The drive across London was quiet.
Laura slept in the back of Skyler's car, Dean following in his BMW. They pulled into a sleek high rise in Kensington Skyler's new apartment, half-unpacked, boxes labeled KITCHEN, BOOKS scattered across the floor.
Outside the building, Laura dozed in Skyler's arms, curls damp against her cheek.
Skyler tilted her head toward her back pocket. Keys.
Dean hesitated.
Skyler rolled her eyes. "Don't make it weird, please."
"Just give Laura to me," he said, making it weirder.
"You'll make her cry if you insist," Skyler whispered. "Just… do it."
He reached in fingers brushing denim longer than necessary.
"Dean…" Her look said: Don't.
He raised both hands, keys glinting. "Nothing happened."
They stepped into the apartment three bedrooms: Skyler's master, a guest room, and the corner one Laura would soon claim.
Laura stirred, blinked, and looked at Dean then turned away, arms crossing like a tiny bodyguard.
It shouldn't sting. But it did.
Skyler crouched. "Baby, do you want to live with me?"
Laura nodded violently, then glared at Dean and shook her head.
Skyler whispered, "Is Daddy going to live with us?"
"No, honey," Skyler said gently. "But you'll see him every day, okay?"
Laura's "okay" was pure skepticism someone used to disappointments.
"Go pick your room."
Laura shuffled off, excitement dimmed by wariness.
Dean waited until her footsteps faded.
He pointed at Skyler's ring.
"I'm moving in alone," she said, smiling thinly. "No issue."
Dean opened his mouth—
"It's complicated," she cut in.
"What if he finds out you're living with a kid?"
"Trust me," Skyler said, voice flat. "That man has his own personal obligations. He won't care what I do."
Dean frowned. Affair?
"Who would you rather Laura stay with?" Skyler added. "Plus, we have daily appointments."
"It won't fuck with your job?" Dean asked, genuinely worried.
"I'll manage."
"DADDY! I picked my room!"
Laura sprinted back, grabbed their hands, and dragged them to the corner bedroom floor to ceiling windows, park view, biggest in the apartment.
"Good eyes," Skyler said, impressed.
Laptop open. Shopping cart chaos.
Laura pointed:
Unicorn bed Star projector Mini drum kit ("Like Daddy!")
Dean's card declined. Liverpool penalties.
Skyler covered it. "You'll reimburse me when your accounts unfreeze."
"Premium membership same day delivery," she added. "Perks."
Furniture arrived by 6 PM. Assembly took until 9:03 PM.
Laura and Skyler collapsed on the new couch.
Dean sick, aching, delirious sank beside them.
Skyler nudged him. "Take Laura to bed."
He carried her light as a secret to the unicorn bed. She clutched his hoodie in sleep.
Back in the living room, Skyler handed him tea.
They sat in silence, steam curling between them.
Two exhausted adults.
One sleeping child.
A life neither planned.