Robbie POV

I sip my coffee and watch as the host on TV talked about a scientific "breakthrough".

I'd love to see what they have up their sleeve this time.

They've already eliminated 65% of all breast cancer deaths, and decreased the odds of lung cancer killing you.

The words "Alzheimer's" pops up on screen, and both Cat and I go "Ohhh…"

That would make sense.

They've been working on that and diabetes for years. Basically Sydney's whole life. Messing with DNA, cloning embryos, all sorts of crazy science, and all its gotten them is deeper into this hole.

They figured out that most diseases aren't just a DNA thing. It's RNA, chemicals, even going all the way back to conception.

Everybody's mind was blown when they released the details of a study about a guy in China, that had every single possible susceptibility for lung cancer, except for one.

And he didn't have it.

Scientists basically made the poor dude a lab rat, and isolated the one factor he didn't have.

Then, once they pieced that puzzle together, they called a press conference and claimed they had beaten lung cancer.

But there was only one problem. Which soon turned into multiple problems.

They started testing people for that one susceptibility when looking for lung cancer.

You would assume that, based off that research that if you triggered that susceptibility, you were probably going to get lung cancer. Right?

WRONG!

The cart was about 50 miles ahead of the horse, proved by the fact that the percentage of lung cancer deaths increased by 20%.

Doctors, blinded by the glory of their "discovery" were looking for one thing. And missing the easy stuff, which lead to a lot of people dying.

Long story short, that press conference of "We Beat Lung Cancer" is laughed at now. Literally laughed at. The doctors that made that proclamation?

Penniless. Sued by the families of people that died because their assumption, which was taken and ran with by many doctors, and essentially caused them to be misdiagnosed.

The doctor's stories are really sad. Out of the team of 50, 8 killed themselves. They couldn't handle the pressure. About 15 moved out of the United States to avoid paying the families, and are now fugitives.

The rest live in labs, have paid off the families to the best of their abilities, and are working, for the rest of their lives I assume to keep paying them off. They'll never pay off the $30 Billion left on the bill, but I guess they have to at least try.

Enough about all that depressing stuff. Ugh, I don't even know why I went there. Moving on.

"Sydney still not up?" Cat asked me.

"Yeah." I say.

Today is June 4th. The day we need to go to Sacramento to meet Megan.

"When are you going to wake her up?"

"Soon. We need to leave in about an hour and a half." I say. "Do you know when she got back last night?"

"No. It was late though. After 2. That's when I came to bed."

I lay my head back onto the pillows and groan.

"She is not going to be a happy camper. Especially since she didn't listen when I told her about this trip for the next week."

"That's her fault. And you can't cancel or reschedule, she is only here the one day." Cat said.

"I know. I'll be back." I get to me feet reluctantly.

"Good luck!"

My ankles pop the whole way up the stares, and give way to the sound of Sydney snoring.

Don't smile, don't laugh.

I lightly knock on the door.

"Sydney…wake up."

…

…

I knock again, this time a little louder.

"Sydney. Wake up."

"What?" I hear her say.

"You need to get up. We have to leave for Sacramento soon, and I assume you want to shower."

"Sacramento? What are you talking about?" She asked, sounding awake.

"The trip I've been telling you about for a week? C'mon. I'll meet you downstairs with breakfast after you shower." I say, then go back downstairs to the kitchen and get out the cinnamon rolls.

"Is she up?" Cat asked me, going to the Couric machine and starting another cup of coffee.

"I'm pretty sure, she's at least awake. What kind of coffee are you getting?" I ask.

"French Vanilla."

"Ahh. Good choice." I smile.

"We're down to 6 cups, so we'll need to go buy more." She said, as I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Ok. I can do that tomorrow." I volunteer.

Corey will want to come with me.

"Morning." I hear Cat say cheerfully, and I turn to see Sydney in a big t-shirt and nothing else.

I assume she's wearing shorts.

Modest girl.

"Morning. I'm not going to Sacramento." Sydney immediately said.

"Huh?" I blurt out.

"I'm staying here today."

"No you're not. Robbie's ex girlfriend is meeting you both in Sacramento. We told you all week that it was today. So you're going." Cat said, glaring at me.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.

