AN: Kinda sad at how only two mixed drinks has made me feel tonight, but it's whatever. I'm not the largest person and I more or less expected this from the time I was younger. But what a great night but a very overcrowded one at that.

Disclaimer: the Victorious characters belong to Nickelodeon and Mr. Dan Schneider and all others either are mine or someone else's.

{{ Sometimes you don't realize the weight of something you've been carrying until you feel the weight of its release. (unknown) }}

"So why exactly am I staying with you this weekend? I thought it was Mom's turn." Dylan looked at Robbie, then to me. Robbie had come back with us after his thirtieth birthday party (yes we were getting that old) to talk about his holiday plans.

"Well-" Robbie hesitated- "I'll be in New York this year for Thanksgiving."

"But you're always here for Thanksgiving. Always! Ever since I can remember, it's been our weekend!" Dylan yelled. "How can you just leave?"

"Dylan, most of Amanda's family haven't even met the baby yet. We agreed that we'd spend Thanksgiving on the East Coast and Christmas on the West Coast. It's called a compromise."

"We're going to England after Christmas! Is that getting messed up too?"

"Dylan, I'll be back by Saturday night."

"It's always the East Coast, isn't it?" Dylan bolted to a standing position. "You're my father too! 'But everything I care about is in California'," he mocked Robbie. "Give me a break!"

"Dylan, you know it's not like that. But when you're married…" Robbie tried to explain.

"I know what you did. You're the worst father ever!" Dylan shouted at Robbie. "I could've died as a baby! And you weren't even around to see it! I wish you never even came back! I wish my last name was Styles like the rest of the family. My real family. Not your stupid replacements. I hate you!"

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that, Dylan. If that's what you really want, I'm sure you can talk to your mother about changing it."

"Dylan!" I warned, never once believing he'd act this way, though I couldn't exactly blame him.

"No, Dylan's right. What I did was terrible. Harry is much more of a father to him than I'll ever be. It's okay."

"I'll see you for our mandated visit," Dylan scoffed before storming away.

"Robbie, I…" I gently laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine!" he repeated, a little more tense and exasperated this time.

"Just give him space, okay? Don't do anything differently this weekend. Don't make any special meals or plans to take him somewhere. Give him time." I suggested.

"I will." He sighed and headed towards the door. "Cat-" Robbie turned around to look at me- "you're doing a great job with him. I'm glad it was you who stayed for him. I don't deserve him."

"Hey bubba. Everyone's settled upstairs for the movie. You wanna talk?" I carefully tread with my words.

"No. I don't wanna talk about him or that stupid family of his!" Dylan muttered under his breath.

"Dylan Robert Shapiro, they are your stepmother and brother! I don't care how upset you are. You do not speak about them like that."

"Since when are you on their side!"

"Your father didn't just leave you, Dylan. He left me too, you know! And you know who're also your stepparent and half siblings? All those people in the other room right now! Do you hate them too?"

"Mom, I grew up with them! You and Dad never treated any of us differently. You never would!" Dylan crossed his arms, probably more upset then mad at this point.

"Exactly. Regardless of if you grew up together, that little boy is still your brother. And you know why we'd never do that to you? That's exactly what my parents did with me and your Uncle Danny."

"Mom, I…" Dylan began.

"And your father, he's still learning. His own dad…wasn't around when we were younger. And he never really got a chance with you. He wants to do it right this time."

"Momma-" Dylan lifted his gaze up from his lap- "I wanna be important too."

"I know, Dylan. And are you important!" I enveloped him in a tight hug. "You are very important. To me, to your father, to your dad and Amanda, and everyone else who knows you."

"Then why'd he leave?" Dylan sobbed into my chest. "Didn't he care if I was okay?"

"Of course he did, Dylan!" I assured my son. "But he wasn't ready to be a father yet. He didn't know how and he was scared and he ran."

"Will I run too? When things get bad or scary, will I leave like him and Papaw?"

"Well, that's up to you. We all have choices in our lives. And when that point comes in your life, when you think you wanna run from it, remember moments like this, then think about your choices again."

"I don't wanna run!" The tears welled up in his eyes again. "I don't wanna end up like them."

