Greya's POV...

"Grey? Is it morning?" Chase's voice echos throughout the house.

Shit! What time is it? I frantically jump up off the couch and search for my phone. Suddenly I remember Becker was on the couch with me last night. Where is he? What if he went back home and Jack is there?

"Come on down Chase," I yell up to him.

Noise from the kitchen startles me just as I find my phone lodged between two couch cushions.

Hesitantly, I make my way into the kitchen to find Becker cooking breakfast. I sigh in relief, rubbing my hand over my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose. I'm a nervous wreck right now, if he went home and...I don't even want to think about it.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He plates the scrambled eggs then walks over to me.

I shake my head, "Nothing." The expression on his face says he doesn't believe me.

"I thought you left. What if you went home and..." He doesn't let me finish before engulfing me into his arms.

"No what ifs. I told you I was staying with you today and I made us breakfast," he releases me and points over to all the food he's made.

"Hi Becker!" Chase happily strolls into the kitchen and sits up at the counter.

"Hey bud, how did you know it was me?" Becker asks him.

Chase skims his hand across the counter and finds a plate. He brings it closer to him and smells the food. "Mmm bacon." He then shrugs his shoulders at us, "I heard you and Grey talking last night."

Becker and I look at each other, slightly mortified.

I'm not sure if now is the right time to ask him what he heard exactly. A private conversation would probably be better.

"Is Alec coming over?" He asks us.

Becker and I join him at the counter so that the three of us are eating together. "Actually, I thought after your doctor appointment, we can take the rest of the day off and relax," I'm trying to ease my way into asking him if Becker can join us.

"Becker, can you take the day off with us too?" he turns and asks him. Becker's lips are parted, unsure of what he should say.

"He can. Would it be alright if he comes with us to your appointment too?" I save Becker from answering.

"Sure, why not!" Chase shrugs again and continues eating. Becker and I smile at each other knowing we share in the same relief.

Chase stuffs his face with all the food Becker has made and still asks for more. "Why don't you go upstairs and get dressed," I suggest to him. He picks up his plate and guides himself over to place it into the sink, then hurries upstairs.

I reach for mine and Becker's empty plates, but Becker beats me to it. "I'll clean up, you go get ready," he says.

"We're going to have to stop at the grocery store on our way back here. Maybe I'll ask them for a job while we're at it with how much food this kid's been eating lately," I laugh to myself.

Becker doesn't find my joke funny. I wasn't really joking either, I'm going to have to pick up more hours at Chase's school soon and maybe talk to Cohen's parents to help me sort out my finances. I had Gram's to teach me about most of it, I'm not very good at figuring it all out on my own.

I'm too tired to think about all those things today, getting Chase back on a normal schedule is all I can focus on.

Becker has the kitchen all cleaned up and is sitting on the couch rubbing his forehead when I come down the stairs with Chase.

He has a headache again that he won't admit to me, and he'll want to offer to drive us. Instead, of giving him that chance, I quickly grab my car keys and walk to the front door with Chase's hand in mine. "Ready?"

Becker looks up at me and then notices my keys in my hand and shakes his head. Thankfully, not objecting, he follows us out to my car.

Our fifteen-minute car ride would be silent if Chase wasn't happily singing along to the music coming from his airpods. Becker's elbow is leaning on the window, his head resting in his hand.

"You have a headache, don't you?" I briefly look over at him. The red bump on the side of his head proves it. He doesn't answer, nor does he deny.

"I'm worried about you, B."

He reaches for my hand and laces our fingers together. "You don't need to worry, Love."

"Yes, I do," I pull my hand away and grip the steering wheel, trying to hold back the slight anger I'm feeling.

"I've survived much worse than this," he rubs his left shoulder.

"You're not helping," I huff. "It's killing me knowing what can happen when you go home, I can't help you when you're there," my voice is quivering and I look in the rearview mirror, thankful that Chase can't hear us through his music.

"What if next time you bring up the adoption papers and...the unthinkable happens? I've already lost too many people in my life," I use my sleeve to wipe the tears that are forming.

"You won't lose me."

"You don't know that!" I blurt.

"Greya, I think you passed my doctor's office, I felt us drive over the train tracks!" Chase chimes in from the back seat.

"Crap!" I mumble to myself, he's right. He knows the office is just before a set of tracks.

"Good catch bud, I guess I didn't see it," I laugh so he doesn't notice how upset I am.

