When Carisi arrived, Sophia and Blue quietly excused themselves for awhile. Blue even left Jesse with Amanda, mostly because she was fast asleep, and she didn't have the heart to move her.

Amanda was already glad for Carisi's company, and by the time it was just them and Jesse, she was growing amused because Carisi was getting hung up on Blue's name.

"So, is her name actually Blue?"

Amanda chuckled. "Yes, and no. Blue is her maiden name—her married name is Balthazar. By this point, Blue is a nickname that's just stuck, and I've been calling her that more than the name she was born with for my entire life."

"Blue Balthazar." Carisi tried. "That sounds cool. How is she related to you, again?"

"My mom is her older sister. Blue was five when I was born, and we've always been really close."

"Did she and her family just move here?"

"Uh-huh: they just came here from a place in Georgia called Valdosta, totally in the opposite direction of Atlanta, closer to Florida. Blue's husband is named Zoltan, and they have kids named Jubilee, Phoenix, and Riversong."

"How old are they?"

"Jubilee and Phoenix are nine months apart, and right now, they're both sixteen. Riversong is five, but I haven't met her yet because she was still in Blue's belly when I left Georgia."

"Those are some seriously cool names, but you still haven't said Aunt Blue's actual name yet."

"It's Amanda—I was named after her."

"That's cute."

Amanda smiled. "My mom and Blue are fifteen years apart, and my mom has always treated her like one of her own. They're so close that my mom gave me her sister's name."

Carisi held his hands up in the 'time-out' position. "Where were their parents?"

"Absent. There was a time when their parents were good to them, but they were eventually just absent." Amanda explained. "From the stories I've heard from Blue, there was always money for food, water, and electricity, but their parents were always in and out. My mom chose to raise Blue, even though she was still in high school, because they would have been split up, otherwise. This is probably when my mom cultivated her 'family doesn't forsake family' philosophy."

"How old was your mom when she had you?"

"Freshly turned twenty. Her birthday is the day before mine." Amanda shifted slightly on the bed as she felt her stomach turn a tiny flip. "I know it's hard to believe about my mom because you've met her and seen how put together she is, but she and Blue were born poor in a trailer park in Atlanta. They were there until she came into money from an uncle when she was eighteen."

"Did your mom adopt Blue?"

Amanda nodded. "My became her legal guardian ASAP, and she got them out, to a better part of the city."

Carisi was hooked on to Amanda's tale. "When did your parents meet?"

"Not long after my mom and Blue got to Atlanta proper. He isn't where the name Rollins came from, though."

"No?" Now Carisi was downright perplexed. "Was Rollins your stepdad?"

"He still is. My biological dad is—or was—a guy called Floyd-William Enos."

"Amanda, why are you talking about Floyd-William like he's dead?"

"Because for all know, that jackass could be—I haven't seen him since I chased him out after he stole a good chunk of her money… and ran off with another woman. I don't remember much about him anymore, but it's definitely still clear as day that he drank, smoked, and was a cocaine user."

"So good riddance, huh?"

"Yeah, exactly. My dad remarried when Blue was eighteen, I was thirteen, and Kim was eleven. Blue kept her name, but I was Amanda Coraline Grace Enos until then."

"What's your stepdad's name?"

"Benoît Rollins—he's Cajun French, but how he got to Georgia from deep Louisiana is another story. Compared to my mom, he isn't as bad… he's just always busy because he runs a huge publishing house in Atlanta. The biggest one is there, but there are more throughout the country, and some in England and Ireland, too. There's also one a few blocks from here, come to that… ooo…"

Carisi snapped out of his reverie that Amanda had had him in. "What do you need?"

"Just push the button on the morphine line, please—Jesse fell asleep on me, and I can't reach it. We both know she turns into Princess Crankybutt if she gets woken up."

"I gotcha." Carisi found the morphine button and pressed it a few times for her before setting the device down in an area that was easier to reach. "How's that, babe?"

Amanda sighed blissfully as the pain ebbed away, but also because Carisi had called her her favorite pet name. She opened her mouth to start telling him about the baby in her belly, but she didn't get very far because the one in her arms had suddenly started whimpering, crying, and tossing and turning in her sleep.

Carisi moved in immediately, rubbing soothing circles on Jesse's chest and wiping her tears.

"You're okay, principessa. You're okay." Carisi told her. "Mommy and I are here to chase all your bad dreams away. Go back to sleep… There's a good girl…"

As if by magic, Jesse had fallen asleep again and was peaceful, even smiling.

Amanda looked at Carisi in awe. "Dominick Abramo Carisi, you never cease to amaze me. How do you always get Jesse to fall asleep faster than I do?"

Carisi shrugged. "I've been a baby whisperer since… forever, but I'm glad I am one because it helps me love Jesse even more than I already do."

"You love Jesse?"

"I love her like she's mine. I always have." Carisi gave Jesse a kiss on the cheek and then looked at Amanda to see she was looking at him with joy, so he kept going. "I love you, too, Amanda. Very much."

