A/N: This is just a note that I've rewritten the last chapter, so if you may need to read it again. I didn't like the way it was before after going back and rereading it. It just felt too rushed to me. Make sure you reread it if you have to, because I changed a few things and you're going to need to know those things if you want to understand this chapter.

The next morning, Stiles woke up and looked over at Lydia. She was fast asleep, her head lying on Stiles' chest, and she was naked. Everything from the night before came flooding back into Stiles' memory, and he grinned. He was fucking elated. Not only did he have a date with the girl he'd loved since the third grade, but they'd had sex. It didn't really feel like just sex to him, either, but Stiles wasn't going to get his hopes up quite yet. He wasn't sure how Lydia felt about him, but even if this was just a one-time thing for her, Stiles was okay with that. He wanted more, sure, but he wasn't going to get his hopes up for that. After all, Lydia Martin was beautiful and she could have her pick of any guy out there. Why would she pick him?

He heard Kristy stirring in the next room, so Stiles silently got up, pulling on a pair of pajama pants and went to get her. He didn't want to disturb Lydia; she didn't get good sleep very often so he wanted to make sure she got enough rest today. Before he could help it, Stiles slipped into a daydream; his wife, Lydia, sleeping while he tended to their children. How he would be the best thing for her and she'd be the best thing for him. He'd love her like no one else had ever had, and their life could be so normal. Even though Lydia was a banshee, and Kristy was half and half, they could be so normal together, so good. Stiles was already starting to love Kristy like she was his own, and he could easily see himself taking care of her.

He shook his daydream away; he figured Lydia'd never feel that way towards him, so he was going to take what he could get right now. Their date had been amazing, their night had been amazing, but Stiles wasn't sure it was going to ever happen again.

Lifting Kristy out of the crib, he tried to get his thoughts to go away. She cooed at him and he smiled, "Let's get you some breakfast, Squirt," he said fondly to the little girl. Setting her in her high chair, Stiles got her some cereal. He started the coffee pot, knowing that Lydia would want some when she got up, and then set his laptop up at the table so he could keep an eye on Kristy. The last thing he wanted was for the little girl to choke to death while he was taking care of her.

He logged in to Skype; seeing as it was only eight o'clock, Scott wouldn't be at work yet. He noticed that Scott was on (of course he was; Scott had the app and was always logged in in case someone needed him) so Stiles called him.

"Hey," Scott said. He looked tired, and when Stiles told him that, he said, "Yeah. Mel's been having nightmares."

"I'm sorry," Stiles said automatically. "I can call you back if you wanna get some sleep."

"No, man, it's okay," Scott said. "Ally's got Mel in bed with her right now. Ally's gonna take the day off and spend it with Mel. What's up?"

"I had my date with Lydia last night," Stiles said.

Scott nodded, "And…" he prompted.

"It was amazing, Scotty. Everything about it was just fu – I mean, freaking incredible." Damn, he was really going to have to start watching the swearing thing. If Kristy started repeating him, Lydia was going to be livid. "We had dinner and then…well, things happened."

Scott grinned like a lunatic, "You got laid, didn't you?"

Stiles couldn't help the blush that colored his cheeks, "Yeah, and it was better than I'd ever imagined."

Scott laughed, "I'm happy for you, man. I mean, you need some happiness in your life, and God knows that Lydia does, too."

Stiles nodded, but then turned serious, "Hey, dude, have you located him yet? Deucalion?"

Scott shook his head, "He's in town, I know it. I can practically feel it in my bones. But I can't seem to locate him. Derek's been keeping an eye on the perimeter, and taking Isaac and Ethan with him, but there's nothing so far."

"I'm just really worried, dude," Stiles said. "I know he's gonna come. Everything in our history says he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

"I know," Scott said, "but I'm gonna do everything in my power to make sure that both Lydia and Kristy stay safe. Everything's going to be fine, I can promise you that."

