When Jax left, Brenda sat down on the couch with Isabella in her arms. She was just beginning to drift off as Brenda watched her little eyelids struggle to remain open.

     "Your daddy's gone for now, baby," she whispered. "You can go to sleep." Brenda smiled at the memory of Joshua when he was a baby. Jax played with him so much, that Brenda sometimes thought Joshua wanted him more than he wanted her, but no one could replace her in the little boy's heart. Joshua sometimes tried to stay up for Jax to come home but it was always too late for him. At first Brenda had tried to stop him, but she realized he was just as stubborn as his father.

     Brenda climbed the stairs wearily and put Isabella down. She kissed her daughter good night and then went over to tuck Josh in. He awakened with her touch as he always did, and smiled up at her, reminding her once again of Jax.

     "Go back to sleep," she whispered. He nodded and rolled over in bed, his back to her. She was thankful he couldn't see her tears.

     When Brenda reached her bedroom, she got out of her clothes and into her nightgown. She was brushing her hair when the phone rang.

     "Hello?" she said.

     "It's me," Jax said.

     "Oh. Well what is it?"

     "Nothing, I--I just wanted to make sure that you were all right."

     "I'm fine, why? Where are you, anyway, aren't you supposed to be out with Alexis?" Jax was silent for a moment and Brenda hoped that she'd made him feel guilty enough to cancel his date. No such luck.

     "I am out with her actually," he answered. "She went to powder her nose, and I'm on my cell."

     "Oh, well how nice for you. Well I'm fine, Jax. Belle went down fine and Josh is out, too. They're both fine."

     "And you? I asked about you too."

     "I know that you did, Jax. I'm as good as I can be under the circumstances."

     "Are you going to bed now, then?" He couldn't help but imagine her in her nightgown, a vision of perfection, smiling, waiting for him.

     "Yeah, I'm going to bed soon, but I want to make sure Belle's going to stay down."

     "Are you tired?" he asked. She knew what he was doing, he was fishing, checking up on her to make sure she was all right.

     "Yes doctor, I am very tired, but I feel much better since my controlling ex-husband came in and made sure I was a good patient and took my medicine." Jax chuckled, a deep, throaty, sexy laugh that sent chills up her spine.

     "There's no need to be that way, love. I just wanted to know that you were making it." 'Not without you,' she wanted to say, but kept silent. "I'm coming over to check on you when I am done here," he said. 'Done here'? He made it sound like a chore to be out with Alexis, and Brenda knew both of them too well. She knew that wasn't true at all.

     "Jax, you really don't have to do that. I'm fine. I feel much better than before. Isabella's been very good, and I have Joshua."

     "What you don't have in that house with you is another adult."

     "I can do this by myself, Jax. And even if you're not sure about that, the least you can do is actually leave me alone for one evening and let me find out for myself." She had to really fight not to hang up the phone in his face.

     "All right," he said. "I suppose one interruption an evening is enough. I'd only wake them up again." Brenda regretted the words as soon as they had come out of her mouth. She should be grateful. She should be thankful that he wanted to see them at all. She'd given him an excuse that hundreds of dead-bead dads didn't have, and yet he'd stayed anyway.

     "Jax, I didn't mean--"

     "No, no, you're quite right I suppose. Alexis is on her way back to the table, so I'll say goodnight."

     "Goodnight then," Brenda said.

     "You're sure you're all right?"

     "Yes," Brenda said, no hint of anger on her voice. She heard Jax sigh to himself, and then hang up softly. She did the same. A few moments later, the phone rang again. "Jax, I--"

     "Whoa, this isn't Jax. Is my son harassing you again?" Brenda smiled at the merry voice that was on the other line.

     "John," she said. "I'm so happy to hear your voice."

     "As am I, dear girl. Well I guess I've got my question answered, Jax isn't there, is he?" Brenda paused, not sure how she should answer his question. She didn't know how much Jax had told his parents, but she was sure if they knew the whole story they wouldn't be so kind to Brenda.

     "No, John, I'm sorry, Jax isn't here. You know that, though."

     "Well yes dear, I'm sorry, but I just thought he might be over there, I mean it is cold out tonight. And you know how I am, I never can remember a phone number or anything, I misplaced the one to his new house." Brenda smiled at the thought of her ex-father in law making excuses to call her and check up on her.

     "Dad, I could give you the number again, but I'm not sure that's why you're really calling me."

