Flashback:

Adriana was still in pain after her surgery. She was extremely tired but she couldn't fall asleep for some reason. The medication she was given should've been kicking in sometime soon. Jon was asleep in the chair next to the bed. He didn't want to sleep in the bed next to Adriana since she had her surgery.

Adriana surveyed the room. Jon had snuck in a nightlight that would give the room some type of light since the room was dark. Adriana looked to her right and saw Jasmine asleep in the incubator. The baby was having trouble breathing on her doctors wanted to make sure the baby was fine before Jon and Adriana took her home.

"My baby..." Adriana said quietly.

Jon stirred in his sleep and woke up. He wasn't a light sleeper but since he was in the hospital with Adriana and the baby, he couldn't help but sleep lightly. Jon sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Jon," Adriana said.

Jon got up.

"Hey. Are you okay?" he asked.

"Why can't we take our baby home?" Adriana asked.

"She's having trouble breathing on her own. She'll pull through," Jon said.

"Don't tell me the baby is going to..."

"No. We are not going to lose our baby. Jasmine is strong. And you have to be strong for her too."

"It's my fault."

"Why do you say that?"

"If I had taken better care of myself when I was pregnant with Jasmine, she wouldn't be suffering because of me."

Jon took Adriana's face into his hands.

"You did nothing wrong. The baby just needs a little medical attention is all. We are not going to lose our baby. You have to be strong.


Present:

Out of everyone in attendance to Max's funeral, Nonno and Nonna cried the most. They never thought that they would see one of their grandchildren laying in a casket. The very site of Max's cold body laying in the casket hurt Nonna and Nonno to no end.

"Please wake up Max," Nonno cried. Nonno and Nonna were at Max's casket to view his body one last time.

Marty was right beside Nonno and Nonna to help them.

"Oh Maxy," Nonna said. She leaned over and kissed Max on his forehead. "I'm going to miss you."

Nonno leaned over and kissed Max on the forehead as well. Marty helped Nonno and Nonna back to their seat.

Jon had an arm around Adriana. Surprisingly, she didn't cry during the funeral. But Jon knew that once they got home Adriana would lock herself in the room and cry. Jon kissed her on her temple.

"It'll be alright," Jon whispered to her.

For now.


As Jon suspected, Adriana went straight to the spare room at their grandparent's house. She tried closing the door on Jon once she got in the room but he got in and closed the door. He locked it so that no one else would come in. Adriana sighed and slipped into tank top and some sweats. She sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the ground. Jon sat next to her.

"Get away from me," Adriana said.

"No."

"I mean it."

"I know you do. And that's why I'm not leaving."

"I'm not going to ask you again."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Why? You afraid that I'm going to try and harm myself? Is that it? I'm not crazy, alright?"

"Never said you were."

"Whatever."

"I know you're hurting on the inside. You don't want to show it. That's perfectly fine. But don't hold it in."

"Stop talking."

"I'm trying to help you."

"I don't need your fucking help! You talking is not going to bring Max back!"

"I know it's not going to bring him back. But that doesn't mean I still can't comfort you."

Adriana looked at Jon.

"I can't deal with this. I really can't..."

Adriana broke down in tears and grabbed Jon. Jon grabbed his wife and let her cry in his chest.

"This reminds me of when I thought I lost you..." Adriana sobbed.

"I know. But I came back to you and I never left you side," Jon said. "You wanted me to leave a few minutes ago but I didn't go anywhere. I'm not leaving you."

Adriana sighed.

"Let's lay down," Jon said.

Both of them relocated from the edge of the bed to the middle of it. Adriana laid on top of Jon and continued to weep.

Jon's mind wandered to a conversation him and Max had long ago.


2003:

"Wow! You're joining the Army?" Max said.

"Yeah," Jon said.

Jon and Max were sitting on the bench at the park. Mrs. Germanotta and Adriana had went shopping for new furniture for the apartment.

"Why did you join?" Max asked.

"To make something out of myself. I want you make your mom and sister proud as well," Jon said.

"I hope I can," Max said. "How long will you be gone?"

"I have to serve four years," Jon said.

"Four years!? That's so long!"

"I know."

"I don't think Mama and Adriana will like that. OOPS! I'm sorry...I..."

"You're right. No need to apologize. I know Adriana and Mama are going to worry."

"You'll be fine."

"I hope so."

"You will. I believe in you."

"Thanks. That means a lot."

"You're welcome. I love you."

"I love you too."


Present:

The next day Adriana had to go to work while Jon had the day off. He had taken the children to the movies, to the ice cream parlor, and now they were all sitting on the couch watching Tom and Jerry. Aiden and Michael slid to the floor and cuddled with each other.

One of the episodes involved Tom Cat dying and going to heaven after he got squashed flat. Jasmine was intrigued by this.

"Daddy, why is there light shining from the sky? Is that where someone lives? Is that where Max went?" she asked.

Jasmine was sitting in Jon's lap. She holding on Jon's index finger and was squeezing it.

"Max is in a place similar to that. He is with other good people now," Jon said.

