Hi again! Thank you to those that said you loved Chapter 6 - I wasn't sure about it, but I reread it and realized how different it was from what I originally had (it may have been edited about a dozen times). So yeah, not as much filler as I thought. Yay me! :P And again, thanks for your reviews. You have no idea how excited I am when I get one :)

Sorry if you don't like Marco. He doesn't make an appearance in this chapter, but he does have a bit of a role to play in the next. Just warning you!

I don't own anything related to Pretty Little Liars.


The girls' arrival in New York was much different this time. While Spencer was already missing James, the idea of some time away with her friends had energized her. She and Emily practically raced up the stairs to Hanna and Aria's apartment, who had swung the door open wide as the other two were coming up the last flight. All four exchanged hugs with each other, excited to be together again.

As the girls all talked over one another, Hanna clapped her hands as if calling order at a meeting. The other three quieted down and looked at her, laughter in their eyes.

"Ok, we didn't get to do anything last time you guys were here so Aria and I have a full day planned. I expect you two to keep up." She raised an eyebrow at Spencer and Emily. They smirked at their friend's seriousness, as Aria just rolled her eyes. "And since we have a lot to do, Spencer you're going to show us the 10 cutest pictures of James you have right now so that you're not pulling out your phone every two minutes today to show us another one."

"Hey, I don't do that!" Spencer argued. She pulled out her phone anyways.

"I'm just trying to stay ahead of the clock here Spence. Now come on, let's get it over with." Hanna may have sounded like she didn't want to see the pictures, but she was actually excited to see them. She had had time to accept that Caleb and Spencer had a baby. She had moved on and she wanted to be happy for her friend.

The three girls properly oohed and ahhed over the pictures, as Spencer proudly showed them her son's latest milestones. The last picture was probably her favourite though. It was a selfie she had taken in the park of her, James and Caleb. They looked like a regular family and it was just a flattering photo of all three of them. Hanna had noticed something about the picture too, but she chose not to say anything that moment. They had shopping to do.


For the next two hours the girls followed the whirlwind that was Hanna Marin. They quickly learned what she meant about keeping up with her. While she had never played sports, she definitely got her cardio flitting from store to store, piling massive amounts of clothes in her arms for the girls to try on. This was her happy place.

They found themselves in yet another store after lunch. (Spencer had begged to stop and eat, while Hanna hadn't even thought about food. She didn't want to slow down, but she really didn't want to deal with Hungry Spencer, so they compromised and grabbed a bite from a food truck.) Hanna had noticed that Spencer had bought next to nothing, only one boring top. Hanna decided an intervention was in order. Aria and Emily were off in another part of the shop so Hanna grabbed Spencer's hand and pulled her away from the rack of athletic clothes she was looking at.

"No Spence. You did not come to New York to buy yoga pants." Hanna's was frowning, her tone firm.

"Well to be fair, I came to New York to see you guys, not buy clothes." Spencer smirked back.

Hanna just shook her head. "I don't care what you came here for. We've been in a ton of stores and all you look at are sweats and t-shirts. You're in a rut. But luckily for you, I can help." Hanna grinned at the brunette.

"Han, it's fine. I don't really need anything. Besides, I'm a mom now. It's not like it's practical for me to be pushing a stroller in stilettos and pantsuits anymore."

Hanna rolled her eyes. "Who said anything about stilettos and pantsuits? Spencer you're a young, hot mom, not a fifty-year-old divorcee. If I see another Instagram of James where you're wearing yoga pants and a hoodie, I will unfollow you. It's time to break up with the workout clothes and embrace the world of fashion again. You don't even do yoga."

Spencer sighed. She knew Hanna was right. She had even anticipated this happening. It was still hard though. She felt guilty at the idea of spending money on herself. "Alright Hanna, I'll let you dress me. But the clothes still have to be practical. James will be crawling and walking in a few months, I need to be able to keep up with him."

