Chapter eight and I'm not sure this chapter came out so great. But oh well, I tried. I had a really slow day at work today and it just kinda happened. There's a lot of emotion and this was the best way I could think to give insight into how David took Tori telling him she was pregnant without it being a flashback. I do too many of those, I noticed. Anyway, feedback is always appreciated and I love suggestions.

On with the show! *curtain rises*

My adorable baby…he tried, at least. Even though he was mumbling through half of La Bamba and his guitar playing was just erratic strumming, the four of us clap wildly and Jade even does that two-fingered whistle. Though…I think I speak for all of us when I say we're all secretly relieved when dad calls us in for dinner.

Mateo sits on my lap while we eat. He's always clingy when he's had a long day and he's tired, normally making it hard for me to eat, but he's my baby and I can't deny him.

It's quiet for a few moments, the only sound being the clinking of silverware on the dishes, before my dad clears his throat. "So…Cat. Jade." The two look up at him, slightly worried looks in their eyes at the serious tone in his voice. "You're both almost 18, are you not?"

"Jade turns 18 next month. It's still 3 months for me…"

Dad nods, reaching over and tentatively pats Cat's hand. "Well, if either of you ever need a place to go, the guest house is cleared out. You can leave some clothes and stuff here if you'd like, both of you are always welcome."

Jade starts coughing, Cat patting her back almost robotically with a glassy look in her eyes. Both seem to be in shock by what my dad said, neither speak for a good 5 minutes. Finally, it's Jade who breaks the silence; her voice scratchy from choking on her iced tea. "Wow…David. Thank you so much for the offer. We'll definitely remember it."

Cat nods, still looking at a loss for words.

The silence is almost deafening, Mateo asleep in my lap while everyone else picks at their dinner. I notice I'm out of iced tea but I don't wanna get up and wake Mateo. I speak without thinking. "Babe, can you get me some iced tea please?"

Both Cat and Jade stand up, all of us freezing for a second when we realize what's happening, but Jade keeps moving to the fridge while Cat gets a napkin and gently cleans the mashed potatoes off of Mateo's face. I raise an eyebrow when I hear Trina let out an annoyed sigh and pull out a ten to hand to dad. He doesn't even look up from his food as he takes the money and puts it in the breast pocket of his shirt.

-PB-

David POV

After dinner, Tori stands up, Trina helping her adjust a sleeping Mateo before they both go upstairs to get him into his pajamas and ready for the night. Cat and Jade stay in the kitchen with me, helping me clear the table and do the dishes.

The silence is awkward at first, possibly due to neither knowing what to say to me. "You know…when I first learned Tori was pregnant, I nearly had a heart attack."

Both of their heads turn to look at me. Both look concerned but Cat looks a little scared. "Like, for real?"

I nod, scrubbing the pan I made the chicken in to get some of the crusted bits off. "I was already going through so much stress at work and Holly was starting to pull away at that time…my blood pressure skyrocketed. I started having minor chest pains but just sat down and reminded myself to breathe. I couldn't worry my daughter more than I'm sure she already was; stress isn't good for a baby and can cause a miscarriage. So, I asked her to tell me what happened and she did, Trina told me her side when she got home and took responsibility for having her little sister out at a party in the first place. It made them both grow up and mature…"

The two girls are working silently, absorbing everything I've told them. Cat rinses the dishes and Jade dries them before putting them away. Finally, Jade looks over at me. "Has Tori been with anybody since Mateo's been born?"

"Tori hasn't been in a relationship ever, if that's what you're asking. I asked Tori if she went with a boyfriend and she told me she's never had a boyfriend. That it was Luke she woke up next to and Trina got her out of there before he woke up. Really, she always said Mateo was the only man she needed in her life and a relationship would only end in heartbreak because no teenager is ready to raise a kid, much less one that's not theirs." I look over at Cat and Jade, trying my best to keep my emotions in check and the quiver out of my voice. "I really like you both, you two are great with Mateo and you obviously care about my baby girl. So I'm asking you…please, if you have even a shadow of a doubt that you're not ready to be all in for this relationship…say something now before Tori and Mateo both get hurt."

To my surprise, it's not Jade who speaks up in defense of their relationship. It's Cat. "I can say with one hundred and fifty percent certainty that Jade and I are all in. Even if something happens and we can't romantically be with your daughter, we're never leaving her or Mateo. I know we're all young, barely even adults, but I already can't imagine life without you all. Tori, Mateo, Jade, you and Trina…you've been more like a father to me than my actual father…"

There are tears in the little redhead's eyes and I don't think twice about pulling her into my arms and hugging her. I feel her tense but eventually she relaxes when I begin lightly rubbing her upper back soothingly like I do to Tori and Trina when they're upset. There's some spots on my shoulder that begin getting wet but I don't mind.

