these memories follow you around.

If Olivia had to name one flaw that her otherwise perfect daughter Shayna had, it was that she looked exactly like her father. When she was mad, when she was upset, hell, even when she was sleeping—Olivia felt as if she were looking at her ex’s face. Of course, Shayna was much more adorable than Ronnie. But still. Olivia felt like she was arguing with a mini version of her ex about cleaning toys up off the living room carpet before the dogs got to them. Needless to say, Olivia still loved Shayna with everything that she had in her. Without her daughter, the second youngest Haner child never would have had the courage to leave her relationship. She probably would have stayed with her abusive ex until he went to jail again—or even worse, something happened to Olivia that couldn’t be undone.

Speaking of arguing about toys, that was exactly where Olivia found herself on that particular sunny California afternoon. Paw Patrol was on the television, and Shayna was sitting right in front of it and ignoring the massive pile of dolls behind her. Zack was due home literally any second, and Olivia wanted to get the house cleaned up before he walked in. The brunette was this close to just saying ‘fuck it’ and picking up the toys herself. But then what would Shayna learn? Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Olivia’s head. “Alright, Shay,” she grabbed the remote off the coffee table and turned off the television. “How about this. You pick up your Barbies and you can have some ice cream before dinner, how’s that sound?” Olivia had barely gotten the sentence out of her mouth before her three and a half year old jumped up, gathering her dolls in her arms and going to dump them in the basket in the corner for the room. Smiling in satisfaction, Olivia turned to wipe down the mantle with the Lysol wipe that was in her hand.

It was then that her eyes landed on the framed photograph that adorned the top of the fireplace. It was of her and Zack right after they had gotten back together the second time. They were laying on the couch that they had just moved into the apartment that Olivia had gotten after leaving Ronnie, her passed out on top of Zack and his arms wrapped protectively around her waist. Boxes were scattered around the sofa and Olivia’s dog, Socks, was laying at the foot of the couch. The twenty five year old remembered feeling content and happy for the first time in a long time. She remembered thinking that she would love nothing more than to wake up next to Zack every morning for the rest of her life. And now, a year or so later, here she was. Back in the house that she belonged in, who she belonged in it with.

“I finished putting my dolls away, Mommy.” Shayna spoke, snapping Olivia out of her little nostalgic daydream. She turned around, smiling softly at the sight of her daughter.

“Good girl. Zack’s gonna be home in a bit, so go ahead and watch tv while Momma takes a shower. Holler if you need me.” Olivia switched the television back on and made sure that Shayna was comfortable before heading upstairs to the bathroom, stripping her clothes off once she was safely inside and the door was shut. She quickly turned the water on and adjusted the temperature before stepping inside, humming a little ditty under her breath.

Zack came trailing up the walkway into the house about ten minutes after Shayna decided to take a shower. He unlocked the door and came inside, locking it back almost immediately. Single Zack without a care in the world never locked his door. But the Zack today always made sure it was locked, every time he came down in the middle of the night. When you had precious things inside that you cared for more than your whole life, you made sure to keep them safe. It didn't help to think of Olivia's ex and Shayna's father. He was a little... unpredictable.

He dropped his keys in his pocket before turning around with a smile on his face for Shayna. "Hey, squirt!" Zack came over and gave the little toddler a pat on the head. "Watching Paw Patrol, I see?" Zack headed into the kitchen to grab a beer.

It didn't take two seconds before Shayna was running into the kitchen, screaming about how her mom had said she could have ice cream before dinner. Zack took a swig of his beer before setting it down on the freshly cleaned counter, he could tell. "Oh, she did, did she?" He smiled, turning around to the freezer to pull out some strawberry ice cream. A little ice cream couldn't hurt, even if Olivia hadn't said she could.

That's what cool step-dad's were for, right? Breaking the rules?

Zack grabbed Olivia's pink dinosaur bowl out of the kitchen cabinet above the microwave and sat it down to scoop two spoonfuls of ice cream into the bowl. He heard the shower going and wondered how long she'd been in there. She'd probably be out soon.

