So… personal stuff. But I'm here now, so read on and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Not mine then, not mine now, not mine ever.

…

Chapter 4: Stress

Joe's eyes remained fixed on the saucepan in front of him, blind to the world. Inside his pulse was racing, his mind was hurdling and his heart was aching. If he was being honest, Joe was terrified. Specifically, of what Mel would say later when she was calm and they were alone. You know, about the fact that he had stupidly blurted out his love for her on the bathroom floor.

Sighing, Joe turned down the fire and called up the stairs. "Mel, Ryder, Lennox, dinner's ready!" Setting the plates out, Joe silently hoped that the bath he'd left for Mel had cheered her up, or at least comforted her a bit.

Ryder was the first to appear and the look on his face was not reassuring. Then, slowly creeping down the stairs, Mel stepped into the kitchen in her bathrobe. Cheeks rosy and eyes puffy, she threw Joe a small smile before taking her seat. Joe returned it and went to pull his chair out before frowning.

"Where's Lennox?"

Mel's face paled. Turning to Ryder, her heart dropped again. She could already sense what had happened. Standing up, she caught Joe's eye – God he has gorgeous eyes… Focus Mel! She nodded and dashed up to her room to put on some clothes. Joe returned the gesture and picked up his leather jacket off his chair. "Ryder, where'd she go? Did you guys hear everything?" Ryder nodded stiffly before mumbling something about Lennox dashing out and Zander. Joe swore under his breath.

…

Zander perked up at the sudden knock downstairs. Glancing at his sleeping girlfriend curled up in a ball beside him, he smiled and gently removed his arm from under her head. For once, he found himself wishing that her parents, er, Joe and Mel, would call or text or something. Therefore surprise and relief overtook him as the two adults appeared in the doorway.

"Zander, is she here?" Mel asked frantically, wringing her hands. The only thing keeping her grounded at that point was Joe's palm resting on her lower back. He nodded, pointing to the stairs. Before he could ask anything had Mel scurried past. He realized he must have looked confused, for when he turned back to Joe, the older man just smiled wearily and moved towards the couch. Zander took a deep breath and followed.

…

Mel stopped in the doorway and struggled to squelch the rush of tears that threatened to fall. In front of her eyes played a scene:

"Hi Lennie! Who's a beautiful sweetie-pie? You, that's who!" Mel cooed as she settled the newborn in her arms. "You look just like your Aunt Mellie! That's right, blonde curls, deep blue eyes, you're gonna be a showstopper one day, yes you are!" She marveled at the small, fragile gift in her arms and smiled. I'll love you like my own daughter…

The words rang in Mel's head as she blinked quickly, trying to rationalize the baby she remembered with the petite, striking woman before her. She covered her mouth to drown out the sniffle she could feel coming and felt her shoulders tense as her voice betrayed her. She stiffened as Lennox started, sleepily turning in her direction. Her niece's eyes widened. "Aunt Mel…"

Lennox froze. Oh god, she's here. Why… why is she crying? Lennox cringed as the repetitive chorus of "It's all your fault" began once again. She broke eye contact and was about to bury herself under the covers when arms encircled her shoulders securely. Her eyes snapped up to Mel's as the woman settled next to her and despite her first instinct to resist, Mel's grip firm and surprisingly comforting, prompting Lennox to relax.

Sighing out of frustration at her tears and from tiredness, Lennox shook her head. "Aunt Mel, I-" But before she could say a word Mel had shushed her and placed Lennox's head neatly under her chin. Neither woman spoke for several moments.

"Lennox," her voice hoarse, "I know I come off as stubborn and frivolously self-absorbed to you. I know you don't like it when Joe and I fight and when Ryder steals your fruit-loops out of your bowl sometimes. I know I'm not your mom-" Mel's voice caught and she didn't miss the way Lennox's grip on Mel's cardigan tightened.

"But I love you. I love you as much now as I did when you were a baby and I held you for the first time. I love you when you're raving about some injustice in the world. I love it when you roll your eyes at Ryder like you don't care, but secretly you adore him because he's your dorky brother. I love it when you and Joe cook together and laugh and make a mess in the kitchen when you think no one is home. No tweet is ever going to change that."

And with that the two nestled together peacefully. Mel rocked the two of them slowly, rubbing calming circles on her niece's back and pressing kisses into her hair. Mel marveled silently as, for once, she played the role of mother perfectly.

…

Later that night, Lennox didn't question the knock on her door. Calling that it was open, she smiled as Joe shuffled into the room awkwardly. " Lennox, um… mind if we, uh, talk?"

She paused for a moment to take in the sight. More often than not, Joe's pride did the walking and his stubborn head doing the talking. She liked this Joe, awkward and sensitive. She nodded and scooted over so that Joe could lie down beside her. She chuckled softly when he plopped down and swung an arm around her, which she gladly accepted, snuggling into his chest.

"Len, you know we do our best, right? Mel and I?" he prompted. Observing her nod, he went on. "Your aunt cares about you and Ryder so much. She, uh, told me about what happened at Zander's and I, well, I just wanted to let you know that we love you, and we remember – well, some of us better than others – what it was like to be a teenager. We don't blame you at all…"

"And you know… Between you and me, you're a lot better behaved than your aunt when she was your age. You have a good heart, good, helpful ideas, and you know what? A few bad decisions will only move you closer to finding the right ones. And hey, Mel turned out decent, right?" Lennox giggled and nodded again. "Night kid." Joe whispered as, slowly, a sense of contentment settled in his chest.