Sunday afternoon Nikki met Owen in the driveway for their weekly trip to the park.

"Nikki what are you doing," Owen asked.

"What do you mean," Nikki asked.

"Brett strayed over the last two nights," Owen said, "I saw his truck leave this morning. Nikki what are you thinking? You have a son."

"I know I have a son," Nikki said, "yes my boyfriend stayed over for a couple nights. Owen I know what I'm doing I'm an adult. You're not my parent!"

"What's going on," Meghan asked getting out of her car.

"Stay out of it," Nikki said.

"Brett spent a couple nights," Owen replied.

"I know," Meghan said.

"I don't like it," Owen said.

"Stop," Nikki snapped, "you don't get to be judgmental. I know you think you're perfect and that you've done everything right and I messed up. You might be able to fool Meghan because she wasn't here for 10 years but you have your share of times you messed up. At least Jeff and I were living together when we created Ty."

"You weren't living together," Meghan asked.

"I stuck around," Owen said, "I loved Teddy as soon as I met her. We were dating 4 months before we moved intogether."

"And had Allison 7 months after that," Nikki quipped, "way to set an example."

"We know we all have unplanned kids," Meghan said trying to stop the argument, "why is it a big deal today?"

"Brett stayed over," Owen said, "you missed the shit with Jeff. you didn't see how he treated her, the condescension, tormenting, disrespect. I won't stand by and let that happen again."

"You haven't even asked me," Nikki said, "you're assuming. You always assume no one is good enough."

"I like Brett," Owen said, "I think he's a good guy and good for you. But I don't want to see you hurt again. I don't want to see you question your worth because of an immature boy again."

"If you want to deal with an immature man child how about you fucking deal with my fucking ex," Nikki roared.

"Whoa," Meghan said, "where is this coming from?"

"We ran into Jeff yesterday," Nikki ranted, "he had the nerve to insinuate that I didn't have my shit together as a parent. He tried to rip Tyler out of my arms. He said I should have terminated. And he owes me ten grand in child support. He's only paid twice. If you want to go be the ass hole protective brother deal with Jeff and leave Brett out of it."

"He's still not paying," Owen said, "you have the court order."

"I have to call my lawyer," Nikki said, "it was to be an etransfer every two weeks."

"How much," Owen asked.

"800 a month," Nikki replied.

"Are you doing okay," Owen asked.

"Mom and I went to the bank a few months ago. I took out some of the interest on the settlement to pay my lawyer amd have a buffer," Nikki said, "it's just the interest."

"How much," Owen questioned, he knew what she had put in at 19 but had no clue what was in it now.

"Ten grand," Nikki said, "it's okay that's worth close to seven now. I'm fine. I am thinking of looking at houses or apartments close to here and school though."

"Why hasn't Jeff been paying," Meghan asked.

"I don't know," Nikki whined, "and I don't want to say what I really think in front of Tyler. I will never trash talk Jeff in front of Ty. He is still his father and I don't want my son to feel torn. My issues with Jeff are for me and Jeff not Tyler. Ty is the child you don't trash a child's other parent to them."

"He's never been a father," Owen said, "he walked out almost two years ago."

"You don't think I don't know that," Nikki snapped, "that I haven't spent two years fighting for my son."

"I know," Owen said, "yelling at me doesn't help."

"You're getting annoyed that Brett stayed over," Nikki said, "but he cares about Ty and loves me. Owen I'm not a baby. I know what I'm doing. You didn't freak out when Meghan had been back six months and bought a house with Nathan. We're enjoying our summer break. Brett and I are adults who know what we are doing and have talked about what works for both of us. And you're blaming me for Jeff leaving. Jeff was seeing someone else, who looks like a barbie doll come to life, totally fake."

"She has a point," Meghan interjected.

"Stay out of it Meghan," Owen and Nikki snapped at the same time.

"The two of you need to cool off," Meghan said, "before one of you says something you'll regret in an hour."

"We're fine," Nikki said, "Owen if you want to play protective big brother deal with Jeff. I don't care what you do there as long as you don't actually murder anyone. You are going to stay out of my relationship with Brett. I will talk to who I want to talk to when I'm ready."

"Who are you talking to," Owen asked.

"Me," Meghan said.

