A/N: This chapter is a little bit different in that it will cover a 24 month period of time in several snapshots. A little bit of drama but mostly fun and fluff. LaRieNGuBleR: I was aiming for pain in the backside with Sarah's mom. As the story progresses, you'll see how that will come into play later. Pippinheart: Yes, Spencer definitely loves his baby brother. Ripon: I debated Spencer staying but ultimately decided against it. No, Eileen isn't coming back for awhile. She doesn't think she's done anything wrong. ShannonJethroGideonCastleSna pe: Girl if you keep adding to your name, I"m going to forget who all is in it. (jk) Do you mind if I just call you Shannon? Spencer and Ezra are adorable and there's more in this chapter. :). Kc1997kc: I'm glad you liked the chapter. I had fun with it. What-if: Eileen is definitely a creep. Is it sadistic on my part if I enjoyed her getting her comeuppance? Here's some more Spencer/Ezra fluff for you to enjoy. Charmony: What can I say? You and What-if helped me out so much on this chapter and I hope it lives up to your expectations.

Chapter 14

June – Ezra at 1 month

Sarah shifted under the covers as she slowly came awake, her head pillowed against her husband's chest. She blinked in confusion as it dawned on her that the room was brighter than it should be, a sudden bolt of fear racing through her as she noticed the time displayed on the clock.

Ezra should have woken up for a feeding over an hour ago. Why is he so quiet?

She quickly slid out from under the covers, grabbed her robe and hurried into the nursery as a feeling of pure terror clawed at her throat.

But that panicky feeling faded quickly under the avalanche of love she felt as she entered the nursery and stopped short at the sight before her.

"Sarah?" Gideon's sleepy voice came from behind her. "What's wrong?"

She spun in place, pressing her finger to her lips in a gesture for silence. "I panicked when I realized that Ezra had slept through his feeding. I thought something was wrong but then I saw this." She pointed at the corner of the room. Gideon came to her side and stifled a soft chuckle at the sight of Spencer lying in the recliner with Ezra on his chest. Both boys were sound asleep, and there was an empty bottle sitting on the floor while Spencer still had a burp cloth over his shoulder.

"How did we not hear him crying?"

"I don't know. Maybe we're both just so sleep-deprived that Spencer woke up before we did and calmed him down." Sarah tied the sash of her robe as she moved further into the room.

"I woke up early and came in here to watch him sleep," Spencer mumbled sleepily. "He woke up and I picked him up before he started fussing. Then since it was about time to feed him anyway, I just got one of the bottles from the fridge. Figured you could use an extra couple hours of sleep."

"Don't you have an exam today?"

"No, I got permission to take the last one early so I could be here to help with Ezra." Spencer pulled a pout as his stepmother lifted the infant off his chest.

"Relax; I'll give him right back to you. I just wanted to see if he needs a diaper change."

"I changed him right before I fed him," Spencer shrugged as he levered his way onto his feet.

"Yes but that doesn't mean he's still dry. Especially if he took a whole bottle," Sarah laid the now half-awake baby on the changing table. Ezra whimpered softly as the cooler air of the nursery hit his bare skin. "Yep, you are all wet, aren't you baby boy?" She quickly exchanged the soiled diaper for a clean one as Spencer pulled a fresh onesie and pants out of the drawer. Sarah chuckled at the choice of shirts before redressing her son and handing him off to his big brother.

"Where on earth did you find a shirt that says 'If you think I'm cute, you should see my big brother' on it?"

"Uncle Dave found it a few days after Ezra was born. He bought it as a joke, but I sort of fell in love with it, so there you go," Spencer grinned a little sheepishly but his hazel eyes danced with laughter.

"I'm surprised he didn't get one that says something about a favorite uncle," Gideon remarked.

"Oh, give him enough time. I'm sure he'll come up with something." Sarah replied as she led the way out of the nursery. "Now, who's ready for breakfast?"

