"What do you want Greg" I answered with zero emotion.

"I need your help, Addie" he breathed into the phone. I rolled my eyes, making my way over to where Jon sat curiously on the couch. I snuggled in beside him, putting the phone on speaker so Jon could hear as well. He had decided he wouldn't bail Greg out of jail, and we hadn't heard from him since.

"And what makes you think I would want to help you" I answered coolly.

"Because we're family" he stated, Jon rolling his eyes at his words.

"Look Greg, we're not bailing you out of jail" I informed him furiously.

"That's not what I want. Just please Addie, here me out" he begged me.

"Five minutes. If it takes longer than that, I'm hanging up this phone" Jon squeezed my hand in reassurance. I held my breath, wondering what he could possibly want.

"I need somewhere for the wife and kids and I to stay" he blurted out. "I got fired, she got laid off- we've got no where else to go. Please Addie, can we stay with you?" He begged.

"How did you get out of jail?" Was my first question.

"I got bailed out" he answered simply. "Please-"

"Who bailed you out!?" I cut him off abruptly. Jon perked up in interest, awaiting his reply just as anxiously as I was. What idiot would have done that for him?

"Your parents" he admitted sheepishly. I thought Jon's eyes would have bulged out of his head.

"Why the fuck would my parents bail you out?" He blurted out before he could stop himself. I didn't blame him; I sat on the couch, flabbergasted.

"They must have felt bad for the kids, I don't know" he seemed to dismiss the topic. "But please? We have nowhere else to go! They took the cars, and the house is next- we can't pay for anything" he told me urgently.

"You live in Vancouver... How the hell would you even get to Chicago?" I asked simply.

"And why would we let you stay there after everything you've done?" Jon voiced with anger. "After everything, Greg; really? Why the hell would we do YOU a favour, when you've never done a goddamn thing for us" he sighed heavily. I nodded in agreement, forgetting he couldn't see that.

"I know, and Addie I'm sorry" he apologized. "I shouldn't have done what I did but-"

"No, Greg; no" I sneered. "I've forgiven you for everything you've ever done to me, and by god- there's been a fucking lot of things" I trailed off, catching my breath. I felt hot tears of anger sting my eyes, not caring anymore if they fell. "You can't expect to treat me like that and have me look past it all the time. You can't treat people the way you do, and think you can get away with it, because you can't" the tears were falling full force by now. Jon took his hand and gently wiped away the tears, hugging me closer to him. I rested my head on his shoulder, attempting to cool down.

Greg was silent on the other end. I could hear rustling in the back ground, and the cries of his children. I closed my eyes, feeling a little bad. his kids didn't deserve the parents they had. Their father was a drug dealer, and a frequent user. His mother, was a miserable, controlling bitch, who disciplined their kids far more often than I found necessary. He had three children, two boys and a girl.

His oldest, was 12 years old. He and his wife had met in high school, and she ended up pregnant her grade eleven year. She was completely unlike either of her parents. Gabrielle was smart, petite and very polite. His two boys, Alex who was seven, and Xavier being three. I felt incredibly guilty for not housing the kids, but it would be impossible to accept them without their parents.

"Addison..." He trailed off, sounding desperate. I shook my head, tears still streaming down my face. Jon took the phone out of my hand, and took it off speaker.

"I don't care what bullshit you come up with, there is no way in hell you and your wife are EVER allowed near our house, or our children. If I see you here, so help me" he growled. Before he even waited for an answer, he immediately hung up the phone.

"Thank you" I mumbled into his chest, shuddering from the crying I had done since he had called.

"Anything for you Addie" he answered pulling me even closer to him. I enjoyed the moments like this we shared together. I felt as if they didn't happen very often, with everything going on.

"I'm hooooooome!" We heard Patrick shout as he came into view.

"Gotta get ready for your date tonight, eh?" Jon asked with a smirk. I felt my heart sink a little at his words. Why was I feeling so jealous over Pat taking Emma out on a date? It had been a long time since we had been together, him dating quite a few other people in between. Why all of a sudden?

