"Hunter, we've got to go in 10 minutes. Are you ready?" Elizabeth called up the stairs.

Jack walked down the stairs, his coach's outfit in hand. "Define ready?"

"He was supposed to be up there getting dressed."

"He was. I just wouldn't call a batman cape and underwear proper attire for a hockey tournament."

Elizabeth burst out laughing as Jack showed her the picture and short video he'd taken of Hunter dancing around his room.

Jack kissed her lips. "He's getting ready now. Did you grab your coat?"

"Jack, it's 95 degrees outside."

"But not in the stands. Trust me."

She went to the closet to grab her light jacket. Hunter and Bruce came down the stairs then.

"Ready for hockey!" he said, pretending to take a shot.

"Great," she smiled. Elizabeth grabbed the bag of snacks and Gatorade and followed her boys out to the car.

Jack heaved the large, black hockey duffle bag into the back of their hatchback. "You know Hunt, I think this bag is big enough, you could even fit inside."

"Cool! Let's try!"

"No way, mister." Elizabeth said with her stern face. "Little boys sit in their booster seats with seatbelts while driving. Its the law. We can stuff you in your stinky duffle when we get home."

"Aw man." Hunter climbed back over the back seat and sat in his booster. "I bet Dad's right though. I bet me and Bruce will fit in there. Maybe Snowy too."

"You may be right, but let's not try it that way. That bag was expensive and those pets of ours might do some damage in close quarters."

"Oh, good idea." He smiled at Elizabeth as she buckled him up. "I'm glad you're coming today, Mama."

She smiled at her handsome little man. "Me too, love." She kissed his head and closed the door.

"I'm glad too you know." Jack smiled. "I can't wait for the office to be completed."

"Or the case." She silently gestured to Hunter, who was busy reading his book in the car.

"Yeah, that too. Maybe soon we can put all this behind us and have more time for us."

"Mmmm, I can't wait." She stared at his perfect mouth for a moment before leaning in and kissing him with all the love she felt for him.

Hunter rolled down his window, making his parents jump apart slightly. "I thought I had to hurry?"

"You did, bud."

"Then why are you kissing and not driving to the game, Dad?"

"Oh, you and your sass," Jack reached in and messed with the boys hair. "We're going now. You happy?"

"Yup!"

…..

The arena was filled to the brink with kids and their families. There were 8 teams present, meaning it was going to be a long day of hockey. Jack and Hunter left to get ready as soon as they arrived, leaving Elizabeth 20 minutes to kill before the first puck dropped.

She walked into the rink where Hunter would soon be warming up and found a seat next to her friends and fellow hockey moms.

"Elizabeth, hey!" Margaret stood and waved to make sure Elizabeth could see her. "We got these seats down in front."

"Perfect. I have Jack's camera today. Maybe I can get some good shots of the boys."

Jane laughed, "Oh Mikey would love a good action shot of him in goal. Though he spends most of his time laying on the ice…" The other women laughed. "He's learning."

"He is. Jack says he's gained a lot of confidence this season. Should make for a great start to the winter."

"I hope so! It's hard. I was never that into sports as a kid. Then I had Mikey and with his dad gone, I started learning what I could. Thank goodness for Jack and Jason."

"They're happy to hang out with Mikey anytime. Besides, the boys love it." Margaret gave her friend's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"She's right, Jane. In fact, Jack's going on a fishing trip soon and was going to bring Hunter along. I know there will be a few other adults there. Maybe Mikey would like to go and get some male bonding time in."

Jane could feel her eyes water at the thought. "Elizabeth, you have no idea. You don't think Jack would mind?"

"Are you kidding me? Jack wants a ton of kids. This will be good practice." They laughed.

….

Nate walked into the hockey arena, wearing a baseball cap and glasses. With any luck he could get in and out unnoticed.