"Here you go, sweetie." He sat the bowl at the table and helped Shayna up into her chair. "I'll be right back, don't make a mess, okay? Show me how you can eat like a big girl." He left a kiss on the top of her head before heading up the stairs to the bathroom he heard the shower running in.

Zack pushed open the door that Olivia had presumably left cracked for Shayna, in case she needed something. "Is my beautiful girlfriend taking a shower without me?" Zack poked his head in, a playful smile appearing on his face. "I just wanted to let you know I was home, I've got Shayna if you want to take a longer shower."

His eyes fell over the clothes on the ground before they ran up to the shower curtain. It was a little transparent, but all Zack could really make out was her shadow past it. He didn't need to be able to see it clearly, though, to know she was gorgeous.

Olivia smiled softly at the sound of Zack’s voice. “Yeah, she is—her hair was starting to get too greasy for her own good.” She spoke, poking her head out of the shower. As cheesy as it sounded, the sight of Zack made her grin that much bigger. “You know, I just might take you up on that. You’re the best, I love you. C’mere and gimme a kiss.” Olivia puckered her lips and only ducked back in the shower after she received what she’d asked for. About four or so minutes later, the brunette was out of the shower and she padded down the hall to the bedroom that she and Zack shared to put on some fresh clothes. Once she was dressed, Olivia threw her hair up with the ponytail that was around her wrist and headed back downstairs.

“I see someone couldn’t wait for her pre-dinner ice cream,” she spoke, tickling Shayna’s sides and pressing a kiss to her head. “Zack got it for me, momma!” Shayna spoke, lifting her face up so Olivia could wipe away the ice cream mess on her face. Brown eyes flitted over to the man sitting next to her daughter, and an overwhelming feeling of love settled over her. She sat down between Zack and Shayna before resting her hand on top of Zack’s and giving it a soft squeeze. “Love you,” Olivia whispered.

For the longest time, this was what Olivia ached for. She wanted a simple evening with her family, just relaxing before she made dinner and Zack read Shayna a bedtime story. But what she got for the first half of her daughter’s life was nightly screaming matches, the occasional bruises and enough tears to fill the ocean. Olivia would go through it all again, though, if it meant she got her daughter. She would do it all a million, billion times over.

“Okay, so, mom doesn’t feel like cooking tonight—anybody object pizza?” Olivia asked, grabbing her phone out of her pocket. Once the dinner plan was approved by her family, she dialed the pizza joint that they frequented and ordered two pizzas. One for dinner that evening, and one for Olivia and Zack to snack on before they went to bed. “Alright guys, dinner should be here in twenty minutes.” She got up and walked over to the fridge, grabbing a beer for herself.

Zack smiled down at Shayna and pretended to punch her shoulder, "I thought you lied about the ice-cream, squirt." He joked, getting up from the table and giving Shayna's shoulder a gentle squeeze instead. "Pizza and ice-cream, the dinner of any child's dreams." His laughter echoed through out the house.

He came up behind Olivia, wrapping his arms around her waist and breathing in the fresh scent that still lingered from her shower. The scent of her floral body wash tickled his nose and he breathed it in deeper, kissing her shoulder. "Tell me you got ham and pepperoni?" Zack looked up at her, chuckling.

Zack prided himself on always being the laid back, relaxed, goofball. He hated being angry, serious or stressed. He could be those things, but he preferred to just let things slide off his back if he could. There was no use in holding grudges or living your days sad or upset.

The only exception he held was for Olivia's ex. Zack intentionally did all he could to avoid the guy, which sometimes could be a little hard to do in his occupation, and sometimes was the easiest thing in the world. He didn't even know what he'd do if he ran into Ronnie. Probably kill him.

