"There's my Amy!" Josh grinned, outstretching his arms.

"Hi, Daddy," she smiled, kissing his cheek.

"I brought a friend over. Aunt Cath has that doctor's appointment."

"Hi, Amy," Logan grinned, peeking his head around the corner.

"Who?" Amy frowned.

"I'm over h-here," Logan chuckled.

"Turn around, you goof," Josh laughed.

Amy swiveled on her heels. "Logan!"

Logan excitedly wrapped his arms around her. "Lotte's here t-t-too somewhere."

"Slow down," Amy giggled. "I can't understand you when you talk that fast. Lotte's here, what?"

"S-somewhere," Logan repeated.

"Do you know if your having a sister or a brother?"

"M-Mommy is t-t-twelve weeks, so she's g-g-getting a test to see."

"Wonderful," Amy chuckled.

"I want a brother."

—————

Catherine sat in down, playing with her engagement ring impatiently. "What do you think it is?"

"Girl," Matt replied, reading a magazine

Catherine sighed and texted her sister, "How are things?"

"Lizzy just went down for a nap. Have you found out yet?" Charlotte texted back.

"No. I'm bored and Matt's reading some girly magazine."

"So, he whines to be included and then doesn't talk? Nice husband ya got there, Sis."

Catherine chuckled softly.

"This one's cute," Matt said, handing the magazine to her and pointing at a white crib.

"Yeah, I like it," Catherine nodded.

"And you? Any preference?"

"To what?"

"The gender."

"A brother for Logan would be nice, but I also know how badly Lizzy wants a little sister."

"Are Lizzy and Lotte squabbling again?"

"Actually, no. Things have been great with them," Cath grinned.

"That's good," Matt chuckled.

"I think Lotte's finally realized that we aren't getting rid of Lizzy," Catherine laughed. "Logan just silently loathes both of them."

"Not loathes. Just doesn't understand."

Catherine smirked. "Sure. Let's go with that."

"Okay, maybe a bit if loathing."

"I'll say," Catherine chuckled. "At least he isn't mean to them, though."

"Talking behind their back and complaining about them is still pretty calloused," Matt chuckled.

"I'd say it's better than being mean to their face. They both love him, so it's better this way."

"I guess. I'm still going to talk to him about it later."

Catherine shrugged. "Alright."

Just then, Jack entered the room. "Congratulations," he grinned. "It's a boy."

"Yes!" Matt said excitedly, fist punching the air.

Catherine chuckled and shook her head. "I remember when you said that two boys were your worst nightmare."

"Two boys together at once, yes, but separate is different."

"At least Logan will be happy," Catherine shrugged. "On the down side, I will have two unhappy girls to deal with. I wonder if I can bribe them with cake."

"Cake always works."

"I'm starving," Catherine sighed as they left the building and got into the car.

"Josh gave us that extra food from his fancy shmancy dinner out."

"Yuck," Catherine gagged, wrinkling her nose. "I want Indian."

"That's a dumb idea," Matt mumbled. "Spicy food induces labor."

"Then I won't get anything too spicy," Catherine shrugged. "Please."

"I suppose."

"Thank you," Catherine said with a cheesy grin.

"I love you," Matt said, grasping her hand. "No matter what highs or lows may come, I hope you remember that."

"I love you too."

"Cath?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think...do you think I'm a good man?"

"Of course I do."

"Sometimes I wonder...I don't know."

"What goes on inside that head of yours?" Catherine chuckled. "There is no doubt in my mind that you are a good man."

"I've done some bad things."

"It's in the past," Catherine shrugged.

—————

"Mom?" Amy yelled loudly. "Mom, where are you?"

Mari peaked her head out of the kitchen. "I'm in here. Is there something you need, Darling?"

"Mom?!"

"Amy, I'm right here," Mari sighed.

Amy turned around and cracked a smile. "There you are. I can't get this question right. I've been watching the video for ages."

"Let's see."

Amy had the volume turned up to maximum and she pressed play.

"Hon, that's a little loud."

"No, it's not. You're just sensitive about stuff. I don't understand what he's saying," Amy huffed.

Mari frowned. "Is your hearing okay?"

"I can hear him fine," Amy said impatiently. "I'm fine. Now, come on. Can you help? Please?"

"Okay," Mari sighed. "Grab your paper and a pen, and I'll show you."

"What?"

"Amy, I think you're going to have to see until Jack."

Amy's brow furrowed. "Why?"

"Because I can tell you're having trouble hearing me."

"I'm just distracted, Mommy. I miss Daddy. He always helped me focus."

"Go up to our room. He'll help you."

"What?"

"Nothing," Mari sighed. "I'm going to go talk with your father for a minute. Work on that math problem."

"Alright," Amy nodded.

—————

"Cath? Can I talk to you?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"I wanted to talk," Matt said nervously. "About work?"

