After dropping Nova back at her house, I left with an apology from both Ryan and Eli. Of course I forgave them because I didn't exactly help with the situation, and they know I was protecting Nova from myself but also know I'd never hurt her on purpose. After hugs and a kiss from Nova, I ran around the territory I'm search of my dad. I know he's a little hardheaded, especially when it comes to Elias because they bicker more than I've seen a couple do, but I know they love each other.

I passed Theo and Mika on patrol but they hadn't seen him, so I checked the one place I knew he'd be, or hoped he'd be. The lake holds a special place to my family, so whenever we are in our heads, we simply go to the lake for peace or to simply be on our own. Of course, I found him sat on a Boulder with his head in his hands.

"Thought I'd find you here." I said making him sigh.

"Whatever you're going to say get on with it. I know already." Tommy huffed.

"Are you okay?" I asked sitting next to him. My head resting on his shoulder telling him I wasn't going to shout like I did. Seems like we have problems with shouting at the wrong people me and my dad. Saying things that we regret.

"No." Tommy sniffled. "When I found out i was pregnant with you, it was the happiest day of my life. But as you got older, I kind of wished it never happened. I love you so much, you're my boy, the best thing to ever happen to me as well as your dad. But I hate that they intervene, they don't listen to me, they fight me on everything and I can't handle it anymore. I'm so done with Elias and kolby, I want to stay, I want your father but I don't want this. This is something I never signed up for." He cried.

"Dad-." I started but he cut me off.

"I agreed to try to be with them for Arlo's sake, because he's theirs, he's their mate. I said I'd leave him if Elias ever did anything like that again. He just infuriates me and you being my first baby I thought they'd let me do it all, raise you, tell you off, comfort you without them being there. I know I sound selfish but it's something I've wanted for years, for a child of my own. They've had their turn, they did it all so many times because they were able to have kids. Karter you are my world same with your dad, but I can't help but want to say all of this." He sobbed. "The need to tell the truth after years, I just need to say it."

"I'm sorry dad." I muttered and pulled me to my chest. All he did was hide his face in my chest and cry. My heart hurt for my dad, he's been there same with my other dad, and I agree that Elias interfered a lot while growing up. It wasn't my fathers to discipline me, it was mostly Elias. Don't get me wrong, kolby and Elias are my fathers, but they aren't biological so I don't know why they didn't leave it to m biological parents.

It wasn't until now that I see it and I have to agree with dad. Tommy's right, like usual, the man is never wrong. He knows me more than anyone, well, other that Nova it's my dad that knows me the most. Arlo, he's there, he knows me but he's not Tommy. It sounds bad, but the truth always comes out. No one knows he more than my mate and my dad.

Damn, my mate. The one who knows how to make me smile, the one who can make me laugh with her goofiness. Nova is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just hope that the others can see that I want to protect her and always will, that's why I did what I did all them weeks ago. I love the girl and no one will take that place.

"I don't know how to make it up to him. Gifts won't work, I fucked up big time." Tommy mumbled.

"Knowing dad he'll only want your reassurance. To know that you won't leave him, you will never do anything or say anything like that again." I shrugged.

"I love them all, I love Arlo so much that I don't know how to express it. But Elias grinds me, he makes me angry." He sighed.

"Oh believe me I know. The amount of times I've seen you pull a frustrated face and walk off. I didn't realise it but now I do. I understand what you said dad, I know you don't mean it, but I know you're serious about what you say. Dad, it's hard, trust me I know but it's not okay to say that to him. He'll forgive you, if nova can forgive me for what I said to her, I know dad will forgive you. You just have to reassure him." I smiled sadly at him.

"How am I serious with what I say if I don't mean it?" He asked.

"Because I've had the same thoughts. Wanting to leave because of Elias, because of how hard he is on me. I never meant it, but I was serious, if it came to it I'd leave. It got to a point that I almost did, I was serious on leaving but I didn't." I told him.

"What made you stay?"

"Love. My love for Nova was stronger than my need to leave. As I got to the pack borders I just thought of her. I never said goodbye, it'd break her heart if I left never to be seen again. I knew she'd never forgive me, she'd cry for days and that she'd go to someone else if she got hurt, she'd find her mate and I didn't want that. I had big hopes that she would be my mate and here I am. Love made me stay, and if you love dad enough you'd stay as well. I love you dad, I'd follow you anywhere, I just hope it doesn't come to that."

I gave him one last sad smile before getting up and leaving him. I know he'll come around, I just know it.

He's right. That son of mine is right, he always is. Just like Arlo, he's so much like him. Soft, caring and knows how to deal with things. The son I've always wanted, to be so much like his mother, well in this case father. I never knew i would be with a man, I'd always look at women and sleep with them. Then I met Arlo.

He may not know it but he helped me more than I helped him. I remember the day he first walked into the cafe, the very same one I grew up in. The memory so vivid that it felt like minutes ago.

"Tommy I need you to go out front for me. Some things are running out and I need to make more so you're on cashier duty." My mum told me. Even as a vampire she managed to pull off an ageing look. Using makeup to make the wrinkles around her eyes and her mouth when she smiled.

"Yes ma, anything else?" I smiled at her.

"Don't be eating anything. I mean it boy, I'll beat you." She gave me a smile.

"Of course." I chuckled and left the office to do my job. I'm always here in case my mum needs the help, she demands to work on her own. Making the sweet treats at night and before opening. An advantage to being a vampire, no sleep. We don't need it, but I'm one of those who tends to do it to seem normal. Although some nights I do stay and help mum, the cakes and treats might not be as good as mums but it's something.

When I got to the front, the smell of coffee and cake filled my nose. The chatter of people talking, even those being quiet didn't know I could hear them. Another perk of being a vampire, I can hear everything. It wasn't until the bell chimed letting me know that someone entered the cafe.

A guy walked in pushing a double push chair. The children couldn't be seen due to the seats facing who I assume is the father. The one thing that did catch me by surprise is his scent, a rogue wolf same with the pups. Considering wolves and vampires don't get along, I wouldn't mind hitting that, damn he's so beautiful.

"Hi, what can I get for you?" I asked him with a smirk.

"Hi, can I get a hot chocolate, extra hot and a slice of your chocolate malteser cake please?" He smiled.

"Coming right up." I gave a small nod and started getting it ready. He went to sit down and looked out of the window before his eyes turned to the pushchair. His eyes lit up with a wide smile, his arms reaching in and pulling out a small baby. A pup. A little girl lay in his arms, her big eyes looking around with curiousness.

Once done with his drink and cake, I go over with a tray and set it on his table. A small 'thank you' came from his lips. "You're welcome." I replied with a wink. "I'm Tommy, and you are?"

"Arlo." He smiled, holding his pup with one arm and putting the other out for me to shake. I took it and sat down.

"What brings you here Arlo?"

I didn't know it then, but that was love at first sight. He's my everything, my Arlo who walked into the cafe at the right time, I thank whoever because if my mum didn't ask for help and if Arlo didn't choose to go to the cafe, I'd be alone and miserable. He's makes me a better man.

"Karter said you were here." A smile came to my lips knowing he'd come find me as soon as he woke up.

"Yeah. Just thinking." I replied.

"What about?" Arlo asked.

"You." I kissed him.