"And then we learned about dinosaurs and my favorite is a T Rex and then I asked Mom to go to the 'seum and see them and then…"

Aaron's words became background noise when he saw her. The bouncy brown curls, the mosaic of tiny freckles across her face and those eyes. That gentle smile when she saw him.

Aaron turned to see what his dad was looking at. "Oh it's just mom." He turned back to Jack. "And then I went to the dentist and I had no cavities!"

"Hey Buddy, I'm a little thirsty…" Jack started.

"Maybe we could get him a soda," Margo offered.

"You just want to talk to Mom," Aaron rolled his eyes. "My stories are cooler."

Jack and Kate both laughed at the child. "I'm not going anywhere," Jack promised him. "I just want to talk to your mom for a few minutes."

"Okay, but don't fall asleep again!" Aaron warned.

"I promise to take care of him," Kate kissed the top of Aaron's head.

"Come here," Jack patted the bed when they were alone. "You're so beautiful." He cupped her cheek, reveling in the way she pressed herself against his hand.

"I was so worried," Kate sobbed.

"Hey, hey. I'm okay. Don't cry." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"I really love you, Jack. I don't think I ever realized how much—"

"I'm okay, baby." He stroked her cheek, gently. He hated how conflicted Kate looked: how worried. "I'm sorry I scared you. What did I miss?"

"Nice change of subject," Kate raised one eye with a grin. "Nothing, honestly. I mean Aaron told you every detail but I stayed here anytime I wasn't taking care of Aaron."

"You should have been a nurse, you know it?"

"I think I'm exactly where I need to be."

"What's wrong? You're holding something back, I can tell. Whatever it is, just tell me," Jack begged.

"It's not the time," she whispered. She couldn't stand to look him in the eye and lie to him. She'd worded everything carefully, trying to stay honest.

"C'mon."

Kate sighed. "You aren't remembering it all, Jack. There's a month or so you aren't remembering."

Jack let out an exhale, laying back to the bed. He knew amnesia patients often got their memory back but it was a tough sell. He had missed a month's worth of bedtime stories with Aaron. A month of holding Kate in his arms. "It's okay," he whispered. "I'll get caught up—"

"We had a fight," she blurted. Even the idea of lying to him was killing her.

"Is that what you were worried about?" Jack asked, amused. How could she be so torn up about one measly fight. "I don't care about it. Actually, whatever we fought about, I'm sorry. Whatever I said, I didn't mean."

Kate let out a laugh, her eyes filled with tears that wouldn't fall. "It was a bad fight," she whispered.

"However bad, it's in the past," he assured her.

Kate felt a sense of relief wash over her. He didn't care if they'd broken up. He'd never know the details and they could just move on. They could be together.

"…besides, I'm sure my memory will come back in a day or two." Kate felt a knot in her stomach growing. He'd eventually find out; he'd eventually know that she left him, she'd given up for him. But she didn't want it to end; she couldn't give up the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the world. "I want to come home."

"Are…are you sure it's okay?" She asked nervously.

"I'm fine, just a little forgetful."

"Don't downplay it," she begged, her eyes wide.

"I promise." Jack hadn't realized just how worried Kate had been until that moment. He hated the idea of how she would have taken it if something happened. "Kate, I'm really sorry I worried you—"

"Dad!" Aaron yelled, interrupting them. He ran into the room and jumped onto the bed.

"Easy, baby," Kate warned him.

"I'm fine," Jack assured her, pulling Aaron against him.

"Daddy? When will you be home?" Aaron whined. "Mom doesn't read my book so good…"

"I'm coming home today," Jack smiled, watching the little boy. Sometimes, watching the child made him think of Claire. All she wanted was this boy to be loved and well taken care of. He knew she'd be proud, Aaron was happy and healthy.

"If the doctor agrees," Kate added. "And we have to pick some of your stuff up."

"Where is it that we don't have it?" Jack asked, confused.

"You left it at your house," Margo smiled. "Jack, honey, you were so busy with the hospital and business conventions that you stayed at your apartment most of the time. You were always at work. It was like you didn't even live at the house anymore." From behind Jack, Margo saw Kate's expression of disbelief and tried to offer the subtlest shrug she could muster.

"Have I been away that much? Kate, I didn't consider how much I've put on your plate. You've been raising Aaron mostly alone. You're maintaining the household and holding the family together. You're amazing. I'm in awe of all you do and I promise I'll be home more often." He saw the tears sliding down the plains of her face. "Shhhh… don't cry…"

"Don't cry, Mommy."

"I'm just happy, baby." Kate sniffled, her attention going to Jack. "You don't know how badly I needed to hear that. I've waited a long time…" her voice got choked up. This was him. This was the man she fell in love with. The man who made her feel loved and appreciated. The man who knew she'd never have an affair; the man who trusted her.

"Do you promise?" She whispered to him. "That nothing matters but here and now?"

"I promise. You don't have anything to worry about." Jack kissed her hand, his brown eyes wide as he looked at her. She seemed to vulnerable, something unlike her. He wondered what they could have fought of that could be that bad. He didn't understand how he could ever see this side of Kate and not fall to his knees begging forgiveness. His heart ached with regret over whatever had happened. The expression on her face had him convinced Jack was at fault for whatever had occurred and he vowed to make up for it.

Kate locked eyes with Margo and took a deep exhale. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she deserved a happy ending.