"Sutton, baby, please just put this on, we are going to be late and we can't be late tonight. You know how important this is for momma," I plead with those defiant green irises glaring at me, challenging me like they always do.

"No," she sternly rejects the offered dress and rips the garment from my clutches. My daughter whips the dress to the floor and crosses her arms over her chest. "Why can't I wear pants like Henry and Noah?"

"You wear jeans everyday, please, I'm just asking for this one night you wear a dress. We all have to dress nice tonight. Momma and I are wearing dresses and so is your sister," I persuade, but my daughter is the most stubborn one out of everyone in this household.

"I hate dresses mommy! You know that!" Sutton bellows causing her sister to jump slightly in the corner.

"Sutton Grace, I'm done arguing with you. I'm going to make sure your brothers don't need any help and when I come back, you better be in that damn dress," I demand, rising from my trembling knees of fury. I shuffle through the room and gently cup Harper's chin, guiding her big hazel eyes to meet mine. "Convince your sister," I softly whisper through a weak smile before exiting the room.

Sutton screams out her anger, inspiring me to close their bedroom door behind me. I close my eyes and exhale out all my stress, but then a soft pair of lips are pressing against mine, washing away all my worries.

"Come on, take a breather," Regina whispers into my mouth before she pulls away. My wife slips her hand into mine and ushers me back into our bedroom. "Close the door," she instructs and I obey her request. "Listen Emma, maybe we should stop fighting Sutton. She clearly feels very strongly about the dress situation."

"It's one night. One night, Regina." I shake my head in annoyance and busy myself with helping my wife with her diamond necklace. "I know how important this event is for you. You and Ivy worked very hard for this benefit, our kids can dress nice for one evening," I scowl and release the chain behind Regina's neck.

"Emma," my wife breathes and spins around to meet my gaze. She smiles, a warm genuine grin and cups my cheeks. "I love you and I really appreciate you trying to make sure this evening is perfect, but maybe we need to come up with a compromise with Sutton, to help ease our stress for this evening."

I breathe out a long shaky breath and twist my lips as I consider her suggestion. "R-Regina..." I stutter as my mind tries to formulate the words that are buzzing around in my head. "Do you...do you ever think that maybe Sutton...umm..."

"Is gay?" She offers with one dark eyebrow raised in questioning. I slowly nod, while my wife simply chuckles in response. "Sometimes, she does remind me so much of you," my wife so kindly teases.

"Hey! I wear dresses," I counter and pry her fingers from my face. "Don't be a brat," I scold and swat my wife's thick bottom, producing a small squeal in return. "It's just, she wants nothing to do with dresses or Barbies, the complete opposite of Harper. I'm surprised she even plays with Harper, because she only plays with boys. She's constantly playing sports, which is great, don't get me wrong..."

"I know," Regina agrees with a small smile. "She might be...or maybe she's just a tomboy, who knows, but she's eight now and I think we should allow her some freedom on what she feels comfortable in."

"Yeah, I agree. I don't want her growing up to resent us or feel like she can't be who she is because we forced her to be someone else."

"Alright maybe we can suggest some leggings beneath the dress as a compromise?"

"Okay, I'll try. Can you check on the boys? Make sure their ties are actually on?" I question while Regina and I head toward the door.

"Of course," Regina happily complies before she abruptly spins me around and presses my back against the door. "I love you so much," she tenderly kisses my lips, "and our family no matter what."

Thick, succulent lips press further against my mouth, commanding that I trust in her words. My hands fall immediately to her plump bottom where I pull my wife flush against my body and grope the woman in an animalistic need. Regina moans into my mouth, shamelessly forcing her core to grind against mine.

"Emma."

I rapidly blink away my tortured thoughts and scramble to sweep up the papers in front of me. My right hand flings open my desk drawer before I hastily shove the papers inside.

"Yeah," I croak out and wipe just below my eyes. I slightly shake my head and peer up at my friend lingering in the doorway.

"Hey, are you ready?"

"Yeah, yeah. Of course," I quickly stand from the office desk and dash across the room, checking the clock on the wall. "Where's Rubes?"

"She's going to meet us there, if that's alright?" Belle questions as we step out of the office.

I turn off the lights and close the door behind us before smiling at the brunette. "Of course that's fine."

"Em," she softly whispers my name as her hand lovingly rests on top of my forearm. "Are you alright?"

The corner of my mouth deepens from the sincerity in her voice and somehow I find the strength to fake a smile. "I'm fine," I lie and quickly turn around to exit the long hall.

