Liam was crying nonstop as the nurse took care of his injuries. He only had a couple of cuts on his right arm and leg. “It’s okay.” Brian kept telling him. “It’s okay.” “No.” Liam yelled as the antibiotic that was being rubbed on him stung. “I’m done.” The nurse told him and left. “Come here, baby.” Brian said and picked his little boy up in his arms. Liam gripped his father for dear life. Brian went outside the room where the others were waiting for him. “How is he?” Michael asked. “He is going to be fine.” Brian told him. “Where is Justin?” Michael sighed. “He went to see how his mother is doing.” Michael said frowning. “She didn’t look okay. Craig could die.” “What?” Brian asked. “The doctors said that Craig might not make it.” Michael informed. “We don’t know what’s going on?” Brian gripped Liam tighter to him. “Jesus fuck!” Brian whispered. “He saved my kid.” Michael just nodded. “Life works in very weird ways.” Chris told them. “Tell me about it, honey.” Debbie said getting up. “I’ll take him if you want, Brian.” Brian shook his head. “I’m going to go see Justin.” Brian told them. “You guys don’t have to stay really. I’ll call you later and let you know what is going on.” Brian left with Liam in his arms. The rest of the kids where back at Debbie’s house with Emmett, Vic, Lindsay and Melanie. The others all stayed here. They weren’t going anywhere. *** Justin looked at his mother and didn’t know what to do. He watched as his mother cried and cried. He wanted to go there and tell her that everything was going to be okay, but he didn’t have the strength to say anything. His father was still being operated on by the doctors and no one was telling them anything but that he had been hit pretty hard and lost a lot of blood. He couldn’t stop thinking that it could have been Liam and the thought alone left him breathless. He shook his head and looked at his sister who was pacing back and forth in the hall. He got up and went towards her. Molly stopped as Justin stood in front of her. Justin could see that she had been crying. He pulled her close and hugged her tightly. Molly hugged him back and cried again. She was so sorry about all that had happened. “I’m sorry, Justin.” Molly said. “It was my fault.” “Don’t say that.” Justin told her. “I should have been more careful.” Molly told him. “I…Dad could die because of me.” “Stop it.” Justin told her. “But…” Molly said. “You heard him.” Jennifer said. “Mom.” Justin whispered. Justin looked at her and saw that she looked composed. “Your father is going to be okay. He is a strong man.” Jennifer told them as if she had read that somewhere. “I’m so sorry, Mom.” Molly said and threw her arms around her. Justin swallowed hard. His eyes watered and then tears started to fall; for his sister, for his mother, for his father, for everything that had happened. For his own pain. “Jus.” Brian said walking towards the blond. Justin turned around and smiled. He walked to him and checked Liam who was asleep in Brian’s arm. “Is he okay?” Justin asked. “Yes.” Brian said. “We just got out a while ago but he was crying and I wanted to calm him before coming here.” “He fell asleep.” Justin said caressing Liam’s hair. Brian nodded. “I wish…I wish none of this had happened.” Justin told him. Brian snaked an arm around the blond and pulled him close. “It’s okay.” Brian said as Justin’s body shook. Brian steered them so that they could go and sit. He put Liam in the chair and his head on his lap so he would be comfortable. Justin put his head on Brian’s shoulder. They interlaced their fingers and waited. It didn’t take long for Justin to fall asleep. Brian stayed up waiting for news that Craig was going to be okay. *** “Are you busy?” Ted asked. Emmett yawned and looked around his apartment. “Not really, why?” Emmett asked as he walked to the kitchen. “Then get your butt down here now!” Ted yelled and then hung up. Emmett didn’t know what was up so he quickly grabbed his things and left for Ted’s apartment. When he got there, the door was ajar so he went inside and closed it. He gasped and smiled when he saw how the place was in complete disorder. “Ted.” Emmett