another day in the hood

"So what are you saying?" Randy looked at Neve who had been seeing to his boys for him on his late night shift at the hospital. "I  haven't grieved enough over Franny?"

"I just think its too soon for ..you..you and Newt to make a family. Its too soon." Neve was pretty much showing her pregnant self now. Even so, Randy saw her as a pregnant witch of some kind. For all he knew, she had Cecil under some love spell. Yet, Cecil's little music business was thriving. He had bands signed up for local tours and a packed house most nights down at the club. Something was going good.

"You don't have to worry. All right?" Randy gave her a cross-look. What did it matter to that middle age rocker? So what if she'd been in a punk band once, and she still thought she was so cool. He wanted... really nothing to do with her, other than free-baby sitting.

"Don't you worry? What people will think?" Her eyes blazed into him then as if he better listen up.

"No. I don't." As far as anyone knew, Newt had moved in with him after his partner had upped and left him for Japan. It wasn't that big of a deal.

"I see." She kept staring at him as if that alone would change his mind.

"What is it that makes you so angry with me? What have I done?" Randy winced hard.

"I just don't want you to forget her. She loved you so. She made you a family?" Neve informed him.

"You didn't even know her." Randy swelled a frown. It made him bitter to even consider her thoughts.

He hurried home with the boys to find Newt waiting for him with waffles and strawberries.

"You, all right?" Newt asked as he got breakfast on the table.

Randy bit in to a crisp piece of bacon. "I will be." He promised.

"I really wished I'd kept the crew with me, but my cold and all, I just needed some rest, you know." Newt told him he felt bad about not tending to the boys. As it was, his own two were off with their mother.

"Its all right." Randy nodded as he looked around their small flat. "We should really find ourselves a house, you know."

"Yes, one with a garden spot. I always wanted to give that a go, you know." Newt nodded at the sound of that. He smiled.

"Then, get out your laptop see what you find." Randy sighed. He felt determined now to have a home with Newt. He wasn't going to dare listen to that old witch.

something like before

Katy took a step back when she saw who answered the door. Was she seeing Franny? How could that be? She was speechless. Finally, Simon spoke up. They were there for Maxie. Naturally, she showed them the way to the room he was still resting in.

He was napping.

For a moment Katy wanted to be rude to him, but the longer she looked at him, the more she knew she missed him. She edged close to him and brushed her hands through his hair. Naturally, she startled him, but she smile and he looked up at her in shock. He'd still lost his voice so he couldn't say a word to her, but he hugged her to let her know he was glad she was here.

"We'll get him to the emergency, first thing." She told him.

Maxie one nodded.

A part of her felt as if she'd seen a ghost. After all Ari was Franny's doppelganger, now wasn't she? Katy wanted to know this person who had saved her husband's life. Was there any chance she'd be anything like Franny? Well, she had called them about Maxie. Katy supposed that was a good start.

taking the call

"Bugger." Simon didn't know what to think. A mysterious call like that. About Maxie. He called Caity right away, she'd want to know about her husband, now wouldn't she?

"Do you want to take a drive? See if we can find him." Simon offered.

"Oh God, should I?" She sounded restless, but sad. "We had such a terrible row when he left, and..and..can I trust him?"

"Jesus, Cait, he's fucking ill, you know. He can't even speak. Its your duty to see to him, sickness and health, isn't it? You married him. Had his child. It can't be all bad, now can it?" He told her. But the silence grew. "Please, if you love him, any at all, you'll go with me to find him." Still the silence prevailed.

"All right." Her words were in a huff. This wouldn't be pretty, he supposed. But he made a call to Paddy, told him he'd be late from work. He wanted to see this through. Maxie needed to be home so he went around in his little economy car and picked Caity up at The Oaks. At least she was ready for him. It wasn't like him to leave the village much, due to those nasty gas prices.

"Where are we going?" She asked first thing.

"He's in the country. A cottage, out past the glen we always took the last days of school field trips too." He told her.

She hugged herself as if she wouldn't dare have a happy memory of it now or then.

"You can't just stay mad at him, forever." Simon looked over at her, all smug and bitter.

"I don't want to. Its hard. He lied to me, Simon." She was blunt as her hair crept around her face.

"He didn't want to see you hurt, all right. And its the past. He loves you. He wants to be with you." Simon didn't believe those were false promises. But they were on the skirts now. It was a beautiful green out now. Spring was on the horizon. He took the first old road on the right.

