"I understand. I'll send you the motion shortly."

Vanessa hung up her office phone with a bit of force, letting out an audible groan. She cocooned her head on her desk, her arms shielding the light of her office. That was the third phone call she had received just that day from a client wanting her to withdraw from their case. Another two had called her the previous day. They all had the gist of the same response: if her personal issues were being broadcast across the media, how could she help them with theirs?

It may have been naive of her, but she hadn't thought of what the ramifications of Lia and her relationship with Lin being in the media would have on her work life. Sure, she knew it would personally affect her, and it had. Watching your daughter sob because a paparazzi was chasing her for a photo was a sight no parent ever wanted to see. She was confident enough to not let the comments on social media get to her. They weren't the most flattering, but why would Vanessa give a shit what strangers on the internet had to say about her? She had spent the last fifteen years dreading what Lin would think of her once he knew, and she had survived that conversation. Faceless Twitter icons were the least of her concerns.

When she started receiving phone calls from clients, however, she couldn't say she was that surprised. She had always been a methodical person; it was one of the reasons she had done so well in law school. It also was the reason why she could understand her clients' concerns. Tabloid gossip didn't exactly scream confidence in the courtroom. Although she understood, she'd be lying if she said it didn't make her concern for the future of her career.

Vanessa groaned again when she heard her phone start to ring again, only this time it was her cell phone. She ignored it, not having the energy to listen to another person tell her how screwed up her life was. She stayed in her tightly wrapped bubble. It wasn't until she heard it ring a second time that she decided she should answer it. She knew it could be a client of hers that she still wanted to keep or Lia's school. The caller ID was neither of the choices, and it brought a genuine smile to Vanessa's face.

"Hi Lin,"

"Hey, I know you're at work, but really quick. Would Lia like silver or gold for jewelry more?"

Vanessa laughed at the urgency in his tone, as she sat back in her office chair, "I'm not busy right now. Although I am a bit confused why you didn't just text me that,"

"That was my plan if you didn't answer this time, but I also wanted to hear your voice."

Vanessa would have rolled her eyes if she had heard another guy tell that to one of her girlfriends, but from Lin it just made her feel like a giddy teenager. "It's good to hear yours, too."

"So, gold or silver?"

"Lin, you can't keep buying her gift after gift," Vanessa said with a light laugh, although her words weren't completely baseless.

"V, it's for Christmas," Lin reasoned, although he wouldn't deny he had been more than willing to indulge on his daughter, "I have fourteen Christmases to make up for. Now, come on, I know you're a silver girl, but I'm not sure about Lia and I don't want to screw this up."

Vanessa wasn't an emotional person, but even she felt her heart melt a bit at Lin's dilemma. She had spent years so worried over what telling about Lia would mean. She was embarrassed when she thought about how wrong she had been. Lin had slipped into the role of 'father' so easily; she didn't know many fathers who would be this concerned over a Christmas gift, let alone the type of jewelry material."

"Gold. The only piece of jewelry she has is a bracelet from my mom. She'd want whatever it is to match,"

"Alright, thank you for your help. Call me when you get home,"

"Wait," Vanessa said before he'd have the chance to hang up, "You're not going to tell me what it is?"

"It's a secret,"

"For Lia!"

"Might I remind you that last week showed we're not the best at keeping secrets?"

Vanessa pursed her lips, a grin growing on her face. Lin was referring to the fact that Lia had discovered that he had been staying over. Neither of them had clearly defined what it is that they were, but they had unanimously decided not to have Lia be aware of anything until they had. Vanessa had tried to brush aside the topic as being purely due to the commute from their apartment to Washington Heights. She knew her daughter wasn't stupid though and the smirk she had given the both of them solidified that.

"We both played a part in that one,"

"Exactly," Lin remarked laughing, "Which is why we're both not going to be in on this one,"

"Fiiine," Vanessa whined like a petulant child, which only made Lin laugh harder.

"You okay?" He asked, sensing a bit of strain in her voice.

Vanessa wasn't the type to just break down and become emotional, but it had been a very hard day. She didn't want to burden Lin when they'd just started dating again.

"I'm fine," she told him, examining her nails. "Just a long day."

"How about I come over and make some enchiladas before the show," he suggested. It was hard to go a day without seeing her and it always made his performances better.

"That sounds nice," she admitted.

They made arrangements and Vanessa took a deep breath, willing herself to get through the next few hours.

——
Across town at Hunter College High School, Emilia was having an equally awful day. She'd had a pop quiz in Algebra which she was sure she'd bombed, and Mr. Martin had just returned her test with a bit fat C-. Her mom kept saying things would get easier but it was almost the end of the first semester now. She should have the hang of things.

