Peyton Griffin's POV

The talk I had with Jacob and Shawn did nothing to ease my nerves. I knew the consequences of what would happen no matter what my decision was. Someone was bound to get hurt in the end.

I spent the whole night worrying if that was how everyone saw me. I knew that the people of the empire wanted me dead because of my last name. To many, I was a ruthless girl, ready to fight for her family. To someone, I was still afraid to give into my heart. To someone, I was willing to help kids no matter the cost. But to myself, I'm a lost soul, looking for that one thing that would help everyone get their happy endings, knowing fully well I wouldn't get mine.

A girl who made deals to get things done, not caring who would get hurt in the end.

It felt out of place to stay up and start thinking over all that has happened these last few months. I started going over scenarios of how my return would play out, and none of it looked promising.

When my brain decided I had reached my speed limit, I was forced to finally shut my eyes. Mission impossible.

I decided on meditating. Something good would come out of it. I assumed the position Aang used to do when he wanted to contact Roku, and I began to quietly hum one of Drake's songs.

It didn't work because I felt more awake, and someone knocked on the door. Officially, I didn't sleep a wink.

I let out a mutter, "Come in."

Caleb walked in, and I forced myself not to inhale sharply. The morning sun was doing wonders for his skin. Don't even get me started on how he looked with the 'just got out of bed' hair look.

"Am I interrupting something?"He looks at me, taking in my position on my bed.

"Nothing really, just having a chat with my imaginary friends," I yawned as the river of sarcasm rammed into me.

"Very funny, but don't you think that you're too old for that?"He smirks.

I felt another yawn coming and didn't bother to stop it.

"Didn't get enough sleep?" He asks.

Well done, Captain Obvious.

"I did get too much if I might say," I say.

"So, what are you doing today?"

I cocked a brow, "Last time I checked, an employee was supposed to do the job her employer employed her for."

He already knew what I was doing today, so why ask? Again another round of applause for Captain Obvious.

"Right, what time do you normally leave the orphanage?" I do a double-take.

"Supposed to be at six, but if the clients are so adamant, I stay till seven or eight," I answer.

Sometimes, I stayed back to help the nurses put the kids to bed, but he didn't need to know.

"Could you stop by the zoo before you come home?"

Well, that's not something you hear every day.

"Caleb Parks, are you asking me out on a date? Again?"I grinned, enjoying this way too much.

Not a lie, if my memory doesn't fail me. I have gone on two dates with this guy already.

"Please don't tell me; I have to make a deal to get you to come?"

He knew me so well.

"As fun as that would be, I think I'll save that deal for a later note. I'll be there." I laughed darkly.

He looked happy when I said I would come. Once he came out and shut the door after himself, I fell head first into my pillow.

What the hell are you doing to me, Caleb Bloody Parks?

I push my brooding self from my bed and go into the shower. It's going to be a long day. I might as well get through it while smelling fresh as a daisy.

-

I noticed that the Wellington spawn beside me in the uber was awfully quiet.

"You good?" I nudge her, but I receive a shrug as a reply.

She must be in one of her teenage moods.

The car is filled with Abigail annoying Shawn, but he finds joy in allowing her to be a chatty cathy.

The car pulled up in front of the school, and they got out; before Marci walked away towards her friends, I gripped her hand.

"I know it might not be my place, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm here." I offer, and she nods at me.

The car then takes me to Parks' orphanage.

The day went by in a blur. It consisted of me having to deal with all sorts of people, and the kids in the orphanage were down another dozen leaving only a handful.

I was wrapping up the rest of the documents when Lucy walked in and climbed herself into my lap.

"To whom do I owe this surprise?" I looked at her expectantly.

Lucy had her hair braided as she wrapped a simple Hijab around her shoulders. She had a mischievous grin. And for some reason, she reminded me of my best friend back home.

"I wanted to come and sit with you." She replied quietly.

"Oh really," I look her over, mulling her answer in my head. "What happened?"