"Nothing. No reason." She said.

"Nobody told me about this." Sydney immediately stepped up.

"Yeah, I did. And your mom did once." I say.

"Just once!"

I turn and glare at Cat.

Not helping.

"I'm not going. You can't make me go." Sydney immediately said.

"Syd, you asked me to set this up. I did. Danielle is a very busy woman, and we can't stand her up." I say firmly.

"Yeah, you can call her and say we're not coming. I'm sure she'll be happy to have a free hour or two."

I frown, and her mom snapped "Sydney!"

"No. I'm not doing that. I cannot call her anyway, because I don't have her phone number."

"Why not?" Sydney demanded.

"I didn't put it in my phone at your mother's request." I tell her.

"Why not?" Sydney asked her mother.

"Well, let me put it this way. Would you like it if Austin kept his exes number?" Cat said.

"Keep him out of this! Your logic is stupid mom!"

"Ok, bad example. Don't talk to your mother like that." I tell her.

"I'm tired Dad. I was up until 4 AM working on my music. And you woke me up to go meet your stupid ex girlfriend? I mean come ON!" Sydney said in frustration.

"If you would have listened earlier in the week, we wouldn't have had this problem." I say.

"And don't yell. The boys are sleeping." Cat said calmly, as the Couric beeped.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not going." Sydney stared me down.

"Why don't you want to go?" I ask. "You were so keen on meeting her a couple of months ago."

"No I wasn't! You just scheduled it!"

I turn and look to Cat. "Honey, back me up here."

"No can do Robbie. I wasn't there. Because you didn't want me to be." Cat glared at me.

That's why she's mad.

She wanted to be involved.

That, and the fact that we're going to meet my ex, without her.

I open my mouth to apologize, but Sydney beat me to it.

"See? Your own wife doesn't even want me to go!"

I whip back around and stare down Sydney.

"Okay. You've found the line Sydney. Why are you so mad?" I ask.

"I'm not mad!" She hotly replied.

"Yeah you are! Are we missing something again?" Cat asked.

"No. I did plan to spend the day with Austin. AFTER…I slept in! But thanks for ruining that!" She snapped at me.

"Ok. For the second time. Don't talk to me like that Sydney. I'm your Dad, and you can't yell at me." I frown at her.

She took a step back and briefly look revolted.

"You? MY DAD? We've already talked about this. YOU'RE NOT MY DAD! Stop bossing me around like I'm a child! I'M STAYING!" She screamed.

"Sydney Jade Valentine!" Cat jumped in.

Austin suddenly flew in from nowhere, box in hand and placed it on the counter.

He then covered her mouth, and dragged her away.

What?

I then look over to Cat.

"Did you hear the door?" I ask her.

Cat shook my head.

"What are you yelling about?" I hear Austin say quietly.

Cat motioned for me to be quiet.

"They want me to go to Sacramento! For no good reason!"

"For that woman you wanted to meet right?" Austin said.

I knew she told him!

"But today we're supposed to be together all day and be lazy! I can't just leave!" Sydney countered.

"I can wait. It's a Tuesday, and I'm free tomorrow too. You know you just got yourself into trouble right?"

"Not that much." Sydney said defensively.

I look up suddenly.

I heard footsteps.

"—at them for no good reason! I heard them tell you last Saturday about this trip! Plus you yelled about your dad not being your dad so loud the whole house heard!" Austin said, sounding angry.

"Austin?" I hear Corey's voice.

I silently yell out "SHIT!" and bite my lip.

She's really in trouble now.

"Hey bud. Good morning."

"Why are you here?" Corey asked quietly, as footsteps drifted to us.

"I brought breakfast for everyone. It's in the kitchen man."

"Yay!" I hear Kevin and Corey both say, then more footsteps come downstairs.

Corey came in first, as the timer went off for the rolls.

"Mommy!" Corey ducked under my arm, as I was getting the rolls.

I didn't make enough for everyone because it was just supposed to be me and Syd.

Just 4.

I hear Cat talking, and Kevin appeared and cheered "Cinnamon Rolls! Score Corey!"

