disclaimer: they aren't mine I'm just playing.

As always Heather (txbabefan) helped me with this chapter as my wonderful beta

Chapter 13

Steph POV:

Carlos's hand claimed mine. He and squeezed it. "I never figured you for being afraid of flying." He smiled softly.

"I'm not afraid of flying. I'm afraid of the takeoff and landing," I replied.

We touched down in Newark, and after getting through security we went to baggage claim. We had to wait for them to unload Mag from Cargo, but soon we saw his kennel being brought out on a cart. After thanking the worker, we tossed our bags onto the cart and made our way to get a rental.

We were going to be staying in Philadelphia. I didn't want to stay in Trenton; Newark, where most of Carlos's family was, was too far so I booked us in Philly. It was somewhere we wouldn't have to worry about running into anyone I knew.

Once we had the SUV, I unloaded Mag and took him to go to the bathroom as Carlos broke down the kennel and slid it into the cargo along with our bags.

"Where is Mag going to be while we go into the hospital?"

"Actually, I was hoping you would sit with him while I went inside to get an update on Grandpa Harry. They're only going to allow two people into the ICU room with him and I can about guarantee my mother has one of those seats. I want to see my Grandma Mazur."

"Sure you're not trying to hide me?" he joked.

"Trust me, you should be thankful that you don't have to go in." I told him. "Besides, we're having dinner with the family tonight. My sister and her kids are coming in also. Trust me, you're lucky you get to wait until tonight. I'm the sanest person of the family."

He shook his head as we got in the SUV. Driving the hour into Trenton, I left Carlos in with the car running, and went inside. I made my way up to the ICU floor. I knew where they were when I heard my mother's shrill voice ringing out.

I sighed and knocked on the door. My mother answered, she stared at me with a look of condemnation. "Mother, did you call Stephanie?"

"Yes, I did," I heard my Grandma Mazur in the room. She came to the door and hugged me.

"How are you doing Grandma?"

"As good as I can be," she answered, with a sad smile.

"How is he?"

"They don't know if he's going to pull through," she said. I hugged her again. "Are you coming to dinner tonight?"

"Of course, and I'm bringing a guest."

She raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Depending on what the doctor says tomorrow, they might allow us to take your grandfather home so that he can pass there," she said softly. I could see the tears in her eyes.

"Let me know if you need anything," I said softly. She nodded.

"Go get settled in at your hotel and prepare for dinner."

I nodded. "Now, go before you mother starts throwing a fit that your here."

She jinxed it. "Stephanie, your sister and the girls are flying into Newark," my mother said. "Can you pick them up?"

"No, I'm heading into Philly."

"Why are you going to Philly?" she asked.

"That's where my hotel is," I answered.

"Stephanie Michelle..."

"This is not the place to do this, Mother," I cut her off. "This is a hospital. Have Dad pick them up."

I looked at Grandma Mazur. "I'll see you tonight," I told her. She nodded. I walked off the floor and took the elevator down. Walking out to the SUV Carlos looked at me after I got in.

"You okay?"

"Same ol' shit, different day," I said with a forced smile. He squeezed my hand and pulled out of the lot. When we got to the hotel in Philly we went directly upstairs. I felt grimy from traveling; once everything was settled inside I made my way to the bathroom. I stripped, walking into the huge shower. I got the water to a good temperature and Carlos followed me in.

"Anything I should know about tonight?" he asked.

"Hmm, my family is nuts," I said. He chuckled and spun me, wrapping me in his arms.

"You sure you're okay?" he asked.

"Just my crazy ass family and their crazy ass problems," I said. "I don't have much of a choice but to be okay."

Carlos leaned down and kissed me softly. "I'm here, Babe. You don't have to be okay with me," he said.

"Right now, I just need you to hold me." He smiled softly and kissed me again.

"I can do that, Babe."

Carlos POV:

We pulled up in front of the Plum house; it was a row house, two halves duplex and her parents lived in one half. This was the place Steph grew up, and I was about to see how my Babe grew up. Steph sighed and I squeezed her hand. She smiled gently at me.

"I apologize in advance."

"Babe, it can't be that bad." I said. She shook her head.

"I warned you," she said with a small smile.

I leaned in and kissed her. She smiled softly, and I slid out. Walking around, I opened her door and she slid out. I wrapped my arm around her, and she let Mag out. She had refused to leave him at the hotel, probably wanting another ally in the house. We stepped onto the porch and the door opened.

"Who is this?" her mother asked, her lips pursed.

"Carlos Manoso." I answered, reaching out to shake her hand. She didn't take the offered hand, but Babe's grandmother did. She shook my hand.

"It's nice to meet my youngest granddaughters boo." Her grandmother said. (Did you mean boo or beau?)

"It's nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Mazur. I'm sorry it was under these circumstances." I said. She patted my hand.

"If this hadn't have happened, Steph wouldn't be home right now, either." She said.

Steph's mother gasped. "Mother! You don't need to air our dirty laundry to him," her mother said. "Let's get inside."

We went inside the house and Steph led us through into the living room. She frowned. "Where's Dad?"

"Picking up your sister. They are almost here."

