Author's Note: My first Modern Family fan-fiction but this is certainly far from my first work on here.

August 2025 — Five years after the series ended

POV Haley Dunphy

"My babies, they started the first grade today. Goodness." Haley laughs tearfully. "The last five years, I don't know…" Haley blubbers before sniffling, wiping her eyes, and taking a deep breath. "It's been super tough raising Poppy and George on my own. I mean, things were great with Dylan for a while, but then the whole coronavirus thing hit and… it just went to hell from there. He spent more time at the hospital while I stayed at home with the twins, they were going through that phase my mom warned me about but I didn't expect it to be that bad!"

"I mean, that's not even it!" Haley cries, her voice breaking. "That's not what drove Dylan and I apart! He got through the whole thing just fine, but it was the after… When we were allowed to travel again, we said we wanted to take Poppy and George to New York. But like, literally the day before we left, I accidentally heard this voicemail on Dylan's phone and it was from this girl!" Haley breathes quickly, letting out a sob. "She… she was thanking him for the great time they had the night before and to ditch the wife and kids so they could have the week alone together."

"Oh, I went into a serious rage and lost it as soon as Dylan walked through the door late that night. It was literal hours before our flight but I had already called the airline and cancelled it. They wouldn't give me my money back, which was lame; I mean, I'm being cheated on by my husband! You would think they would be empathetic, but no! Anyways, Dylan finally fessed up and I told him to get out. I didn't want his cheating ass around me or my children. You know what they say." Haley leans back on the couch and crosses her arms. "Like father, like son."

"So, anyways." Haley continues after a moment of silence. "Poppy, George, and I have been doing great. I'm not gonna say it's easy being a single mom, but I survived. Of course, my mom would kick my ass if I didn't give her any credit, so I do have to give some to her. Alex's been helpful too, even if she's still living in Switzerland with my ex. Oh, my God, imagine if I never cheated on him with Dylan? Would I still be with Arvin? Would I even have my babies?" A beat before Haley shakes her head sadly. "I wouldn't trade the life I have for any with Arvin."

There is a knock on the door and Haley stands from the couch, checking her phone to see if she was expecting anyone and nothing had been marked in her calendar. She turned the doorknob and was surprised when she saw someone she hadn't seen in some time.

"Lily? What are you doing here?" Haley hadn't seen her cousin since the previous Christmas and they hadn't spoken since early in the summer. She figured, much like herself at sixteen, Lily was no longer interested in keeping close contact with her family… and especially not one that she had no blood connection with. When Lily had been really young, Haley bonded with her; but the pair grew apart as the years went by.

"I'm sorry, Haley. I didn't have anywhere to go and I really don't want to go to Aunt Claire's. She'll ask a billion questions, and then she'll start bothering my dads. Please, can I just…?"

"Yeah, of course, come in." Haley shuts the door behind her cousin and locks it.

"Look, before you start bugging me... I left Missouri by myself. No, my dads don't know I am here and I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell Aunt Claire or Grandpa Jay."

"Of course." Haley knows she wasn't going to listen to Lily's request to not tattle. Sure, she wouldn't call Uncle Mitch or Cam; but motherhood changed Haley Dunphy. She was not the person she was fifteen years ago, or even ten years ago. If anyone she knew swore her to secrecy and they were in any kind of trouble, Haley was going to tell someone she trusted.

It's just keeping the trust of the person she confided in that mattered. Could she trust her mother not to go calling Uncle Mitch and Cam, jumping to insane conclusions about why Lily was in California instead of Missouri, taking over for Lily's care until she turned eighteen?

"All I want to do right now is sleep, all right? It's been a long flight." Lily swings her backpack over her shoulder and looks around.

Haley can tell how much her cousin had changed in the past few years, since Uncle Mitch and Cam uprooted their lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles and relocated to the farmlands of Central Missouri. Lily's long, wavy locks were now cut in a short bob, her once casual leggings and oversized t-shirt were now replaced with a plaid button-up shirt and jeans. She seemed to have gained an edge to her voice; more than the snide sarcasm of her early adolescence.

"Yeah, you can sleep in the guest room. Don't worry about the kids' toys."

"Thanks, Haley." Lily disappears without another word. After a minute, Haley pulls out her cell phone, making sure the door is unlocked before exiting the apartment, and calls her mother.

Haley had already been planning on calling her mother today, since this would be the first day in almost six years without having Poppy and George to watch over constantly. She needed her mother, but now the reasons for calling had changed in the past twenty minutes.

"Mom. It's me, Haley..."

Author's Note: There will be no creepy-ass relationships in this story. Nor will I accept people trying to take control of this fan-fiction's plot.