"Yay! Daddy!" Corey smashed into me, just as Austin and Sydney reappeared.

"Hi. Morning." Austin said to Cat.

"Hey Austin. What'd you bring?"

"Breakfast tacos. I thought you guys would like them." He smiled, and then waved to me.

"I haven't had breakfast tacos in forever." I say. "Good idea."

"What are they?" Corey bounced, as Kevin got a cinnamon roll.

"Either potato or bacon and egg in a little tortilla. You can add stuff like salsa or peppers. It's really good." Austin smiled, as Sydney grabbed one and quickly dug in.

"Cool. Daddy, can you help me with my bed? The covers got messed up again." Corey said to me.

Kevin quickly gave him a odd look, and I fight to keep an even face.

"Okay bud, I'll be right back." I say to the room, then slip by Sydney and follow Corey upstairs and to his room.

"Daddy?" I hear him say, as I walk in.

"Is everything ok?"

His even facial expression nearly makes my heart crack.

"Yeah bud…what do you mean?" I ask, sitting on his unmade but perfectly fine bed.

"I…Kevin and I didn't mean to, but Sydney woke us up with her yelling." He said, looking at the ground.

"Oh. I'm sorry bud. We'll talk to her about that." I say to him, as he comes and reaches for a hug.

I pull him in and he hugs me tightly.

"Why did Sydney say you're not her dad? I don't understand." He asked me quietly, still hugging me.

His question takes my breath away, and the bottom falls right out of my stomach.

"Nothing bud. She's just mad that we have to go to Sacramento."

"Why do you have to go daddy?"

"It's for her music bud." I say.

Suddenly Corey looked sad, and his shoulders slumped.

"Why is she always working on her music away from home daddy? I miss her."

I quickly hug him again.

"Oh buddy…it's ok. She just really loves music and wants to be like mommy. And that takes a long time."

"So she'll be gone more?"

"Yeah bud."

…

"She loves music more than me. Doesn't she?" Corey said quietly.

"What? No Corey! Absolutely not. Your mother and I would make her stop if that was true. She loves you and Kevin more than anything. I promise."

"As much as Austin?"

I smile and laugh, and Corey smiled.

"That's a different kind of love bud. Now do you really need help with your bed?" I stand up, and Corey popped up too.

"No, not really."

I smile, then turn and quickly make his bed.

When I turn, my 8, soon to be 9 year old son is smiling from ear to ear.

I did just save him a chore.

"Thanks Daddy!"

"No problem Core—"

My phone sounded out from its spot in my pocket.

Unknown Number

"Go get breakfast bud, I'll be right down." I tell Corey, then answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Robbie! It's Danielle, how are you?"

I check over my shoulder for Corey, then say "Danielle, hi! I'm ok. What's up?"

"I'm okay, but I have bad news." She sighed.

"Ok. Is everything ok?" I ask.

"Well, the governor cancelled on me because he needs more time to crunch the numbers."

"Figures." I grumble.

"You're not a fan I see."

"I voted for the other guy. Is that it?" I ask.

"No, the President is making me check out one of his work projects, so I can't come today."

…

"Oh. Okay, I understand. Duty calls." I joke, adding a laugh on the end.

Hopefully that didn't sound forced.

"I'm really sorry." She whined.

I roll my eyes. "It's okay. Sydney wanted to spend the day with her boyfriend and was talking back to Cat and I. So I guess it works out."

"Oh. Well yeah. I guess so. Maybe we can meet up another time?" She asked.

"Maybe. I'll email you." I say.

Not.

"Okay. I don't have much time off, but I will definitely swing by home and let you know when that is."

"Great." I say.

"Uh huh. Well I gotta go Robbie, talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye."

I don't even hang onto the line long enough to hear her goodbye and hang up.

Well…

I don't think we'll ever speak again.

We missed our window.

…

I walk back downstairs to everybody eating.

All the rolls are gone, and most of the breakfast tacos too.

"Your mother and I need to see you two." I say to Sydney and Austin.

"Okay." Austin said, mouth full as Sydney leads the way to our bedroom.

I'm the last one in, and shut the door.

"I'm sorry!" Sydney immediately yelped.

