The early morning mist poured into Bailey's bedroom. Cody fluttered his eyes open and saw that Bailey was in his arms. He looked around to help him remember what had occurred the night before. Once he had his thoughts together, he smiled and kissed Bailey on the forehead. She stirred from the touch of his lips on her forehead. She opened her eyes and saw Cody holding onto her in her bed. She yawned a little bit and then leaned up and kissed Cody on the lips.

"Good morning, sweetie."

"Good morning, my angel."

Bailey smiled. Her heart just melted when Cody spoke tenderly of her.

"How did you sleep?"

"Just fine, Bailey. How did you sleep?"

"Absolutely wonderful."

"Hmm."

"Cody?"

"Yes, Bailey?"

"I think you need to go. My parents may not know what happened between us."

"Your father might know something but it's not for certain if you ever said 'yes' to me."

"What do you mean?"

"The reason why your father worked me like a dog is because he was putting me through a series a tests to determine if he could trust me since I had asked permission from him if I could ask you to marry me."

"That's why he had been keeping you busy most of the week? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Plus, I thought that it would mean more to you if I had your father approve of me before I popped the question to you."

Bailey shook her head. "I could care less if my father approved our union. I do love him but this sort of decision should be between you and me alone."

"But what about getting your father's approval?"

"It was a good thing that you got his approval so that he won't be prone to judge you. But all you had to do was ask me to marry you. I would said 'yes' anyway."

"Well, in any case, it's done with and we're engaged."

"Yes we are."

Bailey kisses Cody again. Cody kisses Bailey back until dawn breaks completely. The two of them pull away.

"I think it would be best that I snuck out before I'm seen here. Your mother still doesn't know."

"I guess you have a point. Will I see you before breakfast?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure. But we'll definitely see each other at breakfast."

"Okay, Cody. I'll see you later."

After that, Cody got out of the sheets and off the bed. He turned back to see Bailey before he left her bedroom. He walked backwards and wore a goofy grin as he approached the door. Bailey rose up in a sitting position and then blew him a kiss. Cody caught her kiss and placed it on his heart. He then waved goodbye at her and left the room. While Cody was busy returning to his cot, Bailey curled her knees up and lamented what she and Cody would do once they were back in Boston. There was the matter and getting her job back and finding a place to stay. She might have to just stay with Cody which was fine with her since they may as well getting used to living with each other before they got married. Bailey stared out her bedroom window and saw daylight break through the horizon. The intelligent farmer's daughter grumbled to herself and then got off her bed before she had set out to get ready for the day.

At breakfast, Clyde and Eunice talked about when they would need to move Grammy Pickett into the nearby assisted living home. Grammy Pickett asked where she would be living and Eunice assured her that she would be living at the Aegis home that's ten miles away from their house. Grammy Pickett seemed fine with the arrangement. After that, Eunice all assigned different tasks for Cody, Bailey, Clyde and herself. Once breakfast was over, Eunice cleaned the dishes; Clyde helped Grammy Pickett pack up her few belongings while Cody and Bailey packed their belongings. Bailey was half way done her bags when she heard a knock on the door. She stopped what she was doing and walked over to open the door. On the other side was Cody.

"Cody? What are you doing here?"

"I talked to your parents about us."

"Oh…How did that go?"

"It was fine. Your dad was happy and your mom was too."

"Oh, good. When do we help Grammy Pickett move into Aegis?"

"We'll help her move into her new home around noon."

"That's an hour from now."

"I know."

"It might take a while for Grammy Pickett to transition from here to Aegis."

"I know. That's why I had anticipated that we would stay one extra night here."

"But are you sure? I mean, we could catch a later flight. It shouldn't be a problem. It's not like there's a lot of traffic around these parts."

"I know but I feel it would be less of a blow on your parents if we stayed behind one extra night."

"I would have thought that they would be fine. They have gone through a lot together."