"You like to remind me of things I've done that you don't agree with," Nikki said, "Meghan doesn't know the history, it's a fresh start. I talk to Teddy. Hearts will always be her department. I talk to my sisters."

"I just can't watch you fight with him and Jeff keep treating you the way he does," Owen said.

"Dumb dumb I have a child with him," Nikki said, "he's in my life. I do my part, I will always do my part for Tyler. It's not for me, it's for my son."

"Owen she's navigating a situation neither of us have dealt with," Meghan tried, "I went to brunch in the winter so she had some support. I saw how he spoke to her and that his parents were trying to be kind and helpful. I've done the single mom of a baby boy thing and know how hard that is to raise a boy on your own to be a good man. Nikki has the challenge of having to get along with Jeff and communicate. Owen you have to accept that she's choosing what is best for her and her son. I know you want to protect Nikki and I didn't see the years of hurt and I wasn't there the night they broke up. I know you were the one to take care of her. I know that was hard. Squirt, we're always going to want to protect you because people have made choices that hurt you. We want to see you happy and loved, taken care of and to have someone. I think Brett is a good choice. I like him. But we want you to make sure this is what you want. Not what Brett wants or society thinks you should want but what you want."

"I want him to stay over," Nikki admitted, "I invited him to. It was my idea for him to stay. I wanted to see if it worked."

"How did it work," Meghan asked.

"It's been really good," Nikki said, "I wish he didn't have to go but a couple of his football buddies are in town and he's seeing them tonight."

"You're off for two months now," Owens said.

"This week," Nikki said, "three weeks of summer school then 6 weeks off. He wants us to go on a road trip to his parents once summer school is out. I don't know. It's not the time with him. Meg's wedding."

"As long as your home for the bachelorette we're good," Meghan said.

"I will be here for your shower and bachelorette, Nikki said, "Teddy is planning the bachelorette. Mom and I have the shower."

"Then go on the road trip," Meghan said.

"Two weeks," Nikki said, "It's a lot for him and it's out of state."

"Most road trips are," Owen said.

"I know that," Nikki said, "I don't know if I can take Ty out of state without Jeff's permission."

"It's not like Jeff would stop you," Meghan said, "just inform him."

"I want to," Nikki said, "Brett wants to take Ty everywhere with us. Yesterday Ty was awake at his usual time and I don't know how I didn't hear him but Brett heard him first and got up to change him and put his glasses on to bring Ty to me for a cuddle. He did it like it was the most normal thing."

"Nathan shocked me with Faroke," Meghan said, "Nate calls Faroke our son. Brett treats Ty like his own."

"Brett does but I don't want to force it," Nikki said.

"You're not," Owen said, "I hear him offer or he just does things before he tells you because you say you'll do it."

"My son," Nikki said.

"If you want more with Brett you have to let him be more involved with Ty," Meghan said.

"Like babysit," Nikki asked.

"Im sure he would," Meghan said, "but let him help you parent if he wants. I had to give up control with Faroke and let Nate do it."

"Fiancé is different from boyfriend," Nikki said.

"It is," Meghan said, "will you answer my questions with Eeyore here?"

"Depends what you ask," Nikki said.

"Has Brett said he loves you," Meghan asked.

"A while ago," Nikki said.

"Do you love him," Meghan asked.

"I do," Nikki said, "and he stayed over the last two nights and we shared a room at the conference so you can take that how you want to. I'm not saying my favorite coworker turned boyfriend is my roommate."

"We just told you that because we didn't know how mom would react." Owen said.

"Bull shit," Nikki said, "it's you and Teddy. Doesn't Teddy have your grandmas ring? The one your dad gave mom?"

"She does," Owen said.

"Teddy has the Hunt ring," Meghan said, "that was great grandmas why haven't I seen it?"

"She only wears her rings on special occasions," Owen said, "Teddy maybe wears her rings six times a year."

"You don't wear yours," Nikki said to meghan.

"On my necklace " Meghan said, "we can't wear them at work. If Brett asked what would you say?"

"Yes," Nikki replied, "he's mentioned forever a few times but it's too soon."

Meghan had a few questions to ask Nikki far away from their brother, "Owen. We need two lemonades stat."

"Are you serious," Owen asked.

"I said stat eeyore." Meghan commanded.

"Seriously," Owen asked.

"You could make the kids lunch," Meghan suggested.

