They finally caught up with Scott, well I guess we should call him Dylan. There were no words to describe how I felt, my ex, my abuser, someone who meant the entire world and more to me at one point lied about everything. If he had the nerve to lie about his name, it's safe to assume that everything else was a lie as well.

I wish I could say that I wasn't really effected by him anymore, that I didn't care that he lied to me about his name. Or that I wasn't affected by his reappearance in my life again. But that would be a lie. It felt like someone took a knife and cut open my healed wound. I thought the "Scott" chapter in my life was over. Hopefully it is now, we filed the restraining order. He's not allowed anywhere me, the kids or Harry. If he violates it at all it is automatic prison time.

Harry tried to push me to report his abuse during our relationship, but that's something I couldn't do. As much as I would to see Scott suffer for all the things he did to me, I was scarred, traumatized. To stand in front of a jury and fight to prove myself sounded like hell, it's something I would never be able to bring myself to do.

"Anastasia." My eyes diverted to Harry, his hands gripping the steering wheel as he glanced as me briefly. "Can you tell me what's on your mind?" He asked cautiously. I shrugged my shoulders, we've been through a lot these past few weeks. I felt like shit bringing Harry and the kids into this mess. Harry's been nothing but supportive and caring, always making sure that I was okay, that I wasn't overthinking or torturing myself with thinking of Scott every minute of the day. The only reason I have any sliver of sanity these past few days is all because of Harry.

"I'm just overwhelmed." I finally admitted to him. "These past few weeks has been a lot. Everything seems to be piling up, you know? And I've had a lot of time to sit and think, obviously." I raised an eyebrow at him referring to him putting all of us in house arrest.

"I just feel like my life is never going to be simple, there's always something to throw off the balance, peace is hard to find." I didn't want to seem ungrateful for the things that Harry has done. There's no doubt that we wouldn't have found Scott if it weren't for Harry and his friends.

"That's okay though. Nobody has a perfect and peaceful life." Harry shrugged. "You're a survivor. You have gone through a lot, it's totally normal for you to feel the way you do right now. Overwhelmed, scared, frustrated, angry. Your emotions are valid." Harry continued to talk, his words warmed my heart. Even in the current state that I'm in, I'm always thankful that Harry knows exactly what to say and when to say it.

"I can't even begin to imagine the things you've been through, all the pain, all the hurt. Nobody deserves what happened to you. But I know that I wouldn't be able to handle it as well as you do. You doubt yourself a lot, you belittle yourself, and I will spend every single day of the rest of my life proving to you that you're so much more." Harry spoke with his eyebrows furrowed, choosing his words very carefully and intentionally as he spoke them.

Tears began to form at my eyes, I hate how emotional I've been lately.

"I love you, Harry." I said simply, I wasn't a woman of many words, very opposite of Harry. But he knew that those three words held a lot of meaning.

He glanced at me again, a smile on his face and nodded.

"I know. I love you too. So very much." With that, the car filled with a familiar peace in silence. Music played softly through the speakers as Harry drove.

Much to my dismay we were headed to my dad's house. Mommsy managed to convince me to give him the chance, making me promise not to storm off like I did last time. I hated the idea of letting my dad feel like he won me over.

I glanced at the GPS on Harry's screen to see the destination approaching, I took a deep breathe finding my hands begin to shake. Harry glanced at me again, grasping my hand into his own.

"Deep breathes." He said, like he did last time. I nodded slightly, tight lipped.

"Take two." I said breathlessly as Harry put the car into park. Once we got out, I stopped at looked at the house. A typical suburban house, the neighborhood seemed friendly, kids littered the sidewalks and the lawns.

The door opened as we approached it. Dad and Samantha stood at the doorway, a huge grin on both of their faces.

"We're so glad you could make it! Hopefully the drive wasn't too bad!" Samantha greeted us, letting us into the home and proceeding to give us hugs, awkward hugs.

"Thanks for having us." Harry nodded with a smile. "The drive wasn't bad at all, you guys have a lovely neighborhood, and this home is beautiful!" Harry complimented them, I am eternally grateful that Harry is the way he is, a very genuine man. "Here, these are for you." Harry handed her the bouquet of flowers we prepared for them, she took them gratefully and thanked us.

"Yeah, thank you for having us." I nodded, giving dad a smile. "Sorry the kids couldn't come, we've had an interesting few weeks and decided it would be best for them to stay home and rest with mommsy." I explained for the absence of the kids.

"No worries, I'm just glad that you're here." Dad stared at me with a smile on his face.

"So uhh... how about a tour?" I raised my eyebrows, diverting the attention away from myself. Samantha was eager to give us a tour, going room to room and explaining why she decorated them the way she did. The house was truly beautiful, well decorated and well maintained, polar opposites from the home I lived in growing up.

