Roman-
I had set my alarm so I could get up and get ready to take the kids to school. I couldn't sleep last night, not only was the couch lumpy, it was too small for me but I was not going to complain. I had my wife, alive and healthy. Ella was the first one down.
"Hey, I know mom usually makes breakfast and she goes all out but I don't cook as good as her. I make a mean peanut butter and jelly", I said.
She was about to answer.
"He's right, there really good", we turned to see Chris.
She was in sweats and a t-shirt. Ella smiled.
"So I usually make breakfast?", she asked.
"Chris, you don't have too", I said.
"Joe, I am fine. If breakfast is what I usually do, then breakfast it is", she smiled.
She stepped foot in the kitchen and then stopped. She sighed.
"What do I usually make?", she asked, turning to look at us.
"Eggs, toast, and bacon", Ella said.
Usually Chris got up at six in the morning to start. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes. Ella, I knew, didn't want her to over due it. Chris nodded and she looked at me.
"Can I?", she asked.
"Sweetheart, you don't need to ask", I said.
"Sorry, I mean, okay", she said.
I smiled. She walked into the kitchen and Ella looked at me.
"I told her to stop apologizing", I said.
"I heard her crying last night", Ella whispered.
"She really wants to remember you guys. She feels horrible because she can't", I said.
Ella nodded.
"But I'm not mad. I get it and the twins, I'm sure don't really understand what's going on. Carter sure doesn't", she said.
"I know, but as a parent you feel like you've done something wrong and the fact that she doesn't remember her kids, it makes her feel like a bad mother", I said.
"But she's not", Ella said.
"I know that. We just got to help her", I said.
Ella nodded. We walked into the kitchen and Ella went over to Chris and wrapped her arms around her. Chris was surprised, but smiled.
"I love you mom", Ella said.
"I love you too", Chris said, her voice low.
Chris looked at me.
"Where is everything?", she asked.
I nodded and I pulled out the toaster and bacon. She grabbed the eggs.
"Ella, did you wake the twins?", I asked.
"Nathan got up, but Thea is still fast asleep", she said, serving herself as soon as Chris finished.
I groaned and went upstairs. I picked up Thea.
"Come on baby girl, you gotta get ready for school", I said.
"I want to stay home with mommy", she pouted.
I sighed. The kids were excited that she was back.
"I know, but mommy will still be here when you get back", I said.
"Promise?", she asked.
Chris just got back and I knew that all the kids wanted was to be with her again. To spend time with her.
"You know what, no school today. Go on downstairs because mommy is making breakfast", I smiled.
"Yay", she said, running into the hall.
I laughed and went to find Nathan. He was excited about skipping school too. When I got downstairs, the twins were telling Ella.
"Really?", she asked.
I nodded. She came over to hug me and so did the twins. Chris watched us, the look on her face let me know she felt out of place. When the kids let me go, Ella served the twins. I placed my hands on Chris's hips.
"You okay if I let the kids stay home?", I asked.
"Yeah, this gives me time to get to know them", she smiled.
I was about to kiss her when Dean pushed me away.
"I thought I smelled bacon", he said, big grin on his face.
"Wait, you live here? In Joe's house?", she asked him.
"Our", I corrected, while picking up a piece of bacon.
"Sorr, I mean, our house", she said to Dean.
He nodded and sat on top of the counter. She smacked his leg hard.
"Get off the counter", she said.
Dean looked shocked and jumped off.
"Are you sure she lost her memory?", he asked, grabbing another piece of bacon.
"That actually felt familiar", she said.
"Did you remember something?", I asked.
"No, but certain small things I do, seem familiar. Like an image pops into your head, but it's too blurry to see right. That's the best I can explain it", she said.
"Take your time doll face, no rush", Dean said.
She finished the food and served me.
"I hope it's okay", she said, handing me a plate.
"It's perfect", I said, as we looked at each other.
"I hate to ruin this whole moment of looking into each others eyes and stuff, but Sarah should be here soon. Are you guys gonna ask her?", Dean asked.
"Dean", I said.
"What? I texted her, I'm not gonna let Mason ruin our family", Dean said.
"Who's coming? And who's Mason?", Chris asked.
"You remember your nurse and he meant Jason. He just likes to pretend he doesn't remember his name", I said.
"Oh she was nice. Is she your girlfriend Dean? Jon? Um?", she blushed.
