Hank volunteered to help Stanley with his bath, much to Stanley's disapproval, but everyone was in agreement that Emma didn't need the added aggravation and exhaustion due to her delicate condition. Emma sat with Kyle in the living room watching an old Clint Eastwood movie. It was a rarity for them to have any time alone together.

"Are you happy about the baby, Mom?"

"Kyle, what kind of question is that?" Emma began to fiddle with the video case nervously.

"I don't know. It's just you're older and you've got teenagers, I would think you wouldn't want to go through diapers and 2am feedings again."

It was strange to be having this conversation with her teenage son but knew he was concerned from the weekends events. She kind of laughed "Believe me, I'm not doing this alone. Stanley has already committed himself to both tasks and I'm going to hold him to it."

"He's good for it, Mom. He'd probably be happy staying home and taking care of the baby. He's not like normal guys that's for sure. I just want you to be sure this is what you want."

She didn't have to think very hard on this one, not anymore, "It's what I want, Kyle."

"Good. I'm sorry I was such a dick yesterday."

She held up her hand, "We don't' have to talk about that. It's behind us now. Let's just look towards the future...the baby, you going to college...that's just around the corner."

"And what about you and Stan?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to marry the guy?"

"Kyle."

"He wants to marry you, Mom."

She felt uncomfortable with the conversation and stood up, "I need to go check on the girls."

Kyle just shook his head, after this past weekend, it was obvious she was still worried and didn't trust Stanley.

Emma walked by the girls room and the door was ajar. She heard them chattering as she peeked in and they didn't see her. Melody had a magazine she was skimming through while Holly was busily writing in a notebook. She didn't want to disturb them.

"I think Britney Rose is a beautiful name." Holly scribbled into the notebook.

"Yuck. That's horrible, what about Arwyn or Aowyn. Those names are strong and powerful." She continued to thumb through the magazine then stopped pointing at the picture, "Mom would look great in this, don't you think?"

"I think your mom would look great in anything. She's really beautiful your mom. And she will make a beautiful bride."

Emma was glued to the spot. Marriage. Everyone was talking about marriage. "That's only if your dad can persuade her to marry him"

"Why doesn't she want to marry my dad?"

"I'm not sure, but it's probably because of my dad. He broke her heart a long time ago and my mom probably is afraid that your dad is going to do the same."

"But he won't. Not my dad."

"I know, so somehow we got to get my mom to see that too. I'd like her to marry your Dad."

"Do you think they'd have a big wedding?"

"Nah, small...on the beach, that seems like something they'd like. My mom doesn't like any fuss." Melody looked back down at the picture of the bridal gown in the magazine, "She'd probably hate this dress too. But like you said she'll look beautiful in anything, especially with your dad by her side." Melody realized that she had never really thought of her mom as beautiful, until recently. Ever since Stanley came into her life.

Emma gave a little rap on the door and Melody quickly put the magazine under the covers, "What are you girls up to?" Emma walked over to them and leaned over Holly's shoulder looking at the notebook with schoolgirl scribbles surrounding a list of names. She began to read them, "Tiffany, Hilary, Hannah, Adrienne..."

Melody shrugged her shoulders and scrunched up her face in disgust, "Baby names."

"Well, these are lovely names, Holly."

"But Mom hates them. She's just being nice."

"Melody, that isn't true." She then turned to Holly, "And your dad and I will consider them."

Holly smiled and then turned the page of the notebook, "Look, we even thought about the nursery. I think we kind of agreed on that one. Melody and I will share the room upstairs and the baby can have my room."

"And paint a mural on the wall with Castles and knights and dragons."

"And fairy princesses." Holly chimed in.

"That was her idea, but it would be really cool."

"You two have this all planned out don't you?" Holly handed her the notebook and admired the drawings the girls had done.

Hank peeked into the room, "So what are you ladies up to?"

"We're planning for the baby, Grandpa."

Hank smiled at Emma, "Well, I'm sure that takes a load off Emma's mind. Since she's being summoned by the master of the house."

"Is he being unruly, Hank?"

"Well, let's put it this way, I don't think I am going to volunteer to bath him again."

Holly handed Emma the notebook, "Show Dad the drawings and see what he thinks about the names, okay?"

"I will do." she turned to Hank, "you don't mind bunking with Kyle do you?"

"Of course not."

She turned to the girls, "I don't want you two up late."

