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"You got anything nice planned for tonight, Thea?" A colleague of Thea's, Freda, asked in the hospital whilst Thea got her coat on, ready to leave after her shift.
"I'm going for a pizza date with my son." Thea smiled, "Dominic had the girls at the farmer's market all day so they're pretty tired." She explained, wrapping her scarf around her neck.
"Just you and your boy then?" Freda smiled.
"Me and my boy." Thea nodded, "When are you on until?"
"Nine." Freda sighed a little.
"Yeah, that's always a sore one on a Saturday night." Thea nodded, glad to be on the earlier shift so she could get away early, "Things have been pretty stable today, actually."
Working in the ICU department was extremely challenging, as they dealt with the most critical and unstable patients, some who they unfortunately lost.
"Yeah, I'll take that with a pinch of salt." Freda said, "Go on, get out of here. Enjoy your pizza."
"I will. Thank you." Thea smiled, putting her bag over her body, clocking out and heading for the hospital exit.
She stopped just outside the doors to have a cigarette first, lighting up and enjoying the feeling of another day done and dusted with a day off to look forward to tomorrow.
"Hey, you." Chrissy smiled, approaching her cousin as Thea turned around.
"Oh, hey." Thea smiled, "How are you?" She asked, giving her cousin a tight hug.
"Yeah, I'm alright." Chrissy shrugged.
"Haven't seen you in a while." Thea said, "How have things been? How is work going?"
"Oh, you know. Party planning here. Party planning there." Chrissy said.
"So you're keeping busy?" Thea chuckled.
"Always." Chrissy nodded, "You just finished?"
"Yeah." Thea nodded, "Going for pizza with James now. Been dreaming about it all day."
"Oh, yeah. Pizza sounds good right now." Chrissy said.
"So… how you been?" Thea asked, blowing out some smoke in the opposite direction. She knew her cousin had been through a lot with divorcing her abusive ex-husband and the grief he still occasionally caused her.
"I'm ok." Chrissy nodded honestly, "Falling in love with my new apartment. Keeping myself busy."
"That's good." Thea smiled, "Did you come by here to see me for something?" She wondered.
"No, I got an appointment. I was hoping I'd run into you, though. We should grab lunch sometime." Chrissy smiled as Thea nodded.
"I'd love that." Thea smiled.
"I actually might need your help." Chrissy admitted, taking a deep breath of exhaustion. Exhaustion from carrying around something so heavy on her shoulders, without being able to tell anyone.
"Sure. What's up?" Thea asked, putting her cigarette out.
"I'm pregnant." Chrissy nodded as Thea raised her eyebrows, "Yeah, that's how I looked when I found out."
"Oh gosh." Thea smiled a little, "That's… well… how do you feel about it?" She asked carefully.
"I have absolutely no clue." Chrissy admitted, wandering over to the bench, taking a seat together, "I haven't told anyone yet. I did consider having an abortion for a while but… I'm starting to reconsider." She said.
"You gotta do what's best for you and your situation." Thea encouraged.
"That's the thing…" Chrissy paused, "It's Brendan's." She turned to her cousin as Thea raised her eyebrows again, "It happened about a month ago. God, I'm so mad and… disgusted at myself for it. How I could let it happen." She shook her head, "And now this."
"Hey hey… don't blame yourself." Thea sighed, watching as Chrissy dried her tears, "He didn't… he didn't hurt you, did he?"
"No." Chrissy shook her head, "I mean… he was his usual, gaslighting, manipulating self but… I just get so stupid when I'm around him. I let him away with anything and I don't know why." She sighed.
"Because he's toxic. And like you said… manipulative as hell." Thea shook her head.
"I have no idea what to do." Chrissy said, "My parents are gonna flip. I don't think I even wanted kids." She admitted.
"Sounds like you got a lot to think about, Chris." Thea sighed, placing her hand on her leg, "You gotta do what you think is gonna be right for you. You're the most important one in this situation." Thea assured her as Chrissy nodded.
"If there was a way I could have the baby without… without him being there and involved, I'd be fine. I'd figure it out." Chrissy nodded, "But this means that he's… he's always there."
"Yeah." Thea nodded sympathetically.
"I suppose it's what I deserve for being so stupid to even go near him again." She shook her head angrily.
"Hey, that's not going to help. Being so mean to yourself like that." Thea sighed, "I've been there. It doesn't get you anywhere." She assured her.
"You… had an abortion, right?" Chrissy asked hesitantly.
"Yeah." Thea nodded without hesitation.
