When they leave, Lewis promises to call in again sometime in the next few days. Gillian tells him not to worry about it, but he does worry, because he knows Owen doesn't come by too often, and Emily doesn't even live in the city anymore, so that leaves Lewis, and he doesn't want his mother to get isolated. His dad probably doesn't notice. But it's important that Gillian be supported by her family and that's Lewis. And Owen. But still, Lewis feels as though it's his responsibility to take care of his mother while she takes care of his father. He makes a point to every few days, and on the weekends Gabi would take Gillian out for coffee while Lewis hung out with his father at the house. Or sometimes they'd go down to the ceramics class the retirement village put on, or one of the other activities they ran. So long as Cal was having a good day. If it was a bad day, Lewis still made Gillian leave, and tried his best to handle his father. Not always successfully. But he knows mental health is just as important as physical health.

"Put me down for babysitting," Gillian calls through the car window as they're preparing to leave. Lewis and Gabi both immediately smile and make noncommittal noises; it doesn't have to be said: Cal and a baby at the same time would be too much, and they won't burden Gillian.

"Love you Mum," Lewis says instead. "Bye Dad, love you."

"Love you too Lewis," Cal answers. He raises his hand to wave, and brings Gillian's with it, seeing as they're holding hands. It makes Lewis feel warm to know his father, despite it all, is still dedicated to his mother. They've been married just over thirty years, but looking at them, it seems like a lifetime.

Lewis takes his family home. Adam sleeps through and once inside his parents decide to have an afternoon nap. After Adam had finished feeding Cal did have a hold, so Lewis feels a lot better about it. He made sure to get some photos. All those moments are becoming precious. They sleep for about an hour, and then Adam wakes them again to be fed. Lewis jumps out of bed before Gabi and does diaper duty (as quickly as he can, the crying starts to get to him after a while) and then hands the squalling new born over to his mother, just as his phone starts ringing. It flashes an almost strobe-like light and vibrates against the nightstand. Lewis notices the light. Gabi probably hears the vibration. They both look over at it. Lewis scoops it up and sees that it's his brother.

"Owen," he says to Gabi. He sits back on his side of the bed, leaning against the headboard, and propping up the phone so he an answer with the video. "Hey," he says to the screen.

"Yo," Owen answers. "Mom said Gabi had the baby?" He grins as he signs 'mother', 'talk', fingerspells 'Gabi' and signs 'baby'. He must be using a computer, because he signs with two hands. And his eyes don't quite line up with the camera.

"Yeah," Lewis grins. "Want to see him?" He moves his phone so it takes in little Adam feeding against his mother.

"Jesus, is that Gabi's boob?" Owen asks loudly.

"Hi Owen," Gabi calls. Lewis moves the phone so she can give him a smile and wave.

"Congratulations!" Owen calls back.

Lewis moves the phone back so it's just on him.

"He's cute," Owen offers next, using 'beautiful'. "Mom said you guys are doing all right." He uses 'ok'.

"We are," Lewis confirms. "Tired," he uses the backpack adjusting sign, but does it with one hand. "But good. When did you talk to Mum?" 'Talk' is making a small circle beside the mouth with the index finger.

"She called me yesterday." He places this thumb on his lower jaw, fist out, and then moves up towards his ear.

"Have you been to see them recently?" He taps a fist against the side of his mouth very subtly.

"Uh, yeah, like, the other week." Owen waves a hand absently. It's not an official sign, but in their house it means a vague answer.

"Wen, you should go and see them more regularly –"

"Don't start on me," Owen almost whines, using a 'stop' gesture.

"They're not going to be around forever –"

"It's weird –"

"That's not a good excuse –"

"Dad calls me Lewis all the time," Owen gives a disgusted expression, finger-spelling his brother's name rapidly: 'L', 'W', 'S'.

"He's just confused," Lewis tries to patient his tone again, because he knows his brother can be a stubborn ass, and sometimes pushing him too hard just makes him run in the other direction. "I know it's hard. I'm there too, and I know what it's like. But you just got to go and just spend time with them. At least go and see Mum. She really needs our support right now."

"Why? What's going on now?" Owen looks a little alarmed, using the 'wh?' sign.

"I just mean, these days, in general. She needs to see her sons."

"She doesn't say anything to me about it."

"She's not going to," Lewis sighs. "But do it anyway. And Dad, he wants to see you too."

"He doesn't know who I am half the time."

"And he's going to be dead in a few years and then you'll regret it!" Lewis snaps. Owen looks down and away. But damn, it's an argument they've had many times. It didn't seem so important several years ago when Cal was first showing signs of dementia, or even when he was first diagnosed, because back then it was just names and dates and events. And now it was forgetting them.

