A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's been taking me a little longer to update. It has been absolutely crazy at school the past few weeks, and I just haven't had much free time. Thank you as always for your reviews. You guys are awesome.

Miley barely slept any that night. How could she? She had no idea where her daughter was. If she was even alive. Her mind couldn't help but go through the worst case scenarios. And she didn't even have Nick there with her because she had pushed him away. She wanted to make things right with him, but she couldn't deny the fact that she was still angry. If he had only paid more attention, Belle would be home right now.

When she made her way into the kitchen that morning, Lilly and Joe were cooking breakfast. Lilly was scraping scrambled eggs onto a plate, and Joe was checking what smelled like cinnamon rolls in the oven. This was a rarity considering it wasn't even six o'clock yet.

"Hey", Miley said softly, making her presence known. "You guys couldn't sleep either?"

Joe shook his head. "It's hard to sleep knowing your little niece is missing."

"We can't imagine how hard it is for you", Lilly sighed, giving her best friend a hug.

After hearing his phone go off, Joe checked it hurriedly, hoping for some kind of update. Of course, it was only his brother. He glanced at Miley, and then answered it.

"Hey, Nick."

"Joe, hey. Have you heard anything about Belle?"

Joe sighed. He could tell by the tint of desperation in his brother's voice that he was just as worried as any of them.

"No, we haven't heard anything, man."

Joe's words were met with a frustrated sigh from his brother. "Is Miley awake yet? Can I talk to her?"

Joe took the phone away from his ear, and looked at Miley. "He wants to talk to you."

Miley wanted to hear Nick's voice more than anything. He would calm her. He would tell her everything is going to be okay, even if he didn't know. And she would believe him. But she just couldn't do it at that moment.

"I can't talk to him right now", she said slowly, looking down at the floor. Joe and Lilly exchanged concerned glances, while Miley took a seat on one of the barstools. She propped her elbows on the countertop, and rested her head in her hands. Her best friend frowned as Joe hung up the phone.

"He's really worried about Belle", Joe said. "And you."

Miley didn't respond. She just continued to stare thoughtlessly at the granite countertop.

"I'll talk to her", Lilly said quietly, her way of imploring her husband to leave the room. He nodded, and complied with her wish.

The blonde took a seat on the barstool next to her friend. "Miley, what happened with you and Nick?", she asked frankly.

Miley didn't want to answer. She didn't want to go through everything that had happened the night before all over again. But she would.

"Nick was supposed to be watching Belle and Myles while I finished my shift. They wanted to go get balloon animals or something. But when I got off, I found him with Macy. He was...hugging her."

"Miley, I'm sure it was completely innocent", Lilly attempted to assure her. "Nick is crazy about you."

"But that's what he was doing when Belle was taken. She is the reason that this happened", Miley said, suddenly feeling anger at Macy. And at herself for letting Nick's ex into their lives in the first place.

Lilly felt helpless in this situation. Miley was never going to be able to forgive Nick until she knew that Belle was okay. And if she wasn't...Lilly didn't even want to think about all of the ramifications.

"You really love her, don't you?"

Nick looked up at Macy from his seat on the couch. "Who? Miley or Belle?"

Macy sat down beside him. "Both."

"Yeah, I do", he replied.

He had been a wreck since everything that happened the night before. He had tried to get in touch with Miley more times than he would care to count. He had called everyone he knew, hoping that someone had seen Belle somewhere. Nothing. And then, when all else had failed, he had gotten completely wasted. Macy had apparently come over at some point during the night. He didn't really remember though.

Macy looked at him sympathetically, knowing that he didn't remember any of the things that she had told him that night. She had came completely clean, but he was so drunk that he probably couldn't comprehend anything that she was talking about.

"Nick, I really need to tell you something", she started. But he had already moved to the fireplace, and was watching the flames dance with unrivaled concentration. She sighed, and made her way to him. "Nick?"

