Jadey said she'd call at 2.

Well, video chat.

And it's 2:03.

I wonder what Sydney is doing right now.

Probably conquering the world.

If she's already eating applesauce, who knows what she's doing.

My attempt at retail therapy to make me stop thinking of Sydney is not working.

I miss her so much.

I scroll down to the next page of dresses.

But before the page loads, the screen loads to Swype.

Jade West.

Accept

Deny

Delay.

Accept.

Connecting…

I put my headphones into my ears and lower my volume.

Then the sound of white noise filled my ears.

I look at the screen to see Jade, keeping Sydney in place.

SYDNEY!

She was looking at the screen blankly, and then suddenly smiled.

"Hey!" I smile.

Sydney made a happy noise, and Jade looked down at her.

Sydney doesn't seem to understand why I'm here, but I don't think she cares.

"Hi. How's it going superstar?" Jade asked.

"It's going good. Nice to have a day off. How's Sydney?" I asked.

"She's good. A little fussy today. Robbie accidentally splashed hot water on her leg and she hasn't been nice to him since."

"Hot water?"

"He was washing dishes and had Sydney in her little bassinet thingy in the kitchen. It was an accident." Jade explained.

"Did she cry?"

"Not that I know of. But when I came over about an hour ago she was making very loud sounds whenever Robbie touched her."

"Aww. Sydney…" I say softly.

"Yeah…he really seemed to feel bad. Sydney doesn't know that her being mad makes Robbie sad!" Jade said, sounding peppy but serious.

Sydney just blankly looked at the screen.

Jade seemed to notice this and leaned off the screen, then came back with a purple horse.

"Sydney."

She turned right around.

Whoa!

"Horsey?"

Sydney made a noise that sounded like she wanted it.

Jade extended it to her, and Sydney took it away and put it in her mouth.

"Mhmmm." Sydney said, looking back at me.

I giggle and smile.

Jade looked down at Sydney and smiled herself.

"So, applesauce huh?" I said.

Might as well ask her.

"Huh?"

"Sydney had applesauce. I saw Andre's post on Splashface." I said.

She quickly looked depressed. "Oh yeah."

"Who all was there?"

"Everyone. Me, Beck, Andre, Tori and Robbie."

"Who fed her?"

"Who do you think fed her?" Jade replied.

Robbie.

"Robbie?"

She nodded and rubbed the top of Sydney's hair.

"How's he? Do he and Sydney get along ok?"

I'm worried she isn't being a nice girl.

It was just water.

"They get along ok. He's devoted to her. She's downright spoiled."

Then a dog came and plopped by Sydney.

"Who's dog is that?"

"Robbie's. His name is Hunter."

"When'd he get him?" I ask hotly.

"Cat, chillax. 2, 3 months ago?"

"Does he play nice with Sydney?"

She nodded.

Sydney also confirmed by reaching for him.

The dog opened one eye, lifted its head and licked her hand.

Sydney giggled.

"But Robbie and Sydney are fine Cat. Either his parents or Beck and I take Sydney when he goes to work, and she hates it when he leaves."

"How so?"

"She's getting separation anxiety. She knows that he's daddy and doesn't want him to go."

"But Robbie's not the father." I say bluntly.

Jade fixed me with a blunt stare.

"Sydney certainly thinks so, with you being gone and all."

Ouch.

"Jade, I had to do this!"

"I know Cat. But to Sydney it's always been Robbie, me, Beck and Danielle. You haven't been around all that much to be honest."

"Jade…I wanna be there. You have to believe me." I say, suddenly feeling ready to cry.

"I believe you Cat. But Sydney is here, and you're not. You've missed so much it's not funny. Maybe when she's older you can lie and say you were there, but the fact is Robbie's got the lion's share of the burden, and of Sydney's love."

"Sydney's love?" I blurt out.

But I'm her mom.

"Yeah." Jade smiled, wiping a little drool off Sydney's cheek. "Every time daddy comes home from work she squeals like it's the best thing ever. You can almost see that to her it's Robbie, then everyone else."

"What about you?"

"Oh, she loves me. But it's just different with Sydney and Robbie. With me she's perfect and quiet. When Robbie's even in the room, she's all noisy, goofy and silly. That's the only time she's really fussy."

"Is with him?"

She nodded.

"Pbbt…pbthhhh." Sydney said suddenly.

Jade smiled and made a raspberry of her own.

"Pbttthhhhh. Pbtthhhh."

Sydney giggled and waved her little arms.

I subconsciously made the same noise.

Sydney looked over and went "Pbthhh." to me too.

I can't help but smile.

