In the aftermath of the ceremony, I stood by myself and watched Gage walk over to Sydney. After whispering something in her ear, he knelt down before her. After a few seconds, she squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck and the others gathered around them. I smiled then turned my head to the side and chuckled.

"Good to see you again, old friend" I muttered, as a pure black mustang stallion walked up to me out of the darkness.

The mustang nickered and nuzzled him as Alec held his head in his hands "Black Fire! I'm surprised you didn't come visit me earlier." I said rubbing Black Fire's ears and putting their foreheads together.

"He did Nanóse'hame"

I turned and smiled as Silver Falcon came close. "Not long after you, Washo, Trivette, and Gage left for the sweat lodge. He walked into town and right onto your front porch. I didn't even know he had left your porch until now." He said and extended his hand toward Black Fire but he jerked his head away and took a couple steps back.

I laughed a little. "Dad, you must know by now he only lets me touch him." I stepped to Black Fire's side, wrapped one arm under his head and one hand on his nose.

Dad shook his head and muttered, "You and that horse."

My mind drifted back to the vision in the sweat lodge and I planted a light kiss on Black Fire.

"Something wrong my son?"

I turned back to Silver Falcon. "Just thinking about the vision I had in the sweat lodge, Dad." I said slowly.

He frowned a little but said, "Let's walk and talk about it." We started walking away from the fire with Black Fire walking beside me.

As we walked, I described my vision to him and when I finished I stopped to look at him only to find he was no longer at my side. I looked over my shoulder and saw him frozen to the spot about ten feet away.

I frowned and with Black Fire at my side, we walked back to him. "Dad, what's wrong?" I asked.

He jumped and stared at me, a haunted look in his eyes. "Sorry Alec, it's just… that vision… are you sure… that's exactly what you saw?" He asked.

I nodded. "Right down to the letter. Why? Did something like that happen here recently?" I asked concerned.

He looked at me then down at his feet and I frowned. "Dad… talk to me. Did something like that ever happen here?" I asked him.

He sighed heavily and raised his head. He nodded. "Yes a long time ago." He said looking very nervous and my frown deepened.

I took a step forward, teeth slightly bared. "Sliver Falcon, I know you're not telling me something. What is it?" I demanded.

Silver falcon looked at him for a moment longer then muttered, "Sit down. We may be here a while." They sat down on the grass, the fire from the bonfire outlining him.

They looked at each other for a couple of seconds then Silver Falcon took a deep breath. "I always knew this day would come. Alec this is the story of my daughter, Allison Fire Horse. She was a very beautiful woman. She lived her life true to her name and she had a will as strong as fire. The thing she loved to do most in the world was ride.

She even won the Texas State Rodeo in barrel racing. It was then she told me that during her time in Texas, she fell in love and when she came home to the reservation she was pregnant. I was bull headed at the time and I didn't give her a chance to explain...... I… disowned her because she decided to keep the baby.

I refused to speak to her throughout the pregnancy and I didn't allow anyone to help her. It was nearing the time the baby was due that I realized my mistake and went to the house she was staying in. But along the way, the clinic doctor stopped me and told me she had gone into labor and left the clinic when she couldn't get help there.

In panic, I went door to door looking for her but she was nowhere to be found then in the western woods I heard two gunshots. With a search party we headed in that direction and found her near dead in the woods. There were signs of a struggle and a lot from her part and in her arms was her newborn son.

With her dying words she told me, while she was looking somewhere in the woods to give birth three men approached her. At first, she thought they were going to help her but when she gave birth they told her they were going to take her newborn problem off her hands. She fought them as best she could and screamed as loud as she could and they shot her.

When they realized that he was Cheyenne, they left the baby and her for dead. Right before she died, she whispered in my ear the name of her child and my grandson. It was then that I swore to redeem my mistake and raise my grandson and feeling my guilt the tribe swore the same oath" He finished the sad tale, not able to look at me.

My eyes had grown wide as he neared the end of his story. Then I exploded, "What are you saying to me?" I demanded, not willing to believe what I was hearing.

He murmured softly, "It was not a vision you saw but a memory of your first hours of life. For most of your life you bore the name Alec Ryan but you were born Alec Fire Horse."

I turned away, unable to look at him any longer. "All this time, I never who I was, or where I came from, and you knew, everyone knew but me. Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded practically shouting at him.

He stared sadly at me then lowered his gaze, turning his face away in shame. "Because I didn't want you to suffer the way I suffered." He said thickly.

