After the chaotic weekend of arguments and misery, the early parts of the week became a series of good byes and best wishes.
First to leave on the Tuesday morning were Jade's parents- having received their blessing from their injured daughter, they were both eager to get back to their considerably less complicated lives in LA.
Later that same day, Beck's step dad and sister also had to head home- Megan had important exams coming up and she couldn't take any more time off work, and her father had to go back to keep an eye on her. Beck promised his sister that they would stay in better contact and even went as far as to assure her that he would send her all the latest gossip about his life to post on twitter just before any press meeting he were to have.
Finally Cole caught an early flight on Wednesday morning to begin his new life in San-Francisco, leaving only Jeromy and Beck's mother (who wanted to stay to help look after her grandchildren and perhaps to shift Beck in a new romantic direction) in New York with the divided soul mates and the two kids stuck in the middle of two separations.
"I do wish you would consider all of this nonsense Becket." Sighed Sarah as she flicked through some of the papers Beck's Lawyers had sent over.
"It's not nonsense, mum; nonsense was ever thinking it was a good idea to marry her in the first place." Retorted Beck, checking his watch to see how much longer he had to wait until Jeromy dropped Cat and Robbie home from school.
"You might at least think of your son. He's only five and this is the second mother you want to take away from him."
"I'm not taking Tori away from Robbie." Argued Beck. "I'm trying to, but she just won't let go." He added under his breath. "Besides I don't know why you're making this out to be my entire fault, she wants this divorce just as much as me, she's already moved on."
"You do realise that if you and Tori split up then you're making Robbie the child of not one, but two broken homes." She persisted.
"Robbie's biological parents didn't split up." Contradicted Beck, "They were very happy together. The problem was they were very happy armed robbers and despite their love for each other and their son, it's not easy raising a child from two separate prisons." Sarah sighed, but wasn't ready to give up just. Then again, neither was Beck. "Besides, what about Cat? Doesn't she deserve her parents to be happy together too?"
"But you and Jade aren't together any more are you." Pointed out Sarah. "Or has that changed again? Honestly Beck, your ridiculous, overdramatic on off relationship with that woman is hardly providing your daughter with a stable home. Besides, you know she's thought of that British police officer as her father for far longer than she has you. She will be happy whether you and Jade are together or not, can you honestly say the same thing about your son? Especially if Tori for fills her threats about moving back to Hollywood."
"She's not moving back to Hollywood." Dismissed Beck with a wave of his hand, as he tried to ignore his mother's particularly cutting remarks about Seth. "She wouldn't leave without Robbie. Tori's many terrible things, but a terrible mother is not one of them."
"And what if she wins custody of him? I'm sure it would be easy enough to convince a judge that the suburbs of LA are a better place to raise a young vulnerable boy than the mean streets of central New York."
"My Lawyers seem certain they can stop that from happening." Stated Beck, but he couldn't deny that his mother's words were raising difficult questions for him.
"And I'm sure Tori's lawyers have given her the same assurances." Stated Sarah, seeing that her words were beginning to get through to her son. "That's what lawyers do Beck; they say what you want to hear so you keep giving them money. Nothing's certain, especially not when it comes to something as difficult as family law. Don't forget, your father used to be solicitor, he told me a fair few stories that would make you lose faith in our legal system."
"Look mum, there's no way Tori is ever going to take Robbie away from me entirely." Insisted Beck almost convincingly. "Besides even if I wanted to take her back- just for the sake of Robbie- there is no way she would accept it. She knows I don't love her and has found someone who does." Sarah sighed, placing the papers back down on the table and getting up to make herself some coffee.
"If you say so darling." She stated in almost convincing defeat. "I just want you to be happy." She took hold of Beck's hand, squeezing it tightly, placing her other hand on his shoulder. "I just can't get the image out of my head of the last time I saw you before you moved out here. You had everything then. I just want to see you smile the same way you did back then."
