So, I'm on a roll with this story, after being away for a long time. I may even try and finish it in the next few days. I will then go on to my other story, Just You and Me Kid, and finish it. Thanks for all the lovely reviews.

"You don't have to leave. You're family."

Danny looked across the table at the man he'd spent years hating, but who was now someone he'd come to like. Patrick had changed over the years, which wasn't surprising, considering all he'd been through. What was surprising is that he'd turned into such a good man. Danny only wished he could aspire to be more like him.

He sighed. "I'd think I was the last person you'd want around at a time like this," he said softly, picking at the label on his beer bottle.

"Why?" Jane frowned.

The other man shrugged and glanced up briefly. "Who wants the black sheep around?"

Jane snorted softly and gave a half smile. "Another black sheep?" he asked. "Look Danny, like I said, you're family. As long as you keep from doing anything illegal while you're here, you're welcome." Patrick looked at his hands, where were fiddling with the salt and pepper shaker in front of him, and then took a deep breath. "I don't have any family of my own anymore," he said softly, "I mean, besides you and I'd like you to be here."

"What about -"

"There's no one," Jane said firmly. "You and Sam and Pete – you're all that's on my side of the family and I have to have someone to counterbalance all the Lisbons."

Danny chuckled. "They are something, aren't they? Although it's a good thing they're a tough bunch considering that they now have a Jane in the family."

"Yeah" Patrick laughed softly. "They're good people and I'm lucky to have them as family – but I don't want my children growing up not knowing my side – as small as that may be. So please, stay."

"I don't really have much to do here Patrick. Once your house is done I'll need to move on."

"Why? Why don't you stay here and settle down?"

"Me? Settle down? Now I know you've changed. Can you see a Ruskin settling down in suburbia?"

"Angela did", Jane said softly. "And she was happy."

"I know", Danny sighed and leaned back. "She tried to get me to come and live near you guys, told me I'd be happier there."

"But you didn't want to?" Jane asked. He'd been unaware that Angela had tried to get her brother to settle down, although he wasn't surprised. She'd always worried about him.

"Not then. I had too much to see, too much to experience."

"And now?"

"And now? I think I'm too old Jane. What could I do? All I know is the con and hitting on marks. I don't know how to be plane old Mr. Ruskin."

"I didn't know how to be plain Patrick Jane either but look at me now."

"Yeah", Danny grinned. "You're Mr. respectability. You know you're famous in carny circles don't you? No one can believe that you're working with – hell married to an FBI agent". He lifted his beer and took a swig. "Miracles can happen I suppose."

"It's not a miracle," Jane told him. "It was a choice – not an easy choice – but the right one. Look Danny, I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but in the end it's worth it. I think you like the idea of settling down, of meeting someone and starting your own family. And here in Austin you'd have us and the Barsoky's. You wouldn't be alone."

"But what would I do Patrick?"

"Well, I've been thinking about that. Both Tommy and Jimmy are planning on starting a contracting business. Construction is booming here in Austin and there's lots of opportunity. You could work with them."

"Me? I'm no construction worker. I've helped out – yeah, but I can't see myself doing that full-time."

"No, not construction – but how about marketing and sales. You're damn good at those things. You could run their front office and bring in the business. As long as you kept it honest", he said sternly. "Build up the reputation of the business – an honest reputation that's built on excellent service and quality work. Pretty soon you guys could be making a fortune."

"Honestly?" Danny grinned. "My parents would turn over in their graves."

"But Angela would be happy," Jane said gently. "It would be a wonderful way of honoring her memory."

"Is that why you do what you do?" Danny asked bluntly. "Is it because of her?"

Jane thought for a moment, knowing it was important that he was totally honest with his brother-in-law. "In the beginning it was about revenge – about finding the bastard that killed them," he admitted. "But after a while it became about finding justice for others. And yes, it also became about doing something that would have made her proud." He lifted his eyes to the other man. "I wasn't a good person before they were killed but – I tried to become a better one afterward. It took time – but I like where I am now and I think Angela would like it too."

Danny thought for a moment and then nodded. "I can talk to the Lisbons, see what they think. It may be hard to stay honest", he admitted.

"I know but – remember what you have to lose if you don't. I know that we're not related by blood, but we are related Danny and I want you to be an uncle to my children. I want you to tell them about growing up with Angela and I want you to tell them stories about their older sister. I need you in my life – and I think you need us. So, don't screw up. You're a smart man and you can be a successful one."

Again Danny nodded. "Thanks. Just – kick my ass hard if you think I'm headed down the wrong path."

"I will, don't worry."

The two men shared a smile and finished off their beer slowly, enjoying the quiet of the afternoon.

"So, did you two have a good time on your getaway?" Danny finally asked. "I hear Teresa kidnapped you."

"She did – and it was great. As much as I love all you guys, you're exhausting."

Danny laughed. "Hey, don't look at me. The Lisbons are a force of nature - and then there's Pete. I'm exhausted."

