I feel like Mushu when he wakes up at the beginning of Mulan. I LIVE! Happy New Year, even though we're almost half a month in. Happy late Holidays and all that. Let's jump in, shall we?

About a week later

Tori POV

A sigh escapes as I start waking up, Mateo sprawled on top of me like every morning. Laying in bed, cuddling with my son, I allow myself to enjoy the last five minutes of peace before I have to get up and get ready for the day. It's something I wish I could've done with my mom or my dad when I was his age. But Trina and I went from the crib to our little beds in our own rooms, never once sleeping with our parents.

I run a hand through Mateo's curls as I shift him off of me, placing our stuffed fox in his arms like I do every morning. I make my way downstairs, put on coffee for Jade, take out the stuff to make pancakes, and the pan is heating up just as a damp Cat quietly slips through the glass door.

"Pancakes this morning?"

I nod and give her a quick peck on the lips, feeling a hand swat my butt lightly as I walk upstairs for my shower. This is the way it's been since Cat and Jade settled into living in the guest house. Every morning I wake up, get the stuff ready for breakfast, Cat comes in already showered and makes breakfast while I shower. Then Jade stumbles in, showered but still half asleep, and goes upstairs to cuddle with Mateo for the last half hour before they need to wake up. Once they're awake, one of us, usually Jade, dresses him while the other two get his lunch ready and then we eat breakfast before we get going to school.

Drying my hair with my towel, I trot down the stairs as quietly as possible to help Cat with breakfast.

"Do you ever get hit with how domestic we act sometimes?"

I'm spreading peanut butter on Mateo's pancakes when she breaks the silence, knife pausing halfway as I stop to think about it. "I guess it just happened so naturally, I didn't question it. Is it a bad thing?"

Cat shakes her head, a slightly far away look in her eyes. "Even before my brother was sent away, we never did anything like this. But I remember this one time, my parents were away for a high school reunion or something and I had a creative writing seminar that weekend that I insisted I couldn't miss so they got a babysitter for my brother and I. He was the nicest guy, maybe 23, and he made that weekend the best of our lives. He was like the older brother Brandon and I never had. The day before my parents came home, he surprised us with chocolate chip waffles and strawberry milk. He said we were the best kids he's ever babysat and if our parents ever needed someone to watch us, he would in a heartbeat. But our parents never went away again so they never needed to call."

I don't have anything to say, so I set Mateo's pancake down on the plate and hug Cat from behind. She leans back against me and I kiss her head, letting her just enjoy the comfort I hope I'm offering. After a few minutes of just standing there, she pats my arm and I know she's okay for now.

Upstairs Third Person POV

"Jadey?"

Jade gives a hum of acknowledgement, running a brush through the little boy's hair to get all the tangles out.

"Are you and Kitty Cat gonna be here forever?"

Jade feels her heart stop, stomach twisting in knots and mind wandering before Mateo says her name again. "I dunno, buddy. I hope so though."

"I hope so too. I really like you and Kitty Cat. Both of you make mama happy and Kitty Cat makes delicious pancakes."

Jade laughs quietly as she fixes his clothes. "Delicious? That's a pretty big word."

Mateo's eyes light up, a smile coming to his adorable face. "Auntie Trina's been trying to learn how to cook and she uses that word when something tastes good. She also says bad words when she does something wrong but she tells me not to say them."

With an amused shake of her head, Jade lifts Mateo off the bathroom counter and the two go downstairs for breakfast.

Tori POV

I see my son come down the stairs, my girlfriend's hand in his, and I smile at the sight. Cat smiles as well and we share a look, another thing that happens every morning. I'm sure we'll never get tired of seeing Jade's soft side.

"Did you hear we're getting a new dance aid? Something about him being a prodigy and taking over for Mr. Lewis when he retires next year."

I look up from my pancake, raising an eyebrow. "Does he have a degree?"

Cat speaks up this time, noting Jade's full mouth. "I think so. He's only two years older than us, though, fresh out of college."

I finish my pancakes, not thinking about it much more. I don't take dance anymore so it doesn't really affect me. However, I have to wonder if he's competent or if I'll have to hear Jade complain about her dance classes for the rest of the year.

Once everyone finishes, Jade clears the table and rinses the dishes so Trina has less trouble washing them later. Mateo grabs Cat's hand while Jade grabs his lunchbox and I shoulder his empty backpack. Before I follow them out the door, I write Trina a note saying what breakfast is and a list of what we could use from the store if she decides to go.

At school

3rd Person POV

Tori looks down at her phone between classes, seeing Trina's daily text that she and Mateo got home alright or that she's somewhere with him; the point being she got him from school. As a new mother, Tori used to worry constantly about her son so she had Aunt Rosa (who babysat him until age 3) ask the staff to text her updates throughout the day. The staff were understanding, knowing Aunt Rosa doesn't know how to text and Carmen is still in school. When Trina reached her senior year and only had morning classes, she would collect him in the afternoons but Tori would still insist on texted updates. The change in routine would only stress her out and on top of Jade still being a bitch during that time, that would've made her snap.

Tori looks up from her phone when she hears her name, smiling when she sees Beck holding the door open to the Asphalt Café. "How's my little buddy doing?"

The two stand in line, Tori looping her arm through Beck's like she does with Andre. Jade may be a jealous girl, but both Tori and Cat put any fears she had to rest long ago. "He's doing good. He asks about you, even though he only saw you once. I think having another male figure besides my dad would be good for him."

Beck hums in thought, ordering what he wants when it's his turn and motioning for Tori to order too. "I'll have to stop by then. You're raising a great kid, Tori."

Tori looks at her friend in gratitude before telling Festus what she wants as well. After a short few minutes of arguing with Beck about letting her pay her share, which she ended up losing, the two sit with their friends. Cat and Jade are on one seat next to Tori, who's next to Beck, followed by Andre on one bench and Robbie on the remaining with Rex.

Lunch goes on with chatter and laughs. Cat is in the middle of telling a story about her brother when Jade feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns and sees the dance aid holding her phone out to her. "Oh, my phone. Thanks, Luke."

Tori looks up at that point, face paling and heart stopping at seeing the face she thought she'd never see again all grown up. Cat notices, holding her hand comfortingly while Beck puts an arm around her comfortingly even though they don't know what caused the violent reaction.

Luke the dance aid looks at what's happening and his eyes widen, a smile breaking across his face. "Hey, Tori."

Bear (bare?) in mind that Luke is completely clueless. He moved away and Tori never had any contact after that. For Luke, he's seeing an old friend again. For Tori, she's seeing the man who could change her entire life by even being semi-involved in her son's life. You know? If not, then let me know and I'll explain.

Hugs and Kisses to those who want them and Love to those who need it xx