Another day of the photoshoot, it was Erika's second day of her new job of being a model. Since she was a rookie, Sonny tend to direct her on what to do. Though at times, she came up with some of the poses herself as well.

The longer she did, the more she enjoy it. A model by day, and a student by night. The teenage mother found her new passion because, she was more eager to study and worked harder than ever while she kept her child as well in her mind as a motivation.

Days passed and it was the last day. Erika's two weeks gig was over. She just finished a shoot, then Sonny went to her again to pay for doing him a favor, "This is it, thank you again," he said to her then handed a cheque. "Here you go, just as I promised."

"No problem, happy to do it," she replied then. "And thank you too."

"I can see that. You seem to like what you were doing."

"Yeah, I did. By the way, where's Mr. Birch? I want to thank him too for... you know, making me do this."

"Oh, he had to go to Europe for business."

"Aww... that's too bad. Anyway, I've thought about it and I am going to pursue modeling," Erika mentioned.

Sonny was surprised to hear that. "Really? That's great! That's really great. Maybe the next time we'll meet, you are going to be a professional."

"We'll see."  Erika glanced at her first cheque. The total amount from her first job and got more from the second one, with this feeling of pride and hope that everything was going better with her life.

When she got to her night school, the aspiring model and college student was able to buy the books she needed for her classes. She even deposited most of her earnings in her bank account to save it for a rainy day.

Eventually, Erika got to the modelling agency, Brion Models, and like what Mr. Birch said, it was a starter agency for first timers such as herself. She was anxious and also in disbelief that she was actually going to do that. Inside were very professional and stylish people so the the teenage mother gathered her courage to walk towards the front desk, "good morning," she greeted the receptionist.

"Yes, how may I help you?" the front desk person asked.

"I have an appoinment with Ms. Olive."

"Name?"

"Erika Row?"

The lady checked her name in the computer. "Oh, here it is. You must be the new recruits. Ms. Olive is expecting you. There's the lift and and go straight to the third floor," the lady instructed.

"Alright, thank you," Erika replied. Afterwards, she walked to the elevator and began waiting.

From there, the former ballerina began attending modelling workshops. They taught her how to stand, walk on runways, and posed in front of the camera. It took her a month for that class by daytime and it was not hard for her since it was like ballet without the dancing though the grace and discipline were still needed.

The workshop took about a month, however Erika learned a lot from it. She even got her first cast portfolio from the agency like it was her calling card for her future jobs and not long. The new model got two gigs for one week then became three gigs on the following week, all of them were photoshoots for boutiques, restaurants, and one times, a hand model.

So she became a model by day, student by night that, and of course, mother by the weekend. The teenager was able to balance studies, and work so far. There were more gigs given to her after a shoot that she finally gotten her first pay from all of them by the agency.

Then came the time the teen mother could bring her son home from the hospital that even both of her parents accompanied her there. The excitedly watched the nurse taking the baby out from the incubator then walked to the family as they were in utter delight to finally have Thirdy without being inside the plastic box with machine attaching on them.

"Here he is, Baby boy Row," the nurse said to Erika who was beaming from ear-to-ear as she carried the little baby boy to her. "Wanna hold him?"

"Definitely," Erika answered in a giddy tone then she put her hand out.

"Now remember, Honey, you have to be careful when you hold him," Celine told her.

"And remember to, support his head," Collins added.

"Mom, Dad, I got this," the teenager assured them, then the nurse handed her the baby. When Thirdy was finally in her arms, she felt this overwhelming joy and love towards her own son while he looked at her with his big brown eyes that he got from his mother. "Hi, baby, you have no idea how happy I right now to get you home and be close to me."

The parents were smiling at each other just seeing their daughter with their grandson. "Oh, look at him, he's so handsome," Celine awed, and then gently touched the baby's head and kissed it. "Hi! Sweetie, I'm your grandma. No, wait, not sure if I like to be called that, it sound so old. Hmm... call me Cece instead. Him, you can call grandpa, or older man."

"Very funny," the ex-husband grumbled while frowning.

"Mooom," Erika called her mother out to stop.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Celine apologized reluctantly then turned to her grandson again.

Later, on the way home, Collins was driving while his daughter and ex-wife were at the back to be with Thirdy. He and Celine noticed how Erika looked at her son with this unconditional love towards him.

