✧

It wasn't every day that Luna got to see her mom the first thing in the morning. Usually, the older woman was always off preoccupied at the hospital cutting into people's brains or whatever it was that she did. But, whenever she did make time or she had the day off, Maria Adams always made sure to set aside some alone time with her daughter.

But, Luna clearly had other things on her mind as they sat in the middle of the cafe for breakfast. The teen was practically glued to her phone, trying to keep up with the incoming messages from her boyfriend and friends, wondering where the girl was for Layla's locker surprise.

"Okay, enough is enough," Maria grumbled, reaching across the table and plucking the phone from her daughter's hand. "Can you be present?"

"Yeah, whatever," the teen huffed. "Why isn't Peter, here?"

"Because I told him to stay home this morning," she retorted. "As much as I love how close you two have gotten since the wedding, I think you've forgotten all about your mom."

"There's no need to get territorial over me," Luna giggled. "You're my day one. I'm just...trying to make up for lost time with him. I feel bad for all those years that I was a raging..." she pursed her lips into a thin line to stop herself from cussing in front of her mom. "A raging monster."

"Ay, mija," Maria waved her off. "You know Peter doesn't care about any of that. But, now that we're on the topic of dads...Should we talk about yours?"

She immediately shook her head stubbornly. "No."

"I know you blocked his number and do you wanna know how I know that?" the older woman narrowed her eyes. "Because now your father won't stop calling the house and my phone. So, if the only way I can get that man to stop bothering me is by you sitting down with him and having one meal. Then that will happen."

"Mami!" she protested. "I can't talk to him. He has two kids. How do you..." the teen's eyes began to pool with water, the topic of her father had always been a hard one especially considering the current circumstances. "How do you think I feel?"

"I don't know how you feel, Luna," Maria sighed, reaching for her daughter's hand to comfort her. "Because you won't talk to me. Or anyone about him. You completely shut down when it comes to your dad. But, I think the only way you'll get over this is if you'll talk to him."

"One conversation," Luna bargained. "And his kids can't come."

"Deal," Maria agreed, sliding the girl her phone back. "But don't forget that his kids are your siblings. Now, go to school. You've already missed homeroom."

Luna stood up from her seat, walking over to her mom and pressing a small kiss to her cheek. Nodding wordlessly as she let the words sink into her head. She had been an only child for her entire life and sure, she had grown up with Asher. But, she never had to actually share or deal with anyone else stealing the attention from her actual parents. Considering her mom only wanted one kid and Peter happily obliged. But, things with her biological father were insufferably different.

❤︎❤︎❤︎

After school, Luna had headed straight to her boyfriend's house. Jordan sat quietly beside her as he played a video game on the television. While the girl had laid her head against his shoulder raising her hand up in the air and admiring the ring that had adorned her left ring finger.

She was doing everything in her power to forget the conversation with her mom and that meant purposely avoiding her house. Even if that meant a potential run-in with Layla. However, Jordan had assured her that Layla would be out for the whole day considering it was her birthday, and Luna had decided on finally putting her big girl pants on and talking to the girl. But, she wouldn't have to deal with that until later, so for now, she was enjoying her boyfriend's company.

"It's a shame you have such chunky fingers," she sighed. "This ring just looks so good on me."

He took his eyes off of the tv, watching as his girlfriend fiddled with his championship ring on her finger. "I think you're enjoying the ring a little too much. You're gonna have to give it back eventually."

"I have $5," she negotiated. "Take it or leave it."

He threw the controller to the side and smiled down at her, opening his arms up for her. "Come here."

Luna couldn't help but let a sprinkle of mischief shine in her eyes as she sat up and threw one of her legs over his lap, her arms hooking around his neck and connecting their lips. His large hands cupped her face, and he gently sucked on her bottom lip, making the girl let out a soft moan.

"Oh, for the love of God!" Liv groaned, making the couple jump apart. "Stop doing gross stuff on our family couch!"

"Hi, lover," Luna turned to face her friend. "Where's Spencer at?"

"He just dropped me off," Liv said. "Because thanks to my dad, he won't come in."

