Seeing Grandma laying in the bed sitting up now looking at me, I feel like maybe she's going to be okay. Grace who was sitting with her got up and as she passed me she gave my hand a squeeze. "No wild parties, Georgia. I'll know if you have one."

"I love you, Grace honey, but sometimes you're really a party pooper." Grandma fires back at her. "I'll tell you what, I'll have you paged when the strippers get here."

Grace laughed holding the door open. "Now I know where Jake got it from. Don't you corrupt these two. I'll be nearby if you need me."

She's awesome. Kincade got lucky getting adopted by her and Jake. I know Grace went through a lot with the cancer but it brought her closer to Jake. It brought her into the family. Grandma has adored her from the moment they met. Uncle Blake wouldn't have gotten through that time without her. And now Grace is an amazing grandma to Bri and Kincade's little one. Just like Grandma is to us.

"Fifteen minutes, Aiden. I want her to sleep sometime tonight." Her orders are clear. Giving Grace a salute, I watch her walk out closing the door behind her.

Grandma scoots herself up a bit and waves her arms at us to come over to her. "I'm not contagious, you two. Get over here and give me a kiss."

Rolling my eyes I walk over and take the seat Grace vacated. "You look better."

"I'm fine. Don't you worry about me. I've still a few more years left in me yet. You still owe me a dance." Grandma reminds me.

Looking at her I notice things about that I don't think I ever saw before. Her short hair has changed from the black I remember as a kid to almost a full white now. There's wrinkles on her beautiful face that was once smooth as silk. Her green eyes seem brighter and her face pale. I don't see her without makeup often and even then she always has mascara and lipstick on.

"Did you think you could get rid of me that easily?" I know what she's doing. Every time things get too tense Grandma has always teased me to lighten the mood.

"I'll take you out for a night of dancing once I can break you out of here." Teasing her back I take hold of her tiny hand noticing how small it is in mine and how thin her skin has become.

"I'm not that old Aiden to not know what everyone's thinking. I'm sorry I ruined the party but I can't regret it when I've learned exactly what your dad has done to this family." She's pissed. I can hear it in the tone of her voice. No amount of joking around can hide that from me. "Riley, honey, come here please."

I'd forgotten Riley was still here. She is so quiet right now and I'm just so distracted with all this family drama. I really wish we could start this night over again and do it better.

Riley comes closer but there's something distant about her. "Mrs Bradford, I'm really sorry about everything that's happened. I feel responsible for your son's outburst..."

"Nonsense! Adam has been a pain in the ass for a while now. I'm sure Blake has filled you in as I asked him to. I've got the board dealing with the mess now but I'm needing your help too. Both of you."

What? What did Blake tell her?

I'll do anything Grandma needs but what does she want Riley to do? All of this is messing with my head right now. I just need some time to process everything. How can she be in the hospital and still deal with her son so calmly? I swear Grandma has been through so much, and each time something else happens she's just that much stronger.

"What can we do to help you?" I ask looking across the bed at Riley and knowing she's going to do whatever Grandma asks.

"First answer a couple questions I have." Grandma wants answers to what happened. I thought Blake answered all this earlier.

"What can we answer for you?" Riley smiles softly at her and reaches out to brush a loose strand of hair from her face.

Grandma nods, taking both our hands and bringing them together over her lap. Lacing my fingers through Riley's I give her a lopsided smile. My boyish one that has always been Grandma's favorite.

"I want to make sure that nothing imbecilic that your father has done has messed you two up. You're still together, yes?" Her small prod into my personal life is overlooked. Grandma just raises her eyebrows waiting for a response.

"Yes." My eyes lift to Riley's and hold there. Tightening my grip on her hand I nod answering the question again. "I'm not losing her over this."

"Excellent. And Chloe? How is your mother taking this hit?" Grandma sounds really concerned about her.

"I don't know. She was giving Riley some pretty nasty looks a while ago. I don't know." Maybe that's my fault. I wasn't thinking about my mom when everything happened. I was worried about Grandma and Riley.

