"Do you think she's nervous?" Katrina asked, her curious gaze trained on the many throngs of people making their way across the parking lot toward the school's auditorium.

Leave it to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to empty the streets for a Kindergarten play.

"I never know what to expect from Bella." He shifted the car into park, making sure he wasn't too close to the car next to them. "I think she's a mixture of nervous and excited."

After unbuckling his seat belt, he turned to her with a smile. "I know she's thrilled you're here."

Instead of returning his smile, Katrina bowed her head and began fidgeting with the pearl bracelet he'd presented her earlier, a token of his affection for the previous night they'd shared. He'd nearly been late to pick her up after having gotten caught up with trying to pick out just the right one.

"I hope I don't embarrass her."

Gaze snapping up from the pearls to the nervous expression on her face, he asked with a substantial amount of confusion, "What do you mean? You'd never embarrass her."

She gave a small shrug of her shoulders as she smoothed a hand over her dress. "I just... I don't want it to be too obvious that I don't know what I'm doing most of the time." Her eyes, glistening and ready to release a torrent of tears, turned to him. "It's so easy to be myself when it's just us at home, but here..." She glanced back out the window to the parents walking past. "I'm not like the other mothers who've been there from the beginning, who know everything about their daughters." She shook her head as her agitation seeped from her body as she wrung out her fingers. "And that's hardly to bring up how lost I am to dealing with everything else about this century I wasn't born into."

Not wanting to let on just how overwhelmed she'd made him feel, he reached out and took her hand.

"Katrina, Bella adores you."

"I know that," she defended, frustration in her tone. "I just..."

She began shaking her head as she turned away from him again.

Staring after her for a moment, he decided to just nip this right in the bud and exited the car before making his way around to open her door. This wasn't how this night was going to go. They'd been so over the moon with each other all morning after a night of making love into the early hours and then they'd parted for half a day. How she could have worked herself up over this so fast made him want to curse ever leaving her.

Reaching for her hand, he tugged her up and out of her seat.

"Alright," he said, closing the door and turning her to face him. "You, my love, are nothing if not extraordinary. All these other mothers-" He gestured to the auditorium. "They have nothing over you, do you understand?"

Doubt still weighed heavily in her features.

"Katrina," he pressed, tilting his head to the side as a means of catching her eyes. "Bella is so proud of you. She brags about you all the time to her friends. She's making them all jealous."

"She does?" she softly whispered, fingers twisting in his jacket as a ray of hope sparked in her eyes. "But I-"

"No buts," he cut in, making sure to have her gaze on his. "This is going to be a wonderful night. You'll see."

A moment's more doubt clung to her before she relented and uncoiled her fingers from his jacket. "Alright."

"Alright," he repeated while taking her hand, relief settling in his bones. "Now, let's go cheer on our little Pilgrim."

The auditorium was buzzing with parents seeking out seats and catching up with other parents and teachers. As he led her through the double doors, he paused to search out a place to sit; a difficult task with the many clusters of people grouped everywhere. These sorts of events were not his favorite to be a part of, what with all the excitement, but he refused to miss a single one.

"Hey, Ichabod!" came a high pitched voice to his right. "Over here!"

When he found the person in question, he discovered it to be Tish and another mom, Dani, waving at him and wildly gesturing to two free seats beside them.

Grateful Tish had saved them for him, he led Katrina over and helped her into her seat, making sure she was comfortable before joining her.

"Thank you," he said, taking a seat on the end and leaning forward to see Tish. "I always hate tying to find seats."

"Oh, yeah," she answered, rolling her eyes. "You'd think this was a Broadway show rather than a Kindergarten play with how most of these parents have filled up the seats with relatives from all over kingdom come."

Dani laughed. "Tish, give them a break. They're proud of their kids."

"Katrina, this is Dani," he introduced, while wrapping his arm around the back of her seat. "She's Tyler's mom."

Recognition flickered over Katrina's face as she turned to Dani with a bright smile. "Oh, Tyler. Bella talks about him all the time."

Dani grinned and crossed her fingers. "Here's to hoping it lasts. He's got the biggest crush on her ever."

