“Mr. Stone?” The judge raised her voice a little. “Counselor? Are you ready for your cross?”

Peter shook his head. “Uh, your honor. I’m requesting a recess, please.”

“Fine. It’s close to lunch anyway. We’ll reconvene in an hour.” She pounded the gavel.

“Peter. We need to talk for a minute.” Jack McCoy stopped Peter outside of the courtroom.

“Actually I’m-”

“That wasn’t a request, Peter.” Jack articulated.

“Okay, guys. Go get washed up for dinner,” you instructed Julian and Audra. The kids ran off to the bathroom.

“Good evening, darling.” Peter’s voice caused you to jump.

“Peter. You’re home.” Setting the plastic bags on the counter you unpacked the groceries you bought to make dinner.

“You sound surprised. I do live here.” He sipped from the tumbler in his hand. “Actually making dinner for a change?” he asked sarcastically as he gestured to the items on the counter.

“Well after working a full-time job, six months pregnant, taking care of our children and trying to maintain the house by myself, I’m a little crunched for time.” Turning you took a pot out of the cabinet and started filling it with water. “Maybe if you didn’t get lost in a bottle of scotch every evening I might be able to make dinner more often.”

Peter glared at you. “Did you call Jack McCoy?”

“Why would I call Jack McCoy?”

He smacked the cabinet above your head. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Y/N! I’m on administrative leave because a ‘concerned party was worried about my abilities to perform my job as an ADA due to an alcohol problem’,” he yelled.

“Peter. You need to calm down before the kids hear,” you warned. “Besides I didn’t call anyone.” You put the pot of water on the stove and turned on the burner.

“Don’t tell me to calm down. I’m sick and tired of your nagging-”

“Daddy, please stop yelling,” Julian said in tears. “It’s scary for Audra when you yell.”

“Go back to your room,” Peter said sternly. Julian stood rocking from one foot to the other. “Julian Xavier if you don’t get-”

“Peter don’t shout at him.” Kneeling down your rested your hands on his shoulders. “It’s okay buddy. Go ahead to your room. I’ll be there in a minute.” You wiped the tears from his cheeks and kissed his head.

He turned to look back a couple times before turning the corner down the hall.

Grabbing the edge of the counter you straightened to look Peter in the eye. “I’m done nagging. I’m done trying to help someone that doesn’t want help. I’m done…period.”

“What does that mean?” Peter placed his hands on his hips. His mouth formed a thin line and his brow furrowed.

“It means,” you braced your hands on the counter, “I can’t live like this anymore. I know you’ve been handed a shitty hand in life the last few months and I can’t fathom what you’re going through.” Peter opened his mouth to say something but you held a hand up silencing him. “But that gives you no right, no right to behave like you have been. I refuse for our children to live in a home with an alcoholic father.”

“Alcoholic? You think I’m an alcoholic?”

“I know you are,” you stated and put a finger in his chest. “You have some decisions to make my love. You’re on the verge of losing your job, ruining your career and losing the last few people that care whether you live or die.”

Peter’s head dropped and he clenched and unclenched his fists. “I need some air,” he mumbled before turning to leave the room. The front door slammed rattling the windows. You were surprised they didn’t shatter.

Tears stung your eyes. Taking a deep breath you fanned your face. ‘Soldier on Stone. You got this,’ you whispered to yourself. You added the noodles to the boiling water, stirring to make sure they didn’t stick. Peter was given an ultimatum. His family or the alcohol. At this point, you honestly weren’t sure which he would choose.

“Mommy. I don’t feel good,” Julian’s soft voice woke you from where you had fallen asleep on the couch watching television. He was holding his belly.

“Awww..c’mere buddy.” You sat up then felt his forehead. He was burning up. “Where does it hurt?”

He pointed to his lower right side. “I gonna throw up.” Grabbing the wastebasket beside the couch you got it to him just in time. After he was done, you wiped his mouth with a tissue. “It hurts really bad.”

You looked at the clock 11:30 pm. Picking up the phone, you dialed Sonny’s wife. You hoped you didn’t wake her. “Sorry, I’m calling so late. Did I wake you?”

“You’re fine. Kids had cookies courtesy of Ma Carisi so the kids are still running around like a bunch of heathens.” You could hear squealing in the background and Sonny laughing at something. “Everything okay?”, she asked.

“I think Julian may have appendicitis,” you told her trying to keep your voice steady.

You heard her say something to Sonny, a door close, then it was a little quieter. “Okay. What’s going on?”

“Julian. He came to me. He says his belly hurts really bad on the lower right side, he vomited and he has a fever.”

