Amanda soon noticed her mother's quiet.

"Mama?" she said cautiously. "There are so many ways to answer this, but are you okay right now?"

Kim added on her own thought. "We won't tell."

Bedelia sat in a chair opposite Amanda's bed. "Are the kids deep asleep?"

"Yes. All of them."

"Good. Has Amanda told you why your father did what he did tonight?"

"No." Kim realized. "You mean there was a method to the madness?"

"Unfortunately. What went down tonight was his version of revenge."

Something clicked in Kim's brain. "Daddy did say once that he wanted to bring you and Leon back to Georgia, but I talked him down from doing anything over the top. Guess what happened after was major..."

"That's an understatement." Bedelia said blandly. "Uh… your father jumped me while I was on a walk in Central Park with your baby sister and Amanda's dog."

Kim's eyes widened. "Please tell me they got to safety."

Bedelia nodded slowly as memories came back. "They did, but… I didn't. Your father took me off the hiking path, and… he raped me."

"I am so sorry." Kim said as her heart lurched. "From the bottom of my heart."

"Your father was really determined to 'have another go.' I guess your brother wasn't enough?" Bedelia shrugged. "He broke my sobriety that day, too."

Bedelia paused here to assess her daughters. Amanda knew this part of the story. Kim just looked heartbroken. So naturally, nothing about the part of the conversation would be easy.

"I found out tonight that your father got his wish." Bedelia caressed her middle with her knuckles. "You all are getting another sibling."

A ringing silence fell.

Maggie Blue and Leon continued to sleep. But Amanda and Kim just stared. Neither was sure they could handle any more craziness. Yet… neither knew their mother to be a liar. Her expression of near-despair was enough.

Amanda was immediately visited with memories of her own assault. She held her arms out to her mother.

"I am so sorry." Amanda hugged her mother when she sat with them. "Does anyone else know?"

"Only Olivia and Melinda for now." Bedelia said. "The surefire thing I know at the moment is that I'm keeping the little one. But this is just a lot."

"And I'll help you however I can."

"Me, too." Kim found herself saying. "Of course… I don't know what good I'll be from rehab…"

"Just knowing that all of my babies are safe and in the city is enough." Bedelia said.

Kim smiled at her, encouraged. "Okay."

"I also happen to know that Olivia is just outside with the kids." Bedelia gave Kim's hand a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to see them?"

Kim's heart jumped now, and she turned to Amanda. "Is it okay…?"

Amanda had compassion for her sister. She had given custody of her children to her so they could have a better life, while she worked on straightening out her out. It was better for everyone this way. But... Amanda wasn't so heartless as to keep her sister's own children from her.

"Of course it's okay." Amanda told Kim. "They girls will be fast asleep now, but I don't see why you can't kiss them good night."

Kim just beamed at her sister.

Bedelia called for the others now. They set Zara in Amanda's arms, but Bedelia took Leon from Kim. This allowed her to hold Rubyjane and Lilyjoy as they slept. Kim looked like she was in heaven.

Olivia watched them from the doorway. Not every case turned out terribly by the end. Today was one of those days. Or did right now count as night? She wasn't sure.

"Kim," Olivia called out after a few minutes. "I've got someone else here to see you."

The younger woman was able to guess. "A caretaker from the rehab center?"

"Yep. They know about what happened, so none of this is being counted against you. How about you say your good-byes now?"

Kim understood. This was really it. Her actual fresh start. And she was relieved.

So Kim said her farewells to her family, and kissed her daughters twice before going off with her caretaker. Olivia watched her go.

Now it was time to draw Bedelia away.

She called out to her. "There's also a person here for you."

Hearing this information threw Bedelia. But mostly because was very tired, she gave Leon to Nick now and headed into the hall. Where she saw the last person she was expecting at this hour.

"Trevor?" Bedelia said blankly to her attorney. "How are you here?"

Trevor grinned sheepishly. Even with it being late, he had arrived just a short while ago.

"Olivia has been keeping me in the loop all night." he explained. "I had to come check on you."

"Wow. That's really kind. But what about your family?"

"My wife is very understanding, and the kids have been asleep for hours." Trevor motioned to a quieter part of the hallway. "Can we chat for a minute?"

Bedelia nodded. She was grateful to have attorney as powerful and well-respected as this one in her corner during this mess. Knowing that he was a kind family man was also a perk. It took zero hesitation to follow Trevor away.

Meanwhile, Amanda was feeling exhausted. All she wanted was her own bed. And uninterrupted sleep. In her own home. But she was content to be with Zara, Lilyjoy, Rubyjane, Maggie Blue, and Leon. Plus she was also very grateful to have Nick's shoulder to lean against.