"Oh,mom it's summer vacation."

She was about to say something and Hank piped in, "I don't want you to worry about these two. Go and see to Stanley."

She seemed a bit leery, Hank noticed that she was stalling, as she started picking up clothes off the floor. He leaned over and took them from her hands. Their eyes met and he quietly spoke, "It's been a rough weekend for all of you and it's time to move on. He wants more than anything to make it right again."

"I want that too."

"Then go to him."

She thought she might cry and realized the girls were glaring at her. She took a deep breath. Hank squeezed her hand and smiled warmly at her. This woman loved his son deeply. That was evident. She was nothing like his previous daughter in-law, who had been manipulative, conniving and selfish. "And you tell me if he's being unruly. I won't have it."

Emma entered the bedroom to find Stanley sitting up in bed flipping through a magazine. As she entered the room he threw the magazine onto the floor, "You took your sweet time."

"I got involved in the girls' plans." She moved over to the bed and sat down handing him the notebook.

"What's this?"

"It's pretty self explanatory."

He read through the names and then looked at her, "Baby names?"

"You guessed it."

He continued to read through them and started to laugh, "Alexandra? Jasmine? Britney? You've got to be kidding me? You can't possibly like any of these?"

She shook her head, "Not really, but they meant well."

"There's no boys' names on this list."

"According to our daughters it will be a girl."

"Really? Well, obviously a girl would be lovely...but a boy, well, that would equally nice."

"I think so too."

"Come here." he patted the space next to him. And she crawled towards him. She nuzzled up to his side, he kissed the top of her head. "So I guess they're excited about the baby." He thumbed through the notebook to find drawings of floor plans, drawings of dragons and castles.

"It would appear that they are, yes. It's very sweet actually."

"As long as we don't have to use one of those god awful names. What happened to something simple like Anne or Mary."

Emma pulled herself away from him and gave him a face, "Oh, god, Stanley, those are worse."

"They're just suggestions. We have plenty of time to decide on a name."

He shifted his body and Emma noticed him grimacing. He never complained but Emma knew that he wasn't as well as he let everyone believe. "Are you alright?"

"Better than ever, now that you're here."

"Stanley, the pain...I know you're still experiencing it. You can't fool me."

"No, I can't. And I'm not trying to. This weekend took it's toll I'm afraid and I'm sure that little seduction that took place didn't help matters." He gave her a wink.

"You egged me on."

"Oh, yeah right, that was not my idea. You were like some wild enchantress in there. I had no choice to succumb to your evil ways. Which I enjoyed very much mind you."

Emma put her head down feeling a bit embarrassed. She had been a bit forward.

"Emma, I'm just teasing. I enjoyed it. Really, I did."

She stood up and went to the screen door, then turned to him. "I think I was trying to prove something. I was so worried that you wouldn't find me attractive anymore once you knew about the baby. It was silly and so not like me."

"It was hardly silly. And you know I was pretty sure you'd want nothing to do with me after what I pulled you into."

"Well, I guess I'm just a sucker for a guy with a prison record and an incredibly hot body." He loved how relaxed she seemed. The secrets were behind them. She noticed the way he was looking at her, as she casually took off her shorts, "What are you thinking?"

"I don't think that is any secret, Em." He raised his eyes playfully, "But there is something I'd like you to think about."

Emma had casually taken off her shorts and top and was digging through the drawer Stanley had cleared out for her, "Damn, my pajamas, I put them in the wash that afternoon..." Thinking about the way she had run out of the house after telling Stanley about the baby, she had been in the middle of doing laundry and no doubt the tank top and shorts were still in the washer soaking wet. She turned to Stanley, "I'm sorry what did you say?"

She stood in front of him topless, wearing only her underpants not even thinking. He was determined to have this conversation but the vision in front of him made him light headed and all coherent thoughts had vanished from his mind.

"Top drawer, you can use one of my t-shirts."

She opened the drawer and found one, she then turned back to him, "You wanted me to think about something?"

"God damn it, Emma put the shirt on, you're distracting me. This is important." he bellowed in frustration.

She had felt so relaxed and not even aware what the sight of her naked body was doing to him. She slipped the t-shirt over her head, "Sorry..."

"In normal circumstances I'd love for you to prance around my bedroom naked. Believe me, but both of us are exhausted, we need sleep." He started feeling a bit flustered. The sight of her body threw him off and now he had to collect his thoughts.

