Neil looked down at the tickets before looking at JJ who had a smile on her face. He shook his head. "No. You know Saturday is the day I spend with Lara. Just her and I. Why did you get tickets for that day?"

"Neil come on. I worked my ass off to get these. Do you know how hard it was to get these? One Saturday with the three of us won't hurt." She looked up at him, seeing his frown deepen.

"We spend everyday together. We have done for the last 7 months. We practically live together. It's Lara and daddy day. Not you." JJ bit her lip as she felt her cheeks burn.

"That's fine. You two go then. I'll give the ticket to someone else." Neil watched her pick up her bag.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going home. Gonna sleep at mine today." She sighed as she turned around to pick up her phone. "I'm gonna say bye to Lara before I go. Is that okay?"

"Do whatever you want. You sure as hell do anyways." He dropped the tickets on the bed and groaned as she left the room without a word. JJ walked down the hall as she wiped away her tears. With a deep breath in, she pushed the door open to Lara's bedroom.

"What did he say?" Lara screamed when she looked up from her book.

"Well I think you two might be going. But I have to work, monkey. I won't be able to come."

With a frown, Neil walked to Lara's room. He heard the hushed whispers and opened the door. "Daddy please tell JJ to miss out on work so she can come with us. Pretty please."

"You two already knew about this?"

"It was my idea. Sorry we didn't tell you, I wanted it to be a surprise," Lara said. She had a frown on her face as she looked between them. Neil glanced over at JJ who was staring down at the floor. "JJ promised she would come with us and now she's saying she has work."

"It's okay. JJ will come with us, won't you?"

"I've got work Neil."

"But since you already made the plan with Lara without telling me now you have to otherwise she will be upset."

JJ nodded her head before saying goodbye to Lara. She quickly glanced up at Neil who was staring straight ahead with his jaw clenched. Deciding not to say anything to him, she cleared her throat and turned around to leave.

* * *

When they took their seats, JJ took the seat beside a stranger and Lara sat between them. "Are you sure you don't want to sit here?" she asked for the second time. "You and daddy always sit next to each other."

"No. It's your special day and we want you between us both."

"This is going to be so cool. Thank you so much JJ."

"Anything for you, monkey," she whispered before kissing the top of her head.

Throughout the musical, Neil kept glancing at JJ who remained stationary. She had her head resting on her hand as she stared straight ahead, not even at the stage. When they were finished, they walked to the station together. The trains were crowded and Lara stayed glued to the both of them. Neil stood beside JJ, placing a hand on her hips to steady her. Eventually she shuffled out his reach and leaned against the door. Lara's grip on his hand loosened and she gently pushed through to stand in front of JJ. From the train station to the flat, the only noise between them was Lara talking and Neil occasionally joining in. It was only when they got to the floor did JJ speak.

"I'm gonna head home," she mumbled.

"Already? You promised we would make something when we got back."

"Not today monkey. I'm really tired and I have to do some work. I promise we will do that another day okay. You spend some time with your daddy."

Neil frowned as he looked at her. "It's fine. The day has gone with your plan anyways. You ought as well end it on your terms."

JJ looked up for a second. She then looked back at her fingertips before shaking her head. "I promise monkey, we will do something this week. Maybe tomorrow."

"We have lunch at Ma's. You still coming or made your own plans?"

She felt the lump in her throat. Not trusting her words, she nodded her head and leaned down to kiss the top of Laras head. "I love you monkey. I'll see you tomorrow." Without looking at Neil, she turned and walked to her flat. As soon as the door was closed, she pressed her head against the wall and cried.

* * *

Neil sat at the table and sighed. He saw his sisters glance at him and rolled his eyes. "Ma, wait. Can we just talk about this please? You have literally no right to be treating JJ the way you have today."

"Whatever I do in my relationship isn't of your concern, Le. Butt out of it."

"JJ is my friend. It's my business when everytime you open your mouth she comes close to tears. So what the hell is wrong with you? This isn't like you, Neil."

He remained silent. Alexa stood up and started pulling the chair beside him. "That's Jay's-" He stopped himself.

"I was just swapping them."

He looked back at his sisters gaze. "She's taking Lara away from me. This relationship started on the basis of I was scared I wouldn't be able to give time to them both but Lara doesn't want to spend time with me anymore." Alexa shut the door quietly. Neil sighed, tapping his fingers against the table, staring at his empty plate in front of him. "Every Saturday is Lara and daddy time. It has been that way for a very long time. And she knows that. So why the fuck did she have to do the tickets on that day? And to top it all off, Lara and her planned this all out without telling me. My daughter is slipping out my hands and I can't do anything about it."