"Nothing," She held her hand out in defence, "Everyone is having a nap, but I'm not tired."

"Interesting,"

I finished signing off some documents and gave her my full attention.

"You want a story, don't you?" She nods her head excitedly, "It'll cost you."

Cue the pout and large eyes.

As a part-time babysitter, I was used to getting this look, but some kids could make it work for them. And Lucy Jackson was among the lucky few.

"If I tell you a story, you promise to sleep right after?" I bargained.

She huffed, "Fine. But only if the story is sleep worthy."

Never thought I would meet a five-year-old who could make a deal as good as an empire's member?

Before I could start the story, Jack walked in, sat in front of me and sighed.

After his fifth sigh, I turned to Lucy, "I'll have to take a rain check on that story, and I'll tell you later." I explain delicately.

The five-year-old opened her mouth to react, but I gave her a serious look. She chose the pouting route and got the same result. With a huff, she got off my lap and left the office.

I look in front of me to handle another five-year-old.

"Put in plain words why you decided to put on your schoolboy pants today?" I massage between my eyebrows to relieve the stress I feel.

Today was hectic, with the whole sorting through files and me trying to recollect what in Black's name was happening to me.

"What's to say we get out of this joint, hit the road and get you hitched?" He had a rueful grin on his face as he looked at me.

If I were to have been drinking something at this moment, I would have done a spit take.

"But we will have to stop at the house to get you a new attire because you are not killing it."

I raise a brow, "Since when did you become interested in my dressing sense?"

"Since I decided I wanted my best friend to pop his cherry before it can't be popped."

I felt my cheeks go bright red as he implied that I should take Caleb's virginity when I am a virgin.

"Guave, I'm going to assume that you have a brain that's the size that at least would rival that of a bird's. So I'm going to ask you what was going through it when you walked in here."

Jack sighs, "It's never easy with you women, is it?"

I don't know why but I picture him in a cubby in the pirate uniform.

"Caleb asked you out on your third date, and I would love nothing more for you both to act in the scene of can you feel the love tonight from the lion king. Is that simple enough for you?"

"Did I ever tell you that I think you're braindead?" I glare at him.

He shrugs nonchalantly, "You can glare all you want. As far as I'm concerned, there is a first for everything. I would want you to be Caleb's first; would you do me the honour?"

Ladies and gents, I have been rendered speechless by Blondie's friend, who is clearly suffering from idiocy. This day just keeps getting better and better.

"You can act all you want," He waves his finger in the air while rocking his hip as if to imitate a snobby, demanding rich woman. "But I know you know that I know you know that you want to know what is under that shirt of his."

"I don't even know whether to be revolted that you are having fantasies about Caleb on behalf of Taryn or to be impressed that you could deliver a boost of confidence speech with your rather small bird brain." I could have sworn that I was sporting a bewildered look.

"So are we popping it tonight, or do I have to get you to the groomers first?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Yup, definitely scarred for life," I shivered with irritation.

"You can start thanking me from the altar." With that, he dragged me out of the chair.

-

I had to give it to Jack. He was very persuasive, and it wasn't like I ever said I won't show up.

He was not bluffing about taking me back to the penthouse to change, but a quick glare from me had him moving to the aquarium.

"Do I even need to ask how you knew that Caleb would be in this part of the zoo?" I ask as I get down from the car.

"Now remember, I want him home before twelve, but if you guys aren't done before then. Feel free to rent out a hotel. Also, remind him to slip up a condom; we don't want Abigail to become an Aunt, do we?"

My thought process slowed down a bit. I felt a shove from him, and I was out of the car.

I turned around to deliver him a good reply, but like a coward he is, he was already driving away. So I do the most mature thing that comes to mind.

I flipped him off.

I walked to the entrance. Before I could admire the decorum, Caleb's moving figure caught my eye.

I can't help but wonder if he was worried about how tonight would end or another thing entirely.

