They finally started getting ready. Bruce finished getting dressed. Amy put on her clothes and cleaned up the kitchen while Bruce packed. He was able to make arrangements with Winnie and Mia for Rebecca though he endured a lurid inquisition from both women. Amy cleaned up the breakfast which they never ate and made lunch. They ate quickly and when they finished Bruce went to his bedroom to call Donna while Amy cleaned up again.

Bruce told Donna that he had some personal business to tend to and needed some time off. He asked her if she would be up to taking his place with Judge Bell for the week. She asked him if the time off had anything to do with him missing the wedding to which of course he reiterated that his reasons were personal. Donna told him she hadn't made any plans and she didn't mind but she would need to make sure Amy didn't need her. Donna asked him if he knew that Amy didn't marry Stu and Bruce told her he heard. He elaborated that he spoke to Amy and she was still leaving for the week to sort things out. Donna commented that it seemed like everyone was sorting something out. Bruce didn't react to the comment but asked again if she would cover for him. Donna agreed and said she looked forward to her friends returning in a week. Bruce thanked her and said goodbye.

He was relieved the phone calls were done. Amy came in the room and strutted toward him. She pushed Bruce down on the bed and climbed on top of him.

"Its 12, so we have an hour to kill," she said deviously.

Bruce chuckled. It was comical for him to see her this way. It was also very difficult to ignore.

"No, we have an hour to get your things and drive to the airport," he replied as he gently tossed her to the side.

"That won't take an hour," she whined while crawling back to him.

"Have you called the airlines?" he asked in attempt to change the subject.

Amy's sheepish expression answered his question.

"I'll get on that right now," she said and then gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Bruce smirked again and gave her a "get your act together" look as he handed her the phone. She grabbed it, put it to her ear then put it back down dismayed.

"I'll need the tickets, won't I?"

"No. They should have your info when you call. You won't need them until you get to the airport."

"Ok. Here goes."

Since she had paid for both tickets, Amy was able to change Stu's name to Bruce's. However, she couldn't exchange destinations, so Spain would have to wait for another time. Bruce reminded her to tell the airline not to release his ticket information to anyone. The airline agreed to respect their confidentiality. Amy hung up and they finally headed to Bruce's car.

As they approached the car, Bruce remembered Maxine.

"What are we going to tell your family?"

"I want to get away and you're taking me to the airport."

He had a good grasp of the Gray family and wasn't confident that Amy's response would suffice. Bruce opened the door for Amy to get in.

"You think they're going to buy that?"

"Why wouldn't they? They don't have any other conclusion to jump to."

"Because they are Grays. You never take me at my first word."

"Well they are Grays. –I know how to handle them."

He closed her door and threw his suitcase in his trunk.

"We'll see," he mumbled to himself.

It was a quick ride in the car to her house. Bruce was anxious. He wasn't convinced things would be as easy as Amy thought. There was a good chance in fooling everybody, except Maxine. Bruce respected Maxine. She was wise and quick on her feet. He had heard so many stories from Amy and other social workers that backed those facts. Maxine was going to read her daughter like an open book. This wasn't the way Bruce would want Maxine to find out about them.

"Lets go in, I get your luggage, and you explain that you decided to clear your head and take that trip to Maui after all... No extra small talk because you are pressed for time and I've already agreed to take you... And you can't look happy Amy. It's nobody's business that we're together, but we should let our families know when the time is right. That's not now."

Bruce looked intense. At first Amy was put off, was he embarrassed to be with her? No, that didn't make sense. She realized that he was just nervous. And when Bruce was under pressure, he had a stern way of being. Not one of her favorite qualities about him, but she'd grown to accept it. They pulled up to Amy's house.

"Got it. Everything will work out. We can pull this off. We'll be in Maui making love in warm weather in no time," she said softly, trying to comfort him.

Her words made him realize that he might've been abrasive. He took a deep breath and tried to relax a little. He gave her an appreciative smile.

"You're right. I'd kiss you if we weren't parked in front of your house and Lauren wasn't running to the car."

Amy turned to see Lauren and Bruce grabbed her arm.

"Remember –sad not happy," he urged.

"Right," she responded and made a somber face.

They got out as Lauren ran up.

"Hey Noodle."

