Jesus was just grabbing an after school snack when the phone rang from its place on the counter. With a soda in one hand and chips in the other, he sat them down on the table before reaching for the phone. He listened to who was on the other end and then hurried up the stairs to give the phone to Lena.

It was the detective that they had sat down with when Callie's shirt had been found. He was calling about the results of the DNA test. Lena held her breath as she waited for him to tell her the results. "It turns out that it is indeed a match."

She let go of the breath she was holding with a sigh of relief. "What does this mean? Will you be able to question him now?"

"This will help us move forward, yes."

Lena felt satisfied with this answer. That they would be able to, at least try to, get somewhere. So many other questions were on her mind that she knew the detective wouldn't be able to answer. One being if Robert Quinn would be interested in meeting her, but she felt like she wasn't quite ready for that herself.

Instead, she listened to the detective explain what would happen next. Answering her acknowledgement to each statement. Soon the call was over and she was left in silence. Sitting down, Lena had to process how fast the results came in. She didn't know what emotion she should feel. Happy that they found Robert? Overwhelmed about all of this? She felt like she should be crying due to the amount of stress she was under, but her body seemed to not want the same.

Staring down at the phone now resting in her lap, she figured she should go put it back at least. When she stood, there was a slight pain in her stomach. Her face twisted with the pain. She tried not to think of it and continued to head downstairs.

As the afternoon went on, the pain in her stomach was off and on. It was coming and then going. She tried to take her mind off it and focus on getting dinner made. She figured spaghetti would be good and grabbed the noodles and the sauce, setting them on the counter. When Lena grabbed the pan, she felt a dizzy spell and stumbled on her feet a little. That was when she decided pizza was a better choice and called the local pizza place.

She handed Brandon the money. "I'm going to go lay down for a little bit," she told him.


When Lena fluttered her eyes open, the light was too much. An awful headache claimed its home on her temple. When she moved to sit up, dizziness once again took her over. She laid back down in response and rested her clammy hand back on her pounding head.

Commotion could be heard downstairs. Mariana and Jesus were fighting over a slice of pizza.

Listening to the argument between Mariana and Jesus, it was soon heated enough for them to storm upstairs and into the room.

"Momma, can you please tell Jesus he's had enough pizza!"

"I've only had two slices!"

"Liar. You've had more than two. It's the last slice and I've only had one!"

"It's not my fault you're a slow eater."

"Jesus, just let your sister have the last slice."

Jesus and Mariana shared a look. "Are you okay, momma?"

"Yes. I'm just tired," Lena said. "Please just figure this out between the two of you."

An hour passed and her headache didn't feel like it was going to go away. She tried to ignore it, tried to lay down again, but it made its presence known. She thought about taking some Tylenol but hesitated, not knowing if that would cause issues with her pregnancy. Knowing she had to do something for her headache, she decided to call her doctor. Leaving a voicemail, she laid back down. The room was spinning, making her nauseous.

Some time passed and the headache felt like it was getting worse. The nausea had also stayed and she felt like she would vomit. Eventually, she made the decision that she needed to go to the emergency room. "Brandon!" she called.

Brandon, who was working on his piano, heard his momma calling for him and went to see what was going on. "What's wrong?"

"I need to go to the hospital. I'm not feeling well," she said the best she could in her woozy state. Lena didn't remember much after that besides Brandon helping her to the car and arriving at the emergency room.

Brandon watched as she was taken back. He sat down in one of the chairs in the waiting area and pulled his phone out. He let his siblings know that their momma was now getting looked at.

Lena didn't know how this happened so fast. The doctor explained that she was suffering from Preeclampsia.

"Preeclampsia can go from mild to severe very quickly," the doctor explained. "You're blood pressure is dangerously high and rising and there's protein in your urine. At this point, we have no choice but to deliver the baby and the placenta as soon as we can."

"But the baby's only twenty weeks," Lena said. "How many weeks does she have to be to survive?"