They arrived in the house minutes later and Erika came in first with the infant, "here we are, Baby Thirdy," she said to him. "Oh, look. Your brother is coming."

Crumbs excitedly ran towards the family and jumped up to the young mother trying to reach the little being that his master was carrying. "Easy there, big boy," Celine told the dog, and it sat down instantly.

"Thanks for driving us, Dad," The teenager said to her father.

"Anything for you and my grandson," Collins replied to her then touched the baby's soft head. "Can I hold him?"

"Of course." Erika carefully put the baby in her father's arm.

The man happily had Thirdy with him, "he looks just like you, Honey," he told his daughter. "Hey, Buddy, I'm your grandpa and don't listen to Cece, call me Coco instead."

"That's cute. Come on, let's bring him to my room so he can rest."

Once they got to Erika's bedroom, Collins placed the baby in the crib then rubbed his belly for a second. "There you go, little guy."

"He's so lovely," Celine said as she stood at the doorway with the dog by her side.

"I know," the young mother mumbled. She bent down and held his tiny hand with her finger.

"Oh, great," the father sighed when he got a text from work. "As much as I want to be with my grandson, I should go. I have to get back to the office. Are you two going to be alright?"

"Yes, Dad."

"Okay, I'll see you again soon." Her father gave Erika a quick hug and kissed her on the forehead then also kissed the baby too but once he turned to his ex-wife. "Celine."

"Bye, Collins," the woman responds bluntly as he left.

Not long after that, Thirdy was fast asleep. Erika could not help but admire the little precious thing, especially when Crumbs curled up next to the crib. "Look at him, Mom. I still can't believe he's here," Erika voiced. "Little Trevor James Row is here with us."

"Me too, Honey," her mother replied then noticed something in Erika's face. "Something on your mind?"

"I suddenly remember Trevor. I wish he was here to see Thirdy."

"Naming Thirdy after him is enough."

"Yeah, but..."

"But what?"

"I'm just thinking, what if Thirdy asks about his father? What do I say to him?" Erika questioned to her mother.

"Honestly, I don't know, Honey," Celine answered. "But you'll have to tell him when he's a lot more older."

"I know that, Mom. I just hate that he had to know the truth one day that his father is... a monster."

"I understand."

Then she paused a bit but just a second after, Erika suddenly remembered something. "Maybe... maybe, I should say that Trevor is the father."

"What?" her mother reacted. "You're going to lie?"

"I'm... protecting him."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Erika."

"It's for my son, Mom," the teen mother insisted. "I'd rather lie that his father is Trevor than someday, tell him that his father is a rapist."

"Alright then," Celine reluctantly allowed her daughter to keep the truth from Thirdy even though it was a bad idea yet at the same time, she could see why her daughter had to do this. "Trevor... is his father."

"Thanks, Mom." Erika turned to her dozing son. She knew what she was doing may be wrong but all she wanted was the best for her son especially if she had to lie about the other part of him.

In the middle of the night, Erika woke up from the baby's cry. She got up, and went to the crib to pick him up. The newbie mom had no idea what to do so she just cradled him, yet he was still crying. Eventually, when she saw that the baby was putting his hand in mouth that was when she instantly knew what he wanted. "Oh, you're hungry."

Erika put the strap down from her tank top then began breastfeeding Thirdy. "Sorry, I'm still learning," she said to him. Once he was done, Erika held him gently for him to sleep again while playfully talking to him. "You're my handsome boy, yes you are. My Baby boy, baby baby boy. Baba. Bubba. Hmm... you're my Bubba. My only Bubba."

A week later, the teenager visited her old friend's grave once again and even brought her baby. "Thirdy, this is Trevor. He was my friend and he took care of us,," she introduced, then turned to the tomb. "Trevor, this is my son. Our son. His name is also Trevor, but I called him Thirdy. I wish you're here to see him in person. He's very handsome and so sweet."

"Listen. I'm sorry, I have to lie, but I hope you understand why I have to do this that I have to tell him that you are his father. Once he gets a little older, I want him to know that his father who was a good person. Which you are. Don't worry, when that time comes, I will tell him the truth. But for now, you're the father he knows."