A/N: Hey Guys! I am back...again. So before I jump into the story, I want to warn you guys. Updates are going to be irregular for two reasons. School (I only have a few weeks left in the semester, crunch time is quickly approaching) and time and ideas to write about. So far when I get an idea for this or my other stories that I am working but will not post here because its not fanfiction, I try to write them down asap but only if I can. So I will try my hardest and hopefully you guys like it! Thanks again! And please remember to review, I love reading those reviews. They make me smile. Sorry if this chapter seems fill-ery but I needed her relationship with the girls to grow! Enjoy!

"Don't ever compromise yourself, you're all you've got."

-Janis Joplin

Chloe POV

I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. I felt numb. I haven't felt this numb in a long time. The last I felt this numb was when… I don't even want to think about it. I exit my bathroom and look around my room as I looked for my phone charger when I heard shuffling at the door.

The hell?

Because I watched too many horror movies, my mind raced through all the horrible things that could happen if I opened that door and Freddy Cruger was standing there. But then I reminded myself that Derek and the kids were down stairs so Freddy would have to go through Derek first.

I went to the door and opened it to see Derek standing with his hands shovered in his pockets. For the umptenth time, I noticed how tall he is and quite frankly his height was obnoxious to everyone who was shorted than him.

He cleared his throat then I realized I was just staring at him while ranting about his height. So I cleared my throat and answered

"Can I help you?" The irritation of last night's events were still present in my voice. And I couldn't care less.

Derek rolled his shoulders and answered in a low voice, "Can we talk?"

"About what?" I gave him the same bored expression he gave me yesterday. How ya like apples Derek?

"Stuff."

"What stuff?"

"Stuff that need to be talked about today." He countered

"Derek I don't the time nor the patience for whatever idiotic game you are trying to play this morning. Say whatever the hell you have to say and go away." I snapped

Derek's eyes widened, I bet he didn't see that coming. He asked for my thoughts and I am going to give him every piece of it. Then he scrunched his forehead just a bit and frowned.

"Chloe, I am not trying to play any games. I just want to talk…..I wanted to say s-sor-apologize for what I said last night. I was completely out of line and what you do with your life and what you say or did with your friends is none of my concern even though you did buttdiall me and left me a very long voicemail of your conversation." He gushed

"Really Derek? Really? you're serious? Are you trying to infer that you are incapable of saying sorry to me?" My voice was starting to get louder and I still couldn't bring myself to care.

"What?! Chloe thats not what I am trying to say. And I said I apologize, which means sorry!" He said and his green orbs filled with what seemed like frustration

"Then say sorry" I said, completely aware of the fact that he could turn around and we can continue our awkward dance of tension but a part of me feels he won't. I kept my face emotionless just incase he decided to prove me wrong.

I looked him in the eyes, waiting for my damned sorry that I was going to get one way or the other.

He sighed, and lowly said "Sorry."

"What?" I say trying not to smile at the tiny victory

"Sorry Saunders" He said with his voice still low

"What? Could you repeat that? I didn't hear it well 'cause you know my head is filled with implanted thoughts"

Yes I am pushing my luck. Yes I am enjoying the hell out of this. And no I will not stop.

Derek frowned then rolled his eyes. He took a step forward then leaned down so our heads were at the same level, then he brought his face way too close to mine.

With that he said, "I am sorry Chloe. I was out of line."

Silence. I couldn't say anything because quite frankly I didn't think he would do it. And in some messed up universe I would totally proud of him for controlling his protruding ego. I turned around and walked into my room knowing damn well that he would follow.

I sat on the edge of my bed and he sat right next to me and said nothing for a good 13 seconds which felt like eternity.

"Your pool party idea is a good one, I told my dad and he agreed." Derek said scratching the his arm. Something he does when he is uncomfortable. I didn't say anything again, I just watched the scratching increase till I started to get afraid he would draw blood. So I grabbed his hand and stared at him...again

I'm doing a lot of staring today, aren't I?

"Stop. You're gonna scratch your skin off at that rate." Derek simply looked at my hand and his and rolled his eyes.

"Oh Gee thanks my mom." And the sarcastic Derek was back

I frown slightly, "Oh fine. Scratch your skin off, see if I care." I huffed, folding my hands across my chest

"You do" he said softly

My eyes widened, "What!"

