Hello everybody!

Here's chapter 4 of my sequel. Thanks to everyone who's been reading my story.

Let's see whether the kids can make it happen, shall we?

Nick

Another week later. Lake was freaking out because Tim had shut down completely after the encounter with Layla, Julian and Melody were freaking out because Zeke did not want to go anywhere near Isenna's whatsoever, and Sera and I were freaking out because there was a guy CHASING OUR MOTHER! A guy who started coming into Isenna's everyday because he liked the sight of Iris. She was flattered, however not yet ready to move on from Tobias.

DAMN RIGHT, THAT'S OUR FATHER, NOT JUST SOME GUY!

Savannah believed we could fix this, but unlike our usual fuck ups and make ups with our parents... I was quite sure we could never fix this. If we didn't hurry, Iris was going to fall for this guy, especially because he was nothing like dad. His name was Peter. Peter was honest, and exceptionally kind towards her, something Tobias always struggled with. Not towards mom, but towards every other person. Iris was surprised by all the attention Peter was giving her, and she had no idea what to do. Jenna said she could try going on a first date with him, yet Melody and Sera said she shouldn't if she wasn't over her relationship with Tobias. She still wasn't willing to share anything about her breakup with him, so Sera and I knew we had to get it from Tobias.

He had tried to avoid the Iris subject for as long as possible, but then finally, on a Thursday afternoon, he was ready to talk about it, he knew I wasn't going to let it go. 'FINE!' He called when I was staring at him when we were cleaning up after the final kick boxing class. 'I'll tell you, maybe then you'll stop staring.' I nodded quickly, and put down the boxing gloves I was holding. He walked up to me and sighed as he sat down on one of the chairs next to the door. He patted on the chair next to him, so I sat down.

'It isn't an easy story, Nick,' he warned. I nodded, 'don't worry, I can handle it,' I said. He nodded halfheartedly, already thinking about how to tell me. 'I'm telling you this because I feel like I can trust you,' he said softly, showing his vulnerability for the first time. His eyes were not determined, not happy... They were dull and faint, finally admitting his pain. 'You can, we are friends,' I said, my voice cracking when I said friends. He scraped his throat and looked at his hands.

C'mon dad... you've got this...

Lake

I had been planning something with Savannah the past few days. Jenna had finally caved in after Tim and Layla's weird encounter, and told Melody what had happened between the couple. Apparently, Tobias and Iris' situation had also had a negative effect on Tim and Layla. They were still in love, but they found out they had different opinions on having children. Layla had told Tim that she understood Tobias' reasons for being scared of kids. Tim had told Layla that even though he would be scared, he would still want children... Then Layla told him that she didn't want children. Ever. This shocked me, because my mom was the best mom ever... And I knew I had to change her opinion.

I told Sera and Nick about what had happened between Tim and Layla, and Sera suggested that I'd take Savannah with me. Nobody could resist that little girl, and maybe Layla would decide that children aren't that bad. It would be a matter of time, a long time, but I had to try. Savannah apparently knew exactly what to do. At first she tried to talk Iris and Jenna into telling Tim that Layla should still come to Isenna's because she was also their friend, she had been for many years, and that they couldn't keep fighting because they actually loved each other. Tim had finally agreed after two days of nagging, and Iris invited Layla to come back. She did, and that's where Savannah and I came back into business. Sav always sat with her and told her stories about her mother, and how she loved her mother so much.

Sometimes I joined, talking about general matters and once even how Tim had said that Savannah was such a cute kid. That afternoon was no exception. Layla always visited on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. She walked in, waved at all her friends, smiled bravely at Tim and took a seat. 'Layla!' Savannah called, appearing in the doorway. She ran up to Layla who smiled even bigger. 'Sav!' They hugged happily. I quickly glanced at Tim, who looked like slightly incredulous. 'How are you doing, love?' Layla asked, patting on the chair next to her. 'I'm fine, thank you. How are you? I missed you yesterday,' Savannah said. Layla smiled and softly stroke her hair. 'I'm fine, missed you too Sav.'

Tim's eyes almost popped out of his head.

After a little while of chatting, I decided to pop in. 'Hey Sav,' I said, 'we have to go soon, Nick asked if you could come to see Tobias.' She smiled happily, knowing that I was just making something up... But she was a pretty good actress. 'Okay!' She stood up and smiled at Layla. 'Lake is really nice. His mommy told me that once she was afraid of having children... And Lake wouldn't have been born if it hadn't been for his father!' My mouth fell open, I pretended to be shocked. 'Sav! You cannot just tell that to people!'

Sav's eyes widened. 'But you told that to Sera because she said kids are yucky!' I nodded, 'but I stopped telling people after Sera said I'm still yucky.' Savannah laughed and hugged me. 'I think you're nice, don't listen to Sera.' Layla's cheeks had coloured, but she was smiling. 'That's okay, I have to talk to Tim anyway.' She hugged Savannah, and walked over to Tim. They were about to start talking when I heard Jenna yell. 'Iris!' Savannah and I looked up and saw Tobias and Zeke standing in the doorway, looking flustered as if they had been running.

