Erica kicked her shoes off as she walked inside her home. She neatly sat them by the door before chucking her bag onto the couch.

She was finally done with work which meant she could lie down. Her feet were killing her.

"Mum!" Phoenix shouted from upstairs.

"Coming, Phoe." Erica called to her as she climbed the stairs.

"Neville told me I was to tell you that... He had to go get Frank." Phoenix shrugged.

"Go get- Oh, right. Right." Erica nodded as she remembered.

She hated it but Hannah was his mum and he still wanted to see her.

"How was work?" She walked over.

"Tiring." Erica bent down and hugged her,"But now I'm home."

"Did you have to deal with creepy Keith?"

"I did, but Charlie was there."

"Did you kick his ass?" Phoenix smiled.

Erica smiled back,"I did, baby.'

Phoenix nodded and pulled away.

"Well, I'm going to go lie down, okay?"

"Right." Phoenix walked to her room.

Erica got up and headed to her own room, flopping onto the bed. She couldn't be bothered changing right now. After a while, Erica heard a door slam and arguments happening.

"Fuck- What did I miss?" She nearly fell of the bed as she quickly tried getting up.

"You never let me do what I want!" Frank shouted.

"Shit." Erica cursed and fixed her hair, walking downstairs.

"Frank and dad are fighting." Cedar sighed.

"I just wanted a nap." Erica shook her head.

"I'm sick of this bullshit." Frank stormed off, past Erica.

Erica watched him leave, before approaching Neville,"Babe?"

"Yes?" He sighed.

"Are you alright?"

"Just... Frank being Frank." Neville held his head.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Erica wrapped her arms around him.

"Hannah's getting in his head, Er." Neville looked at her.

Erica bit her lip,"He's a kid, she shouldn't be using him like that."

"I hate it." Neville sighed.

"Look, how about we go and try to sleep this off and sort it out in the morning? " Erica suggested.

"Yeah, I think that would be best." Neville nodded.

"Good, I'm exhausted." Erica leaned against him.

"How was work?" Neville raised a brow.

"Tiring." Erica began playing with his hair.

"You look tired."

"I am, I'm just glad to be home with you again." Erica sighed.

Neville bit his cheek,"Maybe I should talk to Frank-"

"Nev, he's upset and he's angry. We should let him calm down first."

"I got him upset and angry."

"If you want to, I won't stop you. But I'm going back to bed."

Neville sighed and kissed her head,"I'll be there in a minute."

Erica nodded and got up, heading back to her bedroom for hopefully the final time that night and immediately flopping on top of the covers.

Neville rubbed his neck before he went to Frank's room and knocked on the door.

"Piss off!"

"Frank."

"No."

"Don't be like that."

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because I'm your father and I should be treated with a little respect." Neville shook bi's head.

"I never asked for you to be my father." Frank scoffed,"Who would want you as a dad?"

Neville blinked and looked at Frank,"I'm sorry?"

"You can barely stand up for yourself and you rely on her."

"I don't need to stand up for myself Frank. You are fifteen, I'm your father. Like it or not you don't have another one." Neville crossed his arms.

"I'd rather have no father than you."

Neville just stood for a second,"Goodnight, Frank." He closed his door.

Frank didn't give a response. Neville took a breath to calm himself before he walked to his shared room with Erica. Erica was half-asleep, waiting for him.

"Hi hun." Neville sighed.

"Baby." She smiled softly.

Neville changed into his pjs and got into bed,"Can I ask something?"

"Mhm?" Erica raised a brow

"Am I... Am I a good dad?"

"Of course you are." Erica cupped his face,"Frank doesn't know what he's saying."

"Cedar thinks I'm a good dad, right?"

"Yes, Nev. She loves you, we all do." Erica assured him.

"One hundred percent?" Neville looked down, he was worried.

"One hundred percent." Erica kissed his nose.

Neville nodded slowly,"Okay, okay."

"Now sleep, it will be okay by tomorrow."

"Yes Ma'am." Neville laid back.

"I love you." Erica rested against him.

"I love you too, Sunflower." Neville smiled.

Erica kissed his cheek and closed her eyes. It would all be better in the morning, right? Neville hummed and fixed Erica's hair as he closed his eyes.

*********************************

Erica had woken up and got dressed, deciding to let Neville stay asleep as she made coffee downstairs. Soon enough, Frank walked downstairs and stood there, looking at Erica.

Erica didn't look at him, she knew it wouldn't be pleasant,"Do you want anything?"

"My mum told me you tried to kill her once."

"Only once, how forgiving of her." Erica sat her cup down,"In my defense, Parker tried as well."