"Nothing Saunders. I said nothing." He said as he crossed his leg and fell back on my bed

Then I finally realized that Derek was wearing a plain black t shirt and sweatpants that were way too low on his hips. The t shirt moved just a bit, enough to see the abdomen so many people want to touch and…

"Chloe….." Derek said, he looked worried. Genuinely worried.

"You okay?"

"Yeah" I answered, as I desperately tried to push the fact that I was just checking him out to the back of my mind.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"No repeat it" That was when the devilish smirk appeared on his face. Dammit he knew. Time to suffer the consequences.

"We need to talk about the stuff we can do for the pool party. Dad told me the house check in going to be saturday which is a perfect day." He said

"Yeah thats good. You and the girls can swim and stuff and I will pretend to act like I know what I am doing." I ran my hands through my hair and avoid looking at Derek because he was still stretched out on my bed.

"Pretend? You know what you're doing. Motherly instinct and all that" He countered

I laugh bitterly, "I don't motherly thoughts, talk less of instinct. I'll just walk around the house and check on you guys randomly. I mean thats what fake mother's do right?"

Derek sits up and I kept looking down at my black toe nails and how I should change the color soon.

"You think you don't have any motherly instinct?"

I just kept staring at my toes, I refused to look up at him and see whatever emotion is in his eyes. I refuse.

"Obviously not. I can't even get the girls to talk to me, much less like me. If I can't even deal with them, how can I have motherly instinct? I mean Iyzo is terrified of me. And Incy, well I think she just doesn't care enough but still." I sound so whiny right now. I can't believe I just told him that but its too late now.

"Urm...Chloe I don't know what you call motherly instinct but according to me you have plenty. I remember when Iyzo had the allergy attack and we were at the hospital. You stayed even though you say you don't feel like you belong, you stayed there and endured it all with us. Despite the fact that I hadn't been the nicest person to you, despite Incy's lack of acknowledgment of you. You stayed there with me, with them, with us. You calmed me down even though you were probably freaking out on your own."

Derek used his finger to lift my chin so I looked him in the eye as he finished, "That Chloe is what I call motherly instinct, pushing aside your feelings about me to help deal with Iyzo. That was nothing less than being a mom."

For the one millionth time in the last 45 minutes, I just stared at him then my eyes wavered to his lips that were still very close to my face. They were right there, less like two inches are. If he leaned forward just a bit…..

My cheeks started turning red when I noticed the route my thoughts were going.

"Thanks" I whispered quietly

"You're welcome" he said as he, much to my dismay, moved away from my face.

The rest of the day passed pretty quickly and before I knew it, dinner time was calling. I haven't cooked in a while so I decided to make dinner tonight and pray and hope Incy and Iyzo don't reject it or something.

I grabbed my Ipad and started looking at different recipes that I never tried before and thats not too different that the kids are gonna freak. When I saw Derek putting on his jacket and swinging his car keys in his hands and Incy came up behind him with her sketch book in her hand.

I raised my eyebrows at Derek who then said "We're gonna go try to find her another sketchbook like the old one because 'its so great and I want one exactly like it'" Derek finished with what I think is a really bad imitation of Incy's voice.

I smiled and Incy rolled her eyes and grab his arm as she dragged him towards the door. Derek sighed and allowed her to drag him even though we all know he wouldn't move a muscle if he didn't want to.

"Anyways, Iyzo is upstairs taking a nap so keep an ear out. "

I nodded as they walked out of the door and I headed to the kitchen to start on dinner. I decided that I would make chinese tonight and try to make it slightly healthy without changing the recipe completely.

I started cooking the rice then got busy making the sauce and chicken. I decided I would just sneak vegetable into the sauce and chicken. Putting a little bit cilantro and lime into the rice just for taste. I was completely involved in what I was doing that I almost missed the little voice.

Then I heard a little voice calling out.

"Daddy….Daddy!" the voice came from the living room

I walked out of the kitchen to see Iyzo standing on the last staircase with her eyes laced with tears. I was terrified. All thoughts about why she could be crying came to my mind and I ran towards her.

