Sorry this has taken FOREVER to get an update. Basically I've been working tons over the summer, and I've had my other fanfics to update, and this chapter is difficult for me to write as it had to include certain things for other chapters coming up

Thanks for hanging in there!

Enjoy x

It was two days later when Taylor furtively announced to Christian and Ana at about 7.30 in the evening that Jess had just come into the main lobby of Escala and was on her way up. They were surprised and Taylor quickly seemed to disappear somewhere as Jess arrived in the apartment a few minutes later.

Jess was wearing her grey skinny jeans and Christian was about to say something about her not eating enough, but he bit his tongue, remembering how much she had been through in the last few months.

She had a green t-shirt on and looked in surprisingly good spirits, her hair in a messy high ponytail and a slight smile on her face.

'Can I talk to you both?'

Ana nodded 'of course, where's Harry?'

'Kate and Elliot are looking after him, this won't take long'

Christian looked like he didn't know what to say and followed the two women in his life into the great room, where Jess sat down on the sofa opposite him and Ana. Jess glanced at her beeping phone with a frown and turned it on silent, placing it on the arm beside her.

'Right… I don't want to talk about what happened you know… with you and me' she glanced at Christian and he nodded slightly, letting her continue 'you didn't exactly handle it well but I shouldn't have stormed out and gone to Elliot's, I should have stayed to talk to you.. I just didn't know what to say'

Christian nodded 'You had every right to, but we can talk about this another time'

Jess looked relieved and bit her cheek for a few seconds 'Ana, you know Michelle and Chris Darvey don't you?'

Ana looked surprised by the name but nodded 'yeah, they were the leaders of Jose's photography course, why?'

'They're in India at the moment, it was Jose's idea that I should um… I should go out there and stay with them… they've got a son Harry's age and they are photographers. That's what I want to do and I've never seen anything of the world except Washington State and about two days in England six years ago when I went to see my Dad. Michelle and Chris have incited me to come stay with them in a few weeks, I would only be there for a month'

Christian shifted in his chair, his expression unreadable 'I know I reacted badly Jess, I'm well aware of that, you don't have to run away to India'

'I'd started planning this with them before the whole… 'thing' came up recently, I'm not running away or anything' Jess smiled, shaking her head 'its not anyone's 'fault' alright, I just- it's something I want to do'

Ana twisted her mouth 'how long will you be gone for?'

'Till September, so it's really not long. I'll be back before you know it'

Ana was biting the inside of her cheek and glanced at Christian, looking for his reaction. Jess followed her eye line to her father, who was looking intently at her, clearly deep in thought.

'You take security with you'

Jess did a double take 'excuse me?'

'I said you're taking security with you. I'd say Sawyer, there is no way Luke would forgive me if I didn't send him frankly'

'Are you saying you're okay with this?'

Christian sighed deeply, biting his cheek 'I'm not thrilled, no, of course I'm not. My daughter and my grandson are going half way across the world… of course I'm not thrilled, but it's not like I have a choice is it. I know that look on your face, you're going whether or not I say I'm okay'

Jess blinked in surprise and Ana smiled, looking between the two of them 'we can talk about this later, I'm glad you came to speak to us Jess, really I am'

Christian still looked deep in thought and sat up in his chair 'have you eaten yet Jess?'

She shook her head and he nodded slightly 'Right, well, I think we should go out for food…as a family'

Jess slowly nodded, looking lost at what to say before nodding 'yeah, that'd be nice'

Christian looked relieved and Ana stood up 'right, well, I'll see if we can book a place shall I?'

Christian glanced at his daughter and nodded slightly 'I'll speak to Luke tomorrow, if that's what you want?'

Jess smiled slightly 'if you're sure you can spare him whilst I'm away'

'You're my daughter, I'd spare the whole security team if I didn't know that you'd lose them all the second you landed'

Jess's eyebrows rose up but she looked amused 'even Taylor?'

'Even Taylor'

Christian stood up and held out his hand 'come, we should leave now if we want to get somewhere nice'

Jess lightly took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet and they looked awkwardly at each other before walking out to the main room, where Ana was on the phone making a booking at a restaurant.

'Ready to go?'

Jess nodded and they left, Taylor appearing seemingly from nowhere to open the door for them, Jess wasn't sure but she thought she could see a hint of a smile on his face when he saw the three of them together.

Dinner was uneventful and Jess was quiet but not silent, eating a fair amount of her food for once, and she was listening intently to the conversation between her parents, looking more relaxed than she had in weeks.

At the end of the meal Jess asked to be taken back to Elliot's house as she wanted to see Harry that night, and Christian drove them there, the topic of where she was going to stay for the nights following remaining unsaid.

On the way there Jess's phone rang and she blinked in surprise at the caller ID and glanced at Ana, who was sitting in the back seats with her but was now deliberately looking out of the window as she had seen who was calling.