Luna quickly hopped off of her boyfriend's lap and sent her friend a sympathetic smile. "Is he coming to the party, tonight?"

"He's making an exception," she sighed. "I just don't get why my dad is being so mean to him when, honestly, the whole training was literally Jordan's fault."

"Hey," Jordan waved his hand. "Still in the room, guys. Besides, I already apologized to both dad and Spence. Dad's probably just more mad because the chargers lost."

Liv narrowed her eyes at her brother. "The Eagles lost, Jordan."

Jordan raised both his and Luna's hands up, showcasing the championship rings. "Read 'em and weep, Liv, okay?"

Luna pinched her boyfriend's thigh. "Be more attentive to your sister. This clearly isn't about championship rings, babe."

"Why can't you be on my side for once?" he questioned his girlfriend. "Just one time that's all I'm asking. Is that too much?"

"Because she's actually smart!" Liv raised her voice. "Dad is being a complete ass to Spencer. That doesn't bother you?"

"Dad is being a complete ass to me, too, Liv," Jordan argued. "That doesn't seem to bother you."

"Well at least he hasn't stopped talking to you," she shot back. "It's like he expects Spencer to be, like perfect or something. I don't know." Liv grabbed her bag, not even bothering to say goodbye to the two, and walked off.

Luna turned to her boyfriend, noticing the way he had seemed to completely disassociate once the topic of Spencer and his father came up. The girl had known that look all too well and if there was one thing she knew, it was daddy issues.

"Talk to your dad," Luna sighed, pressing a small kiss to the corner of his mouth. "I'll be in your room."

❤︎❤︎❤︎

Luna waltzed around the first level of the Baker house assisting everyone with the decorations for the party. Apparently, JJ had some elaborate surprises prepared for the night even though he was out of town.

"So, you're...here," Spencer pointed out.

"And you're here," she mocked, leaning against the counter in the kitchen. "I mean, considering everything going on with Mr. Baker. And the whole Layla situation."

"Ain't you the one who said Layla wasn't your friend?" Spencer shot back.

"It's her 18th birthday," she shrugged. "I...I would've regretted it if I didn't come. Plus, I have something to give her anyway."

Spencer nudged her side teasingly. "Look at us being mature."

"Just don't fight your girlfriend's dad," she joked.

He shoved her slightly before Jordan pulled their attention and made them crowd around in the living room. The group of friends plus a few adults that were gathered had waited for the front door to open and then yelled, surprise, once Layla walked through. Jordan had pushed a giant gift box into the center and Butler popped out and started dancing, courtesy of JJ. But, quite frankly that was just something no one wanted to watch.

"I'm speechless," Luna blinked her eyes profusely at her boyfriend. "For my birthday, can you make sure JJ isn't involved in anything?"

"What if I danced for you?" the boy wiggled his eyebrows, wrapping his arms around her waist. She nodded with a hum, looping her arms around his neck and allowing their faces to be centimeters apart. He was so close she could smell the faint scent of mint on his breath. "You are so in love with me."

Luna grinned, nodding her head in confirmation. "Very true. Now, I'm gonna find some other friends. Catch you later, sexy."

After doing some catching up with Asher, who she hadn't seen in a couple of weeks due to the whole heart condition thing, and with his dad taking him to different doctors. Luna had decided it was time to stop running away and finally talk to Layla. Liv had directed her in the direction of her bedroom and she slowly approached the room with a gift in her hand and brought her hand up, softly knocking on the doorway.

"You don't have to knock," Layla shrugged. "It's Liv's room, not mine."

She wordlessly nodded, stepping foot into the room and plopping down on the bed beside the girl. She tapped her fingers against the gift box, racking her brain to find the words to say.

"Um...sorry," Luna sighed. "I've been a bad friend. Well, I haven't been much of a friend to you. Our friendship's always been...weird. And I know I haven't been as good of a friend to you like I've been to Liv."

"But, it's not like I was perfect either," Layla softly said. "I'm not going to lie I was upset when you didn't speak to me after everything happened. But, then I looked back and realized, there were so many times that I was never there for you either."

"And it's not like I haven't enjoyed being your friend because I have," she admitted. "When we were kids we were the best of friends and then we grew up and things got all complicated."