Looking up at Jade, I pull one arm away from Cat and open it. She hesitates, looking conflicted, but eventually she steps in and allows me to hug her. "Do you have anything to add, Jade?"

She slowly begins to relax into my side, resting her head on my other shoulder while Cat wipes her eyes and sniffles. "Beck was my only serious relationship. He wasn't the most stable of people to be involved with, we had so many break ups and fights…my dad is never around and leaves me with my stepmom. He doesn't care and she says I'm no longer welcome in the house when I turn 18. If being there for Tori and little man – loving them – is all you ask in return for your love and support…I'll happily take that over a loveless household any day."

My heart breaks more and more for these girls, these amazing girls who have been nothing but wonderful since finding out about Tori and Mateo. I admit, being a father, I had my doubts – considering Jade and Tori's past – but if it made Tori happy then I was happy to help. Now though…I know more about them. I've never heard anybody be so willing to help raise a child. And these girls are teenagers, they have their whole lives ahead of them.

I tighten my hold around both girls, kissing their temples and letting out a shaky breath I didn't realize I was holding. "You girls are something else. Welcome to the family."

Two sharp intakes of breath and one muffled sob makes me that much more sure of my decision. These girls are my daughters now.

-PB-

Trina POV

Tori and I are quiet as we take off Mateo's clothes to change him into his pajamas, careful not to wake him up. She asks if she should brush his teeth for him, but I bring up the fact he'd choke on the toothpaste or wake up or something. She doesn't fight me on it.

After Tori takes out her contacts and puts her glasses on, we sit against the bed on the floor. My baby sister yawns and lays her head on my shoulder, rubbing her eyes while I lay my head on hers. "Did you and dad really bet on when we'd get together?"

"No, we bet on how you'd tell us. I had faith in my sister and bet that you'd tell us straight out but I guess you just couldn't help that little term of endearment, could you?"

Tori laughs quietly. "It was too awkward, I was out of tea, the silence was suffocating. It was the only thing I could think of and it just slipped."

I make a sarcastic hum, a small laugh slipping from me as well. We're quiet for a few heartbeats, listening to Mateo's soft snores. I finally can't help myself. "Are you sure about this, Tori? Like, one hundred percent, giving it your all, "I can see a future with them" sure?"

My sister nods without hesitation. "I do see a future with them. I know it's still very early on and we're all still really young but…a kid changes things. I need to think about Mateo as much if not more than I think about myself and entering into a relationship means thinking about his future as well as mine. How will this affect him? What happens if we break up when Mateo already sees them as additional parents? Will he resent me later on if he has three moms but not a single dad?"

I wrap my arm around her shoulder, gently squeezing her. "I sense a "but" coming up."

"But…I also know my happiness matters too. And having more people than just you, me, and dad consistently in his life…it's good for him. And they're so good with him, he already adores them both. Every time I see one or both with him, I can't help feeling like we're already a little family."

"You are already a little family. They may not be ready to say it and maybe they don't even realize it themselves, but those two girls downstairs love you and your little boy. And I know you love them just as much. You don't allow just anybody into our lives and you'd always say relationships weren't in your future."

Tori hums, yawning and snuggling up against me. I give it a minute or two, letting her breathing even out before I gently lift her up and put her in bed next to her son; taking off her glasses so she won't break them.

When I get downstairs, I see dad holding a crying Jade and stroking an upset Cat's arm. I'm immediately in the kitchen, looking at Jade in concern while glancing at my dad for answers. "What happened? Is Jade okay?"

My dad nods, letting go of Cat so he can wrap both arms around Jade. "Help Cat take her things to the guest house, please?"

I nod, helping Cat get her things and leading her out to the guest house. Cat's hoarse voice startles me a little while I'm opening the door. "Jade and I haven't had the best family situation. Jade's father wasn't really ever in the picture and when her dad left her mom for a woman barely older than her, she resented him. And her mother for not taking her along. My parents are constantly fighting and it only got worse when they sent my brother away. Neither of us know what a family is supposed to be like…it's really overwhelming."

I set her things on the small loveseat and pull her into my arms, affection being a big thing in our family. Especially for comfort. "Well, you two are official Vegas now. We have each other's backs, we look out for each other, we love each other unconditionally, and we're starting family nights now that dad has a day off every week."

Cat giggles into my shoulder, hugging me loosely. "I should go check on Jade. I know Mr. Vega has her, but I'm still worried."

I nod, leading my sister's redheaded girlfriend out of the guest house.

AAAAAANNNNNNDDDDD SCENE! *Curtain falls*

Sorry if it was shitty. Let me know if you liked it, give me pointers on how to improve, or give me suggestions as to what you think could happen later on in the story.

Hugs and kisses to those who want them and love to those who need it xxx