This story has been playing in my head for quite some time. In one of the scenes with Maggie and her father, Oscar, he made a statement of having to fight for a better life for his "children". So this will be Maggie centric, but of course there is no Maggie with the love of her life, Alex. Please let me know your thoughts.

Maggie sat on the couch not believing she was back in National City. It had been a little over a year since she and Alex had separated. Other than a few random texts they hadn't talked. Both of them longed so much to be back together again. Neither had the guts to admit though. They both knew they had made mistakes. Instead of talking and working through things they kept their feelings buried. Alex had been right about why Maggie said she didn't want kids. Maggie was too stubborn to admit it though. She knew Alex would be an amazing mom. That wasn't something she saw for herself though. How could she be a parent when her own parents abandoned her? What if she did the same... Maggie was determined not to find out. The only thing was... it cost her what mattered the most. Her Alex. Now... Her life had done a 180. She was in Italy helping on an international smuggling case when the call came to her. It was from a social worker near National City. Maggie remembered the conversation like yesterday.

Ms. Sawyer, I know this is a shock for you, but if you can't take your niece and nephew I'm afraid I have no choice, but to separate them into different homes. It's not ideal, but the available families we have only want the baby boy. Your niece will be sent to a group home.

There was no way in hell Maggie was letting that happen. She booked her ticket for the next flight out. Within 5 hours of arriving she was given custody of Henry, who was now 9 months old, and Rory, short for Aurora, who was 6. They belonged to Maggie's brother. Someone who she thought died when she was 11. It was just another lie from her parents though.

"Maggie.." a sleepy voice said pulling her out of thoughts.

Maggie smiled at the little girl before her, "Hi there sleepy girl." she said quietly as Rory stood up and walked over climbing into her lap.

"Is this our home home?" Rory asked quietly snuggling as close to her aunt as possible.

Maggie kissed the top of her head and leaned back on the couch so the little one could recline, "It is. I bought this house just for us. It's our home home."

"But all we got is a couch." Rory said causing Maggie to chuckle.

"The furniture will be here soon baby girl. They went to the wrong address on the other side of the city. You and bubby are getting new beds. You get your princess room and he gets his jungle room. You will have a play room too." Maggie told her as she ran her hand through Rory's hair.

"I like the sound of that mommy." Rory said, "I mean Maggie."

Maggie bit down on her bottom lip. It had been a hard adjustment for Rory. They went from Foster Care, back to their dad, then back to the system. The man she read about in the files was not the man she grew up with. Maggie just stayed quiet though. Rory slipped up here and there calling her mommy. Maggie didn't mind it. She would be whatever the sweet little girl wanted her to be. Rory was now back to sleep lying against her and Maggie picked up her phone. She knew she could do this alone if she had to. She already had been. The only thing was she didn't want to do it alone. There was a beautiful reddened hair woman she wanted by her side. Opening up the messaging app she took a deep breath as she clicked on Alex's name and began to type.

Hey there stranger. I'm back in town. For good. I need to see you. Things have changed for me... Meet me at Brant Park, 11:30, on Friday. I'll pack a picnic. Our spot.

Her finger hovered over the send button. She was contemplating whether to send it or not. Should she try to find a sitter and meet Alex solo or just yank the band-aid off? The little sneeze that came from Rory though causing her to jump and hit the send button made the choice for her. Ripping the band-aid off it was.