Sorry it took so long. Thanks for reading. Same disclaimer.

At Home

Narrator's PoV
Friday morning Rob went in to prepare for another domestic violence case. Though Lizzy and Ben thought he worked Criminal Defense, his strength was helping battered women. In his office Rob came across one of his coworkers Jeffery Underburg. Rob had helped Jeff's daughter Emma get out of a horrible marriage and away from her ex-husband who had been abusing her nearly seven years ago.

"Hey Jeff," Rob said.

"Rob. How are things this morning?"

"Alright. My daughter just got suspended from school. Two weeks for a major prank. Apparently it's not tolerated at her school."

"Your daughter Beth right?"

"Lizzy." Rob answered.

"She's a sweet girl. What are you doing here though? I thought you'd be at home with her." Jeff said.

"This Ronson case. I can't let her down."

"Oh. Well are you taking some time off to spend with Lizzy?"

"No. Why should I?"

"If my daughter was home for two weeks, even if she got suspended, I'd be there with her. You told me your daughter was always on the go. She was gone more than she's home right?"

"Yeah."

"Now she's home for two weeks with nowhere to go. Spend some time with her. She's your only little girl, right?" Jeff asked.

"True. You have a great relationship with your daughter don't you?"

"Ever since you got her away from that scum bag."

"How'd you do it? You weren't close when she was married so how'd you do it afterwards?"

"After the divorce I make sure to call her at least once every couple of days. I mean think about it. How often do you call your sons?"

"Matt at least once every two weeks, Seth comes home almost every weekend, and Chris and Ben at least once a week."

"And you're close to your nephew and godson?"

"I call them maybe once a month."

"And how often do you call your daughter?"

"I ... I haven't called her since she left. Though I did see her last weekend."

"Why?"

"She was in the hospital."

"And there's your answer. You know when my little girl was growing up I had nothing in common with her. She loved dance and ballet and classical music and film and a bunch other stuff I didn't like. However after the divorce none of that matter. She was my little girl and even though she used to be closer to her mom, still is, I know she'll talk to me when I call. Now I call her often and we talk. Even if it's just her talking about what her day was like it's important that I'm there for her. I promise if you talk to your daughter she'll grow closer to you. Just be there for her."

"That's it? Just call her?"

"Yeah, it's a start. Try to find something in common with her though. You know two years ago she was at the Christmas party and she told me that she just wants her dad. She was jealous of the relationship I had with my daughter and wished that her dad would stop pushing her off on her step-mom. It's good to have a woman there for her but sometimes girls only need their dad."

"I understand. Thanks Jeff. How is your daughter doing?"

"She's better. Still has those days though. She doesn't let some men get too close but she's much better now." Jeff said.

Lizzy's PoV
Friday night I talked to Aaron and found out that him and his mom had finally gotten away from his dad. His dad wasn't a nice guy and he had put his mom in the hospital and beat Aaron. During the trial and following divorce Aaron had stayed with one of his other friends but now was comfortable and happy living with his mom.

Early Saturday morning I woke up to find a hand brushing hair out of my face. "Mmm, stop. You'll put me back to sleep." I groaned. The hand moved from my head to my back and rubbed small circles there. I pushed myself up and stretched out my back. His hand moved away from my back. It was too dark for me to see his face so I reached up to turn on my light. When it came on I realized it wasn't just any hand. "Dad?" I asked.

"I apologize." Dad said.

"For what?" I asked.

"For getting angry about your suspension. I talked to Nat and she told me that you took the blame to protect the rest of the team and more specifically Charlie, Fulton, and Adam. You know, I really don't know you the way I know your brothers or Fulton and Charlie. I couldn't tell you anything about that pup you sleep with, why you started playing hockey, why you stopped playing, or even your favorite color."

"His name is Jack the Hound, your dad gave him to me right before he died. Matt taught me how to play hockey, I've been playing since I was six. I stopped because Matt died; I couldn't do it anymore. My favorite color is blue and my favorite possession in this world is my Mustang, that thing means more to me than a lot of other things."

"Thank you. My point is, I don't know you and I should. Are the divorce and the suspension the only things bothering you?"

"No."

"Then what else is?" Dad prodded gently as I rolled over to sit next to him. He gently wrapped me in his arms.

"I don't know."

"Sure you do. You're like your mom you know." I looked up at him and he sighed. "I guess you don't know. Your mom did the same thing. She bottled up her problems so she could take care of everyone else's."