"They're here!" Called Tori excitedly from the kitchen. Beck and Robbie were playing a game of soccer in their giant back yard and hadn't heard the doorbell ring. "Come on boys!" She called again as she opened the door to let in her and Beck's parents who had shared a taxi to Tori and Beck's mansion.
Everyone greeted with cheerful hugs and kisses as Beck and Robbie arrived just in time to take everyone's coats.
Robbie had been staying with Oliver's for only a few months now, but he had already completely settled in- having met the whole family several times over the adoption process.
"Nana!" He greeted happily, jumping up and down at Tori's mother's ankles until she picked him up and gave him a tickle.
"Come on through to the back." Invited Beck, wrapping his arm around his wife's waste, I'll start up the barbeque."
Together, Beck and Tori lead the way through their large open kitchen, through the glass doors into their newly remodelled garden. Beck through a few coals onto his brand new barbeque as Tori passed out drinks to their guests. The pair worked well together, although they never seemed to exchange more than a couple of words at a time. Mostly they talked to their guests or Robbie and although they would exchange the occasional kiss or whisper a few charms in each other's ear, to Tori's mother at least, the whole gathering felt rather forced.
Despite this awkwardness, the barbeque was an undeniable success. Once everyone was completely stuffed on Beck's well prepared burgers and sausages and Tori's pasta salads and cakes, Robbie tried to engage his new family in a series of vigorous games from tag to football. Only Beck could keep up with the boy's perpetual energy, and whenever he began to feel tiered, rather than admit defeat he would simply pick Robbie up, or hug him tightly, so Robbie would have to try and find a way to escape- an activity which required minimal energy from Beck, but could begin to tire out even the most excitable of four year olds.
Tori also clearly loved to play with their son and by the time the sun was beginning to set, and both sets of grandparents wanted to do nothing but sit and relax, Robbie Tori and Beck were still happily running around the garden as Tori and Robbie worked together to defeat the evil monster that was Beck, until the pair of them knocked into beck so hard that they ended up pushing him over, leaving the three of them in a giggling heap on their freshly mown lawn.
Beck smiled as he thought back to that day. He couldn't deny that it had been a good one. When he thought back to days like that, it was hard to remember why they had ever left their large open mansion in LA for their relatively cramped apartment in New York. But then he would remember what life had been like away from the house. The constant press attention, not only on him and Tori, but also Robbie had been too much. It had been impossible to raise their son in any degree of normality in that town, but here, in the most bustling city in America, they could slip buy unnoticed- for the most part at least.
Before he had a chance to continue talking with his mother, there was a knock at the door and he opened it eagerly. It was Jeromy, dropping off his two happy children from their two separate schools. Jade and Beck were working on getting Robbie transferred to Cat's slightly superior school, but the waiting list was long and there wasn't much of a chance of that happening in the near future.
"Hey kids!" Greeted Beck, kneeling down to give both of his children a large hug. "Thanks for picking them up." He added to Jeromy, "You know I wouldn't mind doing it." Jeromy waved his hand- dismissing this ridiculous idea.
"Don't be silly- happy to help!" He said, ruffling his niece's hair. "Besides it's nice to get out of the hospital and see a bit of the city." Beck Smiled and didn't object- Jeromy would be going home next week and he didn't want to make him feel unwanted during his short stay- besides he was doing Beck a massive favour as between meeting with lawyers, going over lines and taking care of the kids, Beck found himself enjoying any peaceful moment he could find.
"Well thanks." He repeated, expecting Jeromy to leave. Jeromy never stayed for pleasantries with Beck. It was clear that he didn't believe he was worthy to be with his big sister, and now Jade had broken up with him, it was abundantly clear whose side Jeromy was on. He turned to go, but paused on the threshold, remembering an important message.
