"Good morning, Babe," Cath smiled.

"Morning," Matt sighed, rolling over. "Wake me up in another five minutes."

"Are you tired?" Catherine chuckled. "I've been up for three hours."

"Ten more minutes."

"Alright," Catherine smiled, kissing his forehead. "Babe, you're a little warm. Do you feel alright?"

"An hour? I don't have to be anywhere, do I?"

"Hon, what's wrong?" Cath asked with concern.

"Everything's fuzzy," Matt mumbled.

"Baby, I think you should see Jack."

"Hey, Cath, I don't feel so good."

"Alright, come on," Catherine sighed, pulling the sheets off of him. "We're going to see Jack. I don't need you getting sick."

"Sick?!" Matt yelped, sitting up. "You're sick?!"

"No, Hon. You are."

"Me? Stay away! You can't get sick!"

"I have a strong immune system. Get up. I'm taking you to the doctor," Catherine sighed.

"No," Matt whimpered. "He'll tell Josh, and Josh will freak out and come back and-" Matt's eyes lit up. "Let's go. Let's go right now."

"Okay. Are you in any pain at all?" Cath asked with concern.

"Mhm," Matt nodded drowsily, sitting up.

"Where?"

"My side," Matt moaned.

"Right or left?"

"Right."

"Hm," Catherine hummed with a frown. She applied pressure to his lower right side and then released, something she had learned from Jack long ago. "Does that hurt?"

"Yes," Matt winced, recoiling in pain. "Ow."

"Babe," Cath sighed, rubbing his back, "I think you might have appendicitis."

"No," Matt whimpered.

Catherine put an arm around him. "It's going to be okay. We just need to get you to the doctor," she said calmly.

"I hate doctors."

"I know, Honey, but I have to take you."

"Fine."

Catherine kissed his cheek and helped him out of bed. They got dressed and went to Jack's office, and he performed a very thorough examination.

"So," Cath sighed, "what's the diagnosis?"

"It's definitely appendicitis," Jack nodded. "You'll have to take him to the hospital for surgery."

Matt's eyes widened. "No. Absolutely not. No way!"

Catherine grasped his hand gently. "Honey, if you don't have surgery, it'll get worse."

"I haven't had an operation since my accident. I do not want one ever again. Ever!"

"I know," Cath said softly, "but Baby, you have to have this done. Otherwise, your appendix will burst, and then you're in for a whole lot of trouble."

"Listen to your wife, Matt," Jack nodded. "She knows what she's talking about."

"Fine," Matt muttered angrily. "Let's get this over with."

"Thank you," Catherine sighed, kissing his cheek. She drove to the hospital, trying to keep her own nerves in check. She hated seeing her husband in pain, and she knew that the recovery process wasn't the easiest.

Soon, they arrived and Matt was checked into a room. They had him dress into a gown and lie down on the bed so that they could put in the IV.

Catherine put a hand to his cheek. "Try to relax, Baby."

"Nope, not that thing. No. Absolutely not. I will get the surgery first, and when I'm dead or unconscious, you can put that demon machine in. But not right now, got it?!"

The young nurse sent a nervous glance toward Catherine, who put a hand on Matt's chest. "Baby, this is necessary," she said softly. "You don't want to be awake for the surgery, do you?"

"Give me a shot then," Matt hissed.

"Babe," Catherine sighed, "I know you're scared right now, and that's why you're acting this way, but you have to let them do their thing. They're doing the best they can to ensure that the surgery goes well."

"Knock me out, then!" Matt exclaimed. "Or let me go bang my head against a wall real quick."

"Calm down, Baby. It's alright," Catherine said comfortingly. "You're going to be fine."

"You shouldn't be here. You're gonna catch something gross," Matt sighed.

"You're worth the risk."

What Matt didn't realize was that the nurse had already put in the IV. "Alright, we're all set up," she nodded.

"Impressive work," Catherine chuckled.

"My lawyer will be in touch," Matt threatened with a menacing look.

"No, he won't," Catherine assured the nervous-looking girl.

"We um- we have to finish prepping him for surgery," the nurse said slowly.

"Don't do anything stupid," Cath said softly, kissing her husband's forehead. "And I mean that. Don't give them any trouble, okay?"

"No promises," Matt sneered.

"Matthew Collins," Catherine said sternly.

"Okay," Matt whimpered.

"Good," Catherine sighed, putting a hand on her stomach. "We'll be waiting for you."

"Hmph."

—————

"Have you seen the car keys?!" Josh yelled from across the hotel room.

"Over here, Hon," Mari called back, looking down at her phone. "Oh, god."

"What's wrong?" Josh asked worriedly.

"Matt's in surgery."

"What?!" Josh gasped, putting a hand to her back.

"Catherine just texted. Matt woke up and he was in pain, so she took him to see Jack. It turned out to be appendicitis and he's in surgery now," Mari sighed. "Cath's freaking out."

