Dahlia ended up going to Washington with Jared after his grandfather passed away. It still shook her to the core when she thought about how she had seen him collapse, having to start CPR on him as she called for Jared to come help her. When they’d switch places, she’d looked on helplessly as they waited for the ambulance that had arrived too late.

Massive heart attack, the coroner had confirmed. The doctors had told Gerard he was a ticking time bomb, anything could’ve caused it. It still didn’t make things better.

Camille had returned to Washington the following day to relay the news to the rest of the family. Dahlia had genuinely felt bad for the woman, seeing her pale and shaky as she stood watching them work over Gerard. The words she had told her during dinner still ringing in her ears. She hadn’t been wrong at all in what she had said but it still made Dahlia feel like crap.

She looked at Jared who was laying on his side facing away from her. They were in the same room because there was no more space in the house. They were staying with his brother Andrew and his family since Jared didn’t want see his parents. He had been very emotionally distant since everything had happened two weeks ago. He didn’t try to touch her or talk about mending things. She wished she could help him, but she didn’t know how. She’d put off telling him about the baby because of that Code Blue at work, his grandpa dying, and now the funeral coming up tomorrow Saturday.

She slipped out of the bed, took a quick shower and changed into some warm clothes. With one last look at him, she left the room.

      She heard people talking in the kitchen and found Amber, Jared's sister-in-law, standing at the kitchen island trying to pour some milk into two bowls as her twin daughters, Amelie and Phoebe, watched on. They kept rattling on about cereals, Peppa Pig, and why they should wear their pajamas to dinner later that night.

“Because your pajamas are for bed. You cannot wear your pajamas to dinner. Everyone is going to think you're crazy.” Amber was juggling baby Savannah on her hip, “Now, let me fix your breakfast.”

“But mom, it only makes it easier for us to get ready for bed afterwards. You don't even have to get us dressed. We can just jump into bed after.” This came from Amelie. The wiser of the two, she cocked her head to one side, thinking

“Well, I think Amy is right,” this was from sassy Phoebe. She crossed her arms and looked up at her mother, “Besides, I think everyone is crazy for NOT thinking of wearing their pajamas to dinner!”

Amber rolled her eyes. Dahlia could tell she was tired, so she decided to step in and help her.

“Good morning,” she said and Amber looked up from her two 7-year olds.

“Lala!” squealed baby Savannah, trying to wiggle out of Amber's arms. For some reason, she had immediately taken a liking to Dahlia, wanting her to hold her every possible moment.

“Good morning to you, too, Banana,” said Dahlia and held the squirming 17-month old to her chest.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry!” Amber said as she watched her kid all content in the younger woman’s arms. “She has been extra clingy today for some reason.”

Dahlia grinned as she kissed the top of Savannah's head ,who squealed in laughter and tried to do the same to Dahlia. “It's okay, I don’t mind. Would you like some help with them?” she nodded towards the twins who had climbed onto the high chairs of the counter and stared wide eyed at her.

“I think I’m good. I just need to get them ready for school. They're being extra crazy today. I just need to put some cereal in their bellies and get them ready.”

“Are you really married to Uncle Jay?” Amelie asked while the other one nodded.

Dahlia smiled. “Yes, I am.”

“You're pretty.” Phoebe said with a giggle. “Did unca Jay marry you because you're pretty?”

Dahlia grinned, feeling her face heat up. “Probably. I’m not sure. You'd have to ask him when you see him.”

“Since you're married, does that mean that he kisses you?” Amelie asked again and her sister, making a pouty face, began making kissy sounds at Dahlia.

“Girls! You're being rude!” Amber said scowling. She rubbed her temples and looked at Dahlia. “I am so sorry. They're at that stage where they ask the most inappropriate things at the worst of times. I swear, I don’t know where they get that from because Andrew and I don't talk about those things.”

Dahlia shook he head, “Don’t worry. They’re kids. You should hear Jared. Now, that man is inappropriate.” She looked thoughtful for a minute. “Actually, it may be a family thing, saying things at the inappropriate times. Considering Jared and his mouth…”

Amber laughed. “You're right!” She stole a look at her kids who seemed to be rearranging their cheerios on the table rather than eating them. “Not only did they get their uncle's loud mouth, but his OCD and weird choice of food. Girls, you're supposed to eat those, not make shapes out of them.”

