Epilogue

Jack kept his promise. He took a leave of absence and didn't return to work until the new year 2002. They enjoyed the last few weeks of September at the beach house in Connecticut away from the turmoil of New York and the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Elizabeth drove in for the weekend as promised, and for the first time the four of them were together as a family. Matt had begged for a ride on his father's motorcycle, so Elizabeth dusted off a helmet Jack had bought for her years ago and tried to give it to her little brother. Matt had a pained look on his face and then said, "No way, Beth. I can't wear that. It's got Barbie on it." The small helmet was plastered with stickers including Barbie. Elizabeth choked back a laugh when she saw his serious little face, but she took him to his room and helped him find more "manly" stickers including dinosaurs and cars to redecorate the helmet. Matt got his ride. The little boy loved watching motocross races and free style competitions. He was only allowed an hour of TV a day and would "bank" his TV time to watch any televised motocross events. He built a miniature motocross track in the back yard where he raced his toy motorcycles regularly. Matt was excited that his daddy loved motorcycles too.

Kate returned to her job at the medical center leaving Jack caring for Matt and the house. Elizabeth, who had seen his apartment a few times, thought it was hilarious that Kate trusted him with this job. She rented the movie Mr. Mom, and watched it with him. Jack fears that his father's legacy would haunt him did not materialize. Matt was energetic and cheerful, and managed to get into quite a bit of mischief. Jack did his best to set limits and channel his energy constructively. He went to preschool three days a week and played soccer. Jack took him to swimming lessons and to play in the park. Matt hated sitting still so time outs in his room were extremely effective. Jack still needed lists to help him get through the chores, but he sat down every day with Kate and the two of them discussed what needed to be done. He actually found himself enjoying the chance to decompress, though he did miss the courtroom. Evenings that Kate worked, Jack spent time reviewing law journals and recent rulings. He looked and felt healthier than he had in years. Kate, too, blossomed. For the first time since shortly after Elizabeth's birth, she had a full partner. Having Jack around relieved her of both physical and mental tasks. She had more time for herself and her family.

When Jack returned to work, it was harder than he thought. For most of his life he lived for his job. Now he found himself missing his family. Nora left the office that January replaced by newly elected DA Arthur Branch. Jack bluntly told Arthur that he'd get the job done, but that he planned to spend time with his family too. On Matt's 5th birthday, Jack had a special surprise for the little guy. He had traded in his Buell Firebolt and got two dirt bikes in its place. He would ride a KTM 450EXE and Matt got a Husqvarna (Husky) CR50J. Both got new helmets and full safety gear. Kate had been less than enthusiastic with his choice of gifts. Emergency physicians see too many motorcycle traumas and generally hate motorcycles. Jack pointed out that kids are injured daily on bikes, skateboards, roller blades and just doing stupid kid stuff. He and Matt would be riding on closed courses in full protective gear. She relented. Matt loved his present. Freezing cold or not, he rode his little machine around the yard until it was too dark. When spring came, They spent part of each weekend at a nearby motocross track. Matt began entering the pee wee competitions. Kate decided that if you couldn't beat them, then join them. She started riding a borrowed Honda CR100, then Jack surprised her with a KTM 125 of her own. With a sly grin he told her that he thought she might discover that the cycle vibrated in all the right places! It did. Before long, Elizabeth and her steady boyfriend Andrew were borrowing the KTMs for rides as well.

2002 passed quickly with Jack taking the train home weekends. Kate would bring Matt to the city for an occasional weeknight as well. Matt started kindergarten that September, and their schedule was less flexible after that. As a senior physician on the hospital staff, Kate was able to switch to a day position once Matt was in school. Jack began renovating the brownstone in preparation for its sale when he retired. In January 2003, Jack quietly filled out the required paperwork for retirement on June 15th. He broke the news to Serena first so she could start investigating her next career step, then he told Arthur. He wanted to leave with as little fanfare as necessary so he asked them to keep his plans as private as possible. Kate was somewhat concerned that Jack would find complete retirement boring after a few weeks, so she encouraged him to check the possibility of a part time position at a Law School. Kate thought he was a wonderful teacher, and future lawyers might benefit from his years in the courtroom. In April Jack was offered a part time position working with students in moot court at Yale University in nearby New Haven. He would start the following September, and he'd still get to be involved with court, albiet as an advisor. Elizabeth had been accepted to Yale University Medical School, and he would be able to lunch with her occasionally. Jack contacted a realtor and listed the brownstone for sale. Seven weeks until June 15th.