"I- uh yeah" he mumbled, eyeing his socks and blushing furiously. I forced a smile, trying to be happy for him. "Is that okay? I mean- dating your nurse?" He pointed to Jon.

"Just don't chase her away" he grinned with a wink.

**********************************************************************************************************************


"Addison!" Jonathan's mother cooed, engulfing me in a huge bear hug. I returned it eagerly, excited to have both her and Bryan for a visit for the week. I couldn't wait to show them both how much progress Jon had made. We spoke on the phone almost every night; so they could keep up to date on his condition. I pulled away, noticing the weary look in her eyes.

"It's so nice you see you guys!" I quipped, taking their baggage and ushering them into Jon's SUV.

The drive was rather uneventful, making a little bit of small talk for the short ten minute drive. Looking in the rear view mirror, I noticed how worried they both looked. Sure, I kept the. Updated on how Jon was doing, but would it hurt to see him? Did I exaggerate?

"Jon's doing a lot better" I broke the awkward silence. They both looked at me, their ears perking up. I pulled into the driveway anxiously, to see Ryder and Aveyah with the front door open. The smiles on their faces were priceless; but nothing could top the expressions on Jon's mother and father once they saw him on his own, waking down the driveway to greet them.

"Oh my god" Andree trailed off, covering her mouth with her hand. Hot tears appeared in her eyes as she pulled in her son for a hug. She hugged him tightly, making it obvious she never wanted to let him go. Throughout Jon being in a coma, they were the best support system other than Patrick. They stayed positive with me and for me, offering up advice at all times of the nights.

"Hey mom" Jon kissed her cheek, pulling away. He looked to his dad, who motioned for him to bring it in for a hug too. They did a little 'man hug', before parting ways. "hey dad" he motioned towards his father. He looked as if he was going to cry, clearly very proud of his son's progress.

"Jon- it's so good to see you walking" she sniffed, wiping her tears away.

"Grandma!" Ryder shouted, eagerly making his way down the steps. Once down them, in ran into the Outstretched arms of his grandmother, who pulled him in for a tight hug.

"Ryder baby!" She greeted him, kissing his cheek. Aveyah waited patiently on the door step for attention. Bryan noticed, running to Aveyah and engulfing her in a hug. She giggled as he spun her around, finally setting her back on the steps.

"Hey princess" he cooed, bending down to her level. It was her turn to hug him, her tiny arms wrapped tightly around his neck. I smiled in appreciation; I had missed the both of them terribly.

We all retreated inside, Andree and Bryan putting their bags in the guest room. We all met in the living room, where Jon was putting the finishing touches on the supper he had insisted on making. Upon entering the room, the delicious aroma of garlic bread could be smelt.

"Wow, Jon..." I eyed everything, impressed. He had prepared spaghetti with a meat and sausage spicy sauce. Caesar salad and garlic bread with cheese were on the side, a nice glass of red wine to drink. Even before the accident he wasn't exactly domesticated; I was proud.

"I second that; wow, Jon" his mother smiled, taking her seat. Ryder had insisted on sitting next to her while Aveyah wanted to sit next to grandpa. I laughed watching them interact; it was adorable.

We all got to eating quickly. Everything was delicious, the table silently enjoying the meal before them. There was a question that weighed heavily on my mind; why did they bail Greg out of jail?

"So- erm mom, dad" Jon spoke up out of the blue. We all eyed him with interest, Ryder and Aveyah playing with their food as they ate it, unaware anything was amiss. "Can I- er, I mean can we, ask you something?" He added nervously, grabbing my hand under the table.

"What's on your mind, dear?" Andree asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Why did you bail Greg out of jail?" I asked abruptly. I felt a little nervous asking, but I wasn't going to sugar coat it; I figured I might as well put both feet in the water.

The pair of them looked at each other, as if assuming I was going to ask that very question, and waiting for their time to answer. Andree looked at me, a saddened look in her eyes that I could not read. Bryan held his wife's hand for encouragement.