Late July- Ezra at 2 months

(Good Night Moon written by Margaret Wise Brown, published in 1947 by Harper Collins)

"In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon.

And a picture of the cow jumping over the moon.

And there were three little bears sitting on chairs.

And two little kittens and a pair of mittens.

And a little toy house and a young mouse.

And a comb and a brush.

And a bowl full of mush.

And a quiet old lady who was whispering, "Hush."

Good night, room. Good night, moon.

Good night, cow jumping over the moon.

Good night, light and the red balloon.

Good night, bears. Good night, chairs.

Good night, kittens. Good night, mittens.

Good night, clocks. Good night, socks.

Good night, little house. Good night, mouse.

Good night, comb. Good night, brush.

Good night, nobody. Good night, mush.

Good night to the old lady whispering, "Hush."

Good night, stars. Good night, air.

Good night, noises everywhere."

Spencer closed the book as he slowly rocked back and forth with Ezra in his arms. The baby was fast asleep, lulled into slumber by his brother's soft reading and the gentle motion of the rocker. The teen rose, careful not to jostle his precious burden, and laid the infant in his cradle. A soft noise from the doorway made him look up.

"You guys need to get going or you're going to be late for your reservations."

Sarah frowned. "Are you sure you're okay with us going out? I mean we don't have to go if you're uncomfortable."

"Sarah, it's okay. I've got this. Trish is here and you and Dad are just a phone call away." Spencer resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his stepmother, knowing that she was more than a little anxious about being away from Ezra for the first time since he was born.

"Darling, they're going to be fine. Spencer's watched over Ezra several times while you were napping. He's more than capable of taking care of his brother for a few hours tonight." Gideon put his arm around his wife, kissing her temple.

"Yes but that's different. I was here if anything happened," Sarah protested.

"And Trish is here as well. Sarah, they'll be fine," he kept his arm around her as he moved down the hall. Spencer chuckled softly as his parents finally left for their first night out since Ezra's birth.

"I'll have the pasta primavera with shrimp and the chiappino," Gideon handed the menu back to the waiter.

"A very good choice sir, and for you ma'am?"

"Could I have the seafood medley with a side salad?"

"Certainly. I'll be right back with some fresh breadsticks for you and your appetizer."

Sarah forced a smile as the man disappeared after taking their orders. She fidgeted in her seat, twisting the napkin in her hands. She was so lost in her thoughts that she jumped as her husband's hands closed over hers, stilling them in front of her.

"Sarah, Ezra is fine. Spencer is responsible, and he knows exactly how to take care of his baby brother."

"I know. It's just…I've never left him alone before. And I know he's not really alone but I'm not there. What if something happens?"

"Spencer and Trish will handle it and if they need us, they'll call." He looked as though he wanted to say more but was interrupted by the arrival of the first course.

"Would anyone care for a refill?" The waiter held up the wine bottle.

Sarah shook her head. "No thank you. I'm good." Gideon also declined before turning back to his wife.

"The purpose of tonight was to let you relax, and you can't do that if you're going to focus on all of the things that could go wrong."

She sighed, knowing he was right. "It's just so hard."

"Believe me, I know. You can ask Dave. I was a wreck the first time I had to leave Spencer for an overnight case. But worrying about them only distracts you and makes things worse." He smiled gently at the beautiful woman before him. "Don't let your fear consume you. Acknowledge it yes, but don't encourage it and above all, don't give in to it."

"Can I still call and check on them?" Sarah allowed just a hint of a pout to creep into her voice.

Gideon chuckled, "How about after we get our entrees?"

She smiled in return. "Deal."

Beginning of September – Ezra at 4 months

Sarah sighed as she dropped her heavy duffel bag in the corner of the office.

"What in the world do you have in there?" Mike Marshall asked good-naturedly. "You bring the kitchen sink with you?

"Not quite. It's my pump so I can stay on Ezra's feeding schedule."

A shadow passed over the blonde's face. "I'll get out of here so you can take care of that."