"Is Jack performing?" Josh asked with a frown.

"Yes, he is," Mari nodded.

"Matt'll be fine, then. Jack's the best in the business."

"True...Catherine says that Matt was really scared and it broke her heart," Mari sighed.

"Tell her to pick up some Sour Patch Kids gummies. That'll shut him up," Josh laughed.

"Alright," Mari chuckled, kissing his cheek. "Are we ready to go?"

A knock came from the front door and Josh went to answer it. "Hello? How can I help you?"

A young girl stood in a red hoodie stood in the doorway. She couldn't have been older than nine. "Are you Isaac Taylor?"

Josh nodded.

The girl picked up a small suitcase that was behind her and pushed past him, straight inside.

"Um, who are you?" Josh stammered.

"Violet Taylor, what did I tell you about running off like that?!" A voice yelled from the hall.

Josh's whole body stiffened as the woman entered the doorway, breathless. "Jane?!" He stammered.

"Hiya, sport," she laughed. "Sorry about Vi. She has a mind of her own these days."

"I don't see the point in delaying this any longer," the small girl snapped angrily.

Jane looked up with big, tired eyes. "I don't have anywhere else to turn, Josh."

"What's wrong?" Josh asked worriedly.

"I've hit a ruff patch...financially and life wise," Jane laughed nervously.

"CPS is taking me," Violet stated from the couch, "because she's a sucky mom."

"Violet," Jane snapped, closing her eyes, "we didn't have to divulge all that."

"What? You were just gonna lie and try to stick me on him like you did with Martha?"

"Violet, please. Listen, Josh, it's just for awhile, until I get everything in order and straightened out."

"Sure," Josh said quickly. "Anything for you."

"Great," Mari moaned internally.

"Thanks, hon," Jane smiled softly, giving his cheek a kiss before racing out the door.

Violet sat with arms crossed, her small face full of despondency. "She's not coming back, you know."

"She always comes back sooner or later," Josh nodded.

—————

Catherine sat silently in the hospital room, her nervous thoughts focused on her husband.

Just then, a couple nurses brought Matt back into the room, accompanied by Jack.

"How did the surgery go?" Catherine asked almost immediately, standing up as quickly as a woman in her condition could.

"It was successful. If everything goes well, you can take him home tomorrow morning. He should only consume clear liquids for the next couple days. Ease him back into his regular diet slowly. I'll write a prescription for pain medication. I would also recommend getting over the counter meds for nausea," Jack nodded. "And make sure to change the dressing daily."

"Okay, thank you," Cath smiled. She moved over to her husband and softly said, "Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Weak," Matt whimpered.

Catherine grasped his hand gently and pressed it to her lips. "You're so brave, Hon. I admire you for that."

"I wanna go home," he mumbled.

"I know," Cath said softly. "Jack said you can go home tomorrow morning."

"That sounds wonderful."

—————

"Josh," Mari hissed, pulling him aside, "can we talk about this?!" She grabbed him by the collar. "Isaac Joshua Taylor, is that your kid?!"

"God, no," Josh said quickly. "That's my sister's kid."

"You have a sister?!"

Josh glanced at Violet. "We aren't exactly on the friendliest of terms."

"Then why does she trust you with her kid?" Mari asked in suspicion.

"She married someone who was a jerk. A complete jerk. And I warned her. I told her she'd regret it for the rest of forever, and did she listen to me? No. I was right, she was wrong. So, she shows up every once in awhile and asks for money or help and I give it out of pity because she didn't have the common sense to get out well she had the chance," Josh ranted angrily. "I'm probably the only one who will take her. God, it's like my childhood all over again."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to figure it out," Mari sighed.

—————

The next morning, Catherine brought Matt home and got him settled in bed. "Are you happy to be home? She smiled.

"Yes," Matt sighed in relief. "I'm starved."

"You're really not supposed to have anything other than liquids," Catherine frowned thoughtfully. "But I think we could get away with soup. How does that sound?"

"Divine," Matt grinned, kissing her cheek.

Cath quickly made her husband soup and helped him to eat. Setting the bowl aside, she asked, "Are you in any pain?"

"The only thing wounded is my pride."

"Why?" Catherine laughed softly. "You were very brave."

"I wouldn't say very. How Josh got through the pain last year, I'll never know."

Catherine kissed his cheek. "All that matters is that you're okay."

—————

Violet checked her watch and peeked out the window. "Alright," she said emotionlessly, heading for the door,"it was nice to meet you."

"Where do you think you're going?" Josh asked firmly.

"I can take care of myself. Thanks," Violet remarked, opening the door. "Later, losers."

Josh grabbed her arm. "Oh, no. That's not happening."

"There's a hotel on West Street. I've already reserved a room. I've got a babysitting job for tomorrow. If it pays well and I do good work, I'll be out of your hair," Violet muttered bitterly.