“I’d get him to the ER just to be safe. I can meet you guys at Bellvue if you want,” she offered.

“You don’t-”

“I’ll be there in 15 minutes,” she stated.

You tried to call Peter several times but no answer. So, you sent a 911 text. It took you almost 10 minutes to get out the door between having to get Audra up, shoes and coats on both kids and getting them in the car. When you got to the ER, Sonny’s wife was waiting for you. She had her scrubs on and escorted you to the back. “Where’s Peter?”

The look you gave her told her all she needed to know. She didn’t say anything but just shook her head.

The doctor that examined Julian was phenomenal. He ordered an abdominal CT which confirmed the diagnosis. “We’ll take him to emergency surgery. The OR team is being called in now. He’ll be in good hands, Mrs. Stone.”

Your phone buzzed in your purse. “Peter thank God. Julian has appendicitis. They’re taking him to surgery.”

“Shit. Now? What hospital?” In the background, you heard a male’s voice. “I’m on the way.”

“Bellvue. Please get here quickly.”

“I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Tell Julian I love him.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“I love you too, Y/N.” He didn’t wait for a response.

“Is Daddy coming?” Julian asked. You took his small, warm hand in yours.

“On his way right now buddy. He said to tell you he loves you.” Leaning over you kissed his forehead.

“I can take Audra home with me once Peter gets here. That way you can focus on Julian and Audra can get some sleep,” Sonny’s wife offered. She was currently holding a sleeping Audra in her arms.

“You already have five at home. Do you really want another to look after? Will Sonny care.”

“Please. What’s one more.” She waved you away with her hand and gave you a small smile. “You feeling okay?”

“Yeah. I’m okay.” Rubbing your belly you returned her smile.

“Daddy. You’re here. I’m sick” Julian said. Peter walked into the room followed by Fin.

“Yeah. I heard,” he said softly. Peter sat on the other side of the bed.

“You guys good?” Fin asked. Directing the question more at you than anyone.

You nodded.

“I’m gonna go. Call me when he gets out of surgery,” Sonny’s wife said.

You and Peter gave Audra a kiss. Fin gave Julian a fist bump. “I’ll walk ya to your car,” he said to Sonny’s wife.

A few minutes later they wheeled Julian down the hall to surgery. They were able to give him something to make him sleepy before they took him. Both of you kissed his forehead. A staff member escorted you and Peter to a waiting room. It was cozy as much as a waiting room could be with a plush couch, dim lighting and a rack with magazines.

Peter drug his hands through his hair while he paced the floor. Taking a magazine from the rack you sat on the couch thumbing through it not really looking at, just needed to do something with your hands.

Peter finally sat beside you on the couch. He put a hand on your knee and gently squeezed. “You okay? Want some water or tea?”

Shaking your head, the tears you had been holding back started spilling down your cheeks. “I’m scared. I know it’s a routine surgery but-”

Peter gathered you in his arms and leaned back on the couch. Your head rested on his chest. He smelled of his body wash, a hint of cigar smoke and fried foods. “I am too. It’s not routine when it’s one of your children,” he sniffled. He kissed your head.  It was quiet for a few minutes the only sounds were the occasional ding of the elevator and your mixed breathing.

“I didn’t call Jack.”

Peter ran his hand up and down your arm. “I know you didn’t. I’m sorry I accused you.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Stone?” the surgeon said as he entered the room. Peter stood then helped you to your feet. “Julian did great. He’s in recovery. He’ll need to stay here for a couple of days. You can see him soon.”

“Thank you. Thank you,” you said to the surgeon. You grabbed Peter’s hand in yours and squeezed. He squeezed yours back.

“Thank you,” Peter shook his hand.

The surgeon smiled and nodded before leaving the room.

When you pulled up to the building your heart sank and your stomach knotted. Peter exited the SUV rounding to open your door. Taking your hand, he helped you from the car then took his duffel from the back. He pulled an envelope from his coat pocket. Holding it up he instructed, “don’t open this until you get home.”

Smiling you pulled one from your coat as well. “Great minds think alike.” Pulling your bottom lip between your teeth you looked up at Peter through your lashes. “This the longest we’ve ever been apart. I know this is what you need to do and I am so proud of you for it…”

Peter tipped your chin up. “I know. He touched foreheads with you. “28 days. It’ll go by quickly. I’ll be out before the twins are born. I’ll be a better person, husband, and father.” He pressed a kiss to your lips. Bending over he rested his hands on your belly then kissed your pregnant belly. When he stood he pulled you to him. Wrapping your arms around each other both of you held on to one another. He kissed your temple. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Are you ready?”

He nodded. “I am.”