Tad pulled his car into the driveway at 646 Holland Avenue. He put it into park, looking over at Dixie. Dixie returned his gaze, a wide smile on her face.

"I've missed this place," Dixie said. "I just want to get inside, put the baby down for the night and..." Tad leaned over gently cupping her cheek and kissing her softly. "Mmm. Starting early?" Dixie said against his lips. "Let's get inside first." She slowly pulled back from Tad and stepped out of the car, proceeding to the backseat, removing Kate from the carseat. Tad walked around behind Dixie, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Tad," Dixie said with a laugh. "The baby... let me get Katie inside and put her down. You think you can wait a few more minutes?"

"I don't know," Tad said. "That's going to be quite a feat."

"Give it a shot, OK?" Dixie backed away from the car, shutting the door with her foot. Tad walked beside her up to the front door, turning the key in the lock and entering. Tad reached out and flipped the lights on.

"Surprise!" Tad and Dixie jumped, looking around the room. By the sofa stood Jake, Joe , Ruth and Opal. A few feet away from the, Brooke, Jamie and JR. Hanging above the door was a banner. 'Welcome Home Tad, Dixie and Kate!'

Dixie looked at Tad. "Did you know about this?" she asked.

Tad shook his head, looking around. No. I had no idea."

"Welcome home, big brother," Jake said, approaching them. Tad embraced his brother and then Jake turned. "Welcome home, Dixie."

"How did you guys..." Tad started. "How did you do this?"

"We have keys, Dad." Jamie laughed. "It wasn't that hard."

"We wanted to make this special for you guys," JR added. "We're you surprised?"

"Surprised isn't the word," Tad said. "I don't know what to say."

"This isn't it." Ruth said. "You've got a full refrigerator..."

"You really shouldn't have." Dixie smiled.

"Ah, but that's not it, honey," Opal said as Dixie handed the baby to Joe.

"Yeah," Brooke added. "You haven't seen the best part yet."

"The best part?" Tad asked.

"Ooo, just follow me, honey," Opal said. "Right this way, right this way." she chimed.

Tad and Dixie looked at eachother before following Ruth, Brooke and Opal. They came to a stop outside the bedroom.

"Why am I afraid of what I'm going to see behind this door?" Tad said as Dixie gently elbowed him. "Oww."

"You two just hold on a minute." Opal swung the door in, stepping back as Tad and Dixie entered.

"Oh my..." Dixie said as they looked around. The room was filled with things for the baby; toys, clothes, blankets. "How did you..."

"We started right after she was born."

Dixie wrapped her arms around Tad's waist. "I don't know what to say." she said.

"Just say you like it," Opal smiled.

"We love it," Tad said. "He hugged Opal, then Ruth and Brooke.

"Welcome home," Brooke said. "And uh... don't worry about the boys. JR is spending the night with me and Jamie."

"And I think Joe has already kidnapped that poor little baby," Opal laughed. "We just... well... we'll just be on our way then. Come on, girls, let's give these two love birds some privacy."

"Thanks again, you guys," Dixie said. The three woman smiled at eachother, leaving the room. Dixie clung tighter to Tad. "God we have the greatest family," she said.

"The best," Tad said, kissing the top of her head. Dixie pulled away, looking up at him briefly. "What are you thinking?"

"We came so close to losing eachother." Dixie said. "To losing everything. I don't know what I would do without you, Tad."

Tad gently ran his fingers through her hair. "Thankfully we won't have to find out." he said. "There's nothing that we can't handle. And no matter how rocky the road gets, Dix, we'll always have eachother."

"Always," Dixie said, smiling up at him.

"We're going to spend the rest of our lives together, Dixie Martin. We're going to watch three wonderful children grow up." he paused. "We're going to be... racing our motorized wheelchairs around Pine Valley." Dixie laughed, resting her head up against his chest. Tad gently took hold of her chin and lifted it so that she gazed into his eyes. "I love you, Dixie."

Tears began to well up in Dixie's eyes as she brought her hand up and ran the tips of her fingers over Tad's cheek. "I love you, Tad." she said. Dixie threw her arms up around his neck. "I love you so much."

Tad wrapped his arms around Dixie's waist, lifting her off the ground, closer to him, letting their lips meet. Their love ran freely, each knowing that whatever life threw at them next they were ready to face it. Together.