Dean chuckled.
"You always called me Jon kiddo", he said to her.
She nodded.
"I'll remember that", she said.
Dean walked back over to the table and I took Christina's hand.
"So I heard you crying last night", I said, my voice low.
She looked up from her plate.
"Talk to me", I said.
"Can we talk later?", she asked.
I nodded. There was a knock at the door and Dean jumped up. Knocking his chair back.
"I got it", he said, rushing towards the door, mouth full.
"Is she his girlfriend? He seems really excited to see her", Chris said.
I laughed.
"He won't admit it, but I'm sure he's smitten. Thanks to you", I said.
She smiled. Dean came back in with Sarah.
"Good morning", she said.
"Morning. Would you like a plate?", Chris asked her.
"Oh no already ate, thank you though", she said.
"Thank you for coming Sarah. We wanted to ask a favor", I said.
I looked at the kids.
"Ella, take your brother and sister upstairs and get ready. We are taking mommy to the park and then to show her where she works", I said.
Ella nodded and the twins jumped up and ran upstairs. Once they were gone, Sarah sat down.
"I know what we are about to ask is a lot. You can say no, we understand", I said.
Sarah nodded.
"We were wondering if you would do a paternity test on the twins?", I asked.
"I'm guessing Jason won't be involved in any way, shape, or form?", she asked.
"We think he might have used his mother's influence at the hospital", Dean said.
"I can get in trouble for this", she said.
"That's why, we are getting our lawyer to help. I'm gonna use the cheating card. I want my kids tested to see if they are mine or not. Jason won't know a thing, but we need to do this before they take my rights as their father away", I said.
Sarah sighed and looked between me and Christina.
"Okay, I can even change the names on the test. Just in case Jason has his people look into what I'm doing", she said.
"No one can know Sarah. We want you and only you to handle this", I said.
"You have my word", she said.
I nodded.
"I work tomorrow, I can get what I need from the doctor's office and then come back here and take the samples. If we are gonna keep this between us, we can't let anyone see you taking the twins to the hospital", she said.
I nodded.
"I'll call when I'm on my way", she said.
"Okay, thank you Sarah", I said.
She looked at Christina.
"How are you doing? How was your first night home?", she asked her.
"A lot to take in", Chris said honestly.
She nodded.
"It will get easier and the doctor will be able to tell you if you've made any progress", she said.
"But he won't be able to get my memories back", she said.
"Don't give up", she told Christina.
Chris nodded.
"Well I should go, let you get back to your family fun", Sarah said standing.
"I'll walk you out", Dean jumped in.
I smirked and he rolled his eyes.
"Ask her out", I whispered.
He stuck his middle finger at me and I laughed. Chris and I watched them by the door.
"So um, they're going out and well I was wondering if maybe you wanted to like you know, go out?", he asked akwardly.
Sarah smiled and blushed. He made absolutely no sense what so ever.
"I'd love that", she said.
"Is tonight okay?", he asked.
"Yes, you have my number. Let me know what time", she said.
He nodded, a huge grin on his face. He opened the front door for her and waved as she left.
"It wasn't that hard was it", I said.
Chris smacked my arm.
"Leave him alone, I thought it was cute", she said.
For a brief moment, it felt normal. We felt normal. Dean felt it too, I'm sure he was hoping she would jump in with her usual, What are you wearing? Where are you taking her? Don't do this and don't do that, but she didn't. His shoulder slumped.
"Ask him where he plans to take her?", I whispered.
She looked at me.
"Do I usually do that?", she asked, tilting her head to the side.
I nodded. She looked over at Dean.
"So, where do you plan on taking her?", Chris asked.
The smile on Dean's face was priceless.
"Maybe I should figure that out huh", he said.
"Maybe you should, casual place. That way you both feel comfortable", she said.
Dean nodded.
"You should get her flowers, that's a sweet gesture", she said.
Dean chuckled and leaned over the counter, kissing Christina's cheek.
"Exactly what I needed to hear", he said, before going to his room.
She looked at me.
"I hope that means I did something right", she said.
I smiled and nodded.
"Honestly, ever since you two met, you both became good friends. Even best friends over these eight years. Jon, doesn't have much family and the family he does have, well he just doesn't talk to them. You actually asked him to move in", I said.
"We're his family", she said.
"That's right", I said.
She nodded.