All good things had to come to an end, and three days later they were on a plane back home. Lia was feeling better about things, though. She had her quinceanera coming up and she'd get to live in London for several months!

Her excitement, however, didn't carry over when her parents had told her they had made her an appointment to speak with a therapist. Two weeks later, after the three of them had gone in for an initial consultation, it was just Lia and Dr. Sanders in the turquoise painted office with inspirational quotes around the room. Lia could tell the psychologist was young, probably around her parents' age. She was dressed in a navy blue blazer with a bright top on, a stark contrast to the majority of the city during the winter months. If she was just a friend of her mom's or a stranger on a street, Lia would probably think she was a fairly nice person. Her eyes glanced everywhere around the office space, finding things to fill her mind with besides the adult who wanted her to spill her thoughts. Never before had she become so fascinated by the condensation ring of her water bottle, which inevitably led to the first full sentence she spoke when she asked for a coaster.

"So, I get paid regardless, but I do think it would be helpful if we talked at least for a portion of this time,"
Dr.Sanders spoke as she handed Lia the coaster.

She accepted the coaster and said a quick thanks, but didn't offer anything further. How was she supposed to start a conversation with a therapist?

Dr.Sanders sat up a bit straighter in her office chair, setting her pen and notepad down. "Why don't we start off with school? Your parents said you're at a news school this year. Hunter, right?"

Lia was at least grateful it wasn't the most open-ended of questions, and one she knew the answer to, "Yeah."

"How do you like it?"

"It's alright," Lia replied, "It's harder than my last school, but it's just been an adjustment."

"You've had a lot of adjustments over the past few months,"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Dr. Sanders shrugged her shoulders, "Just an observation. You started a new school, your dad came back into your life,"

"He didn't come back," Lia interrupted, "He didn't know about me until last year,"

"I'm sorry. Does the distinction bother you?"

Lia gave her a dumbfounded look, "Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because saying he came back is like saying he chose to not be in my life. And I know that's not true. It's just another assumption about what happened,"

"I would imagine having a father who is a public figure would lead to a lot of assumptions,"

"Well, yeah. Everyone thinks they know him or me or our family better than we do,"

"I can see that it bothers you by your posture," The statement immediately made Lia sit up straighter, "why do you think that is?"

"Because it's my life. Wouldn't it bother you if strangers wrote lies about you on the internet and took photos of you without you even seeing them?"

"I can only assume it would feel invasive,"

Lia mumbled under her breathe, "That doesn't even scratch the surface,"

"What would you change if you could?"

Lia opened her mouth to respond, but then paused, "I'm not sure,"

"Do you wish your father wasn't in the spotlight?"

"No," Lia answered truthfully, "He deserves to be. He is one of the most hardworking people I've ever met. He should be recognized,"

"Where does that leave you though?"

Based on Lia's expression, Dr.Sanders rephrased, "You spoke about why your dad should be in the spotlight, but you've also mentioned the issues you've dealt with because he is."

"I don't want to talk about Lin anymore,"

"Okay," She replied simply, "Let's go back to school. You said it's been an adjustment for you. Have you always been a good student?"

Lia nodded, "That's how I got into Hunter. My tests scores were off the charts, and my last principal told my mom I should look at other options for high school."

"So now that you're at a school where you aren't the top performer, how has that made you feel?"

Lia though therapists were supposed to point out things that weren't obvious. "Shitty,"

"And how do you feel about yourself?"

"I just told you,"

"No. You said how it made you feel. But how you feel about yourself is a separate issue."

Lia didn't know how Lin had grown up with a mother who was a psychologist. She could barely handle an hour session of confusing questions, "When I get a shitty grade, I feel shitty about myself. Isn't that self-explanatory?"

"Not really," Dr.Sanders wrote a few notes down on her pad of paper, "Some students get grades they don't like and it doesn't bother them at all."

"I'm not like that,"

"Do you think part of the way you view yourself is in your grades?"

"I guess,"

"Do you think there seems to be a correlation between
the way you view yourself and things you can't control?"

"I can control my grades,"

"You can study, which if you've been a top performing student for most of your life it would appear you can do that well. But, you can't control the question on your test or the way your teacher is going to test you,"

Lia crossed her arms, "I don't see your point,"

"You also can't control what the media says about you," Dr. Sanders pointed out.

Lia stayed quiet as she thought over what was said. She still didn't see the point that was trying to be made. She obviously knew she couldn't control what others said about her, but what that had to do with her needing to go to therapy was beyond her.

"Alright, our time is finished for today. We can talk more about it next week,"

Dr.Sanders gave her a small smile before Lia quickly grabbed her bag and left the office, grateful to be out of there.