called. Ted came out of the bathroom with Abe wrapped in a towel. “You don’t look to good.” Emmett said. “He kept me up all night and then today he was just so hyper and I just don’t know what else to do.” Ted said very fast. “Relax. I’m here.” Emmett said taking Abe. “Why don’t you go have a shower? I can handle this.” Ted nodded and went back to the bathroom. Emmett went to the bedroom and got Abe dressed. Then he lay next to the boy and started humming and rocking Abe. A few minutes later Abe was soundly asleep. “It always work.” Emmett said smirking. Emmett used the same technique when he was taking care of the other kids in the family. Emmett left of the room and started fixing the place up a little. “Hey.” Ted said coming out in his bathrobe. “Feeling better?” Emmett asked. “Thanks, Emm.” Ted told him. “You are a lifesaver.” “Did you eat? I could prepare you something.” Emmett told him. “Where is Abe?” Ted asked suddenly. “Don’t worry.” Emmett told him. “He just fell asleep.” “Thank god. He was driving me nuts!” Ted yelled. “Shh.” Emmett said. “You don’t want him to hear you.” “I’m a terrible father.” Ted told him. “You are not.” Emmett said. “You are simply wonderful with Abe.” Ted smiled a little bit. “You just needed a hand. There is nothing wrong with that.” Emmett assured him. Ted nodded and went to sit down. Emmett followed him and sat next to him. “When are the girls coming back?” Emmett asked. “Tomorrow.” Ted said. “And Abe is in one piece. You made it.” Emmett told him and laughed. Ted pushed him away slightly. Emmett smiled and moved closer to Ted. He turned a little and put his hand on Ted’s thigh. Ted looked at Emmett with a raised brow. He watched as Emmett licked his lips and moved closer. He knew what was going on. He swallowed and then he kissed Emmett. They only pulled back when they heard Abe crying because he had woken up. They didn’t know how long the boy had slept exactly. *** Brian walked to the kitchen and looked at Justin who was trying to stir what he was cooking and hold Liam at the same time. He frowned at the blond and rubbed the back of his neck. “Justin, we have a problem.” Brian said. “What is it?” Justin asked. “I don’t want you to panic.” Brian told him. “What is it?” Justin asked turning around. “I can’t find Illona.” Brian told him and his eyes watered. Justin opened his eyes wide and put Liam, who took off running, on the floor. “What do you mean?” Justin asked. “Don’t panic.” Brian told him. “You have to keep calm so we can find her.” Justin looked at Brian and saw that the man was shaking. “Okay.” Justin said taking a deep breath. “Where was she last time?” Justin asked. “In their room.” Brian told him. Justin nodded and took off running to see if his daughter was somewhere in the room. He turned the room upside down looking for his daughter. “She’s not here.” Justin yelled and ran down the stairs. Justin’s heartbeat was erratic. He didn’t know what to do or think. “Illona!” Justin shouted. “Where is she?” Brian asked as he saw Justin. “Relax.” Justin nodded and watched Brian. Anyone who didn’t know him would think that Brian was cool and collected. He knew different. He could see in Brian’s eyes how terrified the man was. He knew that Brian was losing it. Then they heard a strange sound coming from the kitchen. Justin walked there and looked around. He frowned and then heard the muffled giggled from his daughter. He bent down and opened the counter’s door. “Daddy!” Illona screamed and laughed. Justin sighed and picked her up. “Illona!” Brian shouted as he ran to his daughter and picked her up. Justin sighed and smiled as he looked at Brian running his hands over her golden locks. “Where were you princess?” Brian asked her. Illona smiled and pointed at the counter door. Brian saw that it was open and he shook his head. “She was hiding there.” Justin told the brunet as he caressed Brian’s back. “Peek-a-boo.” Liam shouted smiling. “A-boo!” Illona yelled and laughed. “Jesus.” Brian said not letting go of his girl. “Brian.” Justin said looking to the living room. Justin saw Liam standing there with a big smile. “I think Liam thought them how to