Hannah and Ethan had finished school for about two weeks. Lex had been taking on overtime and Ethan was trying to get a job. They did it for Hannah. Talking to Hannah about the situation at hand was something they weren't going to do for a while. One night, when Hannah was fast asleep, Lex and Ethan held a financial meeting in the kitchen.

"I have some more stuff saved since I've started working overtime. If I continue at this rate, it'll be September before we can get to her dentist. To hurry it up, we might have to shut some of our utilities," Lex signed. Ethan internally winced. He hoped it wouldn't have to come to this, yet here they were.

"Well, we can get Becky to fill out the forms this week. I'm competing with thousands of high schoolers for summer jobs. I'm hoping I can get an interview soon. It's just been application after application and rejection after rejection," he said. Lex hugged him.

"The easiest way to make sure she can go to the dentist is by sacrifice. Look, I don't really eat lunch because I'm a snacker. I can replace it with a protein shake and be good to go. Those are cheaper than bread in bulk. I know you and Hannah have wack eating schedules as far as I know and this can maybe replace a meal. That'll shave off a bit without utilities being shut down," Lex said.

"Lex, babe, I don't want you to stop eating. It's terrible for you, even if snacks do make up a bit of it," Ethan said. He took a deep breath. "You've asked your family and it's been a no. Let me try something tomorrow, okay? I can't right now, but I'll let you know ASAP."

"Okay," she surrendered. The couple soon went to sleep, too tired to try anything else. They fell into a blissful slumber, unaware that Hannah had understood the main gist of the conversation.

The next day, Ethan left the house for a ten minute walk to make his phone call. He had nothing better to do with his time and it was essential that this call be made. Hannah was home alone, trying to figure out how she could help. She could work in five years and actually get paid legally, but at nine years old, there weren't many options.

"Lex, I got it," Ethan said, calling Lex on her lunch break.

"What did you get?" She asked, not eating anything (per the usual).

"So I called Flynn and asked him if Mom had left any money and it turns out there's this emergency bank account that I can use, so Hannah can go to the dentist and we don't have to sacrifice food or any utilities!" Ethan exclaimed. Hannah had heard that part.

"That's amazing!" Lex exclaimed, wishing more than anything she could hug Ethan.

"Okay, well get back to work. I'll schedule the appointment, but I still want to get a job so I can feel productive, okay?" Ethan asked Lex.

"That totally works. Just keep me updated."

"I will."

"Tutoring."

"What?"

"Ethan, you're a math whiz. You can tutor. Set your own hours and fees," Lex explained.

"I'll look into that, but I have to call Becky to ask about all that jazz, but I'll see you later," Ethan said, as he and Lex hung up.

"Ethan, that's wonderful news!" Hannah exclaimed. Ethan whirled around, surprised that she had heard him.

"Hannah, I didn't want you to worry," Ethan said.

"I still heard everything last night. I know our financial situation isn't great, but both you and Lex are making sacrifices and putting in the effort to make it better. I love and appreciate both of you," Hannah said.

"I love you, too. I'd love to talk more, but I need to talk to Becky to schedule a time and place for her to check up on you and sign forms for school," he said. Hannah nodded as he dialed Becky's number.

"Ethan! I was wondering when you were going to call! How are you?" Becky asked.

"Pretty great. Listen, I was wondering if we could coordinate a time to get Hannah's forms done. Also, how are you?" Ethan asked.

"I'm doing well and we can do it today. I'm off for the day and I haven't signed out of work. I can get a few things and meet you guys somewhere," Becky said.

"Anytime would work today. I can meet wherever's easiest for you," he said, giving Hannah a thumbs up. She grinned in return.

"Okay. Can you meet me at Tom's in half an hour?" Becky asked.

"I'll be there," Ethan said with confidence.

"See you then!" Becky exclaimed cheerfully, hanging up.

"In fifteen minutes, we're heading to Tom's house and Becky's going to do the forms. Just telling you the time," Ethan said as Hannah nodded.

Soon, they made it to Tom's house. Becky was inside with Tim. "Hi! Come on in. I'm just organizing everything. Hannah, can you please sit on the floor?" Becky asked as Tim sat next to Hannah.

"It's going to be good. She did me a few days ago and it didn't hurt," Tim told Hannah, who nodded. Becky took the forms from Ethan.

"So normal and just the typical boosters. That's easy enough," Becky said, flipping through the forms. She tied up her hair. "Hannah, could you actually sit on the wooden chair?"

"Sure thing." Hannah sat down on the chair and started internally counting to relax herself.

"So I'm going to check your pulse and that sort of stuff before shots and then I'll measure you, okay?" Becky explained the procedure to Hannah, who nodded and started counting again.

