I was knelt on the floor next to the bed brushing a few stray strand back from Avari's face as she slept peacefully when Zak appeared around the door.

"Hey." He whispered.

I tore my eyes away from her small angelic face to look up at him and smile.

"Is she okay?" He asked as I got up off the ground and walked over to him.

"Fast asleep. Did it work?" I questioned.

"Bishop Long did what he came to do. She should be free now." He answered.

Overwhelming joy filled my body causing my eyes to instantly water. "Hey? What's up?" He asked.

"I-I'm just relieved. Happy. Thank you so much Zak."

He smiled wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we watched her sleep. "You should have came to me sooner. But I guess I'm not that accessible anymore. Thank god for my museum."

I nodded wiping my tears "I can't repay you for what you've given her back. A-anything you want. If you need any kind of help, let me know."

His smile pulled "Maybe dog sit once in a while when I'm working maybe?"

"Consider it done."

"You hungry?" He asked as his hand moved from my arm and began playing with the ends of my hair.

"I can't eat without her..."

"Yeah you can, she will be out for a couple of hours. Soon as she wakes, I'll make her food. Scar she will probably just want to go straight back to sleep again."

I sighed "I know. I just worry."

He smiled softly "I know. I'll make us some food and when Avari wakes, I can make her something too."

Looking up at him shaking my head gently causing him to frown slightly "What?"

"How have you not been snapped up by some woman yet?" I questioned.

"I never make myself that available. Besides, with a body and face like this... It would be a crime to limit myself to one woman." He replied making me scoff.

"Wow ego."

"We both know it's not the only part of me that's big." He grinned.

I giggled quietly "Always so filthy minded."

"Me? I was on about the length of my legs.. You have the dirty mind." He teased.

"Oh I'm sure... Where's madam too?"

"Trying on all the clothes she got today. It's driving me insane. I don't care for women's clothing, I care for tearing them off. I'm sure you know that." He answered casually.

My cheeks flushed "Zak.."

"I know. Not the time. Sorry. I-... I'll go. Make dinner." He gave one last glance in my direction before leaving the bedroom.

After an hour, Zak informed me dinner was ready and whilst I was excited at the prospect of food, I wasn't excited for having to sit at the table with Holly.

I made sure Avari was comfortable and that Peanut was still at her side before I emerged from the bedroom and made my way into the kitchen.

The smell of food hit my senses causing my stomach to growl angrily. "Damn, what are we having?" I asked as Zak worked himself around the kitchen. I shamelessly took advantage of his good nature by gawking at him. There's something about a man in the kitchen. But when that man is him...

He turned with the oven gloves over his shoulder "We are having My Spaghetti Bolognese.. Don't eat the garlic bread." He answered.

I pouted retracting my hand from snaring a piece up. "Wait, your spaghetti bolognese?"

"Yup. Here." He turned with a small piece of French stick with a small amount of butter. Walking to the stove he dipped it inside the pot and walked over to me.

"Open." He smiled.

"I've heard that before." I joked making him chuckle as I opened my mouth he fed me the bread.

"Hmm!" I moaned as he ate the rest.

"Good right?"

"So good! Your gran taught you well."

He smiled "Yeah she did."

I watched him go off into his mind thinking about her before he set himself back to work. I was always fond of his gran, Grace was in every sense of the word an Angel. She always smiled and was forever happy to see me. It broke my heart when I found out she passed. But the hardest day was attending her funeral with Zak by my side. He didn't remove his shades once and his hand was around mine throughout the service. It was a day I wouldn't forget...

"I miss her too.." I said loud enough for him to hear.

He simply nodded, I dropped the conversation knowing in a few days time, it was her birthday, and Zak always found this time of the year difficult.

"I'll set the table." I added making myself busy. Holly stepped in holding two bottles of wine.

"Red or white baby?" She asked Zak who shrugged.

"Whatever you prefer, I'm having water."

"Both then." She shrugged pushing the white wine into the fridge.

I kept my head down and placed down the cutlery and grabbed myself and Zak glasses and Fiji water from the fridge. Holly had already unscrewed the bottle and poured herself a generous glass.

"We need another place." Holly said nodding to the table.

"Oh. Okay," I nodded getting out the plate and cutlery. "Is Nancy coming over?" I asked.

"No. A good friend." Holly smiled.

I should have known when she smiled that it meant trouble, but it wasn't until the door bell went and she returned that I realised how much trouble she was set on causing.

"Scarlett.." Devin breathed looking at me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat looking at him. He hadn't changed a bit, maybe his hair was a little longer but other than that, he was still the Devin I knew with his V neck white top and dark jeans.

"Devin, what are you doing here?" I asked trying to play it cool.