play hide and seek.” Justin told him. “How do you know?” Brian asked. “Because I think they are hiding.” Justin told him. Brian looked around and only saw Liam. He groaned and gave Illona to Justin. “Want to have more kids?” Brian asked joking. Brian stopped and turned around as he looked at the blond. He wasn’t thinking when he had said that. He didn’t know how Justin was going to take it. Justin’s smile formed slowly. “Maybe later.” Justin said and turned around with Illona in his arms. Brian smiled and went towards Liam. He took the boy’s hand and they started looking for the rest of the children. *** Chris was at the bar waiting for Michael to come back from the restroom. He looked around and felt like people were watching him. He wanted to be able to walk right already and without it hurting so much. “Hey.” A tall, muscular guy said. “Chris.” Chris looked up and smiled. “Zach!” Chris said smiling from ear to ear. “Man, it’s been a while.” Zach told him. “Yeah.” Chris agreed. “How is everyone?” “Oh, they are okay.” Zach said. “Man we miss you.” “I miss you guys too.” Chris told him. Chris was happy to see Zach. He was one of the few people from the team that still talked to him. He even went to see Chris at the hospital. “How are you doing?” Zach asked. “Much better. I’m never going to play like I wanted but…I can walk.” Chris said smiling. “Ah, something to be grateful about.” Zach pointed out. “How is therapy?” “Hard.” Chris told him. “But after having Coach.” “Easy.” Zach and Chris said at the same time. They laughed together. “Who you here with?” Zach asked. “Mike.” Chris told him. Zach rolled his lips inside his mouth and nodded. “So, uh, how are things with him?” Zach asked frowning momentarily. Chris saw Zach’s expression and frowned. “Why you ask?” Chris asked. “Man.” Zach said and frowned. “I’m just asking.” “The fuck you are.” Chris hissed. Zach swallowed and then licked his lips. “Spill it.” Chris told him. “It’s just that I saw him at Babylon.” Zach said. “He was with his friends, dancing and drinking.” Chris nodded. “Well, he was dancing with some guy that I have never seen. I didn’t think anything of it. Then…I saw him again and again…and…again.” Zach said not liking the look on Chris’s face. “Man, I shouldn’t have said anything.” Zach said. “No. It’s okay, really.” Chris told him. “Hey.” Michael said smiling at Zach. “How are you doing?” “Good.” Zach said very slowly. Zach didn’t want to cause any problems but he could see by Chris’s expression that he was a little too late. “Look, I have to go. I’ll see you guys around.” Zach said and waved as he left. “Our table is ready.” Michael said smiling. Chris looked up at Michael and then down at the floor. He was so fucking pissed. He knew that Zach wouldn’t lie to him. “I want to go home.” Chris hissed. “What?” Michael asked surprised. “What are you talking about? We just got here.” “My legs hurt, Mike.” Chris told him. “Please.” “Of course, baby.” Michael told him. “Jesus, why didn’t you say anything.” Chris felt so bad for lying to Michael but he wasn’t up to their date anymore. “I thought I could handle it. You seemed so happy about doing this.” Chris told him. “Don’t worry about it.” Michael told him. “We’ll do this some other time.” “Promise?” Chris asked and he knew he sounded so weak. “Of course.” Michael told him and kissed him. *** “Brian.” Michael said smiling. Brian turned around and arched a brow. “What are you doing here?” Brian asked. “What are you doing here?” Michael asked crossing his arms. Brian smirked. He tightened his hold on the little bag on his hands. “I asked first.” Brian told him. “What are we, ten?” Michael asked. “So, we are here.” Brian sighed and nodded. “So, did you get Justin something?” Michael asked. Brian nodded. “Is it the same thing I got Chris?” Michael asked. “Well, symbolism, I mean.” “I know what you fucking mean.” Brian told him. Michael laughed. “Let me see them.” Michael told him. “No. Leave me alone.” Brian told him. Michael laughed and took the small bag away from Brian. Brian glared at him but didn’t stop him. Michael reached inside and grabbed the box. He opened and smiled