Eddie had been working as much as he could since getting home from the hospital. Had to occupy his mind somehow. It wasn't doing any good. Nothing worked. He had even tried to see Rory, but that proved to be pointless. He was not the same guy that loved her in high school, and she was simply looking for someone to fix her life, not someone to love. The old Eddie would have jumped at the chance to get back with Rory or anybody else that wanted to be kept warm, but he had changed. Or maybe the real Eddie had come to the surface. He couldn't figure it out. All he knew was that the ache in his heart was not going anywhere and he needed to talk to Janet. Not that it would do any good when he saw her. By no means had he gotten over what she had done, but six weeks of not having her in his life was just about to do him in. Then he saw her. Janet was walking downtown by the coffee shop. Hannah was with her and they seemed to be engrossed in conversation. She looked good. She looked…different. Ikey had said so too. He and some of BigCat's crew had met her and her sister in law when they had gotten back in town. Ray had them unload the moving truck to Janet's garage. How were two women with a ten year old and a three year old going to unload a truck by themselves? He had not seen her in weeks. He had missed her. But he was angry. Why did he want to see her? Why could he not just walk away? She looked good.

"Janet, are you sure about all this?" Hannah looked up from her latte to see the concern in Janet's face. "Do you think it's a bad idea? It's just that when I was away, it seemed to make sense. Start working part time and finish school. I should not have much school left. Maybe a year, year and a half if I push it." Hannah looked at her best friend with so much admiration. "I do not think it is a bad idea at all!! I know you will do great. Besides, it will help keep your mind off things and you can probably fix your schedule where you do not have to work with Rooster at all." Janet took a sip of her coffee. "Sorry Janet, I should not have mentioned it." Even though it had been several weeks, it still was hard to think about. "No, no, really. It's ok." Both of them got up from the table and headed outside. It was a beautiful summer day, and the girls were enjoying their catch up time. Hannah put her arm around Janet. "You know, for someone who has suffered emotional heartache, you look really good!" Hannah said trying to make her laugh, and it worked.

By now Eddie was at Best Friend Windows staring outside, trying to focus on anything but what he really wanted to do. He had seen Janet and Hannah head towards the park, and it took everything in him not to run straight down there and just shake her. What were you thinking Janet? Why did you do this? Why? Nick wasn't in today and it was hard to work alone. He pulled the files on a couple of jobs he was working on and tried to get started, but nothing worked. He should just do it. Get in his truck and see if he could find her. Even if it meant he said nothing. He would say plenty he was sure. He missed her so much.

"Hey Hannah, it's nice to meet you" BillyJo smiled as she met Hannah for the first time. "I'm crazy about your accent BillyJo." Hannah laughed in an almost silly way. Jack and Charlotte were eating some ice cream when Hannah and Janet walked up. The park was beautiful today and plenty of people were out and about. The girls talked for a little bit, and got acquainted. BillyJo and the kids would be living with Janet until she found a house. It would be cramped but it just didn't make sense to rent something. Besides, she and Janet both could use the company.

Eddie was walking towards the park and spotted her. She was talking to Hannah and someone else with kids. She had lost a little weight, but he had too. Stress and depression will do that to you. Aside from that, she had cut her hair. Not much, but he could tell it had been cut. It seemed bouncy and she had curls everywhere. God she looked good. He started walking faster. She seems fine! Not distraught or guilt ridden in any way! His anger started boiling to the surface. His love started boiling to the surface. Before he knew it, he was within arm's reach of her when she turned around and faced him.

They stood there for what seemed like an eternity and just stared at one another. It seemed that their surroundings simply froze. BillyJo and Hannah just looked at one another. Eddie had been angry that Janet appeared ok with everything, but once he saw her face to face, he did not see any contentment. He just saw pain. The beautiful glow that once shown from her eyes was gone. A lump formed in his throat when he tried to speak. "Hi Eddie." She said trying to break the ice. "It's good to see you." Eddie still couldn't say anything. He just looked at her with tears filling his eyes. Janet was well on her way to tears when she touched his arm. "Eddie, this is BillyJo, Jack and Charlotte. My brother's wife and kids." BillyJo took a couple of steps in their direction and held out her hand. "Hey Eddie, it so nice to meet you." He still had not taken his eyes off Janet, but then gained some composure and looked at BillyJo. He shook her hand and nodded. He turned to Janet once more. "It's good to see you too." With that he walked away and headed back to the office. The lump was still in his throat. Janet watched him walk away till he turned the corner and was out of sight. Aching that she had not said more, but thankful to finally see him. He was beautiful and she felt warm inside.

Later that evening Janet was walking through her back yard picking up toys that had been spread everywhere. She loved how it was still light at almost nine o'clock. BillyJo had taken Charlotte inside for a bath, and Hannah had taken Jack to spend some time with Sam. They were the same age and were already getting along great. She figured they might end up in the same class when school started. That would really help Jack adjust to the move. Charlotte simply rolled with the punches. She was a lot like BillyJo. Even at three she always seemed to look on the bright side. Janet had finished with her task when she noticed Jack's bike was lying in the driveway. She walked over and rolled it into the garage. Hardly any room left in there, but she felt the bike would fit. She pulled the door down and turned to go back inside. Eddie was standing right in front of her.

He startled her. "Eddie….hi…I…didn't" He cleared his throat. "Janet, can we just talk for a little bit?" She nodded and gestured toward the back porch. They sat on the steps and caught up on the last six weeks. Oddly enough, conversation came easy. At times it was a little strained. Mostly because neither of them discussed what had happened. As he got up to leave she followed. Just before he stepped on to the drive way, he turned to her. "Why…Janet" She looked up at him, surprised. Wishing she could turn back time. After a moment, she spoke. "Eddie, I am so sorry. I wish I had an easy answer for you, but I don't. I hate that I hurt you and destroyed all of this." She put her head down. Tears streaming down her face. He was crying too. "I just don't understand….God I'm angry and every time I close my eyes, I see you with Rooster." All she could do was nod her head. He swallowed hard……"I just can't walk away. I want to, when I try, it's like it's impossible." He turned and headed down the driveway. She watched him. Wanting him to turn around. Just then, he stopped and turned to her. He stepped closer and looked straight into her eyes. "I want things back the way they were, Janet." He was about to break down. "Is there a way that we can get back to that?" She just looked at him. How? How does she express what she is feeling? She walked towards him and looks at him with all the strength she has left. "Eddie, I am sorry, but I don't want things to be the way they were…" He just stared at her. Felt like she had kicked him again. She reached up and wiped his tears. "Eddie, I have so many issues to work through. I need to getto a place of strength and confindence in my own life….If we try to pretend this is all ok….I am just going to hurt you again. I care too much about you to risk hurting you again….. I can't." He nodded his head and looked down at her. He couldn't speak.

"Ok", he finally said," you work on these issues. Do what you need to do. I guess I will just work on…."She could barely hear him…."Forgiveness?" She said. "Yeah….forgiveness."