A/N: Hey guys, once again, i have to apologize for updating after so long, but i'll be starting college this fall and I had a lot to do. But anyways thank you for reading.

Blake stormed into her bedroom throwing her clothes on the floor searching for her flip-flops but all she could find was some high-heels or some ankle boots... Her mind was hardly processing anything this morning. It was stuck on what Penn told her last night. She hated the fact that she couldn't do anything to make him stop or make him feel better... Penn had never taken drugs when they were together. Though, she wasn't the kind of girlfriend who'd restrict her boyfriend if he wanted to drink beer or wine on special occasions, but she did help him stay grounded and avoid cigarettes and drugs... She could not stop thinking about what led him to it.

"Ohhh damn it, the boots it is" She quickly put them on and rushed to the room next to hers to check on Chloe.
Blake opened the door and focused everywhere around the room, looking for Chloe... The room was empty... Chloe would always wait for her mom to come wake her up and she'd never get out of bed unless Blake came to kiss her good morning.

Blake went downstairs to look for Chloe... Everyone was already up and helping for Leighton's actual birthday party for tonight. She felt comfortable with these people but she preferred not to think of the huge crowd of people that was going to show up later, tonight.

"Hey Leight, have you seen Chloe around? she's not in her bed"

"Try the backyard... I think she's by the poolside"

"Ok, thanks, and do you need my help on something?"

"Actually, yeah, just make sure everyone is doing their jobs properly and remind Ed to go get my birthday cake at the bakery"

"Consider it done! Now hurry, go take a shower, we'll do everything for you. Just relax".

Blake walked to Ed to remind him of Leighton's orders and went to the backyard as she was instructed.

"Ohhh my goodness" Her face went slack, her mouth slightly open, body un-moving, and color draining from her face as she stared wide-eyed in front of her...

She let out a sudden sigh and calmed down her breathing. She just wanted to take in the moment as much as she could... She listened and watched quietly behind the door.

The sound of the Chloe's carefree laughter filled the whole backyard, engulfing it in a cacophony of noise.

"Don't be scared Chloe, I'm standing right here... I'll catch you"

"Penn, Pinky swear?"

"Pinky swear, honey, pinky swear!" Penn tried to reassure the little girl who was about to jump in the cool water of the pool.

Blake's heart was racing. She was fiddling her hands, feeling really nervous while Chloe rushed into the inviting water.

"Gotcha' babydoll" Penn held Chloe tightly in his welcoming arms both laughing hysterically as she fell in the water... He gently splashed some water in Chloe's face. Her tiny little face crinkled in laughter but the little girl would not claim defeat. She threw the water, excitedly, back at Penn...
"Alright, alright, you win, little monkey" They looked so genuinely happy together. Chloe jokingly started to pinch Penn's cheeks and tease him a little more

"You remind me of someone... Always so bubbly and such a prankster" Chloe pouted at him which made Penn erupt in laughter. They were surely having a great time...It felt like a complete connection. Penn was so affectionate and caring towards Chloe and Chloe could make Penn smile like no one else could.

The salty tears ran down Blake's face. She couldn't believe what she saw... They fact that Penn and Chloe were bonding in such a short amount of time really made Blake's heart leaked with happiness. She was swollen with emotions and the realizations of her fate just include her internal wounds.

"Don't let go of me" Chloe said in that sweet innocent voice of hers.

"I'm still here, honey, don't worry, okay, I'll help you float on the water, you'll see it's a great feeling, just release your body, and relax, i'll be holding you"

Chloe did as she was instructed while Blake got out of her hiding spot.

"Wow, it's beautiful... Look at the clouds, Penn... It looks like a huge dinosaur and this one, right there" Chloe pointed with her hands "It looks like a small baby dolphin"

"Oh, you two are having all the fun without me here... Mommy is jealous!" Blake pouted her mouth at them.

"Mommyyyyy! Penn showed me how to swim and we had a water battle. Come join us"

"Oh nooo... I wish but I have a lot of work left to do for tonight's party"

Chloe grinned sadly at her mom and turned to Penn to whisper something in his ears.

"Tell mommy I am not talking to her unless she comes swim with us"

"Ohhh, is that so? Then I will have to grant your wish, little girl"

Penn released herself from Chloe's grip and got out of the water...

"Damn it!" Blake's mind completely stopped functioning at how good he looked with the water droplets streaming down his his partly-shaved chest. He looked so toned!

"Just remove that shirt and get in the water, Miss drama queen"

"Ohhh shut up you, I'm not being a drama queen, I really need to help Leighton"

"No excuses, miss, you are getting in that water with us even if i have to drag you there myself. I cannot displease the little girl"

"No, I am not getting in there, Penn" Blake insisted.