I stared at him in shock. "You didn't want me to suffer? Is that the best you can come up with? I have been suffering because I thought I was abandoned and you've been keeping the truth from me my whole life…!" I shouted at him a tear running down my face.

Hearing the pain in my voice, he looked up quickly, "Alec......." He started to say.

I held up my hand, my index finger erect. "I don't want to hear it"

He shook his head lightly. "…I'm sorry!"

"I said, 'I don't want to hear it'!" I shouted then leapt to my feet and onto Black Fire and the two of us tore out of there in a thunder of hooves as tears streamed down my face.

Twenty minutes later when I finally stopped, I slid off Black Fire near the creek where I had learned how to fish and swim. I took a few steps then fell to my knees clutching the sides of my head. Then I tipped my face up to the stars and screamed in agony until my lungs were empty and my throat was sore then I began to cry, chanting a Cheyenne prayer.

I don't know how long I sat there crying when I heard a horse gallop up behind me and someone dismount. "You're the only one who could find me in the dark." I muttered.

"I had a good teacher." A familiar warm voice said softly.

"We both did." I responded, feeling hands on my shoulder. I looked up at Kelly as she sat down next to me.

"Did you know?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "How could you ask me that? We've known each other since we were kids. I would have told you if I had known, Alec. You are my best friend and I…" She said firmly before trailing off and looking away.

I sighed and looked away myself. "I know its just….it hurts too much to find out that I was lied to all this time about my past….and…" I couldn't continue. She reached out an arm, placed it around my waist and hugged me close.

"I understand" She murmured gently.

I looked at her and frowned. Shaking my head, I asked, "How can you possibly understand?"

A tear ran down her cheek. "I understand because I've been doing it." Her voice choked tightly with emotion.

I blinked in surprise, my tears stopping as I realized what she meant.

"Ryan?" I asked to be certain, she nodded miserably.

"He's mine?" I asked, barely able to breathe. She nodded again.

"I found out I was pregnant just after you left for Company C and when I hooked up with Eric." Kelly said unhappily.

I stood up and turned my back to her. "I don't know how many more surprises I can take tonight. First, that the man I thought of as just my mentor turns out to be my grandfather who lied to me about my parents and second, that I'm a father of a son I never knew I had." I said bitterly then turned back to her and growled angrily, "Why didn't you tell me or at least call and let me know?"

She started to answer when I held up my hand. "You know what? Right now I really don't want to hear it because I just can't handle anymore surprises tonight. I just want to be left alone"

I felt her hand on my shoulder. "Alec…" She pleaded softly.

I shrugged her hand off. "Just go......please." I said, not looking at her and after a few moments I heard her horse gallop away.

When she was gone, I looked around, a weird feeling raising the hairs on the back of my neck like I was being watched. Shaking it off, I sat back down on the grass and I heard Black Fire come close, dropping his head over my shoulder. I smiled and reached up to scratch him under his chin. With a soft whuffle of air, he laid down behind me. Sighing, I laid back on him then he turned his head toward me and rested his head in my lap like a dog.

I smiled as I looked up at the stars and scratched the top of his head. "Maybe I shouldn't have pushed her away. What do you think?" I asked him and he nickered and brought his head closer.

"Maybe you're right but what about Silver Falcon or grandpa Silver Falcon?" I asked him and he just looked me in the eye, his dark brown ones trying to convey a message.

"I guess time will tell." I murmured. Apparently satisfied by my answer, Black Fire lowered his head back on my lap and laid my head against his neck and before I knew it I was asleep.

When I woke up the next morning it took less than a second for the weight of reality from last nights revelations to crash down on me.

"Great Spirit sometimes you have a lousy sense of humor." I muttered. Black Fire snorted and climbed to his feet. He shook himself out and waited patiently for me to climb on his back.

After a short walk he went into a full out run with a thundering of his hooves on the ground. We rode with one heart one mind and one spirit. To anyone watching we were nothing more than a blur across the land.

We soon came to a rise overlooking the reservation. We turned to the side before riding down the hill, galloping all the way to the house. I came to a stunning halt then dismounted releasing Black Fire to go off on his own while I entered the house, still feeling as if eyes were watching me.

It was still very early when I went for my run, completed my morning practice session then showered before heading for the inn, dressed in my usual black clothes and hat. On my walk to the inn, people came up to me telling me they were sorry for not telling me the truth. I didn't say much in return, just nodded and continued on.

Once I reached the inn, I scanned the restaurant and spotted Walker and the others. I walked over and sat down, after putting my hat on the post meant for it. Everyone watched me quietly.