Amanda felt very surprised by his words, but also incredibly loved and wanted. She also wasn't going to lie—she felt the same emotions that Carisi was currently expressing.

Carisi reached out and caressed Amanda's cheek. "You alright?"

"Oh, yes. I love you with all my heart, Dominick." she replied. "You just surprised me because nobody has loved me like you do… ever."

Carisi was floored by this. "Really? What about Nick or Declan, though?"

"Nick was complicated, and there was also the whole situation with his kids. By the time I wanted to say something, he was already gone, anyway. About Declan—that was never love to begin with, and he hasn't once called to even ask about Jesse, let alone see her, so I've let him go, too. I don't want Jesse to grow up wondering about the man who fathered her, just like I wonder about the man who fathered me, though. You, though, you've been there for me since I told everyone that Jesse was on the way, and now that Jesse is in the world, you're there for her, too. There have never been enough words to say how much I love that about you, or how much it means to me."

Amanda beckoned Carisi closer, and when he leaned in, she kissed him.

"I love you." she said. "You're it for me forever."

Feeling as though he was floating on air, Carisi returned the kiss. "You're it for me forever, too."

Amanda smiled and then exhaled audibly, although shakily so. "I have a question for you."

Carisi leaned back in his chair. "Shoot."

"Do you have room in your heart for more kids besides Jesse?"

"Totally—I've always wanted lots of kids!"

"Well, Jesse is getting a brother or sister from us."

Amanda watched with baited breath as the pieces came together in Carisi's brain. When he got what she was driving at, there was no other expression on his face except for that of sheer joy.

"Amanda, is this real?" he asked. "Are you telling me that you're pregnant?"

She nodded, feeling her heart and stomach both doing jumping jacks. "I'm already six weeks along, but this is totally real. What do you thi—"

But she didn't get a chance to finish the question because Carisi was kissing her again, and she knew nothing but peace, relief, love, and joy.

Sophia had been right—she and her kids going to be just fine.


Meanwhile, in another part of the hospital, Sophia and Blue were taking a stroll together, bonding. They'd hit it off when Amanda had introduced them, and after awhile on their stroll, they'd gotten to talking about their families and were getting along even more.

This proved to be very interesting.

"Blue," Sophia said as they walked along. "Is it alright if I ask you something about your marriage to Zoltan?"

"Of course."

"How long have you known each other?"

"Since I was eight, and he was ten."

"How did you meet?"

"He was new in the neighborhood because his parents wanted a fresh start, so they moved from Budapest to Atlanta."

"Budapest?" Sophia parroted. "That's in Hungary!"

"Mhm, and because of my husband, Hungarian is my second language." Blue said, proud. "You know, had it not been for Amanda, I wouldn't have run into Zoltan in the first place."

"Even though I was eight, I still remember—my sister sent me outside because she was working on something for school and was trying to do as much work as could while her youngest slept."

"Kim, right?"

Blue nodded. "Beth Anne sent me outside to play, and Amanda asked to come, so I ended up looking after her that day. We were on a walk when Amanda saw the neighborhood bully picking on Zoltan, making fun of his accent because it was heavier at the time. I'd never seen him before, but Beth Anne had always told me that if she ever caught me bullying anyone or someone told her I was, she'd wash my mouth out with soap."

Sophia couldn't help laughing. "That's one way to parent—I'll admit that I've been unorthodox with Melissa over the years, I've never been as unorthodox with her as Beth Anne was with you. What happened after Amanda saw Zoltan?"

"I made sure she stayed out of the way, picked up a rock, and threw it at the bully."

Blue spoke so casually what Sophia was blindsided. "What?! Where did it hit him?!"

"In the head. My aim was dead on, too. I told him that if he so much as looked at Zoltan the wrong way, I'd tattle. Rex never bothered Zoltan again."

"And you and Zoltan have been best friends ever since?"

"Yep."

"Did your sister punish you for throwing the rock?"

"No, actually. She was proud of me for protecting Zoltan, and she signed me up for softball." Blue smiled at the memories. "Zoltan and I have been together since we were fifteen and seventeen. Zoltan Balthazar is the love of my life."

"How long have you been married, then?"

"This Halloween makes twenty wonderful years."

"You got married on Halloween?"

"It's our favorite holiday, and it was Halloween when we met. Amanda was our flower girl."

"That's really sweet."

Blue nodded in agreement, then said, "Sophia, if I may—why are so curious?"

"I have a lot of new and wonderful friends, and my mom is even back in my life."

"But…?" Blue prompted gently.

"Except for one couple, and now also you and Zoltan, none of my new friends have even been together for an exceptionally long time. Even my own marriage failed. I'm curious because I want to know what it's like to be in a relationship or marriage that's lasted."

"I'll say this—mine and Zoltan's lives together have not been without trials, especially because there were some of his relatives that didn't approve of me and because our oldest kids have special needs, but we've always had each other's backs, even when we were at our lowest."