Jane returned home later that afternoon, pleased with his conversation with Danny Ruskin. He didn't know if it was going to work – didn't know if Danny could resist conning people – but he'd do what he could to help. Hell, if he could become a new man, so could Danny.

"You're looking pleased with yourself," his wife murmured as he walked in the front door. She was dusting, her hair tied up with a scarf and her feet bare. She looked messy and disheveled and adorable.

"Hey you", he moved over to her and gave her a kiss. "Nesting are you?"

"I am not nesting. I'm just tidying up around here."

"Mmm hmm. What else have you done?"

"Nothing – okay fine, I organized some drawers and cleaned out the closets. And the kitchen floor was disgusting. Just a few things that needed doing, that's all."

"You're not going too hard Teresa?" he asked worriedly.

"Of course not. I rested in between everything and I'm moving at a snail's pace but I couldn't stand the clutter."

"Mmm", he nodded. "Nesting."

She threw the dust rag at him – which he caught. He then pulled her back into his arms and buried his face in her neck – loving the scent of sweaty, dusty, hot Teresa.

"I love a nesting Teresa," he told her.

"So, what has you looking so pleased with yourself," she asked a while later as they sat next to each other on the couch.

"Oh, I spoke with Danny today. He's going to talk to your brothers about my idea."

"Do you think he'll be able to do it?"

"I think he'd be good at it – I just worry that he won't be able to resist conning people."

"Kind of like you?"

"Hey – I don't do that – not anymore at any rate."

"Right!" she laughed when he pouted. "Okay, so you're mostly good, but don't tell me you don't sometimes con people – not in an illegal way, but you do know how to get what you want."

"Maybe, but now I just use my charm."

She laughed again and poked him. "Well why don't you use your charm to make us some dinner. I'm hungry."

He sighed and pushed himself to his feet. "I've married a slave-driver!"

As he headed to the kitchen she could hear him muttering something about life as a psychic being easier. She grinned and settled back, her feet up on the coffee table. "How about some more of those dumplings," she called out.

"Where are we going?" she asked for the fifth time that morning. Jane had told her to get up and get dressed because they were going somewhere but he wouldn't tell her where.

She moved slowly now, just three weeks from her due date. The babies hadn't dropped yet, but she was finding it harder to get around. She had stopped working completely, much to Jane's relief, and instead was driving him crazy by insisting that they reorganize everything. The poor man had finally begged for help from Annie, who came over and spent time with her Aunt, looking through baby magazines and at baby clothes.

"You'll find out soon," he told her with a grin. "Come on woman – let's go."

She glanced sideways at her husband, amused by the barely contained excitement she could see radiating through him. He was like a kid on his way to Disneyland, she realized, and wondered again what was up.

The months since they'd been married had been amazing and wonderful and she knew that getting off that plane had been the best decision she'd ever made. All her worries about Jane and whether he'd be able to commit totally to a relationship had long gone. He was here to stay and he proved that to her every day.

She touched her belly as they drove, thinking about their soon to be family. She was excited – thrilled – about becoming a mother. But even more than that she was excited about seeing Jane with his children. She thought back to that moment when she had told him she was pregnant and the expression on his face. She knew that she had never –could never – give a gift to anyone as wonderful as that had been to him. She smiled, knowing that what she was giving him was truly a miracle – the chance at a second life.

"You look happy," he commented, glancing at her as he drove.

"I am. I'd be happier if I knew where we were going."

"Don't be impatient. We'll be there shortly."

It was only a moment later when she realized where they were going. She'd been this way many times. "We're going to the house," she told him suddenly.

"Mmm hmm," he smiled.

"It's finished?"

"It is," he nodded. "I hope you like it."

By the time they arrived she was practically bouncing out of her seat. She hadn't been by in a few weeks – at the strict instructions of her brothers and her husband. Before that she'd come to see the progress and had worked with Patrick on picking colors, flooring, and design. They'd gone over a multitude of options but in the end she usually went with what Patrick had picked out. She had been surprised at how good he was at decorating, especially when she thought about his island shirts.

They drove up at that moment to the house and she sat and stared. The last time she had seen it there had been construction materials everywhere and things were half finished. Now she was looking at a beautiful country home, surrounded by a picket fence and looking warm and inviting.

"Oh Patrick," she breathed, staring at the vista in front of her. "It's amazing."

He smiled and opened his door. A moment later he was helping her out of her seat. "Come on, I'll show you the inside."

She couldn't believe how gorgeous everything was. They'd managed to create a space that was bright and open and yet comfortable. It had the appearance of a rustic cabin, in many ways, and yet was filled with all the conveniences of modern life. It was the best of both worlds and fit both of their needs.

The master bedroom was well – a masterpiece. One whole wall was nothing but windows, looking out onto the peaceful view of trees and the stream, which wandered away from the cabin. According to Patrick the glass was one-way – they could see out but people couldn't see in. Still, it would take a while to get used to.

