"Where is my darling fiancé?" Adam asked as he came in for breakfast the next morning. He had slept very late due to staying up so late the night before and all the traveling finally catching up with him. Not much of the family was left in the kitchen.

"That lassie got up early," Grandpa said from the table where he was sitting, "She ate breakfast and then went for a walk with one of Jackson's guitars."

"How long has she been gone?" Adam asked.

"Not long," Aunt Olive answered, "She stayed in here and talked for a while. I have a feeling that she went to see her mother." She handed Adam a plate of biscuits and sausage gravy.

"Thank you," he told her, "I don't think I quite remember…"

"Just follow the road over the bridge then go left," Uncle John interrupted.

"Thank you," Adam quickly sat down and started to eat, "How far is it to the cemetery?"

"Not far," Grandpa answered, "You look worried. Is there something we should know?"

"You all don't know?" Adam asked. Everyone looked at him with a worried look.

"Apparently not," Adam answered his own question, "There was an accident back home. Adrien was attacked by some miners that didn't like a decision that we on the school board made. They burned down the school and her house. She was shot in the leg and she was hit in the head. That gave her a skull fracture and a concussion. She was unconscious for almost 4 days."

"Why didn't she write or anything?" Aunt Olive asked, "She usually tells us what's going on, even if it's something we don't want to know."

"Her vision as blurry for a while, but we had to leave so soon after to get here she may not have had the chance," Adam answered, "She hasn't really exerted herself at all since it happened, except for when I caught her dancing in her room in Colorado. She got a headache afterwards and wouldn't admit it. I try to keep an eye on her and make sure she still doesn't do too much."

"She's stubborn," Grandpa said with a concerned, uncomfortable chuckle, "I dinna ken where she got that from."

"She's probably just now getting there," Uncle John said to refocus the conversation.

"Ok, well, I'm going to head out and catch her," Adam said finishing the last of his breakfast. He got up to put the plate in the sink, but Aunt Olive grabbed it from his hand.

"Don't forget to mail the letter you finished last night," she smiled at him.

"I think I'll grab it and take it with me," he replied with a shy smile.

"You might take your sketch book too and show Adrien what you've been working on," Olive suggested.

"I think I will," he responded with his smile growing, "Thanks for breakfast!"

"Oh God, I'm too late!" she said as she opened the door and entered the hospital room. Her mother was laying on the bed in the center of the room. She was pale and weak.

"I came as fast as I could," she replied in a whisper, "How has she been?"

"She's been trying to hold on the best she can," Grandma answered.

"Do we know what's wrong with her yet?" she asked.

"The doctor suspects blood cancer, but we aren't sure."

"What does that mean?"

"No one is sure. The doctors don't know for sure either. They are surprised she made it this long," Grandma answered again as she swallowed hard. She grabbed her granddaughter's hand and squeezed it tightly, "I think I'm going to step out for a little bit and check on your grandpa.

"He's in the waiting room with Uncle."

"Thank you, Granddaughter," she whispered as she rose and left the room.

She took the chair and pulled it closer to the bed and sat down.

"I can't believe that I'm seeing you again. The last time was so brief that it feels like a dream." She reached out to touch her mother's hand.

The door opened and he walked into the room.

"Do you mind if I come in?" he asked.

"Mind?" she said looking up at him. The pain in her face and her eyes felt like a knife in his chest, "I need you."

"Then, I will be right here." He sat down in the floor beside the chair and leaned on the bed so that he faced her. He took her free hand in his.

"Thank you," she whispered trying to hold back the tears.

"It's no problem at all."

She leaned forward and set her elbows on her knees. One hand was on her mother's and the other was in his.

"I never thought I'd see her again."

"I know. Your grandpa said that they think it's a blood cancer?"

"Yes, that's what they think. They don't know much else."

"How long does she have?"

She shrugged her shoulders in reply. He saw the very lost look in her eyes. So much had happened in the last few months, and so much was at risk. Just when she was getting her footing again, this happens.

"I have spent so much of my life being angry with her. I feel horrible about it now."

"No one can blame you for that. She was in and out of your life. A child needs stability. It never sounded like you had that."

"A child needs stability…that's an interesting thought right now," she sighed.

"Everything is going to be fine," he said as he stroked her hand.

"She looks weaker than I've ever seen her. She looks like she could be dead." She moved her hand to the woman's chest to feel if there was still a heart beat or not. It was there. It was slow, but it was there

He squeezed her hand as she moved her hand back to her mother's. As she squeezed her hand, the hand squeezed back.