"Its just amazing he made it this far. Imagine, if he'd caught a bus, gone to London. Left you behind and took on a whole new idenity. Is that what you wanted Cait?" Simon gave her a slight scowl as it began to rain.

She shook her head, no.

"I want him back, Simon. I do." Caity broke down. "I just don't know if I can, you know, love him..like I did. Will he love me? It was a terrible row. I wanted him out of my life, but he's still here with me." Tears rimmed her eyes then. "I'm pregnant."

hard times

Maxie wasn't sure how long he'd been on bed-rest. Obviously, it had been worse than a cold.

"It was a fever," she said and he looked at her blankly thinking he might start talking in a foreign language. Was he losing his mind? Of course, he'd lost his voice. That didn't really help matters. He looked at her face as her hair hide her eyes. One moment she was Franny. The next she wasn't. A part of him felt so sad that it couldn't be true. That a close friend was still alive.

He winced in tears then. A part of him felt so helpless. What use was there for him in this life. He shrank away then, hugging himself under the covers. He missed his baby daughter and his wife too.

She brought him his cell then. She had charged it.

"Should I call someone?" Her hand touched his bare back and he flinched as if might be pure pain to call home. For starters, he had no voice.

"Please, let me call someone." She seemed determined.

He felt like crying, but what good would that do? A part of him felt sick, again. He would not watch as she clicked on the phone and pulled up his contacts. Lord, knows who she would call. He couldn't think who would be on the top of his contact list.

"Hullo." She made contact with someone. "Yes, this is in regard of Max Graves. Do you know him?" It was quiet then. Finally, she said. "Me name is Ari, Ari MacDonald, and I found him out here, in the country. He's rather ill. And he can't speak....."

Maxie nursed his bottom lip. She wasn't even Franny.

After she put his cell away. She put her hand on his forehead.

"You are better. You really are." She made it sound like a promise, but what did she really know? Maxie looked up at her as if she didn't know the half of it.

holiday woes

Sasha wasn't sure she had an answer for Katy. She didn't know where Maxie might be. He'd been out of the boarding house for weeks now. And it was suffering. No one picked up the slack. Bathrooms were going off the deep end. Power fading out in parts. Honestly, it was more than a fulltime job to keep this place going. Not even Jamie with his so called magic tricks was up to this kind of manual labor.

"Its all right, we'll manage." Sasha promised Katy who was trying her best to cater to those who needed a night to stay in the village. The holidays were upon us so travelers wanted a place to stay.

"You can say that because you aren't even here half the time. You've got that duty to get the kiddie's dance program going." Katy was a bit peeved with them all that she was on kitchen duty twenty-four/seven.

"Aye, I was asked to help with the Nutcracker." Sasha gave Katy an evil glare. She was trying to see what was bubbling in the pots on the stove. As it was she was getting paid for this gig and had recently been hired to replace one of the dance teachers at the studio. It was an uplifting job. She found good about her, again. And she wanted this and Jamie was delighted too.

"Of course, you were." Katy fretted.

"You coming down with something?" Sasha then wondered.

"Maybe." She was quite sensitive to the subject.

"And?" Sasha was a bit concerned now.

"It looks I'm with child." Katy winced.

"Really?" Sasha wanted to smile, but she couldn't. They really needed to track down Maxie now.

walking away

Maxie thought about heading for Ian's first thing when Katy threw him out. She didn't want to look at him or anything else.

It hurt so as if a limb and had been cut off and he was left with nothing. He could barely breathe, but he kept walking with what little he had. He went through the park as if he had some place to go, but he couldn't stay there either. He kept walking, and soon the cold set in, but he didn't really feel it because everything he knew he'd left behind.

Maxie cried for some time. His tears so hot soon turn to ice, streaking his face. It was winter. He should have known better. But he didn't feel he should do anything for himself. He felt so broken now without Katy. And there was Grace to think about too. He missed them both, but she didn't want him. And there was nothing he could think of other than time for her to forgive him.

Yet he couldn't look back even if he wanted to. He just kept walking, out past the village, past the pastures into the forest, following the railroad tracks as he went. He wasn't hungry. He hardly felt the cold at all. He just kept going until finally he could go no further in the middle of the night Maxie dropped there in the grassy knoll as if he were closer to a glenn, the fairies might come and take care of him, but of course they didn't. He was left in cold, the wind blowing strong, but his eyes were still with his hoodie over his head. He dreamed of a warm place with a fire in a cottage with a rock floor. Soon enough, thats where he found himself, by the fire on the rock floor.

