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"I think it was the transition from being Mia's doctor to her father that I wasn't prepared for," JJ admitted, sighing as he looked back at that time. "Since I was her doctor first, I knew how to provide her with the kind of care she needed at the time. At that point in my career, I was well-experienced. I knew what I was doing. But the moment I became her parent, caring for her became this... sort of guessing game, and she wasn't exactly an easy baby. She cried a lot, all day and all night, you wouldn't even believe that she was in the NICU with those lungs. It broke my heart. Of course, I was constantly second-guessing everything I was doing, worried that I wouldn't be able to just do the right thing." Those first few weeks after bringing Mia from the hospital had not been easy for JJ. He had become terrified that he would not do the right thing until his father had taken him aside and told him that this fear was just a part of being a parent. "Truth be told, if I hadn't been a pediatrician, if I hadn't had that experience, I don't think I ever would have considered adoption in the first place. Perhaps everything did work out for the best." He could not help the smile that crept upon his lips at the thought, and he glanced over at Mia. "Well, if it gets easier, I guess I have no choice but to wait... Until then, I'm going to enjoy these toddler years, even with all of the tantrums."

"That pretty much sums up parenthood," Cage explained, "I took care of my younger siblings a lot when I was growing up, I knew about changing diapers, feeding, helping to get them dressed and bathed and teaching them how to ride bikes and shower, shave, but there's a massive difference between anything to do with a kid, and then that kid being yours." And it wasn't about blood, either. It was about being the sole thing that was responsible for them making it out of this world alive, and making sure that they were taken care of, well loved. That was something that nothing -- no career, no lectures, no loving parents of your own, no younger siblings -- could ever prepare you for. But the other part of parenthood was figuring it all out. "But, at least you did have that experience to help you out, and like you said, you got there -- you ended up where you were supposed to be. For Mia's sake, too." Cage knew that JJ probably didn't want to think about what would have happened to the little girl if not for him; he often felt the same way about Shawn and Cienna, and knowing that they ended up where they were supposed to, too.

"That's exactly it. The time goes by so fast. I look at Ayden and Cat and I still remember both of them waking me up in the middle of the night because they were sitting on my bladder in my stomach." she chuckled softly. She smiled and nodded as he took the compliment she gave him. "It does. We split the holidays, of course, but we always make sure that we're both at the dinner or the event whatever it is for the holiday." They both had wanted everything to be fair for everyone involved and that never changed.

"I've … obviously never been pregnant," he said with a laugh and a shrug of both shoulders, "but I can remember so many things from when Colton was a baby. Taking him for long drives in my old truck to soothe him when he couldn't sleep, begging my dad for tips when he started teething, the way he'd laugh gleefully every time I covered him with his blanket to play peekaboo, I guess we never really forget when they were that small, do we?" It didn't matter how old they got, how big and tall and strong and grown. At the end of the day, they would always be their babies. "You make sure to put everything else aside and make them your priority. That matters a lot."

"You're too kind." She smiled at him and looked back at the boys. It was times like this that she couldn't help but wonder how different things would be if she still had Luke. She might not hover as much when it came to her son, but it had always been hard not to watch him close. "Teaching it is a good way to get back into it. Maybe they'll both stick with it and have something else to do this fall." It might not take his attention from football, but it would be good for him to have options. "The adventurous part isn't the problem. I thought he would find something and stick with it, but he wants to try everything." She laughed and looked over at him. "I don't mind that part, but why does everything have to be so dangerous?"

"It'll keep Colton busy," Cage said thoughtfully, keeping his eyes on his son for a while. He worried about his son, about what it would be like for him when Shawn was off at college and he didn't have his best friend around to escape from two clingy little sisters (who he adored, of course, but still), or the stress of homework and practice and the chores that he agreed to do to keep the family farm running. "God only knows keeping teenaged boys busy is half the battle," he finished with a laugh, shaking his head as he leaned back a little and took a sip of his drink, listening as she talked about him wanting to try a little bit of everything, offering her a small, sympathetic smile. "It's his job to change his mind a hundred times on what he wants to do, what he wants to try. And it's your job to worry about him and make sure he comes out of it alive." And honestly, she was doing a pretty good job with it. "I do sometimes wish boys were more into like… knitting. Crafting. Gardening. Anything but contact sports. But I get it, I did it, too."