"She's going to feel guilty. She's not. Aiden, listen to me, Adam has hurt her enough. Your mom is family no matter what happens now. We had our talks about Adam and his... issues. You need to be there for her. Both of you. You're her family, we're all she has." Grandma doesn't see the way Riley hesitates or feel the way she starts to pull her hand from mine.

"I'll be there for her, Grandma. I promise. I'm not Dad." I know what he's done to her. Maybe not everything but I know enough to know Dad isn't who I thought he was.

"Of course." Riley quietly replies when Grandma pins her with a single look.

"Good. Now, I'm going to be here in the hospital for a while apparently. I need surgery." My eyes dart to hers, green on green. I haven't heard about this yet. Why? What's wrong with her? "Oh for goodness sake's Aiden. I'm not dying. I've got a tumor causing me trouble. They need to remove it."

"Where's the tumor? Is it cancer? What kind of trouble are you having? Does the family know?" Every question floods out at once.

Holding our hands joined together Grandma pats them and keeps us this way. "I want to see your babies, Aiden, my sweet. I want to see you two married before I leave this world." Seeing her visibly upset is hard to take. Not much rattles this woman, when it does it's big. "The tumor is in my brain. I'll be under the knife in a couple days. I've made a will just in case but I would really love to make a change that will include your children."

I don't know what to say to this. Getting up I start pacing the room while Riley keeps hold of Grandma. It's not that I don't have feelings for Riley. It's not like I wouldn't consider the possibility of marriage and kids after college, after I was settled in my career, like Blake was.

"Riley dear, would you ask Grace for another blanket please." Grandma knew I was struggling with this. I'm no fool, I know she asked Riley to go to talk to me.

"Of course." Riley stood, keeping her distance from me and not even looking my way before she walked out.

Shit! I just screwed this up!

"Screwed the pooch there, didn't you?" Grandma's eyes glitter with mischief. "Do you love her?"

"I've answered this." I grumble but get that one eyebrow lift at me with her lips pursed tight. I hate that look. "I'm getting there, yeah."

"So the little "l" as Blake would say. How about the big "L"?" Grandma knows how us boys talk without really saying it. She should after two generations of us. Shrugging at her now, I give my answer.

"Grandma, I care about Riley more than I have any other girl but I'm not ready for marriage. To Riley or anyone else. I like where we are, I like where we're heading but I don't want to move things that fast. I'm sorry if that disappoints you, I don't want to do that but I want to be sure she's it." Explaining my feelings and where I stand isn't easy. I've always tried to be upfront with my family and friends. I don't want to disappoint her.

Grandma nods and picks at the balls on her blanket. "I understand and you could never disappoint me, Aiden. I love you, always to the moon and back. I just don't want to see you lose a good thing. You know sometimes we think we have all the time in the world and then forces outside our control separate us from the one we love. Just don't take time for granted. It'll slip right through your fingers if you do."

I know she's thinking about Jim and what happened to them. They were fortunate to find each other again. I know that luck doesn't happen for everyone. I understand what she's saying but I still know I'm not ready. I'm not stupid either but I have to do what's right for me.

"Aiden, that girl is the best thing to happen to you. What would you have done if your father had succeeded tonight and Riley walked away?" Grandma is determined to get me to see her side.

"She didn't and I would have gone after her. I'm not saying I don't know what I have, or that I don't want her. I just need some time." Arguing with this woman is sometimes like arguing with a wall. She digs her heels in and there's nothing changing her mind.

"Honey, don't think I don't know exactly what your daddy tried to do tonight. I know he scared her, I know she's thinking about what he said to her and I know she's considering that he may be right. I also know she's dead wrong." Grandma may be in a hospital bed but the woman always has a way of finding out what all of us are up to.

"How do you always know what we do?" I have to ask, the woman is psychic or something.

"I don't give away my secrets." Grandma grins giving me her mischievous smile with a wink that says she's not going to tell me. "You just do what I say and take care of that girl. Keep Riley close and take care of her. I know what's best here."

"How?" I wonder out loud. "How do you know when I don't?"

