Wow... It's been such a long time since I attempted a full multi-chapter story. I've actually had parts of this written for months now, but pretty much forced myself to finish this before I posted anything. I'm pretty excited as to how this turned out, and can't wait to share it all with you guys!

Anyway, this story is based loosely off of a song called "Don't Let Me Be Lonely" by The Band Perry. It's actually a pretty awesome album, so go check it out if you have time. I was just sitting in my room one night, listening to this song, when this story popped into my head, so I felt like it needed some addressing in the plot.

As my usual disclaimer, I own nothing; not the song or the show. Just a fan spending my free time with a keyboard and an imagination.

Prologue

I need a saving grace
A hiding place
I don't have forever or time to waste
So don't let me be lonely

There were days that Nick Miller wished that he could go back to being a carefree thirty-something, with no ambition and nothing expected out of him. It was a time when the most stressful thing he had to do was figure out how to start the washing machine, or try to talk Schmidt out of something stupid, like buying a fish.

Granted, that feeling was rare, now that he owned a bar and could consider himself somewhat successful (well, far beyond what anyone had expected out of him), but there were still those times when that feeling came. Sitting in five-o'clock traffic, he couldn't help but let his thoughts reflect on it.

Today had been one of those days.

His longtime coworker and now nighttime manager, Big Bob, had forgotten to order their top-shelf stock for the week, along with the mixers for them. There was a bachelor party coming this week. He was on his way to one of the nearby grocery stores on his way home, in hopes they could manage at least tomorrow without running out. One of his bartenders had just quit, so they were short staffed. And, not to mention, his girlfriend Julia had not only moved in with him this month, they had also kind-of talked about (and agreed upon) getting engaged.

Okay, so he hadn't objected when she'd brought up the idea of getting engaged last week, after a trip to her hometown that sent her home with some of her grandmother's possessions (ring included), but he wasn't ready to say that he was getting married. Of course, he couldn't exactly put that apprehension into words, especially after the fact.

It was just too freaking much at once.

As he put on the gas just a little harder, stupid LA drivers always riding my bumper, Nick reminded himself – as he did on every bad day – that today was by far better than what he called The Worst Day of His Life. No, that title alone was reserved for the day that Jessica Day walked out of his life, taking every last emotion that he had with her.

There was a dip in the pit of his stomach, a sour reminder of why he never thought about it.

It had taken him months to recover. Some people would consider that the push he needed to do nothing but work, save money, and eventually have enough to take over the bar when his boss wanted to sell it, but Nick knew differently. He had done nothing but work because there simply wasn't anything else he wanted to do without her. He had saved up because she was the original push to do something with his life, to start a modest savings account and plan a future. Luck would just have it that he could make something positive out of the breakup.

Nick's grip on the steering wheel tightened. He had to pull over, the emotions washing over him too quickly.

Don't freak out. You haven't done this is a long time…

He couldn't even remember what they'd argued about, but damn was she mad at him.

He closed his eyes momentarily, squeezing out the memory of her long, dark hair. How she smelled in the morning, and the way she'd kissed him at night. Those deep eyes, always so full of life, but forever etched in his mind in the way he last saw them – red, puffy, full of regret, and… empty.

The echo of the door slamming, the shadow of very last time he saw her, still resonating in his head.

So then came Julia, who had wandered into the bar that first night he had taken over, all businesslike and professional and pretty much the anti-Jess, and had wormed her way into his life again. She had taken charge. She wanted him. He finally felt like they were equals – and it was a great feeling.

Snapping him out of his haze, his phone buzzed. Speak of the devil.

Julia's number flashed on screen.

Hey babe, know it's been a hard day. If you'll pick up some French bread at the store, I'm making dinner.

Nick felt a smile tug at his lips while typing his reply. Short and sweet, just how he liked it. Putting up the phone, he pulled the car back into traffic and started toward the store. Just when he thought he was going to crash, Julia reminded him exactly why he stayed where he was.

"I just need you to watch her for an hour, Cece."

Miles away from Nick Miller, two women stood in the center of an apartment, one holding the hand of a toddler by her side.

"Why did you call me, Jess? After four years, you call me." the other woman, Cece, asked. Jess was silent, visibly torn as Cece eyed the little girl at Jess's side. "I could think of someone who'd be much better for this job," she added, her voice full of implications.

God, how can a child look so much like both of them?

"I'll explain everything tonight," Jess pleaded, "but I start work tomorrow and need to go get her stuff for daycare. There's no one else here in LA. She's been cranky all day. This is all new to her – it's a lot to take in. Just put on Nemo or something and she'll be good for an hour."

The model let out a breath of air. After falling off the face of the Earth for four years, only Jess could find a way call her up out of the blue and ask for a favor like this. Jess knew the face. Cece had caved.

Jess picked her daughter up, turning to face her friend. "Sweetheart, this is your Aunt Cece. She wants to watch a movie with you."

The girl's blue eyes dug into her, her face the epitome of grumpy – where had she seen that before? – but to Cece's surprise, the toddler reached out and let Cece take her from Jess without a fight. A small head soon rested gently on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Cece" Jess smiled earnestly, then looked toward the child. "Be good, Aly, I'll be back soon."

Cece watched as Jess walked out the door, and couldn't help but hug Aly just a little closer.

Her life was about to be turned upside down.

Good? Bad? In desperate need of a beta (yeah, yeah, I know)?

All constructive comments are welcome - I'm looking forward to making this hiatus just a little more bearable.