At least at lunch she had some friends to sit with now. They noticed she seemed a bit down.

"What's up, Em?" Marissa asked as she picked up a carrot stick.

Emilia set down her sandwich, basically untouched. "Mr. Martin's class," she explained. "I bombed another test."

"You do know he gives the same tests every year?" She asked. "He's so lazy. His tests have been circulating Hunter for years."

"Really?" Lia asked, at this point desperate.

Lindsay nodded in agreement. "There's this sophomore who has all his older brother's tests. I think he sells them for twenty bucks a pop."

Lia knew it was wrong but she was getting desperate at this point. Things weren't turning around and she didn't feel like she deserved to be here. Did Hunter kick kids out for not performing? And how disappointed Lin would be if he had a kid failing at his own alma mater?

She didn't want to disappoint her mother and Lin. "Can you give me his number?"

——

After dinner Lia said she had to go to a study session so Lin and Vanessa had some time to themselves before Lin had to go to the show. They were on the couch, partially undressed, getting hot and heavy when Vanessa's phone rang multiple times.

The fourth ring she sighed and pried herself away from Lin. She found her phone and finally turned it off completely. Lin noticed her defeated look.

"Everything okay?" He asked as she went for the wine.

"Fine," she sighed as she refilled their glasses. Lin got up and walked towards the kitchen, pulling his shirt back on.

"Liar," he told her and she gave him a small smile. "What's up?"

She sighed and took a drink. "My clients," she confessed. "Some of them are dropping me."

"Why?" He asked. "You're a great lawyer."

"Who apparently can't control her personal life," she tagged on.

"Your personal life is none of their business," Lin countered.

"It is when the world finds out you're Lin-Manuel Miranda's baby mama."

Lin sighed, twisting the wine glass on the counter. This wasn't a side effect he'd thought of.

"I'm sorry," he told her. "It's my fault."

"No it's not," she said. "If I hadn't kept Lia from you-"

"You have to stop beating yourself up for that," he told her, crossing his arms.

"Yea, the Internet is doing enough of that already," she said. "I can handle it but I worry about Lia."

"She's strong like her mom," he told her.

"I don't know about that," she countered. Lin hated to see her so down about herself. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.

"Hey," he said gently. "You're the most amazing woman I know. And I'm completely in love with our child. You both mean the world to me."

Lin didn't get it. She'd spent her entire adult life being independent. She'd built her law practice from nothing and now she was in danger of losing it all. Vanessa took pride in being able to provide for her and her daughter.

Vanessa looked down, not wanting to make Lin feel bad. Of course he was making good money now and he could take care of Lia easily. She'd be able to go to any college. But she didn't want that from Lin. She wanted him to be there emotionally for Lia. Vanessa wanted to send Lia to college herself. Maybe it was dumb pride, but that's how she felt.

Seeing his girlfriend so down broke Lin's heart. He gently placed a finger under her chin, tilting it up so she would look at him. Tears swam in her eyes.

"You're perfect," he whispered, letting his fingers entwine in her dark hair. Lin leaned in and kissed her gently; lovingly. Vanessa willed it to work; for his kisses to make everything better. Lin's alarm went off and he let his forehead rest against hers.

"I've gotta go," he told her reluctantly. She nodded knowingly. She wanted nothing more than to spend evenings with him, watching crappy movies on the couch and falling asleep together. But this was his opportunity of a lifetime. The world wanted a piece of him so she had to settle for a small slice.

After a last long kiss Lin headed out and Vanessa locked the door after him. She was painfully aware she was alone.

—-

Lia took a breath as she squatted outside a random fire escape in Manhattan. She was breaking so many rules right now. She'd taken the subway by herself at night. She was going to a stranger's house. And she had climbed up a damn fire escape.

The kid who opened the window looked like he definitely smoked pot. He had a long mop of hair and a cheapskate look about him.

The boy held out his hand and Lia gave him a twenty. He took it and gave her a Manila envelope, which contained Martin's next exam. She gave him a curt thanks and tucked the envelope into her coat. The air was cold and she could see her breath amongst the skyscraper lights. Lia carefully began to descend the fire escape, fully expecting a cop to be waiting for her at the bottom. She probably had guilt written all over her face.

But when she jumped off the last step, there was none of that. Nobody to tell her that this was a stupid idea or one that could get her into a world of trouble, not only with her mom but with her principal. It was almost too easy. She knew it was wrong, regardless of how she continuously tried to spin it in her mind. She almost wished someone would pop out of a bush and yell, "You're a cheater!" just to alleviate her conscience. But there was none of that. There was only Lia and the empty sidewalk, aside from the pedestrians who walked past her without a second glance. For the lifelong New Yorker, not even the city that she loved could make her feel any less lonely than she did in that moment.