It's been a week since Scottlynn's talk with Kailani. She's finally decided to try and tell Callie and AJ about the baby that's growing inside of her. Inside of her small, hideable baby bump. She was practicing what she'd say in front of the mirror and was startled when Elizabeth walked into the bathroom. She didn't know what the eight year old had heard until she heard the question.

"What's pregnant mean?" Elizabeth asked

Scottlynn sighed as she squatted down to the little girl's level, "Lizzie." She wasn't going to tell Elizabeth, but then decided that maybe it would be good practice for when she tells Callie and AJ.

"You know how you grew inside your mommy's tummy."

Elizabeth nodded, "Yeah."

"Well pregnant is what it's called when a woman is growing a baby in her belly." Scottlynn explained, "I have a baby in my belly."

"It doesn't look like it."

Scottlynn laughed, "Yeah. Well the baby is still really small. The baby has to grow over nine months. This little baby has eight more months to go."

"And then it will be born?" Elizabeth wondered, still not quite understanding

"Yeah. And you and Mollie will be aunties."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open, "But I'm only be eight. I'll be nine in two weeks."

"You can become an aunt at any age. When I was little I had a friend who had siblings a lot older than her and she became an aunt when she was only two years old."

Elizabeth's eyes widened, "Wow. And Mommy and Daddy are gonna be grandparents." She had just come to that conclusion.

"Yes. They will be."

"Do they know?"

Scottlynn shook her head, "No. Not yet, but I'm gonna tell them soon."

"I'm so excited to be an auntie." Elizabeth exclaimed, "Do you think Mommy and Daddy will be excited to be grandparents like grandmom and grandmama?"

"I don't know, kid."

Elizabeth hugged Scottlynn, "I think they will be."

Scottlynn hugged Elizabeth back as she thought, 'I hope so.'

The last week with Booker has been great for Jude, Conor and little Emmalyn. Booker is a sweet, angelic little boy. He's a good kid, but he misses his family. Jude and Conor found out from the social worker that Booker has four siblings.

As they listen to the sounds of Emmalyn and Booker's laughter echoing through the house, Jude and Conor talk about taking in one of Booker's siblings. They had made an inquiry about it with Booker's social worker and found out that most of Booker's siblings had been placed already, except for his eleven year old brother.

Jude and Conor both wanted at least two or three children, but they never considered taking in more than one at once. They knew from watching Callie and AJ struggle with Scottlynn and Mollianne how hard it was taking in two traumatized kids. Sometimes one was hard enough, but they also figured that the bond between siblings was too great to be severed. Jude knew that all too well. And Conor was about to learn that when a knock was heard on the front door.

Conor glanced at Jude, "Are you expecting anyone?"

Jude shook his head, "No. Are you?"

Conor got up from the couch to answer the door. He opened the door to find a fourteen year old girl standing in front of him. It wasn't Janelle though.

"Um...who are you?"

"Where's Booker? Where's my brother?" The young teen asked, completely dodging the question

"He's okay. I'm Conor. What's your name?"

The young teen let out a breath, "I'm Ever. Well actually my name is Navy, but my middle is Ever. That's the name I go by."

"It's nice to meet you, Ever." Conor replied as he heard little feet running up behind him.

He felt two little hands resting on the backs of his legs and he knew that is was Emmalyn. He heard another pair of feet running. These footsteps he recognized as Booker's. The little boy came around in front of him.

Ever saw her brother's brown eyes widen when he saw her.

Booker threw his arms around his big sister as he yelled her name excitedly, "Ever!"

"Hi Boo-Boo." Ever said as she hugged her brother back

"I missed you." Booker uttered

Ever cradled her hands around her little brother's face, "Are you okay?"

Booker nodded, "Yeah. Jude and Conor are nice and I have Emmy to play with."

"Emmy?"

"Yeah. She's hiding behind Conor."

Emmalyn poked her head out around Conor's legs. She waved, "Hi."

Ever smiled, "Hi Emmy. Thanks for keeping my brother happy."

"Are you gonna take Bookie away from me?" Emmalyn asked

"No, not now. I can't, but my mom might get my brother and I back."

Emmalyn frowned as she looked down, "Oh." Then she looked up after she felt Conor's hand stroking her head, "That's okay. That's how foster care is. That's what my daddies say. We lost Janie to her brother."

"However long Booker stays with us will be a gift." Conor added.

"Well I should go, but thanks for taking care of my brother."

Conor gave a smile, "Of course. He's a great kid. Your mom has done a good job with him so far. I hope she gets the help she needs to be able to take care of you, Booker and your siblings."

"Thank you." Ever told him before peeling herself away from her brother and heading back down the driveway to a car that was parked at the curb.

Booker turned around and hugged Conor, "Thanks for letting me talk to my sister."

Conor hugged the little boy back, "It's no problem, bud. Jude and I understand how important sibling relationships are."

Booker took Emmalyn's hand, "Come on, Emmy. Let's go back and play."

"Okay." She agreed as she and Booker race back to the playroom.


Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.

What would you like to see happen next?