Paul swallowed when he heard the news. "Thank you, Dr. Ray," He said politely, gently holding Madeline closer to him.

"Is there anything we can do?" Added Amy.

"Well, not much, I'm afraid." Dr. Ray told them sympathetically. "Kathy and Anna have been assigned to Madeline's care. In addition, I have found that Ronny will be fit enough to be discharged before the end of the week."

Paul's heart froze when the doctor mentioned Kathy. He remembered the pass she made at him a while ago.

Since that incident, combined with Madeline's 'surprise test' for pneumonia, had left Paul suspicious of Kathy's motives in helping his twins out of Death's grip. She continued to bat her eyelashes in a flirtatious manner when he was alone; she would give Amy deathly glares; she seemed to hover round the twins more than Paul was comfortable with.

But, unfortunately, he had no proof that Kathy was up to something, even if people believed him. He knew Anna and Amy would- but technically, they couldn't act on her unless she did something suspicious.

Besides, he figured that perhaps if he acted disinterested in as polite a way as he could, she'd back off and leave him and Amy be.

After all, Amy was a force to be reckoned with. And Anna was smart and loyal, so she'd be a valuable ally, should Paul and Amy need one.

….

True to the good doctor's prediction, Riley had gained enough strength to go home to Fogg Manor; but Paul didn't like the idea of separating the twins, so she was given two more days to be certain.

During that week, Madeline's weight gain steadily improved. It was slow going, but she was growing stronger with each passing day, and that was all that mattered to Paul right now.

Amy too was delighted with Madeline's progress, and she remained proud of the little girl.

….

One night, Paul looked at the card Anna gave him all the way in Sutherland. "Oh no- Anna must be out of her mind. But Mary's sudden death doesn't add up. I wonder if there was something Mary left out. But what?" he pondered, as he fell asleep that night

The next morning, Alice plodded into Paul's room and said "Dad, wake up your phone ringing." When he didn't respond, she picked it up and accepted the call. "Hello, Alice Fogg speaking- how may I help you?"

Anna asked "Alice, can you get your Dad on the phone, please? I need to speak with him, urgently."

"Sure, hold on Anna. Dad, you need to wake up- Anna is on the phone!" Paul heard this, and stirred, before he sat up in bed rubbing his eyes.

"Anna?" he asked, and Alice nodded. "Thank you, Alice." He took his cell phone from her and held it to his ear. "Hello, Anna, is everything alright?"

"Mr. Fogg, we need you at the hospital today at 12, please- and bring Amy with you."

Paul's heart froze. He thanked Anna and hung up, before dashing around the house, trying to get ready to head to the hospital with Amy. He had to get Duncan to call her as he was running late; he slept in and it was half past 10.

Once Duncan confirmed that Amy had received the message and was joining him, Paul thanked him for his assistance and ran out of the door, car keys in hand.

….

"Alice, what if Dad sees us in the backseat?" Asked Maxwell with a hiss, as Paul sped towards the hospital.

Alice said "Maxwell, quiet! You want to see our sisters, right?"

Maxwell said "Well, yeah but"- he noticed Paul speed through a red light, without even looking up at it. "Dad passed the light- cool," he said. Unfortunately for him, he inadvertently spoke too loudly, causing Paul to nearly slam on the brakes in surprise.

"Maxwell? Alice?" Paul asked in surprise as he pulled into the hospital parking lot. "What on Earth are you two doing back there?"

"We want to see our sisters- please Dad!" Begged Alice.

"Alright," Paul relented. "But after this I am calling Emma to take you both home, understand?"

Alice said, "Yes Dad."

"It won't happen again," added Maxwell, sheepishly. Then, Paul saw a familiar figure walk towards his car, and he groaned quietly. What a time to find out his eldest two hitched a ride in the back of his car without his knowledge or permission.

Amy said "Alice, Maxwell! "What a surprise to see you two here."

"We sort of rode with Dad; but he didn't know about it until now," Explained Alice.

Paul said, "Amy, what is this about? Anna says it was urgent and to come to the hospital."

Amy said "I don't know- Anna isn't even talking. It seems like whatever she saw shook her up."