"I'm not pumping now!" Sarah exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "It's for later."

Mike burst out laughing as he left the room. "I'll see you out there in a few minutes."

Sarah shook her head as the door closed behind her colleague. She spent a few moments preparing mentally and emotionally for her first shift back since the birth of her son. The irrational fear that something would go wrong while she was away from him was still fluttering in the back of her mind but she ignored it, choosing rather to focus on the fact that not only was her husband at home, but Spencer was also there and Trish was just a phone call away. Finally centered, she drew on her lab coat and walked confidently out into the unit.

Ezra kicked his little legs as he lay on his back on the changing table. He cooed and squealed happily as his big brother played with his feet and tickled his tummy.

"Mommy is going to be home soon. Are you ready to see Mommy?"

Another squeal was his answer as Spencer picked up his baby brother and settled him firmly in his arms. He bounced slightly as he carried the four month old down the steps, eliciting a series of nonsense sounds from the infant. The front door closed just as the two reached the bottom step.

"You're up early," Sarah commented as they came into view.

"I've been up since about 4:30. Dad got called into work and he woke me up before he left."

"Why didn't he call me?"

"He left a message on your voicemail."

Sarah frowned as she dug the phone out of her purse. "Oh, oops. I forgot to turn it back on when I left work. Did he say where he was going?"

"St. Louis. Something about a mass execution."

"At 4:30 in the morning?"

Spencer shrugged. "I don't know. Dad just said he had to go and that he'd left you a message when he didn't get you on the phone." Ezra chose that moment to express his displeasure of an empty tummy with a sudden and ear piercing wail.

"Alright, alright. I'll get you fed." Sarah took the baby from his brother's arms as she headed toward the living room. Spencer slipped into the kitchen to start breakfast, the case his father was on currently pushed to the back of his mind.

Christmas – Ezra at 8 months

A soft series of giggles slowly penetrated Gideon's sleep fogged brain. He burrowed deeper under the covers as his wife snuggled in closer to his side. He lifted his head as a squeal came through the monitor but when only silence followed, he allowed the call of slumber to overtake him once more.

A short time later, the door to the bedroom opened slowly as a lithe figure slipped inside. The shadow crept closer to the bed before setting something down on top of the covers.

"Get Mama, Ezra. Go get her," Spencer encouraged in a whisper.

Almost as if he understood exactly what his brother had said, Ezra flipped himself over on his belly, proceeding to scoot across the blanket. He babbled excitedly as he reached his mother's arms. Reaching out with a tiny hand, he patted her face as his older brother tried to hold in his laughter. It was this snickering that woke Gideon, who opened his eyes to see his son's diapered backside right in front of his face.

"Good L***!"

The exclamation was too much for Spencer who burst into peals of laughter which in turn woke Sarah.

"What in the world is going on?" she mumbled sleepily.

"Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma," Ezra replied.

The response was so perfectly timed that Gideon began to laugh along with his teenaged son, who by this point had tears streaming down his face. Ezra continued babbling and squirming, not realizing that he was the center of attention.

Once everyone calmed down, Spencer spoke up. "We cooked breakfast for you."

Gideon raised an eyebrow at his older son. "We? Do I even want to know how Ezra helped?"

"He sat in his high chair and told me what to do," Spencer deadpanned.

"Yeah, right. Now get out of here and let me and your mother get dressed."

"Yes sir. Do you want me to take Ezra with me?"

"Have you changed him recently?" Sarah asked.

Spencer nodded quickly. "Yes. Just before I dumped him on the bed."

"Then we'll bring him down in a few minutes." Sarah kissed the teen on the cheek. "Merry Christmas Spencer."

"Merry Christmas Sarah."

"No Ezra. You don't want to eat the wrapping paper or the decorative bow," Trish said as she made a quick grab for her youngest nephew.

"Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma," Ezra babbled as he grabbed for Trish's reading glasses.

"Oh no you don't," she said as she pulled the glasses from his grasp. "Let's go find something that you can chew."

