Just a little short one

Enjoy

Christian and Daniel had agreed to meet at Escala on an afternoon towards the end of the week, and they hadn't expressly said what they were going to talk about but it was an unspoken thing between them- they were both fully aware what the topic was going to be.

Ivy had mentioned something about needing to go shopping and Daniel was taking the twins with him, putting them both in a white crib that Christian had set up in the main room, and they were happily falling asleep.

Daniel sat down opposite Christian with a sigh, looking defeated and tapping at his mug 'have you... Have you noticed anything different about Ivy recently?'.

Christian nodded with a sigh 'I'm glad it's not just me'.

'She's been spending less and less time with the kids you know, voluntarily- it's now become just feeding, bathing and changing, I don't think she holds them anymore... I think something has-' Daniel though for the right word and looked a little lost 'changed'.

Christian ran a hand through his hair 'it's happened very quickly hasn't it, Christ. I was under the impression that everything was going well'

Daniel but the inside of his cheek 'So did I. I hate to say it but was she like this you know - before? Before I even knew her?'.

Christian sighed and half nodded in a non-committal way and a silence lulled between them and they both looked lost in their thoughts, the babies gurgling sleepily until the silence was broken.

Daniel sighed 'maybe this is all just too much for her. It wasn't that long ago that Ivy was that skinny; scrawny, angry, messed up kid was it. I mean, look at her now, she's achieved so much but she's got all this pressure on her, and now there are two little people depending upon her as well'

'You're also in a high pressure job with two dependent children Daniel'.

He rolled his eyes a little 'yes, but she's a little bit younger than me- I'm not exactly old but I was a fully qualified as a lawyer when she was 17- I'm the one who drew up her emancipation documents before she was 18 for fucks sake... She's changed so much since then and is expected to hold it together... I just want to know what's wrong with her and try and make it better'

'It's always as simple as that unfortunately'

John Flynn was about to start packing up his notes when his assistant Ellie knocked on the door 'John, I know you were planning to leave early and miss the traffic but a client has turned up asking for an appointment- you want it now or shall I reschedule for tomorrow?'.

John glanced at his watch and sat back down again 'no it's fine, I'll stay around and sort through some paperwork to skip the rush hour. Send them on it- who is it?'. Ellie glanced at the slip of paper in her hand 'Miss Van Rensberg'.

John looked surprised but nodded 'okay, send Ivy in'

She was wearing jeans and an oversized Mariners jumper that was obviously either Christian's or Daniel's, her hair was in a messy high ponytail and she looked thin and pale, sitting down heavily opposite John.

'Ivy… What can I do to help you today?'

Ivy swallowed, tears welling in her eyes as her voice cracked 'I'm- John... I need help'

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