Thanks for all the reviews – Jen, Sheryl, Sunny, Pumpkin Muffin, Cynthia, Lu78, beachtree, Kylie, Lauren, ally, storymom, FriendsHolic, softthorns and Panz.

Jen – The Power of Love is coming next week! I'm writing these in order as they're shown over in the UK.

This one has a lot of dialogue, so I'm not sure how well it flows, but it felt like there was a lot for them to talk about at this point. I hope you like it.

The Family Ties

Sandy was exhausted. He came downstairs from grounding Seth to find the house almost empty of guests. The last few stragglers were waiting patiently for their cars to be returned to them and Sandy was grateful that of all the cars that Seth had decided to steal, it had been Caleb's. Despite his anger, Sandy had found it hard not to laugh at Caleb's expression when Seth returned with his precious Aston Martin.

He wandered through the house and saw Kirsten leaning against the bar nursing a glass of merlot. She turned as he approached, sensing him, almost like a sixth sense.

"Hey," she greeted him, subdued.

"Hey," Sandy responded.

Kirsten instinctively leaned into him as he kissed her temple and ran his hand over her back.

"Has Jimmy gone?" Sandy asked.

Kirsten answered with nod. "Where's Seth?"

"In his bedroom, where he'll be for the next two weeks," Sandy said, leaning against the bar next to her.

"What's going on with him?" Kirsten asked, concerned.

Sandy shrugged. "He's a teenager."

Kirsten smiled, and then frowned. "Should we be worried about his new girlfriend?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure if he's acting this way because she wants him to, or because he thinks she wants him to," Sandy answered. "We'll talk to him tomorrow."

He felt her sigh next to him and he watched her as she swilled her wine around in its glass.

"Are you ok?" he asked gently.

"Yeah. It's just been a long day, you know," Kirsten answered.

"Are you upset about Jimmy leaving?"

Kirsten looked warily at him, expecting him to be upset by her obvious sadness. Instead she was met with his concerned eyes.

"It just feels strange, I guess," she answered truthfully. "I mean, I've known him for over half my life, he's always been here. And now he's not."

"Well, you've still got Julie; and the Newpsies."

Kirsten rolled her eyes at him. "Are you trying to make me feel better or worse?"

Sandy chuckled.

"I don't know. Jimmy's probably the only real friend I have; the only person I can talk to except you," Kirsten said.

"You've still got me!" Sandy grinned.

"But who am I supposed to talk to about you?" Kirsten laughed.

Sandy pouted playfully and Kirsten reached her hand up to stroke his cheek to appease him. Sandy rubbed his hand across her shoulders.

"I'm going to miss him too," Sandy said, echoing Kirsten's thoughts. Jimmy was one of the few friends that Sandy had in Newport too. He found so many of the people in this town shallow and self-absorbed.

"At least I don't have to worry about him hitting on my wife any more," Sandy teased.

"Sandy!" Kirsten scolded, trying to suppress a smile.

Sandy laughed at his own joke and planted a kiss on Kirsten's cheek. Pleased that he could make her smile, he finally couldn't hold back the niggling question that had been bugging him.

"So…how come you weren't surprised by Jimmy's confession?"

He eyed her playfully and Kirsten couldn't help but laugh. "Julie's been acting weird for weeks. And I think they were making out in the kitchen at Chrismukkah."

Sandy raised his eyebrows. "You think?"

"Well, they made their excuses and disappeared," Kirsten giggled. "It's not something I wanted to think about!"

"Well, she finally did it. Julie managed to run him out of town," Sandy said bitterly.

"I don't know, Sandy. I saw her crying earlier, she was really upset," Kirsten defended.

"Julie Cooper-Nichol crying actual tears?" Sandy teased and Kirsten shot him reproaching look.

"She wasn't the only one who was upset," Kirsten commented.

"Marissa put on quite a show, didn't she?" Sandy said. "Poor kid."

"Jimmy asked me to keep an eye on her. Go round the house and check on her once in a while," Kirsten said.

"Your dad's house?" Sandy asked.

Kirsten nodded solemnly.

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him I would. How could I refuse?" Kirsten questioned.

"Did you speak to your dad tonight?" Sandy asked cautiously.

Kirsten shook her head. "I can't. Every time I see him I get so angry."

"You're going to have to talk to him eventually," Sandy said gently.

Kirsten glared at him. "And talk about what? The affair he had when he was married to my mom? Or the illegitimate child he kept secret for sixteen years?"

"Both," Sandy answered simply. "If you want answers, you're gonna have to ask him the questions."

Kirsten sighed.

"Oh, honey, I know you're mad at him. You have every right to be. But keeping all this bottled up isn't doing you any good," Sandy said.

Kirsten nodded. "I know. I know you're right," she sighed. "I guess I can't ignore him forever."

"Trust me, honey, I've been trying that for years and it hasn't worked yet," Sandy joked.

Kirsten laughed, wondering what kind of emotional wreck she would be without her husband.

"So I saw Lindsey here," Sandy said, changing the subject. "How's that going?"

"Good, I think. She's a great girl, so smart," Kirsten gushed. "I think we're becoming friends. Things are still a bit awkward, and we're not close to being sisters yet…"

"But friends is a good start," Sandy continued where Kirsten trailed off.

Kirsten nodded before covering her mouth with her hand to hide a yawn.

"Why don't you go to bed, I'll finish up down here," Sandy offered.

"No, it's ok," Kirsten refused.

"Go," Sandy ordered.

Kirsten smiled gratefully. "You won't be long?"

Sandy shook his head. Kirsten leant over and kissed him.

"Thanks."

"I love you," Sandy said.

"I love you," Kirsten repeated.

Sandy watched her as she walked down the corridor, making a note to hide all their breakable objects when she finally spoke to Caleb.