Dean-

I called detective Scott, not telling Lexi. I walked back downstairs and she was picking up the twins stroller. Gracie was holding Amelia's hand.

"Excuse me, where do you think you're going?", I asked.

Lexi looked at me.

"Shopping with Brie and Nikki", she said.

"Should you really go out?", I asked.

She rolled her eyes and set the stroller down.

"Jon, I can't live the rest of my life inside the house. The girls need to get out, I need to go out. I'll be safe babe, Brie and Nikki will be there", she said.

"Can I come?", I asked.

"I need girl time with my sisters", she said.

She came over to me and kissed my chin.

"Rose is coming too, everything is going to be ok", she said.

"Let me come", I said.

She took a step back and looked mad. I sighed.

"Fine, I won't go but I will be calling every hour, on the hour, so answer your phone", I said.

She nodded and kissed me.

"We can't let him interrupt our lives, if we do then he wins", she said.

"You're right", I said.

"I love you and I'll be back soon. I'll convince the girls to let you, Colby, and Bryan join us for lunch", she said.

I nodded. She smiled at me.

"I'll be back", she said.

"I know and I love you too", I said.

She lifted the stroller and one of the carseats. Rose took the other car seat. I walked out and watched as they strapped the kids in. They drove off and I stood watching the car turn the corner. I walked back into the house, cleaning up a bit, working on the yard. I texted her like I said I would and she would reply with a smiley face. After finishing around the house I called Colby and Bryan, meeting them at a dog kennel.

"So what are we doing here again?", Bryan asked.

"The girls have been asking for a puppy, I thought why not surprise them with one", I said.

"Does Lexi know you're doing this?", Colby asked.

"Yeah, maybe, no", I said.

"Dude", Colby said.

"I know, but, I just need to get us a dog", I said.

The guy was showing us a couple of dogs.

"I have four kids, two are five months. I need to know this guy isn't going to eat them and that he'll protect them", I said.

The guy chuckled. I noticed Colby and Bryan look at each other before looking back at me. They knew about Burt, so did Joe and Riley.

"German Shepherds are good for protection, but as far as family wise, I think they should be raised with the kids. The bond between them gets stronger and the need to protect them is there", he said.

I nodded.

"Got any puppies?", I asked.

"Follow me", he said.

We followed him, Bryan and Colby on either side of me.

"Does wanting a dog have anything to do with Burt getting out of jail?", Colby asked.

"The girls want a dog", I said.

"Jon, I think you should talk to Lexi before you make a decision", Bryan said.

"I don't always have to consult my wife, I can buy a puppy if I want", I said angry.

"Um, yeah you do. You are making a decision on fear", I cut Colby off and turned to face him.

"Don't act like you know how I'm feeling, you don't know. You don't have to constantly worry about your wife and kids. There is a man out there who is stalking my wife, who will stop at nothing to get to her", he stopped me.

"I know how you're feeling, I have to leave my wife and kid too. No Nikki might not have a stalker but my fear of something happening to them when I'm not there, is still there, we all feel that fear", he said.

"I'm buying a puppy because the girls want one, please have my back on this", I said.

He looked at me for a few seconds, he finally nodded.

"Will it make you feel better?", he asked.

"It will make the girls feel better", I said.

"And you?", Bryan asked.

I looked away.

"It's ok to be scared. We might not know what you're going through but we are here to listen, we won't judge you Jon", Bryan said.

I nodded.

"I just need to get this puppy", I said.

"Ok, let's get you a puppy", Bryan said.

I turned and the guy gave me an understanding smile, he heard what we said.

"Like I said, these dogs are great at protecting their family. I can even recommend a dog trainer, your family will be safe", the guy said.

"I'll take two", I said.

He nodded.

"You want to pick them or you can bring your kids down and let them pick a puppy", he said.

"That sounds like a good idea, I'll bring my girls down here", I said.

"Ok, we close at seven", he said.

