Alex sighed checking the rearview mirror one last time, he looked awful, his dark stubble making him appear much older than he was. He hadn't slept right in days, pretty much since he'd witnessed Jo had passing out in surgery almost two weeks ago. He wanted to kick himself for being such an idiot, for being the guy he thought he'd left behind a long time ago, the kinda guy that thought with his dick and not his brain. He was so close to telling her no that night, saving them both from the pain they'd eventually feel as they ripped open old wounds and tried to cover them with one more night together.

"Just one night."

Squeezing his eyes shut Alex's grip on the steering wheel tightens, that's what she'd said...just one night. He can still picture her, her messy hair brushed over to one side, her eyes still bleary from that eventful night, her lips swollen from his kisses, so desperate to feel each other after so long apart. The way she'd pushed him back making his heart sink thinking she'd come to her senses before she pulled him back in, breathlessly mumbling the words against his lips.

It was almost comical that they were now going to be tied together for a lifetime, it was almost as if life was forcing them back together...like they were meant to be.

He'd spent a lot of time thinking about the little life growing within Jo, how he was gonna be there for every moment of this kid's life, he wasn't gonna miss a second of it and he was gonna make sure that this child never felt anything less than the love it deserved. It may have been born into a mess, it may not have been wanted or planned but it was loved. Alex hadn't been lying to Jo when he told her he imagined their life together, he'd pretty much been imagining their children since they'd started dating, Jo was the first person he'd ever looked and thought about babies without being pushed to, and it scared the hell out of him back then, and then it hadn't and then it was just an old dream, and now...now after all this time, it was a reality.

Feeling his phone buzz, Alex looked down realising he had two missed texts from Izzie, she'd promised to text when the kids had finished their homework and were ready to go, knowing the minute they saw their dad they'd never be able to focus she'd asked him to wait down the road. Alex hadn't minded, sure he'd missed his kids like crazy, he felt like a part of him was missing whenever they were apart but his brain was such a fog with everything going on that he appreciated five minutes to compose himself.

"Dad..." Alexis came barrelling down the path the minute Alex's car came into view, leaving Eli to run along behind her, both leaving their overnight bags on the porch steps as they raced towards him.

"Dad...you're here." Alexis yelped, jumping into his arms barely giving Alex a chance to shut the door behind him. A soft smile spread across Alex's face as he wrapped his arms around his daughter holding her tight to his chest. Damn he'd really missed them, it was never easy to be apart but now it meant so much more to him, his kids were the best thing in his life, they seemed to have this magic ability to just make all his worries disappear even if it was just for a moment.

"Are you gonna join this hug? Or are you too cool for hugs nowadays?" Alex mumbles gruffly against Alexis' head as he glanced up at Eli who was hovering a few steps back.

"No one says cool anymore dad." Eli groans shaking his head, he kicks to stones by his feet ignoring Alex's gaze. He might only be eleven but he was definitely on his way to being a typical teenager. "You said two weeks dad...you were gone for three."

"Hey Eli..." Alex released Alexis, reaching out and pulling Eli in, pressing a kiss to his head, relief flooding through him as he felt Eli relax in his arms, throwing his arms so tightly around Alex that he almost knocked the air from his lungs, his hands making tight fists as they held onto Alex's shirt. "I know bud...but sometimes work throws up some unexpected things, there are kids that need help...ones that aren't as lucky as you and Lex...so sometimes I'll be late but I'm always coming home okay?"

He whispers, gently, looking between Eli and Alexis. He still had no clue how he was gonna balance his time between them and Jo, Mia and the new baby. He didn't even know where Jo and Mia fit into the equation, did Jo want to do this together, or did she wanna do every other weekend drop-offs in parking lots, with half as 'how are yous'? This was just another thing on the long list of things Alex needed to get sorted.

Catching sight of Izzie standing on the porch watching them carefully, Alex felt a wave of gratitude, he'd always done his best to keep things friendly between each other, and that was hard when hurt feelings were involved but at the end of the day they were both Team Twins and that was what was most important. To be fair to Izzie she'd been patient and kind when she didn't have to be and Alex had appreciated how understanding she'd been when he'd extended his trip, he just hoped she'd be the same way when he told her he'd be spending a lot more time away from home.

"You guys go grab your bags and throw them in the car. I just gotta talk to mom real quick."

Alex hung back for a moment watching as Izzie bent down to hug the pair, pressing a kiss on both their heads before they ran back past Alex. "Iz.." Alex nods in greeting as he approaches her, she makes no attempt to move off the porch as he shoves his hands in his pockets awkwardly shifting his weight from each foot, wondering if now was the right time to blurt out that he'd got his ex-wife pregnant.

"Alex..how are you? How was Seattle?" Izzie smiles brightly, but it doesn't quite meet her eyes as Alex's comes to a stop at the bottom of the steps.

"It was good...same as always." He nods, thinking back to his time in Seattle, staying at the frat house with Mer while she told him how much of an idiot he was had definitely taken him back in time.

Izzie pulls a face, a small smile on her lips. "Really?"