"I know. I'm sure your parents are emotionally strong people but I also think they may need some time. There would be a difference for them to see people leave in two days rather than see three people leave in one day."

Bailey then detected another feeling coming from Cody.

"You're not just being sensitive to my parents, are you? You have something else to tell me, don't you?"

Cody bashfully grinned. "Yes. It's about the wedding."

"What about the wedding? We haven't made any plans yet."

"I know that. It's just that I was asking your parents on how we would go about having a ceremony. Would they be there? Would it be here in Kettlecorn or back in Boston? These were the kind of questions your parents and I went over."

"And did you guys say?"

"We haven't decided. Your parents would like to be at the wedding but if they can't make it then that would be okay for them. If they couldn't make the wedding, they would want for someone to tape record it for them."

"I would want our families to be there when we get married."

"But how many? Are we talking about all your family members?"

"I do have a big family but I also don't want us to spend so much money on the wedding that we barely have any left over for anything else. How about I invite my parents, my three youngest sisters and Grammy Pickett?"

"Sure. I'll invite my parents and Zack."

"Maybe you could invite a few good friends as well."

"Then I'll also invite my friends from the Tipton Hotel and Mr. Moseby and his fiancée."

"What friends did you have in mind?"

"Maddie, London and Esteban."

"Okay. So that's a total of fourteen guests. Six on my side and eight on your side. It's going to be a small wedding."

"Yes, but it also will be a beautiful wedding."

Bailey smiled. "I know that it will."

"Well, I got to go help Clyde bring out a few boxes of Grammy Pickett's things. I'll see you later, Bailey."

"Okay."

Bailey gave Cody a quick kiss on the cheek before she saw him leave to help her father. Once he was gone, Bailey returned to her belongings and looked at them. Was she to continue packing or to postpone the packing? On the one hand, she and Cody had one more day in Kettlecorn before they were to return to the city. But on the other hand, Bailey did have a lot of packing up to do herself. Bailey decided that she would pack a few more things and then wait to finish packing the rest of her belongings and go help Grammy Pickett move into her new home at Aegis. With a resolve in mind, Bailey packed a few more things and then went down the stairs to help with Grammy Pickett's belongings. Before anybody knew it, an hour passed and they were just about ready to help Grammy Pickett move into her new home. Once her belongings were packed in the pick-up truck, Clyde helped Grammy Pickett get in and then he got in himself. Eunice approached his window.

"Will you need any help bringing stuff in?"

"No, Eunice. Grammy Pickett doesn't have a lot of belongings left. It will only be her clothes, a few picture frames, a photo album, a fold-out table and a few fold-out chairs."

"What else will we need for Grammy Pickett?"

"Covers, a bed, pillows, a laundry basket, and a couch. But we'll worry about the couch and bed later."

"So, we just bring the linens and laundry basket over?"

"Yep."

"What about for entertainment?"

"We have a radio for Grammy Pickett to use for right now. Later on, we'll get her a TV."

"Okay. I just want to make sure that Grammy Pickett will have all that she needs while she first moves in."

Grammy Pickett leans in toward Eunice. "Eunice, would you mind getting Cody? I want him to give Bailey something important."

"Of course, Grammy."

Eunice walked over to Cody and Bailey who were standing on the two steps of the porch where Cody had an arm slung over one of Bailey's shoulders while he stood behind her. Eunice beckoned Cody over. He slipped his arm off of Bailey's body. He walked over to Eunice like an obedient puppy comes to its master.

"Yes, Mrs. Pickett?"

"Grammy Pickett wants to speak with you."

"Okay."

"She's in the truck with Clyde."

Cody walks over to the truck and goes to Grammy Pickett's side.

"Grammy Pickett, is there something you wanted to tell me?"

Grammy Pickett smiled at Cody. She put on of her frail hands into a pocket of her sweater and pulled out a locket. She gave it to Cody.

"Before I completely forget, give the locket to Bailey. It has been in our family for many generations and I want Bailey to have it. I know, she'll keep it safe and in good condition."