"Do you know how fucking stupid you sound right now?" his mother asked. "Lara is still there. You need to stop being so jealous and see that JJ isn't stealing your daughter, she's being a mother to her. There are hardly any days where all three of you actually go out so can you blame the girl for wanting to make your daughter happy?"

Neil groaned as he thought of JJ. He hated seeing her sad eyes. And he hated himself for being the reason. "It's hard, Ma. It's been Lara and I for so long and this is the one thing I don't want to change. It's the only day I can show her that I'm there for her."

"Neil," Andre began, "You are a great father. Lara knows you're there. And relationships come with change and comprising. Maybe on Saturday have breakfast as a family and then you and Lara can do whatever you want. That way that can be your family thing and you still have the quality time with your daughter."

After lunch, Lauren walked into the sitting room holding the phone to her ear. "I'm so sorry Jay. I can't drive. I've been drinking. And Kev had to go to the shops quickly so he's literally an hour away from you. I can tell him to pick you up along the way if you don't mind waiting." She lightly slapped Neil's arm.

"Oh that's okay. I'll take a cab."

"What about Neil? I can ask him-

"No, it's okay. I don't want to disturb him."

"What's wrong with her?" Neil asked concerned. He took the phone off her and held it to his ear. "Cara is everything okay? What happened to your car?"

JJ stayed quiet for a few seconds. "It's okay. I'm fine."

"There has to be a reason why you're asking someone to pick you up. And why didn't you ring me first? You know I would have picked you up."

"Even when you can't stand to look at me?" she said quietly. He sighed. "Forget it. I'm at the bakery." When he was about to say something, she hung up.

* * *

When Neil entered the bakery he saw JJ sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee. She was staring into space again so he knew she was deep in thought.

"Before we go, can I speak to you? In your office."

As soon as the door closed she turned to him, tears in her eyes. "Are you gonna break up with me?"

"You're out your goddamn mind if you think that. Cara I love you. I'm not giving up after one argument over a Saturday."

"Neil you can't even look at me," she said through a sob. He sighed as he looked at her. She wiped away her tears before turning around.

"Cara...come here." He turned her around and hugged her to his chest. "I can't look at you because I feel terrible for making you so upset. And I see it in your eyes. Jay, you're the best thing that happened to me after Lara, you must be out your mind to think I was going to let you go."

"I just wanted the three of us to spend some time together."

"I know," he whispered. "I just...I felt like you were taking Lara away from me."

"That's crazy, Neil. I would never do that." She pulled away from the hug and wiped her tears away. "Is this what it's about? Neil you have to talk to me about these things. You can't bottle things up."

"I know. And I am so sorry. It's just been Lara and I for such a long time and I feel her drifting away. She used to tell me everything but half the time I find out things from you. It's so silly and I should have talked to you before." His fingers traced over her her cheek. "And I'm really sorry for the way I behaved. I should have sat you down and talked to you and told you why I was upset. I am so, so sorry cara."

"If you talked to me then I would have understood."

"I know. I'll make it up to you I promise."

"It's okay. I understand why you did it."

"Don't say that. Don't say its okay. It was wrong of me and like I said I will make it up to you. That's my promise to you." She nodded her head with a smile. Neil paused and watched her. His thumb grazed over her lips and he sighed.

"Are you just gonna stand there or you going to kiss me?" With a smile of his own, he closed the distance between them and kissed her. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. Two nights without you was a killer. I am so sorry."

"Just shut up and kiss me." Neil kissed her again and softly pushed her against her desk. "I love you," she breathed over his lips. "I love you and Lara so much. If you want me to take a step back then-"

"No. No of course not. Cara, Lara has never had a mother her entire life. If you would like, I'd appreciate it if you could be that for her."

"You really mean that?"

"Of course I do. Jay you have done nothing but love her from the start. You do more things for her than some mums do. This is our family, okay?"

"Neil you're gonna make me cry." He chuckled before pecking her lips. "I love you."

"I love you too. As for Saturdays...my dad gave me the idea of us having breakfast together, the three of us. Then Lara and I can have our day. And in the evening is when the two of you can bake. So it's time for just the both of you."

* * *

"I'll get you a plate ready. You must be hungry," Lauran said. She looked between them and smiled. "So my brother came to his senses. Neil you going to eat too? You barely touched your plate."