I would give anything to go back in time when our biggest concern in life was forcing my eight year old to wear a dress. When we would wonder about our children's future and if we were raising them correctly. I so desperately want to turn back time and tell my younger self to slow down, that there was no need to rush, but Regina and I never truly understood the concept of going slow.

"Mom, where were you? We are going to be late?" Sutton scolds me as if I am the child in this relationship. I roll my eyes in return and shove my moody teenager's shoulder toward the door.

"We are not late, relax," I drawl as my eyes sweep across the over sized foyer to count the people. "Where's Henry and Violet?" I quickly inquire when I notice their absence.

"Just on the porch," Sutton replies casually before reaching for the front door.

"I bet they are kissing again," Noah teases causing my nose to scrunch in distaste. I grip my youngest's shoulders and shake him playfully.

"Your chore from now on is to interrupt Henry and Violet whenever they are left alone," I inform my eleven year old who nods enthusiastically, ready to ruin his older brother's fun.

Belle and my daughters laugh as we step out onto the porch to discover Henry leaning awfully close into Violet's personal space. Noah untangles himself from my grasp and jumps right in between the two love sick teenagers, successfully tearing them apart. Henry groans and pushes his little brother while Noah laughs hysterically in return.

It's uncanny how much Noah resembles Henry. Both boys sport the same shaggy brown hair, but at least Henry attempts to style the mess now that he's seventeen and is constantly swooning over Violet. Both of my boys inherited my mother's dark green eyes and whenever I peer into them, I can see my mother all over again, instantly filling my heart with love.

The girls on the other hand are my replicas, especially Sutton with her long blonde hair and bright green eyes. The only way people can tell the twins apart are by Harper's big hazel eyes, but otherwise they are almost identical in physical appearance. However their personalities are night and day, since the moment they were born. Harper is still our shy, quiet one who enjoys reading and writing whereas Sutton is still outgoing, loud and very athletic. Despite their personal differences those two fourteen year olds, are as thick as thieves and will fight to their death to defend one another.

Belle and I load up the kids into the van and drive toward the high school. Harper and Sutton are freshman's this year and tonight is Sutton's volleyball game. Regina and I always make it a point that all our children attend their sibling's events, no matter what, for moral support. Tonight, is a very important game to determine if the team will be going to state or not.

"Mom?" Harper suddenly leans forward in her seat and hovers over my right shoulder. "Uh, is mom coming tonight?"

My eyes quickly flick to the clock on the dashboard and then back to the road. "I believe so," I reply and shrug casually, hoping to ease my daughter's worries.

Sutton will never question Regina's presence, whether it affects her or not, but Harper always seems to sense when her sister needs Regina there. My daughter falls back into her seat and catches a quick glimpse of her sister before focusing on absolutely nothing out the window.

I pull into the parking lot and park this hideous soccer mom van that I needed for luging around my children and all their friends. My kids climb out of the car and dart toward the high school as if we are late, even though we have plenty of time.

"Do you think Regina will make it?" Belle questions as she leans into my side and lowers her voice for only us to hear.

"I would think so," I mutter noncommittally and shrug off the question before my friend has a chance to pry any further. "Do you think Henry and Violet are official now?" I abruptly change the subject while we make our way inside.

"I think so, but I'm sure we will be the last to know," Belle scoffs out her annoyance and rolls those piercing blue eyes.

"Too bad you and Rubes never had more kids, we could've easily kept pairing off our children," I tease, our shoes squeaking against the cheap linoleum floor while we walk toward the gymnasium.

"Hey you two! Wait up!"

Belle and I quickly spin around creating this cringeworthy squeal against the floor. Ruby is running toward us down the hall like we are a couple of high schooler's once again. The lanky brunette leans forward and presses a firm kiss to her wife's lips, inevitably producing a deep shade of pink to paint Belle's cheeks. Even after all this time together they still act like they are in the honeymoon phase of their relationship and I admire that about them.

The couple has been our dearest friends for seventeen years now, ever since Granny began watching Henry at five months old. We have watched our children grow up together, we have enjoyed many double dates and they are truly the most wonderful people alive.

"Hey Ems," Ruby breathes slightly out of breath from her light jog and slips her hand into her wife's.

"Hey Rubes, thanks for coming."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," she laughs lightly before I yank on the heavy gymnasium door.

My eyes pop open wide from the bleachers are already being filled for this game. The loud chit chatter fills the air and bounces off the walls as we enter. Henry, Violet, Harper and Noah are already sitting in the center of the bleachers, waving for us to join them. We nod and slowly begin the climb up the rickety stairs.

We take our seats behind the kids and revel in the positive energy buzzing through the gym. The excitement is contagious and it's so hard not to smile in this type of atmosphere. My eyes drift around the crowded room, examining the net set up in the middle of the court, but the teams have yet to make their appearance.

