Sorry it's been FOREVER since I gave you an update, but I've come back home for summer, started a new job and gone on holiday- bit we're back now!

Enjoy and let me know what you think is going on. Thought we should have a bit of Christian and Ivy's Dad as he's sort of disappeared

Kate and Ana were over for lunch at Daniel and Ivy's house whilst Daniel was in Court for the day and she was looking over a few bits of paperwork for the merger whilst looking after the twins.

The babies were both down for a nap whilst the three of them ate, talking mostly about Elliot and Kate's relationship as well as the incredibly secretive one of Mia and Ethan, which none of the three of them actually knew any details about.

Midway through the meal Ivy rubbed her forehead, muttering 'I've got a splitting headache'. Kate motioned to her bag 'I've got a pack of painkillers if you want one?'.

Ivy awkwardly shook her head 'I can't, unless it's completely necessary I can't take anything'. Kate looked surprised 'still?'

Ana twisted her mouth and Ivy nodded grimly 'I don't trust myself, it's not worth risking it is it'. 'God, I hadn't realise it lasted around this long after you stopped using anything'.

'Well, it's an addiction, it never really goes away... Anyway, can we talk about something else?'

Ana spoke 'How's the merger going? Christian and your Uncles seemed pleased with the progress when we had dinner last night' and with that the conversation moved swiftly off the topic of her previous addictions.

Daniel came home at 7.30 and Ivy was sitting alone on the sofa watching the news, looking exhausted and half asleep 'Hi honey, how is the case going?'

Daniel shrugged off his jacket and sat beside her on the sofa and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her neck and shoulder gently 'god I've missed you- and the kids, it's quiet, they must be asleep'.

Ivy nodded and turned around to face him 'thank you'. Daniel blinked 'for what?'.

'For not giving up on me'. His answer was in the form of a quick kiss to her lips and a quiet 'never'. They sat like that in each other's arms until they heard the gentle fussing of one of their children that quickly turned into a cry, followed by the other one joining in.

Christian, Elliot, Mia, Grace, Carrick, Ethan, Kate, Ivy, Daniel, Ana, and the three Van Rensberg Uncles were having lunch together at the Grey house over the weekend and Mia was discussing the results of her wedding planning. She had been making inquiries at a venue in the City that Daniel and Ivy had taken an interest in.

Mia clapped her hands together 'so, two choices guys, the only availability they have is in about eighteen months'. They both twisted their mouths, not having expected such a long wait

'or- or there is an opening in three weeks'. Everyone looked up quickly 'three weeks?'.

Mia nodded 'I mean... It's do-able... You've known what dress you wanted since before the twins came along haven't you, and I can sort out the catering, photography, flowers, invitations... It's up to you two really- I'm happy to do the legwork…'. Christian saw Daniel's grin and the glint in Ivy's eyes and knew already what the answer was going to be 'fine, three weeks it is then'

As they were all getting their things together to leave, Christian pulled Ivy to one side 'you'll need to write out invitations pretty quickly... Are you going to invite our Father?'.

She was silent for a long time before sighing 'I don't know... I... I think I'll go and see him this week'. Christian looked shocked and Ivy shrugged 'he might have made a shit job of it but he still raised me for most of my life...' Christian looked surprised but simply nodded 'well, it's up to you'

Christian opened his mouth then closed it again, biting his cheek for a second before speaking again 'I don't… I don't know if that's the best idea Ivy'

Her expression hardened 'I'm old enough and big enough to make my own mistakes surely'.

'I'm just trying to protect you from getting hurt' Ivy narrowed her eyes 'I don't need anyone to look after me'. Christian clenched his jaw 'what's gotten into you recently? You've not been yourself'

The only response he got was his little sister rolling her eyes and leaving the house.

The following day Ivy drove to Ruston in silence, it was only when she had taken the turnoff that she was aware that the radio wasn't even on.

Lewis Van Rensberg was still living in the same house that Ivy had mostly grown up in, and drove through her old neighbourhood, thankful that she didn't see anyone that she recognised, pulling into the drive and knocking on the door.

Lewis had colour in his cheeks and looked healthier and in better shape than Ivy had ever seen him in her life. He was wearing a black short sleeved top, grey tracksuit bottoms and a pair of trainers, headphones in his ears hat he quickly took out, looking dumbfounded to see his daughter there.

'Ivy… I… Well this is unexpected'. She smiled weakly 'You look good Dad, you look healthy'.