When Katrina's confusion became evident, he squeezed her shoulder and added, "Tyler's been in love with Bella since the first day of Preschool."

"He's already thinking up things to give her for Christmas." Dani shook her head. "I haven't even gotten him anything yet and he's already pointing stuff out for Bella."

Tish giggled as she set her purse on the ground. "Now, I just need a guy that happy to give me things and I'll be all set."

The sound system gave a small screech as someone tapped on it, drawing his gaze to the stage where Betsy was adjusting the microphone. A wave of nerves hit him as he suddenly wished he could sink into the floor.

"Hello, everyone, we're almost ready, so if you could just take you're seats, we'll do our best to get started."

As she began walking off the stage, their eyes connected for a moment before hers ventured to his right, no doubt to Katrina. It wasn't overtly obvious if one wasn't paying attention, but he could see a slight give to her shoulders, most likely due to a sigh, before she disappeared from sight.

Just the idea that he might be upsetting her sat ill with him, but what was he to do? She was Bella's teacher and there was no escaping these awkward meetings. If he survived this night without too much discomfort, he would be surprised and eternally grateful.

As if hearing his wish, Dani leaned forward to look at them. "So, Katrina, I hear you're going to be sticking around Sleepy Hollow for a while?"

Gaze slipping to Katrina, he moved to answer, but paused when Katrina beat him to it, "Yes, I intend to make this my home."

"Really?" Dani asked, clearly less skilled at hiding her curiosity that Tish. "That's cool."

After doing a quick survey of the room, he noticed no less than three other sets of eyes on he and Katrina.

"Should I post it in the paper somewhere?" he asked, eyes narrowed at them in playful disapproval. "I've had so many people interested in my love life that I suppose I should take such measures to reach them all with the news."

Tish rolled her eyes. "I told you, the latest bit of juicy gossip is yours so you may as well get used to it. All attention is on the two of you."

He'd have muttered a curse had not Katrina chuckled at his side, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Ichabod's never been one for this sort of gossip. Though, he tends to spread it everywhere he moves."

Raising an eyebrow at her, he answered, "Says the woman who left her fiancé for me and stirred the whole town up over it."

"Crap, this is great," Tish said, digging in her purse and pulling out a pen and notepad. "I've got to take notes."

Rolling his eyes, he added, "Make sure to account for the fact that I wooed her away from him with my dashing good looks and charm."

Katrina's elbow met his side as she cast him an amused smile. "As if you ever said anything that could have been misconstrued as wooing."

Dani laughed. "I've seen him try to flirt. Crash and burns every time."

"So, how did he win you over?" Tish asked, a smirk curling her lip. "I can't imagine it was the looks and charm."

These women, he thought with a shake of his head.

In answer, Katrina turned to him with a sweet smile. "He listened."

If he'd been alone with her, he'd have done a lot more than press a kiss to her cheek before nuzzling along her neck. The most he could really do to show how much he adored and wanted her was to thread their fingers together over his thigh and whisper against her ear, "I'm yours."

"That's so sweet," Tish cried, waving a hand in front of her face. "I so need that in my life."

"Oh, please," Dani groaned, shoving at her arm. "You say that about everything."

"True," Tish chuckled.

The lights dimmed, finally signaling the start of the play. A collective silence washed over the auditorium as the curtains on stage pulled back to reveal the setting for the evening.

A long table was positioned out front with children dressed as Native Americans and Pilgrims all around; a huge feast set along its surface.

Katrina leaned close to him, her eyes searching. "Do you see her?"

It didn't take him long to find her, wedged between Tyler and Madison in her dress and bonnet.

"There," he whispered with a nod, his grin already growing as he took her in, her hair pulled up in her bonnet. "On the right side of the table."

When Katrina's eyes found her, they lit up with the sort of brilliance as to make his heart sing.

He'd never seen her so proud of anything.

"I should probably catch up on my history a bit better," Katrina said as they waited for Bella to come out from the back. "I don't remember that in any of the books you gave me."

He'd have groaned had he not been so curious. "It's not a completely accurate re-telling."

"Then, why the big play?" she asked, her eyes roaming the throngs of people.