Hanna fought the urge to roll her eyes again. "Spence, I work in fashion. I know what I'm doing, now trust me. And keep up." She flashed a slightly evil smile at the taller girl.


They were in their eighth store since Hanna's little "intervention" for Spencer's wardrobe. When Emily and Aria found out what their friend was doing they joined in too. It was a good thing, both Hanna and Spencer had strong personalities and differing taste, not to mention both were completely stubborn. On more than one occasion Aria and Emily had had to intervene before things got too heated.

Spencer insisted this was the last store they'd be visiting. She felt like she had enough new clothes and shoes for the next five years and felt like they needed to do something besides shop. She had even been talked into new underwear when Hanna had gotten a look at her current nursing bra. (She put her foot down when Hanna attempted to sneak in some lingerie though. No way did she need that despite Hanna's arguments.) Hanna had agreed, satisfied with the job she had done that day. As Spencer was getting ready to put her own clothes back on, she heard a brief knock on the door as it swung open.

"Hanna!" Spencer grabbed a shirt and held it up to her. Hanna just waved at her dismissively. "Whatever Spence, it's nothing I haven't seen before." Spencer still didn't lower the shirt. Ever since having James she was more self-conscious about her body.

"Here, you need to try this on. I promise it's the last thing. I just saw it and I know it's going to be perfect on you." Hanna thrust the garment at Spencer.

It was a gorgeous long-sleeved forest green sheath dress that hit just above the knee, a wide neckline, and a gold belt around the waist. It was just the sort of thing that Spencer would have worn before James. She shook her head at the blonde.

"No way, that's completely impractical. When am I going to ever wear that? While doing the dishes?"

Hanna rolled her eyes. After today she thought they would be permanently stuck in the back of her head. "Oh come on Spencer. Have you ever heard of a date?"

"Right, because I'm going on tons of dates right now. Guys love single mothers." Spencer scoffed.

"Look, just do me a favour and try it on. Please? I promise then we can go and do educational touristy crap to your heart's content."

"Fine. Now get out so I can change." Spencer grabbed the dress from Hanna's hands and practically pushed the blonde out of the change room. She quickly stepped into it and looked at herself in the mirror. It was a nice dress. She opened the door for Hanna to see it.

"Ok, you have to get that. I am not letting you leave the city without it, even if I have to buy it myself." Hanna looked at her friend who was admiring herself in the mirror. She knew the girl loved the dress as much as Hanna did.

"I don't know Han. I just don't think I'd ever have a chance to wear it." Spencer sighed and looked at herself wistfully.

"Trust me, something will come up and you will be thankful your extremely wise friend made you buy it. Heck wear it around the house, Caleb might appreciate that." She smirked at her friend.

"I don't need the dress for that." Spencer muttered under her breath. The words flew out before she even thought about it and she quickly looked down, hoping Hanna hadn't heard.

"Shit, did something happen between you two?" Hanna's voice dropped. Spencer didn't hear any jealousy or anger in her tone, but she definitely didn't want to talk about it right now. Thankfully Aria and Emily came over then, as they realized their friends were still at the change rooms.

"Spence, are you getting that dress? It's gorgeous on you!" Aria gushed. Emily agreed.

"Yes, she is." Hanna grinned triumphantly. Spencer breathed a sigh of relief that the girl wasn't going to press about her the earlier comment. "Now get dressed so we can go. We have things to do!"


After a late dinner after traipsing all over the city, the girls groaned as they finally got back to the apartment, exhausted from everything they did.

"Han, why on earth do you live on the seventh floor of a building that doesn't have a working elevator?" Emily grumbled angrily as she collapsed onto the couch.

Hanna shrugged. "It's New York. You take what you can get. Or what you can afford." Emily just grunted back at her, too tired to argue.

They girls gathered again in the living room, finally able to really talk and catch up for the first time that day. They had all changed and grown so much since high school. Even though they were bonded for life because of everything they went through with A, they felt like they were getting a chance to know each other as adults.

