Wholly crap! I can't believe how fast this wrote it's self! I've had the worst block when it came to this chapter. Then, BAM, it just came out! So here it is. This is the second last chapter. Trust me, this one is a tad painful, but stick with it! Your reward will be the last chapter (which is basically done) and the hotness of Zac!

I don't own anything!!

Firsts

The First Failure

Pulling into the driveway, he shut the car off and rested his head between his fists on the steering wheel. For a day that he had such high hopes for, it had gone really wrong. He lifted his head and took a deep breath trying to gain the will to get out of the car and face his family. In one swift motion, he grabbed his jacket and briefcase from the seat, and opened the door before he could change his mind. His eyes caught the sight of toys piled in the back seat and he heaved a sigh before getting out of the car and slamming the door. He made his way to the house, stepping over a bike and stuff animals. Placing one hand on the door, he took a deep breath and turned the knob.

"DADDY!" He was barley inside the door when he was attacked by a brown and pink blur. Maggie latched to his leg and sat on his foot. She buried her head in his leg and from the sobbing, he guessed she was crying. "I HATE IT!"

He took a step forward with the little girl on his foot, and put his briefcase and jacket down. "Maggie, I have to take off my shoes. Can you let go please?" He bent down and tried to pry her hands off. For a four-year-old, she had quite a grip. Her hands gripped his pants and she refused to let go. Trying to reason with the child, he placed a hand on her head causing her to look up at him. Her wide eyes stared up at him, cheeks bright red, and face wet from her tears. "Sweetie, what do you hate?"

"BROCCOLI! And Mommy said that I have to eat it!" She pounded her fist into his leg, and he winced in pain. She had a mean right hook. As she paused to take a breath, he caught her by surprise and lifted her up.

"Maggie! Is this the way that a four-year-old acts?" Holding her with one arm, he carried her into the kitchen and gave a small smile to Scarlet. She was sitting across from Alex in his high chair, trying to feed him dinner. He put Maggie back into her booster seat and she crossed her arms in a pout. On his way fridge, he gave Scarlet kiss and grabbed a beer. Taking a pull, his eyes swept the room.

It was obvious that Scarlet's day had been just as bad as his. Dishes were pilled in the sink waiting to be done. He could hear the washer running in the back round, and Maggie had started to cry again. His eyes swept over Scarlet, taking in the fact she was still wearing her PJ's and her hair was swept in a messy bun. He could see the rings around her eyes as she tried to feed Alex. He had been sick the last couple of days, keeping them up at night. The extra attention that he had been getting was causing Maggie to act up and out.

He ran his hand along his forehead and tried to will away his headache. He grabbed a clean plate from the rack and sat next to his daughter. Fat tears rolled over her cheeks and she refused to look at him. Picking up the bowl of broccoli, he piled it high on his plate and dug in. He could see her watching him out the corner of her eye, and he speared another piece and popped it in his mouth. He pulled the paper from the morning closer and started to read.

She watched as he steadily made the vegetables disappear. Picking up her fork, she pushed the couple pieces around her plate. She watched as he ate another large piece and she tried one herself. Scarlet had stopped trying to feed the crying Alex and watched in amazement as Maggie cleared the rest of her plate. Mike locked eyes with Scarlet and the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.

~ * ~

The rest of night flew by and was a whirl of bath times, pajama's, and bedtime stories. Mike creped from Maggie's room and soundlessly shut the door. He made his way into the kitchen and sat heavily down at the table. While he had been busy with Maggie, Scarlet was cleaning the kitchen and had Alex strapped to her chest.

"So there's something wrong with the dryer…" He could almost hear how tired she was. It was the first thing that they had said to each other since he walked in the door. "I mean it works, but you have to put each load through twice. I think we need a new one." She turned to face him as she dried the last dish. He reached out to take the baby from her and she walked over to him and let Mike take him. "You still hungry?"

He rocked the baby in his arms as he nodded. She started a plate for him and popped it in the microwave. "So when that new bonus comes in, I think the first thing we have to get is a new dryer."

