"Andre, would you stop with all the pouting? You're making this forced night out way worse than it has to be." Luca shot an annoyed look at his brother, who was slouched on the couch with a scowl on his face.

"Then forget the whole thing. I will go up to my room and binge-watch Law and Order, you can go out, and the girls never have to know."

They'll find out; they're coming over," Leonardo surprised both boys as he came down the chair lift, Andre quickly rose to help him, but Leonardo waived him off. "I'm fine, Andre. I'm not dying today."

"Don't say that, please," Andre sighed.

"They're both coming over? To make sure we go or what?" Luca wasn't surprised; honestly, Andre had been trying to get out of it since Kit suggested it, and then Carly insisted on it.

"They want to have a movie night, and our television is better," Leonardo said, "Carly is bringing snacks, and Kit said she has a care package from Stone, so we know what that means."

"Luca, I thought you said the doctor gave him a legal prescription?" Andre asked.

"He did, but we didn't have time to fill it; the medical dispensary is over an hour away. I'll go tomorrow."

"Relax, son," Leonardo said, "It's not like the police are going to come to arrest a sick old man."

"Maybe you should try a little?" Luca suggested, to which Andre made an annoyed face.

The door opened as the girls let themselves in next. Carly was carrying a few small plastic bags and a large one, and Kit was behind her with a duffel bag.

"Are you two moving in?" Luca asked with a tilt of the head; his eyes flickered over to his beautiful girl. "I don't mind, of course."

"I'm tired of waking up here with no change of clothes," Kit said, holding the duffel up. "I have no idea what Carly's got in all those bags."

"Snacks, and you'll see!" Carly quipped as she walked further inside to set everything down.

Carly set the bags down on the table and then embraced Andre.

"What movies did you bring?" He asked.

"It doesn't matter; you're going out," she said before pressing a chaste kiss on his lips. "Luca, I don't want him back here until he's had at least five minutes of fun."

"He doesn't know what fun is," Luca replied.

"Luca, be nice," Kit scolded.

"I'm always nice," he winked, and she grinned as the memories of that night returned to them.

Luca walked over and pulled Kit in for a hug, "I'll see you in my bed later for some real fun," he whispered into her ear, enjoying how red she blushed. She tiptoed up and kissed his cheek.

"Call us if you need a sober cab," Carly directed as Andre headed to the door.

"Won't be necessary," Andre said as he slipped out the door.

"Babe..." Carly sighed sadly as she looked after him.

"I'll get him to have a few; he'll be fine," Luca told her as he followed Andre.

"Have fun with your slumber party, ladies," Luca added with a smirk at his dad, who chuckled.

"We will," Carly chirped.

"You try and have fun too, babe," Kit said.

"I'll text you when we're on the way home," he said as he opened the door, "love you."

"Love you too," she called after him, and as the door closed, he heard Carly squeal.

He laughed to himself. Well, now they had something to gossip about.

He found Andre already in his car, looking at his phone.

"If you want to drop me somewhere and go out on your own, you can."

"Will you stop acting like hanging out with me is torture or something?" Luca shot back as he started the car. "I do have a fragile ego."

"Oh, you do not," Andre scoffed at that. "The sad thing is I wanted a night out with you forever."

"Then why are you being such a grump ass about it?" Luca asked as she started driving them towards town.

"Because I'm pissed off at you."

"Over this treatment thing? Come on, Andre."

"I don't want to hash it out. Let's just go and get this over with."

"You're just as stubborn as dad and me," Luca noted as he turned down Main Street.

"We're going to the grill?" Andre asked.

"Nah. There's another sports bar about a half mile outside of town," Luca explained. "I almost stopped there that first night."

"Why didn't you?"

"It was one of many bars I almost stopped at that night."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you over a beer," Luca said as he pulled off Main Street and headed towards the place. "Then you're going to talk to me about why you're so mad at me. I'm just honoring his wishes."

Andre made a noise, but Luca chose to ignore it. He pulled up to the bar and restaurant. It had a big neon sign that said Shirley's Spot. The lot was nearly empty. 

The bar sat against a wall facing the door, and on either side of it were doors to what he assumed was the kitchen. The brothers walked in, and Luca's eyes widened at the ample space. It was wide and open with light wood-style flooring. There were several basic tables and a few booths. Tons of televisions hung on the walls, and an old jukebox sat in the corner.

"Didn't look this big from the outside," Luca commented.

"Customers!? Holy crap, I better get Shirley." An old man sitting at the bar cackled as he got up and dashed to the back.

"Luca, there's no one here," Andre pointed out.

"Yeah, whatever, we don't eat anything then," Luca shrugged it off as he took a seat at the bar and motioned for Andre to join them.

"Welcome!" An older woman with white hair in a loose braid followed the older man.

