“Because Kendall didn’t spend the nine months of bonding with baby Ian in the normal way, it causes a bit of disconnect with her,” explains so-head writer James Harmon Brown.

And with Spike’s deafness front and center, she pulls away from Ian when he needs her most. “She becomes so focused on Spike and trying to fix him,” defends Brown.” “It’s not like she’s abandoning her other child, but she only has so much energy.”

Meanwhile Zach grapples with the news that Ian must undergo emergency brain surgery, with only Josh and Lily there for support as the tyke is wheeled into the OR. When a harried Kendall finally does arrive, the atmosphere is tense, and Zach finds himself wondering if Kendall even wants to be a mother to Ian. “Zach is ready to say, “Hey, wait a minute. There is this other little boy that needs you, too,” affirms Brown.

Not to mention a marriage.