So I'm not as happy with this as I could be, but I really owe you! I meant to update this a few days after the last chapter, but then my grandma was in and out of the hospital, plus I had to get ready for school. Then I just lost track of it and literally have a hundred things I need to get done. A guest reviewed saying to update, and I really hit me. I don't think anyone has ever really done that and it makes me feel special. So enough about my crazy life and sad reasons for excitement. Thanks a bunches CrazyLoveSick and DivaDanielle1994, plus the guest who asked me to update. To the guest (I'm guessing you're not the same people) I know! My little sister tells me I'm annoying quite often, but if you can't be yourself, who can you be? (Well I do wish I could be a lot of people, but I'm gonna stay me for now). To all you people out there, just be yourself no matter what that's like (unless you're a murderer or cannibal, when you should probably not be yourself). I think you're pretty cool and I'm sure there's at least someone else who feels that way too.

Disclaimer: yes, over these last three weeks, I have successfully cloned, then murdered the real Dan Schneider. I have brainwashed his clone and now use him for my personal use (you dirty minds!). Hello free stuff! Mwahaha.

Jade's POV

"Okay Kyle, I'll talk to you soon, bye," I said hanging up with my manager. I decided to go grab something to eat before I made my way home. As I turned around, I collided with someone.

"Watch where you're going!" I yelled. The man turned back around, profusely apologizing.

"I'm so sorry miss!" he said quite sincere. "Jade, is that you?" Recognizing the voice I had known for so long, I turned to face the man.

"Beck? What are you doing in New York?"

"Didn't you hear? I moved over here a few years ago, plus I'm shooting a movie on location." I didn't want to admit it, but I had followed his every move from his guest roles up until now. Thankfully, Beck was so popular that you'd have to live under a rock not to know his every move.

"Yeah, but I still didn't expect to see you."

"Care to join me for coffee?"

"Beck, do you really have to ask me that?" I asked in an obvious tone.

"Well, a lot can change in almost twenty years."

"So you know all about my life, what's going in yours?" Beck asked sipping his coffee.

"Well, I had a callback today, but I'm pretty sure I got it," I told him confidently.

"I'm sure you did," he told me reassuringly.

"And there's that Oliver charm," I joked. "So, have you heard from Tori?" I asked smoothly, already knowing the answer.

"No," he sighed, "not since she left. I can't believe it's been five years."

"I can," I retorted with a smirk. "I always knew she'd pull something like that. I mean dumping you with four kids, one that's not even yours. What a gank!"

"Jade!" he laughed. "We're in public."

"So," I replied. "Just because I'm older and famous doesn't mean I have to change myself."

"Well, do you have any children?" he asked, trying to change the subject a bit. I took a small sip of my coffee.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Six to be exact," I told him, unlocking my phone and scrolling to an album. At that, Beck almost did a spit take.

"Six kids! Wow someone was busy!" he looked through the picture.

"Beck," I playfully slapped him. "Well I was married twice, so three from each marriage.

"Oh, they didn't pull a Tori on you, did they?" he asked concerned.

"No actually they were both from HA. Gilbert Herson and Braden Bailey. Gilbert and I just grew apart. We were different people then we were in college when we started dating and got married," I told him simply. "I was married, got pregnant, and had a kid by the time I graduated. It all just happened so fast. By the time I was twenty-five I was divorced, had three kids under five, and was doing eight shows a week."

"And Braden?" Beck asked curiously. I hesitated a bit.

"Braden, he um…he um…he died a few months ago. Cancer. It was almost two years, two long agonizing years." I could just feel the tears in my eyes. I may have changed over the years, but I was still Jade West. I didn't cry in front of just anyone, but this was Beck. He had seen me at my best, but also at my worst.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. It must've been so hard juggling that, your career, and kids."

"It definitely wasn't fun," I said recovering bit, "but I'm still here. My youngest are five, so it's not like I can mope around all day." My phone buzzed, showing a text from Damian, letting me know that he just got home from the audition and was gonna make lunch. "Well I gotta go. It was nice talking to you," I smiled genuinely.

"Yeah, I gotta get back to set. Say why don't we meet again next week, maybe introduce the kids sometime too."

"Yeah, that sounds great. Here's my number. Just call or text whenever." We both went our separate ways. I couldn't help but smile, feeling happier than I'd been in a while.

Beck's POV

"I'm home!" I yelled. After a long six hours of readings and fittings, it was good to be home where I could just relax. Juliet came sprinting down the hall towards me.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," she shouted, jumping into my arms.

"Juls! How's my little princess today?" She held two thumbs up.

"I made you a picture, but it's in my room," she pouted.

"Well then let's go get it you silly girl." She giggled, then ran off. I followed my daughter up the stairs. The moment I entered her room, a piece of paper was thrust at me. I looked down to see a stick figure drawing of our family: me, Juliet, her sister, and her brothers.

"This is so beautiful. Are you sure you're a dancer, not an artist?"

"But Daddy, dancing is art, just with your feet," my little girl giggled.

"You're totally right. Say, how about we put this picture on the refrigerator?"

"Okay," Juliet smiled. "Daddy, where's my mommy?" she asked as we were walking to the kitchen. I just didn't know what to say. Should I tell my daughter and risk breaking her little heart, or lie and maybe cause her more pain later in life? I settled for the middle.

"Juls, your mommy was a very confusing woman. She just wasn't fit to be a mommy. She knew that I would be able to taken care of you guys, so she left you with me." My baby girl, satisfied by my vague answer, happily skipped away.

"Rory, Caitlin, don't forget Brandon's coming today!" I yelled down the hall. Despite genetics, I've thought of Brandon as my own son. I've known the kid since he was two, and basically raised him. Brandon spend every weekend and some holidays with Andre, but that's all Tori would really allow. After she left, he moved in with his dad, but still spent lots of time with me and his brother and sisters. Andre usually tagged along too, now having even more in common with me, his childhood best friend.

"Beck?" the name resounded through the house.

"Brandon, how's it going bud," I asked as we did that guy hug thing.

"Great. Dad said he'd be here by the end of next week?"

"Okay, well we've got plenty of rooms now."

"Enough business, where are the demons?" he asked.

"Down the hall, man," I told my step-son, then went back to my office.

"Catie, Rory, Juls?" I could hear him yell, followed the sound of Juliet sprinting to her big brother.

I hope you liked it. So fun fact, the main part of this (excluding the AN) is 1111 words. I promise to try to be better at updating, but with half of my classes being AP and being a senior, that could be difficult. I guess just wait and see.

-Sami