*Hey, everyone! We're in the homestretch, possibly two or three chapters left (I'm not entirely sure). I want to thank each and every one of you for reading this, and for the amazing reviews. It means more than I can ever express.*

"Daddy, look! Look!"

Shane had just opened the door to the chicken coop to see his children standing with Maeve, excited looks on their faces as they pointed to a newly-hatched chick that was on a nest. Ivan reached up to touch it, but then jerked his hand back.

"Oops! Sorry, Mom. I almost forgot you said to not touch it!"

Maeve smiled at him as Shane joined by her side. He knelt down and looked over the chick, helping it to get some of the eggshell that was still stuck onto it off.

"Looks like you were right, Linette," Maeve spoke gently.

Linette danced in place. "I knew it would hatch this morning! I knew it!"

The mother hen pecked at Shane's fingers, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, he stood upright and gave Maeve a single nod before they corralled their children out of the coop. The rest of the chickens, rabbits, and ducks were already outside, along with the cows, sheep, and pigs, the rising sun peaking over the mountains. They followed their children as they ran to the porch and grabbed their backpacks, ready to make their way to school. Summer was just around the corner, which meant summer break for the kids, and they were excited to say the least. Summer break meant more time on the farm, more time with the animals, and more time for playing.

As Linette put her straps on her shoulders, Shane noticed her ponytail was falling out. Before she could run to her brother's side, he stopped her and sat down on the porch, her in front of him, so he could fix it. However, instead of a ponytail, he started braiding her hair, careful to avoid pulling her hair and gently threading his fingers through stray knots, getting them out. She and Ivan talked about the other children that they went to school with, and about having sleepovers and such during the summer break. While Shane fixed Linette's hair, Maeve opened both their backpacks to make sure they had their books and homework; through the corner or her eye, she watched Shane, hair tie pinned between his lips as he finished the braid. Seeing him with their children never failed to make her heart melt. He had been so worried that he would be a terrible father, when he was in fact the total opposite. Ivan was eight, Linette seven, and they both were spitting images of their father but with their mother's mannerisms. They had given Linette her name in memory of Linus; losing him unexpectedly the day Ivan had been born was a devastating blow. It had been such a wondrous morning, only to be met with utmost sorrow. When Linette was old enough, they had shown her a picture of Linus, and had told her she was named after him and Jas' birth mother (Linette Charlotte). They had also told Ivan who he was named after, and that they should say their names with pride.

"All right, Lin, let's go," Shane spoke as he rose to his feet. He looked down to Ivan. "Ready?"

They both nodded, and they started their walk to the bus stop.

Pelican Town had changed... and grown. Due to this, Pam had changed from taking the bus solely to the desert and to other events to a school bus, driving the kids to the city. Penny was now a teacher in the city, and she and Sam (who had gone to college and became a teacher as well) rode the bus with the kids. A highway had been constructed, cutting the time to getting to the city in half. Emily and Haley had opened their own clothing store, using their old house as shop while Emily and Clint had moved into George and Evelyn's place shortly after the two had passed away a few years ago. Their deaths had also dealt a blow to the community, but Haley and Emily made sure to keep Evelyn's flowers alive and flourishing each year. Pierre's store had expanded and carried a wider variety of goods. Several families had moved from the city to the valley, finding peace and harmony there that they could not find before. One family had decided to take their chance at farming, some of the forest being used to turn into farmland; they had done well with the help of Maeve and Shane, Marnie and Nathan. A basketball court was added to the back of the community center, and a small skate park was built near the playground. Robin had certainly been busy, but thanks to Alex and Clint helping her, she wasn't overwhelmed.

Sebastian worked from home now as a web designer; he had hit it big with a company in the city years back, and the talk of the town was he and his family never had to worry for money ever again. Abigail more or less became his secretary, keeping his life somewhat orderly when he would at times forget to even sleep. Regardless of how busy he was, when four o'clock rolled around and their kids came home from school, he would call it a day to spend time with his family until the kids were asleep. Sebastian and Abigail had decided to "leave their scene days behind", going back to their true hair colors (Sebastian's was auburn like Robin's, Abigail light brown), and for a while, it had been so odd to see. Yet, they still played in their band with Sam every Friday and Saturday night. Sam had also stopped spiking up his hair, keeping it short and textured.

Elliott and Leah had opened up a small art school in the valley at the community center, with Elliott teaching creative writing and Leah art. When Elliott had published his book, it had sold rather well. The day he presented it to Shane and Maeve, he had tears streaming down his cheeks, unable to keep his pride back. People would trek from the city to their school, and they were never without students. Their children were both as artistic as their parents, and perhaps had a flair for the dramatic like their father.

