<Skyler's POV>

If someone asked me how many times I have woken up on a Curtis's couch with a splitting headache and Dallas at my side, I honestly would not be able to count. Dallas gently pets my black hair out of my face and smiles softly at me. I look past him at our children sleeping soundly on the couch across from the one I am on, covered in a huge blanket, Chris watching over them like a hawk. I look back to my husband and blink slowly. "Is Tibby okay, where is she?" I ask worriedly.

Dallas smiles again, "thanks to you she is just fine, you however really threw yourself for a ringer there." I furrow my brows.

"What happened?" My memory is really fuzzy, I know what happened, but the details are kind of all over the place. Dallas grimaces.

"Steve dropped Tibby and Josh, you and Soda caught them, Soda slid all the way to the sidewalk, but you, you stuck right in the middle of that road, hit your head pretty damn hard on that pavement, but Darry said you should be fine," Dallas starts, "then I knocked Steve onto the sidewalk, we both landed there, but you, you didn't have time to move, so you just rolled Tibby into yourself, in a little ball," he smiles sadly. "You are both so small the car drove right over you, didn't even touch you, pretty lucky huh?" Dallas explains the situation to me. I am shocked we somehow all made it out with just a little road burn. Dallas looks down, his mouth hanging open. "I didn't push you out of the way though, I should have, that must've been pretty scary for Tib, she was a shaken up real bad, I should've-"

"Hey, Dallas, we all made it through that, everyone is fine, its okay, you did what you had to do, I don't always need you to protect me," I smirk, "I'm a grease too you know." Dallas smirks and gently grabs my chin with his finger tips.

"I know, you're tuff, just like me," Dallas tells me in a whisper.

"Maybe even more," I say with a smile. Dallas scoffs slightly.

"Don't flatter yourself baby." And then he kisses me hard and I feel a sense of nostalgia. I remember how we used to be, before kids, before everything. When our lives were rumbles and socs, catching feelings and watching sunsets. When our challenges consisted of sneaking into movies and not having enough tip for our food or gas money for the DX. Before the kids, before the war, before the murder and the rape and drugs and abuse. We were kids, independent as we were, and as rough around the edges as we seemed, we were just growing up and going through the motions. Now only a few years later and somehow we have matured decades beyond our physical years. There are moments I become engulfed in how things used to be. But that was then. This is now, my now is filled with laughter, stability, children, and struggles. Always struggles, but we are still here together. Not just Dallas and I, but the gang, regardless of blood, our brothers and sisters stay with us. A growing family.

<Soda's POV>

I was the one that decided only one of us should approach Steve. He is my best friend, always has been, always will be. After the events of last night, we finally got him to sleep in Pony's room. I stuck around after he passes out to make. sure he didn't choke on his own vomit. Now that his eyes are fluttering open, I prepare myself for the upcoming conversation. His first words after squinting at the daylight are, "Lena, where- is she okay?"

I sigh, "do you remember any of last night?" I ask this carefully. Steve sits up slowly, wincing in pain no doubt. He shakes his head no. After breifly explaining to my friend the events of the past night Steve sighs and rubs his head.

"Skyler and Tibby, are they-"

"They are fine, thanks to Skyler's quick thinking," I tell him. I can see Steve is struggling in his head. "Why'd you do it? Cause you fucked up Steve, bad," I start. Steve does not say anything, so I continue. "You know we told everyone we were pregnant again last night and you had the nerve to-"

"You too?" Steve interrupts. I pause, frozen. My breath gets caught in my throat as I stare at my disheveled friend.

"No, Lena's..."

"Now you get it, I can't be a dad, so I freaked, took it to far, Soda," he catches my attention.  "I love her Soda, Lena is my love, she's my girl, and I hurt her, but I wanna be there for her, and I want to be that baby's father. But I can't." I move closer to Steve and squat down in front of him, holding his hand in mine.

"You're talking to someone who almost didn't have a connection with his first born cause he was off at war, I understand Steve, but you can do it, you are going to do it, congratulations buddy."

All Steve manages to say is, "you too best friend."

