I'm drawing this story out - too much fun writing! I hope readers like my development of Zach in this (penultimate?) chapter.

Owen awoke to Claire's cell phone alarm. Their bodies hadn't shifted in the night. He breathed her in deeply and hugged her tightly in his still dream-like state of consciousness. He was vaguely aware of her movements as he tried to extend the blissful moment. The alarm kept going.

"Snooze it, please," he said groggily through closed eyelids.

"It's off, Owen."

"Oh, shit!" He fell backwards out of the bed naked. He was freezing cold and fumbled for his clothes on the floor. He scrambled to get dressed before his own alarm woke the entire household. Claire started to laugh, and he shushed her. Owen bounded downstairs as quickly and quietly as possible. After turning off his phone's beeping, he laid down on the sofa bed mattress to catch his breath. He smiled to himself over continuing to feel like a naughty teenager.

"Good morning," Claire was suddenly standing over him and back in her fleece pajamas. She was grinning like a maniac.

"Come here," he said while pulling her on top of him. The mattress creaked loudly with their combined weight, and Owen's spine rested against a metal support beam. He winced in pain.

Claire kissed him then said, "You made the right call last night."

"No doubt about it," he smirked before rolling her beneath him. He kissed her back sweetly. She looked so beautiful and happy. His heart fluttered. He almost said it.

"Hey, guys!" Gray startled them with jubilance in his voice. He was completely oblivious to the intimate moment he interrupted. "What do you want for breakfast? I can make eggs and bacon."

"I'll make the coffee," Zach added dryly while walking from the stairs to the kitchen. Claire and Owen sat up to face Gray.

"Zach drinks coffee?" asked Claire, frowning.

"No, he makes it for Mom every morning now," Gray answered sadly. "It's his job since Dad moved out."

"Is breakfast your job?" Owen inquired with a half-smile.

"No, I don't have a job." Gray was matter-of-fact. "But if we wait until Mom gets up, she'll want us to eat something healthy, like oatmeal." Gray's face contorted in disgust.

"Smart thinking," Claire said with a wink. "Why don't you get started? We'll join you in a moment." As Gray walked away, Claire took Owen's hand and looked at him with adoration. He cupped her cheek with his free hand.

"You make me feel like a kid again," he whispered. He started kissing her gently, but she wanted more. As the kiss deepened, Owen wondered if they could stop before ripping off each other's clothes again. Claire pulled back at the sound of Zach grumbling.

"Seriously, you two," Zach admonished them. "Give it a rest. It's not like you were apart last night." Claire blushed and buried her face in Owen's chest. "I was gonna take a shower but if either of you need a cold one, I can wait." Zach was almost cracking up. He clearly enjoyed ribbing them. Claire stood up and faced her nephew.

"There's the prankster I remember," she said with a wistful smile before crossing her arms. "How about those seat cushions?" She looked at Zach expectantly as his gaze shifted briefly to Owen. Zach's face betrayed a mix of surprise and gratitude. Owen hadn't revealed his secret. Zach looked back at his aunt.

"Yeah," he admitted sheepishly, "I still have them."

Claire rolled her eyes and pointed towards the staircase, "Shower. We'll help Gray cook breakfast."

"Don't dawdle or get distracted." One side of Zach's mouth curled up. "I want to leave by 7:30."

"Who's the adult here?" Claire scoffed.

"I don't know." Zach grinned. "You're pretty immature."

While getting the food ready, Gray peppered Owen and Claire with questions about San Diego. Owen was able to provide insights and details well beyond her capabilities. He started spilling tales about his time in the Navy there. Gray listened intently with awe, and Claire delighted in his storytelling as well. Owen reflected, yet again, on how much more open she was compared to him. It made him feel guilty, but that was fleeting. He could tell from her face that she was simply grateful for his disclosures. He was getting better at sharing.

When they sat down to eat, Owen immediately felt Claire reaching out to play footsie with him under the table. Maybe they were immature, after all. Immature and deliriously happy. Karen and Zach eventually joined them. Karen appeared to have slept off her bad mood and visibly relaxed upon sipping her coffee. She rubbed Zach's back with an almost imperceptible yet appreciative smile that the teen returned. Owen ate quickly, on account of needing to shower. As he was excusing himself from the table, Zach goaded him, "Better hurry and leave some hot water for Claire."