Teddy watching the scene from the kitchen window laughed as she put away groceries. She found it amusing when her sisters-in -law bossed Owen around. She also wondered why Meghan was getting rid of Owen. What was going on that Owen couldn't know.

Owen appeared in the kitchen, "Meghan demanded lemonade."

"What's going on," Teddy asked.

"They ran into the asshole yesterday," Owen said.

"I knew that but she seemed okay," Teddy said.

"She told Meghan that if Brett proposed she would say yes," Owen said.

"You get the lemonade I'm going to see your sisters," Teddy said.

"This seems like their sisterhood pact to leave me out," Owen chuckled.

"I'm part of that," Teddy answered.

Sitting on the grass in the backyard Meghan asked, "how far has this gone?"

"What," Nikki asked blushing.

"Brett and you," Meghan said, "and you're blushing. You've got to control that if you don't want me to know. Did you?"

"Yes," Nikki said, "the conference."

"And," Meghan asked, "how was it?"

"Good," Nikki said.

"Just good," Meghan said, "come on tell your big sister. How good?"

"I had no idea it could be like that," Nikki said.

"Like what," Meghan asked.

"Loving," Nikki said, "he made me feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet."

"It should always be that way," Meghan said.

"Should it feel that good," Nikki asked, "like whole body tingling good."

"It should feel good," Meghan said, "really good. That good. Wait is that the first time you felt that?"

"What should feel good," Teddy asked, sitting on the grass with them.

"Catch up Teddy," Meghan teased, "someone had a sleepover with her boyfriend."

"Good," Teddy asked.

"Yes," Nikki said.

"Compared," Teddy said.

"A thousand times better," Nikki said.

"That good," Meghan teased.

"I'm not talking about this anymore," Nikki said.

"How does he make you feel," Teddy asked.

"Good," Nikki said, "I think he really loves me. But how do I know what love looks like?"

"Your heart knows," Meghan said.

"How did you know," Nikki asked.

"There was one night we had just moved into the apartment," Teddy said, "a few days before we told you and your mom about Allison. I had a long day at work and was absolutely exhausted. I came home and Owen had made my favourite dinner and had candles lit on the table. We watched a movie and I was half asleep on his shoulder with him stroking my hair and I just knew. For the first time in my life I felt at home. I just knew I was home. It was nothing special, just a night at home. But I knew in that moment wherever he was would be home. I knew that he was my forever. I had loved him for years by that point."

"Please you loved Owen in Iraq," Meghan said.

"I did," Teddy said.

"You were family the first time you came to moms," Nikki said.

"Yes, you two and your mom loved me," Teddy said.

"Owen did he was just a dumb dumb," Meghan said.

Owen brought out their lemonade.

"Dumb dumb," Owen groaned, "what now?"

"How long it took you to realize you love Teddy," Meghan said.

"I thought you were grilling Nikki about Brett," Owen said.

"She did that," Nikki said.

"I missed it," Owen said.

"Can we drop it," Nikki asked, "I'm happy. Brett makes me feel loved and safe that's all the three of you need to know."

"Its all we care," Owen said, "I do like him Nikki. I was just surprised he was staying over."

"It came up Friday after the year end school picnic he was walking me to my car and we we're going to hang out and just have a quiet night at home and I invited him to stay for the weekend," Nikki said, "it felt right."

"I have to do something before work," Owen said standing up.

Teddy looked puzzled and followed him.

"What are you doing," Teddy asked in the house.

"Going to track down Jeff and see if I can get her the 10 grand he ows in child support," Owen said.

"Ten," Teddy said, "Ty is 14 months."

"He's paid twice at 800 a month," Owen said, "she tapped into the settlement."

"He should pay," Teddy said.

"I'm going to work it out," Owen said, "don't tell her."

"I won't," Teddy said, "be careful."

"I will," Owen agreed.

Across town Brett was meeting up with some friends.

"Wilson," a man said, "you seeing anyone?"

"Nikki," Brett answered, "Joel I told you about her."

"Do you have pictures," Joel asked.

"I do," Brett said, "great ones of her and Tyler from yesterday."

"Tyler," Joel asked.

"Her son," Brett said, "he's 14 months. We went for a picnic."

"You're dating a mom," Dillion, Brett's other friend asked.

"I am," Brett replied, "I've actually known Nikki a few years. We went through GTEP together, she was in Kenya, we've taught together for three years, are working on similar research for our masters."