He nodded, still catching his breath back a little after the workout 'I've been given an all clear… I'm in the best shape I've been in for years' There was a pause before he moved aside a little 'do you want to come in?'

She nodded and came in, the pair of them sitting down on the sofas that Ivy recognised as new 'you want coffee? I've just made some?' Ivy nodded with a smile 'yeah, thanks'

Lewis disappeared into the kitchen and appeared again quickly with two coffees and a plate of biscuits, setting them down and sitting opposite his youngest child, biting his lip as he looked over her.

'You look good Ivy, you're all grown up now- bloody hell you look like my mother now don't you. I, uh, congratulations on your children by the way'. Ivy blinked 'how did you know about the twins'

'Ivy, we might have had our differences but you're still my daughter, I read anything and everything they print and post about you- including your children of course'

'Oh, well… thanks. I'm, uh, I'm getting married in three weeks Dad, I know we haven't spoken since I walked out but I'd like it if you came. You don't have to if you don't want to but the invitation is there'

Lewis's eyebrows rose 'you're getting married? Wow… you really have come a long way from—'

He trailed off and Ivy knew he was talking about her prior drug use; it didn't need to be specified.

Lewis bit the inside of his cheek 'are you ever… tempted now?' Ivy exhaled deeply 'drugs? No…' She swallowed, glancing away slightly, her voice quiet

'I've never been able to lie to you have I Dad… I get tempted, a lot… It's bad… I can't tell Daniel or Christian, I don't even know what they would say… It's not like I was when I was 16/17… but I'm terrified to even take painkillers anymore'

She looked back over and saw her father's steely expression and saw worry flicker over his face mixed with clear concern 'your brother would understand far better than you think, I've never met Daniel but if he knows about your past and he's still around then he'd probably understand as well. You and Christian are both far better children than I deserve, far better'

Lewis sat back in his chair, stroking his chin

'I tried, with you, I honestly did. Your mother was hardly a natural born parent but I thought I could try my best to be both parents to you, it was just hard. You were so small when you were born, absolutely tiny, you were your whole life really. Whenever your mother would swan off somewhere and disappear for months at a time, I was left to look after you and work, and you were distant with me. You wanted your mother, as all little kids do, and the more she was away, the more you pulled away from me. Because of the distance I just didn't know how to reach out to you, and then the distance just got wider and wider as you got older and smarter. By the time you were older you had already started to unravel, and there was no way to get through to you. Every time I tried to level with you, it pushed you further over the edge'

Ivy swallowed, nodding a little 'In hindsight I know what you're saying. You might not have been a fantastic father but I don't envy you for having to look after a kid as messed up as I was, frankly. And also, I mean… we had our differences but anything is better than Mum isn't it, at least you were there'

Lewis nodded, looking lost at what to say until he finally broke the silence 'I'm sorry', she looked confused and shook her head 'I've waited years to hear you say that and now you have- I've already forgiven you, I don't even blame you'

There was another pause and Lewis smiled a little 'send me the details about the wedding? I'll be there- as long as that's what you want?'

Ivy looked visibly relieved and sat back in the chair 'Right now-…Christian wasn't thrilled with me coming here, but right now I really need a Dad'

Lewis glanced over her again, his voice still quiet 'I've known you since the day you were born Ivy… I've seen that look before, and it was right before you dropped fifty pounds and started a downward spiral. I never knew if you lost all that weight because of the drugs or because of another reason… you have two children now Ivy… I certainly hope you aren't going to make a mistake like I did and miss out on your children's lives'

Ivy looked both surprised and affronted, staring at her father in silence for a minute before standing up sharply and abruptly grabbing her bag and storming out of the house.

The journey back from Ruston was just over an hour and Ivy could feel her hands shaking as she headed for the I-5, telling herself it wasn't a long journey, and that she could make it back home to the City.

She couldn't.

Before the turn off Ivy turned off into a small parking lot that was empty of people and she didn't even take the key out of the ignition before she opened the car door, barely able to keep herself upright before she threw up on to the ground.

Ivy was shaking so much that she had to lean against the Mercedes to stop herself from slumping to the floor. She looked around to make sure no one had seen her and got back into the car, leaning on the steering wheel as light, sad tears quickly turned into huge racking sobs.

After a while, Ivy wasn't sure how long she sat there, her phone began to ring.

'DANIEL'

Glancing at the screen she saw the picture of her fiancée smiling and holding both their babies, one in each arm. Ivy ignored the call and sat in the car, staring out the window vacantly.

All getting a bit grim sorry, what do you think is going on then?

Let me know and please comment and review :)