***I was going to make this a one shot added to my first story, but once I started writing I couldn't stop...it isn't written to follow the show much at all, besides the main idea of it. The way the family acts, always makes me think Mary died much earlier in life. I just lost my own mom in March, which might be why I wanted to write this. Maybe I wish things were different? Maybe I want the family dynamic they have? Maybe its just therapy? Who knows. Anyway... I don't own anything except the words. Enjoy!***

"Dad. Whats wrong? Where's mom?" Asked Erin frantically. She knew when her father called her out of class, when it was so close to the end of the semester, something had to be wrong.

"Erin, sweetie" started her father, pausing to steady his breathing. Erin didn't have to see him, to know her father was crying. The only times she can remember seeing her father this emotional was at his children's weddings, when Danny left for the Marine Corp, and when her grandmother, his mother, passed away. That fact alone, scared her more then anything.

"Erin, can you please go pick up your brothers from school and meet your mother and I at home? We will explain once you get here."

"But daddy," she started to say. Her father cut her off, "Erin please. I need you to do this." His voice sounded almost pleading, Erin knew not to press any further.

"Ok daddy", she said quietly. "Let me grab Nicki from daycare and Ill head to the schools. Ill be there in about an hour"

"Thank you sweetie. See you soon."

Erin made a quick phone call to Linda, her sister in law, married to her older brother Danny. Danny was on leave from the police dept and serving in Iraq with the marine corps. "Linda, it's Erin, have you talked to mom or dad today?"

" Yes actually, they stopped by emergency after her doctor appt, your mom asked me to come over after shift. Is everything alright?"

" Did she seem ok? Either of them? Dad just called me out of class, asked me to pick up the boys, and head over there."

" Well now that you mention it, your mom seemed a little teary, but she has acted that way around me ever since Danny left. I get done in just a few, let me finish my paperwork, and Ill meet you over there." said Linda thinking back.

"Thanks Linda, I have a bad feeling about this." Erin stated as she hung up her phone.