This is it. Wow, I didn't think I'd ever get here. Thank you everyone who has had any interest in this story. I thought for sure it wouldn't go over well and you guys proved me wrong. My ego will never be the same, heh.

Special thanks to Trinity and Bookworm for letting me bitch, moan, whine and bounce ideas.

Like I said, I have some one shots for this universe in mind so it won't be gone completely. I feel like I've created my own little world!

7 years later

"Gabriel Almeida! When I tell you to stop, you stop!"

Gabriel, Gabe when he wasn't getting into trouble, stopped dead in his tracks in front of the large stage his father and his band had been practicing on. He was good at pushing his parents to the limit but when his mother used that tone, he knew better than to continue. His dad had taught him that. "Keep her happy hijo. Mom stays happy, we all stay happy."

Gabe plopped down in one of the arena chairs. "I just want to show dad what we got."

Michelle tossed her bag into one of the chairs beside her son and sighed, a small smile growing on her face. Like she could really ever be mad at him when he looked up at her with Tony's, well everything. A stirring from her arms brought her attention back to the little girl who was letting her know she didn't like being ignored for her big brother. Where Gabriel was a spitting image of his father, Abigail was her mother all over. Sometimes Elizabeth teased that Michelle had gotten pregnant again just to try and get a kid that actually looked a little like her. Whether on purpose or not, it had worked.

"And what is your problem little lady?"

"I'm excited to see daddy too!" The one thing both kids most certainly got from Tony was the pout.

"We know baby. No one is saying you aren't." Michelle looked back at Gabe. "Aren't you forgetting someone? You know he can't keep up with you. I thought we talked about this."

Gabe dropped his eyes and looked away guiltily. "Sorry mom. I didn't think about it." He looked up at her from under his eyes.

Elizabeth made her way down the aisle to where they were sitting, a small boy in her arms who was squirming so much she eventually put him down. Andrew Sheppard sidled up to Gabe and plopped down next to him. It was clear the little boy was out of breath but he smiled at his best friend. "I didn't miss anything did I?"

Gabe smirked. "Just mom yelling at me. You never get yelled at."

"You can't get yelled at when you're too weak to do anything."

"I heard that!" They both laughed at Elizabeth. She turned to Michelle, shaking her head. "One of these days he's going to act like he's had a heart transplant and I can finally relax."

Michelle grinned as she watched the two boys talking animatedly. They'd almost been best friends from the womb. Gabe was about six months older and every bit as protective of his friend as he was his sister. When Andrew had gotten sick over a year ago, Michelle and Tony had practically lived at the hospital. Gabe had refused to be separated from Andrew. Now though, Gabe had trouble remembering his friend couldn't be as "energetic" as he was.

"Why hello ladies." They turned to see John making his way down the side of the stage and coming their way. "Hey there's my boys."

Andrew shot up out of his chair and ran over to his father. John bent down and lifted him over his shoulder, smacking his butt quickly. "What'd you guys do all afternoon?"

"Dad you're never gonna believe what we got! Gabe, show'm what we got!"

Gabe started flailing something in his hand wildly and Michelle started laughing. "Gabe, he can't see it if you're waving it around like that."

John grabbed the item and held it up closer so he could see it. His eyes went large. "You got Rock Band 3?! How?!"

Elizabeth walked over and took Andrew from him before he dropped their son. "We went by the game studio so Michelle could drop off some paperwork and they asked if the boys wanted to see the office. Michael, I think he said his name was, said it was finished enough for you guys to have a copy." She couldn't help but bring her hand up to try and cover a laugh as all three males yelled excitedly. Michelle wasn't the only one with two kids, not really. "You guys do have a song in the game. He figured it was ok to give it to you early."

"Holy crap I can't believe you got this!"

"John!"

"Can't believe they got what?" Tony had practically came out of no where in the confusion and they all jumped a bit. "What'm I missin'?"

