Welcome back everyone. Hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. So, in the next few chapters we will be wrapping things up with Henry and Ivy and their fun little family. What do you guys think will happen?

Chapter 8

Some time has passed, and things had been going well for the four of them. It was now October, and fast approaching Brendon's third birthday. And that had been the couples main focus, well besides now having a teenager in high school, on top of a toddler. But the couple was handling it, together, which they all rather enjoyed, if asked.

Henry currently was sitting at his table, typing at his computer. He was in search of the best gift for his son. Something that was proving to be easier said than done. Sure, Henry knew what the boy liked: Mickey Mouse, Thomas the train, Cars. But that didn't make the search any easier. And also, the fact the stress of it, on top of the stress at work wasn't helping him either. Between Ivy and Ana and Brendon; the distraction of them, and writing the next book. He bites his lip as he clicks away, scrolling through the current page of search results. Then his phone dings, it was from Ivy.

Hey babe!

Henry smiles, then types: Hey beautiful. I'm not one to complain about hearing from my girlfriend. But aren't you supposed to be working?

I am working. But I miss you.

I miss you too. How did the night go with Brendon?

Ok. He missed his daddy.

I missed him too. I'll be back tonight. I'm almost done with this article for the paper. And I'll even do a extra bed time story tonight.

And a gift? I know you have been searching…

Henry rolls his eyes Ok, you caught me. But this my first birthday with him. It has to be good.

I know. But the gift is from you. He'll will love it no matter what.

Still, I want it to be good Ivy. Plus, I feel like I need to make up for the others I missed.

You know you don't have to do that, right?

I know. But I can't help but feel that way is all.

I'm sorry Henry it's my fault. Maybe I can help you?

I appreciate that. But I want to do this myself, I want to prove more so to myself I can.

Alright. I'll see you, later right?

Henry grins, he loved this soft side of Ivy. You bet. See you later. Love you.

I love you too.

Henry sighs in relieve, that was the first time they officially said those three words. He felt bad it was in text, but it felt like the right moment. He really liked her, and it was clear she liked him back. And he felt there was a mutual connection between them.

Ivy smiles as she bites her lip, setting her phone aside. They said the words, the words she wanted to say for weeks now. She knew she loved him. Seeing him with Ana, how natural their friendship was. Then there was Brendon, their son. Every time she saw them together, she loved Henry more. He had a way with Brendon that not even she had. There was a immediate bond there. She then opens up her schedule on her computer, and bites her lip, what was she thinking packing so much into such a short time. Sometimes she wanted to slap herself, palm to forehead.

As the day goes on Ivy sighs, she wasn't going to make in time to pick up Ana or Brendon, which sucked, that was the best part of her day, seeing their faces when they see her. She leans back into her chair, and texts Henry, asking if he could get them for her.

Henry of course agrees, especially since he was sure he found the perfect gift for Brendon's birthday. He found him one those wooden tables for trains, he remembered the one time he took Brendon to the library, he couldn't get the kid away from the one there, so Bam! The perfect gift. He closes his laptop, and grabs his jacket. Heading out to the car, then off to get Brendon first.

Henry pulls up to Brendon's pre-school about 15 minutes later. He smiles, getting out the car, it was sweet looking place. Sweet childlike stuff painted on the building, to the side of the building was a pre-school friendly play yard. As Henry walks up the walkway to the door, a woman and little girl walk past him, and he gives them a polite nod and 'hello', the little girl giving him a sweet little wave in return. Henry goes up to the front desk, a familiar girl working there "Hey there, I'm here for Brendon Belfry."

The girl, Ariel gives him a smile "Ah, yes you're his dad. I've seen you stop by before."

Henry smiles "Yeah, his mom is busy at work, and asked me to get him today. I hope that is okay."

Ariel quickly clicks away a bit at her computer "Ah… yes, it is. You are on the list for picking him up."

"Great, well whenever he is ready" Henry says, as he hears his son's voice from the back, making him chuckle.

She nods, and goes through the door and he could hear that she tells them to get his son ready. She then comes back through the door, "they are getting him ready to go, you can head back if you'd like."

"I would like to yeah; I've never really gotten to see back there yet."

"Go on ahead and look" Ariel smiles, pressing the button to let him in.

Henry nods, opening the door, and walking back. He sees crafts up on the walls as he walks through, quickly finding the one main big room. And Brendon quickly spots him, running over to him. He smiles, swooping the boy up when he reached him, kissing his cheek "Hey buddy."

"Hi daddy" Brendon hugs him, laying his head on his shoulder "mama, work?"

Henry nods "yeah, mama still had more work to do. So, I'm getting you and Ana today, alright?"

"Otay, fun wit daddy fiwst?"

Henry smiles with a nod "You betcha pal. We'll get Ana and maybe have a little snack, okay?"

"Yep sound good" Brendon nods.

Then the lady walks over, her name is Alex "Here is his coat and backpack" she smiles, helping to slip the coat on the boy.

"Tank yous Awex" Brendon smiles, giving her offered hand a high five.

"No problem Brenny, we will see you tomorrow" Alex says sweetly, giving his back a rub.

"Yes, you will. Thank you miss Alex" Henry smiles, giving her a nod. They both wave, and Henry leads them out. He gets Brendon all buckled up into his car seat, then they head over to the high school.

