"I'm so sorry," I say as I held on to Cat for the lifeline she is. "I'm so glad you came. I shouldn't have been short with you before I left. I should have called, but I've been out of my mind with worry."

Cat pulls away and wears a thin smile that doesn't quite meet her eyes. She is still mad at me. I can't blame her. She doesn't deserve me to talk to her how I had.

"What's wrong? What's happened?" she asks.

I let a long, slow sigh. "Tina has fluid on the brain. They had done an immediate procedure. They drilled hole to allow the fluid to escape and hopefully be absorbed."

My explanation stuns Cat. "Is she okay? Is she going to recover?"

"They believe so, but she was unconscious when we left the house and has remained so. All her vital signs are good. They are hoping it relieves the pressure that she'll regain consciousness, but there is no way for them to assess if the procedure was successful until they can talk to her."

"Successful? You mean there can be further problems?"

"Possible but it's a waiting game right now."

"She's come to mean a great deal to you, hasn't she?" 

"Yes, but there's a reason for it," I inform Cat. Her eyes filled up with tears. "Whoa, what's going on? Why are you so upset?"  

"I know we broke up. It was my fault for not staying to hear you out, I just didn't expect you to... Do you love her?"

Like a flickering bulb part of what she is saying connects and the rest leaves me in the dark. "Do I love her? I barely know her."

"But you said she's come to mean a great deal to you."

"Yes, but that's because..."

"Alex?"

I hear Tina's voice she sounds horse from not talking for so long. "Tina?" I rush to her side and hug her. I'm so relieved to see her eyes open. "Hey!," I say softly taking her hand in mine. "You really delight in torturing me, don't you?"

Tina laughs then coughs. "I'm guessing I never made it back out of the bathroom?"

I press my lips together and shook my head no.

"Did I at least pull my pants up before I passed out?"

I laugh and nod yes. "You even managed to wash your hands," I tease.

"Well thank heavens for that," Tina says. "Did I hit my head again because it feels like I took a sledgehammer to it?"

I glance up at Cat who still looks unsettled, and frown.

"You fell in the bathroom and wouldn't wake back up. An ambulance brought you here and they had to operate. You have fluid on the brain."

"What? I..." Tina looks panicked but I put my hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"They've already taken care of it. You'll need to recover but they did a procedure and it obviously helped. You're awake. How do feel?"

"Besides feeling like I was hit by a semi? Okay, I guess." Tina's eyes dart as she takes it all in, perhaps assessing her situation,  eyes flick to mine and it's apparent she is worried. 

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"My other hand? My arm feels numb."

"That's a possible side effect but the good news is, it normally goes away."

"Normally? When?" This news didn't seem good at all to Tina.

"I don't know. You want me to see if I can track down a doctor?"

Tina nods and I don't like the frightened look in her eye. As I pass Cat, I still can't figure out what is going on or going wrong between us. Cat stands apart from me and Tina like she wishes not to intrude which I think is ridiculous. 

"Can you do me a favor and keep her company until I get back? This has got to be a lot for her to take in." Cat only nods and I leave to walk down the hall to the nurse's station in the hopes of getting a doctor who could let us know what happens next.

***

"Thank you," Tina says as Cat came closer. "I'm sorry I've been so much trouble." Tina's eyes fill with tears.

Despite all the questions Cat has roaming around in her head, it is obvious to her that Tina is scared right now and needs a friend. "You're going to be okay," Cat assures Tina as she sits on the edge of her bed.

"I can't feel anything on this side of my body," Tina says tears escaped her lashes and streak down her face. "What if it's permanent? What if I can't...can't walk?"

"Shh!" Cat soothes taking Tina's hand in her own. "Don't do that. If I've learned anything during this pregnancy it's that you can't play around with 'what if's'. You'll make yourself insane. Alex will be back, hopefully with the doctor or someone who will be able to answer your questions. Until then, just focus on being grateful that you're here and alive."