"Iyzo...why are you crying? Whats wrong?" I spurted

"I-I can't find Daddy or Inc-y-y" The tears started to come down now and my heart hurt just watching her

Then I did something that shocked and surprised both me and Iyzo. I reached out to her and put my hands in front of her as I wanted to lift her but then my common sense came back and told me this girl is terrified of me, let me not scare her some more. So I kept my hands in front of her and hoped she wouldn't run away.

She didn't. She looked down at my outstretched arms and she lifted her little arms and reached for me. I lifted her up and pulled her to my chest and I hugged her. Her little arms wrapped around my neck as her head fit into the crook of my neck.

My heart was melting right now and I loved it.

I used the hand that wasn't holding her to rub her back.

"Daddy and Incy went to the store to get some more art stuff for Incy. They'll be back soon." I said once I stabilized my heart rate.

She nodded and we stayed there for about two minutes, with me still rubbing her back.

I couldn't leave her here alone so I carried her into the kitchen with me. I set her down on one of the island chairs and she intertwined her hands and looked at her tiny feet. I went back to making Dinner but the silence was killing me so I decided maybe a conversation could ease the awkwardness.

"Iyzo, are you okay?" I asked as I turned to her. She nodded but didn't look up.

I walked towards her and stopped one I was in front of her chair then I remembered what my mom used to do to me when I was sad but didn't want to tell her why.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I asked as I put my hand under her chin and tilted her face up so she was looking at me directly. Her eyes were still laced with tears.

"Is Daddy coming back?" she asked quietly in her voice was coated with sadness a five year old should not know, it hurt me to see the pure fear and sadness that Derek might not come back.

"Oh baby, Daddy is coming back." I hugged her again

"He would never leave. I would never leave you."

I don't know where that came from but it happened.

"While we wait for Daddy, do you want to help me make dinner?" I asked when I pulled away slightly

She nodded and I carried her off the couch. I looked around for something she could do and won't make too much of a mess. I decided she could take the crowns off the strawberries that I wanted to use for the fake strawberry shortcake. I put strawberries on the counter and moved her chair closed so she could reach.

I reached for my Ipad and decided on playing music. My mom used to do that, and she would sing along and I would watch how happy and gracefully she moved around. I looked through youtube but nothing came to mind. Then I saw Jhene Aiko and I jumped at it.

" I've been coming home late night

I've been sleeping past day light

I'm waking up you're not by my side

Baby that ain't right

I wanna be there with you

I really do be missing you

Everything I do is for you

And I really do adore you

You're getting so big now

You're making me so proud cause

You are such a star

And you know that you are

So every single little moment

I can't be there to hold your hand

I need for you to know that

I need for you to know that

Anything should happen, anything should happen

Cause anything could, if anything should happen

Know that you'll be alright, know that you'll be alright"

Jhene Aiko has a beautiful voice, so soothing. Before I knew it, I was singing along as I moved around the kitchen, once again back into my rhythm. I glanced at Iyzo and she was so engrossed in taking the crown off that she didn't notice my creepy staring, at that was what I thought before she looked up. I smiled at her and she gave me a tiny smile back.

"Just promise you'll be alright, promise you'll be alright

If anything (Alright, promise I'll be alright)

(Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright)

If anything should happen (Alright, promise I'll be alright)

(Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be, alright)"

It was time to make the fake strawberry shortcake so I got the pound cake and whip cream out of the fridge and set them next to the knife I set very far from Iyzo.

"Alright, I think those should be enough" I started packing the disposed crown and threw them in the trash. Iyzo handed me the bowl of strawberries.

"Wanna help me rinse them?" I asked as I walked towards the sink.

She nodded excitedly and hopped down for the chair, almost losing her footing as she landed on the ground. She walked over to be and I put the strawberries in the sink and grabbed another bowl to put the rinsed ones in.

I lifted Iyzo so she was sitting on the marble top right next to the sink and I opened the tap. Iyzo grabbed a strawberry and stuck it right under the rushing water and the water bounced off the strawberries and splashed both of us in the face. I reached over to turn the tap off and looked at Iyzo who was looking at me with very wide eyes.

