Paloma expelled a deep sigh as she turned her key in the lock, effectively granting herself access to her home. She stepped inside and shielded herself from the slowly setting sun before gritting her teeth and reflecting on the disheartening events the lengthy day presented to her.

After finding out about Ava's new relationship, if one could even call it that, the brunette couldn't think of anything else for the entirety of the afternoon.

Her mind ran wild. Paloma imagined what Ava's sexual encounters were like, the thought of the mahogany-haired woman's lips on someone's body that wasn't her own began to play over and over again in her head. It was almost as if the events were occurring right in front of her. She gritted her teeth while trying to decipher what the mystery woman looked like, the woman that apparently had something that she didn't.

The thought of Ava kissing someone else, touching someone else, and loving someone else, or anyone else for that matter, absolutely made her skin crawl. This level of jealousy and animosity were unfamiliar to Paloma, however, a part of her couldn't help but welcome the intense feelings.

She had to admit, while the situation absolutely infuriated and repulsed her, she knew she had no right to be mad. She had no rights to Ava because it was her own shortcomings that destroyed their relationship. Nevertheless, her understanding of her predicament still failed to alleviate her pain.

She ambled her way into the kitchen and dropped her keys onto the counter next to her purse. Her digits tangled in her hair as she pulled open the fridge and scanned its contents. Her eyes lit up once she came across the frigid beer that awaited her. She wrapped her fingers around the bottle and shut the refrigerator with her hip.

Paloma leaned over and planted her elbows on the counter, bringing the beverage to her lips. Her eyes fluttered to a close as she savored the bitter taste that she longed for, and at the moment, desperately needed, as well as the peace and quiet that encompassed her.

It wasn't until she heard footsteps quietly approaching that she finally opened her eyes. She couldn't help but jump ever so slightly once she realized her sister was standing right in front of her.

Paloma placed her hand over her heart and rolled her eyes. "You scared the shit outta me."

Quinn shrugged and planted herself in the barstool across from the brunette. "How was overtime?"

"Crappy," came the woman's immediate response.

After a moment, her annoyed expression dispersed, a grin replacing her frown at the sight of Siberia playfully nipping at her feet in greeting. She placed her bottle on the table and scooped Siberia up in her arms instead. She couldn't help but giggle as the puppy attempted to gnaw on her fingers.

Paloma looked away from the squirming animal just long enough to met her sister's gaze. "What about you, what are you doing home so early? I thought you had to work late tonight."

"Well, I did, but..."

"But...what?" the brunette coaxed, her interest officially peaked once she noted the unusually quiet demeanor that was about the girl.

"...I was fired," Quinn reluctantly relayed.

"What?" Paloma bellowed. "How? What happened?"

The redhead rubbed her arm as she spoke, "I don't know. Wilfred's pretty protective of Charlie and he think's I'm a bad influence on him. According to him, Charlie can't get anything done when I'm there. He basically told me I'm a good worker, but Charlie and I's relationship was getting in the way, so..."

"What?" the brunette demanded once more. "So, he fired you?"

Quinn nodded her head. "Yeah, I don't think Wilfred likes me all that much," she chuckled dryly.

"That's bullshit."

Paloma immediately handed the dog over to the redhead and snatched her keys off the counter. The swift strides she made to the door were finally put to a halt once Quinn stepped in front of her.

"Wait, where are going?" the girl pondered.

"To give that asshole a piece of my mind!"

"You can't do that," Quinn asserted. She elaborated once she observed the challenging expression her sister wore. "Look, I don't need you fighting my battles for me. I'm a big girl now, alright?"

Paloma's eyes softened at the redhead's words, but a part of her still couldn't let it go. "Quinn, he fired you on the premise that his grandson can't keep it in his pants while he's at work not because you're a bad waitress and that doesn't sit right with me."

Quinn kissed the top of Siberia's head in attempts to calm the fidgeting puppy before shrugging her shoulders. "Okay, so maybe he didn't have that good of a reason, but still. It's his diner, I can't force him to let me work there. Besides, he's no different from you. It's not like you were easy on Charlie when he and I first got together."

The woman scoffed loudly, "That's because you're a girl."

"Your point?" Quinn coaxed.

"It's different."

"It's not different," the redhead asserted.

"It's completely different. I had to make sure he wasn't gonna try to take advantage of you. Guys do that, especially guys your age."

"Well, Charlie's never been like that."

Paloma crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, and now I know that, but I had to judge that for myself."

"That's my point exactly. Wilfred's just giving me a hard time and I mean, I get it. I haven't proven myself to him, so he doesn't trust me. I don't care, it's whatever."

The woman dropped her hands to her sides and shook her head defiantly. "It's not whatever. I know that you're a big girl and all and you can fight your own battles, but honestly, I don't give a shit. I'm gonna talk to Wilfred at the very least."

She reached for the front door's handle but was stopped yet again by Quinn.

"I don't wanna stir things up between Charlie and his grandfather," the girl admitted.

Paloma inhaled sharply through her nose as she rested her hands on her hips. "Does he know what happened?"

