AN: Chapter 20 is here let me know what you think. I'm really glad I'm on track with Chapters, hopefully they are liked by everyone. Christmas is coming and I'm stoked to have been able to catch up. I do not own TDI, Characters or Lyrics.

Chapter 20

Courtney's POV

Her Apartment

7:00pm

I am so relieved that the big exams are done the semester is just about done only 2 more weeks and then it's winter break. Today I got some good news from one of my professors telling me that I was nominated for a scholarship enough to cover 2 years which was enough to do full semesters and for me to finish get my law degree sooner. Taking more classes would be amazing but also meaning I'd have to ask more help from Melinda with Serenity I know Duncan would help too, I just hope it doesn't make me selfish to want to focus a bit more on school.

I'll admit Duncan helping me has made a huge difference and I don't know what things would of been like if we hadn't seen each other again after all this time.

Exhaling heavily I focus what I was currently doing which was washing dishes, Serenity requested spaghetti for dinner and I couldn't agree more with it since I can't recall the last time I myself had it. She especially enjoyed the parmesan cheese that was added. Just then I start hearing humming from the around the corner I see Serenity walking to the living room in her pyjamas since bedtime was soon.

Which reminds me today her teacher said that she's been humming a certain tune. Zoe explained that it wasn't a big issue in fact it was cute but that when talking to the class everyone would look at her instead of paying attention, when she talked to Serenity about it the answer she received was " it's a secret " she thought I should know about it and maybe see if I could see what it was.

Finishing the last few dishes I dry my hands with a drying cloth before going to the living room to see Serenity playing with toys and Duncan Deer beside her which reminds me I should ask him about if he knows something. Picking up my phone from the counter I dial Duncan's number, he normally picks up right away...

Duncan: Good evening * sounding flirty *

Unable to resist I light laugh at his voice

Me: Good evening, hey are you busy by chance?

Duncan: Actually myself and the guys are just leaving the shop now, why do you ask?

Me: Are you available? * sounding nervous * If you got something planned then we can talk another day

Duncan: I was just gonna grab something to eat before heading home but I can come by

I was just about to say something when I hear something from the background " YEAH DUNCAN!!!!! " cheers someone making my eyes open along with some howling only to make my head shake. " Would you guys shut up " said Duncan clearly embarrassed " just get out of here " he adds this time I couldn't help but laugh...

Duncan: * clears throat * as I was saying I can come by, is everything okay though?

Me: Yes, everything is fine its just something that Serenity's teacher brought up with me today and I wanted to ask if you knew anything

Duncan: Alright, I'll be over in a few minutes then

Me: great if your hungry I have dinner made already

Duncan: Thank you babe, I'll take you up on that offer I've honestly missed your cooking

Me: I'm glad you like it, I'll warm it up for you when you arrive * blushing * so that way its hot

Duncan: See you soon babe

After we hung up I smile and blush. " Mommy your happy " said Serenity looking at me " I am honey daddy is gonna come by " I explain walking over to the couch " yay daddy is coming " she exclaims happily standing up from the floor " also sweetie I need to talk to you about something your teacher told me about " I said giving her a look.

Serenity looked nervous hearing me mention her teacher " am I in trouble? " she asks hiding her hands behind her back " no your not she said that you hum in class " I answer smiling " what's humming? " Serenity asks standing in front of me " its when you go like this " I say before demonstrating what humming is " she says that your doing that a lot in class especially when talking and I just heard you a moment ago " I explained running my hand through her hair.

" Uh oh " says Serenity pressing her lips together then looks away " I just wanna know where you learned that you never use to do it before " I asked curiously lighting holding her chin then turning her head so that she looks at me " its a secret mommy I promise daddy not to tell " she answers holding my hand, " oh I see but for now on when your teacher is talking to the class you need to listen okay " I explain in hopes she understands " yes mommy " says Serenity smiling.


20 minutes later

" Okay we're done brushing our teeth " I said checking to see Serenity brushed her teeth properly...

* buzz * * buzz *

" Daddy is here!!!! " cheers Serenity coming down from her little step to go run to the door, I can't help but smile at her reaction whenever Duncan comes over. She clearly loves her dad.

Looking at my reflection I fix myself a little and close my robe, I definitely didn't want to show Duncan my sleeping attire. Walking to the door I press the speaker, " hello? " I ask holding the button " its me " answers Duncan before letting him inside the building.

" Okay when daddy arrives its a quick hi and then bed time " I explain to Serenity who suddenly gets less excited " aw but I wanted daddy to play with me " she pouts looking sad " I know but its bedtime soon and you have school tomorrow young lady " I said crouching down in front of her...

