After Rick took Lesley home from her appointment, he made sure she was okay and went to pick up the girls but was gonna sit them down first to talk to them about what's going on. Lesley wasn't sure but she tried again to remember something about Monica. It was almost as if deep down she knew there was something about Monica that she knew but because of her injuries from the trauma of the attack, she couldn't remember what it was about her.

" Is there something that I can get for you before I go to get the girls?" Rick asked gently while rubbing Lesley's back

" Maybe something to drink..." Lesley looked up towards Rick

" Sweetheart everything is okay and I promise you I'm not gonna let anything like this happen to you again. I only wish you didn't have to go through this Les.." Rick spoke up but pulled Lesley into his arms before he was gonna step out to get her some tea before he left to pick up the girls from Monica's house.

~~~

Monica made sure the girls ate before Rick came to pick them up but wanted to make sure they understood that Rick was gonna talk to them first before they went home

" When are we gonna go home…" Jesslyn asked

" You will soon but before you go…. Your dad and I want to talk to you about something…" Monica answered

" About Mommy?" Genesis said

" Is Momma hurt? Or sick?"

" Girls come and sit on the couch with me." Monica gestured and sat on the couch with the girls as Stella had answered the door just in time

" Hi Daddy.." Genesis called out " I was just about to talk to them.. you got here just in time." Monica said to Rick when he took a seat with the girls.

" Girls Monica and I have to talk to you about something important about Mommy..." Rick started when Jesslyn spoke up " Did we do something wrong?"

" No sweetheart you did nothing wrong and your mother's okay… The bad people that hurt her, they are the ones that did a bad thing..."

" Jesslyn, I saw your mother today this morning…. She's gonna be okay but the reason we wanted to talk to you guys is because the bad people that did hurt her," Monica looked towards Rick " What Monica is saying is Mommy suffered a bad head injury from the bad guys that hurt her… and it's gonna be alittle hard for Mommy to get back on her feet again like she was before. So when we go home and Mommy goes to ask you something like your name… it's not because she's trying to pretend not to know you, it's because right now she doesn't have her memory so when we get home, we have to do our best to help her when she needs us okay."

" Why did the bad people hurt her like that…? Momma wouldn't hurt anyone…" Jesslyn responded

" Well that's what bad people do when they make wrong choices… They hurt others like us who don't do anything wrong." Monica answered

" Like before your big sister was killed, the year before that happened I made a bad choice when I hurt your Mom…. But when I realized that and I worked my butt through the day and night where your Mom forgave and gave me a second chance."

Rick was soon on his way home from Monica's so he could be there in case Lesley needed anything but he reminded the girls of the situation and that they needed to be mindful about why they would be asked certain things like their names.

" Lesley sweetheart, I'm home and I brought the girls home."

" Momma?" Jesslyn called out

Rick told the girls to stay downstairs and then went up to make sure that Lesley was okay before he asked if she wanted to see the girls. " Sweetheart… is everything okay?"

" I…. I'm so…sorry…. I don't know how to do this…." Lesley started to get upset

" Hey it's alright… just take one thing at a time… Sweetheart I know it's harder for you and I wish I could help make it better but you don't have to be sorry… I'm gonna help you and so will the girls." Rick took Lesley into his arms until she stopped shaking from being upset

" Would you like to go downstairs to see the girls... "

Rick helped her to go downstairs when she nodded and the girls were waiting patiently. " Jesslyn could you prop the cushion for your mother."

" Thank you..." Lesley thanked Jesslyn

" Could I do anything else for you Momma?" Jesslyn asked carefully...

" Actually I would like to know alittle about you..."

" Well me and my sister are about to be 8 and we're almost going into the third grade…" Jesslyn opened up about herself

Rick stepped away when Riley started fussing and was ready to get up from his nap. " It's alright bud… let's go and see mommy and both of your big sisters are home too."

After a few hours, Rick and Lesley spent the evening together after the kids went to bed but Riley was still downstairs with them and watching Lesley playing with Riley, " I couldn't be more blessed" Rick said to himself

" What?" Lesley looked up at Rick with a smile

" Just getting to see you playing with Riley it's everything I could ask for and it scared me because I really thought I was gonna have to lose you. I'm just really thankful that you are okay and you're safe." Rick took hold of Lesley's hand

" I just wish that I could have my memory back and remember everyone…" Lesley leaned closer to Rick while watching Riley on the floor.

" Everything will go back to where it should be… I know it won't be easy for you but I won't give up on you just like I won't give up on us."

Seeing that Riley had gone to sleep in his playpen, Rick decided to get up to take him upstairs for bed but stopped when Lesley reached for him instead.

" Can I take him to bed?... I would love to tuck him in maybe rock with him for alittle bit..."

" Of course you can, Sweetheart… Don't be afraid to decide to do something for the kids. You're their Mom and they love you just as much as I do..."

Rick walked with Lesley and Riley so they could put him to bed but Lesley was afraid to put him down, afraid that she was gonna accidently hurt him. " It's alright Lesley you're not gonna hurt him…. I put him to sleep like this all the time..." Rick stepped beside to help Lesley with putting Riley to sleep.

Later in the night after Lesley and Rick went to sleep Rick was sound asleep throughout the night but Lesley had slight trouble until she finally dozed off in Rick's arms for the first time in what seemed like the very first time at least to Lesley.

" Les, sweetheart? Are you alright?" Rick asked softly when he saw she was awake just a couple hours later.

" Yeah I was just thinking…." Lesley sat up alittle bit.

" anything in particular?"

" Not really…. Just about stuff that I wish I could remember that I may have done before." Lesley replied

" Sweetheart I promise you that you will… and if it doesn't happen it'll be okay too because we can just make new and better memories as a family…. Lesley you've had so much happen to you. First was when Laura was killed, then we found out about the girls and then they were born. After that I gambled and nearly lost you and the girls when I was almost killed myself just to keep you safe… after that Riley was born… before any of that I hurt you in the most unforgivable way that most people wouldn't have forgiven me for but you and I were graced enough that you forgave me enough to allow me to have you back again. And if I had to remarry you because you couldn't get your memories back then so be it because Lesley I would rather take a bullet for you than to be without the woman I fell in love with."

" Please don't go taking bullets for me… Rick I want you to stay in my life because I love you.. and seeing that I have kids… I couldn't be more happy than that." Lesley gave Rick a kiss before they went back to sleep.

