Stanley set the phone back on the receiver and felt relieved. Emma was okay, she sounded better than okay. He was hopeful that they now could move on. He slowly sat down on the bar stool feeling a twinge of pain shoot up his side. The frequency of pain was much less in the last 24 hours and it was beginning to be bearable, but he still felt an incredible amount of exhaustion and knew his body was still healing. His mind drifted to Emma. She would be home soon and he missed her terribly. A smile appeared on his face as he thought of her. Her smell, her touch, her presence.

Hank's hand on his shoulder startled him. Hank chuckled, "Well, I can only imagine what you were thinking of, son. I assume that was Emma on the phone just now. Everything okay?"

"I think they are going to be, Dad. Just a hunch."

"She's a wonderful, girl."

"Woman, she's a woman, Dad."

"Yes, indeed, she is." Hank was glad to finally see his son happy after so much grief in his life. "And quite the woman who can put up with the likes of you."

Stanley smiled, knowing to well that was very close to the truth.

Kyle sat on the couch and snapped his cellphone shut. "Stanley."

Hank and Stanley didn't hear him at first, then Kyle abruptly stood up and shouted, "Stanley, it's my dad."

Stanley turned towards him, "What?"

"He's on his way here. My dad." Kyle's voice seemed to be getting louder and more frantic with each word spoken."

Stanley stood up and grabbed the cane making his way over to the couch and pushing Kyle back down into it. Then carefully managing to sit next to him, "You dad is on his way here now?" Stanley said slowly and calmly.

"Yeah."

Stanley put his hand to his head, realizing what this meant. Emma was on her way here too. "ah, Shit."

"You promised to take care of this. Keep mom out of it."

"I know, I know...calm down." He seemed to be thinking of what to do now. Then turned to Kyle, "take the girls down to the beach, I'll call Rachel and tell her to hold your mom off for awhile."

"No, Melody and I have to be here."

"Kyle, I don't know. I am not sure your mom...."

Kyle cut him off. "This is about us. This is about how are dad has treated us for a very long time, Stanley. And I think we have to face him. I don't know if it will do any good but we have to try."

Melody had been in Holly's room and had come out when she heard the commotion caused by her brother's raised voice. "I think Kyle's right. We need to tell him what we want."

"Right, I'll call Rachel." Stanley had no idea what was about to happen. Surely Emma would be having a fit about all of it, but he wasn't about to get her involved under the circumstances. Another episode that could possibly distress her and harm the baby. It wasn't an option here, as far as he was concerned.

Emma had picked up a few things for the kids and was just heading out to Rachel's' car when Rachel's' phone went off. She quickly picked it up and was surprised to hear Stanley's voice once again so soon, "For god's sake, Stan, it's been about 5 minutes, I said I would get her home and I'm going to do that. Give me a break."

"Change of plans."

"What do you mean?"

"Stall Emma."

"Wait a second, you just told me to get her ass over to your house pronto."

"Gary is on his way here."

"Shit."

"My sentiments exactly. I won't have Emma upset."

"Stanley, you can't keep this from her too. Haven't you been doing that way too much lately? And this is her kids dad. He has a right to be upset with what happened yesterday. Whatever that was since both of you are being so damn secretive."

"Rachel, just keep her away. I don't think you want Emma to go through another episode like last night."

Rachel watched Emma as she approached the car carrying a bag. She seemed content. God, how was she supposed to lie to her?

"I can't believe you are asking me to lie to her, Stanley."

"I'm not asking you to lie, take her for coffee..no wait, not a good idea. She doesn't really like coffee and it's not good for the baby. Better idea, tell her I called and I need a couple things at the store."

"What kind of things? Stanley, this is ridiculous."

"Barbecue. Things for a barbecue. Use your imagination. Got to run, Rachel. Gary's car just pulled up."

Emma opened the passenger door and looked at Rachel's face. "What's wrong? You look weird."

Rachel quickly snapped out of her daze, "Well, if your boyfriend would stop bothering me."

"Stanley called again?"

