"Hi Buddy!" Kate knelt down to wrap Aaron in her arms. The little boy hugged her, wrapping his arm around her neck when she stood up, holding him. "Margo, I can't thank you enough for agreeing to do this."

"You're allowed to need time alone," Margo warned the brunette. "And lord knows you needed it," she sighed. "You still haven't spoken to Jack?"

"No." Kate glanced around, unable to meet Margo's gaze. She had told Jack never to contact her again and yet she missed him. Despite what he said to her, despite what he felt about her, she still loved the man.

"You're both being stupid. You never told him that the brochure had nothing to do with a baby?"

"How could I? He started yelling so fast that I couldn't just say it was to explain to Aaron why he looked different," Kate sighed. "And I planned on talking to him together but it just fell apart so quickly..."

"I think his heart was in the right place," Margo offered.

"His intentions are always pure," she grumbled.

"Kate," Margo sighed. "I don't want this to come across the wrong way..." Kate braced herself, "but isn't there a single thing I can do to make you give my son another chance?" Margo's voice was almost shaking and her vulnerability broke Kate's heart.

"Margo," Kate tried but the words were lost on her.

"It's just... it's been nice having a daughter," Margo admitted. "I never felt that with anyone Jack brought home. They never felt like family..."

Kate broke down in uncontrollable sobs. After so many betrayals by her own mother she had finally found a mother figure in Margo. The two had often gotten together while Jack was working, having their own private relationship.

"Mommy, don't cry!" Aaron called from his car seat, fidgeting to try and get to his mother.

"It's okay, Buddy." Kate thought for a long time before speaking up. "Jack can come to Aaron's birthday party."

"He'll be so excited when I tell him!" Margo clapped her hands. "Did you hear that, kiddo? Daddy is going to come to your birthday party!" Aaron clapped and cheered with his Grandmother, making both women laugh.

"Actually, I think it'll mean more if I tell him," Kate said softly.

"You're a Godsend, Kate. He's screwed up but I know he loves you more than he's loved anyone. I've never seen him happier than when he's with you and Aaron. And you don't fool me, you're in love with my son."

"I will always love Jack," Kate swore with a smile. "But it's not just me now... I don't want—"

"It'll never happen, honey. You'd never let him face what you faced. Give yourself some credit..."

"I've got to get going, but I'll tell Jack next time we switch Aaron."

"Does that mean you're going to drop him off? In person?"

Kate smiled at how hopeful Margo was. She had always put Aaron first, thinking of what would be the best decision for him but had never considered how much it hurt Margo to see Kate and Jack split. "Yeah, I'll take care of it myself."

Three days later, Jack met Kate and Aaron at the park. The image of Kate in skinny jeans and a bright yellow tank top, swinging Aaron as they both smiled and laughed was so perfect that he had to stop and take a photo.

"Hey," Kate said softly when he stood next to her.

"Hey," he breathed. "Look, Kate I am so sorry. You don't know how sorry I am... thank you for meeting me in person. Thank you for changing our days with Aaron, too."

"You already thanked me for that one," Kate reminded him.

"I can't thank you enough for it."

"When is the next time you'll have 3 days off? It's not a problem." She hesitated a minute, staring at Jack, wondering if she should invite him. He was clean shaven and wearing the cologne that drove her wild. Angry or not, she wanted him. It would be easier to leave him out; to avoid moments like these where she felt weak in the knees; where she knew that no matter how badly he hurt her, she'd always love him. "But I did want to talk to you about something else..."

Jack braced himself; he had hurt Kate beyond repair and expected her to say the worst. How could he blame her if she decided to stop visitation with Aaron? What if she moved? She'd only moved to California to be close to him; what was to stop her from raising Aaron in Iowa?

"Next weekend I'm throwing Aaron a birthday party at the house. It would really mean a lot to Aaron if you'd come."

Jack wished she had just left it at mean a lot, letting him imagine she meant herself, too. He understood why she didn't; this wasn't about the two of them, it was about Aaron.

"I told Aaron you'd be there unless you have to work..."

"I'm going to be there," Jack promised. "And I want to help. What can I do?"

"Let me double check. I'll text you?"

"Whatever you need, I'm here." They said their goodbyes before Kate headed home alone. Jack breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her walk off. It was a start. He'd waited for Kate the first time and he'd wait as long as it took.