"Ms. Strode, the will I have just read, is in your favor. Your father paid in full for the house when he bought it and so now it's legally yours."

I look at Tommy not believing my luck. "I had no idea he had that kind of money," I wonder aloud. He was tight with his money but maybe he really didn't drink it all away.

"There were insurance policies on both of your parents, but none on your brother. It should be well over enough to pay for the cost of the funerals and set you up nicely for at least a little while so you can get on your feet. But of course, it's none of my business what you do with the money."

The possibilities are already running through my head. The car my dad used was old but it was paid for and left to me as well, so I can get a job. My parents left no dept that we know of. So everything is coming together.

"There's only one problem," Tommy says, on our way back to his house, "that's still Michael's home and he will come back, you've already seen proof of that."

"Since it's mine, we can live in it for now, we have nearly a whole year to sell it. I've already thought of that too, Tommy," I tell him and he seems to deflate in relief in the passenger seat, like a balloon that had been aired up way too tight but let go right before it was about to burst.

"We'll be dealing with pranksters as your father had," he says and I've had enough.

"Look, stop thinking of all of the bad things, here. I just had to bury my family. Can't you be just a little more positive? I mean, it's not like you're a very good shoulder to cry on. Besides, the car is left to me so that means I can get a job and that's one step closer to getting Stephen back, wouldn't you agree?"

"No," Tommy says. "I'm the one that's getting a job, you have to finish school."

And just like that, my hope in the disturbed man next door is restored. "Tommy, you don't have to do that, I know you have a hard time-"

"Socializing, yeah. But not working. I've had jobs, and I can get another. Besides, call me sexist but I'm not letting a woman provide for me and the two children we're going to be taking care of."

It's everything in me to keep from swerving the car at the shock pulsing through me. "Tommy, you do realize you just said you're going to be raising both of the boys, don't you? You don't have to sign up for that."

"I'm the only one that can keep you and the boys safe," he says.

"That doesn't mean you have to sign up to be a father."

"Oh I'm signing up for that, I just don't think I should be your husband."

"Who said anything about marriage?"

"They would give us less of a hard time about adopting Stephen if we were married."

"I hadn't thought of that."

"Yeah."

"So what do we do?" I ask.

"Get married," he says with a shrug.

"But didn't you just get through saying that you shouldn't be my husband?"

"Just because we're getting married doesn't mean we have to play our roles out when we're alone at home. It can just be a legal agreement between two adults that have the best in mind for a couple of kids. Kara, these kids have targets on them, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not. So, it's up to me to do what I have to do to protect them. I just know that I won't be able to do the warm fuzzy stuff for them. That's where you would step in. We can have separate rooms, we don't have to actually live as husband and wife."

"Okay, Tommy, whatever makes you feel more comfortable."

He nods, "Trust me, you'll be more comfortable too."

I ignore him and tell him, "Just don't wear the mask around the kids, okay?"

"Wouldn't do that."

"I know, just had to say it."

Now that the house isn't a crime scene anymore Tommy, Danny, and I roll up into the driveway and sit for a moment.

"You should let me check it out and make sure there's no places that needs to be taken care of before Danny walks in there, if you catch my drift."

I have to bite my lip to keep from letting my tears spill over again.

"So why don't you and Danny head back to my room next door and wait for me to come get you."

With a relieved sigh, I nod my head, unable to actually use my words. And Tommy gets out of the car with the keys I just handed him and disappears inside.

"Come on, Danny."

Sitting inside of Tommy's room, Danny's as still as a doorknob looking out of the window. He speaks and does what he's told but he's been working on autopilot. They suggested therapy for him and I think I may have to do that. My son isn't himself.

It's almost four hours that we wait for Tommy to come back and it's nearly completely dark outside when he comes into the room. Relieved I walked to him, "How bad was it?"

Tommy looks exhausted and walks past me, "I took care of it. I've got a small fire going behind the house. I'm going to pack a bag and we'll head back over there."

Once inside the house that was previously alive with voices and living breathing family of mine, the difference is so evident that I sway a little and Tommy catches me by the elbow. "Don't pass out on me, Kara."

I nod, and try as hard as I can to find the strength I need to make the worry in my son's eyes go away. "Danny, why don't you head to your room and get your pajamas on and I'll be up in a second to tuck you in."

"Okay, Mommy."

I walk through the house and see large chunks of carpet missing, and I know why. "Thank you, Tommy," I whisper shakily, but he doesn't respond.

The bedding and mattress are gone from my room and they're no doubt in the fire out back. There was no carpet in my room to begin with but when I make my way to the bathroom I see most of our towels missing. Tommy had gone through all of the rooms in the house and taken every trace and evidence of human blood where it was spilled and did away with it so Danny and I wouldn't have to see any of it.

"Don't go down into the basement just yet. I'll take care of that tonight before I go to bed. Just don't look outside to the burning pile."

I nod, "Okay. I can't repay you enough, Tommy."

"Look at it this way, you're letting me live here. I have to pull my weight. Plus, not having to live at Ms. Blankenship's place anymore is a big plus. It's easier for me to do this stuff. They weren't my family. Also, by doing this, you're helping me get Steven back."

"I suppose you're right."

"I know I am. Now, Danny's room was fine, your room not so much, but your parent's room was untouched, but I went ahead and found a linen closet and replaced the bedding for you so you wouldn't- well- anyway, you can sleep in there and I can take the couch in the living room."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Tommy. You're actually a lot more considerate than you give yourself credit for. Are you sure about the couch?" I ask.

"Positive. Go to bed, Kara," he orders and it makes me smile a little. With Tommy here, we all might just survive all of this.