"No, he tried calling me a few times but I didn't pick up. He has practice soon so I probably won't see him until tomorrow. But, still, I don't want him angry with Wilfred."

"Why the hell not?" Paloma scoffed. "Wilfred only fired you because he's overprotective of Charlie, that's it, nothing else. He can't fire you on that premise alone."

Quinn shrugged. "He already did."

"Look," the brunette began, this time her voice much lower, "it's not right and you can't just let people walk all over you like that. I know you don't like confrontation and I know you don't wanna stir things up, but you're not, Wilfred did and if you won't say anything then I will. Consider it one of the many perks of having a big sister that looks out for you."

"Paloma, please," the teenager begged. "It's not a big deal, there are other places to work. I don't wanna turn this into a thing. It happened and now it's over. I just wanna move on and I don't need you to come to my rescue every time something happens. I can handle it, it's handled. Okay?"

Paloma's hardened expression eased up once she processed her sister's assertion. She swallowed thickly, allowing the words to sink in. Her jaw tensed one last time as she reluctantly shrugged her shoulders. "...Fine."

Quinn relaxed and granted the woman a small smile once she relented.

"But, I still don't this," Paloma quickly asserted. "And if he gives a hard time again, you let me know," she demanded.

The girl simply nodded and followed Paloma back into the kitchen, relieved that the tense situation had finally alleviated.

Paloma dropped her keys onto the counter and reached for her beer instead. "Okay, well, since you don't want me to come to your rescue," she mocked, "I guess I'm gonna turn in."

"It's still daylight...you're gettin' old," Quinn giggled.

"Shut up," Paloma chuckled. "I'm tired. My day was emotionally draining, to say the least."

"What happened?" the girl queried.

"Well, for starters," the brunette began with a sigh, "Ava's screwing someone else."

Quinn's eyes widened in surprise while Paloma massaged her temples in attempts to soothe her headache.

"But that's a conversation for another time," the woman muttered. "I'm gonna get in my pj's and snuggle up in bed with Netflix. I'll probably be asleep within the next half hour, but if you wanna join me for a movie, that'll be fine."

"No, thanks. The day was draining, I agree. I think I'll just hang out in my room tonight."

"...Alright," Paloma planted a kiss on top of Quinn's head before ruffling Siberia's fluffy fur. "Goodnight."

"Night."

Quinn watched her sister ascend the staircase, once she heard the brunette's bedroom door come to a close. She gently placed Siberia onto the floor and carefully lifted the woman's car keys from the counter.

The teenager pressed her finger to her lips in response to the dog's soft whine. As if she understood, Siberia ceased her cries. Her ears perked up as she watched Quinn tiptoe towards the front door, vacating the premises as silently as she could.

Quinn narrowed her eyes as they struggled against the bright lights that protruded from the ceiling. She scanned the items that sat on the shelves before her. The drugstore offered fewer options than she anticipated, however, it would have to do.

She took in a deep breath, allowing the tense air that surrounded her to circulate through her lungs. The redhead grabbed the item that rested on the rack and studied it closely. Suddenly, her trembling hands sought refuge behind her back once a familiar voice broke the nervewracking silence.

"Quinn!"

The redhead in question held her breath as Ollie came racing towards her.

"Hey," she managed to squeak out. The boy wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly. Her panicked eyes darted towards Ross once he came around the corner and stepped into the aisle.

"Hey, Paloma let you borrow the car, I see. Nice," the man greeted with a smile.

"Yeah." She forced herself to return the expression. "So, what are you guys doing here?"

"We just stopped by to pick up some allergy medication. The pollen out there's a killer," he chuckled. "What about you?"

"Uh," Quinn shook her head, "I just...wanted a candy bar, you know?" She shrugged with a counterfeit smile.

Ross slowly nodded, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Uh-huh," he uttered, obviously unconvinced.

The girl squirmed under Ross' gaze but once the man finally tore his eyes away from her and instead rested them on his son, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oliver, go meet your mom in the car, tell her I'll be out in a minute," Ross asserted.

The boy sank in defeat, however, he knew better than to challenge his father, especially when his tone was as firm as it was right then. He returned to Quinn's side and wrapped his arms around her one final time. Only this time, the item that was once secure in the girl's hand slipped from her grip and fell onto the floor.

She immediately reached down and regained custody of the small package. She could practically feel Ross' intense gaze boring into her. Her face flushed as she tensed her jaw and forced herself to meet the man's eyes.

She drowned out the sound of Oliver's final goodbye, his feet descending as he scurried out of the store.

It wasn't long before the discomfort proved to be too much for the girl to handle. She hurriedly returned the item to the shelf. "I have to go."

Ross instantly began to follow Quinn once she darted down the aisle and out of the drugstore.

The redhead struggled to calm her erratic breathing as she fumbled with the keys that rested in her palm, after a moment, she finally located the car key and turned the lock before scurrying inside of the vehicle.

She turned over the ignition, however, before she could put the car in reverse, the frantic tapping that sounded from the window of the passenger door gripped her attention. She sat idly and reluctantly turned her attention to Ross.

