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Dereck clenched his jaw, looking from Killian to the baby and back again. He was lost in his thought until Lyn spoke to him, and before he could agree to go to the waiting room Orion showed up with Grace, who literally looked like she had been on the edge of death. Because of the cocaine his thoughts were flying at a mile a minute, leaving him speechless. He should have apologized, but Grace have him no time to do so because she had let herself into the room. "Fine." He huffed, looking towards the room again before sealing his arm over her shoulders, and walking towards the waiting room. "I may not get along with Orion, but I'll be damned if he keeps me from the only blood family I have left." His voice was slightly gruff, and when he sat in the chair his hands gripped the arm rests.

Lyn watched as Orion wheeled Grace into the room. The woman's pain was almost palpable. After that Dereck had come over, draping an arm around her shoulders, and then they were off. Gladly without a problem ... yet.

She sat next to him in a chair, blue eyes turned to him as he complained about Orion and gripped the arm seat. "Dereck what's going on? Are you ok?" Hadn't he just been upset and regretful and stressed to the max a few hours ago. Now all of a sudden after just sitting around he sees Orion and his sister and he's blazing mad. So mad she thought he was going to rip off the arm rests. Maybe this was his man-stration time? "He hasn't kept you and Grace apart yet. I'm sure once you work things out with her it will be fine." She couldn't tell him fighting with Orion wouldn't solve anything. Maybe it would help the two men figure their s**t out. Just not here or now.

"Hey, hey. Grace, stop. Don't beat yourself up." He rubbed her back lightly. Orion knew nothing he said would offer her any comfort, but he had to try. That was his job as her husband. To beat up anything that hurt her or upset her, unfortunately in this case it wasn't possible. So he had to go with plan B. Comfort her.
"He will be fine. He is going to be a little fighter. I can tell already." Orion stroked her head lovingly.
"If your not ready to see him, we can come back a little bit later." He didn't want to force her to leave the baby's side but Orion had to think of Grace and her health as well.

I have the answer
I can take the pressure
I will turn it all around
~Five Finger Death Punch

Dereck looked to Lyn, he knew that what she said was right,but he was so annoyed about the whole Orion thing that he just couldn't seem to sit still. His foot was tapping on the ground. "He didn't even look our way!" He added, clearly annoyed. His blue eyes looked around, waiting for any kind of sign that Grace was ready to see him, or that maybe he could see the baby. But there was none. "You know, she's acting like I'm not even her family anymore. It's like as soon as she married that a*****e I was pushed to the side." He stood from the chair, running his hands over his head. "I need to have a damn smoke. I'll be back." He didn't wait for Lyn to say anything else as he made his way outside, immediately lighting up a cigarette and taking a long drag from it.

Grace shook her head, her hands wiped at the large crocodile tears that poured from her eyes. "No, no I don't want to go." She sniffles and swallowed hard, pressing her forehead against the glass. She stared at the tiny baby for a long time, and finally let out a small sigh. "I shouldn't have worked so hard. Or worried so much." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I was so unbelievably stressed out and..." She bit on her lip and blinked away some tears, before turning to the machines, and checking the baby's vital signs and oxygen. After doing that, she looked up at Orion, a small frown tugging on her lips. Now probably wasn't the best time to deal with this, but she needed to know. "You don't like her so you? That woman?"

Was she hearing this right? He was mad because Orion didn't say hi and ask how he was doing? he shook her head,"Yea bad for him for worrying about family and not the extra people that's around." She told him sarcastically rolling her eyes. As he began to complain about Grace, she looked at him incredulously."Are you serious right now? You've been almost too busy to even come home, and your mad that your sister has been just as busy? She came when you asked her to come, and then you insulted her afterwards. Now she just got out of surgery and is worried for her child." Before any more came out of her mouth, Dereck was up and leaving out the door for the smoke he thought he needed. Lyn watched him leave. Confused by his contradicting words and actions to earlier this evening. Something had to be up with him. Something more than all the recent stress. Perhaps he shouldn't see Grace tonight. Maralyn lightly bit her lower lip as she thought. Dereck was so mad at everything right now dealing with his sister, how could his apology even come off as sincere? She didn't want him to ruin things further with his family. As he stated they were his only blood family and meant a great deal to him. So would she even be able to get him to leave right now?

