Del Sol Valley, mid-morning…

Seeing Thorne Bailey’s children reminded Allan of his little daughter Mercy, whom he hasn’t seen in a while. He also remembers that his deceased colleague Octavia was Brytani’s best friend. Maybe she knows what happened to her, since he didn’t dare to pester Thorne, asking for details. So, instead of going home, Allan ends up knocking on Brytani’s door.

No one came to open it, but the door is not locked. It’s not safe to leave doors unsecured in this city, but he hopes at least someone is home.

Allan: Hello? Anybody home?
No answer. No one seems to be home, maybe Brytani is at work or perhaps she took Mercy for a stroll.

To be honest, this is Allan’s first time in Brytani’s new house. Everything there looks great, the decorations and overall style are different from her previous home, but it’s a nice place in general.

And best of all, it has a well-stocked bar. Too bad Allan can’t drink alcohol now. Although today a nice drink would do him no harm.
Allan: I’m not drinking it; I’ll just mix it and leave it here for Bryt. I mean, she just lost her best friend, she may need this drink more than me.

Allan: Damn, how I’d love a drink myself, even a small one, but I can’t. I’d throw away months of rehab.

Since Brytani was nowhere to be seen, Allan went upstairs to see the house and, to his surprise, he found Mercy playing in her bedroom.
Mercy: Daddy!
Allan: Hi sweetie, what are you doing here all alone?
Mercy: I playing dollhouse.

Allan: Sounds cool but, um, where’s mommy?
Mercy: Mommy not home. She working.
Allan: Ok, who’s taking care of you, your nanny?
Mercy: Nanny in the kitchen. Mercy’s lunch.

Allan: Oh, I get it, your babysitter went to make your lunch, well, shouldn’t you be with her?
Mercy: No, I play dollhouse.

Mercy: Daddy play?
Allan: Uh, that should be fun, sweetie, but I think you need some sunlight. Why don’t we go outside? Do you have a kiddie pool here?
Mercy: Yes. Mommy bought pool.
Allan: That’s great, come here, let’s go.

Allan: (To himself) I don’t see a babysitter anywhere, maybe she went out for a while, but why would she leave Mercy alone? That’s kind of reckless; I’ll have to talk to Brytani about it.

Allan: Oh, there’s the kiddie pool. Well, at least your nanny didn’t leave you alone in it.

Allan: There you go, what do you think, is the water nice?
Mercy: Water nice, I like it.
Allan: Perfect. Go in, don’t be afraid, I’ll be watching over you, okay?
Mercy: (Nods).

Mercy: (Giggles and splashes around).
While Mercy plays, Allan wonders, what’s on Brytani’s mind to leave Mercy home alone? And what kind of babysitter is this that just walks out of the house? Maybe he and Brytani should rethink this custody stuff.

Mercy continues to splash and send water everywhere, leaving Allan’s clothes soaking wet. He doesn’t care as long as she’s happy.

After splashing around to her heart’s content, Mercy proceeds to find out what a rubber ducky tastes like.
Allan: Oh, no honey, the poor duckling is not for eating.
Mercy: I hungry.

Allan: True, you were waiting for lunch. Well, it looks your nanny found something better to do. No problem, daddy will cook something for you.

Allan: If Brytani has anything in his fridge besides gin and chocolate truffles, that is.

Luckily there were some baby food jars in the cupboard. Not the optimal, but at least they were safe for kids to eat. Once with a full belly, Mercy fell asleep. But Brytani still hasn’t shown up, so Allan entertains himself playing blicblock while he waits for her.

Half an hour has gone by. Allan starts to worry and decides to call her.
Allan: Bryt? Where the heck are you, I’ve been waiting for almost an hour.
Brytani: Waiting, where? Aw, don’t tell me we had an appointment, and I forgot.
Allan: No, I’m at your house, with Mercy. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I’d pay you a visit.
Brytani: Oh, that’s so nice from you. Sorry, I got caught up in some business, but I’m on my way. Please stay there, don’t leave.

Not even five minutes later, Brytani is home. Allan is so happy to see her that he greets her with a kiss – on the cheek, of course.
Brytani: (Flattered) Come on Al, what’s this all about?
Allan: I’m just happy to know that you and Mercy are okay.
Brytani: Oh, of course we are.

Allan: But I’m worried as well because I found Mercy all alone in her bedroom. Your babysitter is nowhere to be found; she went out who knows where and didn’t even lock the door.
Brytani: Oh, no, that girl again, I’m afraid I’ll have to fire her.
Allan: Do it, I’ll get you someone we can trust. Or better yet, I’ll take care of Mercy myself on my days off.

Brytani: (Chuckles) You? Please Al, don’t make me laugh, you barely can take care of yourself.
Allan: That’s not true, I’ve gotten better, I’ve been in rehab, you know. And I want to be a part of Mercy’s life, maybe we could share in her care, as our dear friend Octavia suggested.

Brytani’s laugh fades as soon as she hears her late friend’s name.
Brytani: Oh, Octavia, the poor thing.
Allan: Do you know what happened to her? Was it an accident or…?
Brytani: No idea, Thorne wouldn’t tell me. But rumor has it she died by killer chicken.
Allan: Killer chicken? You mean the chicken flu or something?
Brytani: It’s bird flu, Al. But no, it wasn’t like that. It was something else. I didn’t quite understand… But I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.

Brytani: Thing is, Octavia didn’t deserve this. She was so young and full of life… Now what is Thorne going to do by himself alone with Orange and other five little kids?
Allan: I wonder the same thing myself. That’s why I came to check on you and Mercy.
Brytani: That’s good cause you had pretty much forgotten us.
Allan: Well, I’m here now, and I see you’re having trouble looking after her.
Brytani: Of course not, my nanny failed me, but I’ll get another one, it’s no big deal.
Allan: Still, I’d like to be more present in Mercy’s life if you don’t mind.

Brytani doesn’t know what to say, it’s the first time he’s heard from Allan in a long time, if it weren’t for Octavia’s death, he might never have returned. But it’s not a bad idea to pass half the responsibility on to him. That’s what Octavia always meant. Mind you, it might be a little late, and knowing Allan, he could bail on them again at any time, but it’s definitely worth a try.

Allan and Brytani finally came to an arrangement. Allan will take care of Mercy when Brytani has to work, and he has the day off, which doesn’t happen very often, because the two of them are always up to their necks in work, but they will surely manage.

After the agreement, he returns home more at ease, and the walk through the streets of Del Sol Valley also relaxes him. The sadness of having lost his friend Octavia is still there, but following her advice regarding Mercy makes him feel at peace with her.
Allan: Ok, Tavs, I’m doing what you asked of me, I won’t screw it up this time, I promise.