What the hell?

Nick

'We loved each other very much, and she saved my ass on many occasions, but because of my father and my mother who left me, I kind of struggle with trusting people... And believing in myself. My father was abusive, and my mother couldn't handle it. She left without telling me, no, she faked her death and left me with him. He started abusing me after she'd gone. I never thought someone could actually love me, I mean, how could Iris love me if even my own parents didn't love me? But she did, and I failed her,' he started.

At some points, his voice was cracking and the breaths he drew in were shaky. 'Why did you fail her?' I asked, feeling terrible to see my father like that. 'After four and a half years of being together, she found out that she was pregnant. She was scared, but I was terrified. I was horrified of becoming like my father, I would never want to do that to her or my children... And I freaked out,' he admitted.

He bit his lip to keep himself from crying in front of me. 'She tried everything to assure me from not becoming like my father, but I freaked out more and more every time she addressed it, which scared her as well. She really wanted to keep the child, more than anything. Finally, I couldn't handle it anymore when she was about six months in. I left for a week, spending time on the road, trying to gather my thoughts. I realised I loved her so much, I loved her and didn't hurt her, then why would I hurt my children? My father never loved my mother like I love Iris, I realised I wasn't like him at all... So when I'd gathered my thought, I came back to an empty home. She'd moved out, and I was too late to tell her that I wanted to be there for her. In the mean time, Zeke and Jenna got into a fight because of me. Zeke was defending me, telling Jenna and Iris he understood my reasons. Jenna freaked out about that and defended Iris. Iris and I told them to stay out of it, afraid of them breaking up. They did, but we knew that it was already too late. The fight had gotten the better of them. I tried to be there for Iris, but she didn't want to get hurt again. When she finally let me into her life again, two weeks before her due date, we found out she was having twins. I was somewhat more scared, yet this time because of the responsibilities of two babies. She was still slightly unsure whether she could rely on me, and I tried to assure her she could... But then the worst thing possible happened,' he said, breaking down at the end.

Tears fell from his eyes. 'She started bleeding one night... And she had a miscarriage,' he cried, covering his doused eyes with his hands. 'Both our babies were gone, and I tried to be there for her, but she didn't want to see me, because I reminded her too much of her pain. Iris moved in with Jenna and Zeke moved in with me because they broke up too,' he cried.

Holy hell, HOLY FUCKING HELL!

I hadn't realised I'd started crying too, so I wrapped an arm around Tobias' shoulders, trying to support him. 'I'm so sorry,' I said, knowing it was my fault to begin with... This was all my fault. Tobias shook his head and tried to swallow his tears. 'It's all my fault,' he said, his voice a mixture between pain and anger. 'I should've... I should've been there from the start.' I shook my head, not knowing what to say. 'I'm sorry I made you tell me, Tobias. This must have been extremely hard on the both of you, and it's probably still very hard. You have no idea how much I feel for you and Iris, but...' I started, then looked at my broken father. 'If you still love her, you should not give up on her.' He wiped his eyes and frowned. 'She would never take me back, even if I had anything to give her, Nick,' he said, confused. I shook my head. 'The only thing she needs is YOU, and for you to be there for her,' I explained.

His eyebrows shot up. 'How would you know that?' I smiled. 'Iris is just like Sera, and Melody for that matter. I know their kind.' Tobias smiled halfheartedly. 'So you're saying I should gradually try and work my way back into her life?' I shook my head quickly. 'I'm saying you should work hard and run back over there. There's a guy trying to hit on her.' His eyes widened, and I saw sparks of fear and anger. 'What?' 'His name is Peter, he likes her and he's trying to get her to go out with him. She's told him that she cannot go out with him yet, because she isn't over you, but that won't last forever, Tobias,' I explained.

All colour drained from his face. 'Take Zeke, and go back to Isenna's. Go get them back,' I said, looking at him. He nodded, his face regaining the usual determined sparkle. 'Thanks for the talk, Nick. Or well, the listening. You're right, I have to get her back before it's too late,' he said, jumped up and ran over to the door. I stood up to continue cleaning up when he stopped dead in his tracks. 'NICK?! LET'S GO!' I ran over to him, surprised. 'Oh, you want me to go with you?' He smiled, his eyes light blue. 'I have some conquering to do, might work better with a cheer squad behind me, because then she may feel sorry for me.' I laughed and nodded. 'I'll work for ya, buddy.' Tobias laughed, and ran away, calling Zeke's name. Holy shit... I did it!

Sera

DAMN IT! Not only did Iris agree to go on that first date with Peter, but he also wanted to bring a friend for Jenna! Melody and I were trying to call Julian and Nick, with no success. What was taking them so long? Finally, five minutes before Iris was supposed to go out with Peter, Nick called back. 'SERA!' He yelled, and I heard that he was running. 'Nick? What are you doing?' I asked surprised. 'Well, at the moment we're running towards Isenna's,' He said happily. 'Tobias and Zeke are on their way to get Iris and Jenna back!' My mouth fell open. 'WHAT!' Melody stared at me, mouthing what was happening, and pressed her cheek against mine to hear what Nick was saying. 'We're on our way!' Nick said, and was about to hang up. 'WELL HURRY!' I said quickly, 'Iris is about to leave with that Peter guy!'