~~~

Over the next couple of weeks Rick and Lesley made the best of the things as Riley's first birthday was coming up and in spite of her memory issues, Lesley was looking forward to making the best of it until she had a surprise throughout the week of when she started to slightly remember a few things that she couldn't remember before but was excited to surprise Rick.

" Good morning Rick… I hope you slept okay." Lesley said with high spirits

" I slept fine…. I'm guessing that you did as well because you are in terrific spirits…"

" Well why not, after all wasn't your stubborn little bug always happy to see you in the morning." Lesley slightly smiled when Rick looked up towards her knowing what she just said

" Did I hear you right? I could have sworn that you just said something."

" What's that?..." Lesley smiled at Rick's realization that she was starting to remember things

" You're getting your memory back…. You remember that I always refer to you as my special little bug."

" I also remember that it was you who saved my life more than once and I want you to know just how much I love you." Lesley kissed Rick again before he could get a word in.

" You have no idea just how incredible you really are…. When did you start getting your memories back...?"

" A couple of days but I didn't want to tell you before I could have the chance to surprise you."

Spending the day with family, Lesley for the first time in a long time was enjoying her time as she was watching the kids run around and was watching Rick look like a fool climbing up with Riley on the little kids playground. Everything was perfect until an unmarked van pulled up and a rifle started to stick out from the window. Frozen into extreme fear, Lesley attempted to run and call out for Rick and the kids but couldn't get her feet to move.

" Lesley!! You need to get down now or get behind something." Rick screamed out while trying to keep the kids together

Rick had just turned to run to get Lesley behind something when a stray bullet bounced from the front post of the park and got him in the shoulder. Not sure what was going on or aware, after it

was over the girls kept their brother with them while he went to get Lesley, not realizing that they were both already shot 5 times in between near the bathroom and a medium tall tree.

