Kirsten in inside her office cleaning up. Suddenly she hears a deep voice behind her, "Hi Kirsten." Kirsten jumps and turns around. Oh no, she thinks. "Carter? What are you---" she said, shocked.

"I got your message."

Kirsten begins backing away. "That was a mistake and I asked you not to call back."

"I don't think you meant that."

"Oh no?" Kirsten asked, unsure of his motives.

"No. The way I left---- I mean. I feel bad about it. I'm staying in a hotel here for about a week. I wanted to see if there was anything here."

"Didn't I answer that when you were here?"

"I heard about rehab. I feel it sort of was my fault." Carter said coming closer to her.

"I'm putting that behind me, and Sandy and I are renewing our vows."

"I hope I'm invited."

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Kirsten said even more confused.

Carter edges toward her. "I love you Kirsten. And I think you feel the same way at least a little."

Kirsten walks hurriedly out of the office. Carter watches her leave.

"And I'm not giving up this time." Carter whispered to himself.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's dinner time in the Cohen house. The boys are making supper and Kirsten is drinking some water by the sink and looking out the window. Sandy is watching her and realizes that something is wrong. One by the look on her face and she drinks, whether it be water or wine, when something is going on. He goes behind her, wrapping his arms around her stomach and kisses her cheek. She looks at him and faintly smiles.

"What's wrong?" Sandy whispers. Kirsten sighs and puts her cup in the sink. "Boys please excuse us." She leaves toward the bedroom and Sandy follows becoming more anxious. Ryan and Seth look at each other and shrug and keep talking/fixing dinner. Kirsten sits on the bed, almost in tears.

Sandy walks over and stands in front of her. "What's wrong?" he asks softly w/ concern in his voice. She sighs again. "I have to tell you before you find out for yourself." With this Sandy sits beside her on the bed; puts his hand on her back, hoping to make her feel safer. "Carter's back in town." She said, her eyes darting from his to the floor.

"What--- What for?"

Kirsten keeps looking at the floor afraid to look into his eyes. "Apparently last year-when you and I were going through all that stuff- I sort of unintentionally led him on and now he's back to find out if there was anything between us."

Sandy takes his hand away and puts his elbows on his knees; his head in his hands. His hands go into his dark hair. He tries to think logically but he never really trusted Carter to begin w/. If Kirsten had "accidentally led him on" and Carter had a drinking problem, who knew what could happen? Suddenly, Sandy jumps from the bed and rushes to the door. "I'll settle this!"

Kirsten jumps in between Sandy and the door. "No! Let me handle it."

Sandy tries to calm himself. "But he------- what if--- he'll try----- I'm not losing you." He stammered. Sandy looks up into Kirsten's eyes w/ a pitiful look on his face, his eyes full of fear.

"That's not going to happen. You don't have to worry about that." Kirsten said as she held his face in her hands and gave him a small kiss.

"But what about last year." Sandy said slightly regretting it as he said it. He looked away.

"Last year we were going through something and Carter took advantage of that. This year we are the best we've been. It won't happen. It can't. If not by our stopping it, according to the banquet, Newport-as whole- won't let us." Kirsten said w/ a slight smile.

Sandy looked up into Kirsten's eyes. "Okay---I trust you---You can take care of it."

Kirsten pulls Sandy into a hug. He rests his head on her shoulder. She begins to run her fingers through his hair.

"We've been through so much though." Sandy said sadly. He wished they would stop going through these tribulations.

"I know I was hoping this year there wouldn't have to be anything more big problems this year." Kirsten said just as sadly.

"Oh honey. That's impossible."

"Yeah I guess everyone has to go through hard times."

Sandy pulls away from the hug and looks into Kirsten's eyes but he still has her in his arms. His arms are around her waist. She puts her hands on his forearms.

"Not only that. We live in Newport. That's Problem Central." He smiles at her and she laughs quietly.

"Let's go eat." She said after giving him a small kiss.

"Good idea." They share another brief kiss and walk to the kitchen. Kirsten has her right arm around Sandy's waist. Sandy's arm is resting on Kirsten's waist and Kirsten's hand is holding Sandy's hand on her hip. She rests her head on his shoulder. "I love you." She tells him. "I love you too." He responds.