"The earliest a baby born prematurely can survive is twenty-four, but even then they only have a thirty-five percent chance of surviving."

"Then I'll wait a few weeks."

"I'm afraid there's more than just the baby to be worried about. It would be a dangerous risk. You could have a stroke or your liver could become impaired."

"But that's just worst case scenario. Can't I go on blood pressure medication or stay here in the hospital on bed rest?"

"I wouldn't recommend taking that chance."

The doctor left so Lena could gather her thoughts. She was scared. That she had to deliver her baby at twenty weeks and that it would likely not survive. Besides Brandon in the waiting room, there was no one there with her. She would give anything for Stef to be there. She thought of Callie and tears came to her eyes. That she was going to lose another one. This wasn't fair.

When the doctor talked to Brandon, he wasn't sure what to do. He called his grandmother who was there within an hour. Dana Adams found her way to her daughter's room. Lena looked up when there was a light knock at the door and didn't expect to see her mom. There were no words exchanged. Dana rushed over to her daughter, took her into an embrace. Lena sobbed into her shoulder.

"It's going to be okay, baby."

Once her sobbing transferred into sniffles, Lena was calm enough to lift her head from her mother's shoulder. Dana took Lena's hands into her own. "She has to survive mom."

"Baby..."

"I had a dream about her. She was healthy and beautiful. She was with Stef and I in bed. I know she'll make it. I can feel her inside me."

Dana sighed sadly. "I want her to make it too but we have to think of the reality."

"I've already lost one. I can't lose another."

Mariana, Jesus, and Jude had arrived at the hospital with Mike and were in the waiting room when Dana came out. "Your momma's going to be just fine."

"And what about the baby?" Mariana asked nearly in tears.

"It's not looking good," Dana said softly after hesitating for a second.

"We have to call mom," Jesus said suddenly.

Brandon walked outside and dialed Stef's number. "Mom. It's an emergency. Momma is in the hospital. There's something wrong with the baby. Please come home. We need you here."


If things couldn't get worse, they would think the walls were collapsing. They just couldn't get a break. It was like they were being punished. Like they had been cursed. Life used to be so good, but now it was a living nightmare.

Lena was able to come home on Wednesday. She hardly spoke a word to anyone. A severe depression had taken her over. The hospital recommended therapy and even wanted to keep her longer to make sure she wasn't a threat to herself, but Lena had refused. She knew where she wanted to be and it wasn't the hospital.

Once they arrived home, Lena went straight upstairs and to the girl's room. She laid down on Callie's bed, buried her head in the pillow and cried. Stef didn't want to disturb her and knew Lena needed this. She went downstairs and told the kids to be quiet and maybe even go out and do something for a little bit.

For the next few days the house remained a depressing sight. No one spoke to each other unless it was necessary. Chores weren't getting done and dishes and laundry were quickly piling up. Soon, it got to the point where Stef couldn't take it anymore. They had to go forward. She got an idea and told Jesus that she would be back.

Two hours later, she came back and quietly grabbed Jesus, Mariana, Brandon, and Jude. They followed her to the back of her car. There, Stef showed them the cherry tree she bought. "We're going to surprise your momma," she looked at the four of them. "In Japanese folklore, a cherry tree symbolizes both birth and death. It gives a promise to a new beginning. A new start at life." She paused and looked at each of them before continuing. "This is something I think we all need to go on. This is our push forward. What I need you guys to do is, I want to get all the chores done, get the house all nice and clean. Make a nice dinner. All of us, as a family, are going to plant the cherry tree in the backyard. Don't tell momma until it's time. I want it to be a surprise."

Throughout the rest of the day, Stef and the kids worked on the chores. Brandon was in charge of laundry, Jesus vacuumed as Jude worked on the dishes, and Mariana mopped the floor. Stef dusted and wiped down the counters. They all worked on dinner: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and cooked carrots; with baked bread.

