Clare answered the phone with wild eyes, putting it on speaker. "Beth, what's wrong? Why are you calling so late, is it bad news?" I grabbed Clare's hand, trying to keep her calm.

"No actually, well it's not good news, but it isn't terrible. There was a mix up in the lab, all the blood work done that day has been compromised. You're going to have to schedule another appointment, I'm so sorry. I know that it's important to have the results as soon as possible."

Clare took a sigh of relief, "That's fine Beth, I'm sorry for being so frantic, I just got scared because you called late, and on your personal phone. I'll make an appointment first thing tomorrow."

"Don't be sorry Clare, this is a serious thing. I'm sorry if I scared you, I'll see you at the appointment, try to stay calm my friend. Think positive, goodbye." Clare hung up the phone, slowly setting it down on the counter.

I closed my eyes, and pulled her into my arms. "I hate that you have to go through this Clare. I love you."

Clare tightened her arms around me, "I just want to focus on this, right here. You're the only thing that keeps me from falling apart."

I pulled away, but kept Clare's hand in mine. "Let's go to bed, ok? You need rest." Clare weakly nodded, and I walked her back to our room. She didn't say anything as she gathered her clothes to take a shower. She closed the door, and I heard the water turn on. I changed out of my clothes, and into my boxers, deciding to take a shower in the morning. I slipped into the left side of the bed, my side, and pulled the covers over me. I grabbed the photo that sat on the night stand of Clare, Adam, and me. Clare had been forcing us to take so many pictures together in the last few days, putting them up everywhere, and it now made sense. She's been scared this whole time, silently suffering, all alone. I ran my thumb over the picture, and my heart started to race. Thinking about losing Clare literally scared me to death, and I couldn't control the tears that began to shed. The bathroom door opened and I sat up, setting the picture back in its place, and wiping my eyes. "Clare, how was your shower?"

Clare tilted her head looking at me sympathetically, "Eli, you're crying." She walked around to her side of the bed and climbed in next to me. She put her head down on her pillow opening her arms wide, "Come here."

I put my head on her chest, and she held me closer, as I let me tears freely fall. "It isn't fair that someone like you has to suffer through the things you do. It's not fair."

Clare's voice came out low, and wobbly. "I don't want you to worry about me, I want you to enjoy this beautiful life that we're sharing Eli."

I responded, trying to keep my voice steady enough for her to understand. "I'm more worried about myself, what would I do without you? That's all that has been running through my mind, and the only thing that's come to my mind it Dying. Because I would Clare, I swear I would die if I lost you. I know I should be strong for you, but I can't lie to you. I wouldn't make it."

I could feel Clare's hands start to shake as she played with my hair, "Eli you were right before, we don't know what's going on with me, so we should just wait for the results. I'll say this though, you wouldn't die, because I know that your instincts would be to take care of our boy. You're a good dad, and you'd live, for him."

I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of her heartbeat as I began to drift into sleep. Before I completely fell into slumber I whispered, "I love you Clare Diana Edwards."

"DAD!" I felt little hands pulling at my hair, and I quickly sat up.

"Adam, what's going on? Are you ok? Where's mom?"

Adam smiled wide, "She went to the store to pick up da food!"

I rubbed my eyes, "Food? For what?"

Adam hit my forehead with the palm of his hand, "The dinner with Ziggy daddy. Duh."

I looked to the night stand, it was 5:00 in the afternoon. "Adam why did you guys let me sleep so late. Buddy I wanted to take you to the park, and have a father son day."

Adam crawled to me, sitting himself on my lap. "I'm sorry daddy, mom said you were tired and to let you sleep. Are you mad at me?"

I laughed, "Of course not, we'll just have to have our father son day tomorrow. Are you excited for dinner buddy?" I gave no indication that I was dreading the dinner, but I was. I loathed the thought of sitting across from Zig, while he tried to get quality Time in with Adam.

"Yup. Mom said to tell you ta get ready, that da Goldsworthy men is nots slobs, and ta comb your hair."

I got up from the bed, taking Adam to the the restroom. "Son your mother is right, we are studs. So the first thing you need to do is take a bath." Adam made a disgusted face as he stuck his tongue out. I bathed him, then dressed him into some of his new clothes. He picked out a grey and back long sleeve striped shirt, and some of his black pants. I gave him his converse, before he could even think of putting on his sandals, my son wouldn't wear sandals ever. I took a shower while he watched cartoons on my bed, I came out in my black pants, converse, and slip knot t-shirt.

Adam look up at me, examining me up and down. "Dad pick me up." He reached his arms out, and picked him up into my arms."

"What's wrong buddy?"

Adam smiled putting his hand on my cheek. "You is very handsome dad, you know why?"

I raised an eye brow, "Do tell me son."

Adam raised the same eye brow I had raised, causing me to struggle to hold in a giggle. "Cause you look just like me. A pead in a pot."

Adam winked and I let the laugh escape my lips, "Son it's pea in a pod, and you look like me, not the other way around."

Adam tilted his head confused, as Clare opened the door with an annoyed look on her face. "What's taking you guys so long, I cooked a whole meal, you two have to be ready by now. Zig should be here any minute."

I set Adam down, "Us Goldsworthy men care about our appearance Clare, perfection takes time." Clare rolled her eyes. "Ok, ok, we're done Ms. Bossy pants."

