"Robyn." I whispered, inahling another deep breath of her hair. "Robyn, darling, it's time to wake." My arm had been asleep for the last few hours, but I'd fought a major battle of wills. I wanted to get the feelings back, the blood flowing through it, but I enjoyed holding her. I enjoyed her heat, her smells, her complete and utter relaxation as she lay against me.

She murmered, nuzzling closer into my side. "Too early."

I moved my arm carefully, trying not to jostle her out of the seat. Up ahead was a diner I'd frequented many times, and this time would be no different. We pulled in the lot, I parked at the very front so I could watch the van as I walked in. She curled into the seat as I got out, and I had to stretch to feel even remotely normal. I walked in, ordering two cups of coffee to go. The waitress tried to chat, but my mind was still in the van. The kids had slept the entire trip almost, and she hadn't moved since she'd shut her eyes. I hated sleeping in vehicles, she must have been wore out to go down that fast.

Outside, I had to balance the two steaming cups as I opened the door. Thank goodness for my mutantion, because anyone else would have dropped them after Robyn shot up from the seat. Her eyes wide, her mouth a grim line, her body panting and flush at being startled. My groin tightened. "Coffee." My voice came out huskier and I could've kicked myself. I cleared my throat, "I got us coffee, we're almost there." She's only a woman, I wasn't that deprived. The thought didn't do much to clear my head.

" 'Kay." She slid back to her side of the seat, wrapping the cover around her. I handed her a cup, then placed mine in the holder. I picked up the empty cans and wrappers and tossed them into a shopping bag I'd placed to the back for trash. She took a sip, watching me, wide awake now. "Thank you."

"Your welcome, I hope it's to your taste. I know you used real milk before, but I wasn't positive on the proportio-" She held a hand up, smiling.

"It's fine Hank. I'm sorry, I slept so long." I jumped in, and got back on the road.

I grinned at her, "Welcome to Dundee, Illinois."

She looked around at the houses and fields, "This where we're staying?"

"Yes m'am." I answered.

"What's here?" she asked, giving me a strange look over her styrofoam cup.

"My mother." I couldn't stop grinning, I always enjoyed coming home. I had grew up here, it was the same then as it had been forty years ago a comforting place where people knew one another. I mean, of course the technology changed, but the town itself was still full of nice people and the same mom and pop stores as it always had.

"Your mother's?" she sounded confused and I took pity on her.

"Everyone knows where my apartment in Washington is, plus it's not big enough for six kids." I shrugged, "My mom loves kids, so we'll be welcomed with open arms."

"Uh-huh. What about your dad?"

I tensed, "He died. He was exposed to nuclear radiation before I was born, everyone thought I was the only side effect. I wasn't, he had cancer throughout his body."

She laid her hand on mine on the steering wheel. I sighed, it wasn't her fault and she didn't know. I couldn't blame her for asking. "I'm sorry, Hank."

"He's in a better place now, so don't worry about it." I paused, "My mother can be quite overbearing, so I'll apologize in advance."

She laughed, moving back next to me. This time she wrapped the blanket around her but drooped it over my lap, snuggling in to my side. I cocked a brow and glanced down at her. "Cold." she muttered. "Was warmer earlier."

I wrapped my arm back around her, "Few more minutes then we'll be there." She nodded, but didn't move. I felt a evil little bugger slipping into my head and couldn't stop myself, "Can't wait to take a bath. I feel like you bathed me in your drool."

She tried to sit up, but I just laughed and kept her pressed against me. "I do not drool, nor do I snore."

"No, you don't Robyn." She settled down a little, but kept giving me curious glances. "What?"

"I felt like something else was fixing to come out of your mouth." she admitted. I grinned, but shook my head.

"Not a thing, my dear."

I pulled the van into an old dirt driveway. It looped through the woods and came out into an impressive field. Mom hadn't used the tractor this year, and it was grown up a bit, but I'd take care of that. She had kept the yard as immaculate as always. The house was a small three bedroom, brick outside, beautiful country home. There were a few trees scattered around the yard and field, but mostly clear. The woods circled giving it a feeling of privacy.

"Welcome to my childhood home." I said cheerfully.

She moved to her side, her eyes taking it all in. It was still dark, so I knew this was going to be the fun part. "Are we going to wake her up?"

"Yes."

She looked at me, then the house, "Do we have to? I mean we can make it in the van for a few more hours..."

I grinned, "She'd have my head if I let you and the babies sleep out here. She'll be fine, you'll see."