Nearly 6 hours after Rick and Lesley were both in surgery Jessie stayed nearby with the twins and Riley but was about to send them home with Robert and Luke.

" I don't want them here when Rick and Lesley both get out of surgery they're traumatized as it is… please keep the kids with you if you will?" Jessie asked

~~~

A few weeks after Rick and Lesley were released from the hospital he knew he was gonna have to answer for his choices where he was nearly killed again but Lesley couldn't help but feel grateful that she had him granted she was shot 3 times. But knowing he'd stop at nothing to protect her and she suddenly remembered why she had felt guilty then and why she did once before after Rick jumped to take bullets meant for her.

" I remember now…. You did this one before Richard. You nearly got yourself killed once before.. I don't want you ever to do that again... especially when me and the kids need you." Lesley turned away when she started to feel like she was gonna cry

" Hey it's alright Lesley…. I made it through and I am still standing just as you made it yourself….. You are safe and so are the kids. And they're gonna grow up and before you know it you and I will be counting the days of when our first Grandchild is born." Rick tugged Lesley to his side hoping to cheer her up

" We made it through, that is true but I'm serious Rick, I need you… I don't ever want to lose you."

" Lesley you will never lose me…. Rather if I'm really here or if I were gone I would still be here."

Rick helped Lesley to relax for the evening before they eventually went up to bed but Lesley had something in mind other than thinking about the drama they've been through over the years.

" Rick…. Do you think it would be wrong if we were to maybe try for one more baby?."

" Ah…. You think you could be able to go through that again with the complications from before?" Rick asked carefully

" I think I would like to try…"

" Well we could try…. I'll set up an appointment with Dr. Meadows for you." Rick gave Lesley a kiss and checked on Riley.

Leading up to a few weeks after Rick was back on his feet at work, Lesley had a surprise waiting for him that she couldn't wait to tell him though she was alittle nervous because as Rick has pointed out before that both pregnancies she had before were difficult for her especially because she finally had her memory back and remembered she was also a transplant recipient

" This is Dr Webber." Rick answered the page

" So is this… Hi darling… is this a bad time."

" No actually Sweetheart I was just about to shortly find a moment to call you… I wanted to make sure you were okay." Rick assured Lesley and knew she had something big to tell him

" Rick… now that Riley has a big boy room how would you feel if we reused his crib and that for the nursery.?"

Rick slightly dropped the phone as he heard what she was saying and now that it was gonna be a reality that they were gonna be expecting their last child. " Does this mean what I think it means?!"

" Why don't you come home and see for yourself."

Rick checked out as soon as he could shortly after Lesley had called him and knew that she was gonna have a small surprise waiting for him.

" Lesley…. Sweetheart, where are you..."

~~~

Going into the next few months, Rick made sure things were going well and made sure Lesley did not push herself as this was still as high risk as it was when she was pregnant before only he was about to get a surprise when Lesley was waiting with Dr Meadows for their 5th month check up.

" Everything so far looks good. The fetal heartbeats are good, your blood work is normal… I don't have any reason to be concerned that you couldn't carry to term. Are there any concerns that you could have?" Dr Meadows asked

" Our son was born before he was ready… before I was ready for him.. we have to take this baby to term…."

" You said heartbeats… are you saying there's more than just one?" Rick spoke up

" Lesley what you need to do is relax and take a deep breath… I see no reason to think that you couldn't carry to full term… are you ready to see your little ones on the ultrasound.?"

" I'm ready… Sweetheart, how about you?" Rick smiled

" I've waited for a long time… Um, I think I'm ready." Lesley held on to Rick's hand.

" Sweetheart, are you okay.?" Rick started to show concern.

" I think I'm just nervous is all… but I'm okay." Just as Dr Meadows started the ultrasound, Lesley leaned closer to Rick.

" Here is baby A, so far growth is where it should be. The heartbeat is strong and if you both would like to know the gender for baby A we can determine."

" You said baby A, you mean it's twins again…" Lesley asked.

