Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'In A Heartbeat' related whatsoever. I only own the story, and the characters that I made up.

A/N: For a recap of the background story of this chapter, look into previous chapters, in particularly chapter 12. Thanks for reading : )

Parent Trap

To Leave or Not to Leave… That is the Question

Val shivered for the third time that night as she walked alongside Caitie and Brooke. A part of her wished that she had just brought the car, while another part was grateful for the extended time for thinking. They were only a couple of blocks away from Caitie's house.

"Thanks for walking home with me first," said Caitie. "I would hate to have to walk alone in this cold weather."

"Don't worry about it," said Val.

"You two better go. Your parents must be waiting. I'll see you guys tomorrow or whenever."

"Bye Caitie," said the Laniers.

Val and Brooke proceeded to their house.

"What did you think of tonight?" asked Val.

"I have to say that it was weird seeing Jamie being the intellectually, talented overachiever.

"I second that," she laughed.

They were about to go in the house when Brooke noticed a familiar car.

"Is that Tyler?"

"Where?"

"In that blue Porsche just across from here."

Val tried to find a familiar figure, and as if reading her thoughts, the "familiar figure" stepped out of the vehicle. To add to the surprise, the figure moved towards her.

"Um, Brooke, do you mind if you could go ahead and give us a minute or two?"

"Sure Val. I'll tell Mom and Dad that you'll be in later."

"Thanks. I owe you one."

"I'll remember that," she smiled before heading home. "Good luck."

"I'll certainly need it."

It only took a few more steps before Tyler was standing in front of her. For the first time since they started dating, an awkward feeling hovered above them.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Um, it's cold out here, isn't it?"

"You know, Tyler, I couldn't really tell," she smiled. "That's why I'm wearing this coat of mine."

"Me neither," he smiled back. "You look great in it."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere," she laughed.

"At least I tried."

"Do you want to sit?" she said, referring to the steps of their front porch.

"That would be great."

For the second time that night, awkwardness fell above them.

"I… I'm sorry about the last couple of days," started Tyler. "I've been a jerk and I'm really sorry."

"Me too. Avoiding you didn't really help either. It only kept us farther apart."

"I know," he said as he took hold of one of her hands. "It's just that this is something…"

"That you've always wanted for a long time. I know. I guess I'm not making it any easier."

"How could you not? I mean, with my work and duties at the station, my education here, my family, and my friends, the odds would certainly be in favor of staying here. If I add all the lonesome years of hoping to be with my dad, it would be in favor of California. If this happened a few months, even a year earlier, I would have gone without a question. Now that you're in the picture, it all evens out, and I don't know what to do."

"The way I see it, it has to be your decision."

"Why?"

"Because only you can choose to tip the scale to the one you desire the most."

"Easier said than done."

"Well, I'll support you on whatever decision you make. If you stay, then that's great. If you go, then I guess it's for the best."

"One thing's for certain."

"What's that?"

"I'll really miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," she said. I better go inside. It's getting colder by the minute."

"We're having a farewell dinner tomorrow for my dad. I was wondering if you could come."

"I don't think I should interfere…"

"I'll announce my decision then."

"I'll think about it."

"Well, until tomorrow."

"Until tomorrow."

Tyler stepped down the porch and walked towards his car when someone called his name. He turned around to see Val, who was running in his direction.

"Val?"

"I can't lie to you anymore," she said as she clung to his shoulders. "I'm really sorry."

"What's wrong?" he said while wrapping his arms around her.

"I know this is very selfish of me, but I don't want you to go," she said as she looked up at him with tearful eyes. "I know I said earlier that I'll support whatever decision you make, but I don't think I can. I know he's your dad and everything, but I don't know what I'll do without you. Please stay. Don't leave us. Don't leave me."

"Val, you have to understand that…"

"Don't say it, Tyler. I don't think I want to understand."

"You know Val, you're making this really hard for me. That's not fair."

"And you leaving is not fair either."

"I can't really deal with this right now. And you know what, you're right. You are being selfish."

"I didn't know that caring about someone and loving them and wanting them to stay and wanting to be with them is a crime.

"You're just doing this to make me stay."

"So you want to leave?"

"I didn't say that. What I'm trying to say is that you're only doing this to influence my decision."

"Oh, that make it so much better."

"Val, what more do you want? I'm giving it me best shot. What you're doing isn't fair at all. Not to my dad and certainly not to me."

"All I did was tell the truth."

"The truth is not going to cut it."

"Well, excuse me for being true to what I feel."

"Why couldn't you just keep it to yourself?"

"What if I did? If I decided to keep it to myself, and you ended up choosing to leave, then I would never forgive myself for that. And I'm not alone in this. The others might act supportively, but they don't want you to leave either."

"You know what, just stop, all right. I don't care what anybody thinks. This is my decision to make."

"If that's what you want, then you can leave for all I care. I wish I never said anything in the first place."

Val turned around and went back to her house. Tyler ran after her.

"Val, wait a minute…"

"What do you want?"

"Please come to dinner tomorrow."

"I don't think you'd want me there."

"I really want you to be there. My parents want you to be there as well."

"Well, Tyler, I don't care what anybody thinks. This is my decision to make."

"Where is this all coming from?"

"You taught it to me, remember?"

And with that, Val slammed the door on his face. Feeling dejected, Tyler headed home, driving slowly so he could think. He spotted his house and turned left to the driveway. It wasn't until he stepped outside that he saw a huge banner in front of his house. It said: WE (your dearest friends) WANT YOU TO STAY!

"Thanks for helping me out, everyone. Thank you so much."

He wasn't sure it he was being sarcastic or if he meant what he said. Nonetheless, tomorrow would be a day he'll never forget. He just hopes to make the right decision.

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That was it for this chapter. Thanks for reading. Don't forget to review. It's just nice to know what you thought of the chapter. No flames, please : ) Happy New Year! I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182