AN: Okay so the first few chapters were happy to start with but as we all know it's not always like that. Let's see what happens next...

Chapter 5

Courtney's POV

2:50 PM

I was walking on my way to pick up Serenity from school, and for some odd reason I couldn't stop smiling today or these past few weeks.

Everything has been great, not just for myself but I was excited for Gwen and Trent for the new addition to their family arriving in November.

I don't know why it kept coming up but it kinda made me think about it more along with other certain things.

Duncan and I have been official for months and I couldn't be happier where we are now. But I wonder if this is all we'll be... co-parents? I even ask myself if we'll...maybe get...married or if it's crossed his thoughts?

My face started getting warm at the thought of me and Duncan getting married. I knew how much I loved him but the thought of not having him in my life scares me. After he told me about the attack he went through in Jail, I couldn't imagine how I would have taken that information.

The fear of losing him was something I could never accept. I would have been more alone and lost without Duncan.

This just made it all the more clear to me that I wanted to be by Duncan's side forever.

Lightly smiling I see the building coming into view taking a breath, I pick up my pace.

Just as I was about to walk into the parking lot...

" Hey," says someone getting my attention along with looking back to see who was calling me "What beautiful can't say hi to me," he says but I ignore him and walk faster to the parking lot "Just avoid him, " I say to myself as I reach the building.

Once inside I sigh in relief, looking over my shoulder I check to make sure whoever that was didn't follow me into the building.

" Hey Connie " greets Lindsey smiling at me and I honestly couldn't have felt happier hearing her call me" Hi Lindsey " I breathed walking up to her "Are you okay? " she asks me. Calming down a bit I pull myself together before we continued on our way to the classroom.

10 Minutes Later

After I got Serenity we started making our way toward the front entrance" Mommy can we visit Daddy please? " asks Serenity while smiling "Oh sure, why do you want to see him? I asked curiously " I made him something and I wanna give it to him " she pleads giving me her cute little smile " Okay let's surprise him " I answered as we continued walking.

Duncan always enjoyed it when we came by to visit him most times it was to say " hello " or occasionally he watches Serenity while I'm at school.

" Can you give me a hint on what you made for Daddy? " I asked smiling only to hear her giggles "No it's for Daddy " Serenity answered looking up at me, " okay I guess when Daddy sees it I'll see it too " I replied looking at her.

We were just turning the corner when " Hey beautiful " says a familiar voice looking up its that same guy from earlier "Let's keep walking honey " I whispered tightening my grip on Serenity's hand along with walking quicker, looking around I barely saw any people or cars.

" Hey I'm talking to you," he says now following us "Shoot" I breathed trying to avoid this person "Mommy who is he? " Serenity asks looking at me "Keep walking," I said trying to keep her focused walking.

Just then his footsteps sound as though he was running and I was beginning to panic " Hottie come on...talk to me I know you from that picture " he says now standing in front of us "What picture? " I ask quickly stopping and putting Serenity behind me " Mommy I'm scared " she whimpers.

" Oh man that's the kid you two had...she's cute and looks exactly like you but those eyes are Duncan's " he laughs looking at my daughter who I'm trying to shield from his view "How do you know Duncan? " I asked quickly trying to figure something out.

He takes a step closer to us but I step back "Stay away from us " I hissed looking right at this jerk " Duncan and I go way back...we caused lots of trouble back then and even got arrested a few times together " he explains smiling at me " damn no wonder he fell for you, your body is hot " he adds looking me up and down.

" Shut up don't you speak like that in front of my daughter," I said to him trying not to let the overwhelming anger rise in me "What I'm just saying what I see " he laughs...

* growl * * growl *

" Hey pal beat it, " says a new voice "Unless you want a death wish then please continue to get Chomper riled up " adds another voice...

When I look up I see two familiar faces along with a very angry-looking Rottweiler on a leash " Tye Tony " says Serenity peaking from behind me "Get out of here now " said Tony in a pissed-off tone of voice along with Chomper showing his teeth at the guy.