He scratched the back of his neck as he looked at JJ. "You didn't eat?"

"No...I couldn't. My mind was on you and..." He stopped talking when she slipped her hand in his. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Let's go and eat." On the way to the kitchen, she saw his dad and smiled. "Hello again Mr Zampa." He kissed her cheek as he passed.

"Hey sweetheart. Go and eat, you're getting thin."

"How come when he calls you sweetheart you don't mind?"

"Because he says it lovingly. You say it like a pervert. Like Frank."

"Oh no honey." He pulled her to a stop. "Did you just compare me to Frank? Pervert Frank?"

"Yes. Now come on, let me say hi to everyone and then I want to eat." Neil pulled her into his chest and heard her huff. His fingers grazed her temple as he looked into her eyes.

"I always get lost in your eyes," he whispered. "It feels good to see the joy in them again. And I am so sorry I was the reason why-"

"Neil it's okay. I already told you." She placed her hands behind his neck and sighed. "I love you and we are going to go home, have wonderful make up sex and everything is going to be fine because at night I'm going to be in your arms and no one else's."

* * *

A FEW DAYS LATER

* * *

As quietly as he could, Neil walked into the room, slowly removing his tie. "Hey honey," JJ said from the desk. She had her feet up on the chair and two pens in her hair. He sighed softly, making his way to her. 

"Why are you not asleep yet?" he whispered as he placed his arms on her shoulders, bending down enough to kiss her neck. She tilt her head to the side and closed her eyes. 

"I wanted to finish this off. And I also wanted to see you." She opened her eyes with a smile. "You smell like you drank enough. I hope you took a cab home." 

"Of course I did. Alright, get up, I want to hold you for a while before I have a shower." With a giggle, she stood up, allowing him to sit down on the chair. JJ then sat on his lap crossing her legs and facing him. "I missed you," he whispered. He pulled her in for a kiss, letting his hands rub over her thighs and up to her waist. "I love you." 

"Mhmm, that's lovely to know." Neil flicked her nose and listened to JJ giggle. "I love you too, of course I do." She let her hands rest behind his neck, letting her thumbs trace up and down his jaw. "How was drinks with the boys?" 

"Great. We hung out for a while, had a beer, ate. Like a lot. Then drank some more. Watched a few of them make some moves. Well attempt to anyways." He pecked her lips. "Don't worry, the only moves I made were moving away from anyone who hit on me." 

"Thank you telling me but I trust you, so I wouldn't have asked. But did you dance? Because you got some really good moves and I know how much you like it." 

Neil raised his eyebrows. "You mean how much you like watching me dance?" 

"Of course. Watching you dance turns me on. More than I would like to admit, but I enjoy it a lot." She felt his body vibrate as he chuckled. His hands on her waist tightened. 

"I'm glad you enjoy it. But I prefer dancing with you. Whether it's you grinding all over me, slow dancing, a tango or two or even bachata- although I do like that one because you always look sexy." He pecked her lips a couple times before pulling her in for a kiss. "How you feeling? Did you get a lot of cramps today?" He saw her wrinkle her nose. "Cara...you should have called me and I would have come home to take care of you. How bad was it?" 

"You haven't gone out with the boys in a long time. It would have been unfair to reschedule." 

"I don't care about that, do I? I just want you to be well and I always tell you to tell me when you're in pain." 

"Not like you can actually do anything though is it?" 

"So? I wish I could and I wish I could take your pain from you when it's too much to handle but I can't. I'm aware I can't do much but I know you like to cuddle so I could have done that with you." He kissed the top of her head. "And don't even try and tell me that Lara cuddled with you because we know it's not the same." 

JJ chose not to respond. Instead, she pulled him into a hug. She heard him exhale sharply as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, Neil." 

"I love you, too Cara. I just want you take better care of yourself. We've been dating for what...almost seven months? I tell you every month to tell me when you need me and I will always try my best to be here for you." 

"I know." She leaned back to see his face. "Are you hungry? There's a plate of food for you." Neil smiled as he looked at her. He raised his hands to her cheeks. 

"You're hungry aren't you?" 

"I'm starving." 

"Alright well just let me have a shower and then I will join you." 

* * *

"So I was thinking, Lara's birthday is like over a month away and I wanted to run some ideas by you. I mean, if I say so myself, she has pretty great parties." He looked up from the plate and saw her shrug her shoulders. "You alright?" 

