Prettypinkcheer5- I hope things calm down for you. And you can stand by that statement if you want. Glad you're back.

Strangexbutxtrue- Well you'll just have to wait and see what happens. Craig was honest with her, but there are a few small things that are about to come out in the next few chapters.

Klinoa- Well maybe this chapter will help the jury decide. I hope you like it.

XX- You're reviews are great and I look forward to them. I hope you find time to review these and CSI:NY. Everything will Kylah will be explained in time, I promise. You know me, I have a system to my writing. And you're the second person to do a Ricky on me. Yes Craig kept his promise. It's part of a plot. The reunion kind of continues here. The last chapter was just getting things out on the table. I hope you have stopped growling at Craig. Oh and working OC into the conversation is fine! LOL

Emador- And I did. I am so proud of me. You have to come home soon. I need advice! Miss ya! Love the Ricky Ricardo. And easy on the strangling.

Lia06- Well let's see how you feel about forgiveness after this chapter. I hope you like it.

Surfer-kel- What is your story's name? There is more to come with this forgiveness. Hope you like it.

Meadow567- Last chapter was just meant to get some things said. More happens here and you can comment on it. And leave Danny and Aurora out of this. I was on a mission with those two.

Flowersc781- Wow, lots of people won't forgive Craig yet. It's okay. Just keep reading and maybe something you like will happen.

Saturday, April 5, 1980

(Church Egg Hunt)

I was standing with Craig as we watched the children running through the field behind the church building looking for eggs.

"Where all did you hide them?" Craig asked.

"A few next to trees, in some taller grass, places like that." I said.

"Looks like the kids are having a lot of fun." Craig said.

"Yeah, when this is over they get to meet the Easter Bunny." I smiled.

"Kylah, I got to tell you. Seeing your hometown and the farm, it's nice here. No wonder you were home sick." Craig said.

"I told you that you'd like it here." I said.

"Speaking of sick, are you feeling better? You didn't feel well this morning." Craig said.

"I'm fine. It was just….queasiness." I said.

"Oh…your mom said you've been having that a lot lately. Are you sure everything is okay?" Craig asked.

"Yeah, its fine. It's just……everything that's been happening." I said. "How are you getting along with my parents?"

"Well, they're still skeptical of me." Craig said.

"Of course. They watched me mope around, cry and be miserable for a month." I said. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean that to sound that way."

"It's okay. I'm lucky your dad didn't shoot me, or call a couple of his brothers to come 'take care of me'." Craig said.

I laughed. "Stereotyping the south again."

"I know. But I wouldn't have blamed your parents at all if they had thrown me out of the house and forbid me to see you." Craig said.

"They know that wouldn't work. They know how much you mean to me…that's why they're giving you a chance." I said.

"You're mom seems to be warming up a bit. She's been asking a million questions. Everything from my family to hockey to my political views." Craig laughed.

"Yeah, that's a sign she is warming up to you." I said.

"Of course, your dad is still a bit hard to read. He still looks at me as if he's trying to figure me out." Craig said.

"He is, trust me." I said. "And he checked on me late last night to be sure you weren't in my bedroom."

I looked at the children, many of them getting their baskets full of dyed eggs. I looked up at Craig; he was watching the children too.

"This is a great idea for the kids. Why did you want me to come with you?" Craig asked.

I shrugged. "I had made a commitment to be here and didn't want to be away from you. And you'd have been alone at home because mom and dad are going to my cousins for a family get together."

"It's actually been nice. Meeting some of your friends, watching the kids and being back with you." Craig smiled.

"You ever think about having kids?" I asked him.

Craig shrugged. "Sure…..I wanted kids when I was with Susanne and she didn't."

"You said that was one of the things that drove you two apart." I said.

"It would be nice to have kids someday. Teach them to play hockey. Coloring books scattered on the floor, mud pies thrown at the dog." Craig said.

I smiled as one of the little boys ran up to me. "Miss Kylah, there are eggs in one of the trees, I can't reach them. Would you lift me up?"

"I can't lift you, but Craig can." I smiled.

Craig looked at me. "Oh yeah...sure. Where they at?"

The little boy grabbed Craig's hand and dragged me down through the field toward one of the trees. I smiled as I watched the little boy point up into one of the trees and Craig lift him up so he could reach he eggs he wanted. Craig set him down and he took off running.

Craig walked back over to me. "He wasn't heavy Kylah. You could've lifted him."

"I well….okay." I said.

"He couldn't have been more than four years old." Craig said.

(Back Home)

"Craig, you want to go for a walk around the farm?" I asked. "The evening is nice and warm and the sun is still shining."

"Yeah, that sounds nice." Craig said and stood up.