Running his hands up and down her arms, he pulled her even closer into his chest as he listened to Shayna hit her spoon against the bowl of ice-cream in the kitchen. "I love you." Zack whispered, a smile spreading across his mouth as he looked up at his beautiful girl. "You're so gorgeous." He complimented her, kissing down her left shoulder as he squeezed his arms around her waist.

“Ham and pepperoni, with a couple of pineapple slices for me.” Olivia smiled softly, leaning back into Zack’s touch. She knew her slices were safe, as she was the only fan in the house of Hawaiian pizza. Neither her toddler or her boyfriend dared to go near the dish. She sighed comfortably and blushed as Zack sang her praises. “I love you, too,” Olivia whispered, taking one of Zack’s hands and pressing a kiss to the knuckles. She squeezed it gently before turning her attention back to Shayna, who had finished her ice cream and was currently standing on her tippy toes to tip her bowl into the sink.

“When the hell did she grow up?” She whispered, awe over her features. When Shayna was born, Olivia swore up and down that she wouldn’t become one of THOSE moms who doted over every little thing that her child did, or ever utter the words ‘Where did the time go?’. That all went out the window the second that Shayna was placed in her arms. She looked up, and Olivia swore right then and fucking there that her whole world stopped. That she would do everything in her power to make sure that Shayna got the best of everything.

The brunette reluctantly pulled away from Zack, bending down to poke her daughter in the tummy like the Pillsbury doughboy. “Why don’t you go find Socks, love?” Olivia asked. At the mention of her best buddy, Shayna tore out of the kitchen and began looking for the Australian Shepherd in question. Once she was out of the kitchen, Olivia turned to face Zack again. She smiled gently, pushing his hair out of his face and letting a hand gently rest on his cheek. “So, Brian and Chelle are taking her tomorrow night… I say we go out to a restaurant that doesn’t have a kiddie menu and see a movie that isn’t made by Disney for once.”

As much as Olivia loved spending her every moment when she wasn’t working (she was a freelance makeup artist, mostly helping her friends out with weddings, senior pictures and what not), she loved having alone time with Zack just as much. She’d been young and dumb when they’d first started dating, she took their relationship for granted. But now that she was back where she belonged? Olivia was going to do this right this time.

"What?" Zack gasped, appalled, "You don't want to see a Disney movie? But I love Disney movies!" He exasperated, pretending to swoon at the thought of not seeing an animated movie at the theater. He placed a hand on his forehead and then looked up at Olivia before letting out a chuckle. "A date night sounds exactly like what we need, babe." He squeezed her hip before kissing her temple.

As much as Zack loved Olive and Shayna, he couldn't ever begin to understand how Olivia felt the more and more independent Shayna became. As much as he loved the little kid, she wasn't really his, as much as she wished he was. That's not to say he didn't get super excited when Shayna showed signs of growing up, or that he didn't worry endlessly about her, or that he wouldn't do everything he could to keep her safe- he just couldn't feel the way her mother felt about her on things.

Zack did hope that one day maybe Olivia would want to have another kid, with him.

"How about we go to the Water Grill, downtown? We haven't been there in a while and I know you love it." Zack smiled as he pulled Olivia to the couch, throwing himself down on it and pulling her down into her lap. He was excited to know that they'd have some alone time tomorrow. It had been so long that they had just went out as the two of them.

At the mention of the Water Grill, her favorite restaurant, Olivia grinned. “That sounds like a plan, and perhaps a bottle of champagne in the pool when we get home?” She asked, batting her eyelashes even though she knew she would get her way. It’s not like she even had to try, really. “I bought a bottle when I went grocery shopping the other day, and it’s just been chilling in the freezer. Drunk swim sounds like a great idea.” She sighed comfortably, curling up as best she could in Zack’s lap. As cheesy as it sounded, it was probably one of Olivia’s favorite spots.

