Back to the present (the next day):

Shirley smiles at her newest daughter, as she dresses the baby. "Well sweetheart, we've got to get you all prettied up. You're going to meet your brothers and sister today. They'll be here in a few minutes." She snaps the onezee, and then holds the baby at her shoulder. "I can't wait for them to meet you." She kisses the side of the baby's head as she hears a knock on the door. "Come in!"

The door opens to reveal Greg and Laurie.

"Mom!" Laurie greets, as she wheels to the bed.

"Hi!" Shirley greets.

"Hello, Mrs. Corwin," Greg greets, kissing her on the cheek.

"Meet Christianna Mae Corwin," Shirley shines, as she places the baby in her lap.

"Oh mom!" the brunette coos, "She's beautiful!"

"I can't believe she's mine! Would you like to hold her?"

"Sure!"

Shirley passes the baby to Laurie.

"Hi, Christianna. I'm your sister, Laurie." She studies her sister. "She looks so much like Tracy did when she was a baby."

"I think so too."

"Greg, isn't she beautiful?" Laurie asks her fiancé. "And she's so tiny! Mom, I can't get over how tiny she is!"

"She is lovely," he comments.

"She is tiny," Shirley smiles. "She is the smallest of my six babies." She sighs and then regains her composure.

"I can't wait until we have one of our own," Laurie dreams.

Both Shirley and Greg choke, lump forming in their throats.

"I don't mean right away," the brunette laughs, letting her fiancé and mother off the hook. Shirley breathes a sigh of relief. Greg still looks pained. "I want to wait a little while after we're married before we try for a baby," Laurie giggles.

They hear a knock on the door. "Come in!" Shirley calls.

Once again, the door opens. This time, revealing Keith and Danny.

"Hi, guys!" she greets, as she hugs her sons. Laurie is still holding the baby. "Meet your sister, Christianna Mae Corwin."

"Wow!" Danny pipes, "that's a mouthful for a little baby." Keith elbows him in the ribs. "Ow!" Danny shouts.

"Guys," Shirley warns, half-joking. "We're going to call her Christi."

"Christi Corwin," Laurie comments, baby still in her arms.

"Would one of you guys like to hold her?" Shirley asks her sons.

"Sure," Keith states. Laurie passes the baby to their oldest brother. He sits in a nearby chair to hold Christi. "Hi Christi! I'm your oldest brother. You look just like our sister, Tracy." He swallows the lump forming in his throat. Shirley shoots him an understanding look. "Danny?" Keith begins, "would you like to hold her?"

"I guess so," he replies, nervously. Keith passes the baby over. "She's so small! And she does look like Tracy."

Shirley surveys the room, looking at her children. Feelings of happiness, contentment, and sadness wash over her. The Partridge children sigh, as the absence of Chris and Tracy is very apparent. Danny passes the baby back to their mother, who holds her close.

Greg suggests some family pictures. Shirley agrees. Laurie transfers from her wheelchair to the side of Shirley's bed. Keith sits on the other side of their mother, and Danny crawls in behind them. Greg snaps a few pictures. Suddenly, Christi begins squirming and wails.

"Oh, sweetheart, are you hungry?"

Keith and Danny make a hasty, but awkward exit. Greg suggests he and Laurie leave, Laurie transfering back to her wheelchair, but she's feeling a bit reluctant to leave. Shirley takes notice. "Laurie, if you'd like, you can stay and keep me company."

"Sure. Greg, I'll meet you in a few minutes?"

Greg kisses his beloved on the cheek, realizing she needs this time with her mother. "I'll be out in the waiting room."

"Okay," she kisses him back. After Greg leaves, she speaks, "Mom? How are you?"

"I'm happy," she replies, as she coaxes the baby to latch onto her breast.

Laurie continues, feeling increasingly awkward, "How is it for you...?" She trails off, unsure of how to phrase things.

"How is it knowing Christi was born on the first year anniversary of losing Chris and Tracy?" Shirley supplies.

"Yes."

"It is bittersweet. I'll always miss Chris and Tracy, and we all felt their absence greatly a few minutes ago." The baby cries; she has detached, and can't reattach, becoming frustrated and screams. "Sweetheart, let me help you." She tries to get her back on, but the baby continues to wail. "Let's try the other side." She guides the baby to her other breast and she latches on. Shirley relaxes as the baby nurses.

"I think I get it," Laurie states, as things become clear. "It'll always be a hard day for us because they're not here, but it'll also be a good one because she's here."

"Precisely."

The brunette admires her younger sister.

"What?" the new mother asks, curious.

"I guess that means you'll make it to the wedding," the bride-to-be grins.

"I guess we will," Shirley chuckles. "Do you know who you want to escort you down the aisle?"

"I'm going to ask Keith, and I would've had Tracy stand up with me." Laurie sighs. "I don't know who I'll ask. Frankie will be in Europe on her study abroad program by then."

"You've got time."

"I was thinking about it just being the two of us up there."

"No attendants?"