Lauren hugged Amy tight. It wasn't hard for Amy to hide her happiness now; she could feel her daughter's sadness. Bruce had walked around the car and watched them. He enjoyed seeing Amy in "mommy-mode"; it was a very endearing attribute to him. It was heartwarming to see Lauren's concern for her mother as well.

"I'm sorry about the wedding Mom. Did Stu make you mad? Are you ok?"

Bruce noticed Maxine open the front door and stand in the doorway.

"I'm fine honey. I'm sorry about the wedding too. Stu didn't make me mad; I just realized a little late that I didn't want to marry him. Do you understand?"

Lauren had a puzzled look.

"No but it doesn't matter as long as you're ok."

"Listen sweetie, I'm going to get away for the week. I need a break. Bruce is going to drive me to the airport. Are you going to be ok with Grandma and Uncle Vincent for the week?"

All three headed toward the house.

"Uncle Vincent is leaving today. Maybe you could ride with him to the airport? Me and grandma will be fine."

"Grandma and I. –Vincent is leaving today?... Well I need to be at the airport soon so I won't be able to wait for him."

"He already called a cab, I think he was about to go Mom. Maybe Mr. Van Exel could take you both."

Amy could feel the tension building in Bruce even though he kept his demeanor. She was beginning to feel a little tense herself. Vincent leaving now was a problem. They were now at the front door.

"Uhm, I'll talk with him. Thanks Noodle."

"I'm going to call Chanel. She wanted to get hooked up with one of Victor's boys."

Lauren ran into the house. Bruce shot Amy a disapproving look. Amy gave him a "what do you want me to do?" look.

"Ok, see you next week," she hollers after Lauren.

Now Bruce, Amy and Maxine stood inside the foyer at the house. Maxine gave Amy a hug.

"You had us worried sick. Don't do that again. And what's this about you seeing Lauren next week?"

Maxine didn't wait for a response. She turned to Bruce.

"Thank you Bruce. I'm so glad Amy has you for a friend. She's lucky to have you."

Maxine beamed at him. He smiled back, but it was difficult to hide his discomfort. Bruce felt like Maxine was eyeing his soul.

"No problem. I wasn't much a friend for at the wedding so it's the least I could do."

He quickly turned to Amy, hoping to get out of there.

"Where are your bags?"

Amy looked at Maxine.

"I'm still going to Maui Ma. I could use the time off. Did anyone get my suitcase from the limo?" she asked Maxine.

"I think your bags are in the living room. That's a sensible thing to do –take some time off. Did Bruce talk you into that?"

Bruce headed to the living room. Maxine called after him.

"Bruce you don't have to worry with that. Vincent is heading to the airport too. He had called a cab because I wanted to be here for Amy, but now that she's here, I'll drive them both."

"No Ma. I need you to stay with Lauren. She's planning some boy thing with Chanel that must be stopped and I don't have the right mindset to do it. I'd like it if Bruce were the one to take me to the airport. I still have a few things to discuss with him."

Maxine looked at Amy intently. Something was off. Amy didn't look as distraught as Maxine expected. Maybe it was just time well spent with Bruce. Bruce walked back to the foyer with Amy's bags in hand and looked at them both awkwardly. There was something funny about him too. Maybe he felt uncomfortable being there because of his absence at the wedding. Or did something happen between them. Maxine couldn't put her finger on it. She decided to leave well enough alone.

"Alright Amy, I'll give you your space considering the circumstances. After all, you are in good hands. Say goodbye to your brother before you go."

Maxine shot Bruce a phony smile with a quizzical look as she walked off. Bruce smiled back half-heartedly and headed to the car. He couldn't take anymore confrontations with the Grays.

"I'll be in the car," he said to Amy as he rushed out the door.

Amy went upstairs to find Vincent. She found him in her room. He was lying on her bed. He got up once he saw her.

"It was more comfortable here than the sewing room. Hope you don't mind."

He walked over and hugged Amy. It relieved him that she was more composed than she was last night.

"No, not at all," Amy responded with a smile.

"We should've never left you. Sorry about that."

"It's ok. I asked you to. I needed to be alone. I went to Bruce to confront him, not because I was lonely."

That was a borderline lie.

"Yeah? How'd that go?" Vincent earnestly asked.

Amy was conflicted. She remembered Bruce's words, but Amy knew she could talk to Vincent. There was a part of her that wanted to tell everyone how wonderful things were for her. Especially since everyone pitied her.

"Let's go to the backyard," she replied.