Emmett's POV

The odds that Simone, of all people, would work at the baby store were not very high. But of course life would be that way. I was just lucky that Daphne had talked Bay down before she could make any major decisions. I was lucky that she had listened to Daphne at all. I was lucky that she wasn't listening to John. I was just... lucky.

She walked past my bedroom door, pencil case in hand. I don't think I was supposed to know that she was drawing on the wall. At least, I don't think I'm supposed to mention it. I think it's supposed to be her own, private thing for the baby. Everyone else would buy toys, clothes... Kathryn had already copied and framed the first ultrasound pictures. Daphne showed how she cared through her cooking, often bringing her meals of something that she knew Bay would like, that was also good for pregnancy. I even saw Toby handing Regina a teddy bear, which later found its way in the closet. And Bay... Bay turned to art.

At night, when Bay went to bed, I liked to go look at it. Every day, it seemed like she thought of something new to add. There was a river with a bridge to the right, clouds overhead, a hot air balloon. She had started to draw a teddy bear picnic scene on the next wall. In the corner, she had managed to draw the sun. I think Regina planned to paint it when Bay finished.

Bay and I seemed to be getting closer, again. The dinner at Eden seemed to help quite a bit. It helped her to relax around me. And we might be even closer if Daphne hadn't decided to ask about our date.

Daphne frowned slightly as Bay's door shut. 'What was that about?'

'Nothing, nothing, she's just tired. She slept on the way home.'

'I didn't interrupt something, did I?'

'No, not at all. We were just... saying good night.' I looked at her door, sighing internally. We had been so close. Again.

'Are you sure?'

'Yeah. I think I'm going to bed, too.'

'Alright. Have a nice night.'

I nodded and went into my room, shutting the door behind me. Despite the interrupted kiss, tonight had been a success. Kathryn had suggested the night out, had recommended a nice dinner, and offered to pay for everything. I didn't like using her money, but it wasn't like I could afford too much. I was picking up a few odd jobs here and there, but nothing steady yet.

I sighed and sat back on the bed. Bay had needed tonight. She had been getting close to her snapping point again, and with any luck, this had helped calm her down. And had hopefully helped to open her up again.

I shook myself from my memory and glanced at the time, quickly getting up. I had been doing the occasional job for the bike shop lately in exchange for use of their tools. I was working on making my bike the absolute best it could be before I sold it.

I went downstairs and outside, quickly getting on my bike and driving away before anyone could ask where I was going.

...

I was cleaning up when Toby showed up. He had been avoiding me for the most part, avoiding whatever room I was in. When he wasn't able to escape, he wouldn't look at me, ignoring my existence completely. I had been waiting for the confrontation.

I stood and took a couple steps toward him, just waiting.

It was several minutes before he finally spoke, his hands moving. "You screwed my girlfriend."

'I did. It was a mistake. But I did.'

"You cheated on my sister."

I nodded.

"You got my sister pregnant, and then cheated on her."

'Do you plan on doing more than-'

"No, you don't get to talk! You hurt her! You hurt me, man! We were... We were in a band. We were friends. You were my sister's boyfriend, and my other sister's best friend. You slept with Simone because you were mad, and you hurt everyone. The only reason you're where you are, is because Daphne is a nice person. Bay wasn't going to tell you, and I supported that decision. We were ready to cut you out of our lives. But you managed to get a second chance. If you screw it up, if you do anything to hurt Bay again, I will kick your ass. I'll kill you. I swear, I'll kill you. She might be trusting you again, but you have a long way to go before I relax. You understand?"

I nodded slightly. 'I understand. And Toby? Thank you.'

"What are you thanking me for?"

'I know you could have talked Bay out of it. Letting me back in. You could have easily convinced her.'

"Oh, I tried."

'No, you didn't. If you had really tried, I wouldn't live with you. You took a chance, too. Thank you.'

"Yeah, well... Maybe we needed a drummer. Maybe my nephew likes drums." He shrugged slightly, averting his gaze. Toby wasn't the kind of guy to admit when he'd been caught.

I frowned slightly. 'What do you mean?'

"Well, babies hear in there or something, right? Maybe he likes drums. I don't know."

He was right. I had been reading one of those baby books, and it said at 16 weeks, the ear bones started to grow, and hearing was developed. And one of the cliches I had always seen in the movies was a woman would put her headphones over her belly for the baby to hear. I had already been working on a playlist. I had never thought of playing my own music, though.

'My drums?'

"Well, I can't play drums. But... it can't hurt to try, can it?" He shrugged again.

I nodded. 'Thank you, Toby.'

"Don't mention it."

...

I waited until Bay was out doing one errand or another with Kathryn before I went out to the garage. I wanted it to be a surprise, and if anyone knew, they were bound to tell Bay. This family was horrible at keeping secrets, despite their lives, so I didn't want anyone to happen upon me... except Toby, I guess. I had managed to be the only one home, everyone else out.

I set up the microphone to record before sitting at the drums and quickly starting.

I was taking what Toby had said to heart, and wanted to add my music. The playlist so far was full of songs with strong, solid beats. The kind of music that I liked, because I could feel it; I wanted to make sure that he would still be able to enjoy it, in case he was deaf. I figured if I could feel the vibrations, he might be able to as well. The playlist had been 'finished' for a few days, but something had felt... missing.

Toby had filled in the missing piece.

I played for a couple minutes before finishing up, going to the computer and ending the recording. I played it back, my hand resting on the ear to the headphones, grinning when I felt it. Excellent.

I quickly added it to the playlist and had just started reviewing the selections when I saw the movement out of the corner of my eye.

I looked up, but there wasn't anyone there. It must have been a bird.

And then it went black.