Ethan and Mark found Lacy in the shoe department. She was trying shoes on the twins who were doing there best to get away while she tried to fit them for shoes. Mark grabbed Faith who was trying to make a getaway and sat down on the bench and put her on his lap.

"Settle down baby, and let yer mama try these shoes on ya." Mark said.

"Kay daddy." Faith said smiling up at him. Ethan had grabbed Zoe and sat her down.

"Thanks." Lacy said smiling up at him while she managed to fit Faith for a pair of shoes. Then she found a pair for Zoe.

"That's a lot easier when you have some help." Lacy said smiling at Ethan and Mark.

"Where's  Jessie?" Lacy said looking around.

"Probably the toy department, I'll go find her." Ethan said.

Lacy nodded and picked up Faith. Mark swung Zoe up in his arms.

"Come on back when you find her, she's already picked out her shoes. You need to pick some out." Lacy said.

Mark handed Lacy the money from the milk.

Ethan didn't say anything; he looked down and walked off. Mark figured there was something wrong from the look on his face.

"What's wrong with Ethan?" Mark asked.

Lacy sighed.

"He's at the age where shoes and clothes are important, I cant afford the kind of shoes he wants, he would never complain or anything, but I know other kids his agree wear name brand shoes, I'm sure it bothers him." Lacy said looking upset her self.

"Lacy he works like a man at the farm; he at least deserves the kind of shoes he wants." Mark said.

"Well Mark don't you think I know that, I would get them if I could afford them. I have to buy shoes and clothes for four kids, what's left has to pay the mortgage and electricity and  phone and I'll be lucky if it covers that, I'm not being mean, I don't have the money." Lacy said angrily.

"Whoa little mama, pull your claws back in. I'm sorry, there's a lot of stuff I don't remember. Listen, I got a wad of money in my pocket, don't remember what's it's for, but let me buy the boy some shoes and you can use the rest to pay bills." Mark said.

Mark set Zoe down and pulled the money from his pocket and handed it to Lacy. She took it and counted it. My god there was over two thousand dollars here.

"Do ya know where I got it?" Mark asked.

"I guess it was money you were saving." Lacy said feeling uncomfortable with lying.

She handed him the money back.

"Can I get Ethan the shoes he wants?" Mark asked.

"Yes, your right, he deserves something he wants." Lacy said.

"You can use the rest to pay bills." Mark said.

"No it's yours." Lacy said

"No it's ours silly. We can pay bills and still have some to have a little fun today. We'll take the kids out to dinner and I'll buy each of the girls a little something." Mark said.

Lacy looked up at Mark.  He was so sweet and all she was doing was lying to him. She felt terrible.

Mark saw the emotions playing across her face.

"Ya look like your going to cry Darlin, now stop that. We are married after all, it belongs to both of us and I want to do something for the kids. We'll make a day of it and have a good time." Mark said bending to kiss her lightly on the lips.

Lacy smiled at the feel of his mustache and goatee against her lips.

Mark pulled back and smiled down at her.

"That's my girl; ya got such a pretty smile." Mark said.

Mark reached down and snagged Zoe who was fixing to take off and lifted her back into his arms.

"Where ya think your going baby girl, I'm a lot quicker than you." Mark said tickling Zoe who giggled and hugged him.

Just then Ethan came up pulling Jessie by one arm and lecturing her on running off.

"You could have been kidnapped or something, Jessie." Ethan said.

"You don't tell me what to do!" Jessie shouted at Ethan pulling away from him.

"Well we do, little lady, yer brothers right. I wouldn't suggest doing it again." Mark said.

Jessie looked up at Mark.

"We don't want nothing to happen to ya girl." Mark said pulling her to his side with his one free hand and hugging her.

Jessie wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." Jessie said.

"Its okay sweetie, just don't do it again, ya scare me and yer mama when ya do that." Mark said.

"I won't." Jessie said.

"Alright, let's get going. Were going to the mall and then out to dinner." Mark said.

"Oh boy can we go to the toy store?" Jessie asked.

"Sure and you and the babies can pick out a toy, then I'm taking Ethan here to the shoe store." Mark said.

Ethan looked up at Mark and then at his mom.

"Can we afford those kind of shoes?" Ethan asked.

"You let me and your mama worry about that." Mark said

"You work hard around the farm Ethan, you deserve something you want." Lacy said.

"Thanks." Ethan said

Lacy hugged her son, Mark was right; Ethan deserved to have one thing he wanted. He never asked for anything.

"Okay. Let's get going." Mark said.

Mark leaned down and kissed Lacy. Lay stopped and wrapped her free arm around him and hugged him. God she already loved this man. How would she live without him when he left?