With the addition of new families to the valley, Harvey and Maru's clinic had grown. While the more urgent of cases were sent to the city, they took care of everything else when it came to illness and injury. Some help was sent from a hospital in the city to their clinic, which they welcomed gratefully.

At the bus stop, they saw the families with their children in tow, ready to get on the bus. Sam and Penny stood in front of everyone, their son and daughter in the front row. Lydia Rose was a carbon copy of Sam, while Ezra William had a mix of both his mother and father. Sebastian and Abigail's twins, Silas Ray and Sonnet Joy, were talking with Haley and Alex's son, Atlas George; Silas had much of his father in his features, while Sonnet took after Abigail. Atlas was an athletic child, with Haley's nose and the rest of his appearance like Alex. Emily and Clint's children, Maxwell Oliver and Evelyn Jade, were playing rock-paper-scissors with Elliott and Leah's chidren, Aria Grace and Wyatt Miles. Maxwell and Evelyn had their mother's genetics but their father's hair color; Ivan and Linette had told their parents that Evelyn was "weird but cool", and they instantly attributed that trait to Emily. Aria was a mini-Leah, and Wyatt a clone of Eliott. Harvey and Maru were running somewhat behind, as usual, with their daughters in tow. Amelia Ruby and Margeaux Renae had a mix of both their parents in their features, and while they were close sisters, they were contrarily different. Both were intelligent, just like their parents, but while Amelia was more into studies and learning, Margeaux was into sports. She and Atlas played basketball often together at the community center.

Pam opened the door to the bus. "C'mon, kiddos! Time to go!"

Ivan and Linette ran on to join the kids, Penny getting out a sheet of paper for roll call.

"Ivan and Linette Russell?"

"Here!"

"Lydia and Ezra Thompson?"

Lydia rolled her eyes while Ezra giggled. "Moooom, you know we're here."

Sam reached and poked Lydia's forehead, which made her pout.

"Silas and Sonnet Connor?" Penny continued.

"Here!"

"Atlas Emerickson?"

"Present!"

"Maxwell and Evelyn Halls?"

"We're here!"

"Aria and Wyatt Richards?"

"Mmhm!"

"Amelia and Margeaux Wright?"

"Yup yup!"

"Okay," Penny nodded as she put the paper away in her purse. "Everyone on the bus!"

The parents watched as their children loaded onto the bus, one by one. Once on, they opened the windows and waved as Pam slowly started driving forward, their parents waving at them with smiles on their faces until they were no longer in sight.

Once they returned to the farm, they met with Jas as she walked out of the house in mid-yawn, sleepily rubbing her eyes, one part of her tanktop untucked from her pants, the cuff of the pants bunched up around the top of her boots. Now eighteen years old, she had graduated grade school a week prior and would start college that fall. She had moved in with Shane and Maeve shortly after Linette's birth, as she felt like she wanted to be closer with her godfather, as well as give Marnie the much-needed rest she deserved. Marnie had at first protested greatly, but thanks to Nathan's convincing, she came around and agreed. It wasn't long after that when the two adopted her into the family, her officially taking the last name "Russell" and becoming their daughter. She had asked them herself if she could call them "Dad" and "Mom", and while at first, they were uneasy with this, they could see how much it meant to her. Of course, she knew about her real parents, how they had died when she was only a toddler. But in every essence of the word, Shane and Maeve had been her parents. She had turned into a beautiful young lady, her hair long and wavy now, which she mostly kept two piggy-braids. Her moving in with them had proved to be a wonderful thing, as she helped out tremendously and was a great caretaker with the kids. She also had given them the experience for when their kids reached her age on what to perhaps expect. They treated her just as they would had she been their own, rewarding her and chastising her when need be. It had prepared them for the future with their own kids, but didn't prepare them for witnessing her grow up before their very eyes. She was no longer the little girl Maeve first took in, no longer the toddler Shane was trusted with fourteen years ago. It was bittersweet for Shane, wishing that Charlotte and Ivan had been there for every moment... but he was so proud of her.

"Hey, why didn't you two wake me up?" she yawned again. "You know I like seeing them off, too."

"We tried. You were out of it," Maeve laughed.

Jas shook her head. "I don't remember it. Are you sure?"

Maeve reached and booped Jas' nose with her index finger. "You probably couldn't hear us because of how loud you were snoring."