I nodded. The guys and I walked out and my phone started ringing. Joe's name popped up. I rolled my eyes and glared at Seth, knowing he was the one to open his mouth.

"What's up Ro", I said.

"A dog? You're getting a dog, dude", he said.

"Ro, you can't talk me out of this, I've made up my mind", I said.

"I didn't call you to talk you out of it, I called because I want to know what kind of dog you're getting", he said.

"German shepherd, the girls have been asking for a dog", I said.

"I'm sure they did. I've heard those dogs are very protective, they'll keep the girls safe", he said.

Colby and Bryan were waiting by the car.

"Dean", he said.

"Yeah", I said.

"It's ok to be scared. Colby and I were there when, well you know. Riley and I are worried about you guys. Why not come down and stay with us for a bit? Give your aunt Rose a much needed vacation", he said.

I sighed.

"We're here for you, Bryan and Brie are there for you, Colby and Nikki are there for you", he said.

"I know", I said.

I noticed Colby on his phone, he waved me over.

"Hey you know what, Riley has been wanting some girl time. Why not invite Brie and Nikki, Colby and Bryan down as well, we can do a bbq or something", he said.

"Sounds good, I can tell Bryan and Colby now", I said.

"Ok, if you need anything brother, call me", he said.

"I will thanks", I said.

I put my phone back in my pocket and walked over to the guys. I texted Lexi.

"How's it going doll?"- Jon.

I got into the car.

"They want us to meet them for lunch", Colby said.

I didn't take my eyes off of my phones screen, it lit up.

"Are you meeting us for lunch babe?"-Lexi.

"Yes ma'am, I missed you"-Jon.

"You're the sweetest my love"-Lexi.

I smiled.

"You made me that way"-Jon.

"Love you"-Lexi.

"Always?"-Jon.

"Yes sir"-Lexi.

"Love you too, see you in a few doll"-Jon.


Lexi-

I couldn't stop smiling, Nikki nudged me.

"What's with the smile?", she asked.

"Jon's just been on edge since finding out Burt got out, texting with him just made me smile I guess", I said.

"You can defend yourself. Did he forget you're a wrestler and went shopping with two other wrestlers. If it came down to it, we would defend you", Brie said.

"He knows that but he's still afraid of letting me and the kids out of his sight", I said.

"Then let him, if it makes him feel better to join in our shopping spree or for lunch, then let him tag along. Maybe it will help him realize that you're safe", Nikki said.

"I guess, but I just needed time away from the house", I said.

"The house or Jon?", Brie asked.

I sighed.

"Both. I love him, God knows how much but he's constantly asking if I'm ok or he just watches me. If I go upstairs for a second, he's right behind me. I walk out back to throw the trash away, he's watching me from the back window and I don't want to tell him to stop because I don't want to make him feel bad. I know he's only doing it because he's trying to keep me safe but sometimes I just need a little space", I said.

It felt good to say that out loud, like a weight has been lifted. I'm glad I got that out of my system, if I didn't I probably would have snapped and yelled it at Jon.

"Sounds like you need to talk to your man", Nikki said, taking a sip of her wine.

Jordan was pulling on her napkin and laughing.

"Ever think about having another?", I asked as she was smiling at Jordan.

"Colby and I talked about it, we wanna wait till my contract is done and I'm home for good", Nikki said.

"Brie, what about you?", I asked.

"We're trying but nothing's happened", she said sadly.

"It will just be patient, take a page out of our book. Stop trying and just do it, it worked for us", I said.

They laughed.

"And you anymore?", Brie asked, she picked up Camden.

Rose was holding a smiling Chloe.

"We are done. Jon and I agreed that four is enough, we have our girls and he has his son, no more", I said.

"Well with the way you two hump, I doubt it", Nikki said.

"What does hump mean?", Gracie asked.

"Thanks Nikki", I said.

Rose was laughing.

"Ask your daddy", Brie said.

"Brie", I said laughing.

"What? I want to see his face when she asks", she said shrugging.