"There's mom," Noah excitedly points out to the corner of the overly crowded room.

My heart stops when my eyes land upon the woman in scrubs, still the most stunning woman to enter every room. Her thick raven locks are pulled back into a low ponytail, her face still flawless as ever with very little makeup. Those enchanting brown orbs gaze around the room until they land upon our family and I freeze.

Regina smiles softly at our family, light glistening against her enchanting eyes before she turns and walks toward the bleachers on the other side of the room.

"She didn't," Ruby huffs in my ear when I notice someone trailing closely behind. I quickly furrow my brows, shake my head and press my finger to my lips, insisting my friend keeps her mouth shut.

"Can I go over there?" Noah timidly questions, peeking over his shoulder with curious eyes.

"Of course kiddo," I happily confirm and sweep his long hair out of his eyes.

Henry and Harper glance over at their other mother with scowls etched upon their faces. "Well you're the only one," Henry mutters under his breath inspiring my hand to fling out to its own accord and smack the back of his head. "Ow! What the-"

"Don't even finish that statement," I threaten with a hard glare at my oldest.

"Should I not go?" Noah innocently questions, appearing puzzled on what is right or wrong in this moment.

"No, no," Belle, Ruby and I chant in unison from fear of confusing the young boy.

"Of course you can go over there. You're sleeping over there tonight, right?" I cheerfully imply with my biggest smile to ease my son's worry. He slowly nods while his dark green eyes bore into my soul, trying to decipher what he should be doing in this particular situation. "Go on kiddo, we will all be right here if you want to come back over," I encourage and squeeze his shoulder for support.

"Harper?" He turns his attention to his older sister with pleading puppy dog eyes. "Will you go with me?"

My daughter physically winces despite her best efforts to mask her emotions. Henry finally pries his eyes away from Violet and stares at his sister for her answer. Hazel eyes slowly shift toward inquisitive green, silently holding a private conversation because Harper has always been able to hold that ability with her siblings.

"Um, yeah Noah, I'll walk you over there, okay?" She quietly offers in which he happily agrees with. She exhales slowly and rises from the bleachers with her younger brother. "I'll be back," she mumbles with her hands falling to rest upon her brother's shoulders, guiding him through the crowd.

Once Harper and Noah are out of range Henry abruptly spins around and glares at me. "Seriously, you let him go over there, with her?" He spits through clenched teeth.

"She's your mother Henry," I defend, but even now I'm starting to hear the lack of confidence in my own voice after nine long months of this up hill battle.

"Yeah and I get that," he brushes off my claim and rolls his eyes. "But you shouldn't let Noah go over there with that-"

I quickly hold up my hand to stop whatever choice words my son may have. "I don't care how old you are, you're still my son so choose your words wisely."

Henry's nose scrunches as though he's fighting back the tangy stomach acid threatening at the back of his throat. Violet straightens her posture beside her boyfriend and pretends to study something far off in the distance while her mothers watch with great interest.

"Sutton is gonna freak out if she looks up in the crowd and sees Mom with that woman," he growls in pure disgust and even I can't hide the way my stomach flips and my face contorts painfully in absolute horror. "It's going to ruin her game, I'm going to say something."

My son pops up on his long limbs, but I am quick to grip his sleeve and tug him down. "Don't you dare make a scene. I'm not forcing you to go over there, but I will not have you stir up drama at your sister's game, do I make myself clear?"

Henry jerks his arm away and spins around in his seat. "Whatever," he grumbles and quickly stands up again.

"I said sit," I growl in a low challenging tone, for only our small group to hear.

"I'm going to get a snack," he spits and stomps away before I can berate him anymore.

"I'll...um...I'll make sure he doesn't go over by Regina," Violet nervously excuses herself and chases after my son.

A gentle hand to my back startles me for a brief moment until I realize it's Ruby. "Are you okay girl?"

"Ugh, no," I croak out and bury my head into my palms. "This is a nightmare," I groan and rests my elbows on my knees. "Why the hell would she bring her here?"

"Are they officially together now?" Belle tentatively inquires and the break in her voice is so damn evident it causes my entire body to deflate.

"I have no clue."

"Sit up, sit up, Harper is coming back," Ruby enlightens me as she swats at my outer thigh.

I quickly straighten my posture and plaster on my fakest smile. "Where's Henry?" Harper cautiously asks while she squirms through the crowd.

"Snacks," we all blurt out, provoking my daughter's one eyebrow to skyrocket just like Regina.

