The night before George and Jamey were supposed to leave for the boy's group home, Trace sat down on the edge of the bed they insisted on sharing to read them a book. He had done that every night, even that first night when George still wasn't talking to him.

Now, Trace's heart was heavy. He already missed them and he wished that by some huge chance, the boy's group couldn't take them. He hadn't talked to Dani yet but he wanted them.

"Mr. Trace?" Jamey said quietly.

"Yeah, bud."

"Can you keep us? Please? We will be good, won't we, George?"

"Jamey, he can't keep us. No one wants us. That's why we are going to that other place."

His heart broke a little bit more at George's comment. "That's not true, George. You are going there because at the time it was decided, no one could take you. But we want you. Both of you."

"So we can stay?" Jamey asked.

"I don't think it's that easy, but Mrs. Dani and I will try our best to find out, okay?"

"Yeah."

It wasn't that easy. They asked to talk to Fiona before she left with them.

"What if we want to keep them?"

Trace asked, Dani's hand tightly in his. "Dani explained that there was a lot of paperwork to get that ball started. Will you do that?"

"Yes. I will contact the social worker in the county the group home is in and pass that along for you. It may take a while to finalize though."

Dani squeezed his hand and nodded at him. "We are okay with that. What about you, boys?" she asked, kneeling down in front of them. "Can you be brave and patient while we wait?"

"Yeah," George told her. "I'm brave."

She kissed his forehead. "I know you are, George. I'm going to need your help to make sure Jamey is okay and help him to be brave, alright?"

George stepped forward and hugged Dani. "You really want us?"

"Yes we do."

George surprisingly hugged Trace too and then Jamey did the same. "See you soon, okay?" Trace said. "We will come visit."

"Okay, bye!" they said, both sporting a smile and brave faces.

Huntington, West Virginia

Brayla sighed as she started to read yet another book. That was all she was doing since she arrived at her mom's and frankly, she missed Riverton. She missed Brady. She missed her dad, even though they weren't super close.

Out of those things though, she missed Brady the most. She had gone from seeing him pretty much daily, talking to him almost every night, to fighting for his time and now, not doing any of those things. Yes, maybe she overreacted with leaving and not telling him, and yes, maybe she regretted that now, but maybe in the long run, it would be good for them? To be apart for a while?

Five minutes later, she changed her mind and decided she needed to at least apologize for leaving and not telling him.

She started her apologies three times and each time, she deleted and changed her mind. Just as she put her phone on her nightstand, it buzzed with an incoming call. She gasped when she saw his name.

"Brady?"

"Oh thank goodness. Brayla, I've been so worried."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to worry."

"Why did you leave? You didn't tell me…I mean, this whole thing doesn't make sense."

"Brady, I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"But, I feel like you weren't even trying to spend time with me. I know you are the manager at Vera's and I know that you are busy…"

"You knew that was how it would be."

"I know."

"Come home, babe."

"I'll be home August 8th."

"August? Bray, that's like over six weeks away."

"I know. I feel like maybe time apart is a good thing. Maybe we were going too fast."

"So, you're breaking up with me? Over the stupid phone?"

"I love you, Brady Thornton, but you don't have time for us right now. If I came home, we'd be in the same position. You are working and I'd be doing nothing and waiting for you to call. That's not fair to either of us."

He stayed silent so she talked a bit more. "Brady, I'm truly sorry for the way I left. I should have told you. I'm sorry that this is the way it has to be."

"It isn't the way it has to be. Come home. I'll figure it out."

"If you figure out a way to do your job properly and at least let me share some of your time, let me know. Until then, I'm in Huntington."

"Fine. Goodbye, Brayla."

"Bye, Brady."

Brady closed his eyes, trying not to cry. At this point, they were potentially tears of frustration and anger more than sadness. She broke up with him over the phone. After leaving him, leaving the state and not telling him or answering his calls or texts at all.

Maybe it was for the best if that's the way she was going to treat their relationship. Maybe he needed to just concentrate on his job and then school and meet someone else. He didn't want to meet someone else though. She was it for him.

He got out of his car and walked into his parent's house. He needed some advice or something right now and who better than his mom or dad?

"Anyone home?" he called, walking in the house. He heard Erik jabbering and giggling so he went in search of him.

He found him in the library/office with Autumn and Mercy. "Hey," he said, sitting on the floor with them. Erik saw him and climbed onto his lap.

"Where are Mom and Dad?"

