A/N: Sorry it's taking me forever to write this fanfic. I'm sort of just coming up with it as I go, so that's why chapters take so long to get uploaded. Enjoy!

You swear to god that what you're looking at is a scene straight out of a made for TV movie. The sheets on the bed are a mess, with John curled tightly into a ball in the middle. The battery of his phone was flung somewhere in the room, and he's practically gone through one whole tissue box. Shit, you can't bear to see him like this. If it wasn't for Dirk's god awful child rearing maybe you would actually know what to say right now. John's just been crying and crying, and all you can think to do is rub his back and agree with whatever slightly incoherent things he says between sobs.

"Dave I... I can't... BELIEVE HER." John says through choked breaths.

"I know... I know." you whisper, laying down next to him. He snuggles into your chest and you instinctively wrap an arm around him.

"She has... NO RIGHT... to think she can just... ASK THAT." he sighs heavily, trying to quiet himself down. Even though Casey's asleep, she is just a few rooms away.

"For such an elegant chick, she has about as much tact as drunk college kid." You mutter.

"Dave, are you trying to be funny?" John sniffs loudly and sits up to look at you, the slightest hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"I wish I wasn't. Damn, she really did a number on you."

"Thanks for reminding me, asshole." John deadpans.

"Just speakin' the truth," you roll onto your back and stare at the off-white ceiling. John's body is shaking next to you, and a new wave of guilt for not being able to help hits you. Fuckin' emotions.

You know something is wrong. Daddy never cries like this. Even when he does cry, he always has done a better job of hiding it. For over an hour you heard him crying in the next room over, which overtook you with fear. What would make him cry so hard? Was it Dave? It probably was. He's the one messing everything up. How does he think he can come into your house and make your Daddy cry? Well, this certainly can't last any longer.

Jumping out of bed, your socked feet make a light thud as you hit the ground running. The door to Daddy's room is closed, so you fling it open, ready to fight, but what you see stops you in your tracks. Daddy is asleep in Dave's arms. His nose is so red it looks like he has a cold, and there are crumpled up tissues all over his bed. You open your mouth wide, ready to shout, but Dave beats you to it.

"I know why you're here. Yes, your dad is upset. No, it's not my fault." Dave says, glaring at you. That's how you notice how red and puffy his eyes are. He's been crying too. Nonetheless, you're still mad at him.

"You don't know what I'm doing! Move outta the way. I'm talking to Daddy." You say with anger, a hint of smugness edging into your voice. He's got no choice but to move!

"Listen here 'cause I'm only sayin' this once," he begins, "If I was you I'd get the hell outta this room before your dad wakes up."

"NO!" you shout. You can't believe he said that to you. How does HE know what Daddy wants? Inhaling deeply, you're ready to scream, but you fall dead silent once you see Daddy starting to wake up.

"W...what's happening?" Daddy says, his nose full of snot. His eyes widen when he sees you.

Dave just drops his forehead into one hand, and you think he mumbles, "Jesus Christ." under his breath. Daddy wriggles out of Dave's arms and sits up, looking around like he got caught peeking at Christmas presents early. Everyone is silent for a tense moment, everyone glancing at one another.

"DADDY, DAVE SAID A BAD WORD!" you shout, and scramble out of the room before he has the chance to say anything. You still have no clue what is going on, but you don't care anymore. Hot tears are making tracks down your cheeks, and you jump into your bed.

"Dave you have five seconds to tell me what the hell is going on." You stare him down until he finally breaks, looking down at the floor.

"John, even I don't fucking know anymore, okay?" he says, tears rimming his eyes. Dave rarely cries, and you feel a twinge of guilt because you know this is all of your fault. You want to take out your anger, and he's the closest punching bag.

"Why did you say a cuss word? IN FRONT OF YOU-KNOW-WHO?" you're shouting now.

"God damn it, your daughter isn't Voldemort. She knows you're talking about her. And you're sure as hell gonna have to talk to her about the phone call some-"

"Shut up!" you break him off mid sentence with your outburst. Your breathing is erratic and you pull on your curly hair. "Okay, so I'm gonna have to talk to her. Yeah, soon. Sometime."

"John, I know you aren't gonna do it."

"Oh really? How the hell do you know?"

"Because if you're the same man that I've been dating for the past two years, I know you're gonna keep putting this off until it turns into a huge family blow out." You have nothing to say to that. Even though you don't like to admit it, Dave does make legitimate points every once in awhile. You say nothing.

"Jonathan Egbert, you go put on your big boy pants and march your ass into your daughter's room. Just because Casey's mom says you can't do shit, that doesn't mean it's true.

"Dave, no. I can't do it." you're defeated.

"I don't think so. Now, I could go on a long spiel here about how Nic Cage never fucking gives up, and how even though he's a bad actor he just keeps on auditioning. But I'm not even gonna attempt to do that because you don't need it. What you do need right now is a good dose of family time."

"Uh..." you're not sure what to say. Luckily Dave does.

"Go get'em, tiger."

And with that, he pushes you out the bedroom door.

There's a soft knock on your door. It's hesitant and unsure, but you don't even have to get up to answer it because Daddy steps in a moment later. Seeing him silhouetted in the light of the hallway scares you, and you hold on harder to your stuffed lizard. Daddy turns on the lamp before he takes a seat on your bed, and the mattress wheezes in protest at his weight. His part of the bed sinks down, and you end up sliding into him.

"Hi honey." he says, laying a hand on your forehead.

"Daddy, I dunno what's goin' on, but I don' like it." you try to hold back your tears, but your attempts are fruitless.

"I... I don't know where to begin, Casey. A lot has happened tonight."

"Did Dave be mean to you?" anger wells inside you again.

"No! No, Dave doesn't have anything to do with this. Well, not really." He shakes his head, and you're not sure why.

"Daddy just go away! If all you wanna do is talk 'bout Dave then leave!" your voice catches in your throat as you say this.

"Casey! This isn't about him! You need to listen to me."

"Fine. I'm waiting." out of habit your lower lip juts into a pout.

"...Your mom called me tonight." he doesn't make eye contact with you as you jump out of bed, your heart racing.

"WHAT? MOMMY?! REALLY?" You're so excited you can't control yourself. Maybe you'll finally get to see her again. You'll finally be able to prove Daddy wrong because he'll see that Dave can never be as good as mommy. "OHMYGOD WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" you're practically jumping in place from excitement. You'll finally see her. You'll finally see her.

"Casey, shush." Daddy's face goes all stern and he's looking you in the eyes now. His eye brows are doing that funny caterpillar thing where they bunch up together in the middle and it's hard for you to hold back your laughter.

"Does she wanna come live with us? Is she gonna? Are you guys gonna get married?" you look up at him hopefully. You grow a little worried because Daddy's face isn't as excited as you want it to be.

"Well, erm, Mommy does want to come."

"Yay!"

"But... uh... well, she wants to come here, yes. But, I don't know if I want her to do that."

"YOU HAVE TO LET HER!" for the umpteenth time tonight your eyes fill with tears. You ball your fists, ready to throw a tantrum.

"Casey, it's not a good idea for you to be around her. She wants you to... live with her. Not all the time, but sometimes. But we just can't do that."

Silence.

"I hate you." you say, in a tone barely above a whisper.

"What's that, honey?"

"I said. I. Hate. YOU." you start screaming, tears pouring down your face. Why can't he see how much you want to see mommy?

Why doesn't he care?