"Are you sure I can't stay and help?" Margo asked after a loud clatter came from the kitchen.

"I don't even know that I'm supposed to stay and help," Jack chuckled nervously. He watched Aaron fuss through his dressers and packing his favorite things. "Buddy, you're only going for one night," he reminded his son.

"Just in case," Aaron called, his head buried in the drawer. Jack and Margo shared a smile; he sounded just like Kate, always wanting to be prepared.

"Honey, we're going to miss the movie," Margo reminded him, making the boy move much faster.

"Aaron, what are you going to remember at the movies?" Jack asked.

"I don't like the raisins kind," he rolled his eyes.

"Mom? What are you going to remember?"

"Even if he says he likes Raisinettes, he doesn't and he'll start throwing them," she sighed.

Jack shook his head, trying to hide his amusement.

When Aaron and Margo left, Jack made his way to the kitchen.

"Hey, hon. What all is left to do?"

"The Iowa cookies are almost done, then I just have to work on the wild rice casserole. And picking the wine and setting the table. I did buy—"

"Flowers for the table, I know." He pulled Kate into a hug.

"Jack, I have to—"

"Shhh… Just take a second and relax," he said as he began rubbing her shoulders. She released a soft moan as she relaxed after a few moments. "I'll set the table and pick the wine," he said softly. He felt her nodding in agreement against his chest.

"And—"

"You have to get ready. I know, baby. It's all going to be done."

Kate nodded and he knew from her continued silence that she was trying to hide her anxiety. He hated that she felt the need to hold those feelings inside but he understood. Although he knew it was a big deal he didn't know if he'd ever understand how truly big it was to Kate. There was a time when not only would she have refused to meet Sam, she probably would have went on the run again.

"What's an Iowa cookie anyway?" He changed the subject. His plan worked and Kate bit her lip to hide a smile as her green eyes sparkled even before she spoke, proof that she was about to reveal a cherished memory, something that was few and far between.

"When my d—" she stopped abruptly, her face falling, "when Sam was deployed, my mom would let me bake him cookies to send with my care package. I don't know why they're called Iowa cookies, it's oats, brown sugar, coconut, usually nuts but I'd switch it to chocolate. He likes that better. Or he used to… I mean, he might…"

"Hey, he'll love them," Jack assured her. "And I'm proud of you for taking this step. Now go get dressed."

Kate still managed to run late before returning from the bedroom in skinny jeans, brown riding boots and a white sweater. She'd never admit it but she changed her mind about straightening her hair to remind Sam of who he'd abandoned. She wanted to keep her distance when it came to Sam, but she also was that little girl who just wanted her Dad to miss her. Luckily, Jack had planned for Kate's lateness and knowing Sam's army background, he told Sam a later time than he'd told Kate. It was a tactic that had proved effective.

Right as Kate was pulling the wild rice casserole from the oven and letting it sit for a few minutes there was a knock on the door. Jack watched Kate's face morph into a last minute panic. Her expression made Jack certain she had planned on being stood up, abandoned again by those who were supposed to protect her.

"Mr Austen," Jack extended a hand to the man.

"Doctor."

"I'm engaged to your daughter, you can call me Jack." Jack suddenly realized he said daughter. He suddenly felt a tremendous amount of guilt; it probably felt like a dagger to Sam's heart. More importantly, if Kate had overheard him, it would only add more pressure for her to forgive Sam, something Jack wasn't completely sure he wanted but it wasn't his decision. "Sorry, she's still getting ready," he explained.

"Her mother was late to our wedding," Sam chuckled. "And she needed to be induced because Katie just wouldn't come out," he smiled at the memory. His nostalgia was interrupted by Kate's entrance.

"Katie," he smiled. Jack was shocked when she didn't correct him; he wondered if she was protecting his feelings, a huge step for her.

"Hi D—S—" she struggled to find the correct way to address him. "Hi," she finally settled on.

"This is a beautiful house."

"Maybe I can give you a tour while she finishes dinner," Jack offered, hoping to ease them into the reunion. He also knew Kate gated people over her shoulder and didn't want them all crowded in the kitchen.

"That would be nice," Sam agreed.

"I should finish dinner," Kate mumbled nervously. Jack had never seen Kate nervous or even shaken. He both loved and hated watching her this way.

"This is Aaron's room," Jack explained although it was obvious. Not only did the room have a child's bed and toys galore but it had his name is big letters.

"Jack, I really need to express my gratitude. I didn't think I'd ever see her again. And she's—"

"Beautiful? I know," Jack smiled.