Rachel nodded.

"Surely he can't still be worried about me."

"No, he wants us to go to the grocery store, pick up some things for a barbecue. I thought this guy was still an invalid, and now he's already to have a Sunday afternoon barbecue with the whole family. Isn't he sweet." she said sarcastically.

Emma smiled. It was so like him. And with Hank there, she was sure, he was probably going to be doing most of the work. "Well, I just wanted to go home, but I guess it won't be that big of a deal. If he has his mind set on it."

Stanley made his way to the door and opened it before Gary even knocked. He figured the best thing to do was to act confident and secure and show this guy nothing was going to rattle him. Gary eyed him from head to foot. Stanley was still pretty much out of commission with that brace and cast, but he was getting around with a cane, but the smirk on Stanley's face threw him.

"Great to see you again, Gary." He opened the door welcoming him in and Gary pushed past him only to nearly collide with his kids. He wasn't prepared for the look on their faces. Their arms crossed across their chests as they glared at him.

"Are you two, okay? I'm so sorry I couldn't get out here last night. So you wouldn't have to stay with this loser." He tried to smile at Melody and then as he went in for a hug she backed off.

He then turned to Kyle, "Get your things. Your sisters too. We don't need to hang around here."

"I'm not going anywhere, and either is Melody."

"you know, I've had enough of you lately, young man. Fleeing London in the middle of the night with your sister is the icing on the cake here. Both of you need a firm hand and I'm going to be giving it to you from now on. Obviously your mother hasn't been doing a very good job. Speaking of your mother where is she?"

They looked past their dad to Stanley. He had been quiet knowing that riling up the guy wasn't the way to go. "She's not here. You're going to have to deal with me and there is no way either one of them is leaving this house with you."

Gary laughed, "like I'm worried about you, buddy? That's a good one. You may have had an advantage over me in the past, but with that bum leg and arm how are you going to stop me?"

Kyle looked over at Stanley wondering how he was going to handle this. And realized that he didn't have a plan. Stanley looked over at the kids and saw they were relying on him. What the hell was he supposed to do now?

Hank stepped in, "Look, my son, doesn't want to have any problems here. I'm sure we can work something out."

Gary laughed, "Now you have your old man talking for you too? Stanley, you're slipping."

And he knew he was. Somehow he couldn't let this guy take those kids. He thought of Emma and how this would effect her and somewhere inside him he found his voice, "Dad, kids, I want to talk to Gary alone."

Gary shook his head in disbelief, "I don't want to hear what you have to say."

Hank rounded up the kids and headed for the backdoor, Kyle turned and looked back at Stanley. Stan gave him a reassuring look, then turned back to Gary, "I don't care what you want to hear. Some things need to be said and I don't think you want your kids to hear them."

Gary didn't like the way Stanley was talking to him, and the anger was building inside him. Stanley put up his hand, "I don't want trouble, Gary. I've had my share of that in the past few days. So can we just sit and talk? Is it possible for us to have a civil conversation, because I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be in your kids life whether you like it or not."

"Not if I have anything to say about it"

Stanley managed to get over to the couch. He was tiring out and being upright for long periods still irritated him. He sat down. And let out a sigh. "I know you hate me. You hate me being with your ex wife, you hate the fact your kids like me. So do you have second thoughts of leaving them? Do you want your family back as it was? I'm just curious."

Gary was silent. He just stared at Stanley.

"You want the kids 24/7? lose the freedom you have now? Because they come and live with you, then you will have to be the dad full time. I don't think you want that."

"You don't know what I want."

"No, I don't. So tell me. Do you want Emma back?"

He didn't answer.

"I didn't think so. I don't know the whole story of what happened between the two of you. That's between the two of you. But you knew what you wanted then. You didn't want to have this family. So why do you want it now? Because it can hurt Emma more. I think you hurt Emma plenty when you left her. And I am sure she let you down somehow as well. But move on. Let these kids be a part of this family. It's what they want. It's what Emma wants. You're still their dad, but doing this to them. Taking them away from their mom is just going to make them turn on you even more. God, I'm far from perfect. I am going to make mistakes. And I am sure there will be times when they think I am being unreasonable and think I'm the asshole. Then they can come running to you and you'll be the hero, the good guy. But now, Gary, you are just digging your grave deeper and deeper."