"Momma?"

The hand moved again.

"Please go get Grandma and Grandpa. Quick!"

Adam walked through the gate of the family cemetery that sat next to the creek. It as a relatively empty little clearing that had just a few stones in it, but it was built to hold many more, which was good considering the large family that John and Olive had. As he took a few steps in, he found Adrien leaning up against a tree. She had apparently borrowed a guitar from her cousin Jackson and had brought it with her. She was playing it softly and humming to herself. The amount of stones in the cemetery had grown since he had been here last. Before, the only graves had been the oldest son of Grandma and Grandpa Watson, Billy, who died in the Army during an Indian War when he was a very young man. Then there was the stillborn twin of Adrien's mother. Her name was Chastity.

The only other time that Adam had entered this place was when Adrien's mother was buried. He shook his head at the thought of that time. It was so hard on Adrien. She had been through things that were harder since, but it was the first huge blow that she had ever had to deal with.

Adrien's mother, Charity, had been laid by her sister. Here they waited in the far corner of the clearing. There was another large stone that Adam recognized as newer that was beside twins. He quickly guessed that it was the grave marker for Esther Watson who had passed just a few years before. He could tell that there was a space between Esther and Billy. He guessed that this space waited for Zebadiah Watson when he passed.

There was another stone by the tree on the other side of the cemetery. Adam didn't have a clue of who would be buried there, but he was sure that the grave wasn't there when Adrien's mother had passed. He walked closer to satisfy his curiosity. What he found took his breath for a moment. The stone read:

"Baby Son of Adam Cartwright

Died: November 25, 1852

Aged 5 days"

His heart jumped up in his throat. He had known, but the existence of his son had never truly sunk in. He stood there for a few minutes mesmerized by the stone. Then, he looked at Adrien with an entirely new feeling towards her. He knew the story. She thought he was dead. She was heartbroken, and she'd had the baby early. Yes, she'd had family and friend to help her through, but he was the child's father. He should have been there. He closed his eyes while the guilt washed over him.

What's done is done, he thought, there's no changing it now.

He opened his eyes and looked at Adrien again. She was lost in what she was doing and hadn't noticed that he was there. She as leaned back on the tree with her eyes closed still gently strumming and playing. He took a deep breathe to regain his composure and squeezed his sketchbook too and walked to where she sat. As silently as he could, he sat down in front of her. He watched as she played and then he realized why her eyes were really closed. She had done too much and her head was probably hurting.

"Adrien, darling," he whispered and gently touched her shin. Adrien jumped and opened her eyes. The guitar fell the short distance to the ground. She quickly squinted in the bright sun.

"I'm sorry, darling, I didn't mean to scare you." Adam said, picking the guitar up and setting it beside them.

"It's fine," she answered, "I didn't even hear you walk up. I just wanted to spend some time up here this morning. I haven't been here since we buried Grandma."

"That's understandable. I would have come with you if you'd have woken me up," Adam answered.

"But you were tired. You needed to catch up on some sleep too. You had to be tired. I guess I was so tired that I don't even remember going to bed. The last thing I remember is sitting on the porch with you."

Adam chuckled quietly. Part of him wanted to tell her why she didn't remember but he decided not to right now.

"How is your head?" he asked, noticing that she continued to squint in the shade.

"It's fine."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

"You are squinting and your eyes are barely open. I've seen you do this enough that I know exactly what that is."

"All right, my head hurts a little. I was just keeping my eyes closed so it didn't get worse."

"Well, I need to go into town and mail a letter to Pa. I was hoping that you'd be fine to go with me, but I probably need to get you back to the house."

"What time is it?"

"About 10:00," Adam said looking at his watch and putting it back into his pocket.

"We have time. Just give me a little bit and it will get better. The road to town is mostly shaded. I'll be fine. What are you mailing to your father, anyway?"

"I want to show it to you first, but I think I will wait a few minutes. It's not worth your headache getting worse."

She opened her eyes quickly and reached out for him.

"Then come sit with me and talk to me about it."

Adam moved to where he was leaning on the tree beside Adrien. He picked the guitar back up and started to play around on it while Adrien laid her head on his shoulder.

"You are always so much better than I am," she told him adoringly.

"It didn't used to be that way. You never play anymore. I rarely see yours. I actually don't know where it is right now."

"It was in my bedroom."

"Oh, well, you probably will need a new one then."

"I figured as much, but like you said, I don't play much, so don't worry about it."