-x-

When Lydia woke up, she felt incredible. Not only did she have a great date with Stiles, but they slept together and she really felt loved. For the first time in her life, she felt like somebody actually cared about her, and it was something she was going to cherish.

Not even five minutes after she woke up, Stiles was coming into the bedroom, carrying a tray with some breakfast on it. He looked at her, "Good, you're awake. I was gonna wake you, but then I was gonna feel guilty about doing so. I brought you breakfast."

"I see that," she said. There were scrambled eggs with stuff in them. "What's that?" she asked him.

"I made you a breakfast scramble. It's got eggs, sausage, bacon, green peppers, onions, mushrooms…" his voice trailed off. "Kind of a mish-mash actually, but I figured you'd like it."

She sat up, just now realizing that she was naked. "Hey," she said, "Hand me something to put on, would you?"

"I kind of like you just the way you are," Stiles said with a smirk. Lydia rolled her eyes at him.

After laughing, Stiles reached into his dresser and pulled out one of his T-shirts, "Here, put this on." He threw it in her direction and she slipped it on. He brought her her breakfast and she started to eat it.

"Kristy's been fed and washed," Stiles said, sitting down on the bed beside her. "She's out in the living room right now, watching the Ninja Turtles."

"Thanks, Stiles," Lydia said. "I see you've taken to my daughter, like, a lot."

Stiles laughed, "I have to admit, the squirt has grown on me."

Lydia smiled. She took a bite of her breakfast and moaned, "Holy fuck, Stiles, this is amazing. Almost better than sex."

He made a disappointed look, sticking out his lower lip for emphasis before Lydia laughed, "I said almost. Your sex last night was incredible, Stiles, really."

He grinned at that, and Lydia laughed again, "You look like a loon."

Stiles couldn't help but laugh.

The moment turned serious when Stiles looked at Lydia, "Hey, Lyds?" he asked. She looked at him, still eating.

"What was last night? I mean, is there something between us?"

"I did ask you on a date, didn't I?" Lydia asked.

Stiles nodded, "Sure, but…I don't know. I thought maybe you were just lonely."

"Stiles, look at me," Lydia said, and he did as she asked. "I want you to know that I like you. I like Stiles Stilinski, and it's not just because I'm lonely. You've grown into a great man, Stiles, and I want to date you."

"Really?" he asked.

Lydia nodded, "Yes, definitely."

Stiles smiled, "Thanks, Lyds."

Once Lydia had finished her breakfast, she got in the shower and got cleaned up, and then went out into the living room. Somehow, she wasn't surprised to see Derek sitting on the couch, along with Ethan and Danny.

"What're you guys doing here?" she asked. "I mean, don't you guys ever work?"

Derek shrugged, "Not really," he said. "Stiles has a job, that's why Danny's here. I'm here to stay with you, and I guess Ethan…" his voice trailed off.

"It's my day off," Ethan said. "I thought I'd spend some time with you and my niece."

Lydia shrugged, "Sure, whatever." She went into the kitchen, where Stiles was pouring coffee into a travel mug, and she said, "How come you didn't tell me you had a job to do today?"

Stiles gasped, like he didn't hear her come in, and then turned around, "I didn't get the email until this morning. It's in the next town over, so you don't have to worry about that, I'll be home in a few hours probably. I'm just dealing with pixies, so nothing really dangerous."

It was true; pixies were more annoying than dangerous. They were mischievous little things, but that was about it.

"How come you're not taking Derek?" Lydia asked. "Don't you normally take him?"

Stiles nodded, "Yeah. I usually take Derek and Danny, but Scott wants Derek to stay here with you. He's still really worried about Deucalion."

Lydia rolled her eyes, "Deucalion's not gonna hurt me. He's after Kristy."

"Yes, Lyds, we've covered this," he said, putting a lid on his coffee, "but to get to Kristy, he's going to have to go through you."

Lydia just stopped. She'd never really thought of it that way before.