when he saw the rings. “Wow.” Michael said. “Don’t say anything.” Brian told him. “Not even to Chris, please.” “Ditto.” Michael told him. “To Justin.” Brian nodded and then smiled. He threw his arm around Michael’s shoulder and started walking with the man. Michael closed the box putting it back on the bag and giving it to Brian. He would be getting his rings in about a week or so. “Do you believe that I am doing this?” Brian asked. Michael smiled and nodded. “You love him.” Michael said. “Nothing else matters.” “I guess not.” Brian said. “When are you going to ask him?” Michael asked. “I don’t know yet.” Brian said. “But at least I’m going to.” Michael nodded. “Come on. Let’s go get something to drink.” Michael told him. Brian just nodded and followed. He was happy that it was Michael that he had found inside the store. Anyone else and he would have had a heart attack right there. He smiled at how terrified he was, but like Michael said, he loved Justin and everything else didn’t matter. *** Justin sat up in bed, startled by some hammering noise. He frowned and got up to see Brian standing with a cup of coffee looking at two men making a whole to the wall. There were a few other men walking around looking at stuff and taking measurements. “What’s going on?” Justin asked alarmed. “What are they doing?” “They are the builders, Justin.” Brian told him as if Justin was a little kid. “Oh. That is today?” Justin asked frowning. “Why did you think the kids stayed with Jack?” Brian asked raising a brow. “So we could fuck?” Justin asked smirking. Brian laughed and kissed the blond. “When is all this going to be ready?” Justin asked. “In three months at the most.” Brian told him. Justin sighed. “It’s four rooms that they are doing, Jus.” Brian said. “I know, I know.” Justin told him. “You know, I was thinking.” Brian said. “What’s that?” Justin asked putting his arms around Brian’s waist. “I think we should take a trip.” Brian told him. “Just you and me.” “And the kids?” Justin asked. “They will be okay.” Brian said. “We’ll leave Liam in charge.” “Illona is more responsible.” Justin joked too. “You are right.” Brian said bending his head down to kiss Justin. “Where do you want to go?” Justin asked. “I don’t know. I’ll leave that up to you. Just make the plans and tell me so I can take some free time from work.” Brian told him. They heard a loud noise as if something had exploded. They walked closer and saw the guys working, nothing had happened. “Okay, how about we make plans for now. We have to get out of here.” Justin said. “I know.” Brian told him. “Let’s go to a hotel.” “Good idea.” Justin told him. “I’m going to see how Dad is doing.” Brian nodded. “Do you want to come with me?” Justin asked. “Sure.” Brian told him. They got ready and left the house. When they got to the hospital, they were surprised to see Debbie there. “Hello, boys.” Debbie said. “What are you doing here?” Justin asked. “Just making sure your mother is okay. She almost didn’t leave.” Debbie said. Justin smiled and went to hug Deb. “You're great, Debbie.” Justin told her. “It’s nothing, Sunshine.” Debbie assured him. “So, anything new?” Brian asked. Debbie shook her head. She sat down with Justin next to her. “He hasn’t woken up yet.” Debbie told them. “He can’t die.” Brian arched a brow at her. Justin just swallowed and looked at the floor. “He did a great thing, you know.” Debbie said and took in a deep breath. “He could have let Liam die.” “Don’t say that.” Justin hissed and got up. “Maybe he was wrong before.” Debbie said. “But he is making for past mistakes.” Brian looked at Craig and arched a brow as he saw Craig staring at him. “He is up.” Brian told them. Justin gasped and walked over to his father very slowly. He could see his father trying to say something to him but not being able to. “Shh.” Justin said putting a hand on his chest. “It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.” Justin’s mind and heart stopped overworking. He was feeling at peace because deep down he didn’t wanted his father dying no matter what. He had forgiven the man a long time ago and now he was staring to trust him again.