Mort and Alex went to the pharmacy to pick up Mort's prescription, then they went to Karen and Steven's house.  As soon as they stepped inside, Mort rushed to Julia's playpen, a huge smile on his face - his spirits were always higher when he was around her.

Julia beamed when she saw him.  "Up!" she said, raising her arms.  That had been Julia's first word, and the one she seemed to use the most.  When Mort arrived at Alex's home one afternoon, Julia saw him and insisted that he pick her up by saying that word.  Alex was in the room when this happened and her heart melted.

Alex went into the kitchen where Karen was finishing up with dinner.  She grabbed a knife and began to slice a cucumber for the salad when Karen asked in a hushed voice, "Everything O.K.?"

Alex hadn't told any details to Karen, she didn't want to betray Mort's trust – she told her sister that Mort hadn't been feeling well.  She answered simply, "It's hopefully nothing more than a bit of stress."

"Probably not," Karen said, peeking into the living room.  "Though he certainly doesn't seem to be bothered right now."  Mort was currently on the floor lying on his back.  He was holding Julia above him and seemed incredibly pleased that this made the little girl laugh so much.  "I mean no disrespect, Alex, but Julia's going to start to think he's her father."

Alex felt a tinge of guilt, but it was quickly replaced by warmth.  "I know," she said softly.  "She adores him.  I swear, if she was a little older, she'd ask for him by name sometimes."

"And you?"

"Me?"

"Are you all right with things now?"

Alex finished slicing and put the cucumber pieces into the salad bowl.  She tried to think of the best way to convey what was running through her mind.  "I thought that Tristan was the man that I was going to live my life with and that if it wasn't him – it wasn't going to be anyone."

Karen smiled.  "But?"

Alex returned the smile.  "But there's a man in that room who loves both me and my daughter and, Karen, I can see a life with him."

"Have you told him that?"

Alex shook her head and laughed.  "I don't want him running in the other direction, do I?"

"Look at him, Alex, I don't know that he'd move if I paid him." 

Alex looked out into the living room and blurted, "Do you think he'd move in with me?"

Karen couldn't believe what she'd just heard.  "Are you the same women that lost her head over a dream?"

"It's crazy, I know, but…God, Karen, I hate being away from him."

"You just got back together."

Alex looked a bit sheepish.  "Technically, we weren't…You're right, I'm talking crazy."

Karen smiled and playfully nudged her sister.  "Give it a month, then bring it up."  She stepped out into the living room.  Steven was talking to Mort, who was still on the floor with Julia.  "Dinner, guys," she called.

The conversation at the dinner table wasn't anything spectacular, but it was pleasant.  Mort insisted on feeding Julia, the father inside of him shining through once again. 

As they dishes were being cleared, Mort looked at Alex and said, "Baby, I'm the one who should be exhausted, but you look beat."

Alex smiled back tiredly.  "I just feel a little rundown, I'm fine though."

Mort's arm slid around her waist from behind, and he kissed her neck.  "Well, I guess that the bath I was going to draw for you is out of the question then?"

Her eyes lit up.  "Well, now that you mention it, I really could use a little down time."

"Can I stay tonight?"

Alex turned to face him and her face became very serious.  He voice was soft and loving as she said, "Mort, you never have to ask."

***

Author's Note:  Thanks for hanging in there guys!  I hope this chapter was a little "faster" than the last one.  Big stuff coming, I swear – the setup's just taking a wee bit longer than I thought it would…