"Check out what the boys got." John handed the game over and Tony quickly looked up at Michelle. "How the hell did ya get this?!"

"Tony!" She snatched the game out of his hands and his excitement died a little.

"What? What'd I do?"

Michelle never got a chance to complain about his language. Gabe was already practically climbing all over his dad. "They gave us a copy! We want to watch you and Uncle John battle, dad."

Tony smirked over at John at the same moment John decided to give him his own grin. "Are you kidding? I'll wipe the floor with him."

"Bring it on old man."

"I'll kick your ass easy."

"Like hell you will."

"Tony!" "John!" All males in the immediate vicinity turned towards the two women who stood with their hands on their hips. Abigail even glared back at them from her mother's arms.

Tony and John spoke at the same time. "What?!"

Michelle quietly closed the door to Abigail's room and made her way down the hall and up the stairs to the third floor. Coming to the top she could hear Tony's voice. She pushed on Gabe's door lightly, just enough to see inside. Gabe was sitting up, his covers draped across his waist and donned in his Batman pajamas. Tony sat on the edge of his bed, his guitar in his lap as they spoke.

"I know your mother talked to you about this, but you've got to remember Andrew can't run around like you can. He's got to take it easy, but he won't do that if he thinks you're gonna go off without him."

"I just forget dad. I'm not doing it on purpose." Gabe gave his father a sad look.

"Ok, none of that. Just try and work on it a little better for your old man, alright?" Tony watched him nod. "So what did ya want to hear tonight? And don't ask your mother. I've had about enough of "Puff The Magic Dragon." He grinned at Gabe as the little boy giggled. "I think you're old enough for something a little more grown up."

Gabe stuck his tongue out, a sure sign he was concentrating. Tony could tell when he had something, his whole face lit up. "Play me something your dad played for you."

Tony gave his son a sad smile but knew exactly what he was going to play. "Ok then. I think grandpa played this for me when I was just a little older than you."

Michelle leaned against the door frame as Tony's fingers gently started the intro chords.

My mama told me when I was young

Said sit beside me my only son

And listen closely to what I say

And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day

Oh, yeah it will

Oh, take your time, don't live too fast

Troubles will come and they will pass

You'll find a woman and you'll find love

And don't forget that there is a someone up above

And be a simple kind of man

And be something you'll love and understand

Baby be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?

Then you can

Don't get your lust from the rich man's gold

All that you need now is in your soul

And you can do this, oh baby if you try

All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man

And be something you'll love and understand

Baby be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?

If you can

Oh, don't you worry, you'll find yourself

Follow your heart and nothing else

And you can do this, oh baby if you try

All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

Neither Michelle nor Gabe moved the entire time he was singing. As he was finally finishing the last chorus, she reached up and wiped at a few tears that had escaped. Tony dropped the guitar to the floor and grunted as he suddenly had an arm full of child. He closed his eyes and pulled him in tight, sliding his hand up and down his small back. "Come on kid, time for bed."

Michelle quietly made her way down the hall to their room and started getting ready for bed. She'd just slid under the covers when Tony came in, shutting the door behind him. Starting to get ready for bed himself, he cut his eyes at her. "Don't play coy with me woman. I know you were listening."

"I have no idea what you're talking about-oh!" She let out a squeak then a giggle as he pounced, bracing her arms against the bed. He hovered over her for a second, just looking at her. Michelle blushed and he dropped his head, kissing her gently at first, then more passionately. His hands moved from her wrists, down her arms to rest on her hips. Tony broke their kiss, moving his lips along her jaw to the soft spot beneath her ear. "God I love you."

She bit her lip and smiled, wrapping her arms around him. "I love you too."

He nibbled along her neck, to her shoulder. "You know, I've been thinking."

She buried her hands in his hair, encouraging him to continue. "Yeah?"

Pulling back from her neck so he could see her eyes, he smiled widely. "We got two kids so far. How would you like to try for a full band?"