* knock * * knock *

Standing up I unlock the door to see Duncan smiling " hello " he greets winking at me " hello I'm sorry to call you late " I said opening the door so that he enters " no worries " says Duncan walking into the apartment then saw Serenity standing behind me " hey there's my girl and why does she look sad? " he asks picking her up.

" Mommy says I have to go to bed but I wanna play with you daddy " explains Serenity while I close and lock the door " I see but mommy is right you do have to go to bed " answered Duncan looking back at me " because you need to sleep so you can be ready for tomorrow " he adds which is surprising me not hear him say " but why don't you go pick a book and I'll read it to you " he says smiling while putting Serenity down" yay story time " she says running to go find a book.

Walking up to Duncan I put a hand on his back " I'm truly impressed by what you just did " I complimented him " yeah well I gotta follow what you say and compromise on somethings " he answers turning to meet my eyes " thank you I'll heat up some food for you while you go read her a story " I replied before going to the kitchen while he went to Serenity's room...

8:00pm

After Duncan read a story along with checking for monsters under the bed which has been a part of our bedtime routine for awhile Serenity was asleep, followed by Duncan enjoying a warm plate of spaghetti...

We were sitting at the dining table while he ate" damn babe this is really good " said Duncan before taking another bite " thank you I'm glad you like it " I answer resting my head in my palm " so I asked you to come over because of something Zoe told me " I add getting Duncan's as he finished the last bite. Putting the fork on the plate then wiping his mouth with a napkin " is it serious? " he asks resting his arms on the table " it's not but it's causing the other kids to not pay attention when she's talking " I explained.

" Okay what is it? " Duncan asks raising an eyebrow " Serenity has been humming and when I asked she said its a secret of yours " I said smiling at Duncan mischievously " so what's going on " I add looking at him tilting my head to the side...


Duncan's POV

Laughing and Grunting at the same time along with leaning my head back " oh man my kid can't keep a secret " I sighed looking back at Courtney waiting to hear my explanation " no she can't " laughs Courtney smiling at me " I can't get out of this I guess " I answer sliding a hand through my hair " remember when you asked if I could take Serenity for the weekend the first time " ...

* Flash Back *

2 Weeks Ago

11:00pm

I was sleeping on the couch it had been a long day I had Serenity for the weekend. Courtney needed to prepare for her final exams before the semester ended and she wanted to get through memorizing all her materials but in all honesty I already knew she will ace everything with flying colours. But I get it she wants to be prepared. I couldn't be more proud of her unlike her shitty parents...

" Daddy "

I stir in my sleep hearing Serenity calling me she sounded wide awake how could she be like this after today we went to the park, visited my mom and dad along with mom insisting we stay for lunch, we went to the movies for yet another kid friendly movie and we stopped to get a few things at the grocery store since I didn't have her favourite cereal.

" Daddy "

Opening my eyes I finally sit up while holding onto the couch to keep me sitting straight, looking towards my room I sigh and stand up. I wore a pair of blue sweat pants and a black muscle shirt. Walking to my room I push the door open and see Serenity sitting up in the middle of the bed hugging her deer tight in the middle of my bed " hey what's wrong? " I asked going over to the bed " I can't sleep daddy " she answers looking at me " it's late honey you should of been awhile ago " I explain sitting on the bed " can you sleep here too? " she pleads " it's scary here " looking around bedroom which I had to admit was kinda darker then her own room would be...

Exhaling heavily I lift my feet from the ground, " scoot over a little " I sigh laying back on a pillow this is better then the couch " okay go to sleep now " I yawn already feeling sleep take over " I'll try " responds Serenity cuddling up to me and for a moment she was starting to sleep but I was wrong " daddy " she says again sitting up.

I'm never going to sleep!!!!

Turning my head to look at her I ask " what's wrong Serenity you need to go to sleep " I must of sound like I was begging " is mommy okay alone? " she asks which unfortunately made the sleep go away along with me sitting up " is that it your worried for mommy? " I ask scooping her up in my arms as she nods " mommy is okay honey if there's something you should know she's a tough lady " I explain moving Serenity's hair back " really mommy is tough " she says smiling " yeah she is also smart, funny and very pretty " I said thinking of all of Courtney's great qualities which I found attractive about her.

" Did you miss mommy a lot when you went away? " asks Serenity hearing that question caught me off guard and surprised me, maybe she got being straightforward from me damn my kid was something...