"The two people I wanted the most to stand up with me can't be there, and the guy Greg was going to ask to be his best man can't afford to fly out. So, it just being the two of us up there may be the way to go."

"Whatever the two of you decide will be the right decision."

Laurie sighs, "Now, I need to find a dress. The one I always had my eye on won't work in the wheelchair. I tried it on last week, and I keep running over it."

"How 'bout next weekend, your sister and I take you wedding dress shopping?"

Tears form in Laurie's eyes, and before she can blink them back, she begins crying.

"I know, honey," Shirley comforts, "it's strange to hear that phrase right now, but it will get easier."

"I don't know if I want it to get easier. I feel like..." she trails off.

"Feel like what?" Shirley encourages, "You can say. It's okay."

"I love Christi, and no I don't think it would be any easier if she'd been Tyler, but I feel like it means I'm forgetting Tracy or something." Laurie inhales. "Oh, forget it," she dismisses, "It's stupid, really."

"Hey," Shirley states, trying to focus her oldest daughter, "it's not stupid. Going on with our lives doesn't mean we're forgetting Tracy... or Chris." She feels tears forming in her own eyes. "They would be so happy that Christianna's here, and that you're getting married soon. They wouldn't want us to always be sad. Being happy sometimes doesn't mean we love or miss them any less."

"I know, but..."

"No 'buts.'" She smooths a lock of Laurie's hair. "Remember, I got married four months after they died. That, and finding out I was pregnant with Christianna were two of the hardest things I've done after their funerals."

"How can I forget? You and Chuck had to get married in the rehab's chapel because the doctor wouldn't release me home yet, since I was still recovering from pneumonia."

Shirley moves the baby to her shoulder, and begins burping her. "All I'm saying, honey, is this past year has been hard and so will be some of the special events that are coming up soon. We've just got to remember that they would be very happy for us all."

"I think I get it."

"Good."

The women embrace.

Back at the hospital (the next day; two days after the accident):

Laurie's pain has decreased to the point that her pain medication can be reduced. She's more alert. "Mom?"

Shirley's eyes open and she's immediately by her daughter's side. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"I'm gonna be sick," she moans.

"What kind of sick?" Shirley asks, smoothing her daughter's hair.

"I... I feel like I'm going to throw up," she replies, as she wretches onto her sheets.

"Oh, Laurie!" Shirley presses the call light and informs the nurse that she needs to be cleaned up.

The nurse and a couple orderlies arrive. "We need to get you up and into the shower," the nurse states.

"I can't walk," Laurie protests. "How are you going to get me up in the shower?"

"The sooner we get you up and walking," the nurse insists, "the better."

"I can't walk!" Laurie cries.

Shirley, upset over seeing her daughter upset, corners the nurse and orderlies. "Excuse me," she looks at the nurse's nametag, "Excuse me, Emma, but can we talk outside?"

Emma reluctantly agrees and follows Shirley outside the room.

"I don't know if you know what's going on with my daughter, but when she says she can't walk, she isn't just saying that. She can not walk."

"She had surgery, and the best way to recover is to get up and start moving around."

"I would agree," Shirley starts, trying to fight her anger, "but her back is broken and she doesn't have feeling in her legs. So, she can't get up and walk. You will not get her up and run the risk of damaging her back any further than it is."

"Well," Emma retorts, indignant, "what do you suppose we need to do to get her cleaned up?"

"How about checking with her doctor?"

"Fine," she huffs, rolling her eyes, as she walks off, on her way to call the doctor.

Shirley, still shaking from the confrontation, sighs and leans on the wall, trying to regain her tries to slow her breaths.

"Just between you and me," one of the orderlies whispers, "she's a real battleaxe."

The other orderly, in turn, whispers, "Nobody likes her!"

Shirley stifles a giggle.

"We'll get her cleaned up as best we can," the second orderly consoles, "and then see what he says. She doesn't need to lie in it longer than she has to."

"Thanks," Shirley sighs, as she leads them back into Laurie's room.

"Mom!" Laurie cries. "Please don't have them make me try to get up!"

"They won't," she soothes. "Are you still feeling sick?"

"I threw up again. Mom, I hate this!"

"I know, darling. Let's get you cleaned up as best we can. We've called for the doctor."

The orderlies wash Laurie's face and neck, and clean the sheet. Then, they change out her pillow and put her into a fresh hospital gown.

"It still may not be great," the first orderly cautions, "but that should help you feel some better."

"Yes," Laurie confirms, "thank you."

"Do you want some water?" Shirley asks, refilling her cup.

"Yes. I'm thirsty." Shirley holds the straw to her daughter's lips, and she drinks. "Thanks."

"We'll be back when he comes by," the second orderly states.

"Thanks," the brunette smiles, grateful.

"I appreciate it."

They leave, and once again, Shirley is alone with her daughter.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to have to go to the police station to get our stuff?"

"I was, but if you're feeling sick, I'm staying with you."

"You don't have to. Reuben or Chuck, or Keith can," Laurie suggests.