Of course some things never change. After they had had a chance to recuperate, Hanna suggested a game. The girls groaned as she came back with a bottle of vodka and four shot glasses.

"Come on, we're doing this. Truth or Dare. We said we were having an old-fashioned sleepover!"

"Ok, fine I'm in." Emily agreed and sat up closer to the coffee table as Hanna filled a glass and pushed it in her direction.

"Yeah, why not? I'm in too." Aria also agreed as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

The three girls looked at Spencer, who was sitting on the floor opposite Aria and Emily on the couch. Hanna was sitting on the armchair in between. "Come on Mommy, I thought you were pumping-and-dumping." Hanna grinned at Spencer.

Spencer sighed. "I suppose I don't have much of a choice." Hanna squealed with delight and pushed a shot glass in front of the reluctant brunette.

"Spencer you go first." Hanna suggested.

"Ok, fine. Hmm. Aria, truth or dare?" Spencer's looked at the short brunette on the couch.

"Hey, why me?" The girl argued. Spencer just shrugged. "Ugh fine. Truth." The petite girl tossed her shot back.

"Dated any authority figures lately?" Spencer grinned.

"Nope. I can safely say I've only gone out with people who won't lose their jobs because of a relationship." Aria smirked proudly. "Ok, my turn. Emily, truth or dare?"

"Dare." Emily downed her shot. She figured Aria wouldn't give her anything too bad to do.

Aria hadn't expected a dare, so she thought about it for a moment. Then her eyes twinkled. "I dare you to give me a foot rub." Emily groaned as the other girls laughed. After the day they had it was actually the perfect thing to ask for. Aria kicked of her shoes and put her feet on Emily's lap. The tanned girl reluctantly began massaging the other girl's feet.

"Ok, Emily, you're turn." Hanna reminded the girl.

"Oh, right. Hanna, truth or dare?" Emily smirked at Hanna as if she already knew something.

"Truth." Hanna smiled, she never took dares anymore.

"Are you seeing anyone in a position of authority?" Emily had a smug look on her face. She already knew the answer, but she knew the other girls had no idea. Aria and Spencer looked at Hanna with confusion as the blonde downed her shot.

"Damn you Emily." She sighed and looked down. "Maybe."

"What?" Aria jumped up in her seat, pulling her feet from Emily's lap and tucking them underneath her. "How do I not know about this? I live with you!"

"Look, it's not… it's not anything yet. Maybe it is, I don't know. I just didn't want to say anything because I wasn't sure what we…ugh!" The blonde was frustrated. She didn't know how she was going to explain this. "Alright. Don't freak out or anything, but do you guys remember Detective Holbrook?"

Emily didn't say anything as she had already known what was up. Aria and Spencer looked at each other in confusion, then remembered who their friend was speaking of. It had been so long they had completely forgotten about him.

Spencer was the first to say something. "Seriously Hanna?! He arrested me for murder!"

"Look, I know it sounds weird. It was weird for me too. I clubbed him with a freaking tire iron the last time I saw him! That's why I didn't want to say anything. He's a detective with the NYPD now. His precinct is nearby. We ran into each other getting coffee one day. We started talking and then met a few more times for coffee. We've only been on a few dates. We haven't even slept together yet, it's not a big deal." Hanna looked down and picked at a spot on the armrest.

The girls were silent, not knowing what to say to Hanna's confession. Finally Aria spoke. "Wait. What I don't get is how Emily knew about this?"

The three girls all looked at Emily for an explanation.

"I thought I was supposed to get an option for a dare." Emily was suddenly nervous with the amount of attention on her.

"No way, tell us right now how you could have possibly known about this." Hanna demanded.

Emily looked at the other girls and breathed out a sigh. "Toby." Now the girls were really confused. "A few months ago Toby and Holbrook were assigned to a case together, I think something had happened in Rosewood but it involved someone from New York, or maybe it was the other way around, I can't remember. Anyways, they sort of became friends after that. I was having coffee with Toby a couple weeks ago and he mentioned something about 'Holbrook and Hanna', as if it were a thing I knew about. Which I didn't."