We walked off the porch and started back behind the house, walking towards the barn.

"When are your parents coming home?" Craig asked.

"Later tonight. I guess my cousin was having a dinner with a bunch of family." I said.

"Why didn't you go?" Craig asked.

"I didn't feel like a bunch of family right now. And I had already told the church I would help with the egg hunt." I said.

"Your family's farm is really nice. I bet you have so many stories about growing up here." Craig said.

"Yeah, there is an old pond beyond the tobacco field that Jake and I used to play in all the time. We were always trying to build rafts." I laughed.

"I saw you put his collage in your room." Craig said.

"Yeah, mom really likes it. It's nice having it there. Almost like Jake is looking over me." I said.

"You know….I've had dreams of Jake lately." Craig said.

I looked up at him.

"I know it sounds crazy but a few times the past couple weeks…..when I would be able to sleep. No matter what I was dreaming, Jake was there. He just stared at me, his arms crossed. I'd always wake up." Craig said.

I smiled. Jake had haunted Craig's dreams like I asked him to. It didn't make sense the way Jake came and went, but I was always glad for it.

I leaned against Craig. "I'm so glad you came here. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. I knew I loved you, but being away from you made me see just how much I loved you." Craig said.

"You going to church with us in the morning?" I asked.

"Of course. And after the big holiday dinner tomorrow, I have a surprise for you." Craig said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise." Craig smiled.

"You know Monday, we should go somewhere. Actually we could drive through the Smokey Mountains. You've never been there. It's wonderful." I said.

"Kylah, I have to fly back to New York Monday morning." Craig said.

"You're leaving already?" I asked.

"I have to get back." Craig said.

"I don't want to be away from you again." I said.

"Kylah, it'll be okay. I promise." Craig said.

'Wasn't that what he said last time?' I thought. I didn't push anymore, but started getting a sinking feeling.

"What's that building over there?" Craig asked.

"That's the washhouse." I said. Craig looked confused. "Lots of older farms have them. Years ago, women didn't wash clothes in the main house. A few years ago dad fixed it up. Made it into a bunkhouse. We don't use it much unless we have lots of company in. Come on, I'll show you."

"Your farm is so nice. I can see why you missed it so much." Craig said.

"I love it here. I know why Jake…well his heaven is home." I said.

We walked into the washhouse. There were two sets of bunk beds. A small table and a lamp.

"I don't think anyone has used this in about a year. Probably since the family reunion last year." I said.

Craig went and sat on one of the bottom bunks. "It's nice. I bet it's quiet to sleep out here."

I sat down next to him. "Yeah, it's peaceful all over the farm."

Craig leaned over and kissed me.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"I missed you so much." Craig said. "I'm so sorry I hurt you."

"Craig…I can forgive you. I love you, but don't ever hurt me again." I said.

"I won't, I couldn't." Craig said and touched my cheek.

"I hope you mean that." I said. "There's well…"

"Kylah, I love you so much. I won't hurt you ever again." Craig said and kissed me.

I pulled myself closer to him.

"You keep extra sheets out here so you can change them?" Craig asked.

"Yeah why….oh." I realized what Craig was saying. "I can change the sheets; we have extras in the cupboards upstairs."

Craig leaned in and kissed me again.

XXXxxxxXXXXXxxxx

Craig and I walked back into the house, it was getting dark outside. My parents weren't home yet. I took the used sheets to be washed.

Craig walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. "I missed that." Craig said.

"Me too." I said and leaned back against him. Just then the phone starting ringing.

"I have to answer that." I said and hurried to the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Kylah…what's going on?" Mac said.

"Oh Mac….ummmm Craig is here." I said.

"What? Since when? What's going on? Are you okay?" Mac asked.

"I'm fine. He showed up yesterday. He apologized and well he's still here. We've made up." I said.

"What was his problem?" Mac asked.

"He didn't know how to handle being away from me." I said.

"Have you told him…"

"No. He doesn't know. I don't want him sticking around because he feels he has to. I am just waiting to see what happens." I said. "He's already said he's going back to New York on Monday."

"Where does that leave you?" Mac asked.

"I don't know. He says he doesn't want us to be apart anymore, but he's got to go back to New York." I said.

Mac was silent a moment. "Kylah has Craig given you…something in a blue box?"

"Blue box? No…what kind of question is that?" I asked.

"Just thinking about something Pavelich told me." Mac said.

"Well, I'll let you know what happens. Craig is staying tomorrow for the holiday with me." I said.

"Kylah….if you need anything call me." Mac said.

"I will, thanks. Have a good Easter." I said.

"You too. Say hi to Craig for me." Mac said and hung up.