"I've gotta go. I'm already running late. I'll see you later, 'kay?" Stiles said, giving Lydia a kiss on the cheek. "I'll call you later."

"Sure, Stiles," Lydia said as Stiles yelled to Danny that they needed to leave. Lydia poured herself a cup of coffee while she was in the kitchen and then went out into the living room, where Derek was building a block castle with Kristy. Lydia stood there for a moment, just watching them with a huge smile on her face.

"Don't look at me like that," Derek said, not even looking at Lydia.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Lydia replied, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I can practically smell the emotions coming off of you right now, Lydia," Derek said, this time taking the time to look up at Lydia, who was still grinning.

"I'm just happy," Lydia replied honestly. "I'm actually pretty ecstatic that the pack has taken to Kristy so well."

"Of course we did," Derek said. "She's pack because you are." He sighed for a moment before saying, "I had a lot of relatives before the fire. That's kind of a thing in wolf packs. I helped take care of them all, and…Kristy reminds me a lot of that time. It was a good time."

Lydia wasn't sure what to say here. Derek hardly ever talked about his family before the fire, even though in the last few months since Lydia'd been in town she and Derek had grown considerably closer than they ever were before. She was debating about what to say when Derek said, "Don't feel sorry for me, Lydia. I've got you guys – my pack. Sometimes it's just hard with Cora in South America, and…yeah. I like helping with Kristy. It makes me feel…better."

Lydia nodded, "Well, thanks for helping with her, Derek. I know absolutely nothing about raising a baby werewolf. I'm just winging it here. Learning as I go, y'know?"

Derek just shrugged.

The day went on really great, and Lydia felt amazing. She felt like she had a place to be, people who loved both her and her daughter, a place where she fit in quite easily. Of course, that's when everything had to go to shit.

Stiles and Danny returned not long after six o'clock and they decided to have dinner together – Lydia, Stiles, Danny and Ethan. Lydia was so happy about everything that was going on in her life right now. After doing up the dishes, that's when she got the text.

If you know what's good for you, it read, you'll meet me and my pack out in the preserve tonight. Come alone.

Even though Lydia had an idea who sent the text, she thought she should ask anyway. So she sent one that said, And who is this?

You know who it is, came the reply. Be there by 10 or else we'll come looking for you.

Lydia sighed; she was willing to do absolutely anything to ensure the safety of her daughter, and she knew that she couldn't tell anybody. Stiles would insist that Scott handle it. And yeah, sure, Scott was the alpha, but this whole thing was between Deucalion and Lydia. He wanted Kristy, and what Stiles had said earlier was true. To get to Kristy, they'd have to go through her. Lydia wasn't going to let her daughter go that easily.

"Hey, Ethan, can I talk to you a sec?" Lydia said, standing in the doorway to the living room. She had Kristy in her arms. "In private?"

Ethan shrugged, but got up and followed Lydia to Kristy's room anyway. She got her daughter ready for bed and put her in the crib before turning to Ethan, "I've got something I've gotta do. I need you to cover for me."

"Are you crazy?" Ethan asked incredulously. "Do you know how hard I've worked to show them I'm trustworthy, and you want me to lie to them?"

Lydia ran a hand over her face, "Yeah, well, this is important. I mean, really important. I've gotta something that I need to do, and I can't explain right now but I need you to trust me."

Ethan sighed, "This has something to do with the alpha pack, doesn't it?"

"I can't tell you that. I just…I need to do this to ensure Kristy's safety. She's my daughter, Ethan, and I'd go to the ends of the Earth to make sure she's well protected and taken care of. Please, just promise me you'll keep an ear out for her, and cover for me. Make up some excuse for me. Please."

Ethan sighed in defeat, "Fine. But you definitely owe me an explanation later, got it?"

Lydia nodded, "Yeah, you'll get it." Lydia undid the screen to the bedroom window so she could slip out. "I promise you, I'll explain everything later." And with that, she was gone.