"Sleep sounds good. Really good." She climbed onto the bed and to his side. It was a warm night and he was laying on top of the sheets. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. "This is perfect."

"I couldn't agree with you more." he leaned over kissing her. She was beginning to fade. No time like the present he thought and blurted out, "Emma, I want to marry you."

She immediately opened her eyes looking startled. He quickly continued, "Before you go ballistic on me, I do want to marry you. And this isn't an afterthought. I wanted to marry you long before I knew about the baby."

"You've been talking to the kids about this haven't you?"

"Well, yes. They want to know what's going on. We're having a baby, you're moving in. They're kids for god's sake, they think babies go with marriage. It's no secret that Holly has wanted you to be her mother ever since Christmas. She asks me nearly every week when we're getting married."

"Stanley, I love you. I love Holly, but I don't know about getting married." she remained calm, but she still had this niggling feeling about marriage. Why couldn't she let go of all the bad years with Gary and marry Stanley?

"You've never thought about it? The thought never crossed your mind, somehow I have a hard time believing that."

"Okay, yes, I've thought about it. In fact, I thought you were going to ask me that morning before the accident."

"You're kidding? Shit, that explains a lot. So if I would have asked you then, would you have said yes?"

"I don't know." She began to fidget next to him. Feeling uncomfortable.

"Answer me honestly, Emma."

"I wouldn't have hesitated. I wanted to marry you then,but.." she hesitated, "things change."

"The baby, my prison record, kidnapping by terrorists...those kind of things?"

She hesitated slightly, "We both come from broken marriages. I just wonder if it's a good idea. I'm moving in with you, isn't that enough?."

"No, maybe it isn't for me." He felt himself getting angry and that was the last thing he wanted. He took a deep breath and stroked her shoulder. "We were young, Emma. We made mistakes. I married because of a baby, I had no feelings for Melissa, there was no relationship. And you and Gary..."

She cut him off, "I married Gary for a lot of wrong reasons. Maybe because I wanted someone to take care of me. Someone to take my father's place. I don't really know, but it wasn't good. I can't go through that again."

"And you don't need anyone to take care of you now. You are totally self sufficient. This relationship isn't based on having a baby or needing to be looked after. You know that, I know you do. We have so much going for us. 3 beautiful kids, who we adore and love being with. We've become a family, Em. Just the last 24 hours have proven that. I never knew I could care so much for someone else's kids, but I do. And now we're having one of our own." He felt a little choked up and swallowed hard feeling he might just cry.

She snuggled closer to him, resting her hand on his chest. She didn't look up, concentrating on a few strands of his chest hair, she wanted to say something but felt a lose for words. Rubbing her shoulder he let out a sigh, "Ah, and there's something else, I can't leave out the great sex...no, wait, not great...phenomenal."

She smiled, feeling a blush rise in her cheeks, but still couldn't speak. Softly but firmly he continued, " fuck it all Emma, I need you. I want you. I want to marry you. It's as simple as that. This isn't how it's suppose to happen. I have no diamond ring to slip on your finger, there's no romantic candlelit dinner or a beautiful sunset, and getting down on one knee would be impossible in this state I'm in but dammit I don't want to wait. So can you just think about it?" Frustrated he laid back on the pillow and closed his eyes.

She sat up leaning over him, tracing her finger tip across his face, he slowly opened his eyes and gazed into hers. A tear trickled down her cheek, "I can do that, Stanley."

He reached up and gently wiped the tear away with his finger smiling lovingly, "Good, that's all I ask." He wondered what was going on in her mind. She looked incredibly vulnerable and exhausted. He placed his hand on her chin and brought it down towards him, so he didn't have to strain himself to kiss her. He tenderly brushed his lips against hers and she responded as he knew she would. Gently placing a hand on each side of his face, her lips kissed his nose, then each side of his mouth, a twinkle in her eye as she finally let her lips cover his. The soft gentle innocent kisses causing a tingle through Stanley's body.

As he sighed, she smiled her lips still touching his. She suppressed a slight giggle as she backed away slightly, his eyes opened, "Don't stop, that was lovely."

"We both need sleep. You even said that earlier."

"Well, a guy can change his mind."

