“Fern,” I laughed as she reached for the mop, settled happily in her carrier on my chest.

I had spent all morning deep-cleaning the house between caring for Fern and making dinner in the slow cooker. Kipling had left after making us both breakfast, and once I was full and had given Fern her bottle, we got dressed and started cleaning. I made a shopping list and packed her diaper bag, grabbing the keys to my new car that Rian had taken me to buy two weeks ago. It was nothing excessive, just a small five-seat sedan, painted black with a tan fabric interior. It was a few years old, and I had intended to make payments until Rian bought it for me outright, telling me it was a gift for putting my life back together. I cried for a while, my sensitive nature on full display, and took Fern for a short drive before coming home to show it to Kipling. Kipling went out and bought me a steering wheel cover that had bees on it, knowing how much I liked them, and added me to his account for unlimited car washes.

I found an envelope underneath my keys and slowly opened it to find 200 dollars and a note from Kipling that read: I pay for the groceries. This should be enough for you and me for the week. Fern’s diapers, wipes, and formula will be delivered tomorrow. I have it on auto-delivery, so you don’t need to run out and buy them when we get low. I’ll be home by 8. See you later, Sunshine.

With a smile and a shake of the head, I tucked the money into my shoulder bag and locked up the house, carrying Fern to my car to go run errands.

“Oh!” A twinkling voice called, and I stood up as I had been squatting down to look at rice in the grocery store. A woman around my age with beautiful long blonde hair and warm blue eyes was looking at Fern, her porcelain skin standing out against the navy blue of her dress, “You’re so cute.”

“She says thank you,” I laughed, tossing the rice into the cart.

“She looks just like you! I’m guessing you’re dad?”

“That’s me,” I nodded, “Am I in your way?”

“Not at all! I got distracted by your daughter as I passed. I just found out I’m pregnant with my first, and I now notice all babies when I’m out in public.”

“I know the feeling. I’m Ren Bell. This is Fern,” I held my hand out, and she quickly shook it.

“Emily Barbour.”

“Huh. Emily? My… old best friend's girlfriend shares your name.”

“It’s pretty common,” she shrugged, “What’s his name?”

“Dara.”

Emily blinked a few times before gasping and covering her mouth, “You’re… that Ren?”

“Ah,” I whispered, realizing I was finally meeting Dara’s girlfriend, “Yes. I’m sure Dara has said nasty things about me. Mostly that I stole his friend and brother.”

“A little, but he made you out to seem so cruel. You’re sweet! I’ll talk to him tonight. I really want you to fix things. Dara seems remorseful.”

“Can I buy you a coffee or tea? Give you my side of things. I really miss Dara, I do want to fix everything.”

“Sure.”

I paid for my groceries, and Emily came with me to a small coffee shop inside the grocery store. We both got a matcha latte, and I gave Fern a bottle in her stroller before we took a seat.

“I met Dara and Eddie when I was 6,” I started, and Emily smiled, “Before I transitioned. I’m from England, I’m sure you can tell by my accent. We were the three musketeers, did everything together, and I came out to them and Dara’s brother Kipling before anyone else. The three of them flew into action to help me become Ren. I started dating Eddie when we were 16, but I never thought that really got in the way of their friendship. Dara and Eddie still went out all the time, did things without me, basically had guy time. Dara came to our apartment all the time when Eddie and I found one at 18. Oh, I lived with Day and his parents when my Mum threw me out for being gay and trans. Anyway, Edward was killed in the line of duty. We were in the middle of breaking up, and I was planning to stay with Kipling. Then Eddie was shot, and Dara pushed me to stay with his parents again because of Fern. He was my support, my best friend, and promised to take care of us in Eddie’s place. I have only ever seen Dara as family, I want to make that clear.”

“I believe you,” Emily squeezed my hand, and I nodded.

“Then… Dara tried to ruin everything. He apparently thinks I stole Eddie from him and now have stolen Kipling. But I never did that, and I don’t know how to make him see that I didn’t. I won’t lie to you, Emily. I have feelings for Kipling. He doesn’t know, and I have no idea if I’ll ever tell him. But my friendship with Dara means the world to me, and I want Fern to have her uncle. He drove himself to this point. We never wanted him to leave his parents unless he was ready. I begged Kip not to fire him from the shop, but Kip thought it was best. He never told us about you and that really sucks because I would have liked to be your friend.”

“He said he did, and… none of you wanted to meet me,” she whispered, taking a sip of her latte, “I think it was more that he didn’t want us to meet because he has this idea you steal all the things that make him happy.”

“But… I didn’t.”

“I can tell. Dara is overdramatic and overprotective. He got really upset when I mentioned wanting to meet you and his family. I just… want all of us to be together. Fern should know her cousin after all. Dara is all I have. I love him. We’re having our first child, I don’t want her growing up without her family.”

“I think you should tell Dara that we talked and that I’m sorry. I told him already, but he doesn’t see what he did wrong. There’s nothing we can’t fix as a family, but he has to see the damage he’s causing.”