I shook my head slightly, trying to rid myself of the comparisons and pangs of jealousy I felt towards Dad and his new family. Sarah was sat in the living room watching cartoons on the tv, she glanced at us quickly but diverted her gaze back to the tv quickly.

"Hey Sarah, how are you?" I took a seat next to her and asked. She looked at me briefly before looking down at her hands, shy and timid I see.

"Good." She said quickly. I nodded my head, studying her body language.

"Llama llama, huh?" I chuckled as I saw what she was watching tv. "My kids love to watch Llama llama, you'd get along with Penelope great.. she's 4." I grinned down at Sarah who was now giving me her full attention.

"Really? Can I meet her?" She asked, I nodded my head.

"Of course, next time I come over I'll have to bring her along!" I said, she nodded her head eagerly. I smiled at her as she continued to watch her cartoon, I glanced to the side to see Harry staring at me, a proud smile on his face. He walked towards me and placed a kiss on my head.

"Proud of you." He said simply. I glanced at Sarah again, she didn't pay anymore mind to me anymore. Sarah, my little sister. Who would've thought that I, at 21 years old, would have a 3 year old sister.

"Dinner's ready!" Samantha called from the kitchen, I hadn't even noticed the absence of the two.

"Ready to eat?" I raised an eyebrow at Sarah who nodded her head once again.

"Yes!" She jumped off the couch and zoomed to the kitchen, I couldn't help but chuckle at her actions. She's quite adorable, I must admit. I stood from my seat and Harry gave me a look as if asking if I were okay.

"I'm good." I reassured him, he nodded his head, placing his hand on my lower back and leading me into the kitchen area. Food was laid out on the table, glass plates and wine glasses set out, I took a seat next to Harry in front of Samantha and Sarah while dad sat at the head of the table.

"Wow, everything looks delicious." I smiled, they really didn't hold back for this dinner tonight.

"Chicken parmesan, your favorite. At least I hope it's still your favorite." Dad raised an eyebrow at me.

"Yes, still my favorite." I gave him a smile, a warm feeling filled me at the fact he still remembered what my favorite food was growing up.

Dad said grace and we dug into the food, small talk filled the beginning of dinner, it wasn't awkward but I could tell there was slight tension between dad and I.

"Mommy, Anastasia said she'll bring her kids next time." Sarah said happily as she ate her food. A shocked look appeared on both Samantha's and Dads face.

"Next time?" Dad said quietly. "So does that mean.." He looked hopeful.

"Baby steps, dad." I sighed, not wanting to make this a bigger deal than it was. He nodded his head, content with my answer.

"We would love to get to know your kids better. Please feel free to stop by anytime you want. Seriously, Anastasia.. You're part of this family too." Samantha said genuinely. I turned my head to look at Harry who still had that same smile from earlier on his face.

"Of course, we'd love for you guys to get to know our kids. Especially you, Sarah. You're gonna love them." Harry grinned, our kids.

The rest of the night went smoothly. As much as I was expecting the worst for tonight, it was great. Samantha is amazing, she's an elementary school teacher, she paints, she loves to read. But best of all, she loves my dad. I can tell that she cares very deeply for my dad, and that's all I could ask for.

At the end of the night, we set another date for us to come over, this time with the kids. I was no longer uncomfortable with the idea of having a relationship with dad. Sure, one good dinner isn't going to fix 15 years of pain but it was definitely a start.

"I had a good time tonight." I admitted once Harry pulled out of the driveway.

"I know, I could tell." He smirked. "I'm glad you did, angel. They seem great." He said. "By the way... I love hearing you say "my kids." Harry grinned at me, I blushed immediately, forgetting I said that to Sarah and he heard.

"I'm sorry.. It kinda just slipped out." I shrugged.

"No, I love it. It sounds so natural coming from you. Besides.. they are your kids. Hell, Danny calls you mom!" Harry chuckled. "They're your kids, and you are more than welcome to tell anyone in the world that." Harry kissed my hand softly. "I love you, you love the kids. They love you. If this relationship is serious, you being their mom is kind of part of the deal."

I've never thought about the kids actually being "my kids." Sure, Danny calls me mama, but I've just grown so used to it, I forget that there's actual meaning to the word. Danny and Penelope, my kids.

The smile never left my face after what Harry said, I knew that he trusted me with the kids. But to hear him admit that he likes the idea of it is a whole new level. I know I'm not their mom, I'll never be Danielle, but I will do everything in my power to be at least half the woman she was. I hope that she's happy with Harry's decision in dating me, and I hope I can give her peace of mind knowing her kids are in good hands too.