Walker was the first to speak. " Some night last night, huh?" He commented lightly. Jimmy nodded in agreement.

'You don't know the half of it.' I muttered softly but aloud I said, " Yeah....some night." I glanced over at Gage and Sydney. "So....how's the wedding plans coming along?"

They smiled shyly and held hands. "Well, my family is flying in from the Apache Reservation in New Mexico and Gage's sister is flying in from Dallas. They'll all be here by this evening. It will be nice for them to see us renew our vows.......we kind of eloped the first time." Sydney said smiling. Gage grinned and patted her arm.

I try to put on a pleased look for them as I said, "That's good." Alex suddenly put her hand on mine.

I looked over at her questioningly.

"If you ever need to talk Alec....." She said gently.

I put my hand over hers. "I know, thanks."

She continued to look at me measuringly. "Well, at least you found your mother." She said softly.

I nodded. "Now all I have to do is find my father." I said then Angela tugged at my sleeve and I looked down at her.

"That five year old horse that was at your house yesterday and this morning who is he?" She asked curiously.

I smiled for real with time. "His name's Black Fire. He was the leader of the local mustang herd until he was attacked by a cougar. He was still alive when I and Silver Falcon found him. He was going to put him out of his misery but I stopped him. We brought him back here and I nursed him back to health. When he was strong enough, we took him out to where his herd had been sighted and let him go. The next morning I woke up to find him right on my front porch and we've been together ever since."

Her eyes were big when I finished then she asked, "Does he live in the local stable or in the wild?"

I chuckled. "He'd kick the door off any stall and I've given up trying to saddle him. Every time I've tried, he bucks it off." I was looking around while I was talking to her.

"Have you guys seen Kelly?" I ask. They shake their heads.

I frown to myself then stand up. "I'm going to go check on her." The rest eye me but just wave me off without comment.

I walk back through the lobby and up the wooden stairs, which creaked a little as I ascended to the third floor. As I walked down the hall to her room, I froze when I heard what sounded like something being broken. I ran the rest of the way to her door and jiggled the locked door knob then pressed my ear against the door and heard what sounded like a punch being thrown.

"KELLY!.... KELLY!.... LET ME IN!" I yelled as I tried to open the door.

There was no response but the noises continued. I stepped back and kicked the door open. I hissed in anger when I saw the condition of the room. It looked like a war zone with overturned furniture, broken lamps, and some of the wall decorations were either on the floor or broken.

Coming fully into the room, that was when I saw Kelly on the floor trying to get back on her feet. Ryan was cowering in a corner not far from the window with Eric with a knife in his hand, hovering over him.

My sudden entrance in the room, caused Eric to whirl around. I leap up and nail him with a flying side kick that sends him reeling through the window, breaking the glass. He's half in and half out when reached for him. His head was in the room when I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, yanking his hands free of the window sill.

Now, I was the only thing keeping him from falling to the ground below.

"PULL ME IN! PULL ME IN!" He screamed at me.

"DROP THE KNIFE!" I yelled.

He ignored me and screamed again. "PULL BE IN!"

"DROP THE KNIFE! OR I SWEAR TO GOD I'LL DROP YOU!" I yell back, meaning every word.

He blinked at me like a surprised owl before letting go of the knife. I yanked him back into the window and tossed him to the floor. He struggled to his feet and charged me but I nailed him with a side kick to his gut then a spin kick to his head.

As he spun around, I nailed him from the other side of his face with a second spin kick then a third and a fourth. As he turned to face me again, I leapt up and nailed him with a spin kick to the face that sent him spinning to the ground face first.

I went over to him, turned him over, grabbed his shirt in my fist and prepared to slam my other fist into his face, which shook from my anger. We froze like that for a second before I let my fist drop and I released him to hit the floor.

"You're just not worth it!" I spit out.

As I turned away, I remember that Ryan was my son and it was time for me to be a father. I quickly went to his side and checked him over. He gave me a relieved smile and hugged me. Now that I knew he was okay, I released him and went to Kelly who was sitting rather forlornly on the floor as she watched us.

She looked awful. Her lip was split and a black sealed her left eye shut. Ryan had come to stand by us and I put an arm around him as I put one around her. His son started to cry at the sight of his mother who had tears in her own eyes. I hugged them both and murmured soothing words of comfort until they calmed down.

The commotion had been reported and in the door came Walker, Jimmy, Gage, Sydney and Fire Wolf. They stared over the damaged room in consternation and anger.