"See ya," Mari grinned.

"Thanks. Finally, someone makes some sense," Violet mumbled, fixing he backpack over her shoulder and trying to break Josh's grasp.

Josh tightened his hold on her. "I told my sister I'd look after you. I intend to keep that promise. You aren't leaving."

Violet's face changed. "You're my uncle Josh?"

"Yes."

Violet gave a little scoff of a laugh and looked into his eyes. "Mom says we're the same person."

"Oh, great. Like the world needs another Josh," Mari moaned.

"Who's this? Your girlfriend?"

"Violet, this is my wife Mariah," Josh smiled proudly.

"You could have done a lot better, stud," Violet whispered with a smirk.

"I heard that," Mari said indignantly.

"Hey, Uncle Josh, how did you rob that bank when you were twelve?!" Violet smirked.

Mari gave a look of shock. "Isaac Joshua Taylor, what is she talking about?"

"I mean that convenience store heist was groundbreaking, I'll admit, but the bank job always intrigued me more," Violet blabbered.

"Great. I married a criminal," Mari frowned. "Yes, sir. That is my life."

—————

Catherine wrapped an arm around Matt's shoulders and kissed his forehead. "Remind me that I have to talk to the technician at my appointment tomorrow. I'll have to tell them that I want to wait to find out what we're having until you can come with me."

"Why can't I come?" Matt pouted.

"Because you need to rest, Babe," Cath sighed.

"Fine...Can you feel them?"

"Yeah," Catherine nodded. She placed his hand on the side of her stomach. "Do you feel that?"

"Is that a baby?" Matt gaped.

"Yep. That's Baby B."

"How do you know?"

"Because Baby A is on the other side," Catherine chuckled.

"I don't think it's fair to put one before the other. No favoritism, Cathy. I think they should be called Thing One and Thing Two."

"It's not favoritism. It's just how they differentiate one twin from the other before they're born."

"I think we should alternate, though, so each one gets to be number one," Matt said thoughtfully

"Won't that just get confusing?" Catherine laughed.

"We should name them, then," Matt smiled softly.

"We will once we find out the genders," Catherine nodded. "Shall we review our lists?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Alright," Catherine smiled, pulling out the list. "So far, the names we both like for girls are Charlotte and Elizabeth, since both have nicknames that start with L. Oh, and Lily. Are there any others that you like? Oh! What about Lorelai, like Lorelai Gilmore?"

"Would you really wish that on our daughter?" Matt laughed.

"Yes," Catherine chuckled. "Okay. Lorelai's out. Now for boys, we have Logan, Liam, and Lucas."

"What about Liam for a boy and Lotte for a girl?"

"What about Logan and Lotte? I think that sounds pretty cute."

"I like those together," Matt smiled softly.

"What if we have two boys?" Catherine asked after a moment. "We could do Logan and Liam."

"Perfect. Gosh. Two boys sounds like my worst nightmare."

"Yeah, well, it could happen."

"It could...when do we find out again?"

"It was supposed to be tomorrow, but I want to wait until you can come with me," Catherine smiled.

"Oh, right. I forgot."

"If you listen to Jack and take it easy, then you should be able to come to my twenty week appointment. That means that you can't do any heavy lifting and you can't go back to work until you're healed. Got it?""

"Got it," Matt sighed, pulling his wife in close with a slight wince.

"Babe, you shouldn't hold me so tightly if it hurts you," Cath frowned.

"I don't care if it hurts. I just want to be close to you."

"But Matt-"

"Shh," Matt interrupted, closing his eyes. "Just go to sleep."

"Alright," Catherine said softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

—————

"And then there was the time he beat up a whole gang of bullies who were bothering Uncle Jack," Violet exclaimed, her eyes full of adoration.

"Awe," Mari smiled. "That's cute."

Violet's face changed. "Mom says she should have listened to you."

"Really?" Josh questioned in surprise.

"Yeah. She hates me, you happy?" Violet said bitterly.

"My sister doesn't hate you."

"What do you know?" Violet snapped.

"I know Jane," Josh said simply.

"Then you know how she tried to ditch me to every person west of the state line?" Violet scoffed. "I'm not wanted anywhere, and I'm not gonna stick around to find out if I'm wanted here either."

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Mari smirked. "Bye."

Violet walked confidently out the door and Josh sprung to go after her.

"Why won't he just let the little brat leave?" Mari muttered under her breath.

"Violet, come on. This tough kid act isn't going to fly with me."

"Really?" She laughed, pressing the elevator button. "Worked in the other ten foster homes."

"Well, this isn't your normal home, kid," Josh said firmly.

"Why won't ya leave me alone?" Violet asked in wonder.

"Because your mother asked me to take care of you."

Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to SailorMaya55. Thanks for the support!