1 week later
*Dahlia*
"Hi sweetie, how are you doing ?" I hurry over to hug Maddie as the babysitter Vera shows us in. She looks pale and a bit drawn.

She hugs me tightly. "I am keeping it together as good as possible.. Thank you so much for coming.. it will mean the world to Tom.. and to me too of course".

"Hi Mads". Zac hugs her warmly. "How is Tom doing ?"

She shakes her head. "Not good.. he is.. it's like someone switched of Tom and there is just an empty shell.. even Anele feels it".

Zac gives her a small smile. "I am so sorry darling.. I can't even start to express.. sorry".

"Aww babe". I take his hand.. he has a really hard time dealing with this and I think the fact that I am pregnant makes it worse. "Maybe you should go find Tom.. have a man to man talk".

He nod, trying to keep in the tears and give me a quick kiss, before heading towards the door. Maddie calling out. "He is upstairs.. probably in the .. nursery".

Zac disappear and I look at Maddie. "So.. how are you really doing ?"

"Mostly I worry about Tom.. he is .. broken.. I mean I am distraught.. I am.. but I am.. also revealed.. I am not sure I could have handled a sick kid.. and i feel so bad about thinking that". She bites her lip.

"Aww sweetie.. I understand.. as well as I can.. but I am not judging". I hug her again .. I know Maddie and I can see the pain in her.

She dry a single tear away and look at my stomach.. it has really started growing, as I am 28 weeks pregnant. "How are you feeling.. you look radiant.. and where is Stella ?"

"We left her with a friend at the hotel..". I had thought that seeing my six and a half month old daughter might be to much.. my pregnancy I can't really hide. "And I am fine.. no real nausea this time".

"I am so happy to hear that.. and Dahlia.. it's okay.. I mean you don't have to tread on eggshells with me or try to not be happy about your pregnancy". She gives me a tired smile.. and I know she means it.

I hear the sound of paws and Molly comes sprinting in, Bobby on her heels, making me squat down to scratch two happy dog heads. "Hi girl.. hi Bobby.. Hey wait a minute.. either Molly is getting fat.. or..".

"Whoops". Maddie gives a small chuckle. "Tom was so disappointed when there was no puppies.. now there is".

"Not sure what Zac will say.. but given the.. circumstances he will probably forgive Tom". I stroke our dog gently over the back. "Hmm girl.. so you are having puppies".

Maddie makes a small sound. "Yeah.. she is gonna be a mom".

I spring to my feet, hugging her. "Aww sweetie.. and you are a mom.. you are Anele's mom and you are the mom of a little angel.. it's okay to be sad.. we are here for you".

"Thank you.. and you are right". She hugs me back. "Thank you sweetie.. I am lucky to have such good friends".

"So am I". I smile at her.. I am so grateful to have her in my life and Tom too.

*Zac*
I walk upstairs finding the nursery, there is no sound and I wonder if Tom is actually there.. but something makes me not call out, instead I push the door open, looking inside.

First I think he actually isn't there, but the I see the rocking chair move and there is a shadow in it.. so I call out softly. "Hi Tom".

There is no response so I slowly walk closer, swallowing.. I have to do this for Tom.. I have to keep myself together.. he need support right now.

He is just sitting there, staring at a small baby onesie in his hands.. his face so pale and with dark circles under his eyes that he looks ten years older. "Tom !"

"Oh hi Zac.. I didn't hear you there". He looks up.. his eyes seems dull. "Thanks for coming.. I was just..".

"It's okay Tom.. I get it.. or as much as it's possible". I give him a small smile. How can I understand ? I don't think I even want to understand, to painful.

He get up slowly, his hand squeezing the small piece of clothes. "It's good to see you".

"It's good to see you too". I pull him into a hug. "I am so sorry Tom.. so very very sorry".

A choked up sob escape him and he buries his face in my shoulder. "It's not fair.. our little baby.. she never got a chance.. I will never get to hold her or see her".

I don't know what to say.. the pain in his voice is heartbreaking and I wish I could do something.. anything to make him feel better.. but all I can do is hug him and tell him that it's okay and that I am here no matter what he needs.

"Sorry to be such a mess". Tom say as he pulls slightly away, he seems more collected now. "I just..".

"It's okay Tom.. don't even mention it". I squeeze his shoulder softly.

He breathes in, then he smiles softly. "Oh by the way.. you are going to be a grandfather after all.. in about two weeks".

"Grandfather ?" I probably look really confused for a moment. "Oh shit.. Molly and Bobby.. they.. again".

"Whoops". He shrug looking like he is scared I will get angry. "Sorry about that.. I was going to talk to you about it.. but you know.. things happened".

How can I be angry with him after what has happened ? Also a new puppy would be kinda awesome. "It's okay Tom.. actually having puppies will be kinda cool".

"Having puppies ? Oh I didn't know you like wanted the puppies". Seriously the look on his face almost make me cry.

I shake my head. "I was just thinking like.. one puppy.. you can keep the rest if you.. want".

"Oh". He looks so relieved I am about to cry again. "Thanks.. cause I kinda promised Anele and such".

I know it's not Anele who wants the puppies the most, but I just smile. "Who would take puppies from a kid.. come let's go down to our beautiful wifes".