Claire scoffed, "I showered last night to save time this morning."

Zach flashed her a devious smile. "Are you sure you didn't get dirty overnight?" His aunt's eyes flicked wide before her gaze sharpened. She shook her head lightly while Owen suppressed a laugh. He imagined that Claire was formulating how to get back at her nephew. Karen looked confused, and Gray shrugged. They both continued eating without saying anything.

Owen and Zach put a few things - "heirloom" seat cushions included - in the car, and Claire fully loaded her new parka. The coat had numerous pockets for her things, so she wouldn't need a purse. She explained that the NFL had strict rules about bag sizes anyway. Owen teased that she could be a secret agent or superhero with all her packed compartments.

"Yes," she deadpanned. "In my battle against the cold."

"I told you I would keep you warm," answered Owen, leaning down to kiss her. They were interrupted once again by Zach "accidentally" bumping into them on the porch and shouting, "Shotgun!"

"Hey!" Claire exclaimed back.

"I told you not to get distracted." Zach was already opening the passenger's side door. "It's almost 7:45," he added with an over-dramatic sigh. He pointed to his watch and got into the car.

"It's probably for the best," Owen relented. "He must already feel like a third wheel."

Claire groaned, "You're right."

"Excuse me?" he teased. "Can I get that in writing?" She slapped him across the chest, but he didn't budge. "You'll have to hit a lot harder than that if you want to do any damage. My Navy parka is tough, and SOMEONE is making me wear this scarf for extra padding." He made an exaggerated grimace, but he was being sarcastic.

"At least we're all on the same level this morning," she muttered as she walked toward the car. She looked a little upset. Owen caught her hand.

"Hey," he said softly. "I'm still here for you." He paused for impact. "New memories." She turned back toward him. Her expression was blank, and it unsettled him. This would've been a perfect moment for either of them - preferably both - to say "I love you." Claire's lips parted slowly. Owen was holding his breath again. Like clockwork, Zach honked the car horn. Claire breathed out and smiled with defeat in her eyes.

"Sorry," she said while squeezing his hand. "I am really glad we're here." He could read her mind again. He knew she didn't just mean Wisconsin or Karen's house.

On the car ride to Green Bay, Zach provided a little more insight into "The Three Musketeers" and bragged about his near perfect attendance at Packers home games since Claire's last appearance there. He would often try to get a rise out of her, like when he emphasized his never bringing a date to Lambeau. For the most part, however, Zach just shared his reverence and genuine passion for the team and venue. It reminded Owen of Claire. She was largely quiet in the backseat, gazing out the window and feigning offense to Zach's playful barbs. It was hard for Owen to make eye contact with her while driving. When he did catch glimpses of her, Claire looked content and comfortable. It was a dramatic shift from her white-knuckling on the plane.

They stopped at a rest area near the halfway point to use the bathrooms. Claire rushed ahead of them to the building. Owen didn't immediately know why. Zach didn't make a joke or take a shot at her when he was alone with Owen. They both understood her haste when they later found her waiting for them by the car. She yelled, "Shotgun," louder than was strictly necessary and mock-pouted at her nephew.

"You're not dawdling anymore," Zach quipped. "Seems like you just needed the right incentive." He winked at Owen. Claire rolled her eyes before smugly settling into the passenger seat.

She progressively relaxed even more as they got closer to the stadium. Claire was also increasingly affectionate with Owen but didn't overdo it. Zach sniggered only once after she snuck a quick kiss when Owen turned his head. Shortly after this, Claire cleared her throat, and Owen noticed her shifting into her serious, business mode.

"Zach," she began, "you can't tell Mr. Myles and Mr. Anderson about your involvement in the incident at the park. It's really best if we don't talk about the park at all, what with our jobs being in limbo and the overarching legal situation."

"I can keep a secret," Zach answered defensively. "I'm old enough to understand when things need to be kept on the DL." His tone quickly returned to one of mischief. "Like seeing Owen leave your room this morning." Claire chuckled silently. "And Owen, you'll never make it as a cat burglar."

"Thanks, Zach," Owen retorted facetiously. "I'll remember that when considering my career future." Claire rubbed his arm while fighting back laughter.