We may take a trip to check out some schools while it's summertime, that depends on if she wants to stay around town for summer camp. I know this summer will go by so fast and then our kids will be seniors! It's so so crazy. I know she will be doing some extra studying as it goes, but I do want us to have a lot of fun too. How about you and Colton? Any big plans with the family?

That's a good idea, actually. Might as well get a jump start on it now, yeah? Rather than feeling like it's all overwhelming and happening too soon. Mostly the fun stuff -- Shawn and Colton actually took me camping for Father's Day, so we went kinda off grid up in the mountains for a few days, just got back today. Now we'll be getting Shawn ready to head down to Maryland. I'd like to get a trip in at some point, but we'll see, you know how it is with timing.

That's why and not that my brother is an asshole. Of course. How dare I have ever considered such a thing? You're an angel boy prince among men and would never shaft me just to be a jerk. Peg finger...maybe you'd want something that bends, though? Nah, I can retire whenever I want, Colt are ready to take over the business.

Maybe if you're talking about Harland, but me? An asshole? I could never, Kellan, I don't know what you're talking about. Speaking of asses, though, we're going to the movies soon, right? Well, I can figure out how to make it a jointed peg finger, it's never been my strong suit before, but there's a first time for everything. Sure, sure, a teenager running a blueberry farm could not possibly be a bad thing ever.

We need artisans the same way we need artists. What we don't need is so many consultants running about like they actually do something impactful. Eh, that's not quite what I was looking for, but I appreciate you trying to appease me. I guess we can remain friends. Did they leave you tied up in the woods or did you make it out alive from camping?

I'm not going to argue with that one at all. The world would be an easier -- cheaper -- place if we cut out the middle man and worked directly with businesses and each other, you know? Thanks, I'm very grateful that you've decided to keep me on, I can sleep well at night. We just got back into cell service today, should be home this afternoon, and I am happy to report... we all lived.

"They're definitely something that's lasted out from the sixties, aren't they? It's giving Austin Powers vibes," Amber said with a laugh, shaking her head for a moment. God, she really hoped she never stopped by a motel with one of those, they should have been destroyed at least twenty years ago, she was sure of it. "Oh, I do. Definitely good memories," she confirmed. She snorted slightly, and then nodded her head, holding her glass aloft a moment in a cheers motion. "You're very welcome," she said simply.

"Now that you mention it, I was feeling very groovy baby," he tried his best accent as he said it, knowing that it was going to fall short, feeling confident in it, anyway. "I feel like there's a good reason that you don't find those beds in hotels anymore these days, and the reason is that... they're just not good." Not to mention the fact that they made you feel like you were doing something that you shouldn't be.

"Why, thank you." JJ let out another laugh, shaking his head. "Thank you for being someone I can talk to about all of this. I'm not going to lie. I may have been a little overconfident when I first started to consider adopting Mia, thinking that I knew what it meant just because I had experience working with kids. While being a pediatrician has prepared me for some aspects of parenting, I don't think anyone could truly understand what it means unless you've actually been a parent." He was lucky enough to have people in his life who were honest about what it meant to be a parent, and he would always be grateful for that. "So, what you're telling me is that I can look forward to that feeling? Because I think... The way you put it definitely makes it seem easier. Knowing that they're safe, learning and growing, that they're being taken care of while you're doing your thing. I think you might have just rewired my brain, Cage." He let out another laugh, taking a sip of his Capri Sun. "All of a sudden, I don't feel as terrified by the thought of Mia growing up so fast."

