Song for this chapter: Caleb Hearn ft. ROSIE - Little Bit Better on the multimedia.

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| P r e s e n t |

Juls

It had been an exhausting day at the restaurant. Sapphire Haven was packed, and though the rush was exhilarating as always, I felt the weight of it all settling into my bones. Just as the night was about to start, I decided to drive over to Sign's house. Nat's call from earlier that day still played on my mind, and the moment I saw the photo of Sign with that guy, Linc, plastered all over the internet, something inside me told me I needed to check on her.

The drive through Manhattan was a blur of lights, my thoughts too loud to focus on the honking cabs and bustling streets around me. When I pulled up in front of her place, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the fatigue of the day and focus on why I was here. Sign had always been resilient, but there was something in the way Nat had sounded on the phone that worried me. I needed to see for myself.

I knocked on her door, and it wasn't long before she answered. Her face was paler than usual, her eyes tired, as if she'd been battling something heavy all day. Ivy wasn't in sight, probably already asleep.

"Juls," she said, offering a small, tired smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about the news." I rubbed the back of my neck, the words I wanted to say getting tangled up in my head. "And I saw the photos. You and... Linc, right? It's all over the internet."

Sign's face hardened slightly, her guard going up. "I don't want to talk about it."

I raised my hands in surrender. "I get it. You don't have to." I paused, trying to think of what to say next. There was a heaviness between us, a kind of shared understanding. "I just thought... if you didn't want to talk, maybe you'd want to do something to forget about it, even just for a while."

She looked at me curiously, waiting for me to continue.

"Why don't you come to the restaurant?" I suggested. "Bring Ivy, too. Have dinner, relax. You don't need to stay home and let it all weigh on you."

For a moment, she looked unsure, her gaze shifting away from mine. I could tell she wasn't ready to discuss whatever was bothering her, but I also knew Sign well enough to see that she needed an escape, even if she didn't realize it yet.

Finally, she sighed. "Alright. Maybe that's a good idea."

I smiled, relieved. "Great. I'll wait for you guys to get ready."

A few minutes later, Ivy appeared, holding her stuffed toy and looking a bit groggy but cheerful, as kids often are after a nap. Sign had freshened up, though I could still see the strain on her face. I helped them both into the car, and we drove through the city, the mood a little lighter.

By the time we arrived at Sapphire Haven, the restaurant was in full swing. The lights were dim, the velvet seating offering a cozy, luxurious feel, and the scent of the evening's specials filled the air. As we walked inside, the staff greeted us with smiles and knowing looks—everyone knew how much Sign and Ivy meant to me.

"I'll set you guys up in one of the private dining rooms," I said, leading them to a cozy room named after one of the gemstones—Emerald, I think. It was quiet and intimate, perfect for what Sign needed. "Order whatever you want, it's on me."

Ivy was already wide-eyed, marveling at the crystal chandeliers and the soft glow of the lights. Sign, though quieter, seemed to relax, if only slightly.

As the evening went on, I made sure to check in on them between my rounds at the restaurant. Ivy, of course, was a ball of energy, asking questions and giggling with the wait staff, who had all become fond of her over the months. Sign ate slowly, but I could tell she was grateful for the distraction.

At one point, she caught my eye from across the room, giving me a small nod of appreciation. I didn't need her to say it, but I knew she was thankful I hadn't pressed her to talk about Linc or the photo. Sometimes, just being there—offering some semblance of normalcy—was enough.

We didn't need to talk about what was swirling around her life. For now, the quiet clatter of plates and the laughter of Ivy was more than enough to fill the silence between us.

After a while, Sign excused herself to go to the restroom. As she stood up, I could see the weight in her steps, as if the day had finally caught up with her. I watched her disappear through the door, my mind filled with concern. Then, when I turned back to the table, I realized Ivy was watching me intently.

I smiled at her, expecting her to giggle or maybe ask about the food again, but her expression was more serious than usual. For a second, it caught me off guard—she wasn't looking at me with the wide-eyed curiosity of a four-year-old, but with a quiet, focused maturity.