"One other thing, Claire. You can call them 'Ernie' and 'Cal' - I do." Owen couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud at this remark.

Claire groaned audibly and asked, "I am never living that down, am I?"

"Nope," Owen responded with a huge grin.

"Inside joke?" Zach inquired with genuine curiosity.

"Claire just really likes to use proper names," said Owen, attempting to diffuse the situation. Claire was suddenly glaring at him menacingly. He knew when to keep things secret, too. As far as her family knew, they'd been together since her arrival on the island. It wasn't an enormous exaggeration, and neither Claire nor Owen wanted to discuss the time they spent apart.

"Claire's always been a bit of a stick in the mud," Zach teased. "I inherited Pop-pop's sense of humor more than she did."

"You thought I was hysterical when you were little," she countered. "You just don't remember."

"It must've been moving to Philadelphia then. Becoming uptight was a side effect of your blood thinning."

"That's not funny."

"It's a little funny," Owen parroted his words from the day of the incident. Claire picked up on it and swatted his arm lightly. Since they were sitting at a stop light, he leaned over and kissed her. He was thinking about "consulting" with her in his bungalow. She must've guessed what was on his mind and blushed as he pulled away. Zach was surprisingly tolerant of the display.

When the car started moving again, Zach revealed, "Pop-pop gave Claire a really hard time about her cold intolerance when she came back for the playoff game in 2004."

"Oh my God," Claire gaped in surprise, "How do you even remember that? You weren't even six!"

"It was my first playoff game, and it was a classic. Overtime win and everything."

"I remember that one, too," Owen chimed in. "Defensive touchdown in OT, right?"

"Yes!" Zach excitedly shook his aunt's seat. She was jarred but amused. "He's a keeper, Claire."

"I thought you recognized that immediately when we were on the island," she said warmly, eyes twinkling at Owen.

"I did, but as Pop-pop always said, 'Trust but verify.'"

"Glad you caught up to me, Zach." Owen reached out to squeeze her hand.

As they walked through the portal to their seating section, Owen gasped. He couldn't believe that Claire would turn her back on 50 yard line, lower level seats. He was already overcome by the excited energy of the playoff crowd in the parking lot and the concessions areas. He'd never attended a playoff game before. Even during the "Glory Years" of the Cowboys in the 1990s, his parents always told him it was too expensive. The enthusiasm of the fans - mostly Packers fans, but there was a respectable contingent of Cowboys fans - was unparalleled by any regular season game he'd attended.

"Earth to Owen," he heard Zach say over the din of the stadium. Owen hadn't realized he'd stopped walking. He was filled with a child-like sense of wonder as he watched the players warming up so close to where they were standing. He felt a gloved hand slip into his own. He looked down and saw Claire smiling up at him and finally wearing the hat he bought her. He gave her a quick but passionate kiss.

"I'm glad you're pleased," she said with a soft moan.

"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked.

Her lips pricked up into a sly smile. "You are very outnumbered here...and about to face the firing squad." Owen could hear Zach grumbling behind them. Claire tugged him down the steps to their row.

"Claire!" they heard someone yell. "Is that really you?" the voice continued with rising glee.

A fit, forty-something man mused sarcastically, "You're senile, Dad. It's not her."

Claire squealed in delight as she hugged the older man and said, "Don't listen to him, Ernie. It's me."

"You're a sight for sore eyes," Ernie replied. "I'm tearing up here."

"It's good to see you." She moved forward to the other man and hugged him as well. "You, too, Sawyer."

"Since when did you start wearing hats?" Sawyer asked dismissively through a happy smile.

"See?" exclaimed Claire, turning toward Owen. "I told you."

"He must know you better than me," Owen teased. Ernie and Sawyer looked at each other warily before greeting Zach. They shuffled down to their seats. Claire sat next to the Myles' with Owen between her and Zach. The seat on the other side of Zach was still empty.

As soon as they were settled, Claire cleared her throat and said, "Ernie, Sawyer, this is Owen, my-"

"Cowboys fan," Ernie interrupted with mock disgust. "Jesus, Claire. How could you? Pat is rolling in his grave."

"I've heard that before...from Claire herself," Owen replied with mirth. "She bought me this hat and scarf though." Ernie laughed heartily.

