A week passed and Arthur still only had an appointment set up but it was better than nothing. He'd been getting strange calls from Paula, she was either crying or totally ecstatic about something her daughter did and needed to share it with him.

Glen and Madison were inseparable especially since she said yes to the proposal; it was going to be a long engagement. The wedding wouldn't be till after she graduated and he got out of boot camp. Today was the day he shipped out, Clay wheeled Chelsea in a wheel chair threw the security check point at the air port.

"So this is weird?" Chelsea raised an eye brow looking back at Clay who had whispered in her ear.

"Why's that?"

"Seeing my brother off to the army, not being able to see him any time I want...just saying it's weird." Clay expertly made his way around people with the wheel chair.

"You sure you want me here?" Chelsea still couldn't believe her parents still refused to take her back after she was shot so she stayed at the Carlin's, she swore it was becoming more of a hotel than a home. Kyla, Madison, Ashley and her all stayed over trying to cheer Mr. Carlin up or keep the house clean.

Clay stopped pushing the wheel chair, came around and knelt in front of her placing his hands on her thighs, "Babe you're just as much apart of this family as anyone and besides even if I didn't Glen did...OW...just kidding," He smiled and kissed her lips before taking the place behind her and continuing toward...

"Which gate was it again?" he glanced in all directions. Chelsea reached into her purse that hung on one of the handle bars and scanned the directions Mr. Carlin gave them.

"Twenty five B I think, when did your writing get so shaky?"

Clay snatched the paper from her hands, "It's...yeah twenty five B and I did it in the car so sue me if it's a little messed up."

"So is your mom coming?" Chelsea asked trying to search for the gate, when it was apparent it wasn't on the first floor the two headed for the elevator.

"Yeah, Spencer, her and Ben are all showing up."

"I still can't believe Spence is...well five. I'm sort of glad I've been in the hospital it must have been crazy round your house."

"In the beginning yeah, but you should have seen Ashley with her...the girl is going to be a great mother some day just like you." He pecked her on the top of her head before they exited the elevator. After a short walk they found Glen in front of the gate.

"Hey," Chelsea cheerfully waved. Glen ran over to her and enveloped her into a tight hug, it took her a moment to realize what was happening because Glen had never been a touchy feely guy but she responded none the less.

"Chelsea I'm so glad you made it, are you in pain? Did Clay make you take the stairs, the guys smart but not always there." Glen tapped his head with a sly smile crawling up his lips.

"No we took the elevator," wow Clay was right he has changed since Prom... "So the army?"

"Yeah I know, didn't see it coming right?"

"Actually I think I did,"

"Really, wow you're the first...not even my know it all dad saw it." Glen leaned down, "I have some other better news...Madison and I are getting married."

"What? When?" Chelsea squealed in excitement as she pulled him down into a bone crunching hug.

"Chels can't breath!" Glen chocked out.

"Sorry," she apologized letting him go.

"And you want to be in the Black Ops, good luck!" Clay joked taking his brother into a hug.

"You know I'll miss you right?" Glen asked while his head was buried in the crook of Clay's neck, soaking his entire brother up since he wasn't going to see him for six weeks.

"Yeah man, I know..."

"My boy's!" They dropped they hug only to be enveloped by their mother who squeezed them hard into her like she hadn't seen them in years instead of like a week.

"Hey mom," they said in unison as she broke the hug.

"I can't believe your leaving, I'm going to miss you so much." She wiped a tear away as a timer beeped.

"What was that?" Clay asked as his mother searched her purse.

"Mommy has to take her medicine when the beepy thing goes off." And if to prove Spencer's point Paula opened a bottle of pills and took two.

"Can't your brother get a hug?" Glen extended his arms and she ran into them, after the first couple days they finally did convince her that Glen and Clay were her brothers.

"Spence come here," Clay called...the girl extracted herself from her brother and walked over, "I want you to meet my girlfriend Chelsea."

Spencer smiled and extended her hand, "Nice to meet you I'm Spencer..."

