Author note:

Hello, everyone. English is not my first language, so be easy on me. A very big fat thank you for all those who have taken time to review and follow the story.

Please review if you have time again, all feedback are appreciated.

Have a nice day.

"Charlie, be careful, buddy!" Steve called out to the small boy who started to run through the parking lot towards the playhouse in the park.

He jogged a little and caught Charlie's hand. "Don't think your father would like to see you running out like that." He turned back and checked on Grace who was walking with her face glued to her phone. "Gracie, watch where you're walking." He warned gently.

Charlie tugged at Steve's hand. "But that's my friend, Sean, from school. Can I go and say hi, Uncle Steve?"

"Okay, hold on; let's get to the playhouse first." They crossed the path used by joggers and he set the boy free.

Charlie ran excitedly and joined his friend on the climbing wall.

"Is he always this hyperactive?" Steve asked, joining Grace on the bench.

"He has his moments. You need to let him burn up all of his excess energy."

Steve closed his eyes for a moment, letting the fresh air brush against his face. His lips curved up into a smile when he heard Charlie's carefree laughter.

With his eyes glued on Charlie, watching over the boy, Steve spoke to Grace. "So, how're things going for you, Gracie?" Steve started casually, hoping the conversation would reach the destination he was aiming for.

Grace shrugged. "Normal, nothing unusual."

"Uh huh." Steve sighed; perhaps he should ask what he wanted to ask. "Gracie, how are you holding up?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't ask that question," Grace said as she waved to Charlie who was waving to them from the playhouse.

Steve waved to Charlie as well. "I can't help it. I need to know if my sweetheart is alright."

That gained a genuine smile from Grace. She wrapped her right arm around Steve's waist and gave him a one-sided hug. She breathed out. "I'm not at my best, but I'll be okay."

Steve wrapped his arm around her shoulder, gave it a little squeeze and kissed the side of her head. "I know you're trying to put a brave face on in front of Danno, your mother, and Charlie but you don't have to do that for me. You can always talk to me."

"I know." She smiled sadly. "I have grown up, Uncle Steve. I know we can't force anybody to stay in any relationship they don't like and, in fact, I'm grateful that Stan stayed as long as he did, but after all that we have shared, he left even without a goodbye. It kind of hurt."

"I know, Gracie. I know." Steve looked up and caught a glance of a black van circling the parking lot.

"You know, Uncle Steve…" Grace continued but Steve zoned out. His eyes were on the black van. It had just made another circle.

Perhaps they're looking for something or someone.

His mind tried to justify, but his instincts couldn't be appeased.

-H50-H50-H50-

"Aaron, why are you circling man? We got a job to do."

"You think I don't know that, Jackie? Look around you, look at all those people. You expect us to run in just like that and do what we have to do?"

"I know that," Jackie snapped. "But this is our only chance, we miss this, we are so screwed."

"I freaking know it man, and you repeating it like every five minutes is not helping. We have to be careful. You heard the boss, lay low but get things done."

"But circling like this is not laying low, man. Stop, park the van."

-H50-H50-H50-

Danny looked at Rachel. She was quiet and lost in her own thoughts. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Danny's words brought her back to a the moment. Rachel pressed her lips together, tried to convey an expressionless smile. "Nothing, just wondering about things."

Danny leaned closer, eyes on people walking in and out of the law office. "If you're still blaming yourself, you've got to stop."

"I know, Danny. I know that I can't change what happened, but I can't stop thinking about what kind of mother I am, that I can't even give a consistent environment for my children to grow up in? What kind of example am I?" Tears almost formed in the corner of her eyes.

"Hey," Danny squeezed Rachel's hand. "You're a good mother, don't you ever doubt that. I know that there is nothing you wouldn't do for the kids. Things are a little rocky now, but we will fix this, okay?

Rachel nodded, tried to control herself, allowing Danny's reassurance to comfort her, at least for the moment.

-H50-H50-H50-

Grace was grateful that despite the changes happening in her life, she had some real people she could count on, one of them was her Uncle Steve.

After all that had happened, Grace felt emotional turmoil, but she was not bold enough to share it with anyone in the house. She didn't want anyone to know that it was taking time for her to move on.

But, she was thankful that she found a person she could share her chaos with. Unfortunately, the thankfulness turned into annoyance when she realized her Uncle Steve was not listening, and in fact, sitting side by side on the bench, the back of his head was what greeted her when she turned to him.

"Uncle Steve, were you even listening?" Grace grumbled softly.

Grace frowned, even that statement didn't seem to get his attention. Grace looked past him, her eyes danced around, trying to figure out what had stolen his attention from her.

A black van.

Grace narrowed her eyebrows. It looked familiar.

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