Rocco felt a sense of sadness as the cabin became smaller in the rearview mirror. It felt like the dream of him and Dani was tied into the cabin, and he didn't want to leave it yet.

That kiss was like nothing he'd ever known before. It was passionate and untamed but at the same time, it felt grounding, like coming home. He leaned back in the passenger seat and closed his eyes, hoping to savor this one last moment before peace as he knew it would come to an end.

Dante had suggested Lexi and Dani drive Gavin as they could take their time and have some fun on the way back. At the same time, it would give the brothers a chance to start discussing what's next.

A conversation Rocco was both ready and not ready to have. It would be one of many. Truth be told, though, the conversation could wait until they were back.

Tensions were still high between Dante and Lexi, so his brother's suggestion likely had more to do with that than anything. Whatever he could do to avoid thinking about it or facing the jealousy that causes these little blow-ups in the first place. They'd settle down in a few days and go back to their relaxed vibe. The problem was they'd never talk it out, just sweep it under the rug and go on. It was an exhausting and never-ending cycle. 

"You'll need to rent a house soon." Dante's voice broke his thoughts up. "Of course, you can stay with us till you find something."

"For how often she travels, wouldn't it make more sense for me to stay in our house with Gavin?"

"Sure, once custody has been established. But until then, you can't kick her out. You need to be the one coming off as reasonable.".

"It's unreasonable to leave a child with her," Rocco argued. "Yes, she will get visitations, but I need to have primary custody."

"We'll try and rush a custody arrangement to the judge; however, they will want to see you work together in co-parenting. You know as well as I do that we have to do everything by the book."

"And you know as well as I do that all she wants is money and the house. Let's make an offer and get her to go away."

"We do something like that, and her lawyers will use it against us."

"Not if we offer the right amount."

"Are you willing to gamble on that? We have no idea what her long game is, Rocco. But I promise she has one," Dante sighed. "We do know that she'll do whatever it takes, including using Gavin."

Rocco rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on already.

"This whole thing is being done by the book," Dante said with a final tone to his voice. "I know you haven't done family law in a long time, but you know how it goes. They always favor the mother. It's up to us to prove you're a better parent."

"I know, Dante," Rocco sighed sadly.

"It's not going to be easy. But I don't lose," Dante promised.

"I know you don't." Rocco agreed. Dante was an excellent family lawyer, of which he had no doubt.

"About Dani ...."

"Dante, not now; we have enough to figure-"

"Yes, now," Dante cut in.

"Rocco, she's our best bet as a character witness to Alyssa's negligence. But it's over the second the judge gets any inkling that she's closer to you than her sister."

"You shouldn't have brought her here." He added. "I should have realized that."

"Gavin needed her too."

"I know," Dante sighed. "But from here on out, she must strictly be Alyssa's nanny. We can't let them think she has any bias."

"So, who watches Gavin when I have him?"

"Uh, you?" Dante laughed.

"I meant when I'm working, Dante."

"We'll figure it out. Lexi and Breanna will help out. We can set up a playroom at the office, too." Dante said. "It's all temporary."

Rocco just nodded, the pit in his stomach getting bigger. They drove in silence after that.

**

Dani was exhausted when they finally pulled up to the Romano house. Dante and Rocco had filled them in on the plan at a dinner stop on the way back. She didn't like it but would do anything to help Gavin and Rocco. She knew realistically she couldn't stay with Rocco, but the idea of him living with Dante and her not seeing him at all, hurt.

"You ready for her?" Lexi asked.

"As ready as I'll get." Dani nodded.

"I'll be right behind you. I'll bring the bags in." Lexi squeezed her shoulder, and Dani nodded.

Gavin was sound asleep in the back, so Dani gently picked him up and carried him inside.

The house was as bright and white and sterile as always. After the weekend at the cozy cabin, it looked colder than ever.

"Rocco, is that you? Gavin?" Alyssa emerged from the stairs. Her long hair was piled up on top of her bed in a curly messy bun and she was wearing a long white robe.

"Gavin! I've been so worried!" she exclaimed dramatically as she approached them.

"He's sleeping, Alyssa-" Dani said but Alyssa ignored her and took the sleeping boy from her arms.

"Mommy?" He grumbled in a confused little voice as Alyssa wrapped her arms around him.

"Mommy missed you too, baby" She kissed both his red and flushed cheeks.

"I'll just leave the bags here." Lexi gave Dani a look as she set them down.

"Where is Rocco?" Alyssa glanced behind her to no one.

"Yeah, where, Daddy?" A more alert Gavin now started to search the room with his bright blue eyes.

"Daddy is staying with Uncle Dante tonight, remember?" Dani said softly.

"He's not coming home?" Alyssa questioned.