<Chris's POV>

Eight Months Later

As per usual, all the normal pregnancy ups and down hit our group like a freight train. I am used to every sensation in the book by now, and it is actually weird to not be pregnant with Skyler. Every other time I was with child Skyler was right there with me. Now she watches from the sidelines laughing with vodka in one hand and Dallas's arm draped around her shoulders. She is still underweight, her health is struggling, though she smiles a lot more than she used to, her kids make her happy, half the time she is with her children on the floor rolling around, laughing, playing. The other half she is completely engulfed in Dallas. The details in which I will not go into seeing as that is my brother.  Two-Bit, still joking, is navigating his way through parenting Henry like a champion. Lots of which consists of him teaching Henry to laugh, smile, and run, run fast.

My new pregnancy companion, Lena, is new to everything, reminding Skyler and I of how complicated being pregnant for the first time can be. Especially when Steve is more conflicted than anyone. He does not talk about his father struggles anymore, though we all know they exist. Most of the time it is Skyler and I helping Lena. That is not to say Steve is absent. He is incredibly devoted, just anxious. He rubs her feet and buys her food and gives her love, the actual baby part is where it gets sticky.

But despite everything in our busy lives it is still apparent that one member of our gang is dwindling away. Pony being gone has thrown Johnny for a bigger loop than any of us anticipated. He spends his time alone, walking around town, despite our warnings. He wallows and finds it hard to get involved, even when Dallas provokes him. When he enters the room he quickly shuffles away to Pony's old room, a place where he can really contemplate life. He worries me, but I will be honest, I am a little preoccupied.

I always admired the way the grease gangs walk, ever since I arrived in Tulsa as a child. The way they bounce a little as if they are contemplating dancing. They always look so, smooth. Of course I say 'they', when I know damn well I walk just like them now. 

I always liked the way Soda walked the best though. He always looks light, especially when he is in his childhood home, even after its life altering renovations. The minute he steps though that door he is a giddy teenager again. It is truly refreshing to watch. 

I got to watch him tread into the house today, since the whole gang is meeting up there since Pony is home for Columbus Day weekend. I watched him take well calculated, goofy, and some how composed strides into his old home, Lynn and Wesley in his arms. I smiled behind him, Josh holding my hand and walking with me. Wesley can also walk, but he was having fun in his dad's arms, so I did not intrude. I hear Pony yell for Soda, and soon see the two embracing around Soda's arms full of children. I also take note that Pony is still rocking his beard. 

We did not tell anyone that Pony was home, only Steve, Lena, and the Curtis's know. Steve and Lena paid for his flight home, so they had to know. The surprise is mostly for Johnny, but why not add more fun into the mix. Soon after I give Pony a hug, as snug as I can with my big belly. Josh throws his hands in the air enthusiastically, "Uncle Pony!" He squeals happily. Pony lifts Josh up over his head and then pulls him into a hug. I actually have to hold back my tears... hormone's. We all say hi to Darry and Leala, along with Steve and Lena, who walked in right after us. Pony looks so happy to be with his family again, I could not imagine being alone that long. I can see that Pony is trying to analyze Steve and Lena, and where they are in their relationship. It is very apparent that they are not fully embracing their status, but I know that Steve loves her, and that she is in love with him just as much. This is just a surprise, a bump in the road in their relationship. I believe in them, they will learn how to be parents, together.

Suddenly, for the first time in awhile, I watch Dallas, Skyler, and their rugrats, bust through the door in typical Skyler and Dallas style. The doors nearly hits Steve and Pony. " I just don't get why you would use olive oil over butter in your pasta!" Dallas exclaims.

Skyler scoffs, "I cannot believe we have been together for six years and you never noticed that I use oil to lube up my noodles instead of butter Dallas Winston," Skyler tells him aggravated. Dallas raises his eyebrows.

"Well Skyler Elizabeth, I-" He cuts himself off, then mumbles something about not being able to do this with kids in their arms. He hands the three youngest to Steve and Pony, who, out of immediate reaction, grab the children that were shoved into their arms, Tibby runs into the kitchen to see Darry in that split second while Dallas had paused his argument. Dallas then resumes, "well Skyler Elizabeth, I would like to cover you in oil and have you slip under me so much your head hits the headboard every time I-" Skyler grabs his waist.

