A/N: I don't own any of the characters.

Once they arrived at the hospital and the doctor checked Nicole out, she was rushed into surgery with an appendicitis. Liza and Charles went to the waiting room. Charles called Pauline and Liza called Maggie. Liza went to get coffee for the two of them and by the time she got back, he was off the phone.

"Thanks for the coffee."

"No problem."

Liza sat down, Charles put his arm around her and kissed her.

"Is everything ok at home?"

"Yeah. Maggie was cleaning up the kitchen from dinner and Bianca was in her room."

"I really appreciate you being here."

"There's no other place I would rather be. You know that. I was surprised by what Pauline said to me."

"Yeah, she can be full of surprises sometimes. She meant it though. She said if I wanted her to, she's get a flight out here. I said it was completely up to her. I need to be here with Nicole obviously but I also need to be with Bianca."

"If you want to stay here with Nicole tonight, I could stay with Bianca but Maggie said she can stay as long as you need her to."

"Good."

Liza's phone rang. She noticed it was Caitlin.

"Hi Sweetie."

"Hey, Mom. Maggie texted me and said Nicole was sick. Is everything ok?"

"Yeah. She has an appendicitis and is in surgery right now. I'm guessing we won't get out there this weekend."

"That's ok. Don't worry about it."

"Charles still wants some ideas as to how you'd like your room at his townhouse done."

"So, are you moving in with him then?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'm there all the time anyway though."

"It's obvious that you really love him."

"Yeah, I do."

"I like him too, Mom."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I am so glad to hear that."

"I'm glad you're happy and I really do appreciate everything you did for me."

"I wouldn't have done it for just anyone."

"I know. I should go."

"Ok."

"Let me know how things go."

"I will."

"Love you."

"I love you too."

"Tell her I do too."

"Charles said he does too."

"Aw! Tell him I love him too."

"I will."

Liza ended the call.

"She said she loves you too. It seems like the 5 of us are becoming a family."

"Yes, it does. Are you ok with that?"

"Yeah, I am. I've never had anyone spoil me the way you do."

"I love spoiling you. I just wish you didn't work for Jay."

"Baby, I know you hate it but I couldn't be with you if we still worked together. I wouldn't be good for us. It was hard enough being in the same office when I knew how I felt about you."

"My wish came true."

"Your wish?"

"The cupcake from Diana that was still on my desk the next day. The one that we were awkwardly talking about before you grabbed me and kissed me."

"So, your dream came true, huh?"

"Yep."

They kissed again and then they both dozed off for a while. Kelsey and Lauren had come in and saw them sleeping. They smiled when they saw them and then they sat down. A little while later, the doctor came in.

"Mr. and Mrs. Brooks."

Charles woke up and saw the doctor.

"Is she ok?"

"She's doing fine. She's in recovery right now. You and your wife should be able to see her soon."

"Thank you."

The doctor left and then Charles saw Kelsey and Lauren.

"Have you been here long?"

"A little while. We just wanted to see if she was ok."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

"I take it you won't be in tomorrow."

"No, probably not."

"Ok."

"I still have to cancel all my appointments and meetings for tomorrow though."

"I'll take care of it."

"Thank you. I'll text you the names of the people I am meeting with. I think my first one is at 9."

"I'll get in early and contact everyone."

"Thanks again. Can you two make sure Liza gets back to my place?"

"Sure."

Charles kissed Liza's cheek to wake her up.

"Hey."

"Hey. She's out of surgery and doing fine. We should be able to see her soon. Kelsey and Lauren are here."

"Hey, you two."

"Hey."

"Hi."

"They are going to make sure you get home ok."

"Home?"

"Well, my place."

"Ok. Can I see Nicole first?"

"Of course."

"Good."

The nurse came to get them and then they went to see Nicole, who was still pretty groggy. Liza kissed her forehead and then kissed Charles before she headed out with Lauren and Kelsey.

"You need to clear something up for us."

"What?"

"The doctor came out looking for Mr. and Mrs. Brooks and then told Charles that he and his wife would be able to see Nicole shortly. Did you two get married?"

"No, of course not. I'd invite the two of you, Maggie and Caitlin to the wedding. I have no idea why Charles wouldn't have corrected him."

The car arrived at Charles', Liza got out, said goodnight to Lauren and Kelsey and went inside. The car then took Lauren and Kelsey home.

"Hey, Mags."

"Hey. I just got Bianca to sleep. She wanted to sleep in Charles's bed."

"That's fine."

"How's Nicole?"

"She's out of surgery and doing fine."

"That's great. Did you talk to Caitlin?"

"Yeah. She called. I told her we probably wouldn't be coming to see her this weekend. Thanks for letting her know."

"No problem. Here's some tea."

"Thanks."

"I should go."

"Ok. Thanks for staying with Bianca."

"You're welcome. Any time. I mean that."

Maggie hugged Liza and then she headed home. Liza locked up and after she drank her tea, she went up to get ready for bed. She got into bed and kissed Bianca on the cheek and got settled.