"I will worry about it if I want to," he answered, "How is your head?"

"It's getting better. What are we going to do about the house when we get home anyway?"

"Well, I think it would be best for me to show you," Adam said as he put the guitar down and picked up the sketch book, "It's why I'm writing to Pa. I want this to be a surprise so badly, but I want you to be involved to. So please consider this your very early wedding present. It will be a while before you get the real thing."

"I am intrigued!"

Here goes nothing, he thought to himself as he opened the sketch pad and turned to the page with the front of the house.

"You'll need to look through a few pages to see that whole thing," he added as he handed it to her.

She took the sketchpad from him and let out a small gasp as she looked at the first page. It was the page she had gotten a quick glimpse of when they were stuck at the train station. At first glance, it looked like the house that she had made him hang on his wall when he was first starting college, but more had been added to it. It looked like he had made quite a few additions and tweaks to the original and had spent a lot more time on the details than he did. She was speechless, but her silence was killing Adam. He wasn't quite sure what that gasp meant.

Adrien was so overtaken with surprise and emotion that she didn't quite know what to say.

He's remembered just about everything that I ever said that I loved about a building, she thought to herself.

She turned the page to find the plans for the first floor. He had included a separate dining room, but the kitchen had a small space for meals as well. The sitting room had a large fireplace and huge windows. There were a couple of guest rooms down a small hallway off the sitting room.

He's remembered how important it is that my family feels comfortable and welcome, but I do wonder why that big room behind the sitting room is. He forgot to label it.

She turned to the next page which revealed the plan for the second floor. It was filled with bedrooms for a big family.

"Where is our room?" she asked in a whisper.

"Turn the page."

She did and found that there was a small third floor that included their bedroom with a balcony off to the side.

"Keep going," he told her.

She turned the page again to see the plans for a beautiful garden in the back of the house. She let out a small gasp again. The little gasp made Adam even more nervous.

"So, Adrianna, what do you think?" he asked, impatient to know her thoughts.

She put the pad down on the ground beside them without saying a word.

"Adrien, if there's something that you don't like we can make changes," he told her with some nervousness in his voice, "And I know that this means that you'll probably have to stay at the Ponderosa until the wedding, but it should be ready by the time that we can move in as soon as we're married. All I've asked anyone to do so far is to start cutting lumber and get the land ready to build on."

She still said nothing and turned to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and then kissed him deeply. As her tongue slipped between his lips, her fingers played with the hair on the back of his head. He slipped his arms around her and kissed her back. She slowly ran the hand that wasn't in his hair down from his neck to his shoulder and then his chest. His kiss went from her mouth to her jawline and then her neck.

"So, does this mean that you like it?" he whispered softly in her ear and then continued to kiss her neck.

"Adam…." she said breathlessly, "You are so amazingly talented."

"Is this flattery to make the blow lighter?" he asked as pulled away to look her in the eye.

"No," she answered, "Not at all. I love it. You are so sweet," she kissed him lightly on the lips, "and wonderful," she kissed him again, "and talented. I love you so, so very much."

"Adrien…" he pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply again. She was starting to feel light headed.

"Adam…" she whispered between breathes, "My head…"

Her comment immediately sobered him and he pulled away.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm getting carried away."

"Don't be sorry. I got carried away too," she whispered back.

"It's probably for the best anyway," Adam sighed, "I need to get into town and get this mailed to Pa, and then I need to send him a wire of what we will need first so he can get the mill started on it." He picked up his sketchpad and the letter to Pa and stood up from where he sat. He offered his free hand to Adrien to help her up. She took it but felt light headed again and lost her footing a bit. Adam reached out to steady her and placed her back on the trunk of the tree.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Adam asked.

"I'm fine," she answered, "Just give me a minute."

He pulled away from her to give her some air.

"No, come here," she said as she reached out for his hand.

"What's wrong?"

"Just kiss me." She reached out with the other hand and grabbed his arm. He set down the things that he was holding and put his hands on her waist.

"But what about your head?"

"We probably aren't going to have a moment like this again for a while…well, at least, we shouldn't…" she couldn't catch her breath, "If you keep going like this, then I might…Just kiss me, Adam."

"As you wish my darling," he smiled and kissed her with all the passion he had.

They walked to town so Adam could wire Pa and send the rest in his letter. They slowly made their way back to the house.

"So, where are you planning on this house to be?" Adrien asked, realizing that she had no idea where it was supposed to be.