"Holly invited me for dinner." He smiled.

"Great." I replied returning the smile trying not to show how much that effected me. Because right now, I could launch myself over the table and punch Holly in the face for meddling this far!

"Dinner is ready." Zak said as we all took a seat. He brought over the plates and the garlic bread, leaving a small side plate of normal bread with a little butter on making me smile. It seemed he remembered that I loved to eat fresh bread and clear my plate of any sauce.

We were all about to tuck in after commenting how good it looked when Holly cleared her throat. "Zak? Salad?"

"Oh it's on the side." He answered.

"Well get it then." She butted making him sigh and get up to retrieve it whilst she sat there smirking at me.

"So, Devin. How have things been?" She asked turning her face to him.

"Good, working, playing you know? There's always editing to be done with the amount Zak works." He teased as Zak took his seat again.

"What can I say? I like to be kept busy." Zak answered.

The conversation kept continuing around the table, and I learnt that if I kept my mouth full, I wouldn't be asked questions.. But I didn't take into consideration that I would need to drink as well and when I did, Holly pounced.

"So Devin, when was the last time you saw Scarlett?"

He finished his mouthful before looking at me "Few years now right?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, it's been a while."

"Around 5 years?" Holly suggested.

"Yeah maybe." He replied picking up some spaghetti.

"You live in Vegas?" He asked me.

"Not far from here.." I replied quietly.

"Well what have you been doing with yourself?" He asked interested, still holding the glint in his eye.

"I-"

"She's a mom." Holly butted in.

"Oh really? Wow. Boy or girl?"

"Girl." I answered.

"How old?"

"She's 5." Holly injected.

Devin smiled before his face faltered as if he was working something out, my heart began picking up pace as he looked at me and then to Zak.

"Her father around?" Devin asked.

"No."

"Oh, that's a shame." He commented.

"Not really." I replied going back to my food feeling Zak's eyes trained on me.

"Her name is-"

"Holly." Zak spoke making her pause.

"Excuse me. Sorry, I gotta check on her." I replied excusing myself away from the table and making a sharp exit.

I hurried myself to the bedroom and closed the door taking a deep breath before going over to Avari who was still asleep. Crouching beside her, I brushed her cheek gently. "Your my baby. Nobody else's." I whispered to her sleeping state.

Moving away, I opened the glass door and stepped out into the garden getting some fresh air. I couldn't believe Holly had gone this far. I had underestimated her hatred towards me. But she didn't know all the truth and that could get very messy if she wanted to open a can of worms, she needed to be ready for the mess it caused.

I looked back at Avari, seeing her asleep I made the decision to pack..

****

The bedroom door opened causing me to freeze as I was in the middle of packing. "Scarlett?" Zak whispered looking at me and Avari.

"I- It's time I went home. Whilst she is asleep at least, then there isn't no emotional goodbye for her and Gracie. Right? I- I'll bring her over some time to see her." I nodded forcing myself to continue packing.

"What the hell are you going on about?" He hissed. "You can't leave now. Not with her like this. Look at her." He said throwing his hand in her direction.

I paused to look at her. "You wanna rip her out of bed and into the cold after what she has just been through? Lettie look at me?" I moved my eyes to Zak who was watching me.

"I know it's been a tough day, but you can't take her out now. It's getting cold and she is still weak. Look I know it's weird Devin being he-"

"Why didn't you tell me he was gonna be here?" I bit.

"Because a part of me wanted to see how you would react? I mean... He could be her father. Right?" He asked.

"Is that all everyone cares about? I'll tell you who her father is. Me! I'm her mother, sister, father and brother. I am all she needs and I will make sure of it. She doesn't need anyone else in her life!" I hissed looking to make sure she wasn't awake.

His face was hard "Did he say to get an abortion?" He growled.

I shook my head. "I- I can't go into this. Not right now."

"Lettie. Is she Devin's? I mean.. I know you had a thing for him-"

"I don't know. I don't know Zak."

His face threw in a surprised look grabbing my arm he pulled me into the walk in and closed the door. "Yo- You don't know who her father is?"

"N- Well I know who it's between.. Please don't look at me like that. Things weren't simple Zak you know that!"

"Between who Lettie? Who could be her dad?" He asked. "Who else were you sleeping with?"

I shifted on my feet shaking my head "Please, just leave this alone. Please Zak, I'm grateful for everything you've done but don't poke this."

"Let-"

"Stop calling me that!" I cried holding my head.

"Who is it Lettie? Who's it between? She needs to know, hell you need to know! Who did you put on her birth certificate?!"

"Nobody. I didn't put anyone. She's mine. Just mine."  I whispered.