Just as she was starting to doze off, the doorbell rang to signal that their pizza had arrived. “Dinner awaits,” Liv teased, kissing Zack one more time before getting up and shuffling across the living room to open the door. She paid the pizza boy, giving him an ample tip as thanks before shutting the door.
“Shayshay, dinner’s ready! C’mon before Zack eats it all!” Olivia winked to show her boyfriend that she was kidding before taking the pizza into the kitchen and setting it down on the counter. She grabbed some paper plates (laziness was in full effect, she didn’t wanna do any dishes) and set them down on the counter as well before making plates. First Shayna’s, then Zack’s, and finally hers.

The mother then set about topping off Shayna’s juice before grabbing the beers that she and Zack had started drinking. Finally, Olivia sat down and took a bite out of her slice of pineapple pizza. “This is absolutely delicious. I have no idea how in the world you two could think this is disgusting. Pineapple pizza is the bomb diggity.” Her love of the topping was the butt of many jokes, but Olivia didn’t care. She loved it.

“Cheers,” Olivia spoke, holding her beer up and clinking it with Zack. Not wanting to be forgotten, Shayna lifted her sippy cup up and tipped it towards the two. “Cheers!” The baby echoed.

Zack laughed, watching Olivia bite into the pizza, and he shook his head. "Sorry, babe, but pineapple doesn't belong anywhere near pizza." He picked up his plate, and grabbed a slice of his ham and pepperoni, which was loading down with cheese, his absolute favor pizza toppings, maybe if there was some onion and peppers on top it might be a little better, but ham and pepperoni was his go-to.

He relaxed back after clinking his beer bottle against Shayna's sippy cup as to not make her feel left out. The whole little family was here, even Sock who was hanging around under the table, hoping to catch some falling toppings. Once all the pizza had vanished from the table and not a single slice remained in the box, Zack stood up and scooped Shayna into his arms.

"Guess whose bedtime it is?" He sang, swirling her around in the air, forcing giggles and screams to erupt from her throat. "Don't even try to rebel, it won't work. You're going to bed." He played with her, tickling her tummy as he began to head off towards the stairs.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Shayna giggled, screaming as loud as her little toddler lungs would allow.

"Mommy can't save you now." Zack giggled and winked at Olivia as he began to ascend the staircase to Shayna's room. He couldn't deny that putting Shayna to bed was kind of his favorite part of the day. He loved the little squirt, but putting her to bed meant him and Olivia got at least a few hours alone, unless Shayna woke up from a nightmare or needed a drink, or until the two decided it was their own bedtime.

Olivia smiled softly, standing up to press a kiss to Shayna’s forehead. “Be good for Zack, squirt. Momma’ll give you a good night kiss in a few minutes.” She pinched Shayna’s cheek and watched her family ascend the stairs before setting about clearing the kitchen table. Olivia threw out the paper plates and the empty pizza box before tossing the beer bottles in the recycling bin. Once the kitchen was clean, Olivia opened the back-porch door so Socks could go out for the last time that night, and so she could have a cigarette. She didn’t really smoke all that much, maybe one in the morning before Shayna woke up, and one at night after she went to bed. An entire pack would probably last her about a month.

The petite brunette sat down on her favorite lawn chair, lighting her cigarette and taking a huge drag. She grabbed her phone and returned the few text messages she’d gotten during dinner, mostly questions from her little sister about if she’d be able to do her makeup the following weekend. Olivia and McKenna shared a special bond, being the youngest two Haner children as well as the only girls. Makeup was one of the things that the sisters bonded over. Olivia viewed her little sister as another daughter. The one time she’d hit Ronnie back (enough to do some damage, which also led to her arrest but that was another story), he’d threatened McKenna.

After about fifteen minutes, Olivia stubbed out her cigarette and called Socks to come inside. She locked the back door and set the alarm before making her way upstairs. Liv poked her head into Shayna’s room, a soft smile on her face when she saw her daughter was starting to fall asleep. “G’night squirt, love you.” Olivia blew her daughter a kiss and left the room after double checking that her Elsa nightlight was on.

She then headed down the hallway to the master bedroom, flopping down on the bed. “I think I’m gonna just sleep in my leggings… pajamas are overrated!”
Olivia called to the bathroom, where she could hear the shower running.

