Lulu's POV

I peeked over at my husband who was sleeping soundly, I untangled myself from Johnny and picked up my cellphone dialing a familiar number. It took three rings but, she finally answered with a thick Italian accent.

"Hey honey." Olivia greeted, seeing that it was Lulu calling. Even though things hadn't worked out for Dante and Lulu nor Olivia and Johnny, Olivia was still very close with both johnny and Lulu. Lulu was still like the daughter she had never had.

"Hey, I have a favor to ask you. I hope it's not asking too much." Lulu bit her lower lip in anticipation.

"What's going on?" Olivia was instantly worried.

"Baleigh has been...out of control. She's been openly defeying both me and Johnny, selling pictures of herself online, stealing guns from Johnny, sneaking out of the house, hanging around Claudia a bit too much for my liking." I explained to her.

"Hanging around Claudia is NOT what she needs, I just know that woman is poisoning her against you! I can't believe the nerve of that woman! I can talk to Baleigh but, I'm not promising a miracle or anything. I hate that you two are going through this. You know what? I'll make you guys a lasagna." Olivia frowned about hearing the news, she put the phone to her ear and began pulling out ingredients out for lasagna.

"I know that's right, who knows the lies Claudia's spinning. It's been really hard on Johnny, last night he got so upset that he nailed her windows shut. I don't blame him, I'm just better at hiding my anger. Olivia, at this point I'm desperate. I'm to the point of calling Dr. Phil. Oh Olivia, I would appreciate that so much! I was racking my brain about what we should eat tonight, I do not feel like doing anything today. I called in sick to both of my jobs. I'm gonna be hearing about that tomorrow. Best believe." Lulu crept downstairs to sit at the kitchen counter, not wanting to disturb Johnny.

"That woman irks my nerves. I don't blame him, everything Baleigh is doing is uncalled for. Honey, you don't have to be guilty about taking a day off. You've got a lot going on. Have you told John...the news?" Olivia hesitated choosing her words carefully.

"I wish Claudia would just leave us alone. Seriously. No, I haven't told him yet. I've barely even had time to talk to him one on one." Lulu ran a hand through her disheveled blonde hair, Johnny stood in the doorframe of the kitchen hearing her end of the conversation. Was she hiding something from him?

"I'll be over around five, talk to Johnny. I love you, sweet girl." Olivia says before hanging up.

"Oh shit! You scared me." Lulu put a hand over her heart, glancing over at Johnny.

"What's the news? Are you okay?" Johnny walked over to her, very worried.

"My health isn't...the best. The doctors are still running tests but, they think I might have ovarian cancer. If I do, they've caught it in the early stages. I just...I didn't want to tell you until I knew for sure. The only reason Olivia knew is because I asked her to go with me. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."Lulu's voice slightly shakes, hoping he wouldn't be mad.

"Things just keep piling up on us, I'm not mad at you. I'm glad that Liv was able to be there for you, I know things have been tough since your parents died. We'll get through this, whatever this is. We're strong, we can get through anything." Johnny pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"That was everything I needed to hear, thank you baby." Her breath hitched, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"It'll be okay, I promise. Let's lay back down, you need rest just as bad as the rest of us." Johnny swooped her into his arms, carrying her up the stairs and to their bedroom.

Baleigh's

After my parents had went to bed I had crept out the front door, my Aunt Claudia was outside in her sleek black Mercedes Benz. I slid into the passenger seat, this is where I was meant to be. Why couldn't I just live with her?

"What lies are they spewing now?" Claudia arches one perfect eyebrow, in her eyes Claudia always looked perfect.

"They said that they love me, they don't know what love is. Dad wouldn't stop yelling at me, he nailed my window shut! I can't take much more of this, auntie." I breathed a sigh of relief as we sped across the freeway.

"John never used to be like this, not until he met your Trainwreck of a mother. Meeting Lulu was the beginning of the end. Ever since John first saw that skunk bag, it was always fuck everyone else but Lulu. All of the times I tried to split them up, things just stayed the same. Love only kills, the sooner you learn that the better off you'll be. Happy endings aren't for women like us. How would you like to come live with me for awhile, Bales?" Claudia smirked, knowing exactly what she was doing. It wasn't just that she hated her brother for marrying Lulu, Claudia had always had a strong connection with her niece. For years Johnny and Lulu had kept Claudia from seeing Baleigh, that all changed when Claudia came home married to Ric Lansing.

"I don't like it when Daddy yells, I just wish he could see past mom. I wish they'd just get divorced, I'd be fine if I never had to hear her voice again." Baleigh had a dark side to her, Claudia had to take credit for that.

"Don't worry, all this will end very soon darling." Claudia turned into her driveway, they were greeted by Ric who had just gotten ready for work and was leaving.

"Baleigh is going to be staying with us for awhile." Claudia didn't ask Ric, she told him what was happening. That's how their relationship worked.

"Okay, have fun girls." Ric didn't even try to argue anymore, he got into his car and drove off.

Ian's POV

"Hey, you're finally up. What's got you smiling ear to ear? I like to smile." My mom peeked her head into my room, I had to stifle a laugh.

"Sit down, mom." I cleared a space for her to sit on my bed.

"Thank you, my feet are literally killing me". Lulu collapsed onto his bed, with a laugh.

"I've sort of...got this thing...for a girl." I slowly admitted, seeing my mom's hazel eyes light up.

"TELL ME EVERYTHING!" Mom gasped excited, taking my hands in her's.

"What has you all excited? I could use some good news." Johnny was amused, as he sat in his son's desk chair.

"Ian has a crush! Oh, I'm getting so old. I feel like you were just in little league." Lulu sighs, wistfully.

"It's okay mom, I'll always need you. Don't ever think I don't. I might be getting older but, I still need you. Who else is going to pack my lunches and drive the basketball team around? You literally work two jobs just so you can afford to do that. You're also head of the PTA, you're like...supermom." Ian looked at her with shock, knowing what his sister did really took a toll on her.

"It'll be okay, we'll get through this." Johnny touches her knee, earning a small smile.

"We always get through everything. Together." Ian held her hand.

"Sooooo, who's the lucky girl? Anyone we know?" Lulu changed the subject, not wanting to think about her daughter right now.

"She's actually not my age. It's...Emma Drake. I know she's two years older than me but, you can't help who you love. Right?" Ian fumbled over his words as he revealed the identity of his crush.

"I love Emma, she's great! You should tell her, I'm sure she would think it's cute." Lulu smirked, that was such a mom answer.

"You're right, you can't help who you love. Lord knows I tried to get over your mom countless times but, no matter who I was with...you're mom always had my heart. It only took like, a million years for me to figure that out. Don't be a dumbass. Always tell a woman exactly how you feel about her, don't ever make her guess. If you have a crush on Emma, just tell her." Johnny didn't often give advice but, he knew that Ian needed advice.

"I love talking to you guys, I really do." Ian slowly smiled, warming both of his parents hearts.

"We love you." Johnny says, simply.

"I hate to bring up bad vibes but, where is Baleigh? Because she isn't here." Ian knew that she was probably with Claudia but, he didn't want to assume.

"Probably with your Aunt Claudia, sadly." Johnny already knew.

"I...need to talk to you about something. I have some news." Lulu cleared her throat.

"What is it, mom?" Ian was immediately concerned by her tone.

"The doctors think that I may have ovarian cancer...it's not for sure, they still have to run some more tests." Lulu hadn't wanted to tell her family the news yet, but it was best she didn't keep it to herself.

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" Ian asked.

"Just continue being you." Lulu smiled at ruffling his brown hair.