Gary sat down and Stanley felt maybe what he had just said had an effect on the man now slumped in the chair across from him. "With you she's someone I don't know."

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"You've changed her. She isn't the same. My kids are different. You've changed them too. They've taken your side."

"There's no sides here, Gary. You're being ridiculous."

"Right, you think I'm an asshole."

Stanley had no idea where this was coming from, but the conversation was going way off track. "To be honest, I don't think about you much, except when you upset the people I care about."

"Well, I don't want to think about you at all, but you put my kids in danger. I'm not going to just walk away and pretend that didn't happen." Just when Stanley thought he was getting to him, Gary seemed to be going back to his old ways.

"And you shouldn't. You're absolutely right, what I had Kyle do was irresponsible. He's a kid and I am partly to blame for what happened, but damn, it was going to get worse, if I didn't do something. I had no choice. I made some mistakes, big ones. I can't turn back the clocks, I can't change what happened. We've all suffered this weekend, can't we try and put it behind us? I want to make it right for Emma and the kids. That's all I want."

"You want a decent fuck, that's what you want and I don't' know how you're getting one from Emma, but this whole, 'I care about those kids' crap is for the birds. I don't know why I'm sitting and listening to this bull shit." He stood up.

"Isn't a decent fuck all you were after when you left her, Gary? A different girl ever week, isn't that how it went? And how it's still going?" Stanley knew as soon as these words came out of his mouth they were a low blow. What happened to the rational grownup approach he was going for.

Gary smiled, glad to know that he still had it in him to rile the guy up, "And you've never been there I suppose? Somehow, I find that hard to believe or maybe you went the other way while you were in prison."

Stanley felt his temper building. He sat forward on the couch and glared at Gary. Then held back. No, he wasn't going to go there. This guy wanted to get his goat. That was what he was good at. He relaxed back onto the couch, then spoke softly, "It doesn't really matter what you believe about me at this point. I think you'll agree with me that the only thing important here is those kids. What's best for them, what will make them happy."

Before Gary could even answer, the backdoor opened and Melody and Kyle slowly entered. Gary and Stanley looked up. Melody turned to her brother, feeling they had both interrupted something. But Kyle pushed her forward, "I know you don't want us to hear whatever you're saying, but I think because it involves us we need to be here."

Stanley looked at Gary, "I suppose he's right. They should have a say."

"They're kids."

"Yeah, we're your kids." Kyle was obviously irritated as he tried to maintain his cool. He nudged Melody, "Tell him. What you told me outside. You have to say something Melody."

She looked over at Stanley, and he gave her a reassuring smile. Then she looked at her Dad. Closing her eyes tight, she took a deep breath and began. "I don't want you to be mad anymore."

"Mad? Honey, I'm not mad."

"No, you have to let me finish. You are mad. You're mad that Mom is happy, that we want to live with Stanley. And you have no right to be mad. You left us. It was your choice. You wanted a different life and got exactly what you wanted. Mom didn't have that choice. She had to raise us, and then go back to school so she could take of us. She was tired all the time, she cried all the time." Her voice escalated, and her heart was racing. "Then she met Stanley."

Melody looked over at Stanley and he smiled and winked. This was all she needed to continue. She took a deep breath and felt a bit calmer, "I didn't want her happy either. I guess after you left, I just thought it would always just be the 3 of us, unless maybe you would come back. And things might be different. Maybe things would be better. I was horrible to mom, horrible to Stanley. And it was stupid and selfish. He's a good person, he loves Mom and wants to take care of her, he wants us to be a family."

"Melody, You don't seem to understand. This man has been in prison."