Zack shook his head, a smile dancing on his lips as he turned off the faucet sink after finishing trimming up his facial hair. "Or you could sleep in nothing." He called back as he slid out of the last bit of his own clothing. Leaving his pants and boxers on the floor, he stepped into the shower. The water was steaming hot, just how he liked it, and he had the shower head set to power spray because it relaxed him a hell of a lot more than the massage setting.

He didn't like to admit it, but Zack was stressed out and tensed up most of the day. From the amount he had to deal with at work, who most of which would think was minimal, to knowing Olivia's ex was a lunatic and from constantly worrying about his little family, Zack had a lot of knots that needed to be worked out by a massage therapist. But he'd just settle with the shower head.

Stepping out of the shower, Zack grabbed a towel to dry off his body and face, wrapping it around his waist. He bent down to grab his dirty clothes and put them in the hamper next to the bathroom door before walking out to greet Olivia. He wouldn't have it any other way, though, he wouldn't change one thing about his family or life. He loved every bit of it, even the worry. You didn't truly love anything if you didn't worry.

Olivia rolled her eyes, that was just such a fucking typical Zack statement that she couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s tomorrow night, remember?” She called in the direction of the bathroom before getting up and rummaging through her pajama drawer to find something to wear. After changing into a pair of sleep shorts and a loose t-shirt, Olivia threw her hair up in a bun and flopped back down in bed. “Hey, stranger,” she winked as Zack exited the bathroom, leaning up so she could give him what felt like the millionth kiss that day. Not that she cared. Liv would kiss Zack literally all day long if she could. Was it cheesy? Of course it was.

The brunette plugged her phone in and climbed under the blankets, turning on the television. After a day full of what felt like mind numbing little kid shows, it was nice to unwind and watch something meant for adults. As soon as Zack got in bed as well, Olivia pretty much attached herself to him. She slung his arm around her shoulders and rested her head against his, a content sigh leaving her lips. The day was finally catching up to her, and she could feel her eyes getting heavy.

“I’m glad we’re going out tomorrow, it’ll give me a chance to put on something that isn’t sweatpants.” Olivia teased, flicking through the channels. She couldn’t come up with something that she’d like to watch, so she ended up just handing the remote to Zack. Whatever he put on at this point was fine with her. As long as it wasn’t a fucking baseball game. Try as she might, Olivia never really was a big sports person. But due to the fact that she grew up around all boys, she was forced to watch them.

“If I fall asleep before midnight please don’t judge me.” Liv joked.

Zack snickered and fiddled with the remote as his hand drifted south, placing the tips of fingers just so slightly within the waistband of her pajama bottoms. "What's the problem with getting the festivities started early? It'd keep you awake too." He winked, just playing. He liked to tease her and flirt with her all the time. He knew how to make a girl feel butterflies, whether it was their first date or a couple years down the line. You had to know how to make a girl feel good, feel loved and still just as wanted as the first date, or you wouldn't keep them that long.

He landed on an adult cartoon channel, playing Bob's Burgers. "Does this get you in the mood?" He laughed, kissing her cheek as he pulled her closer into his side. He absolutely couldn't wait for tomorrow night. It seemed like ages since they had had a proper night together, let alone a proper date. It was even more perfect that someone so close to him, Olivia's brother, and his best friend, was the one they were entrusting Shayna with. They wouldn't have to worry one bit the whole night, even though he was sure Olivia still would manage too. She was good at worrying.

