Same disclaimer as always. I promise the divorce and custody battle will be over soon. Thanks for reading, please review.

The Talks

Later that night Matt called and after talking to Dad for a little bit he talked to me. "Lizzy, I didn't lie to you. Not really. I just didn't tell you the whole truth. You never out right asked me if I had a girlfriend." Matt said.

"Then Star lied to me." I said.

"No. She never told you my last name. I'm surprised you didn't put it together. She practically told you everything else."

"Why didn't she tell me about you?"

"Because I asked her not to. You and I have barely been in contact since Christmas and since then we've always been in a hurry or busy dealing with something else. I may have been able to tell you after a hockey game but either I would have to shoot back to Detroit or Orion was urging you back to the team. I've never had the proper amount of time to help you deal with this."

"And you do now?"

"Not really but I'm trying to make time. I did want you to know about Star but I just never found the right time to tell you."

"I don't like it."

"Me and Star together or the way I handled it?"

"Definitely the way you handled it. An email or IM or something would have been better—"

"It was impersonal and impractical and you deserve better than that. I can't gauge your temper like that. I love you Lizzy and I don't like making you mad but Star makes me happy. You can't be the only girl in my life any more, Lizzy."

"What if you forget about me?"

"That will never happen. You're my little sister; you mean more to me than any woman in this world. I'm stuck with you Lizzy you know that but don't I deserve to be happy too?"

"Yes but you're still my big brother. You're gonna call right?"

"Nothing's going to change Lizzy. You just know I have a girlfriend now."

"Unless you use her as an excuse."

"Never. Well I'll try not to." Matt said.

"Ok." I said.

After hanging up with him I called Chris and told him everything. He calmed me down and told me that things wouldn't really change but I had to be more gracious with him and that I couldn't expect him to drop everything for me every time. Once again a part of me tells me I'm being stubborn and spoiled but the rest of me doesn't really care.

Monday, the next morning and the last morning of February my dad dragged me to the airport where we picked up Bombay. When we got back home I was about to bolt downstairs to play video games but Dad grabbed my shoulder and made me sit at the kitchen table. "Lizzy put aside what you feel about me." Bombay said. "This is about you, your dad, your step-mom and the divorce. This has nothing to do with me."

"I don't really know what my mom was like. I really don't. I didn't know she existed until Christmas. Any opinion I give you about Alicia is going to be really mean and hateful. I don't like her and if I had to choose I'd pick my dad." I said.

"Did your father ever physically harm Alicia?"

"Not in front of me. If he laid a hand on her I didn't see it. Every time I saw them together they always, mostly, presented a united front. I spent more time with my dad than my stepmom though that's not saying much."

Bombay continued to question me about my childhood and my parents until my dad stopped him. "Enough. She spent most of her childhood with her brothers. Besides she's fidgeting, she needs a break. Go on." Dad said to me. I nodded and went down to play video games.

Two days later I opened the front door to find a man I had only met briefly once. "I'm Phillip Banks." He said looking at me.

"Hi." I said.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure. Are you here to see my dad?" I opened the door and let him in.

"In a few minutes. I'm really here to see you though. If that's alright."

"Sure." I sat down on the recliner and he sat down on the couch after I had closed the door. He pulled a file and notepad out of his briefcase.

"I have been hired to take care of you during the divorce and the custody case. I will consider what is best in your interests and yours alone. I'm not here for your dad or your stepmom. Anything you tell me I keep in the strictest confidence unless I'm bound by law to report it." Mr. Banks said.

"Ok. Who hired you?"

"Doesn't matter. I'm here to make sure your interests are seen to. I will make sure that wherever you end up is in your best interests. First though I need you to tell me about your relationship with both of your parents."

"Can't I talk about my brothers? I don't like talking about my parents."

"Right now, unless your father signs away his rights your brothers don't technically count."

"Oh, ok." I shrugged and told him about my parents.

"So what do you want?" Mr. Banks asked when I was through explaining my relationship with both parents and what I thought would happen after the divorce.