Paul looked at his watch, and said, "We have a bit of time yet, so let's get lunch, and then see if they'll allow Alice and Maxwell to see Riley before I call Emma to take the two home, and then we can find out what's happened here from a doctor- after all, it couldn't be nothing, right?"

Amy said "True- but Paul, you're looking a lot better than you were the last few days I saw you."

"I know, Amy- that sleep was just what I needed," Replied Paul.

Maxwell then asked "Dad, why did you speed through a red light- you never drive that fast….?"

"A red light? Oh, I guess with all of this going back and forth I've been doing it more like a habit now than before all this started," Said Paul in surprise.

"Paul how fast were you driving?" Asked Amy cautiously.

Paul said, "40 miles per hour- why?"

"With your two kids in the backseat?" Amy replied incredulously as they headed inside the hospital.

"In my defense, Amy, I had no idea they were in the backseat until I got here," Paul replied. "Had I known sooner, I wouldn't have risked the speed- or even better, I would have taken them back home."

Alice suddenly started fidgeting and said, "Dad what would happen if me and Maxwell know something about our late mom that you didn't?"

"It's kind of a long story, Dad," Added Maxwell.

Amy said "Alice, Maxwell- you two pick out a table- Paul, we need to talk," before Paul could ask further into what his children were trying to tell them.

….

Maxwell said "Alice, if we tell Dad the truth of what our first mom did when he wasn't around and before the Staff started working for Mom and Dad- what if Amy is, well, abusive?"

"Maxwell, Mom is gone now- she can't hurt us or our new little sisters." Alice replied reassuringly.

"You are right, Alice- it is time that Dad knew the truth," Said Maxwell.

….

"What did we need to talk about, Amy?" Asked Paul, as the two kids went off to procure a table for them.

"Paul, it seems like Alice and Maxwell know something about Mary that they are scared to tell you about." Amy explains.

"Why would they be scared to tell me? I would never hit them." Paul protested calmly.

"I know you won't," Reassured Amy, "but it seems odd they would pick now to tell you; there were other chances they could have said something."

Paul said "True, unless… Amy, the first time you drove me home, what paper did you pick up with the address?"

"It was just a paper from a Walmart store. It had some kids' things and oil and gas-why?"

"Oil and gas?" Repeated Paul in surprise. "Are you sure, Amy?"

"I'm as sure as rain Paul," Amy answered, puzzled as to what was in Paul's mind at that moment.

Paul said "Amy, just order one burger, two with cheese and fries, one tea and two Cokes. I need to quickly check on something. Thanks, Amy,"

Amy said, "You're welcome," as he waded across to rejoin Alice and Maxwell. "Did I stumble upon something?" She wondered to herself, as she went up to order the food.

"Alice, Maxwell, what were you telling me earlier about your late mom?" Paul asked, sitting down with them.

"Maybe we better wait until we are, you know, home," Replied Alice, uneasily, not feeling as brave as she had tried to make out to Maxwell.

Paul said "Alice, I am not going to be upset with either you or Maxwell about this. Now, can you tell me what happened, please?"

Alice said "Okay Dad. Do you remember when Maxwell fell down the stairs with my favorite doll?"

"Yes, I do, Alice-why?" asked Paul in concern.

Maxwell said, "It was no accident- Mom pushed me down the stairs."

Alice added, "Mom lied about the doll, and me pushing Maxwell down the stairs cos he took it- I was actually in the other room, trying to call your work number- but I didn't want Mom to know I was calling you, so I gave up and went along with Mom's story. I know it was wrong but the staff being there didn't stop Mom being abusive. She just threatened us to keep quiet; and never hit or threatened us if they were nearby."

Maxwell explained sadly, "We gave you hints, Dad, with those drawings we did about Mom. We couldn't tell you ourselves; she threatened us."

Paul felt his blood freeze as he realized something, and he said, "Oh dear, Alice Maxwell- do you two know anything about oil and gas, do you?"

"Yes. Mom bought the oil and gas to hurt the babies."

"Hurt the babies?" Paul repeated in shock. "Oh, I wondered why she wasn't all that happy about setting up the new baby room."

Maxwell, wringing his hands, asked "Dad, how was Mom after Riley was born?"

"Mom was not happy about the 2nd baby," replied Paul.

Alice asked, "Dad you don't think Mom was going to harm our little sisters, do you?"