"Wait," the man pleaded.

Quinn gripped the steering wheel tightly and listened to his muffled voice, "Come on, please?"

She expunged a heavy sigh and killed the ignition before finally unlocking the passenger door.

Ross slowly entered the car and studied the girl next to him, his expression softened once he realized Quinn wasn't going to meet his gaze anytime soon.

"...What's going on?" he gently pressed.

"Nothing. I've gotta get home." Quinn moved to restart the car, however, once Ross placed his hand over hers, she finally looked at him.

"Just wait a second."

Quinn breathed deeply through her nose and rested her eyes outside the window.

"Quinn," Ross began, "do you think you could be...pregnant?"

At first, the man thought that his question would be met with silence, but then the girl squeaked her response, "I don't know."

Following her discussion with Wilfred, she couldn't help but stop, step back, and take a long, introspective look at her life. Somehow, it wasn't until after the man brought up Charlie's parents and their teenage pregnancy that she actually realized she was late.

Ross stopped his eyes from widening and instead forced his expression to return to its natural, relaxed state in attempts to prevent the girl from becoming even more frightened than she already appeared to be.

"What happened? I thought, I mean, after going to the dinner at your house, you know, what happened with the condom and stuff I just figured you two were being...safe." Ross grimaced at his own words and hoped the girl would offer him any sort of response.

"Yeah, we were, we are. I mean, I'm on the pill too." Quinn was so worried about the circumstances of her situation that she ignored the discomfort that lingered in the air. "I don't even understand how this could happen."

"Sometimes this stuff happens, it's no one's fault. Have you taken a test already?"

"No...I didn't even think about it until today. Charlie's grampa was talking about his son and how he got a girl pregnant in high school and how it ruined their lives. He said he didn't want the same thing for Charlie and I thought what he was saying was stupid because I never thought I'd be like that especially since we're always safe, but then he fired me and I realized I was late." Her rambling only came to a halt once she ran out of breath.

"Okay, it's okay," Ross soothed. "Um...how late?"

Quinn shrugged. "I usually keep track with an app on my phone and apparently, it's been...a couple months." She ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head. "I don't how I didn't notice, I don't know what happened."

She couldn't help but think Wilfred was right, she hadn't been focused at all. She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth to prevent it from quivering.

The teenager initially flinched at the feeling of Ross' touch, but she immediately relaxed once his hand began to rub gentle, soothing circles on her back, instantly granting her a sense of placidity and reassurance.

"Look, it doesn't necessarily mean that, alright? In my experience with women and based on my knowledge of...the female body," he reluctantly began, "sometimes these things happen. It doesn't always mean anything."

"But what if it's not nothing, what if it does mean something? God, I'm so stupid," she whispered.

"No, you're not," Ross declared. "We don't know anything, okay? And no matter what, we'll figure it out."

A bit of relief washed over the girl at the genuineness laced in the man's words. In fear of speaking with a broken voice, Quinn opted for a simple nod.

"Is it safe to assume your sister doesn't know about this?" he queried.

"No, of course not."

Ross furrowed his brow. "Look, you've gotta tell her. She can help you."

Quinn's eyes flashed to his. "No, she can't, she won't. She'll kill me. She'll be furious and so disappointed. I know my sister."

She could practically see the look on Paloma's face, how let down she'd be. It was a rare occurrence when her sister gave her that look, genuine disappointment and hurt plastered on her face, not to mention the torturous silence that accompanied the expression. The scarcity of the look made the few times that she received it all the more painful and Quinn knew that no matter what, it was something she wanted to avoid at all cost.

"She'll kill me then she'll kill Charlie and then Charlie's grampa will do the same to the both of us. Wilfred barely likes me, not even that, at the most he tolerates me and if it turns out he was right about everything, right about me, he'll despise me forever. And I mean, my sister just started liking Charlie, she's accepted him and if she finds out about this, that'll change everything. I can't tell her or anybody...and especially not Charlie."

"Quinn, I know I don't your sister that well, but she'll understand. I know she will. She'll help, she cares about you and she'd want you to come to her. Trust me, if something like this happened down the road with Ollie, I'd wanna know. And Charlie and I aren't all that well acquainted either but based on how you talk about him, I'm sure he'll understand. Just tell them. You can," he promised.

"Ross," she whispered. "...I can't."

The man wanted to argue, but the undeniably genuine expression of fear the girl wore managed to break his heart and silence his argument altogether, so he simply nodded his head in understanding.

"Okay, listen, maybe I can make you a doctor's appointment. It'll be a lot more accurate than a drugstore pregnancy test," he surmised. "I'll take you myself if you want."

"No," Quinn quickly asserted. "You don't have to. I'll go alone."

"I want to," Ross assured. "Look, Paloma cares about you and you won't let her help, but I care about you too...a lot. And you shouldn't fight this battle alone."

He studied the girl intently, the wheels obviously turning in her head.

"Just let me help," he begged. "Please?"

"...Okay," Quinn whispered.

"Okay."

So, there was a lot to take in in this chapter, be sure to drop a few comments and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading! 🤗