"Could I please have a fruit bowl and a hot tea?" Kate asked the server with a kind smile.

"Actually, could you get her a spinach and feta omelette with hash browns and wheat toast, please? Actually, the same for me with bacon. And coffee instead of tea. Thank you." The server nodded and headed off.

"I'm not that hungry," she said softly.

"I gained about 20 pounds since we've come back…"

"It's probably all muscle weight," she choked out, trying not to gawk at his muscular body. He'd always been muscular, making her feel so safe in his arms. She couldn't imagine how it would feel to be in his arms now. To feel his hot breath on her neck. To experience the sensation of his fingertips on her sensitive skin.

"Kate!" Jack snapped his fingers; bringing her back to reality. "You haven't gained any of the weight back like you should have." When he realized how he sounded, he sighed. "I'll always worry about you."

When the food arrived, Kate's stomach growled loudly at the sight of the omelette. Jack raised an eyebrow, silently letting her know he was right.

"You did a good job raising Aaron's grade in math," he said awkwardly. He'd dreamed of one meal with Kate for so long that he suddenly didn't know what to say to her.

"I hear congratulations are in order," she pressed lightly. She had hoped Jack would have trusted her enough to tell her himself.

"Those hospital awards don't mean anything," he scoffed. "And there aren't many spinal surgeons to pick from."

"No, not that. Wait— you got an award at work?" She asked, beaming with pride. "That's amazing, Jack."

"What are you talking about?" He cocked his head, confused.

"Your girlfriend. You don't have to protect my feelings—"

"I don't have one," he shook his head with a shrug. "Who has the time?"

"Oh." She sat back.

"What made you think that?"

"Aaron. He's been really interested in my dating life lately. Not that I have one."

"What do you mean?"

"He's been asking why I'm not married or dating—"

"—it's a fair question," Jack smirked, taking a bite of his bacon.

"He's worried I'm going to die alone," she said with a fake laugh.

"You're worried about it?" He asked skeptically. "You know all you have to do is give a guy a chance and he'll sweep you off your feet."

Kate gulped; she felt her body blushing, warming her from the inside. Although she jumped when her phone rang, she was grateful for the distraction. "Hello?… yes, this is her… oh? You did? I'll pick them up when we get Aaron. Thank you so much." Kate hung up the phone, "my keys were found in the school parking lot."

"I thought we searched every inch of it."

"So did I."

"The important thing is that you found them. Now we just have to get that tire replaced."

"I don't know how to thank you. Really."

As they headed out of the restaurant, Kate turned to Jack. "Do you think Aaron wants stepparents?"

"I don't know," he admitted. He already saw the wheels turning in her head. So he wasn't completely surprised when two days later, Aaron threw his backpack in the backseat forcefully, slamming the doors. "Talk to me."

"I hate my teacher!" He yelled.

"Mr. Jackson? You always said how much you liked him. Did you get in trouble today?"

"No."

"Did you fail a test?"

"No."

"You've gotta help me out, Buddy."

"He's going on a date with Mom!" Aaron yelled. "It's not cool. All my friends are making fun of me!"

"It's just one date," Jack assured him. "Besides, you have a few months of school left and then no one will remember any of this. But I know it's hard."

"I don't think you get it," Aaron looked out the window as he spoke. "I don't think there's a way to explain it to you, either. And I don't want to try."

Jack nodded his head, driving in silence. He saw how conflicted his son was. Aaron might not have been able to say how he felt but Jack vowed to understand how the boy felt.