Amelie pouted, “But Mom! I have to make sure you gave me the same number of Cheerios that you gave Phoebe!”

Phoebe who was stacking her wet Cheerios on the table, nodded. “Last time, Amy got four more than me!”

“That's not fair!”

“Yeah. Not fair!”

Sighing, Amber leaned against the counter. “Please, just eat your breakfast girls, or your uncle won't be picking you up from school later.”

“Uncle Jay! Yay!” they both squealed and dove into their bowls.

“It's the only thing that gets them to eat faster,” Amber pointed out as she saw Dahlia eye the twins amusedly.

Wet, stacked Cheerios forgotten on the table, they finished their breakfast and ran upstairs. Dahlia could hear their squealing and laughter.

“I have to get them ready for school, but feel free to grab some breakfast. I’m sorry I can't sit down right now and make you something. Maybe we can go out for breakfast when I get back?”

Dahlia nodded. “It's no problem. I can wait until you get back.”

Amber reached out to take Savannah back from Dahlia's arms, but the toddler grunted and threw her arms around her neck.

“No! Stay Dahlala!” she whimpered as she dug her face into the crook of her neck. “Stay Dahlala!”

“But Banana, Dahlia has to get food and we have to go drop your sisters off at school.” Savannah only shrieked and tightened her hold Dahlia's neck. “Savannah…”

Dahlia patted Savannah's back and shook her head at Amber. “It's okay. She won't let go. If you want, I can look after her until you come back from dropping the twins off.”

“I can't do that-"

“It really is no problem. You need a break, too.”

“But you're my guest, and I'm leaving you with my kid!”

Grinning, Dahlia hugged the little girl to her chest, cuddling her. “It really is okay. I can handle her. I'm awake now, it's not like I'll be able to fall back asleep. Really, I can take care of her for you. It’s not a problem.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, very. Now, go get your girls ready. I'll be fine. I'll hold the fort down while you're gone.”

Giving her a quick hug, Savannah a quick kiss on her head, Amber rushed out the kitchen towards the stairs, thanking Dahlia again.

Dahlia walked over the counter, setting the toddler on top, she stared at her. “Well, Miss Banana, what are we going to do while we wait for your mom?”

Savannah giggled and threw her arms around her neck.

“Play tweehouse!”

“But it's a little chilly outside. We can look through the window and wait until a little later.”

Savannah pouted, pulling at Dahlia's hand. “Pwease Dahlala. Pway tweehouse. Pwease.” Dahlia couldn't resist the innocent, big round-eyed look that the toddler gave her. “Pweeease!”

“Oh, alright! You’re too cute to say no to. But let’s get a sweater on you first.” The little girl squealed, hanging on for dear life as they headed to the living room where Dahlia had seen a pile of clean laundry on the couch. Armed with a fluffy sweater and rain boots they headed to the backyard.

Dahlia couldn’t help but laugh at the little girl who went running out, splashing on the little puddles, and throwing leaves in the air. Whoever had fixed the piles of leaves would have to re-pile them because she just destroyed them.

          JARED woke up to find the bed empty and Dahlia gone. It didn’t even surprise him anymore, she’d done that him once before. He laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling when he heard shrieking and squealing coming from the backyard. He smiled when he looked outside and found Dahlia throwing leaves in the air, while his niece ran circles around her.

He showered quickly, changed into some jeans and a hoodie and headed downstairs.

Dahlia was still throwing leaves up in the air when he stepped into the backyard. Savannah was the first one to spot him, squealing at the top of her lungs and running as fast as her little legs would carry her to him. He picked her up, tickling her as Dahlia turned to look at them. She looked tired and a little pale. There was something going on with her and he didn’t know what it was.

“Morning.” She said with a small wave. Savanna squealed, clambering down Jared and running back to Dahlia to be picked up. She hugged the girl tightly and placed her on her hip.

“Seems like she likes you.” Jared pointed out and Dahlia grinned.

“Yeah, she didn’t want to go with Amber this morning. It’s a good thing I’m good with kids,” Dahlia commented, thinking to herself about the one nestled in her womb. He nodded and came to stand next to her, Savannah squirming down again to run around throwing leaves.

