Disclaimer: I don't own it or get paid for it : ) I don't own the characters and therefore have no hope of making any money off this.

End of Chapter 28

"You can't? You just got here. You just met your daughter. You promised Jack you'd go to the beach with us and you're already canceling to spend time with her, aren't you?"

"Terri, please. I told her I'd meet her for lunch at 1:00. If I don't show up, she'll start asking questions. I'm not so sure it's a good idea for her to know you're alive yet."

CHAPTER 29

Terri huffed very loudly. "Stiles, she thinks you're getting married tomorrow. When are you planning to tell her about me? Or are you planning to tell her?"

"Terri, I . . ."

She didn't let him finish. "Don't you think it's odd that she wants to get married so fast? Where did you say you found my locket?"

"Why, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question please."

Stiles didn't really want to answer. He had a feeling where Terri was going with her questions—someplace he didn't want to go.

"The concierge said someone found it. He gave it to me when I got back last night. I knocked the box over on my way out this morning and it fell out. That's how I found out what was inside."

"Where was it found?"

Stiles reluctantly answered each question. "On the beach."

"I didn't drop it on the beach."

Stiles diverted his eyes from Terri and sighed as he finally decided to come clean.

"Okay. It was Kara. Someone saw her drop it on the beach."

"Stiles, if she found it I'm sure she saw our picture inside. Even if she didn't recognize me at first she surely recognized you. She saw me out of disguise that day I was in your room so she's bound to have put two and two together."

Stiles rubbed his hand across his head and sat down. In a low voice, almost to himself he replied, "I think she knows or at least suspects that you're alive and didn't say anything."

Terri's response surprised Stiles. "I'm sorry Stiles."

Stiles looked up at her. "You're sorry? What on earth for?"

"I know this situation isn't easy for you. I've been worried that you wanted her more than me, but I know you love me. It's just that after four years apart I just want our lives back.

"I haven't really acknowledged how hard things must be for you. I can't imagine having to deal with a resurrected wife, two preschoolers and a fiancé ,and knowing my boss was responsible for the entire mess."

Stiles gave Terri a hug and kissed her. "I'm so glad I have you back in my life. I do love you, thank you. I do have to go, but I'm working on a plan as we speak."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm not exactly sure. Just remember that I love you and I'll be back this evening. I promise. You and I have a lot to talk about. I'm not letting you…" Stiles nodded toward the kids who were now running around the room, "…or them out of my life again."

As Stiles was pulling away from Terri she pulled him back by his collar, gave him a long slow kiss then smiled, "Just make sure that you don't."

Thirty minutes later, Stiles walked into Max's restaurant and saw Kara sitting at a back table.

"Hi honey. I was beginning to think you forgot."

"Sorry I'm late, work called. It doesn't look like there's going to be a wedding tomorrow after all. That little incident last night has turned into a full-fledged affair. I don't know how long this will take. You probably ought to fly home. I was able to get your original reservation back. I'm sorry about this."

The truth was he wasn't sorry at all. The more he looked at Kara, the more disgusted he became. She was actually going to marry him knowing Terri was alive. She was lucky he was a gentleman.

"Can't you do something? Can't they get someone else? Did you tell them we're getting married tomorrow?"

After her conversation with Terri, Kara was even more insecure about their relationship. She wanted to get married as soon as possible. Kara was sure that even if Terri reappeared she'd have a better chance of keeping A.B. if they were already married.

Stiles ended up telling Kara that he was going under cover and wouldn't be able to contact her for a while, possibly weeks. Stiles didn't want to confront her about Terri yet; as long as she didn't know he knew Terri was on the island, she wouldn't tell anyone else. Stiles needed her to keep quiet until he was sure Terri and the kids were safely at home. He also had to consider the safety of his and Terri's families.

Kara did a lot more whining and pouting, but Stiles eventually convinced her to go home. Stiles went back to his family.

". . . I knew he and Jack would hit it off. I guess Ava is a little more cautious--like her mother," Lyn laughed.

"Yes, I guess she is."

"I am a little surprised you let him go back to meet the fiancée. What did you say her name is?"

"It's Kara. I know it's hard to understand, but our relationship was a mess for a long time before we got married because of insecurities on both our parts. I don't want to lose him now because I didn't allow him to take care of this on his own terms. I don't like it, but I love him and I'm sure that he feels the same."

"Well, you two have some kind of an amazing love story. The fact that he's even here proves that. I just hope you know what you're doing."

Terri smiled into the phone. "I do. Lyn?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Only everything. For being my friend, for trusting your instincts enough to go into business with a woman who wouldn't reveal anything about herself; for being my accomplice in breaking and entering; for digging up that letter and most of all for caring."

"Oh Kay, I mean Terri," Lyn laughed. "I still have to get used to that! You're welcome. People have told me I am a good judge of character. I was hoping that instinct wouldn't fail me; you didn't let me down. Besides, that's what friends are for. I don't know how you've done it all this time. I just want everything to work out for you."

"Well, he's here and that's a start. There are still a lot of things that we need to discuss."

"Oh no, I just thought of something."

"What?"

"You'll be leaving the island."

Terri hadn't really thought much about leaving the Island and Lyn. She was so focused on getting Stiles back she didn't think about what that would really mean.

"I guess it does. I hadn't really thought about it. I don't know what we'll do."

Terri got caught up in her thoughts as she thought about leaving. As much as she wanted her old life back, she had grown fond of her new home and friends. She also owned half a business and a house that she loved.

"Don't worry Lyn, I won't leave you hanging. Whatever we decide, I'll make sure you're the first to know."

"Deal! Now, I think you and that handsome husband of yours need some time alone to get reacquainted. How about the four of you come over for dinner tomorrow and leave Ava and Jack to spend the night?"

"Lyn, I would love that. I don't know about Stiles though," Terri trailed off.

"Honey, he hasn't seen you in four years. When he last saw you, you were still honeymooning. He'll love it too. Believe me."

Terri waited for Stiles the rest of the afternoon and on into the evening. She had bathed the kids and was about to read to them when she heard the bell.

"Hey. Sorry it took so long. I had to take care of a couple of things." Stiles said as he held up his suitcase.

Terri wasn't about to admit it, but she was afraid he'd changed his mind and wasn't coming.

"How did it go?"

"You mean with Kara?" Terri nodded yes. "I told her I had a mission. And since there won't be a wedding tomorrow, I told her that she should fly home. I even rescheduled her flight for her. Quinn still thinks I'm getting married. Somehow I talked him into giving me the week off."

"So you're still engaged to her?"

Stiles couldn't tell how Terri felt so he preceded cautiously. "Terri, I couldn't say anything to her about you, not yet. It isn't safe. So technically we are still engaged, but only as far as she's concerned. As far as I'm concerned, I am a happily married man."

Terri still looked a little concerned. "Come here."

Terri walked slowly to Stiles and he put his arms around her. "Have I told you recently that I missed you?

"No." Stiles laughed. He had a lot of work to do where Terri was concerned.

"I missed you and I love you." Stiles said as he kissed her. "I guess the kids are asleep? I still can't believe there are two of them!"

"I can't either and I gave birth to them! I was about to read to them when I heard the bell. I'm surprised one of them isn't down here. How do you feel about Winnie the Pooh?"

"Huh?"

"That's what we're reading tonight. Wanna come?"

Stiles smiled from ear to ear. "I'd like nothing better." As they started walking Stiles took Terri's hand and winked at her. "Well, almost nothing."