"Dad's at work and Mom took Carter to the hospital," Mercy told him.

"Oh no. What happened?"

"He was riding his bike and hurt his arm."

"That stinks. It's summer vacation."

"Yeah."

"So you ladies are on 'Erik duty' right now?"

"Yep. I….can do it," Autumn told him.

"Of course you can, squirt. You are very responsible."

"Why aren't you at work?" Mercy asked, curious.

"I don't work all the time."

"Yes you do," Mercy and Autumn said in unison.

"Well, I guess I do. But I was able to get away for the afternoon."

"Are you…going to see Brayla?" Autumn wondered.

"No. She's down in West Virginia visiting her mom for the summer."

"The whole summer?"

"Yeah. Pretty much."

"Are you going to come to my adoption day, Brady?" Mercy asked.

"Wouldn't miss it, Merce. Adoption days are the best."

"You remember yours?"

"I do. Carter had just been born and we went out to get Mexican food. It's still my favorite. I was so happy to finally be a Thornton. Are you excited?"

"Yeah. I am. After we are going to come back and put our pajamas on and eat popcorn and nachos and pizza and watch movies."

"That sounds fun."

His mind went to his and Brayla's conversation a few weeks back. She wanted to foster kids too. He knew in his heart that was what he was supposed to do after growing up with the best parents in the world. They saved him. They loved him when he needed it the most. How could he not do the same for the kids that were out there alone?

He had to get Brayla back and that started with somehow finding a balance between his job and her. He'd have to do the same once they were married and she would too with her job. He also knew right now, from watching his parents over the years that he and Brayla needed to figure it out together. As a team.

He stayed until Elizabeth brought Carter back with a blue cast on his arm and then, after kissing her cheek, he left, determined to secure his future with the woman he loved.

Tim and Grace came over that evening for dinner and then they graciously agreed to watch the kids while Jack took Elizabeth out for a few hours.

As they walked downtown Riverton, Jack took her into Vera's. "Jack, we just ate dinner."

He led her to a booth where there was a bouquet of wildflowers and a small box with a ribbon.

"Jack?"

"Happy Anniversary, babe."

"What? That was a few weeks ago."

"And I know we said we wouldn't do anything but I have a few things to say and I thought we could do that here."

"Hey, guys," Brady said, smiling and pouring coffee into two cups for them. "Decaf for the anniversary couple."

"Hey, sweetie," Elizabeth said, accepting his kiss to her cheek.

"Hey, Ma."

Jack moved to her side of the booth and slipped his arm around her. "Hi," she whispered, kissing his cheek.

"This is a nice surprise."

"I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you too."

"I just want you to know that you mean everything to me." He intertwined their fingers.

"I know," she said gently, wondering what was on his mind.

"This life we have…I couldn't ask for anything more. We fulfilled our dreams, Elizabeth. We have the family we always wanted and the jobs we worked hard for."

"We do," she agreed.

He slid the small box in front of her. "I got this for you because its our anniversary but also because you deserve it." He pulled out a platinum and diamond anniversary band. The diamonds went all the way around. "The number of children that we have loved and helped, even for a day, mixed with our own…they will always be in our hearts. Our love for them will never stop. Just like my love for you. You will always fill me with joy, from the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we go to sleep."

"Honey," she whispered, leaning her forehead against his. "I feel the same way. You know that, don't you?"

"I know."

"I am so grateful for our life too and this ring is amazing." He slipped it on her finger next to her engagement and wedding band. "Thank you for telling me all those wonderful things."

"I meant them with all of my heart."

Brady got bits and pieces of what they were saying, not trying to be too obvious that he was eavesdropping. He had always known that Jack and Elizabeth had a special bond. A special love. He remembered that night when he first came when he found them in the kitchen, dancing and kissing. At the time it had made him uncomfortable. He had never seen that before. But now, he knew love, mostly because of them, but also because he felt that with Brayla. Not quite as strong yet but definitely overwhelming at times.

His heart missed her. It hurt that she didn't feel that love from him. He had absolutely neglected their relationship. Now, he knew better. He needed to tighten his schedule and give some of his work to the night manager so that he didn't have to stay so long. Then he could be with Brayla. He could make sure that he treated her like she deserved.

He caught the other manager, Ginger as she walked past. "Ginge?"

"Yeah, Brady."

"We need to chat about our hours."

"Okay. Maybe after we close?"

"Yeah. Sounds good."