Prologue

Rachel

I can't believe that I'm lying in his arms again. As we lay cuddled together, I know this is right and I am where I belong.

When I first called and told him I had some permission slips for Grace on extra classes she wanted to take, he suggested we meet at a little coffee shop about five minutes from his apartment. As I walked in, I spotted him sitting at a table in the back. He's not hard to miss and I noticed over the years that most women do a double take when they see him.

I sat down and Danny accepted the papers while the waitress poured our coffee. After a few uncomfortable seconds, I told him that while I didn't have to have him sign anything, I knew how interested he was with anything that concerned our daughter. I hesitated though when I told him that one of the after school classes would cut into an hour of his time with her during the week. He wasn't happy about that since even five minutes of being with her was precious to him. As we struggled to make small talk the thirty minutes passed quickly. When our coffee was gone Danny said he ought to get to work, but would read the papers and call me in a few days to give them back.

Three days later, Danny called and suggested we meet same time, same place. But, as he handed the permission slips back, he also gave me a brochure about a karate class he wanted to enroll Grace in, that's if she had any interest.

As our coffee arrived, Danny said with a sigh that she was growing up too fast. From there the conversation revolved only around Grace. There were plenty of 'do you remember' and 'how about when she' comments that quickly had us smiling at each other recollecting the early years. Soon the coffee was gone and I stood to leave. I promised to think about the karate class and call him after I'd talked to Grace.

Several days passed before I called and that Grace wanted to take the karate class. I asked if he would like to meet at the same place? This time when I arrived and parked, Danny was waiting outside. Always the gentleman, he opened the car door and we went inside to sit at 'our' booth.

After discussing the class schedule, somehow the conversation ended up reminiscing about us. Soon we were laughing about early dates, places we had gone and the special things we had done. The time seemed to fly and I admit that I was sorry when it ended. As we walked to my car, he opened the door and laid a warm hand on my shoulder. Looking into his blue eyes, I knew that deep down I never stopped loving him. The divorce was entirely my fault. I couldn't bear waiting for that one phone call that might tell me he was never coming back to us, so I left first.

Over the next month, Danny would call and ask if I wasn't busy, would I like to meet for a cup of coffee? And okay, I admit, I called a few times to invite him. We always had Grace as an excuse to get together and to keep things safe. The first time he slid his hands across the table to cover mine, my breath caught as I remembered his warm touches. And even though my wedding ring sparkled as a reminder that I wasn't his anymore, I didn't pull my hands away. Later, at my car door, we shared a gentle kiss before I got in.

Then this morning, as we held hands sitting next to each other, I knew that we either needed to stop meeting or give in. We still loved each other and I was wrong to have ended our marriage by divorcing him. Danny must have felt the same way because he gave me a long look . Knowing that this was what I wanted, I nodded. He threw a few dollars on the table and we left with our coffee cups still full and steaming.

Getting into the Camaro, we didn't talk on the way to his apartment, but as we walked inside, he turned to me and asked 'Rachel, are you sure?' Taking off my wedding ring and setting it down, I answered by giving him a kiss and telling him that he was the one I loved.

Now as I lay close beside him, I know there is no other man I will ever want. I need to tell Stan. How can I pretend anymore when I still love Danny?

Danny

How could I be so lucky to have the only woman I have ever loved and lost, laying besides me in my arms again?

When Rachel first called, all I could think about was not having her come to the office as she suggested, since normally when we get together all we do is fight. The coffee shop close to my apartment sounded public and safe. During that first meeting, we talked about the classes Grace wanted to take. I admit I wasn't happy about one of them taking an hour of my time away from being with her, but Rachel generously offered an extra hour during my weekends. I was actually surprised that by the time we left, we hadn't raised our voices or bickered.

A few days later, after reading the class descriptions and signing them, I called Rachel and suggested we meet so I could return the papers. When she arrived, I was once again struck by her beauty. After the divorce, I'll admit I was very bitter and especially when she tried to take Grace away. But part of me knew I still loved her and I always regretted the hurtful things I'd ever said to her.

Handing her the karate pamphlet, I asked if she thought it would be alright if I enrolled Grace in the upcoming beginner's class if she wanted to join. Not only would it give her more confidence, but I wanted to make sure she would be able to protect herself against boys, if I ever allowed her to date that is. You could imagine my surprise when Rachel agreed it might be good for Grace and after she looked it over would let me know.

Sighing, I told her, that I remembered bringing our baby girl home from the hospital and that time seemed to pass by too quickly. We started laughing about the things Gracie did when she was little and soon our coffee cups were empty. Rachel said she needed to leave for an appointment and I had to get back to work.

A few days passed when Rachel called, asking if we could meet again at the coffee shop. I was waiting outside for her and opened her car door after she parked. It wasn't just that my mother pounded good manners into my head, I wanted to do it for Rachel. Once inside seated at the same back table, with coffee in our cups, the karate class was given a thumbs up. How it got started, I'm not sure, but we began sharing memories of our early dates; the places and things we had done together. As we laughed and I looked into her sparkling eyes, I knew that as hard as I had tried, I never stopped loving her.

Over the next month, we met for coffee and soon it became a ritual that happened several times a week. We always used Grace as an excuse for our meetings, but it was more than that because I don't think either of us wanted to actually admit out loud the feelings we still had for each other.

Then one day her hands were laying on the table and I couldn't help slowly sliding mine over to cover hers. Stan's huge diamond ring was a glaring reminder that she was now another man's wife. But later before she drove off, we shared a kiss at the car door.

This morning, as we sat next to each other holding hands, I knew that we needed to decide if we should continue our relationship. I loved her and knew she felt the same, but she was now re-married. And while I wasn't happy about anyone breaking their marriage vows, I also knew that Rachel's heart was still mine.

When I looked at her, she nodded in understanding. Leaving our untouched coffee cups, I dropped a few dollars on the table and we walked out to my Camaro. We didn't speak on the way to my apartment, but once inside I asked if she was sure. When she took off her wedding ring and kissed me, my heart soared as I took her hand and led her to the bedroom.

Later, with my arms around her, I knew that she was the only woman I want. I needed her and Grace with me where they belonged.

Stan

Yeah, I know she is having an affair with her ex husband. I have the pictures of them together to prove it. It started off so innocently. Rachel told me she needed to talk to him about a few classes Grace wanted to take and that he'd suggested they'd meet for coffee to discuss it. As if it were just a cup of coffee. Do they both think I was born yesterday?

They reminisced about Grace when she was little and the things they did during their marriage. The heated stares and both remembering what they use to have started not long after that. They were so involved in each other that they never noticed the man who always sat at a nearby booth reading his newspaper and doing the daily crossword puzzle. See, he takes good notes and always reports back to me after they leave.

So I really wasn't surprised when Rachel started to avoid me. But I think I'll plan a family vacation somewhere to help her make up her mind. You know, I can't really stop her from thinking about him, but I promise this, I will never let him take her from me.

As I pick up the phone to dial an old acquaintance who has helped me out before, the question comes to my mind of how should it end for Detective Danny Williams?