Henry parks on the side street across from the school. He knew that Ivy would text Ana to let her know he was picking her up, and where to meet him. He puts on some music softly to let Brendon hear it, while they wait. It isn't long before he hears the bell ring from inside the school, and not even thirty seconds later, kids came running out the building. Which made him laugh, he remembers those days, you couldn't get out that building fast enough some days.

Ana come out a few minutes later, bookbag slung over her shoulder, and quickly spots Henry's car across the street and heads on over across the street. "Hey Henry" she says with a smile as she approaches the car, Henry waving with the windows open some.

"Hey Ana" Henry nods, as she gets in.

"Hi Ana" Brendon blushes from the backseat.

"Hey buddy" Ana smiles, he sets her bookbag on the floor, and turns to look at him "You're here too?"

Brendon giggles "Me here eberyday silly."

Ana laughs as she sits down, then looks at Henry "Did Ivy say, how long she should be?"

Henry shakes his head "Nope, but that is okay. We'll help each other out, right?"

"You bet" Ana nods.

Ivy sighs as she gets into the car, it was almost 7 pm, and she hated that fact. She never wanted to be this mom, not like her mom. She wanted to be there for dinner, help with homework. She texts Henry letting him know she was on her way home, and to let Ana know. She sets her phone back in her purse and drives home.

When Ivy gets home, she finds Ana laying on the couch watching Tv, and Henry was walking down the stairs from Brendon's room.

"Hey, there you are" Henry grins, walking over kissing her cheek "glad you made it."

"Me too" Ivy sighs, "I'm so sorry I was so late, everything kept going wrong, people where useless."

Henry gives her a sympathetic smile "I know, but we had a okay night."

"They didn't give you any problems, did they?"

"Nope, Brendon was great, he is in bed, I tried to keep him up a bit longer, but he lost the fight with sleep. And Ana was good, but she seemed a bit sad though."

Ivy nods "I promised her, I wouldn't be like mom, and work all night, and miss things."

Henry gives her a sad smile, and pecks her lips "Go talk to her, I'll make us some hot chocolate."

Ivy nods, biting her lip as she heads over to the couch, to her sister. "Hey you…"

Ana looks at her "Hey…"

"I'm really sorry about being so late… but this could be big Ana" Ivy says.

"That's what mom would say to" Ana says, rolling over onto her side.

Ivy sighs "Unlike mom, I mean it. If this deal works… I could be home more with you guys."

Ana looks at her again "You promise?"

Ivy nods "Cross my heart. Plus, I feel like tonight aside, I've done pretty good at getting home at a decent time, it was the first time in a while I didn't pick you up."

Ana nods "I guess that's why it was tough, cause you had been here."

Ivy gives her a sad smile, taking her hand into her own "I'm sorry kiddo."

"I know" Ana nods "Love you."

Ivy grins widely "I love you too."

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Ana pokes her head into the apartment, then walks inside, the last couple weeks had been intense in their apartment. It was clear something had happened between Henry and Ivy, and of course Ivy wasn't saying a word. All she can figure is something happened after Brendon's party and she was sent to bed also. Since, Henry hadn't been there, hadn't stayed over. The only time she saw him, was when he brought Brendon home. And Ivy barely let him inside, let alone say anything to her. And if Ana was honest, it really bugged her. Before Henry, their life was good. The three of them. But Henry, he added something to their family, something they didn't know was missing till he came into their lives. All Ana knew was she had to fix it, find out what happened.

A bit later, Ana finds herself standing outside Henry's apartment. And knocks on the door.

Henry opens the door, mouth dropping, clearly not expecting her "Ana, what are you doing here?"

"When are you coming home?" Ana asks, softly, not really sure if she should say the word.

Henry sighs, letting her inside "Hot chocolate?"

Ana nods, moving inside, taking off her jacket, then sits at the table "What happened with you and Ivy?" she asks, matter of fact.

Henry sighs again, moving to the kitchen "It's complicated Ana…"

"Come on Henry, just cause Ivy is treating me like a kid, doesn't mean you should too" Ana pouts when he looks at her.

"Fine… during Brendon's party… I overheard a conversation Ivy was having with a co-worker" Henry starts, biting his lip. "She… didn't tell me something big, that would affect us all. Especially with me and Brendon."

Ana nods "Is it with work?"

Henry nods "When… I confronted her about it, she basically said that it wasn't up to me. And that my opinion doesn't matter about it, even after saying I could be in Brendon's life, and us even dating."

"Sounds to me like she's scared" Ana says honestly.

Henry raises a eyebrow "of what?"

"Even though you're dating… she's probably afraid of what it means, our mom, didn't exactly give her the best example of what a true family meant. I grew up with that, not having our dad around. But she had them both, when he died, our mom wasn't around as much. She's afraid to mess up, like she did."

Henry sighs "So… are you basically saying, give her a chance to prove herself wrong, to herself?"

"Yep" Anna nods.

Henry can't help but chuckle "Alright, I'll see what I can do…"

I'm seriously sorry how long this took guys. I was stuck for months on what I wanted the fight to be, and then couldn't decide what and how for the fight to go… anyway, I hope I did alright. Thoughts?