     "A Jacks through and through, that's what I always say," John answered. "You're right love, I just wanted to make sure that you were all right."

     "Well why don't you come and see for yourself tomorrow? It'll Saturday, Belle and Josh will be here. They'd love to see their grandfather."

     "I'm sure I'd love to dear," John answered. "Let me clear it with Jane."

     "Of course we would!" Brenda heard Lady Jane exclaim. "You tell her we'll be there bright and early."

     "Did you hear that, love?"

     "I did, Dad, thanks. I can't wait to see you."

     "Will Jax be there? We'll pick up Ned on the way across town and we can make a day of it."

     "Well," Brenda sighed, hating this part of conversations, "I don't know where Jax will be or what he'll be doing, but I do know that he's not on call this weekend, so if I see him tonight or tomorrow maybe I can convince him to come."

     "He shouldn't need convincing, that boy of mine, I'd swear he didn't have the sense God gave a goose."

     "Oh John, please," Lady Jane said, walking past him.

     "He means well," Brenda protested, "and I know that if he'd known about it before hand he could have given you a guarantee. Tell you what, you leave Jax to me, and I'll convince him to make an appearance, all right?"

     "Of course dear, you just let us know. We'll see you tomorrow, then."

     "Uh-huh," Brenda said, hanging up quickly and letting the tears flow.

Hours later....

      Brenda got up and went into the kids' room her robe hanging loosely from her. Jax had Belle in his arms and he was dancing around the room with her. Brenda stopped in her tracks.

     "What's going on?" she asked.

     "Well I came in to check on them and you were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."

     "What time is it?" Brenda asked.

     "It's rather late," Jax said. "I'm sorry to barge in."

     "Yes, it is rather late, Jax. Come on, now I thought we agreed that you were going to see them tomorrow."

     "Is that how it's going to be?" Jax asked, and then paused for reflection before continuing. "Are you going to have me schedule times to see my children, Brenda?"

     "You know as well as I do that I don't want it that way, but it is late, Jax. They should be asleep, seeing you only excites them, I need some rest, and it'll be hours before I can get her to go down again."

     "I'll make sure she stays down," Jax said, "and I'll watch her tonight, too."

     "Well I don't want her going out in the cold night air, Jax."

     "I meant I'd stay here and sleep in the guest room. It'll be fine, Brenda. I'll get up early, you won't even know I'm here." She wanted just then to disagree with him, but she didn't.

     "All right, fine, whatever you want to do. I'm sleepy. Just please don't wake Joshua. He and Belle are going to have a big day tomorrow."

     "Tomorrow?"

     "Yeah, actually, I meant to talk to you about that, after you called from the restaurant, John called, and he and Jane want to do something with the kids tomorrow. They're bringing your brother and Brooke, so I told them I'd convince you to come."

     "Brenda," Jax groaned, "they don't know all the details of the divorce, they just think it was irreconcilable differences. I don't feel like sitting through an entire day of them telling us how perfect we are for each other."

     "Well then you tell Jane that you're not coming, because I'm certainly not going to do it." Jax thought of his mother's face when he told her he wasn't coming. He didn't want to put that look of pain in her eyes.

     "All right," he sighed, "I'll come. Will you just knock on my door tomorrow morning and tell me when to get up? I'm not on call this weekend."

     "I remember, and yeah I will," Brenda said, turning on her heels to leave. Just then, Jax came behind her and picked her up. "What on earth are you doing, Jax?" she asked.

     "You said you were tired," he said, carrying her into her bedroom and putting her down. "And since it's my fault, and I woke you up, I thought I'd make it easy on you and carry you back."

     "It's not that long a walk," Brenda protested.

     "You're dead on your feet, love," Jax insisted. He put Brenda down in the bed, in a similar way to the times that preceded them making incredible love. Brenda avoided Jax's gaze, pulled the covers up to her chin and rolled over. "Goodnight," Jax said. Brenda didn't reply.

     The next morning, Brenda was up rather early. She felt rested. 9:00 was certainly early for her, anyway. She got up and checked on Belle. She was lying in her crib, patiently waiting for her mother. When Brenda appeared over her, Isabella's eyes lit up. She smiled and reached for her mother. Brenda held her a few moments, and looked around for Josh. He wasn't in his bed. She walked down the stairs, holding Isabella.

     "Joshua?" She called.