Rolling his eyes this guy scuffs before looking at me again " Whatever tell Duncan...Damian says Hi " he says before walking away but as he did I go to the side making sure to keep a distance from him.

Once Damian was gone I picked up Serenity quickly and hugged her tight as I cried " Courtney are you okay? " asks Tye coming up to us, I was so scared at this moment that I couldn't find my words.

Feeling my hair get smooth" It's okay Mommy" says Serenity "Don't cry " she adds trying to comfort me "Good thing we were taking Chomper for a walk " explains Tony petting the dog who was now sitting and friendly.

Taking a few breaths I look up at Serenity first then at Tony and Tye, " thank you guys " I breathed wiping my eyes " No problem come on I take it you two were coming by? " asks Tye as I nod in response.

" Can I walk with Chomper Mommy? " Serenity asks pointing at him " he's super friendly and loves the ladies " explains Tony smiling and sure enough he was right Chomper was breathing and wagging his tail at me " Oh is he? " I asked placing Serenity on the ground.

" Good doggie," she says petting him "Yeah you are a good dog," I said petting his head which he leaned into more.

" Let's head back to the shop," said Tye walking beside me while Tony walked in front of us with Serenity by Chomper.

Duncan's POV

Closing the hood of a car I sigh in relief that I finally finished with the engine, it took a while to get it working.

Wiping my hands with a rag I walk towards my office when

" Daddy "...

Looking up I see Serenity smiling and running toward me.

I couldn't resist smiling as she came up to me "Hi Honey " I greet crouching down with my hands out to her "Hi " she greets rushing into my arms "Where's mommy? " I asked looking up to see Courtney walking up to us with Tony and Tye...

Picking up Serenity I stand up preparing to greet her but instead, I noticed tear stains on her face "Hey babe, are you okay? " I asked not getting an answer Courtney wraps her arms around my waist.

" What happened? " I ask trying to get an answer "Hey wanna go walk with Chomper? " asks Tony getting Serenity's attention along with mine "Please Daddy and Mommy," asks Serenity "Just be careful," said Courtney it surprised me she allowed it.

Placing Serenity down the expressions on faces was something different " Hey Joey take Chomper " calls Tye taking the leash from his brother along with Serenity following.

" Let's go in your office to talk... you're not gonna like it " whispers Tony gesturing us to go to my office...

20 Minutes Later

" WHAT!!!! " I shout " THAT MOTHERFUCKER DID WHAT!!!! " I punched the wall behind me to get my anger out.

" Duncan you gotta calm down," says Tony standing by my desk "What way did Damian go...I need information now " exclaim expressing the most anger I've ever shown "Listen going off to look for him isn't a wise idea now " replies Tye sitting in a chair while Courtney sat on the couch looking at me.

" That piece of shit stalked and harassed Courtney with our daughter " I explain only getting angrier by the second the more I kept picturing how close Damian was to Courtney and Serenity. Thank god Tony and Tye were out walking Chomper, I couldn't imagine what would have happened if they hadn't come along.

" He's fucking dead when I see him " I breathed squeezing my knuckles " Duncan please calm down " breathed Courtney looking at me " I can't Courtney he's dead forever coming near you and Serenity " I answered " And what's worse I wasn't there to protect you both " I add sitting in my chair.

Holding my head I felt guilty for ever allowing that to happen, my world was Courtney and Serenity if anything had happened. How could I ever forgive myself?

I felt warm arms around me, knowing it was Courtney trying to comfort me " I know all you want is to keep us safe " she says as I slowly look up to meet her gaze.

" I never wanted him to ever come near either of you...I know what he's like if he laid a hand on you or " next thing I knew my body was going limp that Courtney could barely hold me and I was starting to hyperventilate " Duncan? " she calls concerned.

(AN: I experienced a moment like this a couple of years ago where my body was so stressed and overwhelmed that it was my body telling me my system was shutting down. It was a scary moment for me, thankfully if coworkers weren't around I would of fell hard )

Both Tony and Tye rushed over "Hey hey hey calm down man " says Tye grabbing hold of my arm " We got you let's get him to the couch " instructs Tony taking my other arm before they walk me over to the couch...

