Despite the awkwardness between them, there was no doubt that crashing at Linnie's had it perks alongside its tension. For the last 10,000, Darren had to stress out over whether or not he was even going to be able to eat the slop slapped down on his tray, or if he was gonna have to give it up to his neighbor next to him, who was usually twice as big and strong as he was. Now, he had a delicious, warm meal placed in front of him every breakfast, lunch, and dinner, made with actual food instead of garage the kitchen staff fished up. Darren also took great satisfaction in sleeping in the full-sized bed Linnie had set up in the guest room, feeling as if he was slept on a cloud despite the mattress being a cheaper brand, but whatever. It beat sleeping on a cardboard fold just barely off the ground.

Daren rubbed his eyes as he left his cloud of a bed and made his way into the living room, pouring himself some cereal and milk before deciding to turn on the TV, making sure he was awake before he got a crack on the job searching. After he had found the milk and closed the refrigerator door however, there was a lime-green sticky note with cursive handwriting on it.

"Darren-

I've gone to work and had decided to go meet up with a new friend for dinner, so will be an hour or two late getting home. I've bought you some frozen meals in the last grocery bill in case you get hungry. Please don't forget to pick up the groceries. Should be ready around 1 or 2.

Have a good day! I love you so so much. Please call if you need anything.

-Papa"

Darren groaned slightly as he finished reading the note; he really REALLY didn't feel like going anywhere today, but it didn't seem like he had much of a choice. After all, how would they eat? Darren checked the time to see that it was 11:30, giving him time to finish his breakfast and take a shower, getting ready to poof himself to the grocery store, giving that he was sure his car had been confiscated by a towing company.

After he had gotten ready, Darren took his wand and teleported himself to the supermarket, flying up to the customer service desk, towards a rather bored looking employee.

"Hey, I've got an order for a Linnie Cosma? Should be ready now.", Darren said. The worker didn't respond, but looked at the screen of order names lazily and then flew towards the back, grabbing several bags and throwing them on the counter, handing them to Darren. "Uhh thanks."

As Darren left the line and parked himself at the corner to re-adjust his arms, he noticed that the environment has gotten colder, and his back seemed to be leaning on something. Turning around, he spotted a 6 pack of Blue Moon Beer, making Darren's mouth drool and almost immediately grab a pack, shoveling it between all the grocery bags Linnie was having him carry.

Wait….Linnie would kill him if he ever saw that Darren was keeping beer in the house. He knew how much Linnie disapproved of alcoholic beverages ever since they had all lived with Nora. But then again, Darren was going to use his own money….he did what Linnie had asked him to do…and Darren was no fool. He could just stick the beer behind the rest of the groceries, or drink them all before Linnie had gotten home. It wasn't like Linnie could see much without his glasses anyways so…ah, what the hell? Darren took the case of beer and paid for it with cash, finally poofing himself back home and loaded the groceries in their proper places, making sure the beer was well-hidden behind the two cartons of Milk and the pitcher of Ice Tea.

"Oh Starla was such a sweetheart today! We had such a good time, didn't we love? Didn't we? Yes we did!", Linnie cooed, pinching the toddler's cheeks as she giggled, making Linnie's heart brighten as he looked at the proud parents, "Oh, she was no trouble. They're never any trouble. Just taking care of these little ones..why, I just think they're my reason for getting out of bed. Not to be dramatic haha."

"Well, aren't you sweet? We're so lucky to have you as her daycare teacher.", Starla's mother had said, smiling alongside her husband, who took their daughter from Linnie, "I'm guessing you have a lot of experience from your own children, Mr Linnie?"

"Oh yes, I've raised three children up to adulthood. All 3 of them are my pride and joy."

"Oh really? Have you thought about another one? You still look so young, and I'm sure that little boy or girl would be so lucky to have you as a father."

"Yes well..haha..", Linnie stuttered, blushing a little bit, though he couldn't help but smile brightly, "As much as I'd love to, I just haven't had the chance. I've just been so busy with other things that I haven't even considered having a fourth."