Once it was time, Stef went upstairs and got Lena, who was in bed sleeping. Stef gently shook her awake. "Lena," she said softly. Lena's eyes fluttered open. "It's time for dinner." Lena sat up and rubbed her eyes. She immediately smelled the aroma coming from the kitchen.

"Something smells good."

Stef took Lena's hand and guided her to the kitchen. Once there, Lena saw how nice the table was set up and how clean the kitchen was. A smile crept onto her face. Her first real smile in what felt like forever. "You did all of this for me?"

"This past month has been really hard on all of us. The kids and I wanted to show you that despite all of the hardships, we still have each other at the end of the day."

"I don't know what to say." Lena looked around at each of her kids. A tear fell from her eye. "Thank you."

Stef leaned in to kiss her. "Now let's eat before the food gets cold."

After they were all done eating, Stef went out and got the cherry tree. When Lena saw it, she was confused as to why her wife had a tree in her hand.

"There's one more thing," Stef said. "Let's all go in the backyard."

Stef lead them to the place in the yard she and the kids had picked. Jude had gone upstairs to grab the piece of paper he wrote on. Once he returned, Stef turned to Lena. "This tree I am holding, is not just some ordinary tree. It is a special tree. One that will grow with us for many years and beyond. It will represent how, when we're at our lowest place, we can grow strong and overcome anything. As long as this tree grows, it will hold a piece of us and Frankie will grow with it, and Callie will still be with us. This tree will be our new beginning, our new pathway to a better day."

Tears were freely falling down Lena's face now. She couldn't believe they had done all of this for her. Together, they dug a hole and carefully placed the cherry tree in. It was now time for Jude to read the piece he wrote.

"A cherry tree comes briefly each year. It represents birth, death, and a new awakening. While its life is short lived, it brings hope to a new day. It reminds us to live each day to the fullest, because life is precious and only comes once. Our family is lucky to have each other and we hope someday we'll all be together. But until then, our hearts will be open and we'll live for each other every day."

When he was finished, Stef gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. He looked around at everyone's smile. Stef noticed Lena disappeared into the house after Jude was done. She returned a few seconds later. Stef saw that she was carrying the urn containing Frankie's ashes. "I want Frankie to be part of the tree."

Carefully, they placed Frankie's ashes with the tree. They all stood around it and took this moment in.


Callie wasn't sure how much time had passed since she had been there. She had stopped counting the days as this room with the worn out mattress and the glued shut window became her new home.

She gave up hope of being found. He liked to remind her everyday that they had stopped looking for her. That she would be there forever.

It was late afternoon. The sun shined brightly outside with a clear blue sky. Sitting on the mattress, Callie stared out the window. Everyday, all day long, she looked out the window, dreaming of the day she would on the other side again. She could hear the tv from the living room. Another episode of The Big Bang Theory came on. Listening to that show all day long, every single day, she hated that show.

She heard him get up from his chair and heard his footsteps drawing close. Quickly, she laid down on the mattress and pretended to be asleep when the door opened.

"Callie, get up. You need to get started on making dinner."

Callie got up and followed him to the kitchen.

"I want hamburgers tonight." He went back and sat down in his chair and continued watching tv. Callie opened the freezer, but didn't see any hamburger meat. She opened the fridge and there was none defrosting in there either.

"Um.. Tom, there is no hamburger meat."

He didn't respond right away and Callie wasn't sure if he heard her. But after a few seconds, he stood and came over to the fridge. "Yes there is. I remember putting some in there." He opened the freezer and moved frozen meat around and then opened the fridge. "I know I put it in there." He looked at her, "Unless you've been sticking your head in there and eating some without me knowing."

"How would I eat some when you've been watching my every move?"

"I know you've been doing things behind my back."

"What kinds of things would I be doing? You probably just forgot to pick some up."

"Don't you dare talk back to me!"

Callie stayed quiet and watched him continue to look for the hamburger meat that wasn't there.