I looked down at my shirt to see that there was barely on water on my shirt which meant my face had caught the worst of it.I started laughing and Iyzo giggled along with me.

"Sorry" she said quietly

I laughed again, " its quite alright Iyzo. Now lets finish these so we can make them and hide them from your dad."

Iyzo giggled using her wet hands to cover her mouth.

"Promise me you won't tell daddy where the shortcake is? If he asks for dessert we can tell him to go eat an apple like he tells everyone." I said conspiratorily even though no one is in the house but us.

"I promise!" she says in between giggles

"Pinky swear?" I hold out my pinky to her

Pinky swear and she hooks hers with mine. Then we rush through the rest of the strawberries without another water splash accident. I cut the pound cake into two pieces and Iyzo helped me put the whipped cream on one side then she creatively used her little fingers to stick some of the berries instead the whipped cream and then I put the other half of the cake on top. Then Iyzo finished our faux shortcake with beautiful strawberries in the whipped cream I put on top.

We stand back and admire our beautiful creation. Then I heard the main door being opened. Derek and Incy must be back from the store. I looked Iyzo with mock panic and she looked at me with the same look. I quickly whispered for her to help me as I put the shortcake in a cake container and put a back over it and hid it in the fridge just as Derek walked into the kitchen with Incy behind him. Iyzo and I lean against the fridge and pretend to act normal which didn't work out because both Incy and Derek gave us odd looks.

"What are you guys doing…" Derek asked, not really finishing his question

"Nothing!" said me and Iyzo as we burst into another fit of giggles. I saw Incy give Derek a what-the-hell look.

"Okaay…" Derek responded as he walked around the kitchen and noticed the other stuff on the counter.

"You made dinner?"

"Yeah, me and Iyzo did." I said with a smile. I looked down at her and she was smiling, still pressing her back against the fridge door to hide our secret.

Derek looked surprised for a good 5 seconds then changed his face quickly.

"Oh thats great. Why are you standing in front of the fridge like that?"

Crap. "Oh no reason whatsoever." I said very fast. Which probably gave us away but who cares.

"Yeah. No reason. We just think its pretty." Iyzo said. I looked down at her with so much pride, she was totalling going along with my lie even though it was failing.

"Sure you do." Derek said

"Well come look at Incy's new sketch book. Its really nice." He continued

In retrospect,I probably should have seen this coming because Derek let it go way too easily. I should have caught on to what he was doing. As soon as Iyzo and I moved our gullible selves away from the fridge he pretty much ran past us and yanked the fridge open.

"Hey! You can't do that Daddy!" Iyzo cried then burst into a fit of when Derek turned around gave both of us a cheshire cat smile. If Iyzo wasn't giggling, I would probably find that very creepy.

"Sure I can. I am going to find what you and Chloe are trying to hide and obviously failed." he said as he searched the fridge with his eyes. Then of course the only thing covered in a black bag was the shortcake.

Yeah that wasn't very well thought out. Probably should have noticed that its the first thing that demand your attention when you open the fridge. Dammit

Derek reached and brought out the cake container and placed it on the marble island and stared straight at me and Iyzo then Incy who was staring at all of us like we had lose our minds.

"I'll make both of you a deal. Tell me what's inside and I won't open it." he smirked, he obviously knew he was going to win either way.

I looked down and Iyzo who looked adorable with her little nose scrunched deep in thought.

"We need a moment to conference." I leaned down and picked up Iyzo then moved to the furthest corner of the kitchen as Derek rolled his eyes

"Fine, fine. Whatever. Just make up your mind." he was still smirking. Jerk. Couldn't let me win, just once! Once!

I whispered to Iyzo, "should we let him open it?"

She was deep in thought again then she whispered yes to me.

"What if he eats it all?" I countered. Yes a five year old was my negotiation advisor. Sue me.

"He won't…..I don't think so." I nodded

Then I turned back to Derek.

"We have made a decision." I said ominously

He rolled his eyes again, "Well on with it then."

"You can open it. As long as you promise not to touch what is inside."

"Yeah Yeah I won't touch it." he opened the bag and brought out the cake

"Really? This was it. I was waiting to find a dismembered head or something."

I gasp. I am not a murderer. I would never kill despite how many time I threaten to.

