Rocco and Alyssa were sitting wordlessly on the other side of Gavin's bed as he slowly came too.

"Daddy?" Gavin spoke softly. His eyes were still hazy, and he looked very pale.

"Hey, champ," Rocco took Gavin's hand in his.

"Mommy's here too, Gavi." Alyssa stepped over to the other side.

"Where am I?" Gavin looked confused, and Rocco squeezed his hand tighter.

"You ate some bad candy, and it made you sick," Rocco explained gently. 

"Gavi is sick?" he asked, his little eyebrows all furrowed.

"Yes," Rocco said calmy. "We're at the hospital, but they're going to make you all better."

"Hospital?" Gavin questioned.

"It's where you go when you're sick," Rocco explained. "That was bad candy, Buddy. It wasn't like the stuff Daddy buys sometimes."

"Mommy got sick too?" Gavin turned and looked at Alyssa.

"No, sweetie," Alyssa cooed. "Mommy just is fine."

"But Mommy ate bad candy too."

"She did?" Rocco asked, "You saw her eat the candy?"

"Rocco, honestly, he just woke up, and you're interrogating him." Alyssa snapped, but he could see in her eyes she was alarmed.

"You ate them in front of him?" Rocco asked in a stunned whisper, her eyes filled with guilt and her cheeks flushed.

"I didn't know he was watching. It was a mistake," she confessed. "Rocco, I swear."

He didn't even know where to begin, so he said nothing. Instead, he sighed. Her face was wracked with guilt, but for once, she had no excuses to give him.

"Gavi." Her voice became super sweet and totally fake as she looked down at him. "Mommy is going to the gift shop to get you a new teddy bear, okay? I'll be back soon." She kissed Gavin's cheek and gave Rocco a dark look before standing up.

"I want my Kiki," Gavin said.

"Your what?"

"His Kiki. His new favorite teddy bear. Something anyone who pays even the slightest bit of attention to him would know."

"I okay...I'll just. I'll be back, Gavi." Alyssa looked like she was about to jump out of her skin as she hurried out. She didn't handle emotion well, and Rocco commonly would have felt a tug of empathy for her, but he was beyond that tonight.

"Daddy, I want my Auntie Dani," Gavin said as Alyssa left the room.

**

Alyssa felt her heart clench when she heard Gavin ask for his aunt. He hardly even looked at her. She was so scared tonight when she saw him lying there like that. She was relieved he was okay, but how little he seemed to care for her upset her. 

Everyone looked up at her as she stepped into the waiting area. 

"How is he?" Dante asked.

She felt like she was being judged and scrutinized by every single one of them. This time, she did mess up, though. This was her biggest screw-up, and she wasn't sure she could make it right.

"He needs some doll called Kiki. Can you go get it?" She asked Dante. She could at least make sure he got his toy. It didn't make what happened right or take her guilty feeling away, but it was something.

"It's a koala bear." Lexi corrected her, and it took every ounce of control not to rip her stupid blonde hair out. Why was she even here?

"He's asking for Kiki?" Dani asked in a timid voice. Her eyes were all teary and puffy.

"We'll go get it for him, Dani." Dante looked over at her, and Lexi nodded as she squeezed her shoulder.

"She asks, and you jump?" Alyssa fired at him.

Dante just shook his head and walked past her with Lexi in tow.

"He's okay, though? He's talking and seems normal and everything?" Dani pressed.

"He'll be fine," Alyssa said in a tense voice. "Why don't you just go back to the house? There's nothing you can do here."

"Nonsense," Edward smirked and got up to sit where Dante was, next to Dani. He had that stupid cocky smirk on his face that always pissed Alyssa off.

"Your lovely sister and I can bond while you and Rocco sit with little Garret."

"His name is Gavin," Dani scowled at him.

"That angry face would be amazing on a runaway. Not to mention those legs..." he murmured. "Ali-baby, why didn't you tell me about his hidden gem?"

Dani's face turned scarlet, and she jumped up to move to the other couch.

"Just go in and see Gavin, Dani," Alyssa said crisply to get her away from Edward.

Dani didn't hesitate and was in the room in seconds.

"My son is hospitalized. My husband is probably going to divorce me. Everyone here hates me. Yet you, my only support here, decide to hit on my sister?" She fired at him irritably.