"Haha well, we're headed off. It's our dinner date this evening and we're trying to make it a family night.", the father said, kissing little Starla on the cheek before the couple left, making Linnie's heart melt. With all the kids gone, Linnie began shut down, picking up all the toys and putting them where they go, making sure all the children had been signed out with the correct date and time, making sure all equipment was sanitized, and turning out all the light before leaving the building for the day, poofing himself towards the sports grill where Delia said she wanted to meet up. Smiling, he took a seat across from her and Dani, who smiled cheerfully back at her.

"Mr Linnie, this place has really good chips.", Dani cheered, snaking on the chips in front of her. Linnie laughed as he took a seat, blushing slightly at Delia.

"How are you, Delia?"

"Fine. Just got out of a long day at work before picking this one up from school.", Delia said, ruffling the 5 year old's hair, "How was your day?"

"Good. Was pretty much like every other day haha. Working."

"Oh really. What do you do for a living, Linnie? I don't remember if I asked you that already or.."

"No no it's ok. I don't mind. I'm a nursery teacher at the Fairy World Academy.", Linnie said, rather proudly, "I've got both my Bachelors and Masters in child development and education, and I'm hoping to work on my doctorate someday."

"Really? What made you quit?"

"I uhm…I ended up getting pregnant after I met this woman uhm…I don't really want to talk about her if that's alright."

"Yea yea sure. I totally get it.", Delia said, sipping on her soda, "I'm a chemist for a company that manufactures toothpaste."

"Wow that's impressive. I don't think I understand a lick of math or science to really appreciate chemistry personally, haha, but it seems like a really interesting job."

"Oh, it is when you blow up the lab and turn your own head into a frog.", Delia laughed, bursted out laughing, making Linnie slightly confused. Delia smiled at Linnie, "I accidentally used way too much magic powder when mixing the chemicals. That spell wouldn't ware off for a week."

"Yeah! Aunty Delia wouldn't stop ribbiting! Ribbit! Ribbit!", Dani ribbited, making Delia blush in embarrassment and Linnie chuckle slightly.

"Well, I gotta say, your niece is absolutely adorable. I just love kids. Does she live with you or.."

"Oh no. She's just visiting while her mommy and daddy are out on a work trip.", Delia said, "Didn't you say you had a son?"

"Yes well, technically I have two sons and one daughter, but they're all my pride and joy.", Linnie smiled, before reminding himself of what that couple at the school had told him. A fourth child? Was he ready? But even if he was, it wasn't like Linnie could just pull a baby out of thin air. It was way too early to ask Delia to "accidentally" forget to use protection, and it wasn't like he knew anyone else like that, but maybe he could adopt? But how would Darren feel about that, and where would he even start? What about baby stuff? Maybe he could use his older children's stuff-

"Linnie, are you there?", Delia asked, snapping her fingers in front of him, earning his attention and a small squeak from the male.

"O-oh dear, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to doze off."

"Linnie, it's fine, don't worry about it. Oh look, our foods here!"

Around 9 that evening, Linnie had finally came home, trying to keep himself awake from his night out. He looked around; Darren was no where to be found in the living room or kitchen, and his bedroom light was turned off. Linnie shrugged, assuming that his son had gone off to bed early that evening. Ready to hit the way himself, Linnie took off his velvet, green coat and hung it up in the closet, before floating towards the kitchen, grabbing a glass and setting it on the counter next to the refrigerator. Opening it, Linnie grabbed one of the milk cartons resting on the top shelf and unscrewed the lid, pouring some into the glass before reaching to put the milk back, pausing suddenly.

Right in front of his face was a half-drunk 6 pack of Blue Moon beer staring right at Linnie's fact mockingly. Linnie felt his body shake as he set the milk carton down and tried to gather his feelings, trying to keep himself from making a scene. All his memories of his previous relationship seemed to flow back in and stab Linnie in the heart multiple times, replaying all the crashes and stains numerous alcohol bottles had caused to the walls, and all the times he was threatened if he didn't go to the liquor store for his wife. Unable to steady himself, Linnie took a seat at the kitchen table, ignoring his glass of milk melting near the refrigerator. Where did that beer come from? He didn't buy it. He never bought it for himself. Wait…

"Darren Cosma, get in here right now!", Linnie said, raising his voice for once in his life.