A/N: In the original chapters I think I had mentioned that Joshua was a doctor, but when editing I think I forgot to add that back in. So that you're not confused. He's an ob/gyn and he worked in a hospital in England where Avery had been studying .They had known each other because of their parents but didn't interact until they met up in England. Also I have up to chapter 13 done so I'll just post one a day to try and catch up with the other site that I've been posting it on.

"Family Ties" Chapter 8

Rod and Mac made their way to Avery's room. They walked in and saw her lying there, with her back to them. Rod and Mac instinctively looked at one another and Mac moved forward.

She put her hand on Avery's shoulder. "Avery , honey?"

Avery slowly turned over and sat up in the bed, she had been crying. Mac took her daughter in her arms and soothed her. "Oh sweetie, I'm sorry."

Avery looked up at Mac , "I'm sorry mom , this is all my fault. I should have told you... Maybe if I did... my baby would..." The tears over come her again.

" Oh baby, no don't think like that. You cannot blame yourself for this."

Mac wipes the tears from her eyes and holds Avery's face in her hands.

" This was not your fault. You nor anyone else had any control over this. These things just happen , the doctor said there was nothing you could do to prevent this...I know this is going to be hard for some time but you aren't alone. We are all here for you. We love you no matter what you thought otherwise."

She looks up at them both a bit ashamed .

"Rebecca told you didn't she?"

Rod nods and moves over to the bed next to Mac and sits down taking Avery's hand.

" Why didn't you come to us? We're your parents honey."

"You guys aren't just our parents, there is so much more attached to who you are and who you think we should be... I should have come to you , I know that, I did from the start ... I just ,I couldn't. I didn't want to see the disappointment in your eyes, the one that's there right now."

Rod and Mac look at one another . Then Rod decides to finally ask the question that's been eating at him since he saw Josh.

" You trusted Joshua Templeton over your parents?"
Avery shakes her head. "Dad, it's not what you think with him."

Mac interjects, " Is he- was he the father?"

Avery shakes her head. "No he wasn't. And no he and I aren't together , we never were... He helped me get through this when I had no one else who could."

Rod shakes his head in disbelief.

"What did he have to offer that your own family couldn't?"

Avery adjusts herself on the bed , wincing in pain.

" I dated a colleague of his- the baby's father. He tried warning me from the start but I thought the same thing you did dad, he's a Templeton why would he try to look out for me? But you know what, he did. When I found out I was pregnant and found myself alone , he helped me pick up the pieces. I couldn't get a doctor without you and the media finding out and I wasn't ready for that. He offered to be my doctor , to keep this between us and he did just that. He didn't tell a soul not even his father . He knew full well that it could be used against you and he didn't do anything but support me."

Rod angrily " He did a hell of a job. Look where it's landed you."

Mac looks at him shocked by his words . "Rod you can't mean that."

"Why not? If he was such a good doctor why didn't he see this sooner?"

Avery shakes her head getting upset . " I knew you'd be this way. This is exactly why I didn't tell you."

Mac puts her hand over Rod's " Maybe you should go check on Rebecca."

Rod nods and walks out of the room leaving Mac with Avery.