"Sorry," Lewis says, rubbing a fist against his chest. Beside him he feels Gabi move her arm and she signs a quick one handed 'together'. "Why don't we go together some times?" Lewis suggests to his brother on the screen, who has fallen silent and almost petulant; petulant because he's wrong, but still doesn't like being told off. Even though he's twenty-five and a 'grown up'. "And I can help you with some ways of dealing with Dad. There are things you can do that… make a difference."

Like going for a walk.

Actually, why didn't he think of this before?

Oh yeah, because Owen is an adult and Lewis thinks he should be more grown up than he is. Which probably isn't entirely fair. He's twenty-five. He has a job. He plays professional sport. He is grown up. But Lewis thinks it's easier for Owen being the youngest. There was always someone to go before him, to pave the way as such. If he's not forced to deal with a situation, why would he ever do it voluntarily? Especially when it's hard. And why should he? Why should he have to grow up faster than he needs to? Lewis remembers when his father had The Accident. He doesn't remember exact details but he remembers what it felt like, and he remembers thinking that he should not bother his father, who was clearly not well, which is a big thing for a four and a half year old to conclude. No four year old should feel like they can't 'bother' their father. He's not blaming anyone, but he does remember that time period being difficult.

"Sorry Owen," Lewis says again. "I don't mean to be a dick." He uses a one-handed 'difficult' sign.

Owen gives a slight shake of his head. "Me either. It's just…"

"Hard," Lewis supplies.

"Yeah."

"And unfair." He makes a circle out of his index finger and thumb, and brushes it down and away.

"Yeah that too," Owen looks up, right into the camera, his blue eyes piercing. "It is unfair," he almost pouts. He sighs, Lewis can tell, because of the way he huffs his shoulders, but the rush of air is a little lost on him. "I want to try but, I guess I just don't know what to say," he mumbles. Thank god for signing, because Lewis definitely didn't catch the end of that. Owen shakes his head as he signs 'talk' and points to himself: I no talk.

"Thursday," Lewis says. "There's a pottery class in the main building after five. I'm no good, but it's kind of fun and I often take Dad and give Mum half an hour by herself. Or maybe she could hang with Gabi and Adam," he looks at his wife, who is stroking their son's head. She looks over at him and gives him a smile and a little nod. Of course, everything is contingent on Adam now, but Gillian would love it. "Thursday?" Lewis presses, when Owen hasn't answered.

"Yeah, ok, Thursday," Owen agrees. "I can do Thursday." He nods. "All right Lew. I'll come over and see Adam some time before then."

"Text," Lewis suggests but nods. "How's work?"

"Blah," Owen answers. "I mean, it's all right, but it's not as cool as what you do."

Lewis gives a wry grin. Owen doesn't really know what he wants to do yet. But he went to college and got a degree and now he has a job, so yeah, grown up. He is at least not putting his head in the sand on his entire life. "You'll find something," he encourages. "Are you coaching Little League this season?"

"Assistant Coach," Owen beams.

"Congratulations," Lewis offers back.

"It's a step up," Owen agrees.

"Maybe next season Head Coach?" Lewis suggests.

"Dunno," Owen gives a shrug. "I still have a lot to learn before I'd feel like I could take over."

"Something to work on then," Lewis says.

"You sound like Dad when you say that."

"You sound like Mum when you say that," Lewis shoots back.

"Did you hear that?" Owen cups a hand to his ear. "I think that's my other phone ringing," he gives Lewis a grin.

"Fuck you," Lewis gives him the fingers. Owen returns it, still grinning, so they sit for a moment flipping each other off.

Owen shifts his hand to the 'ILY' sign. "Love you."

"Love you too," Lewis echoes both.

"Bye Gabi!" Owen yells.

Lewis moves the phone to Gabi and she waves goodbye. Lewis ends the call and tosses his phone to the bed. "Wholly crap I'm tired!" He complains. He looks over at Gabi. "How are you doing?" Because if he feels tired, she's got to be feeling worse. And sore. She gave birth yesterday.

Gabi gives a slightly wan smile. "I'm good, but also tired. As soon as this guy goes down again, I think I will too." She makes a 'W' hand and puts it to her mouth, "Could you get me some water?"

"Of course. Can I get you anything else? Food or something?"

"Just the water, honey, thanks," she smiles at him.

Lewis smiles back, because he doesn't seem to be able to help it. When Gabi smiles at him, he smiles back. That's how they got talking the very first time. He leans over and kisses the side of her head. He holds up the 'ILY' sign again.

"Love you too," Gabi says, making the same sign.

AN: thanks for reading. And thank you again to those who reviewed. It was Lewis's actual birthday this father's day weekend just gone (June 2015). I felt the occasion needed to be marked