Paul said "Hmm… she had no names for the babies picked out. I named you both as well, as she didn't seem to be in the right mindset for parenthood. If only I realized the extent of that sooner."

"Dad, are you mad at us for not saying something sooner?" Asked Maxwell.

Paul shook his head "No- I'm just glad you two told me."

Alice said, "We love you, Dad, really."

Paul replied, "I love you guys too. Is there anything else I should know about?"

Maxwell asked, "Dad if Mom hadn't passed away, would you have still stayed with Mom, or would you have divorced her?"

"I would have definitely divorced you mother; but kept the house and you four safely out of Mom's hands, son," Paul reassured Maxwell, ruffling his son's hair.

Alice said "Dad, I like Amy- she is nice and fun to be with."

"I like Amy too, sweetheart. She's great to be around," he replied. "And she's been so helpful with Madeline and Riley at the hospital too."

Alice said "True," and then a thought hit her. "But Dad, how was Mom before you two married?"

"Dad something isn't adding up. If Mom is gone -thankfully- would Riley and Madeline really remember our birth Mom?"

Paul said, "Since Mom didn't have any really contact with Riley or Madeline, no, both girls won't remember Mom; but Alice, next time for whatever reason just leave a message on either mine or Mitch's phones, alright?" he said. He dodged the question on what Mary was like before their wedding. He didn't want to detail that just yet, so he hoped they wouldn't ask until they were older.

Alice said, "I will, Dad thanks for not being mad."

"Why would I be mad, sweetie? This wasn't your fault."

…..

Meanwhile Amy asked, "Anna what is this about?" as she carried lunch to the table.

"Search me, Amy," Shrugged Anna. "Has Paul not told you?"

"No. He just seemed off when I found a receipt for oil and gas. He didn't seem to have been the one who bought them, so maybe he's been the victim of fraud?"

"Fraud? How would that tie in Alice and Maxwell?" Anna reminded her. "You yourself noticed that something was up with them."

"Perhaps it was their mother who frauded him… or worse." Amy mused.

"You don't think…? Who would…?"

"Anna, we worked in a hospital together for over five years. We've both seen cases of child neglect and child cruelty that would make Lucifer himself weep. Their birth mother could very well have purchased that oil and gas to perform malicious intent."

"Intent?"

"Murder, Anna, murder!"

The two friends lapsed into silence, feeling somewhat sick at the possible truth, when Paul returned.

Paul said "Anna, Amy, hello! Everything is fine now, nothing to worry about, girls. Could you two talk please?" he asked in concern, seeing their pale faces and peculiar expressions.

Amy said "Paul! Sorry, it's nothing to worry about. how can you be…?"

Paul said reassuringly "Amy, Anna, please. Everything is already solved. Amy, do you remember that oil and gas receipt you found in the car?"

"Yes," Replied Amy, "Why do you ask?"

"As it turns out," Explained Paul, "Mary brought them to kill the babies."

"Paul, are you sure it was Mary?" Asked Anna, disturbed.

Paul said affirmatively, "Sure as rain. Anna, after lunch would you mind keeping an eye on Alice and Maxwell while me and Amy find out what is wrong with the twins?"

"I'll do my best, Paul," Replied Anna, still bemused as well as disturbed at the thought of Mary Fogg killing her innocent baby; or even just trying to. They ate their lunch in silence.

….

After lunch, Amy and Paul left to see Dr Wayne to check up on the twins.

"Mr. Fogg and Amy, welcome," he greeted politely, gesturing to some seats on the opposite side of his desk. "Please have a seat."

Paul asked, "What did you want to see us about Riley and Madeline, Doctor?"

Doctor Wayne cleared his throat. "It's a very serious issue, Mr. Fogg." He said, his hazel eyes glinting in concern. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a large brown folder.

"How serious is it, Doctor Wayne?" Asked Amy in concern.

"Very serious," replied Doctor Wayne. He opened the folder and passed it towards Amy and Paul. Dr Wayne added, "Amy, Paul- how were the girls the last time you saw them?"

Paul replied, "Both girls seemed happy and good."

"We just couldn't find Madeline last time, but everything was just fine," added Amy.