He looked around for any indication where Hunter's team would be playing first. While doing a drive-by past the house the week before, he saw Hunter in his jersey. With a little help from the internet he easily figured out what league he was in. Seeing that there was a tournament this weekend, Nate decided it was the perfect time to watch Hunter.

As of this moment, he was regretting his decision. He was lost in a sea of kids and parents. It seemed to resemble some sort of organized chaos.

"What a nut house…" he whispered.

A man approached wearing a league shirt and hat and handed him a program with the list of teams, schedule, player names, and their numbers.

He snickered when he saw Jack's name listed as one of Hunter's coaches.

"Well at least you'll be too busy to notice me today," he chuckled.

Checking his watch he headed into arena 2, where Hunter's game was going to begin shortly.

…..

The two games went well. Their team played hard and managed to win both games. Jack and Jason were proud of their team.

After lunch, Abigail came to see her favorite little family and watch her favorite little boy play hockey. She walked in carrying her jacket over her arm as she looked around the rink where Elizabeth said to meet her.

"Abigail! Over here!" Elizabeth waved. Abigail waved back and headed over to where she and both sets of grandparents were sitting, receiving a big hug from Elizabeth. "So glad you came!"

"Of course! I'm excited to see Hunter in action. Besides, except for your coffee and occasional lunch runs while at work, I don't get to see you much since you've become a married lady."

Elizabeth blushed. "I do love my family.

"It's a good marriage and motherhood suits you."

"I'll second that!" Grace said leaning over.

"Mom, please…."

"Alright," she laughed. "But Abigail here is not wrong. I know life has been stressful but, even so, I've never seen you so happy."

"What can I say? I'm blessed with them."

Grace squeezed her daughter's hand before turning to allow her to talk with Abigail.

"Speaking of happiness," Elizabeth teased. "I thought Bill was coming with you?"

"He wanted to but he just started a new investigation. It's taking a lot of his time."

"What kind of investigation?"

"You know, I didn't ask." She laughed. "I'm happier in this relationship when I don't remember all the danger he puts himself in."

"I can understand that. I'm grateful Jack is a not a cop or something like that. Hunter needs one of us to not be risking their lives on a daily basis."

"How's he holding up with everything? Must be so hard for him with that man lurking around."

Elizabeth sighed, "To be honest I think Jack and I are struggling with it more than he is. Hunter seems to fully believe that everything will be ok. I, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about how everything at any moment could go wrong."

"What do you think this Nate guy wants?"

"I wish I knew. All I do know, is it isn't good."

…

The next day Nate drove to the prison where Jamie was incarcerated. It had been a while since he'd come. Knowing that the police were watching him when they could, he laid low for a while. After watching Hunter the day before, he wanted to see her. He knew the guard schedule well, so when he walked in he didn't expect to see the guards that may recognize him.

He walked in the door and up to the guard on duty. Thankful that he had no memory of this guy from his previous visits.

"Hi there," he smiled. "My name's Matthew Brady. I'm here to see Jamie Wade."

"ID please, sir." Nate pulled out his wallet and handed a fake, but well crafted, license and handed it to the guard. "Alright. Empty your pockets and this officer will escort you in."

"Thank you." He did what he was told and when the doors opened, he followed the large officer back.

He waited almost 20 minutes for the next visiting hour to start and for them to bring Jamie out. When she finally did enter the room, he smiled.

"Well, hello Matt…" Jamie smiled. She remembered his alias from when they ran together before. "Nice of you to see me."

"Well it's been awhile. I'm in town for a few days and wanted to look in."

"That's sweet." Jamie watched as the guard backed off. "What are you doing here?" she whispered. "I heard you're being watched."

"I am, but not well. Trust me. No one knows I'm here."

She laughed. "Well I can't complain, you're a sight for sore eyes."

"You holding up okay?" She shrugged. "I wanted you to know, I saw him again. Our son. I even brought some photos to show you."

