Hi everyone! So, I know that I've been quiet for a very long time, but I am back and giving you guys two chapters this time! I've been sitting on this chapter and the next for a while and I've rewritten it a few times to get it the way I want it to be.

*Trigger Warning* This is a heavy chapter and has to deal with someone dying from cancer. Cancer is a scary disease and takes so many people before their time. Those who are left behind have a whole different battle on their hands. I won't say that I 'hope you enjoy this chapter' but i can ask you to brave your way through it, because I will be making it up to you guys next chapter.

I will see you all at the bottom!

Previously…

While all this was going on, Kira was quietly observing the other Skullovitch teenager. Mavis was really closed off and hadn't said more than a few words since they got to the restaurant.

She didn't need shaman powers to see the gloom hanging over her head. Between bites of her food, she kept scanning her phone, huffing at it and then putting it back in her pocket.

After the fifth time, Kira chanced a look and caught sight of what looked like a very cool guitar. It was one she'd seen on an advert in her father's store. It was top of the line and her father had spoken highly of it's quality.

That got her thinking. Maybe music could help her connect and help the depressed teenager. It hadn't been so long ago that she was a teenager, so she knew instinctively that a forward approach would only push Mavis away from her. Biting her lip, she looked back at Conner who was chatting about something with Diesel.

Putting a plan together in her head, she picked up her food and took another bite.

Connor and Kira's hotel room

The next morning

Kira sat up in bed while Connor was in the shower. She hadn't stopped thinking about Mavis or the guitar she'd been looking at on her phone.

It was as if fate or some higher power was putting her in this teenager's path. Pulling out her phone, she tapped the number for her father's cellphone.

It rang a couple of times and then her father answered.

"Kira? It's early for you to call, is everything okay?"

"Sorry Dad. It's just that I've had a guitar on my mind, and I know you don't have the guitar shop anymore, but I thought you could help anyway."

There was a pause on the phone and then he came back on the line.

"Sure, sweetie. Is there a specific model you wanted?"

"Not for me dad, for a teenager friend I'm hoping to make. She's got a serious cloud hanging over her and I know what that's like. She lost her sister last year; I think and she's incredibly gloomy. I also saw her looking at this guitar on her phone. I know how music can help things feel better."

"Ok, so can you describe it to me?"

Kira went on to describe the guitar. "I saw your store advertising it when I was there last Christmas. She was frowning at it obsessively all during lunch yesterday."

"Oh yes, the Kratos. It was a limited run Super Strat put out by that famous front man for the band 'Voided Reality'. It sold out almost as fast as the music stores could put it out."

"I don't suppose you still have one?"

"Yeah, I have the floor model. I put it in storage when my band mates took over the store. I thought I might like this new model. It works great and I love the sound, but the style's just not for me. Would you like me to bring it when we come see you guys?"

"Oh. I didn't know you were coming here."

"Yeah, for the reception for Sapphire and Lief. We're also bringing Alma and a few people with us." A few moments passed before a baby's cry was heard.

"Dad? Did Mom have a baby in the last month?"

"No, Sweetie. We're a little past the childbearing stage. We've adopted…we were hoping to tell you and Connor in person."

"It's Nina's isn't it."

"Was. She's ours legally and that's her own choice. This isn't how I wanted to tell you. Nina didn't want her baby to go into the foster system."

"It's okay Dad. You and Mom can fill me in when you get here."

"Thanks, Sweetie. We promise to tell you everything when we get there."

"Okay Dad. Could you also pick up that guitar you gave me? I have a feeling I'll be having a jam session if I'm right about this."

"Yeah, Kira. I know what you need. Go be a hero."

When Kira hung up the phone, Connor was in his track pants and wore a red tank top. He carefully sat on the bed and crossed his legs in front of him.

"What was that about?"

Kira looked up at him wide-eyed.

"Mom and Dad have adopted Nina's baby."

Connor gave her a second to expand on that, but when she stayed silent, he added. "That's not a bad thing, Rockstar. If we'd gone through what your parents did, I'd be thrilled to have a second chance to be a parent. We're very lucky to be having this baby without some loser threatening to separate us from him or her."

