Been planning out these next few chapters! It might be a shorter series than I thought but it works better that way. Not sure how many chapters will be left exactly but you can count on less than twenty.

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Heidi watched from the driver's seat as her husband trudged across their front lawn like Day of the Dead. Not nearly as straight and relaxed in his posture as his gaze to the ground avoided the sun and kept his back in an awkward hunch. Trying to surpress the nauseating light must've meant the giant sunglasses shielding his eyes weren't doing much work. Heidi was pretty sure those were her pair.

When he reached the sanctuary of the car and piled into the passenger, he sighed as he flinched from the headache needling his temples. His wife merely smiled.

"How was the journey from the house?"

He responded in a grunt.

Heidi hesitated on putting the car into ignition. "Why don't I just go."

"I promised PC.." Kyle reminded.

And so, off to another parent-teacher breakfast seminar Heidi had no interest in going to. She said she would help her husband set up early, and by the looks of it, he'd need it. A promise was a promise.

"Just a few hours," Heidi encouraged. "Then you can come home and hibernate like a bear."

"I've gotta run to town first. Then check in with dad-"

"Honey," Heidi turned him by the chin despite his small hiss of pain from the hangover. "Give yourself a break before you burn out."

He didn't answer that thought when their third passenger approached the car. With his bag slung over his shoulder, their eldest was joining them that day on account of picking up some homework he forgot. They figured he'd want to call up Liam or the other boys the day after Halloween, but they wouldn't derail Adam on being a good student either.

Adam threw his bag into the backseat first before piling in, shutting the door in a thump.

"You've been quiet since last night, bug. Are you okay?"

He nodded at his mother's question. "Yeah, just tired."

"Just tired..?"

The boy looked up with a judgmental gaze. "Not as tired as dad."

Kyle removed his glasses on that comment, and his wife just giggled.

"I know you're both tired," Heidi made a point of winking at her husband. "Last chance to back out, I don't wanna hear any complaints when we get there."

Neither responded.

"A resounding silent no." The mother agreed.

Kyle looked through the overhead at his son, seeing the dejection in his withered glance. It's not like Kyle was conscious enough last night to know if anything went wrong.

"How was last night?" He asked his eldest.

"Fun."

The dad instantly shut it, knowing that tone was a brew for an explosion. Kyle hated that he could predict his son's anger nowadays.

"What homework did you forget? Debate notes?"

"No, I left those.."

Kyle's brow tweaked in worry and still warding off the hangover pain. "You've got elimination rounds next week."

"I'm quitting debate.."

"What?" Kyle thought he heard incorrectly, but Adam's downcast eyes said it all. "You can't quit."

Heidi too was shocked but quickly intervened. "Kyle, it he doesn't want to-"

"When the going gets tough, you know running away solves nothing." He turned in his seat to gaze at his son. The boy raised a brow at the redness in his father's eyes.

"I just don't like it anymore.."

"And that's perfectly reasonable." Heidi agreed. "We wouldn't wanna push anything onto you. Right, Kyle?"

Her husband frowned with a near eye-roll though he paused to not worsen anything. Heidi's jaw opened, pissed to see how annoyed she seemed to make him suddenly. So much for co-parenting.

"You've always done debate, bug."

"Well, I don't want to anymore!"

"Adam, why?"

His kid's eyes shot up to the rearview. "I just don't like it! Sorry I'm not like you!"

The car sizzled into silence. Kyle stared at his son's avoidant glance for a minute before stubbornly turning back in his own seat, putting the sunglasses back on with some choice words muttered under his breath.

Heidi still hesitated on turning the car on until this tension between both her boys was dismissed. Wondering which she should call to without making it worse.

"Kyle.."

"Let's go."

The earliest parent to arrive pushed the breakfast table in place on the gym floor, giving a satisfying glance to PC over his shoulder. PTA moms began to lay out their spread as they thanked Cartman for moving stuff around after the miscommunication with maintenance the night before.

"Thanks for keeping us on schedule, Mr. Cartman." PC patted his former student on the back.

"No trouble," he shrugged as a mom offered him a bagel. "Thanks."