"For standing up for something he believed in. He messed up some government program that took them a few years to recover. Big deal." Kyle was surprised his sister knew this, but she had been with Agent Roberts for a time, so maybe she picked up something there. "And it's Kyle's fault what happened this weekend. Not Stanley's. He would do anything to keep us safe. Anything."

There was silence, and she was afraid to look at her Dad. Instead she looked at Stanley. She had no idea what she was doing. But Stanley's kind reassuring smile gave her some strength and he nodded his approval. It was going to be okay. She met her Dad's gaze, "You'll always be my dad and I love you. But I love Stanley, too. I love that he makes Mom smile, and he wants to be a dad." She thought of the new baby, but more how he was with Holly. And how much she wanted him to be her dad. "He listens to me, he's interested in what I have to say. I don't think you are ever interested. I don't think you ever wanted to be a dad."

Gary looked over at Kyle, "Did you tell her that rubbish?"

"I didn't have to. Your actions pretty much showed us how you felt from day 1."

Gary was at a lost for words. How could he say anything? It would all be a lie. He really never wanted kids, but it was all Emma talked about. And he figured one would be okay, but he never connected with Kyle as a baby or a toddler. And Melody had been a mistake. If Melody ever realized that he had pleaded with Emma to have an abortion, it would devastate her.

Stanley couldn't help but notice the change in Gary's expression. Melody's words had a struck something deep inside. And Stanley wondered what the hell was going on in his mind.

Gary stood up slowly, "Well, I guess that's settled then. I see where the 2 of you stand. I should get going." Kyle was shocked that he was going to walk away with no fight. As Gary reached for the door knob, he turned towards Kyle, "Tell your Mom, I'll be in touch. And try and stay out of trouble." He didn't even look at Melody. He opened the door and walked away.

Kyle started to go after him, "Dad." Stanley reached up and grabbed his arm.

"Let him go."

"But, Stan...that was just weird It wasn't like Dad at all."

Stanley couldn't deny that, but Gary had left. There had been no scene, the kids were still with him, Emma was on her way back to the house. He felt relieved. Then he looked over at Melody, her head now buried in her hands crying. "He's mad at me. I should never had said those things."

Stanley let go of Kyle's arm and patted the cushion next to him, "Melody, come here." She took her hands away from her face and moved over to the couch. Sitting down, his arm went around her shoulders and she immediately laid her head on his shoulder. "He needed to know, Melody. And everything you said was probably true. He knows it, but he just hasn't wanted to face it."

"Mom will be mad."

"Oh, no. Your mom is going to be proud of you for saying what you feel." He looked towards the kitchen where he could just make out the time, "and speaking of your mom, she'll be here any minute"

As Rachel's car pulled around the corner toward Stanley's house, Emma noticed the car that had just passed. She took a double take and then looked back at Rachel. "That was Gary's car. Gary has been at the house." her voice escalated as she finished her sentence.

"I'm sure you're wrong. You know Emma maybe they should have kept you in the hospital another day, because you seem more agitated with every minute that passes and it's not good for the baby."

"That's all I ever hear. It's not good for the baby. Does anyone care about me and how I feel about anything?"

"Of course we do. Come on, Emma, try and relax. This ordeal is behind you, things are going to get better. But you have to want them to, instead of being paranoid about everything"

"I'm not paranoid."

"Ha. Could have fooled me. You still don't want to believe anything good can happen to you."

"That's not true."

Rachel pulled into the driveway of Stanley's house. She turned to Emma, "Okay, maybe Gary was here, but you have to trust Stanley's judgment. And maybe he wanted to protect you from more of Gary's abuse. And just maybe your kids wanted that too."

"He told you to stall, didn't he? That's why he called."

"Yes, he did."

"Damn it, Rachel. You had no right."

"We all want what's best for you, Emma. So when you go in there now, think about that before you lay into Stanley about this. That man loves you."

Emma let out a big sigh. "I can't win can I?"

"You've already won. You got that gorgeous wonderful guy in there, Emma."

"I know that."

"Then go get him. And enjoy him. And there is so much of Stanley to enjoy." Rachel raised her eyebrows and Emma gave her a playful punch.