"Then you're both evil." Frank shrugged.

"Look, kid, you're mum isn't a saint." Erica picked up her coffee and took a sip.

"She's better than you." Frank scoffed.

"Yes, because I push people to the point where they debate ending it all. Yes. I'm worse than Hannah."

"My mum never did that, Liar."

"You weren't there Frank, you can't tell me what she did and didn't do because you don't know." Erica turned to him.

"I think you just really hate my mum for no reason." Frank sighed.

"No reason?" Erica blinked.

"If there is a reason, it's probably stupid."

"I could name a few reasons but I doubt you'd listen." Erica shook her head.

"Exactly." Frank hummed and grabbed a snack.

"Go on."

"It just proves a point. Erica."

"Frank, if you have what you need then leave me alone. I want to drink this in peace."

Frank rolled his eyes, grabbing his stuff before he left. Erica sighed and sipped her coffee. It was too early for this.

"Morning." Neville walked down.

"Morning, hun." Erica smiled at him.

"I heard Frank slamming his door." Frank nodded.

"Apparently I just hate Hannah for no reason, and I'm a liar." Erica sipped her coffee before holding up a gloved hand,"I can prove that I'm not."

"Babe." Neville gave a look.

"I didn't say anything to him, he wouldn't believe."

"I'll... I'll talk to Hannah." Neville nodded.

"Are you sure?" She asked quickly.

"If it stops her nonsense." Neville took her gloved hand and kissed it.

Erica smiled softly at him,"As long as you're sure."

"I don't want her doing this to you or Frank."

"Well, I don't want her to keep hurting you either."

"She won't hurt me." He assured her.

Erica sighed and kissed her cheek,"I'll go check on the girls, okay?"

"Alright. I'll be back soon." He hummed.

Erica smiled and walked out of the kitchen, coffee in hand.

*********************************

"Thank you for cleaning up, Phoe." Neville rubbed her arm.

"Of course, Neville." She nodded.

"You know... When you're comfortable with it, I'd like if you'd call me dad."

"Mhm." Phoenix nodded again.

"But I'll respect it and you can have some time- All the time you need." Neville gave a small smile.

"Yeah, thanks." Phoenix wandered off.

"Okay... Bye Phoe." Neville sighed and began looking through the dessert book Parker had gifted the family.

So many interesting things. Cupcakes, cookies, strawberry puffs... Her signature. Maybe... Let's ask Frank, maybe it will cheer him up?

So that's what he was going to. Although, as he began to walk up the stairs, he heard a knock at the door. Neville turned around, hesitating before he walked to the door and answered it.

At the door was someone he didn't want to see. Hannah.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see my son."

"Not happening." Neville shook his head.

"I beg to differ." Hannah smirked,"I'm sure he'd love to see me."

"We're having a family night, you're not included, Hannah." Neville went to close the door.

Hannah grabbed the door, holding it open,"But I'm family."

"Not tonight you aren't."

"Neville, I'm here whether you like it or not."

Neville sighed,"We told you you aren't welcome here."

"So? I'm not her for you or her. I'm here for him."

"It doesn't matter, Hannah. I've told you once and I'll tell you again, no."

"Oh, Frank~" Hannah hummed.

"Hannah-" Neville pointed.

But it seemed too late as footsteps made their way downstairs.

"Mum?" Frank asked from the hallway.

"Its me, darling." She nodded.

"What are you... What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"Oh... Why?" Frank raised a brow.

"Why not?" Hannah asked.

"Because, it's nine at night." Frank shrugged.

"Oh, don't you want to see me?" Hannah forced her way inside.

"Hannah-" Neville began.

"Mum, my sis- The girls are upstairs." Frank sighed.

"So?"

"They don't like you." Frank said truthfully.

"Well, that's too bad."

"Hannah, its time to leave." Neville put a hand out.

"I agree." Came a voice from the stairs.

Neville looked up and saw his wife,"Now."

"Hannah, get out of my house."

"I'm here to see my son, not any of you." Hannah shook her head.

"I don't think you understood me." Erica began walking closer,"It wasn't a suggestion."

"Do not threaten me." Hannah warned.

"You're trespassing."

"It's not private property." Hannah smirked.

"Hannah, I will use force. Get out of my house. I'm not scared of you anymore." Erica crossed her arms.

"I'm spending-"

"Mum, go away." Frank spoke up as he saw the girls at the top of the stairs,"I don't want you here anymore."

"After all I've done for you, you side with them?" Hannah glared at Frank.

Frank looked down,"They want you out."

"Pathetic."