"You must be pretty special," Sawyer said genially while reaching out to shake his hand. "But we already knew that, since you managed to get her back here." He turned to look at Claire. "We missed you." Owen suddenly felt a little possessive and jealous. Sawyer was wearing thick gloves, so Owen couldn't tell if the man had a wedding ring. Their psychic link intact, Claire hooked his arm with hers and pulled up to kiss him quickly. There was a glint in her eyes, and the tip of her nose was turning pink from the cold. She never looked more adorable.

"He is very special to me," she sighed contentedly. Sawyer clicked his tongue and winked at Owen before turning to whisper something to his father. Owen looked to the field again in awe. He'd never sat so close to the action before.

"Amazing, right?" Zach said. Owen nodded but didn't turn his head. He was transfixed. "Pop-pop used to say that Lambeau was where he worshipped on Sundays and felt closest to God."

"These seats are pretty heavenly," Owen smirked. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Claire talking animatedly to the Myles'. Her arm remained linked with his. He felt warm and not just from the heated seat cushion, which he decided was a brilliant accessory after all.

"Cal!" Claire practically yelled, jerking Owen out of his reverie. He turned to see a man who looked older than Ernie squeezing down the row of seats. The man was smiling ear to ear. Claire pulled away from Owen to stand and hug him.

"Sweetie," Cal choked out. "I can hardly believe it's you." As they pulled out of the hug, Claire started to open her mouth, but Cal spoke first. "You must be Owen." He turned and sandwiched Owen's outstretched hand between both of his. "Zach told me all about you."

Owen's eyebrows went up, and he huffed with feigned anxiety, "Great."

"Don't worry." Cal chuckled. "He said you were a...badass." Claire giggled at this. Cal turned toward her. "You, too, I heard. Zach said I shouldn't mess with either of you." He looked up at Owen's hat and breathed out in an exaggerated fashion. "You better be worth that third ticket." Claire looked at Zach sternly as Cal took his seat.

Zach cleared his throat and leaned close to Claire, "I've been giving him the third ticket for Rosie...most games."

Claire looked close to tears when she softly said, "He would've been proud of you." Owen was literally in the middle of a highly personal moment and felt like an intruder. Claire mouthed, "Thank you," to Zach before leaning back in her seat and taking Owen's hand.

Owen had long ago learned to sit back and enjoy Claire's game day excitement, but she was truly a sight to behold at a live event. She added her voice to the chanting and jeers of the other fans around her. She seemed completely in her element. Between the game action with his team and watching Claire sparkle with excitement, it was the greatest entertainment of his life. They were also buzzing on beer and stadium hot dogs - an incomparable delight all on its own.

When the Packers scored their first touchdown halfway through the first quarter, Zach and Sawyer taunted Owen. Sawyer brought up Tony Romo's infamous first playoff appearance when he fumbled the snap of a field goal kick and effectively lost the game for the Cowboys. This was a particular sore spot for Owen - along with most Cowboys fans - so a heated debate began raging about Romo's career feats. It was Claire's turn to enjoy the show as Owen rattled off numbers and launched a cogent defense of the quarterback.

Sawyer eventually shot him down smugly, "He's not clutch."

"We'll see about that," Owen muttered. He stopped short of pouting, suddenly aware of Claire smiling sweetly at him.

"What is it?" he asked self-consciously.

"Nothing," she answered coyly. Her cheeks were already rosy from the freezing air. He could tell she was hiding something, but he didn't press. The Cowboys were driving. They tied the game after a short touchdown pass by Romo. Owen immediately stood and hollered. His outburst was met with boos and calls to sit down from the throng of cheeseheads above and below him in the stands. He got thumbs up from a small collection of Cowboys fans to their left.

Cal turned to Zach and joked, "Do you regret bringing him now?"

"No way," Zach replied staunchly. "Owen earned his ticket." He flashed a mischievous grin toward Claire and Owen before promptly changing the subject with Cal. The score was now tied.

"I think you got it made, Claire," smirked Ernie, leaning over. "You win either way."

"I already won," she said proudly and leaned against Owen.

"Awww," Sawyer said, "You're making him blush." Owen simply rolled his eyes. He didn't know Sawyer well enough to make a snappy comeback. At least, that's what he told himself. He might've just been speechless, basking in Claire's affection.

