15 minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Jay braced himself, for what, he didn't know. Was it meeting his daughter for the first time, or was it the fact that his first impression of her would be breaking her heart? Oh well, jay thought, no going back now. He opened the door.

'Mikayla this is Jay, he's your dad, and he's going to be looking after you,' Karen said. A small girl stepped out from behind her, the spitting image of Abby, except for the eyes, Jays eyes, that sparkled bright blue under her long dark hair.

'Hi, you must be Mikayla,' he held out his hand. Wtf, you just asked for a handshake from an 8 year old, you've already screwed this up. But she grabbed his hand tentatively.

'How about we all go in, and talk' Karen said, trying to ease the awkwardness at the door. Jay led them into the living room, where mouse was already sitting on the couch.

'This is my friend Greg, but you can call him mouse,' Jay said. Mouse waved enthusiastically, which earned a wave and a smile from Mikayla. Great, Jay thought, Mouse had a better greeting, she's gonna like him more.

'I'm going to go get something to drink for everyone. I'll be right back.' Karen said walking towards the kitchen. The adults knew she wasn't getting a drink, merely giving Jay a chance to talk to Mikayla about the situation, but still being close enough to jump in if needed.

'Why am I here? Where's my mum? I tried asking Karen, but she kept saying you would tell me. I want to go home.' Mikayla questioned.

Oh shit, she wants to get straight into it. 'So, um… did you know your mum was in the army?' She nodded. 'Okay well… uh me and her and mouse all served together. We were all really good friends. And your mum and I got to know each other really well. But… some...sometimes…' Jay didn't know how to word it, looking to Mouse for assistance, who jumped in without missing a beat.

Sometimes, soldiers have some trouble adjusting to being back, and so they do something's that they shouldn't. Your mum and Jay got married, do you know what an impulse decision is?' She shook her head. 'Ok so it's like, where you make a decision about something, because it makes sense and seems like a good idea at the time, but you didn't really think it through. So your mum and Jay getting married was an impulse decision, but the next day Jay found out about the stuff your mum was doing, and he didn't want to do it, so he left and he made it so that he couldn't contact her, and she couldn't contact him.' Jay nodded at Mouse, signalling he was ready to take over again.

'But um… because I cut contact, it meant that she couldn't tell me about you, that's why I haven't been around. And I'm so sorry about that. Today your mum found me where I work, and she told me that we were still technically married, because she didn't sign something, so I signed some papers, and then I found out about you.'

Mikayla looked like she was slowly swallowing the information, trying to process the story. 'Okay… but where's my mum now?'

Jay sighed, 'When she came in today, I could tell she was sick, it's not the type of sick a doctor can fix. But once I signed the papers, she took her own life. I'm so sorry honey.' Mikayla started crying, as she had more than every right to do, but Jay didn't know what to do. He had just delivered this news, she wouldn't want comfort from him, would she. Mouse nodded his head towards Mikayla who was now curled up on the couch sobbing. Jay got the message and switched couches so he was seated next to her. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. When she didn't have a bad reaction, he moved a bit closer to pull her into a hug, and when she didn't pull away, he rubbed a hand over her back, whispering comforting things into her ear. He looked up to see Mouse with his thumbs up.

'Sweetheart,' Jay said, pulling back, 'I know that this is probably not something you want to think about right now, but um… I would've liked to be a part of your life if I'd known, but um… CPS wants to place you with the closest blood relative which would be me. So you'd be living here with me from now on, is that okay?' She nodded and he went back to hugging her while she cried. Mouse mouthed that he was going to tell Karen. He returned with some boxes and a suitcase which he took up to Mikayla's new room, and Karen left them to get settled in.

After about 10 minutes, Mikayla's cries eased, but she was still hugging Jay. 'Do you want to come see your room, maybe we can find somethings to decorate it with.' She nodded and grabbed his hand, as he led her upstairs to her room. Jay had to admit, the team had done a pretty good job. It looked perfect for a little girl.

'This is it. We can change stuff around if you like, or you can keep it how it is-' Jay started.

Mikayla cut him off, 'it's perfect, Thankyou', she gave him another hug.

'So me and Mouse were thinking that we get take out, we didn't really have a chance to find dinner, and don't tell him I said this, but he's not the best chef,' she giggled, 'so what do you like to eat?'

'Can we have pizza?' She asked.

'Hell yes we can, what do you like on it?'

'Ham and pineapple, but I can eat whatever,' she said.

'Sounds good. How about you start unpacking, and I'll run down and tell mouse. I'll be back up in a second to help you,' Jay said.

'Oke dokey'