"And you won't. You're not your Papaw or your father. You're Dylan Robert Shapiro and the future you make for yourself is yours."

"Can I ask you one more question?" Dylan looked at me timidly. "Why did he…come back?"

"His own Mamaw was very sick. We ran into each other right after your second birthday while he was on break from school. And he never went back. He didn't want you growing up without him here."

"Well, I did." He sighed disappointed.

"How about the boys spend the night upstairs or in one of the other rooms? Give you some space for tonight?"

"I'd like that." Dylan nodded in agreement. "And Momma-" Dylan looked back up to me- "thank you. Thank you for taking care of me and loving me and always being there for me. Thank you for staying."

"Dylan…psst Dylan!" Ryleigh shook her brother awake. "Dylan wake up!"

"Wha-!" He bolted awake. "Gosh, Ryleigh! Mom would've been pissed if you made me wake Ian. What do you want?"

"Well one, he's not in here. And two, I want you to forgive Uncle Robbie," she stated, standing firmly on the ground. "You shouldn't be mad at him for trying. He loves you, Dylan. A lot."

"You've been in this family for almost as long as I have. Heck, you probably remember more than I do. He's always been here, Ryleigh. Thanksgiving weekend has always been his weekend. Our weekend!"

"Dylan, you're lucky that you have four parents who love you this much. I never got that luxury."

"Sit!" He instructed, getting down from his top bunk and taking a seat in one of the chairs. "Do you ever…feel like you don't belong? Because you're not related to us by blood?"

"Yeah-" Ryleigh nodded, taking a deep breath- " a lot actually, but then I think about how much Mom and Dad love me despite of that, and I don't feel like that anymore."

"Do you miss them? Your real parents?"

"My real parents are the two weirdos sleeping in the next room over, but I understand what you're asking. I miss them at times like these, when I'm up late at night thinking. But then I never would've met you. Everything happens for a reason, Dylan."

"Why do you think he left?" Dylan looked down, despite the dark room.

"I think he needed to find himself," the fourteen year old confessed. "I think the thought of losing you scared him, and he did the only thing he knew how to do. But he came back for you."

"Yeah, two years too late," Dylan grumbled.

"I know you probably don't remember it, and you were only two when he came back, but you used to talk about the man with the curly hair for hours. About how funny he was and the way he just loved hearing you talk. You adored your father before you even knew who he was. Don't let this get in the way of the connection you two have."

"Thanks, Ryleigh. I might be pretty grown up at ten-" Dylan laughed from the ridiculousness of his statement- "but I can always count on my big sister to make everything make sense again. Thank you."

"Awwwwww!" I gushed at my oldest son and daughter, but definitely blowing any cover I had. "I ruined the moment, didn't I? Just wanted to see why the light was on. Carry on!" I quickly closed the door.

Dear Diary,

Hi, it's Cat! I hate seeing any of my kids upset, but it especially hurts when Dylan cries over stupid stuff Robbie's done. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that Harry isn't his biological father and as much as he's a Styles, he's also a Shapiro. Just one look at him would tell you that. He's hurting…big and he's overwhelmed with emotions we don't talk about much. His parentage has always been a taboo topic in our house, but I think the kids are finally old enough for it. Dylan is as much their brother as Ryleigh is their sister and they are to each other. DNA doesn't make our family, but rather those who will always be there for us. Our kids are lucky. Robbie's still getting the hang of this, and as much as I hate him for not being there for our son, I can't deprive Matthew from his father either. I'm gonna keep doing what I know how to do and just be there for Dylan and the rest of my kids. It's new to all of us, and we're all trying to learn.

Love,

Caterina

AN: Name the Law & Order SVU I more or less based this one or inspired it and you get a virtual cookie and my love! JK y'all get my love regardless! Sorry it's kind of a downer, but I feel like this story and this age just calls for it. Sometimes it is tough when you don't feel like you truly belong and your parents aren't the people who physically made you but shaped you into who you are. It's something I have to deal with on a daily basis and I just need to remember that everything happens for a reason. If it didn't, I wouldn't be here right now. Night!

-Sami