"I bet he's teething again. He's been gumming everything he can find and he's been drooling like crazy," Sarah said as she pulled a cold teething ring from the freezer.

"He bit me while I was trying to feed him this morning too," Spencer added, looking up from the thick tome in his hands.

"Yep, definitely teething," Trish smiled as she sat down on the couch with the baby in her lap.

"He's a cute baby though," Jefferson Cavanaugh tickled the boy's cheek before pulling his hand back as Ezra tried to get his finger in his mouth. Trish smiled at her boyfriend of three months.

"Careful, he's a quick one."

"So, I see." The two shared a loving gaze.

Gideon caught his wife's eyes over his aunt's head. It seemed that there might be another Gideon family wedding in the not too distant future.

July – Ezra at 14 months

Spencer ducked as another splash of water flew into the air under his little brother's hands. It had taken just over a year for Ezra to gain his mobility but now the toddler was as active as children twice his age. "You goofy boy," he said fondly as he continued trying to rinse the soap out of the child's hair.

"No!" Ezra shrieked as he slapped the water again before giggling at both the sound and the reaction of the bubbles in the tub.

His older brother shook his head at the toddler's actions before he grabbed a tissue to wipe the water off of his glasses. "Okay, I think it's time to get you out of the tub, dressed, and into bed."

"No! No, no, no, no, no." Ezra continued to chant his favorite word.

"Yes, yes, yes." Spencer lifted his brother out of the tub, standing him up on the rug and wrapping him in a soft fluffy towel. He shifted his grip as the little boy wriggled in his grasp. Suddenly, Ezra broke free and took off out of the room and down the hall without a stitch of clothing on.

"Ezra Jonathan Gideon!" Spencer scrambled to his feet and gave chase to the miniature escape artist.

Gideon came to the bottom of the steps at his older son's shout, just in time to see the younger boy run full tilt into the protective gate across the top of the staircase. Ezra landed on his backside with a surprised look on his face before dissolving into piercing wails. Spencer appeared a second later, scooping the toddler up in his arm and rewrapping him in the towel. He quickly handed the little boy off to his father who cuddled him as his crying tapered off now that the scare was over.

"It's okay, baby boy. You're okay," Gideon soothed as he rubbed his son's back. Ezra's thumb slowly found its way into his mouth as he was carried back to the nursery. His little eyes were almost closed as he was dressed in his pajamas and laid down in his crib.
"Sleep tight, baby boy," Gideon said as he kissed his son's forehead.

November – Ezra at 18 months

Spencer frowned into his book as he studied the page in front of him. He sighed as he dropped his pen on the desk, leaning back in his chair. For some reason his senior paper just wasn't flowing the way that he wanted. He glanced up at the clock noting that his brother had been napping for just over thirty minutes, which meant he probably had another forty five minutes before Ezra woke up. With another sigh he returned his attention to his homework.

A short time later, an odd sound caught his attention. He glanced back over his shoulder, trying to figure out what he heard. When the noise wasn't repeated, he stood and walked to the door of the room, glancing both ways down the hall. The thought flashed across his mind that the sound might have come from the nursery, but the baby monitor remained silent. Shaking his head at his own imagination, he turned back to his desk. However, before he could sit down, a loud crash followed by Ezra's sudden wailing split the silence. Spencer sprinted in to the hallway to see his baby brother sprawled halfway down the steps with the baby gate at the bottom. He stood frozen for a moment at the blood now streaming down the toddler's face before his feet began to move and he practically jumped down the five steps to his brother's side.

"Waahhh," Ezra screamed at the top of his lungs. Spencer fought back the fear as he scooped up his brother, charging into the kitchen for a cloth to put on the baby's head. He grabbed the phone, dialing 911 as he moved.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"Um yes, my brother…he…he fell down the steps and his forehead is bleeding all over the place and he's got a huge bump on his head too."