She put a finger over his lips before she curled up by his side once again. He could have argued and possibly gotten his way, but he realized how content he was with her just laying by his side. His hand gently stroked her hair, then slowly wandered down her shoulder and caressed her arm, finally finding it's place on her abdomen. He let out a sigh as he placed his cheek against her hair. His eyelids were getting heavy and his breathing now slowed.

Emma felt the warmth of his hand on her bare skin. It wasn't the soft gentle touch she had been use to in their lovemaking. No, this was different. His fingers were spread covering as much space as possible. And his palm pressed slightly onto her skin. He was already being a protective dad and it made her smile.

Emma was up at her normal time, as always she was a mom first and she needed to get back into the routine and things needed to get back to as normal as possible. Stanley's proposal was in the forefront of her mind but she kept busy so she didn't have to think about what her answer would be for any length of time.

Stanley slept better than he had in ages. When he awoke he was a bit surprised he was alone in bed and it was already 10am. He heard the clicking of computer keys and managed to adjust himself to see Emma at his computer. She heard the rustling of the bedspread and turned around in the chair. She looked radiant. Freshly showered and in a flowered sundress, she gave him a smile, then made her way over to him and kissed him.

Something about her demeanor made him think she was ready to answer his question. The way she tilted her head and her hair swept across one eye, her smile coy but sexy. The nightmare of a weekend seemed far behind them, as they shared a glance. He reached up to brush her hair away from her face, but she quickly stood up. The moment was gone before it really had a chance to happen. "I'll make sure Hank gets you some coffee."

Stanley was a bit taken aback, "Where are you rushing off to?"

"I found a few job prospects. I need to jump on them, Stanley."

She was in close enough proximity that he was able to grab her hand, "Now wait a sec. You just got out of the hospital. I think the doctor said no stress. Emma screw the job. I can take care of you right now, and who in their right mind is going to hire you when you'll be taking maternity leave in the middle of the school year?" As soon as he said it he realized it was the wrong thing.

"Oh, thanks for the vote of confidence, Stanley."

"Emma, you know what I mean. I know it came out wrong. But you have to admit this is just stupid for you to be jumping into this right now."

"When am I supposed to be doing it? The school year begins in 6 weeks."

"You take a year off. We have a lot to do around here, you can help me in the shop."

"You and me working together?" She started to laugh, "I don't think so."

"Fine, you stay home and help get this place ready for the baby then."

"I've always worked."

"Okay, so we find you something to do here at home."

She still felt so vulnerable and her hormones seemed to be jumping all over the place and this conversation wasn't helping matters. But she bit her lip as held the tears back and turned to him, "Stanley, please. I need to do this. You're probably right no one will hire me. But I have to see for myself. I really need to go."

"Sit down, take a deep breath. You need to slow down here." She fought it trying to pull against him, but he didn't loosen his grip, "I'm not letting go. So if you want to get out of here, you better listen to me."

"So this is how it's going to be..you threatening me."

She reluctantly sat down. " I think we need to start this conversation again. Good morning, Emma. You look absolutely radiant this morning." Sitting up he leaned over her kissing her neck. "I wish you would have woke me."

"I wanted you to sleep. You need to rest because that is what is going to make you better, and that's what we both want. Agreed?"

"Fully, but you seem to have forgotten you're supposed to be doing the same thing."

"I'm not overdoing it. In fact, you'll be pleased I got your dad to work on putting my house on the market, I got the girls enrolled in an art class all week so they won't bother you. Kyle and Brent opened the shop this morning and I called Roberts and he's coming over this evening to take your depositions." She paused for a second, "Oh, and I got you an appointment with your doctor in the morning."

"I think you're forgetting something."

"What?"

"Have you called your OB?"

"Well, no..."

"Because you are so busy looking after everyone else."

"I don't want you have to worry about anything."

"I worry about you. So call your OB,okay?"

"Okay."

"Now go to your goddamn interview, I don't want you to miss out. If that's what you want." He seemed a bit upset and laid back onto the pillows, "It's obvious you haven't even given any thought to what we talked about last night. I can see where your priorities lie."

"There you are wrong. I haven't thought of much else."

"So when are you going to give me an answer?"

"Soon. I promise."

"After you get a job, sell the house, put the baby through college?" He said cynically.

She leaned over him smiling. "I was thinking more along the lines of after the baby graduates from high school."

He managed a smile and then pulled her towards him with his good hand, kissing her. As usual, he put his whole heart into it and for a few seconds the last thing on Emma's mind was the job interview.

