Addison woke up Saturday morning and opened myFace. Her picture with Cam getting likes from a few kids at Madison and a comment from Sophie saying she wished she was there. She felt connected and it was nice. She put her phone down on her night stand and went downstairs. It was just a normal weekend, and she was immediately caught off guard by her dad making french toast. "Am I in trouble or is something wrong?"

"No, why would you think that?" Ned asked, confused.

"Usually a conversation that involves breakfast food means you need to break some sort of bad news." She said as she took a plate and sat at the table.

"She's on to you." Alexis said from the island, picking up her coffee to take with her as she started to exit the kitchen.

"Clearly."

"I'll be in the office, if you need me."

"Wait, you're not staying for this?"

"Sorry baby girl, this is between you and your dad. Just listen to what he has to say, ok?"

"What did I do?" Addison asked, worried, as Ned sat down next to her with his coffee.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why are you setting the stage for a lecture?"

"Addison, I just want to talk with you, that's all. It's been awhile since we've really talked, just us."

"Ok…"

"I'm worried about you."

"Why? I'm fine, daddy."

"You're isolating yourself, spending so much time studying or just staying home reading a book. I'm worried you're not letting yourself have fun."

"I just saw Cam yesterday and I have fun."

"I know and I'm glad you caught up with him. This is about making new friends, maybe integrating yourself a little bit and joining some activities at Madison."

"What Cam's not good enough to be my friend because he goes to PC High?"

"That's not it at all and you know that. I'm glad you have a friend like Cam."

"Then what?"

"The other night, your music teacher told me she asked you to audition for a solo in the fall concert? That she also wants you to audition for the district chorus?"

"And here's the real reason for the french toast. I told her I'd think about it."

"And have you?"

"Sort of."

"What's holding you back?"

"What if I'm not good enough? I don't know any of these kids."

"You're good enough. In fact, I'd put money on the fact you have one of the best voices at that school. She wouldn't be pushing you to audition if she didn't want to give you the solo. They're lucky to have you."

"You're biased."

"No question, but I also know talent when I hear it and you have talent. When are auditions for the fall concert?"

"Next week."

"So will you consider it? I think it will be good for you, Addie. Maybe you'll meet some kids with similar interests. It could help. I can tell you haven't been happy there."

She sighed, it was true, she wasn't happy there. "I guess, maybe you're right."

"That's my girl. I love you."

"I love you, too."

After finishing up the conversation with Addison and cleaning up from breakfast, Ned went to find his wife, buried in work in their home office. He walked up behind her and kissed the top of her head.

"How'd it go?" She asked as she looked up from the document she had been marking up.

"Good, I think." He said as she took off her glasses and stood. "And now I need to talk with my wife."

"And you're not attempting to bribe me with breakfast food?" She joked.

"Come walk with me." He said simply and she took his hand.

"Honey, what is it?" She was concerned, reading the look on his face.

"Just walk down to the lake with me. It's warm out in the sun."

"Ok." She followed him outside and they walked hand in hand down to the small dock overlooking the lake. They stood silently and she watched him carefully. "This isn't about the kids is it." She said, sensing his demeanor.

"No it's not."

"Then what? Is it me? Are you angry, upset, disappointed? Say when."

"No, no, we're fine." He kissed her. "I promise, we're fine."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I was at the house yesterday and my grandfather isn't doing well."

"I know, I'm sorry." She was sympathetic and brought her hand to his cheek. She had been waiting for reality to start to set in. "What can I do?"

"You're doing it right now." He said as she ran her hand through his hair and then wrapped her arm around him. "No one knows when it will happen, but ELQ is going to need stability. We saw how my mother handled Grandmother's death."

"Yes we did and there's no question about that."

"I think we're at a point where I'm going back. I don't want to go against her for CEO, but if it comes to that…"

"You're going to do what you think you need to do. I know that."

"It will mean some travel. More than I've had to do with L&B."

"I know."

"And you're ok with that?"

"I'm fine with that. Your family needs their gatekeeper. It happens. We'll figure it out."

"I'm lucky to have you."

"You are." She smiled, trying to make him laugh and succeeding. He kissed her and they walked back inside. Alexis had some work to finish up and Ned had some financial reports for ELQ he wanted to go through. It was a quiet Saturday at home, and despite the fact they both had work they needed to do, they cherished days like this.

Later that day, Alexis spotted Addison sitting outside on the porch swing reading. "Isn't it getting a bit chilly out here, peanut?"

"Not really."

Alexis sat down next to her daughter, "Why don't you call Sophie? She hasn't slept over in awhile."

"Not you, too."

"What?"

"Daddy thinks I don't have any friends."

"I don't think that's what he meant this morning. And I don't think that's what he said."

"He wants me to "integrate myself" into Madison. He wants me to sing."

"He wants you to be happy and your teachers just want to see you join some clubs or something. That's all."

"What's wrong with liking to read?"

"Nothing. I love that about you. I just wish you would talk to me, like you used to. I know you and–"

Addison cut her off. "I'm fine, Mom."

"Ok, sweetheart." She knew better than to push. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"You're not cooking are you?"

"Addison, be serious."

"Good."