Nick's gaze didn't move from the flames as he spoke. "I tried to do everything right. And I still managed to screw it all up. If we don't find Belle..."

"You'll find her", Macy said confidently. "You will. That little girl is going to be fine, Nick. And so will you and Miley."

His stare turned to her. "Until I do something wrong again. Until I give her some reason not to trust me again. I don't know if I can go on trying to be this perfect guy that she needs. I can't live my life that way. I'm only human."

He watched Macy's eyes flicker towards the floor. She was beautiful, no doubt. If he hadn't known that she was sick, he would've never guessed by her appearance. And he couldn't help but wonder if life might be easier with someone like her. No complications. No past demons to fight. On an impulse, he pressed his lips to hers.

Macy's eyes widened as she realized what was going on. After a few seconds, he pulled away, leaving her shell-shocked.

Nick didn't know why he had kissed her. Maybe in the hope that he could love someone else like he loved Miley. It didn't work. That kiss didn't stir any kind of feelings in him. Because she wasn't Miley.

"I'm sorry", he said apologetically.

Suddenly, she heard her phone beep in the pocket of her jacket. She looked at Nick, and then slowly pulled it out, and read the text message.

Just reminding you that it would be wise to keep your mouth shut about our little deal. Do this, and you can have everything. Don't, and there could be dire consequences. It's your move.

He was threatening her.

"Macy? Are you okay?", Nick asked, noticing the shaken look on her face.

Reluctantly, she nodded. "I'm fine."

"Oliver!", Lilly exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. "It's so good to see you!"

"You too. Wow, you haven't changed at all. The baby bump excluded, of course", he said with a bit of a smile.

She smiled back, and closed the door as he walked inside. "Yeah, you either. I can't believe that all of our kids are going to school together now."

He nodded. "I heard about Belle going missing. How is Miley holding up?"

Lilly sighed. "Not so good. I just keep hoping that we'll get a phone call telling us that they found her, but it hasn't happened yet. But follow me. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you."

Oliver followed her into the kitchen where Miley was sitting in the same position Lilly had left her in. Frozen almost. Joe was the one sitting with her now, trying to keep her spirits up. It didn't appear to be doing much good.

"Miley", Oliver said softly, making his presence known.

She forced herself up, and let him give her a comforting hug. "I heard about Belle. I just wanted you to know that I'm here. Anything I can do, just name it", he uttered.

She slowly pulled away. "There's nothing you can do, Oliver. There's nothing anyone can do. But I appreciate you coming."

"Yeah, totally. I miss you guys", he said, looking from her to Lilly.

"We missed you too", Lilly replied, before realizing that Joe and Oliver hadn't ever met before. "Oh, Oliver, this is my husband, Joe. Joe, this is my very good friend, Oliver."

As the two guys shook hands, Miley felt herself slipping out of the scene and back into her own thoughts. Her friends could try all they wanted, but they couldn't get her worries out of her head. The only person that even had the capability to do that, she had pushed away. And even though she had all these people around her trying to help her through this, she felt so alone.

"Miley?", she heard Joe speak, snapping her back into the conversation.

"What?"

"You got to stay with us. We're going to get you through this."

Lilly nodded. "We are."

"That's what friends are for", Oliver stated. "Guys, I don't want us to ever lose touch with each other again."

"Neither do I", Lilly agreed.

Joe grasped hold of Lilly's hand with one hand and Miley's with the other. Oliver took their hands as well. Miley felt grateful at that moment that she had friends that cared so much about her. But she knew that her life wouldn't be complete...she wouldn't be complete...without Nick and Belle.

The sound of the doorbell ended the moment of unity amongst the friends. "I'll get it", Miley declared, suddenly feeling a bit stronger.

She walked to the front door, and opened it. And then, her blue eyes widened in shock...

Ahhh it's a cliffhanger! So, who do you think it is? And will Miley and Nick ever find their way back to each other?