It had been a month since Jimmy's death and Karen and Derek's lives were finally regaining some sort of normalcy. Workshop had started on Julia's show, which still remained untitled, and while Cameron and Jonathon were extremely green; both impressed with the speed by which they improved. Karen proved to be an invaluable mentor often taking time outside of rehearsal to work with the two on lines and dance moves. The actors when not working at the bar had become regulars at the couple's home.

Today however, their outside practice had been put on hold as Derek and Karen promised Katie they would take her and Kyle to the park. Since the shooting Emma had been distant and often stayed in her room once the couple arrived from work. She refused to go to the park or the rooftop constantly making excuses to her daughter. Karen tried to talk to her friend but the only response she received in return was I'm sorry.' The actress assured the single mother nothing had been her fault and if anyone owed an apology it was Karen to her but it didn't work. Emma continued to perform her duties and nothing more.

The couple even offered to find Emma a new apartment if she no longer wished to stay at their home but she declined saying Katie would be crushed. For the pair their concern was not for Kyle (as they knew there was no better care giver) but rather for Katie who craved attention. "Uncle Derek, where are we going this isn't the way to the park?" the little girl asked holding on to his hand. Karen who was pushing Kyle in the stroller smiled at the scene.

"We are going to new park a few blocks further away," he replied.

Her eyes lit up "you mean the one with the wishing fountain?"

"Yes, that's the one," he smiled.

"But I didn't bring money with me," her expression now a frown of disappointment.

"Why do you need money sweetheart?" Karen asked.

"So I can make a wish," she answered as if it was the most obvious thing. "If I had money, I'd wish for my mommy to smile again. She's been sad since Jimmy left." Emma had made sure to keep news of Jimmy's death from her daughter. While the little girl had never met the man, the mother didn't want her child to be burden with her mistake; so instead she simply told her he had left."

Derek gave the young girl a thoughtful look. He had grown close to her since she and her mother moved in and found he would do anything for her just as he would for Kyle. "I think I might have some money you and Kyle can have," he winked.

"Really?" she squealed.

"Really," he assured grabbing hold of her hand once again.

After a few more blocks the foursome finally arrived at their destination. Katie was ecstatic at the swings, the slide and especially the fountain that could be seen across from the playground. Kyle who was sitting in his stroller giggled at the children running around him, "out, mommy!" he exclaimed. Now two years old his vocabulary was expanding everyday especially with Katie's help. Karen was no longer mama but mommy and Derek was daddy. At first the actress had tried to correct her son, not wanting to pressure Derek or make him think she was pushing for more in their relationship. However, to her surprise Derek expressed he had every intention of becoming a family in the future and while he may not be Kyle's biological father; he would love to be his father none the less. With that assurance, Karen stopped attempting to correct the little boy.

"You want to get out?" she cooed.

"Yup," the little boy nodded a huge smile gracing his face.

His mother laughed and leaned forward to unbuckle him. "You need to stay by us, alright?"

"K," he agreed. "Come on daddy," he reached for Derek's hand. "Tate you coming in?" he looked to Katie.

"Yeah," the young girl grinned taking his hand. "I'll race you," she yelled out.

Kyle let out an excited squeal, as Derek released his son's hand and the little boy chased his friend. The couple followed closely behind the pair, "stay where we can see you Katie," Derek reminded.

"We will Uncle Derek."

The actress and director found a bench with a clear view of the playground and made themselves comfortable. "Thank you coming with us," Karen told her boyfriend.

"There is need to thank me Love, I wouldn't trade this for the world. Nothing makes me happier than to spend time with you and Kyle. You are my family and one day soon if you'll have me, I'd like to make it official," he told her.

"I'd very much like that," she leaned in kissing his lips.

After about twenty minutes Karen noticed her son playing with a pretty little blonde girl who appeared to be maybe a year older than him. She continued to watch the pair making sure Kyle wasn't too rough when she heard Derek comment, "appears our son found a new friend," he grinned. "Nice to see my charm has rubbed off."

Karen couldn't help laugh as she playfully hit his arm. "God help us if it has," she teased. "We'll be getting calls from mothers all over New York complaining about their daughter's broken heart," she joked.

When the couple looked at their son again their attention was drawn not to by the two children but rather the man approaching the young girl. "Is that Tom?" Karen asked.

Both she and Derek rose from their seat and began to make their way over to where Katie, Kyle and the little blonde girl were playing. "Tom?" Derek called out.

The composer looked startled upon hearing the director's voice and wasn't sure what to say. "Derek, Karen," his words spoken more in disbelief than a greeting. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Nice to see you too, Tom" Derek sarcastically answered.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude. I had heard you were together now but I mean what are you doing in a park?"

"We're here with my son, Kyle and his friend Katie," Karen answered.

"What are you doing here?" the director asked in return.

Before Tom could answer a familiar female voice was heard calling out to him. Before the person even came into view Derek knew immediately who it was. "Tom, where did the two of you go?" Ivy Lynn asked.

It had been more than a two years since Derek had last seen the blonde actress so to say he was surprised was an understatement. What completely floored the couple however; were the words spoken next by the little blonde girl playing with Kyle, "mommy," she said pulling on Ivy's sleeve.

Karen looked from Ivy to the small child and was immediately drawn by her emerald green eyes and same intensity they reflected as the man standing next to her. Turning to Derek, she could see a multitude of emotions and questions play across his face. "Who is this Ivy?" he asked looking at the small girl.