After ice cream, Caleb pulls me aside. "Would you like to stay the night at my house?" He asks, his eyes locked on mine. I nod, "Let me make sure Brycie doesn't need me tonight first."

I walk over to where Brycie is holding a squirming Baby Rowe in her arms. "Hey Brycie," I say softly. "Yes hon, what is it?" She asks, turning to face me. "Caleb said I can stay the night with him. I just wanted to make sure you didn't need any help with the girls tonight," I say. She pats my shoulder with her free hand, "Jazmin's coming over to help me tonight, don't worry about me dear. I know you need to stay with Caleb."

I hug her as well as I can with Rowe in the middle, "Thanks Brycie, love you." She nods, "Anytime dear, love you too." I quickly stop to kiss each of the girls' heads, then join Caleb and Kelsey in the car.

We get to their house, and Kelsey hands me some pajamas, one of Caleb's plain white shirts, and a pair of bright pink sweatpants. I thank her and change into them.

I walk back into the kitchen. Kelsey picks up Baby Romo, and heads up the stairs, leaving me alone with Caleb.

"I-I don't think I can sleep by myself tonight. Not after what happened with Alan," I sigh. "It's okay kiddo, I'll crash on the floor for you," Caleb says, kissing the top of my head. "Thanks Grimm Shady, you the bomb!" I exclaim.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" Caleb asks. "Alan. What's your favorite thing about him?" I reply. "I love his heart for God, and his great attitude makes working with him a blast!" Caleb exclaims, "What about you?"

"I love how fatherly and overprotective he is of me, he treats me the same way he does his own kids. It makes me feel loved and special. I also love his ability to always make me smile, no matter what circumstance. His Godly example and advice just make me want to be exactly like him someday," I sigh. "You're loved, and you're special. You always will be," Caleb reminds me. I nod, trying to hide my blushing face.

"Now what's your favorite thing about me?" Caleb asks, perching his chin on his hands.

I stop for a moment and think before responding, "I love how you're never afraid to be yourself. No matter how geeky something is, you're not afraid to admit and share your passion for it. You've also shown me an example of what I should look for in a guy. The way you treat Kelsey, and even how you treated me when I met you. It makes me want a guy one day who will treat me with the same kindness."

"Thanks kiddo. My favorite thing about you is your pretty smile, and how when you know something worth fighting for, you fight for it. You might've not fought to find us again, but I believe now you'll fight to never lose us, just like we'd do for you," Caleb tells me.

"Wanna watch this?" I ask, holding up Caleb's Newsies DVD. He nods,
"Of course! It's young Christian Bale singing and riding horses." I pop the DVD in, and sing along to every song, only occasionally messing up the words.

After the second time he sings Santa Fe, I begin to get tired. I lay on the couch next to Caleb, my head on his chest. "You tired kiddo?" He asks. I nod, pausing the movie, and turning the TV off. "I think I'll finish it in the morning," I say, scrambling back to my seat next to Caleb.

He smooths my short hair out of my face, and pulls a blanket over the both of us. "Sleep well kiddo, I'll be here in the morning," he whispers, kissing my head.

~*~

I wake up to Christian Bale singing Santa Fe softly. I look up at Caleb, "You started it all over?" He shakes his head, "No Sleeping Beauty, I just rewound back to the beginning of the song."

I nod, and pull the blanket closer around me for warmth. "You cold?" Caleb asks, raising an eyebrow. I nod, "Yeah, just a bit." He gets up, goes to the kitchen, and a few minutes later comes back with hot chocolate.

"Here you are Mia," he says, handing me the mug. I nod, thanking him, and turn back fully engrossed in the movie. As the credits are rolling, Kelsey enters the living room.

"Caleb, you're watching that again?" She asks, pushing her glasses up on her nose. "I didn't pick it out, Mia did!" He exclaims, quickly defending himself. Kelsey shakes her head, "Of course Caleb Andrew, blame her."

"But she really did!" He exclaims. Kelsey shakes her head, not buying it. "Do you want some breakfast?" Kelsey asks us. We nod, and walk into the kitchen.

"What do you wanna eat, girlie?" Kelsey asks. I shrug, "Can I make a yogurt parfait?" She nods, "Of course you can, hon. There's strawberry yogurt, and berries in the fridge."

I open the fridge pull out blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Kelsey begins cutting up the strawberries while I get a bowl.

Caleb grabs a banana, and walks towards the stairs, "I'm getting ready to leave."

"Wait, do we have any news on Alan?" I ask, arranging my fruit on the yogurt. He shakes his head, "I don't know, sorry kid." I shrug, "It's okay, I'll text Brycie."

(M-Mia, B-Brycie)

M- any new news of big al?

B- nothing yet hon. you guys coming to the hospital?

