Before Olivia left, Amanda gave her the key to let herself back in incase she was asleep. This was a big step for her after everything and all the back and forth. She was letting Liv in, and letting Liv be there for her when she was scared to. Noah text his mom quickly

"I know Amanda gave you the key to come back. That took alot of trust out of her. Please don't run this time. Bray and I know she loves you and you love her. Stay by her side throughout this. Bray also asked if you could get zucchini and carrots for veggies."

Olivia got that message as she got to her apartment. She smiled. After all this time, she finally agreed that the kids were right. She had been running for no reason. She went to the people that were so wrong for her, but ran from the ones that were right for her. She needed to stop that, she had genuine feelings for Amanda and yes she did love her. Now she really needed to man up and show it, before it was too late. She quickly grabbed her stuff and then went on to the grocery store. Picking up stuff to make for dinner for all of them. She texted her son back when she got to the car.

"Noah-

I know you are looking out for Amanda and Bray. I'm working on it. I'm doing my best and being upfront and honest with Amanda. That's all I can do. It's going at her pace right now. I'll be back to Amanda's soon."

The boys had been playing a video game. Brayden felt surprisingly well. His energy was pretty good. Olivia showed up shortly after. Letting herself in quietly with the key and putting Frannie out She looked at Amanda curled up on the couch getting some much needed rest. Olivia was glad for that. She called up to the boys saying she was here. Then let Frannie back in. Frannie went and checked on the boys and Olivia went to start dinner in the kitchen. Just letting Amanda sleep for now. Amanda woke up a short time later. Her phone going off with Derek's lawyer trying to get him a deal. Offering full custody with no contact, he would even sign over his rights. Gave Amanda alot to think about. All he wanted in return was as little jail time as possible or if he had to be in jail, he didn't want to be in general population cause he knew what people did to people who hurt children. She told the lawyer she needed time to think as well as talk to her lawyer. Plus they still had a couple days til the case was supposed to start. She hung up the phone and looked over in the kitchen, seeing Liv in there making dinner. She sniffed the air, "MMMM that smells delicious Liv." Olivia turned around blushing slightly.

"Hey you.. It's just veggies and rice, with some seasoning. Wanted to make it easy on Brayden's stomach, and I wanted to make it easy on you." Amanda smiled. She was enjoying this, it was like how it was before. "Thank you for making this Liv. So that was Derek's lawyer calling to offer me a deal. He offered full custody to me, signing over his rights, and no contact. If he could get as little jail time as possible or if he could be in protective custody in jail cause he knows what people do to people who hurt kids. I don't know what to do. I mean it sounds good, but I definitly need to talk to Bray and see what his feelings are."

Olivia looked at her, moving over to her, taking her hands. "Hey Amanda. Whatever you choose I am behind your decision one hundred percent. I do however agree you need to talk to Brayden and see what his feelings toward this will be. Noah and I can take off and let u and Brayden talk."

Amanda yanked her hands away. "Why would you think you have to leave? Liv. I told you this so that Brayden would have someone to talk to and vent out too, and so would I but hey if you want to leave I can't and won't stop you."

Olivia looked at her, attempting to grab Amanda's hands again. "Hey, hold on a minute there Amanda. I didn't say anything about wanting to leave. What I said was we could take off for tonight so you and Brayden could talk. Amanda we are here for you and Brayden. Please relax. I made dinner for all of us. We will figure something out so you and Brayden can talk and we will still be here."

They ate dinner making small talk. It was nice and normal. The first normal for them in a long time. Brayden still somewhat weak was feeling pretty good and not as nauseous as before. After they finished dinner Olivia nudged Noah to help her do the dishes and Amanda broke the news she needed to talk to Brayden. Brayden agreed a little unsure as to why his mom wanted to talk to him in private but he went with it. Amanda brought him to her room to talk.

"Ma, what's up? You are tense and I can tell this is going to be 'on of those talks'." He looked at her with concern. He knew whatever she wanted to talk to him about affected her big time. She sat on her bed and patted the bed beside her. "You're right about this bothering me. Brayden I'm gonna get right to it. You see your father's lawyer called me a bit ago, actually before dinner. Trying to get your father a somewhat lighter sentence. Your father wants to give me sole custody, sign over his rights to you and no contact going on after this. Here's what he wants. He wants as little jail time as possible. If that's not attainable he wants to be housed in protective custody for his entire term. As he is fully aware of what happens to people in jail that harm kids. I want to do whatever is best for you, whatever is going to make it easiest on you and whatever you want to do Bray. As your mom I'm here to protect you, but I want you to have a say in this."

Her sons green eyes just looked into hers. She could feel his pain and his questioning all over again. She put her hand on top of his. "Sweetheart, I'm here."

He nodded, he knew she was. She was always there for him. "Mama, I know you are always here for me no matter what. What you just told me. It stunned me a bit. Mama why would he do that. I'm his son whether he likes it or not. I don't know I mean he hasn't been in my life so him just signing rights over to you and and never contacting again doesn't sound so bad, but at the same time I miss having a dad. Ma you have done so much for me and I don't want you to feel like you don't do enough cause you do well more than enough. As for him shooting me, I still want to know why. I want to be able to ask him why. Is there any way I can do that without having to go to court ma? I really don't want to go to court. I want him out of my life. You are my mom and my dad and have been since I was little."

Amanda hugged him. Doing her best to give him the reassurance that he needed and was asking for. "This is why I wanted to talk to you and see what you wanted to do. Brayden yeah you're thirteen and can be a pain in my ass. But you're my son and you have feelings that need to be heard and respected. So I will call the lawyer back tomorrow and tell him that you want to give him what he wants but you want to be able to tell him what his actions did and how they made you feel."

Brayden hugged his mom, and hugged her tight. She really understood him. She was there for him and did everything she could to make him feel loved and safe. She accepted him for who he was and the man he was becoming. Amanda herself was relieved, she really didn't want to deal with court herself. She just wanted what was going to be the least stressful on her son. She walked with him back to his room telling him she would send Noah back up.

She sent Noah back upstairs and sat on the couch. Her head in her hands, easy talk but so hard to hear how hurt her son was. Olivia looked at her, softly touching her hands.

"How did it go honey?"