" Everyday all I ever thought of was her and how I missed her " I explain turning on my side so that I use left arm to rest my head on " how did you remember mommy? " she asks getting closer to me " I use to write her letter and...I can't say what the other thing was " I answered getting that feeling of discomfort about showing my soft side even to my own daughter, " please tell me " Serenity begged holding her hands together in hopes I tell her.

How could she be this adorable especially with having me as her dad. I may regret this but it's only my 3 year old there's no way she would tell " okay but it's a secret so no telling anyone " I said looking into the eyes that she inherited from me " okay daddy's secret " she whispers smiling at me.

Nodding my head I close my eyes for a second before speaking " I use to listen to a song that reminded me of how much I love and missed mommy " I confess gazing down at the mattress " it was all I could do til I could see her again " I added as memories of being in jail started to fill my head.

Feeling a small hand on my forehead I look seeing Serenity trying to comfort me " was it a pretty song? " she asks smiling " its a bit pretty but sad " I answer sitting up once again " can you sing it please "...

Serenity lies down hugging her deer gazing at me as if waiting for me to start singing, she was definitely wanting to know. " Okay but afterwards go to sleep " I answer covering her with the blanket followed by getting a nod as an answer...

Resting on my side again keeping a hand on Serenity's shoulder, closing my eyes I take a deep breath...

" A hundred days have made me older

Since the last time that I saw your pretty face "

Singing the first set of lyrics made memories of when I last saw Courtney before I got sent to jail

" A thousand lies have made me colder

And I don't think I can look at this the same "

The night of when I got arrested came to mind along with regretting ever to have gone out that night

" But all the miles that separate

Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face "

The day of my sentencing and going to jail was a nightmare...

" I'm here without you, baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you, baby "

All I had in playing in my mind repeatedly was Courtney, her smile, the sound of her voice, the scent of her perfume but more important the look of comfort she would give me whenever we would talk about my life...

" And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you, baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight, it's only you and me ( yeah )"

Every night in my cell every dream I had was being back with Courtney and how I wanted to hold her in my arms again...

" The miles just keep rolling

As the people leave their way to say hello

I've heard this life is overrated

But I hope that it gets better as we go

Oh yeah, yeah "

I wrote letters to Courtney every week, it was always asking how she was, hoping she wrote back, if she got into Harvard and I'd include a little of how things were going in jail...

" I'm here without you, baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you, baby

And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you, baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight, girl, it's only you and me ( yeah )"

There was a point where I was feeling hopeless and that I was wasting time writing to her and that I should face facts that she no longer wanted anything to do with me...

" Everything I know, and anywhere I go

It gets hard, but it won't take away my love

And when the last one falls

When it's all said and done

It gets hard, but it won't take away my love "

I didn't want to give up even if someway or somehow once I got out of jail I could find her no matter where she was I would go look for her even if it meant going to her parents...

" Whoa, oh, oh "

Being away was the worst 4 years of my life but again my hope was still keeping me going...

" I'm here without you, baby

But you're still on my lonely mind

I think about you, baby

And I dream about you all the time "

In a letter that I had sent out I remember writing at the end this verse to let her know she's all I had in my mind...

" I'm here without you, baby

But you're still with me in my dreams

And tonight, girl, it's only you and me "

Once I was out of jail I wanted to go find Courtney and beg her for forgiveness...

" Yeah

Oh, yeah "

Finishing the last lyrics of the song I opened my eyes and smiled seeing Serenity was asleep, she was even snoring very quietly. I kissed her forehead before I finally went back to sleep...

* End Of Flashback *


" Even last weekend she asked me to sing it for her " I say staring at the empty plate in front of me" I didn't think she would remember it let alone be humming it " I laugh only picturing how she's been at school.

Looking up to see Courtney she currently had tears in her eyes " the more you tell me about how you thought of me while you were away gets me emotional " she says standing up from her seat I do the same standing close behind her " I needed motivation to stay strong and show I was not you did that for me " I explain placing my hands on her shoulders " but what I missed most was touching you " whispering into her ear moving one hand down her side making her gasp in pleasure while my other hand went down her chest into her closed robe.

" D-Duncan " Stutters Courtney meeting my eyes with a lustful gaze " do you want me to stop? " I asked but her answer was turning to face me and kissing me hard which I gladly returned. Picking her up by her waist once lifted her legs are around my waist " I never want you to stop " breathed Courtney pressing herself against me " good cause I don't intend to " I answered walking towards her room...

AN: I'm probably going to be hated for stopping here but a bit of anticipation never hurt.