"Was it… I mean how… did you feel…" Chrissy tried to formulate a question, but she wasn't even sure what she was asking.
"Look, I didn't want to have an abortion. I don't think anyone does. But… if you find yourself in that situation, and it's not what you want, regardless of the circumstances, it's within your rights to do what you feel is the best for you." Thea said, "Having an abortion was the best thing for me. Was it an enjoyable procedure and experience? No, it was awful. But man was it the right decision for me." Thea nodded.
"What if I don't know what the right decision is?" Chrissy sighed.
"You will. You'll know." Thea assured her, wrapping a supporting arm around her shoulder.
"Home, sweet home." Theo raised his eyebrows, getting into their house in Chicago just past midnight after their flight and drive from the airport, holding Chase in his arms who was fast asleep whilst Cassie carried Lena in her carrier.
"It's freezing in here." Cassie complained.
"Yeah I can see that." Theo scoffed, looking at her chest, "Gotta start wearing bras, man." Theo nodded as she smirked.
"No I don't." Cassie disagreed with a smile.
"I'll put him to bed. Stick the heating on, yeah?" Theo nodded, climbing the stairs.
"Yes, boss." Cassie smiled, walking her way through the house with Lena in her carrier, arriving at the kitchen and letting out a scream.
"Jesus, calm down." Matthew stood up from the table.
"Cassie?" Theo called, rushing down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Matthew, why are you in here?!" Cassie yelled whilst Lena woke and began to cry.
"Oh, look. You've woke the baby." Matthew scolded as Cassie made a face at him.
"What are you doing here at this time?" Theo shook his head, "I literally just threw Chase in his bed there."
"How do you even have a key?" Cassie shook her head, bouncing Lena in her arms lightly as she screamed the kitchen down.
"Emergencies." Matthew nodded as Theo and Cassie both looked at him.
"So?" Theo waited, "What's the emergency?" He shook his head.
"Uh… well, it's not really an emergency. I was just waiting on you coming back." Matthew shrugged, "I didn't know Cassie was such a jumpscare."
"I thought you were an intruder." Cassie hissed, "Sleep with one eye opened, Matteo." She warned him as Matthew rolled his eyes, watching as she left the kitchen with Lena to hopefully soothe her better in the living room.
"So… you're just back?" Matthew nodded.
"Yeah." Theo folded his arms.
"You didn't sound so sure if you were going to come back or not." Matthew admitted.
"It wasn't practical. Chase has school here. We've got our jobs." Theo said, "I'll visit back and forth as much as I can."
"So what… how did he… how bad…" Matthew tried to formulate a question.
"It's not too bad right now. He's still walking and talking ok. Kelise said it's mostly just a lot of fatigue. Loss of appetite." Theo said, "But it's a cancer that can spread rapid. It's already spreading." Theo said, "They don't think he'll make it to the end of the year."
"What was he talking to you about then? It's a bit of a grim situation." Matthew admitted.
"We butted heads like we always do. But I guess I was trying to have a bit more patience. And… we talked. Probably the longest conversations I've ever had with the guy to be honest." He admitted.
"I'm not going over." Matthew said.
"I didn't say you should." Theo said.
"Well when you called me-"
"I was letting you know. I never said anything about coming over. That's your decision." Theo nodded.
"I'd be a hypocrite, Theo. I haven't spoken to him since I was sixteen. It's almost laughable that I would show up on his death bed. It's not right." Matthew shook his head, "We didn't have a relationship. That's how it is. You always tried with him, so I can understand why you're going."
"Matthew, I'm not saying you gotta do anything. It's your decision." Theo nodded.
"Yeah, I know." Matthew nodded, "Sorry for showing up here like this. I was just… well I was curious to know how it went." He admitted, "How's the town? Still hate me?'
"Pretty much." Theo laughed a little, "I saw Manny and Julien a couple times."
"My biggest fans." Matthew scoffed.
"Ms Torres is still alive, by the way." Theo nodded.
"No way." Matthew chuckled as Theo nodded, "She was ancient when we were kids."
"I know. She's still ancient." Theo nodded, "Cassie liked it. She thought it was a sweet place."
"Yeah, it's sweet if you grow up in the city like she has." Matthew said.
"I took her to a town hall meeting." Theo said.
"God, they still do those?" Matthew asked.
"Yeah, they're still as awful as I remember. We did chip in to try and stop them from building houses on the old football pitch." Theo said.
"Giving back to the community, huh?" Matthew nodded.
"He did ask for you, you know. He asked how you were. How you've been doing." Theo told him as Matthew nodded.
