Benedict's POV

I stand outside Ivy's room, my heart still racing.

I now knew that I was Emily's Father, or at least that is what we both thought. Me and Tom had always regretted our past and we still do.

The door opens and I freeze and then turn around, thinking it's Ivy.

"I'm here..." Oh, it was Lucy.

She exits her room with a smile, which slowly disappears.

"Ben?" She whispers and I face her. "What are you doing up here?" She places her hand onto my back and we walk away from Ivy's office.

"I was just-"

"Don't lie to me doofus." Lucy growls and we both pause. "Ivy told me." I groan.

"I really am... sorry..."

"It's fine... I... understand why she is upset. She thinks you are the one to blame for..." Lucy lowers her voice. "... Liv's death. It hurts her." I bow my head.

"I... I didn't know this would even happen..." Lucy places her hands around her hips.

"It's cool." I lift an eyebrow.

"Cool?"

"I used my 'Lokied up' charm to get your job back."

"What?" I gasp.

"Well, at least for a few days while she cools off-"

"Thank you!" I throw my arms over Lucy and grin.

"Um, Ben... you're hurting me."

"Oh." I squirm out and clear my throat.

"Yeah..." Lucy ruffles her hair. "But... you... need to try to stay away while I get her back on track. She's got a few things to sort out. Like that masquerade party tomorrow."

"Oh, right..."

"If you can avoid making a fool out of yourself, help her." Lucy simpers. "She needs it..." I take a deep breathe.

"Okay. Sure..." Lucy suddenly raises her voice.

"Well, Ben, you better... work." I stare at Lucy.

"Hmm..." Suddenly, I feel a sting on my face. "Ow!"

"Work dumbass!" I rub my cheek and open my mouth.

"Oh, oh!" I nod. "Right." Lucy frowns.

"Yes..." She sighs. "Bye."

"Yeah, I'm gone, I'm gone."

Ivy's POV

"Yep." I balance the phone on my shoulder. "Yes, it'll all be done for tomorrow." My fingers grasp a peice of paper and I scribble down a few details. "Coolio." The door opens.

Its was Lucy.

I smile. "Yes, six in the evening till around nine at night, sure. I'll get everything sorted. Yep, okay... bye." I take a deep breath and drop into my chair.

"Everything allright?" Lucy asks.

"Yeah..." I rub my eyes and take a shivery breath.

"Work?" I suddenly feel emotions

overwhelming me.

"Mhm..." Taking a deep breath, I bow my head a moment and begin to sob.

"Hey, Ivy..." Lucy makes her way over to me and lightly rubs my arm in comfort. "I'm sorry you have to go through all this... now especially..."

"A convenient time huh?" I sniffle.

"Yeah..." Lucy chuckles and I simper. I edge away from Ivy and gather some paperwork.

"I better get home... the babysitter would charge me extra if I don't come for Emily."

"Do you... want a lift?" Smiling, I refuse her kind offer.

"I'm good..."

"Sure?" Lucy asks to be sure and I nod.

"Yeah, I'm sure Miss Laufeyson." We both smile.

Stuffing my things into my bag, Lucy jumps towards me.

"By the way... Jensen called earlier." I reach for my coat and pull the bag strap over me and it stayed on my shoulder.

"Oh, what did he say?"

"He's got a date!" Lucy squeales.

"Gosh, wow!" I raise my voice and bow.

"It's on Christmas eve. Next week."

Man, time flies.

"Congratulations. Officially." Lucy smiles, biting her lip.

"Thank you..." She whispers. I smiles back at her, only to notice a familiar shadow on the outside of my office.

Lucy peers over her shoulder and cringes. I put my arms around my hips. "Lucy... why is Benedict outside my room when I told him specifically to-" She looked guilty.

"I... let him stay." I sigh.

"Lucy..."

"Please okay, he is, so far, the nearest you've had towards happiness. Just... give him a small chance?" Closimd my eyes for a moment, I growl.

"I don't... even..."

"Can you say no to this face?"

"Um..." I tilt my head. "... I don't..."

"Look, just at least give him till after the masquerade party tomorrow... it'll be a nice one."

"Fine." I groan. "But, I... don't wanna speak to him after that, so don't try one of your set ups!" Lucy giggled before exiting.

"Oh, I won't!"

Inhaling sharply, I soon follow after her and shut my office door.

I look up and realise how crazy today had been.

Benedict was the man I made a mistake with, I didn't know if we should carry on.

"I-Ivy..." I freeze.

"B-Ben..." I hear him swallow and I turn around.

"Can we tal-"

"I'm going home. I have a daughter to get to, remember?"

I couldn't, I just... couldn't.