M- yeah we'll be there as soon as we can. love you

B- you too see ya soon

"Brycie doesn't have any new news!" I announce. "It's okay, we'll be there soon," Kelsey says, pulling out her buzzing phone.

"Looks like you and Caleb are flying solo. Brycie's dropping the girls off," she says. I nod, "I'll tell Caleb to hurry up." I race up the stairs and knock on his door, "Hurry up slowpoke!"

"What's the rush?" He asks through the closed door. "I gotta check on Alan. Please hurry," I plead. At that exact second he opens the door, "Sorry kid. Lets go."

We get downstairs and see the girls. "Hey chickadees!" I exclaim. They run over to me grinning, "Hi Mia. We missed you."

I reach over, and smooth AJ's curly hair, "I missed you guys too." Presley points at her Frozen shirt, and smiles, "Do you like my new shirt?" I nod, "It's very cool."

Baby Rowe reaches her hands out to me, I pick her up and bounce her gently on my hip. "Tell daddy we love him," AJ tells me. I nod, and kiss her head, "Of course."

"Bye Mia!" Presley says hugging me. I also kiss her head, "Bye girlie, have a fun day." She smiles, "I will." I finally kiss Baby Rowe's head, "bye baby."

"Love you girls!" I about following Caleb out the door. "Love you too!" They chant back.

Caleb puts his arm around my shoulders and smiles, "Those girls really adore you, kiddo."

"I love 'em to pieces," I admit, "it's like I'm still a big sister." Caleb leans over slightly, and kisses my hair, "You're a great big sister too, you know that?" I feel myself blushing, "Thanks Caleb."

The drive to the hospital is mostly silent, with only KLOVE playing softly. Occasionally, Caleb will hum along to the song, causing me to hum too.

We get to the hospital, and head to Alan's room. He's not awake yet, so all of us sit in the waiting room. Joey aimlessly flicks through channels, until Phineas & Ferb takes over the screen.

"Hey sour patch kid, did you sleep okay last night?" Chad asks. I nod, "Yeah. Caleb's a pretty comfy pillow." Caleb chuckles, "I don't know about that. I'm just glad you got some sleep."

"How were the girls?" I ask Brycie. "They were okay. AJ was a little worried for a bit, but she listened to some of y'all's songs and went right to sleep," she replies. "I bet poor Presley doesn't even know what's going on," I sigh. Brycie shrugs, "I doubt she does."

"He's awake y'all," a kind nurse informs us, walking by. We silently thank her, and Brycie and I enter the room.

"There's my girls," Alan says quietly, as we enter the the room. "Hey babe," Brycie says, smoothing down a tuft of hair that's sticking up.

"How are you my Mia, did you rest well?" Alan inquires. "Yeah, I stayed at Caleb's place, and he helped me calm down. How are you?" I reply. He shrugs, "Not much better honestly, but I'll be fine."

"AJ had a rough night, but I put on some of your songs and she went right to sleep," Brycie tells Alan. "Awh my girls," he sighs, "This has gotta be rough on them."

"It's okay Alan, this isn't your fault," I sigh. "I know it's not, I guess I just need to focus on getting better," he says. "That's all you can do," Brycie reminds him, kissing his forehead.

Brycie, Alan, and I chat for a bit longer until Chad bursts into the room. "He's my best friend! My turn!" He exclaims. I laugh, "I guess it's ol' Chaddy's turn."

Chad turns to me and nods, "thank you, young padawon." I giggle, and playfully punch his arm before leavin the room. Joey is engrossed in Phineas & Ferb when I tap his shoulder. "Come with me," I say.

He salutes me, "Yes ma'am!" Together we climb into the elevator and go down to the food court. "You hungry, love?" Joey asks. I shake my head, "Not really. I want a coffee, plus I came down here just to think for a bit, and I can't think alone."

"So I'm your thinking partner now?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows. "Joey, this is serious, please listen to me," I plead. He nods subtly, "Sorry my Mia, go ahead."

I take a deep breath, "Alan thinks this whole thing's his fault but it's mine. He was getting the Krispy Kreme for me, and this happened. I can't believe this happened all because of me. Now everybody's gonna hate me and Alan won't let me live with him and I'll be stuck on the street."

"Woah woah woah hold up, hold up. You wait right here, young lady. I'll be right back," Joey says, walking off. I grab a napkin, and dab away some tears. I notice someone standing next to me.

"Joey?" I ask aimlessly. "No, Mia, it's me Collin. We met at the park, remember?" The boy asks. "Yes," I say, trying to unnoticeably wipe away my tears.

"Are you crying?" He asks, sitting in Joey's chair. I shake my head, "No." My voice cracks, tears spill out of my eyes, and I pray Joey gets back soon.