"Let me see!" She looked over the pictures. They weren't the greatest, of course, but it was better than nothing. "He looks so handsome. Why'd they cut his hair though?"

"I don't think it's really a bad thing. He was kind of looking like a girl."

"Not my boy," she smiled as she continued to look. "I want him back, Nate. I do."

"Is that what this is about? Me watching him?"

"I just needed to know he was okay. You don't get it, Nate. Hunter is mine. I gave birth to him. I named him. Now I'm in here and some nice couple is playing house with him?"

"Jamie, TJ is involved in this now."

"Why would you do that? He's a loose canon!"

"I didn't have a choice! The cops were catching on, my hands were tied. If I was going to expand the business and keep an eye on Hunter, I didn't have a choice. There's just one thing…"

"What?"

"Murphy has this idea. I thought he was just messing at first but the more he talks, the more I wonder."

"What does he want?"

"He thinks we should kidnap the boy. Bringing back to New York."

"That's not bad," Jamie thought out loud.

"No. Are you crazy?"

"Listen, you get our boy back, go back to New York, whenever I can get out, I'll come to you. We can be together."

"You really are insane. How do you expect me to get him away from a cop? She's got friends all over this!"

"You were smart once. Figure it out." Jamie waved the guard over, saying she was ready to go back.

Nate just sat there, staring at the empty seat in front of him. "What just happened…"

….

"Oh my, Jack. This is perfect. Thank you so much." She ran her fingers across her new desk that was begging to be used. The bookshelf next to the wall was empty but wouldn't be for long. There was even a fireproof safe off to the side for her files or anything that needed to be confidential. "What's this door over here?"

"Go look," he prompted.

"A bathroom? Wow." She was amazed. She had been

asked not to come down to the basement until it was finished and she had complied. He had surprised her for sure.

"Through this door is the gym." Jack led her into the next room. "I asked Lee what things you used at the gym at work and that helped."

"It certainly did."

There was a treadmill, a set of weights, and a leg press. Those were the three things she used every day. There was also a small refrigerator and a sound system hooked up so she could listen to music as she worked out. "Love, this is….perfect. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Now, I need to get working on Rosie's bachelorette party/bridal shower."

"Oh yeah? What ideas do you have?"

"None, whatsoever."

Jack laughed and kissed her softly. "I need to get packed for our fishing trip."

"Make sure you check Hunter's bags. I told him what to pack but just your luck, you'll be out there for the weekend and he won't have anything but underwear and that crazy cape."

"Yeah. That would be interesting."

She texted Rosie. "Hey, got a minute?"

"Yes, what's going on?" Elizabeth hit the button and called her.

"What type of bridal shower do you want?"

"Nothing too elaborate, Beth. Just a spa day is fine with me."

"Are you serious? Is this Rosie?"

"I'm serious. I'm so stressed out about this now. Lee is going on some fishing trip, leaving me to make final decisions about so many things. I'm just…I honestly wished we had eloped."

"You know, he must be going with Jack and Hunt on that trip. Why don't you come over to my house while they are gone? I'll invite Julie and Susie and Charlotte. We can do a spa day but also we can just relax. No wedding plans for the whole day."

"That sounds perfect."

"Now, tell me what you need my help with."

….

"Mama! I'm going fishing with Daddy and Mikey and Uncle Lee and Uncle Tom, and Mr. Hickam! That is so awesome!"

"If you like fishing."

"I do! I think."

She knelt in front of him and smiled. "Listen, make sure you wear a life vest, ok?"

"I will. I promise." He hugged her neck and then looked closely at her. "Are you sad?"

"I just feel better when you're with me, that's all." It did help that he wouldn't be anywhere that Tolliver could be near.

"Its only two days. Hang on!" Hunter ran upstairs and then back down, his stuffed parrot, Robin, in his arms. "Here, Mama. So you won't be lonely."

She smiled at him and picked him up to hug him again. "I love you so much, Hunt."

"I love you too, Mama."