Kira gave him a long look and he added. "Hey, I didn't mean that to be derogatory. But from your dad's standpoint, I get it. He missed out on all the things that go along with being a dad. I can't wait to be there for all our kid's milestones. Seeing him or her born, learning to walk and crawl. Kicking the ball around. Him or her jamming out to loud music. We have all this to look forward to and your dad was robbed of all that."

Kira nodded slowly. "I guess that was why Mom and Dad wanted us to find out in person and not over the phone."

Conner nodded. "I'm sure we'll have a lot to catch up on when they get here." He paused to give her a moment to run through all the emotions that were playing across her face. After a minute, she exhaled softly and then looked up at him. "Yeah, you're right. I just need time to work through all this."

And I'll be there at your side the whole time. Now, what was it you were talking about before all that?"

"Guitars. I saw Mavis Skullovitch glancing at her phone and looking at it. She seemed super agitated. I was moody teenager like that not too long ago and I know music will help. I saw the advertisement at Dad's store for it and I wanted to know if he still had any in stock."

Connor nodded. "And he had it?"

"Yeah. He had a floor model in storage. He's bringing it and some equipment in case we have a jam session after all that."

Connor gave her a look of love and cupped the side of her face gently. "I think music will help you too. It's been a while since you played. I'll back up whatever plan you have."

"You're such a good husband, Jock."

"Nah, I'm just head over heels for you."

Kira grinned and leaned in for a kiss. This time it was just a sweet kiss, and as soon as it was over, she was up off the bed and in the bathroom.

Connor watched her go and then having freshly showered, slipped into his flip flops, grabbed his keycard, and walked out the door.

Kira stood under the hot shower, gently massaging her baby bump that was just beginning to show. It was barely there but she already loved the baby that was growing within her. She bit her lip as she tried to see things from her parent's point of view.

There had been a lot of anticipation for her baby to come even though she wasn't even close to the third trimester. She had already begun nesting and she loved the way Connor's face beamed when they spoke of their plans for their child.

Then the unbidden image of being forced to be with Scott and not Connor while she raised her child made her heart want to break. Kira shook herself and the image went away. And then her conscience reminded her that her mom had literally gone through that and her Dad had to go through so many years of not being the dad he wanted. The asshole grandparent that she'd glad she never met had ruined the whole experience for them.

Well, that had all changed now…and they were taking back their happiness by adopting a needy child.

Kira sighed heavily and let go of any resentment. She'd never begrudge their happiness; she was sure she could learn to live with it all.

And she would have her own baby soon enough.

No, everything is as it should be.

With those thoughts in mind, she hurried to finish her shower.

Connor sat at a table across from Skull and Ariel. They'd come down from their room looking refreshed and beaming with happiness.

"So, we saw the video you sent us, but I'd like to know exactly how all this stuff with the slushy went down."

"I didn't even know there was a slushy challenge." Connor answered honestly. "I'm not as into social media as it is. But apparently, you're supposed to toss a slushy at your friends, and they have to stand there for three minutes with that frozen mess on them. Only these little A-holes decided to throw it on Jude and Kayla which is cruel. Axel saw it happening and jumped in front of it. A few splatters still hit the kids, but Axel took the brunt of it.

Thankfully we were at a truck stop so we got him a quick warm shower since we were still a way from the hotel here. While all that was happening, the guys from that show…the one the kids like were there totally by chance and rewarded Axel for what he did. They were each given a goodie bag too."

Ariel shook her head. "These challenges are getting ridiculous. Before you know it, they'll be challenging each other to eat laundry detergent."

"God forbid." Skull said derisively.

Connor nodded. "Right?"

"Thankfully, I'm sure our kids will be too smart to do something like that."

Skull smiled. "You betcha."

A few minutes of talking passed before Mavis made her appearance. She barely made a sound as she went to the breakfast buffet and made a plate for herself. Connor took a moment and 'scanned' her, frowning.

"Is she that bad?" Skull asked softly.

"No change," Connor said. When he looked back at the parents, he thought back to what Kira said. "Hey, Kira and I were talking about her, and Kira kept noticing that Mavis was looking at a guitar on her phone."

