Leo's house:
Adrian and Bryan sat at the table for dinner with Leo and Camielle. All of the kids were being watched by family or babysitters. Adrian played with the food on her plate. She had eaten a lot of it. But her stomach was all tied up in knots. Bryan gave her an encouraging look and Adrian smiled at him. Then she cleared her throat.
"Bryan and I just wanted to catch up and see how everyone is doing." Adrian said.
Leo looked at Camielle and she looked back at him. It seemed they had a world of emotions going on. And no one knew what to say it seemed. Finally Leo took a breath and spoke. "We are hanging in there. It's been very difficult with all of this. As I am sure you are all having a hard time with this."
"Yeah I think your right. But I also worry about you because he was your son. No parent should ever have to bury their child. We both have had too. And there are no words to describe the pain one feels." Adrian said as she looked into Leo's eyes.
"Your right. It's terrible and I feel like I lost him all over again. I had made peace with his passing but it hurt like hell every day but I continued to live my life as he would have wanted us all to do. But I can't help but feel so sad and angry twice as much as before. And I don't know if I can keep going on without him. I don't know if I am stroenough to go through with all of this." Leo said as he broke down crying.
"You are Leo. You are one of the strongest people I know. You did it before I know you can again. Because you are a fighter and a survivor. You have been as long as I have known you. I saw it in Ben and I see it in our daughter Hope. This family will make it through if we just stick together." Adrian said with determination.
"Everything you say is true. I am strong and I do survive. But it doesn't make it hurt any less." Leo broke down and Camielle got up and embraced her husband. Then Adrian got up and hugged both of them.
"but your right we are a family and we are going to stay a family." Leo said finally after a long cry.
Grace and Jacks Apartment in New York:
Javk sat alone in the dark. He was deep in thought when he heard someone rattling the door handle. Jack sprung up and pulled out a gun he had puchased that same day for protection. He took the safety off and he pointed it at the door. Someone was still fumbling with the door and the lock.
"I have a gun and I will shoot you." Jack said as his shaky hands tried to hold onto the gun.
"Jack it's me Grace." She said with fear in her voice.
Then the door swung open as Grave had finally found her keys. Jack lowered the gun. And then Grace grabbed it put the safety in and placed the gun high up. Then she walked over to Jack and just held him. He sunk to the floor in a position and Grace sat down in his laps. He was trembling.
"I could have killed you." Jack said as tears ran down his face.
"But you didn't. You stopped yourself by acknowledging that you had a gun and were willing to use it. I understand your fears for our family. It's the same fears that I have. It's going to be okay eventually." Grace said as she kissed him.
"I am losing it Gracie. I don't sleep well and I have these vivid nightmares that someone is after me or you or the kids. The more I try to control everything and pretend like everything is ok the more I am falling apart." Jack said as he cried.
"we will get through this. I don't know how or when but we will." Grace said with love.
"I think I need help Gracie. I am afraid of myself and I fear what I could do. I have been thinking dark bad thoughts. Like maybe if I wasn't here the pain would stop and it would be better. But then I think about all of you and the kids and I think I can't do that." Jack said with deep pain and fear in his voice.
"We will get you help then. I will be there with you every step of the way. I love you Jack and I love our family together. And you have sacrificed so much for me to finish medical school and now I am in my residency. You have given so much for me. Let me give back to you and take care of you." Grace said as she kissed him deeply.
"! Love you too. Just stay with me please?" Jack asked.
"I am here and always will be." Grace said as she held him close and just let him cry. She had found out some good news but would wait later to tell him as now was not a good time. So Grace would stay by her husband and get him the help he needed. She made a promise.
Ricky and Amy's house:
Ricky had just got home from work. He took off his coat and hung it up. Then he placed his keys and wallet by the doorway. He slipped of his shoes. Then he continued through the house. He found Amy in the kitchen. She was on the phone so Ricky went about making a sandwich.
"I am so sorry Grace. I hope he is going to be ok. Of course we will tell Adrian. Grace please let us know if you need anything. Ok bye." Amy said and then put her cellphone down.
"What happened honey?" Ricky said watching her face,
"That was Grace. Jack had a nervous breakdown last night. He is in the hospital. He has been suffering for a while Grace said. He finally couldn't take anymore. Grace is beside herself with worry. Usually Jack is her rock. She is trying to be strong but she said it's hard." Amy said quietly.
"he tried Amy. He was really trying to hold on and tell himself he was ok. He just couldn't take anymore I guess. We also have a breaking point." Ricky said.
"You knew?" Amy asked.
"Well he called me a few times. He said he was having a rough time with everything but he said he could handle it, I really thought he just needed someone to talk to, if I had known I would have made sure Grace knew. I really thought he was doing ok though" Ricky said.
"I hope he is ok. Grace and his kids really need him. We all want him to be well and happy." Amy said as she started to cry again,
"we are going to help everyone get through this," Ricky said as he held her and just let all her tears fall.
