Alex woke up alone the next morning.  Her heart sank and she felt panic spread through her body.  Why would he leave?  You don't hang around for three months and then leave after one night…do you?  She got up and put on her robe.  Whether her heart was broken or not, she needed to check on Julia.  When she entered her daughter's room, she found an empty crib.  Only then did she register a smell floating up the stairs.  She hurried to the kitchen and found both Mort and Julia.

"Morning," Mort said, a huge grin on his face.

Alex breathed and all too noticeable sigh of relief.  "Morning."

Mort walked to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.  "You didn't think I left, did you?"

"No?"

"I'd never do that to you," he said, kissing her.

Alex quickly pulled away.  "I have morning breath…"  Before Mort could say anything, Alex rushed from the kitchen.  She returned a couple of minutes later.

Mort smiled.  "So, you brushed your teeth, but I have a feeling you're not wearing anything under there."

She looked down at her robe and blushed.  "Whoops."  She looked at the stove; breakfast was cooking.  "Cooking so early?"

"Ah, breakfast is a meal that I've yet to ruin in any way, shape or form.  I promise that I took care of Julia before I started."

"You…you did?"

Mort smiled.  "Changed her, fed her…entertained her with some off key singing."  Alex started to cry, unable to hold herself back.  "Oh no, you heard my singing?"

Alex laughed through a sob.  "No…no, but I better get to."

"Let's see, nothing's burning, you didn't hear me singing…so why are there so many tears coming from those eyes, hm?"  He brushed her tears away.

"I might decide to keep you here."

"And the thought drove you to tears?" he asked, giving her the most irresistible puppy dog look.

"Mort Rainey, you are the most amazing man…You treat my daughter like she's…You treat me like I'm…"  She put her head against his chest and cried.

"I've caused you to lose all ability to complete sentences," he joked.  He guided Alex to a chair and had her sit down.  He knelt down and cupped her chin in his hand.  "You and Julia have changed my life, Alex…and I'm not sure you'll ever know just how much."  Alex calmed down the best she could.  "You all right?"

"Just don't change, O.K.?"

"I won't."