Steph led me to the couch, sitting down and pulling me down next to her. She held my hand tightly. I ran my thumb over the back of her hand, trying to calm her down. My other hand wrapped around her and rested on her hips, rubbing circles. "Calm down, Babe."

"I'm trying," she whispered. Her mother emerged from the kitchen with a tumbler full of whiskey.

She narrowed her eyes at us and settled down onto the love seat next to her mother. "So, Mr. Manoso. Where are you from?"

"Please call me Carlos," I started. "I'm originally from Newark, then I moved to Miami."

She seemed to stare me down. "Newark, what a wonderful place," she said sarcastically.

"I won't say it's the best, but I did grow up in a good neighborhood," I responded. Steph squeezed my hand again.

"How did you two meet?" Mrs. Mazur asked.

"We met at the bar," Steph said staring straight at her mother. "Carlos offered to buy me coffee and I accepted the offer."

Her mother hmphed. The door opened. In walked an older man, a blond-haired woman and two children. The man was definitely Steph's father. He had the same blue eyes. The blond woman looked more like Mrs. Plum than their father, minus the brown hair.

The older of the two girls had brown hair, straight and trimmed, she looked prim and proper. The younger had curly hair out of control like Steph's and the same blue eyes. I could have sworn she was her daughter if I didn't know better. The younger of the two grinned when she saw Steph, running to her and jumping into her lap.

"Mary Alice," Steph grinned.

"Aunt Stephie!" the girl yelled, hugging her tight.

"Mary Alice!" Her mother scolded.

"Valarie, leave her alone," Steph said, sending her a look. I had a feeling there was a lot more meaning behind that look than what it seemed. She set her down as her father stood waiting. After giving him a hug, she introduced me to him. He shook my hand and walked into the dining room.

"Everyone move into the dining room," her mother said. Steph stood, and I followed her. She settled in next to her father and I sat next to her.

After her mother placed everything on the table, and a quick prayer dinner was being served. "How is Grandpa?" Valarie asked.

"They're not sure he's going to pull through," Mrs. Mazur answered. She surveyed the table to get reaction. Steph wiped away a tear, before reaching across the table. "Anything you need Grandma."

She patted her granddaughters hand. "I know babygirl. Thank you."

There was silence for a few minutes until Steph spoke up. "How was your trip, Valarie?"

"It was fine," she answered, shortly. Steph rolled her eyes and I saw her shoulders slouch. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. This got pauses from around the table. Steph smiled gently at me.

I was taking a sip of my wine when I noticed Mag was sitting under the table, his head on Steph's knee. She tried slipping him a piece of pot roast and he sniffed it before turning his nose up. I nearly shot wine out of my nose. The pot roast definitely wasn't anything special.

Later, Steph and I got into the SUV. Mag laid his head on the console looking between us. "That wasn't a complete mess," Steph sighed.

I chuckled and kissed the back of her hand. "It was something."

"I tried to warn you," she said. I grinned at her.

"I know, Babe."

XXXXXX

I woke up to Steph's phone ringing. She answered and I heard her gasp. I pulled her closer as she hung up.

"Grandpa Harry passed an hour ago," she said softly. I pulled her on top of me as a sob racked her body. I kissed her temple and ran my hand over her back, soothing her.

It took her a few minutes, but she calmed herself. Sniffling, she sighed. "Thank you."

"I'm always here, Babe." I said softly into her hair. I stood, carrying her into the shower. She stood, plastered against me. I knew she was struggling but I also knew she wanted to go see her family. I helped wash her and she helped wash me.

She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close to her. Her head rested on my chest, her ear resting over my heart. She wanted to make sure I was still there. I kissed her forehead.

"Let's get dressed, Babe." I said softly. She nodded and released me. I followed her out of the shower.

XXXXXX

Steph POV:

It had been a week since the funeral. I was still in Trenton, helping Grandma Mazur pack up her house. We were helping her move into an apartment in a building full of other senior citizens. On our first visit to the apartment, she had made friends. My mother however didn't support this. Saying that she should be living with my parents, so that she could take care of her.

Carlos, Grandma, Mag and I were walking into the house when we heard a wail. I looked at Carlos and started to back out the door. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the house. "Your not going anywhere." He said in my ear. I rolled my eyes.

We walked into the living room to see my mother consoling Valarie. She locked eyes with me.

"Stephanie, your here!" she said. "Steven left your sister. He left her for their babysitter."

"I'm sorry," I said, almost skeptically.

"You need to support your sister until she can get back onto her feet. She needs a car, a house, a new..."

"No," I said. My mother gasped.

"Stephanie Michelle..."

"You have always hated what I do, even if it is something I enjoy. I'll help get the girls new toys and clothes, but I refuse to buy Valarie a new car and house or give her money. I worked hard to get where I am," I said.

Both of them looked surprised that I refused to buy Valarie whatever she wanted. "But you're buying Grandma an apartment!" Valarie yelled at me.

"You can work a part time job while the girls are in school. Grandma is living on social security and grandpa's insurance policy. I'm sure mom wouldn't mind watching the girls if you had to work. After all, what is family for?"

"Helen, Stephanie is right. Now leave her alone," Grandma said. I smiled at her.