Frank scoffed and shook his head, running upstairs.

Erica glanced back before turning to Hannah,"I think you've overstayed your welcome."

"What have you said to him?" Hannah pointed.

"Me? What have you said to him." Erica pointed back,"Because I was the liar this morning."

"Girls, go upstairs." Neville sighed to the girls, he didn't need them to see this.

"I said the truth." Hannah nodded.

"Hannah, you've told him so many lies."

"I told him you were a liar, and a skank. Sleeping with my boyfriend after the Yule Ball? You're as worse as your slut friend sleeping with half of Hogwarts." Hannah laughed.

"We were not together." Neville corrected.

"Don't you dare say anything bad about Parker." Erica snapped,"Don't underestimate the things I'm willing to do for her."

"It's true, isn't it? You're both as bad as each other." Hannah spat.

"Thats it." Neville opened the door and used his wand, shoving Hannah out the door.

Erica quickly slammed the door and stood with her back against it.

"Oh Flower." Neville walked to her and hugged her, holding her head.

"I could- I just-"

"It's okay, just calm." Neville whispered.

"Calm... I'm calm." She repeated.

"Well done." Neville gave a reassuring smile.

"I... Need a drink."

"I'm making it. I don't trust you with alcohol right now."

"Fine." Erica sighed, rubbing her eyes

"Gin?" He raised a brow.

"Please?" Erica nodded.

Neville hummed and walked to the kitchen. Just as Erica went to follow, she heard a creak at the top of the stairs.

Erica paused and peeked around the corner, expecting one of the girls. Although... It was Frank.

"Frank? Is something wrong?" She was expecting a lecture, or a snarky remark.

"Thank you.' Frank muttered.

"Thank... You?"

Frank nodded slowly.

"What did I do?"

"For... For getting her away." Frank sighed.

"Oh, of course." Erica nodded,"Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"

Frank nodded slowly before he went back upstairs. Erica sighed and sat down on the couch. So much for a nice family night.

"Here you go." Neville handed her her gin.

"Thanks, hun." Erica took the glass.

"Don't drink too much." Neville warned.

"I won't." Erica shook her head,"I cant."

"Good. I'm proud." Neville smiled.

Erica leaned against him as she took a sip,"I hate her."

"I hate her too, flower."

Erica kissed his cheek.

"But you know what?"

"What?"

"I love you." Neville smiled.

"How could you not?"

Neville chuckled,"And I'll always fight for you."

"I'll fight for you too, I always have and always will." Erica downed the rest of her glass.

"Careful." Neville rubbed her arm.

"I can take a drink unlike someone." She hummed, nudging him gently.

"I can so." Neville gasped.

"Hun. You cannot."

"Want a bet?"

"Not really no, you won't sleep."

"Just one drink?"

"No."

"But-"

"Bed, hun. Its been a stressful night." Erica put a finger on his lips.

"Will you... Join me?"

"I'm not going to let you sit in bed alone."

"I mean... Join me, join me. Erica." Neville hummed.

Erica smirked,"If you insist."

"We need to make sure the kids go to bed first." Neville helped her up.

"Alright, who are you checking on?" Erica asked.

"I'll check on the girls."

Erica nodded and headed upstairs, to Frank's room. When she got to Frank's room, he was reading a letter.

Erica knocked gently,"Frank?"

Frank put down the letter,"What?"

"I just came to see you, your dad and I are going to bed so I just wanted to make sure you were okay first."

Frank bit his cheek,"Yeah... I'm okay."

"You sure?" Erica asked.

"I'm sure, but- Can I- I'm sorry." Frank sighed.

"Sorry?" Erica raised a brow,"You don't have to be sorry."

"For how I acted towards you."

"Frank, its alright. I never blamed you for that."

"But I shouldn't have." Frank looked down.

"She was manipulating you." Erica reminded him.

"My dad hates me, doesn't he?"

"Of course he doesn't, why would you think that?"

"Because I treated him like shit."

"Frank, he's your dad. He never stopped loving you." Erica sighed,"You've had problems but you can fix those now. She's gone and can't break you two apart."

Frank sat down,"Maybe I should sleep."

"It'll do you some good, kid." Erica nodded,"We can talk in the morning, okay?"

"Okay." Frank sighed.

"Night, Frank." Erica carefully closed the door.

Meanwhile, Neville was just leaving the girls room.

Erica smiled and joined hands with him,"Frank's just heading to bed."

"So are the girls. Phoenix is already asleep."

"So are the girls. Phoenix is already asleep."

Erica kissed his cheek,"Ready when you are."

"Good." Neville took her hand and pulled them to their room.