The next month or so went smoothly for the Miranda-Nadals. Lin had moved into Vanessa's apartment, and all of the energy was focused towards preparing for the babies and their move to London in the summer. Since she was carrying multiples, Vanessa went in more frequently for check ups. The babies were both growing healthily. They decided to keep the babies' sexes a mystery for now, though it was killing Lia.

Finally, it was the day of Lia's quinceanera. She'd picked out a gorgeous dress that would've been way out of their price range pre-Lin. He insisted on going all out for her 15th birthday, in accordance to tradition.

"What the hell are those?" Lia asked her mother as she held out a set of stick-on bra cups.

Vanessa gave her daughter a look. "Language," she scolded her light-heartedly. "You're looking too beautiful to use such foul language. It's a stick-on bra.

The almost 15 year old eyed them suspiciously. She accepted them from her mother and examined them closely.

"They just...stick to your boobs?"

"Yes," she confirmed. "So there's no bra showing."

"How does it do anything? It's just sticky fabric."

"You'll see," Vanessa urged her. "Start changing and I'll wait outside."

Lia grumbled and reluctantly peeled her shirt off. Her light blue gown hung on her wardrobe door, ready to be worn. Her hair had already been done and her aunt would be by soon to do her make up. She awkwardly stuck on the bra and examined herself in the mirror.

Lia made a face at herself and quickly reached for her dress. If they were covered up she could forget about it.

When Lia walked out, it was no shock that Vanessa's eyes became watery. It had become a running joke that if Vanessa, who was entering into her third trimester, could go a day without crying, it would be a new record.

"Moooom," Lia rolled her eyes at her mom's reaction, although held a smile on her face.

"Okay, okay" Vanessa had gotten to the point where she didn't even try to hide her tears anymore, "You're just so gorgeous!"

Lia blushed at the praise, "Thanks mom,"

Vanessa dabbed at her eyes, before she risked having mascara all over her face, "Your aunt's going to be here any minute and then we have to get to the venue. I have already received countless texts from Lin needing my opinion,"

Lia giggled, "I think Lin is more excited about the party than I am,"

"Lin is more excited than anyone," Vanessa smiled, "But he deserves to be. Not only is it your fifteenth, but also his first birthday with you. He just wants everything to be perfect,"

"Which I'm fine with, as long as there are no surprises," Lia said in a sing song voice. The teenager had said repeatedly that she didn't want anything over the top. Part of that stemmed from her insecurity of not having a ton of friends, but also because she was an introvert at heart. She was not her father's daughter in that regard.

Vanessa's expression immediately made Lia suspicious, "Mom!"

Vanessa was grateful when she heard a knock at the door, "Just remember tonight is about you having the best night and just enjoy it," She knew how Lia could get in her head, but also knew she would have a great time if she allowed herself to.

Lia opened her mouth to counter, but her aunt and cousin had walked into their apartment and between fawning over her dress and guiding her away to start on her makeup, she knew it would be a losing battle. She put on a smile and chalked her mood up to nerves. She was going to have a great time tonight.

A few hours later, Lia could only describe the atmosphere as magical. When she had decided on an under the sea theme months prior, mostly because of her love of the color blue and her all-time favorite movie being 'The Little Mermaid', she had minimal expectations other than some things she had pinned on Pinterest. Any and all expectations were surpassed. It was a haven of blues and purples, making it feel as though you were transported under water. It was the perfect mix of elegant and fun.

Lia had decided to forego many of the traditions that often went along with quinceañeras. She hadn't wanted a court or to make some grand entrance. She was excited to see friends, old and new, dancing and having a great time.. She had joined a writing club at school, which thrilled Vanessa to no end. She had also kept up texting and FaceTiming with Kylie who had flown in that morning just for the party. She was getting better at discerning people from those who just wanted to gain access to Lin and those who wanted to be her friend. It wasn't a perfect system, but she at least felt completely comfortable at her party, which was all she had wanted.

She was also grateful that her entire family was there. She didn't even make that much of fuss when she spotted her parents, who had just finished dancing up a storm, in the corner of the ballroom making out,

"You guys are worse than teenagers,"

"Just trying to fit in with the crowd," Lin remarked, with an extra kiss to Vanessa, resulting in an expected eye roll from Lia. "Are you having fun?"

"This is incredible. I still can't believe it's all for me,"

"You deserve it, sweetheart," Vanessa said with a smile, as she leaned on Lin, "Now, go and have fun with your friends! You can talk to us any day,"

Lia shook her parents off before rejoining the dance floor, leaving the couple alone.