"You're not coming in?"

"No, I think this is definitely a time you guys need to be a family. Have you and Stan really had anytime to even celebrate this life your carrying?"

Emma shook her head. "It's been so crazy. So weird."

"You definitely need to have some time alone, talk about the baby, about your expectations. This is important, Emma. So make sure it happens." Emma had some apprehensions. Did she even really know what her expectations were? Rachel noticed the glazed look in her eyes, "Emma, you have to talk to him. Be honest. I know you're feeling a lot of things right now."

Emma was silent as she opened the car door and waved to Rachel as she backed down the driveway. Rachel saw the worry in Emma's eyes. These two belonged together and Rachel was hopeful that they could finally make it right, but Emma was still holding back. Her broken marriage was a burden she still carried with her despite everything. But if anyone could get Emma to open up it would be Stan.

Stanley heard the car pull up, Hank and Holly had just joined them in the living room and Holly peeked out the window, "Emma's here."

He dabbed at Melody's cheek with a tissue, "No more tears. Everything is going to be fine. Don't you want to go greet your mom?"

She gave him a cockeyed smile biting down on her lip and scooted off the sofa towards the door. Hank moved over to the couch helping Stan up, "I take it everything went swimmingly with Emma's ex?"

"Well, for now."

"Stanley, just one word of advise, don't hide anything else from her. You're going to have to tell her he's been here."

"I plan on it, Dad. You think I want to go down that road again? Not on your life."

Melody ran out the door, Holly not far behind. Emma was so glad to see them both. She wrapped both arms around them. Melody wasn't even bothered sharing her with Holly for once. They both started babbling at the same time, that Emma could hardly make out what they were talking about. Kyle appeared behind them, rolling his eyes at the two girls behavior. And then she looked passed him and saw the figure standing at the door. He looked rested and relaxed, supporting himself with a cane.

The all too familiar 5 o'clock shadow he adorned most days looking sexier than ever, and a gleam in his eye as his gaze met Emma's.

Melody noticed her mom wasn't responding to either her or Holly and followed her gaze to the door where Stanley stood. She nudged Holly, and they both moved back.

Stanley held out his good arm, "Hey, don't I get one of those?"

Emma didn't even hesitate and she ran to his arms. He wrapped the casted arm across her back and his finger tips gently stroked across her spine, then lifted her chin with his good hand. "I'm glad your home. I've missed you."

The thoughts of Gary being there now pushed to the back of her mind as their lips met. She felt the rush she always felt when he kissed her. Like there was no one else there. Her heart raced, she desperately wanted more. As she pressed up against him, he smiled against her lips, her response all to familiar.

Kyle and the girls strided past them towards the house. Kyle shaking his head, "Nothing really changes around here does it? You'd think they'd have the common decency to take this type of thing into the bedroom, or at least into the house instead of causing a public display."

Melody gasped, "Kyle."

Holly just giggled uncontrollably. Kyle smiled, "They don't even know we're here at this point, Melody."

Stanley and Emma broke their embrace, "Believe me, we know you're here. And I'd watch your tongue, young man. I have the ability to make your life extremely difficult at work."

"Like I'm worried. You're in no shape to go back to work."

"I'm getting stronger by the minute, kiddo." He gave Emma a squeeze, "I think I have your mom to thank for that." Stan gave Emma a quick squeeze and then whispered into her ear, "We can pick up where we left off later."

"Is that a promise?"

"Oh, yes." She reluctantly released him from her embrace and put her arm around his waist.

The girls had already entered the house and Kyle held the screen door open for them as Stanley slowly manged the few steps up to the porch. They gave each other a look and Kyle smiled. Emma noticed the look that passed between them and once in the house she turned to Stanley, "It looks like you two sorted out what you needed to last night."

"Yeah, I think we have an understanding." Emma helped him over to the couch, propping pillows behind him. As she leaned over him he smiled up at her, "No one can prop a pillow like you, that's for sure."