Tina takes a few deep breaths and tries her best to pull herself together, but she feels so overwhelmed. She squeezes Cat's hand. "You're what I'm most grateful for. I don't know what I would have done without you and Alex. I'm so thankful you've come into my life."

"I'm not sure what help I was. I wasn't even in the house when Alex called for me."

"Then how did he...?" Tina is about to say 'get dressed' but knew that wouldn't come out right no matter how innocent the scenario was.

"How did he what?" Cat asks as Tina stalls out and doesn't finish her sentence.

"How did he get help so quickly?" Tina finishes lamely.

Cat can tell this is not originally what Tina meant to say and couldn't help but wonder.

"Alex is very resourceful," Cat informs her.

"I've noticed that," Tina agrees. "Did he get everything done he wanted to do today? I feel bad that I'm not around to help him. I really should be helping him."

"He got a lot done. Things are settled with the funeral home, the church, the bank, he even got his mother's doctors to agree to allow her to attend the viewing so long as it was kept private."

"Did you say the bank?" Tina's expression is odd.

"Yes, why?" Cat wonders. 

"No reason. I just didn't know he had all the information he needed to go there."

Cat shrugs. "He did say he just got the ball rolling but I think everything went well."

"He didn't seem, upset at all?" Tina questions. 

"Why would he be?" Then Cat remembers the conversation they started before Liam so rudely interrupted. Alex did seem a little off. "He did mention a letter. A letter from his father."

"Oh!" Tina's eyes widen, and Alex came back into the room.

***

Tina appears more settled and I knew I have Cat to thank for it. I wrap my arms around Cat resting my head on top of hers.

"The doctor is doing his rounds but he's been informed you are awake and should be by to see you soon."

Tina nods but didn't seem much cheered by this news.

"Everything okay?" 

"I'm good. How are you?"  Tina is staring at me and it's making me nervous.

"I'm good. I'm just happy to see you awake. My greatest fear was you staying in that coma-like state forever."

"Sorry, I scared you."

"It's not like you could have helped it. I'm just glad to know your better."

"Not as I see it," Tina states biting her bottom lip to keep from crying.

"The numbness is down her whole right side," Cat explains.

I let go of Cat and move to Tina's side. "I don't want you to worry about this. We will do whatever it takes to fix it."

"What if it can't be fixed?" Tina is obviously scared and I hate that I don't have answers for her. 

"You can't think that way. You have to stay positive. I know it's hard but there's no sense worrying about something you don't have control over. All you can do is put the work in and hope for the best."

"I can see why you and Cat get along so well. You think so much alike," Tina says giving me a faint smile because she knew I'm trying to cheer her up but I know it's not working.

I smile at Cat who also looks out of joint.

"Once we have a handle on things, you and I need to talk," I say to Tina, who simply nods in understanding. 

"You're not upset?" Tina asks. 

"Me? Hell no! I just need some answers as I'm sure you do. But now is not the time."

"Oh, God! I can't take it anymore!" Cat exclaims getting up suddenly and looking at Tina and me like she just caught us making out or something.

"What are talking about?" I demand to know.

"Look it's obvious she likes you. You like her. I can't be the person on the outside looking in. I've spent too many years playing that part with Liam. I just can't do it again!"

Cat went to walk away but I grab her arm over the bed to keep her from going anywhere. "I'm confused. Do you think there's something going on between Tina and me?"

Cat bit her bottom lip. "Please don't try and deny it. I've seen the pictures, Alex?"

"What pictures?"

"Pictures, okay?! Pictures of you two eating together and her kissing you and welcoming you home in just a silk nightgown. Pictures!" Cat says nearly frantic now.

"Where did you get... you know what," I say holding my hand up, "that's not even important right now." I look Cat dead in the eye when I tell her, "I've never kissed, Tina!"

"I saw it, Alex! Please let me go. I shouldn't have come. I shouldn't be here." Cat manages to pull free from me but I quickly get to the other side of the bed before she can leave the room.

I get hold of both her arms this time. "Cat, I promise you there is nothing going on between us."