"Ready, bud?" Jack asked, sticking his head in the door. "Mikey is here and Tom and Lee just showed up."

"Yeah! Ready." He bolted out the door and ran to see his friend.

"Ok, so we will be back Monday night."

"Yeah."

He hugged her and gave her a nice, long kiss. "I love you, babe."

"I love you too. Please be careful."

"I will. The weather is supposed to be great and best of all, Tolliver will be no where around."

"I was thinking that too."

"Have fun with the girls thing."

"I will." He kissed her again and walked out of the house just as Rosie walked in looking frazzled.

"Oh, Beth. This is awful. Just awful," she said in her dramatic Rosie way.

"What is?" Beth put a cup of steaming hot coffee in front of Rosie and then walked over to the couch with her.

"There are only 20 days left until the wedding."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Rosie took a sip of her coffee. "Do you have any Tahitian vanilla creamer?"

"No, I have plain old cream and sugar."

"I guess that will do."

"Why don't you help yourself? I don't know how you take it." Rosie stood and walked to the kitchen. "Ok, so why is only 20 days left not a good thing?"

"If you saw the list of things I have left to do…I couldn't possibly finish them in only 20 days!"

"Sure you will."

"Why are you so calm?"

"Because, I threw together a wedding in a short amount of time and it turned out great. Now if I and the girls help you, it will be fine."

Julie, Susie, and Charlotte walked in a few minutes later.

"Who's ready for a spa day?" Julie asked.

"Yes, let's go!" Elizabeth said.

"I thought you were going to help with my list."

"Nope, tomorrow. Today, no wedding plans. We are going to relax and forget about all our worries." That included Tolliver. She was going to push him right out of her mind.

She tried. As they sat in the pedicure recliners, as they had massages. She tried when the girls talked her into getting blonde highlights in her hair. She even tried, after the shock wore off, when Julie suggested they all get tattoos and she said no.

…..

Two days later…

The girls went home and Elizabeth cleaned the house while she waited for her boys to return.

"Mama! We're back!" Hunter yelled as he burst through the door.

"You are?" She bent down to pick him up and hugged him tight, peppering his adorable face with kisses. "I'm so glad!"

"You missed me?"

"You bet I did."

"Did Robin keep you company?"

"Yes, he did. Thank you so much for sharing him with me."

"You're welcome. Now, Daddy says I need a bath because I smell like a fish. Can I use your bathtub?"

"Yes, but no submarine. I don't feel like mopping the floor."

"Aww, man!" She put him down and laughed as he ran upstairs.

Jack walked through the door and dropped his and Hunter's bags. "Beth?"

"Hey, is that my amazing, handsome husband I hear?"

"Hi," he said with a tired grin. She walked over and kissed him briefly. "Hey, that's all I get?"

"Well, remember what you told Hunter he needed to do?"

"Take a bath?"

"Yep. He because he smells like a fish. Well, sorry, babe, but you stink worse than him."

She sat on the arm of the couch, a good five feet away. "You're going to stay way over there?"

"Just until you shower and then I'll meet you in our room and believe me, I'll be much closer to you than this."

An hour later, Hunter was in bed and Elizabeth was cleaning his dinner plate while Jack showered.

She felt his hands slip around her waist from behind, causing her to wince. "What? Are you hurt?"

"No. Just tender."

"Did you hurt yourself working out or something?"

"No." She looked him in the eye and then dried her hands, pulling him upstairs to their room.

"Beth? What's going on?"

She turned her back to him and pulled down the waistband of her sweats. "Can you see it?"

He turned her hip toward the light. "J.T.? You got my initials tattooed on your hip?"

She pulled them back up and turned around, biting her lip nervously. "Do you hate it?"

"Um. No, actually, I kind of love it. I mean, I'm the only one who will ever see it. It's like our little secret."

"True." He smirked and then pulled her close, keeping his hand away from her tender hip.

"That's pretty amazing."