"It's a popular inaccuracy," he grumbled, annoyed not for the first time about this particular subject.

Katrina grinned as she leaned into him, her focus back on him. "I'm sure you'll tell me all about it later, Professor."

Rolling his eyes, he wrapped an arm around her and joined in her amusement at how well she knew him. "I'm sure. It'll be your bedtime story."

"Oh?" Her brow lifted as she slid her hands along his waist suggestively. "Will this be before, after, or during our bedtime exercises?"

"You know how history gets me going." He nuzzled against her ear, his breath teasing her skin. "About as much as your mouth."

"Mommy!"

His and Katrina's heads whipped to where Bella was running toward them, her bonnet nearly about to fly off her head.

"Hi," Katrina greeted as she turned and bent to hug Bella. "You were wonderful."

"Was I?" Bella asked, completely out of breath as she shoved her hair back, pushing her bonnet out of the way. "I didn't have any lines."

He laughed and tapped her nose. "The best actresses don't have to have lines to give a phenomenal performance."

Bella grinned up at him, her eyes dancing with excitement as she looked between he and Katrina before taking her mother's hand. "I want you to meet my friends."

With a happy smile cast in his direction, Katrina allowed Bella to drag her away; the two of them more like two peas in a pod than ever.

As he watched Bella introduce Katrina to her classmates, he couldn't help the warm feeling that overcame him. To think, Katrina had been worried over embarrassing Bella. From where he was standing, she was the star of Bella's show.

"Hey."

An unexpected shiver went up his spine as he turned to Betsy, who had snuck up beside him.

Alright, so maybe she didn't sneak, but she'd certainly timed Katrina's departure well enough.

He should have better prepared himself for a conversation with her. She was Bella's teacher after all. They were bound to be forced to converse at some point. To his chagrin, however, he hadn't really given her much thought since they'd ended things.

"Hi."

A polite smile graced her lips a she nodded at Bella. "She's been really excited all day about her mom coming."

He nodded and followed her gaze to Bella and Katrina, who was currently being bombarded by a horde of six year olds. When he turned back to her, he felt his smile slip away.

"Betsy, I've been wanting to talk to-"

She held up her hand, giving a small shake of her head. "It's ok. I understand, really."

He didn't see how. It wasn't something even he understood in full. Katrina's and his relationship had never been one which was easily explained. To be honest, it seemed everyone else in the world had always disapproved of them. Perhaps, it was because Abbie had been right. They were selfish in their love for one another. Abraham. Jeremy. Betsy. They were all victims of his and Katrina's all consuming love for one another.

"Even still," he added, hoping the depth of his regret showed on his face. "I want to apologize for how I handled it. I was careless with your feelings."

"Ichabod." She shook her head with a chuckle. "She's your wife." She gestured to Bella. "And Bella is so completely in love with her. There must be something really special about her."

"You have no idea," he lamented as he turned to his girls again.

However, what he found made him come up short.

Turning back to Betsy, he smiled. "If you'll excuse me..."

"Oh, of course, I have to make the rest of the rounds anyway."

When she was turned from him, he spun on his heel and took in the situation ahead of him.

Chris, Tish's ex-husband, was talking to Katrina.

If it had been anyone else, he might not have paid it much mind, but with his knowledge of how Chris liked to moved through the mothers at school, he found his feet moving toward them at a brisker pace.

"Chris," he greeted, hand extended as he slipped his other around Katrina's waist. "I haven't seen you in a while."

Chris smiled with a nod and he couldn't help but notice the flicker of the man's eyes to his arm around Katrina. "Yeah, Madison was really excited about being Pilgrim girl number three. So, I thought it was worth dropping in on."

"Bella was, too." He nodded to the girls, who were bouncing back and forth and spinning in their dresses. "They're still thick as thieves."

"Yeah," Chris added, before clearing his throat and gesturing between he and Katrina. "So, you two... are what? Dating?"

"Married," he stated proudly, never one to back down from this sort of dance. "Happily."

"Ah," Chris muttered as he nodded to Katrina, a slight wrinkle to his brow. "No ring, though. Easy to misunderstand."