I park the car and we all walk up to the reception desk together. After we check in, we get into the elevator and up to the third floor office. There we sit in the waiting room chairs, Chase occupying himself with his music again. I hate feeling this way, I can't be upset with Becker, he doesn't know what else to do and he's protecting his brother. I can understand some of his dilemma.

Becker's head is hanging down, he's conflicted just as I am. He's trying his best though, that's what I take into account. He's skipping classes to be here for Chase and I, he's doing his best for me.

I move my hand and place it onto his thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. I smile at him when he looks at me, watching his lips turn upwards as well. His hand moves over mine until they are linked together, and we silently wait for Chase's name to be called.

Moments later, a nurse takes us to an exam room. We watch her collect Chase's weight and height measurements. "You've grown a few inches since we've last seen you," the nurse excitedly says. No wonder he's eating me out of the house.

"Dr. Olson will be a few minutes," she informs us before leaving the room. Chase climbs up onto the exam table, feeling the paper covering with his fingers and swinging his legs back and forth with anticipation.

Becker and I are both sitting in chairs against the wall when Dr. Olson enters. "Hi Chase, I'm so happy to see you," she says. "And who's your new friend you brought with you today?" She looks Becker over and then gives me a questioning look. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring him along.

"That's Becker, he's my sister's boyfriend," Chase gladly tells her making mine and Becker's eyes pop. Sometimes I forget how brilliantly observant this kid is. We will need to be more careful around him.

Before I can respond, she begins asking Chase more questions. She then examines his eyes for any new abnormalities. Chase has no idea why he's not sleeping well, so she averts the questions to me. Becker remains quiet, patiently listening with his hands in his lap.

"I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother," she begins with her condolences before the interrogation.

"How are you handling everything on your own?" She asks the most obvious question. For some reason I feel offended.

Do I need to defend myself? "We are managing fine. He eats well, I get him to school on time, we do homework together, he's safe and cared for..."

"Greya, I know Chase is well taken care of. I'm asking how you are doing?"

It takes me a moment to think about her question. I'm struggling, there is not enough time in the day to do everything I need to do. I feel like I'm failing at this most of the time, but she doesn't need to hear that. I will not let anyone take Chase away from me.

"I'm doing okay. My schedule is hectic sometimes, but I can handle it," I choose to tell her instead.

"I don't doubt that you can handle it, I just want you to know I'm here to help both of you whenever you need it," she smiles at me.

"He's not sleeping at night, I know why I think, I just need help getting him back on track," I admit.

"Tell me what's changed in his daily routine since your grandmother has passed?"

"Umm, well, I get him up and to school at the usual time, but without our grandmother home to watch him, he's had to stay in the afterschool program some days while I have soccer practice. Sometimes he stays with my friend at my games, so we end up having dinner at a later time. I know it's my fault, but my friend has been taking care of him at our house a few nights a week when I'm still at the field. I know I should be at home with him instead of spending time with my friends..." I look over at Becker, guilt soaring through my vocal cords as I speak.

"Greya, don't be ashamed of wanting to spend time with your friends. Everyone needs time for themselves enjoying things outside of their responsibilities. You've essentially taken on the role of a single mother. Instead of being at work all day and then coming home and taking care of a child, you're going to school and taking care of him. There is nothing wrong with asking people you trust to help you watch over Chase, everything you just described to me is normal. You both went through another terrible loss, which is difficult for anyone. Schedules are bound to fluctuate, and that's okay too."

"So, what do I do now?" I ask her.

"I'm going to prescribe some medication to help him sleep. Give him one tablet every evening about an hour before he lays in bed. Try to keep his morning schedule the same and make sure he has his meals at the same time every day. Even if he's out late at a game, pack some food or stop somewhere for food. His body works like clockwork, If he is full at certain times of the day, especially dinner time, he will know that it's almost time to sleep." She scribbles on the prescription pad and hands me the paper.

"I'll see you guys back here in two weeks for a follow up." She gives Chase a friendly tap on his back signaling it's his turn to give her a high-five.

"Oh, and for today, you all need to go home and have a nap. You all look exhausted," she points a finger at Becker and I.

"Thanks doc," we say in unison.

"I'll take him to the car while you check him out," Becker says to me as we leave the room. I nod in agreement and wait my turn in line. Chase starts giggling and I look over and watch the two of them interacting. Becker is tickling Chase behind his ear while Chase is trying to dodge him. It makes me happy knowing how well those two get along. Becker is great with kids. He's great with everything actually and I'm going to do whatever I can to help him believe in himself.