November 6th, 2004

God, Sierra was changing quickly every single day. She was staying awake longer in the morning. She was able to hold her head up for 10 seconds. Carlos timed it. She started realizing what her hand was. She even began smiling larger. It warmed Carlos' heart and made him feel wanted and loved.

Carlos pulled the car up to the brand new house they had bought. Kim clapped her hands. God, a real house.

"It's gorgeous, Carlos." She said.

"Let's get inside before you say that." Carlos got out of the car and opened the back door. Sierra squealed. He gave his daughter a wink and took her out of the seat. Joey and Kylie followed Kim. Kim took the keys out of her pocket and unlocked the front door. This house was wonderful. It was her first really home that she owned.

"It is gorgeous, Carlos." Kim smiled at Carlos. He beamed with happiness.

"Can I go check out my room, ma?" Joey asked. Kim nodded.

"Take Kylie with you." She said. Joey took Kylie's hand and they ran upstairs, "Can you believe this is ours?"

"No. We're homeowners." Kim giggled taking Sierra from Carlos. She walked into the kitchen. It was so huge. It sure would help feed all over her family.

"They said all of the appliances are brand new, barely used.' He said.

"Good." Kim glanced out the window. She could see the kids playing outside so she wouldn't worry. She walked back out and to the living room. It was big also.

* * *

The Nieto family sat at their brand new kitchen table in their brand new kitchen in their brand new home. Carlos had ordered two large cheese pizzas. That should be enough.

"I like this house, Daddy." Kylie said, "I think Jake likes it."

"He liked the back yard." Carlos chuckled glancing out the window. He looked at the Dalmatian running back and forth. "How about you, Joey? You like the house?" Joey nodded.

"It's better than the apartment." He said.

"Well, I'm glad you like it." Carlos smiled as Sierra started to cry. Kim sighed softly. She was starting to feel like a milking cow. She had to enjoy this though. This was her last child and she had almost died because of her. "I think she needs a diaper change from the smell of it. I'll do it." Kim smiled.

"Thanks." She said watching Carlos take Sierra. Carlos went into the bathroom and lay Sierra on the counter.

"Okay, Hija, you're smelling pretty bad." He said. He kissed Sierra's belly. He didn't think life could get any better. Being a father was so wonderful.

November 20th, 2004

This sucked. Joey had complained about being ignored a lot lately so He and Carlos decided to spend some alone time together. Joey wanted to go ice-skating. Carlos hated ice-skating. Kim suggested that they go upstate for the weekend so Carlos rented a small cabin for the two of them. They were going to get down and dirty up there.

"It's cold." Carlos muttered as he got out of the car.

"It's November in upstate New York." Joey chuckled unlocking the cabin, "I'll start a fire."
"No. I will. You bring everything in." He said. Joey gave him a look.
"This weekend is supposed to be a joint bonding thing." He said. Carlos smirked as he unlocked the door.

"Bring the suitcase in, Joey." He chuckled walking in. It was freezing in here, "I think we need to go get some wood."

"Fine." Joey flung his suitcase in. Carlos smiled softly.

"We should call the girls and let them know we arrived here safely." He said. Joey rolled his eyes.

"We can call them when we get back. I want to go get the wood so we can warm the cabin up okay?" He asked.

"All right, Buddy. That sounds fine." Carlos said.

"Come on then." Joey ran ahead of Carlos.

"Stay on the path." Carlos shoved his hands into his pocket. He couldn't believe he was doing this. Carlos Nieto camping. It sounded weird to him.

"There's tons of sticks over here." Joey said.

"Okay." Carlos went over and saw a pile of sticks. Joey ran ahead of him again to the edge of the frozen lake. "Careful. You don't have your skates on."

"Well, we'll come back when I have my skates." Joey said sliding on the ice. Carlos chuckled and began to pick the sticks up. He couldn't wait to go sit in front of the fire. Maybe he and Joey could roast some marshmallows. Carlos chuckled softly as he heard a loud crack. He looked up to make sure it wasn't a branch falling towards him but it wasn't. He turned to the lake.

"Joey?" He called out when he didn't see his stepson. Carlos looked around him. Where was Joey? Then he saw Joey. He popped up from beneath he ice and screamed before he went back down into the icy water.

"Oh god." Carlos dropped the sticks and ran out onto the ice. He fell to his knees and slid towards the hole. He could hear the ice beneath him. "Joey??"

He couldn't see him. Joey was too far under. Carlos' heart pounded as he reached into the water. God, it was so cold. The ice continued to crack beneath him. Carlos' fingers touched Joey's jacket. He took hold of it and yanked Joey out of the water. Carlos scurried back from the hole with Joey.

"Joey??" The boy was blue and limp. "Oh god. Oh god." Carlos pulled off the frozen jacket. "Joey, wake up for me." Carlos put his ear to his chest and heard nothing. Carlos hands shook as he started CPR. He slowly counted in his head as he pressed on Joey's chest and gave him two rescue breaths. Joey began to gag. Carlos turned him to his side and a lot of water came from Joey.

"That's it, Buddy." Carlos said. Joey wasn't waking up but his teeth were chattering. His lips were still blue. Carlos took off his own jacket and shirt. Then he took Joey's Shirt off. "Come on." With a lot of effort, Carlos picked the eleven-year-old up. Joey's body was so cold against Carlos' flesh, but he didn't care, Joey needed body heat right now. Carlos was filed with adrenalin and he ran to the cabin. As soon as he was there, He lay Joey on the bed and grabbed his cell phone. Joey had to get to a hospital quickly.

* * *

Carlos walked back and forth in the hallway with Sierra asleep in his arms as Kim spoke with the doctor. She walked up to him.

"Joey will be fine, Baby." She said, "You did everything right and got him here in time." Carlos looked at her sadly.

"If I did everything right, Joey wouldn't be in the situation in the first place." Carlos said.

"You've got that right." Jimmy said walking up to him, "You're so lucky You are holding Sierra." Kim narrowed her eyes.
"Jimmy, he saved Joey's life." She said.

"Every time he is in your care something happens, Kim." Jimmy said, "I'm sick of my son being put in this situation."

"What?" Kim stared at him, "You've got to be kidding, Jimmy."

"I'm not, Kim, I don't like how much son's life has changed." Jimmy said. Kim began to laugh as Carlos went to the chairs and sat down. He couldn't deal with Jimmy's stuff last night.

"He has a new father, two new sisters, and a new home. There's nothing wrong with hat." Kim said.

"He almost died tonight at the hands of your husband's hands." Jimmy said. "I think I'm going to talk to my lawyer."

"I can't believe you." Kim said, "Your son is laying in that hospital room and you're turning everything to you. The world doesn't revolve around you." Kim put her hand up and looked away, "Get a life, Jimmy." Kim walked down the hallway tot take her husband to see Joey. She couldn't deal with Jimmy's shit tonight, not ever.

* * *

If you would like an update on my fics or just general discussion, then join my e-mail list. Just e-mail me to join.