Jas' cheeks turned red. "I-I was not!" She then turned to Shane. "Was I?"

"Let's put it this way," Shane began in reply, putting his arm around Jas' shoulders, "we didn't need an alarm clock to wake us up this morning."

"Oh. Oh no," Jas groaned as her shoulders slumped. "That's embarrassing..." She then twirled away from Shane and put her hands behind her back, an excited smile spreading across her sleepy face. "Soooo? Did it happen? Did it hatch?" She watched Maeve nod, and she let out a squeal. "Ah! I'm gonna go look right now!"

"Hold on, Jas, the-"

Shane had no chance to finish, as she had already darted into the chicken coop. Shane chased after her to prevent her getting pecked, leaving Maeve alone at her porch. She let out a contented sigh, taking the time to look around at her farm and the animals. The sun was almost completely risen, the dewdrops on the grass and crops glowing in its shine. Other than the sounds of animals and birds, it was quiet in the early morning hours. Time and time again, she was reminded of the serenity and beauty her farm had, and she was so thankful she had chosen to come here twelve years ago. One foot in front of the other, she made her way to the dock at the pond, then stopped and stood there, putting her hands on her hips as she took in the quiescence. She closed her eyes, feeling the warm breeze against her skin... so much had changed, and she wouldn't take it back for a second. The noise and dense air of the city had been too much, too fast, and with Tyler free, she knew she could go to her grandfather's farm to restart safely. Twelve years had passed since her arrival in Stardew Valley, eleven of them spent married to Shane and eight as a mother. She had fallen madly in love and had flourished, letting it grow wild and free, to a man who had started with nothing but sadness and heartbreak. A man who trusted no one and opened up to none.

And here she was, standing in the middle of her farm, just before the full workday was to start, wanting for nothing and heart full. The air was clean, the smells of the farm something she loved and looked forward to every day. Hearing the voices of her family, their smiles, those she had come to love dearly... and those she had lost along the way. Those were what meant to most.

"Ya done good, kiddo."

For some reason, she wasn't startled at all. She only opened her eyes and stared ahead. "Yeah? I think so, too."

"Done far better than what I ever did with the place."

She chuckled as she looked down at her mud-covered boots. "I don't know about that. I just spruced up the house, really. You had this place thriving from what I can remember."

"I take pride in my work, Maeve. But a man has to admit defeat at least once."

She put a lock of hair behind her ear. She had kept it chin-length now for about two years, at times forgetting it wasn't as long as it used to be. "Yeah, I..." she smiled, then sat down, her legs hanging over the dock, the toes of her boots barely above the water. "I guess I did do pretty well, huh?"

He sat down next to her. "I'll say. Met a man about eight years ago... Linus? He had a lot to say about you and that man o' yers."

Maeve's heart skipped a beat as a lump rose in her throat. "He did?"

"So did George and Evelyn. Gotta say, you made quite the impression on them."

She smiled. "I see." She let out a sad sigh. "You should tell them that we really miss them here. But I guess they already know that, right?"

"They do." She felt him put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of ya, Maeve. Real damn proud. I'm thankful you took up the reigns after I was gone."

"You don't gotta be thankful for that, Grandpa. I loved it here. I wasn't about to let this place go." She then laughed. "If anything, I should be thanking you."

Shane walked out of the coop and saw Maeve at the docks, talking for what he thought to be herself... until he saw it. He turned and opened the door, going back into the coop to join Jas for a little longer.

There was a short silence between the two of them.

"Are you happy?"

Maeve nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, Grandpa, I am. More than I ever thought I could be."

"I'm glad, then."

And then she was alone. She half expected the tears to start, but instead, she just found herself smiling with a warm feeling in her chest.

"Mom?" she heard Jas call from the coop. She turned her head to see her and Shane exiting it, and by the look in Shane's eyes, it was almost as if he knew. Jas had a basket full of chicken and duck eggs, and she had managed to get herself in order for the workload that was ahead. "We're gonna milk the cows and goats now!"

She grunted as she rose to her feet, dusting the seat of her pants off. "I'm coming, too."

She joined up with them at the gates to the field outside the barn, Jas handing her the basket of eggs. Shane opened the gate for them, and as Maeve walked past, she felt his hand graze the small of her back, telling her what she knew all along.

XXXXXX

Elliott and Leah sat across from Shane and Maeve, as well as Jodi and Kent, at the community center, where they taught their art classes. They had called them there on account of something about Jas and Vincent, and while they knew it wasn't on account of anything bad, it still made them worry slightly.