He raked his hand across his face. "I heard her ask about him the other night. She isn't stupid Scarlett, she's gonna wanna know eventually. How long are you gonna lie to her?"

"I'm not lying to her." I argued back.

"Bullshit. This is for your own self gain. I know it and so do you! You're fucking selfish! Every child needs a father!"

"WELL SHE DOESN'T! She is mine! All mine and why should I let her risk getting hurt! He made his choice! He didn't want her then! He won't want her now almost 6 years down the line!"

His face paled.

"6? She's almost 6?!"

"What?" I frowned.

"You said almost 6 years. She is almost 6?!"  He snapped making me nod.

I watched as his hands went over his face as he turned away. "Fuck! Fuck.. Dammit Lettie!"

"Please sto-"

"I'm in that few aren't I?" He asked looking at me through his fingers. "That's why you hate me calling you Lettie.. Me, Nick or Devin. Which means one of them told you to get rid. Which one told you Scarlett? Who told you?"

I turned away unable to face him as he looked at me in anger. "She isn't Nick's. I know that because I- When we met up we didn't sleep together not that time anyway.."

"So Nick was cheating on V, yet when she was screaming at me you didn't say anything!" He argued.

"I couldn't..."

"Because of that conscious right? He has a family Scarlett! V was pregnant with Ana!"

"I know that! You don't think I feel disgusted with myself! He said.."

"Said what? He would look after you? You're not that stupid Scarlett."

"I feel bad okay, I do. But I can't take back what's happened." I answered.

"Avari could have had a sister from your stupidity. What is wrong with you? They're a family."

I scoffed "I didn't do the chasing! He was more than willing!" I hissed.

Zak stood back "Who are you? The Scarlett I know-"

"Oh you never knew me Zak! You didn't and that's what makes this situation even worse."

"Of course I fucking know you!"

"Then you'd know that-"

"That you were head over heels for Devin. You held a torch for him long enough. That you would do anything for him. That you loved him-"

"No! No see that's where you are wrong. I never loved him, I couldn't because...I- I couldn't." I answered trying to calm down.

"Why couldn't you?"

I shook my head "Zak please, just leave this alone."

"Why couldn't you Scarlett?!"

"Because I loved you! You fucking great big idiot! I was in love with you and I threw myself at Devin trying to forget you. You fucking broke my heart. You've killed me inside to the point I didn't think I could breathe. For months all I thought about was you! Years even! I didn't come to you Zak because I knew, like I know now that I can't stop.. It's like my brain is trained not to look at any other man the way I looked at you! I would have walked through fire for you. I wasn't just this friendly woman, who held your hand at the worst times.. I was in love with you and you never knew it."

"W-Why didn't you say anything?!"

"How?! You had different women in here, you had her! Holly, just friends you said. But you were fucking her and me! You would roll out of my bed, get dressed, kiss my forehead and leave me. I hated myself, I fucking despised myself for letting you do it but I thought you would eventually fall for me. That you'd see me. But you never did..." I answered as tears rolled down my face.

"Lett-"

"I'll be gone in 10 minutes."

"You aren't taking that girl out of this house. I won't let you. She needs proper care."

I snapped my eyes over to him "And I can give her that! I have been giving her that!"

"Oh sure seems like it with a demonic fucking attachment!" He shouted.

"WELL SHE TURNS AFTER YOU THEN DOESN'T SHE!"  I screamed back before freezing.

His eyes widened "I- Di- She's mine?" He asked.

I covered my mouth as I broke down, sinking onto the chair I held my head in my hands. "Scarlett.. is Avari my daughter?" He asked.

"She can't be mine. You said you told the father which would mean I know..."

"I did." I whispered.

"So she isn't mine? You spoke to the father, face to fac-"

"No. No I didn't. I never said face to face."

"But he told you to get rid, which means Devin told you to get an abortion. I- I can't see him being so cruel." He whispered.

"I text.. Said I was late."

"Right."

"And I got the message back.."

"So she is Devins? Or some random guys then right?" He asked.

"There is nobody else Zak."

"Well I didn't text you that means Avari is Devin's."

"I didn't text Devin!"

"What?" He asked.

"I didn't text Devin, Zak. I- I saw him face to face but the only other person I text... was you. I went to your house. Because you needed to know that there's a possibility that I could have been. And I was scared. We were careful, but I was with Devin too, I just- I didn't and I don't understand how it happened."

"You never text me! I never..." he shook his head.

"You didn't answer the door. Someone else did and confirmed what the text said, you wanted me to get rid of it."

"I never got the message. W-Who answered the door?"

I looked at him as his brows were pinched together in confusion "Please don't hate me..."

"Who?" He demanded.

I took a shaky breath preparing myself. "H-Holly. Holly answered the door."