"Uncle Juls," she started, her voice small but steady. I was caught off guard when she said, Uncle Juls. My eyebrows lifted in surprise—she'd never called me that before. She always just called me Juls, like everyone else. Hearing Uncle slip from her mouth wasn't what I expected, but it stirred something in me.

I chuckled softly, half-expecting it to make me feel old. Instead, I felt warm. There was a tenderness in the title that I hadn't anticipated, a connection that ran deeper than just being her mom's old friend. Ivy trusted me, looked up to me, and in that moment, being Uncle Juls felt right.

I smiled at her. "Uncle, huh?"

She looked up at me, her serious expression softening a bit. "Yeah."

I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. It was supposed to make me feel old, but, surprisingly, it didn't. It felt like being family.

"Is my mom okay?"

I blinked, unsure how to respond. "What do you mean, Ivy?"

"She didn't go to work," Ivy said, her little hands playing absentmindedly with the edge of the tablecloth. "She didn't talk much at home either. I asked her what was wrong, but she just hugged me and didn't say anything. I could feel something was off."

The way she spoke—it wasn't like any other kid I knew her age. There was something different about Ivy, the way she could sense things, like she understood more than she should.

I leaned in slightly, meeting her gaze. "Your mom's going through a tough time right now. But she'll be okay."

Ivy nodded, her eyes searching mine as if looking for something to hold on to. "But... how long will it take?"

"I don't know," I said softly. "Sometimes it takes a little while. But that's why we're here, right? To help her feel better."

Ivy seemed to consider this, her lips pursed in thought. "She always tells me that everything's going to be okay, but this time... it feels different. She's sad. I can tell."

I looked at her, wondering how a child could be this perceptive. She wasn't crying or panicking, just stating facts, like someone much older. "Ivy, your mom is lucky to have you. You're taking good care of her, even if it doesn't feel like it."

She nodded again, a small, brave smile creeping onto her face. "I try. I just want her to be happy."

"You're doing more than you know, Ivy."

Just then, the door to the restroom opened, and Sign returned to the table. Her expression was a little lighter, but she still looked tired. She didn't know it, but in her absence, her daughter had revealed a strength beyond her years—something that only made me more determined to help them through whatever storm they were facing.

As we made our way to the entrance of the restaurant, I could feel the weight of the day finally starting to lift. But just as we were about to leave, I noticed a few people at the bar staring in our direction. Then, whispers began to ripple through the room, eyes darting towards us with curiosity. Before I could fully register what was happening, a group of people approached.

"Hey, aren't you that photographer who's been in the news?" one of them asked, eyes wide with recognition.

"Oh my God, you're the one in that photo with Linc!" another chimed in, pulling out their phone.

Sign froze beside me, her face paling at the sudden attention. I could see her chest rising and falling a little faster. The noise around us grew, more people whispering, and then the unmistakable sound of cameras clicking. Phones were raised as people began taking pictures.

"Is it true you and Linc are together?" one of the fans asked, stepping closer, her excitement palpable. "What's going on between you two?"

The crowd closed in, the questions flying faster now. Sign was trying to keep her composure, but I could see she was overwhelmed.

That's when I made the call. I bent down to whisper in Ivy's ear, my voice calm but urgent. "Ivy, I need you to go with Tony and Bea, okay? They'll take you to my apartment."

I signaled Tony, who was already moving toward us. "Take her to my place," I said firmly. "Use your car. Now."

Tony gave a quick nod, and Bea took Ivy's hand, leading her out the back quietly while Tony followed behind. Ivy glanced back at me, and I gave her a reassuring smile before turning my attention back to Sign.

"Come on, let's get out of here," I murmured, wrapping my arm around her and steering her toward the side exit. Sign, still dazed by the attention, let me guide her, her head down to avoid the flashing cameras.

Once we were finally outside, I hustled her towards my car, parked just around the corner. The cool night air hit us as we stepped out, and I quickly opened the passenger door for her.