Jodi and Kent had aged over the years, just like everyone else. Kent had some gray in his hair, Jodi opting to keep her long hair up in a loose bun. Leah's and Elliott's hair was still as long as it was as it had been when Maeve first met her, still as luscious as always. Shane felt a little envious, as his hair, despite only being thirty-nine, had a rather obvious streak of gray at his bangs that he didn't even attempt to hide.

"Okay, so we're here now. Let's get on with it, yeah?" Kent spoke brashly. Jodi didn't flinch; ever since he had come back from the war, that was the way he had been. He hadn't meant anything by it, but the war had done its damage. Through his brashness, he was a kindhearted man who had been through hell and back, and everyone had learned to adjust accordingly.

Elliott only smiled as he shook his head. "At east, Kent. We assure you, this is nothing of ill boding."

"We just wanted to tell you about how artistic Vincent and Jas are," Leah sided with her husband. "They've been in Elliott's writing classes for years now, and they have always had a penchant for it. Jas is wonderful, but Vincent is more into writing music- I surmise he gets this from his brother."

"Oh, yes," Jodi smiled, nodding. "Sam has been teaching him to play the guitar and electric guitar. Sebastian is teaching him the keyboard, and I believe Abigail said something about him having a decent singing voice."

"We've heard Jas singing around the kids now and again. She's got a lovely voice, as well," Maeve pointed out. "But if she thinks Shane and I are listening in, she gets quiet."

"That sounds like her," Elliott grinned. "But, really, has she shown you any of her creative writing works?"

Shane shook his head.

"No," Maeve answered. "She's a little shy when it comes to anything pertaining herself."

"Have you tried asking her?" Elliott asked.

"Yeah, but if she doesn't wanna show us, that's up to her," Shane replied, crossing his arms.

"I see." Elliott leaned forward, propping his elbows on the desk and leaning against his hands. "It would honestly be a shame if you didn't see any of it, though. Perhaps with the right kind of encouragement, she would show you."

"I suppose, but I'm with Shane on this," Kent shrugged. "Vincent's just open all the time. Gets it from Samson. But if you push a kid too much, they'll shut down."

"Wait, if you have some of her writing, why don't you just show it to them?" Jodi asked.

Leah leaned back in her chair. "We couldn't do that, Jodi... not after the trust she's put in us."

"Even if we could, we don't have her notebook," Elliott informed. He looked at Kent and Jodi. "I think the only person she's truly comfortable around is Vincent." He blinked, realizing his statement when he could see the look on Shane's and Maeve's faces. "Not that I'm saying she doesn't trust you, Shane. Maeve. But there's a level of camaraderie between the two that is uncanny. Perhaps because they have grown up together and are so close."

They couldn't deny that. Jas and Vincent were together quite often anymore, it seemed. Before they graduated, he would walk her home from school every day. If they went to his house after school, he would still walk her home at night. They did their homework together, played together, learned to work on the farm, to fish. Vincent even taught Jas how to play gridball. It was funny that while he had at first been so careful around her, he quickly learned to get rid of that mentality because she showed no mercy and expected none from him. She may have not had the brawn he did, but she was faster and more agile on her feet. Shane and Maeve, and Penny and Sam had taught them to swim at the same time. They had even decided to go to the same college together in ZuZu City. If anyone knew Jas, it was Vincent, and the same went for Vincent to Jas.

Jodi cleared her throat as she crossed one leg over the other. "What are you saying? That we ask Vincent to convince her to let us see her work?"

Elliott and Leah looked equally offended.

"Of course not," Leah denied.

"Perhaps in time, she'll come around," Elliott surmised. "But until then, believe us when we say she is quite talented. You would be pleased."

XXXXXX

When Shane and Maeve returned to the farm, they could see Jas and Vincent outside, working with Ivan and Linette as they rounded up the livestock toward the barns for the night, Jas and Linette taking care of the chickens, rabbits, and ducks, while Vincent and Ivan handled the bigger animals. Shane joined with Ivan and Vincent, Maeve with Jas and Linette. She opened up the small door for the chickens, ducks, and rabbits so they could enter the coop, watching as Jas and Linette herded them in.

"So, what did Leah and Elliott have to say?" Jas asked, her eyes on the animals.

Feeling a slight rush of panic, Maeve simply shrugged to hide it. "Not much. Just that you and Vincent are having a lot of fun in their classes."

"Oh. Yeah, it's pretty neat," Jas spoke candidly. "Vincent likes it, too, but I think he'd much rather be playing music. You know how he is."

