"Evening everybody."

"Norm!"

"What would you say to a beer Norm?" Sam asked.

"I'd say 'bottoms up'!" Norm sat on his stool, "say, Sammy, how's Nora doing?"

"My dad said she's fine. The swelling in her brain is almost gone. I guess her heart is good too."

"Wait, your dad said?"

"Hello everyone," Diane said as she walked into the bar, "Sam, I was thinking we'd go over to your sisters for dinner tonight."

"Uh, that's no good. I have to close tonight."

"I'm sure someone else would be willing to close up for you."

"Diane, I said I can't!" Sam yelled at his wife.

"Sam," Diane spoke gently, "she's your sister, and she's been through hell. She needs you."

"Sam, have you visited Nora lately?" Norm asked.

"Have any of you?" Sam responded with.

"I did a few times when she was in the hospital. I told Frasier to let me know when she was up for visitors at home. I'm going over tomorrow on my day off," Carla said.

"I think we all visited her in the hospital," Norm said.

"Well, congratulations you're all better siblings than me," Sam stormed off towards the office.

"Sam," Carla called.

Sam turned angry, "I haven't been to see Nora. Not just since she's been home, but since she was taken to the hospital. I just can't see her like that. I can't bear it, so go ahead and think I'm the worst person in the world." Sam went into the office and slammed the door behind him.

"Carla, can I ask you something?" Nora asked. She and Carla were sitting at the patio table in the back yard.

"Sure," Carla responded.

"Do you know why Sam hasn't been to see me or called me?"

Carla froze unsure of what to say, "you should probably ask Diane. She might know."

"I did and she gave me some bull shit story. She tried to use intellect against me."

"What does that mean?"

"That's exactly what I asked her after that story."

"Alright, I've always been honest with you so I'll tell you. You see," Carla wasn't sure about this, "Sam told us that he can't see you like this and that he can't bear it." Nora sat there quietly as her emotions began to take over. A single tear fell down her face, "Hey, don't cry. He'll get over this."

"It's been almost, uh," Nora hated when she couldn't find the words, "two months," Nora's voice was thick with emotion.

"Yeah," Carla said as she looked down, frowning.

"Thank you for being honest with me."

"I wish I hadn't been."

The next day, Carla ignored Sam unless she needed an order. Once the bar was closed, Sam decided to talk to Carla.

"Hey, did I do something to you?"

"You hurt my best friend."

"What?"

"Nora asked me yesterday why you hadn't visited or called."

"And you told her the truth?"

"I tried not to, but damn it Sam. I mean the woman tried not to cry in front of me, but she wasn't too successful. Stop being a selfish bastard and go visit her, or at least call."

"I've tried calling, but I always hang up after it rings once," Sam rubbed a hand over his face, "I mean what is wrong with me?"

"It's not easy to see our loved ones sick. Maybe Henry's birth scarred you in some way."

"I don't know, but I need to find a way to get over there."

"Henry, could you go find daddy for me please?" Nora asked her son. It was the Sunday after Carla had it out with Sam.

"Yes, mama," Henry said.

Frasier came into the living room moments later, "everything alright, darling?"

"Yeah, but I need to use the bathroom and I feel really tired."

"Do you want me to help you stand or carry you?"

Nora looked at her children who were sitting in the room, playing, "carry." Frasier lifted his wife and helped her to use the bathroom. "I think I need to take a nap," Nora said as Frasier lifted her to carry her out of the bathroom.

"Do you want me to take you up to bed?"

"No, the couch is fine," Nora wasn't comfortable being upstairs alone. Even with a phone next to her. Frasier helped Nora to lay down on the couch and had the boys go to the playroom.

Frasier went to answer the door when he got the call he had been waiting for, "Sam, come in," Frasier whispered. "Thanks for calling to let me know that you were here."

"No problem," Sam whispered back, "is she still asleep?"

"Yeah, she was really tired."

"Do you still want to take the kids out?"