"And you've still remained."

"We're better people for it, too. Zoltan is my soulmate." Blue gave Sophia another curious look. "Have you found your person?"

Sophia gave a nervous laugh. "I just met her, and she's more than twelve years older than me, but there was definitely more than just a spark on the day we first met. I know she feels it, too, and even everyone else has noticed."

"What about Olivia and Alex? Are they on board?"

"They're over the moon—I, uh, have a crush on their best friend, and they know she makes me happy."

"Sounds like more than just a crush, my friend. What's her name?"

"Casey, short for Cassandra. She's pregnant, too, but with an IVF baby."

"Then just take it slow." Blue advised. "Maybe take her on a casual date?"

"Yeah, but to where?"

Blue laughed a real, genuine laugh. "You've lived in Manhattan for your entire life, and I just got here."

"Good point."

"Speaking of which…"

Blue stopped walking and pointed at area of the hall they were in, specifically at a sign that read 'PHARMACY' in all capital letters. This was where Sophia had needed to go, anyway.

Sophia bobbed her head. "I'll be right back."

Sophia's business in the pharmacy didn't take long, and when she was done, she was tucking something into the front of her bag.

"Look at this."

She held out her left wrist, showing of a new piece of jewelry. It was a generic medical alert bracelet, yellow in color and made of rubber, and it had the sign of the caduceus on the front. Blue supposed that the other side had the important medical information.

Upon examination, Blue asked, "Why do you have to wear it?"

"I was officially diagnosed on the day I met Casey, actually, and as it turns out, I'm allergic to a certain anti-seizure medication. I'm also allergic to roses. The doctor advised me to get a rubber bracelet, so I can at least have something to wear while I order a customized one. They were just out of stock."

"Until now?"

"Yep, and they sent me off with a catalogue just now so I can decide what to order." Sophia sighed as they walked along, but she was glad that Blue was easy to talk to, and that she was a good listener. "I was always healthy when I was younger… The problems didn't come until I was pregnant with Melissa. It feels like I took the hit for her and the baby, but if it means that they're healthy, then I can learn to manage these conditions."

Blue was quiet, listening, but when Sophia finished, she said, "All three of my kids have the same food allergy, and my oldest two have hearing loss and Type Two Diabetes."

"Really?"

"Truly."

Blue pulled something from the front of her shirt to reveal dog tags, also emblemed with a caduceus, and showed them to Sophia.

"I have the same allergies, and the same type of diabetes. No hearing loss, though." She tucked the dog tags away. "I'm in your corner, so call if you need someone to talk to. Does anybody know that you're different?"

"Besides the doctors and you, just you and Olivia, Alex, and Casey—"

DING!

Sophia was interrupted by her phone.

"Oh, look at that." she said as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and examined the screen. "It's Casey."

Blue smirked. "What does she want?"

Sophia opened the text and read it, reporting, "She said the case is done, and she wants to know if I can meet her at the precinct."

"Did she gave a reason?"

"She also said she wants to take me to lunch."

"And there's the casual date." Blue said cheekily. "Let me see your phone."

Sophia handed it over and watched as with lightning speed, Blue typed a message, hit send, put the phone in lock-screen mode, sticking it in Sophia's purse when she was done.

"What did you say?" Sophia asked warily.

"Pretending to be you, I told Casey that you would love to go to lunch with her, but that you would let her know what was happening after you checked on Amanda." Blue checked her watch. "I'm still minding Jesse, so I go should collect her again, but I have to pick up Riversong from school soon, anways, and take her to a birthday party. We haven't even been in town for two weeks yet, and she's Little Miss Popular."

"How old is she, again?"

"Five, and loving life… and kindergarten."

Sophia shivered. "Melissa turns four in January, and then it's kindergarten the year after that."

"Your kid turning five isn't as frightening as you think."

"No? What did you guys do when do when Riversong turned five?"

"The story starts with her waking up with chickenpox, and then Zoltan and I finding out she'd passed it to Jubilee and Phoenix. A highlight of the day was Riversong sticking a Lego up Phoenix's nose while he slept; Riversong was bored, and she actually took a bet from Jubilee."

"What the hell happens in your house, Blue?" asked Sophia with a surprisingly straight face.

"I ask myself that every day."

"How did the day end, if it started with chickenpox, but was highlighted by Riversong caving to a bet from her sister?"

"It ended with her falling asleep on a giant stuffed panda bed that Phoenix and Jubilee had bought for her. She was also sporting a paper crown and a pair of disguise glasses glasses that she'd gotten from party crackers."

"What a little weirdo." Sophia laughed. "Will you fill in the blanks, though?"

"Oh, yes, but be forewarned—all of my kids are weird."

"I love them already. How does the story go?"

As they headed back to Amanda's room, Blue began to tell the story of how Riversong's fifth birthday had gone, and Sophia hung on to every word, completely enthralled.

She was also happy because she had a new friend.