It was like a hot burning had taken hold of him as he followed Chris' gaze. In truth, it had never occurred to him that Katrina didn't have a ring. They'd not worn them in their era as it hadn't been a necessity. Now, though, it just wasn't done for a wife not to have a ring. When he considered it even further, he supposed they weren't even legally married as Katrina still didn't exist in this century.

As he noticed Katrina shift uncomfortably, he answered in a stricter tone, "I imagine it would be. If you'll excuse us, Chris, we really need to get Bella home."

"Uh, yeah, man." Chris patted his arm as he walked past him. "It was good to see you."

When he was out of ear shot, he allowed himself a sigh mixed of relief and remorse. "I'm sorry."

Katrina glanced up at him, a smirk present on her lips. "Why? I like it when you're jealous."

He rolled his eyes, attempting to maintain his straight face. "Jealous? Hardly."

In an attempt to move beyond this particular set of circumstances, he took her hand and began squeezing through the crowd.

"You forget how well I know you, Ichabod."

Cutting his eyes at her, he grinned. "Yes, love."

When he finally found Bella, she was pressed in the middle of Tyler and Madison while Dani took their picture.

"Hey, Bells, are you ready?"

"Yep." Bella hopped up from the bench, making sure to hold her bonnet in place. "Did you meet my mommy, Ms. Dani?"

As Bella took Katrina's hand, Dani answered, "I sure did. Now, I see where you got all your good looks from."

While Bella beamed, he raised an eyebrow. "I'll have you know that I find no fault in your statement." He bent and picked Bella up. "My girls are beautiful."

"Did you really think I did good?"

Pulling the covers over her, he smiled and tucked her in. "I truly did. There's never been a better Pilgrim girl."

She grinned and pointed to the door where Bob had just scurried around the corner. "Bob, did you tinkle?"

"He did," Katrina answered, following the puppy into the room.

"Good boy," Bella cooed as he reached to pick the fur ball up and help him onto the bed. "I'm so proud of you."

The puppy proceeded to bask in Bella's attention as he hopped around her.

"Alright." He reached to turn the light off. "Try to get some sleep."

"Wait!" Bella squealed, sitting up really quick. "I want to talk to mommy, first."

"Alright," he sighed, not touching the light. "What is it?"

Bella rolled her eyes. "In private, daddy. Only for girls."

"Only for-" He cut his eyes between them, making sure to put on a show of sulking. "Fine, then. Be that way."

While Katrina smiled and took his place on the bed, Bella sighed as though she were completely exasperated with him. "Daddy, I still love you."

"I don't know," he lamented, crossing his arms and tilting his head toward the ceiling. "I'm not sure I believe you."

"Oh, boy," Bella groaned, slapping a hand over her eyes. "Boys are big babies."

"Yes, they are," Katrina agreed, her mirth over this situation evident. "And your father's the biggest one."

"I see how it is," he said, pointing between them. "The two of you think you're something special, but I'll have you know that I'm quite special, too."

Katrina grinned and leaned over to whisper in Bella's ear, leaving him to raise an eyebrow at the two of them. Whatever she was saying was making Bella giggle.

"I hope you're not gossiping about me." He narrowed his eyes at them. "Whatever she's telling you is quite untrue, I'm sure of it."

Bella smiled as she crooked her finger at him, summoning him to her side. When he bent over her, she jumped up and pecked him on the cheek. "There, now you're special, too."

"Oh? Is that all it takes? Was it a magical kiss?"

"Mhm." Bella pointed at the door. "Now, I have to talk to mommy."

Shaking his head, he tapped her nose. "And then straight to bed, correct?"

"Yes, daddy," she sighed, clearly agitated he felt the need to remind her.

Satisfied he'd sort of gotten the last word, he headed for the kitchen.

For all that play had been, one would think there'd have been some food somewhere. Now, he was starving and in search of something to sate his appetite.

Fingers drumming over the counter, his eyes danced over the cabinet, seeking the perfect snack.

"Absolutely nothing," he grumbled, resentfully grabbing a poptart from the shelf.

As he tore it open and took the first bite, he allowed the cinnamon to rest on his tongue, mulling over the taste. He didn't understand why Bella liked these so much. They were glorified candy and nothing more.

