It has been a few days since Jade's spoken to Zeek. He hasn't called or shown up to her house and it was driving Jade crazy. She was desperate to see him.

Jade: (on the phone) If you hear from him, can you tell him to call me?

Jade sat on the couch as she talked on the phone with one of Zeek's friends.

Jade: Thanks.

Jade sat her phone down as she stood up to go check the mail. She grabbed the two letters from the mailbox, and opened the envelope from her attorney.

Jade: Fuck you Beck.

Jade sighed as she tore the letter to shreds carelessly dropping it to the floor. Tori walked over to her.

Tori: Mommy?

Jade opened her other letter taking a look at it.

Jade: What?

Tori: I hungry.

Jade looked down from reading her bill, she shrugged.

Jade: What did I say?

Tori: One.

Jade: One what?

Tori guiltily looked down fiddling with her fingers.

Tori: One cracker.

Jade: That's right. You ate yours earlier.

Tori: But

Jade: But?

Jade challenged Tori giving her a warning glare.

Tori: I hungry, again.

Jade: So am I but you don't see me eating all the crackers.

Tori's lips quivered, she was on the verge of tears.

Jade: Go play like a good kid.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Conrad: No drugs were found during the raid.

Beck: I know what I saw, and I know who it was from.

Conrad: If you are referring to Ms. West's relation-

Beck: Boyfriend, yes I am.

Conrad: I was told he wasn't there during the raid.

Beck: He lives there, he's always there terrorizing something.

Conrad: I cannot do anything about the boyfriend at this time.

Beck: What am I paying you for?

Conrad: We don't have enough evidence to focus on him.

Beck: My kids have told me-

Beck's lawyer shook his head stopping Beck from speaking.

Conrad: We cannot use your kids to testify in court.

Beck: They're the only ones who can tell all about him.

Conrad: Three years is too young to be put in this situation.

Beck: I have to get my babies out of that house.

Conrad: We're doing everything we can Mr. Oliver.

Beck: Well I need you to speed up the process. They're not safe.

Conrad: I'm on your side.

Beck: Doesn't seem like it to me.

Conrad: It takes time. You should work on the complaints made by Ms. West.

Beck: Jade's complaints are ridiculous, she's the one who needs working on.

Conrad: Do what you can for your kids.

/ / / / / / / / / /

A little over a week later, it was Beck's weekend to get the toddlers. Jade had them all dressed and ready. Shoes on, jackets on, duffle bag packed, she had them all standing in front of the door waiting for Beck.

Robbie: Is that daddy?

The tots were all watching cars pass by waiting for Beck to pick them up.

Andre: No, that's not daddy.

Cat: Him's car is bigger.

Tori: (gasps) There's daddy.

Trina: No, Tori.

Beck drove his minivan turning onto Jade's street. He drove in the driveway parking his car. He watched his tots jump for joy as he got out of his vehicle walking to the porch. Before he could even reach the porch, Jade opened the door and the toddlers all ran out to him hugging his legs.

Trina: Daddy, you came!

Beck: Of course I did princess.

Tori: I miss you daddy.

Beck: I missed you too, you know someone else who misses you?

Andre: No.

Robbie: Who?

Beck: Your Nana, why don't we go visit her?

Cat: Yay, I love Nana!

The kids all raced to Beck's minivan. Jade stood in the opened door, she tossed Beck the kids' duffle bag, he caught it.

Beck: How are you doing Jade?

Jade: Fuck you.

Jade walked back inside her house, she slammed the door shut before Beck could say anything.

At Beck's apartment:

The toddlers all sat at the kitchen table drawing and coloring with their new crayons Beck's mother gave to them.

Beck: You guys are great artists.

Andre: Artists?

Beck: It means you draw well, you have talent.

Trina: Am I oppose to say thank you?

Beck: (chuckles) You could, it's polite.

Trina: Thank you.

Cat: Here daddy, I drawed you.

Cat handed Beck her drawing, he smiled at the scribbles.

Beck: I didn't know my head was this big.

Cat: Do you like it?

Beck: I love it, thank you princess.

The toddlers all continued drawing, letting their imaginations flow on their papers, Beck clear his throat.

Beck: Did you eat enough at Nana's house?

The toddlers all nodded concentrating on their pictures.

Beck: You guys ate a lot, did you eat at your Mommy's house?

The tots didn't respond to Beck's question, Robbie looked up at him.

Robbie: Daddy, what's money?

Beck: Money?

Robbie: Yes, what is it?

Beck: Uh, money is paper used to buy things.

Robbie: Oh.

Tori: Zeek taked mommy's money.

Beck: He took her money?

Tori: He hurt her and taked it.

Beck: Did he hit her again?

Andre: Yes, I no like him daddy. He's bad.

Trina: Why do he hurt mommy, daddy?

Beck: I don't know sweetie. I wish I could tell you.

Beck thought for a moment, he knew his toddlers were smart enough to help their case without even knowing it. He knows he can't get them in front of the court but he could get their voices heard.

Beck: You know what a phone is?

Tori: (giggles) Yes daddy, mommy calls you on hers.

Beck: That's right. Do you know how to use it?

Cat: (nods) You say, "hello?".

Beck: Do you know how to call me?

Andre: Press the numbers.

Beck: What's my phone number to call me?

The toddlers all stared at Beck confused.

Beck: Do you remember the story book about the, police?

Robbie: Are you gonna read it, daddy?

Beck: Sure, if you want. What do police do?

Trina: They take care of people.

Tori: And, they uh, put bad guys in jail.

Beck: Do you want to learn how to call the police?

Andre: But why?

Beck: The next time Zeek hits your mommy or if he hits you, I want you to call the police.

Cat: We no see him anymore.

Tori: He's gone daddy.

Beck was sitting on his couch with the toddlers all surrounding him, he handed Cat his cell phone.

Beck: Your turn, Cat.

Cat: Do I press it?

Beck: Yeah, do you remember the police number?

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Sunday afternoon Beck had brought the kids back to Jade's. He helped them all out from their car seats, they all ran to the porch, Beck was behind them carrying their duffle bag and groceries. He reached out to knock as the door opened. Jade stepped aside allowing the toddlers to walk inside. Beck went to enter after them, Jade stood in his way.

Jade: There is no need for you to come in.

Beck: I just want to help them get settled.

Jade: No, you just want to come in to be nosey.

Beck: Why the attitude Jade?

Jade: You'd have an attitude too if you watched your house be searched at three in the morning.

Beck: I don't have time to argue with you.

Jade: Really? I have time.

Beck: I have to grade papers for tomorrow so, here.

Jade grabbed the duffle bag throwing behind her.

Jade: I don't need your food.

Beck: My kids need to eat.

Jade: I have food, I went shopping yesterday.

Beck: Oh, with your stripper money?

Jade: Get out of here Beck.

Beck: Zeek didn't take your cash again?

Jade looked from Beck, to the toddlers standing inside watching her and Beck's conversation.

Jade: What did I say about, talking about my business? Huh?

The tots all flinched at Jade's words shaking their heads.

Jade: Go to your room.

The toddlers all quickly walked away to their room, Jade turned to Beck.

Beck: Take it, here.

Jade: Did you hear what I said?

Beck: It's not for you, it's for my kids.

Jade snatched the bags of groceries from Beck.

Jade: Go away and mind your own damn business.

Jade slammed the door in Beck's face.

/ / / / / / / / /

Thanks for reading, more to come.

Next chapters are intense. Might be uploaded tonight or tomorrow.

I've been writing new chapters for BLYL and I'm exciting to get that story back up and running. There will be a trailer for it by the end of this story.