They drive and drive, and eventually get home. Cat sighs in relief, picking up Olivia. "Thank god, baby!" Jade mutters a hello and then storms upstairs, upset over the teenager.

"She's just upset."

"She's always upset," Cat says, dismissively. "She'll get over it."

"Skip a few months here," Cat says. "This was just settling into routine." She waves her hand. "Now I don't want to freak you out, so I could sk-"

"No, I'm fine."

"Alright." Cat repositions herself.

"It was about seven months since you'd come back. Beck comes into the living room and breaks down. "I'm so, sorry, Cat." Beck yells. "I've screwed up. Man, what am I gonna do?"

"What have you done?" Cat asks, curiosity lacing her voice. She sits up with Olivia on her lap. She's 25 months and growing fast.

"Where Mommy?"

"She'll be back soon, darling, why don't you bring me your doll from the kitchen?" Livvy jumps and runs to get her dolly. "Watch out the floor is-" she's too late as she hears screams. "slippery." She sighs. "Wait here." She grabs Olivia from the floor. "Oh, my sweetheart, what have you done?"

"Hand hurts!" Cat inspects it carefully, prodding around her wrist. She kisses it softly.

"I think it's just a bit sore. Tell you what, if you go and get a blanket we'll set up a picnic for you so Mommy can eat lunch with you."

"Please!" Cat smiles and puts her down.

"There's a good girl." Cat watches her as she opens the door and then sits in the living room, trying to read Beck's expression while cutting an apple. "So?"

"There was a moment of weakness," he says, crying. "It was once, I swear…I haven't seen her since."

"Oh Beck!" Cat yells, exasperated. "I don't believe it," she blinks back hot tears, "what are you going to say?"

"I don't know," he says, miserably. "I was thinking,"

"Must've hurt. But no," Cat says. "I'll take Olivia for ice cream."

"Ice cream ice cream ice cream!" Olivia shouts.

"Yep," Cat says, picking her up. "We'll walk." Olivia groans. "You won't even be walking!" Cat says with a giggle. "Bye bye."

"See ya." Cat leaves and Jade arrives soon after.

"Hi! I'm home."

"Hi."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm really sorry." Jade frowns and sits. "It was one time, I promise, and she kissed me first."

"Oh god, please, please, tell me that that's as far as you got?"

"I'm really sorry."

"Oh god, this isn't happening. No." Jade scrapes her hair back. "Where's Olivia?"

"Out."

"Right." Jade runs up the stairs. Beck doesn't follow. She is back in half an hour or so. With a suitcase.

"Don't go," he says softly.

"Ha! I'm not. Now get out of my sight." She throws the suitcase at him, though it hurts her arm. He tries to kiss her but she turns her head. "Please," she says. "Leave." She knows looking at him would make her cave and she just can't.

"What about Livvy? OUR daughter."

"She's better off without you," Jade says coldly. "I'll call if she misses you," Jade sits.

"Okay," he says slowly. "I'll see you later."

"I'd rather you didn't," she mutters, rolling her eyes. She raises her voice. "I mean it this time. I'm not a silly little girl anymore. Goodbye."

"We're home!"

"Mama!" Olivia falls into her mom's lap.

"I love you, Livvy-loo."

"Love you too mommy!" Later on, when Olivia is in bed, Cat snuggles next to Jade.

"I know." Jade starts to cry. "Shh, shh, I know."

"How could he do this? Not only to me, but to you and Olivia…He's never seeing her again, I swear."

"Jade-"

"She's young enough not to remember. We could move."

"She loves her daddy," Cat sighs. "Don't let her suffer." Cat pauses. "I'm surprised you're still here." She adds quickly, "pleasantly surprised, I mean."

"What?"

"You're rather flightly."

"Ha. Sorry."

"It's fine. You're here now."

"I wish I wasn't. Damn it, Cat! I just wish we were okay."

"I know, honey," she says, smoothing Jade's hair. "I know." Jade sobs louder, muffled into Cat's blouse. "Oh, sweetie, don't!"

"I want the best for her, this isn't the best!"

"She's got you, and me, and her father, what more could she want? She's surrounded by love."

"I know, but I just can't shake the feeling of inadequateness."

"You are NOT inadequate."

"Really?" Jade wipes her nose on the back of her hand. "All I want is a lovely normal happy life."

"Normal's boring, you silly girl." aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa