"What? Shouldn't they get to know their grandparents?" Max argued, as she looked up her husband exasperated by the argument at hand. "I promised you I wouldn't go when I was pregnant . . . Kenny, I need to see them again."

Kenny looked at the stubborn determination set on his wife's face. "I hate what they do to you, Honey. Every time that you get off of the phone with them, you look like you're about to cry. Do you really want that influence on our kids?"

"Maybe I wanted to use them as a bumper," Max replied a bit sheepishly. "Oh I don't know. It just seems like I should make peace with them. What are Josh and Emily going to think when they're older and their Mom doesn't speak to her parents?"

Kenny smiled indulgently at her, and thought how cute she looked when she was angry. He also knew that Max wouldn't be too pleased with that observation, as he felt himself beginning to cave. He silently cursed her need for closure over every issue, as a cry pierced the air.

"Looks like they're up," Kenny commented. "Em definitely got your set of lungs."

Max couldn't help but smile back at him, as she shrugged. "You're hilarious."

He wrapped his arm around her waist, as they walked to the playpen in the middle of the living room. "I just don't want . . ."

Max looked at him, as he trailed off looking embarrassed. "Don't want what?"

"Uh . . . I don't want your family to treat our kids like they treat you."

Max stared at him for a long instance before replying. "I know they aren't perfect . . . but they're my family, Kenny. Not everyone can grow up in the perfect, cookie cutter family."

"Hey, my parents weren't perfect. But they like you, spoil our kids, and, Max, they can't believe I scored a babe like you," Kenny said, somewhat defensively, as she scooped a wailing Josh into her arms. "Wet?"

Max took a quick sniff. "Yeah, it's rancid. What are we feeding him that makes it stink like this? I mean those cans of food are so small . . . what are they filled with? Laxatives?"

"I think it's a baby company conspiracy. Spike the food, then sell more diapers."

Max shot him a quick grin, their fight momentarily forgotten as he planted a quick kiss on her mouth, as she went to change their 16-month-old daughter, as their son slept soundly.

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"You're kidding," Jimmy Brock said dumbfounded, as his daughter stood in front of him with a proud smile on her face. "You did what?"

Pete and Kim glanced at each other nervously as Jimmy processed their news. They knew his reaction wouldn't be good, but he honestly looked more shocked then angry at the moment.

"I'm 23 Dad," Kim said in his silence. "Almost 24, and I'm about to graduate from medical school. I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions, and it was so beautiful down there . . . it seemed like the perfect place to get married. So we did."

"So you did?" Jimmy repeated, feeling the need for a stiff drink.

"Sir," Pete began, "We hoped that you would be happy for us. It felt right, and seemed like the next step for us."

"Uh huh," Jimmy agreed, wishing Jill could have picked any other week to go to a medical conference. "Congratulations then."

Kim smiled at her father, as she and Pete began to fill him in on their plans for the future.

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"Hmm," Max sighed, as Kenny pulled her closer to him before he left for work. "I wish our schedules were better. I don't ever see you."

Kenny tilted her head up so he could look at her. "We've got this weekend ."

"Don't tempt me," Max replied. "I don't know what possessed Jimmy to give us both a four day weekend."

"Maybe for making me miss my wife and kids like crazy for the past two months," Kenny replied, kissing her quickly. "Are you sure you have to go to Boston? I'd like nothing better than to sit around here with Josh and Em, then ravish you when they're asleep."

"I've put it off long enough. Kenny, as wonderful as your family is to me, I need to make peace with mine. It makes me sick that they couldn't be bothered to come and meet their grandchildren, and I haven't seen them since our wedding. I know they won't ever accept me, but I'd like to try one more time," Max said quietly. "If you think you can handle the kids for the weekend."

"You don't want to bring them?"

"I don't want my family to treat them like they treated me either," Max repeated his earlier statement. "They're helpless, Kenny, and shouldn't be exposed to that."

Kenny looked at her thoughtfully before replying. "I'd like to go with you, Max. See if he's as bad as you've made him out to be. And if it sucks, we'll get out of there. And then I can ravish you."

"Are you just trying to get me into bed?"

Kenny kissed her again before replying. "Always. Are we going?"

Max nodded. "Thanks."

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"Really?" Kenny replied, somewhat shocked, as Jimmy filled him in on Kim and Pete's sudden elopement. "That was unexpected."

"No shit," Jimmy agreed. "I don't know what she was thinking."

Kenny regarded his boss with a silent appraisal before responding. "Uh, so you're not happy with it?"

"She's 23!"

Kenny shrugged, thinking of his own experiences with the two. "As long as they're happy . . . Kim's been an adult for a long time Jimmy."

"Just wait until Emily is older," Jimmy replied. "You'll see."

Kenny suppressed a grin at the thought of his 16-month-old daughter. "We've got some time before that happens."

"You'll be amazed by how fast it goes by," Jimmy said wisely.

"I already am. It seems like just yesterday that they were born."

"Haven't seen them in awhile."

"Neither have I," Kenny trailed off, thinking of his and Max's earlier conversation.

"I gave you both four days off for a reason," Jimmy replied knowingly.

"Yeah? And you know what Max wants to do?"

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"I'm not going," Max said firmly the next day, tossing her bag on the couch.

"All I've heard for the past week is how you have to go see your parents again," Kenny replied, shifting a sleeping Emily to his other hip. "Max, go. I can handle this. Take Em, it's only a little cold."

Max shot her flushed son a worried look, and despite what the pediatrician and Kenny said her gut was telling her to stay. "I know what Dr. Roy said, Kenny, it's just that . . . I have this bad feeling about this."

"You're not going to be one of those neurotic, paranoid mothers?"

Max shot him a dark look. "Are you mocking me? Besides didn't you want to spend this weekend together?"

"Don't turn this back on me," Kenny replied, placing Emily in her playpen, and taking her hand in his. "I'd like nothing better then to be with you this weekend, damn it, I've missed you lately. But I know you, Max, and you've been talking about this for too long. Go, get it over with, and as much as I want to be with you on this . . . I know you can handle it. Plus, it'll give me and Josh some guy time."

Max couldn't help but smile back at him. "Maybe I am being paranoid . . ."

"You? Never," he teased, "Hell, stay a day, let it all out, and come back if you want."

She shook her head, as he pulled her into his arms. "Ahh . . . maybe it's just separation anxiety. I've never been away from them before overnight."

"It'll be fine," he whispered in her ear, shooting their sleeping kids a glance. "C'mon."

Max suppressed a giggle, as he swept her up in his arms and carried her toward their bedroom.

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"He looks like he feels better," Skeeter commented after Kenny had dropped Max and Emily off at the airport.

"Max will be glad to hear that," Kenny replied, knowing that she was still feeling a bit guilty about leaving him alone with their sick child. "Hey, buddy."

"Surprised that you could talk her into going," Skeeter commented. "Knowing how she feels about her dad, and Josh being sick."

"She needed to go," Kenny said. "She wanted to go when she was pregnant, but . . . there was a lot going on then too."

"No shit," Skeeter replied, shooting Josh a sheepish look. "Sorry."

Kenny shrugged. "No problem. It'll be good, and it's only for two days."

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"Hi Dad," Max said a bit hesitantly, as she and her mother walked into the kitchen of her parents Boston townhouse. "How are you?"

"Fine," he replied stoically giving his younger daughter a thorough look. "Is this my granddaughter?"

"Yeah," Max said quietly, not sure where to go with this. "Emily."

"Where is my grandson? Or that man you married?"

"Josh has a cold, and Kenny stayed home with him," Max replied, trying not to feel stung by the coldness of her father's words. "But I still wanted to come, and you and Mom hadn't met Emily yet, so . . . this seemed like the best solution for us."

"Oh William, isn't she beautiful? Look at those eyes," Hannah gushed.

"Sure," he agreed, glancing over at the child before turning back to his daughter. "I take it you intend to raise them in Wisconsin?"

"Well it's where we live," Max replied wryly.

"You know how I feel about that?"

"You've made that clear."

"Then we have nothing to say to each other. You threw away your Northwestern education and engagement to Richard Barrington to be a police officer in backwoods Wisconsin. We've never got over the embarrassment of that, plus I lost millions in business dealings with the Barringtons in result of that," William said coldly, as he rose to his feet. "I've had to scramble to recoup my losses, so forgive me if I'm not overjoyed to see you or your , Maxine. I've had to explain about you being shot, raped, and practically murdered. This is not good for our families reputation."

Max stood there in shocked silence, and couldn't think of one thing to say to her father's blatant resentment of her. Oh god, I wish Kenny was here, she thought. Although he'd probably slug my Dad for that.

"William," Hannah said quietly. "That was unnecessary. She's your daughter, and Emily is your granddaughter, and you two should make peace with each other. After all Maxie did come all this way."

"I didn't ask her to come," he snapped back before turning to his daughter. "We have nothing to say to each other until you live up to your duties as a member of this family. End your sham of a marriage, and I'll allow you and your children to live your lives here."

"You'll allow me?" Max repeated lowly, sounding a lot more calm then she felt. "You'll allow me?"

"It is what is right for all of you."

"Are you kidding me? Dad! Did you ever think that there is a reason that I didn't marry Richard? Or chose the career and life that I did? You always had my life planned out for me, but did you ever think to ask what I wanted? I was miserable growing up here," Max shot back. "I hated the club, the attitude, and the way you treated me like I wasn't good enough because I didn't like that stuff. I'm not like Mom or Caroline, and I wish that you would realize that! I love my life, and I want you and Mom to be a part of it. But not like this."

"What kind of life is it? You think that it is respectable?"

"I'm a police officer for gods sake! And a damn good one! My husband wonderful, and I love him. I had two beautiful kids last year. My life is great."

"That's not what you were raised to be!"

Max threw her hands up in frustration. "I don't know why I bothered to come here in the first place. Kenny was right, I don't need this anymore."

"Opposite corners, please," Hannah cut in. "Maxie, I'd like you to stay a few days, and I'd love to get to know my granddaughter. William, we have a lot of people coming to dinner tonight, and I'd like the two of you to be civil to each other. This is no way for Emily to meet her family."

"I'm going to my study," he replied. "When our guests are here . . . I expect you to act like a lady, Maxine."

Max watched him go, as she gritted her teeth. "Mom, I should go. At least stay in a hotel."

"No," Hannah replied, handing her back a squirming Emily. "This is still your home honey, despite your and your father's issues. I want you here, and I know that you're happy with your life. Your father . . . he's very stubborn, and believes that he knows what is best for you."

"I'm 33, Mom," Max sighed.

"He still sees both you and Caro like little girls," she replied softly, brushing her daughter's flame red hair off of her face, and glancing at her granddaughter. "I'm sure you and Kenny will feel the same way when your kids are grown up."

Max followed her Mom's gaze down to Emily, and couldn't help but smile. "I think someone is ready for a nap . . . it's been kind of a long day. Plus, I promised Kenny I'd give him a call once we got here."

"We've got time until the dinner guests arrive, lets go upstairs," Hannah replied, leading the way.

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"How's Josh feeling?" Max asked an hour later.

"Better, fever's gone," Kenny replied, happy to hear her voice, as he watched their son play on the floor. "We miss you though."

"I miss you too," Max sighed, as she filled him in on her fight with her Dad. "And all these old friends and family are coming over. What was I thinking?"

"You'll be fine Max," Kenny replied, hearing the doubt in her tone. "So your Dad is being an ass. It's his loss if he doesn't want you in his life, or the chance to know Josh and Em."

"I wish that you were here," she said softly. "Even though this isn't the worst thing I've ever been through."

"For someone who has caught numerous serial killers," Kenny teased. "This should be easy."

Max rolled her eyes, and changed the subject on him. "What are you doing tonight then?"

"Skeeter and Carter are coming by, were going to drink a few and watch the game."

Max grinned into the phone, thinking how appealing that really sounded. "Well it sounds better then my night. Give Josh a hug for me."

"Same to Em, and to you," he replied. "Love you."

"I love you too, I'll see you soon," Max said, as he mother came in and pointed toward the clock. "I'm being summoned."

"Good luck."

"Bye."

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"What a beautiful child," Natalie Jackson, an old friend cooed. "She has amazing eyes."

"Like her Dad," Max replied with a grin.

"I wish I got to meet him."

Max shrugged, still wishing he was here. "Maybe next time."

She shot a quick glance around the crowded room, and saw her father watching her from a cluster of distinguished looking men. He turned away as she met his gaze, as she vowed not let his scorn get to her.

"Can I hold her?" Natalie asked, breaking Max out of her thoughts. "It's been so long since my three were babies."

"Sure," Max replied, passing her drowsy child off. "I think I've got to put her bed though."

"She certainly has been the belle of the ball," Natalie cooed. "Oh, aren't you a pretty thing?"

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"What was that?" Carter asked, as loud crash resounded from upstairs. "It sounded like glass smashing."

Kenny and Skeeter exchanged a look as the house stood silent, and they rose to their feet.

"Let's go check it out," Kenny said lowly, not liking the gnawing feeling in his stomach. Steadying his thoughts, the three climbed the stairs slowly as a breeze ran through the hallway.

"It's a little cold to leave windows open," Skeeter trailed off, when they saw the shattered window at the end of the hall. "Oh crap."

Without waiting for the other two, Kenny threw open the door to Josh and Emily's room and flicked the light on. He was vaguely aware of the other two coming up behind him, but a bulk of his attention was focused on the empty room in front of him.

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Max stifled a yawn of her own, as she laid Emily down to sleep in what used to be her and Caroline's nursery. Brushing back a silky strand of her hair, Max couldn't quite believe that she was almost a year and a half. It goes so fast, she thought, reluctant to go back downstairs to the party. Maybe Mom is right, and I'll always think of her as my little girl. Hard to believe she'll ever be my age and older.

"Maxie?"

She turned to see Caroline watching her from the doorway. "Hi."

"Is she asleep? She certainly was the hit of the party . . . a beautiful little girl. She looks like you. I wish we got to meet Josh tonight, who knows when we might see you again."

"You can see me anytime you want too, Caro," Max replied quietly. "I know things are weird between us, but . . . I do miss you."

"Don't worry about Dad," Caroline said. "He wants things his way, and of course he always knows best. He's like an angry little child when he doesn't get it."

"He's stubborn," Max replied with a smile, knowing that Kenny had called her the same thing on many occasions. "I shouldn't let it bother me because I'm happy Caro . . . really happy."

"That's what is important."

11111111111111111

Kenny sat in a stoic silence, as Jimmy and the others combed through the house. He could barely think it hurt so much, and the voices and bodies around him seemed very distant. Josh, he thought, thinking of their auburn haired child, who had a set of lungs on him that could be heard across town. The child who liked nothing better then to push trucks along the floor, and rolling beach balls.

"Kenny," Jimmy said carefully, joining his friend on the couch. "This hurts, I know, but I need you to focus. Does this mean anything to you?"

Kenny took the plastic bag automatically, and glanced down at the note in it.

They should have been mine, but now they'll be ours. You had your chance, not anymore. Welcome to hell.

He shook his head. "No."

Jimmy nodded, not really wanting to leave him alone. "We'll get the people who did this."

"Yeah."

"We're done here, come home with me," Jimmy offered.

"I gotta call Max," he said quietly, not knowing exactly what he was going to say to her. It didn't make sense to him, and he wasn't sure how to put it into words without falling apart.

11111111111111111

"She's here, wait a moment," Hannah said cheerfully. "Maxie? It's Kenny."

Max glanced at the clock, and was surprised that he was calling so late. "Kenny? Hi."

"Max," he barely choked out, vowing he was going stay strong for her.

"Kenny?" she said slowly, not liking his tone. "What's going on? Are you okay? Josh?"

"Oh god, Max. I don't know how to say this."

"You're scaring me."

Hannah watched her daughter, as she sat up a bit straighter in her chair and paled slightly.

"He's gone," Kenny finally got out.

"Who? Kenny?"

"Josh . . . god Max, he's gone."

Max sat there in silence, as he husband's words hit her. Gone? How can he be gone?

"Maxie?" Hannah whispered. "Are you alright?"

Max shook her head, and tried to process what Kenny was telling her. "Gone? How?"

"I don't know . . . a window, a note."

Hannah wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders, not knowing what was going on, but knowing that she needed someone.

"Max."

"I'm coming," she choked out, thinking about their son, out there alone.