Zack still managed to have some energy left in him, sleep never came to easy for him. He shifted around in bed, trying to go ahead and plan tomorrow's date so that it would be perfect. They didn't get to many out on-the-town nights, so he wanted to make sure it was fun enough to keep them tied over until they were able to do it again.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, Bob’s Burgers totally gets my engine running. Talk Bob to me, Zack.” She teased, sighing comfortably as she pulled the bigger blanket over her. A content sigh left her lips as Olivia finally allowed herself to relax, the events of the day starting to flood her system. Her eyes got heavier and heavier, and she barely made it through an episode of Bob’s Burgers before she decided to call it a night. “I’m gonna sleep, poke me if I snore. Love you.” Olivia gave Zack one last kiss before laying down, rolling over instinctively to face the door just in case Shayna needed her during the night. Being a mom made you do weird shit sometimes.

--

Her morning had started out nice. Shayna had woken up at about eight, demanding waffles. Olivia quietly got out of bed, so as not to disturb Zack, and made her daughter breakfast. They had just sat down and started eating when Olivia’s phone started ringing. It was Max, one of the very few people who remained in her life from her Ronnie days. His phone calls were few and far between, so she decided to answer the phone. “Hey, Max. It’s been a minute, what’s up dude?” Olivia answered, sipping from her apple juice as Max spoke. She wished she hadn’t, though, because what her friend told her made her spit her drink out.

According to Max, Ronnie posted this long-winded rant on Instagram and Twitter about how he wanted nothing more than to be a father to Shayna, but Olivia prevented him at every turn—even going out of her way to be spiteful for him. “Are you fucking kidding me!” Olivia yelled as she checked the screenshots that Max sent her. “Oh my god, Max, this is the biggest crock of shit I’ve ever seen. He hasn’t seen Shayna since she was TWO. I’ve given him multiple opportunities, there’s been offers of a mediator, but he’s always radio fuckin’ silent! He’s trying to play victim but oh my god what an absolute moron!” She ranted, ignoring the fact that her toddler was scolding her and she now owed about three dollars to the swear jar.

The commotion coming from downstairs was enough to not only wake Zack, but warrant him to get out of bed too. He could hear Olivia cursing all the way up here. He didn't take any extra time getting dressed before he rushed downstairs, grabbing the door frame as he spun into the kitchen.

"What's the issue-" He was cut off though as he listened to Olivia on the phone. Zack swooped Shayna into his arms, kissing her cheek as a 'good morning', "why don't you go find out where Sock is?" Zack asked her, not wanting her to hear what was going on on the phone, even though he knew she had no way of remembering who Ronnie was.

Zack leaned against the kitchen counter, waiting for Olivia to finish up with whoever she was talking to. He could already feel his blood boiling and he knew it was showing on his face. Who did this little prick think he was? Trying to weasel back into the life Zack had put so much effort into building up? Zack surely was dominant and he didn't like the idea of having to be hospitable to the asshole Olivia used to see. He didn't want Ronnie anywhere near his family, the douche didn't deserve it.

Once Olivia hung up the phone, Zack tried to hide his distaste as he looked up at her. "So... what's going on?"

“Yeah, I know Max. He can rot in hell—and my lawyer will definitely love these screenshots. Thanks, bud. Text me okay? Bye.” Olivia hung up the phone and took a deep breath, running a hand over her face so she didn’t freak the fuck out. She turned to face Zack, and sensing his own anger, the brunette reached out and grabbed his hand. “That was Max. Ronnie has me blocked on all forms of social media, so if he says something shitty about me or us, Max lets me know. Apparently, last night, Ronnie ranted on twitter saying I was ‘a terrible mother and a heartless, vindictive cunt who should have her daughter taken away’.” Olivia spoke, reading the screenshot as she quoted it.

She set her phone down, throwing her hair up into a ponytail. “Don’t worry, babe. He’s not getting anywhere near Shayna. My lawyers have got this all locked up. This rant, combined with all the shit he sent me before he blocked me PLUS the pictures of my injuries? He doesn’t have a chance.” The brunette spoke confidently. She pushed Zack’s hair out of his face before taking a sip of her orange juice. “Breakfast is over there on the counter. It’s still warm.”

Olivia saved the screenshots to her phone and forwarded them to her lawyer. She still couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that said Ronnie might end up being persistent about this.