"How are you doing now?" he asked her.

"Mi amor," Amanda let out a monster yawn. "I'm exhausted."

Nick wrapped an arm around Amanda's waist to keep her awake. "I promise you won't have to lift a finger when we get home. Everything will be okay."

"Promise?" Amanda pressed.

"Yes, my love. I promise."

Amanda gave another big yawn. "Thank you. I love you."

In the hallway again, Trevor took his leave.

All that was left was Officer Hernandez finally getting a word in.

"Detective Rollins?" he had his hat in hand as he stood in the doorway.

Amanda gave him her attention. "Officer Hernandez. Peter, isn't it?"

"Yes, m'am." he felt surprised that she knew his name. "Is this your mother?"

He had politely indicated Bedelia.

"Yes, Peter. I am." Bedelia said kindly. "Do you have something you'd like to share?"

The young man cleared his throat. "I was the one who pulled the trigger on Odis Lee tonight. For that, I am sorry."

Neither of the Rollins women felt angry at his admission. It wasn't worth it.

"My husband was good once," Bedelia said slowly. "But to be honest, he still spent more years being bad. Was the shooting in self-defense?"

Hernandez nodded. "Yes, m'am."

"Then you did what you had to do."

Amanda agreed with her mother. "She's correct, Peter. You were doing your job. My mom and I understand that. Neither of us will hold it against you. Brass also won't."

The Rollinses' words brought reassurance to the officer. Moments like this one really mattered on the job. Especially when you were new.

Hernandez gathered himself. "Thank you both. I'm very pleased that everyone is safe now and returned to who they belong with. May I ask what happened to Kim? I see she isn't here."

"My daughter was escorted back to her rehabilitation facility by a caretaker." Bedelia said. "She is also very safe."

"Good." Hernandez breathed a sigh of relief. "I have to go back out now, but I just wanted to come check on everyone."

Bedelia smiled at him. "Thanks again. You're a good person."

Amanda nodded. "As ever, my mother is right. I'll see you around."

Officer Peter Hernandez nodded in understanding and gave his own good-byes before also leaving.

Nick spoke to Bedelia now. "Has your place been cleared? Ours has."

Bedelia nodded as she undid her long hair and shook it out. "It has been. Olivia asked Dominick to drive us. He's on the way over now."

"Excellent." Nick watched Bedelia take Leon back again. "He's a stand-up guy."

"And after tonight, we're friends. I…"

Bedelia stopped when she saw Olivia joining them.

"Dominick is here?" Bedelia guessed.

"He is." confirmed Olivia.

"Thank God. I don't know if I can keep awake much longer."

Amanda hugged her. "Good night, mama. Call us if you need anything."

"Thank you, sweet girl. Good night."

Bedelia then turned to Nick.

"Will you please carry Maggie over to Dominick for me?" she asked him.

Nick stood and picked up Maggie Blue with ease. "You bet. I've got her."

When they left the room, Amanda looked back down at her bed. Zara and the twins remained.

Each sensed movement in the room around them, but all three reacted by moving closer to Amanda as they continued to sleep. Even the babies she was carrying inside her shifted as they settled in for a deep slumber.

All of this made Amanda very happy. Being a mother was her favorite.

Upon his return back, Nick took a picture of Amanda as she kissed and hugged the children. She didn't notice. The image would be saved for a later date.

If anything... Nick felt himself just falling even more in love with Amanda.

She finally felt him looking at her after a small handful of moments. "What are you thinking about?"

"Truthfully?" Nick strolled across the room and kissed her. "I'm thinking about how in love I am with you, Mandy. That… And also the fact that you're such a wonderful mother."

"Oh, Nick…"

"I was also thinking about an idea that just popped into my head."

Amanda looked at Nick with curiosity. "Oh?"

"Yes. How would you feel i—"

Nick was interrupted by the appearance of Olivia, once more. She was carrying Noah. Alex was beside them.

She asked Amanda, "Will you be released soon?"

"Yes. Very soon, I expect."

"Wonderful." Alex praised. "I'm happy for you."

"So am I. Rest well." Olivia said. "I'll see you both back at the office on Monday."

It was presently very early Saturday morning.

Amanda spoke in complete relief. "Alright. Thank you. I can work with that."

"So can I." said Nick. "Good night."

Olivia and Alex hugged their friends before they too took their leave.

Amanda turned back to Nick. "What was your idea? From before?"

"What if," Nick exhaled shakily. "You and I eloped? Just a quiet affair?"

Amanda kissed him on the lips. "I think that I like that idea, and that it's definitely something to consider."