"I'm gonna kill Gabe. And Toby." Hanna muttered angrily under her breath. Then she noticed that since the girl's original outburst, Spencer had been quiet about the whole thing. She looked nervously at the brunette. Spencer wasn't exactly Holbrook's number one fan.

"Spence? Are you ok with this?" Spencer looked up and saw the worried look on the blonde's face. Suddenly a memory flashed before her, of her asking the blonde the same thing about Caleb. She brushed it away and let out a small sigh.

"I know this sounds odd, but I think I am. We can't pretend that we all haven't done some stupid shit in the past, so it's not like we can judge others who got mixed up in everything. And I know better than anyone that we all come with baggage. So Han, if you're happy, I'm happy." Spencer smiled at her friend. She really did mean that.

"Ok, well let's get this sleepover back on track. If I remember correctly, Spencer's the only one who hasn't gone yet." Aria's eyes twinkled at the brunette sitting on the floor. Spencer groaned.

"Oh yeah! Spencer, truth or dare?" Hanna had recovered from her moment of confession and grinned at the brunette.

Spencer sighed. She knew Hanna always asked awkward questions. But she didn't feel like doing a dare either. She drained her shot and set the glass firmly back on the table. What the hell. "Truth."

Hanna smirked. "What happened between you and Caleb?" Aria and Emily both leaned forward. What was this about?

Spencer rolled her eyes. Of course Hanna wouldn't have forgotten about her comment when they were shopping. Maybe it was for the best though. It might be good to get her friends' perspectives. Maybe it would help her sort out her own feelings.

She looked down at the hands in her lap. "We almost kissed."

Hanna looked at her, disappointed. "Almost? Talk about a letdown Spencer." She smiled at her friend.

Aria was curious now. "What happened Spence? I thought you guys had decided to just be friends."

Spencer looked at the girl wryly. "I don't remember truth or dare having so many follow-up questions." She looked down to gather her thoughts, before looking back up at her friends who were awaiting an explanation. "We did decide to be friends. Well, he decided at least." She glanced back down at her hands, a sad smile briefly lighting on her face. "It actually happened last night. We were in the barn, he had asked me about James' birth. I told him and then there was this…moment. He leaned in and was about to kiss me, but then James starting crying on the monitor and I ran out of the barn." She shrugged matter-of-factly, as if she had just told you the sky was blue.

"Wait, so he almost kissed you?" Hanna leaned forward from her chair. Didn't Spencer just say that Caleb was the one that wanted to be friends?

"Well I wasn't exactly shooting him down, but yeah, he was the one that started it." Spencer smiled sadly. It was all so confusing for her.

"So what does this mean for you two? Do you think you'll get back together?" Aria quietly asked from the couch.

Spencer let out a small sigh. "I have no idea. We haven't really talked since then. I know I still have feelings for him, but I kept pushing them aside since I was sure he didn't feel that way anymore. Maybe he doesn't, maybe he just got caught up in the moment, or a memory, I don't know. Besides, I'm not sure if it's worth the risk. If things fell apart again, I don't think I could handle it. And I can't do that to James." The last two sentences were barely whispers. The other three girls looked at each other, not knowing what to say. It was easy to give pat answers like 'life is short' or 'no risk, no reward' but none of them had ever had a kid involved.

Emily was the first one to speak up. "There's probably no easy answer to all of this Spence. But you should talk to Caleb." The other brunette nodded. Then Emily thought of something; she knew Spencer wouldn't appreciate Emily bringing it up, but when else would the four of them be together again? She decided to go for it.

"So if this all happened last night, what was that thing with Marco?" Spencer's glared at Emily, irritated that the swimmer had mentioned the run-in from this morning.

"Wait, what thing? Who's Marco?" Hanna responded. Aria nodded in agreement, both girls wearing matching expressions of confusion.