"Last time I checked, this was an aquarium, not a runway." I drag his attention to myself.

The look of relief that crosses his face has me mulling over my previous thesis, but it's hard to tell.

I walked closer to him and tried to school my features while taking him in, but Caleb had another thing in mind because when we were at arm's length, he pulled me into a hug, and I felt the tension roll off him.

I couldn't stop myself from running my hand over his back and asking, "Wanna talk about it?"

"Not yet."

He moved back from the hug and took the time to look at my face.

I needed no Newton to know that he thinks I took his words to heart. In reality, I was too lazy to put them on this morning, and it's not like anyone else around here would notice.

"There is something I want to show you." He guides me deeper into the aquarium.

"Is the part where I ask if Freddy Krueger is here?" It felt like the right moment to ask.

"I never knew you were into kinky stuff."

It makes me wonder if Jack had a point when he said that Caleb needed his cherry popped.

"How do blood and claw-like hands become a turn-on?" I whirl my head to look at the Doofenshmirtz that held my hand.

"Trust me, you don't want to know." He laughs as we both sit in front of a large fish tank.

"What do you see?" He nudges his head to the tank in front of us.

I force myself to not go breathless as I take in the beautiful view in front of me. Caleb sure knows how to woo a girl.

"I see fish: Fish eating fish, fish going down on fish, fish acting like Dora, fish playing temple run. Need I go on?" I decided to keep this classy, starting with my answer.

"Don't tell me you brought me here to reenact Ariel?!" I added humour to this situation because I knew there is more to what meets the eye for Caleb to choose here for a date.

"Actually, I brought you here because this place means a lot to me."

I know I like being right, but I was kind of hoping that I was wrong for some reason.

"My dad, Peter Parks. He brought me here on my first birthday with them. He showed me that the fishes resemble how life is."

I knew he was worried about something. He must have thought I wouldn't show up and had Jack practically drag me here after I gave him my word this morning. I know I should feel annoyed that he would lack faith in me but have I not really proven myself a good friend to him?

I mean, friends hardly lie to each other about things. Caleb doesn't know much about what is going on, and I know it would break him if he knew that the moment I leave here, it would most likely be to start preparing for a wedding with my stepbrother.

"I know you're not going to stay, no matter how much I ask you, but could I at least make a deal with you before you go?"

His thumb traces my cheek gently. Why do I feel like the more time we spend together, the more we share traits with one another?

I made it a habit in fulfilling people's last wishes, especially when Father Dearest gives them a task that he claims is supposed to update the image of the empire, not regarding the aftermath.

"If I let you go, promise me that I'll get to see you again?"

I internally sigh, because I knew this was coming sooner or later.

"Caleb. I can't make that deal. Who's to say that the next time we meet won't be in a wheelchair or worse in a casket?"

It's true. If things go according to plan, I would gladly avoid Caleb for the rest of my lonely life. He would obviously move on, and that way, I can keep the people I love safe. I could keep him safe.

"If you let me go, you continue with your music. You continue being yourself, the happy version, not the brooding one. And don't forget me." I offer.

Why do I feel our goodbye was closer than I think it was?

He rested our foreheads together, and if the stars align, Jacob might just get his wish.

"Caleb?"

"Yea?"

"I think the fishes aren't old enough to witness something, not PG."

I tried to change the course of where this was going. If we kissed, everything would get more complicated than it already is. And that would make the impending goodbye harder than it already is.

He kisses my forehead and pulls me up from the chair.

"I think I can point out that if you keep treating me like a rag doll, the outcome would be very far from being PG." It's been a long since I let the feminist side of myself out.

"I'd believe that when I see it." He replied with a cocky look on his face.

Yup, definitely rubbing off on each other.

Caleb led us through a set of doors and toward a diner near a park.

The place smelled like home, but I didn't give it too much thought. Caleb pulled out a chair for me to sit at a table for two in the corner of the diner.