"Get in," I said, my tone gentle but firm.

She slid inside without a word, still shaken by the unexpected onslaught. I got in the driver's seat and started the engine, pulling away from the restaurant as quickly and discreetly as possible. The tension in the car was thick, but the relief of escaping the crowd began to settle in.

Once we were a few streets away, I finally spoke. "Tony and Bea took Ivy to my apartment. I told them to make sure she's safe."

Sign turned to look at me, her eyes wide with concern. "What? Is she okay?"

"She's fine," I assured her. "I thought it'd be best for you two to stay at my place tonight. I don't want anyone following you home. With the way things are going, there could be reporters outside your door by morning."

Sign blinked, processing my words. "You really think they'll come to my house?"

I nodded. "It's only a matter of time. Once they find out where you live, it'll be chaos. You and Ivy should lay low for now."

She leaned back in the seat, her expression a mix of exhaustion and resignation. "I didn't expect any of this."

I glanced over at her, feeling a surge of protectiveness. "I know. But right now, let's just focus on keeping you and Ivy safe. You're staying with me tonight, no arguments."

Sign nodded silently, her face softening with relief. I drove in silence, but my mind was racing with thoughts of how to handle what had just unfolded. I knew that this attention wasn't going to die down anytime soon.

***

It was late when I finally helped Sign and Ivy settle into my apartment for the night. Ivy's eyes lit up as she took in the view of Manhattan from the living room window. Her excitement was a bright spot in what had otherwise been a challenging day.

"Wow, Uncle Juls! Your apartment is so beautiful!" she exclaimed, pressing her small hands against the glass.

"I'm glad you like it," I said with a chuckle. "Maybe next time you visit, I'll give you a full tour."

Ivy's enthusiasm was a nice distraction from the heaviness of the evening. Watching her, I felt a surge of protectiveness and a desire to make things better for her and her mom.

Before Tony and Bea left, they gave Sign supportive hugs. "Stay strong, okay?" Bea said softly. "We're here for you. Anytime."

Tony gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You're family. Don't forget that."

Sign's gratitude was evident, even if her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She thanked them, her voice barely above a whisper. I could see she was trying hard to hold it together, but the weight of the day had clearly taken its toll.

Once Tony and Bea had left, and Ivy was finally asleep, the apartment was quiet. The silence between Sign and me was heavy, almost tangible. I had been mulling over my thoughts since the photo of Sign and Linc had surfaced online. I had my suspicions, and now that she was here, I felt it was time to address them.

"Sign, can I ask you something?" I began, trying to keep my tone casual.

She looked up from the couch where she was sitting, her tired eyes meeting mine. "Yeah, sure."

I took a deep breath, knowing there was no easy way to broach the topic. "I've been thinking about something. Is Linc... is he Ivy's father?"

The room fell silent. Sign's expression was unreadable for a moment, and then, slowly, her face crumpled as she looked away. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes."

My heart sank. I had suspected, but hearing it confirmed was different. It was like a weight had settled on my chest. I didn't want to pry, but I needed her to know she wasn't alone in this.

"I understand," I said softly. "You were trying to protect Ivy and yourself. It's not easy."

Sign's eyes met mine again, and I saw the strain she was carrying. "It's just... it's so hard, Juls. Trying to keep it all together for Ivy. Pretending I've got everything under control when I'm just exhausted."

I moved closer and sat down beside her on the couch. I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to pretend anymore. Not with me. I'm here, and I'll help however I can."

Sign's lips trembled, and she wiped away a few tears. "I appreciate everything you're doing for us. And hearing Ivy call you 'Uncle Juls'—that was unexpected, but it felt heartwarming."

I smiled, feeling a flicker of warmth at her words. "It was nice to hear her call me that. It felt good."

We both agreed silently, the simple thought bridging the gap between us. "You're not alone in this," I said firmly. "I'm here for both you and Ivy. Always."

Sign looked at me with gratitude in her eyes, and for the first time that night, she didn't seem so alone. It was a small comfort, but it was something.