I give her a simple stare, and sit opposite cat on the edge of our bed.

"Let me talk. Then we'll get into that." I say.

…

"Danielle just called to cancel."

Sydney pumped her fist and said "Yesss."

"Stop that!" I bark at her, and she quickly stopped.

"The governor stalled for more time, and the president reassigned her to oversee a work project. So she isn't meeting us.

"The president. Of the United States?" Austin asked, looking stunned.

"Yeah." Cat said.

"She wanted to reschedule, but we'll talk about that later." I say.

"Why?" Sydney blurted out.

"Because. You don't want to meet her and straighten things out." I frown at her.

"I do too! Not today though."

"You can't have it both ways. So stop. If you want her email, ask and I'll give it to you."

"Can I have it?" She asked.

"No." Cat said quickly.

"Guess not." I say.

"Why not?" Sydney asked.

"Because, she had her chance. I didn't want her to meet you in the first place. She told Robbie to leave you and me. I'd be fine if she got hit by a truck. I don't like her at all. So since she had to cancel, I'm going to have Robbie delete her email. And block her number." She looked to me.

"It was a unknown number. She masked it."

"Figures. Bitch." She said.

Austin's eyes went wide, and Sydney looked surprised.

"So now I'm going to go to the store and pick up whatever we need. But before we go, I want to talk about our discussion earlier."

"I said I'm sorry." Sydney quickly said.

Cat let out one quick, harsh laugh. "Like that's going to help. You just want to get out of trouble."

"But—"

"Don't care." I jump in. "Your mother and I tolerated you yelling at us once about not trusting you and Austin. And maybe we deserved it. We're sorry about that. Beck, Jade, Tori, Andre, even your mother and I, we all apologized." I say.

Sydney looks nervous.

"But you don't talk to your mother and I like that. It's unacceptable anytime, but especially in my house. I understand you just wanted to be together today, which is fine. But you don't yell at us and pitch a fit like a 5 year old."

"Did not!" Sydney looked affronted.

"Yes you did!" Cat and I both say.

I smile, then look to Cat.

"How long?"

"A week." She said.

"What are you talking about?" Sydney quickly asked.

"You're grounded." I say.

"WHAT?" She shrieked.

"For a week. Go get your keys."

"But—"

"Now!" Cat snapped at her.

Sydney let out a shriek, turned to the door, swung it open and slammed it shut.

Leaving Austin looking quite antsy.

"Sorry about this." I say.

"I…I understand. But man she's mad." He said, looking at the door and taking a step back.

"I'm adding a day for slamming the door." Cat said, not sounding happy.

"Cosigned." I say.

…

I can hear Sydney storm back down, then reenter.

She shoved the keys into my hand, scowling.

When I switch hands with the keys, I'm bleeding slightly.

"You're grounded from driving for 8 days." I say, going to her car keys and starting to take it off the hook.

"8?" She yelped.

"Extra day for slamming the door." Cat said.

"That's not—"

"AAHHHPPP!" I cut her off. "One more comment, and I take away your phone."

She quickly shut her mouth, then calmly asked "Why?"

I sigh to myself.

"Because, Corey didn't need his bed fixed. He asked me what you meant when you screamed that I wasn't your dad."

I hear Cat gasp, and Austin immediately tensed up.

Sydney went pale.

"Kevin heard it too. And you know what I had to do Sydney?" I ask.

…

"What?"

"I had to lie to his face and say you were talking out of anger." I look at her, not bothering to hide how upset I am.

I had to lie to Corey to cover her ass.

"Now Austin is certainly welcome, and he can stay as long as he can today. But Cat, me or somebody will have to drive him home. Not you." I say.

"How did you get here today?" Cat quickly asked.

"My grandma dropped me off." He smiled shyly.

"Great. Now I'm gonna go snag some breakfast, then go run errands." I say.

"No more breakfast." Sydney blurted out.

Are you serious?

I harshly laugh, and then sigh. "Of course there isn't. Fine. I'll be back later." I say, and then turn to Cat.

"I'm taking her SUV, just so you know."

"Okay, drive safe." She smiled at me.

I smile back, then slip out and quickly leave the house.

I hate having to use tough love.