Harper and Max were helping Justin plan Kaylin's birthday party. It was almost May 24th, and she would be two years old. Alex was still the same, wanting the very least to do with her friends and family. However, Justin knew Kaylin deserved a party whether Alex liked it or not.

Max asked, "So Kaylin, what do you want as your theme?"

Kaylin turned her head and looked at Max oddly. Max explained in more detail, "What do you want your party to be about?"

"Me!" Kaylin giggled loudly.

Max smiled, "Well of course it'll be about you, but I meant…"

"Wait, Max," Harper stopped him. "I think Kaylin's idea is good. It should be all about Kaylin, like all her favorite foods, games, activities, etc."

Justin agreed, "I like that idea."

Max replied, "Okay. So Kaylin, the most important thing to decide is what kind of food you want."

Harper rolled her eyes, "You always think about food!"

"I like food." Max shrugged.

Kaylin agreed, "Me too! Me like carrots with ranch, apples and oranges, grill cheez samwich, uhh….cookies, pezels (pretzels), and cheetos!"

Justin smiled, "Wow…lots of food, but that sounds good." He looked at Harper and Max, "We might want to order pizza for the adults and we'll definitely have cake."

Harper replied, "Yeah… next, who do you wanna invite?"

"Uhh…Gamma and Gampa, uncle max, auntie Harper, uncle Zeke, Maddy, and Lucy

Justin finished writing them down before he asked, "Who's Maddy and Lucy?"

Max replied, "Maddy is your neighbor's kid and Lucy is Kaylin's friend from daycare."

"Daycare?"

"Yeah, you guys put Kaylin in daycare when Alex thought she wanted to get a job…but not anymore."

"Oh okay."

Kaylin giggled, "Oh me silly! Me forgot Daddy and Trev!"

Harper asked, "What about mommy?"

Kaylin shrugged, "She come if she like."

Justin sighed, "See? Alex's behavior is affecting her."

Max changed the subject, "Look…let's not talk about that right now. So Kaylin, what activities do you want to do?"

"Drawing and painting!" Kaylin shouted.

Harper smiled, "Just like Alex."

Justin agreed, "That's true…Alex loves art. Anything else, Kaylin?"

"Ummm…face painting!"

Harper exclaimed, "I'll do that! I used to face paint when I was younger."

"Uhh okay, then." Max smirked. "What time, Justin?"

"I was thinking 4:30-7:00. You guys and mom and dad can stay longer though."

"Sounds good. I can pick up streamers and decors at the party store in a few days." Harper suggested.

Max agreed, "I'll get the food and I bet we can both make it by 2:00 to help you set up."

Justin grinned, "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate all of this."

_____

It was about two hours prior to Kaylin's party a week later and just like they promised, Max and Harper arrived right on time. Harper brought in the decorations and Max walked in with a box of food when he noticed Alex standing in the kitchen, "Hey! Long time no see, stranger!"

"Very funny, Max." Alex shot back bitterly.

Max backed away, "Whoa! No need to be grumpy…I'm just kidding around with you." Max called, "Where's the birthday girl?"

Kaylin, out of nowhere, came running towards Max, "Me here!!!"

"Hey! You look gorgeous and happy birthday!" Max picked her up and twirled her around.

Harper walked in, "Happy birthday, Kaylin!"

"Thank..you. Aunty Harper love me dress?" Kaylin was wearing a light pink dress with a white headband with a bow on her head.

"It's beautiful, darling!"

Alex looked at her daughter, who reminded her greatly of herself…She erased those thoughts from her mind and dryly said, "So when do we get this over done with?"

Max stated sternly, "It's from 4:30-7:00."

"Good. Not too long." Alex said before leaving the kitchen.

Harper whispered, "She is messed up…"

___

About half an hour before 4:30, Harper pulled Alex aside. "You've got to put an end to this soon."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your attitude. Justin, your children, and pretty much everyone else is suffering because of you. It's like you could care less what happens to everyone. Just shape up, alright?" Harper said sternly.

"Why should I care?"

"Do it for Justin. He's the one who struggles the most. He has to take care of Kaylin, Trevore, and you…He put off his job during the week and is working late on the weekends…the only available time for his parents to take care of the kids. You owe a lot to him, Alex." Harper was about to leave the room when she turned her back and said, "Oh I forgot to mention something. When you were in the hospital a couple months ago, Justin was the one who stayed with you every single day. He didn't eat and hardly slept because he was scared something would happen to you. That's how much he loves you."

Love? Yeah, right. There was no way Justin could feel that way. Alex thought more about what Harper mentioned and finally realized that Justin knew she was weak. This only made Alex hate him even more. She hated the fact that Justin saw her weakness.

Everyone slowly trickled in for the party and as hours past, Justin was extremely pleased with the party, especially with the current circumstances. Fortunately, he saw Alex engaging in a couple conversations here and there, but knew she looked bored. Soon it was time to open presents.

