Stevie tossed and turned most of the night. She slept a little but kept thinking about all she had to do. She told herself she was going to look for a job the day after she got to Los Angeles only to find out she now had to be available to meet some producer Robin dated for a few months. She would be lying if she said she wasn't a little excited, but she was also nervous too. She had a song on the radio before, she had studio time but when Summer came along, everything got messy. She chose to go home.

Somewhere in the distance, she heard a small voice calling for her. Stevie got up and pulled on her jeans as she was only in a tee shirt and panties. She ran a hand through her hair and went to her daughter's room. She instantly regret not laying down with her, maybe she was scared. She was only four years old, after all. She went into her daughter's room and turned on the overhead light but found no one. Stevie instantly began to panic. Where could she have gone? She went to Robin's room, finding it empty as well. Suddenly, she heard laughter, following it all the way downstairs.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Robin asked, seeing the state Stevie was in.

"I uh...I couldn't find my--"

"I'm sorry, I should have told you. She was hungry and we were going to make breakfast. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay, I just...I thought I heard her calling for me."

"Hmm...maybe it was a dream."

"Maybe." Stevie said, catching her breath now that she knew her daughter was safe.

"Robin said we can make pancakes!" Summer said excitedly.

"That sounds wonderful, baby girl."

"Why don't we make breakfast so mommy can have a shower? How does that sound?" Robin asked the little girl and she nodded eagerly.

"Thank you" Stevie mouthed. She kissed her daughter's forehead, giving her a hug. "Have fun"

"I will!" Summer squealed. Stevie threw on her shoes and went outside to grab some of their luggage, as nothing was brought in last night. She grabbed the essentials for now, a bag for Summer and a bag for herself along with toiletries. She went back inside and up the stairs, opening the cases on the bed in her room. She pulled out a clean top and jeans, shampoo, cream rinse, skin care, her tooth brush and toothpaste. She took it all to the bathroom and started up a hot shower. She undressed and stepped inside after feeling for the temperature. The moment the water began to pelt her skin, she felt her muscles relax. She washed her hair and her body, applied cream rinse to her hair and allowed it to sink in for the full five luxurious minutes. Once she rinsed it out, she carefully stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She stood in front of the mirror, wiping the condensation away with a dry wash cloth, and brushed her teeth. She went about her skincare routine and towel dried her hair. After she dressed, she went back to her room briefly to grab her make up bag and applied just a little to make herself feel normal again. She smiled at her reflection, closing the bag when she was done. She descended the stairs to meet her best friend and her daughter. Breakfast was finished and they were both waiting at the table for her.

"Stevie, ow, ow! Foxy lady!" Robin praised, making Stevie blush. "Doesn't mama look beautiful, Summer?"

"My mommy is always beautiful" she replied.

"Thank you, sweet girl" Stevie hugged and kissed her. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"We didn't want to dig in without you. Your plate's been made. Let me get it from the counter and we can eat." Robin got up. "Sit"

Stevie sat down next to her daughter and Robin placed the plate of pancakes in front of her. "I'm sorry I took so long up there."

"You didn't." Robin reassured her. "You can eat now, Summer."

The little girl's eyes lit up and she stabbed her fork into one of the small pieces Robin had cut her food into. Stevie chuckled, talking to her friend. "It's been forever, it seems."

"I know. Of course you know how I felt when you left. I know you felt like you needed to do it, you needed family around and I understand..."

"Not that you're not family but..."

"You were living with...him...and well, things got tough. He left and all of your savings dried up...you were supporting him, and you shouldn't have been."

"Let's not talk about that." Stevie said, shaking her head. "I know you're still angry about it but I'm not. I've let it go. I came back here looking for a fresh start. I want to leave all of that behind me."

"Alright."

"Plus, you have the roommate you were looking for now."

"Plus a bonus" Robin said, tickling Stevie's daughter, making her laugh.

"Right and I'm happy, aren't you?"

"Of course I am."

"I have a lot to think about- jobs, this producer, Summer's schooling next year..."

"I know." Robin placed her hand over Stevie's. "but everything is going to be fine. I will help you."

"What would I do without you?" Stevie said, grateful to her friend.

"Don't worry about it. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

Breakfast was eaten and plates were cleared. Stevie took it upon herself to wash them in the sink, even though Robin told her she would do them later.

"Do you know anywhere that's hiring, you know, close by?"

"There's a diner down the street, but really, don't worry about it. Let's hang out today."

"Robin..."

"Stevie, relax. Why don't we have a girl's day? We can get some things for Summer to make her room a little more girly. I know she would like that, and get yourself a new outfit or--"

"Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

"Not at all but you deserve to treat yourself. You have been selfless for years, Stevie. Do something for you."

"Okay" Stevie agreed with a nod. "I'll get Summer dressed and I guess I will meet you down here in like an hour."

"Perfect" Robin smiled. "One day, it won't feel like starting over. This place will be feeling more like home in no time."

Stevie smiled back at her friend, taking her daughter's hand. "Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome, but you can stop thanking me now."

"Never." Stevie went upstairs with Summer, the little girl waving at Robin as she ascended.