"Is Nicole ok?"

"Yeah. She's fine."

"I'm glad. Is Daddy still at the hospital?"

"Yeah. He's going to stay there with her tonight, so I am here with you."

"Good. I'm glad we have you in our lives."

"I'm glad I have all of you in mine too."

"I love you, Liza."

"I love you too."

Liza put her arm around Bianca and then they both fell asleep. Pauline had gotten the last flight out of LA, so she had arrived very early in the morning. The next morning, Liza got up and went to take a shower. Bianca got up and got ready for school as well. They went downstairs and had breakfast. Then Charles came in.

"Hey."

"Hi Daddy."

"You're here."

"Yes, I'm here. Pauline came in pretty early this morning."

"How did that go?"

"It wasn't too bad. We're still civil. The only reason I stayed was because I promised Nicole that I'd be there when she woke up."

"How's she doing this morning?"

"She's doing great. She was hoping she could eat something because she was hungry. Bianca, I will take you to see Nicole after school if you'd like."

"I'd like that."

"Ok."

"What are you up to today?"

"I am planning to take it easy today. It's been a while since I have had all day off. Too bad you can't spend it with me."

"I wish. I'm having lunch with Diana today."

"I'd rather spend the day with you than Pauline. At least I can take Bianca to school."

"I need to get going anyway."

Liza finished breakfast and finished getting ready, while Bianca did the same. Liza kissed Charles and hugged Bianca before she left and then he took Bianca to school, so he could inform them about Nicole as well. He then went home, had breakfast and took a shower. He fell asleep for a little while before going back to the hospital. Liza's morning went too fast for her. She really wished she was spending time alone with Charles, while he was off. She left to meet Diana for lunch. When she arrived at the restaurant and went in and Diana wasn't there yet, so she got to the table and sat down. A few minutes later, Diana arrived.

"Sorry I'm late."

"You're not too late."

"How's Nicole?"

"From what Charles said when he got home, she was doing better and was hoping to get something to eat because she was hungry."

"She had an appendicitis?"

"Yes. Pauline came in early this morning, so he came home and took Bianca to school."

"Does it bother you that she's here?"

"No. She suspected that there was something between Charles and me and she said she was fine with it. She's ok with me being here for the girls. She doesn't want just anyone being around them."

"That's kind of shocking."

"Charles said she can be full of surprises."

They ordered their food and talked while they were waiting for it.

"How's your job going?"

"It's going good. I miss everyone at Empirical but I couldn't stay there."

"I understand. I think I have gone through an assistant a week since you left. No one listens to me."

"Are you saying you miss me?"

"Alright, yes. I miss you. You're the only one who gets my coffee right. I am glad that you are getting a opportunity to do more."

"Do you think that maybe it's you and not them? You aren't the easiest person to get along with sometimes."

"I'm trying. I've just very set in my ways."

"I know you are."

"Smart ass!"

They both started laughing and then their food arrived. After they were done eating, they went back to work. After work, Liza headed to the hospital to see Nicole. Charles was there with Bianca and Pauline was there too.

"Hi Liza."

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Better. Thank you for the flowers, balloon and teddy bear."

"You're welcome."

Liza gave Nicole a hug and then she hugged Bianca.

"How was your field trip?"

"It was great."

"Good."

"Liza."

"Pauline."

Charles was sitting on the sofa, so Liza sat down next to him.

"How was your day?"

"Long. How was yours?"

"Mine was long too. I'm not used to being home during the day."

Pauline got up and went to the washroom, so Charles kissed Liza.

"I've been waiting to do that all day."

"Me too."

"How was lunch with Diana?"

"It was good."

"Good."

"She still wants me to come back but understands why I can't. I just wouldn't be able to resist the Boss Man all day. That's all."

"Yeah, that would be a distraction."

"You're also pretty irresistible."

They kissed again as Pauline came back into the room and then cleared her throat.

"How's the book coming?"

"It's hard to say. I don't like this Editor as well as I liked you."

"I still look forward to reading it when it's done though."

"Good. Charles, do you plan on reading it?"

"Maybe after Liza does. Liza, are you hungry?"

"I am, actually."

"Ok. Bianca, do you want to join us or do you want to stay with your mom for a while and then we can go home? We'll bring you something back. You too, Pauline."

"I'll come with you."

"Ok. Do you still want us to bring you something back, Pauline?"

"Sure. If you don't mind."

"Not at all."

Charles kissed Nicole and Liza and Bianca hugged her. Before they left, Bianca hugged Pauline. Charles took Liza's hand and Bianca took Charles' other hand and then they all left. They went to the restaurant and had dinner. Once they ate and got Pauline's order to go, they went back to the hospital and stayed with Nicole, while Pauline ate. Once Pauline came back, they headed home. After Charles and Liza tucked Bianca into bed, they went into Charles' bedroom and made love before falling asleep in each other's arms.