"Mmmkay," she mumbles and slides back into her seat in front of us.

"Noah stayed obviously," I point out, somewhat fishing for any information regarding their other mother.

"Mmhmm," she hums, but refuses to elaborate producing a scowl upon my face.

God I wish Sutton was here...

"Thank you for bringing your brother over there."

Long blonde strands sway against her back as she simply nods in return creating an ache in my heart for my daughter to just open up. Harper has always been glued to Regina's side and I can only imagine how much this divorce is effecting her. I know only seeing her other mother on weekends is killing my baby girl.

Ruby lightly pats my knee expressing her support but my mind is too focused on another. My eyes dart over to the other side of the bleachers where my son is animatedly speaking to his other mother while that bitch Fiona smiles at my son. She flips her long, jet black, sleek hair away from her shoulders, that I know she spent some time styling, unlike my dull hair that was carelessly tossed into a low ponytail this morning. I hate her, I hate her pale porcelain flawless face, with those dark mysterious cat eyes and plump pink lips, laughing adoringly at my son. I can practically hear her stupid British accent that is an instant panty-dropper to anyone's ears.

I swallow thickly and force down the stomach acid clawing a path up my chest and tickling the back of my throat. I hate this. I hate all of this. Regina's words haunt me at night when I lie awake, alone in the bed we once shared.

"We were never ones to take things slow."

That simple phrase always made me smile like some stupid smug asshole. Now, I hate those words more than ever. God I wish we would have taken things slow. I wish we would have never rushed. I wish more than anything to turn back the clock.

I blink away the tears lingering in my eyes and notice Regina watching me intently. I quickly avert my eyes and focus on the court, where luckily my daughter is entering. The crowd begins to clap aggressively, drowning out the beating of my heart as it slams murderously against my sternum from my torment.

My daughter stands tall and full of confidence as she enters with the varsity team. Luckily, she did inherit all my genes, long lanky limbs that help her fit in with the juniors and seniors around her. We knew Sutton was special when it came to sports but we were completely shocked when she announced she made varsity as a freshman.

I clap, cheer and holler, overly enthusiastic for my daughter's wonderful accomplishments. I am so proud of this girl, I'm practically giddy in my seat.

A soft pretzel soon obstructs my view causing me to lean back in my seat. I peer up through my thick eyelashes and find my son looking everywhere, but in my direction.

"Here," he mutters under his breath and offers the snack once again.

"Thanks," I reply even though it comes off more of a question and accept the pretzel.

"Sorry...about earlier," he grumbles and flops down in his seat next to Harper with Violet right by his side.

"Apology accepted." I ruffle his hair and kiss the top of his head before he can swat me away and focus on the game with my family.

XXXXXXXXX

"Twenty-five, all," my daughter's voice booms through the gymnasium.

Sutton tosses the ball into the air and leaps high off the ground. Her palm smacks against the ball, echoing through the gym while the ball slices through the air. Sneakers skid and shriek against the floor as the other team anticipates where the ball might end up, but none of that matters because the ball forcefully slams down between two girls before they have a chance to react.

The entire crowd roars with praise while everyone jumps to their feet. My daughter's team all high-five her quickly before the ball is back in Sutton's hands again. The crowd falls silent, allowing my daughter the concentration she needs while she spins the ball in her hands, preparing herself just as she always does before she serves.

"Twenty-five, twenty-four," Sutton's strong determined voice echoes through the room again before she serves once more.

The ball flies across the court, over the net and drops like dead weight near the back corner of the court. The crowd screams in delight and claps energetically while my eyes drift across the room to land upon Regina.

The brunette is anxiously swaying from one foot to the next. She was never really good at watching our children compete. The woman always becomes a fumbling, stressed mess in fear that our children may lose. Her eyes are solely focused on our daughter and my hand twitches in response, wishing I could hold her hand right now and we could experience this moment together.

"Game point," my daughter calls out catching my attention.

My eyes dart back to Sutton and watch as she methodically spins the ball and serves once again. The ball carries beautifully once again through the air, but some beanstalk in the back row bumps the ball off her forearms. Shoes squeak against the floorboards as girls run around, their eyes following the ball's every move.

My jaw clenches and my heart stops as another girl jumps high into the air and smacks the ball down. I hold my breath until a girl on our team slides under the ball and bumps it back into the air. Another girl runs beneath the ball and bumps it up even higher. Sutton jumps, stretching her long limbs before she smacks the ball down for a perfect spike. The other team misses the ball completely, granting my daughter bragging rights for the winning point.

The entire crowd screams uncontrollably, but I notice the way my daughter lands when she comes back down. Her ankle buckles under the pressure and she instantly collapses to the ground.

