"Baby turn out the light. I wanna see your face. I don't trust you outta sight. Afraid that you might fall from grace. So where does that leave me? You're broken halo's on the ground. Maybe the question here should be - What goes on when the lights go out?"

- John Randall

Kissing him felt so good. I hadn't been kissed in five years. But I knew it had to stop so I pulled myself away from him. "We can't do this," I said.

His face fell. "Why not?"

"Because if we continue kissing we'll end up losing control and then Bryanne will wake tomorrow morning and you'll be sleeping in my bed. . .I just don't want her to get the wrong idea."

"What idea would that be?" he asked.

I sat down on the couch and Carter sat down next to me. "That you're here to stay," I said, sadly. I avoided his eyes.

"What if I am?"

"You and I both know what's gonna happen, Carter. Things will be great for a few short seconds. And then. . .everything will just fall to pieces. I don't want Bry to have to see us like that."

Carter didn't say anything for a moment. He seemed to be processing what I said. "But what if this time is different? I'm tired of running away from you and thinking that I can get over you. I can't. I love you."

My eyes filled with tears. I wanted to believe him. I shook my head. "I can't stand to have my heart broken again."

He scooted towards me and took my face in his hands. "I never meant to hurt you. And now I have two reasons to stay." He kissed me lightly. "I never thought you could love someone so much just because they existed but I've hardly spent five minutes with Bry and I adore her."

"Me too," I said.

He kissed me again. "We can take it as slowly as you want," he said.

I nodded. "OK." I kissed him this time, which made him smile. We heard a small coo come from behind the couch and we both jumped apart.

"Daddy?" Bry asked. He held his arms out to her and lifted her over the back of the couch and into his lap. "What are you doing here?" She rested her sleepy head against his chest.

"I was just talking to Mommy," he said.

"Yelling?" asked Bry.

Carter laughed. "No, not yelling this time."

Bry looked up at me with her father's eyes. "Is Daddy gonna stay here with us?"

I bit my lip. "I don't think so, honey. But I promise that you can see him as often as possible, OK?"

"Can we still go to Disneyworld?"

I smiled at her. "If your daddy says he's gonna take you then I'm sure you can."

Carter stood up and placed Bry on the couch. "I have to go now," he told her. "And I do believe you should be in bed, young lady," he said in mock disapproval. Bry giggled.

I stood up and walked Carter to the door. I wanted to kiss him good- bye but I wasn't about let my daughter see that. "I take it you're working at County again."

"Yeah. I'm on tomorrow morning at 7." He rolled his eyes.

I grinned. "Me too," I said.

"Well, I'll see you then." He leaned forward as if he were going to kiss me but thought better of it so he just gave me a hug.

When he was gone I turned to Bryanne. "You little imp," I laughed. "Get back in bed."

She smiled and then shrieked with laughter as I chased her into her bedroom.