38



"Hey," Justin greeted everyone as he opened his front door. Belle and Ethan Martin held hands as they entered the Hammond's home. They were rendered quiet by the different surroundings. Fox, Theresa, and Dylan followed behind. Theresa hugged Justin while Dylan and Fox shook Justin's hand. Reintroductions were made before the group made their way upstairs.

Belle tugged on Theresa's sleeves. "Do we get to see the baby now?" She whispered.

Theresa bent down. "Yes, we're going to get to see the baby."

Belle smiled widely and grasped Theresa's hand. Ethan Martin still held onto Belle. Fox smiled as he watched Theresa, Belle, and Ethan Martin make their way down the hallway.

"Look at that," Fox said as he nudged Dylan.

"Well isn't that something?" Dylan smiled. "You've got yourself a great family, you know."

"I know." Fox sighed happily.

Justin knocked on one of the doors quietly. They all heard Lindsay call "Come in," softly. "You have visitors." Justin told his wife as he kissed her on the forehead.

Theresa entered the room first. Belle and Ethan Martin hid behind her. They peeked around Theresa to see if they could catch a glimpse of the baby. Theresa smiled as she walked up to Lindsay. Lindsay smiled. "Hey, Theresa. It's good to see you again."

"Same here." Theresa smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Lindsay replied. "Would you like to hold the baby?"

Theresa nodded and carefully lifted the small bundle. She cradled the small boy against her as tears filled her eyes. "He's absolutely beautiful." She whispered to Lindsay and Justin. The couple watched as Theresa talked to the little boy.

"I wanna see," Belle whispered to Theresa.

Theresa knelt down and motioned for Ethan Martin and Belle to come closer. Belle instantly went to Theresa's side while Ethan Martin stared off at a distance. "It's okay, Ethan honey, come here." Theresa encouraged.

Apprehensively, Ethan went over to Belle and Theresa. He stared at the little boy in Theresa's arms. "Baby," Ethan Martin said with his eyes wide with awe and admiration.

"Yeah, it's a baby," Theresa smiled.

"He's so small." Belle said as she stroked the baby's fine soft hair.

"Yes he is." Theresa smiled. "Isn't he a beautiful baby?"

Belle nodded. "Uh-huh."

Fox looked in wonder at Theresa holding the baby. He pictured her holding a child of their own one day and found himself unable to stop smiling.

Dylan looked at his friend and smiled. "You're daydreaming." He said softly. "I can tell."

"Hm?" Fox said as his thoughts were interrupted.

Dylan chuckled softly. "Why don't you go and hold the baby?"

Fox walked over to Theresa. "May I?" He asked Justin and Lindsay.

Lindsay nodded. "Go ahead."

Theresa carefully handed Carter to Fox's awaiting arms. Fox felt so conscious holding the baby boy. He was so small in his arms. Fox smiled. "You know, I've never held a newborn before." He said softly to Theresa.

Theresa was surprised. "Never?" She asked.

Fox shook his head. "Nope. This is my first."

Theresa stood back and watched Fox as he gently held little Carter against him. Theresa smiled. "The next newborn you hold will be ours." She thought to herself. After a few moments, Fox handed the baby back to his mother.

"Congratulations," Fox said. "He's very beautiful."

"I think he looks like his father." Lindsay said smiling.

Theresa and Fox smiled. "Well, we don't want to stay for long. We know you and the baby need your rest."

"Well it is time for a feeding." Lindsay said. "It was great seeing you all. Come visit again."

"We will." Fox replied as they all left the room.

"Thanks for coming over." Justin replied as Theresa and Fox, Dylan, Belle, and Ethan Martin walked out the door.

"Thanks for inviting us. You know, you and Lindsay and the baby should come over for dinner sometime." Theresa said.

"We will." Justin replied. "We'll see you all soon."

"Okay, bye!" They all called as they walked to the car.

"Where to next?" Fox asked as he got into the driver's seat.

"How about the park?" Theresa suggested.

"We can play hide and go seek!" Belle said happily. "Will you play hide and go seek with me?" She asked Dylan.

"Sure." Dylan said. "But I have to warn you. I'm really good at it."

"Me too." Belle said. "Betcha I can hide better than you."

"I betcha can't." Dylan retorted.

Theresa laughed. "Okay you two. We'll see who can hide better once we get there."

"Yay!" Ethan Martin cried happily. Everyone in the car laughed in response.

~*~



Alex rolled over in bed and moaned as one of her nieces continually jumped on her bed. "Get up! Get up!" She sang. "C'mon Auntie Alex!"

Alex buried her head in her pillow and let out another groan. She rubbed her tired eyes. "Why?" She mumbled.