Jasmine wiped away tears that were falling from Jon's eyes. She got up and kissed her father on his cheek. She gave him a big smile.

"Cheese! And mashed potatoes!" Jasmine said.

Jon chuckled.

"Daddy, do you want to read the poem I wrote?" J.J. asked.

"Sure," Jon said.

J.J. had flipped through his little journal he kept with him at times. He got to his designated page and cleared his throat.

"Don't cry everybody. Don't cry. The sun will always shine bright for you. It doesn't matter if darkness is around. This is true. When times get rough, make sure you keep a smile. It isn't tough. No matter what happens to you, just remember that being poisitive will see you through. So don't cry. Don't cry. The sun will always shine bright. It will be alright."

J.J. closed his journal. Everyone started to clap.

"Bravo!" Maddy said.

"Thank you guys," J.J. said.

"That's was terrific," Jon said.

"Thanks Daddy. Grandpa Steve also taught me how to write and read my poem...since I couldn't figure it out. Why do I feel so stupid?" J.J. asked.

"What did I tell you about saying that?"

"But I am stupid."

"Hush. You are not stupid. I don't want to hear you ever say that again. All of you are very smart children. I'm a proud father and your mother is proud of you too. Everyone is proud of you. Don't you guys forget it. Do you guys understand?"

"Yes," all the children said.

"Fantastic," Jon said.

"Daddy, I want mashed potatoes," Jasmine said.

"Wait until dinner time. I'll make you a snack but you'll have to wait for the potatoes," Jon said.

"I want it now!" Jasmine said. She folded her arms and started to pout.

"Hey. Look at me," Jon said.

Jasmine looked at her father with a frown on her face.

"You better fix your face. Now I said that you have to wait until dinner and that's that. You better stop pouting and unfold your arms before I whoop you," Jon said.

Jasmine quickly unfolded her arms.

"I don't wanna whoopin'," she said.

"Then don't start acting up. No means no. Yes means yes. Do you understand?" Jon said.

"Yes Daddy," Jasmine said.


Beatrix went to check up on Adriana in her office. She brought her coffee from Starbucks. Adriana was staring blankly at her computer screen.

"I got your coffee," Beatrix said. "Adriana? Adriana?"

Beatrix set the coffee down on Adriana's desk and gently shook her shoulder. Adriana jumped a little.

"Sorry! You alright?"

"I think. I guess. I don't know."

"You should go home. I'll take over."

"No."

"Adriana-"

"I'm fine Beatrix! Nothing is wrong with me! Leave me alone!"

Adriana realized her mistake of yelling at Beatrix and quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You're still upset. I understand. Go home and get some rest. You need to be with your family."


After meditating, Adriana felt some type of relief. Jon had made her some hot tea with lemon and honey. The smell from the tea was good. Adriana was sitting up with her back against her pillow. Jon handed her the cup of tea and watched as she took a sip of it. Jon began to rub her feet. Adriana took another sip of the tea and smiled a little. Jon smiled back at her. Sometimes they didn't have to say anything to each other. Something as small as a smile or a simple hug said a lot. Jon cracked Adriana's toes. Adriana jumped and stuck her tongue out at Jon.

Jon smirked and continued to rub his wife's feet. Adriana giggled.

"You know I think I can see some dimples in your face too," Jon teased.

"Nope!" Adriana said.

"Yup."

"You make some good tea."

"I'm glad you like it. I thought I messed up."

"You didn't. It's pretty good."

"I'm glad. I know you're still upset."

It had been a week since Max's funeral.

Adriana smiled.

"In a way I am. But Max is in a better place. Beatrix told me I needed to come home to be with you and the kids."

"He is in a better place. And I'm glad you came home early."

"He would be enjoying this tea."

"Nah. A Pepsi or a Coca Cola."

"True, true."

"I'm craving Taco Bell."

"I am too. Wait, aren't you cooking dinner!"

"Um...I forgot to buy the turkey meat for the patties."

"Oh. Well, Taco Bell it is."

Jasmine burst through the door. She was eavesdropping on her parents.

"TACO BELL!? MADALINE! J.J.! AIDEN! MICHAEL! WE ARE GOING TO TACO BELL!" she screamed.

"YAAAY!" they all screamed from Maddie's room.

"I'm driving," Adriana said.

"Yes. You do that," Jon agreed.

All of the kids then rushed in and started hopping on the bed.

"TACO BELL HERE WE COME!" J.J. said.

"You guys aren't going nowhere if I find toys all over the floor," Jon warned.

"Everything is clean!" Jasmine said.

Jasmine hopped on Jon and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"You sure?" Jon said.

"Yup!" Jasmine said.

"Can we drink soda!?" Michael asked.

"Sure," Jon said.

"Jon! The kids need to drink more water!" Adriana said.

"They've been drinking water and juice all week! Let the kids have some soda!" Jon said.

"Please Mommy!?" Maddy asked.

"Fine," Adriana said.

"Alright everyone. Put on your shoes! I'm still going to check your rooms," Jon said.

"Let's lock Daddy out of the room!" Aiden said.

All of the kids bolted out of the room. Jon went after them.