"Working with kids and being a doctor for kids is definitely different from being a parent," he agreed with a nod of his head. Cage didn't have that experience, he had never really been around kids other than his own younger siblings, when Colton came into his life. But he knew that there was a world of difference between being good to someone else's kid, doing right by them, and changing your entire world to fit around a kid of your own. "Still, it was good that you did have that experience going into it, instead of adopting her blindly. But it's a learning curve, no matter how much experience you do or do not have, you know?" Cage had five kids. It didn't matter if they were biologically his or not, they were his kids, and he knew that with each one, came a varying level of experience and ups and downs, good things and bad things to consider. He had biological sons, he had a daughter through his wife, he had a son and daughter through adoption… and each one came with their own unique set of challenges. And joy. Always so much joy. "It makes it easier," he confirmed, "I think once you get over the fear of them being somewhere new, realize that it benefits them as much as it does you, it becomes easier. Now, don't get me wrong, still scary as hell once they grow up," he looked out to where the girls were again. "But easier."

"You're welcome," he understood all too well the value of someone seeing you as a parent, whether you were doing it with someone, or on your own, just knowing that you were seen, that someone understood how hard you worked to be good, to do good, it meant the whole world. And while Cage tried not to live off of compliments, no one could deny when it felt good -- why not give that to others? It was one of the best things that you could do as a parent. "Right?" he asked with a grin, "some fresh bread from the bakery, little lettuce, crispy bacon, slathered with mayonnaise…" Thank God it was almost summertime and those kinds of meals were really easy to make, because suddenly it was all that Cage wanted. Letting out a laugh, he waved off the offer to buy them, "I'll give you some, I always plant too many tomatoes and end up with too much fruit, I'm happy so hare." If it meant that nothing was going to go to waste, then it was definitely worth it. Letting out a breath, Cage nodded his head, knowing that Navy would understand that on a level that a lot of others wouldn't. When you had kids, suddenly you had to think about the future, what you were leaving behind for them and their life, what happened next. "Leave it better than we found it, right?"

"Would I though? I'm kind of under the impression that you'll give me a full refund," Dylan said with a straight face although they were fully joking. They gave their brother a smirk soon after before letting out a chuckle. "See? If those two need their sisters around so they'll have an excuse then I'll definitely getting a glare if I bat my eyelashes and beg to be allowed a win," they laughed. Which, if they had the girls with them, they wouldn't mind doing at all. "Oh, yeah? I think I miss that rule being made because I will definitely vote against it," they raised their eyebrows, acting like they were offended by the idea. In reality, they wouldn't really mind buying drinks. But they would definitely keep annoying Cage about it. That was just how it was. "Sure, it has a flavor. It's sweet," they said with a shrug like it was the most obvious answer. "And, hey, if you wanna see yourself as one, don't let me stop you," they let out a chuckle as they followed their brother. "Where are we going then? Better not be a place that also has a raffle. With my current luck, they'll be out of sugary drinks when we get there."

"Yes, yes, you would," Cage said with a certainty that he didn't actually feel, but couldn't help but to rib them a little bit, "and I would just sit back and laugh at you." While actually feeling pretty rotten that his kids made them go broke and would have to do something about it, but he didn't need to say that part out loud, instead letting out a laugh at what Dylan said next. "Just remind them that you're a Newman, doesn't our name carry some sort of weight in this town?" Maybe as far as having a good reputation went, being kind people, caring a lot about Merrock, but… that definitely didn't guarantee that you were going to get free prizes while playing games. Or free treats. Unfortunately. "Hence unspoken, you don't actually get a say in the whole thing, as a little sibling," to him, anyway. Dylan was a little older than Clementine, but that was besides the point -- they were still his little sibling. "No," he laughed, shaking his head, "'cuz I don't want to see you pouting the whole time. Nah, it looked like Taryn had some pretty, colorful drinks at her spot, so I figured we'd start there."

That's exactly what I was intending, Cage. Why would I be implying anything else? You know how it is with siblings. You can woodwork yourself a fake middle finger, I'm sure you could manage something. Or laying in bed and letting the employees do everything? That's tthe new goal for me. I'm retiring.

But I only shaft people when I really, really care about them, that's why you got flipped the bird so many times growing up. If anything, you should be honored. Not a bad idea, kind of like a peg leg, but it's a peg finger instead? Interesting choice. I'd be the topic of every conversation. Although... you've got a few years to go, old man. Sorry.