"To continue going to Eden Hall with my friends and to stay with my brothers. I'd like to keep talking to them at least once a month."

"Do you think that won't happen if Alicia gets custody?"

"My brother Seth told my boyfriend Dean Portman that Alicia wanted to move me to an all-girls boarding school in Florida. No offense but I like baseball, a lot. And I hate warm weather. I'm a snow baby at heart. Baseball has become my world and if I was in Florida I don't think I'd be allowed to play it. I've never liked my stepmom. I got my cat because she hated him. I've done a lot to make her angry on purpose."

"Has she ever lifted a hand to you?"

"No. It's always verbal or looks that she gives me. I know she doesn't like me. I'm supposed to be this southern belle but I'm a tomboy. Always will be."

"I see."

"Who was at the door Lizzy?" Dad asked entering the room.

"Mr. Banks. He's a child custody lawyer in Minnesota and Adam's dad. Mr. Phillip Banks, this is my father Robert Jacobs."

"Nice to meet you." Mr. Banks said offering Dad his hand. Dad shook his hand then sized him up.

"No offense Mr. Banks but you're a custody lawyer from Minnesota, laws are different in Ohio. What brings you all the way down here?" Dad said.

"I know they're different. I've been reading up on them for the past five days. My son told me about the case. He's one of Lizzy's friends." Phillip answered.

"Best friend." I corrected.

"Ms. Lizzy, would you give us a moment or two?" Phillip asked.

"Sure." I got up and went up to my room then laid down in my doorway where I could see down the stairs into the living room but they couldn't see me.

"Gordon hired me for Lizzy." Phillip said.

"He couldn't have. You don't have an Ohio law license." Dad answered.

"I know. He may petition the court to allow me to step in because she was born in Minnesota. Anyway I stepped in for Charlie's case and he knew I had met Lizzy a couple times before. I've dealt with your family and if your sons are anything like Charlie or Casey, you're going to have a fight on your hands if you leave her with Alicia. I know you're worried about keeping her around but really how often would you see her? Two months of the summer and school vacations? Don't give up on her. She needs as much as you think she needs your soon to be ex-wife."

"Yeah but I keep looking at her and seeing Casey. I don't want her to end up that way. Being rough and tumble didn't work for her."

"She's a tough, powerful, self-sufficient, strong, independent woman." Phillip said.

"She's also been divorced twice and has a guy who keeps building her up to hurt her." Dad answered. "I don't want my little girl to end up like that."

"Maybe she won't but you won't know what will happen to her if she's left with Alicia. Look, I've seen kids who are left with a parent they don't like. They end up alcoholics or in and out of jail or out of control. You have a chance to stop that. Leave her at Eden Hall and she's got all of her friends and her cousin looking out for her. Keeping her on the straight and narrow. That's what I want for my kids."

"Don't little girls need their mom though?"

"I can see that but has Lizzy ever expressed a need for Alicia?"

"Not that I know of but this job is really busy."

"Gordon told me what you do but I also know that even with our special needs jobs we can keep in touch with our kids. I don't have a daughter, not many of my friends do. In my neighborhood is all about the boys playing hockey and I know that raising her alone will be difficult but you're up for it. I know you are. Besides you're never truly alone and Lizzy, she has more than one great female influence in her life. She told me all about her amazing Aunt Casey, her fantastic god-mom Nat Reed, and her grandmom who calls once a week. Besides she loves her brothers and they'll help. I know that from my sons." Phillip explained.

"I suppose you're right." Dad sighed.

Later that night I called Adam. "Hey Ads." I said when he picked up.

"Hey Liz, I'm sorry about a couple days ago."

"Don't worry about it. Your dad was here. He's taking on my case."

"That's great."

"I heard you told him about it."

"I did but I didn't ask him to."

"He told my dad Bombay hired him."

"He did. Said you needed an advocate and knew your dad was kinda like Charlie's mom so my dad was a voice of reason but he's not actually getting paid because he doesn't have a license to practice law in Ohio."

"Oh, I see."

