A\N: Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story and who is supporting me. You have no idea how much your continued support means. The next few chapters are going to be based on the current COVID-19 pandemic and how I feel Oliver Shane and the kids would respond to it all. As always this chapter was just supposed to be an introduction to the idea of a pandemic but I decided to add something to the end that wasn't supposed to happen for a few weeks. The thought process was that it would be interesting to see Shane and Oliver cope with so many changes all at once and how the children will adapt to what is about to change thier lives complrty for the next few weeks. By adding onto the end what I did I'll get to write more about how it along with the pandemic affects the O'Toole's.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the movie\TV series.

Spoilers: None

Warinings: If the current situation of COVID-19 makes you upset this chapter might. Also, please slowly look at the last part so you can see if it may upset you before completely reading it.

Chapter 33

Early April

The pandemic that was devastating countries in Europe and Asia had come to North America. Luckily the United Sates had learnt from the other countries and was taking early precautions to ensure the virus didn't speared as fast. The Governor of Colorado, following the lead from governors of other states had issued a stay-home order and all non-essential business closed as well as schools and churches. Since the virus spread from contact the hope was not as many people would get sick if most people stayed home.

Matthew looked from the TV to his parents, worry creeping into his face, "What's an essential business?" He asked, "Can we still see Grandpa? "Why can't we go to church?"

Oliver and Shane exchanged glances; Oliver did not want the children to watch the news as he thought it might scare them. Shane had said if the children knew what was going on an had some answers it would help ease their anxieties. Oliver had agreed with some of her points abut said the children should watch the news only for a little while. Shane said that was fine. Now, as all three children were looking at hem for answers they knew they'd need to have some.

"Governor Adam's is going to release that list on Monday; but grocery stores and hospitals will stay open. I'm afraid we won't be able to see Grandpa in person or anyone else. We can video call people though. Your school is closed but both you teacher and Matthew's teachers are going to talk to both to you through video chat. As for churches, the virus spreads when lots of people are together in one area, like a church. I know it's going to hard not going to church, but we can still read in Bible here at home, and maybe the church will set up an online service." Shane tried to explain everything to the children.

"Do you and Daddy have to work?" Lucas asked.

"We're going to be doing some work from home," Shane explained, "So we'll be here with you. I've already ordered some groceries to be delivered for the next two weeks You don't have to worry about that.

"Can we play outside?" Lucas asked.

"I don't think the parks are the safest at the moment, but you can play in our backyard and the front yard if Mommy or I is with you," Oliver explained. "Now why don't you go and play in your rooms for a while." Oliver suggested, both Matthew and Lucas left but Julia stayed.

Julia was frowning and her face was getting angrier, "It's not fair!" She stomped her feet and yelled, "I want to…" She started to cry, "I want to see Grandpa!"

"Me too," Matthew walked back into the room as he started to cry, "I want to see my friends."

"I want to see my friends too," Lucas echoed his brother.

"I know you do; this isn't going to be easy for any of us. It's okay to feel sad and angry. I'm sad I don't get to see Auntie Rita and Uncle Norman. I can talk to them on the phone and on video calls and you can do the same with your friends. When you're feeling sad or scared you can talk to Daddy or I and we can talk about our feelings. How about we go and call Grandpa right now?" Shane suggested as all three of the kids cheered.

"You three go and wait upstairs for a few minutes, I want to talk to Mommy. I will come and get you when it is time to call Grandpa," Oliver told the children they pouted but did as they were told and went up the stairs.

Once the children were upstairs Oliver turned to look at his wife, she was seven months pregnant and already considered high-risk. He was very worried all of stress of the new situation would cause her more stress, something she did not need, "Shane, I am worried about you and the baby. Please let me look after the children, I want you to rest. If something happened to you or the baby I-"

Shane silenced her husband with a soft kiss, she placed his hand over her abdomen, "I know you are Oliver, it's not going to be easy but we need to work together. I believe this little baby is full of surprises and strong, I think we'll be alright."

Oliver smiled as he could feel the baby's kick's, "Are you referring to the fact that we still do not know what the baby's gender is." Oliver was frustrated that at their las two appointments they were not able to get a clear enough picture to tell if the baby was a boy or a girl.

"Yes," Shane chuckled a little, "Everything will be okay. I'm sure if the hospitals are overrun, they'll make sure things will be safe for mothers who are in labour and for newborn babies. We may need to prepare for the possibility that you may not be able to-"

"Mommy! Daddy!" Matthew yelled from the top of the stairs, "Julia took my Star Wars book!"

"I'm coming!" Shane called up, she took one quick look at Oliver and smiled, "We'll all be okay," She kissed his cheek, "I know we're all worried but if we stay in the house as much as possible-"

"Mommy!" Matthew called again.

Shane sighed and walked out of the family room and up the stairs, Oliver following behind her. As they walked up the stairs Oliver was thinking of ways to make this time at home easier for everyone.