He then opened the door to their ensuite bathroom.

"Oh my God!" she looked around and decided she'd been transported to her idea of heaven. "Patrick, I'm going to live in here." The room was huge – with a glassed in walk-in shower that looked as if it would fit a family of four. But it was the tub, which sent her into ecstasy. It was a humongous claw foot tub and she knew she'd be spending hours in it, up to her neck in bubbles. She giggled.

"You like it?"

"I love it." She turned and threw her arms around Patrick. "You did good."

"There's one more room," he told her. "Come on."

She knew which one he was talking about, and couldn't help the anticipation. He'd told her he wanted to do the nursery as a surprise and she'd agreed, knowing how much it meant to him.

When he first opened the door she thought she'd been transported into a dreamland. The room was done in shades of grey and silver and white. It was, in many ways, simple and yet beautiful. It was only as she walked in that she noted some of the quirky touches – the silly stuffed animals that peaked out in a number of places, the stars that graced the ceiling. She saw the bookcase filled already with some children's classics. As she approached it she noticed that some of the books were worn and without saying anything she pulled one out. On the inside was written Charlotte Jane.

"I hope that's okay," he asked softly.

"It's beautiful," she smiled. As she lifted her head she noticed one more thing, and that was a framed picture of a little girl, a big smile on her face on the wall above the bookcase. She put her hand up and touched the frame. "So is this," she told him.

"I figured – you wouldn't mind," he said roughly. "I want them to know their big sister."

"Of course." She turned and walked to him and gave him a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth. "Thank you. This is a magical place."

He put his arms around her and looked around the room. "I can't believe that soon they'll be here. I can't believe I'm going to be a father again."

"It's a little scary," she admitted. "I hope you remember how to do things."

He laughed. "If not, we'll learn together. Don't worry – the babies will do just fine."

They walked slowly back through the house and she realized there were lots of things she'd missed. She could hardly wait to move in.

"The guys are helping out this weekend," he told her, as if he knew what she was thinking, which he usually did. "We'll be here before the babies get here."

"Shh," she held her fingers up to his mouth. "Don't say that too loudly or I'll end up going into labor tonight."

He laughed and kissed her fingers. "Anytime you're ready is good for me. Come on, want to lie down with me? It's a really good mattress."

Since she'd helped pick it out she agreed, and they made their way to their new bedroom. She looked into the closet, which she hadn't seen before, and whistled. "Neither of us have this many clothes Patrick. What are we going to put in here?"

"It's the law of nature that we will fill up all available space," he shrugged. "And with twins I'm sure we'll need all the space we can get."

"The basinets?"

"They're being delivered tomorrow," he told her. They were going to keep the babies with them while they were little, knowing it would be much easier for Teresa to nurse them when they were close. And Jane also recognized that his own nervousness would be tempered by having them close. He wondered briefly if he'd ever be able to let them out of his sight.

True to their word the men got together on the weekend and helped move all of their things. Sam kept them fed and watered while Annie and Grace helped organize and direct, along with Teresa. With everyone helping it didn't take long before they were moved into their new house.

They'd left some of their furniture at Teresa's house since Stan and his family were going to come and stay for a couple of weeks around the time the babies were born. Jane couldn't help but grin at how crazy everything was going to be then. The entire Lisbon family, plus all of their work friends, plus his carny family were going to add up to chaos. At least he knew that Teresa and his babies would always have people around who would care for them.

Teresa was lying on the couch in her new living room, looking around at the lovely house and relaxing. Time was getting close and she knew that there wasn't much time left to just sit around and rest before life would change. She smiled as she looked out the window. Patrick had been right when he'd found this place. She felt as if she was finally home.

He was at work today, finishing off the last of the classes for this training session. He'd insisted on taking the rest of the summer off and the director had finally agreed. The others were going to continue with more standard classes, but his would be postponed until the fall. He wanted to be home with his family for the next little while, something for which she was grateful.

She touched her stomach. "So little ones – are you almost ready to come meet your parents? Your daddy is pretty excited to see you and so am I." She smiled as she felt the movement, although it had grown less as they'd grown. "Must be pretty squishy in there."

She was dozing, her head resting on the back of the couch, when there was a knock on the door. It took her a moment to realize someone was there, and then she forced herself awkwardly to her feet. "Now who could that be?" She was pretty sure her brothers were busy and Annie was in school. She couldn't imagine who else would be stopping by in the middle of the day.

"Hello? Can I help you?" An older, gray haired man was standing on the front porch, looking at her with a curious expression on his face. It took her a moment to really look at him, but when she did she sucked in a sharp breath. He looked terribly familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen him before.

"Uh – are you – Mrs. Jane?" he asked.

"Who are you?" she asked sharply. For some reason she was nervous.

"My name's Alex – Alex Jane. I'm Patrick's father."