A/N: Hey guys. So sorry for the delay but I got back less than a week ago and I have been busy with the painting job in my house and of course, the Olympics. It's addicting guys! But regardless, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot and the characters I have created.

For a few minutes, all I could do was stare at him. He hadn't changed at all. And as I stared, a million questions ran through my mind. Why was he here? How did he get here? And so on.

"Hello Logan," he greets in is usual serious tone. He looks past me and waves at Rachel, "Hello Rachel."

"Hi Daddy," she replies in a shy tone. She's half hidden behind my legs and she peeks out, waving to Dad.

To be honest, I was stunned for a moment. I couldn't remember the last time either of us called our Dad "Daddy". But then again, I supposed Rachel was just grateful to see another familiar face. And besides, before he had started working so much, she had always been a daddy's little girl. It was times like this- when she sounded shy and scared- that I realized how truly young she was. For as far as I could remember, she had always been wise beyond her years. Like earlier today, the way she had stopped me from leaving was an incredibly adult-like thing to do when she was barely eleven.

"How... Why are you here? I mean, not that I don't want you to be, but just... Why?" Normally, I wouldn't be so straight forward, but my dad was used to it and at that point, I doubted either of us cared.

"Is your mother here?" he asks in a monotone voice, his eyes scanning over the visible part of the apartment.

I nod slowly, motioning to upstairs. "Yeah she's upstairs."

"I need to talk to her," he says bluntly. His expression was blank, making it impossible for me to guess what he was thinking. He'd always been good at hiding his feelings.

I turn towards Camille and before I even open my mouth to speak, she gives me an understanding look and plops herself down on the couch. "It's okay, Logan. Go."

I nod my head again, taking him upstairs. "Mom," I call her as I approach my room. She swishes around, surprise overtaking her face. Her mouth forms an 'O' shape, her eyes widening.

"Jason!" she exclaims, her voice chock full of fake cheerfulness.

Before she can make another move, Dad looks over his shoulder, looking at me and Rachel, saying, "Kids, please leave us along for a few minutes."

Almost immediately, we back away, shutting the door to mine and Kendall's shared bedroom. Rachel looks up at me expectantly and I shrug. But as we lock eyes, a silent agreement is shared between us and we both every so gently press our ears to the door. We sit in complete silence in hopes to listen to what our parents were saying and though it takes a while, sure enough, we can hear them.

"What are you doing here?" Mom inquires, astonishment still in present in her voice.

"As if you don't know, Joanna," Dad scoffs. I could just imagine Mom rolling her eyes or feigning innocence. "I don't exactly appreciate coming back home to an answering machine full of complaints against you. You're out here to ruin your children's lives? What kind of mother are you?"

Complaints? Phone calls? Why was I not aware of any of this? What was my father talking about?

"A great one, thank you very much. I'm just keeping them from going astray," she replies calmly.

"Going astray? Joanna, please. Our kids are better than most out there and you know that! You can't come here and mess up everything just because you're not satisfied with what you have."

Once Dad finishes talking, Mom gives no answer. Just like always. Nothing had changed. Mom, though it should be the other way around, was afraid of Dad and therefore, scarcely talked back to him.

Dad continues, "You need to stop giving them a hard time right now. No one's perfect, least of all you, so stop pretending that you are. Don't pressure them so much, don't mess with their head and don't ever lay a hand on them understood?"

"Jase, what are you saying? Are you believing a bunch of little kids over your own wife?" I could just imagine Mom glaring at Dad, in hopes that he would give in. That glare could send chills down anyone's spine.

"Don't you Jase me! Yes, I'm believing the kids over you, you know why? Because I don't know how to believe anything you say anymore. One of those voice messages..." he sighs heavily, "Was from someone named Jacob and he was asking for you. Asked when you were going out again. I didn't call back but care to explain?"

Then suddenly, a part of my chest felt hollow. A little part of me had always been avoiding the possibility that Mom was cheating on Dad. I had been ignoring it for the longest time and I had absolutely dreaded it. I wanted it to be anything but true. While my parents never exactly were the best and were even more like acquaintances, no child ever wants their parents separate. Every kid has hopes that one day; his or her family will be one big happy family once again.

I shook my head out of my thoughts. It didn't matter anymore. I just wanted Rachel right now and if their separation could give me that, I would learn to be okay with that.

I press my ear to the door harder, listening to my mother stutter. "No… No, Jake's… I mean Jacob's just a friend?"

"A friend who wants to date you, for what seems like not the first time?" Dad shoots back.