"Ok sir, I'm dispatching the paramedics. Now, did he lose consciousness?"

Spencer shook his head as he tried to dab at the cut. Ezra screamed again, pulling away from the touch. "No, I don't think so. He started screaming right after I heard the crash."

"Okay. How old is your brother?"

"He's a year and a half and I thought he was napping and I was listening to the monitor. I didn't hear anything and I didn't even know he could climb out of his crib." Spencer's panic made him ramble, rushing his words together.

"Sir, I need you to stay calm. The ambulance is on the way but you can't help your brother if you lose control." The dispatcher's voice was amazingly calm in his ear, forcing back the terror. "In fact they should be reaching you in just a few minutes."

"Okay, thank you."

"What's your brother's name?"

"Ezra and I'm Spencer."

"How old are you Spencer?"

"I just turned seventeen. How much longer before they get here?" He paused as he heard the distinctive whine of the siren. "Wait, I can hear the sirens."

"Okay, I'm going to hang up now."

"Thank you." The teenager hung up, running to the door to meet the paramedics, Ezra still clutched in his arms.

Sarah laughed as she watched her husband playing with the tee game sitting on the table. Gideon had been going at the puzzle for several minutes without solving it. "Where is Spencer when you need him, right?"

"Right," Gideon frowned as his phone went off in his pocket. He glanced at the number in confusion. "Agent Gideon."

"Dad, I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I was doing my homework and then the next thing I knew there was this huge crash and Ezrawascryingandhewasbleedin gandI'msososorry."

"Wait, Spencer slow down. I can't understand what you're saying." Gideon turned a worried eye to his wife, who was staring at him in concern.

The adrenalin was receding, leaving Spencer feeling as though he couldn't think. His hazel eyes were filled with tears that his parents couldn't see. He felt someone take the phone from his hand and he looked up to see the smiling face of one of the doctors.

"Agent Gideon? Mike Marshall. I work with your wife."

"Dr. Marshall, what's happened?" Sarah's gaze sharpened at the name.

"Ezra took a little tumble. He's here in the ER and he's going to be fine but he'll need a couple of staples in his forehead."

"We'll be right there." Gideon hung up without waiting for a response.

"Why are Spencer and Ezra at the hospital?" Sarah asked as he dropped a couple of bills on the table before leading her out the door.

"Ezra fell and got a cut on his head. Spencer is panicking and your medical director was the one on the phone."

Thirty minutes later, the two hurried across the parking lot as Sarah dug out her ID. She swiped it at the employee entrance and entered the back of the ER.

"Dr. JG, your son is in room twelve," called one of the nurses as she spotted them.

"Thanks, Lana." Sarah led her husband down the hall. They quickened their steps as the sound of crying reached their ears. "Ezra?"

Spencer whipped around, tears running down his face. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I don't even know how he got out of his crib!"

Gideon pulled the young man into his arms as Sarah went for the distressed toddler. "It's okay, son. I'm not angry."

"Promise?"

"I promise kiddo. You had no way of knowing that Ezra could get out of the crib. I don't think he's ever done it before." He threw a quick look over his shoulder to his wife. She nodded in understanding as he led Spencer out of the room.

Sarah looked over at her colleague. "Are you doing stitches or staples?"

"Staples and we put TAC on it too," Mike replied with a smile. "The area is completely numb."

"Are you sure?" She replied anxiously.

"Sarah, I know how to do my job," the doctor answered gently. "Now do you want to hold him for this, or do you want me to get a couple of the nurses."

"I'll hold him. I doubt he'll let me go right now anyway. Ezra loves his daddy and adores his big brother but he is definitely a mama's boy."

A few hours later, Sarah sank wearily down on the couch and leaned against her husband's shoulder.

"Ezra finally asleep?"

"Yes. He wasn't sure about sleeping in his new toddler bed, and he wanted to get up and climb in my lap, but he's finally down."

