Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: From now on, I'm not making any promises. I'll update when I can and that's it. I'm very sorry but I have to be in the mood to write and have the time. Neither of those has been connecting very well over the past few months. Although, I PROMISE that I will finish this story. I will never not finish a story. Okay onto thechapter and thanks for the many great reviews.

Matt's POV

Vince floored the accelerator and we sped down the freeway. The moment Uncle Dom called with news we were all out of bed and halfway out the door before the conversation was over. Vince, Leon, and Jesse were in the car with me while Sydney, Brian, and Aunt Letty tailed us.

"What did he say?" I continued to ask Vince. He hadn't spoken a word since Uncle D had called. All he told us was 'Get in the car'.

"Put your seatbelt on." He commanded and I sighed leaning back and quickly clicking my belt in place.

"So…what did he say?" My voice was close to hysterics and I gripped the Jesus handle as he flew around a street corner going seventy-five. It was a miracle every police cruiser in L.A. hadn't pulled us over.

"He said that the doctors had some news."

"That's it!" Jesse exclaimed. "Did she wake up or what?"

"I don't know, Dawg. That's all he told me."

"Did he say if it was good or bad news?" I pushed for more answers.

"That's all he said." Vince was losing his patience. I was going to say something else but Leon silenced me with a look. He knew how far V could be pushed and the breaking point was close. I leaned back in my seat and Jesse gave my shoulder a squeeze.

"Look, Matt, I don't want you to get all worked up. This may not be good news. You know how bad your Mom is and this may be nothing." Vince spoke as he pulled into the hospital parking lot. I nodded that I understood. The words that he spoke hurt but he was right. Why should I set myself up for a downfall? This could be nothing.

As soon as Aunt Letty parked we all made a dead run and were out of breath by the time we reached the elevators. Brian repeatedly pushed the button but the elevator continued to be slow and I realized that I couldn't wait. Mom was on the third floor.

"Screw this." I said and bolted for the stairs, Sydney was hot on my heels followed by Leon and Brian. We beat the others to the third floor and as soon as the doors opened we began to run to the waiting room where Uncle Dom said he'd be waiting for us.

With Brian and me in the lead, we turned the corner only to run into Mom's doctor, and I mean literally. Papers flew everywhere and that gave the others a warning not to make the same mistakewe had made.

Brian had twisted legs with the doctor and landed beside him while I got the brunt of the fall. The way the doctor fell had to have looked graceful because papers flew away as Brian tripped over his stomach and he took me out at the ankles. My head bounced off the wall and the floor before I landed on Brian. I knocked the breath out of him but couldn't really do anything about it. I was so dazed. After a minute, I could see straight and rubbed the back of my head where a huge knot was forming.

"Are you ok?" Brian asked from somewhere under me.

"Yeah. I'm good." I groaned and rolled off of him. He laughed at the face I made when I stood up, barely able to stand straight. "What's the news?" I asked the doctor, who was being pulled up by V and Jesse.

"Why don't you go see for yourself?" He smiled and began to pick up the papers on the floor. I bolted to Mom's room to see Uncle Dom kissing Mom's hand. She was awake, just barely, but her eyes were open.

"Hi, Sweetheart." She whispered and Uncle D gave me his seat. I sank into it and ran my fingers through her soft hair. Tears poured from my face. "Oh, Honey, don't cry. It's alright."

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I love you so much." She brushed my tears away and I lean over to hug her.

"Be gentle." Uncle Dom told me and I let her go. He was right, she may be awake but that doesn't mean that she's in the clearing. By that time everyone was in the room and there wasn't a dry seat in the house. Brian sat on my other side and clutched her hand, as if he were afraid she would fade away to nothing.

After a few minutes, Raven came in and announced that we needed to leave so Mom could get some rest. I really didn't want to leave but it was doctor's orders. I stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"I want you to go home a get some rest." She whispered to me in a weak voice.

"What? No. I'm staying here with you." I argued.

"I'll be fine. I'm sure someone is going to end up staying here and there's forms to be filled out so you and Syd go home and get some sleep while you can." I began to protest but Aunt Letty jumped in.

"Your Mom's right. You haven't had some solid sleep in a good week or two and that's what you need the most." She snaked an arm around me waist and began to guide me away from the bed.

"Please, I'll sleep better knowing you're safe at home and getting some rest." She played the guilt card.

"I won't be able to sleep. I'll be too worried about you." I argued some more.

"Oh don't worry we can get you to sleep." Jesse added to the conversation and all the adults smiled at the thought of drugging me again. I gave him a mock glare but ten minutes later I was in the backseat with Sydney. Brian drove while Uncle D road shotgun and was already sleep. Sydney took after her Dad and laid her head on my shoulder. I was close to passing out too. Brian driving is more relaxing than V's had been on the drive there.

"You know, I never apologized for hitting you." Brian's words broke into my mind. My felt my eyes get wide. I shrugged.

"Yeah well, I never should have said those things in the first place. If I hadn't said those things to Mom, none of this…"

"Don't blame yourself, Matt. If anyone's to blame, it's me. I shouldn't have moved in. And your Mom and I should have moved slower. This isn't your fault in anyway. You understand me?"

"I guess. But I shouldn't have said that to her. I don't know what came over me."

"I shouldn't have hit you, but we could go over the 'should haves' and 'shouldn't haves' all night. How about we start fresh? We'll take everything slow and if it works, it works, and if not, then it doesn't."

My mind was going a million miles a minute. "You don't have to call me Dad or anything like that, I mean if you want to you can but you don't have to."

My mouth opened for a moment and I saw him watching my reaction in the review mirror. "I think…I'm ok with that."

He smiled and nodded. "Alright then, we'll take it slow."

A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Thanks to the wonderful reviewers!