Things had gone well for the rest of the week. Bug hadn't come by. Cate had learned to make sure Lux actually made it into her classroom. And, they hadn't had any more fights.

Cate was amazed how quickly she'd come to feel protective over Lux. "See you later," Lux said, heading toward the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" Cate asked.

"Shopping with Tasha," Lux replied. She was still getting used to someone wanting to know where she was going all the time.

Cate hesitated. "Do you need a ride or anything?"

"No thanks," Lux said over her shoulder.

"At least she told you where she was going." Ryan smirked. "That's an improvement."

"I don't letting her leave," Cate admitted. "I guess I'm afraid she won't come back. I can't lose her again."

"She'll come back." Ryan laughed. "Especially once she sees her new room. What color am I painting it?"

Cate grabbed the paint and led Ryan up the attic stairs to show him what she wanted done. "Do you think she'll like it?" Cate asked excitedly.

"I think she'll love it." Ryan smiled.

Cate drove to the mall, excited to buy furniture for Lux. She hoped Lux liked what she chose.

After she bought furniture, Cate decided to stop by the boutique she'd met Lux in. She wanted to buy her some new clothes, too.

As she approached the boutique, she heard Lux's voice. "Go ahead. Call the police."

Cate rushed in and saw Lux and Tasha talking to the same salesperson from last time. "No, don't call the police!" Cate cried out.

Lux looked up. "Cate, what are you doing here?"

Cate glared at her daughter. Why would Lux steal? Cate would have bought her anything she'd wanted.

She smiled at the salesperson. "I'm sorry. I'd be happy to pay for whatever she took."

The salesperson frowned. "No, this is the second time this has happened. I think I'd better call the police."

"No," Cate pleaded. "I can promise you that this will not happen again. Please give her another chance."

"I won't call the police this time, but you are not welcome in this store anymore." The salesperson glared at Lux.

Cate paid for the dress Lux had stolen and they left the store together, Cate's hand on Lux's back, steering her toward the parking lot.

Lux didn't fight Cate. She was anxious to see her reaction. Would she tell Lux this wasn't working, like Bug thought?

Cate didn't say anything until after they were in the car. "I don't understand. Why would you even steal that dress? I would have gotten it for you if you'd asked."

Lux swallowed. "I don't know," she lied. She couldn't tell Cate stealing the dress was a test.

Cate stared at Lux. "You don't know? Do you realize what would have happened if she'd called the police?"

"Yeah," Lux replied.

"I don't think you do, Lux. If she'd called the police and Social Services had found out, you would be taken away from me. I only have temporary custody of you. If you keep ditching school and stealing, Fern's going to take you away," Cate explained.

Lux breathed in a sigh of relief. She'd expected Cate to yell at her. She'd feared Cate would kick her out. But, she had hoped Cate would still want her despite Bug's warnings.

Cate watched Lux's reaction and noticed her relief. She fought back tears. "Is that what you want, Lux? Do you want to be taken away?"

"No!" Lux said quickly, seeing the hurt in Cate's eyes. "I want to be with you, Cate."

"Really? Because it doesn't really seem like it," Cate said quietly.

"I want to be with you, Cate," Lux repeated.

Cate looked unconvinced.

"Bug and Tasha, they didn't think you really wanted me," Lux blurted out, wanting to make Cate feel better. "They said I wouldn't be sleeping on the couch unless it was temporary."

Cate made a face. "Lux, Ryan's fixing the attic up for you right now. The couch is temporary. You aren't going anywhere. Not unless you want to."

"Really?" Lux asked hopefully.

Cate nodded. "That's why I was at the mall. I bought furniture for your bedroom. I was going to get you some new clothes, but you beat me to it."

"Stealing was a test, Cate. Bug and Tasha said you would change your mind about taking me in if I messed up," Lux explained, wanting to make sure Cate knew she really wanted to be with her. "I just needed to know if you really wanted me."

"Lux, I'm not changing my mind," Cate said firmly. "You've messed up more than once and I'm not changing my mind. But Fern will change her mind about letting me keep you if you keep getting into trouble."

"I won't," Lux promised.

"No more stealing? No more ditching school? No more Bug?" Cate pressed.

Lux frowned. "I won't ditch or steal anymore. But, you can't stop me from being with Bug."

Cate sighed. "He's the reason you decided it would be a good idea to steal."

"It's not his fault," Lux argued. "It's mine."

Cate looked unconvinced.

Cate and Lux found Baze and Ryan painting in the attic. Cate was surprised Baze had actually shown up. He and Ryan seemed to be getting along.

"What is this music?" Lux made a face.

"This is Starship. The greatest band ever," Baze replied.

Lux rolled her eyes.

Baze dipped the paintbrush in paint and painted Lux's nose.

"Hey!" She cried out, laughing.

"What are you gonna do about it?" Baze teased.

"You'll have to wait and find out," Lux retorted. "Be afraid. Be very afraid."

Cate smiled. She hated to admit it, but they were kind of cute together. Ryan put his arm around her.

"Do you like it?" Cate asked nervously, as she showed Lux her room.

"I love it!" Lux smiled happily.

Lux sat down on her new bed. Cate sat beside her. "Lux, I want you to know, I'm not going to change my mind about taking you in. There's nothing you could do that would change my mind."

Lux smiled.

"Please don't test that," Cate added.

Lux grinned. "Cate, I want to be here with you. I'm really sorry I made you question that. I promise I'm done testing you."

Cate hugged Lux close.

"And Bug, he's not so bad," Lux continued.

Cate frowned.

"I promise. You might even like him once you get to know him," Lux promised.

"If you say so," Cate said after a moment, hoping Lux would break up with Bug before she got to know him.