"Oh, Seth wanted me to say that you need to stop trusting Cat when she says she doesn't have any homework and check in her homework diary- he can't handle another early morning start helping her complete the work she said she had done here." He instructed, also not wanting another 6am wakeup call of Cat crying in panic.
"Cat!" Exclaimed Beck in disbelief. "You told me you do your homework during your lunch breaks! That's why we always play while Robbie is finishing off his with Grandma." Cat shrugged, looking only slightly guilty.
"I forgot." She said simply, looking down at the floor with a very convincing repentant look on her face. "I'm sorry daddy; I just wanted to spend more time with you." She looked up at her father, her large puppy dog eyes wide and almost tearful. Beck sighed, unable to be angry at her. He bent down and pulled her into a hug to stop her from crying. He didn't see the small triumphant grin she pulled the moment he could no longer see her face.
Jeromy sighed at the display, but couldn't fault his niece's performance. It was becoming increasingly clear why Jade left Cat in Seth's custody rather than Becks- she would be controlling her father within hours- she would have all the sweets and biscuits she wanted and her bed time would be never.
"Seth said he'd pick Cat up around 6." Said Jeromy, cutting into the father daughter moment. "Will that give you enough time to get to the theatre?" He checked- determined that his sister's play would run faultlessly even without her." Beck looked up and nodded, before offering his two children a snack. Jeromy let himself out, but made the decision that the next time he and Beck were alone, he was going to teach him every one of Cat's tricks he knew.
Xx
This visit was probably Cat's least favourite visit she had had with her biological father to date. He not only made her complete the homework she had to do for tomorrow- a very boring sheet of basic sums for numeracy- but also to begin on her reading work for next week while he and Robbie played with some Lego. All in all she was grateful when Seth showed up half an hour early because right now she was feeling far more kindly to her long time father figure than this new, mean, usurper.
"Hey. I thought you weren't coming until six." Greeted Beck as he opened the door to his friend. Cat immediately ran up to him, jumping into his arms in excitement at the prospect of freedom. "Did Cat call and tell you I was being a meany and making her do all her homework?" Seth smiled at this news, but shook his head.
"I actually came to talk to you." He said. Putting Cat down and suggesting she went to play with Robbie and Grand ma. Beck smiled and nodded, leading the way into the kitchen. After the breakup, Beck wasn't certain where he stood with Seth. He hoped they could remain friends but after all Beck had not only stolen Cat from Seth, but he knew that since his arrival, Jade and Seth had drifted slightly further apart. Seth had a lot of reasons to dislike him, and Beck couldn't help be nervous at the prospect of a private talk.
"Beer?" He offered, removing a couple from the fridge. Seth nodded, gratefully accepting one.
"Thanks! I've been sharing my apartment with two guys all weekend and after Cole's going away party on Tuesday I've completely run out." Beck smiled again. So far he was receiving mixed messages from Seth- on the one hand he seemed to be acting normally and joking around, but on the other hand, it would have been nice to have been invited to the party.
"It was just a small thing you understand." Clarified Seth- not wanting to let Beck think he was having parties with drinking friends on a school night with Beck's daughter sleeping in the next room. "It was just me, Jer and Cole with a film and beer and stuff..."
"...So what did you want to talk to me about?" Asked Beck.
"Oh right, yeah. So it was Cat's parents evening at her school on Monday. Obviously with everything that happened, Jade couldn't go and Cat's teacher called me today to reschedule for tomorrow after school." Explained Seth. Beck nodded slowly. "They asked me because Jade put me down as Cat's second contact- in case they couldn't talk to Jade- but I think you should go, not me."
"But they called you-" Pointed out Beck, not wanting to intrude on Seth's responsibility with Cat.
"Beck, you're her dad, you need to know how she is doing in school, and you're going." Interrupted Seth, putting down his barely touched beer on the kitchen counter and making to leave the room, but he paused on the threshold. "Oh, by the way, Jade wants to know all about Cat's progress so once your done at the school you're going to have to go and see her as well."