"You really did make tonight perfect for her," Vanessa said, a loving gaze on her face towards Lin.

"There's still more to come," Lin said with a smirk,

"I have no doubt," Vanessa laughed, "And she probably won't admit this, but she's really excited for her father-daughter dance with you. I don't think she gave it much thought before, but I know she would have felt a certain way if you weren't here,"

Lin smiled, "I can't wait," he said earnestly. Having missed so many moments of her childhood, Lin was grateful for the moments he did get to share with Lia. "Lia's only stipulation was that I don't embarrass her. I never thought I'd get so much joy out of just being a regular dad who teenager is mortified by them,"

Vanessa and Lin shared a laugh, "The joys of parenting," Vanessa commented, but her face soon contorted into a grimace as her hand instantly moved to her stomach as a sharp cramp hit her.

"V, what's wrong?" Lin put a protective hand on her shoulder.

Vanessa shook her head, "I'm fine, I'm fine. I think I just salsaed too hard," She said half-convincing as she took a seat in a nearby chair.

"V," Lin's voice was overcome with fear,

"Lin, I promise. It was a cramp, and the feeling is starting to die down." The last thing Vanessa wanted was to take away attention from Lia's big deal over some minor cramping, "I'll be fine. If you could just get me a cup of water and then go get ready to give your toast,"

Lin didn't look convinced at all, but if Vanessa said she was okay, that was all he could go off of.

He quickly came back with three cups of water, in case Vanessa wanted more he didn't want her to have to get up. He looked her over again, and Vanessa gave him a sympathetic smile, "Lin, I'm good. I think it was just all of the dancing," she rubbed her fingers through his hair, "I'll be fine,"

"Alright," Lin said wearily, "But if you feel anything else, tell me." Everything had been fine with Vanessa's pregnancy thus far, but aside from it being his first experience at having a pregnant girlfriend, she was also carrying twins and a bit older. He didn't want to take any chance with her or the babies.

"Promise," Vanessa gave him a soft kiss, "Now go. It's almost time for your toast and dance,"

Lin gave her one last kiss before heading off, knowing she was right.

Vanessa held her belly, taking small sips of water. She had been feeling more tired than usual, but she also thought that was to be expected with pregnancy. She definitely remembered days of exhaustion with Lia. As much as she didn't want to freak Lin out, she was also trying to not freak herself out. The cramp had been sharp, but it was starting to dissipate. A little less than she had let on to him, but she figured with some time off her feet she would be feeling back to normal.

The music quieted down and Lin picked up the microphone. He resisted saying anything obnoxious or embarrassing, taking his plea from his daughter seriously. "Attention! Attention, everyone!"

Slowly, the chatter died down and everyone's attention turned to Lin, decidedly the most famous person in the room. But tonight wasn't about him. His eyes fell on his beautiful daughter, dressed in a light blue gown, her hair curled and her make-up perfectly done by his sister. She smiled nervously and offered a small smile. Most teenagers hated their parents, but Lin was really the apple of her eye. She adored him and secretly loved all the attention he showered on her.

"Thank you all for being here tonight. It's a very special night for Lia and for her whole family. As you all know, I've only recently met Emilia," he began. "I never knew someone so amazing existed in this world and that she was mine. As I've gotten to know her more, I've been blown away by her kindness, her sense of humor, her drive. She's smart and funny and her mother and I are so proud of her. So, please raise your glass-"

He paused and picked up his own glass as everyone followed suit. "To our beautiful daughter, Emilia on your fifteenth birthday - we love you so much and can't wait to see what you do next. To Emilia!"

The crowd cheered and everyone drank to Lin's toast. Lin almost choked on his drink when he heard a loud, sharp scream. His eyes shot over to the source and he was horrified to see Vanessa hunched over, her hand resting protectively on her stomach.

"Vanessa!" He yelled. He set his glass down on the table, but it toppled over the side. Lin was by Vanessa's side within moments as he guided her to sit down. She had a pained, scared look on her face, unlike anything he'd ever seen before.

"The babies..." she gasped, clearly worried about the twins as a tear escaped. Lia ran over.

"Mom!" she pleaded. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Call 911," Lin instructed their daughter. "Sweetheart, are you bleeding?"

Vanessa shook her head. It was all inside, like she was having really bad cramps. It felt like she was going into labor, but it was way too early. Like, months too early.

"Okay, help is on the way," he assured her, holding her hand as he knelt next to her. "Just take deep breaths."

Vanessa took in shaky breaths, trying to slow her heart rate. She closed her eyes as Lia talked nervously on the phone. This night was supposed to be a celebration. It was supposed to be all about her, but as the sirens began to blare, the night morphed into fear.