"Jason, you're not hearing me out! You don't know anything!" Mom screeches.

I can hear the crumpling of paper, then flipping such as when I read a book, and then my father's voice. "I think I know just enough. You've been harassing our kids, making their lives a living hell and cheating on me. I have no idea who you are anymore, Joanna," he comment, disgust overtaking his tone. "You're not the woman I married. So with no questions asked, you're going to sign this."

I can hear the papers again and I assume Dad's handed them to Mom.

"What are these?" her voice wavers the slightest bit.

"Divorce papers and custody papers. Sign them and you're free to go to your precious Jacob. Go on, don't think about it. Just do it," Dad persuades.

"No I can't! I won't!" Or at least, that's what she would say if it were someone else. But it was Dad and Mom was afraid and though it was reluctantly, I was sure she was giving it. What she really said was, "Okay."

"And Logan and Rachel? I know you're out there."

I was startled at first, but I quickly find Rachel's hand and open the door hesitantly. We both give sheepish looks to our parents, or rather Dad since Mom was so consumed in the papers. "How did you know?" I ask.

"You're my kids. Of course I know," he pauses, "And listen, I'm really sorry for what you kids have had to go through lately. I know I'm not the greatest father- or even a good one at that- but I only want the best for you. Why didn't you call me and tell me what was happening?"

I open my mouth only to have no words come out. "I... I didn't..."

Dad waves me off, "Never mind but make sure you call me whenever you need me, alright? I want to be more involved in you kids' lives and after all, I'm only a phone call away." He smiles broadly and I feel myself grin back, quickly realizing that this was the first time I saw him smile in the longest time.

"Okay, Dad," I agree, briefly nodding my head. He gently brings me and Rachel close to him and pats us both on the back, giving up a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm sorry I can't stay but I'll visit later. Right now, things need to be taken care of," he states. We part and he forcefully grabs Mom's wrist and drags her downstairs with him. Grudgingly, she has no choice but to comply. Rachel and I follow close behind, both of us bouncing on the balls of our feet and we climb down the wooden stairs. Downstairs, Camille is already there and sure enough, everyone else had gathered there as well. With wide eyes, they watch my parents and while normally I would be embarrassed by all the attention, I'm not bother this one time.

"Let me go, Jason!" my mother pleads, her wrists struggling in his firm hands.

"Joanna, this has gone much too far. You're are now going to apologize to Logan and Rachel and then we'll get going."

Mom groans, "Why in the world should I apologize to those two?"

"Because they deserve an apology after all you put them through."

When she stays silent, Dad grows frustrated and begins dragging her again anyway. "Fine. Be stubborn," he mutter under his breath.

And then it occurs to me. Rachel was still here. "Wait!" I call for him, "Does this mean Rachel gets to stay in L.A. with me?" I ask eagerly.

He nods, smiling yet again. "Yes, son."

And as he takes Mom away, just before they're out of sight, I can see Mom mouthing 'sorry' as she looks directly at me and Rachel. I feel a surge of satisfaction, knowing that she's sorry. She said 'sorry' on her own, quite after Dad's forcefulness and so, she must have genuinely meant it. At least, she repented all her misdeeds. She wasn't a bad person... she was just someone who wanted perfectness in everything and that had guided her down the wrong path.

And then, both Mom and Dad are gone.

Despite my sadness over my parents divorce, I'm overwhelmed with happiness. Maybe their divorce was for the best. I wouldn't have to let go of my baby sister and I wouldn't have to suffer or see her suffer anymore. Small arms wrap around my waist, and I hug Rachel as tightly as possibly before lifting her up into my arms. "It's over honey. It's over," I repeat over and over again into her soft hair and I'm sure I see tears prick the corners of my eyes. I feel several other hands wrap around us and soon enough, we're in the middle of a gigantic group hug. I close my eyes, enjoying the moment. Nothing could bring us down anymore. Nothing. The suffering was over and I could relax. I felt a large weight being lifted off my shoulders and I couldn't be happier. None of us could be happier. I had Rachel forever and everything was going to be okay.

A/N: And no that isn't the very end. There'll be one last chapter after this and an epilogue. Next chapter will be the guys making up. :) Oh yeah and guys, I don't know much about divorce and custody and while I did some research, I'm not sure if everything is correct so please disregard any mistakes. Thank you!

I've gotten really horrible at updating this summer. I think after this story and after I finish Stronger, I'll only have one story going on during the school year. But I'm really excited about it and I can't wait to start writing it.

So... review?