"Yeah, they need it. I mean Nora does too, but she's been too tired to leave the house. Listen, I wrote down everything you need to know about her care. It's nothing too complicated and she always asks if she needs something or needs help. I really appreciate you staying with her."

"It's no problem. She's my sister and it's long overdue."

"I hate to leave her while she's asleep, but I don't want to wake her."

"Go, I'll tell her you and dad took the kids out."

"Thanks, she's on the couch in the living room." Frasier and John got the kids and left. They were picking up Frederick too.

Sam walked into the living room and found his sister asleep. He sat on a chair by the couch and turned ESPN on. He made sure the volume was low enough that it didn't wake her.

"Sam?" he turned to find his sister awake and looking up at him.

"Hey honey, I didn't wake you did I?"

"No, but what are you doing here?"

"Frasier and dad took the kids out for a little while. I offered to stay with you."

"Can you help me sit up?"

"Sure," Sam got up and went over to help his sister.

"Thanks, I'm really happy you're here," Nora smiled at her brother who was sitting next to her now.

"I'm sorry about that. I feel horrible."

"You're here now, but please don't do that again."

"You hungry? Frasier made something for us to eat. It just needs to be warmed up."

"Yeah, but I need to go to the bathroom first," Nora reached for her walker.

"You need help?" Sam asked as she began to stand.

"Thank you, but I'm okay," Nora said as she began to make her way to the bathroom. It pained Sam to see her like this, but he was determined to be there for her. Sam went to warm up dinner. When Nora was done, she made her way to the kitchen.

"Hey, it should be ready soon," Sam said when he saw his sister.

"Okay," Nora went and sat on one of the kitchen chairs.

Once they were done with dinner, Sam took their dishes and cleaned up. Nora was worn out so she decided to stay. "There, all done," Sam said.

"Sam," Nora said weakly, "I need help getting up."

Sam walked over and helped his sister up. "You sure you can walk?"

Nora let go of Sam and grabbed her walker. She began shaking from how much effort it took for her to hold herself up, "no," Nora whispered. Sam lifted his sister and carried her to the living room, placing her on the couch. "Thank you," she whispered to her brother.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Sam was really worried.

"I'm just tired. It happens sometimes. It's hard recovering from a stroke and heart surgery at once. The effort it sometimes takes for me to move can exhaust me."

"Frasier said you are always honest about what you need, so I'll take your word for it."

"I have six young children. I have to be honest for their sakes."

When Frasier and John returned with the kids they found Nora and Sam in the living room. The children ran to greet their mother and uncle. They asked if Uncle Sam could do bedtime, and Sam agreed. Frasier and John sat next to Nora. "How did it go with Sam?" Frasier asked as he took his wife into his arms.

"It went really well," Nora said, "I'm exhausted again."

Frasier kissed his wife's temple, "why don't you stay in bed tomorrow?"

"I don't like being up there alone, but I might have to."

Sam walked into the room, "kids are all tucked in. Did Nora tell you?"

"Yeah, it happens," Frasier said, "thanks again, Sam."

"Hey, no problem," Sam responded, "but if I'm going to have to carry you everywhere then I better start working out more." Nora laughed at her brother. Sam leaned down to hug his sister, "good night Nora, I love you, sis."

"Good night, I love you too."

John walked Sam out and Frasier carried his wife upstairs. Once she was in bed, Frasier got ready himself. Nora was still awake when Frasier climbed into bed.

"Darling, I think you may need to get a wheelchair." Nora had told Frasier that she didn't need a wheelchair when she was getting ready to be discharged from the hospital. She told him that she would be fine walking around their house.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, it would be helpful on days like today."

"Well, I can get one, but I'm going to ask you again tomorrow when you're more awake. I'm not getting in trouble with you for getting something you asked me for when you were sleepy."

Nora chuckled, "thank you, and thank you for being such a wonderful husband. I love you so much."

Frasier kissed his wife, "I love you too. Now let's get some sleep."