Joey felt nervous. He had no idea what Kathy's parents thought of him or if they would like him. He could hear Josh running around inside talking animatedly while he stood outside the door with his hand raised to knock. Without giving it much more thought, he decided to knock.

"There you are," Kathy smiled when she saw him. She leaned into him. "Help me; they're driving me crazy!"

"O-oh okay," he stuttered. She pulled him in.

"Mom, Dad, this is Joey," she said. "He's a friend of mine and Josh's Dad."

"Hi," Joey said nervously. Her parents stood there staring for a moment.

"So good to meet you," her father finally said, stepping forward to shake his hand. "I'm Curt. This is Beth."

"Hi," Beth said, shaking his hand too. "So lovely to meet Josh's father."

"It's nice to meet you too," Joey said.

"Dad!" Josh cried, running to him.

"Hey!" Joey said, grabbing him and hoisting him up to his hip. "How are ya?"

"Grandpa brought me a present," Josh said excitedly.

"Oh yea? What did he bring?"

"I'll show you!" Josh said, wriggling to get down, so Joey set him down. He pulled on Joey's arm to go see.

"He's very cute," Beth said to Kathy once Joey was out of earshot.

"An actor you said?" Curt asked.

"He's a very good friend," Kathy explained. She wanted that to be clear so her mother wouldn't jump to conclusions.

"Mmhmm," Beth said. Kathy just rolled her eyes at her mother's implication. She went into the kitchen to finish preparing dinner.

"Can we help?" Curt asked.

"No, I'm okay. Just relax and have fun," Kathy replied. Joey came in not too long after while Josh went to cuddle with his grandparents on the couch in the living room.

"You okay?" he asked, leaning against the counter.

"I'm just tired. I love my parents, but they can be exhausting, and it's only been two hours," Kathy laughed. "They really want me to come home with them, and I don't want to leave. It was the original plan, of course, but now that things have changed, I want to stay here."

"You're their little girl," Joey said. "I'm sure it's very tough for them."

"I know it is, but I am still an adult who wants her wishes to be respected," Kathy finished. She pulled the pan out of the oven and set it on the stove top.

"Homemade pizza!" Joey exclaimed. "How did you know?"

"I did date you once upon a time," Kathy giggled. "It's also Josh's favorite."

"That's my boy," Joey said proudly.

"Okay, guys, bring in your plates!" Kathy called. Joey went last to avoid looking greedy. If he had it his way, he'd eat the entire thing, but because he was trying to impress, he figured he shouldn't.

...

After dinner, everyone sat in the living room with hands in their laps and averted gazes. Joey felt awkward. He didn't know what to do or say. Thankfully, Josh helped out.

"I learned number counting today," he said happily.

"That's good, Josh," Beth cooed. "I would love to help you more while we're here."

"You're staying?" Josh asked, excited.

"For a little while, yes," Beth answered. She looked at Kathy quickly.

"Can we go to the park?" Josh asked hopefully.

"It's getting a little late, bud," Kathy replied.

"Just for a little while? Pleeeaaaase?" Josh begged.

"It wouldn't hurt for a little fresh air," Curt said.

"All right. We'll go for thirty minutes," Kathy said.

"Woohoo!" Josh cried, rushing to get his shoes on. Within moments they were all walking towards the community park near where Kathy lived. Josh ran to the swings, demanding that Kathy push. Beth went to swing beside him. Curt stood beside Joey, watching.

"You know," he said. "You never think that you're going to watch your kid die. When Kathy first told us, I refused to believe it, but now, now I can see the toll it's taking on her."

"She's strong, though," Joey said.

"She is. She always has been. God, I never thought I'd have to sit here and watch this," Curt said, tearing up. "It's killing Beth. We never had any more children because we couldn't, and now we're going to be childless. I just can't believe it." He sat down on the bench, and Joey joined him.

"Josh had no idea," Curt went on. "I think he suspects something is up, but he doesn't ask. Maybe he's afraid to. I'm not sure what will happen when she dies and he realizes she's not coming back."

"We will be there to help him get through it," Joey said. "I plan on being in his life."

"Kathy said you would. I had my doubts, her telling you," Curt admitted. "I didn't know if you'd want to be involved. She said she wasn't going to tell you about being sick."

