It was a rainy London day. Ginger was holding a blue umbrella over her and her daughter, Dia's, head.

It was Dia's 13th birthday, and Ginger thought it would be nice to take her out to dinner, to the fish and chip shop a few blocks from their flat that Dia had always liked.

"Well, here we are, love," Ginger said, trying to make Dia laugh by using a fake British accent, one that always made Dia giggle as a young child.

"Mum," Dia grinned sheepishly, rolling her eyes.

They went in and had a lovely dinner, just the two of them. They talked about everything. That was the thing with Ginger and Dia: they had a strong relationship that reminded her of the one Ginger and her mother, Lois had.

It made shivers go up and down Ginger's spine to think of home. She missed everything and everyone dearly. She missed her parents, Dr. Dave, Dodie, Macie, Courtney, Orion, and even Carl. It was bittersweet leaving everyone, but she had to move on. All because of…but she couldn't think about him now. Time to focus on Dia's special day.

Once they were done eating, they paid, and started heading out the door to make their way down a few more blocks to an ice cream shop that Dia also liked.

They were at a stoplight, waiting to cross. And there. Ginger saw him with her own two eyes. He was just standing there, looking awkward and afraid. He was coming closer and closer towards Ginger and Dia.

"Uhh….Dia! Come on, honey. Let's go back to the flat. Why don't we make homemade ice cream instead? Homemade tastes better anyway," Ginger said, panicked.

"Mum…are you ok? Is something wrong?" Dia asked, a bewildered expression.

"Nothing is wrong, Dee. Just….you know how tight money is for us these days. Come on…I'll make you the best ice cream you've ever tasted," Ginger said, trying her hardest to remain calm.

"Okay. Homemade ice cream sounds fine. Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

"Positive. Let's go," Ginger said, turning around, running right past Darren without even looking back.

"Wait, come back!" Darren said, chasing after them.

"Dia, honey, hurry," Ginger said.

"What's the big hurry, Mum?" Dia asked, turning back around to see Darren running after them.

"Dia…hurry! I'll tell you when we get to the flat."

"Honey, go in and get the ingredients out. I'll need to get the mail. Probably loads of stuff for you," Ginger said.

Dia did as she was told. Ginger found cards and packages from all of her friends and family back home. At the very bottom of the stack was one from….Darren. She opened it, and there was a note for Ginger, and one for Dia. She decided to only read the one for herself:

Dear Ginger,

How are you? How's London? How's your writing career going? And how is Cordelia?! Please tell me she's ok. I sent her a birthday card. You don't have to give it to her if you don't want to. I mean, if she doesn't know about me yet. Give it to her when the time is right.

And Ging…there's something I really want to say to you: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that you have no idea. I think about you and Cordelia all the time, and…I always end up hurting you, and it makes me feel so sick inside, and it's hard to live with myself. You can still hate me all you want, but I just want you to know that I'm truly, truly, truly sorry. And that I still love you. I don't think that feeling is ever going to change.

Love,

Darren

She almost couldn't bear to look at the front of her daughter's card. It had the number thirteen on the front. Even though she told herself she wouldn't read the one to Dia, Ginger couldn't help it:

Dear Cordelia,

Happy Birthday! You're a teenager now!

How are you? How's London? How's school? How's Ginger?!

I know I haven't really been around in your life, and I'm sincerely sorry for it. I love you and your mother with all my heart and that will never change.

If there's ever an emergency, or you just need to talk, you can always call me at: 159-2222.

Again, have the best birthday over!

Love you,

Darren

Darren had never sounded more like her dad, Jonas. Ginger's eyes filled up with tears. She crumpled up the letter Darren sent her, balled it up, and it landed on the streets.

She hid Dia's card under the pile, and would save it. She wouldn't give it to her now, but when Ginger thought she was really ready to tell her without bawling.

She walked inside the house, ready to face Dia.