     "I'm right here, mom," he called, a little annoyance on his voice. "I just came down to watch cartoons." He was lying down on the floor eating a bowl of cereal, completely enthralled in "Schoolhouse Rock."

     "Conjunction Junction! What's your function?" Brenda sang loudly, remembering when she had watched as a child.

     "Mom," Joshua said, "don't sing." Brenda stifled a giggle and went into the kitchen, getting a bottle for Isabella. She sat on the couch, feeding her child.

     "Are you still hungry?" she asked Joshua, as he put his bowl in the sink.

     "Nah," he said, "and I want to save room for Aunt Lois' cake! She's coming today, isn't she?"

     "Yes," Brenda said, "I imagine it'll be the whole Jacks family."

     "What about Aunt Natalie?" he asked, hope in his eyes.

     "Oh, I don't know about your aunt Natalie," she said. Natalie Jacks was Jax and Ned's wayward sister who lived all over the world, and only came home for holidays. Josh accepted his mother's explanation and came to sit beside her on the couch.

     "Are you all right?" he asked. Just like his father, Brenda thought. She ran a hand over the top of his messy head. It stood up in different directions.

     "I'm fine," she chuckled. "But I want you to go upstairs and take a bath and then brush your teeth and hair, okay? I'll come and check your hair for you. I want you to look nice for John and Jane."

     "Grandma and Grandpa love me no matter what I look like," Joshua said, trying to get out of it.

     "Upstairs, please," Brenda said.

     "Did you take your medicine?" he asked as he went upstairs. Brenda was a little shocked, her son, at five, the man of the house. It was almost his birthday, and he'd be six--in two weeks on April 22, his father's birthday. Jax always said he was the best gift Brenda had ever given him.

     Brenda got both of them ready, and Joshua was watching Isabella in her car seat on the living room floor. Brenda came downstairs, pulling her hair into a ponytail. She wore blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a flannel shirt over a white T-shirt. "When are grandma and grandpa going to get here?" Josh asked impatiently.

     "Patience is a virtue, Josh," Brenda said, giving him a kiss on the top of the head as she passed him. She got several bottles from the refrigerator and put them into a lunch bag that kept them cool. She put a few things into Isabella's diaper bag and then had to sit down a minute, suddenly completely winded.

     "Are you all right, mom?" Josh asked.

     "I'm fine," Brenda said, a little out of breath. "I just--I just need a minute." Before Brenda knew what was happening, Joshua was up and out the front door. From where Brenda sat, she had a clear view of Jax's front door. "Wait, Josh, you don't have to get your dad! Josh!" It was too late. He had ran on his long legs and stopped at the edge of their yard. He looked three times, both ways, and ran across the street for all he was worth. He was winded himself when he reached the front door. Jax was downstairs, having breakfast when he heard the urgent, yet faint pounding on the door. He opened it immediately, and looked down at his son.

     "What's the matter, son?!" Jax asked, picking him up. Josh struggled for a breath, but "Mom" was all he could get out. Jax closed the door behind him and hurried across the street. He put Josh down as he came in the door. Brenda had a hand up in the air, indicating to Jax not to give her a hard time.

     "I'm fine," she said, as soon as she could trust her voice.

     "Get your mother a glass of water," Jax said, kneeling in front of Brenda. Joshua got the water and handed it to his mother, watching her warily. Brenda didn't want to scare him, so she smiled and opened her arms to him. He went to her willingly and she squeezed him tightly.

     "I'm fine, see?" she asked. He nodded, and smiled, feeling better. "And you did very good, going to get your daddy." He smiled in pride and took his place next to his baby sister, who had slept through all of the action. "Jax, just let it go," she said silently. Jax shook his head, picked her up and carried her upstairs. She knew it was no sense in arguing with him. Over his shoulder, she called to Josh. "Close the front door, Josh, and watch for your grandparents. And don't wake up Belle, so if you watch television, keep it low, son."

     "I can't believe you, Brenda," Jax said.

     "What?" Brenda asked, "and you can put me down now."

     "I want you to lie down in here until my parents get here. Did you take your medicine?"

     "Like clockwork," Brenda said to herself.

     "I'm sorry," Jax said sarcastically, "was that a 'yes'?"