"I can make you some chicken instead," Callie offered.

He ignored her and continued to look for the hamburger meat. Callie was nervous and began to tremble. She knew he was about to go crazy.

No matter how hard he looked, the hamburger meat was not there. His breaking point came and he grabbed Callie as hard as he could and dragged her to her room. Callie tried to fight him. He threw her onto the mattress and got on top of her. Suddenly all of her strength came to her at once and she hit him as hard as she could in the face.

Right after she had done it, she knew she made a mistake.

He wiped his mouth, looking at Callie with fury in his eyes. Callie stared back, frozen in place. Her heart pounded in her chest and there was an ever growing lump in her throat as she watched him get off of her and silently leave the room with such a calm demeanor that it worsened the squirming butterflies in her stomach.

She worked to steady herself, supported on a shaky arm. She looked at the now empty doorway with such confusion that it was horrendously painful.

She heard his footsteps from afar and suddenly turning and getting closer, announcing his return. Callie's eyes widened at what she saw. In his hand held a pistol. He got closer and was was almost so close that he was hovering over her again.

Callie scooted back, covering her face, cowering in the corner. She could feel his breath on her, just like all of the times before. But this time was different, she could feel it and that scared her more than anything.

He looked down at her, gasping to catch his breath. "I'm going to kill you."

Callie looked to the gun, now trained on her chest. Her eyes traveled back up to his. His held such emptiness and were nothing but pure cold.

Suddenly and without warning, He grabbed her by her hair. Callie began to kick and flail, trying to get him off of her. She managed to take hold of his hand, causing him to let go of her hair and try to get Callie to let go. Callie managed to turn the gun away from her and tried to keep it that way. But he overpowered her and turn it back to her. Callie's fight or flight kicked in and she turned the gun away from her again. The gun was pointing in all directions: him, her, at the wall, the floor. This went on for several minutes. But then the deafening sound came.

Bang

And then the silence came.

When she was a child, she remembered the many nights when her father would come home from the bar. How he would reek of alcohol to the bone. Her mother would send her and Jude to their rooms and she would lay on her bed and listen to the shouting and the hitting. She waited for when silence would take over and the house would be nothing but quiet except for the sounds of the outdoors.

It was weird how the meaning of silence was being quiet, yet it could also be loud. It was a burden on hitched breath. Waiting for the results from the doctor, waiting for that special "yes" from the one you invited to prom. Silence almost always meant you were waiting for something to come or for silence to follow.

Her heart was pounding, ears were ringing. She felt dizzy and the room was spinning. It took her a moment to realize what had happened. Was she shot? She felt the sticky substance and when she looked down, there was blood. But she didn't feel any pain. Her hand felt numb and she pulled it out from underneath him. That was when she realized he wasn't moving. She realized that he was the one who was shot and that was his blood. He felt like he was crushing her. Knowing she had to get him off of her, she mustered whatever strength she had left and turned so that he would fall onto the floor.

She stared at the body. It was faced down on the floor. She took a deep breath. Tears brimmed her eyes and it only took one to fall down her cheek before she completely lost it. She hugged her knees to her chest and let it all out. Her sobs were so loud that they were making her body shake. Her nails dug into her skin as hard as each sob. She was screaming, but soon they calmed down and were subsided to sniffles before they completely stopped.

Callie stayed on the mattress for a long time. When the sun started to set, she looked down at his body again. The realization that he was dead hit her. She then realized that this meant she was free. She tried to get to her feet, but was too scared to walk over him, so she slowly moved to the end of the mattress instead of the side. She limped out of the room and past the kitchen. The tv was still playing but she looked past that and to the window. She saw the outside world that she hadn't touched for a whole month.

Opening the door, she fell to the ground as soon as her feet were on the dirt. She couldn't believe she was finally leaving the terrors of that trailer. She was finally going to put it behind her. Her shirt was drenched in blood, she was filthy and smelled, but she was finally free.