"I was thinking it would be in the same place as your old house. It's your favorite place besides the lake, but I am hoping that the balcony is high enough that the lake can be seen from there."

"Why didn't you pick the lake?" she asked curiously.

"It's so far from town and the main house. I don't like being that far out. If you need anything, it's a few hours ride to town. Someone could die with a ride that long."

"Adam, someone could die with the ride that's between town and your father's house."

"Trust me. I've thought about it," Adam answered. He gave her a look that showed this piece of the plan wasn't up for discussion.

"Ok, it's fine where it is any way. I'm just surprised that we are so close to town. I know you and your family want to be in town as little as possible."

"I know. Remember, I built you a little house there before. I figured you'd need that proximity to town."

"Ok. One more question. What is the room behind the sitting room. You didn't have anything written there to give me a clue."

"There are somethings that will remain a mystery until we move in darling."

"Oh really..."

"Yes, and you are staying out of there until it is done."

"Do I suspect a challenge, Mr. Cartwright?"

"I hope not," he answered, "I seriously thought about making the house a surprise completely, but I didn't think I could keep it from you. Please, let me have this one."

"Ok...fine...I guess," she said with a grin and quick kiss on his cheek.

"So what can I give you that is anywhere close to what you are doing for me?" Adrien asked.

Adam stopped. Adrien took a couple more steps, and then turned when she realized he wasn't beside her. He had a look of bewilderment on his face.

"What?" she asked, not understanding what was happening, "Is there something wrong with that question?"

"You don't see it, do you?" he answered.

"Apparently not."

He stepped closer towards her and took her head in his hands.

"This house is nothing to what I am getting in return. I get you."

He kissed her lips lightly.

"You don't see how amazing you are, but I do. I will never be able to give you anything close to what you are giving me."

He kissed her lightly again.

"Adam..." she whispered.

"Hush," he whispered back, "we aren't talking about this anymore. I don't want to argue about it. You will never convince me that you are not worth what I think you are. So there's no use trying."

The next few days were madness with preparations for the wedding. Adam was a great help with getting everything ready for the outdoor ceremony. Adrien was pitching in wherever she could. She would be in the kitchen with Aunt Olive one moment and then helping Marie with alterations on dresses, and after that helping Ellen and Eliza with getting decorations done. The entire house was a busy mess of chaos. To Adam, Adrien seemed to be the light in it all. He found it strange and lovely that the entire family was doing this all for a bride who hadn't arrived yet.

John had left as well to be there for her last performance in New York City. Adam saw the little hint of jealousy in Adrien as his father drove away to take him to the train. She would never admit it, but she missed the excitement of performing, and being this close to it brought that out. He could see how teaching had helped to quell the desire because every school day felt like a performance. Now she didn't have that anymore.

Adrien's headaches seemed to come and go in a way that made absolutely no sense to anyone. Adam hoped since they were so irregular that it meant that she was getting better. He and Grandpa agreed to make her go to the doctor after the wedding if they still continued to occur.

Jessica's last performance was on a Thursday night. She and John arrived on the train in Charlottesville late that Friday night. Jessica ran to Adrien and hugged her so hard that she almost couldn't breathe. Then, she went to hug Adam.

"I am so glad to see you alive and well!" she told him.

"I never tire of hearing that," Adam said with sarcasm in his voice.

"Oh, hush," she told him, "We are going to be family and we will get along."

Adrien smiled to herself. Jessica and Adam had never gotten along very well. She and Adrien were already best friends when Adam had met them. Jessica and John had just started courting as well. They kept their relationship very platonic for quite some time since John was in college and she was very focused on her dance career. It was the exact opposite of the road that Adam and Adrien had taken. Jessica had always made her disapproval of this known and had always held Adam accountable for anything that happened to Adrien.

She hugged Adrien again, "I have missed you so much!"

They loaded up in the wagon to go home. Adam set Adrien in the back and went to hop in beside her.

"Wait a minute," Jessica called out, "we have some catching up to do. You boys can hang out in the front. We can talk back here." Adam backed up and then helped Jessica into the back of the wagon.

"Thank you!" she said with fake sweetness.

Adrien shook her head, "You never change do you?"

"Of course not!" Jessica answered.

"So how is everyone doing?" Adrien asked.

"Oh, my goodness, I have so much to dish!"

Jessica talked about dancers that she and Adrien both knew for the entire ride home. She hardly stopped to take a breath between sentences. The two girls giggled at the gossip that Jessica relayed and reminded each other of happenings in rehearsals past.