XXXXXX

"Are Jas and I in trouble?" Vincent asked Shane once they had all the animals in the barn.

Shane tilted his head. "Huh?"

"Leah and Elliott. They wanted to talk to you and my folks about us, right?"

Ivan was visibly confused. "Why would you two be in trouble? You aren't mean to anyone."

"You're not in trouble," Shane answered, shaking his head.

Vincent let out a long sigh. "Oh, thank Yoba. I was seriously scared to go home for a second there. Thought I'd be grounded all summer or something."

Shane pet the head of a cow. "Why would you be?"

"I don't know. Jas and I were freaking out, trying to think of something that maybe we did, or something we wrote... but we couldn't think of anything." Vincent leaned against the wall, crossed his arms, and put one ankle over the other. He had certainly grown over the years. He was slightly taller than Shane, his auburn hair just as unruly as it had been as when he was a child. When he was seventeen, he lost what was left of the baby face he had, and he resembled Sam very much.

"Just because someone needs to talk to your parents doesn't necessarily mean you're in trouble, Vincent," Shane spoke gently, hoping to calm to young man down.

Vincent's worried expression started to lax. "Yeah?"

Shane nodded. "They just wanted to let us know that you two were doing great. Keeping us informed. Stuff like that." Shane looked down at Ivan. "Did you and Linette get your homework done?"

"Yeah, Jas and Vincent helped us. All we had to do was read some stuff."

Shane gave Vincent a nod. "Thanks."

"Sure," Vincent nodded back. He turned to leave, but stopped and faced Shane again. "Hey, uh... Shane?" He saw Shane give his attention back to him, so he continued. "I don't know if you know this, but... Jas is a good writer. Really good."

Shane, of course, knew this, but acted as though it was all news to him. "Oh yeah?"

"Mmhm. Like, really good." He shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "She gets nervous whenever Elliott or Leah reads it, and I don't know why. She's honestly fine whenever I read it. She lets me all the time."

"That's good, then. She trusts you." Shane saw a hint of red form on Vincent's cheeks, and something inside him clicked. "A lot."

Vincent took his eyes off Shane and moved them to the ground. "Y-Yeah, I guess." He then shook his head and looked back up to Shane. "I get the hint she's never shown you?"

Ivan pulled on Shane's sleeve, making him turn his attention to his son. "I'm gonna find Mama."

"Sure."

Shane watched Ivan as he ran out of the barn, the door closing behind him. Vincent chuckled after Ivan left, shaking his head as he did.

"Even with kids, you're still the same as you ever were," he said. "Do they ever ask why you're so quiet?"

Shane crossed his arms. "Nah. Don't think they know any different. I'm just 'Dad', and Maeve is just 'Mom'."

Vincent laughed again. "Makes sense. But, yeah. Has she?"

Shane swallowed hard, feeling a little uneasy. "No."

"Guessed as much." He bopped his foot up and down. "Want me to tell her to let you and Maeve see?"

"No, don't do that," Shane denied, taking a step towards him.

"Why not? She'll listen to me."

"Because..." Shane stopped and chewed on his lip for a moment, trying to find the right words. He knew Vincent cared for Jas. Perhaps more than he liked to admit. And the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize that. "When I said she trusts you, I meant that. For some reason, she feels safe enough with you to share something that is personal to her." He reached up and put his hand on Vincent's shoulder. "No matter what, don't lose that."

Vincent blinked twice, taking in Shane's words. "But... I mean... you and Maeve are practically her parents. You adopted her, right? Why does she trust me and not you?"

Shane made sure to meet Vincent's gaze when he answered, "I think you probably already know."

"I..." Vincent took a step back, know the one feeling uncomfortable. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. Then, "I... should probably get home."

Before Shane could stop him, Vincent had left the barn. Jas was sitting on the porch steps, waiting for him, only for him to rush by her, mutter a quick, "Night," and leaving her stunned. She stood up, her head turned in the direction he had walked off, when she heard the barn door open and close, followed by the gate. She barely noticed Shane near her, but when he passed her-

"What happened?" she asked him.

"Nothing," he answered as he walked into the house, closing the door behind him. In the house, there were Maeve and the kids, getting ready to eat supper. The table was set, the food placed on it, and he simply sat down in silence, an odd look on his face. Maeve hadn't seen it yet, as she was busy helping their kids.

"Tell Jas and Vincent it's ready, Ivan."