"What does d-d-ismenad mean?"

I shake my head at Derek.

"Don't worry about it babe." I say as I pick Iyzo up from the counter

"Babe? She's my babe, not yours. FInd your own princess Chloe." Derek said as he walked over to where we were.

"No no. Too bad Derbear you've been replaced and I've the replacement is a hundred times better than the original." Iyzo was still in my hands when Derek finally got to us and he poked her stomach and she smiles.

"Thats hilarious Chloe. You're feeling good because you made fake chinese food and didn't burn the house down, while that's an accomplishment for you, its not enough to replace me."

"Fine she can chose then." I said knowing that Iyzo and I just started getting along and that she will probably chose Derek over me.

"Nah, I'm not going to embarrass you like that in front of these children Chloe even though you are already doing that for yourself. "

I rolled my eyes at him because he was enjoying this way too much for my liking.

Iyzo was still in my hands as Derek walked back over to the can of whip cream that was still on the counter. He grabbed it then shook it then he proceeded to squirt a generous amount into his mouth. I made a face at him to which he ignored.

"Ew daddy! You're supposed to eat it with the cake!" Iyzo chastised her dad with an adorable look that she probably thought looked stern.

Derek raised an eyebrow then smirked at Iyzo then repeated the same thing to me. Derek walks slowly towards me and Iyzo, he starts to shake the can without taking his eyes off either of us.

Then I realized what he was about to do too little too late, the whip cream landed on my face and as I hear Iyzo sqeak in my hands as Derek squirts whip on all over her tiny hands and dots her nose with some. She attempts to throw the cream off her by shaking her hand towards Derek but he continued to fill her hands.

"Omgosh! Stop! Derek there's whip cream everywhere!" I squealed when he resumed his assault on me. Finally the can ran out and I put Iyzo down and stood up in all my defeat to see Derek dying of laughter as he watched me an Iyzo.

I glared at him even though I was smiling like a mad woman on the inside. I looked down at Iyzo then swiftly pushed Derek out of the way as I head over to the fridge. I opened it and retrieved my own weapon of mass destruction

Another can of whip cream

I shook the can quickly and turned to Derek who was now staring at me with wide eyes because he probably didn't think I would avenge my pride.

Oh but I am pretty boy. I am.

I shook the can and smirked.

"You wouldn't dare." He said as he backed away from me

"And why wouldn't I Derek? Hm? Why wouldn't I get revenge?"

"Because you are a pu-

I squirted the whip cream in his face mid sentence.

"You were saying?" I continued with a smirk on my face

And then Derek did something I was not expecting at all. He turned around and bolted from the kitchen. I started laughing and Iyzo and I chased his wimpy self into the backyard holding our cans of mass humiliation.

I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

Verse 2: Jhene Aiko]

Swear that I can still feel you here

I just can't believe you're not here

I've been needing you

All I dream is you

Don't think I can make it

I don't think I can make it

But then I hear you say that

I bet not do nothing crazy

Cause Nami really needs you

And I would never leave you

Cause I am in the stars

And everywhere you are

And every single little moment

Every single bit of sunshine just

Know that I am right by your side

Know that you are right by my side

So I'm gonna make you so proud

You don't ever have to worry 'bout me

No, you don't ever have to worry 'bout me

[Hook 2: Jhene Aiko]

Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright

Wish that you were here now

I'm missing you right here but

Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright

Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be alright

Promise I'll be alright, just know that I'll be alright

Know that I'll be alright, know that I'll be, know that I'll be alright

[Break: Jhene Aiko]

Alright

Alright, alright, alright

Alright, alright, alright

[Interlude: Jhene Aiko]

Everything is alright, everything's in your mind

Life is what you make it, life is what you make it

And anything can happen, anything can happen

But you just gotta get past it, you just gotta laugh at it

And anything can happen, you fall down get back up

And you better believe that nothing holding me back

So everything is alright, everything is alright

Everything is alright, promise I'll be

Promise you'll be, promise we'll be alright

[Outro: Namiko]

Hello, echo

Thank you for reading! And for all your support! Also you guys should listen to the song, its beautiful!

And remember to review! Also if I wrote an original story, would you guys read it or at least consider it?

Thank you!