Trudy looked surprised. She'd never heard the story of how she was named before.

"That's an amazing story," she said, "Adrian and I picked the name Hope because of the past. The very fact that I survived a car bombing shows GOD gives us hope. Julia because of Adrian's cousin."

"Hope is perfect," Marsha said.

"Trudy is perfect," Adrian replied.

"I'm hardly perfect," Trudy said, "I've made mistakes before."

"So has the best of the best," Dwight replied, "It's how one grows in wisdom and maturity."

Trudy thought about that for a moment.

"That's true," she said, "You know I hope I'm as good a parent as you guys are."

"You will be," Dwight said, "Probably even better than us."

I doubt that's possible," Trudy said, "You guys are the best parents in the world."

"Maybe," Dwight said, "But we've made mistakes too."

"Like what," Trudy asked.

"I remember one time I actually yelled at you before I knew you were sick," Dwight said, tears pooling in his eyes from the memory.

"Dad," Trudy said, "It's not a big deal. You never acted hurtful. You always loved me."

"What was wrong with her," Adrian asked.

"I had leukemia when I was 3 to the time, I was nearly six and ½. That was how I met Angela."

"Were the treatments hurtful," Adrian asked.

"I was asleep," Trudy said, "I didn't feel the pain. I was sore when I woke up, but the doctors gave mom and dad something for me to take so it didn't hurt. I remember Angela and I went into remission on the same day. We were both six and ½."

"That was actually the day your mom got you Ginger," Dwight said smiling.

"I remember that" Trudy said, "Peaches had died 3 days before that. She'd gotten sick and it was so bad I couldn't even pet her. Three days later I wrote the first episode of Moral Bears. Mom and dad decided we should go out to dinner to celebrate."

"Yes," Dwight said, "Marsha told me that "we" found "our" next show. While Trudy was inside washing her hands Marsha and I had a reasonable discussion and of course we did things her way. That's when I heard Ginger barking. I asked Marsha why I heard a dog barking, and she told me as casually as if she said it was going to rain, that she got Trudy a new dog. Peaches' mother had a new litter, and the owner gave Marsha Ginger for Trudy. I told her she was lucky I love her so much."

"Luck had nothing to do with it," Marsha said, "We were like a puzzle. We fit together."

"That's beautiful," Dwight said, "It's also true."

He continued with the story.

"Trudy came back outside, and Marsha said she had a surprise for her. Trudy exclaimed that she loved surprises. When she saw Ginger, she thought it was Peaches. She was laughing and crying at the same time. We explained to her that it wasn't Peaches but her little sister. Trudy said, "I love her! I'm gonna call her Ginger."

"Did I take care of her," Trudy asked.

"Mostly we did," Marsha said, "You were only six, so you were too little to walk her and feed her and stuff. You loved to play with her though. When we were out at McDonald's for dinner my phone rang. It was Dr. Starr. He told me that you were in remission. Your dad could see I was excited before I even got off the call."

"The next day," Dwight said, "We went to Fairy Tale Island to celebrate. "

"Fairy Tale Island? That was my favorite amusement park, right?"

"You loved Fairy Tale Island," Marsha said.

Joe's Steakhouse was closing, and the limo was there to take Adrian, Trudy, Marsha and Dwight home. Trudy got in first followed by Adrian, Marsha and Dwight.

"That was really fun," Trudy said.

"It was," Dwight replied, "I can't believe we stayed until closing."

Trudy yawned. It was after midnight, and she was really tired. After they got home, Adrian carried Trudy into the bed and lay down beside her. She was asleep in minutes. Adrian couldn't sleep. He just kept staring at his beautiful wife. She was perfect in his eyes. She slept peacefully through the night.

Trudy woke up at 4 AM. She had to go to the bathroom and her leg was really hurting.

"Adrian," she whispered.

He woke up.

"Hey," he said, "You have to go to the bathroom?"

She nodded

"And my leg is really hurting," she said.

He picked her up and carried her into the bathroom. While she was using the restroom, he got her a pain pill with something to eat and a glass of milk. When she was done, he carried her into the den and gently placed her on the sofa. He propped her leg up and gave her the food, the milk and the pain pill.

"Thank you, Adrian," she said.

He rubbed her back.

"I love you," he told her.

Paul Zackary sat in Dr. Payton's office. It was time for him to make his first phone call. He called his wife.

"Hi honey," she said, "I miss you."

"I miss you too," Paul said, "I'm getting well in here now."

"I know," Paul's wife said, "The girls miss you. Laura said to tell you she loves you."

"I love them too," Paul said, "I miss them too. Next month you guys will get to come over for a visit."

"It seems like such a long time," Paul's wife said.

"I know honey," Paul said, "I know."

"I love you," Paul's wife said.

Paul smiled.

"Love you too," he said.

"Can I talk to the girls," Paul asked after a moment.

"Laura's studying and Joan is at Payton's grave," Paul's wife said, "I'm sorry honey."

"That's okay," Paul said, "I'll call you guys' next week."

They said goodbye.

Karen looked at the clock. It was a quarter to three in the morning and she had a really bad headache. Caroline was crying. Jennifer had a nightmare. Max and Jared were giggling. Just as she started to get up Leland woke up.

"Honey… are you alright," Leland asked.

"My head is pounding," she said, "The baby is crying. Jennifer had a nightmare I think, and the boys are giggling… which is making my head hurt more."

Leland got up and got Karen a pill for her head as well as a cold compress.

"Go back to sleep," he said, "I got this."

He went into the nursery. Caroline had pooped all over herself, so he bathed and changed her. He put her back in the crib and she fell asleep quickly. Then he went into the boys' room.

"Guys," he said, "Mom has a headache. Could you whisper instead of talking regularly?"

"Sure daddy," Max said, "Can we do anything to help mommy?"

"Just whisper instead of talking," Leland said, kissing the boys goodnight.

"I love you dad," Jared said.

"Love you too buddy," Leland told him.

"Night daddy," Max said, "Love you."

"Love you too Max," Leland replied.

He shut the door quietly and went into Jennifer's room.