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Chapter Twenty-Five

Ross let them go home early, so that all three could get settled. On the way home, Ian was a very talkative boy. He told her about school and all the friends he'd made, then he moved on to Transformers. Bobby and Alex shared a knowing smile.

Bobby parked the SUV in front of the apartment building. All three stayed still. Then, Bobby handed her the car keys. "Here. I know you love to drive, I'll give you the keys."

"Thanks, sweetie." Alex snatched and got out of the car. She opened the backseat door, letting their son out. Bobby reached them quickly. They entered the apartment building and took the elevator to their home.

Once they entered the apartment, Alex stopped at the door. Things had been replaced. Where a limited amount of pictures had been mounted on the wall, there were now more pictures on all walls. Most pictures were of Ian growing up, but some were with the group at work.

Noticing she was not following them, Bobby stopped and turned to see her walking along the hall, eyeing every picture. "He's grown so much." She commented.

"I know." Bobby replied. "But hey, you'll get to watch him grow up now."

"I know, but…" She trailed off, lowering her eyes to the floor.

Bobby came to her. He lifted her chin, so that her eyes could meet his eyes. "It'll be okay. He's still got puberty and what not to go through."

"Okay," she mumbled. He kissed her softly to brighten her spirits. "I think I'll go check on him."

"While you do that, I'm gonna make some coffee." Bobby pulled away and entered the kitchen. Alex sighed, and then she headed in the direction of Ian's bedroom.

Her little boy was surrounded by his toys. Most of them were Transformers, but he had a few other boy toys, too. Ian was so consumed with playing that he didn't hear Alex come in.

"What are you up to?" Alex asked, smiling. Ian looked back at her, smiling too. "I see that you have your Transformers out. Wanna tell me about them?"

"Okay. Sit here, Mom!" Ian patted the spot right next to him. She easily sat next to him and listened as he named off the Transformers. She was only half-paying attention, but Ian loved it.

"Very interesting, bub." Alex said once he was finished.

"Wanna play, Mom?" Ian asked, eager to have someone other than his dad, who wasn't very good at playing with the Transformers.

Before she could answer, she caught a glimpse of a very large familiar man who stood in the doorframe, leaning against it. They shared a smile, and Alex looked back at Ian. "Mom?" Ian waited.

"Okay," Alex resumed playing with her son. She noted that Ian was left handed, like his father. Left handers brought trouble, rebellion. Big example is Bobby.

At supper, the three of them sat at the kitchen table. There was more eating than talking, but none of them minded. Bobby was ecstatic that Alex was home; Alex was thrilled to finally be able to freely be home; and Ian was just glad that his mom was home and his dad was happy again.

"Daddy?" Ian finally spoke up.

Both parents looked at their son. "What, son?" Bobby waited patiently for his son to finish the mouthful that he'd shoved in his mouth.

"Is Mommy staying here forever?" Ian asked innocently. It took Bobby for seconds to realize that Ian refer them to "Daddy" and "Mommy" rather than what he normally called them. Perhaps, he didn't feel like he had to be the strong little soldier that he'd always been. Ian could relax and be a little boy.

Bobby warmly smiled at Alex before turning his smile to their son. "Yes, Ian. Mommy's staying for good."

Ian lit up. His smile full for the first time in ages, Ian jumped out of his chair and rushed to his mother's arms. "Yay!" He yelled.

The small family enjoyed their first meal of many meals together for the rest of their lives together.

A/N: Yay! I finally got on the net! Durn computer. Anyway, thanks to all who reviewed and helped out. I appreciate it! :D