The waiter came and took our orders which were bowls of soup.

I was in the middle of putting the spoon into my mouth when Caleb decided to remind me of his presence.

"How the irony,"

"What?" I ask after I've swallowed

"I don't know my employee that well." He tells me, please don't tell me we were back to this again.

"I think we boarded a train and left that station long ago,"

"How about a game?"

"Can we just get to the part where you subtly but determinedly try to find my inner secrets?"

"Touché," With narrowed eyes, Caleb begins his version of who wants to be a millionaire. Just that we had no audience, no money at stake, and I had to rely on my wits for this one.

"If you were to marry Jacob and Shawn, who would you pick?"

Not gonna lie; I expected him to try and pry.

"I can't pick. I've gotten used to seeing them, as friends."

This is true; although Shawn is quiet, he is very capable of keeping up a conversation while Jacob tries to be a comedian, but half the time, I know deep down he feels threatened by peoples' opinions about himself.

"Abigail or Marci?" He continues.

"Depends on the given situation."

I would prefer Marci if I needed a blunt yet censured side of things. And as for Gail, she reminds me a lot of a Hijab wearing girl, who I would like to take back with me.

"Interesting, dare I ask Jack and me?" He smiles slyly at me.

I reply with a very unattractive snort, but Caleb doesn't seem to mind, "I think Taryn would have my head if I pinned over her man, so you win by default."

"Good choice. If you had to carter for dozens of dogs or ten smaller versions of Gail, which would you pick?"

"Gladly, Abigail, turn on some SpongeBob or Mulan, and she's as mobile as a stationary bike. And dogs can get vicious if need be." I say off the bat.

The conversation ended there as the waiter came to give us the bill, and he paid as we left the restaurant.

"So, how do we get home? Without getting mobbed, raped or worse ravished by your crazed fans?" I point out.

As entertaining as that would be, I don't need the press having pictures of Caleb and me before it reaches the empire; that's if they didn't already have one.

I slightly shivered as the wind passed by. Caleb must have noticed because he took off the jacket that he was wearing and put it around me.

It's official, people. My sitcom life just became a cliché rom-com movie.

He rolls his eyes to my raised brow, "I think we both know that if I offered it to you and you were on the verge of having frostbite, you still wouldn't take it."

"You know me so well." I couldn't stop the smile that fleeted onto my lips as I slipped my hand through the hand holes.

The car that drove me here parks in front of us, and the designated driver rolls down the window and observes us with amusement. "Are you guys going to get in? Or are you guys going to get it on the sidewalk? Because if so, Jacob gave me his camera." Jack sported a grin as he looked from Caleb to me.

He narrowed his eyes on Caleb's jacket on me, and I could already hear the fireworks going off in his head.

The boys kept on exchanging looks while the wind picked up. I might have a reputation for acting cold most times, but even I need warmth to survive because I am only human.

Without further ado, I walked closer to the car and got in. I looked back at my date.

"I would like to get home and have a shower. It has been a long day." I called out.

"Oh shoot! I even forgot to ask, how was your day?" Caleb asked after he got into the car.

Not many people actually care about my wellbeing after a hectic day, and the fact that he cared; earned him some brownie points.

"It was entertaining, to say the least; I never pegged Shawn to be a fan of dirty dancing."

Lucy's words, not mine.

Laughter filled the air at that moment.

I tune out the chatter and watch the buildings go by. Everything looked so real. So safe.

Am I ready to give this all up?

This is a question that I will soon get to know the answer to.

I felt something wrap around my pinkie. I looked down to see my date's hand on mine. I looked at Caleb's face and read through those hazel brown eyes. He wanted to hold me, and I don't mean the only contact would be our hands.

He must figure out that I would protest because he took my hand and rubbed my palm.

I immediately get a flashback of Jordan doing the same thing, and I find myself, comparing them.

I was lost in the comparative debate going off in my head that I didn't know when we got out of the car and trudged through the sea of photographers and news anchors.

