Caroline was exhausted from her unexpected visitor at the office and was relieved to get home. She had a lot to do to prepare for Nicola's visit the next day and she really wanted to shake off her close encounter of the strangest kind with Sarah Dobson. After she picked Flora up to kiss her hello, she went to pour some wine for Greg as well as herself to help her unwind.

"So Caroline, are you ready for your company," asked Greg with all the usual breeziness in his voice. His genuine interest in everything made Caroline smile on this occasion because she could tell he was being supportive.

"I am but right after supper I need to do a little cleaning and actually start the prep for tomorrow night's dinner. She's driving down in the afternoon so she'll arrive about the same time I get home from school." She collapsed on a stool at the counter and watched Greg toss the salad. "Can I help with anything?"

"No. You just relax. Are you sure you want me around this weekend? I could always take Flora to my place or to my parents' to give you some privacy." He reached for a dishtowel to wipe his hands.

"I appreciate the offer but I think it's time for Nicola to see what our life on Conway Drive is really like and I want her to get to know you too. I hope you'll like her."

Her use of the word "our" caught him by surprise but he was hesitant to say anything about it. "Caroline, I do like her already," he said with his back to her as he was placing the bread and salad on the table.

Caroline took a sip and looked him in the eye as he turned around. "How can you say that when you've not met her or even spoken to her?"

"I'm not blind you know. I know I seem all kinds of kooky and self-absorbed at times but I see how much happier you've been since your weekend at Wimbledon. There's no question that she's been good for you."

"You never fail to amaze me Greg. Do you realize you've really become one of the family? I don't know how I could have made it through the past few months without you and I think it's long overdue that I tell you how important you are to Flora and me. Actually, I'm hoping you and Nicola get a chance to get comfortable with each other this weekend as I'm hoping neither of you are going anywhere anytime soon."

Greg didn't know whether to hug her or just go on with getting the meal on the table. Then he realized Caroline had a tear in her eye. He stopped what he was doing at the stove and gave her one of his cheesier smiles. "Wow. That means a lot to me. If I'm honest, I'll admit that I've been a little concerned about your still needing me if you and Nicola, well you know."

To his surprise, Caroline rose and gave him a hug. As she pulled back, she looked him in the eye and said, "Greg, you'll always be Flora's father. I promise you that if you want to be, you will always be front and center in her life along side of me, regardless of who else I share my life with. I know that is what Kate would have wanted and it's also what I want."

"Wow. Emotions. Cool," he said because he was a little too choked up to say anything else. He was so use to playing the happy-go-lucky, overgrown kid, and it was because he wasn't good at being serious or handling emotional situations. But at this moment, it was the most grown up he ever felt, except maybe for when Kate died. Ever since she passed, all he wanted to do was be a part of Flora's life and he was thankful for Caroline's unexpected words which made him feel validated. It was at that point he realized that being in Caroline's life meant a lot to him as well.

Feeling the need to lighten the conversation, Caroline said, "I think I'll go change Flora's nappy before we eat. Any idea where Lawrence is? I'd expect the smell of that roast chicken would have him biting at your heels about when dinner will be served."

"Actually, he went up to clean his room so it would look more presentable for Nicola this weekend. I promised him dinner would be on the table as soon as he finished. He should be down any minute."

A dumbstruck Caroline couldn't believe her ears. "How…how did you manage that?"

"I have my ways. We also had a little chat and I think you'll find him on his best behavior this weekend too."

"Thank you. And I mean thank you."