"It's not a thing. We ran into Toby at the Brew this morning, Marco was with him. He's the new detective." Spencer said with a grimace.

"But Emily said there was a thing. What happened?" Aria questioned.

Spencer was silent as she crossed her arms. She wasn't going to say anything, since nothing had happened. For someone so guarded Emily sure had no trouble spilling other people's business.

"Well, the part about us meeting him this morning is true. But it was like Toby and I weren't even there. They were practically stripping each other with their eyes." Emily smirked slightly. She knew Spencer was angry with her, but she'd get over it.

"Spence!" Hanna and Aria both exclaimed, smiles on their faces.

Spencer rolled her eyes at Emily's description of events. "That is not what happened! We talked to Toby, he introduced us, Marco said I had a weird name and that was it. Then end." Spencer refused to give them any more.

"Oh come on Spence, there has to be more. Emily wouldn't have brought it up otherwise." Hanna continued to dig at Spencer.

"Yeah, thanks for that Em." Spencer's eyes practically threw daggers at Emily, who just shrugged in response. "Ok fine. We may have flirted a little. But I don't see what the big deal is!"

"Spence, the big deal is you went from almost kissing Caleb one night to flirting with a stranger the next morning. Maybe nothing happened Spence, but it's clear there's something going on with you. What is it?" Aria's quiet works and large wide eyes got to Spencer. She felt tears prick her eyes.

"I don't know! This past year has been so insane. I know it's a copout to blame hormones, but it's true, they do mess with you. It was so hard being alone and pregnant and having James. And then coming back here and having to tell everyone. The last couple of months have been great, Caleb is so good with James, and we're getting along. But I'm so tired of pretending I don't have feelings for him. And then this morning…it just felt good to flirt. To have a man look at me like he wanted me, and not just because I'm the mother of his baby or because we have history. It felt new, and fun, and…uncomplicated." She wiped at the tears that were falling onto her lap. She needed a drink. Thank God she could this weekend. She grabbed the vodka and quickly downed two shots, feeling the warmth of the alcohol coat her throat and stomach.

Aria got up and moved to where Spencer sat on the floor. "Spencer we're not judging you. We love you. I think we can all agree that you've been through a lot this past year. And there's nothing wrong with a little flirting." Aria said as she comfortingly rubbed Spencer's back.

Spencer bit her bottom lip. "But what if it's not just a little flirting?" She noticed as the girls all raised their eyebrows. "I mean, I did feel something when we talked. What if there is something there? I love Caleb, I know I do. But I can't just sit around forever. What should I do?" Spencer dropped her head into her hand that was propped up on her leg. She no longer made an effort to stop the tears slowly running down her cheeks.

The other girls looked at each other. They wanted to help their friend, it was clear she was in hell. But what was the right advice? Aria and Emily were at a complete loss as to what to say. Hanna surprised herself by being the first to speak up.

"If Caleb doesn't have feelings for you he's an idiot." The other three looked up at Hanna, surprised. "Look, I know this is weird coming from me, but you two are good together. You had something real. Anyone could see it, even me, before everything...you know. And now that you have a baby, it makes complete sense for you to be together. If he can't see that, he's an idiot."

Spencer smiled weakly at Hanna as she wiped her eyes. "Thanks Han. That means a lot."

It was quiet again until Emily spoke from her place on the couch. "I think you should go for Marco." Spencer, Hanna, and Aria all looked at her in shock. Their friend didn't usually like to offer such definitive advice into other people's love lives.

Emily took a breath and prepared to explain herself. "Look, I know how you feel about Caleb. I'm pretty sure everyone but Caleb knows how you feel about Caleb." Spencer looked down at her lap, embarrassed by Emily's words. She hated being so transparent. "But you've been hiding behind your feelings for too long. And if he's not reciprocating you need to move on. And I was there this morning. I know you're at least a little curious about Marco, I say you find out what's there."

"Wow Em. That sounds like a speech Hanna would give. Well, a tamer version at least." Aria smirked at the blonde.