"I want my kitty Daddy." I said.

"We can get you a new kitty I promise."

"No, I want my kitty."

"Your kitty lead a great life. He had you and he knew you loved him very much. Now he's keeping your mama company. You'll see them again."

"Daddy, will you really send me to boarding school with Alicia?"

"It may be for the best sweetie. No boys, no guy sports ..."

"Daddy, all my friends are at Eden Hall. I can finally put my skills to good use. Make something productive of my strong arm."

"I understand that but—"

"But nothing. I love it in Minnesota. It's always been my home no matter how anyone else feels about it. Daddy, please don't give me up."

"Gordon told me that giving you up would be bad, well he said insanely stupid and maybe one of the worst moves I could make but ... he's not a custody lawyer."

"Please don't give me up. If you do I will fight for Matt or Grandma Jacobs to take custody of me. I've never liked Alicia. Why do you think I begged you to let me keep Squish? She never liked cats. Especially not one that looked like it had been run over."

"I don't know any really good custody lawyers sweetheart."

"I don't know any in Ohio but in Minnesota, Adam's dad Phillip is a custody lawyer. I think he's one of the best. Anyway Charlie's girlfriend, well hopefully ex-girlfriend has been cheating on him. I haven't really gone easy on him since I found out."

"He's strong like his mama. He'll make it Liz, please don't worry about him."

"But if his mom gets involved with Bombay and Bombay turns around and decides to leave Aunt Casey again Charlie will be shattered. I—"

"I'm not going to let my sister get hurt again. Even if I can't always be there I can grill the guy and make sure he doesn't hurt her. The choice is ultimately hers and she'd never jeopardize Charlie's happiness, at least not willingly or knowingly. If you were in her position and this was about you and that boy, Dean Portman, wouldn't you hope that your brothers and I and Charlie let you make that decision on your own?"

"I guess."

"I thought so. Cheer up my little Lizzy. It'll all work out and one day you'll look back and won't be able to believe you were ever worked up about it."

"Yeah alright." We both went silent and I stared down at my hands. "When you first started dating Mom, did you have any regrets?" I asked some time later.

"Not really. It's was love at first sight."

"What about when she got pregnant?"

Dad cupped my chin and lifted my head. "If there are two things I don't regret, it's marry Becky and the birth of all five of my children. I will never regret those two things."

"Did you—" I stopped and stared at my empty dresser and the spot my TV used to sit. Maybe I shouldn't ask my dad the following question but a part of me had to know. "Did you ever find yourself attracted to another woman while dating Mom?"

"When Becky and I first started dating, my old high school sweetheart stopped by. I told everyone I didn't but I still sorta liked her until she met Becky. That's when I saw a side of her I didn't like." He paused and I turned to look at him. "I knew that while there was a physical attraction to her, there was something more powerful, more true between your mother and I. It wasn't until she told me she was pregnant with Matt that I actually realized I was in love with her. Why?" Dad sounded really suspicious and I didn't like the look he was giving me.

"I'm really falling for Dean. He's nearly everything I like in a guy and then, well then there's Dwayne. I just keep thinking Dwayne never had a fair chance."

"You and Dwayne were special together. There is chemistry I can see it plain as day, but when I look at you and Dean ... I see fireworks. However I can't make this choice for you. It's something you have to make with your heart. Your mama always told me that love is something you feel not something you decide on. You need to take a hard look at how you feel about each boy and see if what you feel for one is more than what you feel for the other but know this, I didn't find my true love until college. Don't pressure yourself. There's plenty of time to find the one. That's something I'll always regret."

"What?"

"Remarrying so soon after your mama died. If I waited I'm sure I would have found someone who wasn't just into me for my money. I'm certain I could have found someone who loved me and my kids."

"Thanks Dad."

"Sure. Nat told me about the day you met Star."

"Yeah. She's sweet. She's from Chicago you know. Didn't you meet her at the hospital?"

"I did. Is that it? She's just sweet?"

"She's not the girly girl I thought she was."

"Not like Valarie?"

"Daddy, Val is Ben's girlfriend. The fiery redhead. You mean Seth's cheerleader girlfriend?"

"Danielle right?"

"Danielle is dating Chris, she's also goes by Danni, with an i. Valarie as goes by Val is dating Ben, and Natasha, don't call her Tasha, is dating Seth. Danni and Val are cool but Natasha and I don't get along."

"So do you like Star?"