Despite Becky finishing with Hannah over an hour ago, they stayed at Tom's house and played board games. It was something Becky always did with kids, no matter who. Even if she had back-to-back appointments, she'd always go back and play a board game or do a puzzle. It relaxed them and Hannah needed to relax.

"Damn it!" Ethan exclaimed after Hannah dropped a +4 on him.

"Uno!" Hannah exclaimed with a smile, "Color change to red."

Ethan cursed under his breath, taking his four cards. Tim put down a red card to skip Becky, which allowed Hannah to drop her red reverse card and win the game. "Hannah, you're killing me," Ethan groaned as Becky unintentionally changed the color to green by matching Hannah's reverse card.

"Both of you got your turns back," Tim noted, placing his penultimate card into the pile. When Tim finally won, it was Ethan versus Becky.

"You're going down, Green," Becky said, reorganizing her cards.

"Believe you're mistaken, Barnes," Ethan said, looking Becky square in the eyes and placing a +4. "Color change to blue."

"Careful what you wish for," Becky said as Ethan placed a blue four. She dropped a +2 in blue, another in green, and the final one in red before placing a red block card. "Uno."

Becky concluded by placing a red four. "Fuck! I mean—shit! Dammit!" Ethan exclaimed. Becky wordlessly covered Tim's ears while Hannah giggled quietly to herself.

"All done?" Becky asked as Ethan nodded. She uncovered Tim's ears. At that moment, Ethan's phone buzzed repeatedly with a phone call. He mouthed Lex to everyone in the room before picking up.

"Um, hey, can you guys come pick me and Bailey up?" Lex asked.

"Oh, shoot, I lost track of time. We'll be right on our way," Ethan said, hanging up.

"Is everything okay?" Becky asked.

"Yeah we just have to go pick up Lex and Bailey," Ethan said, giving around quick hugs. Becky walked Ethan and Hannah out with final hugs.

"Thank you for doing this," Ethan said.

"Anytime. Now go get Lex. Shoo!" Becky teased, closing the door behind them. Ethan and Hannah ran to the car and got in. Hannah had barely gotten in when Ethan backed up.

"Careful! Lex would rather have you late than not at all," Hannah said, buckling her seatbelt.

"I'll try, Banana. It's just really hot and that's not good for either of them," he said.

Lex put an arm up to block the bright sun. She had been out of work for fifteen minutes and Ethan and Hannah were nowhere in sight. Bailey was panting while laying down. "C'mon Bailey. Let's go in the shade. There's some water," Lex said, leading a reluctant Bailey to the shade. Once Bailey lay down, Lex unclipped the retractable water bowl from her backpack and filled it up with water. "Look, water!"

Bailey excitedly lapped water when a car pulled up. "Good girl," Lex said, taking the bowl from Bailey when it was empty. Lex shook the leash so Bailey would stand up and go to the car. "Hannah and Ethan are here and there's air conditioning inside."

Bailey seemed to understand and pulled Lex to the car. Hannah managed to open the backseat door just as Bailey was about to jump. She immediately lay down on the seat as Lex buckled the harness to a seatbelt. "Thanks," Lex said, turning on the air conditioning.

"No problem," Hannah replied as Lex buckled her seatbelt in the front seat.

"How was work?" Ethan asked Lex, heading on the way home.

"It was good. We have an adoption event on Saturday that I have to be at with Bailey. How was your day?" Lex asked in reply, checking on Bailey, who had fallen asleep.

"Well, you know how it was until lunch. After that, I called Becky and we got the appointment done and the forms signed. After that, Hannah kicked my ass at Uno," Ethan said. Hannah gave a coy grin.

"Sounds productive," Lex noted.

"It was, surprisingly. It felt like the day just flew away, but that's okay," Ethan said. Lex took a deep sip of water.

"Well, let's get home to eat. I'm hungry," she said.

"That's what you get—" Ethan started before Lex interrupted.

"—when I don't eat lunch, okay I get it. I should eat lunch," Lex said.

"You really should, Lex. You're always telling us to eat lunch. Practice what you preach," Hannah said.

"I'm a snacker. I've been working on it and I'm really proud of myself," Lex replied.

"Well, one thing that's required this summer is done!" Hannah exclaimed with a smile.

"I'm just so happy," Lex said, taking Ethan's hand over the gear shift.

WC: 1749

I also just realized that I've forgotten to do disclaimers! That is entirely my fault.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot of this story and Bailey. Everything else belongs to Team Starkid. I am in no way affiliated or endorsed by them.

Hi, everyone! What is up? I hope you are all having an amazing week. I can't believe we're already halfway through July! That's insane! Have a great week!

--Luna :D