"Look, Luna, our past issues aside," Layla frowned. "If you're willing to be friends...Then so am I because I hate how it is between us right now. I miss you. I miss my friend."

"Me too," Luna agreed. "I've missed you, Layla...and I know you're not in the celebrating mood. Considering the fact, that you're in Liv's room. But, I got you a gift."

Layla grabbed the box and her eyes widened at the sight, letting out a small gasp. "You remembered? The friendship bracelets we made in 7th grade, I can't believe you kept mine!"

"Well, we agreed that on our 18th birthdays, if we were still friends we'd give each other the bracelets that we made," Luna giggled. "Do you remember how pissed Liv was when we made these and didn't include her?"

"She didn't speak to us for two whole weeks!" Layla laughed, before clutching the bracelet to her chest. "Luna...this means a lot to me. I didn't think you actually valued our friendship this much. And I appreciate this so much. Thank you."

Luna opened her arms, tugging the girl in for a hug. "I love you, Layla. I'm really glad you're okay."

"I love you too, Luna," she sighed, patting the girl on the back.

"Hey, can I have that pinata?" Luna asked pulling away from the hug.

"Do I wanna know why?" Layla questioned, tilting her head to the side.

"I'm gonna hang it in my art room," she grinned. "It'll be so cool."

"Take it," Layla threw her hands up. "Weirdo."

"Yay!" Luna squealed, grabbing the pinata and holding it like a baby. "You should probably say bye to your guests."

Layla nodded her head silently, following behind the girl with the pinata in her arms. Luna set the Layla-shaped pinata down and entered the kitchen once the guests had filed out of the house. Jordan watched his girlfriend from a distance as he talked to his dad, admiring the way she assisted his mom in the kitchen, and helped her clean up a bit.

It was a nice gesture but it was also her way of prolonging her stay at the Baker house. Still trying to avoid her mom and Peter, not wanting to talk about her dad or anything regarding that topic.

"You don't have to clean, Luna," Mrs. Baker shooed her away from the kitchen. "Go. Sit in the living room."

She waved the older woman off. "It's fine, Mrs. Baker."

"She's avoiding her house," Jordan walked into the kitchen, slinging his arm around his girlfriend. "Specifically her parents."

"Ah," Mrs. Baker nodded her head. "Why don't I let you two talk? Luna, I will call you."

"Why are you calling my girlfriend?" Jordan questioned his mother.

"Because your girlfriend is an aspiring lawyer," Mrs. Baker smiled. "And I am a lawyer. So, I will be taking her under my wing. Now, goodnight."

Luna waved at her. "Night!"

Jordan quirked his eyebrow at his girlfriend. "I mean this in the nicest way possible...go home."

"Hey!" she yelled, holding her hand over her heart. "That's mean!"

He placed his hands on his hips. "Peter texted me. He knows you're avoiding the house because of the conversation with your mom."

"I just...don't want to talk to my dad," she admitted. "And earlier today, I told my mom I would. But, I can't talk to him, Jordan. There's only so much heartbreak my dad could put me through."

"Earlier today..." Jordan brushed his thumb against her cheek. "You told me to talk to my dad and that was the best thing you could've told me because we talked. And things were said that needed to be said. I know that your dad's a tough subject, babe. But...you gotta talk to him."

"Will you be there with me?" she pouted.

"I want to say yes," Jordan sighed, pulling his girlfriend in for a hug. "But, you're stronger than you think, Luna. And I think this is something you have to do by yourself or at least with your parents."

Luna hooked her arms around his neck and frowned, pressing a small kiss to the base of his neck. "I kind of hate when you're right."

✧

liked by livbaker and 1389 more

lunaramirez i looked too good tonight not to post👼🏻

spencerjames you're very humble🙂

→livbaker nobody loves luna more than luna loves herself🙄

     →lunaramirez fact👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

jordanbaker my girl's gorgeous🤩

  →lunaramirez father my children?🤰🏻

     →jordanbaker bet🤝

4x02

a/n: what do we think about a little smut between Jordan and Luna🤨 yes, no, maybe?