"Y'okay!" Ivan nodded. He headed to the door, luckily not being in front of it when Jas opened it and rushed inside, stopping when she reached Shane's side.

"Dad, what did you do?"

Shane raised his hands slightly up off the table. "I didn't do anything."

Jas put her hands on her hips, somewhat agitated and clearly confused. "Vincent has never left like that. He barely even said goodnight to me."

"Maybe he was in a hurry to get home?"

She leaned on the table with one hand, looking into Shane's eyes. "You can't lie for anything. You two were in that barn, talking, and he just leaves in a hurry, but you 'didn't do anything'?"

Maeve was somewhat caught up now, and she knew that something had happened just by how Shane was acting. The looks on Ivan's and Linette's faces were enough to make her laugh, and she motioned for them to sit down, her following suit.

"How about we resume this later, after food?" she suggested. Jas looked from Maeve, to Shane, to the kids, then back to Shane, scowled, and sat down at the table between Maeve and Linette. For the next little while, they ate their dinner, Maeve asking Ivan and Linette about their day at school. While they talked, she, Shane, and Jas listened intently, fully invested in what they had to say.

"I hope you have Mrs. Jefferson next year," Ivan told his sister. "She's awesome. Gives you extra tokens if you do what you're s'pposed to do."

"I don't like tokens," Linette frowned, poking at the scalloped potatoes on her plate. "Mr. Owens doesn't have tokens. He just lets us play if we're good."

"It's the same thing, Lin!" Ivan huffed. "Only thing is, if you're bad, you lose tokens!"

"But you only have ten!"

"Yeah, for all day! You hafta be super bad to lose even three!" Ivan leaned closer to Shane, his face nothing but seriousness. "Don't tell nobody, but Paul Hanson lost six one day."

Shane raised his eyebrows. "Ya don't say?"

Maeve feigned a shocked gasp. "What did he do?"

"He's a big meanie!" Linette spoke as she popped some potatoes in her mouth. "'e putheth peehle-"

"Linette, you know better," Maeve fussed. Linette chewed her food and swallowed.

"Sorry, Mama. But he pushes people all the time! He pushed a kindergartner last week!"

"That was the day he lost all those tokens," Ivan informed, still with a serious look on his face. "His moms were really mad. He's still grounded."

Maeve nodded once. "Oh. Was he mean before that?"

"Not really, no. Just talks all the time, even when the lights are off."

"Lights off in the cafeteria means we're getting too loud for the other classes," Linette clarified, even though they knew this already. "We're s'pposed to be quiet for a minute or two, and then they'll turn them back on."

"Kinda wanna see what he's like around Dad," Ivan giggled. "He's so quiet, and Paul is so noisy!"

The statement made Shane recall what Vincent had asked him in the barn, and he felt worried. Perhaps the kids were starting to notice after all? If that we the case, maybe he should talk more so they wouldn't think him weird? He took a bite of meatloaf, staring at his plate as the kids talked more.

"I think he was just being a meanie that day. Maybe woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Linette put in her two cents. "I do that sometimes."

Jas laughed. "We all do, Lin."

Linette looked at Shane. "What were you like in school, Daddy?"

Shane took his eyes off his plate and moved them to her, her big, green eyes that were inquisitive. He fidgeted in his seat, swallowing his bite. "Uh... I kinda kept to myself. Didn't really have a lot of friends."

"Really? How come?"

"Just didn't, sweetheart." He took a drink of sweet tea. "But, I did like to play sports."

"What did you play?" Ivan asked.

"Gridball. Played until eleventh grade, until I had to get a job."

"You had to get a job even when you were in school?!" Linette gasped. "But, didn't you go to school? How did you go to school and have a job? I thought you-"

"Slow down, kiddo," Shane chuckled. "I worked after school."

"But what about homework? Didn't you have that?" Ivan inquired.

"Well, yeah."

"Wow," Ivan awed. He turned to Maeve. "What about you, Mama?"

Maeve smiled. "Oh, I had lots of friends. I started working my senior year of high school as a cashier at a grocery store. I didn't really do sports, though. Not at school. But I played in recreational leagues."

"Like Dawn Foster," Jas spoke up. "You know, your little friend, Ivan? She plays basketball in town."

"Oh yeah!"

The rest of the meal was continued in various conversations that branched off to even more diverse topics than before. Shane was thankful for those moments, where he would mostly sit and listen, intervening whenever he found it necessary or wanted to. Maeve and Jas kept the kids talking, and at times, Shane wasn't sure what was being done more: eating or conversing. Not that it mattered to him. Supper was something he looked forward to every day, as it was when the family all got together and ate. It was the little things he enjoyed and never took for granted.