"Keith's over eighteen. Reuben can go with him." Shirley sighs, "although there may not be a whole lot to claim."

"And... and..." Laurie trails off, afraid to ask.

"And, what?"

"What about Chris and Tracy's stuff?" Laurie asks, as she bursts into tears.

"We'll bring it with us," Shirley answers through her own tears, "and then decide what to do with it later."

"Oh, mom! I can't believe this is happening! It's really real, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." Shirley embraces her daughter as best she can, being careful not to jar her arm or her back.

"Will I miss the funeral, since I'm stuck here in the hospital?"

"No, darling. We'll figure something out."

The doctor knocks on the door. "I heard you're feeling sick." He enters and is followed by the two orderlies.

"I am," she sniffs, wiping away tears.

"First thing we'll do is get you cleaned up. Then, we'll change your pain medication. That's probably what's making you sick. And, I want to go ahead and fit you for a back brace. We need to get your spine stabilized."

"How long will I need to stay in the hospital?" Laurie asks. "I'll need to get home for..." she sniffs. "...for the funerals."

"We'll keep you here for the rest of this week, and then we'll get you transferred closer to home."

"But the funerals," Laurie repeats, worried.

"We'll work it out," Shirley reassures. "You don't need to worry."

The orderlies bring a gurney by the bed.

"Let's go ahead and get you transferred onto the gurney. We'll get you fitted for your back brace while they change your sheets... and we can get you a new gown too."

Laurie nods and allows the orderlies to transfer her to the gurney. "Mom?" She holds out her right hand.

Shirley goes to her side, clasps her hand and kisses her on the cheek. "I'll be right here when you get back."

"If you have to leave, I'll be okay."

"I'm not leaving." Laurie tries to protest, but Shirley puts a finger to her daughter's lips. "Shhh. I don't want to hear another word about it."

"All right. I love you, mom."

"I love you too."

He and the orderlies take Laurie, while another orderly changes the linens. Shirley hears a knock on the door. "Come in!"

"Mom!" Keith greets, hugging his mother. He looks over at the bed, expecting to see his sister. "Where's Laurie?"

"The doctor took her to get a back brace." Keith looks at her puzzled, so she continues, "I suppose it's to keep her back from jarring and making things worse."

"So...?"

"Still no feeling in her legs." Shirley sighs as she motions for her son to sit. "It's going to take a long time for her to recover... if she recovers."

"What do you mean, 'If she recovers'?" Keith asks, frightened.

"We've got to accept the fact that she may never walk again." Shirley trails off, tears forming.

Keith inhales, trying to keep his composure.

"So," Shirley begins, changing the subject, "did you and Reuben go down to the station?"

"We did."

"I would've gone with you guys," Shirley sighs.

"We knew you needed to be here with Laurie, and could do it. After all, I am over eighteen."

"And?"

"We got what we could. Chuck took Danny to rent a car for us. Reuben's officially canceled the rest of the tour, and will take some of what's left of our belongings back to our house." He pauses to let that sink in.

"What's left?" Shirley sighs, realizing the finality of it all.

"Our suitcases surprisingly stayed intact, and the clothes inside are fine. He's taking Chris and Tracy's suitcases back, and having some of the equipment that could be repaired shipped back home... We weren't sure about Laurie's suitcase, so we'll keep it with us."

"That's what I was thinking."

"None of the instruments survived. It's all gone, except for a couple drum covers and speakers."

"I'm sorry."

"And, the only pieces of music that made it are Dreams of You and Oceans. You know, the one I was writing for Tracy?"

Shirley inhales. "Oh, Keith."

"That's not all that survived." A voice states from the threshold.

Keith and Shirley turn to the sound and sees Danny.

"What else survived, Danny?" Shirley asks.

"My tape recorder," he replies, tears forming, "with a recording of Oceans."

"What?" Keith asks, surprised.

"Before that last time we went over it, I pressed the record button. I thought Tracy might want a recording of her first rehearsal as a lead singer," he explains as he enters the room.

"How?" Shirley inquires.

"I put the tape recorder back in my suitcase right before we all fell asleep. I was going to surprise her with it later that night."

"Oh, Danny!" Shirley gasps through tears. She embraces her son. "Thank you!"

"Mom, do you want me to play it sometime? It's at the motel, but I can bring it over."

"Not right now," she answers, shaking. "I'll listen to it later. Laurie's supposed to be returning from getting her brace fitted in a few minutes." She tries to slow her breathing down.

Danny starts to question, but Keith shoots him a look, making him think better of it.

"Where's Chuck?" Shirley inquires.

"He's making a few phone calls. He said he'd be up in a few."

The orderlies roll Laurie back into the room, and transfer her back into the bed. Keith and Danny watch, somber, as Shirley approaches Laurie's bed. "Mom?" Laurie groans.

"How are you?"

"The brace feels weird," Laurie comments.

"How so?"

"I can feel the brace up near my ribs, but then I can't feel it down bellow. I can feel it with my hand, but I can't feel it on me."

Shirley blinks back tears and swallows the lump in her throat.