Marty sat in the rocking chair in the early morning hours feeding Faith and watching Jackson sleep. As she watched him, she thought about their marriage. She felt guilty for the way she had convinced him to marry her. She hadn't loved him at the time, but she used him to get back at Andy.

Did he know that? She wondered. If he did, he was good enough not to say anything. He was a good man. Too good for her. She sighed. He was so wonderful to her. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought he had been courting her the last few weeks, always bringing her flowers or doing some little special thing for her.

Why was he so good to her? She couldn't understand this. Then it hit her. He loved her. He told her so at least once a day. She watched him for a long time.

She burped Faith and looked down at her daughter. Faith smiled up at her and cooed. She was such a beautiful baby.

Marty kissed her forehead. "I think I may be falling in love with your Daddy," she whispered. The infant gurgled. "Time for you to go back to sleep, little one," she said, standing and carrying Faith over to her crib. She tucked the girl snuggly in her crib.

When she crawled back in the bed, Jackson rolled over and wrapped his arms around her. "Did you mean what you told her?" he asked softly.

"What?"

"About falling in love with me..."

She blushed a bit. "Yes..."

He gently caressed her cheek. "I love you so much, Marty..." She blushed again. He kissed her forehead and held her close. She slipped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I have a confession to make," he said.

"What?"

"I knew you didn't marry me because you loved me..."

She blushed. "Then why did you agree to marry me?"

"Because I loved you...and wanted to marry you..."

"Even though you knew all that? You're crazier than I thought." But she smiled.

He stole a kiss.

She rested her forehead on his. "But... that's changed."

"What's changed, darling?"

"I've fallen in love with you, of course."

"Have you really?"

"Yes..."

He pulled her to him and kissed her soundly.

She cuddled with him. "I'm sorry."

"Shh...there's nothing to be sorry for..."

"Yes there is. I wasn't a good wife."

"None of that matters anymore, love."

"I'm still sorry..."

"Shh..." he said, placing his finger over her lips.

She sniffled faintly.

"It's all forgiven...so there's no need to bring it up again..."

"Thank you."

-----

When Ann woke up from a nap she heard soft giggles coming from the other room. She slowly crawled from the bed and walked into the other room. Jeremy was on the floor with Aimee propped up against his knees, making faces at the baby while Colette giggled. Ann leaned against the door, smiling softly.

Colette stood and toddled over to Ann, pulling on her pants. "Venez la maman"

Ann followed the little girl. Colette plopped back down next to Jeremy and looked up at Ann. Ann smiled and sat next to Jeremy. "She called me mama."

He grinned at her. "I like that way it sounds..."

She bit her lip shyly. "Me too."

He handed Aimee to her and pulled Colette into his lap, tickling her.

"You're good with children," she told him with a smile.

"You're not bad yourself."

She laughed.

There was a knock at the door. They both looked up. Jeremy set Colette on the floor and motioned Ann to take both girls into the bedroom and be quiet. She took the girl's hand and, carrying Aimee, she headed into the bedroom. She sat on the floor, holding both girls close. Several minutes later Jeremy walked into the room. "We have to leave...now..."

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"It's getting too dangerous to stay...but they think they can sneak us out...only there is one small problem..."

"What is it?"

"We can take Aimee...but we can't take Colette...it would be too easy for her to blow the cover they've created for us."

"What do you mean?"

"She only speaks French..."

"I know a little French from ballet. Our instructors spoke only French. And you know some too. I will not leave her behind!"

He knelt down next to her. "I spoke to my contact. He and his wife will keep Colette. I have to come back after I get you home...and I promise you that I will bring her back with me..."

"Jeremy...."

"It's going to be tricky enough as it is trying to sneak past the men that are after me. According to the cover that my boss came up with, you'll have to only speak Russian...we can't have you speaking Russian and Colette speaking French." He brushed the hair from her face. "I hate the idea as much as you do, sweetheart...but it's got to be done..."

"Why do I have to speak Russian?" She frowned. "Jeremy... I don't understand."

"We'll be going as an injured Army man and his Russian war bride..."

She sank down onto the edge of the bed and rubbed her forehead.

"It's the only way, Annie. But I promise you this, I will not return to you, until I can bring Colette with me."

"How long will we have to be separated? Do you know?"