“I’m sorry if I've been distant these last couple days.” He started as he picked up some leaves to throw at Savannah who didn’t notice anything wrong between the adults. “It’s been pretty crappy, but I'm glad I have you with me.” He laughed shakily. “I’m still shaky about the whole thing, I don’t know how I’ve stayed calm.” He gave her a small smile, reaching out to hold her hand. “Thank you.”

She nodded. “I... He was nice. You looked so much like him. But I don’t understand what your mom said about not being a son or something.” Dahlia frowned and looked up at Jared. He looked away with a cold look on his face. “Jared?”

“It means that I’m not my father’s son,” he started coldly before turning back to her. “But I am my grandfather’s son.” Dahlia gasped, paling slightly.

“You mean...?” She whispered. No, it really couldn’t be that...

“My mother and my grandfather, together thirty-seven freaking years ago,” he said as he shook his head. “I always knew there was something weird about their relationship and all the hate between them. I haven’t talked to her about it, and I probably won’t for a while. I don’t want to see her face right now.”

“Oh, Jared...” Dahlia squeezed his hand and leaned against him slightly. He threw his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer. She'd been so lonely these last couple of weeks, it felt nice to be close to him again.

“I’ll be fine. You, however, are looking a little peaky.” He mentioned as he tapped her nose. She scowled. “Are you coming down with something?”

Yes, pregnancy. “I don’t think so.”

“You need to rest.” Boy, did she ever! He pulled her to stand in front of him and circled his arms around her shoulders while resting his chin on the top of her head. They watched Savannah running around, squealing and laughing, until Amber came back and they all went to breakfast.

The next day they all drove out to the cemetery for the burial, his father looking somber, Camille next to him with a black veil over her face, but Jared still noticed the tears rolling down her face. His siblings (if you could call them that) were all there as well with their spouses, except for Caleb whose girlfriend was in California and couldn’t make it to the funeral.

Having paid their respects and watching Gerard Dale-Miller being lowered to the ground forever, Jared wondered what would happen to him now. What would happen to the contract they had made and to his house? What about his marriage? He looked at Dahlia who was staring straight ahead at the lowered casket as the dirt was starting to get pushed in.

He didn’t want to let her go, he realized with start. He hadn’t been as lost and lonely with her by his side as he’d been all those years before. BD and AD, Before Dahlia and After Dahlia, that’s what it felt like. It didn’t even have to do with being forced to marry, it started since Clara had introduced her to him. It hadn't been the smoothest of months with her, but ironically, it had still been more peaceful than before.

       His peace didn't last that long, however, as all through the rest of October they had to deal with appointments with his grandfather's lawyers. He had to endure more long conversations about the house, the company, the will. It didn't really matter in the end. All that he had cared about was holding on to his house, which he did. Gerard had left Jared's house alone, left him his mini collection of golf clubs (which he'd sell obviously since he didn't know squat about golf) and split his money between Jared, Caleb, Andrew, and Karinne to whom he'd also left his house in Washington to.

What had really come as a surprise was that his dad had inherited the company, who already had a president to oversee all the interactions. Gerard had known he didn't have much time left and had worked swiftly to finalize his will. He'd left the main house to his dad, and a cozy little cabin on the shore of Oregon for Camille who'd burst out crying when she heard this. Jared was sure it had something to do with their... relationship all those years ago, but didn't mention it.

Things were still somewhat strained between Dahlia and himself. At work, it was like he didn't exist unless he was needed. She hadn't worked with him on the floor since before October and now she either was gone on meetings or hiding in her office. He'd noticed that she'd appeared to have lost some weight and just had an overall tired appearance. He had already tried to get her to be checked out, but she'd refused, stating she had already seen someone and that she'd get over it.

They still weren't hanging out at home, and he'd quit going to rep dinners since it seemed to piss her off. She absolutely disliked Sherry and the woman made matters worse by trying to meet him more often and invite him to dinners all the time. Dahlia had been right all along, she was trying to get into his pants.

It got worse the day that Dahlia walked into his office and found Sherry with her arms around his neck.

She'd gone pale, eyes wide and slammed the door shut.

He pushed Sherry off with an angry glare. "What the hell is wrong with you? You need to leave. I will definitely be writing a report about this. There is something wrong with you!"

She'd looked surprised at first then grown angry, telling him that with his attitude, he should be glad she was doing him a favor. He'd wanted to throttle the woman. 

She sniffed, turning her nose up at him, and stomped out of the room.

But the damage was done.