Here's chapter fourteen.

Appreciate the incredible support. Thanks. :-)

On with the fic.

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(Sunday)

"Oh, my God! Rach, that's great," Kim said happily into the phone the next afternoon. Tommy's wife had just given her the news that she'd discovered she was three months pregnant a couple days ago.

"Thanks, Kim. We're pretty excited," Rachel Oliver said.

"I bet! Where's Tommy?" Kim asked.

"He just left for the store," Rachel replied.

"Well, I'm really happy for you guys. Wow. Babies. We're all really bringing 'em in, aren't we?" Kim said with a laugh.

Rachel laughed in agreement. "I'll say. Hey, how's Jason doing?"

"He's not saying much of anything about his dad," Kim said with a sigh.

"Well, can't say that I blame him. I do feel really bad for him and his family, though," Rachel said.

"Same here," Kim said. The two women fell silent for a few moments. Then...

"So, Kim, maybe this isn't the right time to be asking about this, but... are you and Jason...I mean, there seems to be more than friendship... maybe I'm wrong. It's just-" Rachel was saying.

"It's okay, Rach," Kim said with a laugh. "And you're not wrong. We're definitely together. Kinda sealed it with a kiss Friday night. Kinda corny, but, true." It felt good saying they were together. The best part was that they hadn't had to do any "what are we exactly" talk. They knew automatically. They were together. They'd fallen in love. Also, despite Gary's reappearance, they were having the greatest weekend. Just them and Jade.

"Well, I'm really glad to hear that," Rachel said.

"So were Tri, Zack, Adam and Tanya when they heard yesterday," Kim said, grinning. The two women talked for several more minutes, then, said goodbye.

Kim turned just as Jason entered the kitchen.

"You're done with the phone already?" he asked with a laugh. Kim usually gabbed with her girlfriends for an eternity.

Kim smirked as he walked up to her. "I'm not that bad, Scott."

"You're worse, Hart. But I let it slide 'cause I like your face, kid," he said, playing with a lock of her strawberry-scented hair.

"Guess what?" she said with a grin.

"What?" he asked, smiling as well.

"Technicolor Tommy will be a father in about, oh, six months," Kim said.

Jason's eyebrows rose. "No kidding? That's great."

"It's fantastic. Look at us! We're just... all grown up," Kim said, laughing.

"Life after the power," Jason quipped. Then, he sighed a minute later.

Kim took his hand in her own. "Thinking about your dad?"

"I know I shouldn't be. I sure as hell don't want to think about him. But I can't really help it, you know?" he said.

"I understand. It's only natural to think about him. He really hurt you guys... but, he's still your dad. Can't change that. It'd be pretty hard not to think of him," she said.

Jason nodded. Then, he let out a little half-laugh, half-sigh. "God, Kim. I just can't stop thinking of how I used to look up to him when I was a kid. How I used to wanna be just like him. There was no man I admired or respected more."

Kim half-smiled. "I know."

"Then, he split. And now he's back after almost two decades... wanting another chance," he said, amazed.

Kim had no idea what to say, so, she just squeezed his hand and... "I love you. That's one thing you can always believe in."

In response, he smiled and pulled her into a loving embrace.

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(The Cranston Residence)

(Late Sunday night)

Kat's eyes flew open at the sound of an earsplitting wail. It took a couple moments for it to register in her foggy, sleep-filled brain that her two-week-old baby was crying. Kat groaned. God, she loved her daughter, but, this was, what, the third time she'd woken up tonight?

The Australian blonde looked over at Billy- who hadn't budged an inch. How could he sleep through this? Unless he was faking. William Cranston wasn't Mr. Sensitive and Understanding when he was sleep-deprived.

Kat glared at the back of her husband's head. Now, she could tell he wasn't really sleeping. It was all in the breathing patterns. She got that he had to get up for work in a few hours, but, she'd tended to Amber the last couple times and Katherine Cranston wasn't Ms. Gentle and Understanding when sleep-deprived.

Kat grabbed her pillow and bopped Billy on the head with it.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, sitting up straight. Then, he took in his exhausted wife's expression and winced. "Kat, you know I'd do it in a second, but-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just go to sleep. And maybe you can tell me what it's like when you wake up for work," Kat said dryly, getting outta bed and exiting the room before he could say anything.

A few minutes later, she was sitting in a chair in Amber's nursery, rocking the baby. Kat smiled down at her, now thinking of how the little girl had melted both her and Billy when they'd first laid eyes on her.

"Oh, sweetie. You will never know how much your father and I love you," Kat said in a soft voice.

"Is my wife aware of how beautiful she looks at this very moment?"

Kat looked up to see Billy in the doorway and her smile widened. He smiled and walked in, knelt down next to the chair.

"I'm sorry about the pillow thing," Kat said with a soft chuckle. "I know if you didn't have work tomorrow- speaking of which, you should be sleeping, honey. Go on. I'm fine. Really."

"No, it's all right. I can spare at least a few minutes," he assured her. Then, he looked at their daughter and shook his head. "She's perfection."

"I can't help thinking the same thing whenever I look at her," Kat said. The tired couple just stared at the product of their love for a few minutes.

Kat looked at Billy and ran her fingers through his golden hair. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too, sweetheart," he said before pressing his lips to hers.

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(Sacramento)

(The next evening)

Chad watched from the bar as his girlfriend hurried from table to table. He and Gina had been at work for the last couple hours. She'd acted weird all weekend long. He stood up straight when she hurried up to the bar.

"Two martinis, a vodka on the rocks, three beers and a brandy," she said briskly.

"Got it," Chad said calmly. Then, he turned to prepare the drinks. "Wanna tell me what's on your mind?"

"Nothing's on my mind. Why does something have to be on my mind?" she asked, looking around the bar.

"Gina, you were a space cadet all weekend. And now you're Speedy Gonzalez," he said.

"It's called being efficient," she said.

"It's called insanity. The way you're moving. you know you can talk to me about anything," he said.

"The drinks, Chad," she said snappishly.

"All right, all right. Cool it, will ya? Forgive me for being supportive," he said dryly as he set the drinks on her tray. She rolled her eyes, picked up the tray and headed off. He shook his head and sighed. What the hell was her deal?

About a half-hour later... "Hey!"

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Gina exclaimed, her eyes wide. She'd been practically running and tripped- causing a drink to spill on a customer. "I'm so sorry."

"Geez, lady. It's not a marathon," he said in annoyance, grabbing a few napkins.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what- I better get the mop. I'm sorry," she said, hurrying off.

Several minutes later, she was pacing around in the game room. Chad walked in and up to her. He grabbed her and she looked at him.

"Gina, what is it?" he asked.

"Chad-" she began.

"Don't say "nothing" 'cause we both know that's bull. Now what's going on here?" he asked.

She looked at him for a few moments, then, sighed. "Okay, fine. I'll tell you."

He released her. 'Finally,' he thought.

Gina bit her lower lip and looked down at her feet. She decided to do this for what seemed like a year.

Just when Chad was about to tell her to spill it already, she looked up and cleared her throat.

"I've been thinking and I've... I'm going back to Angel Grove," she said, looking into his eyes.

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Cliffhanger. (ducks quickly at the sight of flying contents). Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. If not, hang in there. Cya. ;-)