Bad timing as usual, Rachel peeked her head in the doorway, "Emma, we need to get out of here, you don't want to be late."

Stanley shrugged his shoulders, as Emma pulled away from him, "Rachel, have you ever heard of knocking?"

"The door was open." They both glared as each other and Emma got up off the bed straightening herself out and running a hand through her now messed up hair.

"Give me a sec." She popped into the bathroom and Rachel felt a little awkward standing there, Stanley glaring at her.

"I should have known you were behind this, Rachel."

"She's a good teacher, Stanley. And it's unfortunate she's not getting the chance to continue."

"And that's my fault, right?"

"Of course not. Stanley, I'm on your side."

"You could have fooled me."

"I'm just humoring her. For some reason she feels she needs to prove herself. She worked hard for that degree after Gary left her."

"She thinks I'm going to leave her. Like Gary did. She thinks she needs this job to support her and the kids and now the baby. That's why she doesn't want to marry me, isn't it?"

Rachel looked around the room not really wanting to answer this question. She then focused on him, "I think she'll say yes. I really do. She just needs to deal with some things first."

"I don't want a repeat of Saturday. I don't want to find her in a hospital again, not until it's time to deliver the baby. I can't see putting her through this is going to do one bit of fucking good."

"I'm not going to let her get all worked up, I promise. I thought you'd be glad I'm going with her, for some emotional support."

Emma came out of the bathroom and heard Rachel's last words. She noticed the concern in Stanley's eyes. It would be so easy to just skip the interview, stay at home with Stanley, watch a movie, but for some reason she couldn't do that. She slowly moved over to the bed and gave him a quick peck on the check, "Please be good for your dad."

"I don't like this, Em. I really don't."

"I know. But thank you for letting me do this."

"This has nothing to do with me letting you. You're going do what you fucking want, no matter what I say."

Emma didn't know what to react to that. Was she really that selfish, not considering his feelings at all. The tension in those few seconds of silence were intense and Rachel quickly grabbed her hand. Just wanting to get out of there.

He heard the front door shut and he immediately took one of the pillows and threw it towards the door, just as Hank entered the room with a cup of coffee and the paper tucked under his arm, ducking so he wouldn't get hit.

"You need your coffee."

"Fuck, Dad. What the hell does she think she's doing? Going out and looking for a job. It's fucking ridiculous. She nearly lost the baby the other night. She doesn't need this kind of stress."

"I know you're worried about her, Stanley, but you're leaving something out here."

"I asked her to marry me last night and she's avoiding the subject and me for that matter."

Hank sat down on the edge of the bed and set the coffee down on the nightstand t, "Well, that explains her manic behavior this morning. You have that woman's panties in a twist, my son."

"You don't seem to concerned."

Hank patted his son on his good leg and smiled, "She needs some time and it wouldn't hurt for you to be a little more patient. I know, not one of your strong suits, but the stress isn't doing you any good either."

Hank stood up, "Have your coffee, read the paper. Relax. Now I have a house to put on the market. If you need anything, just holler."

Just as Hank reached the door, Stanley called out, "Dad." And Hank turned seeing his son still looking concerned

"Yes, son?"

He shook his head, "Ah, forget it, I'm just being incredibly selfish about this whole thing. I have to stop hovering over her like shes a china doll ready to break at any minute."

"You love the woman, it's understandable you want to protect her. She'll come around, trust me."

"Trust you!"

Hank gave him a wink as he left the room. Stanley sighed and picked up the coffee mug, glancing at the photo of Emma on his nightstand. Somehow, someway he had to make her believe in them again. He took a sip and picked up the paper. His dad was right. He needed to be patient and relax. Skimming through the front pages nothing caught his eye. Reading was the last thing he wanted to do. Folding the paper he tossed it to his side. The black and white advertisement caught his eye and a light bulb went off in his head. His eyes lit it up. That was it.

Putting the coffee cup down he shouted, "Dad."

Immediately Hank was at the doorway, "You alright?"

"Better than alright. I need a phone book."

Hank didn't question his son. Just rolled his eyes, so much for the relaxing. He brought back the phone book and laid it on the bed. Watching his son frantically thumbing through the pages, he sighed. Stanley looked up.

"That's it, Dad. Go back to your house selling, I got this under control."

Hank wasn't so sure but when his son got his mind set on something, he was like a bull in a china shop. No stopping him.