"I didn't get it." He said it quietly, partly because he was embarrassed and partly because Alex was sleeping and he didn't want to wake him.

"What?"

"They decided to give it to this other guy…" Mike trailed off, anger from earlier coming back to him. He could see the Jim's face in his mind, the smug look and gloating. Standing, he said "I'm just going to put him to bed and I'll be back." He made his away to Alex's room and place him in the crib. Alex fitfully tossed and Mike thought for a moment that he had woken up. He breathed a sigh of relief when Alex settled back down. Grabbing the baby monitor, he made his way back the kitchen.

Sitting down at the table again, he dug into the dinner that Scarlet had placed in front of him. He could feel her stare as he ate and tried to ignore it. He ate in silence and was grateful for it. It the first chance of peace and quiet he had all day. Soon though, he finished the plate and looked into Scarlet's eyes.

She sat across from, just watching. Her stare burned through him and he flushed under her gaze.

"That was good. Thanks for dinner." He stood, picking up his plate.

"Sit." She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to comply. He dropped back into the chair, and waited for her to start. "Start from the beginning."

"What are you talking about?"

"You said you didn't get the promotion. You were so sure this morning, what happened?"

"Look Scar, I don't want to talk about this." He stood again and took his plate to the sink. He leaned on the counter away from her and dropped his head. "They gave it to Jim."

"Why? Hasn't he only been there like a year?" Mike's hands dropped to his sides and balled into fists.

"I don't know why."

"But,"

"But nothing Scarlet!" He turned and stared at her, his hands running though his hair. "They gave it to that dumass!" The anger from earlier came out and he started to pace. "I get that he's this new hot shot and he's older than me, but my numbers are so much better! I have to get away from the desk and that dam cubicle. I can't stand to be there! I want to get out and sell."

"Well what did they say? Did they even talk to you?"

"Oh yea, that was the best part! 'Well Mike, you're just a bit too young to send you out. Give it some time.' Such BULL!" he dropped his hands and took a breath.

"Oh, Mike…" She moved towards him and placed her hand on his arm. He flinched at her touch and moved to the other side of the room.

"Look, I know you want to help, but I just need some time to myself. I mean, I have this terrible day, and then Maggs is all over me the minute I walk in the door, the place is a mess, Alex is still sick and you need a new dryer. I just need some me time." He walked into the living room and fell to couch. Putting his feet up, he turned the TV on and started to flick through the channels.

"So," Scarlet was suddenly behind him, "you had a crappy day. I get it, I really do." She moved to stand in front of the TV, and he was forced to look at her. "But I'd like a break too, Mike! This week has royally SUCKED. Between Alex's cold, and Maggie's tantrums, they are driving me nuts! You have no idea how glad I was when you walked in the door and was able to take care of Maggie."

"Well sometimes I wish I didn't have to." Mike wished he could take it back the minute it left his mouth. Mike watched as Scarlet's mouth dropped open at his words.

"Excuse me?"

"Ok that sounded way worse out loud than in my head." He stood and paced around. "Sometimes I wish I could just, come home and not deal with all this stuff."

"Um Mike, I deal with this stuff all day, everyday." Placing the monitor on the coffee table, she folded her arms in front of her and he could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Scarlet you don't get it! The whole reason I didn't get the promotion is because, quote," he motioned air quotes, "'I'm too young', then I come home, and I'm this father and husband, and there's this part of my brain that just screaming, 'your only 22'." He met her eyes and could see the tears pooled there.

She opened her mouth, and cry was heard from the monitor. Scarlet's hand flew to her throat and she swallowed thickly. With a turn on her heal; she started out of the room.

"I'll get him."

Mike sank into the cushions of the couch. Sounds of the TV were like white noise in the back of his mind, and all he could hear was the sound of Scarlet opening the door to Alex's room. He stared at the monitor and he could hear her voice as she soothed the crying child and rustle of blankets.

"Shhh, Alex, it's ok baby." Her voice sounded sweet as she talked to the baby, but he could hear the hurt in it and his heart broke.