"Hopefully it will only be until the end of the war."

"But... we don't even know when that will be!"

"I know," he said, caressing her cheek.

She frowned deeply.

He pulled her head down and kissed her gently. "We have to hurry, Annie..."

She nodded. "Right. I'm sorry. I've wasted valuable time."

-----

Ann held Aimee and watched as some of Jeremy's co-workers tightly bound Jeremy's crippled hand against his chest. Once they were finished, they helped him into a shirt with the sleeve pinned up. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought that he had actually lost his arm. "Does that hurt?" she asked him. "Having it bound up like that, I mean."

"It's a little uncomfortable," he said. "But I'll get used to it."

"How long will you need it like that?"

"Until we reach Pleasant Valley."

"That will be quite some time!"

He shrugged. "We do what we have to."

"I suppose so."

"It's time to tell Colette goodbye now..."

She frowned. He held his hand out to her. She took it slowly. He helped her to her feet and held her close for a moment.

"I'm going to miss her so much."

"So will I, love...so will I."

He led her from the room.

Colette was playing on the floor with two little girls about her age. She smiled up at them. "Pepere! Maman!"

Jeremy smiled and scooped up the little girl. "Bonjour, ma petite."

She looked at the empty sleeve and frowned. "mal de pépère?" (Poppa hurt?)

"Non." He kissed her forehead and explained the situation to them.

Tears fell down her cheeks. "le pépère et le maman vont?" (Poppa and Momma go?)

"Oui. Je suis desole, ma petite." (Yes, I'm sorry little one.)

Ann could take it no longer. She placed Aimee in her basket and took Colette from Jeremy, holding the little girl close, her tears wetting Colette's hair.

Jeremy rested a hand on her shoulder. "Come on Ann..."

Ann kissed Colette and placed her back on the floor. She picked up Aimee's basket and rushed from the house, tears falling silently down her cheeks. Jeremy gave Colette a strong hug and then ran after Ann.

When they were on the train on the way to London, she leaned against him. "I don't want to ever do anything like that again, Jerry..."

He rubbed her arm. "Hopefully we won't have to.

She looked up at him. "Are you positive that you'll be able to bring her home later?"

He nodded. "Promise."

She looked down at Aimee, who was sleeping in her arms and sighed.

"I'm sorry we had to do this Ann..."

"It had to be done." She took a deep breath and quickly changed the subject. "Aimee looks like you," she said in Russian.

He laughed a bit.

"She does," she said, still in Russian. "Dark hair...dark eyes..."

"That is good then."

"That looks pretty real," she whispered, touching the empty sleeve.

He smiled. "We are good at what we do," he said whispered.

She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Do we have to keep this up all the way to Pleasant Valley?"

He nodded, watching her. She sighed faintly. "I'm doing this to protect you, love...and our girls..."

"I know."

-----

Jeremy stepped from the train in Pleasant Valley and reached his hand up to help Annie down. She held Aimee in her other arm and looked around. It had been so long since she had been home. She had expected to see a lot of change... And there was. Fewer people bustled around the little town.

"All of the young men are off fighting. And the unmarried young women rushed off to the city to work in the factories." Jeremy said as if reading her thoughts

"It's awful...." she murmured.

"I know...feel up to walking? Or do you want to ride?"

"Let's walk..."

He nodded and rested his hand on her back. "I can't wait to be able to use my other arm again."

She smiled a bit. "I'll bet. Did you want to untie it now?"

"It can wait until I get you home, love."

"Are... you sure?"

"I'm sure. Would you like me to carry Aimee?"

"That's okay. I've got her."

They walked the rest of the way to the house in silence. Marty and a very pregnant Ginny were outside hanging diapers on the line.

"Oh my gosh..." Ann gasped.

"I had no idea about that," Jeremy said with a slight laugh.

"Neither did I, oh wow... Ginny looks ready to pop!"

Ginny turned just then. "ANNIE!"

Ann grinned. "Hey!"

Jeremy took Aimee and nudged Ann. "Go to her."

Ann rushed over to her best friend. "Look at you!" she squeaked, taking Ginny's hands.

Ginny sighed. "A wedding present from your brother..."

"Andy!? You married him? Where is he??"

Ginny took a deep breath. "He was killed Annie..."

"W...what?"

"A...about five months ago..."

