I so appreciate all of your feedback, guys! This is a long one, and summer's fast approaching, so expect more quick updates once May rolls around. In the mean time, keep up your patience and support. I really appreciate it.

Neal woke up the following morning feeling better. Maybe it was because his body had finally started healing. Or maybe it had to do with the fact that he was waking up in his own room. It was no longer Peter and Elizabeth's guest bedroom. It was his. His own room. His own bed. He sighed as he lay in the silence.

Elizabeth had filled the empty shelves and drawers with his books and CDs. She'd tucked a couple of chairs and a table in the corner. His laptop now rested on the desk by the window, and Neal severely hoped Peter never asked him how he had acquired the computer.

When the smell of Elizabeth's cooking began to wander into the room, even the comfort of his own bed couldn't keep him from the kitchen any longer. Carefully, Neal struggled out of bed, working around his broken ribs and still sore stitches. His head still ached, but it was nothing a few Advil couldn't fix. He threw the drugs back with a swig of water before pulling a t-shirt over his head and slowly heading downstairs.

Elizabeth was in the kitchen when Neal poked his head through the door. She topped off a stack of pancakes with the last of her batch and turned to face him.

"Looks like someone's feeling better," she said with a smile, but Neal could see the strain in her eyes. She was anxious, no doubt from their fast approaching meeting with his mother, and Neal couldn't blame her. He was too.

"Yeah," he said with a reassuring nod. "Much better. Need any help?" He crossed the kitchen and grabbed a stack of plates from the cabinet before Elizabeth could protest.

"Be careful," Elizabeth warned, noting the boy's slight wince as he lifted the stack. He rolled his eyes at her unnecessary worry before carrying the stack to the dining room table. Elizabeth followed with the plate of pancakes in one hand and a pitcher of orange juice in the other.

"Just four, right?" Neal questioned as he began to set the table. "No more surprises?"

Elizabeth laughed and went to the kitchen to fetch silverware. "Just four," she called back.

Just as Neal set the last plate, the back door opened and Satchmo pushed his way inside, dragging Peter behind him by his leash. The dog immediately rushed to greet Neal, leaving Peter out of breath at the door.

"Feeling better?" Peter asked.

Neal nodded his confirmation as he bent down to unclip Satchmo's leash and pat the dog's head. "Yep. Although, I'll feel a lot better once this meeting's over."

"Me too," Peter agreed. He turned his attention to his wife who was still digging through the silverware drawer. "What do you need, El?" he asked as he picked a piece of pineapple out of the bowl fruit salad on the counter. His wife's hand slapped his hand away as soon as he went for a second piece.

"Go wash your hands, and then come help Neal and me set the table," she said with a sigh.

Neal shook his head disapprovingly. "Yeah, Peter," he piped in. "Wash your hands."

Elizabeth laughed as she joined Neal at the table again and continued her setting. Peter shot the boy an angry look before turning to the sink. "If this is how it's going to be from now on, with the two of you ganging up on me, I'm sending you back," he joked.

"20 seconds, soap and water," Neal called back.

By the time Peter joined Neal and Elizabeth at the table, they had finished setting the table. It looked perfect. Neal couldn't help but wonder about the amount of effort Elizabeth was putting forth in order to impress his mother, and he figured it was best not to ask.

"Why don't the two of you go get changed?" Elizabeth suggested, noting Neal's sweatpants and t-shirt and Peter's stained jeans and baseball jersey. Both of them groaned in response but turned to go upstairs. Before they even reached the kitchen door, however, the doorbell rang. All eyes flew to the door.

"She's early," Elizabeth said, panic and worry evident in her voice. Neal shrugged.

"Of course, she is," he said, knowing his mother would do anything she could to inconvenience the Burkes when they were stopping her from getting what she wanted.

"Still want us to change?" Neal asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"No," Elizabeth answered quickly. "Go get the door."

With that, Neal went to the front hall, followed by Satchmo and Peter. He reached for the doorknob, and his nerves finally hit him. His mother was on the other side of the door. His mother. Whom he hadn't seen in months. She was here to fight for custody that Neal was sure she didn't really want. Knowing Peter was eyeing him curiously after his hesitation, Neal opened the door, revealing his mother on the front step.

She looked better than Neal had ever seen her. Her usually long, messy blond hair rested straight and tidy on her shoulders. She was wearing a dress that, from the looks of it, was far more expensive than she could afford. Her eyes lit up instantly at the sight of her son.

