When Alfie and Dr. Friedman reached the nursery, Julien's arms and legs were convulsing, his eyes rolled back. The doctor quickly stepped forward and moved Julien onto his side.

"Miss, I need-" Dr. Friedman started but stopped when he saw Odette's face. "Mr. Solomons get her out of here!"

Alfie looked at Odette to find her face drained of color and unsteady. "Odette?" He said as he reached to touch her, and she began to faint.

Alfie caught her and looked at the doctor, who was moving Julien onto his back since he had finally stopped seizing.

"She'll be alright. Sit her down and give her a drink when she wakes. Not uncommon for mothers to react this way when things reach this level." The doctor said.

Alfie carried her Odette to the sitting room, and she stirred as he began to lay her on the sofa.

"Julien." She mumbled as she moved her hand to her head.

"He's alright, doctor is seeing to him."

"I need to be with him." She said before lifting herself to a sitting position and swaying.

"You need to take a moment and gather yourself. You won't do anyone a bit of good if you fall out onto the floor."

Alfie handed her a glass of whiskey and she looked at it a moment before she drank it in one swallow then buried her face in her hands.

"Better?"

Odette looked at him with tired eyes. "No." Alfie watched as her eyes filled with tears and her nose reddened.

"He'll be alright." He said as he came to sit on the sofa next to her.

"I'm a nurse." She said. "I have been trained. I know what to do when someone has a fit and I just screamed and watched. I didn't-" She moved a shaking hand to her mouth as her tears began to flow.

"He's your child, not a soldier." Alfie said softly. "Your reaction was normal."

"Why is it I always fail him?" The pain in her voice went straight to Alfie's chest.

"Hey," He soothed, putting a hand under her chin and turning turn her to look at him. "You have not failed him. Not once."

"No? Alfie, I couldn't even feed him." The strong emotions in her eyes prevented Alfie from looking away. "I tried yesterday to ensure I could provide for him, and because I didn't show up today, I know they will not allow me to work. And I failed at that so that I could fail at caring for him when he needs me the most? To watch as his little body shake? What good am I, if I cannot do what a mother needs to do for her child?" Her voice broke. "He would be better off without me."

"Enough." Alfie said in a soft voice. "That boy in there loves you. And you have done what a mother needs to do for her child. You got help when you knew you couldn't do it. Hm? You wrote to me when you knew there was no coming back from where you were. You came here today. That's what a mother does, Odette." He stared at her for a moment, allowing the words to seep in before he leaned back. "And as for your little job at that bakery, it wasn't going to happen."

The look in Odette's eyes changed from sadness to fatigue. "Why can you not let me help provide for him?"

Alfie studied her before deciding to tell her the truth. "I never knew my father. I have his hat and I have his name, but I never met the man. I watched my mother work hard doing other peoples washing. Her hands would be ate up and sore from the soap and fucking washboard. And my father, did fuck all about it! I am not that man." He looked at her with a stern expression. "I will provide for you and for my son because that is how it is supposed to be. So, no. You won't be fucking working and you won't be needing or wanting of anything because I will provide it."

Odette dropped her head and Alfie cupped her cheek, turning her back to him. "Let me take care of you, Odette. While you provide him with things only his mother can."

Odette closed her eyes and leaned her face into his hand, relishing the feel of his comforting touch.

"I cannot lose him, Alfie. He is my entire world." She said in a whisper.

Alfie stroked her cheek with his thumb. "We aren't going to lose him."

"We. That is nice to hear." She said with a small smile.

"You're not alone in this. I'm here." They were speaking softly, their eyes locked and Alfie's thumb still gently caressing her cheek.

Odette instinctually glanced down at Alfie's mouth and swallowed. Noticing this, he slightly inclined his head to her. Suddenly, the door opened, and Edna walked in, breaking the soft spell the two had been under and Odette moved her face from his palm. She stood and walked to Edna, who held out the medicine for Julien. Odette quickly moved to the back room with Alfie behind her.

Two hours later, Julien was sleeping restlessly, crying out occasionally before quickly settling again. Odette dozed in the rocking chair that she had pulled beside the head of his bed, jumping up quickly every time he whined.

Alfie stood leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed watching his little family. Odette was slumped in her chair, her neck hanging at an odd angle.

"Odette." Alfie said gently with a hand on her arm.

"What is it? Is he alright?" She said quickly, coming out of her sleep.

"He's fine." Alfie reassured her. "Why don't you go lay down and get some rest, I'll stay here and watch over him. If anything changes or if he needs you, I will wake you."

"No," She said shaking her head and rubbing her eyes. "I am alright."

"Odette." Alfie said sternly. "Go rest. The doctor said he will sleep for a while."

"He also said that my son is very ill. I have seen pneumonia take people very quickly, Alfie."

"Pneumonia isn't going to take him anywhere. He was young and health before all of this. Dr. Freidman is a good doctor. He's confident that OUR son" Alfie paused for emphasis, "will make a full recovery. But I don't need you falling ill as well. I want you to rest while Edna prepares you something to eat."

Odette looked at the three-year-old boy in the bed. "You will wake me if he needs me?" She asked, turning back to Alfie.

"You have my word."

She looked once more at her and her eyelids sagged from fatigue. Slowly rising from her chair, she nodded to Alfie and walked toward the guest room. Odette plopped onto the bed, not bothering to pull the blanket back and fell asleep instantly.