"Don't get many folks in these days!"

"Yeah, well, we needed a change of scenery from the Willow Grill,"

Luca offered.

"Well, I'm glad to have you," she offered a friendly smile. "What can I get you two?"

"A few beers," Luca glanced at the tabs. "Whatever is still fresh."

The man cackled out loud again. "Smart kid."

"Yeah, sadly, this place is dying a slow, agonizing death. If not for Billy here, I'd go under."

"Ain't that the truth!" Billy said as he picked up and slugged down his beer.

"That's too bad," Andre offered. "Was it ever busy?"

"Yes, when we first opened the bar, the Willow Grill was just a little bar. Then, a few years ago, they remodeled and revamped it as a bar and grill, and there was no reason to drive further down the road anymore."

"That's sucks," Luca commented. "Did you ever consider changing it to something different?

Shirley handed them their beers, "Nah, beers and bar food is what I know."

"So, tip her well," Billy told them, earning a stern look from Shirley as she poured him a fresh mug.

"Always do," Luca slapped a few twenties down. "Your pool tables open?"

"Have at 'em!"

She was lighting up at the cash; shame the place wasn't doing well; it was a great space.

Luca walked over with Andre behind him. They set their beers down on a nearby table, and Luca grabbed them each a pool stick.

"You want to break?" Luca asked as he set the balls up.

"Yeah, fine," Andre agreed.

"Seriously, Andre, you're acting like you're at the dentist."

Andre ignored him as he lined up his shot. He hit the balls and landed a few stripes onto the pocket. "5 left corner."

He took his shot and missed it; he grabbed his beer and stood back for Luca to take his turn.

Luca called his shot and made it, so he lined up his following one. "I almost stopped at every bar on the way here. I was reeling, and I needed a stiff drink. But I didn't; every single time, I didn't stop."

He took his next shot and made it in again. Then studied the table for a moment. "Three ball center left," he missed it and scratched, so Andre stood up.

"Why?"

"I knew if I stopped, I'd change my mind. So, I waited until I got to the bar closest to the house. Then I got so wasted there wasn't anywhere else I could go."

"Oh," Andre commented, "you wanted to turn back the whole way here?"

"For good reasons."

"Which are?"

"Why don't I tell you why I came instead?"

"Wasn't it to get your cut?" Andre asked with heavy sarcasm as he lined up and hit a ball in.

"You forget to call it," Luca pointed out.

"Like we ever played this right," Andre chucked slightly.

"I still can't believe we had a pool table in that apartment. It was so gaudy."

"I liked the place in the city," Andre said, "right pocket, two ball." He nailed it, and a slight smile finally came over his face.

"Yeah, you always had awful taste."

"Then explain, Carly," Andre said as he missed the next shot.

"Touché."

"Was that almost a compliment?"

"She's good for you." Luca shrugged as he went to take a shot and also missed. He sat down to drink his beer, and Andre sat across from him.

"What was the reason then? If not, Dad? Kit?"

"Not Kit exactly, something she said," Luca confessed. "It made me realize I was needed.

"Needed?"

"You." Luca clarified. "She made me realize you needed me here."

"You came here for me?" Andre's tone softened.

"It wasn't your fault what happened," Luca swallowed down the rest of his beer, "and... not coming to you after you told me about dad, that was fucked up. No excuses- I'm sorry. "

"You're... whoa," Andre's eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, I'm only saying it that one time so,"- Luca smirked, and Andre let out a small smile.

"The first several months were..." Andre looked off and into the distance, "terrible. The chemo made him so sick, and he was so"-

"Angry?" Luca offered.

"No, I wish. The anger I could handle. It was worse than that. He was ashamed as if it was somehow his fault. He even said that one night, shortly after the diagnosis. He said he knew he'd be made to pay for his sins, and he was getting what he deserved." Andre looked at Luca. "I have a feeling you know what he meant by that...."

"I'm not going to tell you that," Luca motioned to the table. "You're up."

Andre stood, but a determined look remained on his face.

"If you want me to understand all this, then fill me in," Andre said as he sunk a ball in.

"I don't care if you don't understand," Luca stood up. "I'm going to get us a few more beers."

**

"That was amazing!" Carly sniffled as the movie rolled to its credits. "She saved the world!

"I don't think so," Leonardo said. "I don't think she got all the evil. She missed some. I'm sure of it... she was overconfident."

"Since there's two more in the trilogy, you're probably right, Leo," Kit agreed with a little laugh.

"I don't think she was overconfident, though. Her confidence is what finally unlocked her powers," Carly debated with Leonardo.

"I agree, but too much made her short-sighted when it mattered the most," Leo pointed out. 

"I'm going to change into some pajamas before we start the second one," Kit said as she got up.