"Neal!" she exclaimed, not missing a beat before she pulled him into a hug.

Neal couldn't help but wince and let out a hurt yelp at the sudden pain in his ribs and side. His mother stepped back at once and held him at arm's length. "Oh, sweetie. I'm so sorry. If I had thought your father would do something like that…" Tears already filled her eyes. Neal struggled not to roll his eyes. It had been less than thirty seconds, and she had already made everything about her. "I never would have left." Neal desperately wanted to remind her that she knew exactly what Jacob was capable of doing—and exactly what he had done—and she never had any reservations about leaving him in the past.

"I know, Mom," he managed, trying to sound civil. "It's okay. Why don't you come inside?"

Neal led the way into the front hall where Peter was waiting for them. "You must be Claire," he said pleasantly, extended his hand to Neal's mother. She shook it in a businesslike manner before returning to Neal's side. "I'm Peter."

"Nice to meet you, Peter," Claire responded automatically.

"Elizabeth has breakfast in the dining room," Neal explained, not wanting small talk with Peter to go on any longer than necessary. Peter looked relieved as they made their way into the dining room.

"Claire," Elizabeth greeted, beaming at their guest. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

They exchanged a few more forced pleasantries before sitting down to breakfast. Claire didn't waste any time. She turned to Peter and Elizabeth the instant coffee was poured and pancakes were stacked onto everyone's plates.

"I'd like to pay you back for my son's medical bills," she stated plainly. Neal nearly choked on his bacon, and Peter and Elizabeth looked just as surprised.

"Claire, I can assure you, Neal's medical bills are taken care of," Peter started calmly. "We don't want any compensation. That's not something you need to worry about."

Neal couldn't believe the thought hadn't crossed his mind. Surgery, broken ribs, several overnight stays. The Burkes must have spent tons on his medical bills. They hadn't even adopted him yet, and he was already costing them a fortune.

"Look, I appreciate all you've done for my son," Claire continued. "Lord knows he needed someone to protect him from his father while I was gone. But I'm back now. For good. And I think it's time he comes home with me."

"Mom…" Neal started, anger burning inside him. She made it sound like she had been away on business. Did she forget the fact that she had voluntarily left him with Jacob?

"I think we all know that's not going to happen," Elizabeth said, and Neal was impressed with the resolve in her voice. "We are willing to talk this through with you because, for Neal's sake, we would rather not take this to court. But until Neal tells us it's what he wants, we aren't going to hand him over to you."

Neal's heart pounded at her words. "What he wants": words he had never heard growing up with his mother and father. God bless Elizabeth. He tried to hide his smile, but his eyes met Elizabeth's, and he couldn't help the thankful grin that spread across his face.

"Neal," Claire started, pulling the kid's attention from Elizabeth to her. "I know you think things are good here, but I know I can take care of you now. Please, just come home with me. I've got a house in the suburbs…"

"You do?" Neal questioned skeptically.

"Well, not yet, but as soon as Jason gets his next paycheck…"

"Who's Jason?"

"Oh, Neal. You're going to love him. I've been seeing him for a few months now. He's really smart and sweet. He's a good guy, Neal," she promised. Neal shook his head.

"Look, if you're happy with him, then I guess I can be happy for you. But that's it. I'm not going with you. And I'm sorry, but if you put me on a stand and force me to choose between the Burkes and you, I'm going to choose the Burkes," Neal explained. He knew it was harsh, and he knew that even Elizabeth disapproved of his words, but it needed to be said. She needed to know.

"But, baby," Claire said desperately, shocked by Neal's words. "I'm so sorry. I know I messed up. Just give me another chance."

"You lost your right to a second chance the first time you left me alone with him," Neal snapped, and before Claire could respond, he was on his feet, hurrying out of the dining room and upstairs.

The table remained silent for several moments. Upstairs, Neal's bedroom door slammed shut loudly.

"I think you should leave," Elizabeth suggested. Claire shook her head and got to her feet as well.

"I have to go talk to him," she said, starting for the stairs.

"No," Peter protested. "You have to leave."

Claire turned back to face him and Elizabeth, a mixture of anger and hurt rooted in her expression. She stared back at them, weighing her options, before folding her arms firmly across her chest decisively.

"I'll be in touch."

Thanks for reading! As always, let me know what you think!