"I've lived a lot longer than you have, sweet pea. I've seen and done more than you can imagine. When you get to my age, you'll understand." Grandma nods towards the door. "I need to get some rest now. Grace is a stickler when it comes to her damn hospital rules. She won't let me get away with anything."

I give her a kiss and head out knowing I'll be right here until she's better. I'm also going to ask Grace some serious questions about her condition. Walking out I find Grace talking to Uncle Blake and Riley. Riley is looking around like she'd like to run out the door. Maybe this is what Grandma is talking about. That fearful look in my girl's eyes telling anyone who is paying attention that she's uncomfortable and wants to leave.

Walking over, I catch the end of the conversation which answers some of my questions. "... the tumor pressing against her brain is Meningiomas. This tumor grows from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It's the reason for the dizziness, headaches, and memory loss. Surgery is necessary. If she doesn't have it removed her symptoms will only get worse progressing into nerve pain from her spinal cord and limb mobility limitations or complete paralysis. She has to have this."

"What caused it? She's always been healthy." Blake questions.

Riley looks at me and I see the sadness in her eyes. It's probably just a reflection of my own I'm seeing. Taking her hand I bring her against my side and hold her to me. I need her here for support as well as knowing that I'm not losing her. I know we need to talk about what happened but right now I need to focus on Grandma.

"There's not a known cause. This kind of tumor is more common in adults but why it happened I don't know. I've talked to Georgia about it and she wants the surgery but you hold her power of attorney. It's not for Georgia to say. It's up to you, Blake." Grace rubs her hand up and down his arm in support. "It's a hard decision to make, if you need time to talk to the rest of the family first..."

"No, do the surgery. I'll tell them what's going on but let's get her ready to go. I want Mama back home as soon as we can get her there, healthy again." Blake shuddered just slightly.

I know exactly how much Grandma means to him, to all of us. She's been a rock, the glue of this family. I don't know what would become of the rest of us if we lost her this way. Grandma has always been so strong, healthy and happy. I just want her back that way again.

"Okay, I'll let the doctor know. Just so you know Blake, surgery is always a risk especially for an older adult. There's no guarantees but I know the surgeon doing this, he's the best, Blake. He'll do everything in his power to get Georgia back to a hundred percent." Grace tries to reassure us but in this case, I think it's as much for her as it is us.

"Thanks Grace. Is Jake going to be in on this?" Blake questions. Jake has been a surgeon for several years now. His specialty is not brain surgery but cardiac, severe heart disease.

"No. Even if he was able to, I don't think he would want to. I know the hospital board wouldn't allow it given the family connection. Georgia is in good hands, I promise." Grace gives Blake's hand a squeeze then mine. "I've got to get back on duty but I'll check back in with you and Georgia."

Guess we know where we stand. Now it's up to the doctors.

After listening to the Segler's battle it out with Roan, I need a break. Taking a walk around the inside of the hospital I found myself outside the pediatric ward looking through a big window at a dozen tiny babies. With all the stress tonight I wish I was a baby again and not have to deal with all this.

I know I have to get back to the family but I needed to clear my head. Roan was so mean and hurtful towards his family. I could never be that way. He's talented and wants to just walk away from baseball. I can't imagine Dad doing something like that, or Breyden or Derrick. It's in our blood.

But I can understand the pressure it puts on him. I know Grandfather put a lot of pressure on Daddy. Adam has done the same thing to Aiden although in the opposite way. He doesn't want Aiden to go to the NFL. How many times have they argued over it to the point Aiden was so fed up he wanted to quit?

I kept wandering through the hospital listening to the steady beeps of machines from different rooms as I passed, the occasional TV it's volume turned low, soft voices of nurses, doctors and visitors. Then there was quiet in the areas where people slept. My thoughts keeping me company as I walked.

Coming out of the stairwell I turned the corner and once again walked in on an argument. This time it was my Dad and Mom quietly arguing with Chloe. The rest of the family were asleep or down at the cafeteria while they had the waiting room to themselves.

"Did you know what Adam was planning? That had arranged for Aiden to marry Leighton for the company? Jesus Chloe, he's your son not a fucking stock chip." Dad's really pissed about this and for good reason. Grandfather manipulated him and the others just as badly.