"Good." Gideon let his head fall against the back of the couch, thinking over the events of the day. After they had left the ER, he had called Rossi to help him get a toddler bed set up before Ezra could even think about climbing out of the crib again. His oldest friend had once again come through for him, getting the crib switched over to the bed before the family could get home.

"How's Spencer?"

"Feeling guilty and blaming himself for what happened."

"Did you explain that it wasn't his fault?"

Gideon nodded. "I did. But he's still very upset."

"Do you think he'll talk to me?" Sarah murmured softly.

"Sarah, you said it yourself; you're his mother. He'll listen." He kissed the top of her head as she pulled away heading up the steps to her stepson's room.

Spencer sighed at the quiet knock. He was pretty sure he knew who was asking for entrance. He slowly opened the door, keeping his gaze on the floor. "I'm so sorry, Sarah." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Spencer, this was not your fault."

"But I was supposed to be watching him."

"And you were. He was supposed to be asleep and you had no reason to believe otherwise." Sarah pulled him into a hug. "I am so proud of you for getting him help. You did exactly what you needed to do."

"But he got hurt."

"And he's going to get hurt again. It's part of growing up. You can't keep him from getting bumped and bruised, and you certainly can't blame yourself for something that was an accident." She leaned back to look him in the eye. "Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

Spencer finally smiled. "I think so."

"Good. Now I don't want to hear you blaming yourself any more. Deal?"

"Deal."

Sarah turned to leave but stopped as he called her name.

"Sarah, does it bother you that I don't call you 'Mom'?" She cocked her head at the suddenness of such an unexpected question.

"No. I mean I think of you as my son rather than a stepson, but I also know that Diana is your mom and you still have a relationship with her. I don't want to intrude on that." She watched as the teenager sank down on his bed, his eyes staring at the floor. "What's wrong?"

"Am I disrespecting my biological mother if I want to call you 'mom'?" Spencer all but whispered the words.

Sarah blinked at him, momentarily stunned into silence, before she sat down beside him.

"Spencer, I think that the very fact that you are asking that question means that you're not disrespecting her. Diana is and always will be your mom and I know that you love her with all of your heart. Just because you want to call me 'Mom' doesn't mean that you love her any less. Would I like for you to call me 'Mom'? Absolutely. But I don't want you to do it if it makes you feel guilty or sad or if you think that you're forgetting Diana." She put her arm around his slumped shoulders as he rested his head against her. She tightened her grip as she realized he was crying. "It's okay, sweetie," she soothed. "Just let it all out."

Spencer wept as he released all of the pain and fear resulting from the day's events. He still felt conflicting emotions about calling Sarah 'Mom' but she had become the mother he always wanted. Sarah held him close, rubbing his back and comforting him as the tears continued to flow. Finally, as the tide of emotion ebbed, he sighed, feeling completely drained, but a lot more at peace.

"Feel better now?"

"Yeah, thanks Mom," he answered softly with a touch of shyness. Somehow the word, while strange to his tongue, felt right.

Sarah smiled as she laid her cheek against his hair. "You're always welcome honey."

May – Ezra at 24 months

"Happy birthday baby boy," Gideon lifted his toddler son from his highchair, mindful of the red and blue frosting that covered the child's face, hands, clothes and hair. He carried the little boy towards the bathroom where Sarah was already running water in the tub.

"Birfday," crowed Ezra, clapping sticky hands together. "Cake."

"Yes you had cake didn't you? Now you need a bath."

"Baf." Ezra's newest trick was to repeat everything said to him. He reached out to share his treat with his father. "Nak."

"No thanks. You can have your snack."

"Mama!" Ezra leaned towards his mother as she stood up.

"Oh, you are a sticky boy."

" 'tiky."

"Yes, you are definitely sticky." She swiftly got the child undressed and into the tub.

"Wawa," announced Ezra as he splashed happily.

Spencer smiled from the hallway as he watched his parents and his little brother. He never could have dreamed how happy his life would become after his own childhood had been turned upside down, and now he couldn't imagine life any other way.