"Don't ever remember you helping the school this much when you went here."

The mechanic laughed awkwardly at the principal's joke. "Well, I didn't care for it much, I guess."

The last volunteering couple to arrive scrambled through the gym doors behind the sea of chairs, muttering in a clatter of harsh whispers together.

"Coffee?" PC pulled two mugs forward on the table as Cartman nodded. "I was thinking. With Lilah's grades we might just be able to get her scholarship approved."

Cartman swallowed his bagel bite. "That's great."

"Of course, that depends on how everything in court goes for you."

The father thought of the impending months, and how the custody trial would truly play out. Months ago he wouldn't have thought he'd have a chance, but now he was surprised to feel a glimmer of hope the more he seemed to know Lilah better.

"I mean, I'm not that agent's favourite person," he spoke honestly. "But, who's favourite person am I?"

PC chuckled, and the couple bickering by the door was starting to disrupt the hum over the moms happily setting up the breakfast who looked over their shoulders with bitter glances.

"Excuse me, I gott go deal with the peanut gallery," the principal apologized as he went to meet with his employee and his wife.

"If you let him quit everything like that, it's going to become a habit."

After Kyle made his point for the hundreth time, Heidi was having none of it. She pulled her husband in by the sleeve to keep their whispers between them.

"I'm sorry. But, with how much you push him maybe he needs this for once."

"He's never backed down on debate!"

"He's changing, Kyle!"

Her husband swiped the glasses off his face when immediately approached by his boss. Heidi followed his lead by putting on a smile.

"Morning, PC." Kyle greeted. "Sorry we're a little late."

"No worries. Hope I'm not interrupting?"

"Just a chaotic morning is all," Heidi took her husband's hand with a small tug. "We're here now, though."

"Well, Eric Cartman beat you to it. He helped with the tables and chairs that maintenance forgot about."

Kyle looked over at the mechanic being bombarded over by a bunch of chatty moms. Something the latter woule be annoyed by if it weren't for the food and coffee they kept putting in his hands.

"I see," Kyle lead his wife to the other early arrivals. Cartman escaped from the chirpy moms to approach the couple, which as of two months ago, would've been his last move.

"Nice to see you contributing to society." Heidi nodded to the tables.

Cartman snorted. "Was that a dig?"

"A small one."

The mechanic smiled before shooting a nod to Kyle. It was hard not to notice the ginger cringe every time he looked up at the florescent lights blaring into his puffy eyes.

"How's the headache?"

Kyle squeezed his wife's hand as he stumbled over an answer. Everything from last night including him losing his mind over Cartman's jokes and being so wasted that his ex friend had to pick up the kids; Kyle wanted to crawl out of his own skin.

"It's been worse.."

Cartman handed forth his untouched cup of coffee. "Guess you need this more than me.."

His former friend took the mug, undenied that cafeine sounded like the best medicine right now.

The latter looked to Heidi. "We should..go say hi to Tiffany. Difuze any tension."

Heidi knew he was right, seeing as the blond woman still held them responsible for the fight between their kids.

"I'll catch up, just give me a second to grab coffee."

"Okay." Kyle whispered. He let go of her hand as she watched him hesitate momentarily. Before planting a firm kiss on her cheek which she unexpectedly batted her eyes wide from before her husband left her.

She never said no to any of his affection ever, but it was a hard lump to swallow knowing his motive had something to do with leaving her alone with Eric Cartman still standing by.

Cartman couldn't be bothered. "So, Lilah's eligible for a scholarship. Would take a load off covering for school."

Heidi's face lit up. "Eric, that's great!"

"If the trial goes well, yeah."

Her happiness simmered back down. "Oh, I didn't realize there was still custody..discussion."

"This whole thing is a stupid test," Cartman scoffed. "If Lilah's alive and well under my watch it's better news for me."

His ex smiled. "Well, she seems more than well to me lately. But, you know your daughter better."

"I guess.." Cartman supposed. Any idea of a proper relationship with his only kid would've been a pipe dream a year ago. "You think you could give me some pointers?"

