| Chris' POV |

Ricky wasn't feeling that well once we both got out of the shower. I told him to go lay down while I made dinner. He needed the break. Everything with the kids has just been running him too hard. I can handle the stress a lot better than he can. That's something that I try my best to keep in mind when we experience tough times. When it all gets to be too much, sometimes it's hard for me to keep a level head while he breaks down. That's just apart of being a good husband though.

At least, I'd like to hope I do all I can to be a good husband and father. It's never an easy job. After Sylvia finished her homework, she came and helped me with dinner. I know she's just being a kiss-ass to get her phone back, but I'll take all the help I can get. About the time that I was stripping the corn off it's cob, Ricky woke up from his nap. He still didn't look too good.

"Hey, Baby." I softly greeted him, "How'd you sleep?"

"I didn't, really." He muttered, "Have you seen Clairea?"

I thought on it for a moment, taking a glance around the room. "Uh, no, now that you mention it. I'll go look for her. You go lay back down. Sylvia, can you finish up everything for me?"

"Yeah." She responded.

I kissed Ricky's temple, then gently pushed him back the direction he came. He gave me a pouty look of "I'm going". He's adorable even when he doesn't feel well. All I wanted to do is snuggle him, but I don't have the time. I searched through the living room, Sylvia's room, and our writing room. Nothing. I assume Ricky's already looked through the bedroom.

Devin was still here. He was downstairs with Corbie. I guess that's the only place I have left to look. The basement stairs are creaky as fuck, so it was no surprise that they heard me come down.

"Wait!" Devin said as I was just about to turn the corner, "I don't want you to see yet. I'm almost done."

"It's been two hours." I replied as I leaned against the wall of the stairwell.

"Beauty takes time." He responded so matter-of-a-fact-ly.

I sighed, "I'm just looking for the cat."

"I don't see her down here, but that doesn't mean she isn't hiding. Hang on." There were a few moments of silence. I just waited, and waited. Women. Finally, Devin said, "Done."

Finally! Aside from needing to find Clairea, I was looking forward to seeing the magic he'd done on Corbie. It was about time someone helped that kid find himself... Herself. As I turned the corner, I actually had my breath taken away. She looked beautiful, like she was actually comfortable in her own skin for once.

"What'd you think?" Devin asked.

I smiled, "You look perfect. If your sister gives you shit, let me know and I'll make her sleep in the backyard tonight."

She giggled shyly. Nothing could upset her, I know. It's a good thing Ricky made the call he did. That kid is finally happy for the first time since coming here. As for the cat, Devin was right. She wasn't in plain sight. I knelt down and looked under Corbie's bed. Nothing. She wasn't in the closet either. Though I doubt she could even get in the storage room, it was my last indoor option.

Ricky got her back when he was in college in Seattle. He was in a shitty apartment, so she was trained to be an indoor cat. Then he quit college to join Motionless and moved out to Scranton. Again, lived in an apartment for years. So, if she is outside, she won't know how to fend for herself. Especially in her old age. I hope she's just someone in the house where I missed her or something.

There was an additional door in Corbie's room that lead to the unfinished part of the basement. I searched around through the maze of boxes, even in the rafters. Finally, I came around to where the water heater was and found her laying under the pipes.

"How and what are you doing under here, munchkin?" I whispered to her.

She was just laying there. I could tell she was breathing, but she didn't even look up at me when I talked to her. That's not like her at all. I pet her a few times and she still didn't bother to even open her eyes.

"Devin!" I called for him and he rushed in quickly.

"Yeah?"

I sighed to myself, "Can you please go get Ricky for me? He's laying down in our room. Clairea isn't doing well and I know she's only going to let Ricky touch her."

He frowned, "Uh, yeah. I will."

Devin's cats are only about nine, but he grew up with cats his whole life. I'm sure he could tell just by looking at Clairea that she was really sick. She's been acting pretty groggy for awhile now, but I just wrote it off as old age.

Ricky came down fast. He loves this cat more than anything in the world. Honestly, if he had to pick between me and Clairea, he'd probably pick her. I moved back to let him get down by her. We were in a bit of a small space.

"I think we should take her in to the emergency vet clinic tonight." I fearfully said.

Ricky very softly pet her head a few times. He leaned down and kissed her. "Yeah... Um," He sighed as he lost his train of thought.

"Maybe we should try to bring her upstairs at least." I suggested.

He nodded and slowly started to pick her up. She started to purr the second he touched her. That cat loves him just as much as he loves her. I walked ahead of them to hold any doors or turn on any lights for them on their way back to our bedroom.

"You two rest together," I told him, "I'm going to go eat dinner with the kids, then we'll take her in."

"Okay." He mumbled.

Fuck, this was killing him. We both knew what was happening, but didn't want to admit it. I love Clairea too of course. I've lived with her for ten years now. My love for her though, it'll never compare to Ricky's. That's been his best friend, the person that's always been there for him, for sixteen years now. He barely knows life without that cat.

I went back into the kitchen, where Devin was with the kids. He gave me a sympathetic look, "Is everything okay?"

"Not really." I whispered back to him, "We're going to take Clairea into the emergency vet after dinner. Will you stay here and watch the kids for me?"

"Of course." He replied with a smile.

I don't know what I'd do without him and the guys. They're always here for us.