"Is she hot," Dillion asked.

"Gorgeous," Brett said, "about 5'5", red hair down to her hips, blue eyes."

"Picture," Joel demanded.

Brett pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed his two friends a picture from the day before. It was Nikki and Tyler at the petting zoo in the park, he loved the picture of her helping him pet the rabbit the zoo keeper had been holding.

"She is hot," Dillon said, "how long?"

"Eight months," Brett said.

"How does her having a kid work," Dillon asked, "you don't seem like the kid type?"

"I teach middle school," Brett said, "I like kids. Tyler is great, we do the kid things with him, petting zoo, park, were off this week before summer school and Nikki wants to take Ty to the zoo. So I'm going. I think her siblings are going with their kids. It'll be four or five adults and five kids. We do the kid thing when he's awake. Sometimes she can get a babysitter. I've spent the last two nights at her place and once Ty goes to bed at 7 we can have dinner and wine and relax."

"So you're going to marry this chick," Dillon asked.

"I'll propose when the time is right," Brett said.

Owen parked in front of Jeff's place and got out. He followed someone into the apartment building and went up to Jeff's floor. He banged on the apartment door.

"Owen," Jeff said wide eyed.

"I've sat back and let Nikki deal with this her way but I'm sick of the shit," Owen said.

"What's this about," Jeff asked.

"Your son," Owen said, " I saw the paternity test he's yours."

"I don't want him," Jeff said, "I want nothing to do with him."

Owen pushed his way inside, "you should have thought of that before you got my sister pregnant."

"She was on the pill," Jeff argued.

"You didn't wear a condom," Owen said, "but that's not what we were arguing about. Tyler is a wonderful little boy. You saw them yesterday how happy and healthy he is. I'm here for one thing."

"What," Jeff said, "will you leave me alone?"

"You owe Nikki ten thousand dollars," Owen said, "in child support."

"What," Jeff said, "not my kid, I don't want him."

"Not how this works," Owen said, "you can pay up and pay every month on time or we can take this back to court and go for wage garnishment. Which means your boss will know you're a dead beat."

"What will make you go away," Jeff barked.

"Pay Nikki in full," Owen said.

"I don't have the money," Jeff said.

"Your child you pay up," Owen said, "when was the last time you paid?"

"Last July," Jeff said.

"So a year," Owen hissed, "here's how this is going to work. You send Nikki as much as you can right now while I stand here. When she tells me she got the transfer I will go. We will be going back to court and getting this taken to the next step so the courts take the money from you and give it to her."

"What ever," Jeff said, "why does it matter?"

"It's not for Nikki," Owen said, "it's for Tyler. To make sure he has everything he needs and that he has things that he wants."

"Why is it my job she was the one that wanted to keep him," Jeff said.

"Because he's your son," Owen said, "just pay your son. You're not paying Nikki, you're not giving her money, it's for Tyler. You are paying Tyler."

"How do I know she'll use it for him," Jeff asked.

"Because it's Nikki and you know she will," Owen barked.

"So if I pay you'll leave and never come back," Jeff asked.

"I'll come back every month if I have to make sure you pay," Owen said.

"What do I have to do to get you out now before my girlfriend gets here," Jeff barked.

"Pay," Owen said, "do the transfer now."

"Or what," Jeff asked.

"Nikki begins the process for your wages to be garnished," Owen said, "then your girlfriend will know."

"Fine," Jeff grumbelled.

"I'm waiting," Owen hissed. He pulled out his phone and texted Nikki that he had gone to see Jeff to fight for the child support. This was one of the situations where Owen felt like he had to be his baby sister's dad, this was where he had to be her protector. Nikki wouldn't fight Jeff, she had run out of energy and strength for this war, she needed reinforcements. Owen could be the reinforcement Nikki needed.

Jeff opened his laptop on the coffee table and sent Nikki $2000. He knew it wasn't the full amount but it was all he was willing to give her.

Nikki saw the transfer pop up and sent Owen a text with the amount.

"You will pay the full amount owing and then pay every month," Owen commanded, "I will be checking."

"And if I don't," Jeff asked.

"My sister takes you back to court," Owen said, "every time she has to take you to court it will only get worse for you."

"Get out," Jeff snapped.

"Same time next month," Owen said, walking out the door.