Just then the door opens and Marco walks in "Oh shit " he says rushing to help the twins "What happened? " he asks as they got me to the couch...

4:00 PM

After taking a couple of breaths along with a few sips of iced tea...

(AN: that same day they gave me something with sugar to help me )

I was sitting on the couch Courtney right beside me holding my hand " We should take you to the hospital to get checked Duncan " she says looking at me " I'm good babe I don't need to go to the hospital " I answered leaning my head back on the couch.

Marco currently sat on the coffee table while he stayed with us he sent Tye to go get some drinks and snacks while Tony went to check on Serenity.

Exhaling heavily Courtney stands up then grabs my chin so that we were face to face " Don't be a Neanderthal now " said Courtney sounding stern " I'm gonna get your keys and we're going to get you checked " she adds before leaving the office.

Marco scratches his chin while trying not to laugh turning to check Courtney was gone he looks back at me...

" Duncan little piece of advice...listen to your woman she's looking out for you and there's a reason she's beside you" explains Marco getting both our attention "Getting a little personal there Mule " I answer amused by what he just said " hey me and my wife have been married 35 years if I don't listen to her she kills me but I love her for that " explains Marco smiling " and I don't know where I'd be without her today " he sighs with a dazed expression.

Hearing what Marco said made sense if Courtney was by my side it's obvious wants to make sure I'm alright. But also like Marco I love my...oh boy it's clear I do wanna marry Courtney.

Feeling a pat on my back I look to see Marco smiling " Oh yeah I recognize the look of realization anywhere" he declared as I stood up "Just marry her already " he adds trying not to laugh at my current expression.

Taking a breath I speak again " It's just between us but I'm gonna ask her soon " I explained smiling " Coach would have been happy for you " says Marco grinning but he was right after all those were one of the last things he said in his will " make an honest woman out of her ".

" Daddy," said Serenity from my office door "Hey honey " I greet her as she walks up to me as I sit back down " You okay? " she asks standing beside me.

" Yeah I'm fine " I answer lifting her and placing her on my knee "Good I want to give you something " explains Serenity looking at her backpack "You do, what is it? " I asked helping her take her backpack off and then handing it to her.

Opening it Serenity doesn't take long to find what she was looking for " I made this for you " she says handing me a picture of what I'm guessing is a car with two stick-like figures beside it.

" This is you and me and that's a car we fix " she explains pointing out what it was " Oh wow look at that we are fixing a car, " I say smiling at the picture she even drew us in the same shirts and I was holding what looks like a wrench " I drew it at school," she says looking at me " thank you very much and I know exactly where to put this, " I said walking to the board where I then use a tack to pin the drawing.

" Yay " she cheers seeing her drawing on the board" Looks just like you " teased Marco pointing at the stick figure of me "Yeah I'd say so " I answer following his joke.

" Oh good here you are Serenity," says Courtney as she returns to the office "Mommy I gave daddy my drawing," said Serenity pointing at the board" Oh you did it's very nice, did he like it? " Courtney asks looking at me "Yes as a matter of fact I do like it a lot " I answered winking.

" Okay let's go you two," said Courtney making me sigh heavily "Don't start it's better to get checked " she adds giving me a stern look " Fine let's go " I replied picking up Serenity before turning to Marco " I'll see you and the guys tomorrow also thanks, " I said looking at him.

Shrugging his shoulders lightly Marco says to me " your welcome take care of yourself first and remember listen to your women " I nod at him before leaving.

" Your gonna make a good husband kid " whispers Marco watching them walk out.

AN: Hello everyone, I know this took me a while to post but unfortunately I've had a not-so-good week. I sprained both my ankles and have been recovering, so it's been a lot of rest for me. It's nice but boring cause I'm usually more active. It truly is the most painful experience of my life. Please be sure you all take care of yourselves.