Adam and I sat down at the table while Clare put spaghetti on all of the plates, and poured tea into our drinks. A knock rang through the house and Adam ran to the door. Clare and I followed behind him, and Adam opened the door.

"Ziggy!" Adam hugged Zig's leg all the way to the table, and I had to pinch myself to keep from losing it.

We all sat down, and After a few minutes of silence Clare decided to speak. "So Adam, it's good to see Zig right honey?"

Adam nodded, "Yup." He looked at Zig, tilting his head. "Why did ya go away? Are you gonna stay wit us?"

Zig put his fork down, and looked to Clare. "May I explain to him?" Clare looked to me, and then I looked to Zig nodding in approval.

"Well, Adam no. I won't be staying here with you guys, but I promise you I'll be around. I'm always going to be here when you need to talk or if you just miss me. I'm sorry I was gone for a little while, but mommy needed to find your-" Zig paused having trouble saying the word. "Dad."

Adam looked down at his plate with sad eyes, and it tore me apart. "So, mommy is my mommy, and daddy is my daddy...so what are you now Ziggy?"

Zig looked between me and Clare, not having an answer for this one, so I intervened. "He's Uncle Zig Adam. Nothing's changing buddy, he's just going to live in a different house, but you can see him whenever you want."

Clare smiled, "And I bet when he comes to visit he'll even bring presents if your lucky."

Zig interrupted, "Especially, when you come to stay with me bud."

Adam through his hands over his head, "Wow we getta still have sleepovers!"

Clare set her glass of tea down on the table rather hard, causing everyone to stare at her. "Adam I don't know that, that's going to happen son. Zig is very busy these days, but next weekend we can set something up, but Zig has to go home now. So go say goodbye."

Adams face fell again and he jumped out of his chair to go say his goodbye's. Zig picked him up, and walked over to the couch holding hm. "I'll only be gone for a little while ok Adam, don't worry, I'm going to be around always. I promise you that."

Adam pulled away from Zig and rubbed his eyes, "I'm a little sad Ziggy, do you still lub me? Is it cause I got a daddy now?"

A tear ran down Adams cheek and Zig pulled Adam close to him again. "No. Don't ever think that. Don't ever. I love you. I always will love you. Things are just changing, but it doesn't have to be bad. Ok?"

Adam pulled away and nodded, then he looked to me. "Daddy, can you take me to bed I am tired." I was sad that Adam was sad, but my heart melted knowing he still understood that I was his dad.

"Of course baby, come on."

Adam looked to Zig and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Bye bye Ziggy, I'll see you later and we can play lots of games." Zig nodded and Adam jumped off his lap, and ran over to me.

Clare stood up, with fire in her eyes. "We will be right back, why don't you wait here Zig."

Zig nodded and Clare and I put Adam to bed, not saying a word to each other. Once Adam fell asleep I finally spoke. "Alright, what's up? Tell me why you're mad."

Clare through her hands over her hips, "Adam can't stay at another mans house without a parent with him at this age. I'm just not comfortable with it, it's weird. Especially now."

I kept my face neutral, "Clare I don't like the idea of it either, but I'm leaving the decisions regarding Zig up to you for the most part. I don't want to hurt Adam."

Clare's eyes softened, "You're an amazing man for that Eli, but I want what's best for Adam. Keeping Zig at a distance is what's best, he needs to be more like an uncle, rather than a parent. Adam has to understand what's going on, not be confused by spending nights with mom's ex. Do you get what I'm trying to say, am I being irrational?"

I wrapped my arms around her waist, "I do. You're a good mom, do what you know is best. Zig will have to understand, let's go talk to him."

Clare and I walked back out, sitting ourselves across from Zig on the other couch.

Zig put his hands behind his head, "Alright Clare, say what you have to say. Go ahead."

Clare crossed her legs nervously, "Zig. You can not, I mean can not say things to Adam without knowing if I'm ok with those things.

He can't just stay over at your house. His place is in his home with his parents. I don't want to hurt you, but you aren't a parent to him."

Zig crossed his arms sitting up a little straighter, "Wow, I'm not a parent to him? That's interesting, I'm sure this all coming for you right Eli? You've already brain washed Adam into dressing like you, I'm sure it wasn't hard to brain wash Clare against me."

I silently reminded myself to act calm before speaking, I didn't want to make things worse for Adam. "No Zig, it's not my decision actually, but I don't disagree with Clare. I could see the way Adam lit up when he saw you, we're not trying to take him away, but you have to understand that things are different now."

Zig didn't look fazed by what I said, he still wore an angered expression on his face. "Screw this whole thing honestly, I don't buy that I'm not a parent shit you two are spewing at me. I don't want, nor do I need pity from you guys, but I DO deserve certain things. Why do I deserve these certain things you might ask? Because I raised that kid for the majority of his life, that does in fact make me a parent. No matter how you two try to spin it. I'm not going to settle for these dinners, it isn't enough for me. I want every other weekend's, with him and me, just us. I'm going to take this to court, and I'm going to win." Zig stood up and walked to the door, but still faced our direction, while keeping his eyes on Clare. "You're right Clare, things have changed. He has three parents now, and I think we should all get used to it."

Zig shut the door, leaving us both in shock.

Sorry it took so long for me to update. Let me know what you think guys :)