At the break between quarters, Claire went to the restroom. Zach cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "Owen," he began in a faux serious tone, "in the absence of my pop-pop being here, I have to make an inquiry on his behalf. What are your intentions toward our fair Claire?" He was clearly making a show of it in front of Cal and the Myles', who all laughed.

"I can assure you," Owen said matter-of-fact and playing along, "my intentions are pure."

"Good," Sawyer announced. "We all thought her college boyfriend was just dating her for these seats." Owen's eyes widened.

"Really?" Zach asked with shock. His jesting was more on the nose than he realized. "I don't remember him."

"Yeah," Ernie groaned. "Pat knew it, too. When he started bringing you and Scott to the games, it forced out...what was his name?"

Cal piped up demonstrably with disdain, "Justin."

"That's right," Ernie nodded then turned toward Owen. "Pat was over the moon having Zach here when Claire moved to Philly, but he was also thrilled to ditch Justin."

Sawyer looked in the direction of the portal - likely checking for Claire - and said in a hushed tone, "Justin would always ask Claire to fetch him shit from concessions. A friend of his would usually tag along, and - God forbid - the two of them miss any plays." He rolled his eyes and continued, "Justin talked to his friend more than Claire, too." Owen was frankly surprised to hear that Claire tolerated this behavior. He wanted to ask why but was afraid to hear the likely answer: love.

"If Pat was here with them," Ernie added, "Justin was more of a gentleman, but it was as fake as a rubber dick."

"As opposed to that other guy," Sawyer said while taking another quick peak at the portal.

"You mean the one who came to Pat's last game?" queried Cal, sadness on his face. Sawyer nodded with a grimace. Cal addressed Owen, "That guy. He fancied himself to be some kind of Prince Charming. He was all over her and moony-eyed. I could tell she wasn't into it."

"We all could!" Sawyer scoffed. "Seems like the roles are reversed again," he muttered under his breath. Owen and Zach caught his comment. Owen felt his anger bubbling, but a part of him wondered if he'd been under-compensating in the wake of Claire's confession.

While Owen contemplated his response, Zach spoke up, "You don't know what you're talking about. Owen is totally in love with Claire." Owen was taken aback by the teen's forceful tone. The other men just stared at Zach and avoided Owen's gaze. Owen suddenly noticed Claire making her way toward them, carrying a coffee cup.

"What'd I miss?" she asked excitedly while giving Owen a quick peck on the lips.

"Nothing," Owen mumbled unconvincingly. Claire made a face, so he smiled at her. She shrugged her shoulders and took his hand before getting engrossed in the action. Owen himself shrugged off the unpleasantness and enjoyed taunting Zach with the Packers poor performance throughout the second quarter. When Romo threw a touchdown pass, Owen didn't gloat outwardly but smiled haughtily at Sawyer.

Claire and the assembled Packers fans were on edge for the end-of-quarter drive that resulted in a field goal. There was a collective groan of disappointment around him, but Owen refrained from making any snarky comments. The Cowboys were leading going into halftime, and he was practically bursting with glee. Claire slapped her knees and took a deep breath before standing up.

"Well," she said with a playful smirk toward Owen, "this certainly makes my surprise better." He looked up at her quizzically as she continued, "Do you need to go to the bathroom first?"

"Are we going somewhere?" he stammered and stood hesitantly.

Claire grinned devilishly as she addressed Cal, "Can you babysit Zach for halftime while Owen and I visit with someone?" Zach rolled his eyes then shared a conspiratorial look with Claire.

"I hope we see you again," Zach quipped.

"I might come back alone," Claire joked with an exaggerated sigh. Sawyer was suddenly paying attention, and Owen wanted to deck him. Instead, he pulled Claire into a deep and scorching kiss. It was the kind of kiss that would make a woman's leg "pop" in a romantic comedy.

"That's not going to happen," he whispered as he pulled back. She was blushing and breathless - atwitter, really - and it was the exact response Owen was aiming for. He flashed a self-satisfied smile at Sawyer as they squeezed out to the aisle.

Let me know if you approve of my giving Owen a little extra angst here. The payoff (and more) is coming next. I was hoping to fully post this story before Christmas, but that fell to the wayside when I expanded the narrative. Please review and stay tuned for the ending!