Upon getting back to the Watson house, they all sat in the parlor until quite late with coffee. Adam and John listened as Jessica and Adrien went back and forth about the ballet for hours.

Finally, Adrien asked, "So why are you choosing to retire now? You have so many years ahead of you."

"I don't think John will wait for me forever," Jessica answered giving him a look.

"You can be married and still be a ballerina," John retorted.

"I know, but it's not the life John wants and I hate having to be the consolation prize anyway," Jessica added.

"What do you mean consolation prize?" Adam asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Well, let's see…" Jessica started, "The Boston ballet wanted Adrien back. She quit, and they were stuck with just me. They didn't like it, and they always would mention how Adrien did something and want me to change to match what you would do. The same thing happened in New York."

"I knew they wanted me and they were trying really hard to get me to move there." Adrien responded "but I didn't want to go. I steered them to you because I thought you wanted to move on to something better."

"What was wrong with Boston?" Adam asked.

"It wasn't growing. They were talking about stopping the touring troupes as well when I left." Jessica answered, "It's hard to make a name for yourself when only one city sees you."

"But you made a name for yourself in New York. The American Ballet Company is the original in this country, and they are the leaders," Adrien stated.

"I know, but I was still constantly compared to you," Jessica pouted, "I'm done with that. Actually, John and I have talked about a move. A big move."

"And what is that?" Adrien asked looking at John instead of her best friend.

"I've been offered a position with the San Francisco Chronicle," John answered, "and Jessica…"

"I've been contacted about being the choreographer for the San Francisco ballet." Jessica interrupted, " Finally, I might have a job here I'm not in the shadow of the great Adrianna Cooper."

Adrien shot Adam a knowing look. Adam raised his eyebrows in a knowing way. John saw the exchange between them.

"What are you two not saying?" John asked, "If we make this move, we would be out by you guys."

"Don't you want us to be closer to you?" Jessica asked.

"Yes, that would be wonderful, but…."Adrien answered and then put her head in her hands and quietly laughed.

"But what?" Jessica pressed.

"Jess, I was offered that job in October. I turned it down," Adrien answered, "They actually keep contacting me about it, and I keep turning it down."

"Ugh, Adrien," Jessica growled, "I love you as a person, but as a dancer I hate you. And you haven't even danced in over 3 years."

"I'm sorry, Jess," Adrien responded sheepishly, "I keep saying no. Go. Accept the job if it's what you want to do. Love it and be amazing at it."

"What's the point?" Jessica pouted again, "I will still be in the shadow of the great Cooper."

"But I haven't been known for my choreography at all," Adrien reminded her, "You will not be in my shadow, and San Francisco is a start up company. That's why they wanted me. I have no experience in that role. You, on the other hand, have done much more than I have, and your name is still on the general public's lips. Mine isn't. You will give them much more notoriety. You will help them build something wonderful."

"I'd rather it be me that they wanted in the first place," Jessica responded coldly.

"I do believe it's time for bed," Adam yawned, happy he could change this subject.

"Yes, time has surely flown," John added to help Adam down the bunny trail.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm beat," Adrien added, "I think I shall head upstairs. Jess, take the leap. It will be fine. I'm glad you are back home, John. And goodnight, dear."

"Good night, Darling," Adam answered. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

Adrien went upstairs to her room. John, Jessica and Adam remained in the sitting room.

"You know, she really has nothing to do with ballet anymore. You shouldn't see her as competition," Adam told her as he set his coffee cup down on the table.

"That's what you think?" Jessica asked, "You really think that she's done with the ballet? With performing? She's like an alcoholic. She can walk away for a while, but she will never be done."

"You think I don't know that?" Adam asked rhetorically.

"Just making sure."

"Listen, Jessica, I know that you have never been my greatest fan, but I know where Adrien stands with this."

"Do you know everything that happened after you left? I know Adrien has a wonderful habit of not telling people about the terrible parts of her past."

"I'm under the impression that I know everything," he answered.

"Do you know about the baby?" Jessica asked.

"Jessica!" John chided.

"It's fine, John," Adam responded quickly, "I believe that I know everything about that."

"Then, what do you know about it?" Jessica asked.

"Adrien didn't know that she was pregnant until after I left Boston. The baby was born early. He died after 5 days, which I pretty impressive for a baby as early as he was."

"He was just barely too early. That's why he made it so long."

"But I saw his headstone. He was born about 6 months after I left. That means he was 2 months early."

