Jarrod sighed heavily as he finally got the children settled down and to bed after Uncle Eugene's wedding. To say his children stole the show would be putting it mildly but they behaved accordingly and Jarrod could not have been prouder of his children if he tried. He decided he needed a drink before calling it a night and went to his study. Audra was staying with their mother and brothers for a few days before they headed back to Stockton. Jarrod assured her if she wanted to go back with the family he could and would be just fine.

He would forever be in his sister's debt as she helped him with the children and get his life back in on track. He finally went back to work, although he cut back dramatically on his hours, only working in the mornings. Maybe after the children started school he would entertain the idea of going back to work full time, but until then this was all he could do. Matt was just happy to have him back at the office and Jarrod's clients were understanding about his work schedule. For the time being Jarrod was only doing wills and such as he didn't have the energy or time to go back to court instead handing that chore to Matt although he would help in researching the cases in question.

As he sat down at his desk he looked at the couch and knew it had seen better days but he refused to get rid of it as Hester purchased it while they were in San Francisco for his office there. When they moved to New York Jarrod made sure the couch made the trip with them. When she passed Jarrod spent plenty of restless nights on it as he couldn't bear the thought of going into their bedroom let alone sleeping in there. After three months Jarrod finally ventured into their bedroom one night and had been sleeping in there ever since. The first few nights were rough but eventually he was able to sleep as he felt Hester's presence in their bedroom which comforted him.

He ran his hand over his face and grimaced. Almost eight months and the thought of his beloved Hester still tore at his heart, would he ever stop mourning for her?

He looked at the picture on his desk and smiled sadly. It was the last picture of himself, Hester and the children before the cancer came back. He picked up the picture and ran his finger gently over Hester's smiling face and spoke quietly, "I miss you so much my love." He put the picture back down and wiped the tears from his eyes. He sighed heavily as he downed the rest of his scotch and looked at the clock; it was two am and the children would be up at the crack of dawn.

As he walked quietly to his room he checked on the children and they were all sound asleep. He smiled as he recalled when Lily found out she would be sharing a room with Sophie while John had his own room. She showed her Barkley anger as she pouted and argued with Jarrod that is wasn't fair since she was the oldest. He wanted to laugh at her but put on his best courtroom face and explained the situation to her. He knew if Audra found out she was the reason the sisters had to share a room she would offer to move out, but Jarrod didn't want to put her in an uncomfortable situation. If Audra decided she wanted to stay permanently he would simply contact a designer to add on extra living quarters in the back of the house.

He sat on the edge of his bed and smiled as he recalled Audra and Matt dancing at the wedding. He was aware of the budding courtship between the two but apparently Audra hadn't mentioned anything to Victoria in the letters she wrote to her mother.

Jarrod smiled as knew he did the right thing by approaching his mother and brothers at the reception. Although he was still deeply hurt by their actions towards Hester they were still family. He knew it was time to try to heal their relationship but it would be difficult with him living in New York and the family living in California.

Jarrod knew he was probably being unreasonable but he refused to entertain the thought of moving away from New York. The children had many friends here and Lily would be starting school next year and he just could not uproot them. New York is all his children knew although he planned to take them Stockton and San Francisco when they were older so he could show them his boyhood home and where he meet and fell in love with their mother. John was amazed that he had two uncles who were cowboys although Lily and Sophie could care less which made Jarrod chuckle. The girls were their mother made over which made the barrister smile even wider.

As he laid down he replayed the conversation he had with his mother, Nick and Heath at the reception.

He sighed heavily as he looked at his family; the ones who were supposed to be there for him through thick and thin but...He looked inside and noticed the children were 'dancing' with Audra and Matt and turned back to face his family.

"I won't keep you long as I'm sure you want to see Eugene before he leaves for his honeymoon and the kids get bored with their aunt and uncle." He heard Nick and Heath chuckle softly as Victoria beamed. "I have told Audra I don't want her to feel like she has to stay here with me or the children because I think she is homesick."

Nick smirked, "Not from what I see." Nick motioned to the dance floor.

Jarrod chuckled and said, "Ah well I can assure you Matt is hoping she decides to stay put." Jarrod took a deep breath as he continued, "The last eight months have been pure hell for me, but thanks to Audra and the children I have somehow managed to make it through. During that time I have had plenty of time to reflect and think about quite a few things in my life. Now that I'm a," Jarrod paused, "a widowed father of three young children I have to put their needs in front of mine. That being said I think it's high time they got to know all of you." Jarrod noticed the shocked looks on their faces but ignored it. "It will be difficult since we will be living here and all of you are in California but if we work together I believe we can make it work...for the sake of my children."

Jarrod turned his back to his family as he watched Audra and Matt entertain the kids. "Spending all this time with Audra has made me realize how much I have missed my family. But there is still quite a few things," Jarrod turned back around and motioned to all of them, "we need to work on between all of us. He looked at Nick and Victoria and said, "I should have talked to both of you when I started seeing Hester but I didn't because I was scared how you would react. I had hoped the family would trust my judgement but in the end I should have talked to the entire family."

When Jarrod remained silent Victoria spoke, "Jarrod we should have trusted your judgement and for that I am truly sorry. I wish I would have listened to my sister and given Hester a second chance."

Nick cleared his throat and said, "I never should have burned those letters." Nick shook his head, "I reacted out of jealously and anger because Hester found happiness with you and not me."

Heath spoke quietly, "And it was quite obvious to me Hester had changed when I tried to kiss her yet I remained silent when I went back to the ranch."

Victoria sighed, "we all botched this up pretty badly but I am willing to stay and work on our issues together." Nick and Heath nodded their heads in agreement.

Nick spoke softly, "I'm willing to stay in New York as long as I need too," Nick's voice broke as he continued, "I need to make things right because I've missed my big brother something fierce." Nick blinked back the tears.

Heath added, "That goes for me too Jarrod. Whatever I need to do, I will."

Jarrod asked, "What about the ranch?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders, "It's in good hands with McCall. Besides the most important thing is family which is what you taught me Pappy."

Jarrod took a deep breath as he wasn't expecting Nick to say that. He looked at his mother and knew he had made the right decision. "I have it on good authority Minnie is making chicken and dumplings tomorrow night if you'd like to join us. But I need to warn you that dinnertime at my house can be interesting sometimes. If you don't believe me just ask Audra."

Nick and Heath laughed as Victoria answered, "We would love it Jarrod."

Jarrod smiled at his mother as he heard the band start another song. He bowed to his mother and asked, "May I have this dance Lovely Lady?"

Victoria smiled through the tears as she heard the name Jarrod lovingly called her from time to time. How she had missed that name. She took Jarrod's arm as he guided her to the dance floor.

He laughed as he recalled seeing his sister cry when she saw him dancing with their mother and although Nick and Heath would deny it he saw them get misty eyed as well. What brought tears to Jarrod's eyes was when his children danced with his family. John danced with Victoria, Lily was being held by her Uncle Nick as he whirled her around and Heath held on to Sophie as if she would disappear.

As he drifted off to sleep he recalled his own wedding to Hester and knew everything would be alright in time.