Maxie's eyes finally awoke as he watched the fire glow. His body was stiff. He could hardly move. It was tired and needed rest. But was she who he thought she was? He squinted to see her in the doorway of the kitchen, cutting potatoes for a soup.

"Frannie?" His parched throat could barely speak. He blinked. She looked just like her. So soft and sincere. Her golden hair put up, like Frannie's, when she began to cook. "Franny? Is that you?" Maxie tried to lift himself up.

She heard him then, and came to check on him.

Maxie winced hard, thinking he was the one who must be crazy. Maybe he'd crossed to the other side. He stared into her ominous blue eyes.

"Hush." He thought he heard her say.  He struggled to listen to her words. He was so cold. He started to shiver. Maxie looked up at her, wondering what was happening to him.

dwelling on it

Katy cooked a little in the kitchen, but it wasn't to Maxie's magnitude. He always cleaned up his messes, except the big one. His little trist with Ian.

She knew her husband was gay now. And it made her cry everytime she thought of it, or him, or Ian or any man, for that matter. It was so horrible. It really made her pessimistic of the world. Why couldn't she just accept it?

Well, he was not that bloke to her. It was as if she knew a different Maxie, one who was there to only please her. He was her best friend. He was the father to her child. It was not suppose to be that way. They were different from the average villager. Not feral animals.

As it was, she couldn't eat and the first week she threw up everything. That was when she was certain of it then. She was pregnant. It wasn't fair. Pop one out and soon enough, it was starting all over again.

"Well, I find you quite fetching." Rhys would come to that conclusion as if he knew what she needed. There in the kitchen of the boarding house. "You'd never be an old cow to me."

She didn't even speak to him instead she tok care of him with a punch in his belly and knee drop in the groin.

"Wake up, you fuckwad!" Would he ever change? Here he had Rae knocked up and still out of the prowl, and they weren't even down at the pub, but the kitchen.

Soon enough he was out of there, and she had oatmeal ready for Rae. Katy teared up at the sight of her. Poor thing. They would take care of her, with or without Rhys. She'd hoped he'd be a good father and a good man to Rae too, but perhaps it was just too late for the latter.

Rae was oblivious to just about anything. She would rather dwell on the X-Factor or Charlie McDownell's whereabouts.

"He is a dream, you know. I don't think real blokes like that exist." She spoke of the Internet star then. She deeply sighed and went on with her oatmeal to finish it up with some sweet green tea.

"Yes, its a shame you can't meet someone as delightful." Katy went on with a tired smile. "But you never know, you might." She had to have hope. She thought of Maxie then. He was the sweetest bloke. Perhaps it was she who had changed him. Maybe he'd always been gay.

a terrible thought

"You know its all his doing, don't you?" Anita thought it might have been a dream, but she knew it true now. Who was really to blame about Maxie and Katy's split. Of course, it wasn't  that she and Sebastian had some sort of telepathy between them, but there was a connection. She thought he might have the power to change it. Of course, he was so quiet these days. He spent most of his days in books at the University.

"What are you getting at?" Here they were in his room at the boarding house. He was sitting in the window watching the snow fall so peacefully. "That I have my brother's potential?"

"No, of course now." She winced, wishing everything would go back to normal. She'd heard Katy's whimperings as she stayed to herself now with her and Maxie's baby. Maxie was no where in sight. She so missed his huge breakfast in the mornings. He was glorious in his baking. Scones. Biscuits. Even huge dreamy muffins. Now it was so cold. Oatmeal and toast. The boarding house was going down without Maxie.

"Maybe you could ask if he could fix it. At least for the holidays." Anita wanted things to be wonderful again. They were one big extended family. But as it was, it had its secrets too, and it was Jamie who held all the secrets.

"I've asked, really I have." Sebastian nodded. "Jamie says he's done enough. This is only something they can do. Katy will need to forgive him. Perhaps, Maxie needs to forgive himself first."

"But where is he?" This is what troubled Anita the most. "Has anyone heard from him? Anyone?" It pained her to think he was gone for good. Didn't anyone care? They were a family here. Maxie was a great part of it. He was after all the manager of the establishment. Granted they hadn't had a new boarder in months now. "We need to find him, Sebastian. We need to at least know where he is."

She sighed heavily then.