"Well that's something, I guess." Matthew said, "I should go. You guys are probably exhausted from travelling. I'll catch up with you soon."
"Yeah, of course." Theo nodded, giving him a hug before watching him leave the kitchen, hearing him say goodbye to Cassie before taking off.
"Well the water works eventually stopped." Cassie announced, walking back into the kitchen with Lena who had stopped crying, shoving her fist in her mouth and drooling whilst perched on Cassie's hip.
"Did Uncle Matthew disturb your sleep, baby girl?" Theo asked, taking hold of Lena's little foot and shaking it playfully, "Why you eating your hand?" He asked curiously as Cassie chuckled.
"So… is he ok?" Cassie wondered.
"Yeah, I kinda figured he'd pounce on me when we got home. He's just curious. But I don't blame him or judge him for whatever decision he makes. As long as it's what he wants." Theo nodded.
"Yeah, of course." Cassie nodded, watching as Lena pointed at Theo, extending her arms out and wriggling a little in Cassie's arms.
"Oh, ok. Daddy's here." Theo nodded, reading the signs and taking Lena from Cassie, holding the five month old in his arms as she let her eyes get drowsy and her head fall on his shoulder.
"Boy are you in so much trouble." Cassie smiled, folding her arms.
"I know." Theo nodded, kissing Lena's head.
"Do you wanna go to my parents for some breakfast in the morning? I've really missed them." Cassie frowned.
"Yeah, sure." Theo said, "Chase has really missed them too."
"And I gotta get Jude something, for landing the illustration job." Cassie said, "Maybe a bottle of champagne or something."
"We can have a look tomorrow." Theo nodded, too busy lulling Lena to sleep.
"And we gotta drop off the little gifts we got for all the kids." Cassie said as Theo nodded, "You're not really listening to me, are you?" She smiled.
"Sorry, she's got my full attention." Theo said, looking down at Lena who was falling asleep on him.
"I see how it is." Cassie teased, "You guys are going to have so much fun together." She smiled, walking towards them, cupping the back of Lena's head softly.
"And leave you out?" Theo teased as Cassie smiled.
"No." Cassie said, "But… you know, some of my favourite memories as a kid have been with my dad. Just me and him hanging out." She nodded, "I hope you guys have that."
"I'll make sure we do." Theo promised.
"I love you." She whispered, pressing a kiss on his lips which he welcomed reciprocated.
"I'm gonna put her down." Theo pulled back from the kiss, "And then we're going to bed." He insisted as she smiled, knowing he didn't have sleep on his mind.
"I'll meet you there." She smiled.
"Hey, you." Sean said quietly, making his way into the garage which had been converted into an art studio for Jude in their new house, "It's the middle of the night." He pointed out, looking over at her sitting at the desk with all her artsy tools and equipment. Her most valuable possessions.
"I know. I couldn't sleep." Jude huffed a little, leaning back on the swivel chair, turning around and looking over at him, "It's tough being an illustrator, you know."
"I never doubted it wouldn't be." Sean smiled, "How's it going?" He asked, walking over to her as she showed him her sketch pad, "And this is…"
"Bongo. The main character." Jude said, "I hate it." She tossed the pad on the desk and folded her arms.
"It's amazing." Sean picked it back up, "I'd root for this little guy. He's cute." He smiled.
"He's too cute. He's not right." Jude shook her head, agitated.
"One day, I wish you'd stop being your biggest critic." He said.
"Won't happen." Jude shook her head, "How was work? Why are you home so late?" She asked.
"Chief duties." Sean nodded.
"I'm not sure I'm enjoying these chief duties." Jude scoffed.
"The good news is Theo and Cassie are back, which means I can ease my foot off the gas for a second." Sean nodded with relief.
"Because?" Jude smirked a little, "They're your favourites?"
"I don't know about favourites, but they're the best at their jobs." Sean nodded honestly, "Cassie is a powerhouse, you know."
"I know she is." Jude nodded proudly, "I'm glad you guys have squashed your differences and are working together."
"Yeah, me too." Sean said as Jude looked across at him.
"Ok, well… when we moved back here we said it was going to be a fresh start, right?" Jude nodded.
"Yeah." Sean folded his arms.
"So that means being honest and not keeping things from each other." Jude nodded.
"Yeah." Sean said, growing more suspicious, "What's up?" He shook his head, watching as she opened the drawer at her desk, taking out an unopened letter and handing it over to him.
"What's this?"
"It's from cook county." Jude pointed at the stamp which Sean noticed anyway, "I can only think of one person." She shrugged.