Caleb

With a pause before, Jess answered her phone 'Hi'

Caleb sighed, seeming to be searching for his words before he spoke quickly 'Im sorry. It's none of my business about what you did before we were together, I was just shocked I guess. I shouldn't have been such a dick about it'

'I expected that reaction to be fair'

'Well, it was still a bad reaction, I shouldn't have said... What I said'

'Its fine'

'Well no, it's not. Can we talk? Face to face somewhere? I've got some time tomorrow, if you want?'

'Uh, yeah, sure. I'm at Elliot's and I'll have Harry with me'

'That's fine. You want to go for a coffee or something?'

Jess felt something tighten in her stomach and she had a faint smile on her lips 'that sounds perfect, just text me when and where?'

'Brilliant… I'll see you tomorrow then Jess. Bye'

'Bye'

She hung up and saw the faint smirk on Ana's lips as she squeezed her knee lightly with a knowing look. Jess tried in vain to hold back her smile.

Elliot was getting a bag out of his car at the front of his house when Christian, Ana and Jess pulled up outside and walked up. He looked surprised but happy that they were all together 'Alright guys? Jess Harry's finally asleep upstairs by the way, I was just getting my shit together for tomorrow- are you all… alright?'

Christian nodded to his son with a much softer expression than the last time they had seen each other 'we're getting there'. Elliot glanced at Jess and saw the smile on her face and shrugged

'Fair enough, uh, Jess did you want to get inside, it's freezing out here. You two can come in as well fi you want? Or have you got work tomorrow'

'We've both got work unfortunately. Jess… I'll talk to you before your birthday okay?'

She nodded and quickly tilted her head up and kissed Christian on the cheek 'thank you for listening'. She did the same to Ana and gave them both a quick smile 'I'll call you tomorrow, I'm gonna check on Harry. Night'

'Night'

'Goodnight Jess'

Elliot nodded at them both, looking appeased, putting an arm around Jess's shoulders as they walked up to his door, and he asked her something, and Jess nodded, making Elliot look surprised and glance back at his brother, looking impressed and surprised, obviously having just heard that Christian hadn't gone insane over the India news.

Caleb was wearing dark jeans and a blue jumper, his hair a typical mess and he was sitting at a table in the coffee shop at around 3 the next day, looking awkward as he waited on his own, tapping the table lightly.

As Jess entered with Harry on her hip he saw them both there, looking relieved and waved slightly. Jess smiled back and quickly ordered herself a coffee and a cookie for Harry, taking the papery cup and sitting down opposite Caleb.

'Hi' he looked at Harry 'hey little man' the toddler laughed and then became more engrossed in his cookie, leaving crumbs all over the black maxi skirt Jess was wearing.

'How have you been?'

Jess exhaled deeply, amused 'oh yeah, it's been a brilliant couple of weeks Cal'

'Hmmm, I know I fucked up, it's been a fair bit or Karma how shit I've felt about it for the last few days. I've missed having you around, both of you… I'm sorry Jess I really am. You know what, it's none of my business what you did before we met, I was hardly a saint, but it doesn't matter, we didn't even know each other… Can you forgive me? Or at least try'

'It's fine'

'Really? Just like that?'

Jess shrugged 'Just like that'

'You're not going to make me suffer for it?'

She smiled but shook her head 'no, I can't be bothered Caleb. I get why you reacted like that, and you've apologised, it's fine'

Caleb blinked in surprise but nodded 'thanks, I want to start again, or at least just forget what happened'

Jess was silent for a few seconds before speaking 'I'm going to India for a month'
There was a stunned pause 'what?'

'Yeah... Jose has a friend who does photojournalism and he's out there with his wife at the moment, they heard I was interested in it and said I could join them. I've seen so little of the world... It seemed like an opportunity I couldn't miss'

'And Harry?'

'He's coming with me of course' Caleb scratched his chin thoughtfully for a long time 'I've always wanted to see Asia'

Jess narrowed her eyes slightly 'what are you saying?' Caleb shrugged 'I'm not really saying anything'

Jess looked confused and moved her coffee out of Harry's reach as he leant over excitedly and tried to grab it 'just tell me what you are saying Caleb, I've seen that expression before'

'Well, Dad's going to China for two weeks on business over the summer, I could always... Pop over'

Jess raised her eyebrow 'that's a five hour flight Caleb, that's hardly 'popping over' is it?'
Caleb shrugged, his eyes not leaving hers 'it's a journey I'm willing to take, I don't know what else to say'

Jess looked at a loss of what to say and seemed stunned 'you want to take a five hour flight to come and see me?'

'Well, you and Harry but yes… I thought you'd be more excited about it but okay. I don't know what else to say J'

'There isn't really anything to say Cal… I don't know what I want at the moment. Don't get me wrong Caleb I still want you, really I do… I just need… I don't even know what I need. Ever since we lost...' She trailed off a little, not needing to say the words 'the baby', Caleb knew exactly what she was saying, and swallowed, his jaw clenching, and she continued. 'Ever since then I've just been so lost, I don't want to commit myself to a relationship or whatever with you- when I don't know exactly what I want'

Caleb exhaled deeply and ran a hand through his hair 'right, well I guess that's fair enough. At least you're honest'

A second later Caleb's phone started ringing and he looked annoyed, clearly having been about to say something. He glanced at the caller ID and sighed, answering it quickly and holding a finger up to Jess to indicate he would be quick.