"Okay! If you wanna play it like that, you're going to get served, young lady"

Penn walked closer to Blake.

"Penn, what do you think you're doing... Stay away from me... Oh goshhhhh, I mean it Penn, don't come any closer"

The corners of Penn's lips curled, involuntarily and he fought back hard as his cheeks swelled momentarily with the pressure - but it was no use. His laughter erupted... She looked so petrified that she started running the opposite direction...

Penn rushed to her and as one could have guessed, he was much faster than she was... They were both laughing like they probably hadn't in a very long time...He quickly grabbed hold of her hands and pulled her close to him and within a fraction of a second, he carried her up like he was lifting a feather-like object. Blake had her arms wrapped around his neck... She was shaking, her whole mind was shut off.

"You idiot, please, just don't"

Blake tried to remain calm. She closed her eyes and engrossed herself in his warm touch. The plains of his chest were smooth and unscathed. It felt soft and warm under her hands. His heart beat was calm and normal.

"Why are you doing this to me?... Oh my goodness, Penn, please, please, please, c'mon, I'll do anything you want, just...don't..."

Too late!

Penn, mercilessly, threw Blake in the cool water...

"Make room for me, girls" Penn jumped in the pool, splashing water on both Blake and Chloe which made both girls laugh uncontrollably. It sounded so beautiful and innocent. Their little giggles echoed like a joyous laughter in the whole backyard. Penn splashed the water on both girl's face, and they reciprocated the same actions towards him.

"I declare war!" Penn shouted jokingly.

"The horrendous terrifying Penn is coming to eat little miss Chloe up"

Chloe gripped herself onto her mother's shoulders and screamed scarily when Penn approached her.

"I'm coming to get you" Penn made funny monster-like sounds as he came closer to Chloe.

"No... Mommy, helppppp!" Chloe quickly closed her eyes shut and held onto her mother, who was trying not to laugh.

Penn giggled slightly at the little girl's reaction and moved slowly towards her cheeks to give her a small kiss.

"See, I'm not such a bad monster after all?"

"You are such a jerk, you scared her"

Both Penn and Blake erupted in laughter. They were both having a lot of fun and were able to forget about their lonely life for some time. Chloe was bringing so much joy to Penn's life just like it was in Blake's...

"I wasn't even scared" Chloe tried to defend herself...

Penn looked at them, smiling, but he was really fooling them with his fake happiness. But, Blake was not someone who'd get easily fooled, and especially not by Penn, someone who she's learnt to know by heart, she knew he wasn't doing fine.

Penn gazed at Blake and locked his eyes with the beautiful blond. She shined as the sun brushed an iridescent glow omitted through the blonde mane, sparkling like a running stream. Their eyes were like sapphires, shimmering, glistening with life. His chocolate brown eyes locked with her serene blue ones. They were communicating in ways many people could not. These two could just spend minutes looking at each other, without the use of words and they could just understand each other. But maybe, this time, they were crying inside, the pain, that they were once so happy together felt like an immense heart clenching feeling... Their eyes were speaking for itself. All the memories spent together, were probably one of their most treasured ones...Blake broke the connection by looking down.

"Mommy, i'm cold!"

"Alright, let's get you inside, little monkey"

Both Penn and Blake shared one last look before Blake got out of the water.

The party had begun, the guests were already in their most exquisite and elegant clothes.

Blake walked down the stairs holding Chloe's hands. Both girls wore matching Gucci dress in baker-miller pink.

The dress was perfect. Its satin folds hugged Blake's figure following her curves and the deep pink was gorgeous against her ivory skin. The halter neck was embroidered with miniature dark flowers, along the visible seams, with jet black lace to match her stilettos, and it's light skirt flowed out above her knees showing off her toned legs. Her curly blond hair hung perfectly, its choppy layers framed her face an she finished it in style with a deep blue satin necklace the same color as her eyes. Both mother and daughter looked stunning and everyone stopped what they were doing to gaze at the two girls walk down the stairs.

Chloe pouted and held her head high "That's a lot of people, mommy"

The greetings had begun and everyone tried to avoid having a conversation with Blake and preferred talking to Chloe, asking her all these silly questions that adults normally asks kids.

"I'll catch with you guys later" Blake said feeling annoyed... She could not blame them for avoiding her or not talk to her...

"How's your husband? Is he still living with you? Why did he leave?" She had no answers to these questions anyway.

Penn was in the balcony, looking at the beautiful lights in the distance.

"Can I come in?"