"I made your mom a promise Addie" she mumbled, unsure.



"Andree?" The woman asked her best friend.

"Yes?" Her female friend answered, looking up from the newspaper she was reading.

"I have a request, but don't look far into it" she put her tea down, and put on a more serious face. Andree looked up at her friend, feeling a little concerned. They were the best of friends; for years, and she always had been able to read her facial expressions quite well. But this time, she had no idea what her friend had in mind.

She remained silent, opening the floor for her friend to speak.

"When I die- not saying I'm going to-" she fumbled with her words. "I just- can I ask you something?" She looked Andree in the eyes, which gleamed with concern.

"Anything" Andree spoke, a little worried.

"I need you to look after my kids for me, when I go"

"You're not going to-"

"No, no, I'm not dying" she quickly interrupted her confused friend. Andree sat in her place, as confused as ever. She removed her glasses from her eyes, massaging the, gently, as if that would help her to understand.

"My husband dying- you just never know what could happen, right?" She asked. Her friend nodded skeptically, awaiting for her to continue. "I just- I need you to look after my kids for me, if something bad ever happens" she paused, composing herself. "Just, just make sure they're okay" she sniffled, a topic she did not like to talk about.

"Of course I will dear" Andree answered almost immediately. "Don't think anything of it, you know I will"

"I just worry" she spoke, feeling a little bit calmer. Since her husband died, she was constantly a wreck. She worried for her two children; especially Greg. If anything were to happen to her she needed to know they were looked after; it killed her everyday thinking about it.



"I- I didn't know" I mumbled, a little embarrassed I had even asked.

"It's okay" Andree spoke a little louder. "I know what he's done in the past. Despite him lying to me about why he needed the money, I did it regardless. I made your mom a promise, and I intend to keep it" tears were visible in her eyes.

I felt tears begin to form in my own eyes, missing my mother like crazy in this moment. Of course she would have asked Jon's mother to look after my brother and I. I felt inconsiderate and like an asshole, demanding to know why she paid his bail.

"I'm sorry" I cringed. "I should have figured that out- I'm sorry" I apologized over and over again. Jon grabbed my hand lightly squeezing it for support. Ryder and Aveyah were happily absorbed in their own meals, leaving the adults to their discussion.

"You don't have to apologize Addie" she assured me, dabbing her tears. "I know how poorly your brother has treated you; in the past, and recently." I gulped, trying my best not to cry. "And yes, he deserves to spend time in jail for what he's done. Which is why Bryan and I have taken full custody of their children for the time being"

I thought my jaw was about to hit the floor; I looked over, and noted a similar expression on Jon's face.

"But- how?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"Greg made us the god parents of all three children" Bryan spoke up softly, clearing his throat.

"I sense something else" Jon trailed off slowly. "You come for a very short notice visit for a few days, bring news you're looking after the three kids... what do you want?" He asked skeptically.

"I see you're still sharp as a whip" Bryan chuckled lightly. I eyed both of them, arching an eyebrow.

"Gabrielle, the oldest? She- well, she'd like to come live with you" Andree recited. "Before you say anything, no I'm not crazy. She really wants to get away from her mum and dad and, well Addie, she really looks up to you" she smiled in assurance.

"I- well Jon?" I fumbled with my words, unsure of how to proceed. They wanted us to take in a child. We already had two, very young children and Jon who could barely walk. How would I be able to manage that? I had hoped to return to work in the next few months; but would that be a possibility?

"If it's okay with you Addie- I mean, we'd have to discuss it-?" Jon looked at me questioningly.

"Well, Jon, if it's okay with you then let's do it" I spoke firmly. Jon's parents both smiled at our decision.

"Thank you both- so, so much. We'll get her here on the next flight over" Andree clapped with enthusiasm, taking her plate to the dishwasher. I grabbed Jon's hand reassuringly; did we make the right call? Would I be able to return to work soon? Would three kids we too much?

Notes

hope you like the twist of events! :)