     "Yes," Brenda amended. She laid down on the bed and closed her eyes, thankful for the opportunity to rest. She could not believe how tired she was all of a sudden, so tired she couldn't even stand to roll over so Jax could pull the covers up on her. He retrieved a blanket from the closet and tossed it over her. He sat on the other side of the bed, and spoke to Brenda in hushed tones.

     "Maybe it was too soon," Jax said. "Maybe I moved out too quickly."

     "No," Brenda said softly, "I'm fine." She wanted to reassure him, but she wasn't sure she believed that herself.

     "You are not fine, Brenda. You're dead on your feet, and putting on a brave front isn't going to help the situation."

     "Well I don't need you to move back in," Brenda said. She knew if he moved back in and ever decided to leave again, it'd kill her. She could take things as they were now, him at a comfortable distance.

     "Well," Jax said, not wanting to really say this now but not seeing another opportunity, "maybe I should take them for a while." Brenda's eyes flew open.

     "What did you say?" she asked, struggling to sit up. He gently pushed her shoulders back down.

     "Calm down," he said, "I just meant that maybe you need a few days to yourself. A week or two, they'd just be across the street."

     "No," Brenda said, shaking her head, "I don't want that, they don't need that."

     "Josh doesn't need to be scared out of his wits like that again, Brenda. That's what they don't need. What if I hadn't been right across the street? What if he had called the police or the paramedics? I mean granted, you don't need a hospital, but the paramedics wouldn't know that, and I'm not sure you could convince them. Brenda, you don't take your medicine the way that you should."

     "Twice, I forgot, all right? Twice."

     "That's two times too many, Brenda. Maybe if you have some days to yourself where you don't have to worry about anyone but yourself, maybe you'll get back on track and learn how to manage things."

     "Why are you still trying to run my life?" she asked harshly. "You left, remember? You don't get to make the rules."

     "All right," Jax said sternly, standing up to full height above her. "I was trying to discuss this with you like an adult, but if you don't want to do that, then fine. I AM taking them for two weeks. I have some time off coming up, and the practice can do just fine without me for a few weeks. You have two weeks to spend as you'd like, and right now love, you don't have a choice."

     "You can't take my children away from me, Jasper Jacks!" she said.

     "Keep your voice down," he said. "And you know very well that I'm not taking them from you. You need some time. And we are across the street, Brenda. You can see them anytime." Just then, a car horn honked. Brenda got to her feet, a second wind coming over her. Jax put his hands out to steady her, and she assured him she was fine. He handed her some bottled water that was on her night stand. It was still cool, so she drank half of it, right there in front of him. Satisfied they went downstairs. Brenda knew better than to argue, but she still wasn't sure how she felt about Jax taking them for a while.

     Joshua opened the door and hugged his grandparents eagerly. John took a dollar bill from his pocket and slipped it into Josh's shirt pocket.

     "I saw that, dad," Ned said, coming in the door behind them. "Hey, Brenda!" Ned was holding his daughter Brooke, and smiling at Brenda. She hugged her brother in law and took Brooke in her arms for a moment. The little girl was almost three and she was already the image of her mother. Lois breezed in just then.

     "Hiya, everyone!" she said, coming in with her arms loaded down with food. "There's more in the car," she said.

     "Of course," everyone nodded.

     "So where to?" Jane asked. "I was thinking the park, the kids could play."

     "Sounds good to me," Brenda said.

     "Brenda, dear, you're looking a little thin," Jane said, coming to hug Brenda. "John, come over here and hug your daughter. She's practically rail thin."

     "I'm fine," Brenda said, "and your son is making sure that I eat."

     "Well I should hope so," John said. "It's a man's responsibility to take care of his children."

     "Brenda isn't my wife anymore," Jax said where only the adults could hear. Ned and Lois were silent a moment, and John and Jane looked at their son in disbelief. They knew about the divorce, but they assumed Jax and Brenda were as close as ever and that reconciliation was imminent. Brenda didn't want to be the topic of conversation anymore, so she said,

     "Shall we go?" Everyone nodded, and they headed out.

     Brenda and Lois decided to get up and walk on one of the bike trails in the park. Jax and Ned each held their daughters and were trying, unsuccessfully to interest them in the stock market. John took the opportunity to play with Joshua, and Lady Jane ran to catch up with Brenda and Lois. They turned around and each put an arm around her as they walked, letting the breeze wash over them.

     "Brenda, dear, I'm so sorry to bring this up now, but please, won't you tell me what's going on between you and that son of mine? I mean I know the two of you are separated--"

     "Divorced," Brenda amended.