"I thought you hated those."

With a groan, he turned to Katrina as she saddled up next to him at the counter. "It's all there was."

She rolled her eyes and opened the cabinet. "Ichabod, there's plenty to eat."

"Not in a quick and easy fashion."

"You're just spoiled," she stated matter of factly as she picked up his wrapper and tossed it in the trash. "And messy."

"Mhm," he mumbled, narrowing his eyes as he considered her. "And what of your private conversation?"

She bit her lip and turned from him as she began wiping the counter off. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" He set his poptart aside and slipped his hands around her waist before resting his chin on her shoulder. "Surely I was shooed from the room over more than nothing."

Katrina shrugged her shoulders, giving off an evasive aura. "She simply wanted to talk."

"About?"

She sighed and turned in his arms, her green eyes flickering about with a measure of avoidance. "She doesn't want you to know."

In truth, he'd only been curious. Now, he was on guard. "Why?"

A chuckle bubbled from her throat. "Ichabod-"

"Bella and I don't keep secrets from each other."

The way her eyes jerked to his alerted him to the fact that his words had come out more defensive and stern than he'd meant.

"I only mean that..." He tiredly sighed and wiped a hand down his face. "Is it serious?"

"No," she whispered, her eyes downcast as she twisted the hem of his shirt between her fingers, her demeanor losing all playfulness.

It pained him to think he'd stung her in some way.

"My love, forgive me." He hooked a finger under her chin, needing her to see how sorry he was. "I wasn't slighting you. I only... I just like to know everything that's going on with Bella; simple or not."

"Tyler held her hand during rehearsals and she's afraid you'll be upset with her."

"He... held her hand?" He frowned, unsure how he felt about that. "Was it part of the play?"

"No," she answered, her eyes meeting his as she gave a half shrug. "He's her boyfriend apparently."

"Her what?" He took a step back, sure she'd misspoken. "They're six years old. There's no such thing!"

"Ichabod, please don't say anything to her," Katrina begged. "She'd be embarrassed if she knew I'd told you."

"As she should be," he spoke, his head spinning at the notion. "It's absurd!"

"My love, you're overreacting." She reached out and took his hand, her gentle grasp doing nothing to stop the burn in his chest. "It's innocent."

"You say that, now," he grumbled, not having it. "Boyfriend. Ridiculous."

Katrina's laughter drew his gaze up to find her having a fit of amusement at his expense.

"This is nothing to laugh about, Katrina." He pointed to the door. "Next thing, he'll be kissing her and I'll have to string him up."

Her fingers tangled in his shirt as she tugged him to lean against her. "That'll be quite the sight."

When she began pressing kisses along his neck, he grunted, "You're not going to distract me. She and I are going to have a talk."

"No, you're not," she whispered, her fingers popping one of his button's loose.

"You're not my boss." He held onto the counter as he pulled back to see what she was doing between his arms. "I set the rules around here."

"Do you?" A sly grin crept over her lips. "Well, then, Mr. Crane. What's the rule regarding sex on the counter?"

Eyes fluttering as he stuttered for a response. "I- Well... that's-"

"Does it meet your approval or not?" As the last button of his shirt popped loose, she spread the material apart and leaned against the counter, her bottom lip catching between her teeth as she lustfully looked him over. "I'm waiting."

"I, uhm..." He chuckled, his body heating. "I definitely consider that a viable rule."

"Oh?" Her fingers danced over the metal button on his pants. "I imagine it would be rather arousing."

"Absolutely," he whispered, finally taking some initiative and pressing her into the counter as he nuzzled her neck. "More than you can imagine."

"Really?" she asked, her fingers slipping up his back. "And will I be getting my history lesson in the process?"

Tightening his grip on her waist, he picked her up and set her on the counter, causing her to chuckle as she met his hungry gaze. "Oh, yes. I have quite a few lessons in mind."

As his hands began slipping up her thighs, he whispered, "Is she asleep?"

Her eyes flickered down the hall before she gave a crisp nod. "Deeply."

"Good."

With that, he pounced upon her, intent to begin their first lesson of the night.