A tear falls down Cat's cheek. "I heard you, Alex. I heard you say that you can't lose her. Not now that you've finally found her. I can see how much you care. You were distraught over her when I came in here."

"That's because Tina is my sister! Not because I'm in love with her!"

Cat is dumbfounded. I could not have surprised her more than if I slapped her across the face. "Your sister?"

"Yes! I've been trying to tell you since I came home, the letter my father wrote, he told me all about it."

"Your sister?" Cat looks to Tina for confirmation, who nods in agreement.

"How...?"

I lead her back further into the room and pull up a chair so she could sit down. I knew this must come as a great shock to her. I know it did to me.

"Alex's parents adopted me," Tina tells Cat.

"Adopted? But you're an adult, is that even possible?"

"Apparently," Tina supplies.

"Over the years I disappeared from the family. Tina stepped into my role, taking care of both my Dad and my Mom. When my father learned that both her parents were dead, he made the decision to adopt her. In a way it was an insurance plan in case I didn't return, although he had faith that I would."

"Your sister?" Cat repeats in a hushed whisper.

"I know it's a lot to wrap your head around, but when I said what I said it was because I just learned I had family and I couldn't stand the thought of losing her, not now that I just found her," I explain.

"But she kissed you?"

"On the cheek," Tina jumps in, "There is nothing going on between us I swear. I'm engaged to someone else."

"What?! Who?! You can't marry someone I've never met," I state boldly.

"His name is Brian Thompson and he's currently stationed overseas. He's in the Air force. And what do you mean I can't marry someone you've never met? You're my little brother. I'm older than you, so don't think you're going to start telling me what to do."

I grin when I realize how that must have sounded. "Little brother or not, there will be no marriage until I, at the very least, meet this guy."

Cat sits quietly, her hands on her lap as she takes this all in.

"Are you okay?"

"I just don't know. I just feel... confused at the moment."

I kneel by her side. "Welcome to my world," I say, trying to add levity but it didn't seem to work. "Cat, there is no way I would ever betray you. You're my heart and soul. You're my everything. When I thought I had to walk away, it killed me. I don't ever want to feel that way again and I sure as hell am not going to cause that to happen."

Cat eyes met mine. "I'm sorry. I let Liam get to me."

"Liam? What's Liam got to do with this?"

"The pictures. He had pictures of you and Tina and ..."

I stand up. I can feel the anger rising and I try desperately to stamp it down, but it refuses to be contained. "He's having me followed? What the hell?!" I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. I did not want to take this out on Cat, but my anger wants to blame her, after all, she's the reason Liam is still a part of our lives.

"He was trying to warn me because he thought you were cheating on me."

Of all the things Cat could say, that was probably the worst thing she could have chosen. "So what? He's some sort of good guy, hero, looking out for you? I'm supposed to be okay with it because he had good intentions?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying," Cat jumps in finally realizing she's upset me.

"I can't forbid you from ever seeing him again but I'd so love to right now. You have no idea how much I'd love to."

"He's the baby's father!"

And she just keeps making it worse.

"He's a sperm donor, Cat. That's all he is. God how can you not see?!"

"Liam has been a part of my life for a very long time. He screwed up. He's made a mistake. Okay, several mistakes but that doesn't mean I'm going to toss him aside like garbage. This baby whether you or I like it or not is his."

"Cat like I said, I can't tell you what to do, but think about this. What reason would Liam have to hire someone to follow me? I was already out of your life when those pictures were taken."

Cat shakes her head. She had no idea where I am going with this and I can't believe she is that blind to the truth.

"Why you can't give me an answer is because he doesn't have a reason, Cat. No reason at all, but his father does."

Cat's eyes widened as the pieces finally fit together.

"His father is building a case against you.  Liam is cozying up to you while his Dad is having me investigated. They are going to try and take this baby from you, but they don't know who they're messing with now. All I could do before was walk away, but not anymore!"

"If he is stupid enough to make this an issue. I will every use resource at my disposal and I will make his life a living hell. No one is going to take this baby from you, NO ONE!"