"I could hardly help myself. Have you seen her?"

"Nice. Real nice." She hissed. "Did you forget you're supposed to be gay?"

"Oh, relax, Ali!" He looked positively giddy. "Your sister is the answer to our prayers."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about your little prenup."

"It's iron-clad, Eddy." She reminded him. "You know that."

"Ah, but there is a clause." He put his hand on the small of her back. "Walk with me." He guided her towards Gavin's room and stopped at the window.

He put his arm around her shoulder as they peered into the room. Gavin was sitting up just slightly. Dani was sitting on the side of his bed, absently brushing his hair with her fingertips as she gazed at him. Rocco was sitting on his other side, holding his hand.

"How cozy," Edward mentioned. "Hmm?"

"What are you getting at?" Alyssa asked.

"Ali. He's going to divorce you now. We can't salvage this."

"Obviously," she said. "Just get to your plan, please. I'm not in the mood for dramatics."

"It's simple," Edward said. "If he were to divorce you because he had fallen for another woman. That would mean he had been unfaithful."

Alyssa looked into the room and then back at him as she was starting to get precisely what he was getting at.

"I assume the infidelity clause is still in full effect?" Edward asked coyly. 

"There's something there." Alyssa narrowed her eyes at the two of them. "But he won't cheat."

"It doesn't matter what he will or won't do. What matters is the narrative you spin for the court."

"Well, then it's a good thing manipulation and lies are some of my strong suits." A smirk found Alyssa's lips.

**

Dani nearly ran into Gavin's room once Alyssa gave her the okay, mostly because she was so anxious to see Gavin but also because she couldn't wait to escape that awful Edward guy.

"Gavi!" She exclaimed happily as she entered the small hospital room. Her precious little nephew looked up, and a smile curled over his little lips.

"Auntie Dani! I miss you!"

He said with wide eyes.

"I missed you too, Tiger!" She was at his side in seconds. He grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. She sat down on the edge of his bed and cuddled him close to her.

"Are you feeling better?" Dani asked as she stroked his hair.

"Yeah, I am," Gavin told her with a big yawn.

"I'm so glad."

Dani sighed and looked up at Rocco, who looked exhausted.

"Me too, champ," Rocco said. "You had us all worried."

"Cause I ate the bad candy," Gavin said and he looked confused ot broke Dani's heart all over again. It was probably going to be difficult to explain all this to him. He might even fear candy for a while.

The nurse came in and walked toward the bed with her chart. She was a friendly-looking, older woman, her grey hair pulled back in a loose bun. 

"I'm just checking the machines." She said, giving them a warm smile.

"Is everything okay with them?" Rocco asked.

"Everything looks great." She replied and then turned her attention to Gavin. "How do you feel, Gavin?"

"Gavi is tired." He told her, then he looked over at Dani. "I wish Kiki was here."

"Uncle Dante went to go get him for you. He'll be back soon." Dani promised him, smoothing his hair back from his forehead.

"Sleepy is good. We do most of our healing when we sleep." The nurse said wisely. "I bet if you close your eyes for a bit when you open them again, you'll have your Kiki!"

"I bet, too!" Gavin said happily. He snuggled closer to Dani, his head resting on her arm.

"I'll be back to check on him later." She said in a quieter tone. "A mama's love is just as healing as sleeping."

"Oh, um... I'm not his mom," Dani stammered.

"Oh!" The nurse looked surprised. "I apologize."

"It's okay," Dani assured her.

"Well, love is love, and it's all healing." She added before heading out of the room with her notes.

"Twice tonight." Rocco laughed a little, and Dani shrugged off the awkwardness as best she could. She was surprised he noticed it happened earlier when everything was so intense.

"I think he's falling asleep," Dani whispered to Rocco as Gavin's eyes fluttered closed.

"Good," Rocco sighed softly as he looked at his small boy. "He needs it."

"Luckily, he's going to be fine. But Rocco, that was... even for Alyssa... leaving that stuff where he could get it."

Dani knew as the nanny, it wasn't her place to get involved or judge their family and how it ran. However, Gavin was her nephew, and her concern for him overrode any previous notions to stay out of things.

