She's reunited with Aaron three years, two weeks, and five days after he was (she, she was) taken away from him. And yes, it's about as awkward as a reunion with your long-lost son can get. Aaron's the first thing she sees when she steps off the plane, blonde hair and big blue eyes and Thomas' freckles, holding her mother's hand and clutching a stuffed orca. Looking around like he's waiting for someone important

Kate is the first to step off of the plane, takes her hand and guides her over to her mother and son, watches as Aaron begins to race over to her and Kate, screaming 'Mommy!' and tears filling her mother's eyes when she sees her…

Only to be pushed back as Kate is hauled away by the cops for violating her probation.

She and her mother decide to take Aaron to Australia, figure that the change will be good for him after watching the only mother he's ever known be arrested and sent to prison for (possibly) the rest of her life.

Her mother tries, as best she can, to explain that this strange blonde Claire lady is his real mommy, and that she carried him in her tummy for nine months. Kate took him because his real Mommy couldn't take care of him, and now that Kate can't take care of him, his real Mommy will.

"I think it would be nice if you started calling her Mommy, Aaron. Can you call Claire Mommy for Grandma?"

But of course he refuses to call her Mommy, still thinks Kate is his 'real' mommy, constantly asks when she's coming back to take him home to California. The only time she gets to hear it is when Aaron's having another nightmare, screaming as she runs to his room and wakes him up, watches his eyes turn cold when he sees her and says "I want Mommy, Claire. Can you go get her?" as she tries to comfort him.

Her mother reminds her that he's only three, he doesn't know her, the move has affected him greatly now that he can't see that Clementine girl anymore, Kate's the only mother he's ever known.

"Aaron will call you mommy one day, love. It just takes time. One day, you two will look back on this and laugh."

(She's pretty sure that day won't come soon enough.)

He finally says it when he's six years old.

It's after his nativity play in school, when he races to her after being a perfect little shepherd (she still can't get over the irony), robes flying behind him and the biggest smile she's ever seen on his face day she stepped off the Ajira plane.

Aaron eagerly jumps into her arms, hugs her so tightly that he almost squeezes the air out of her lungs and she almost drops him, he's so heavy. His eyes glitter as he pulls back, laughs and smiles as she does the same.

"I did good Mommy! I memorized all of my lines and said them perfect! I didn't forget them at all! Aren't you proud, Mommy?"

And it's not look how my little guy is growing up or he'll be a heartbreaker one day that flashes through her mind as she processes what he just said and her brain stalls on that one word she's waited for three years to hear him say.

Finally is the only thing she thinks as she pulls him back into a hug.

"I'm very proud, Turniphead. Tell you what; after we get you out of your costume we'll get some ice cream."

"And go to Grandma Carole's house?"

"And go to Grandma Carole's house with the ice cream."

(Years and years and years later, they look back and laugh.)