Selene had found the perfect place for Ivy's little gathering. Their house. It was the perfect place for it and Jules was excited for Ivy's big day. It was the first time with so many people there to celebrate her daughter's birthday. She, Sofi and Andy had taken care of the necessary things like Ivy's outfit, the cake and snacks but Jules had been shocked when she arrived at the Thompson's house that day. It seemed like they were having a party instead of a small gathering.

"Welcome." Selene walked towards her with open arms.

Jules smiled as Selene took Ivy from her and kissed her.

"Happy Birthday honey." She said and Ivy grinned at her with her tiny front teeth showing. "You look so beautiful."

"What happened here?" Jules asked as they walked into the living room.

"Just did a little decorating."

"A little?" Jules asked glancing around at the pink and white decorated house. Ribbons and balloons everywhere.

"I know you said you wanted something small but...it's our first time celebrating our granddaughter's birthday, we wanted to make it special."

Jules nodded, understanding where Selene was coming from.
"I'm sorry, I should have..."

"Don't be." Selene said "You're her mother. Noe let's go outside and join the rest."

Jules nodded and followed Selene. Once they arrived at the poolside and Selene announced Ivy's presence, everyone was around her, which made Jules smile. Eric, Sofi, Andy, Xavier, Alex and Ceaser all around her little girl. She had let Selene invite him without a single thought. He was her adopted baby's daddy, her daughter's father. There was no question in him being there for his daughter's birthday. The first one he would celebrate with her.

It must all be a big day for the Thompson's.
Jules thought. She would let Ivy spend the entire day with her family and later could have a few moments with her before her day ended.

Then her gaze landed on Ivy in Ceaser's arms and her heart stopped at the sight of them. Her daughter seemed to be the happiest in his arms and the thought of Ceaser being present for her birthday for the first time almost made her heart break for him.

She wondered how he must be feeling. How they all must be feeling.

Just as she sighed, Ceaser looked up and his gaze met hers and her breath caught as she stopped herself from fisting at the skirt of her pink sundress.

She needed a drink.
Jules walked back into the house and the kitchen to get herself a cold glass of juice.

"You ok?"

Jules turned to find Alex in front of the kitchen island. She swallowed and smiled.
"I am."

Alex studied her for a moment.
"You know your smile contradicts your words."

Jules frowned.

"You say one thing but your smile says the opposite." He said, "What's the matter?"

Jules looked away from him.
"If there was a problem, I wouldn't be discussing it with you." She said, "You're friends with him."

"Ah." He said, "So it is about him."

She shook her head.

"Still haven't forgiven him, uh?"

Jules looked at the door to find Xavier leaning against the doorpost.
"I don't know." She said, "I'm having a hard time just thinking about it much less coming to a conclusion."

"The heart takes time to heal." Xavier walked into the kitchen and beside Alex.

She sighed.
"Maybe that's it." She paused "I'm not angry at him anymore. I understand why he did what he did."

"Forgiving is the hard part." Alex said

"You should try that sometime." Xavier said to Alex.

Jules smiled at them as they went on and on bickering like teenagers.

The day was coming to an end and everyone had taken the party inside but she couldn't find Ivy and Selene so she made her way outside in search of them. She found Selene in the kitchen with the maid helping out.

"Sweetheart, you need something?" She asked

"I was looking for Ivy."

"Oh, she should be with Ceaser." She smiled "He hasn't let go of her since she got here.

Jules smiled at her before she went outside in search of them stopping in her tracks at the sight of Ceaser's back to her and Ivy's in his arms, her little head on his shoulder. She moved a little closer, her sandal making no sound.

"...no longer be apart from you, ok? You are the most precious thing to me and I won't lose you again, not now, not ever. I've just gotten you back, I can't and will not be apart from you." She heard him scoff with a slight chuckle "You know the funny thing is I never thought I wanted a child but when I found out about you, you were all I wanted and I didn't just get you. I got you and your mum and even though your mum is still mad at me right now, " She watched as he kissed Ivy on her head and she quickly but quietly made her way back inside and to one of the restrooms. She hadn't known she was crying until she looked into the mirror and saw her tear-stained cheeks. She brushed them away before reaching for the tissue paper and gently dabbing on her face.

Oh, Ceaser.
She thought.

She missed him so much. She wanted to go back out there and run into his arms and tell him that she had forgiven him and she wanted to be with him but the thought of the first time he had lied to her popped into her head. He had shown up and she had fallen right into his arms. She wasn't going to let him make her weak just for her to do the same again.

"Jules, everything alright in there?" Sofi knocked on the door.

"Yea." She said, "I'm fine."

"Ok." She said, "Everyone's leaving."

"Ok." She replied, "I'll be out in a minute."

Selene kissed her then Ivy who was asleep, before Eric gave her a hug.
"I'm glad you decided to spend today with us."

She smiled at them.
"I wouldn't keep you away from her." She said "She's family."

"And so are you." Selene said, "Remember that." She nodded with a smile

"Now you drive safely." Eric said

"I will." She said as she got into the car, Andy taking Ivy from her. "Bye." She said as she started the car then drove off.

Ceaser watched from the terrace as Jules drove out of the compound. He had had an amazing day with all of them especially Jules and Ivy. Even though he didn't spend all the time he wanted to with Jules, at least he got to be around her.

"You alright man?" Xavier asked as he walked out to the terrace with Alex.

Ceaser took a moment before he shook his head.
"I have to fix everything."

"We were wondering when you were going to figure that out." Alex said

"I was giving her the time and space she asked for." Ceaser said, "And I realize now that I should have made my move instead of holding back." He paused "I sure hope she forgives me because I can't go anymore longer without her or my daughter. I need both of them."

Xavier and Alex smiled.
"What's your plan?"