"I kind of found out," Joey said sheepishly. "She didn't tell me."

"Ah, well, kudos to you for sticking around," Curt nodded.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," Joey promised. He watched Kathy laughing with Josh. He definitely wouldn't be anywhere else, even though he knew a whole lot of pain was coming his way.

Two Weeks Later

"Mon," Chandler said, picking up the envelope with his name on it. He knew exactly what it was. She turned and looked at him, seeing it in his hands.

"Is that it?" she asked.

"This is it," he confirmed. She started panicking.

"What are we going to do if he's yours? What happens when Kathy dies? Chandler, I don't know what to do right now," she said, wringing her hands.

"Damn it, Monica, if Josh is my son and when Kathy dies, we are taking him home," Chandler said angrily. "He's my blood, and I won't abandon him."

"I know," Monica said, grasping his arm. "I know. Chandler, I'm sorry for freaking out. I'm just scared is all."

"Me too. I've been scared ever since Joey told me about Josh, and now we're here finding out the truth, and I'm scared shitless."

"We're in this together," Monica promised. "Open it." Inhaling deeply, Chandler ripped off the top and reached inside.

...

Joey was looking at his envelope unsure of what to do with it. He didn't really want to read it cos he already knew the truth. Josh was his son, end of story. He didn't need a piece of paper to tell him that. Phoebe watched him carefully.

"Do you want me to read it?" she asked.

"No," he shook his head. The door flew open then, and Monica and Chandler came running through.

"He's not the father!" Monica shrieked.

"I'm not the father!" Chandler shouted at the same time.

"Oh, yay!" Phoebe cried, clapping her hands. Joey grinned hugely.

"Then I know what that means," he said, going to rip his envelope.

"Oh, whoa, hey, oh!" Chandler yelped, making him stop.

"What?"

"Don't you wanna read it?"

"No. I don't have to. It was either me or you, man, and it's not you so that makes it me," Joey said. "It's that simple."

"Knock, knock," Kathy said from the door. "Did you get your results today?" She had been feeling a little anxious herself.

"Yes. I'm not the father," Chandler told her. She breathed a sigh in relief.

"I'm glad," she said. "For your sake."

"I second that," Monica said.

"So?" Kathy asked Joey. "What does it say?"

"I don't have to read it," he said, smiling. He handed it to her. "I already know the answer."

"Are you sure?" Kathy asked, taking it from him.

"Yup. You can do what you like with that, but I'm not looking at it," Joey said.

"Wow," Kathy said, smiling. "Oh, I'm so happy. Josh will be happy too, not that he fully understands what the whole thing was about really."

"How are you feeling?" Monica asked her.

"Tired," Kathy answered. "I was hoping maybe Josh could stay here tonight? I was planning a night with my parents."

"I can take him," Joey nodded. "Anything to help."

"Thanks, Joey," Kathy smiled. "I'll go get him from daycare now."

"See you in a bit," he called after her. Phoebe, Monica, and Chandler watched him warily once she was gone.

"How are you doing?" Chandler asked.

"It's hard, but I'm doing okay right now," Joey answered.

"Joey, you know it's soon, right?" Monica asked. She could see it in Kathy that things were slowly getting worse.

"I know. Do you have to keep bringing that up?" he asked, getting teary.

"I'm sorry. I just want to make sure you're aware," Monica replied. Joey swiped at his eyes.

"I'm fully aware that my son is going to be motherless in less than two months probably. I am choosing not to think about it every second of every day because if I do, I won't be able to function, and I need to function for Josh," Joey finished.

"Okay," Monica nodded. "You know we're here right? For everything."

"Thanks, you guys," Joey sniffed. He really didn't know what he was going to do without them.

Ross & Rachel

"Ross, would you cut it out and help me?" Rachel complained. Ross had been trying to amuse her with the bathroom reader he was absorbed in. Rachel was trying to figure out which baby book she wanted.

"I'm so getting this," Ross said, gesturing to the book.

"Good for you. It's about time you read something that didn't have dinosaurs involved," Rachel snorted.

"Oh, but there's dinosaur facts in here," Ross said, tapping the cover.