"Come." He made room for her in the window seat. It was warm and cozy next to him. He put his arm around her and held her close. His lips touched the side of her forehead. "I'm sure his fine." He whispered.

"You know that for a fact?" Her dark eyes looked into him.

"No. I don't. But you can't worry so much." He told her, and when he kissed her, it was as if thoughts of Maxie had left her. She smiled then as if this was truly the only happiness she needed. Here with Sebastian.

amazingly so

Well, they had more than a spot of tea for Rupert when he took baby Crystal to work. It seemed it had got around about the baby.... so the old queens got together to give him a baby shower. Really, it was the last thing Rupert expected.

"I just wanted you to know why I'd be out a couple of weeks." He was all smiles. They had lavished tea cakes an prezzies, all around. They wanted to make sure he treated Crystal like a princess. It was quite lovely. All pink and purple sets of clothes, a tutu for her as well, and her first tiara for her little onion head.

"And where is that man of yours?" Not one but a couple had to ask Rupert every few minutes. They'd expected he'd make an arrival with Rupert and baby.

"Oh, work, of course." Rupert tried not to make much of it. One of them did have to make a living at the moment.

"You sure, you haven't forgiven him for giving you such an undertaking?" Tess, the one who always won the weekly competitions, when it came to crossdressing and such. "How dare he even think of doing something so vain and horrible? And you coming in, to pick up the pieces. You must really love him."

Rupert tried to keep his smile. On second thought, it might have been wise that Soren hadn't come. Rupert bit his bottom lip, wondering just how to get out of this, gracefully.

"Really, it was not his fault. She drugged him, you know. Well, the mother of the child told me she was just doing us a favor. And well, Soren wasn't exactly cooperating, as it was, and well..really, really he loves me and so, there are no hard feelings."

Naturally, he was showered with silliness after the second to the last word he said. Hopefully, no one would try to beat Soren up for this digression. As it was, really it was a blessing. He kept reminding  each and everyone, that it truly was.

catching up

Jamie knew Sasha was worried about Rhys since Franny was gone. It was as if the symetry of their life had changed. But Rhys was still around to take care of Rae which he knew was well needed. It was about time he took some responsibility. He would leave well enough alone. But when he heard about Soren and Rupert's new predicument, he hadn't seen that coming.

"What have you done, really?" He'd taken his cousin in. And he thought things were so true between he and Rupert.

"Its not at all as it seems." Soren assured him.

"Rupert must be a forgiving idiot." Jamie knew he wouldn't be so charmed to take in a child on a whim like this. "Thought, you were finished being such a player?"

"A player!" Now Soren was offended. They were off in Jamie's study. "The babe's not mine, OK. Its, its very much Rupert's."

"Rupert?" Jamie winced. This was getting more and more interesting. "I thought you two were tight?"

"We are." Soren scowled. "Rupert is its uncle." Soren then looked as if he'd let the cat out of the bag.

"I see." But Jamie had to think on who the mother was. Gemma.

"She didn't know who the father was." Soren told him. "And she's married now. And another still on the way in a few months."

"Aw, that curse of Kelsey's." Jamie nodded. Gemma was her sister. "Didn't know it ran in the family."

"Can we just let this alone." Soren was about to be wound up about it. Mostly for Rupert's sake, he guessed.

"You sure you two can make it on your own with a babe to handle?" Jamie wondered if he'd really thought this through.

"I dunno." Soren gave him a serious look. "Rupert is the care giver, you know."

"He's quitting his job?" Jamie wanted to know.

"Just a few weeks off, with Chrissy." Soren acted as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Well, you know where to find us." Jamie reminded him. "We'll help you. All of you. Just don't try to be a hero."

Soren almost smiled as if he hadn't thought of being a hero in all of this, until now.

snap! its a baby

"What's this?" Sasha came to investigate what was going on in Soren and Rupert's room. "I thought I heard a baby?" It couldn't be true.

"Sorry." Soren was a bit closed mouth. Rupert was seeing to it in a straw basket. Just a pillow under it, for comfort.

"Boys?" Sasha winced. "What have you got yourself into?"

"Its nothing." Soren shrugged it off as if it might be some babysitting gig for a few hours.

"Well-" Rupert started as he looked at Soren.

"Who's is it?" She went to check it out. It was only a few days old. So tiny. But such beautiful blue eyes and quite an onion head. Yet, quite adorable.