"Wait!" Carly popped up and raced to grab the bags she'd set on the table earlier. "It's a slumber party, right?"

Kit laughed as Carly pulled three matching pajama sets from the bag.They were cozy flannel pants with a matching flannel buttoned shirt. Pink and black for Carly, red and black for Leonardo, and purple and black for Kit.

"These are great!" Kit said as she grabbed the soft pajamas.

"That's not all!" Carly chirped as she held up a bag from the spa.

Several minutes later, the trio were all changed into fluffy, warm pajamas and sitting at the table with mud masks on their faces. Kit started grabbed Leonardo's next dose as they sat and chatted which was a joint her dad prerolled her; she handed it to Leo after she lit it.  He took a long draw and then passed it on to Carly. 

"This feels good, refreshing," Leonardo smiled as he touched his face. "Are my wrinkles going away as we speak?"

"I mean, it's not miracle mud," Carly joked, and Leo laughed as Carly handed Kit the joint. Leonrado suddenly felt youthful again, hanging out with his son's girlfriends. What amazing women they both were; Elizabeth would adore them. 

Kit took a small hit, coughing slightly, then passed the point over to Leo as she picked up the tub of face masks from the table. 

"It says it is. See right here, try this miracle mud today," Kit pointed out as she read the back of the bottle.

"False advertisement! I'll sue," Leonardo declared, making both the girls giggle. 

He took a hit of the joint, and Carly and Kit both got up and moved closer when he started coughing, Kit rubbed his back, and Carly handed him water. Once he'd calmed down, his breath eased, and he relaxed.

"I'm glad that helps," Kit said, "and I'm glad you tried it."

"I was stunned you did," Carly admitted.

"If anyone else had suggested it, I wouldn't have," Leonardo confessed. "Luca wanted to help me, and I couldn't risk turning him away. Any progress with him, I grasp unto."

"You're making huge progress with him," Kit assured him.

"I think Andre feels slighted by it, and I didn't mean for that," he added after a moment. "I don't want to suffer like that again, and that's not just about me. Andre ... it was so hard on him, taking care of me when I was so sick."

"It really was," Carly agreed in a quiet voice. "I don't think he feels slighted by Luca. He's glad he's here. He's wanted him here forever. But...I think he imagined that if the three of you became a family again, it would magically fix you and the reality is setting in now."

"He never wanted to accept the diagnosis," Leonardo agreed.

"Who could blame him?" Kit asked.

"No one, but we do need to make face reality; otherwise, when it happens. I'm afraid for him; I'm afraid he'll drown in his grief," Leonardo said, and Carly squeezed his hand as her eyes got teary.

"I agree, and I'm afraid of the same thing, Leo," Carly said. "I'll help him come to terms soon. This can't wait. I won't let him drown."

"Thank you," he said softly. "I know you won't, Carly; you have such a strong heart, and you'll be exactly what Andre needs to move past it."

"Luca, on the other hand," Leonardo looked at Kit. 

"I didn't forget, and my promise stands," Kit assured him, "I'll never give up on Luca. He loves me, and I love him. I'll never not fight for him."

"Don't ever forget how special you are, Kit. For Luca to love again, it took a lot."

She sniffled and nodded at that as Carly shot a curious look but didn't ask.

"You're so good for him," Leonardo said with a sniffle as he squeezed her shoulder. "I am very lucky my boys have you two. It's easier to leave this world knowing they'll be okay."

"Leo!" Kit burst into tears, and the three of them tearfully hugged. 

"We made a mess," Carly laughed through her tears as all their mud masks melted all over their faces.

"Let's get cleaned up and get to movie two," Kit suggested. "See if Leo was right."

"Here, here, this was meant to be a fun movie night," Leonardo agreed. "You two better hit the joint so we can all, what do they say again...chill out?"

**

"One more game?" Andre suggested.

"You're just going to lose again, Luca said cockily, "but sure."

"We'll see about that," he said as he racked up the balls, "why did you want to come here instead of the Grill?"

"I was thinking about this place a few days ago because of something dad said, so I wanted to get a look at it," Luca said; he lined up a shot and landed several balls in. "Told you I'll beat you again."

"What did dad say?"

"He...suggested I open a restaurant," Luca said, still stunned over the conversation. "Can you believe that after all the fights about me wanting to go to culinary school?"

"I can," Andre said."He's looking at things differently now. He doesn't care so much about our success. He'd rather we be happy."

Andre looked around the vast open space. "Think she'd sell it?"

"I think she has to," Luca said. "She won't be able to keep this up much longer, but is it what she wants?"

"You could ask her."

"Not tonight," Luca said, "It's still an idea, so don't say anything to Carly."

"You don't want Kit to know you're thinking about this?" Andre questioned.