Monday

"Boys, I have an email from your school. The teachers are going to be working on some online lessons for today and tomorrow. You'll be able to do lessons on Wednesday. Your teachers are going to email me all the details. I do think you should do some schoolwork today, maybe you could read books or practice your printing."

"I think I have just the resource for that," Oliver walked into the kitchen and hung up poster board on the wall, "Matthew, Lucas, Julia, come here please. You can finish your breakfast after. This is important." Once the children were gathered in front of him Oliver began explaining what the chart was, "I have come up with a schedule for all of you. Your names are up at the top in columns and there are half an hour or more time blocks on the side. Some things, such as reading time, schoolwork and mealtime are at the same time everyday however most of the time increments are blank. I have created item cards for each of you. Every morning you find the bag one with your name and picture on it and look through the options for the day. When you have selected what you want to do for a certain time period you place it on the Velcro. This schedule will hopefully allow you to be more independent and busier throughout the day. I hope you know your mother needs to rest as much as she can and we both have work to do. Julia, I'll help you fill out your schedule for today and then your brothers can do theirs's."

"I don't need any help." Julia said confidently as she found her picture and opened up the bag. She looked at the words on the cards and frowned just a little, "P-L-" She looked at a card and attempted to sound the words out. "I want pictures!" She huffed and crossed her arms.

"You do not get what you want like that Julia," Oliver told her, "You know how to ask for help properly. Either you do that, or I will make up a schedule for you and I do not think you will like it."

"I won't do it!" Julia yelled angrily. "You can't make me!"

Oliver was about to talk to her again when Shane stepped in, she knew unfortunately the more Julia was told what to do the more she'd rebel and the angrier she'd get. Right now, what was needed was to calm Julia down. "I have an idea Julia, "Shane approached her daughter, "I think if you let me help you, you'll see 'Time with Mommy' is a choice How about we make three big batches of play-dough. One for you and one for Matthew and one for Lucas."

"I like play-dough," Julia nodded her head, she turned to Oliver instead of Shane though, "Where's the card?"

"Julia," Oliver attempted to remain as calm as he could. He found he usually wasn't as patient with Julia as Shane was. "I am glad you are feeling happier, please as me nicer to help you."

"Please help me find the card Daddy," Julia corrected.

"Thank you," Oliver took the bag and began looking through it.

"Julia, I think before we make the play-dough you should say sorry to your Daddy. You know you need to talk to him nicely and not yell. Daddy was trying to help you so you wouldn't get frustrated. First you apologize to Daddy then we can make play-dough."

Julia looked like she was going to yell then she hugged her father, "I'm sorry Daddy. I tried my best to read."

Oliver kissed Julia's forehead, "I know you did sweetie and I am very proud of you. Thank you for apologizing. Here is the card you wanted. Now can I help you fill out the rest of your day before you make playdough with Mommy. I think you'll find some playtime choices and outside timecards you like."

"Okay Daddy," Julia nodded her head and listned as her father gave her different choices for the day. She easily filled out her day with toys or activities to play and outside time. Like her brothers excitedly chose the 'watch a movie' card for after dinner and before bedtime.

The children finished eating breakfast and then Matthew and Lucas went into the front yard to play, as Oliver watched them. Julia started helping Shane get out everything that was needed to make playdough.

"Mommy, I want pink play-dough," She said as she carefully used the step ladder to climb up so she could see the counter. Julia saw her mother rub the stomach in pain and then saw blood dripping onto the floor, "Mommy," Julia started to cry, "What's wrong?"

Shane was worried and scared but she didn't want Julia to get to upset as she needed her help, "Go get your Daddy." Shane told Julia as she gritted her teeth through the pain. When Julia didn't move she said, "Go and get your Daddy Julia, now!"

Julia ran out of the kitchen and through the house, she opened the front door, "Daddy! Daddy!" She yelled loudly "Mommy's bleeding. She's hurt."

Fear and the worst possible scenario's flashed through Oliver's head, "Boys! Inside and take your sister upstairs, you three stay upstairs!" He ushered the children inside the house. "Go upstairs and stay there!" He ordered; he watched the children go upstairs before he ran into the kitchen. His heart stopped as he saw Shane sitting on the ground in blood. "Shane!" He rushed her to and quickly grabbed the phone on the way. He held her hand as he called 9\11. When he hung up with 9\11 he looked at Shane and she started to cry.

"The baby…" She sobbed, "I don't…. Oliver I'm-" She nearly collapsed into his arms.

"I know My Love," Oliver soothed her, he didn't know what else to say. He was scared as well that something had happened to the baby. He didn't know how to reassure his wife, he didn't want to say everything was going to be okay in case it wasn't. "I'll call my Dad to watch the kids," He picked up the phone again and called his father.

Joe arrived a few seconds after the ambulance. He saw Shane being carried out on a stretcher and Oliver hop into the ambulance as it rushed away. Walking into the house he saw, Matthew, Lucas and Julia sitting at the top of the stairs, all three of them crying. They knew something was wrong with their mother.

TBC

A\N: Don't worry, that's all I can say without giving away spoilers some readers may not want.