"Okay," Catherine nodded. "Did something happen?"

"Not yet...I've...I've been thinking about going back to acting," Matt said, biting his lip.

"That's wonderful," Cath grinned.

"Yes...and giving my managing job to Josh."

"Okay."

"Which would mean several things that are important to consider."

"Let's hear em."

"There'd be a considerable pay cut," Matt said with a little wince.

"I say that if you want to go back to acting, you should go for it. I've wanted to, so I understand," Catherine nodded. "Do it."

"Three quarters cut," Matt stated. "We'd have to re-budget everything. It would be tight."

Catherine winced. "I think we could figure it out, as long as we wait until the baby is born."

"I've...I've had an offer."

"Oh?"

"Traveling company...a few performances away -about a month's time- and the rest here. It's playing Gleb Vaganov. I've wanted to be him since I was eight, and they finally accepted me...if i choose to take it."

"When would you leave?"

"Not sure exactly," Matt sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Scheduling would come later."

"I think you should take it," Catherine smiled softly.

"I mean, we have time to think it over," Matt stammered.

"Take it," Cath nodded.

"Cath-"

"Hm?"

"I could kiss you right now," Matt laughed, his voice cracking.

Catherine chuckled. "I love you."

Matt kissed her gently. "I love you more."

"Ready to go home?"

"I suppose."

—————

"Hey, Char?" Catherine called from the foyer.

"Hey," Charlotte grinned. "I've got a surprise for you guys."

"Surprise?" Catherine smiled.

Ashley and Scarlett stepped out of the kitchen.

"Oh my god," Catherine exclaimed with a big grin.

"Hiya," Scarlett laughed.

Both girls embraced their half sister.

"I've missed you," Catherine laughed, tears of joy welling in her eyes.

Ashley chuckled. "Charlotte's filled us in. Another kid to be an aunt of?"

"Yep," Catherine chuckled.

"So...that's the famous Charlotte?" Scarlett smiled.

"In all her glory," Cath nodded. "She explained everything?"

"Mhm," Scarlett grinned. "Where are the twins?"

"At Mari and Josh's."

"How's Amy?" Scarlett asked with a frown.

"Mari thinks she's losing her hearing," Catherine sighed.

"That's not good," Ashley frowned.

"She was premature, right?" Scarlett asked with concern.

"Yeah," Catherine nodded. "The poor kid's bound to have many health issues. It's honestly a wonder she survived birth."

"How much time has Jack given her?" Ashley frowned. "Or is it like Logan, only a bit?"

"I don't think it's very bad," Catherine shrugged. "At least, Mari doesn't think so. She's going to talk to Jack."

—————

"Mommy, why do we have to come back? I just had an appointment last week."

"Because I need to talk to Uncle Jack," Mari replied nonchalantly.

"Fine," Amy mumbled. "But I don't want to be in here a second longer than we have to. This place gives me the creeps."

"I don't blame you," Mari chuckled.

"I mean, all those people dying, being sick...you're twice as likely to get sick by being here, I think."

"Who taught you that?"

"Nobody," Amy shrugged. "I just knew."

Mari shook her head. "You're too smart for your own good."

Amy played with the crumpled paper in her pocket. "My report card says otherwise," she thought bitterly.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah," Amy sighed.

—————

"Cathy, ya gotta just talk to him," Charlotte sighed.

"He really wants to do this. I don't want to stop him. I mean, financially, we'll be fine as long as the coffee shop doesn't lose business. I'm just afraid that something is going to happen. What if the baby has a health issue or something happens to one of the other kids? It's just stressing me out. Plus, they haven't decided when their traveling. What if he misses the baby being born?!"

"Cath, you need to express that to him. Communication needs to be your number one priority."

"I already told him to go for it. I'm not going back on my word. Besides, I'll be fine," Catherine shrugged. "You know me. I just freak out more than I should."

"It's not going back on your word. It's being open about valid concerns."

"I can't say anything, because if I bring it up, he won't take the job."

"He's grown a lot these past years. You might be surprised."

Cath sighed. "I'll think about it." Her phone rang for what felt like the thousandth time, and she finally picked up the call. "Hey, Mari. What's up?"

Mari was crying softly as she asked, "Can I come over?"

"Sure. What's wrong?"

"I talked with Jack."

"And?"

"And...there's not much they can do," Mari whimpered.

"So, she'll go deaf?"

Mari cringed. "By sixteen...completely."

"Wow," Catherine gasped. "There's surgeries, though. I mean, I know people who were deaf from birth and they got a surgery and they could hear."

"Cochlear implants is what we're looking at...Gosh, Cath, how am I going to tell Josh?"

"Slowly and with lots of kissing."

"He's been a wreck since the accident, Cath. He hasn't kissed me in months, it feels like. He can barely wake up without punching something or getting frustrated."