"And why couldn't Madeline be found last time?" Inquired Dr. Wayne, looking rather startled at this sudden revelation.

"Well, she was going for some test, apparently." Amy explained. "But we weren't told about it."

"When was this?"

Amy told him the date, and Dr. Wayne frowned in confusion.

"Funnily enough, there doesn't seem to be any note of a test on such a date in here." He said, flicking through the file notes, just to be sure; and, sure enough, he found no tests recorded under the date Amy mentioned.

"There's something strange going on here," Realized Amy, worriedly. "That sort of action isn't authorized."

"Indeed," Agreed Dr. Wayne. "I'll need to conduct an investigation."

Amy and Paul exchanged uneasy looks.

"Anna is innocent of all this, I know it," Amy spoke up. "I've known her since nursing school- she'll never, ever break the rules or do any tests on any of her patients- especially her young patients- without the proper authorization."

"So, you think Kathy might be responsible?" Paul asked.

"I won't have any presumption, Mr. Fogg." Dr. Wayne said, but frowned. "All the same, while an excellent nurse, Kathy has been known to bend the rules on several occasions. Nothing severe to note thus far, but she is getting to a point where she might be struck off if she doesn't see the error of her ways."

…..

Time Skip …..

Amy said, reluctantly, "I guess you are right. Besides, preschool does get out at 12:30 pm, so I will be there to pick them up… oh alright- what harm could happen for a few hours?"

Paul said, proudly, "Spoken like a mother, Amy."

Amy replied, "Well alright, Paul, let's get the twins awakened and, after breakfast, I will get them dressed."

Meanwhile, upstairs, Riley said "Hmm, Mommy and Daddy are taking too long."

Madeline replied, "It's almost time for school- come on, let's wake them before we are late! Come on, come on, come on!" She started to charge out of the room.

Riley protested, "Madeline, wait we aren't supposed to wake up Mommy and Daddy!"

Madeline ignored her twin and said "Mommy, Daddy, wake up, wake up! It's time for school, please!"

Amy said "Well, it seems you two awoke before me and Dad could come and wake you both up!"

Riley followed her twin, saying "I can't wait to start school, Daddy, it seems like fun!"

Madeline said, "Uh huh- no more nap time for us!"

….

But as Amy prepared the kids for the bus, the twins were starting to feel fearful their first day won't go so well.

Madeline protested, "I don't want to go to preschool Mama. I want to stay home with you!"

Amy replied kindly, "Riley, Madeline, I know new things can sometimes be upsetting. But if we don't try them, we don't grow and learn. That's what Preschool is all about." She explained. "You'll get the chance to meet new friends and have fun and learn."

Riley asked, worriedly, "What if the teacher doesn't like us?"

"Why wouldn't she like you two? You're both very likeable girls!" Amy replied confidently. "

Maxwell said cheekily, "Yeah, well most of the time." Madeline shot Maxwell a mean look in response.

Amy said, "I know Miss Honey will be happy to have you both in her Preschool class."

"But we can't go today! we are too busy." Argued Riley.

"Too busy?" Gasped Amy.

"Yep!" Said Madeline. "I promised Maxwell I'd make a picture for him."

Maxwell said, "You can make me a picture at Preschool, Maddie They've got lots of paint, and crayons, and every color you can think of!"

Riley protested "But I want to hear my storybooks!"

"They have lots of books at Preschool , too. With stories you haven't heard before." Replied Amy.

Madeline added, sulkily "I was going to build something with my blocks."

Paul said, "They have enough blocks to build a castle at Preschool. That was one of Alice and Maxwell's favorite things about school."

Alice added, "There's a tub of blocks bigger than you!" She gestured with her arms to show its size.

"What do you say, Riley and Madeline? Can you give preschool a try?" Asked Amy.

They nodded their heads. "Yes!" they agreed, their imaginations blazing with all the books they could listen to, and the building blocks that could make castles, and having crayons and paints in every color imaginable.

Amy added, "And so, you two will go with Alice and Maxwell on the bus for your first day of school. Will you two manage she asked Alice and Maxwell.

They nodded. "We will!" they chorused, and they shepherded their little sisters out of the door.

Madeline waved bye to their Mom, and the twins were soon on the bus for the first time. and Last time they would see there Family

….

the end