A/N: Thanks for reviewing and sorry I didn't update sooner! The past few days were busier for me than I thought! Hope you all had an amazing New Years Eve and I wish you all an equally amazing 2010! :)

Ryan walked into his house and heard someone crying. He sighed, knowing it was Nora. He walked upstairs and went into her room, seeing her rocking Emma to sleep.

He slowly walked in and she looked up at him, her eyes puffy and red. He sighed again but she just shushed him, Emma hadn't slept all day and now she was finally falling asleep.

He sat down at the foot of her bed and she looked at him.

"Are you okay?" He whispered and she got up, putting Emma in her crib. She slowly turned back to him and nodded.

"I'm fine." She said, smiling and he gave her a look.

"Don't lie to me," He told her and she sighed. "I know you better than that."

She sighed and pulled him into the hallway, slowly closing the door. "I'm just super stressed and tired, okay?"

"You sure that's it?" He asked and she looked up at him. "You can tell me, Nora, really."

She nodded. "It's just that… I haven't had a day to myself since Emma was born and I know I shouldn't be complaining but I'm just so… tired all the time and I hate feeling like this!" She told him and he nodded. "And I know Ethan wants to be there for me but why did he kiss me? He has a girlfriend!"

"Wait, Ethan kissed you?" He stopped her and she nodded. "While he has a girlfriend?"

She nodded again. "Yes, Ryan, he just came here, bought Emma a beautiful locket and then kissed me," She shook her head. "I mean, who does that?"

He nodded. "Okay, well," He struggled, not knowing what to say to his baby sister. "How about tomorrow Gaby and I take Emma for the day, and you can just stay home and relax or whatever?"

She looked at him. "Really? You would do that?"

He nodded and smiled. "Of course, Nora, I'm your big brother… I always want to help you." He said and she hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," She whispered and he smiled.

She pulled away and he looked at her. "Now, as for Ethan…"

"I don't know why he kissed me, okay? It's not like we were flirting or anything was going on between us, he just did it," She sighed. "All I know is that I haven't stopped thinking about it since he did and I can't do that because of Emma and because he has a girlfriend…"

"Nora, just because you had a baby doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy," He told her and she looked at him. "You probably deserve that more than anyone I know."

"But he has a girlfriend." She reminded him.

"Well, if he's kissing you then clearly, he's not so into her…" He trailed and she nodded. "Look, I don't really know the guy but if he's what's going to make you happy, then I think you should go for it." He said and she looked at him, surprised. "And if it doesn't work out, then happiness will come to you, I promise."

She nodded. "Thank you, for looking out for me." She smiled.

"I'm always gonna look out for you." He said, hugging her.

The next morning, Jared sobered up and went over to Sophia's.

She opened the door and frowned. "Jared… what do you want?"

"Who was that guy that was here last night?" He asked, angrily and she gave him a look.

"You're stalking me now?" She asked but he ignored her question. "It's none of your business."

"Of course it's my business!" He said and she looked at him. 'You're my girlfriend, Sophia!"

"Really?! Because for the past month you haven't really been acting like my boyfriend!" She said and he looked at her. "I mean, what kind of boyfriend goes off with another girl to do drugs?"

"Soph," He sighed. "I never meant to hurt you."

"Well, you did," She said and he looked down. "I don't even know why we're still together." He looked up at her and she could see the hurt in his eyes but at that moment, she didn't care.

"Don't say that…" He whispered.

"No, I mean, really!" She continued. "Since Jen seems to be so much more interesting that me! Is that it, Jared? Did you get bored with me?" She asked and he looked at her, surprised at her words. "Or did the satisfaction of getting the girl who your brother was in love with wear off?"

"Andy liking you was never my reason for going after you, Soph," He said. "I… love you."

She laughed. "Well, that's great for you!" She said. "But I can't love you right now, not when you're like this." She shook her head. "It's either the drugs or me, make your decision."

"Sophia, you don't understand." He told her. "I can't stop… they help ease the pain."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Well, I guess you've made your decision, then," She said. "Just leave and don't ever talk to me again."

"But Sophia, I love you."

She shook her head and slammed the door in his face. Jared walked back to his car, his head hung low, and drove away.

Aidan drove Mel back to her house after they'd spent the day babysitting Noah together. They'd been sitting in silence for five minutes and Aidan could tell Mel was thinking hard about something.

"Is everything okay?" He asked.

She looked up at him and laughed. "Oh, yeah, sorry," She shook her head. "I just… there's something I want to say."

He nodded. "Okay, what is it?"

"I, um…" She struggled with her words. "I want to give us another chance." She said and his eyes widened. "I mean, summer's been great with you and I'm glad that we're friends again but… I want more."

"Are you serious?" He asked. "You're not just pulling my leg, right?"

She smiled. "No, definitely not," She told him. "I wouldn't go into this again if I wasn't a hundred percent sure." She told him and he nodded. "So, um, would you be willing-"

"Yes!" He interrupted and she laughed. "Sorry," He smiled, sheepishly. "I would love to give us another chance…" He trailed and she kissed him.

"It's gonna be a lot different from last time, okay?" She told him, in between kisses. "I still don't trust you, it's gonna take some time."

He nodded. "Whatever you need." He said and she pulled away, he frowned.

"And I want to go slow." She said and he nodded. "I'm nothing like her, you know that, right?"

"Of course," He nodded. "I'm kinda glad you're different, I really like that about you."

She smiled. "Well, I have to go but… I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I call you." He nodded and she kissed him. She got out of the car and he watched her go inside, with a huge smile on his face.