"Yeah, sure I am. What ideas did you have?" 

Neil frowned but looked down at the plate again. "We've always had the bouncy castle. Obviously it's always at my mums. There's the bouncy castle, a barbeque if it's hot but with the weather this year I don't think it will be happening. Pass the parcel. Games like twister and stuff. Not going to have a clown this year. Almost scared a kid to death last year." 

JJ nodded her head. "Well, why don't you just do everything you usually do but without the clown?" 

"I don't know. She's turning eight and she has changed so much just this year alone so I don't know if it will seem childish. And it's also the first year with you. Hopefully many more to come but I want it to be special." 

Neil watched as she gave a tight smile. "That's very sweet of you, honey. I'm pretty sure it will be perfect for us. But we got like over a month for this so maybe we should talk about it a bit later." 

"You sure you're alright, Jay?" 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I'm just tired and my back is hurting me." Neil ate the last potato on his plate before taking her hand. 

"I'm sorry, my love. You get into bed and I will do the dishes and join you in a bit, okay? Just leave the hot water bottle on the bed and I will fill it up for you and when I get into bed, I give you full permission to use me as a pillow." He watched as her lips twitched. "I love you. I'll be there in ten." 

Once Neil had tightened the lid on the hot water bottle, he turned off the kitchen light and walked into the room. JJ was lying down in bed on her phone when he approached the bed. She thanked him when he handed the hot water bottle to her. After turning the lamp off, he got under the cover and heard JJ shuffling before she had her head resting on his chest. His right hand that was under her head rose to run through her hair, taking the time to softly massage her scalp, and his left hand wrapped around waist, holding onto the hot water bottle, making sure it remained on her back. 

"Hey cara?" 

"Yeah?" 

"I love you." She kissed his neck as she rubbed her hand across his chest. "One day I'm going to give you and Lara the world." 

"Nonsense, you already give us enough." 

"I don't know. I feel like I can never give you guys enough. The both of you make me extremely happy and I am so lucky to have you both. Like really lucky. And you know how you said we will make it to eight months? I want it to be 8 years and when 8 years comes by, I want to say  I want it to be 80 years." He paused to look down at her. "I don't know if this is going to scare you off but when I think about getting married, I see Lara being the flower girl and then everyone will stand up and you're going to walk through the doors, looking so damn beautiful and your dad is going to join our hands and it will be the beginning of something new and something great." Silence filled the air until JJ started laughing. 

"I love how you're so scared of scaring me off when I've already told my friends that you're the only man I see myself marrying. I love you and Lara so much, Neil. And don't you dare think you don't give us enough or do enough because we are the lucky ones to have you." Neil sighed before he leaned down to kiss her. He slowly felt JJ rolling on top and pulled back to adjust her body so her elbow wasn't digging into his side. With an apologetic smile, she leaned down to kiss him again, felling his hands on her thighs. 

"Damn, baby, your ass is getting bigger." 

JJ gasped. "It is? Dude I have been  working on that for ages and I thought I saw something but just thought I was getting too happy." 

"Well I don't know I haven't noticed yet, I smack your ass everyday." 

"Neil, don't even get me started on that. Every time I lean down to pick up something, I gotta cover my butt. Even when we first started dated and my butt was a lot smaller." 

"I do not apologise. Even if you had no ass I would smack it. You smack mine too. Even when I'm standing still." 

"Because yours is a lot bigger than mine. I'm very jealous." Neil chuckled as he ran a hand over her head. 

"I'm sorry, I can't do anything about that. But I gave you my lower body workout from when I was playing rugby and I guess it's working. And you know how you like to stare at my thighs? I guess I will be doing that to you now." 

"Good. Maybe you'll stare at my body more than I stare at yours." She giggled before leaning down to kiss him. "I love you." 

"I love you too. But you gotta sleep." 

"In a bit. I just want to make out with you for a little." Neil chuckled as he rolled them over, gently placing JJ onto her back. "Neil, don't stop. Make out with me," she said with a pout. 

"You gotta sleep, my love." When he saw the frown on her face, he leaned down to kiss her, slowly moving down to her neck. "You really don't like taking no for an answer do you?" 

"Not really," she said with a sigh as he kissed behind her ear. 

"Hmm, well I have a feeling you're going to make me have a cold shower before I go to sleep but I am more than happy to please my woman." Neil smiled as he pecked her lips, watching as JJ slowly opened her eyes. "I will make out with you only if you promise to go to sleep straight after." 

"I promise."