"Ugh, whatever. Help me," she whined. "I don't know what baby name book to get. I mean, how many books on baby names do they need? What if I get the wrong one that doesn't have the perfect name in it?"

"Rach, you're way overthinking this," Ross said. "Just pick this one." He plucked one off the shelf.

"But what if the names are different in this one?" she asked, pulling out another one.

"I doubt it."

"First page, Abigail," Rachel read. She opened the other one. "See? No Abigail!"

"What? Let me see," Ross said, taking them from her. He looked at both. "Huh."

"This is too hard," Rachel moaned.

"This one is in categories," Ross went on, his brow furrowed. "This is hard."

"See? Ross, what are we going to do?"

"How about we pick our baby's name the old fashioned way? From our heads?" Ross suggested.

"That sounds harder," Rachel pouted.

"Well, it will save us 25 bucks," Ross pointed out.

"Fine," she sighed. He put both books back.

"Oohh this looks good," Ross said, pulling out another one.

"The Expectant Father?" Rachel read over his shoulder. "Really? Who's the one pushing out a little human after nine months?"

"I'll be experiencing some things too," Ross said defensively. Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Come on," she said. "I need something to eat." She waited for him to pay for the books. Then they went to the Perk. Rachel had to admit, she was impressed with the way Ross had been lately. Maybe there was hope for them after all.

A Few Weeks Later-July

"I really want to go to Italy," Kathy said suddenly. Joey turned to look at her.

"Yea?" he asked.

"Yea. I've always wanted to go. Josh can stay with my parents. I'll be all right. I feel well enough to make the trip," she advised. Joey gave her a scrutinizing look.

"You sure?"

"I'm dead sure. We can go before Josh's birthday next month that way we can bring him back a really cool gift. You did promise to help me with my bucket list," Kathy said.

"I did. So far you ate a whole tub of ice cream in one sitting and held a squirrel. Italy is just a big leap from that," Joey laughed.

"The ice cream thing was a mistake," Kathy said ruefully. "I just always wanted to do it. I had a huge headache and a sick stomach afterwards."

"I was there. I remember," Joey reminded her. "I heard you regretting it all night long."

"Yes, yes," Kathy said, waving her hand. "Will you come tonight? When I tell my parents about the trip? I think Mom might get upset and worried."

"I'll be there," Joey promised. He knew she wanted to see Josh turn three. He knew she was holding on for that. He also knew how much weaker she was getting. He hoped this trip wouldn't ruin her chances at seeing her little boy turn one more year older. The past few weeks had been special to him, getting to know Kathy better and intimately. She had shared her thoughts, secrets, and fears. She confided that he was the best friend she'd ever had. Joey wanted to continue to be that for her. He didn't want to let her down.

Later

"Mom, Dad, I want to go to Italy," Kathy said abruptly. "I want to go next weekend." Joey held his breath, waiting for their response.

"What?" Beth asked, shocked.

"Are you sure?" Curt questioned.

"I'm sure. Can you watch Josh?"

"How can you think about traveling around the world right now? Kathy, you're not well..." Beth started.

"Mom, do NOT treat me with kid gloves," Kathy snapped. "I am sick, not an invalid. I can still do things for myself, and damn it, I'm going to!"

"I'm sorry," Beth said. "Sweetie, I'm just concerned..."

"I will be fine. I can still travel. I want to do this. It's only for a weekend. Joey will be with me," Kathy added. Joey nodded.

"You've got to start thinking about..."

"I have all my arrangements made, Mom," Kathy said, her voice growing thick. "There's nothing left to do." Beth lowered her gaze, nodding. Tears formed in her eyes.

"Mom, I know you care about me. Please, let me do this," Kathy said.

"Go," Beth said after a moment. "I want you to be happy."

"I am happy," Kathy said. "Considering." Joey had to give her credit. He had no idea how she could smile or laugh. Her strength and bravery awed him. He was starting to realize that he was falling for her again, and it terrified him.


Thanks for reading. Thanks for not giving up on this story. I tried to put a little comic relief in there with the Ross & Rachel bit. I am going to time jump a little bit in the next chapter. I doubt I will exceed 11 chapters. Until next time.