When Ivan and Linette were through eating, Maeve had them take baths in the two bathrooms simultaneously so that Shane, she, and Jas could talk. She knew that Jas wasn't going to let what happened between Shane and Vincent go, and as soon as the kids were out of earshot, she turned to Shane, drying dishes as she began. Shane tensed up at once but continued to clear off the table while Maeve washed and rinsed the dishes.

"What happened?" she asked again.

"I'm telling you, nothing happened."

"Then why was he so flustered? Hm? Vincent's not the kind of person to get like that often."

Shane's eyes darted over to Maeve, who only shook her head, as if saying, "You're on your own, pal." He handed Maeve the empty glass bowl that once held the scalloped potatoes, to which she took and began to wash.

"We just talked."

"Oh. Just talked. Okay." She put the plate up in the cabinet. "Mom?"

Maeve shook her head, her hands submerged in the dishwater. "I'm Switzerland."

"Not fair!" both Shane and Jas cried out.

"I'm your husband! You're supposed to have my back!" Shane pleaded.

"And I'm your daughter! Us girls gotta stick together!" Jas groaned.

"Oh, for Yoba's sake," she grunted as she pulled her hands out of the water, not even caring that they were wet as she put them on her hips, facing them. "I am not playing referee. Sort it out yourselves!"

Jas and Shane stared at her for a moment before looking at each other. It was a stalemate, a battle of attrition... and Shane was the first to break.

"Jasmine, listen... sometimes, men have talks, and this was one of them," Shane spoke carefully. He didn't want to betray Vincent's trust, either. If Vincent did feel for Jas how Shane was sure he did, she didn't need to hear it from him. She needed to hear it from Vincent himself. "Just trust me when I say it was all good. Okay?"

Jas clicked her tongue as she threw the drying towel over her shoulder, it resting there. "You didn't scare him or anything?"

At this, Shane's eyes widened. "Scare him?"

"Yeah."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because he knows I wri-" she stopped suddenly and retracted a little bit. Her eyes grew wider and wider, and her cheeks began to turn redder and redder. Shane tilted his head, confused.

"You... what?"

Only tiny squeaks came out of her mouth before she slowly covered it with her hand, drawing further and further back within herself. Shane and Maeve could see her struggling all the more with each passing second, and their full attention was on her. She turned and hastily walked to her bedroom, where they could hear her mess around for a second, before she came back into the room holding a purple notebook, worn from all the use. She had her mouth in a tight line as she clutched it to her chest, her eyes moving from Shane to Maeve, then back to Shane, before she thrust the notebook out at them, her face even redder than they thought possible.

"I... I write."

"Oh."

She was shaking. "H-Here."

Shane and Maeve glanced at each other, wordlessly communicating.

"What? Jas, honey, no," Maeve soothed, waving her hands out in front of her.

"But you know."

"Well, yeah," Shane nodded.

Jas was visibly sweating. "He must have told you... That's why..."

Shane jerked, suddenly feeling anxious. "Wait, what?"

"Vincent... he must have told you about my writings..." she whimpered. "I just... it's not easy for me to share them, and... he's always said I'm such a good writer. I guess he would want you to know."

"Oh, Jas. No," Shane sighed as he reached and took her into his arms. He could feel her shaking, and it ate him alive. "He didn't tell us anything."

He could feel the tension in her body ease up. "He... he didn't?"

"No," Shane reiterated. "That's why Leah and Elliott wanted to talk to us today. They said you were a great writer, and asked if we ever saw anything."

"We told them we hadn't, and then they said you pretty much only comfortably allowed Vincent to see them. That you still struggled to even let them see," Maeve added.

"When we were in the barn, he asked me if you two were in trouble, and I said no. He just said he figured they wanted to let us know what a great writer you were, but that's all he said." Shane pet her head gently, feeling her shaking stop. "Nothing more."

She looked up into his eyes. "He didn't say a word?"

Shane shook his head. "I think that's why he left in a hurry. Because he knows just how much you trust him, and it..." He glanced at Maeve for just a split second, then looked back at Jas. "That kind of feeling... it's good to have."

She pulled away from him, looking down at her notebook. She then turned red again, as though realizing something. "I see."

Maeve reached and gently pulled one of Jas' piggy-braids back over her shoulder before putting her arm around her shoulders. "See? It was all one big misunderstanding."

Shane nodded once. "I'm gonna check on the kids real quick."