     "Divorced," Jane forced out. "But he still cares for you so, and I know that you still love him. What is happening between you two?"

     "To be honest with you, Jane, I don't know what's going on. I know that I still love your son. But I also know that I don't deserve him."

     "What are you talking about?" Lois asked. "The two of you are made for each other. Brenda, I can still see it, he loves you."

     "I'm glad someone can see it," Brenda said. "Listen, I want to be honest with both of you. I know Jax didn't tell you the reason behind the divorce, right?" Both of them nodded. She didn't want to ruin a perfectly good evening, but she didn't know what else to say other than the truth. "Look, here is the extremely edited version. You remember when I left Jax, all those years ago, for Sonny?"

     "Of course, but that's been behind you for years hasn't it?"

     "Well I thought so," Brenda said. "Please, Jane, this is hard enough, let me finish."

     "All right dear," Jane said, pulling Brenda and Lois down on a nearby bench, one on each side of her.

     "You see, Sonny came back to town a little over a year ago. He said he wanted me back."

     "Oh good Lord," Lois said, rolling her eyes. Brenda paused, reconsidering telling them, but they'd never be satisfied knowing only part of the story.

     "Well, I was resistant at first--"

     "At first?" Lois asked. Jane put a hand on Lois' and then nodded for Brenda to continue.

     "Uh, it was really hard for me, to uh," how did she put this? "It was really hard for me to make some decisions, but I--I can't believe I'm saying this--I slept with Sonny."

     "Oh, you--" Lois shook her head and stood up, beginning to pace in front of Brenda and Jane. Brenda lowered her head and didn't know how this next part was going to come out of her mouth.

     "Isabella,--she--she MIGHT not be Jax's. I mean, I think she is, but Sonny and Jax were so close--"

     "That's all right, dear," Jane said, standing, "I think I understand. Well, I guess I understand why Jax has made the decisions that he did."

     "Please," Brenda said, "I know you're angry with me, but I want you to know that I love my husband--Jax, I love him, with all my heart."

     "That's why you've done this to him, right?" Lois asked. She threw her hands up in the air and shook her head. "I don't know what to say," she said. "How does Jax feel about all of this?"

     "He doesn't want to know," Brenda stated simply. "He doesn't ever want to know whether Belle's his or not."

     "But what about Sonny? I mean, doesn't he know?"

     "He knows," Brenda said. "He had to leave town before Belle was born, and apparently he didn't care to know all that much. He left because of some war with Moreno, and he didn't so much as say goodbye or say he'd be back, so apparently he doesn't care."

     "This is all such a mess," Lois said. Brenda nodded, and looked to Jane. There were tears in her eyes, they didn't fall, but rather made her eyes sparkle with pain. She stood up and began walking back to the picnic tables.

     "Jane, I--" Jane held up a hand and continued to walk away. Brenda sighed and sat back down, her face in her hands. Lois sat beside her and put an arm around her.

     "Are you taking care of yourself?" she asked. Brenda looked up at her in surprise.

     "I can't even believe you're still here, Lois. After everything I've done."

     "We all make mistakes, I just hope that you've learned from this one, and it's a mistake we don't ever have to make again."

     "I know that I won't make it again, Lois. I have never caused so much pain for so many people in my life. If I could take it back--"

     "Ah, but you can't, so what you CAN do is be a good mother. What about you and Jax? Is there any way you could find your way back to one another?"

     "I'm not really sure," Brenda said. "I know he still loves me, he'll always love me, and I don't think that's ever been the issue with us. I think--I know that he can't trust me. I've broken his heart one too many times, and it's just not an option for us anymore. I don't think we'll ever get back together." Lois and Brenda stood just then, and began walking back to the picnic tables. Brenda linked her arm through Lois'. "I just hope that I don't have to stop being a member of this family," she said. "It's the best experience aside from my children and Jax that I've ever had."

     "Jane's just hurt," Lois said. "She'll get past it. She doesn't forget family--that's what family is all about--forgiveness. Maybe she'll teach some of that to her son."