"Actually," Soren cleared his throat. "Its mine." His smile was a bit weak.

"Really?" Sasha gave him a glare as she touched the baby's bare tummy. "How come she looks more like you, Ruppie?"

"Hmm.." Soren had to think a second with his hands on his hips. "She's..she's blonde. We wanted someone blonde. Actually." He pressed a smile then as if that was good enough for an answer.

"A blonde?" Sasha looked at Rupert and then Soren,"And you paid her?"

"Acutally, she wasn't into the whole motherhood...kind of thing. And um..well, see..Rupert forgave me, and..and all is well. Right, Rupe?" Soren hugged himself quickly giving Rupert a stare.

"Yes...." He gave Soren a look wondering what else he could say. "All is forgiven." The baby fussed then and he picked it up.

"Really? You two are just full of it, now aren't you?" Sasha shook her head. "Well, lets find it something comfortable to sleep in." She'd find a baby bed somewhere. "Did you think to name the poor little thing?"

"Yes, its Chrissy." Soren smiled.

"No, it isn't. Her name is Crystal." Rupert shot back, holding the baby close.

one step beyond

"Dunno if putting my name on the birth certificate was the thing to do?" Soren squinted now as he looked over all the papers now.

"Christ, couldn't very well have been me. I'm her brother after all." Rupert reminded him. He was juggling the nappybag and the little one. Soren almost laughed.

"You're about to lose Chrissy." Soren took the baby girl from him. It was starting to rain. They had to get on the road. It would be an almost four hour trip home.

"Its not Chrissy, its Crystal." Rupert gave him a sharp look. His blonde hair ruffled in the wind."Don't you remember, anything?"

Soren got the baby in the backseat carseat. He would chauffeur the two of them home. Finally Rupert got settled in the back. He felt a little sad that

"You sure we'll have enough room for all of us back at the boarding house." Soren looked at him in the rearview mirror.

"We'll make do. We have too. Not like neither of us have a trust fund." Rupert looked so tired. Soren could see him dozing before the infant did.

"One more reason why we shouldn't have taken the challenge, but its too late now." Soren sighed. He just didn't know if he could live with such a lie. Could he ever really be someone's father?

some things are left cold but still fuel the fire

Maxie still felt a chill even out of the rain and back home. It was so dreary out. It was just so cold. Everyone was so quiet back The Oaks. He was shocked that Rhys had came back with them to be with Rae. He seemed different now as if he knew where his place was, and it wasn't just a little visit here and there with Rae. He was bringing her tea so Maxie decided what was left in the kettle he'd make a brew for he and Katy.

Naturally, he found her watching the baby sleep.

"Come on, she can do this alone." He promised as he put his arm around her. They went to couch at the foot of their bed and set there with the tea and biscuits. It was only early afternoon but it felt like late in the evening. He could see Katy was tired, yet he thought it was time to come clean about a lot of things.

"All this, that's happened with Franny, makes me want to be more true to you, you know." He started, and when her very round eye looked at him so seriously. He thought he should just sip his tea and forget about what he had to say.

"What is it?" She winced.

"Its the past. Really, thats all it is. But." He squinted hard. "God, Katy-"

"What? You slept with Franny?" She wondered.

He shook his head.

"There has been someone. Maybe more than one." He would not mention Jamie. It was just mute. "Look, I-I often wondered if-if was cut out, for this kind of thing." He closed his eyes. "I-I was with Ian."

"IAN!" She spilled her tea then. It was going to be just as bad as he thought. Or worse. Her voice shook the baby awake. She had to go tend to her. When she looked back at Maxie, it was if he were a right evil at this moment. She swooped the baby up and opened the door. She pointed to it. He was to leave. Now.

sort it out.

It was a soft rain at Franny's funeral. Cecil was sure it rained all week, after-wards.

Of course, Rhys had came to him all bitter. He wanted his son now. He jerked Bart from the crib, but the toddler screamed and cried so that Rhys let go of him. Cecil guessed Rhys figured out the boy had been through more than enough, already. Who Bart actually wanted was neither of them, but his brother Nico and Randy.

"I think we should try to keep together, as long as we can." Randy had his hands full with the infant. He was so stoic. It was as if everything had been taken away from him.

"At least we can keep the boys while you're at work, and when you need us." They'd work something out. He didn't want Randy doing this all by himself.

"I've got the next six weeks to figure it all out." Randy sighed. He looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks.