Declan gestured towards the back where Wren was in her room, didn't say anything else, just walked back to his room to his client, Titus would do what he wanted. If he left, he wouldn't mention it to Wren, if he stayed, obviously he'd be making himself known to her, Declan would rather leave them to their privacy. She deserved something positive in her life, whether that be a friend or more. Plus, he liked Titus, he didn't mind him being around, even though he wasn't family. He trusted him, trusted him with Wren.
Wren herself was curled up in her plush seat, nose inches from a canvas as she painted tiny little details with a tiny little brush. The whole room smelled like turpentine and oil paint. Paint brushes soaked in a cup of turpentine in the corner, paint thinner spilled over, and she was covered in oil color smears.

Jesse Dean Gallagher

Titus knocked on the door, he waited for a minute. After receiving no answer he opened the door and went in. He hung back watching Wren work. She was really into her art. She looked so intent and focused on her work. So Titus just watched for a while.
"Bad time...?" He finally asked. He was starting to feel a bit like a creeper. He moved a bit closer and off to the side. Trying to view her piece from a different angle. He would come back at a better time if she told him too.

Titus

'Cause sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak,
you feel like you wanna just give up

~Cadence Jaycey Sinclaire-Caine~

"Sleep is for the weak!" Cadence replied with a small smile. She hadn't really slept much, but she did not want him to worry. So she did what she did best. She deflected his question, making light of the situation. She shook her head.
"No. I am going back up to the apartment. You can come in if you want. Unless you have somewhere to go..."

The rev of a bike startled her, she jumped back and was surprised and annoyed to see Killian parking his bike. He strolled over to the pair.
"Wow you two work fast." Killian said with a devilish grin.
"What are you doing here this early Kill?"
"Trying to catch you before work. I was hoping I could convince you to make nice with your brother and sister-in-law. Be supportive and go see the baby." Killian had had enough of Cadence's stubbornness. He had been patient, encouraging and now he was ready to force her to do the right thing. She had no reason to hate her brother. No reason to act like such a jackass toward him.
"Uhhh...I'm working late all week. Big case going to court. Really tricky. The attorney we are up against is a beast. I really don't have time..."
"Well this is your family Cadie. Your really going to put a job before your family? A job that you have had for like five seconds. Your Aunt Celeste would be really disappointed in you." Killian had not meant to bring Celeste into the conversation. It had just popped out, and immediately he was sorry it did.

In a matter of seconds he saw surprise, anguish and then fury pass through her eyes. Her face seemed to darken and she seemed to grow in size with the fury that was filling her.
"You shut the ******** up, and keep her damn name out your filthy mouth you little s**t." Cadence snapped as she stalked toward him. Her finger jabbing his chest roughly. Killian backed away, hands up as if surrendering.
"I'm sorry. I know that was a low..."
"Shut. Up. Killian. Leave." Cadence said loudly, talking over Killian. Cutting him off, and not caring that she did.

Killian knew better then to push his luck with Cadence. She was a explosively violent little person when you made her angry. She turned into the Hulk, and start smashing things and people indiscriminately. He would rather he was not on the receiving end of her temper today.
"I'm leaving. I'm leaving." He said calmly and she backed him all the way to his bike. She glared at him the whole time he was preparing to leave.
"Jasper, stop by the hospital later. See the baby, and Grace. She is up now, and allowed one visitor at a time."
"Your going to be her room mate if you don't get out of here!" Cadence threatened. Killian did not reply that she was in the maternity ward because he did not want to throw fuel on the fire. He simply left and planned to give her a day, maybe two to calm down before he visited her again.

Cadence glared after Killian until he was out of sight. Her fists were balled up and she was trembling. She had resisted the urge to punch Killian in the face. She turned back toward her apartment.
"Go see the De La Cruz clan, as usual Orion needs to be the center of attention." She walked up the stairs to the building and closed the door. She went back up to her apartment and began cleaning up rather aggressively. Then she went and laid out a comfortable outfit. Something she would be able to move in, and wouldn't care about dirtying up.