"But why do you want me to give it to her?"

"Just consider it as a welcome wagon into our family. You'll officially be a part of our family once you give the locket to Bailey."

Cody didn't know what to do. He looked at the dazzling locket and then looked back at Grammy Pickett.

"I won't let you down, Grammy Pickett, and thank you for accepting me into your family."

Grammy Pickett gave Cody a warm smile. "I know you'll be good for and to Bailey."

"Well, that is certain. Maybe I should let you and Clyde go so you can move into Aegis."

"That would be best."

Cody smiled at Grammy Pickett and then at Clyde. He then placed the locket in his pocket before he pulled away from the truck. Clyde started up the engine and then looked over at Eunice.

"Eunice! Make sure to find a way to get the other things for Grammy!"

"Okay."

"See you guys over at Aegis. Ask a neighbor for a lift."

"We will."

With that, Clyde drove the truck away from the farm and onto the dirt road. Eunice, Bailey and Cody waved at the truck. Afterwards, they went back in the house to collect the few remaining things for Grammy Pickett. The biggest problem was getting Grammy Pickett a bed and couch but they would figure out something. When Eunice, Cody and Bailey had the remaining items for Grammy Pickett's new place in their hands, they left the house and walked down to the Johnson's farm and asked Scott to give them a lift in his pick-up truck and he obliged. Eunice and Bailey crammed into the front with Scott while Cody sat in the back with the linens and laundry basket. During the drive, Bailey periodically checked up on Cody to make sure he was still in the back and that he was okay. Every time Bailey asked if Cody was okay, he would always tell her that he was fine. It made Bailey feel better that Cody was okay and still was in the back. Within sixteen minutes of driving, the truck arrived at the Aegis. Cody, Bailey, and Eunice hopped off the truck, thanked Scott Johnson and then got the rest of Grammy Pickett's belongings. When they entered the building, they signed in and then found Grammy Pickett's room. They walked down the left hall of the first floor and went inside the room. They had set everything down and then Clyde came over and talked to Cody.

"Cody, we're going to get a bed and a couch for Grammy Pickett."

"What about the ladies?"

"I'm sure they can keep themselves busy while we're gone. We shouldn't be long."

"Okay."

"Good. Now come with me."

"Okay."

Clyde turns toward his mother, wife and daughter.

"Ladies, Cody and I will be back. We're going out to a furniture store to get a bed."

Eunice smiled at Clyde. "Okay. We'll be here when you two get back."

Clyde waved goodbye to his wife and then ushered Cody out of the room. Eunice and Bailey then helped Grammy Pickett unpack the rest of her stuff. For the next two hours, Clyde and Cody came back with a bed and then once it was set up, the group got a late lunch and the returned to finish helping Grammy Pickett move into her new place. Once Grammy Pickett was all settled in, everybody else said goodbye and hugged her before they left. The four of them hopped into the pick-up truck with Clyde and Eunice in the front while Cody and Bailey rode in the back. Cody sat in a corner while Bailey sat on his lap. It was around three thirty five when they got back to the house. Clyde and Eunice went straight back to doing chores around the house while Cody helped Bailey finish packing most of her things except what she had to keep out for the next day. After Bailey had most of her stuff ready, Cody looked into her eyes.

"Well, it's been quite a day."

"Yes, it has."

"How do you feel?"

"I feel okay."

"Does it feel weird with Grammy Pickett not being here?"

"A little…"

Cody instinctively wrapped his arms around Bailey.

"Don't worry, Bails, you won't have to worry about being around much longer. But if you did you, you would get used to it. Grammy Pickett will adapt and so will you."

Bailey dug her face into Cody's chest. "Cody, I really hope that you're right."

"I assure you, Bailey, things may be hard and a little awkward at first, but then you'll feel better."

"I know. It's just feels so weird….."

"I know. It's okay if you feel unsure and a little scared but that okay because it's natural to feel the way that you do and you know what? I'll be here for you when you need a shoulder to lean on."

