August 31st, 1999

Stan had entered the hospital at a frantic pace, practically barreling through the walls like some kind of drink mix mascot. But now, as he neared the door of the room the receptionist had directed him to, he felt he could hardly move.

They're gonna see right through me. They're gonna know I'm not Ford. They're gonna have questions about Nicky, and they're not gonna be as gullible as the folks back in the Falls. What on earth was I thinking?

"Dad? You okay?" Nicola asked, a hand on Stan's shoulder.

Stan patted his son's hand gratefully. "Just a little nervous. I haven't seen your Uncle Shermie since before you were born."

Nicola fiddled with the sleeve of his sweater, purple to match his childhood favorite. "I'm nervous too. I've never met anyone from our family, kinda forgot they existed to be honest. What if they don't like me?"

Stan grinned. "I don't see how that's possible." He turned back to the door. "Let's get this over with, shall we?"

Before he could knock, the door swung open, his beaming big brother on the other side. Shermie's eyes seemed to narrow for a moment, before he swept Stan into a big hug.

"Stan! You made it!"

"Wouldn't miss it," Stan wheezed.

Shermie released him, turning to face the sweater clad teen. "And you must be my nephew!"

Nicola extended a hand. "Nicola Lee Pines. It's nice to meet you Sir."

Shermie enthusiastically shook it. "Oh don't start with the 'Sir' stuff. We're family! Just call me Uncle Shermie."

Nicola smiled. "Okay Uncle Shermie."

Shermie turned from the boy to Stan. "I gotta admit, you've got some timing. They only let me in about a minute ago. Now come in and tell my son how cute his kids are."

Nicola followed Shermie in, Stan close behind.

To their right, Shermie's son (who Stan couldn't remember the name of) sat in a chair beside the hospital bed, brushing his wife's sweat-soaked hair off her forehead as she slept. On the other side of the bed, two things that looked like transparent plastic tubs on rolling carts held the babies.

"Sanitize your hands first," Shermie muttered as Nicola stepped closer.

After doing exactly that, Nicola poked a hand into the nearest baby's tub, smiling as they grabbed one of his fingers.

"That's Mason," Shermie said.

Stan frowned. "He looks a little blue."

Shermie nodded. "Poor guy had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He's doing just fine now, but the doctors said he'll still look a little blue for the next few minutes. Give it ten minutes, he'll look just as healthy as his sister. Speaking of which…" Shermie bent to pick the second baby up before moving to Stan with her in his arms. Gently passing her over, Shermie crooned. "Say hi to Great Uncle Stan, Mable."

Remembering to support her head from the few times he held his nephew as a baby, Stan accepted the little girl, holding her close.

"Nice to meet you, Mabel."

She gurgled, lazily swinging a tiny fist towards his face.

Stan chuckled. "Watch out Sherm, you've got a little fighter!"

Shermie laughed. "Oh, I know, she did the same thing to the doctor!"

Nicola looked up at them. "Can I hold Mason?"

Shermie shrugged. "Don't see why not, as long as you're gentle."

While Shermie helped get Mason situated in the arms of his cousin, Stan focused on Mabel. Leaning closer to her little face, he whispered, "I hope you and your brother stay closer than Ford and me did."

All too soon, Shermie wandered back in his direction. "Mind if we talk out in hall Stan?"

Stan looked down at Mabel.

Shermie grinned. "You can bring her."

Stan followed his brother into the quiet of the hallway. "Got something on your mind Sherm?"

"I'm not an idiot Stanley, I know it's you."

Stan froze. "What?"

Shermie gestured to his hands. "Even if you had the right number of fingers, your chin's all wrong, and even if that didn't give you away, that-" He pointed at Mabel. "Does. I couldn't get Ford to hold a baby if I paid him, and you don't want to put her down. So why did you try to lie to me?"

Stan sighed. "Ford's missing. Someone had to keep his house in case he came back, and Stanley Pines had too many enemies."

"Does the kid know?"

"He does."

"Is he really yours?"

For a split-second Stan considered explaining Daughtler. "He is."

"He's the spittin' image of Ford."

"Don't I know it."

Shermie placed a hand on Stan's shoulder. "Is that hard on you?"

"Occasionally. But Nic's his own person, always has been."

They stood in silence for a moment before Shermie spoke up.

"What makes you so certain that Ford's gonna come back?"

"Cause I'm gonna get him back," Stan looked down at Mabel. "He's gotta meet your grandkids after all."

Any further conversation was cut off when the door to the room opened, revealing Nicola still holding Mason.

"Uncle Shermie? How do I set him down? My arms are getting tired."

Their visit didn't last long after that. The babies were getting cranky, their parents were exhausted, and the road to Julliard was a long one. So after saying goodbye, (and briefly pretending to kidnap the tiny twins), Nicola and Stan piled back into the car and continued on their drive to the next stage of Nicola's life.

"Dad?" Nicola asked as they pulled out of the parking lot. "Do you think we'll get to see them again."

Stan's eyes never left the road. "I have a good feeling about it."