A/N

Ok first I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read this story, and those who followed, reviewed or favorited. Thank you all it means a lot.

Second the guest reviewer who asked me why Toby would take Spencer's last name, it's because I see Toby as someone who never had much of a family since his mother died and he likes the traditional cliché idea of family with the small town, big house and one last name. As for why Spencer wants to keep her name instead of being Spencer Cavanaugh I'm hoping to explain it through the events of the story maybe through a flashback or something, but basically is because she established herself as Spencer Hastings and being a Hastings sort of shaped her identity, so it didn't feel right for her to change it.

The last thing I want to clarify is that both Damien and Liam (Aria and Ezra's kids) are adopted but they're not biological brothers.

(Lily's POV)

*texting*

Lily: where are you guys?

Lily: ?

Grace: why are you asking?

Lily: because aunt Aria is calling mom asking her if you guys are here and mom is gonna kick your ass and ground you forever if you don't appear soon

Grace: Shit ok tell mom that we were at the pizza place we'll come home now

Lily: ok but where are you actually

Grace: at the bar that has the arcade

Lily: ok I'll cover for you but come here or go to damien's or something now before mom and aunt Aria send out a search party

Grace: we're on our way

*end of texting*

30 minutes later

I was woken up by the sound of mama down stairs yelling at grace and asking her where she was.

I headed down stairs and asked, "what's going on?"

(NO POV)

"STAY OUT OF IT LILY" yelled Emily at her other daughter she then turned to Grace and said in a calmer voice "tell me where you were because you weren't at the pizza place; Ezra was there, and he never saw you guys"

"Mom stop it's my fault" Lily said, she looked like she was on the verge of crying

"what are you talking about" asked Emily as Ali emerged from the kitchen.

"We were having the nature vs. nurture debate in class and I said something insensitive that kind of triggered Damien because of his biological dad and stuff so Grace was making sure he was ok since he went AWOL after school and wouldn't answer my calls"

Alison and Emily were shocked, and both yelled "WHATT"

Lily started to cry and said "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it"

Ali rushed over and hugged her "no sweetie we know you didn't mean it. It's just how does Damien know about his father Aria and Ezra never told him"

Lily felt so bad, she was a crying mess, so Grace answered for her "he did a background check online on himself and then on his biological parents"

"why would he do that" Emily asked as her heart broke for Damien who had to carry the weight of something no one his age should.

Lily now a little more composed said with her voice shaking "he wanted answers, and no one was giving him any"

Ali finally recovering from the shock of this information said "ok Lily we need to talk, Grace go check up on Damien and see if he needs anything, and Emily would you call Aria and tell her to meet us tomorrow for lunch"

Lily yelled "NO" while Grace said "don't tell her please"

Ali turned to them she understood why the girls didn't want her to call Aria because it meant that they brook Damien's trust, but she knew that Aria needed to know, and that Damien needed Aria's support now more than ever.

"I'm sorry guys but I have to tell her Damien needs her and she needs to know as well, and I promise you that he won't get mad at you"

This got to Lily as she thought to herself well he hates me already. She felt a new wave of tears coming but she tried to keep her tears at bay for now. Grace noticed this and discreetly pat her back.

Ali hugged Lily and whispered "it's going to be ok, whatever it is that happened between you guys Damien loves you and will forgive you, just give him sometime"

She grabbed her hands and led her out to the front porch, she hoped the fresh air would do her daughter some good.

"Ok tell me what happened"

"we were discussing if people are more influenced by their nature or nurture, and most people were saying nature anyway, but Chris was saying that he thinks nurture has a bigger effect on people, so I raised my hands and said that I think that it's a mix of both"

"Ok but why would that trigger him it's fine"

Lily drew in a deep breath trying to compose herself then said "it's the way I said it, I said that thinking that it's just nature is highly optimistic and that genetics do have an effect on our natural tendencies and determines what we're more prone to, and that we should recognize our natural faults instead of deny them so we can manage our behavior better and be the best version of ourselves"

"Ok sweetie I get what this might have sounded to him but it's not your fault what you said wasn't mean or hurtful, he is just dealing with something horrible, so he is a little more sensitive than usual, I actually agree with your take on the subject."

Lily managed a weak but genuine smile she loved it when her mom agreed with her as she was one of the smartest people she knew.

She then said "Thank you mom, I'll just figure it out"

Ali sighed and kissed her temple softly she hated seeing her daughter torn up like that, but she knew that she won't get better till this whole thing is sorted out.

"ok sweetie but if you need to talk about it or anything else I'm here and Emily is too; I won't push it but don't shut us out"

Lily just said "ok" and went back upstairs

Ali took a little comfort in the fact that she went to Grace's room, it meant that Lily will not deal with this alone, she had Ali's horrible instinct to shut people out when things got tough which worried Ali.

*inside Grace's room*

Grace looked up from her phone when she heard her sister come in she looked like she was miles away, so Grace softly said "Hey"

This seemed to snap her back into reality she asked with concern evident in her voice "How is he?"

"Not great but he is ok; he is dealing"

"did he say anything about me"

"he said that he agreed with what you said, which is why he couldn't face you and asked me to tell you that he is sorry"

"WHAT, why is he sorry he didn't do anything wrong" Lily's voice was cracking as she said with so much disbelief.

"Lily, trust me you didn't do anything wrong it's just a hard topic for him and you know he values your opinion, so it got to him, but he isn't mad at you"

"I need to talk to him" exclaimed Lily as she was rushing to the door

"No, just leave him now and talk to him tomorrow when you see him, it will be better in person"

This made sense, so Lily just said "ok" but she still got out her phone and sent him a text

Lily: I'm sorry, can we please talk tomorrow before school I know you have study hall for first period

Damien: OK

A/N

So next chapter Aria and Damien are going to have a talk and you'll find out what's the deal with his biological dad. You can send me your guesses if you want.

Tell me what you guys think of the story so far and if you need clarification about anything reviews are always appreciated.