Bailey lifted her head up to Cody, gave him a weak smile and then pecked him on the lips.

"Thank you."

"No problem. Now, let's go down and help around the house and farm. I'm sure our troubles will be replaced with the fatigue after hard labor."

Bailey laughed because what Cody said was true. "I think you are right about that."

Cody smiled. "I think so, too."

Bailey pulls away from Cody and gets a hold onto one of his hands and leads him out of her bedroom. The two of them walk down the stairs and go outside to do some chores. All of them work until dinner is ready. Eunice remembers to put down four plates instead of five plates. Some tension rose at the dinner table but after a while the tension sifted away like grains of sand pouring down an hour glass. After dinner, everybody went on their usual business until it was time for them to go to bed. Later that night, Eunice and Clyde went to bed together and so did Cody and Bailey. The night seemed to pass on far longer than it used to but morning finally came.

The following morning seemed bleak and unfriendly. Cody and Bailey woke up with sleep in their eyes and rubbed it away. Cody stumbled out of Bailey's bed and headed downstairs to get his things together and change into new clothes. Bailey also finished packing all of her belongings and then headed down the stairs. After five quiet minutes, Eunice called everyone to the table for breakfast. Clyde, Bailey, and Cody joined Eunice at the dining room table and ate the first meal of the day. Over breakfast, they talked about Cody and Bailey leaving for the airport soon. Eunice got a little teary eyed but had put on a brave face. Not long after breakfast was over, Cody and Bailey had their things ready and had put them in the back of the truck. Clyde and Eunice took the front seats while Cody and Bailey nuzzled themselves in the back in between their belongings. When they got to the airport, everyone was silent until Cody and Bailey had to go through their gate and board the plane. Cody was the first to speak.

"I guess we should go."

Clyde extended a hand out for Cody to take and he did. They shook hands.

"Be careful and look out for each other."

"We will", Cody and Bailey chorused.

Eunice bit her lip but then spoke up. "Will we see you guys?"

"Of course. We make arrangements when we'll come by to visit in the future."

"If you guys get married, will you let us know?"

"Of course."

"And Cody?"

"Yes, Mrs. Pickett?"

"You can call me Eunice if you like and let me know when you and Bailey start having kids."

"Okay. We'll let you know, Mrs. Pickett."

"Okay then. Well…goodbye for now."

Bailey walked up to her mom and hugged her first.

"Mama, I know that this must be hard for you because it's hard on me too but we will occasionally see each other."

"I know. But a part of me knows that I will have to give you away forever. But the good news is that your father and I will give you to Cody. We know he will take care of you."

Clyde approached Eunice from behind and placed a gentle hand on one of her shoulders.

"Your mother's right, Bailey. We know that you two will be just fine with each other."

"I know, daddy."

Bailey pulled away from her mother and then hugged her father. After a short, she pulled away and then stepped back to Cody's side.

"I love you two very much."

"We know, Bailey, but you also love Cody very much. You two have a different, special kind of love. You'll need each other. Go on and go back to Boston. Your mother and I will be fine here, Bailey."

"Okay…."

Cody reached out to Clyde and shook his hand one last time. "Thank you for letting into your home."

"It was my pleasure. Thank you for making my daughter smile."

"It was my pleasure."

The two of them pull away. Cody then opens his arms to Eunice and she goes inside his arms for a hug. Cody pats Eunice on the back.

"Good bye, Mrs. Pickett. I promise to keep Bailey safe."

Eunice sniffed as he hugged Cody but also looking at Bailey.

"I know you will."

Afterwards, Cody and Eunice pulled away from the embrace. Eunice stood by Clyde while Bailey stood by Cody. The two couples waved goodbye to each other and then went their separate ways. Cody and Bailey boarded the plane back to Boston while Eunice and Clyde hopped back on the truck. The married couple drove back to their farm while the engaged couple flew back to the city of Boston.

To Be Continued…