By my side

Matthew carries on fighting with Jackson by his side until one day, he starts getting better, and the lockdown restrictions lift enough that when Harriet and Ruby come to the hospital for Ruby's annual heart checkup. They take Harriet with, as there was no one to leave her with. Jackson sneaks them into Matthew's room and watches them talk to him.

Matthew jokes to Ruby that Jackson is her new dad since he's been gone, feeling a little jealous, as she refuses to leave Jackson's side, afraid to come to him.

Jackson takes her in his arms and convinces her to go him, and she immediately climbs on the bed and sleeps on Matthews' side.

Jackson attempts to take her, worried she is hurting him, but Matthew stops him, and Jacksons' brows furrow, knowing Matthew is in pain and to make matters worse, Harriet climbs onto his other side, and Matthew refuses to have them removed.

Struggling to speak, Matthew says. "I love you both, and while dad is gone, please let mommy and uncle Jackson take care of you, and when I am not around, Ruby look at me. He is your dad."

Ruby looks at him and goes back to cuddling, nodding her head and speaking in a small voice.

"I know. You had 3 dad's, Harry has 3 dad's, I have 3 dad's, eweryone has 3 daddies, dad."

Harriet, on the other side, has long fallen asleep. Matthew, satisfied with Ruby's answer, also sleeps with Ruby snoring beside him. Not long after, April walks in to take them home.