"I know, Dani. I'm beyond furious. She knew damn well she could've kept it upstairs in our room, far away from him."

"They haven't said anything about social services, have they?" she asked quietly, and his eyes widened with alarm.

"No. Do you think they will?"."

"If so, just be as honest as you can be. You're a great dad, and anyone will see that."

"No. I'm not." He muttered, looking miserable. Her heart ached for him. She didn't get it, Alyssa had everything and treated it carelessly.

"Yes, you are. Do not blame yourself for this."

"I have to own up to my share of the blame. I have to face my fault in this. So, I can do what I need to do next."

She sighed softly, unsure of what to say to that. She felt terrible that he was taking responsibility for Alyssa's actions. He shouldn't have to shoulder all this alone.

"I'm so sorry about Alyssa trying to push the blame on you. I never for one second believed her."

"You shouldn't apologize to her. She's a grown woman, and she's responsible for her own actions." Dani said bluntly.

His eyes widened a little, but he nodded.

 "Should we be calling Katherine?" Dani asked. 

"So, she can storm around here trying to spin the blame off Lys?"

"No thanks." He answered his question, and Dani nodded in agreement.

They sat silently for a moment the terrible night still weighing heavily on them both.

"Dani." Rocco broke the silence. "I have to warn you that things are going to get ugly soon."

She looked up and met his eyes, a somber expression radiating through them.

"No matter what happens, I always want you to be a part of Gavin's life."

"Why do I feel like you're saying goodbye or something?" Dani felt her heart start to race. "Are you letting me go?"

"No!" He exclaimed. "I mean, it's the last thing I want. But it might be better for you."

"I'm not going to want to go anywhere, Rocco."

"Dani things..."

"Are going to get bad." She finished his sentence. "All the more reason Gavin will need me, right?"

"Well, yes."

"And so do you." She blurted out without meaning to. A look of surprise flashed over his face. 

She felt her face flush just slightly, but she continued. 

"I know you have some tough decisions to make. I also know how hard that will be on you and that all you'll worry about is Gavin. Someone needs to be there for you."

"But she's your sister." He said in a quiet voice.

"A sister I hardly know and don't like."

"But still..."

"You're my friend, Rocco." She said in a firm voice. "I don't turn my back on my friends."

A small smile curled over his lips, and his eyes, albeit still red and bloodshot, seemed to relax a little.

"The truth is, I do need you," Rocco confessed. "Thank you, Dani."

His eyes met hers and she found herself lost in them for just a second.

"You're welcome," she said in a hushed tone.

The door to the small hospital room opened, snapping her out of her stupor. It was Dante who was holding Kiki, and Lexi was behind him.

"How's he doing?" Dante asked as he stepped over towards the bed. Dani got up so he could sit down. He sat in the chair by the bed and tucked the little bear under Gavin's arm. Lexi came over and ghosted the tiniest little kiss on Gavin's forehead.

"He seems good. He sounded just like the Gavin we knew when he was awake." Rocco assured him.

"Thank god," Lexi sighed.

"When was the last time anyone ate anything?" Dani asked. "Why don't I go to the cafeteria and grab some food?"

"Good idea," Lexi said. "I'll go with."

"Don't worry about me," Rocco said.

"You need to take care of yourself, Rocco," Dani said in a no-nonsense voice.

"We'll be back soon." She added as she and Lexi left the room.

**

Dante chuckled, just slightly, once they left.

"She's a force, isn't she?" Rocco said, looking after them as they left.

"Lexi loves her. She talks about how it's been so long since she had a female best friend." Dante said. "Makes me feel like chopped liver."

"Well, Dani isn't going to point out every single flaw of every guy she dates," Rocco said with a knowing smirk.

"I don't do that," Dante argued, to which Rocco shot him a look.

"I don't!" He said it a little too loud.

He cringed and glanced at Gavin, who luckily continued to sleep soundly.

"I'm so glad he's okay. When I got your call, my heart stopped, Rocco." Dante gazed at his little nephew as he spoke.

"I barely even remember driving here," Rocco confessed. "The worst moment of my entire life."

"I can't imagine," Dante said.

"And she sits out there looking at a magazine like nothing major is happening." Dante shook his head in anger.