"He was killed? But... no! No, he can't be!"

Ginny held her friend close as they both cried. Jeremy frowned a bit and walked over to them.

Marty looked at him. "You...and Annie?!"

"Huh?"

"You two are married and have a child? Why didn't you tell us?!"

"Well... it's sort of... complicated," Ann said through a sniffle.

Spot joined them. "I thought it was you, sweetheart."

"Daddy!" She flung her arms around him.

"It's so good to have you home, sweetie," he said, holding her close.

She kissed his cheek. "Is Momma inside?" she asked. She didn't wait for an answer before running into the house.

"Ann!" Spot called after her.

Jeremy looked at them. "What happened?" he asked.

Spot closed his eyes. "Rae's gone..."

Jeremy shoved Aimee into Spot's arms and rushed after Ann. "Ann!" he called. He found her standing in the doorway to the room that had always belonged to Spot and Rae. "Where is she?" she whispered.

"She's... gone, Ann," he said softly.

She looked at him. "Gone? Gone where?"

"She's dead..."

She looked at him, blinking. "Not Momma...no...not Momma too..."

"Ann..." She buried her face in his shirt and sobbed. He stroked her back soothingly.

There was a soft padding in the hallway. "Who's there?" Lizzy asked, running her fingers along the wall as she slowly moved toward them.

"Jeremy and Ann," he said.

"Did you two just get here?" she asked, reaching out for them.

"Yes we did." He held out his hand to her.

She found his fingers. "I need some help Jerry..."

"What is it?"

"Ashleigh's crying and I couldn't get her to stop...I think her diaper is wet..."

"Ashleigh?" Ann and Jeremy asked simultaneously.

"You mean you don't know?!"

"No..."

Lizzy sighed. "Momma had a baby...the same day she died...about two months ago..."

"Can I see her?" Ann asked.

"She's upstairs...just follow the crying," Lizzy said.

They headed up the stairs and down the hall heard a baby's crying. Jeremy looked down at Lizzy's puzzled expression. "What's wrong, pixie?"

"Why is your left sleeve empty?" she asked.

He laughed a bit. "How did you know?"

"When you hugged me, you only put one arm around me...and the other sleeve felt empty..."

"Well, you see...it was a trick. My arm is just tied up right now."

"A trick?"

"Yes... We had to pretend that I was injured in the war so I could bring Ann home."

"Oh...well I'm glad she's finally home..."

He nodded. "Me too."

They stood in the doorway and watched as Ann crossed the room and knelt next to the cradle at the foot of the bed. "There there, little one.." She scooped Ashleigh into her arms. "Let's get you cleaned up."

Spot walked up the stairs, still holding Aimee. "We have to talk, young man..."

"What?" Jeremy asked.

"What's this about you and my daughter being married and having a child. You were in my office a year ago and you didn't say anything about this..."

"Having a child?" Jeremy blinked and glanced at Aimee. "Oh! No no! You've got it all wrong.. well... partly wrong anyway. Ann and I got married right before we got stopped in England- we had to so she could leave Russia. And Aimee is not ours."

"You better explain a little better..."

"Well... Ann was stuck in Russia. Her dance school burned down and, along with it, her papers to leave the country. I happened to find her. You guys needed her home. Problem was, the only way to get her home was to marry her, so we agreed that this was the best plan that we could come up with, so we did. We got held up in England, and little Aimee here," he pointed to the girl, "and her sister were left on our doorstep."

Spot nodded. "And your arm?"

Ann walked back over to them. "I'm sorry, Jerry...we forgot all about your arm..."

He laughed a bit. "It's okay, I sort of forgot myself. It's been up there for so long... It'll probably take a few days to get the kinks worked out so it can move again."

She placed Ashleigh in the crib and turned back to him. "Let me help you," she said, helping him with the buttons on his shirt.

Spot lifted a brow.

Jeremy looked up at him. "There's nothing wrong with my arm...we just had to hide my hand for a while," he explained as Ann helped him slip the shirt off.

Carefully, Ann began to unwrap the bandage. "His arm looks awful, doesn't it?"

"I really thought he had lost it...and so did Ginny and Marty..." Spot said.

"That was the point- well, not to fool you guys, but any potential enemies," Jeremy explained.