     "Let's hope so," Brenda said. Just then, Brenda saw Lady Jane and John get up from the picnic tables and run towards the playground. She stopped dead in her tracks and her eyes followed them to the jungle gym where several children, including Joshua, played. "What happened?" Brenda asked. No one answered her. She saw Jax, and watched his face as it paled. She saw him hand Belle to Ned and take off running as well. Before she knew what direction she was going in, she took off as well. Jax ran past her, almost knocking her down. She saw a crowd beginning to gather and her stomach was coming up in her throat as she looked around for Joshua, but didn't find him. When she got to the crowd, she let out a scream as she saw Joshua lying on the ground, a trickle of blood coming from his nose. "Did he fall?!" she frantically asked some of the mothers standing around.

     "No," someone said. "He was running, and he just stopped and collapsed.

     "Oh my God," Brenda said, sitting on her knees, rocking back and forth and shaking. "Jax, do something, please." Jax was making sure his son was breathing.

     "He's breathing," Jax confirmed. Brenda breathed a sigh of relief. Jax picked him up, cradling him as only a father could, and sprinted to his car, an Expedition. Brenda gathered his things, and through her tears, she ran to catch up with Jax. Lady Jane and John were running to their car as well as Lois and Ned. Everyone was in their cars in no time and headed to the hospital. Joshua sat with his head in Brenda's lap and as Jax drove frantically, Joshua floated in and out of consciousness.

     When they got to the hospital, Jax pulled rank to get his son into a private room immediately. Once he was stabilized, Jax grabbed Bobbie Spencer as she was leaving the room.

     "I want to know everything," Jax said. "Page Dr. Hessler, he's the best we have on staff--"

     "Jax," Bobbie said, "Dr. Hessler is a--pediatric leukemia specialist--"

     "I know," Jax said calmly. "Don't tell me it's not a possibility. I'm a doctor, I take care of my children. I don't think there's anything wrong with him--I don't know what it could be," Jax said, beginning to choke up a little. Bobbie took him in her arms briefly. "Just take care of my son," Jax begged. "And tell Dr. Hessler--it's a favor--for me." Bobbie nodded, and went to page the doctor.

     Jax took the opportunity to go into the room and see his son. He passed Lois, Ned, and his parents in the hallway. Alexis got off the elevator just then. Just as Jax was opening the door to his son's room, Alexis called to him. Brenda looked up, and saw Jax standing in the doorway, but looking off somewhere down the hall. She was about to say something, but before she knew it, Alexis was in Jax's arms, hugging him and saying that she heard his son had been brought in. Brenda couldn't believe it. As Jax held Alexis in his arms, he looked so comfortable, so at home. He stroked her hair and sighed. He held Alexis' hand and then looked at Brenda. She almost gasped when she realized that the love she was so used to seeing wasn't there.

     "Is he all right?" Jax asked. Brenda nodded, not really sure what he was asking her. "Okay," Jax sighed, "I've had a team of specialists paged, they're waiting right now for the other test results. I'm going to talk with Alexis, I'll be back in a bit. You tell him I love him if he wakes up, all right?" Brenda just nodded again, not sure she could speak.

     About thirty minutes later, Jax, saw a whole team of specialists get off the elevators. Jax ran up to Dr. Hessler, who shook his head sadly. "Tell me," Jax said.

     "It's not Leukemia," Dr. Hessler said.

     "Well what the hell is going on with my son? Come on, Joe."

     "It's aplastic anemia," Joe said. "And we need to get him registered for a donor as soon as possible."

     "How did this happen?" Jax asked to himself, holding his head in his hands. Jax looked in on Brenda as she cried silently over Joshua's sleeping body. "I want to tell her myself," Jax said, his resolve returning. Alexis gave him a reassuring hug. Joe spoke up.

     "Jax, I know you have a lot to consider, but the sooner we have the family tested, the better--and siblings, they have the best chance of being a match for the marrow donor, all right? So you, your parents, Brenda, your little girl--"

     "No, I don't want to test Belle," Jax said suddenly. Alexis eyed him suspiciously.

     "Why not?" she asked.

     "Isn't she too young?" Jax asked, covering his near slip.

     "No," Joe said, "but we'll work out the details later. You go be with your family. Joshua is stable, and he's fine for now--but understand this, Jax, he won't be for long--you've got to make a decision on this, and you've got to make it right now."

---Author's note: I know it may seem like a lot of things happened rather quickly in this chapter--like Joshua showing no symptoms, and then being admitted and diagnosed so quickly--but remember, this entire story is going to be written in five parts, so I had to move quickly--I apologize for any blaring errors or anything that happens "too" fast. Thanks and let me know what you think.