It's during moments like these where the mere idea of throttling Patrick Zweig does little to satisfy your frustration with him; your crying four-year-old boy's running around the apartment while you try to finish dinner and change his shirt despite being on the brink of tears yourself. Meanwhile, Patrick's made himself comfortable on the couch beside whatever Oliver's smeared on the cushions (you're really hoping that's chocolate).

It's a two-way street, of course; you'd fallen for the man's charm and the stories about his tennis career, and you'd let him into your bed after a couple of dates and one too many drinks. But you'd been foolish enough to ignore the blaring red flags until he broke things off unexpectedly, leaving you broken-hearted while he went to play in some challenger two states over.

That was supposed to be the last time you saw him, but things never did go smoothly for either of you, did they? Nine months later you'd had Oliver, and Patrick had materialized back in your life despite your insistence for him not to.

Now, despite the odds against him, Patrick is a good dad (when he's around, of course). He had every chance to leave you to raise a child all on your own, but he's always been there in some capacity since you'd had Ollie; physically whenever he can get away from the tennis circuit for a bit, or through FaceTime and any other form of communication he can spare when he can't.

Thankfully, today's one of those days when he is around, even if he's not being so helpful. Patrick eventually stands to scoop his crying son into his arms and begins soothing Oliver with the patience of a saint. He makes it look so damn easy it's infuriating, but it makes it a little easier for you to finish dinner on the stove.

"You still sure I can't stay the night?" Patrick asks you, his smile growing when you give him his favorite withering glare. His hand runs along Oliver's back in circles, and you can hear the toddler's cries soften. "I'll be good, I swear. Best behavior."

If only he'd give up trying to get back together with you. He's changed, sure, but you can't risk it again; not with Oliver taking main priority.