"Somebody book that bastard before I change my mind and kill him." I snarl.

Fire Wolf went to Eric and dragged the man to his feet. "My pleasure. I'll even integrate the jail cell for him. I know a lot of people who would love to get to know him." He said, cuffing the prisoner and pushing him out of the room.

That's when Kelly opened her eye and smiled at me. "Hey! I think I got a few licks in."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I think you did too. Now, I'd better get you to the clinic." I said then stood holding her in my arms.

"Alec put me down! I am not made of glass, I can walk." she said, struggling a little.

I smiled at her. "I know you can but then I wouldn't be able to hold you in my arms."

She smiled and relaxed. "I'd laugh but it hurts too much." She snorted then winced.

With Ryan at my side, I carried her out of the inn to the clinic a little ways down the street.
When Doctor Joscelin Big Tree came out and saw Kelly in my arms, she stared then ushered us inside. She had me take Kelly to a bed in an observation room then pushed me all the way back to the waiting room with Ryan and the others. Unable to sit in a chair, I paced back and forth across the room with everyone staring at me then stopped when I felt someone grab my shirt.
I turned and looked down at Ryan who looked up at me.

"Is my mom going to be alright?" He asked, worriedly.

I bent down and held him in my arms. "Yes Ryan, she's going to be just fine." I muttered in his ear.

Just then Big Tree came out of Kelly's room and closed the door before heading toward us. I met her partway.

"How is she?" I asked.

Big Tree sighed. "She's lucky is what she is. She's got three bruised ribs, one cracked rib, a bump on the head and her left eye is completely sealed up with a nasty cut above that eye. Now I want to keep her overnight just to be in the safe side…" She said, addressing all of us.

"OVER NIGHT! FORGET IT BIG TREE!" Came a loud roar from down the hall.

Big Tree chuckled. "However, she still has the ears of a Bat. By the way, she wants to see you and… you" She said, pointing at me and Alex.

The two of us looked at each other before walking down the hall and into Kelly's room. I gritted my teeth when I saw her holding an ice pack to her eye and to her head and under her shirt I saw bandages wrapped around her chest. She lowered the ice pack from her eye and I saw one of Big Tree's herbal pastes covering the bruise and she smiled at us.

"It's not as bad as she thinks it is." She said, trying to sit up but stopped when I put my hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.

"You know as well as I do that she's hardly ever wrong." I said, as Big Tree leaned against the door.

"Still as stubborn as the day is long, Kelly but your staying overnight the easy way or the hard way and I know Mountain Lion will help me if he knows what's good for him" Big Tree said cracking her knuckles.

Kelly looked at her then replaced the ice pack on her face "Kelly I can understand why you would want Alec here but why me?" Alex asked.

Kelly looked at her with her one unsealed eye "Alex this made a lot of things clear for me and I want to get my life back together. Now you know I love working for you and the DA's office but I'm a cop through and through. I want to get back on DPS and I want to take my place in the Texas Rangers that I was promised when Alec got the badge. I hope you're not upset?" She finished hesitantly.

I looked from Kelly to Alex who smiled down at her. "Kelly, I completely understand and I'll put in a good word with the DPS office and the Rangers for you. Was that all you needed?" She asked warmly, placing her hand on Kelly' shoulder. Kelly nodded, smiling gratefully at Alex.

Alex gave us both a studying look. "I'll give you two a moment alone." She said then left the room with Big Tree.

We looked at each other for a moment then, "Alec I'm sorry…" Kelly began before I cut her off.

I placed two fingers over her mouth. "You have nothing to be sorry about." I insisted, removing my fingers and pulling up a chair.

I put my elbows next to her on the bed and held her hand. "I was a jerk last night and even with everything else happening, I should have listened to you and not push you away when you told me about Ryan. I… realized when Eric… Ryan is my son and I want to be his father and I want you back in my life." I finished in a rush.

She sighed.

"But why didn't you call me when you found out you were pregnant? I would have come for you." I asked the question that had been haunting me.

"Because I was afraid.....not for you....but for Ryan." She said, lowering the ice pack.

"What do you mean?" I asked in surprise.

She sat up. "Even during the pregnancy, Eric would beat me, Alec. He made me quit the force and if he'd ever found out the child was his........" She trailed off, a look of anguish on her face.

"…He would have terminated the pregnancy or killed Ryan in the later months." I growled angrily. She just nodded.