Penn turned around, shocked, to see Blake. He quickly hid the cigarette he had in his hands, behind him, hoping Blake didn't see it.

"Sure!"

"Penn, there's flame coming out of your butt" Blake joked when the cigarette smoke started to rise up from behind him.

"What? Where?... I... Ummm... It's just..."

"Penn, I know that you smoke, you don't have to hide it, I'm not saying I'm supporting you but I'm not gonna stop you from smoking if that's what you really want"

"Blake, I can't stop! I've tried, multiple times, but I just don't have a good reason to stop"

"I just wished you'd...umm...forget it...we don't have to talk about it"

"No, tell me, I wanna know"

"I was hoping you'd understand but..." Blake paused... "I just wanna know how it all started and why it got to this point where you can't stop... As a friend, it worries me"

"That's fair" Penn paused.

"I was just in a very bad state after shooting my last movie, I was lonely, very lonely. I had nobody to turn to and I certainly did not want to tell these things to my mom, and, the only way I felt better was by taking these life-threatening substance. It may sound weird or crazy, but when I saw you and Chloe yesterday, I felt like, my life could be happy again. She's really just a bundle of joy to spend time with. She's precious. But my life is just a f*cked up mess. I don't blame anyone but myself and if there was a way out, I'd take it, eyes closed, with no second thought, but there isn't"

"We'll find one... I won't let you destroy your life because of this one wrong step in your life... I will fight this battle with you, Penn"

Penn smiled at her, feeling loved and valued for the first time in a very long time.

Blake tried hard not to let the tears stream down her face, although she knew it was already to late to hide them. Hearing Penn say he was helpless, was like one hundred daggers sinking into her stomach. Groaning and screaming with anguish. Her eyes were watery with the sheer pain. She went closer to Penn and took the cigarette in her hands and threw it away.
She opened her arms to welcome Penn in a very warm hug. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, shielding him from the horrors of his past. There was no need for words, just a gentle acceptance of this warm embrace was enough. It gave Penn a feeling of courage, strength and that he was not alone anymore.

"Ok, let's forget about all this, I'm such an ass for making you cry today" Penn brushed her tears from her cheeks.

"Care to dance with me, miss Lively? Actually I'm not even gonna ask, I'm taking you there with me"

"Maybe, you forgot, but I'm the girl who gets on the dance-floor and do some kind of riverdance with my elbows" Blake laughed.

"I remember, and I also remember how cute you looked "

"But, Penn, people will talk and..."

"And you care about that?"

"Not really, but it's gonna cause some unnecessary drama and..."

"Ok, young lady, allow me this dance here, then"

"Here? In the balcony?"

"Why not?"

Blake giggled slightly and placed her hand in Penn's cold ones.
He pulled her closer to his chest. His other hand resting on her slim waist while her hand were behind his neck and the other tucked in his hair. "Follow my lead, beautiful"
He felt her heart pounding next to his chest, her scent filled his lungs and with every breath she took, more and more of it, became a part of him, the rhythm of their bodies' smooth movements made everything feel so pure, intoxicating the air which their sensual bodies emitted towards one another. Blake rested her head on his chest and gently tucked her hands in his curly hair. This was not merely breathing, it was communicating with a warmness deep within each others bodies. They both moved in unison, as if it was a choreographed danced. They both just gazed at each other for minutes in silence.

"You both look so beautiful"

"Lynne!"

"Mom!"

Blake looked shocked as she saw Penn's mom walk through the balcony door.

"How are you, my darling?" Lynne said brushing the tear that rolled down her cheeks.

Blake went in to hug Lynn, with whom she always had a close connection.

"I've missed you"

"Me too, sweetheart!"

"Ok, feel free to ignore your adorable son, Mom" Penn joked.

"Ohhh, my little baby boy, come here you too"

"You don't have to embarrass me, mom"
Penn joined in the girls embrace.

Both ladies erupted in laughter at Penn's reaction. It was such a warm embrace. Penn hadn't felt so happy in a long time. He was with his two most favorite people in the whole world. His mom and his first great love.

Next Time: Blake and Lynne have a heart to heart conversation about something they should have had a very long time ago and Chloe tells something to Penn that he never thought he'd hear in his life.

A/N: If you got some ideas or things you don't like about the story so far, you can tell me here or on twitter (my username is Blake_badgley) I promised to make this chapter mostly about Penn/Chloe and Penn/Blake and I hope this lived up to your expectations. Let me know if this story is still worth reading and how you would like the story to proceed... I do appreciate any kind of judgement. Thank you all for reviewing and for sending me all those private messages.