'TOBIAS!' Nick called, and I heard Tobias call back. 'IRIS IS ABOUT TO LEAVE WITH PETER!' 'NOT IF I CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT!' Tobias called, and Melody and I cheered. 'See you soon,' Nick yelled, and hung up. Melody and I exulted. Iris walked up to us with her coat in her hand. 'Girls, I'm leaving!' We were quiet immediately, staring at her. 'What?' She laughed. 'You can't go!' Melody said frantically. 'And why can't I?' Iris asked confused. Melody stared at me. 'Err, we have to talk to you about,' I started, but then I heard Jenna yell Iris' name.

I looked up and saw Tobias and Zeke standing in the doorway, who were looking at Iris and Jenna. Tobias was still wearing his workout clothes, his hair was messy and his eyes were exceptionally blue... Which happened to be mom's favourite look on dad. Iris dropped her coat and stared at him. 'What are you doing here?' She asked softly as she picked up her coat. He walked up to her, ignoring everyone's stares.

'I'm here to tell you that I don't want to do this any longer, Iris. I don't want to stay away from you,' he said, standing close to her. 'We went through something terrible, but that doesn't mean that I can just stop loving you. I never will.' Her eyes widened. 'We haven't spoken to each other in a year, why now, Tobias?' He pointed at Nick. 'I was talking to Nick about us, and he said something smart. He said I shouldn't have given up like that. If you love me like I love you, there is no way you have forgotten about me, and I want a second chance, Iris,' he said, taking her hands in his. 'Bad luck, man. She's going out with me tonight,' we heard Peter say from the doorway, holding up his coat.

Tobias looked at him, then back at Iris. 'Is that what you want?' Iris raised her eyebrows. 'Seriously, Tobias? You come in here after a year, wanting a second chance and I'm supposed to make up my mind in one second?' He frowned, 'what was I supposed to do? Wait until you're married with that douchebag and tell you then?' She looked shocked, 'I wish you would've told me sooner than this! I mean... God damn it Tobias! I've waited for a year, and of course I love you, I always will... But I don't want to be hurt like that ever again.' Her eyes teared up, 'how would I know that you won't run from me again?' His eyes teared up too by seeing her like that. 'You don't. I was scared for becoming like my father, but I came back knowing that I could never hurt you or our children, and that I would never stop loving you and fight for you. I thought you really wanted me gone, so I stayed away from you... But I can't, I really can't.' He paused. 'I can't show you the future to tell you I will never run from you again, it's something you have to trust me with.'

I was staring at her with widened eyes. PLEASE IRIS! She looked down, a few tears rolling down her cheek. 'I have to go, Peter's waiting for me.' Tobias looked hurt, almost as hurt as during the fight Sera and I had with them... 'No he's not,' Zeke said from the door. He glared at Peter, clenched his hand into a fist and knocked down Peter. 'What the hell, Zeke!' Jenna called, and her mouth fell open. Iris looked shocked and Tobias smiled slightly. 'Sorry Iris, but there's one person you are meant to be with, and he's standing in front of you. Jenna, I'm here for the same reason as Tobias. Please talk to me?' Zeke asked, as he looked at Jenna. Jenna folded her arms and looked angry. 'Well, I'm looking forward to what you could possibly have to say.'

Melody walked over to Julian and Nick walked over to me. He looked at me with a nervous look on our faces as we turned towards Iris and Tobias again. 'I can't believe Zeke did that,' Iris said, then looked into Tobias' eyes with a slight smile. 'But I'm glad, I actually thought he was a jerk.' Tobias laughed and held her hands again. 'Would you PLEASE give me another chance?' She looked at him, clearly happy about him being there, yet her eyes looked like she was scared as well.

'I would,' she said, looking into his eyes. Nick and I smiled at each other happily, and I grabbed his hand. 'We're almost there, Nick!' He nodded quickly and looked at our parents again. Tobias also looked happy, causing Iris to giggle. 'I would, but you have to give me a little more time. I need to get rid of that stomach feeling like I'm going to lose you again,' she said. Tobias' face grew full of regret. He knew he'd really hurt her. 'I will do everything to assure you that you will never lose me again. I'm the luckiest man because you even consider coming back to me.'

Her cheeks reddened, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. 'Please do,' she said. They rested their foreheads against the other for a few seconds. Breathing in the others presence, or that's how I'd always imagined it, because my parents always did that when they had been away from each other for a while. Tobias nodded. 'I'm here to stay, Shorty.' Nick smiled at me, 'he even mocks her height in an alternate universe.' I chuckled. I looked to my right and saw Julian and Melody raising their thumbs at us. Jenna and Zeke were talking calmly, smiling as they did. So were Tim and Layla... We were on our way to returning home, we just had to watch it play out.