"As Ryan grew, I had to tell Eric that our child took after me so that he wouldn't question why Ryan didn't look like him at all. One day soon, he would have figured it out because Ryan is nothing like him and everything like you." She said softly.

I grit my teeth and said tightly, "That's why Eric blew up. He found out, Ryan was mine." I said with certainty.

She nodded miserably. "He'd overheard us last night and he didn't come back until this morning when he......" She couldn't continue and went silent.

I let my anger go and leaned close to hold her to me. She cried into my chest. "Kelly, you're the strongest and most beautiful woman I know. You have been through so much trying to keep out son alive, even going so far as to give up your dream." I said softly.

"If it makes any difference, I never did stop loving you." She said, her voice muffled against his shirt.

"Neither did I." I said.

She pulled her head back a little so that she could see my face.

"Where do we go from here?" I ask.

She eyed me a moment, then caressed my cheek with one finger. "I don't know." She said pensively.

I give her a wane smile. "We'll think of something. Either way you can stay at my ranch until you can get back on your feet again." I assured her gently. I

She cupped my face. "I'd love......Ryan?" She interrupted herself, looking over my shoulder.

I turned my head and saw Ryan's small face peeking through a crack in the open door.

I released Kelly and stood up going to the door. "Ryan." I said quietly but he suddenly bolted. Cursing in concern, I darted after him, shouting. "RYAN!

I rushed through the waiting room door, saw no sign of him and continued on through the outside door. I stood on the porch but saw no sign of him. I slammed my fist against one of the posts. "Shoot!" I muttered bitterly.

The others had seen us both rush through and came out to ask me what was wrong.

"What was all that about?" Trivette asked.

"Ryan found out the truth" I said.

"What truth?" Gage asked.

I sighed and started looking down at the road and checking for Ryan's tracks and following them down the street.

The others followed me as we followed the tracks.

"Alec what truth?" Gage asked again as we paused while I looked between two houses.

I exhaled lightly when I saw Ryan sitting against one of the houses, his arms holding his legs in close and his face in them. I walked toward him then joined him on the ground, one leg tucked close and an arm resting on it. The others stayed at the mouth of the passageway and waited.

After a moment, the boy spoke. "Did you know?" Ryan asked me keeping his face in his knees.

I looked at him and asked softly. "Know what?"

He looked up at me, tears streaming down his face. "Did you know you were my daddy?" He asked. I heard some of the others gasp.

I shook my head. "Not until last night when your mother told me and believe me when I say this, if I had known, nothing would have stopped me from finding you." I said putting an arm around him.

He looked at me then stared straight ahead as I held him closer. "I know how you feel Ryan." I said.

"How do you know how I feel?" He demanded angrily.

"Because until last night, I didn't know who I really was or that I really did belong here. Like you, my past was kept from me my whole life. I've just found out about my mother but I still don't know where my father is. And we both were kept in the dark about each other. But now that I know, I love you very much and accept you as my son, even if you never think of me as your father." I told him firmly.

He studied me closely for a long time but said nothing.

"Ryan, you can refuse if you want to, but you are welcome at my place tonight." I offered, letting him decide.

Though he didn't smile, he nodded solemnly. I gave him a warm smile. "Come on! Let's get back to your mother." I said. He climbed to his feet and the two of us walked back to the street.

When we reached the others, I paused to look at Walker. "Could you do me a favor and get Ryan's things from the hotel and bring them to my place?" I asked.

"Sure, I'd be happy to." Walker said quietly.

I nodded my thanks and Ryan and I walked on back to the clinic. When we reached it, he and I froze when we saw Silver Falcon standing by the door fingering his hat.

He looked to his feet then me and back to his feet before finally speaking. "I heard what happened."

I glared at him then crouched down to look at Ryan. "I'll met you inside. I'll only be a moment." I assured him. He nodded, eyeing Silver Falcon before darting into the clinic.

I stood up and walked onto the porch glaring at Silver Falcon. "What do you want?" I snapped, still angry at him.

He winced but bravely continued. "Alec you have every right to be angry......"

"You're darn right I do. All my life you kept the truth from me and right now I hate you with every fiber of my being." I snarled, cutting him off. He lowered his gaze.

"And yet, strangely, I love you just as much." I sighed, letting the anger go. He glanced up, a hopeful look on his face. I turned away and leaned against the post, my hand in my pockets, staring at the road. "Do you know anything about my father?" I asked.

"No! She wouldn't tell me anything about him. I came to give you this." He said holding something out to me. It was a belt buckle.