It was hard for Zack to keep his mouth shut as he turned to grab his plate for breakfast. Taking it to the table, he sat down, but with the news he had just received, his appetite seemed to go out the window. He fiddled with his forehead as all his thoughts swirled around his head. What if Olivia was wrong? What if Ronnie paid for lawyers who were just as persistent? What if he did somehow get partial custody or even visitation rights? Zack would implode. After what that prick did to Olivia, all the physical abuse, how would Zack be able to hand off Shayna to him? If it was court ordered? He couldn't even begin to imagine how Olivia must be feeling, even if she was trying to pretend like she was completely confident in her lawyers.

Zack hoped she was right.

He also didn't know how they were going to go on their date night later without this managing to ruin it. This was going to stay in his mind up until it was settled. Zack huffed and rubbed his face, letting out a deep sigh as Shayna came running back into the kitchen.

"I found Sock, Zacky!" She squealed and ran up to him, grabbing onto his shirt as Sock waddled up behind her. He dropped his hands from his face and looked down at the little girl, smiling. He was being selfish, the real reason he shouldn't want Ronnie anywhere near them because it wasn't fair for Shayna.

He picked her up, giving Sock a pat on the head before tickling Shayna's sides. "Good job!"

Olivia smiled at the sight of her daughter, temporarily forgetting all about the antics of that morning. It was right then and there that she vowed that she would do everything within her power to make sure her daughter never knew the monster that was her biological father. If this was the game that Ronnie wanted to play, then Olivia would win. She’d get better lawyers if she had to, fuck, she would even get a restraining order (since her previous one had expired). Whatever was necessary.

She bent down to press a kiss to Shayna’s forehead before pulling her up into her lap, giving her a tight squeeze. “Mommy loves you, you know that right? More than the sun and the stars and everything else.” Olivia spoke. Shayna nodded, wriggling out of her mother’s grasp. “Of course, mommy! Everyone knows that! I’m gonna go color now.” And without another word, her sassy little girl paraded off into the living room, followed by her faithful companion Socks.

Zack watched the little girl run off, with her dog in tow, and looked back up at Olivia, his breakfast still untouched. "Do you still want to let Brian keep her tonight, or...?" He licked his bottom lip as he let the sentence drag. He wouldn't blame her if she was to shaken up to let her daughter part ways tonight. Even if she did, would she be able to enjoy their day without worrying? He only wondered, because he wasn't sure if he would be able to without the thought lingering in the back of his mind.

In the silence, he finally looked down and picked up a piece of bacon and tried to take a bite. He couldn't keep his mouth shut on the matter. "You know I'd break his neck." Zack's voice was low and almost ominous. He couldn't help how the thought of that pathetic man made him feel, and he wasn't just talking. If it came down to it, and Ronnie was granted any kind of rights, Zack would surely go to prison because he would kill him first. He refused to let him anywhere near his girls.

“Yeah, I do… she’s super excited about going over there and I don’t wanna take that from her.” Olivia spoke, sipping the remainder of her coffee that had long since gotten cold. Ever since she’d told Shayna the previous morning that she would be spending the night at her Uncle Brian and Aunt Michelle’s house, the toddler had been bouncing off the walls with excitement. She and Brian were basically attached at the hip, he doting on Shayna and Shayna loving him beyond measure. Those two were the best of friends—almost as close as Shayna and Zack.” Olivia got up from her seat, going to put her breakfast dishes in the sink.

She stopped dead in her tracks when Zack mentioned breaking Ronnie’s neck. Olivia knew that he would. She’d heard that determined tone laced with hate once before—when she’d just left Ronnie and was explaining everything that had happened to her through choked out sobs. Olivia had never seen Zack that angry in her life. And to be quite honest, she never wanted to see him get that way ever again. “I know,” Olivia spoke, sighing softly. “And I would break his nose. Again. With a chair to the face.” As much as she didn’t want to, Olivia was prepared to go to jail again. If it meant her baby would be safe.