Heidi tilted her head. "Pointers..?"

"On how to impress the people trynna take away my kid."

Her brows shot high at the determination in his ask, having not seen much concern from him since this started. "Your kid."

"That's right."

She still beamed with happiness, taking a liking to the new Cartman. "I mean..we can chat this afternoon. I've never dealt with CPS, but I've dealt with my own kids."

Cartman nodded. And as they set the plan in stone, the little flicker of conflict still held both of them back. Even an innocent coffee or other over discussing Lilah's future might just unpack some unnecessary drama.

"Would Kyle be okay with it?"

Heidi nearly flinched at Cartman having to ask, knowing maybe Kyle would feel a certain way about it. There was truly nothing to feel about it though, and she knew her husband would have to come around to that. All of this was about so much more than their history.

"He'll manage."

. . .

Adam sat in the main hall of the school, planted cross-legged in the middle of the Cows logo plastered on the floor with his math book in his lap. He decided to catch up on the homework he'd retrieved from his locker even when in a sour mood. Never did he wanna tag along to any of his parents' PTA or work-related escapades, but the benefit of a quiet school was that it sharpened his focus. When going through a bad time, he found throwing himself into his school work had it's benefits.

It didn't douse the fire of regret from last night. What's worse, Adam wasn't sure what part of it he regreted exactly. Whether it was kissing the girl he finally admitted to himself he liked, or giving her the cold shoulder for the rest of the night afterward. He knew it hurt Lilah, and he knew she thought he regretted everything with her.

He put aside his math book in another groan of panic, balling fists into his auburn curls. Why of all girls did he have to fall for the one attached to his dad's crazy resented past? Adam once held his dad on a pedestal and had tried so hard to break it down so people would stop judging him. But, kissing Lilah just made him panic. Kissing a girl attached to Eric Cartman's disgraced reputation made him panic about losing Kyle's approval for good. Even his mother's, who's past with Cartman was still a question mark. Adam couldn't afford to get involved in any of this. He's not sure his head and heart could take it.

There used to be a harmony in his house when he was close to his dad before Adam really started to prioritize what other people thought of him over his father. And that came with shutting out Kyle. That came with liking whoever he wanted to like without worrying about daddy's good grace. And suddenly he was reverting to the little goody, kiss-ass Brofvloski everyone knew him as even when he tried to convince people he was not.

And if he wasn't fighting this enough, he was hurting some girl in the process. Adam wasn't ready to unpack all this when the school's doors swung open and made him sit up startlingly. He was honestly displeased to see none other than his best friend waltz through the doors

"'Sup, loser." Liam greeted.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

The eldest Donovan shrugged his brows. Adam knew him well enough that he wouldn't wanna be at school of all places during the weekend.

"Had my mom drop me off to drag your ass out of here."

"Why?"

"'Cuz since when have you tagged along with your dad to school on a fucking Saturday? You're like seriously scaring me, dude."

"Shut up.."

"What happened last night?" Liam sat in front of him. "Everything was fine until Dylan and his boner friends split us up."

"It's a long story.."

Liam looked around at the empty school, spooked by the quietness in the main hall that was usually echoed with chatter.

"Why're you really here, dude?"

"I forgot my homework.."

"And your dad..?"

As dull as Liam could be, he could still read Adam freakily well. "I need to be on his good side..he's already mad I quit debate.."

"Quitting for what?" Liam observed. "Dude, you've been all freaky since the community centre last night."

His stubborn friend rolled his eyes with his focus on his math book, and Liam still wasn't having it as he yanked it from his lap.

"Lilah?"

The red head meant to look up angrily but the mentioning of her name made him weak. As his eyes softened and Liam picked up on his friend's regret, Adam slowly nodded.

"Are you okay..?" The Donovan asked in an unusual concern.

Adam sighed preparedly. "You can't tell anyone."

The awkward meet at Tweak Bros melted away when Heidi suggested they just get straight to business. Asking what Cartman's true intentions were in winning custody. Heidi had to admit, she had her doubts, but the selflessness rolling off Cartman had her suspicions turned.