"Adam, he was early, but he wasn't that early. She knew she was pregnant before you left."

"No, she wasn't. She would have told me," Adam said with a ruffled brow, wondering what other details he'd been left out on.

"Adam, she knew." John added, "She wanted to finish the run of Romeo and Juliet. She was worried about the judgement of your family too. She was going to try to talk you into getting married on the way home, and then tell you."

"How did you know?" Adam asked.

"She told me." Jessica answered, "Remember, we were and still are best friends."

Adam took a deep breathe. He was surprised that Adrien hadn't divulged this part.

"Do you know where he's buried?" Jessica continued.

"Here, but I didn't know that until I followed Adrien to the cemetery the first full day we had here. I believe she had him here."

"Yes. She was extremely depressed and she was sick most of the time," Jessica explained, "so John thought it was best to bring her here where we had more hands to help take care of her. She was a mess after you pulled your little dead disappearing act."

"You know what wasn't on purpose, right?" Adam asked.

"So you say, but then you went and did it again last fall," Jessica retorted.

"Jessica!" John broke in again.

"No, this needs to be said!" she responded.

"Again, not my fault." Adam answered, "That was all a misunderstanding."

"You seem to get into a lot of 'He's dead' misunderstandings. Why do so many people wish you dead?" Jessica asked.

"Well, in Boston, I think it was Jennings who tried to kill me that day. There was shooting that happened at the station. I don't know if he thought he killed me, or if he just lied to her because I was already gone. As for the cattle drive, I told them I was staying in San Francisco a couple days, but that didn't seem to stick in anyone's brain. I don't know what happened."

"Why did you leave Boston without her?" Jessica asked. Adam took a deep breathe. This one stung, but he always knew that it would.

"If there was one thing in my life that I could change, it would be that," he answered, "I really thought she wasn't coming. Do you remember the fight we had about her working the night before I left?"

"Yes, I think half of Boston heard that fight, and I'm amazed that you haven't had it again," Jessica answered, with a small chuckle.

"She didn't even want me to stay with her that night. I slept in a hotel room because I had no where to go. If I had it to do all over again, I would go back to that house and get her or just stay in Boston with her. I don't know where we would have been, but we would be together."

"Adam, what are you going to do when she can't take not performing anymore?" Jessica asked.

"I think she will find an outlet. She always does. And things will be very different when we are married. She will have a house to take care of. There will be children, hopefully, and things will be different. It's what we always dreamed about."

"Adam, that's what you dreamed," Jessica stated, "I know Adrien. We are just alike, but she's probably more driven than I am. She always wanted to make a name for herself in the ballet. She was almost there before. She could still do it. I think she knows that."

"She's a very skilled choreographer, and people know that Madame Daniella trained her in that area too," John added, "Jessica gets asked quite a bit about how to get in touch with her."

"Well, she could do some choreography if she gets bored," Adam said, "She could try to teach ballet in Virginia City if she wanted to. I don't know how many would be interested though. How is she going to do it with a family though?"

"Just like she did with Rebecca. The studio was practically her nursery." Jessica answered.

"I think she's grown out of that."

"Are you sure?" John asked.

"Yes," Adam answered with annoyance, "She's about to be my wife. I think I know her a bit more than you all do."

"Adam, we just don't want either of you hurt," John interjected before Adam could lose his temper, "We love you both. We see how much you love each other. You two have been in love with each other since the day you met. But, is it enough? Virginia City is in the middle of nowhere. Why don't you two come to San Francisco with us and the girls can work in the ballet together. I can write for the Chronicle and you can…"

"What will I do, John?" Adam asked, "There's not much call for architects in the west right now, and Pa needs me on the ranch."

"San Francisco is growing by leaps and bounds though!" John answered, "There is so much going on, you could make your mark."

"I don't think it's a good idea. I'm needed on the ranch. Pa has too much on his plate and my brothers can't carry a full man's share yet."

"Will you at least think about it?" John asked.

"I will," Adam answered.

"We just want to see you two work out and no one get hurt," Jessica added.

"I know, but hurting Adrien is not in the plan. It never was. I know things don't always go with the plan. Our lives so far show that plenty, but my hope is that things are going to go a little closer to plan." Adam stood, "And on that note, I am going to head out to the guest house and go to bed."

"Goodnight, Adam," Jessica said standing up as well, "We want to see things go as planned too. I know that we haven't always gotten along, but we love the both of you and we want to see you both happy."