"Hey, she did it back!"

"Doesn't she always?" I ask. "She did it when I saw her last."

"Yeah, she does. But I didn't think Sydney would do it back since it's a video chat. I just thought she'd see your face and kind of stare."

As if she understood us, Sydney reached for the screen, seemed to fall and pushed herself back up.

I gasp.

"She pushed herself up!"

"Yeah. She should be crawling soon. As if Robbie needed more to do with her." She smiled.

"Is he handling everything ok? He must be really busy."

She shrugged. "He's ok I guess. Still focused on Sydney, but his girlfriend is fixing that slowly."

Girlfriend?

"Girlfriend?" I say.

Jade quickly looked surprised.

"He didn't mention her?"

"No. He didn't say anything." I say quietly.

He…

He lied to me.

I feel betrayed.

And he has my daughter?

What the fuck else don't I know?

"Oh. Well can you blame him Cat? It's not like you've been forthright about everything. He deserves to be a little happy." Jade said simply.

"Yeah, I can blame him and I will. He should have told me!"

"Ok Cat. Easy. He needs somebody right now. Otherwise…you saw him. He was killing himself for Syddo. He looked terrible. And ever since Danielle's been on the scene, he's seemed happier."

"Danielle?"

"That's her name." Jade said.

"Has she met Sydney?" I ask.

If she has I'm killing Shapiro.

YOU DON'T BRING ANOTHER WOMAN INTO MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE!

That's my daughter dammit!

"Yeah, she loves Sydney. She seemed so sad she missed Sydney trying applesauce the other day."

"She was there then too?"

"Yeah. She's here almost every time I come over. This is the first time in forever she wasn't here. I think she's in class today…" She trailed off.

"She's our age?"

"A year or two older."

"Pretty?"

Jade smirked.

"Are you…jealous?"

"No Jade. This is Robbie we're talking about. I just don't like another woman being around Sydney."

"What? I don't count?" Jade looked shocked.

"You do!" I amend my statement. "But I don't know this new chick! For all I know she's making me lose Sydney."

"That won't happen. Robbie would dump her in a heartbeat rather than jeopardize you and Sydney's relationship."

"By the way. What you said earlier, about it being Robbie we're talking about? That's the same Cat that broke his heart. You asked for an example, there is one right there." She said firmly.

"But…it is Robbie."

"So? He's your friend Cat. And he is all geeky and stuff. You know what I mean." I say.

She sighed and shook her head.

"No, not really. Sydney made him grow up. Unlike you. He was going to leave. He showed me the boxes, which hadn't moved. Everything he does, he thinks of how it's going to affect Sydney."

That's really sweet of him.

"Are the boxes still there?"

"They're back in the closet. Danielle put them back at some point. By the way, before I forget. Did you call Deka?"

"Yeah! Did they talk to Robbie? They said they wouldn't fire him." I said quickly.

I've been worried about that.

"They called a day or two ago. He's talking to his parents and Beck and I. He wants to act fast so they know he's serious."

"Already? What about Sydney?"

Jade frowned. "Didn't you hear me? I said he is talking to beck and I about watching Sydney. He said he's going to stay in California, but he needs to get out of LA. He's been here for 7 straight months."

I guess she's right.

"Hey. Smile ok? I have a surprise for you." Jade said to me, while turning Sydney to look at her.

"What is it?"

"Sydney and I are coming to your Indianapolis show!"

"WHAT?"

"Yeah!" Jade smiled.

"Why?"

"I figured you could use a Syd me up."

"I do miss her a lot…" I say.

"See? I knew that, and I talked to your manager and we'll see you in Indy!"

"Who else is coming?"

"Just me, Sydney and Beck."

"What about Robbie?" I ask.

"He's getting some well-deserved time with Danielle."

My stomach suddenly flipped.

"Oh…that's great!" I try to sound peppy.

Jade saw right thru it.

"Why don't you like it? You really shouldn't even care!"

"I…I don't know."

"I know! You like the idea of being the number one girl in Robbie's life, but you keep yanking him around in chains!"

"Jade!"

That can't be it.

Can it?

"Well, hate to break it to you girl, but Sydney has permanently taken the top spot."

Then I hear a noise in the background, and Jade turned around.

"I'm home! Jade?"

Sydney made a loud, joyful noise.

"Swyping with Cat!" She called out.

A moment later and I know exactly where Jade's sitting.

She's by the TV. I can see Robbie put the bags on the table, and everything from the knees down.

He has nice looking jeans.

Different shoes though.

Sydney immediately reached up, and Robbie walked over and scooped her up.

