavy one! This book kinda took over halfway through lol. That's a wrap on Book 4! Thanks for reading!