“I’ll make sure he does,” she smiled, gently touching her stomach, “I don’t even know if this is a girl, but I have a feeling.”

“You’ll find out when you do,” I shrugged, “This was nice. I’m so happy we met. Tell Dara I said hello, and if I can fix anything, please have him call me.”

“I will. I should head out, I have a doctor's appointment. Goodbye, Fern,” Emily giggled, touching Fern’s hand before gathering her shopping and leaving with a wave.

I finished my latte, feeling a bit at peace, before taking Fern home to nap and putting away the groceries. When Fern woke up, we packed a lunch for Kipling, and I headed to his shop, wanting to surprise him.

“Oh damn,” A wolf whistle came from the back of the shop and I rolled my eyes, “What I wouldn’t give to have a gorgeous man bring me lunch.”

“Shut up, Josh,” I scowled at one of Kipling’s employees before smiling, as I had known him since I was little, as Josh was one of Kipling’s closest friends, “Where’s Kip?”

“Back with Ken,” he tilted his head back, brown waves bouncing, and I nodded, heading to the office.

“Oh come on,” Ken’s muffled voice came through the closed door, “We used to fuck daily, Kipling. Why not now?”

My heart stopped, and I hid next to the door, wanting to hear the rest of the conversation but feeling guilty for being nosy.

“I have to get home,” Kipling snapped back.

“Oh, to play pretend family with that little he-she?”

There was a crashing sound, and I scrambled away, going into the main part of the shop.

“Ren?” Josh looked at me, confused, stopping the cut he was doing.

The door to the office slammed open, and Ken, one of the regulars, came out, holding his jaw.

“Oh,” Ken snarled at me, crossing the room, and I stood my ground, wrapping my arm around Fern as she was on my chest, “It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Go away,” Kipling yelled, not coming from the office, “Get the fuck out of my shop, Ken.”

Ken pushed me, and I fell onto my back, protecting Fern, who started to scream and cry loudly. Kipling came running, and Ken spun around, knocking everything off one of the workstations. Josh, Kipling, and a few customers dragged Ken out of the shop as another patron came over to help me.

“Ren?” Kipling ran back in breathlessly, checking me over before taking Fern, holding her close, “You’re okay, doll. It’s okay,” he whispered, “Come here.”

I followed Kipling to the office, and he closed the door behind me, immediately grabbing my chin and tilting my head from side to side to make sure I was okay.

“I’m fine,” I sniffled, rubbing my back, “He pushed me, but I’m okay. What was that about?”

“Old fuck buddy that wanted things to be more,” Kipling muttered, turning me carefully and lifting the back of my shirt, “You’re a bit red but I think you’ll be okay.”

“Why would he hurt me, though? He seemed to know who I was.”

“Don't worry about it, he won't come back. Why are you here?” Kipling rubbed my lower back under my shirt, his hands cold and rough, helping with the pain.

“I was bringing you food. You didn't get anything for lunch today, and I know how busy you are, so I wanted to surprise you,” I sniffled, “Was that not okay?”

“It's everything,” he whispered, “but I'm angry and I'm not okay with an idiot putting his hands on you.”

“I'll live, Kip. I'm okay.”

Kipling pressed against me, and I started to laugh uncontrollably when Fern's little face came into my view as she was leaning over my shoulder to look at me. Kipling started laughing as well, and the tension in the room finally disappeared.

“Thank you, little,” he whispered again, “I'll eat now before my next client.”

“Mhm. I'll head home then. I have the slow cooker going, and it makes me nervous to be out if it's on.”

“Whatcha making?” Kipling traded his lunch for Fern before flopping into his office chair.

“Beef dip sandwiches. I also cleaned the house, so you can just get back and rest.”

“You'd make a good house husband,” he gestured with a bit of salad on his fork at me.

“My dream but not a reality,” I shrugged, “I'll see you in a few hours?”

“Yep. Unless Ken goes to the police about my punching him in the jaw. That'll be hard to explain, but I have CCTV in the main part of the shop, so I'll just show them what he did to you, and I'll be fine. Plus, Josh will back me up if needed.

“Don't you dare get in trouble,” I huffed, putting my hand on my hip, “Not over me, Kip.”

“I'd burn the world to the ground for you,” he scoffed, taking another bite of his food, “I'll be home a little earlier.”

“No hot dates tonight?” I teased, and Kipling narrowed his eyes before flashing a dazzling smile.

“Leave Fern with my parents tomorrow night.”

“Huh? I don't have any plans, why would I do that?”

“Yeah, you do. I'll let my mom know you're bringing her by at 4. I'll be home at 6, be ready.”

“Wh-Where are we going?”

“Atlanta. I have somewhere I need to go, so I'm bringing you with me. Go on. I'll see you soon.”

“I'm confused,” I grumbled.

I left the shop after Josh checked on me and headed home, Fern sleeping in her car seat as I tried to figure out what Kipling was talking about.