A/N: I didn't proof read this chapter, sorry for any errors.

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(Continued)

As I'm behind the wheel on the way to my parents for dinner, there are a million and one thoughts racing through my head. She could be lying, she could've had a daughter this entire time and not told me. Which I wouldn't have minded if she would've just told me. And Dion, who the fuck is he? Hazelee obviously knew him well. Maybe they're actually a couple. A whole ass couple.

"Billie, are you okay?" My mom asks the moment I step foot in the house and it's only now that I realize there's a tear streaming down my cheek.

"Fuck," I mumble, quickly wiping the tear away. "Yeah, I'm good. Just been a rough day," I tell the truth as she pulls me into a tight bear hug, relaxing my nerves.

"What's wrong?" Finneas asks as he walks into the room.

"Nothing," I sniffle, putting a smile on my face. "Just exhausted."

"I'm sorry," he frowns, pulling me into a side hug and kissing my forehead protectively.

"The foods ready if you're ready?" Mom asks cautiously.

"Yes, I'm starving," I nod, walking into the dining room to join dad and Claudia who are already sitting at the table, discussing something I couldn't care less about at this moment.

As everyone is indulging in the food I stare at my plate. I don't know why I'm so upset anyway. We arent together, we have no emotional connection... Well maybe a bit. I guess I just feel betrayed. I don't even know her, I'm putting myself in a horrible position. She might be a stalker. I mean... everyone knows I'm a vegan, maybe it was an act to seem like she wasn't a stalker. Okay Billie, now you're overthinking shit.

I feel my phone vibrate and a snap from Carter pops up. As much as I urge myself not to open it, I couldn't help it.

I couldn't help but smile at her cute ass but I set my phone in my lap, taking a bite of food while everyone continued conversing. Soon enough my phone began buzzing again.

I know you saw that

Please let me explain :(

I promise everything will make sense

Please Billiebob

Oh, you'd look good with a bob

I chuckled silently, giving the haircut a thought as I typed out a reply.

fine. can i come over later? i'm with my fam

Like how later?

in an hour

Hazelee won't be asleep yet but I'm okay with it if you are

see you in an hour

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As I opened the door, I saw Hazelee's face light up which made me smile lightly. "Hey," I muttered shamefully.

"Hey, thanks for letting me come over," she gave a sad smile.

"I'm the one that fucked up," I shrugged, closing the door behind her.

"Um, should we go talk in your room or?" Billie questioned adorably.

"No it's okay," I smiled softly, "the couch is fine."

She nodded, sitting across the couch from me and waiting for me to start. "So, Hazelee is my niece. Um, but I have been her legal guardian for a year," I admitted, staring down at my lap.

"Carcar," Hazelee interrupted. "Yes, princess?" I asked. She patted my lap and I pulled her in my lap, wrapping my arms around her as she reached for my phone, playing one of the games I have downloaded for her.

"Sorry." i apologized for the interruption.

"No, It's okay."

"So, yeah she lives with me and I'm raising her," I shrugged.

"Are you planning on being her legal guardian until she's 18?" Billie asked, and I still didn't have the guts to look up at her.

"Well, my sister, Bronte, is in rehab," I could feel my voice growing shakey and if there's anything to know about me, I do not cry in front of people, especially Hazelee. I took a deep breath to compose myself before continuing. "And her father, James, gets her one night a week. He's uh- he doesn't know how to take care of her but he's fighting for custody." I looked down seeing that Hazelee had fallen asleep.

"I'm gonna bring her to bed," I whispered. Billie nodding in response before I lifted her up and placed her in her bed. "I love you Hazey," I kissed her cheek, noticing a tear had streamed down my own. I turned her light off, wiping my tear away before closing her door and returning to the couch. I sat down silently, hands clasped in my lap. I didn't have anything else to say.

I felt Billie shift closer to me and tilting up my chin with one finger. "You know it's okay to cry, right?" She said softly, her eyes soulfully searching mine.

I shook my head gently, feeling a sting in my throat as my eyes welled with tears. "No, I cant."

"Yes, yes you can. You don't always have to be strong Carter."

"Fuck," I exhaled, standing up off the couch. "You have to be strong when you have a child," I sniffled, holding in the cries that were so desperately threatening to spill.

Suddenly I felt Billie's hands on both my cheeks and her blue eyes were piercing into my tear-filled ones. "Listen to me, every parent cries, every parent has breakdowns, and although you aren't her biological parent, you are raising her and it's okay to cry." Right then and there I felt warm tears start to stream down my cheeks like a damn waterfall.

"You can be vulnerable with me, you don't have to hide your emotions around me," she said softly but seriously to get her point across. The way she peered into my eyes was making my heart beat faster than it ever probably should.

"Are you mad at me?" I whimpered softly.

"Do I wish you would have told me this sooner? Yes; but am I mad? No," she shook her head and suddenly I felt a soft kiss press to my forehead.

"Thank you," I cried, taking a step in wrapping my arms around her, she did the same, holding me protectively. I didn't want to let go until I knew I was done crying and she didn't seem to mind. She just held me, swaying gently as her hands brushed through my hair. The feeling of her holding me made my heart grow and all I knew was I need to hug her more often.

In less than a minute I had pulled myself together and leaned away slightly. "You can always talk to me, yes?"

"Okay," I nodded, taking in a deep breath.

"Is there anything else?" She asked kindly, grabbing my hand and bringing me back to the couch.

"The rest of my baggage can wait another night," I joked, but in reality, I'm terrified for her to find out anything else about me. I want her to be mine badly, but the drug dealing scares me. I don't want her to know anything else about me or my past.

"Actually, there is one thing," I thought up, turning towards her.

"What is it, baby?"

Pet names, that's new. I don't mind it though.

"Can you stay the night?" I asked shyly.

"Oh, I-"

"I don't mean sex," I interrupted, which made a cute smile appear on her lips.

"I'll stay," she nodded, pulling me in, resting my head on her shoulder as she wrapped an arm around me.

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A/N: I can't not write a sappy scene. It's in my blood. It was cute af you have to admit...

Also, Bronte is pronounced Bron-tay and yes it's an actual name.

Word count: 1317