"He said to tell you he'd call you tomorrow to schedule a meeting," Dani confirmed.

"I go stay at Uncle Dante's too!" Gavin's yelled.

"Not tonight, sweetie. I missed you so much." Alyssa set him down and knelt to his eye level.

"Why don't you go down to your playroom? Mommy has a surprise for you," she said in a sickly-sweet voice.

"A prize?" His eyes widened.

"Sure do! Go look!" She cheered him on, and he took off running to the kitchen.

Dani started to follow him, but Alyssa grabbed her arm and stopped her. "I didn't expect Rocco to just leave without talking to me first."

"You're getting divorced. Of course, he's not going to live here." Lexi snapped, looking annoyed, and Dani cringed. Rocco hadn't officially said that to Alyssa yet, although she probably knew.

"You don't have any right to comment on someone's marriage, Lexi." Alyssa snapped. "I'm not an idiot. I knew what he would tell me when he got home, but I expected him to tell me, not you two."

"I should have known not to expect even a morsel of respect from him." She added under her breath.

Lexi scoffed and Dani just blew out a breath.

"I'm going to go to check on Gavin." Dani pulled away and started towards the kitchen again. This time Alyssa didn't stop her but followed her.

"What the" Dani stopped short when she stepped inside. All her stuff was neatly packed up and sitting by the kitchen door.

"What is this?"

"I've been a busy bee!" Alyssa said gleefully, her evil eyes sparkling as she strolled in. Lexi gasped as she stepped in behind Alyssa.

"Alyssa, I don't understand. Are you firing me?"

"How could I fire you? You don't work for me." Alyssa said.

She walked over to the island, and Dani noticed her employment papers were sitting on it.

"How I remember it, is you desperately needed a place to stay. Which just happened to be at the same time I needed to take an important work trip while Rocco was out of the country. So, I let you stay with us, and you offered to babysit for the weekend." Alyssa was dramatic in her retelling, and Dani felt her blood boil.

"But then, it seems my husband took it upon himself to go ahead and hire you on permanently as a live-in." She thrust the papers at a shocked Dani. "The wage is a little high, in my opinion. That and how he didn't discuss it with me initially seems suspect, but nonetheless, you work for Rocco, not me."

Alyssa smirked happily, enjoying the show she was putting on.

"When you aided my estranged husband in taking my son out of town against my wishes. I decided I no longer feel safe with you in my home."

"Alyssa, this is crazy. Don't do this," Dani pleaded.

"Oh, don't worry! I'm sure my generous husband will arrange a place for you to stay."

Alyssa was at her finest; she'd been looking forward to this all weekend, Dani deduced. She wondered how they didn't realize she'd get a step ahead of them.

"Anyway, I'm glad you're here, Lexi. You can help Dani get her stuff out of here. You'll have to come back for Rocco's."

"Oh, come on, Alyssa. You're not going to take care of Gavi alone." Lexi challenged.

"We'll she doesn't have to."

A beautiful smiling redhead with a British accent emerged from the basement. Gavin was on her back, looking excited and happy and holding a new toy.

"It's Becks!" Gavin cheered happily.

"Sure is!" Alyssa clapped gleefully. "She's going to be mommy's nanny."

"No way... you can't do this." Dani shook her head, and her whole body felt frozen.

"You have no right to be anywhere near this family!" Lexi practically growled at Rebecca. 

"I don't think all this negative energy is good for young Gavin," Rebecca sneered. "Gavi dear. Run along to the living room, find a movie, and I'll be along soon."

Rebecca set the little boy down, and he turned to find Dani. She kept her face as calm as possible, not wanting him to sense her upset.

"Auntie Dani will watch too?" He asked hopefully.

"Not tonight, darling; she's awfully tired from the long drive. Go hug her and run along." Rebecca was acting like she'd done this all along. Dani had to admit she was good with him but didn't care. She was Gavin's nanny. Not this chick who hurt Dante.

Gavin raced to hug her tightly, and she did her best not to cry. She rubbed his little back and kissed the top of his head.

"Good night, auntie Dani. He was so gleeful and excited, and she couldn't bear to see him sad now. See you 'morrow!"

"I love you, Gavi. You sleep well and be a good boy." She said quietly, hugging him tight before letting him race to hug Lexi.

"I agree; you two should get on with it now." Alyssa waived them off dismissively after Gavin had run off to the other room.

"We can't leave Gavin here with her!" Lexi exclaimed.

"My nanny is my decision," Alyssa said calmly. "Rocco decided not to discuss any of this with me first."

"He is not here, and neither of you girls have parental rights in this situation," Rebecca added.

"Now leave," Alyssa demanded.

Dani stood there, her mouth gaping in shock; Lexi had to pull her out.