She showered, dressed hurriedly and called Tessa. Tessa answered after the third ring and Cadence immediately began speaking. Tessa listened and was surprised. Cadence who had been on a getting her life on track kick wanted to go out bar hopping, and to get into some trouble. Just like the old days!

Too bad Tessa couldn't. She wouldn't turn her friend though. She knew something had happened if Cadie was ready to go wild again. She had not told Cadie her news yet. She had been sitting with it for a week before she made a decision.

The pair decided to meet up. Cadie wanted to go to the shooting range first, then they would have brunch, hit a pool hall to troll for guys, then they would hit the mall, then dinner and finally bar hopping, or club hopping. Tessa was game, she wanted to get to the bottom of whatever was going on.

"Holy s**t Cadie! No idea you could shoot like that!" Tessa said as they took their seats at the restaurant. She would convince Cadie to go home, get changed and then they would go out. She would do her friend's make up. She still had no idea what had Cadence in a mood and she wouldn't push it right now.
"New hobby, I have taken to it rather quickly though."
"Uhhhh yeah! Those were almost all killing shots! Your getting to be so scary."
"I'm learning to shoot to kill. I won't be a victim ever again. Two mimosas to get us started, then we will look at the menu." Cadence informed the waiter. He nodded and went off.
"Wow...you didn't even give him a moment to talk. Ms. Polite and Proper!"
"I had it with guys today. Besides....I know what I want to drink. I can go over the menu later. While I sip my drink." Tessa smirked at her friend.
"Switching teams?" Cadence lowered her menu and stared at her friend.
"Not with you whore!" She replied and grinned. Her friend laughed and smacked her playfully with the menu.
"I wasn't aware you were seeing anyone Cadie."
"I just started seeing Jasper again....like seriously. One date that was cut short because of Orion."
"Hmpft!" Tessa shook her head.

"Ugh! Wife? PASS!" Cadence shook her head.
"Really....? Interesting! Since when have you fully given up on getting married?" Tessa asked as she watched her friend. Cadie shrugged and looked back at Tessa.
"Just been thinking...maybe I am not the marriage and children type of chic. I don't like answering to anyone, I don't like staying put, and isn't that what marriage is?"
"I think so. I know it involves screwing the same guy regularly."
"Ugh! What if he is bad at it?"
"You mean like Alex was?" Tessa chuckled and Cadence shook her head and giggled.
"Cadence, I am just saying....my Mom has been married five times now, Dad is on his fourth marriage and things aren't looking that great for them. Marriage is the kiss of death. I think you should just play the field. Keep your options open."
"I think our drinks are here!" Cadence accepted her drink and raised her glass. Tessa lifted her glass and tapped it against Cadie's.
"Here's to being single independent sexy women!" Tessa said and then they drank.
"So you ready to raise hell my little friend?"
"Oh yeah! Let's go to that bar where we got drunk and be started dancing with those other girls on the bar!"
"They do that regularly there now, and they keep asking about you!"
"Really? That is sweet!" Cadence said with a little smile.

Once the food arrived the two started to eat and chat. Cadence was working on her third mimosa when Tessa dropped her bombshell.
"So....I actually had been meaning to come out and talk to you. I'm pregnant and thought....rather then have the procedure done again. I could....give you the baby. I know you were really excited about being a Mom....You had picked out a theme and I know you were really upset when the doctor told you that he wasn't sure if what happened could affect your chances of conceiving or successfully carrying a pregnancy through term. Plus your all responsible now." Cadence set down her fork and stared back at Tessa. Clearly she was in shock by what Tessa had just revealed.
"But....you would get....fat....and have stretch marks...." Cadie said softly. Tessa nodded her head.
"I know....but...you were crushed when you learned you might not be able to have children in the future, and you love kids! they are gross and full of germs but you love them for some reason!" Cadence laughed and started to cry.
"That is so sweet of you, but I am not sure I can say yes! But I don't want you to...." Tessa rummaged through the bag and flagged the waiter down.
"Check please!" Once the check was paid she lead Cadence outside. She had no idea why Cadie was crying.

~Candie~

But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that sh*t out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse.
~Eminem