Justin said, "Kaylin, it's time to open your gifts now."

Kaylin clapped her hands, "Yay!"

Justin noticed Alex sitting on the couch so he asked, "Kaylin, go sit on Mommy's lap and I'll bring your presents to you."

Kaylin instantly shook her head, "I don't wanna…"

"Why not?"

"Cause…m..mama no love me and me will get hurt." Kaylin trembled with fear.

A pang of pain slashed through his heart. This was what he was afraid of. Kaylin was afraid of her mother. Justin sighed, "Alright…."

"Me sit with Uncle Max?"

"Sure."

Kaylin unwrapped all her presents, loving each gift. She got some new clothes, toys, and coloring sets. She was absolutely thrilled. The two hours came to an end and everyone went home, except for family. They were all just socializing while having warm cups of tea or coffee. Justin sat next Alex as he asked, "So Max, you don't have a girlfriend, yet?"

Max chuckled, "I'm just dating for now. Nothing serious."

Justin smiled, "Alrighty, then," He looked at Kaylin and suggested, "Kaylin, it's getting you late. You should go to bed soon."

Kaylin shook her head vigorously, "No! Me no tired!"

"Fine. Just a little while more." Justin replied.

Teresa, who was holding baby Trevore…since she was pretty much obsessed with him, asked, "So, Alex, how are you feeling?"

Alex shrugged, "Fine."

"Are you handling the lost of baby Hailee alright?" Teresa continued.

Alex winced at her name, but said, "Yeah…sure."

Justin said, "I think it happened for a reason…but we're just devastated by losing her, especially since she looked like a duplicate of Alex."

Harper added, "She must've been gorgeous. Did she look like Kaylin?"

Alex smirked, "How should I know? I never got to see her."

Justin sighed, "She did look like Kaylin, but mainly Alex. All her features, like her lips, face shape, etc, all centered on Alex. Her eyes were even the same chocolate brown. Maybe she had my nose…"

Max nodded, "Wow, sure sounds like Alex. I think Kaylin has a more equal mix from the both of you."

Jerry smiled, "I agree. So are you going to try for more kids?"

Alex went pale, "Uhh…yeah, right. I don't want to."

Justin handled it the more mature way, "What she means is that we're a bit busy with Trevore and Kaylin, so it's not the best time for another 'addition' to the family." He gave Alex a goofy look and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

Thinking he was aiming to plant a full on kiss on her lips, Alex backed away and stood up instantly, "Would you stop it?! I don't know why you have to do that all the time!"

Justin stood up to face Alex, "What's wrong now, huh?"

"Look, Justin, let's get our facts straight here. We aren't meant to be, alright? I could never ever love you!" Alex shouted.

Inside, Justin felt hurt, but it soon turned into anger as he yelled, "I give up! I am so sick of you!"

Alex retorted, "I can't stand you!" Kaylin ran over to Alex and hugged her legs, but Alex instantly pushed her away.

Justin didn't pay attention to Kaylin and continued to yell, "Would you just stop shutting people out of your life?"

Kaylin tugged on Alex's pants, "Mama?"

Alex yelled, "Get away, Kaylin!"

Teresa quietly adds, "Alex, Kaylin wants you."

"Well, you know what? I don't want her. I never asked to be a mother. I never truly loved Kaylin or Trevore or even Hailee!" Alex exclaimed bitterly.

Justin stared at Alex and was infuriated even more, "What happened to the girl I loved? Alex, my love and respect for you has disappeared and I…"

Max stood up and placed himself in between Alex and Justin, "Would you just stop it!?! Even though you possibly are from another world, I honestly thought you two would be able to make it. But I guess I was wrong! You should return back to your normal lives!"

Justin and Alex yell in unison, "Maybe we should!"

Alex looked at Justin and harshly remarked, "I don't need you, Justin! And I never needed Kaylin or Trevore!"

Justin indignantly replied, "And I could never ever love you!"

Suddenly, a slow wind started to pick up right in the middle of their living room. Alex and Justin's angry face expressions fell as they realized what was happening. Around them, their family members were watching in shock and fear. Teresa was desperately trying to calm down a pretty upset Trevore and Kaylin was pale as a ghost in Max's embrace.

Justin stuttered, "Ma..Max. What's going on?"

Max just stood there and explained, "You finally did it. You asked for all of this to happen."

Alex yelled, "You aren't making any sense! What did you do?"

Max replied bluntly, "Nothing."

The wind was louder and Kaylin was hysterical. She was trying to remove herself from Max's grip as she sobbed uncontrollably. Thinking it was her fault, she cried, "Da..da…Mo..mommy! Me sorry! No leave me!! Please!"

Alex stared at Kaylin, practically engraving that image in her mind. She was speechless, but Justin yelled, "Max, do something!"

Max walked back and shrugged, "I can't. It's magic. Let it take its course."

Disappointing chapter..:( Hopefully you guys are able to connect what happened in this chapter to previous things mentioned in earlier chapters..;)