"I knew he was having financial difficulties with the company. He swore he had a win win solution. I didn't know it involved Aiden." Chloe admits although I'm not sure I completely believe her.

"Chloe you have to know what Adam was trying to do was wrong. Aiden would never agree to it even if he wasn't with Riley." Ma was softer in her approach.

"I don't know that and neither do you. Aiden and Leighton were together for a long time. There's no reason to think they wouldn't get married on their own." Chloe tries to reason with them.

I can't agree. I saw both of them away from each other and together. Neither of them were happy. Leighton wants more than Aiden will ever give her. She wants the spotlight and the gossip Aiden wants his privacy. There couldn't be two more different people.

"You don't even know Aiden anymore." Mama stands up for him. "Chloe he hates the press and red carpets and Leighton eats it up. You of all people know how it feels to be thrust into the spotlight when you want nothing to do with it. We all know that's why you and Isabelle were happy to watch the kids all the time."

"I'm not like Adam. I know from experience that Riley won't fit into this world. I came from her world, remember!? I was her. She's a beautiful girl and I can see why Aiden is attracted to her but this world will eat her up." It's the first time I've heard her talk like this.

Chloe is always very quiet and doesn't really talk about her life before us. She reserves her opinion and keeps her feelings to herself. Maybe that's because of Adam and what he wanted. Maybe she has felt like she would be ostracized for not liking the attention.

"We would protect her." Making my presence known, I walk up and finish my thought. "Riley is our friend and yeah her life is very different from ours but it doesn't mean she can't adapt. Aiden is falling hard for her in a way I've never seen. You need to support your son's choice no matter if you agree or not. This isn't about you or your choices, this is about Aiden and Riley's."

Dad slings his arm over my shoulder in agreement. "Well said, pumpkin. Chloe, you were going to say something to Riley earlier, what was it?"

Chloe looks at each of us and shakes her head. I can see the tears threatening to fall but she holds them back taking a few deep breaths then sighing resigned to her position. "I love my son and this family. I've been a part of it for more than half my life now. I know how hard it can be. I wanted to apologize to Riley for what happened and tell her I understand what she's feeling."

"And?" Dad prompts her to continue when she stopped.

Chloe looks straight at Dad and soberly answers him. "And Aiden has been through a lot because of Adam. He has walls up that no one has ever scaled. I wanted her to know that if she doesn't want this life, if she has any reservations about it now is the time to get out. I was going to give her my permission to break my son's heart and help him pick up the pieces after."

"That's not for you to do. Their relationship doesn't need you interfering with it. Riley is perfectly capable of making her own decision about Aiden and none of our input should be necessary. If Mike had his way in my relationship with Blake we wouldn't be here right now. We wouldn't have Hunter, Chase or Colin. Mike wanted to run Blake's life, I won't let anyone else do that to my family." Mom knows more about this controlling crap than anyone except Aunt Chelsea.

Chloe opens her mouth to say something back but closes it fast when Wyatt walks up behind us. Dad turns around and chuckles before I look over my shoulder. Chloe takes advantage of the interruption and walks away. Mom kisses Dad's cheek and goes to find my brothers.

"I didn't mean to interrupt." Wyatt greets us by handing Dad a bottle of water and me a chocolate bar. "I thought you could use a pick me up."

"Appreciate it. Don't worry." Dad is talking more to me than Wyatt. "I'm going to take care of this. All of it."

Nodding because I'm worried on so many levels right now, I can't think. We head down the hall and take our seats in the waiting room. Dad on one side of me and Wyatt is on the other.

"Wyatt tell me how you two got together after all this time?" Dad asks and I wonder what he's up to. I already explained this to him.

Wyatt looks at me then Dad then a slow smirk slides onto his face. The smile is very deceptive because I can feel the nerves literally pulsing off of him. He fidgets for a minute then takes my hand into his. I can see the cogs turning in his head as he tries to remember the story we agreed on. I can't tell him now that Dad knows the truth.