"Be careful..." Ann said, removing the last of the bandages that had held his arm in place.

Wincing, he slowly extended his arm. "I didn't think it'd hurt this much..."

"Don't move it too much..." she cautioned. "Probably best to start slow..."

He nodded. "You're right."

Ann turned to Spot. "We left our bags at the I use one of Ashleigh's diapers for Aimee...She's probably soaked clean through by now..."

He nodded. "Go right ahead."

She took Aimee from him and walked over to the dresser where she had found Ashleigh's diapers a few minutes before. Spot came up next to her to change Ashleigh. "I just changed her. She was fussy," Annie said.

"Oh... okay." He nodded and smiled. "Well, thank you Annie."

She smiled at him sadly. "She looks like Momma..."

"Just like her," he agreed.

"I can't believe she's gone."

"I can't either," he admitted.

"Was she very sick?"

"Yes. I'm... I'm glad she's not suffering anymore. But I miss her so much..."

Ann fastened the pin in Aimee's diaper and turned to hug her father. "I wish I could've come home sooner..." she said softly.

"You got home as soon as you could, Annie."

"Still..."

He kissed her forehead. "Why don't you and Jeremy take this room. I'll move up to the third floor with the boys."

"Are you sure? Jeremy isn't going to be here for very long."

"I'm sure."

"All right... If you're really certain."

"Positive. You two look exhausted. Get some rest and I'll send the boys for your bags as soon as they get home from school. And I'll get Chris to get started on another cradle..."

She nodded slowly. "Thank you."

He kissed her forehead again. "As glad as I am to have you home, I don't want to see you again until time for dinner," he said, picking up Ashleigh. "Jeremy...make sure she gets some rest."

He smiled a bit. "Sir, yes sir."

Spot grinned and left the room with his youngest daughter.

Jeremy gestured to the bed. "You heard your father. You have to sleep until dinner!"

"Are you gonna stay with me?"

"If you want me to."

"Please..."

He nodded and slipped his arms around her. Aimee kicked her legs and waved her arms, fussing.

"Looks like she wants to join us."

He laughed. "Go lay down...I'll bring her over."

"All right." She climbed onto the bed and held her arms out for the baby.

He handed Aimee to her and lay down next to them, playing with Aimee's feet. Aimee giggled.

Ann smiled up at Jeremy. "I'm glad they were left with us," she said. "And they weren't dangerous at all."

He stole a kiss. "Alright, I'll admit that I was wrong..."

She smiled. "Yes you were."

"Do I need to kiss that look off your face?"

She laughed a bit. "You can try."

"Come here you," he said, leaning over Aimee and kissing Annie. She giggled. He caressed her cheek. "You're supposed to be resting..."

"Well, you're not helping," she said with a smile.

He looked down at Aimee who had fallen asleep. "She has the right idea."

"All right. I get the hint."

He kissed her forehead. She smiled and slid beneath the blankets.

-----

"Do you really have to leave tomorrow?" Ann asked, sitting on the bed and watching Jeremy pack.

"Yes."

She sighed deeply and bit her lip.

"I know you don't want me to go... and... I'm sorry. I really am."

"It's not fair..."

"I know..." He leaned over and kissed her softly. "I'll be back before you know it."

She wrapped her arms tightly around him. "I don't want you to go..."

He stroked her hair. "I know sweetheart."

"I won't be able to survive if something were to happen to you..."

"Nothing will happen... I promise. I will come back to you."

She pulled his head down and kissed him.

"I'll write you as often as I can," he told her.

"Will it be safe to do that?"

He nodded. "I can't write too often... but I promise I will write." Tears started falling freely down her cheeks. "Don't cry Annie," he said softly, brushing the tears away.

"I can't help it..."

He kissed her forehead. "I'll be back before you know it." She clung to him. He held her close, stroking her hair.

"I love you so much," she whispered.

"I love you too."

She leaned up on her toes and kissed him again.

"I wish I didn't have to leave."

"Promise me that you'll be careful," she said, running her fingers through his hair.

"I promise."

"When will you be leaving?"

"Before you wake up in the morning."

"So soon?"

"I'm afraid so, love." She shook her head and held on tighter. He kissed the top of her head. "It's late...and we both need some sleep."

"Sleep just makes tomorrow come faster..."

He pulled her close and kissed her soundly.