Jamie's heart stops as he joins the rest of his family in the living room. He has a sneaking suspicion of who is on the other side of that door, the one that has caused everyone in the room to fall silent.

Swallowing heavily, Jamie walks over to Noelle, who is the only one making noise. She bounces in her little chair, chewing on her hand while mumbling to herself. She smiles up at Jamie as he bends over to pick her up, but even the weight of her in his arms is not comforting. Another threat to his family dynamic is waiting outside his home, and all Jamie wants to do is carry Noelle away, where no one can take her away from him.

But he can't do that.

He has to face the chaotic music.

"Becca," his boyfriend says, his voice coming out steady, the exact opposite of how Jamie is feeling. "What is going on?"

Maris grabs her wife's hand, whispering something in her ear. After pressing a comforting hand on Luca's arm, Maris leads her wife out of the room. Jamie doesn't bother to watch them leave, too scared to take his eyes away from the scene in front of him, but he hears the backdoor open and close. They are leaving them alone. Privacy, he guesses. But that is the exact opposite of what he wants.

"Can I come in?" Becca says. "I don't think this is a conversation we should have out here in the open."

Luca doesn't say anything for a couple of seconds, a moment's hesitation, before he steps aside. Becca comes into the house, the door closing behind her.

Immediately, her eyes land on him. "Hello, Jamie."

"Becca." The word comes out steady but rushed.

The woman's eyes flick over to Noelle, an emotion that Jamie can't recognize flickering over her face before she turns away from them.

"Shall we sit?"

She is too comfortable in their home for Jamie's liking. It is obvious that this place used to be her home, and he cannot stand it. Everything she touches Jamie wants to be rid of. He doesn't want any trace of this woman in his home. Jealousy is building up inside Jamie, but he can't hold it back. This is the woman who had everything that Jamie has ever wanted, and she threw it all away. He doesn't resent the woman, but that doesn't mean that he likes her either.

She takes a seat on the couch, and Luca being the closest, automatically sits down on the other end of the piece of furniture, leaving Jamie to sit across from them. Already, he doesn't like where this is headed.

"My parents called me about a week ago." She sits still, always so calm and collected. "They want me to testify for them."

The room falls silent. Becca doesn't betray any emotions, leaving it up to them to decipher what she is trying to say. Jamie looks at Luca. Betrayal is all over his face, lips pinched tight, as well as his brows. Jamie steps in, knowing that Luca will just continue holding back.

"Are you going to?"

Becca's eyes flit over to him. Jamie had always thought that Noelle looked like Luca, except for her curly brown hair, which she definitely got from her mother. But, with Becca sitting here in front of him, it is impossible to deny their relation. They share the same eye shape, the doe-eyed innocent look. Staring at her, and seeing the similarities between the little girl he considers to be his own daughter makes him catch his breath, arms tightening around Noelle.

"They never were excellent parents, you know." She pauses looking over at Noelle, who has exchanged chewing on her fingers for trying to get her toes into her mouth. "Always dictating my every move. Put into boarding school as soon as I was out of kindergarten." Her lips purse. "I- I don't want that for her."

She looks at Luca then. The other man's betrayed look has turned to one of confusion, mouth losing its tightness. "What are you trying to say, Becca?"

"I'm not a mother, but I do want what's best for her. And that seems to be the two of you."

Air catches in Jamie's throat. It is becoming tight, almost impossible to breathe. Is he understanding her right? Because it actually sounds like she might help them.

"I've gathered some character witnesses," she says. "The therapist I went to while at St. Charles Academy and one of my old middle school teachers. They should be able to help the two of you."

"Becca, I don't even know what to say." Luca's words are soft, as if he is afraid to break to fragile air around them.

Jamie cuts in then, saying the words that Luca is holding back. "But why are you doing this. You didn't even want Noelle."

She looks at him again, eye assessing. "As I said, I may not be a mother, but she doesn't deserve to grow up like I did. My parents have power, friends in high places. They are coordinating with their lawyer, trying to figure out the judge most likely to side with them." Her voice takes a steely edge. "You can't beat them without my help. I know you don't like me, Jamie, but at least let me help your family with this. It's the least I can do for her."

Luca looks over at Jamie then, the first time since Becca has arrived, and it makes something inside his chest unclench. Jamie motions towards the kitchen with his head. His boyfriend seems to understand, nodding his head.

"We need to discuss some things, Becca. We'll be right back."

She just nods at Luca's words, her face passive as she watches them leave.

Once in the kitchen, Jamie can't help but lean against Luca. Noelle babbles to herself between the two of them, not bothered in the least.

"What should we do?" Jamie asks. He already knows, but he wants to hear Luca say it, to be the one to make the decision.

"We accept her help." He kisses the top of Jamie's head, drawing his family closer into his arms. Jamie can't help but close his eyes and lean into his partner. He knew that this fight over custody for Noelle would be hard, a battle that would bring out the worst. Having Becca come to them is definitely not the worst to happen, but Jamie has a sickening feeling in his gut. This is only the beginning. While this is a point on their side, this is in no way close to being done.

"Okay," Jamie whispers, burying his nose in Luca's shoulder and breathing in his calming scent. "Okay."

The two of them stand there, no one talking except for Noelle. Finally, Jamie forces himself to pull away, grabbing Luca's hand to lead him back into the living room.

The clock by the television tells him that people will start to show up for the party any minute. Luca joins him on the loveseat, sitting so close that their sides are pressed against each other.

"We'll have our lawyer call you, work everything out," Luca says. "Thank you, Becca."

She nods, eyes flicking between the two men. "You two are together now?"

Her question catches Jamie by surprise. He looks over at Luca, not wanting to overstep. It is something he has been trying to work on, not constantly doing things for Luca. He constantly has to bite his tongue, just as he is now. Instead, he looks at Luca to answer.

Luca wraps his arm around Jamie's waist, pulling him tight against his side. "Yes. We are."

Becca doesn't saying anything for a few seconds, face passive, but eyes slightly squinted, as if looking at a complicated equation. "Yes."

Succinct, simple.

She gets the message. Becca nods, her lips quirking up slightly, the most emotion Jamie has ever seen her display. "Good."

Grabbing her bag, she stands up, running her hands down her pants to smooth out any creases. "I hope to hear from your lawyer soon."

Both men get up, following her to the door. Before she leaves, she turns, giving them one last assessing look before her eyes land on Luca. The neutral expression she is wearing smooths out into one of subtle warmth. "You seem to be doing well, Luca."

She doesn't clarify, just turns to leave. Jamie wants to desperately ask her what she means. That Luca is doing well for himself? That he is doing a good job raising Noelle. But Jamie restrains himself.

Luca closes the door, wrapping his arm around Jamie's waist as he leads him back into the living room. Noelle squeals and leans her whole body towards her father. Luca is quick to snatch her up, holding her above his head and bringing her down for kisses. The baby laughs, her little legs kicking in excitement.

A smile spreads across Jamie's face. He supposes he doesn't need an answer to his questions. Becca was right. Luca is doing well.

He leans into his boyfriend, happiness spreading inside him as he watches father and baby play. Their bubble of play doesn't last too long, though, before their front door is being opened and Luca's sister walks in, arms full of presents.

"You two will not believe who I just saw in your driveway."

Jamie just rolls his eyes but get up to help her with the presents, listening to her talk as she goes outside to join her parents.

A/N: Sorry for the delay in updates! The next updates will mostl likely be inconsistent, but I will try and get them as soon as possible!