They had been packing for hours. Jo and Rick were in the bedroom, putting pictures into boxes. "Hey, do you remember this?" Rick asked, holding up a photo for Jo to see.

She laughed, "How could I forget? Ricki's first Halloween."

Rick smiled, "She was the cutest little kitty cat I had ever seen."

"I know," Jo replied, "I couldn't thank Tootie enough for making her that costume. Lord knows I couldn't have done it!"

Rick paused a moment, then smiled. "So," he teased, "I guess that is why the girls have had plastic store-bought costumes since we moved from Peekskill?"

Jo reached out and playfully hit him on the shoulder. "Shut up," she laughed. "I didn't see you sewing any special costumes for them."

They were both laughing then. Jo couldn't help but wonder how they could be having so much fun together. Rick was like a different person. It was as if he were the man she had married nearly fourteen years ago, laughing… joking. She couldn't even count the number of times he had asked her how she was feeling…if she wanted to take a nap…if she was hungry. It was as if he truly cared about her and their unborn child, the way he had been during her other pregnancies. Still, Jo did not want to get her hopes up. Rick had made it perfectly clear that he saw this child as a mistake, and as much as it tore her heart out, Jo had accepted that.

"Well," Jo smiled. "I think we are just about finished in here. Thanks a lot Rick, for helping me out."

Rick looked at her and spoke softly. "Jo," he said, "I think we need to talk about some things."

Jo felt her heart jump. She knew what was coming. He would try to talk her out of moving to Peekskill. He might even promise to be there for her and the kids, even the new baby. Jo also knew that she would be tempted by his offer. She loved him and missed him, no matter how irresponsible he was. The kids adored him. She did know what was best though, and staying in the city with Rick was not it. She had to go back to Peekskill. She needed that. She looked up at him. "I know we need to talk," she replied.

Jo looked at Rick, waiting for him to continue, but he didn't. "I know you want to talk about all that has happened Rick," she said. "But please don't try to change my mind. I'm going to Peekskill. You and I cannot get back together, at least not right now."

Rick looked at his ex-wife. He didn't know what to say to her. She thought he wanted to stop her from leaving, but that hadn't been his purpose there. He hoped what he had to say wouldn't hurt her, though he knew it would. "Jo," He said, almost mumbling. "I never said I wanted you to stay. I admit I'm not thrilled about you moving the girls back to Peekskill, but I know I don't have the right to keep you from something you really want to do."

Jo was embarrassed that she had thought Rick wanted her back. "Well," she asked, "What is this all about?"

Rick looked nervous as he spoke. "Jo," he replied. "I love you and the kids, you know that. We just aren't meant to be. We are too different. We always have been. Plus, after all the tragedy we've been through, I don't know how we held things together as long as we did." He looked at Jo's puzzled face. "Jo…I've met somebody else."

Jo was shocked. She couldn't be hearing him correctly. "What?" she asked.

Rick tried to put his arm around her, but she pulled away. "Her name is Shelley. She works with me at the club. She's a singer." Jo refused to let herself cry. She just sat and listened as Rick confessed his love for another woman. "Shelley and I are moving to California. I figured this would be a good time. I mean, you and the girls are leaving." Jo just nodded her head. "I promise you, Jo," Rick tried to sound sincere. "I will be a good father to our kids. I'll pay my child support. I have a good job lined up in California. I know I was upset about the new baby," he pleaded with her, "but I'll accept full responsibility. I'll be his or her father. I don't want to hurt any of you."

"When are you going to see them?" Jo felt her voice crack and was angry with herself for it. She could not let him see her cry. "The kids are going to miss you."

"You're moving them away anyway," Rick insisted. "It's not like I would be seeing them all the time anyway."

"You know you could visit them in Peekskill," Jo argued.

"At Blair's?" Rick's voice sounded more angry than he wanted it to. "No way."

"She said it was okay," Jo insisted.

Rick shook his head in frustration, "How nice of her," his sarcasm was apparent. He sighed, "I am not asking Blair's permission to see my kids, Jo. You want to live there and let her control your life…then fine. But I'm not going to Peekskill to see the kids and having Blair turning her nose at me…watching her gloat that she's supporting my family when I can't."

"She wouldn't do that," Jo tried to hold back her tears, but she was unsuccessful as a tear slid down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. "She's sorry about everything that happened."

"So am I," Rick added. "But I can't just pretend it didn't happen."

"So you're just not going to see the girls anymore?" Jo asked. "How the hell do you expect me to explain that to them. They love you…you're their father."

"I never said that, Jo. Don't put words in my mouth," Rick yelled. "I love my daughters…more than anything. When Shelley and I get settled in California, they can come stay with us for a while…maybe for the summer when school's out…"

"No!" Jo shouted. "They are my kids. You're not taking them clear across the country."

"They're mine too," Rick reminded her. "I have the right to see them." He could tell how upset she was and he hadn't meant to make things so much worse. He calmed his voice, "I'll call them…everyday…and we can work something out about when they come to visit…okay?"

Jo excused herself and walked into the bathroom. How could he do that to her? How could he be so sweet to her, gain her trust again, and then drop a bomb like this? Jo was wiping tears from her eyes. She could not let him know how much this had hurt her. He didn't deserve to know the pain he caused. She heard the phone ring, but she didn't move. She heard Rick pick it up. After a few seconds, there was a knock on the door. She wiped her eyes, and opened it to find Rick standing there. All the color had drained from his face. "I'm afraid it's bad news," he said.