The ER doors opened and she took a deep breath. Her hand ran through Jared's brown hair and she listened to his soft breathing. He was still blaming himself for the accident. Wearing himself out worrying, he fell asleep in her lap and she sent Mary back home to get some rest. A throat cleared and she looked up.

A doctor looked at her and said, "He's stable."

Feeling the tightness in her spine release, she let out a sigh and asked, "Will he be okay?"

The doctor nodded and said, "Yes. He is a fighter. I imagine you would like to see him."

She nodded and he said, "This way."

She watched the man walk down the hall and she shook Jared awake. He sat up instantly and she got to her feet.

"Let's go see your brother."

His eyes went wide and he asked, "Timmy's okay?!"

She nodded with a smile and watched him bolt out of his chair. Taking his hand, she led him down the hall. Spotting the doctor up ahead, she stepped into the room he waited by. She felt Jared hault when they entered and she let go of his hand. He looked up at her and she nodded while wrapping her arms around herself.

He slowly approached the bed and sat on the side talking quietly to Timmy. The doctor stepped in and closed the door behind him.

"Your son's lung is back to normal. The bleeding is stopped. He just needs rest."

She looked up at him and said, "Thank you."

Looking back at her boys, she sighed and said, "I don't know how we would've gone on without him."

The doctor looked at her and asked, "Can I ask you some questions?"

She nodded and slipped out of the room. They walked over to a pair of chairs and he pulled out a clipboard.

"It says that your husband is deceased."

She nodded slowly and said, "He died three years ago."

The doctor looked at her and asked, "How?"

Katie took a deep breath and said, "He worked for the government. The CIA."

The doctor took a deep breath and said, "Then he was involved in the explosion in Turkey?"

She nodded and he looked down saying, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Katie pushed loose black strands of hair from her face and said, "It's okay. We are doing well."

The doctor cleared his throat and asked, "Is this the first time anything this serious has happened with your sons?"

She shook her head and said, "Timmy had pneumonia two years ago. He was hospitalized for two months."

The doctor flipped through the history in front of him and asked, "Is he the one that had complications at birth?"

She smirked and said, "He didn't want to join us. He tried everything to escape us. Jared wouldn't have it."

"I take the two are very close then."

"They're twins. It's natural."

Footsteps reached them and they looked up to see a nurse and another doctor heading their way.

"Nick! Glad you came. Why don't you see if this woman needs anything while I go file the report."

The young man met her gaze and she looked away. Hearing the chattering increasing inside, she stood and excused herself. Stepping back into the room, she closed the door and looked at her sons.

Jared looked up at her and said, "He's awake!"

She smiled and walked over to them. Sitting next to Jared on the bed, she kissed Timmy's forehead and took his hand.

"You gave us quite a scare."

Timmy smiled and said, "Sorry Mom. Jared was telling me how I got to ride in an ambulance. Then some men were digging inside of me and here I am!"

She laughed softly and shook her head. Ruffling his hair, she nodded and looked at Jared.

He met her gaze and asked, "Can I ride in the ambulance?"

She shook her head and pulled him into her lap saying, "Only if it's necessary."

Jared nodded and asked, "When is Timmy coming home?"

She looked back at Timmy and said, "The doctors have to okay it. I'm sure it won't be long though."

Timmy's smile broadened and then the door opened. The three looked up at the young doctor and she sat Jared on the bed as she got to her feet. He nodded to her and looked at Timmy.

"He's recovering just fine."

She wrapped her arms around herself and said, "They take after their father, that's for sure."

The twins engaged in future plans and she shook her head. The doctor looked at her and frowned.

"You were the one at the bus stop."

Looking back at him, Katie shook her head and said, "I wasn't sure if it was you or not."

He nodded and said, "The name's Nick Boller."

She smirked and said, "I'm Katie Calhoun."

"Calhoun? Was your husband Irish?"

She laughed and said, "Yes, Irish through and through."

He smirked and asked, "Can I get you anything else?"

She looked back at the twins and her smile faded as she said, "No. Right now we just need to stick together."

He stepped back to the door and turned back to find her sitting next to the boys on the bed. He looked into her green eyes and found the years of stress showing as this added to the list. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out into the hall and closed the door.

______________________________________________

Setting the pillows back on the bed, Angie looked over at Jared and found him still slouched over.

"What are you doing?"

He looked up at her and said, "Making a card for Timmy."

Dogs began barking and he got to his feet. Putting the card on the bed, he ran downstairs and Angie followed. Mary met them at the door and they stepped out onto the porch. Katie slipped out of the driver side and opened the rear door. She lifted Timmy out of the car and closed the door.

Jared waved and shouted, "Welcome home!"

Timmy smiled and waved back as they neared the porch. The welcoming party went inside and Katie followed soon after. She carried Timmy into the den and sat him on the couch. He let out a sigh and Jared plopped down next to him. They high fived each other and she shook her head.

Stepping into the hall, she heard them confirm their plans and she walked down to the kitchen. Dinner was cooling on the stove and the table was set. Looking up, she saw Angie and Mary watching her from the doorway.

"You really shouldn't have."

They smiled and Angie said, "You're family. We had to."

She nodded slowly and sat down. Exhaustion was understating how she felt and she closed her eyes. Mary sent Angie into the den to watch the boys and she sat next to her.

"We are willing to help you out while everything calms down."

Katie looked at her and said, "Thank you. You two are amazing."

Mary took her hand and said, "You are too. Not many widows could stay by their child's bedside when things weren't going well. You've been through a lot these past three years."

Katie took a deep breath and said, "They're what keeps this family going. They are just like David."

Mary nodded and said, "Don't we know it."

The two laughed and Mary handed her a mug of hot chocolate.

PGS