"Hey there…" I hear his voice, then a sound like him kissing Sydney's cheek.

"How was shopping?" Jade asked.

"A mad house. No idea why. Tax free weekend doesn't apply to food." He said, then bending his knees.

Next thing, I know, he's handing Sydney back to Jade and taking a look at the screen.

WHOA.

He looks…

I like his…beard I guess.

"Hey Cat." He waved and smiled.

"Hiya Robbie. What's that on your face?"

"It's his concession to his girlfriend." Jade snipped.

"Oh shut up." He smiled at her. "I just don't want to shave right now."

Whatever it is, it follows his jawline and looks good.

I never thought about him with facial hair I guess.

"Anyway, I'll let you girls talk. I'll put the groceries up."

He began to stand, and Sydney made a VERY loud noise of protest.

"Ok, ok. You want attention…" he sat back down, smiling.

Sydney reached out for him and got him.

"Are you still mad at me? It was just a little water." Robbie smiled, running two fingers up Sydney's arm.

Sydney giggled and grabbed for his hand, but it was moving too fast.

"Just some water. Water's good! Makes you clean!"

Jade laughed and shook her head.

Sydney reached up, and Robbie picked her up.

She wants at his face.

He won't let her.

Robbie held her in front of him and smiled.

Sydney just reached and accidentally whacked her hand against Robbie's chin.

"Ow! No need to punch sweetie." He said.

I laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"AAAHHH!" I jump and nearly fall out of my seat.

It's Cameron.

"Oh…hi." I say.

I glance at the screen to Sydney, Jade and Robbie looking at Jade's laptop.

I pull my headphones out and say "Sorry."

"Is that Cameron?" Jade immediately asked.

"Hello. You look nice today." Cammie said genuinely.

SEE!

He's trying.

"I'm engaged dude. Slow that roll." Jade rolled her eyes.

Sydney is back to messing with Robbie's face.

Robbie's making silly faces.

"I see someone is hogging Sydney." He said, intimating Robbie.

Robbie glanced over and frowned.

"Hi Cameron. It's so nice to talk again."

His sarcasm is evident.

"Oh fuck off. I hear your sarcasm mate." Cameron said quickly.

Jade's eyes bulged and Robbie clapped his hands over Sydney's ears.

"Turn her away." Jade said to Robbie.

Robbie complied and Jade turned the laptop towards her.

"Ok. You chill out Cameron. And back the fuck off ok? Cat isn't here, and she won't be here until after Sydney's 1st birthday. And that's your fault. So shut the hell up. Robbie shouldn't have to put up with you." Jade snapped.

"Jadey…"

Now she's not being nice.

"No Cat." Jade monotone.

I saw Cameron open his mouth to reply.

"Don't! You can't win!" I say.

He literally pushed me to the side and leaned into the camera.

"The thing is? Cat and I have something special. Sydney is special. You two pole lickers need to back off and let the people who actually love and care for Sydney take care of her."

Oh no.

Now he's done it.

Jade took a deep breath.

"Ok. You can leave now. And you better not come back to Los Angeles unless you want some scissors in the front of your skull!" Jade snarled.

"Jade!" I say, then turn to Cammie.

"You should go."

"No."

"You're going." I stand and push him to the door.

He left without a fight.

"Sorry." I say, hoping she'll drop it.

"How are you dating him Cat?" Jade said while whacking Robbie to get his attention.

"He's nice. You just have to work a little for it."

"CMZ loves you guys. You're almost a weekly headline."

"Huh?" I say.

Robbie spoke up. "You might want to lay off with your employees Cat. You're becoming a punch line. This week they said you made 8 people quit and moved on like it was nothing new."

"Oh, speaking of punch lines!" jade lit up.

Oh no.

"Why…in the name of everything holy and sacred did you LIE to me about paying him?" Jade said, moving to point at Robbie but instead whacking him.

His cheek immediately started to bleed.

Sydney cried.

"I'll clean up and let you guys talk…" Robbie stood, taking Sydney with him.

"I offered! He said it wouldn't help!" I said defensively.

It's the truth!

"I don't care! I want you to send checks whether he says he wants it or not. Because he's literally your nanny Cat. And this is ridiculous."

Then I hear Robbie in the background.

"Jade, it's not like she had much of a choice."

"I don't care! You have no life because of this!"

"So? I had no life before, and I had no life now. Big whoop. Sydney is worth it." He said.

Jade shook her head and I stop smiling.

He had my back.

"I'll be checking to see if you send anything along." Jade frowned.

"But Jade! He said I didn't have to? He's my source on the ground!" I protest.