Cecil had decided to be friends with Randy. They weren't really blood relatives yet they were family because of Franny.

"We won't let you go hungry." Neve took care of that part. She took care of the infant too. "Really, you've been through a lot. You give us a few hours with the new babe and have yourself a rest. You need it. You truly do."

So they'd decided on letting Randy eat most dinner with them. The boys were getting settled and maybe even the baby too.

some things never change.

Could the day get any bloody worse? Rae felt sick. She felt as if she could trust Rhys.

Of course, her world had mainly been so leisure lately. She had everything she wanted. No, she wasn't rich and she hadn't asked for much. But she'd felt so good here. She had a place to sleep. She could read, write, play video games, the internet. It was all at her finger-tips. Yes, she helped  a little around the house, and she ate with everyone. It was a friendly place. But she'd stayed away from the outside world. She never went past the garden gate. And Rhys would visit ever so often. It was good. It was completely an unharmed life.

But Rhys told her nothing. He left. Said he had something to do.

"Will you be back?" Of course, he didn't answer her.

"You do know he's a bit not right the head, don't you?" Anita winced.

Rae swelled a frown.

"But he said we'd be a family." She rested her hands on her bulging belly.

"Of course, you are." Anita put her arm around Rae and helped her to the kichen table to try some of the short bread cookies.

"I don't think I matter to him." She was teary eyed. "Like all the rest."

'I'm sure that's not true. He was just here." Anita told her. "He'll be back." Anita hoped that wasn't a lie.

"I bet he'll forget about taking me to the shops, like he said he would. He said we'd go to shops. He doesn't want to be seen with me, does he?" Rae bit into a cookie then.

Anita just sighed as if she knew Rae was right.

the burning question

Rhys thought it was just a dream. Franny. But it hit him like a jolt. He knew exactly who she was. The mother of his child and he'd acknowledged it. Had he?

He thought he might be ill, but he could see Rae needed him and yet he felt the desire to go to Cecil's to see the boy. This memory loss was a fickle thing. There were things he'd chosen to forget and perhaps, Franny had too. But he feel certain she still loved him. Always would. But he knew it was his doing. How he chosen not to remember. He thought it was the right thing to do. Maybe it had to do not wanting to be obligated to anything. And yet like a vicious disease, he was on the threshold  of being someone's father.

"I want to see the baby." Rhys announced to Sasha.

"What? Who? What are you talking about, Rhys?" Sasha winced. She pulled the cookies from the oven. The squeak of the oven door made Rhys wince.

"What baby?" Rae was at a loss. She didn't understand.

"You know the one." Rhys sounded so profound. "Rhys talked about her boy, to me. I know who he is. I know he's my son. I want my son."

Rae looked at him wide eyed as if that was not suppose to be. She was suppose to be the only one with this connection to him.

"Please, I must." Rhys looked at them all that they were hiding more things from him. "What else have you not told me, Sasha."

Sasha backed away. She left the kitchen and went upstairs.

it couldn't be the same

Anita was dressed in black just as Sasha and everyone else. Franny was on everyone's mind. Even Rae's.

"Its terrifying." Naturally, Rae was thinking of her own situation. "Her of all people. It just isn't right. I was so in hopes she'd be my couch, you know, for the birthing classes." Anita could see Rae didn't want to be alone and she felt more alone now than she thought possible.

"You have us, just..just think positive, will you." Maybe Anita didn't feel much better that Rae, but she did have Sebastian and he seemed to sooth her nerves more than anyone. The truth was...they must go on. And they'd all help out with Franny's household. She was a part of their family even if they weren't blood related.

"Did anyone call Rhys?" Sasha looked at the girls in the kitchen who were making soup and sandwiches. They were going to have a rather dismal wake.

"I thought that was up to you?" Anita hadn't an inkling what Rhys' mobile number would be.

"It wouldn't mean much to him, anyway." Sasha was sure of it. She hugged herself and went to check on what baking in the oven.

Just about then someone run at the backdoor. Anita went to get it. It was Rhys who was all smiles.

"What the fuck's got everyone so dreadful?" Rhys looked at everyone's faces. He went to Rae right away just to give her hug. She started to cry then.

"Franny." Sasha gave him a stern look. "She lost her life giving birth to her little baby girl."