"Shit," I curse through clenched teeth and quickly squirm through the crowded bleachers.

I run down the stairs, the bleachers clinking and clanking the entire way down and I know my family is following close behind. Sutton's team and coaches are already forming a circle around my daughter as I make my way onto the court. In my peripheral vision I spot Regina running across the floor.

"Sutton! Sutton!" I scream as the anxiety rises quickly in my body. A small path clears granting me access to my daughter. I fall to my knees and place a shaky hand upon my daughter's back.

"Mom," she gasps while she holds her ankle tight with both hands. "God it hurts. It hurts," she hisses, her jaw flexing painfully tight.

"I know sweetie."

"Sutton, sweetie," Regina nervously calls out as she makes her way through the crowd. The brunette bends down and immediately turns her attention to the ankle, but our daughter is holding on for dear life. "Let me see, I promise I won't touch," Regina softly encourages while I continue to rub my daughter's back for comfort.

Sutton clings to her ankle as if the limb may fall off, inspiring Harper to sit beside her. "Let Mom look," she whispers, allowing Sutton the courage she needs to release her wounded area.

"Look at me," I gently command while Regina examines her swollen ankle. Emerald green eyes meet mine, but never once does my daughter shed a tear.

"I believe it's just a bad sprain, but we better take you in for an x-ray just to be on the safe side," Regina suggests while I nod along.

"You can bring her into my office, breaks and fractures are my expertise," Fiona cheerfully chimes in provoking my stomach to do back flips in protest.

"Thank you, that's very-"

"Hell no!"

"Sutton!" I quickly scold.

"I am not going anywhere with you," she growls in her most threatening tone as she grips her ankle once again.

"Sutton," Regina softly murmurs, "now is not the-"

"No. No. Mom," my daughter's eyes flick toward mine. "Take me to the hospital."

"Sutton, Fiona is a pediatric-"

Regina is cut off again, but this time by our oldest son. "Stop, we are not causing a scene," he quietly says so only our family can hear. Henry bends down and scoops his sister into his arms. "Let's discuss this in the car," he demands and walks through the crowd of people without another word spoken.

I glance over at Regina who is still kneeling, dumbfounded on the ground. I frown before I scramble to my feet and take Noah's hand in mine. "Let's follow your brother," I suggest and nod for Harper to lead the way. Regina doesn't hesitate before she jumps to her feet and follows us out of the high school.

With every step I take I feel Regina's presence weighing me down. Every cold hard step against the slick floors, she's there following in my footsteps and sinking my heart further and further into oblivion. It's so much easier to pretend I'm alright when she's not around, but every time she's near I feel apart of my soul slowly dying.

I welcome the cool evening air with open arms to extinguish the flushed burn clawing up the back of my neck and cheeks. I fumble for my car key inside my jean's pocket and unlock the door for Henry. He quickly opens the door and gently places Sutton insides.

"We will meet you at the hospital then?" I meekly question, never turning around to meet those enchanting eyes.

"Emma, Fiona specializes in-"

"Harper, take Noah to the car please," I request and my daughter instantly steps in and leads her little brother to the van. I wait until the car door closes before I spin around to face my ex. "Sutton doesn't feel comfortable with her, so let's respect our daughter's wishes and bring her to the hospital."

"Don't you think if Sutton did fracture something, Regina would send her to me anyways?" Fiona smugly replies. "That is where she sends all her patients as well."

"Wow Regina," Ruby begins but my ex immediately cuts her off.

"Oh so nice of you to finally speak to me," Regina quickly quips, her words dripping with sarcasm as she glares at Ruby with disappointment.

"Let's not do this now. Regina we are going to the hospital, you can either meet us there or don't come at all, I really don't care anymore." I roll my eyes and stomp away, forcing out my rage against the pavement so I can fake my best smile for the kids when I enter the car.

"Seriously Emma? Don't act like that, of course I'm coming. This concerns our daughter."

"Then I'll see you there," I quickly turn my attention to the annoyingly beautiful woman beside my soon to be ex-wife. "I suggest you skip this family affair. My daughter is in pain right now and clearly she doesn't want you in her presence."

I spin back around and climb into my driver's seat with all eyes on me, waiting, expecting, holding their breathes as they watch their mothers interact in a way they are still not accustomed to.

A/N: Ohhhhh, I know you guys are going to kill me, but please bear with me. I promise a beautiful ending, but you know me, I love writing about real life events and for the readers to fully feel these emotions it had to be this storyline. I think it's important to discuss what happens after the happily ever after. If you haven't read the first story please make sure you read Andante, Andante first.