" Here's baby B, with a strong heartbeat.." Dr Meadows stopped mid sentence when she noticed an abnormality to the second baby on the ultrasound. " What is it…. What's wrong.." Lesley started to get nervous and upset thinking that there could be something wrong.

" Excuse me, it'll just take me a minute." Dr Meadows stopped out to consult with Dr DeNiro.

" Hey…. Look at me… Lesley everything is gonna be okay nothing is gonna happen to you or the twins." Rick pointed out trying his best to assure Lesley

Finishing up their appointment, Rick decided to take Lesley home and decided to help her to lay down. " I don't think I can do this again Rick…. How do we choose between one child and another… how can I make a choice like that.?!"

" Lesley we will get through all of this. I know we will because for me all I have to do is look at you and be thankful that you're at my side… if we have to consider utero surgery we'll get through it together. Because I'm not gonna leave your side.."

Not surprised that he had to be a jerk by keeping Lesley in bed until it was decided to deliver, Rick made sure someone was at her side at all times even if he was just going to the store because it wouldn't take too much time to get to Lesley if someone wanted to try for the fourth time to kill her. And being that Lesley was having alot of trouble with this pregnancy, Rick made sure that he was by her side when she needed him.

" Rick…. Are you awake.?" Lesley whispered

" I'm right here sweetheart…." Rick quickly sat up at her side

" I think we should do it… get the surgery done I mean… I don't want to lose either of them, Rick.."

" Lesley we're not gonna lose either of them… I actually think it would be more beneficial for you if we wait until delivery and then Dr DeNiro goes to operate. Mainly because of your history with your blood pressure…"

" Rick, I could die either way… but I don't think I could handle it if we waited and then we were to lose one of our little ones."

" I will talk to Kathy and see what she says about it…. But I still feel that for you it would be better if we can wait because I don't want to lose you in the process of trying to save you and the twins both."

Over the next couple of weeks after Lesley had the fetal surgery, Rick continued to look out incase Lesley needed to go to the hospital or if she needed anything in general but wasn't blind that something seemed off in particular where she felt she needed to go in as neither one wanted to take any chance with either of the twins.

" Everything's gonna be okay. We're gonna figure it all out." Rick tried to assure Lesley seeing that she was scared as he was himself

" Rick, something doesn't feel right…. Something is wrong." Lesley gripped onto Rick's hand as her pressure went up alittle higher

Having to wait outside the O.R as usual was always about to drive Rick crazy especially when he knew Lesley was gonna need him. Though this time it wasn't gonna just be him that she was gonna be depending for now it was about the twins because this time waiting to deliver was no longer an option and having to face deciding who to save was the hardest choice Rick was gonna have to make.

" Kathy, you save everybody. Don't let Lesley and the twins die."

" I'm gonna do everything I can."

Surgery didn't take more than an hour and a half, though Rick knew the minute that Dr DeNiro came from the O.R that something went wrong.

" Kathy please tell me everything's okay."

" Rick, I did everything I could… but Lesley went into hydrobolemic shock... She's stable. I was able to stabilize but there were complications with delivery… as I suspected the placenta had started to pull and tear from the uterus when you brought her in. So to stop the hemorrhaging I had to do an emergency hysterectomy." Dr DeNiro started to explain the full situation of delivery and what went down

" What about the twins, are they alright?" Rick asked immediately about the babies knowing he would probably have to find a way to tell Lesley.

" When the placenta tears from the uterine wall it restricts blood flow and oxygen to the baby. I did absolutely everything I could. I'm sorry Rick. It looks that baby A may have permanent Brain damage that could leave her in a permanent vegetative state. "

A few hours after Lesley was in recovery Rick waited until he knew what he was gonna say to her and how he was gonna tell her everything that happened.

" Your daughter Rick is still on life support… there are no guarantees but she could still have a chance providing what her EEG shows."

" And the second baby?" Rick asked

" I'm sorry Rick, but because of the diaphragmatic abnormality and noting that the surgery to repair the problem was unsuccessful, the second baby didn't make it.."

" We know that you did everything you could."

Rick spent the next couple of hours by Lesley's side as she was just coming out from being sedated. " Easy sweetheart, it's gonna be okay and you're alright."

" Rick, what happened?"