"You know you want some," Jack teased until Kate grabbed a tuft of cotton candy between her fingers. He couldn't believe she had invited him to the carnival with Aaron and her. He couldn't believe she even accepted the sweet treat; as stubborn as she was, he didn't think she'd ever give him an inch.

She watched Aaron grab a big fistful, shoving it into his mouth. "Someone's going to be up all night," Kate whispered, raising an eyebrow to Jack as her mouth betrayed that smirk.

Jack studied her intensely. She had a yellow maxi skirt with blue flowers and a white lace tank top. Her soft ringlets fell down over her shoulders. He knew to the world she was a MILF but to him she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Every inch of her was exquisite. He wondered if there were anything he wouldn't give to hear her say she loved him again.

"The duck game!" Aaron yelled and pointed. His favorite game was one where you lifted a rubber duck from the water and it had a color underneath for what type of prize he won. Aaron was lifting up his fourth duck when a kid from daycare, Xander yelled for him.

"He's a good kid," Kate whispered while Aaron talked with Xander.

"It's not surprising; he has a great mother."

"Jack," she blushed, glancing down.

"I love when you—"

"Mom! Mom! Mom!" Aaron yelled. He ran so fast that Kate knelt down, worried something was wrong. "Can I spend the night at Xander's? Please mom?"

"Of course," she played with his hair. "But promise you'll brush your teeth?" She glanced up at Xander's dad, who gave Kate that smile he knew all too well. That same look every man gave Kate.

"He promises," Xander's dad said, his voice seductive. "And I can give you my number to text when you're about to come over."

"We have the daycare directory," Jack interrupted. "But I can call before I get him." Kate tried to hide her amusement at his territorial nature. It wasn't even jealousy. He didn't want what another man had; he wanted them to know she was his. Even angry at him, she loved that feeling. He was so proud to be seen with her.

"Yeah, or just text me." He gave Kate one last glance, knowing he had no chance. "C'mon guys, let's go ride the rides."

"I guess I should…" Kate trailed off once they were alone. She couldn't even bring herself to vocalize leaving Jack to go home.

"I drove you," he teased, wagging his eyebrows. "Let's make one lap and we'll leave?" He asked. She nodded, her stomach already in knots.

As they walked, Kate saw his eyes light up. "Jack, no!" She rolled her eyes at the strength game. "Those things are rigged. They mess with that hammer and you can't ever win…"

Instead, Jack gave her a wink and slammed the hammer down, making the lights and noises explode as he hit the highest spot on the register.

"Oooh, my hero," she rolled her eyes.

He grabbed his prize and handed it to her. She held it in her hands, unsure. It was a teddy bear that held a red heart that said I love you. "Jack," she said softly.

"It was just a prize Kate. Don't overthink it."

Kate nodded for a moment, staring at the bear. She stood there so long that she had to speed walk to catch up to Jack.

"One thing before we leave," Jack said, his eyes sparkling in excitement. Kate felt butterflies looking into his eyes. His eyes were the color of bark on a willow tree and always reminded her of home. She never once considered that it was he who felt like home, not just his eyes.

"Oh no." Kate took a step back nervously. She knew immediately he wanted to ride the Ferris wheel that was higher than any other ride.

"I know you don't like rides but it's tradition. You can't go to a carnival and not ride the Ferris wheel."

"Oh yes you can," she laughed. She turned her head, noticing a photo booth. "Let's do that instead," she offered desperately.

"I'll never turn down a photo shoot with you," he chuckled.

After two photos, Jack knew this was the time. As the timer counted down, he cupped her face and kissed her wildly. She didn't pull back, she didn't slap him, she didn't yell. She kissed him back, her hand finding the familiar spot at the base of his neck. After, she stared at him so long that the camera flashed before she could pose.

"I'm keeping these," Jack said when the photos printed out.

"Why? Let me see!" She reached but he held them high above his head, knowing Kate was too short to reach them. She jumped up, trying to reach the strip of pictures. Jack couldn't stop laughing; he had never seen Kate look like a little girl before and he suddenly his heart ached to have a daughter that would look just like Kate.