Hanna shrugged. "I can't argue with that, because it makes complete sense. Besides, maybe if you hook up with Marco it might light a fire under Caleb." Hanna's eyes sparkled with laughter.

Spencer smiled and shook her head. "I think we're a little beyond jealousy games. And just so we're clear, I'm not 'hooking up' as you so eloquently put it, with anyone. But maybe you guys are right. I can't sit around and wait forever for Caleb to decide if he loves me or not. It certainly couldn't be the worst thing in the world to see what else is out there." Even just saying that hurt Spencer a little. But it was time she got on with her life too.

Hanna put her hands on her lap and stood up. "Well, I think Truth or Dare was a bust. Or maybe the best thing ever. Either way, we are not nearly drunk enough. Who's up for tequila shots?"


Spencer awoke the next morning with a massive hangover. She hadn't touched alcohol in over a year, what made her think trying to keep up with Hanna was a good idea? She groaned and tried to move, but discover Aria was wrapped around her. The girl could never keep her hands to herself in her sleep. She pried off the short brunette's limbs and carefully stood up. She need pain relievers and water. A bucket of coffee couldn't hurt either.

She stumbled into the bathroom and found some ibuprofen. After taking two, a drink of water, and brushing her teeth she began to feel more human. She looked at herself in the mirror and groaned again. There were bags under her eyes, her hair was sticking out in a frizzy mess of waves, and her makeup was smeared all over since she had forgotten to take it off the night before. She washed her face and attempted to get her hair under some semblance of control then headed for the kitchen.

She was usually the first one up, so she was surprised to see Hanna in the kitchen already. The blonde didn't say anything when she saw Spencer, just grabbed the largest coffee cup she had, filled it, and pushed it in front of the brunette.

Spencer lifted the cup to her lips and took a long sip. "Mm, that's good. How have I gone this long without coffee?"

Hanna smirked slightly. She wasn't in as much pain as Spencer, but she did have a bit of a headache. "Well you must have been off it for awhile, you're not complaining that it's too weak."

Spencer just glared at the blonde. "Why did you let me drink so much last night?"

Hanna shrugged. "I like Drunk Spencer. She's way more fun than Nerdy Spencer."

"I haven't been Nerdy Spencer in a long time." Spencer scoffed.

"Fine then. More fun that Mommy Spencer. But you'll always have a touch of Nerdy Spencer." Hanna smiled back at the girl.

Spencer just grunted at Hanna and took another sip of coffee. She was too hungover to be witty.

"So how do you feel about your decision last night?" Spencer looked up at Hanna's question. Her decision? Had she agreed to something while she was drunk? "You know, the whole Caleb/Marco situation." The blonde explained.

Oh. Right. That. Spencer let out a sigh. "Still the same. I think it's probably time to start getting over Caleb. I need to protect my own heart. I'm not saying I'm going to go home and call Marco up, but...I guess I'll just be open to something."

Hanna nodded. "I agree. I just...can I see your phone for a minute?"

Spencer stood up, confused, and retrieved her phone from her room. She gave it to Hanna, who proceeded to flip through her pictures for a couple minutes until she found what she was looking for. She passed the phone back to Spencer. On the screen was one of the pictures Spencer had shown the girls, of Caleb, James and her in the park. She looked up at Hanna, awaiting explanation.

"This may sound conflicting advice but when I look at this picture, it's pretty obvious Caleb has feelings for you still. He may even be in love with you. I just don't think he knows it. I agree that you can't wait around forever, , just..." Hanna knit her eyebrows together in concern. "Just be careful. I love you. Both of you. I'm secretly rooting for you two to be together, but I'll support you in whatever decision you make."

Spencer smiled softly and looked down at the photo. She was taking the picture and holding James, who was in the middle. She was smiling at the camera but Caleb had his head turned and his eyes were squinting a bit due to the light. She had always thought he was looking at James but now she saw what Hanna did. Caleb was looking at her. And if a stranger was looking at it they'd probably say that Caleb looked like a man who was very much in love. She shook her head. Even if he was, he had made it very clear that he only wanted to be friends.