Ariel sighed. "Mavis and her sister and their close friend Levi wanted to form a trio. It was part of their 'bucket list' to form a band. Mavis was going to learn the guitar and Jessie was going to play bass and Levi was going to play the drums. I guess Mavis is still trying to get a hold of that guitar she wanted. They'd bought one of those cheap models and were teaching themselves how to play. Around the time that Jessie took a nosedive, they'd been window shopping for a better model than what they had. That model was discontinued by the time that Jessie passed, and we'd gotten through all that trauma. Mavis has been scouring the internet trying to find that model. But there's a lot of price gouging on; we just can't afford the price those sellers are asking."

"I'm not surprised." Connor replied. Then he looked over at the elevator as Kira emerged with a smile. "But keep your heads up, I know Kira is up to something."

At Skull's confused look. Connor added, "It wasn't too long ago that Kira needed an adult's help, now she's going to pay it forward. Connor paused again. "Let's just say that Kira might have something in the works."

"Is there anything we can do?" Skull asked with a look of hope in his eyes.

"For now, no. Let's just let Kira work her magic."

Kira looked around her as she walked into the buffet area and saw Mavis sitting alone. She could all but see the dark cloud hovering over the teenager. It hadn't been that long ago that she'd been a teenager in the throws of angst and frustration with the world. Sure of her next move, she picked up a bagel, slathered some cream cheese on it, picked up a glass of chocolate milk, and sat down next to Mavis.

The teenager glanced up at her in question but went back to her plate. She'd barely eaten the sausage links and the scrambled eggs.

"Not that appetizing, is it?" Kira asked softly.

Mavis sighed and put down her fork. "No. I'm sure it's delicious. I'm just not that hungry."

Kira nodded. "I appreciate continental breakfast, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Being around all the other drama can mess with your appetite."

"Like what?" Mavis asked looking weary.

Kira shrugged and took a bite of her bagel. "Well, I don't know about you, but I could use some retail therapy. I saw there was a mall around here; I'm kind of craving food court food." She paused and saw the hopeful look in Mavis' eyes. "It's my treat."

"Yeah. Sure. Let me ask my parents."

After a few moments of talking to her parents, Ariel nodded her consent. "Keep your phone on you. If you need anything, let me know."

Connor helped her to her feet. "The same goes for you, Rockstar. Have fun,"

Once in the SUV, Kira put the address in the GPS and pulled out of the hotel parking lot.

They drove in silence for a few miles until they got to the mall.

"So, what exactly are we shopping for?" Mavis asked as they pulled into the parking garage and began looking for a space.

Kira shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not even sure. I don't have a plan other than to just walk around and wait for something to catch my eye. Was there anything you needed to get? I'm sure this whole impromptu road trip caught you and everyone off guard."

There was quiet in the SUV and Kira wasn't even sure the teenager next to her would say anything.

"I haven't been to the mall since Jessie and I…" Mavis trailed off and bit her lip.

Kira pulled into a good spot before she spoke. "You two were very close, weren't you."

Mavis nodded. "Yeah, super close. I didn't want to shop alone. It's not the same without her."

"Then maybe we should start again. I'll be your shopping buddy; it wasn't that long ago since I was a teenager."

Really?"

"Yeah, I'm only 21."

"Damn, that must suck. You're finally old enough to drink and you can't cause you're pregnant."

Kira chuckled and nodded. "Well, I've never really had the urge to drink anyway. I was too busy with the other drama I had going on."

When Mavis said nothing, Kira added. "Once upon a time, an asshole tried to extinguish my light and he almost won. Thankfully, I have an awesome support system that saved me and challenged me to get better."

"Is that what your plan is for today?"

Kira shrugged. "Well, there is a whole lot of drama going on at the hotel and I think we both need some time to just be women getting some retail therapy. But should you need to get stuff off your chest, I'm willing to just sit and listen to whatever you need to say."

Mavis didn't show it that much, but she felt warm having someone refer to her as a woman, not just some poor girl who'd lost her sister.

"In the meantime, let's go buy stuff!"

So, are you all with me? I won't keep you here for more than a minute.

I totally made up the name of the band mentioned in this chapter, if there is an actual band by that name, I'm not plagiarizing. I just made up the name.

Anyway, onto the next chapter!