I'll send it, but I don't want to send something he won't use or doesn't want.

"Well take it from me. He won't admit it, but he wouldn't mind having a little walking around money, or to buy something for Sydney every once in awhile."

"She doesn't get surprises?" I yelp.

"Of course she does. As I said Cat, he does everything for her."

Then Robbie's feet come back.

"You're giving me too much credit."

I look to Sydney and Robbie's statement is immediately ignored.

Sydney is looking up at him, expecting something.

"No I'm not dude." Jade said. "You guys chat. I'm grabbing a snack."

Sydney then turned to Jade's stomach and made a loud "WRAH!" noise.

Robbie and I look at Jade.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"I don't know. She just turned to Jade and wailed." Robbie said, looking baffled.

"WRAHHHHHH!"

Sydney doesn't look mad.

Then Jade suddenly shuddered.

"Roll over Ellie."

"WRAHHH!"

"Who are you talking to?" Robbie asked, making her face him.

She squirmed and stared at Jade's bump.

"Maybe she's talking to the baby?" I say.

Jade can't hide her disgusted look. "Yeah, that's it."

"What? She's a baby. And we know Sydney can—"

"WRAHHH!"

Sydney tried to grab at Jade's stomach.

Then Jade flinched.

"You ok?" I ask.

"I'm gonna go lie down." She said, looking sick.

"Ok."

Sydney just watched her go.

Robbie turned to me. "I think you were right."

"Well, we know Sydney heard us when she was inside me. Why can't Sydney hear Jade's daughter?"

"You heard about the name right?"

"Huh?" I say.

"Beck and Jade came up with a name for her. Ellie."

"Ellie. That's a cute name."

"Yeah…hey. I gotta thank you Cat."

"Robbie—"

"No Cat. You made the call and bailed me out. Thank you ok? I really appreciate it."

I smile and look away. "It's nothing really."

"But you're busy. So thanks."

"Is CMZ really onto me that much?" I ask.

He frowned.

"Yeah. You really need to consider getting empty hotel rooms next to you and Cameron too. Somebody is leaking how loud you guys are."

"Like…"

OH MY GOD.

He grimly nodded.

"I feel so…violated." I mumble.

"I know. But you need to know so they get off your back ok?"

"Ok. I'll get on it."

Sydney looked up up Robbie and made a soft noise.

"Food." He stated.

"She's hungry?" I say.

He nodded. "You got a second Cat?"

"yeah, why?" I ask.

"Just hang on. Just watch Sydney for a second."

He allowed Sydney to sit on her own, with the dog next to her.

She just looked at me and reached out.

I almost cry.

"Miss you too baby."

She made a noise.

Then Robbie sat back down.

Spoon and container in hand.

"Ok…you'll love this." He said.

"Applesauce? I heard she tried some the other day." I say.

His shoulders slumped. "Aww. You heard? I was gonna surprise you!"

I giggled. "Sorry."

"It's ok. You can still watch. She lunges at it. It's kinda funny."

He propped Sydney in his lap and got some applesauce onto the spoon.

Then Robbie opened his mouth, Sydney copied him, then literally lunged at it, putting the whole spoon in her mouth.

I laugh. "Oh my gosh."

Robbie popped it out of her mouth.

The applesauce is gone.

"She ate it!" I gasp.

I can't believe it.

"Yup. Nom nom nom." He said, as Sydney made exaggerated chewing noises.

"She likes it." I say.

"Yup. She is starting to dread the bottle. She likes her applesauce." He joked.

"Maybe she should go on a applesauce diet." I joke.

He laughed. "Nah. Dr. Phillips said give her at least 2 bottles a day for the first 16 months. Then it can be primarily solid food."

Sydney made a noise to get Robbie attention.

"Feed me!" I narrate for her.

"Ok ok…pushy." He joked, getting more applesauce.

She downed it again.

"Good girl! Has she made a mess yet?" I ask.

"Nah. She's too fascinated by the food itself right now that all she wants to do is eat it." He smiled.

Sydney made another noise, but Robbie was prepared.

"Food."

Her jaw opened and one lunge later she was smacking away.

"Any idea why she lunges?" I ask.

"No, but I would guess it's because she knows she has to get to food. So she doesn't wait around."

Sydney then grabbed the whole spoon, which Robbie accidentally left in her reach.

He smiled.

"More. On it."

Smack smack smack.

Bang bang bang.

I turn and see my manager.

"Crap. Robbie, I gotta go."

I really don't want to.

"Ok. Talk to you later."

I begin to say goodbye, but the screen suddenly flashed blue.

Connection terminated.