"This is the perpetual last straw," Rocco said. "I'm done."

"For real?"

"For real," Rocco confirmed.

"I can forgive that she doesn't know how to be a mother. Hello, I know Katherine. I even understand it." Rocco said. "But I can't forgive that she won't even try. She puts on some big act to make me think she cares; meanwhile, she's popping weed gummies right in front of him."

"Wait, what?"

"Gavi confirmed it, and she finally admitted it."

"Unbelievable," Dante's eyes were full of anger. "What is wrong with her!?"

"I don't know, and I don't care anymore," Rocco said angrily. He was tired of waiting for her to start caring. "It's over; you can start the proceedings."

"Whoa," Dante said. "Hold on a second, Rocco."

"You've been telling me to do this forever, and now you want me to wait?"

"I just want to make sure you do this right and that you are totally sure."

"I'm sure. I don't want to drag it out any longer for Gavin's sake."

"The prenup protects you, but Alyssa is crafty," Dante advised. "Let's make sure we tread carefully here." 

"I don't care about a single cent. I don't care about the house. Offer her whatever she wants. All I want is full custody. I am not cruel. I won't take Gavin away from her, but he needs to be safe. Safe visits or something."

"Rocco, I have a feeling she'll be fine with you having Gavin most of the time. What she's going to fight for is money, so we must as well," Dante warned. "The prenup is in place to protect your assets. I know you don't care about the money, but it's our family's legacy."

"Gavin is more important than a legacy or anything else."

"I agree," Dante said. "But think about his future, his legacy too. Think about Gavin Romano continuing our name, his kids, and so on. Dad worked hard for our family name. We can't let that woman destroy all that."

"I get that." Rocco sighed, "I just want this over fast."

"Well, it's not going to be fast," Dante said sympathetically. "Divorces never are."

Rocco just nodded, a pit forming in his stomach. "It's going to get so ugly,"

"Give Gavi a great memory first," Dante suggested. "Let's not go from this awful night into the separation."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Take him somewhere this weekend," Dante suggested.

"I did tell him recently about how we used to go camping," Rocco said thoughtfully.

"We had a lot of fun doing that," Dante recalled with a soft smile.

"You come too then and bring Lexi. It'll be a fun family weekend."

The door opened, and Dani and Lexi returned armed with food from the cafeteria.

"Bring me where?" Lexi asked.

"We're thinking of a camping trip this weekend. We want Gavin to have a perfect weekend before things get bad." Rocco explained.

"That's a great idea!" Dani enthused. "Could I come?"

"I already assumed you would," Rocco said with a short chuckle.

He realized how quickly she'd become a part of her and Gavin's life. He still felt deep down it wasn't fair to Dani to put her in the middle of all this. But he could hardly tell her to leave when Gavin needed her so much right now. She was right about him needing her, too. Her mere presence tonight kept him sane through all this.

"By camping... we're not talking about tents and bugs, are we?" Lexi asked as she wrinkled her nose.

"It's not that bad!" Dani laughed. "We can bring air mattresses."

"How about a cabin?" Dante suggested, and Lexi looked relieved.

The door opened again, and Alyssa entered the room. "Can I have a second with Gavin?"  

She was doing a good job avoiding eye contact with Rocco, and he was glad. Talking with Dante about a weekend trip did take his mind off things, but the second she walked into the room, his anger returned.

"Excuse me," she practically shoved Dante out of her way.

"Rude." Dante crossed over to the other side of the room. "Where is Eddy?"

"He's waiting in the car; an important club event came up. I need a few minutes with Gavi before I leave. Then you can have this room all to yourself." She looked up momentarily at Rocco and then back down at Gavin's sleeping face.

"His color looks better." She noted as she glanced over at him.

"You're leaving!?" Rocco asked as Dante gave him a look.

"Let's give her a moment with him," Dante said, grabbing Rocco's arm.

"I... I'm going to be right back, don't wake him!" Rocco said as Dante pulled him from the room. Dani and Lexi followed closely behind.

"What the hell, Dante?" Rocco snapped once they left the room.

"Let her leave." Dante advised. "Anything she can do to make herself look bad is good in the long run."

"I guess," Rocco muttered.

Still, he found himself hovering around the room, watching things nervously.