Later that morning the housemates waited impatiently in the living area of the house for the inspector to arrive. It was make or break with the house, if the inspection failed, they'd be left with no choice but to say goodbye to each other. The atmosphere was tense as Becca did a last minute tidy round to ensure the house was immaculate. The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it" Zack announced as he headed towards the door.

He opened the door and was greeted by Gabriella.

"I'm not late am I?" She asked

"No, no, Come on in" Zack smiled as he gestured her towards the living room.

Gabriella nervously walked over to where Mia was sat and plopped down next to her.

Mia put her hand on Gabriella's shoulder as she noticed her worried expression, "You okay?"

Gabriella smiled weakly "It's just all a bit nerve wracking"

She smiled back "Well, we've all put a lot of work into this house… Hopefully it will be enough to save it"

Gabriella gulped as she knew her inner intentions. With that, inspector Grant entered the home, looking equally as nervous. Zack began to lead both him and Gabriella around the house, showing them the various repairs and changes to the place.

The others remained in the living area, anxiously waiting.

Kaitlyn sat on the couch, feet on the cushions biting at her nails whilst looking blankly at the walls.

"Kait, please stop doing that. All I can hear is you chewing" Abbie moaned as she moved to the other side of the room.

Mia cuddled herself into Chris's side as he wrapped his arm around her, "How you holding up down there?"

She weakly smiled up at him, "I'm okay…just a little nervous, that's all"

He kissed the top of her head as she buried her face into his chest, "Me too"

Shortly later Zack, Gabriella and Grant joined everyone back in the living room. Both Zack and Gabriella sat down as Grant continued down his check list making small notes. After a short few moments that seemed like forever, he looked up at everyone with a grin on his face.

All the residents of the house suddenly became attentive.

He took a deep breath "Okay, well I'm relieved to tell you that the house has passed the inspection"

Zack let out a cheer as Kaitlyn jumped up and performed some sort of victory dance which consisted of her moon walking across the living room, clapping her hands.

Gabriella stood warily a little distance away from the group of young adults.

Grant let out a chuckle before continuing "However, I do need to make you aware that the house needs to be maintained regularly to keep it legally safe."

Mia bounced over to Gabriella and pulled her into a hug. She hastily pulled away, avoiding eye contact.

Mia's brow furrowed "What's the matter? I thought you'd be happy the house passed?"

She sighed "I am, really… you heard though… it's going to be a lot of maintenance to keep this place up together. That's going to cost a lot of money"

Mia scratched her head "Well, we should be able to afford it. I mean, we've done all this to pass today"

Gabriella let out another sigh "Mia, I can't expect all the costs to fall on you and your friends. You're all young and still in education. I just cannot afford it, especially now I have Rico… I've been made an offer on the house… A really good one"

Mia's face fell, she snapped "What? No, you can't do that!"

She took a step back, slightly startled by Mia's abruptness "Mia, I have to think of what's best for me and my son. I'm a single mother, I need all the cash I can get"

Mia pinched between her brow, "No, you don't understand. I cannot loose this house, not now!"

The other house mates stood back away from the two women.
Gabriella looked a Mia confused for a few moments.

Chris walked over behind Mia, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I think you and Gabriella need a meeting in private"

She nodded her head in agreement before making eye contact with Gabriella. Gabriella sighed "Come with me, we'll talk in my apartment"

Mia walked over towards the cloak room to grab her coat. Chris pulled her aside, "Hey, just be honest… I'm going out to meet Darren in a bit so I doubt I will be here when you get back… Just ring me if you want me to come home"

He left a soft kiss on the top of her head as he let her go.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There was an awkward silence the entire journey back to Gabriella's apartment, it only became more awkward as they walked up. Entering the apartment, Mia sat down on the couch, nervously staring at the floor.

Gabriella sat by the side of her trying her best to create eye contact, "So, are you going to tell me what's going on? I understand that you're upset about potentially losing the house and I get that it's going to be hard for you all to separate after living together for so long"

She shook her head, "No it's not that…"

"Then what is it?" Gabriella questioned.

Mia's brow furrowed, "Back in the house when you said that you have to do what's best for you and your son…well, I have to do the same…"

Gabriella frowned in confusion "I'm lost… where are you going with this?"

Mia placed a single hand over her stomach and darted her eyes to the floor, holding her head low.

She shook her head and sighed "Oh for heavens sake Mia, are you being serious right now?"

Mia slowly nodded, "Mmhmm"

Gabriella took a deep breath in, "Okay… well, I now understand why you're worried about loosing the house."

Again, Mia nodded.

Gabriella smiled softly, "Look, I really do understand what you're going through and what you will be going through. I've not made a final decision on the house yet, I have a little while before I have to decide. I can't promise anything but I'll take a look at the budget and if I can afford both an adequate life for me and Rico and the maintenance of the house… I'll decline the offer"

A tear rolled down Mia's cheek "Thank you"

Gabriella couldn't help but giggle "Sorry, I can't help but think about if my Dad was here. All this drama, it would be the plot line of his next book"

Mia wiped her tears and began also to giggle "Young pregnant girl, juggling college whilst trying to keep her home, he's definitely looking down on us now writing away"

Both women spent a few minutes longer reminiscing the late Enrique Vasquez and joking about how he'd deal with the current scenarios. It was eventually agreed that poor Mia would have been fired as his assistant as a baby would be far more distracting than the dreaded stripped shirt.

Eventually Gabriella checked her watch, "Hey it's getting pretty late and I need to put Rico to bed soon. C'mon, let's get you home"

Mia smiled as she put her coat back on "Thank you, again"

Gabriella smiled back, "Hey, don't go building your hopes up but I'll do my best. Now come on… out the door"

Both women hopped into the car and drove off towards North Bridge…