Laughing Chelsea nodded and gripped the girl's hand, "Nice to meet you too."

"Do you love my brother?"

Chelsea was taken back, never had the blond been so blunt before at least to her, "Yes I do."

"Good because if you weren't I'd have to kick your butt if you hurt him," before Chelsea could say anything the girl took off running down the hallway and into Ashley's arms sending the brunette to the floor laughing all the way.

"Did she give Madison the same speech?" Chelsea watched the interaction between Kyla, Ashley, Arthur and Spencer, it felt surreal like a nice little family...three daughters and a father.

"Basically, only you got the short version." He smirked remembering how he caught Spencer sitting Madison down and laying it on the line for her, Madison was trying so hard not to burst out laughing as Spencer paced back and forth in her overalls wagging a finger at her.

"So Spencer said you had to take medicine?" Arthur asked when he saw his ex wife, she was in some faded blue jeans and a t shirt giving her the laid back look which he hadn't seen her have for two years or more. Her hair was pulled into a light pony tail and her eyes seem to sparkle more than usual.

"She did, um..." was all she said as the two watched all the kids talking and playing around.

"Is it true?"

"Yes, Ben made me see the psychologist along with Spence and apparently I suffer from postpartum psychosis."

"Since when?" Arthur wondered out loud.

"Since giving birth to Spencer, usually the mother doesn't even know she is sick...I had no clue but the doctor gave me this medicine and I guess its working. We've been getting along a lot better since. But the doctor said it'll take time, a lot. He said that we were lucky I didn't try and kill the kids since it went on for so long, but I feel better." Paula said stepping closer and letting their hands bump into each other.

"Where's Ben?" Arthur asked taking a step back.

Paula frowned she didn't like talking about all the fights the two have been having, "We...um aren't doing so well."

"I'm sorry,"

"Don't be it's not your fault, it's mine. I feel like my old self again with the medicine and well I want to be with you and the kids and he knows it and he also knows I can't be so..."

"Why not?" Did I just say that out loud?

Did he just say... Paula shook her head, "Arthur..."

"No Paula I want to try again, I love you and if that is the reason you were so distant if it was a sickness I...you and Spencer can come back home..."

"I'd love to..." she smiled, she really wanted to hug him but didn't know how far he wanted to go. She knew they'd have to take things slow so no one got hurt again, he sensed her dilemma and brought his arms around her pulling her close to his chest.

"Now boarding flight 532 to Arizona...please have your ticket ready at gate twenty five B thank you."

"That's my flight," Glen stood up.

"Look at mommy and daddy," Spencer clapped her hands while pointing to her parents. All eyes looked up and sure enough Arthur and Paula were in the middle of a hug both with smiles from ear to ear.

"Mom, Dad?" Clay called. The adults broke the hug and walked over to them and explained about Paula's condition and the fact they were going to try again.

"I guess I'll get my things when we get back," Ashley sighed knowing now that Paula was back she'd be kicked out.

"Nonsense Ashley you're staying," Paula spoke. Ashley snapped her head up and searched the woman's face for any sign of fakeness that she was used to but she saw none.

"Are you saying she can stay?" Arthur smiled.

"Yes and when we get home, all of us...I want to have a decent talk with you if you want to?"

Ashley couldn't believe it, she really couldn't. Secretly she pinched her side, yep pain, she rubbed where it was sore now and noticed it wasn't a dream, but there had to be something else going on didn't there, "Sure Mrs. Carlin I'd love to."

"Call me...Mrs. C, it does sound much cooler don't you think?"

"Definitely." Ashley replied.

"Enough lovey dovey all ready I got to go," Glen piped up as they announced his flight once again. Every one said good bye and all the girl's got tears in their eyes. He promised to write as much as possible especially to his fiancée, then he jumped on the flight heading to basic training while the new formed little family including Ashley, Kyla, Madison and Chelsea headed back to the Carlin residence, knowing that Glen would be back in six weeks for Arthur's birthday.

TBC.