A/N: After being bugged over and over again to update my story, I finally did. But I need all of you to understand that I'm handling some medical business and I really don't have the time to update when you want me to (which is what I was trying to say in the author's notes). Brittney, if you're still out there, I used as many of your ideas as I could for this chapter and will do so for the next. I hope everything is all right. You are in my prayers.

The car ride to the police station seemed to be going slow. Alvin, who was sitting in the middle of his brothers, quietly stared straight ahead. Normally he'd be yammering everyone's ears off, but not this time. Dave noticed his son's silence and sighed. He turned up the radio, hoping to drown out some of the silence that was in the car. No such luck.

Within just a few minutes, all three boys had dozed off. Dave took a quick glance in his rearview mirror and smiled. Alvin was sleeping on Simon's shoulder and Theodore was sleeping on Alvin's. Dave wasn't surprised about how tired his son was. The poor boy hadn't gotten much rest the past couple days either, thanks to his flu. Dave wouldn't have blamed him if he fell asleep while walking to the car.

Dave pulled up to the police station and cut off the car. Reaching back, he gently shook his sons awake. "Wake up fellas," he said softly, "we're here".

One by one the boys slowly woke up. Noticing that they were at the police station, Alvin's body began to tense up again. He got even more nervous when his brothers opened their doors. Once they climbed out Dave reached in and helped Alvin out.

"I'm scared Dave" Alvin said as Dave set him on the ground.

"There's nothing to be afraid of Alvin" Dave comforted. "Everything will be all right".

Alvin squeezed Dave's hand as they all made their way into the station.

"Dave, don't make me do this!" Alvin pleaded before they went into the room to talk to Leonard.

Dave kneeled down in front of his son. "I know this is a scary moment for you Alvin," he said gently, "but I promise he's not going to hurt you. He just wants to talk".

Tears began to well up in Alvin's eyes, one managing to slip.

Concerned, Dave pulled Alvin close. Picking him up, Dave let out a deep breath and opened the door.

"No!" Alvin cried. He shoved Leonard's hands away and buried his face in Dave's shoulder. All the bad memories of what happened between him and Leonard began to play with his mind again.

Leonard let out a sigh. "All right Alvin," he said, "you don't have to look at me. You can just listen, OK?" He took in a deep breath.

"Alvin," Leonard began, "I'm so sorry for what I put you through. I wasn't thinking clearly. I was drunk and I didn't know that I was hurting the ones that I love. It was stupid and wrong and I want nothing more than to take it back.

"I realize now that not only did I hurt you, but I hurt your family and friends as well. I was just so—mad; mad about my divorce with your Aunt Linda, mad about losing my kids. But besides being drunk, I have no idea why I targeted you".

Alvin, finally calm but still sniffling, kept his head buried in Dave's shoulder. Leonard sighed; just saying 'I'm sorry' again and again wasn't going to make amends.

"During my time in rehab," Leonard went on, "we talked about how we shouldn't take the ones we love for granted because we never know how long that person will be there. I realize now that you could've been dead because of me. I nearly killed you three times, and I would've never been forgiven if it'd happened".

Dave set Alvin to the floor and walked over to his brother. "Leonard—" he started.

"Dave, I think you deserve the biggest apology" tears flowed down Leonard's face. "I wish I could just go back in time and—"

Leonard was interrupted when Dave wrapped his arms around him. Though a bit confused, he returned the hug as more tears came running down.

Both turned to Alvin. Kneeling down, Leonard held out his arms. Alvin hesitated a bit, but slowly walked forward. Leonard wrapped his arms around the child, surprising him. Pretty soon, Simon and Theodore also joined the hug.

Linda had come in just soon after Leonard had finished talking to Dave and the boys. Leonard walked over to her and grabbed her hands.

"Linda," said Leonard, "you know you're everything I ever wanted, right?"

"That's not what you said after the kids were born" Linda pointed out.

"That was the old me, Linda" said Leonard. "I'm a changed man. I want you back and I really want to be back with my kids".

"I don't know, Leonard" said Linda. "Your drinking habits—"

"I don't drink anymore Linda" Leonard reassured her.

Linda blinked. "You don't?" she asked.

"I know you've given chance after chance to change," said Leonard, "I begging you for just one more".

Linda didn't know what to say. She wanted to believe Leonard had changed but she was scared that the same stuff might happen if she took him back.

"Linda?" Leonard noticed that Linda's eyes were tearing up. "Please, say something".

Linda let out a deep breath. "Oh Leonard," she said, "that was the apology I've been waiting so long to hear".

"So you'll take me back?" Leonard asked.

"Yes," replied Linda, "yes I will".

Hearing that, Leonard hugged her tightly.

A/N: Chapter may be edited before the next one is published.