When he finally let her have them, she knew immediately why he wanted to keep them. The first photo was them smiling, looking picture perfect. The second was them playfully making bunny ears. The third was the kiss. It was literally in black and white in front of her. It wasn't just a kiss; it looked like an advertisement for something. Her hand was on his cheek, their bodies were pulled into each other as if by magnets. And the final photo, Jack stared into the camera. Kate, on the other hand stared at Jack, her expression a mixture of love and longing. No wonder Jack had been playing cat and mouse games with her; anyone and everyone could see she was in love with him. Everyone except her.

"Kate—"

"Let's go on the Ferris wheel," she offered quickly. She knew he was about to talk about it and she wasn't ready yet. Her offer was so abrupt that Jack knew it, too.

"C'mon!" Jack grabbed her hand, rushing before she could change her mind.

As the ride began, he watched her close her eyes and take a deep breath.

"Kate—"

"Look at the stars!" She interrupted, pointing to the sky. She gave a quick glance down to the operation booth.

"Kate—"

"Do you think it's a constellation?" She asked before glancing back down.

"It goes around more than once," he whispered, making her blush. He was grateful the ride circled a few times but also found it cute that Kate assumed it was one loop. He watched her look around nervously.

She had tried to avoid a conversation only to give him an incredibly intimate location for the same walk.

"I thought you flew home," Jack said calmly. "I didn't want to fly back in case you were already flying home. I didn't."

"Okay," she said softly without looking at him. She narrowed her gaze to watch a fight between the operator and someone.

"And I was wrong. Everything I said on the beach. I was wrong, Kate. And I knew all of the things he said. None of that changed how I feel…" he noticed her still staring down below. "Are you listening to me?"

"He walked off," she said, tilting her head in confusion. "The operator."

"Who is there now?" Jack asked.

"No one." The reality hit her. "There's no one to stop the ride…" her breathing grew heavy.

"Calm down," Jack whispered. Still, Kate's breathing grew rapid. Her eyes began to dart and he knew hyperventilation was fast approaching. "Focus on me! Hey!" He snapped but still couldn't get her attention.

"No one will notice the difference," Kate whispered quietly. "No one is coming. Just like the crash. We're going to—" her words were interrupted when Jack held her face and kissed her desperately. He let his tongue lightly brush over her lips, eager to get in. She obliged and their tongues did the all too familiar dance. He heard the small whimper get caught in her throat and knew she was still focused on the ride. He slid his hand under her skirt, making note of how cold her thighs were. She leaned back, spreading her legs to give him access. Her hips bucked in sync with his strokes, making their small car rock more than anyone else's. "Jack," she panted as she tossed her head back in ecstasy. As she came, she bit down on his shoulder to muffle her moans.

When she had caught her breath she inches towards Jack, her bedroom eyes darkening. She reached over and as if on autopilot squeezed his thigh before unzipping his pants. She reached her hand through the slit in his boxers, searching her for prize. Jack jumped out of his seat, getting caught on the safety bar. He grabbed Kate's hand, pulling it away.

"Your hands are like ice!" Suddenly, he noticed she was shivering; more than that, she was trying to pretend she wasn't. He had forgotten that she was in a thin skirt and tank top and the longer the Ferris wheel went, the colder it got.

"Take my jacket," he smiled. Their entire relationship had consisted of him offering his jacket after Kate ignored his warnings and skipped a jacket.

"I'm fine," she shook her head but hadn't even finished by the time he grabbed the hip furthest from him and pulled her closer to her. He pulled his arm out of the jacket and draped it over her.

"We're gonna get out of here," he reminded her. "It's going to be fine." He stroked her hair, trying to keep her calm. But he didn't think anyone was coming until the rest of the carnival was closing up. But he assured her until she dozed off curled up around him.

He had just fallen asleep when he felt the ride slow to a halt. Finally, someone was letting the passengers off. Finally, they could leave.

"Kate," he nudged the brunette. "Hey, hey…" he tried to continue on despite the way she made soft noises as she nuzzled against him, crinkling her nose at the cold.

"Jack?" She sat up, taking a moment to remember where they were.

"I'm getting us out of here."