"Well, you could downplay it for the time being and break it to him later. It might be best, under the circumstances," Catherine frowned.

"I miss him," Mari admitted.

"I know," Catherine nodded. "I know. Just give him some time."

"I'll be over soon," Mari whimpered. "I'm taking Amy home and picking up Will."

"Why don't you bring Amy? She can play with the twins."

"I-I can't face her right now."

"Then pawn her off on us."

"I guess," Mari sighed. "I would like some time with just Josh and the baby."

"Bring her over."

Mari complied, and within a few minutes, was at Catherine's front door.

"Hey," Catherine smiled, trying to be as cheery as possible. "Amy, the kids are in Lizzy's room."

"Thanks," Amy signed before running off.

Mari rushed into her friend's arms and hugged her tightly.

"Watch it. There's another person in there," Catherine chuckled. "Don't give up hope, Mari."

"I feel like I've lost everything and everyone."

"You still have me," Cath smiled weakly, "if that's worth anything."

"You have Charlotte," Mari cried. "You don't need me."

"That's not true. I'll always need you. Char missed so much. You know everything about me. You're my best friend."

"You mean that?"

"Of course."

"Thanks."

—————

Mari snuck in through the door as quietly as possible.

"Hi, Babe," Josh grinned.

"Hi," Mari smiled softly.

William let out a shriek and reached for his mother.

"Has he been misbehaving again?" Mari asked worriedly.

"Only a little," Josh chuckled. "But not terribly."

"Okay, good," Mari nodded. "Listen, there's something I've gotta talk to you about."

"Alright," Josh said with a little frown.

"I-I need you to stay calm, alright?"

"Okay," Josh nodded.

"Amy had an appointment with Jack today, and we got some bad news," Mari sighed. "He's saying that by the time she's sixteen, she'll lose her hearing. There aren't many options, but Jack's exploring one right now."

"What?" Josh asked slowly.

Mari held William a bit tighter to her chest. "Josh, I don't know what to do. I've been racking my brain for solutions and praying it isn't what it is, but-"

"So, our daughter is going deaf?"

Mari closed her eyes and rocked William gently back and forth as she nodded silently.

Josh frowned. "I don't know what to say...I guess all we can do is hope for the best, right?"

Mari stayed silent. William began to fall asleep and she set him in the bassinet before sitting down at the foot of the bed and pulling her knees to her chest.

"Can't you come closer?" Josh sighed. "I can't exactly hold you if you're all the way at the end of the mattress."

"I don't know how you can even look at me."

"We've been through this. I love you. Now, come here."

Mari grudgingly sat just out of his reach, but moved a bit closer.

Josh leaned forward with a small groan of pain and pulled his wife into his arms. "I love you," he said softly.

"It's all my fault," Mari whispered, placing a hand to his chest and trying to suppress her tears.

"It is not your fault," Josh frowned, kissing her cheek. "Don't blame yourself."

—————

"Cath, I have some news," Matt smiled.

"What is it?"

"The show will be traveling in five months," Matt grinned.

"Wonderful," Catherine nodded. "It's too bad that Ashley and Scarlett won't be here then. "

"Just five performances away and the rest home," Matt continued. "I've had word."

"How long will you be away?"

"Just every other week."

"Okay," Catherine sighed. "Lizzy's not going to be happy with you going away."

"Neither will Lotte," Matt sighed. "But I'll be back as quick as can be, I swear."

Catherine smiled softly. "I'm proud of you, Hon."

"Not as proud as I am of you," Matt beamed happily.

"Why?" Catherine chuckled.

"Four kids and a job? It mind bending."

"I have you," Catherine smiled, kissing Matt's check. "You're enough to help me get through."

—————

"Hi, Amy," Logan smiled.

"Did they tell you?"

"T-tell me w-w-what?"

"That I'm getting more useless by the year," Amy murmured bitterly.

"You're n-not useless," Logan frowned.

Amy took off her shoes and chucked them at the wall before breaking down crying.

Logan gently wrapped his arms around her. "It'll be okay," he said slowly, so as not to stutter.

"I have to p-p-pretend I don't know," Amy hyperventilated, sobs racking her body.

"Shh. It's alright," Logan said softly. "Everything will be okay."

"No, it's not," Amy said, looking up with eyes full of terror. "Logan, I'm going deaf," she signed heartbrokenly.

Logan kissed her cheek. "I'll l-love you just the same."

"My Daddy won't. He...he looks at me different now."

"You h-have me," Logan shrugged. "If th-th-that's worth anything."

"I want my daddy."

"He'll still love you, Amy."

"He can barley look at me."

"That doesn't mean that he doesn't love you."

"I don't know, Logan."

"I've n-never seen a daddy love his d-d-daughter more than Uncle Josh l-loves you," Logan nodded. "Shh. Don't cry."