"Don't finish that sentence Winston," Skyler says quickly before he slams her against the doorway, indulging in a passionate kiss. They ruffle each others clothes and hair, Skyler's clothes hanging loosely from her skin stretched bones. 

Two-Bit creeps around them, Henry walking beside him, and giggles, "I'm next," he jokes, patting Dallas's bottom as if he were a broad. My brother does not even seem to notice. The rest of us laugh as Two realizes Pony is here, and cracks a joke about Pony being on baby duty, seeing as he is holding Kaya, who is almost one year old. Two seems to have a special bond with the child, mostly because of her name. Most days a forget that Henry's mother is dead and that Two never even got to talk to her. But we are moving forward. Kaya Winston is a constant reminder of the situation Two had to overcome after Henry's mother, Kaya, passed away.I think that is more important than many other things in our materialistic lives.

Skyler pulls away from Dallas and finally realizes that Pony is here. She wipes her lips on her sleeve. "PONY!" she yells excitedly. Dallas grabs the kid from Pony and Skyler throws herself into a hug with Ponyboy. He wraps his arms around her, and suddenly his eyes shoot open. He looks to me as they hug with a questioning stare. He didn't realize how unhealthy Skyler is still. I just shake my head. I am not surprised Pony noticed Skyler's unwell state. Her bones protrude still, all of them. I can still count her ribs. She tries to cover in with baggy clothing, but it is still evident. She is malnourished, mostly because of her ever present destructive relationship between her mind an body. But I know she is trying and that is all I can ask from her, from anyone for that matter.

I mouth to Pony that I will explain later. He just smiles, a small grin but still. Skyler and Pony separate and I see tears on her face. "I missed you you scruffy rugrat," she tells him. 

"I missed you too Sky," he responds still grinning. Dallas pulls him in for a hug next. I can't hear what he says to Pony, but I see him pat his back like a proud relative. After most of the immediate commotion has calmed down, and the children running around have gathered in the living room with some toys, I find Soda. His arm quickly grabs my waist, just because.

"Where is John, we told him to be here," I remind Soda. Soda just shrugs nonchalant.

"I'm sure he'll be here doll." 

I bite my bottom lip and grab my growing belly. Something is not right. Johnny should be here. I hear a motor revving a short distance away, my guess is a few houses down. Something in me tells me to check it out. My heart pounds in my chest as I walk towards the door. I open it and look outside. I must be losing it, there is nothing of suspicion happening out here. But something really doesn't feel right, I insist in my head. As I begin to go back inside someone screams. I look quickly out of the door again and this time I see it. A shiny, nice car parked in an alley a few paces down the sidewalk. A nice car in this neighborhood? Thats not good. I take a few steps outside into the cool fall air. I do not even feel the crisp air I am breathing, or the ground under my feet upon seeing a body on the ground next to the car. Out of instinct I shriek, "Dallas!" Within a few seconds Dally is outside, the gang trailing right behind him. I point to the car. But now I can make out the denim jacket on the boy being kicked around by four guys in sweaters. Johnny.

Dallas must make the same realization because in less than a second he is spraining towards the Socs, hollering and screaming. Soon Soda, Steve, Two, Pony, and Darry follow, looking just as angry. Besides maybe Pony, he is white in the face, terrified for the boy on the ground. It doesn't take long for our gang to run the four men out of here. Their car screeches as it speeds away. My heart drops as I see Dally and Darry practically peel Johnny's body off the ground. They each have one of his arms slung over their shoulders. Darry shouts something about a med kit to Leala who runs inside upon his request. Skyler also disappears inside. I hear her shuffling the children into the kitchen for snacks. She is a good mom, distracting them from the sight of a bloody, beaten to a pulp Johnny. Though I don't concentrate on that right now, instead I run to hold the door open for the boys to bring Johnny in. Lena runs to clear off the couch for John to be put on. The rest I can't bare to watch.