I snap out of my autopilot when I hear one of them ask who owns the jacket on my shoulders.

Were it to be any other day; I would be filled with dread if the news would reach Father's ears, but tonight I felt like a daredevil. So with more determination coursing through my veins, I push through them along with Caleb and Jack.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I could have another look on their faces when they saw us walk in." Caleb snickers once the door to the elevator closes, and I punch in the code.

"You and I both, Brother," Jack says.

The elevator doors opened, and Jack made his way to the kitchen to most likely make a bowl of popcorn as if getting ready for a new drama between Caleb and me.

I roll my eyes at that. I don't even see myself having an argument with Caleb this evening. If I'm being honest, I actually enjoyed myself, but I would not admit that out loud.

I make my way to my room until Caleb grips my wrist and makes me turn around; and bring our faces close to each other the second time tonight.

I can already hear the audience of my sitcom life; chanting kiss, kiss, kiss.

"Would it be inappropriate if I wanted to spend the night with you again?" He requested. I can already picture Jack behind him with a smug yet knowing look.

With that thought, I blushed. Luckily I snapped out of it with a simple excuse to buy myself some time, "Tell you what, let me check up on Gail and Marci, and I'll get back to you on that."

I make a beeline to the corridor under the stairs. I knock quietly and open Abigail's room. It's clearly past her bedtime, and like a good little girl, she has a book sprawled on her face.

With the steady moving of her chest, I could tell she was already fast asleep. I walked into the room and removed the book from her face.

I tucked her in. I also dim the room lights and put on her night lights. I kiss her forehead, and she snuggles deeper into the covers.

She might not be his biological sister, but the love Caleb had for this kid was big. I find myself loving her as well.

I walk out of the room and close the door softly behind me. I know this was not in my job description, but for some reason, I find myself inching towards Marci's room.

I listen and receive a still silence. It's too quiet.

Imagine my surprise when I walk into a pitch-black room. I would have sworn Marci was not in here. But the slight moonlight from the window illuminated where she rested by the ledge.

I don't bother turning on the lights; I walk up to her and rest on the wall.

"Do I have to read you a bedtime story, or do we need a plate of cookies and a glass of milk here?" I joke.

I see the corner of her lips tug upwards, and as if I only imagined it, the tug disappears as fast as it came.

"Do you ever feel that the world is knocking you down no matter how hard you try to ensure everything goes well?" She asks, keeping her gaze on the moon high up in the sky.

I roll my eyes, don't I ever.

"What's important is that you have a plan B ready in case things go south," I say.

Words from a wise person that was no longer with me.

Marci not only graces me with her attention, but she pulls me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Do you sometimes feel lost that nothing makes sense anymore?"

I pat her head and hold her, "I haven't felt like that in a while, but you wanna know what I did the last time I felt that way?"

She nods her head, "What?"

"It involved a pair of scissors, glue and my brother's bedmate at the time."

I only did that because the redhead made Charlie cry again on her birthday when she had walked in on said ginger and Danny going down on each other in the hallway.

Marci laughs and withdraws herself from the hug. I noticed her swollen eyes, which looked misplaced on her smile lines, and tight frown.

"Wanna talk about it?"

She shakes her head negative, "Some demons are better faced alone."

"I would give you a witty comeback involving some fictional character, but I know there's no changing your mind, right?" I already know her answer.

"Remember Marci, no matter what happens. Loyalty doesn't always remain with the people you call family."

I left the room and went towards mine for a much-needed shower and a fresh pair of clothes.

I know I can't keep trying to prevent the inevitable, so I start my short yet long journey to Caleb's room. I don't get there because Jack stops me as he walks out of his room and literally drags me to the music room.

"I think this is where your expertise is needed." I don't have time to think about what he is getting at because the sound of piano keys being played filled the lower half of the penthouse.

I leave Jack in the hallway and walk into the music room.

Why did I think that this was going to be easy?