Rhys hardly blinked. He just gave her a stare. A stare that turned mad. He stood their holding Rae, as he meant to do something. But he was practically a statue. Anita wasn't sure what to make of him. Really, she felt a bit dizzy herself. She thought she might need to lay down. Perhaps a nap was in store. She just wasn't sure she was up for a wake. She kept imagining how awful Randy must feel about now. He was back at the flat with the infant. She knew she didn't have the strength now to see to him. Someone else would have to be there for him.

just believe

Newt knew somebody had to be there for Randy. He'd made the calls needed and what he couldn't get done for Franny's wake, Jamie took care of the rest.

After all, there was the baby girl to take care of. She was sweet and looked as fare as both Randy and Franny.

"You thought of a name yet?" Newt helped him with the infant when Randy got back to the flat with her. It was so empty now. Just full of Franny's things.

"I can only think of one name, but she's gone." Randy could barely sputter. He looked as if he had a horrible cold.

"I think she'd love it, you to name her after her mother." Newt tried to smile.

"Frannie. Just Frannie. Baby Frannie." Randy was a bit stiff and did his best not to show emotion, but that was all he had.

Newt took the baby and put her in her crib. He came back to Randy. Finally, Randy let go and had a good cry. All Newt could do was to hold him.

"I never thought it would come to this." Randy could barely whispered. Newt got him to bed then. They were fully clothed. Randy had his back to him but was still wrapped up in Newt's warm. He was so sad. Newt rested his face against Randy's back.

"Its not your fault. It isn't." Newt told him, but Randy didn't answer. He laid there hemorrhaging in tears that came in waves. But Newt didn't let go. Finally they kissed. Newt's hands came around Randy's face. He touched his abs. Kissed his neck more. Newt wasn't leaving Randy now.

how it came to be

Cecil didn't know what he was suppose to do when he heard the news about Franny. It just didn't seem true.

"You should help out." Neve told him she'd do her part.

Cecil was just numb. How could she have died during child birth? A part of him was angry. If they'd stayed together, if he'd never fooled around Ingrid, well, she'd be with him, alive and well. But no, she'd fallen in with that kid and now.... Cecil melted into tears.

"Be strong, you can be. You have to be." She made him go to Sasha's and bring home Bart.

"But won't Nico miss him?" They were brothers.

"He can stay too." Cecil just nodded. He guessed there was room. Of course, Gemma was off God knows where and Lyle was all depressed about his sister, Amy..he didn't know about.

"But can you handle it?" He looked at her hoping nothing went wrong with the birth of their own child.

"They'll be nothing but angels." She smiled as if she could put those two in their place just with a glare.

Cecil tried to smile, but he felt he'd failed Franny when she'd been nothing but kind to him. He missed her so now. He wasn't sure if he would ever be the person she'd always wanted him to be. A good father to Bart.

in a jam

Randy was picking up a few groceries they need. It was there that he noticed the message from Sasha. He called her as soon as he was on his way on the street.

"What is it?" Randy wanted to be there for the birth of his child.

"She seems to be in a lot pain." Sasha had the kids with her. "It might be an all nighter. It looks to be."

"I'm coming. I'll be there." He clicked off his cell and wondered what to do with the bags of groceries. First mother he saw that looked like she could use the basics he handed it too. "Here." He handed them over to her. "Its an emergency. My.." She wasn't exactly his wife. Should have been, he knew. "My girl's having a little one."

Reluctantly, the woman took the groceries. He ran then. Didn't even stop for a taxi. It would be all that far. He could do it.

He'd heard from Newt earlier about Billy leaving him for Japan. He was stunned. What did this mean? Newt still had Leia and Liam to look after. Amy had just had her baby. They had a housefull. Randy had wanted to ask if this was his doing. If Billy knew about him and Newt. But it was best not to talk about it. He was just quiet. Really, he couldn't do much about Newt's predicament now.

Randy made his way over a cross walk and through the park. He ran by a soccer game and almost through the fountain to take a shortcut to the hospital. He was on his way.

By the time he got there, they had Franny hooked up to all sorts of monitors. He didn't understand. What could have gone wrong.

"Its breached." A nurse told him.

"We'll have to do surgery." They told him. He just nodded. He wanted them to do whatever it took. But he could hear Franny tell them, no. It was a mistake. Randy grabbed her hand. He didn't know who was right. The doctors had to be. They had to know what to do.

"It'll be all right, Babe." Randy gave her a weak smile. She was listless though. So weak. Randy winced at her pain, but there was all this determination around him to save the baby. He hoped they knew what they were doing.