"Lizzy, don't worry, he's not going to let you stay with Alicia." Adam said.

"How's Charlie's game?"

"It's picking back up. He dumped her on Monday. Then he called his mom who told him he was strong and if he didn't feel like he was he always had us to lean on."

"She's a smart woman." I said.

"Yeah she is. Have you talked to Port?"

"Not since the other day. I got his voicemail last night."

"Call him. He misses you just as much as you miss him."

"Yeah alright."

We talked for a while longer before I called Dean. Unfortunately we could only talk for a few minutes before my dad was calling me for dinner.

Charlie's PoV
Friday night after the hockey game in which the Ducks won, Charlie sat on his childhood bed staring at the small slip of paper his cousin had given him the night of her first hockey game in quite a few years. The hardest part of his trip home was over, telling his mom exactly how he had failed with his girlfriend of more than a year and that he had failed to protect his cousin but for some reason his fingers wouldn't dial the number. Finally after nearly half an hour of staring at it he finally dialed.

"Hello?" A female voice answered the other end.

"Tonya Jacobs?" Charlie asked.

"Yes. What can I do for you?"

"My name is Charlie Conway."

"Oh dear lord. Does your mom know you're calling?"

"You know who I am?"

"Charlie Jeffery Conway you are my youngest grandson. Of course I know who you are. But I also know your mama swore up and down that I wouldn't have contact from you until you were 18 which is still over 15 months away."

"Yes ma'am. Lizzy gave me your number. Mom doesn't know. I don't think it's really up to her anymore. I wanted to talk to you. I know we've never really gotten the chance to speak before but I was hoping to change that. I don't know my dad's parents, I don't think I'd really care to but you really love Lizzy and my cousins so I was hoping that I at least had one grandparent that cared."

"Of course I care about you Charlie. How are you doing? We have so much to catch up on."

"I could be better." Charlie answered. "Lizzy's been suspended for something I did and my girlfriend was cheating on me. I don't know what to do anymore."

"Well first off, Lizzy took the blame. There was no way you could have stopped her." Tonya answered. "Second I'm sure it wasn't something you did to cause your girlfriend to cheat on you. Sometimes these things happen."

"I know, that's what Mom said too but part of me feels like it's still my fault."

"Tell me my sweet Charlie-bear, is there anything you would have done different if you knew it was going to end like this?" Tonya answered. "And be honest with me and yourself."

"I would have ... I can't think of a single thing I could have done differently except spend more time with her but that would have meant dumping the Ducks."

"Could you dump the Ducks?"

"Never for a girl. We all swore we'd never do that so I guess you're right."

"You'll find the right one Charlie. Just give it time." Tonya said. "God knows we don't all find our match in high school."

"I guess you have a point." Charlie laughed. They talked a while longer until Charlie had to go. When they did hang up Charlie kissed his mother goodnight and plopped down in his chair logging on to his computer. After playing a few online games Charlie saw both Matt and Lizzy sign on. Matt IMed him first.

RedwingPro11: You busy?
CaptDuck96: Nope. What's up?
RedwingPro11: Lizzy's kinda mad at me b/c of Star.
CaptDuck96: B/c she thinks things will change and you don't.
RedwingPro11: They won't. I may not drop everything for her all the time now but I'm not gonna completely forget about her. Can you convince her?
CaptDuck96: I don't like playing middle man when it comes to family.
RedwingPro11: I know Charlie but I need your help.
CaptDuck96: Fine, I'll brb but know she's stubborn.
RedwingPro11: Runs in the family.

Charlie opened an IM to Lizzy and sighed. He knew this was not going to be easy.