"No," Luca said firmly. "Did you not hear me say it's just an idea right now? Besides, I can't do anything right now. Dad needs constant care, and I said I'd help."

"You did?" Andre asked with wide eyes.

"You've been doing this alone for too long, and you're not anymore," Luca promised.

"I'm glad you and Dad are talking again," Andre said. "I was pissed earlier because I wanted you to team up with me and make him fight this, but you sided with him."

"It's not about sides. It's about what he wants."

"But if you told him to fight, I think he would,"  Andre pleaded. "Why won't you?"

"Because I can't take this choice from him," Luca said with a sigh.

"Because he took some choice from you?" Andre guessed.

"He needs to choose what to do with the little time he has left," Luca said grimly.  " No one. Not me or you or anyone has any right to take that choice from him."

"You're right, I...damn it." Andre mumbled, "I just. I don't want him to die."

"I know," Luca said, "It fucking sucks, and I don't know if there's enough time now to get past everything."

"Past what? If you tell me I can help, maybe," Andre pressured.

"I wish I could," Luca said.

"Why can't you?"

"I don't want to change your opinion of dad," Luca said quietly. "I won't, so don't ask me again."

"Then it's bad; it had to do with Amanda, right?"

"You going to take your shot or what?"

"Nope," Andre said stubbornly, "I'm going to keep pushing until you tell me."

"Yes, it had to do with Amanda, and it had to do with law school, and ... it..." Luca trailed off as a realization came to him.

"It what?"

"It doesn't matter now," Luca said as he realized it. "He can't take it back, what's done is done, and I don't give two shits about that gold-digger. It's my choice to forgive him, all I have to do it let it go."

"Not always easy to do," Andre glanced carefully at him.

"No, and I think... never mind."

"No, what?"

"It's just if I'm still a little angry, it won't hurt as bad when... it happens."

"It'll hurt worse, Luca," Andre said wisely. "Don't let him...well you know, unforgiven."

"I won't," Luca promised. "I can't."

**

A few hours later, the brothers returned home, Andre was fairly tipsy, but Luca had nursed two beers all night. The house was quiet and smelled like burnt pizza and weed.

"Luca, look," Andre pointed to the couch.

Leonardo was slouched over and sleeping with Carly and Kit on either side of him. They each had their heads resting on his shoulders. They wore matching pajamas, and the coffee table was full of random snacks.

"Looks like they had fun," Luca smiled softly.

Andre carefully pulled Carly up, and she made a mumbling noise as he lifted her into his arms. "I'll come back down for dad."

"I got him," Luca said. "Night Andre."

"Night, Luca," Andre said as he headed up the stairs.

Luca opted to carry Leonardo rather than wake him up. Luckily, his old man stayed asleep as Luca awkwardly lifted him up the stairs. He was far too light, even lighter than Kit. He settled Leonardo into his bed and tucked him in.

"Andre. Oh Luca," Leonardo opened his eyes, his voice rough with sleep.

"It's all right, go back to sleep; we'll go fishing tomorrow, okay? Just you and me."

"Really?" Leonardo's tired eyes lit up.

"Really, now get some sleep so you're rested and we'll make a day of it, okay?"

"Okay, Luca," he said softly as his eyes fluttered closed. "I love you, son."

"Yeah, I love you too, dad."

Luca swallowed a lump in his throat as he left the room. It didn't matter, however. As his feet hit the stairs, the tears he'd been holding back leaked. He headed over to the couch and sat next to his sleeping girlfriend, staring blankly ahead at the blank television screen as the tears rained down.

She stirred next to him and slowly shifted her body, "Luca?"

"Hey baby," he said in a shaky voice.

"Luca!" her voice became alarmed as she took in his state. "What happened? Is everything okay with Leo? Andre?"

"They're fine, they're both sleeping.I'm sorry I worried you."

"Don't be" she reached up and fruitlessly started brushing the tears from his face.

"I need to...I want to forgive him," Luca told her, and her lips parted in surprise.

"That's good, that's so good, Luca," She was tearing up now as well. "I know how hard this is, but it's the right thing; you'll be so glad you did."

"I am scared, Kit Kat," he admitted.

"I know," she moved closer. "So am I."

"He's dying....soon, and he can't die unforgiven." The words were like the last rush of water that broke the damn, and he started to sob.

"Come here," she pulled him down onto her chest, and he buried his head there, soaking her soft flannel pajamas as she clung tightly to him, holding him as close to her as possible.

"It's okay, just let it out, let it all out. I'm here," she said tearfully as his violent sobs shook their bodies. "I'm here."

"Always?" his voice was pitiful, but he didn't care.

"Yes, always. I love you, Luciano. I'll never leave you."

Her words provided comfort, and his sobs lessened, but he continued to cry as she held him close and wordlessly soothed him with her presence.