"She finally seems to like living here, I don't need them to flip her life into a one-eighty again."

Heidi nodded, holding her heated coffee as they shared a small window seat. "Does she talk about her mother?"

Cartman shrugged. "Only when asked about her."

"Kids understand who's there for them and who's not," She reminded. "If a judge wants to hear from Lilah directly, she's gonna make that clear."

The man nodded, looking at his unsipped coffee as he realized he talked more than expected in that past half hour.

"Even if it annoys her, keep pushing, she needs to be the one that knows you care."

That was all fine and dandy, though Cartman still had doubts after he picked up the kids from their Halloween escapades the night before. Something was amiss between his kid and the eldest Broflovski.

"Has Adam been weird since last night?"

His knowing tone caught Heidi's attention. "Yes, do you know why?"

Cartman was just as beyond ideas. "Lilah's been shut in her room all day. And the car ride was like driving a fucking hearse."

"They were estatic when they left. Totally excited." Heidi missed the memories of her boy's joy last night compared to his zombified self today.

Cartman had a hunch, but he wouldn't make assumptions. "Lilah has a thing for your kid, huh?"

Heidi blinked widely. "Oh-she's told you this?"

He smirked, raising a brow to question how Heidi couldn't notice. They were like puppies, those two.

She too smiled as she twirled her coffee gently. "That's ironic."

"Tell me about it."

The overhead bell of the door jingled from another customer's entry. As soon as Heidi sipped her coffee she spat it back into the cup when looking over Cartman's shoulder. Her ex turned in his seat in line with her gaze at the ginger man staring at them in cruel shock. Seathing in anger over the coffee date his wife clearly did not tell him about.

"Kyle-"

"Christ, Heidi.." her husband hissed as he went back the way he came, pounding a hand against the door to leave as Heidi shuffled out of her chair quickly.

"Kyle!" She left her coffee and Cartman at the table as the latter could only awkwardly watch through the window Heidi chase after her spouse to the car.

She reached him as he pulled out his keys, unlocking the vehicle while he looked back at her with vexed eyes and a crinkled nose.

"So is this what you do the minute I suggest we talk to Tiffany?"

"Kyle."

She was shocked to see her husband laughing like he was going insane as he whipped around. "I was gonna get us some coffees, take you for a walk. Try and get our heads out of all this."

"Babe-"

"I see he already covered that, though."

"Kyle!" Heidi couldn't believe his nerve. "It was a damn coffee. He wanted to talk about Lilah."

Her husband didn't believe it for one second. "What is there to talk about Lilah?"

"The custody trial, for one thing."

"Exactly, then why doesn't he come to me? I'm the one who was asked to mandate this." Kyle reminded her with a heated gaze. "I've had Lilah in my office every week for this exact reason, and the minute Cartman wants to be a dad, he goes to you."

"What's wrong with going to me?" Heidi warned with a hiss.

"He hates me, and who knows what he's thinking of you."

His wife gawked. "Seriously?"

"Seriously, Heidi!" Kyle snapped, pointing to the shop behind her. "You think he doesn't have motives?"

"No, because it's clearly not on his radar."

Her husband wiped his mouth over another bitter laugh, leaning against the car. "Yeah, okay. You've said that before when taking him back after he treated you like shit."

Heidi closed her eyes over a sigh she swallowed hard down her throat. Having left it to Kyle to be the one to bring up her trauma, her abuse, her dependancy on dating Cartman as she once thought the treatment to be normal based on her own father's cruel parenting.

When she opened her eyes, Kyle was unchanged. His arms crossed as he stared her down. Even if he hated to remind her of her traumatic past, he'd rather be the bad guy than let her get hurt.

Kyle would rather his peace be shattered by Cartman than let Heidi fall into a crippling shell of a person ever again.

"Let's go." She walked around him to the other side of the car and opened her door. "Now."

As she piled into the driver's seat, Kyle watched a man exit the shop with his coffee. Stopping cold at the ginger man glaring his way. Cartman stood with a clueless stare as Kyle couldn't help but roll his eyes before climbing into the car after his wife.

Still an actor, and would always be one.

To be continued...