Jess moved Harry slightly and listened to Caleb's annoyed tone 'Dad I'm busy… What?... I thought that was meant to be next week… Well it's not our fault if they change the dates… Right, I'll be there as soon as I can'

He hung up quickly and looked over at her 'Jess, that was my Dad, something's come up at work, you know how I'm working for him now. I need to get back, I'm sorry'

Jess waved a hand absently, waving off his comment 'no, don't worry about it, I was going to take Harry to buy some new shoes anyway'

'Is Sawyer coming with you?'

'Yeah, he's on the phone outside, why?'

Caleb stood up and shrugged 'I want you safe'

He leant down and kissed her incredibly lightly on the cheek and then ruffled Harry's hair before leaving.

The next two days passed quietly as Jess was kept busy, but she spoke to both Ana and Christian on the phone twice a day until the day of her 18th birthday dawned.

It was a Saturday which meant that both her parents were at home, so as arranged Jess took Harry over to Escala, the canvas bag with her having a change of clothes for both of them in it in case she decided to stay over.

After eating breakfast together, Ana handed Jess a parcel and kissed her forehead 'happy birthday darling'.

She pulled Harry up onto her lap and started to undo the packaging slowly, and Ana swallowed as it occurred to her that this was the girls first proper birthday she had ever had. Deftly she pulled out a necklace from the wrapping and looked at it closely.

On a very long chain was three small keys, of bronze, silver and gold. Ana could see that she liked it from the expression on her face as Jess pulled it quickly over her head

'it's meant to be a symbol of good luck and success'. Jess grinned, running her fingers over the necklace and Harry had turned around in her lap and was looking at them with interest as well.

'Thank you guys, it's beautiful, do you like that Harry?'

He nodded enthusiastically, running his hands over it 'pretty'. They all laughed and sat around drinking coffee for a while, and everything felt like it was back to normal, which was a place they hadn't been as a family in an awfully long time.

Ana was playing with Harry in the main room whilst Christian was standing pensively on the balcony, and he beckoned Jess out to join him.

The sky was getting dark and Jess looked at the skyline 'looks like rain'

Christian sighed 'you're an adult now, you realise that's what this birthday symbolises, you're 18'. Jess shrugged slightly 'its the first one ice vet really had'.

'What do you mean?'.

'Well I always got presents off my dad but on my birthday I was always just going into or just coming out of a care home, so we didn't have the means, money or time to celebrate it much... And after I ran away I definitely didn't. Especially as I was lying about my age'.

Christian blinked in surprise 'well, I thought I should give you your present now, I didn't know when to do it before'.

'I thought you and Ana got me-'.

'The necklace, yes, it's from the both of us, but I only decided on this a little while earlier'. He reached into his pocket and handed her an envelope. Jess frowned and slowly opened it, her eyes widening as she realised what it was.

'Three tickets to India...?'.
It wasn't a question but she was in shock and Christian nodded 'you, Harry and Luke- he's coming with you'. Jess ran her fingers over the tickets as if checking they were real 'are you serious?'.

'Why wouldn't I be?'

'I just... I didn't think you approved this much... I... Thank you'

Christian was about to say something but Jess wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, which startled him but after a second Christian kissed the top of her head

'I think you deserve to be happy, and if this makes you happy then I am willing to do it'

Jess was blinking back tears as Christian tipped her chin up so they could see eye to eye 'I'm sorry, okay, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right, you're my daughter, and Harry is my Grandson, we do things together now, when things go wrong, okay?'

Jess nodded and they stood there, hugging for a few minutes until the rain started to come down, and they went back inside the apartment.

It was over two hours later when Jess go a phone call from Caleb, asking her to come outside as he was out the front of the building.

She assumed he was in the lobby and agreed to quickly go down and see him, but quickly realised that the lobby was empty.

Through the heavy rain Jess spotted Caleb on the road opposite, and she swore, walking outside.

Caleb had his hands in his pockets, trying to ignore the torrential Seattle downpour that had soaked him to his skin. Jess blinked, pulling her hood up and ran over the road to where he was waiting for her 'what the hell are you doing? It's freezing!'.

'I had to see you on your birthday!'.

They were shouting over the rain and Jess looked confused 'why didn't you just come up to the apartment?'. 'Because I wanted to give you this'

Without faltering Caleb put his hands on the side of her face and kissed her deeply, and it felt like he physically needed it, kissing her furiously as she kissed back, their bodies flush against each other as Caleb would his arms around her and she placed her hands on his chest, their kiss seeming to last forever as the rain pelted down on them.

Eventually Caleb pulled back, looking warily at her as if expecting her to run away 'Happy birthday Jess'

Caleb looked like he wanted to say something else but didn't, turning to walk away, leaving Jess soaked and confused.

Let me know what you thought and what you want to see :)