'Mommy!'

Katie's face blossomed with delight when she heard her little one rushing through the house.

'My princess, I've missed you so much!' Katie says, hugging and kissing Bree many times.

'She couldn't wait to see you again.' Her mom commented, dropping the bags on the floor.

'Mom, thank you so much. I know she had fun.'

'Yes, she did.'

Katie smiled.

'Mommy, look at my shoes!'

'They do look great, sweetheart.' Katie smiled, while she poured pasta into boiling water.

'It matches my blue dress. I'll get it and show you.'

Katie grinned and winked at her mom.

'Well, well…' Her mom took a long breath. 'These days were certainly fun.'

Katie tried to make herself busy because she knew what was coming next.

'Hum. I bet.'

Her mom came closer to face her.

'What about Kane?'

Katie gasped and looked down, smiling.

'Yes! I knew it!'

Her mom might be a bit nosy sometimes, But she was also very loving. She wanted her daughter to be happy as much as Katie wanted Bree to be happy.'

'Are you together?' She asked in a whisper.

'I guess. It's a bit complicated.'

'Why is that?'

'Mom, he doesn't live here and he has a family, a son.'

'Well, if things were great in bed, I'm sure you'll work it out.'

Katie almost let her cloth fall on the floor.

'Mother!'

'What?' Her mom asked, distractedly munching some almonds.

'He's coming to dinner.' Katie shot, while she stirred her pasta sauce on the pan.

Her mom gasped with excitement.

'Who is coming?' Bree's curious eyes watched her. .

'Kane. Remember him?'

'Yes. The one who looks like a prince.'

Phyllis laughed loudly and that embarrassed Katie even more.

'See? She also thinks he is prince charming.'

'Will you help mommy set the table for four?'

'Mommy, I'll go wash my hands and then set the table.'

'Okay, honey.'

'I don't know, mom. We'll see. What if she never accepts it?'

'Katie, you're not going being ruled by four-year-old. You are 32 now and it's about time to live your life. She'll be fine.' Phyllis helped her with the sauce. 'I sort of started introducing him to her, little by little.'

Katie's eyes grew wider.

'What… what did you say?'

'Nothing much. Only that you were great friends and I saw you both grow. You went to all kinds of places together and he was always at my home. I told her the truth, partially.'

'How did she react?'

'I have a feeling she is starting to understand. Give her time.'

They were interrupted by the bell.

Bree rushed to open the door for Kane.

'Hey, Bree, how are you?'

'Good. Grandma and I went shoe shopping. You have to see my new collection.'

Kane smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

'Kane, dear, I'm so glad you could make it.' Phyllis went to greet him, giving him a warm hug. 'Let me get your jacket.'

'Thanks.'

'How was Your match today?'

'It was alright. I worked doubled today. Thanks for asking.'

Her eyes met his and it was hard to act 'normally'. She simply wanted to kiss him and hug him for a long time. But she couldn't. Not yet in front of Bree.

'I was thinking.' Kane said. 'I want to bring my son to spend some time in Knoxville.'

'Really? That would be great.'

'I'm sure Bree and him would get along pretty well.'

Katie smiled gladly at his attempt of making things work. She really wanted to believe that everything was going to be fine, but she was still uncertain. As for Kane, he really wanted to find a way to make it work. She belonged close to him. He would find a way to make it work. He had to.

Bree giggled and sat close to her grandma. The four of them enjoyed a nice meal. Phyllis told funny stories of Katie when she was Bree's age, what made Bree light up with laughter. Then she moved forward to when Kane and Katie were dating, but never mentioned their relationship.

'This kid, Bree, was not to be trusted.' Phyllis playfully hit Kane's shoulder. 'Can you believe he and your mom decided to paint my garage?'

'Ha ha! I cannot believe you still haven't forgiven me for that!' Kane commented, biting a piece of bread.

'How could I?' She said, winking.

They all laughed and enjoyed the rest of their meal. Bree and Kane seemed to be connecting pretty well as they played checkers on the coffee table while Phyllis and Katie put away the dishes.

Katie told Bree it was time for bed, She protested at first but decided to follow her mom's orders when Phyllis promised she would take her out the next day before she left.

The house felt silent and peaceful for a second. Katie took a long breath and smiled at Kane.

she took one step and slowly kissed his lips. He held her tightly and tenderly at the same time, forgetting about where they were. Their kiss was brief but full of passion. Katie whispered, while her forehead was glued to Kane's.

'I missed you.'

'I missed you.'

'Katie…' He paused, took a deep breath, and cupped her face on his hands. 'Don't worry. I know what you're afraid of.'

'Do you?' She asked shyly, kissing one of his hands.

'Sure I do. We'll figure something out, okay?'

'But what if…'

'No 'what ifs', Life is full of them already. What if we had never met again?'

Her eyes shone with understanding.

'You're right.'

'We were blessed to bump into each other on the street. Do you think that was all pure coincidence?'

'What was it then?' She asked, brushing her lips on his lightly.

'You know I'm an incorrigible romantic.' He said, laughing.

'I know. And I love that about you.'

She really did. She had always been the brain, the logics, and the reality of their relationship. Especially about her future. She never took his feelings in consideration when she decided to leave and she still didn't forgive herself for doing that.

'So why not give this a very good try?' He suggested, kissing her and lightly licking her lower lip. Katie's throat couldn't stop the light moan that went out.

' not fair…'

'I know… I wish you were in my hotel room right now. You have no idea of what I'd do to you.'

'Ha ha. You would be harmless.'

'Would I?' He said, tightening his grip.

She looked fiercely at him. What was she still doing in her backyard, hiding from her mom and daughter when they were probably sleeping? She smiled mischievously when the thought crossed her mind. he seemed to get the clue and smiled back.

'You're coming with me, right?'

'Yeah, but I have to be back very early, before mom and Bree wake up.'

she went upstairs and grabbed her purse. She would never imagine herself doing such a thing. She decided to write her mom a quick note in case she woke up and looked for her. She knew she would probably sleep until at least 7 and so would Bree.

She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote:

Mom,

You know where to find me if you need. Just call me.

Love,

Katie.

She left the note on the dining table and looked at him as he waited by the door, leaning against the wall. So hot. Her body just burned with want as she wondered how she was going to wait at least half an hour to possess him like she wanted.

'I already got a cab.' He said, his voice hoarse with desire as he kissed her. 'It'll be faster.' He winked.

'Good…' She whispered, as she pressed her body against him, starting to feel his arousal.

'We'd better hurry then.'

Kane was right about how things had been totally unexpected and carefree over the last days. Katie had never imagined acting like a teenager, running away from home in the middle of the night to make love to her sweetheart. But the experience felt whole, fresh, and exciting.

His hands wouldn't stop browsing her body when they were on the way up to his room.

She smiled to herself as she was glad she had picked a dress to wear that night. Once they were inside, his strong arms easily lifted her up and pressed her in to the wall, while he entered her and moaned her name. Her hands pressed his head firmly, as she kissed him intently and felt his deep thrusts inside her.

Right now that's where he belonged.