"Stop teasing." She sat down besides him. Hank and Kyle had taken the barbecue supplies and headed out to the back while the girls were busy in the kitchen fussing with condiments and plates.

He leaned over her kissing her, then he pulled back, a serious look came over his face. "I need to tell you something."

"Can't it wait, I was so enjoying your kisses."

He smiled, "Well, they can be enjoyed just as much in a few minutes." He paused and instantly became more serious. "Emma, Gary was here."

"I know."

"What? Rachel told you?"

"No, I saw his car as we drove up."

"You didn't mention it right away." He seemed a bit confused.

"I trust you. I'm sure everything's fine. The kids seem great. You seem great. He's not here, which is wonderful."

"Are you sure this is the same Emma I know and love. Not getting all worked up about her ex."

"Is there a reason I should be worked up? You'd tell me if there was right?"

"Yeah, of course. No, we handled it. He wanted to take the kids, but the kids wouldn't let him. I wouldn't let him. And Melody...well, she gave him a major dose of the truth, that I think really hit home for him."

"Melody? you're kidding?" Emma looked over towards the kitchen where the girls were still busying themselves. Melody looking extremely happy. She turned back to Stanley, "What did she say?"

"Basically that she was pretty sure he never wanted to be a parent." Emma was somewhat shocked and covered her mouth. Stanley was surprised by her reaction. One that was very similar to Gary's.

"Emma, what is it?"

"What was his reaction? What did he say?" Her easy going relaxed attitude quickly changed.

"Nothing. In fact, he basically left after that. No fight, just left...it was weird."

Emma felt relieved. The last thing Melody needed to hear was that her father had never wanted her. She turned to Stanley, and stroked his face, gently kissing his lips, "Thank you for being here for them. You always have been, and it's been especially good for Melody."

"You know I love them, like they're my own. I'll always be here for them. Emma, you're acting weird."

This time she leaned over him and really kissed him, "I love you, so much."

"And I love you." She noticed the concern in his face and she remembered they had both promised the secrets would stop. She placed her hand on her belly, thinking about the new baby. It brought back memories of being pregnant with Melody. The horrible realization that she was alone in wanting her. Now looking back on the last few weeks, was she really any better than Gary? She had actually thought about an abortion.

Stanley placed his hand on top of hers, startling her slightly. "I know you still have some doubts. We'll talk about them, okay. Whenever you want."

"No..." she hesitated a bit, "no doubts, not anymore. But talking sounds good. Real good. Maybe later...tonight. Once the kids are all in bed."

He noticed how vulnerable she appeared, and exhaustion was emanate. It was hardly likely she had a good night sleep in a hospital. "I think you may not make it that long. Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Not much. You've spoiled me these past few weeks, I'm not sure I can ever sleep in a bed alone again."

"Well, we'll make sure it never happens again. As long as that other person in the bed is always me."

"You realize in about 7 months, there might be someone else who wants to share my bed."

It was the first time Emma had mentioned the time frame and Stanley mentally calculated in his head, "February." He let out a sigh and then smiled "I think I can make an exception, but only for this someone." He patted her tummy lovingly.

"You're really excited aren't you?"

"You bet."

"It's just so strange, being pregnant again. Melody was so long ago." Not only that, it hadn't been the most joyous time of her life. Stanley watched as her gaze went down to her stomach and then turned away from him, closing her eyes. It was as if she was holding back tears and Stanley couldn't help but wonder if this reaction had anything to do with Gary's reaction to Melody's comment about not wanting to be a parent.

He gently turned her head to face him, lifting her chin so she had to look in his eyes, "And I'm going to be here for you every step of the way. It's been a long time for me too, so any mistakes we make...we make them together." He smiled, "Okay? is that a deal?"

She managed a smile, "You'll even be up for 2am feedings, keeping me company?"

"Of course."

She laughed, "what for a week or two? Then you will fake sleep and I'll be on my own?"

"Not this time, Emma. You won't ever be on your own." She looked into his eyes and saw how serious he was about this. And she believed him.