Kate held the check in her hands, trying to hide her disappointment. She had been grateful everyday that it didn't arrive in the mail and after two weeks without it she'd begun to think maybe it got lost in the mail.

But here it was, in her hand.

"That's a relief, huh?" Jack asked half heartedly.

"Yeah, huge weight off my shoulders," she lied.

"You can take your time and find your dream home. Or build your dream home." She nodded without saying a word. "I'll go with you to look at places."

"You don't have to do that…"

"It wasn't a question. I'm not letting you go meet a stranger at a strange location. You hear horror stories about that kind of thing." He spoke so sternly that she knew not to question it. "I'm sorry, I just can't risk you getting hurt. You're… you're… you're the mother of my child," he finally stammered. He wanted to say so much more, he wanted to say she was his but he knew better.

They'd gotten so close the past few weeks but anytime their relationship or the past came up, Kate closed down. They'd spent every night tangled up in each other and every day playing house. And every day, Kate reminded him that it was the last time; it was never the last time. Now, he just had to subtly push her until the truth came out.

"I'll schedule you a few open houses."

By the weekend, Aaron was with his Grandma and Jack and Kate were at the third open house.

Kate had been quiet through the first two, focusing on things she didn't actually care about. She was growing tired of making excuses; she knew she was driving the realtor crazy when they both knew she was wasting his time.

The third house was perfect. It was all the things she had wanted. It had an in ground swimming pool in a yard that would be perfect for parties and barbecues. The rooms were large and sunny; the master bedroom had an enormous closet. The house was perfect.

"I don't know that it's the one," Kate lied, crinkling her nose.

"Are you kidding? I'm in love with this house. Let me show you…"

"Then you buy the house," she grumbled and walked away, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor in the dining room.

"What is going on with you?" Jack grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"Get off me!" She snapped, yanking her arm from his grasp.

"Would you talk to me?"

"Don't you get it? Don't you care? That place was our home…"

"No matter what house you buy, you're going to turn it into a beautiful home for you and Aaron—"

"OUR home, Jack. That's the only house we'll ever have." Tears were rolling down her cheeks before he'd even realized her eyes were welling up. "Even when I was alone, I was surrounded by those memories. The sheets and pillows used to have the faintest smell of you, even after you were gone. The living room was where we put our Christmas tree and curled up to watch holiday movies before putting Aaron to sleep and—"

"— putting all the presents under the tree. After I ate the milk and cookies," Jack smiled.

"You and I would lay in the bay window, curled up and watching thunderstorms at night…"

"That's why you've been so hesitant?" He asked with a small laugh.

"It's not funny!"

"Kate, those things don't have to be over," he moved so he could put one hand on each arm as she crossed them. "You don't think I've been afraid of you moving out for the same reason? That I love the way my pillow smells like you? That every counter and dresser reminds me of us—"

"I remember what we did on them," Kate chuckled, her cheeks blushing.

"Come with me a minute," Jack held his hand out and she took it without hesitation.

He lead her to the backyard, placing his hands on her hips from behind her. He closed his eyes and savored the feel of Kate's small body leaning into him. His hands moved to wrap around her waist. "Imagine the Fourth of July, an outdoor barbecue and pool party. I'll be grilling, you'll go into host mode. Or Aaron's birthday parties, with room for whatever theme or bouncy house he wants…"

Before she could respond, he stepped back in the house. "Imagine all those chaotic moments at dinner in this kitchen. Aaron running around, you trying to cook everything and me rambling about work…"

He moved to the master bathroom. "Look at that tub," he purred.

"Imagine coming home from work to find me soaking in there," she teased, glancing over her shoulder at him.

"Kate, you know if we're both clinging to the past, to each other…"

"We're not over each other," she whispered.

"I've never stopped loving you. And even if you can't admit it—"

"I love you," she admitted. "I've never stopped."

"So why are we pretending otherwise? Let's make this home a fresh start? Clean slate?"

Kate thought for a moment. "The walk-in closet is still all mine," she smirked, before pulling him into a kiss, using his belt loops to keep him pulled tightly across her body.

The end.