"Yeah," Maeve acknowledged as he walked away. She then looked at Jas and smiled. "Shane may be a little rough around the edges, but he'd never do anything to hurt you or Vincent."

"I know..." Jas sighed, feeling guilty. "And I feel bad, because I should have known Vincent would have never..." She clutched her notebook closer to her chest. "But... y'know..." She then held it out to Maeve.

Maeve shook her head. "Jas, no. We don't-"

"You and Dad took me in... raised me as one of your own," she began, her fingers gliding over the cover. "If there is anyone I should trust, it's you two." She took one of Maeve's hands, opened it, and put the notebook in it. "It's fine."

Shane came back into the room to see Jas handing the notebook over to Maeve, and he joined them, opening his mouth to protest.

"It's fine," Jas repeated. She then took one of Shane's hands and put it on the notebook, too. "I told Mom... you and her took me in and raised me as one of your own. I should trust you just as much as I trust Vincent."

Shane chewed his lip. "You don't have to do this if you're uncomfortable."

"Oh, I am. I wanna die, to be honest," she giggled nervously. "But if I want to become a better writer, I need all sorts of critiques. Only Vincent, Leah, and Elliott have given me theirs." She let go of the book and put one hand on her hip, the other holding up an index finger for emphasis. "Now, you'd better not hold back just because it's me!"

Maeve laughed. "Okay."

Jas then put her hand up. "Do you swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you Yoba?" She then looked at Shane. "Er, in your case, so help you Science?"

This made Shane laugh. "So help me Science."

"And so help me Yoba," Maeve giggled.

"Good!" Jas beamed, unable to hide her apprehension. "Let the reading begin!"

XXXXXX

Later that night, after the kids were put to bed and Jas was asleep, Shane and Maeve laid in bed together, her against his chest as he held Jas' notebook, not yet open, in his hands. She waited for him to open it, and was confused that he was taking his time. Jas had ultimately trusted them with it, so why was he being hesitant? Just as she was to ask him, she felt him shift underneath her, putting the book down on his stomach. He gently pulled her up by her arms to where the could see her, and she saw doubt in his eyes. She at once sat up on her knees, confused as to what was wrong. He sat up, staring at her for the longest time, before he chose to speak.

"...D'you..." he stopped.

Maeve leaned forward, showing him she was interested in what he had to say. "Do I...?"

He let out an exasperated sigh as he put his hand on her wrist. "D'you think I should talk more?"

The question honestly took her by surprise, and she couldn't stifle the soft laugh that escaped her lips. He leaned back into the pillows, obviously disquieted by the laughter.

"C'mon, hun. It's a serious question."

"Sorry, sorry," she chuckled. "Where is this coming from?"

"Ah, hell. Vincent said something about the kids maybe starting to notice how you and I are so different, and when Ivan said something about it over dinner, it just made me start to think."

"I see." Maeve moved Jas' notebook to the side, scooted closer to him, and straddled him, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Do you think you should talk more?"

Shane lulled his head from side to side, as if thinking. "I mean..."

She rubbed up and down his chest. "I dunno... you being more talkative would be really weird."

His eyes met hers. "You think?"

"Oh, definitely. I'm so used to my stoic, enigmatic, broody husband. The man of few words, but when spoken are so damn important that everyone listens to what he has to say." She kissed him. "I think if you were to start talking all of a sudden, it would throw everyone for a loop."

He put his hands on her hips, his lips drawing closer to her lips. "Maybe I should. Just to see the looks on their faces."

She poked his nose softly. "Mmm, maybe. I bet it would confuse the kids and Jas more than anything."

Shane laughed quietly, her feeling it vibrate in his chest. "Maybe I shouldn't, then."

Maeve kissed the tip of his nose. "Don't change for anyone. Just be you." She kissed him again. "I mean, I fell for you, right?"

She felt his hands run up and down her sides, pulling her shirt up some as he did. His skin moved against her skin, and she hummed lowly.

"I guess."

"You guess? What do you mean by that?" she joked, giving him a slight shove. "I love you. Ivan and Linette love you. Jas loves you. Marnie, Nathan, my family- we all love you for you. That includes you being quiet and all." His hands were now under her shirt, moving up and up... "Shane. We have a book to read."

He took her mouth into a deep kiss and rolled over to where she was on her back. He pulled away, a smirk on his face. "We'll read it later."

She sighed as he kissed her neck. "We'd better. We have a book report to give in the morning..."

He chuckled against her throat as they began to make love, their bodies entangled in passion way into the night.