"Maybe you're right Han. I just don't know how much longer I can wait for him to realize it. But you know me, I never do anything without thinking through the consequences."

Hanna smiled. "I don't know, it must happen occasionally. You did have an accidental baby."

"Hey, James is not an accident! He's a surprise..." Spencer smirked. "Besides, Hanna, condoms and the pill!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You're the cautionary tale that terrifies us all." Hanna smirked as she took another sip of coffee.

Aria came out of her room just then, and sat down on a stool beside Spencer, crossing her arms and putting her head down, murmuring something.

"What was that Aria? You gotta speak, no matter how hungover you are." Spencer teased. She was feeling much better than before.

"Need. Coffee." Aria responded angrily.

Hanna chuckled as she poured her friend a cup of coffee. Her friends really needed to learn how to handle their liquor.


Since none of them felt like preparing breakfast, they had gone out to a diner close to Hanna & Aria's apartment. The rest of their visit was light, leaving the heavy conversations to the night before. Once they had eaten Spencer and Emily loaded up the car and headed out of the city, Spencer anxious to see James.

"Spence?" Spencer was humming along with a song when Emily caught her attention. She turned and looked at the tan girl with an eyebrow raised.

"I just wanted to apologize. For yesterday. It probably wasn't my place to bring up Marco." Emily looked at her friend apologetically, but she didn't see any anger.

Spencer gave her a small smile. "It's ok Em. Honestly it was probably for the best. Talking to you girls helped a lot."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know." The brunette responded frankly. "I guess just do what I've been doing. And be open to other...opportunities that might come up."

Emily nodded. It sounded like the right thing. She just hoped she had done the right thing by encouraging her friend in the first place.

They decided to abandon the topic after that and discussed other things for the remainder of the drive. They made record time getting back to Rosewood, probably because Spencer drove like a speed demon to get home. She barely let Emily grab her things out of the trunk before she was on her way home. Pulling in to the driveway she didn't even bother taking anything out of the car, she practically ran into the house. When she didn't hear or see any sign of James and Caleb in there she went out back to the barn.

She smiled widely as she opened the door and found the two playing on the floor. Caleb heard the door open and he looked up, shooting her a smile as he picked up James.

"Look Jamie, Mama's home!" James looked over at Spencer and he squawked and flashed her a smile. She raced over to them and Caleb quickly passed the boy to her. She squeezed him tightly, inhaling his soft baby smell, running her fingers through his longish dark hair that seemed to stick out in all directions.

"Hi baby, Mama missed you so so much! I am never ever ever leaving you again, it's too hard!" She placed kisses all over his face as he squirmed and scrunched his face, trying to avoid her.

Caleb chuckled. "Please tell me you're not gonna be one of those mothers who completely smothers her son and he grows up to be a whiny pansy."

"I don't care how pansy he is, he's my baby and I'm never leaving him again!" She smiled. Of course she was teasing, but she was just so happy to be back. She felt like she had been missing a limb or part of her heart the whole time she was away.

They sat down on the couch as she loosened her hold on James a bit, setting him in her lap. He couldn't sit up completely on his own, but he was getting there. "So how was your trip?" Caleb pulled a basked of laundry over to his feet and proceeded to fold a bunch of tiny shirts, pants, and onesies as they talked. She filled him in on her time with the girls (leaving out a few of the conversations), he told her about the funny things James did and that she missed one of the most awful diaper changes ever. She laughed and told him she wasn't sorry.

The rest of the day was spent getting caught up on chores, spending time with James, and just enjoying being back. Occasionally she thought about the near-kiss, Marco, and Caleb's possible feelings for her. Maybe it wasn't the smart thing to do, but she brushed it off. She knew she should talk to Caleb, but there'd be time for that later. Right now she just wanted to forget about relationships and enjoy the day.