CaptDuck96: You busy?
MDcocoa69: Nope, sup?
CaptDuck96: Not much. You livin' it up at home while we're learning about ships and planes and stuff?
MDcocoa69: Not really. Dad's convinced me to spend time playing catch and Mr. Banks and Bombay keep talking to me about the divorce. I kinda wish I was there. Then there's this thing with Matt and Star...
CaptDuck96: What about them?
MDcocoa69: I know Matt and Seth both promised that nothing's going to change now that I know but I can't help it.
CaptDuck96: Let it go. I know you've never really known Matt with a girlfriend but they've been dating for quite some time. Nothing's changed when you didn't know did it?
MDcocoa69: Well no but now he can use the excuse he's busy with Star all the time and he won't have time for me.
CaptDuck96: He's still your big brother and he loves you.
MDcocoa69: I know that but...
CaptDuck96: But nothing. He may spend time with Star and from time to time he'll tell you he's busy with her but he's still going to talk to you. Maybe you should talk to him about this.
MDcocoa69: He's always so busy.
CaptDuck96: What if I could make him talk to you tomorrow?

While Lizzy was typing Charlie turned back to Matt and asked him if he had free time the next day and he replied he did around one.

MDcocoa69: That might work with Dean and the rest of the team but not Matt.
CaptDuck96: I promise you he'll talk to you if you call him around one. Just tell him what you told me. I'm sure he'll take you seriously.
MDcocoa69: I'll try. I have to go. TTYL. Love ya.
CaptDuck96: Love ya too.
MDcocoa69 is offline.

Once more Charlie turned back to his chat with Matt.

CaptDuck96: She's really scared and she needs you to take her seriously. This isn't some talk you can blow off so if you can't really talk to her when she calls I suggest you find a time when you can.
RedwingPro11: She's my baby sister I'm not going to blow her off.
CaptDuck96: Good.
RedwingPro11: What is she scared of Charlie?
CaptDuck96: I shouldn't tell you but I'll email you a copy of the convo I just had with her.
RedwingPro11: Thanks.

So Charlie shut down the IM with Matt and copied the IM with Lizzy to an email then sent it to Matt.

Lizzy's PoV
On Saturday I did call Matt and we talked for nearly two hours about everything but he also told me that the only way I'd get over being scared of what I was scared of was taking time and though it wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear I could deal with it.

Then on Monday Bombay and Dad spent time talking about the divorce as Seth tried to get me to talk about what I didn't like about Bombay. That's when I realized my main problem with Bombay was the possibility that he was going to hurt Charlie and Aunt Casey again. Seth thought I was still hiding something but he let me change the subject. Then after we had recapped Matt's last game Dad reentered the kitchen.

"Lizzy, get your butt off my counter." Dad said.

I rolled my eyes but hopped down.

"Alright. Here's your plane ticket." Dad said handing me a slip of paper. I checked it and nodded. "Fulton also has practice Wednesday night so he can't pick you up. I'll give you some money to call a cab."

"Thanks Dad."

"We have to meet with Alicia and her lawyer tomorrow. Phillip and Gordon and I have talked to a custody lawyer here and you're going to have to be there. You'll meet Mr. Detweiler tomorrow. He's going to assist us legally because Phillip doesn't have an Ohio license."

"I understand."

"I love you Lizzy, no matter what happens tomorrow. Part of me still thinks that giving you up is a good idea, that in the long run it will benefit you. However my heart keeps telling me that you are my little girl, everything your mom and I prayed for so long after we realized having kids wasn't the end of the world. Your mom would turn over in her grave if she found out that I gave you up. I took a long hard look at my heart last night and realized I can not give up any of my children. I love you too much."

"Thank you." I said throwing my arms around him. Then I heard a cough. I pulled back to see Bombay standing in the doorway.

"Right. We'll be there 9:30 a.m." Dad said. "And I remember what Phillip told me. I'll see you out."

Bombay nodded and walked out with Dad. Soon Seth too had to leave and it was just me and Dad. "I think I'm going to head to bed." I said.

"Oh come watch sports center with your old man. I'm not going to see you for a couple weeks."

"You're not old; going gray maybe but definitely not old." I said.

"I'll be 50 soon."

"In five years." I said but watched the hockey review with him anyway.

Well it wasn't exactly how many I wanted but I guess two reviews is better than none. I'd still love to hear from all of you. Thanks for reading.