Author's Note: I am still working on "The Truth Shall Set You Free" and "Erica's Secret," but I also have this story that is close to completion that I've been meaning to share. Feedback is always welcome. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

"Do you want me to drop you off at the studio?" Jackson Montgomery asked his wife as he sat down on the sofa with a cup of coffee and a plate.

His wife, Erica Kane, looked up from her tea and a stack of papers. "That's very sweet of you, but no thank you. I have a late breakfast meeting at the Valley Inn, and then I'll be in the office the rest of the day."

Jack nodded. It was rare their schedules coincided enough for them to share a ride to work, but he always offered. Even married it was hard to find time alone together.

"Hey J! Hey Erica!" Jack's recently-adopted son, Reggie, came running down the stairs at high speed and darted into the living room. He reached over and grabbed a croissant off Jack's plate.

"Um, excuse me?" Jack said, startled by the sudden theft of breakfast.

"Gotta run. Bus is coming, but seriously dude, croissants? Bring on the bacon and eggs next time!" Reggie tossed over his shoulder as he headed for the front door. He paused suddenly and turned on his heel to look at his father and stepmother. "Yo J – where's Lily?"

"Outside waiting for the bus already." Jack said dryly. Lily was exceedingly punctual.

Reggie looked slightly embarrassed as he grabbed his backpack. "Oh. Yeah. Okay, later!" He yelled as he ran out the door, slamming it behind him.

Jack laughed and turned back to Erica who shook her head slightly. "Teenagers," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. Moments later they both heard the sound of the school bus as it made its way down the street toward the Kane-Montgomery house. Once he was fairly certain the bus had gone, Jack turned to his wife.

"I do believe that we are officially ALONE," he said suggestively.

Erica raised an eyebrow. "We are. And normally I'd appreciate that look in your eyes, but I have a lot of prep work still to do before I go to this meeting."

"Can't you reschedule?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No, I can't. I'm sorry, Jack. This is for sweeps. But once all of this chaos settles down at the studio, I promise I'll cut back some, and we can spend more time together."

He stood up and slipped his suit jacket on. "I am going to hold you to that, Mrs. Montgomery," he said with a smile.

"Good. I'd expect nothing less," Erica said, tilting her head back so he could kiss her goodbye.

A few minutes later, Jack pulled out of the driveway in his silver Lexus sedan, giving a quick glance back at the house he and Erica shared. God he was lucky. Life was going pretty damn good for him and Erica, and he had a feeling it was only going to get better.

He never noticed the man down the street who watched his every move.