Sam chuckled when Jack finished his sentence. "Now, you seem like a good man and all, but I need it to be known that if you ever make my daughter cry…"

"After all she's been through, I have no intentions of ever hurting her. I think I loved her from the first moment I saw her…" Jack's mind raced back. "After the crash, I was hurt and it was your daughter who stitched me up," he told Sam.

"Katie did that?" Sam asked, glancing back to the kitchen as if Kate would overhear.

Jack nodded. "She asked what color string I wanted," he chuckled. "But there was something about her," he whispered. "From the moment I saw her."

"And you love my daughter for all that she is and not just how she looks?"

"Her looks are at the bottom of the list of reasons why I love her," he assured Sam. "I'll never take her beauty for granted but if I had to choose her looks over her laugh or even over watching her with Aaron…"

"She's … she's a good mother, then?" He had an expression of regret that registered deep within Jack.

"Aaron's life is the polar opposite of Aaron's. She's made sure of it."

Sam nodded, lost in a sea of regret.

By the time their tour ended, Kate had set the table and dished out each portion. The flowers only perfected the table so well it rivaled some covers of Good Housekeeping.

"Kate, this is …" Jack ran a hand through his hair as he struggled to find a word to describe how well she'd done. "This is perfect."

"I second that," Sam chimed in. He stood sheepishly in the doorway with posture so perfect it had to come from the Army. "I don't know how to express exactly how grateful I am for this meal. For this chance…"

Kate smiled but kept her head down, focusing on the floor rather than making eye contact. She mentally pushed herself to look up; she'd never been one to shy away from eye contact. Still, all the hurt had built up a wall that it was too soon to lower. "Thank you," she finally whispered.

"We should eat," Jack said in hopes to break the tension. As she walked towards the table, he placed a hand on the small of her back gently.

With his reassurance, she finally looked up into those familiar eyes. "Thank you for reaching out," she said, trying to convince herself she meant it.

"We both know I'm the one who's thankful." Sam hoped if he repeated it enough, Kate would realize how deeply he regretted his decisions. He should have stayed with Diane for Kate's sake. He should have paid more attention to Kate's moods and search for a single red flag. He'd never forgive himself for not seeing exactly how bad it was. He would have fought for her; he would have gotten custody of her. He would have saved her. "This is delicious," he added after a few bites of her wild rice casserole. You've come a long way since that little girl in pigtails eating raw Easy Bake Oven dough. All three laughed at the memory.

"It'll be so nice to get some stories and dirt on you," he grinned at her. His mother had told her every embarrassing story and had included her in every memory. Jack could never bring it up but he wished he had that with Kate.

"We certainly have stories, don't we, Katie?"

"We've got a lot of old memories," she added, emphasizing the sixth word with a passive aggressive tone. She didn't have to look his way to know Jack was staring at her, silently nagging her to be nice. She wanted to be nice but she couldn't. She couldn't look at him and not fill with anger and more importantly, devastation. She'd never felt heartbreak like she did at his hands.

"Hopefully there's even more to come," Jack interjected nervously. Both Kate and Sam smiled but neither commented. He had to remind himself that it would take baby steps.

"Is it okay to ask about the crash or the time on the island? If not, I understand."

"It's fine," Kate added. "It isn't my favorite subject to discuss but I don't mind talking to close family and friends."

Sam smiled at the idea of Kate clumping him into her family or friends. Regardless of where she placed him, it was a start. "Jack told me you stitched him up…"

"He said sewing the curtains in my apartment was close enough," Kate and Jack exchanged a glance, remembering those cherished moments.

"How did you survive? I mean… how…"

"She climbed trees to get fruit," Jack smiled.

"When she was pregnant?"

"After, obviously," Jack tried to cover his slip up. "And we used clothing to make diapers and blankets for Aaron."

"I don't know if I'm ready to discuss Aaron just yet," Kate said quietly. "I'm sorry, truly. I want to. I just—"

"It takes time, Katie. I retired," he tried to change the subject.

"Did it have to do with me?" Kate raised an eyebrow at him; she already knew the answer.

"I'd been meaning to anyway," he pushed the food from one side of his plate to the other. "Your house is beautiful."

"Thanks," Kate looked around with a smile.

"I don't want to make it worse, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for your whole childhood and abandoning you as an adult."

"I appreciate that. But, I'm trying to put my past behind me and focus on my future. I've been given a second chance."

Sam's heart sank to hear that Kate didn't want to think of her past. He'd lost his chance to reconnect with his daughter. "I understand. This was nice, regardless. No hard feelings."

"That isn't what I was trying to say." Kate reached a hand across the table and squeezed his hand. "I just meant I didn't want to drudge up the past as we move forward."

"Move forward? You mean—"

"I'm still not ready to bring Aaron into it all. But, my life was changed forever by a second chance. Everyone deserves a second chance."