"Grace please go straight to your room" Audrey said as they arrived back at the flat. Grace glanced at her mother instantly worried. She did as the older woman asked but didn't close the door. She needed to hear what was going on.

She listened to her mother and Audrey having a conversation and she managed to stay quiet until she heard her mother cry. Then it was too much, she came out of her room and stood at the doorway. Audrey heard the noise and turned around, making Maria look up too. She tried to wipe her eyes not wanting her daughter to see her crying.

"Come here" Maria said wanting her daughter in her arms. Nervously Grace stepped forward but not into her mother's arms. Maria opened her arms hoping that it would encourage the girl to come towards her.

"No, you'll hate me. It's all my fault" Grace said allowing the tears to slip down her face.

"No, it's not your fault" Audrey stepped in as she stood up to guide the girl over. She knew that Grace needed a bit more support making her way over to her mother.

"Go and see your mum" Audrey said as she put her arm around Grace and encouraged the girl over to the sofa. Grace did as Audrey asked.

"It's not your fault" Maria said as she pulled Grace into her arms. Grace was now hysterically and was still shaking her head not willing to listen to her mother.

"It is, it is" She said.

"Talk to me baby, why is it your fault?" Maria asked knowing that nothing she said was going to calm the girl down. She decided to change tactics. Maria pulled the girl into her arms, she kept her as close to her as she could. She just wanted to hold the girl until she calmed down.

"Don't let Marcus in, keep him away from me. I hate him, he hurt you" Grace continued to sob. Maria continued to hold the girl, she knew that she just needed to let the girl get it out her system. It took almost 15 minutes before Grace was calm. Audrey had gotten up to make them all a cup of tea.

"Baby, what's upset you so much?" Maria asked softly as she mumbled reassuring words into her daughter's ear.

"I knew" She admitted. Grace was terrified as to what her mother's reaction would be. What if her mum was mad at her?

"What did you know?" Maria asked.

"I saw Marcus kisses Todd and I didn't say anything. I don't think he saw me but I was too scared" Grace admitted and Maria nodded. She understood that it was a very difficult situation for her daughter to be in.

"I was scared you wouldn't believe me. No one ever believes me. It was only last week but I should have told you. I'm sorry" Grace said and Maria shook her head.

"Its not your fault sweetie. Marcus was the one who was in the wrong. Don't worry" Maria said. She felt bad that Grace had been worried about her believing her.

"Baby, you do know that you can tell me anything right?" Maria said after a couple of minutes silence cuddle up with her daughter. Grace nodded her head. She did know that but sometimes she found it hard to believe it.

"I'm sorry I've not been the most supportive recently" Maria said as she realised that it had been a while since her and Grace had had some time with each other. Maria continued to play with Grace's hair but the girl didn't say anything.

"Maria, do you want me to go and pick Liam up?" Audrey asked. She knew that mother and daughter needed some time apart though she was also aware that Maria might need some time on her own.

"I can take Grace too, if you want?" Audrey asked unsure.

"Would you mind picking Liam up?" Maria said "Grace can stay with me just now."

Audrey nodded and left the flat, she left Maria and Grace snuggled up on the sofa together. She knew that it was clear that they both just needed some time. Maria kept her daughter tight in her arms, they didn't even need to say anything.

"You and Liam are the most important people to me, you know that right?" Maria asked and Grace nodded. Again this was something she knew but she didn't always remember.

"Are you upset?" Grace asked nervously and Maria nodded.

"I am but I'm also upset about how this affects you and Liam. It's not just me, I'm upset because I love Marcus and he was doing this behind my back but I'm more upset about how you had to see that and that Liam has lost a father figure" Maria explained.

"Are you going to talk to Marcus" Grace asked, she was unsure how break ups happened.

"Just now, I'm very angry. I'm glad Audrey took me away. I'm upset and angry but also I'm hurt. I need some time to process what I've just seen" Maria explained, and Grace nodded.

"Do you want me to go away?" Grace asked not wanting to get in the way.

"Not at all, my main priority is making sure you are okay. You saw exactly what I saw and now I know that you've also seen something previously as well. I'm worried about you" Maria said.

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I just want you to be okay" Grace said nervously.

"Hey, you do not need to worry about me in the slightest. I promise you that I am fine, please don't let that worry you" Maria said, and Grace nodded but she still couldn't help it.

They stayed snuggled on the sofa until Audrey returned with Liam. She entered the house having bought food from the chipper. It was greatly appreciated by Grace, but Maria wasn't hungry. Liam and Grace sat at the kitchen table and ate while Maria and Audrey spoke in the kitchen. Grace kept glancing at her mother, but she was too far away to hear what was being said.

Maria gave her daughter a reassuring smile. She hated what she was going through because of Marcus but she was even more angry about how his actions have affected her children. She wished that Grace hadn't come with them to the house, she still felt the need to speak to her about what she saw even though she was still processing it herself.

Not long after they had all eaten, Audrey made her way home. It was very late so Maria put Liam to bed and asked Grace to get ready. The girl didn't have to go to bed now, but she did have to be ready to go to sleep.

Maria was getting frustrated at Liam as he was confused and wanted Marcus. He didn't understand what was going on and nothing Maria could say was enough. He wanted him. Maria ended up having to stay with Liam until he eventually drifted off to sleep.

Walking back into the living room, Maria was ready for bed as well. She noticed that Grace was sitting half asleep on the sofa.

"Time for bed, missy" Maria said as she encouraged the girl up.

"Can I come in with you?" Grace asked as she snuggled against her mother. Maria nodded. She didn't have the energy to argue with the girl.

Grace got straight into the mother's bed while Maria got ready. Once ready, she snuggled into bed with her daughter.

"Do you have any questions about what you saw today?" Maria asked softly and Grace shrugged.

"I just don't really get like how he can be with you but also have feelings for a guy" Grace admitted and Maria nodded.

"It's hard to explain especially when it's not how we feel" Maria said, and Grace nodded. She understood that.

"Was he actually having sex with Todd?" Grace asked and then instantly regretted his choice of words "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you can ask me anything" Maria said, "Thought, honestly I'm not too sure what I saw. I was in shock but if they weren't it was clearly going to happen if we hadn't walked in."

Grace nodded. That was enough questions for tonight. She turned around and snuggled as close to her mother as she could. She just wanted to be held in her mother's arms and feel safe. And that is how she feel asleep that night.