A/N: The muse ran away…but it seems for the moment she is content being back after I had the bounty hunter go after her. Hope you guys are still enjoying this and I will try to update soon!

Her hair smells like lavender. It reminds him of a simpler time…freedom, innocence, happiness. She's always looked angelic when she sleeps; like all the troubles in the world slipped away into the dark. Today was no different, until she moved slightly and her hair fell away from her face revealing the fresh marks. His fingers tingled to reach out and run along them, to heal her somehow...

"She fell asleep" Alexis murmurs coming up behind them.

Halfway through the movie Alexis had led a sleepily Molly to her bedroom and he guessed she had stayed behind to let Sonny and Kristina have some time alone. It had been nice; just be quiet and watching Kristina recite every word to, Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was a side of his daughter that he hadn't been privy too. The side that loved popcorn as much as her mother, whose favorite soda was bottled root beer, and who had seen every Audrey Hepburn movie ever made.

He hated himself for not knowing all this, for misses every recital, play, or Lacrosse game. Every bit she offered he devoured and he tried not to push her faster even though he ached to know more. He had missed so much; he didn't want to drive her away just as she was beginning to give him tidbits.

"Yeah" he said smiling at the way she extended her legs over his lap in her sleep.

Alexis had a wistful sad smile on her face, "I'm sorry " she told him slumping down in the chair closest to him.

"For what?"

"Keeping her from you"

They had always been able to read each other and there was so much sincere regret in her eyes that it cut him to the bone, "I know…and it took me a long time but I understand why you did."

For a long time they just sat there quietly with each other as their daughter slept peacefully. He finally broke the silence, "You look tired counselor"

"Well you look exhausted"

His dimples cratered into his face and he shook his head, "Could never keep anything from you" he teased.

She rolled her eyes, "I don't want to wake her up"

Shaking his head he moved her legs before inching off the couch to turn around and swoop her into his arms. She murmured in her sleep but settled against him before Alexis led him to her bedroom. In all these years he had never seen the inside of the corner room. The walls were painted a deep purple, littered by posters of rock stars and pictures of her family and friends. Setting her in her canopy bed he let his eyes wander across the faces. He felt a punch to his gut when he settled on one. It was from some Christmas that felt like a world ago. She was in a red sweater, her long hair up in a ponytail beaming brightly as he held her in his arms. How did he ever give that up?

Swallowing back the tears in his throat he walked out. Alexis sat in the living room on the couch, "You going?" she asked.

"I told you I'm not leaving until I fix this"

Nodding she got up, "The sheets are fresh in the guest bedroom…figured it's more comfortable then the couch"

That made him smile…he would win them back; even if it killed him.

OoO

He heard the soft pads of her feet and he smiled…an early bird; like him, "What are you doing here?" she asked slightly confused.

The swooshing of the espresso machine swirled and then he slid the mug across the island, "Vanilla Soy Latte, extra foam"

Her mouth formed a slight O before she recovered, "That's my favorite drink" she uttered obviously suspect.

"I pay attention" he teased,

The arched eyebrow reminded him so much of her mother he could just grin and shake his head, "So you still love Belgian waffles"

For a moment they looked at each other; almost transported back to a time where she thought he hung the moon, "Yeah"

They fell into comfortable chit chat about nothing as he mixed the batter and heated the griddle. As he began to pour Molly's exuberant voice interrupted the calm, "WAFFLES, this totally beats burnt toast and Cheerios"

Alexis grumbled behind her and he handed her a mug, "Thank you" she told him before settling in one of the stools.

Molly prattled idly about some fairy book romance, the stars in her eyes encouraging teasing from her older sister and a kitchen filled with laughter. He couldn't explain the clench he felt in his heart that being with them caused. It felt too right…too perfect…and he wondered how he had ignored that for so long.

OoO

"Hey, so how'd the shipment turn out?" he asked Jason as he walked down by the lake while the girls got ready.

He only half listened…he knew it wasn't fair to just put this on Jason but he couldn't focus right now; not with his family in shambles.

"Listen, thank you for dealing with this for me" he told him, "I don't want to put this all on you"

Jason cleared his throat, "Right now your priority should be Kristina, I can handle this"

"Thank you"

"No problem"

They hung up and he stood on the short pier staring out at the sparkling water, "I like to come out here to think too" Molly said coming up to stand next to him, "It's so peaceful"

Looking down at the little girl he couldn't help but feel a wide smile spread across his face. She reminded him so much of his mother…her mother…and Kristina. Wide, precocious, curious, her eyes filled with all the amazement and wonder in the world. He wanted to protect that, to shield her in a way that was too late for Kristina. He would do that…from now on he would protect his girls.

"Yeah it is" he said looking back over the water.

OoO

He and Molly walked back in the house as Sam was pulling up the drive. Her brows furrowed in the Davis girl way but she smiled, "Hey guys"

"Sam, what are you doing here?" Molly greeted excitedly and he gave a smile and wave.

Holding up a bag she smiled at her little sister, "Krissy called to see if I could give her a couple makeup tricks because you guys are going somewhere" she asked quizzically looking to me.

Shrugging he walked up the steps, "It's a surprise"

"Mmm"

OoO

Alexis is looking at him like he's crazy, "Come on counselor, when's the last time you let your hair down and had a little fun?" he asked before leaning in, "Puerto Rico"

A crimson blush flashes to her cheeks before she rolls her eyes, "Fine, I'll go on this…adventure or whatever you call it"

"That's the spirit"

As the limo rolls up Alexis calls out for the girls. They both come out, Kristina is smiling and his heart skips a beat as she comes up beside him and lets him wrap his arm around her shoulders, "Ready Princess"

"Yeah Dad"