"She won that in the Texas State Championships. It was the one thing I didn't get rid of when I disowned her. It… she would have wanted you to have it and she would be proud of the man you grew to be." He said solemnly, handing it over.

I ran my thumb over the belt buckle. "It still hurts, Silver Falcon and it will take time but right now I have to get back to Ryan." I said and walked into the clinic and to Kelly's room.

I took a seat while Ryan was in Kelly's bed in her arms and she smiled at me and mouthed 'Thanks for talking to him', at me.

I smiled and mouthed 'Just trying to be a father.' I answered back, taking a seat and picking up a pad of paper and pencil. We stayed in the room for a couple of hours until Ryan fell asleep. I drew a rough sketch of the two of them. I was just finishing Kelly's face when I looked at her again and she mouthed for me to take Ryan home. I nodded and pushed myself out of my chair. After handing her the sketch, I gently picked him up from the bed and she smiled at me after looking at the picture as I carried him out of the room.

I carried him asleep in my arms all the way to my home and inside to my bedroom where I lay him on my bed. Careful not to wake him, I covered him with a blanket and exited the house and walked back to the inn. When I got there I saw the others except Alex, sitting in the den by the fire. I joined them in a high backed chair looking into the flames.

"So how does it feel to be a father?" Walker asked holding his cup of coffee.

"I'll let you know when I find the manual." I said and a couple of them laughed.

I clicked my tongue and shook my head and held my face in my hand. "Being a father to a son I never knew I had, is going to be real difficult. I just hope I don't disappoint him." I said.

Walker looked at me and put his coffee down "Alec if you treat Ryan like you treat Angela you are going to be a great father" He assured me firmly.

I smiled and looked at him. "I wish I had your confidence."

At that moment Alex came down the stairs keeping a hand on her bulging belly. "Somebody wants to be tucked in." She said, smiling at them.

Walker started to get up. "No by her uncle." Alex said.

Walker looked at her then sat down. Then Trivette started to get up but Alex said, "no her other uncle." Trivette shrugged and sat back down while Gage was the next to get up but again Alex shook her head, and was grinning impishly. "No her other uncle." She looked right at me.

I sat a little straighter in my chair and looked around at everyone and Erica next to Trivette nodded towards the stairs.

I let out a puff of air "Well this is going to be a first." I said and stood up and went upstairs.

The door to Angela's room was open and a light was on when I walked into her bedroom. She shuffled under the sheets with a smile on her face. I smiled back and sat on the edge of her bed and tucked the sheets closer to her so she would be warmer.

"You know a part of me thought you were kidding when you called me uncle yesterday." I said.

She smiled up at me. "I'm glad you found your mother." She said.

I smiled back. "So am I… hey you want to see something of her's?" I asked when I felt the belt buckle shift in my pocket.

She nodded vigorously and I slipped it out of my pocket and showed it to her. "She was a barrel racing state champion in Texas. She won this herself." I said proudly, handing it to her.

"Wow…" Angela said, running her hands over it.

"Yeah wow…" I said and she handed it back to me.

I slipped it back into my pocket. "You know you'd better get to sleep, the Rodeo and race is tomorrow and I'm expecting big cheers from you." I said.

"What about Ryan?" She asked.

I lowered my gaze "I don't know but I'm really hopping he might come. I really do love him." I said softly.

She smiled. "Everything will turn out all right." She said with certainty.

I smiled and ruffled her hair a little. "I'm sure you're right, now get to sleep."

"Can you sing me a bedtime song?" She asked puffing out a lip and giving me bambi eyes.

I smiled. "Well one comes to mind from something I used to watch when I was your age just be easy on my singing voice it may not be that good." I said and cleared my throat.

"A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er Lullaby Bay
It Fills the sails of boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail your worries away
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay
The winds of night so softly are sighing
Soon they will fly your troubles to the sea" Angela sang sweetly and I was slightly taken a back.
"So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain
Wave good...bye to the cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullaby Bay." We sang together.

I chuckled "I should have known you'd know that song." I said in amusement.

She shrugged. "I'm a big fan of that movie too." She said.

I chuckled. "Sleep time!" I admonished, she reached up and hugged me then pecked me on the cheek.

"I love you Uncle Alec." She said sweetly as I held her close.

"I love you to" I said then after turning off the light stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door silently behind me.

When I got back to my house I checked in on Ryan making sure he was still asleep then grabbed a pillow and a blanket from the closet. I returned to the living room and laid out on the couch and was soon fast asleep.