"She's great. You know, she'd be perfect for Matt with the exception of two completely different states."

"Star already has a boyfriend. You even know his name."

"I ... You mean Star is dating my big brother?" I growled.

"Sorry baby. I thought Matt had told you."

I picked up my cell phone and left Matt a very angry voicemail then hung up.

"I told you no phone." Dad said.

"You said no home phone. Can I be alone, please?"

Dad sighed but nodded and left my room. When I heard him downstairs I called Dean. "Hello?" I heard from the other end.

"Uh Dean?"

"No, Portman is unable to come to the phone at the moment. This is his teammate Luis."

"Where is Dean?" I asked.

"Walking his girlfriend back to her room."

"It's seven a.m." I said seeing the eight a.m. glare from my clock and knowing they were an hour behind.

"I know."

"Dean told me his girlfriend was suspended."

"Uh well yes but only for two weeks."

"So he's dating a girl behind his girlfriend's back? And you being the incredibly great teammate friend you are decided to tell a random stranger this?"

"Uh ... here talk to Kenny." Luis said.

"Hey Kenny." I said.

"Uh hi. Dean's in the bathroom. I think."

"Is he dating two girls at once?"

"I don't think so. He'd have to face down too many teammates when they found out. I don't know for sure but here ask Russ." Kenny said.

I was passed through most of the team to include Dwayne and Adam who both should have recognized my voice but didn't. Finally Julie picked up. "Hey Julie can I talk to Dean yet?"

"Not yet, there's still two other players you haven't talked to."

"So he is back from wherever he was?"

"The bathroom? Yeah."

"Then put him on the phone."

"Can't do that."

"Is he dating two girls at once?"

"Nope. Here talk to Charlie."

"Hey?" Charlie asked.

"Hi Charlie, bye Charlie. Now pass me to Dean or I'll have your—"

"Going." Charlie said.

"Hello?" Dean finally asked.

"Dean Portman I had better be your only girlfriend or you have two weeks to find some place you can hide." I said angrily.

"Whoever told my girlfriend I was seeing someone behind her back had better run." I heard Dean bark. I heard a chair scrape back then quick footsteps. "Mendoza I'm going to get you." Dean growled.

"DEAN!" I yelled.

"What?"

"You pissed off because he told me the truth?"

"No, he lied to you. I'd never date anyone behind your back." Dean said.

"Dean."

"You know me better than that."

"Go easy on him." I said.

"Be right back, talk to Charlie." Dean said.

I sighed but heard Charlie's voice. "Hey," he said.

"Hey, how you holding up?"

"I'm alright. It's just—"

"I know. Don't let it affect your game Charlie. She's not good enough for that." I said. "You're strong like your mom. You can do this."

"But what if I'm not."

"You are. My dad knows you and your mom. He told me you can do it. He didn't say it wouldn't hurt he just said you were strong enough to handle it. And if you can't, you have me, the Ducks, and your mom."

"True. Here talk to Fulton." Charlie handed the phone to him.

"Hey Fulton. How's the girl?"

"Good. She's not just the girl."

"I know."

"What's wrong Gator?"

"My kitty."

"Cancer?"

"They put him down."

"Honey, I'm so sorry. I know how much you loved him."

"Yeah. Did you know my big brother has a girlfriend?"

"You've got four of them."

"You're lucky you can't see my face."

"Which one darlin'?"

"Matt." I said.

"I did not."

"Fulton."

"I didn't. Who is he dating?"

"Dean's sister's best friend, Bethany "Star" Fisher."

"I see. Look—"

"She also knows your mom." I went silent and remember he did know. "You knew. When I came back from Stillwater I told you about your mom's friend Star. You knew and you didn't tell me. You told me Star's boyfriend's name was Matt and that I should drop it." I growled. "Does Dean know? And don't you dare lie to me."

"He found out in Chicago but you were under too much stress then for him to tell you. He was going to tell you when he was sure you wouldn't get angry at him or them. When you could handle it."

"Thanks Fulton." I hung up and stared at my bed.

Well there you have it. Sorry it's been more than a month but you know in that month I only got one review so I guess I wasn't motivated. Thanks to the user who did review but I'm going to have to do this. With 37 reads in the past month but only one review if I don't get any reviews there won't be any more chapters. Sorry but seriously how hard is it to type can't wait to see what's next. You don't even have to enable popups like you used to, they've gone and put a box right there. So thanks for reading.