"We're going to the park!" Karen said excitedly as she nudged her aunt. "C'mon! You have to get up!" Karen giggled.

Alex sighed. "I guess there's no point in trying to resist." She thought to herself grumpily as she stumbled out of her bed. "Sleepy-head!" Karen said as she followed her aunt around the room. Alex gave her niece a small smile. "Yes, I am a bit of a sleepy-head today, aren't I?" Alex stretched and yawned.

"I see you're up." Amanda said as she struggled to wipe Devin's mouth.

"Mommy!" Devin complained as he struggled under his mother's grasp.

"You've got something on the side of your lips. Stay still so I can wipe it off." Amanda said as she wet the tip of the napkin on her tongue and proceeded to wipe the side of her son's mouth.

"Eww! Mommy!" Devin squirmed.

Alex shook her head and could not help but smile. She could never imagine herself ever being a mother. Sure kids were great sometimes, but having them around twenty-four seven? Alex wasn't sure she could handle that just yet. After all she was already used to her independent life where she only had to worry about herself. It was easy being a loner, and Alex could not imagine living any other lifestyle. "I'm going to get dressed," Alex said loud enough for Amanda to hear over Devin's complaints.

While the kids ran around the house, Alex, her brother, and his wife sat at the kitchen table trying to have a cup of coffee before heading out to the park. The adults tried to carry a conversation, but much of it was interrupted with cries of "Mommy! Devin pulled my hair!" and "Nu-uh! Tattle-tail!" or "Daddy! Kelly took my dolly!"

Amanda sighed. "You see? This is what we go through everyday."

"How do you do it?" Alex asked in wonderment.

"Tommy and I adapted. We got used to it. It's our life." Amanda replied while Tommy nodded in agreement. "We're used to it, but I suppose you aren't."

"No, I'm not." Alex admitted. "I guess I'm so used to being on my own by myself~" Alex's voice trailed off as she took a sip of her now lukewarm coffee.

"Maybe that will all change," Amanda suggested. "Maybe you'll find someone to share your life with. Like- a man for instance?"

Alex laughed aloud. "Yeah right." She said. "I'm destined to be an old maid."

"Only because you aren't open to other options." Tommy mumbled.

Alex sent a look of reproach her brother's way. "What? It's true," Tommy insisted.

After successfully rounding up the kids, the family made their way to the family minivan. The kids all sang the whole way to the park, while Alex contemplated her brother's words. Was she really not open to any other lifestyle? Was she destined to be an old maid because she chose that path? Would it be her fault if she ended up to be alone in her old age? Alex let these thoughts drift through her mind as she watched Harmony residents from the car window.

~*~



"You know this is unbelievably hard~" Gwen finally mustered as she held her daughter tightly against her breast.

"What is?" Ethan asked quietly as he sat on his knees and looked Gwen in the eyes. Gwen fixed her gaze on Ethan's. "Talking to you. It's hard~" Gwen said swallowing. "It's hard to even look you in the eyes because I'm only reminded of every awful word you said to me~" Gwen wiped away tears that escaped her eyelids and frowned. "I can't do this~" She said standing up quickly. "I can't."

"Gwen, we've got to try." Ethan insisted. "Please." He begged.

Gwen sighed. "Let me at least put Sarah in her crib. I don't want to upset her with our conversation. She's bound to get upset if you or I~ well you know." Gwen said averting her gaze to the mirror hanging behind Ethan.

"Okay," Ethan said quietly. "I'll be waiting."

Gwen went up the stairs slowly. She wanted as much time as possible to pass by before she faced Ethan again. She did not think it would be so hard, but unfortunately it was. Gwen gently laid her daughter in the crib in the nursery and watched her daughter sleep. After a few minutes passed, Gwen finally turned and made her way back to Ethan. Slowly, steadily, Gwen counted her steps. One, two, three It was the only way Gwen could think of to keep from breaking down. Six, Seven, Eight Gwen descended the Crane staircase and stopped midway. She held tightly to the rail unable to make herself go on.

Instead of taking the remaining steps towards the living room to Ethan, Gwen sat down on the stairs. She covered her face with her hands and found her emotions overwhelming her. A rush of sadness, anger, remorse, among other overpowering feelings surged through Gwen. Sobs escaped her and shook her small frame. Gwen felt vulnerable, alone, lost, and afraid.

Ethan heard Gwen's cries and hurried to her side. He rushed up the stairs and immediately wrapped his arms around her. Gwen desperately tried to pry herself from Ethan's embrace, but she unfortunately found comfort in Ethan's arms. Instead of trying to fight him, Gwen let out everything that had been pent up for the past few days. She cried her heart and soul out. Ethan found himself crying his own tears, and they both found themselves taking the first steps to mending their shattered hearts.

~*~