"No...No it was pretty different" Alex half laughs, if only she knew how different thing had been, it was less of a trip down memory lane and more fast track to the future. "Look Iz, I think we should talk-"

"Alex" Izzie's boyfriend appears in the doorway, looking between Izzie and Alex before making his way out onto the porch, wrapping an arm around Izzie's waist, almost possessively. Alex had to refrain from telling him not to worry. He wanted to hate the guy he really did, I mean he pretty much did, and he was sure the feeling was mutual. It wasn't like Alex had many male friends but the ones he had definitely weren't freaking pastors. But he didn't want to not get on, I mean Izzie must love the guy for a reason right? One Alex didn't understand but a reason nonetheless. Plus the guy was good to his kids and that's really all the mattered.

Alex nods, extending his hand out for the guy, forcing a smile on his face, maybe now isn't the right time to talk to Izzie, he wasn't really sure he wanted Jeremiah's input, especially when he wasn't ready to tell the twins yet. "Jerimiah"

"Nice to see you...expected you back earlier, you know we had to cancel a weekend away," Jeremiah informs him, his grip tightening on Alex's hand before letting it go.

Alex sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. He'd felt bad about asking Izzie to cover him for another week but he wasn't about to leave Jo when they were on such uncertain terms. "I'm sorry about that...I'll make it up to you Iz." Alex quickly glances at the car to see both kids pressed against the window watching them curiously. "Better get these troublemakers fed."

"Oh...Alex...What was it you wanted to talk about?" Izzie calls, as Alex begins to retreat.

"Another time...have a nice evening...both of you."


Alex was starting to feel a little more at ease as the week went on. Something about being with his kids just reassured him that nothing could ever be that bad. They made him laugh even when he felt like it would be impossible to do so. His kids brought so much happiness and so much love into his world, how could have ever considered that this new baby would be anything less than that? Especially when it was half Jo.

In the back of his mind though he knew he was going back to Seattle soon, and despite his excitement for the new baby growing he still had so much to be sorted out with Jo. She was still holding on to a lot of pain...and rightfully so, there was still a lot left unsaid between them that would need to be discussed so they could give themselves to this baby completely.

The sound of his kids calling for him brought Alex back to reality, looking over at Eli who was eagerly waiting, bat in hand ready for Alexis to throw the ball. He was trying to teach them a bit of baseball but neither seemed that interested.

"Okay arm up Lex...you ready?" Alex bends down beside Alexis holding her arm up at a higher angle as he helps set her up. Alex tries to stop himself from wincing as he watched the ball fall to the ground lamely a few feet away.

Eli who had been waiting for a few feet away, seemed to snap, tired of watching Alex focus on helping Alexis with her throw he smacked the bat against the ground before swinging it around letting it go flying towards the ground as he huffed. Yep, he was definitely Alex's son, Alex was just hoping he could be there for Eli in a way that would help him deal with his anger. Alex hadn't gotten ahold of dealing with his emotions for a long time, some days he still felt like he hadn't but he was determined that it would be different for Eli.

"Eli come on dude that is not what the bat is for."

He hears Alexis huff beside him, watching as the mini Izzies face curls up in disgust rolling her eyes at her brother before announcing she was done with the boring game and would be heading over to the swings.

"Stay close Lex...where I can see you."

Alex picks up the ball, brushing off Eli's mood. Throwing the ball around with his son was something he'd never imagine he could get but he was so grateful for these moments. A small smirk playing on his face as he watched a sly grin spread across Eli's face, cracking through that grumpy exterior.

Suddenly a loud pitch scream breaks out across the park, making Alex's heart race as he launches forward towards Eli, gripping his shoulder as he scans the park for Alexis. He catches sight of her kneeling down a little away from the swings.

"Dad…" She calls as her head lifts up from behind a bench, beckoning him over.

"My dads a doctor." He hears her inform a woman that had been hidden out of view, she seemed young maybe early twenty's, the piercing scream they'd heard coming from the toddler who she was cradling close to her chest.

"Is everything okay?" Alex grumbles bending down next to Alexis, analysing the scene in front of him. The toddler looked to be about two maybe three, her face red and blotchy as hot tears sprung from her eyes. The older girl look terrified as she clutched the little girl closer, her eye wide as she clamped her hand around the girl's leg trying to stop the flow of the blood seeping through.

"I was just grabbing some water and I let go of her hand for a second." She cries, letting out a shaky breath as she tries to shush the toddler in her arms.

Alex springs into action without really thinking, gently prying her hand off the toddler's legs, carefully examining the sharp cut along the girl's leg. Poor thing it looked painful, it was definitely gonna need more than a bandaid. "Ahh..that's gotta hurt huh... let's take a look shall we."

Grabbing a water bottle from Eli's outstretched hand he cleaned away some of the dirt and blood that had already begun to dry. "This will need a couple of stitches," Alex muttered looking up to meet who he assumed was the mother's eye, she seemed horrified at the idea, physically shaking as she nods. "It's okay...she's gonna be just fine, listen take her to St Luke's down the road, tell them Dr Alex Karev sent you, they'll take really good care of you guys."

