"I think something pink would work for the bridesmaid dresses," Carly said the next day, looking around the racks at the sixth store they had been in. "That color would look nice on the girls."

"I already promised Kira no pink," Sam said. "I think purple was the only color they could agree on."

"Okay," Carly said. "Purple it is then. The girls are in the back of the store and I think they found a few styles they like, I'll go see if I can find them in purple. In the meantime, take a look at those wedding dresses."

"Alright," Sam sighed.

Her heart really wasn't in this shopping trip. But the girls needed to get their dresses, and between Leah and Carly, she knew she wasn't going to get a moment's rest until she went.

"Have you found anything yet?" Leah asked suddenly, coming over to Sam.

"No, not yet," Sam replied. "And I though you were with Kira looking for bridesmaid dresses."

"We found the one we like," Leah replied. "Carly's with Kira now getting our sizes. Can I help you look?"

"Sure," Sam smiled. "Nothing to frilly though, okay?"

"Okay," Leah nodded. She began looking through the dresses.

"So," Sam said, cringing at the site of a white dress made entirely out of lace. "You and Kira excited for the new baby?"

"Yeah," Leah grinned. "But I don't want to share a room with it though. Kira's bad enough."

"We're probably going to have to move," Sam told her. "Locally, though, so don't worry about having to switch schools or anything. We just need a bigger place. We've had that apartment since you were two; it's time for a change."

"I'll miss it, though," Leah said, pulling out a dress. "What about this one?"

"Nah, I don't like all the ribbon," Sam said. "And…you know even when this baby comes and everything, I'm still going to love you and Kira just as much as I've always have. That's not going to change."

"I know," Leah said. "I'm happy for you and Freddie."

"Freddie told me your two were excited about him adopting you guys," Sam said, pulling another dress off the rack. "You like this one?"

"It has a weird neckline," Leah cringed. "But, yeah. It's gonna be cool having Freddie as my dad. I think Kira almost cried…I should've taken a picture."

"I'm glad you guys are finally going to have a dad in your life," Sam said. "I know growing up without one isn't any fun."

Leah shrugged. "You still did pretty good."

"Thanks," Sam chuckled.

"Maybe we should try another store," Leah suggested. "This place doesn't have that big of a selection."

"Ugh, I just want to get this done with," Sam moaned. "We've been out shopping for-"

"Mom!" Leah suddenly gasped, pulling a beautiful dress off the rack. "This one's perfect for you! Get this one!"

"You know what?" Sam said slowly, looking over the dress as she took it from her daughter. "This one might work."

…

Freddie sat in his old living room, staring at his laptop screen. Sam and the twins were out dress shopping and his mom had gone to her therapist, so he was on his own for the afternoon.

What Sam had told him earlier that day was still circling around in his head. He had always figured Sam's relationship with the girls' father had ended on bad terms, since he obviously was no longer involved in their lives. He knew he was in jail too, but the one time he had asked why, over a year ago, Sam had tensed up and told him she didn't want to talk about. And he had respected that.

He had never thought Sam's past was anything like this, though. And now with her ex getting out of jail…He really hoped Sam would be able to handle it.

I'll protect her, Freddie told himself. But then he scoffed. How was he going to protect Sam? He wasn't strong. He couldn't fight, and he certainly lacked the intimidation factor.

But I love her, he reminded himself. And I'd do anything to avoid losing her.

This was supposed to be a happy time, yet he felt weighed down by emotions. Him and Sam were going to be married, they were going to have a child together and he was going to adopt the twins…or who knew now, maybe with the twins' father trying to get custody again, his hopes about that would be thrown away too.

He heard a knock on the door, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Come in!" he called.

"Hey," Spencer said, letting himself in. "I saw your mom leave a few minutes ago so I figured it was safe to come over."

Freddie chuckled. "What's up?"

"Just wanted to stop by," Spencer said. "So, I heard the news…congratulations, dude! You're gonna be a daddy!"

"Yeah," Freddie smiled. "I am."

"You excited?"

"Of course," Freddie said. "I've always wanted to have kids."

Spencer gave Freddie a strange look. "You okay, Fred-O?"

"Huh?" Freddie frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You just seem a little…preoccupied," Spencer said. "Everything going okay with this wedding?"

"Yeah, yeah, you know, just a lot of stress, that's all," Freddie said, hoping he sounded convincing.

"Yeah, weddings are always stressful," Spencer said. "But just think, it's all worth it in the end."

"I know," Freddie nodded.

"Hey," Spencer said. "Let's do something to get your mind off of everything. You still know how to fence?"

"Fencing?" Freddie repeated. "You want to fence?"

"Sure, why not," Spencer replied. "Ever since you moved to New York, I lost my only opponent."

"Well okay," Freddie laughed. "I might be a little rusty, though…you might actually have a shot at beating me."

"Hey!"

…

"I can't believe you finally found a dress," Carly said as the party walked down the streets of Seattle.

"Yeah, after only five million hours," Kira said as she chewed on the beef jerky Sam had bought her and herself.

"I can't wait to wear those bridesmaid dresses," Leah said excitedly.

"I'm glad you found one you and Kira actually agreed on," Sam said. "Anyway, I'm starving. Can we go grab dinner or something?"

"There's that pizza place we used to go to when we were kids down the street from here," Carly said. "Want to go there?"
"I could go for some pizza," Kira said.

"Me too," Leah nodded.

"Good, then let's eat," Sam said. "I think these pregnancy cravings are just about kicking in. Think I can get maple syrup on my pizza?"

"That may not be on the menu," Carly grinned.

The four walked down to the restaurant, and just as they were all about to enter, Sam's phone began to ring.

"Who is it?" Carly asked.

"I dunno, some New York number," Sam replied, looking at her phone. "It's probably someone from work. Just give me a minute and I'll meet you inside."

"Okay," Carly nodded. Her and the girls entered the restaurant as Sam answered her phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Ms. Puckett?" said the voice on the other line.

"Yes," Sam said slowly.

"I'm a representative from the Motonson Law Firm," the woman said. "I'm calling on Mr. Motonson's behalf to tell you that he's going to need to see you in court on the second of January to discuss the custodial rights of Leah Beth Puckett and Kira Danielle Puckett."

"What?" Sam frowned.

"Yes, Mr. Motonson is representing a Marshall Pewter, who says that his rights to the girls have been unfairly-"

"He has no rights to them, and he's not going to get any!" Sam snapped.

"Unfortunately, ma'am, that is for the courts to decide," the woman said simply. "As I said, your court date is January second at ten in the morning. Failure to show up will result in you being held in contempt. Have a nice day."

"Wait, you can't just-" Sam started, but the woman had already hung up.

Sam slowly slid her phone back into her pocket.

It had begun.