He tries to comfort both the young women and the crying toddler as he helps make their way to the car, using his doctor voice to settle the young mom's nerves. As he carried the crying toddler down the path, following behind the mom as she guided him towards her car, he couldn't help but be reminded of the little girl he'd taken care of last week.

Mia.

Mia...Jo's beautiful baby girl. The girl had captured his heart from just one glance. She was a part of someone he loved so dearly it made complete sense that a mini version of Jo would have him in the palm of her hand from day one.


"Will she be okay?" Eli whispers hesitantly from beside Alex, his face a little pale as he watches them drive away.

"She'll be fine...are you okay bud?" Alex asks, patting Eli's shoulder gently, making sure the boy meets his eye before the head back down the path.

Alexis tucks herself under Alex's arms as they make their way back to towards the abandoned bat and ball both of them keeping a tight grip on Alex as they walked.

"She was so cute, before the blood...Millie Chambers just had a baby sister and she gets to dress her up in princess dresses." Alexis mutters excitedly looking up to Alex, her eyes shining brightly as she talks.

"Really?" Alex exclaims, smiling at his daughter's excitement. He'd never really spoke to his kids about the idea of another baby, he definitely wasn't ready to bring up Jo, Mia and the new baby yet. He'd never seen himself having any more kids, not only did he think he was way too old but he was sure he was never gonna meet anyone that would ever set off the desire in him like Jo had. "Would you ever want a baby sister?" Alex looks between the two curiously as they gather their stuff.

"Yes, then I could have someone to dress up." Alexis nods without hesitation.

Eli stops, a small frown on his face as both Alexis and Alex turn back to face him. "But mommy can't have any more babies."

He mumbles looking down at his feet. Izzie was pretty honest with the kids about her cancer, about how they came to be. They knew they were made in tubes and that even though mommy and daddy made them with love they weren't made the same way most babies were.

"Hey how about we get some doughnuts?" Alex grins, ready to change the subject from bloody toddlers, baby sisters and mommy's cancer.


"Dad get off…" Eli groaned as Alex leaned across the picnic table, brushing the sugar off the side of his son's cheeks as he tried to wiggle away.

Alex chucked, grabbing another tissue much to his son's dismay. "You have sugar all over your face." He smiled as Eli dunked his face headfirst into the box of doughnuts, watching as Alexis followed suit, both kids bursting into a fit of giggles as they reappear with smears of powdered sugar and icing across their faces, their sticky hands reaching out before Alex could even protest, smearing powdered sugar across his own face.

A while later, after one too many doughnuts, a whole lot of blurry sugar smeared selfies and a lot of laughter, the Karevs were on their way home, both kids pretty much tuckered out.

"Why are we doing all this bonding time?" Alexis's voice breaks out in a whisper, making Alex glance back in the car quickly as the pulled up at red light.

"What do you mean, we're just having a nice time, what's wrong with that?" He frowned, glancing up in the mirror or he watched his twins exchange a couple of looks, their little twin telepathy in full work as they seem to have a silent conversation. Weren't they having a good time? Alex had loved spending all this time with them this week it had been a long time since it just been them three. "You know when I was young..."

Alex is cut off as both Eli and Alexis roll their eyes mimicking his "when I was young" speech that they'd probably heard a hundred times before. He hadn't told them everything about his childhood but he did think it was important they knew how lucky they were to have two parents who love them and are financially stable.

"I just love you guys...and I want you to always remember just how much I love you even when we're apart." Alex sighs as he pulls up on his street, turning around in his seat.

"Are you leaving us?" Alexis mumbles, her face screwing up at the thought.

"What? No...never…" Alex exclaims, reaching out to grab her hand, giving it quick squeeze. "I just want you to always be able to look back and have these happy memories."

There's an awkward silence that falls across the car as all three Karevs exchange some looks before cracking smiles,

"You're so weird, dad." Eli laughs shaking his head at Alex as they exit the car.

Alex smirked, shaking his head as he watches them race up the front steps of his apartment building, feeling a buzz in his pocket he pulls out his phone to see a photo message from Jo. A photo of toast and a smoothie pops up on the screen, he could vaguely see Mia's curly hair in the background facing the opposite way.

The message underneath read.

Stop asking me if I'm eating, obviously, I'm eating I'm not stupid.

He'd been texting her every day, checking up on how she was feeling, how much she was working if she was taking proper care of herself. He knew Jo when she got overwhelmed she didn't take proper care of herself and this could definitely qualify as an overwhelming situation, and since she'd passed out in surgery he'd rather be safe than sorry. Jo wasn't too happy about his persistent texting, she'd definitely made a few snide remarks about not knowing he had the ability to use a phone. Alex could take it, the time with his kids had only reminded him how amazing being a parent was and so whatever Jo wanted to throw at him he could take.


Chapter 10 Done

I'm so sorry for the slow update. I promise there will be regular updates from now on, especially since the UK go back into lockdown I have a lot more time on my hands to write, and I'm really hoping to have this story done by Christmas.

Thank you for being patient with me, I do read all your reviews and the asks on my Tumblr and I appreciate all the love for this story.