AN: Thanks so much to everyone that reviewed last chapter! I am so glad that you guys seem to like this story so far, your feedback is kind and I appreciate it so much. Also for readers of "Slow Heat" I know I promised to update that story first but a big chapter is coming up and with finals and tests I need a little more time to work on that one so hopefully around May 17 (year anniversary of the story!) a new chapter will be up. Thanks for being so patient with me. The next chapter of Fragile most likely will be after I finish up this semester because its crunch time, and I need to focus on finals.

Karen: I do love 8th and Ocean it's an awesome show! I was a little worried when I thought Britt was leaving…but you like Britt and Teddy? I used to like them until Heidi came along…but if you want I could try and write something for you. Just let me know:)

Chapter 3- Sunset over the Marina

Jack had a routine every morning before he went to work. Once the clock struck 6, he was up and ready for the day. The first thing he did every morning was kiss his wife, who usually didn't get up until about 7, and then he checked on Riley. Mornings were important to Jack, because depending on how the day started out, he got a feel for how the rest of the day would be. And since he was a doctor at one of the best hospitals in Savannah, Georgia, it was always his intention to make sure everything worked smoothly. Some days when the weather was nice, and a cool breeze was rolling off of the marina, Jack went for a run. He ran about a mile down the road, turned around, and on the way back stopped at the flower shop to pick up something for Kate. And last but not least, Jack used the rest of his time to prepare breakfast, and then set the table before both Kate and Riley got up. However, today just wasn't any regular day. Today was his anniversary. Three years ago Kate Austen became Kate Shepard, and he became the happiest man on the face of this earth.

Their anniversary couldn't be like any other day, because Jack wouldn't allow it. First of all, Jack had the entire day off, so he could indulge Kate, give her his complete attention, and bring the world to her feet. Kate deserved to be spoiled. Because she was the light in Jack's life, and the reason he had managed to find peace within himself after years of bitterness with his father. Upon crashing on the island, Jack had been in a dark place. He found out that his father had passed away in Australia, and it didn't help that he blamed himself for Christian's downfall. So when everyone came to him to be the leader he didn't want to do it. His life was just as messed up as theirs', and he was in no role to be leader, but Kate had been the voice that had given him reason and the purpose to take charge. He could still remember the way she had helped him stitch up his bloody cut the first day of the crash. She had been so scared, but yet Kate had allowed herself to get close to him. With her gentle touch, beautiful green eyes, and her way of always knowing the right thing to say she had sewed him back together.

Kate was the love of his life. And today they were celebrating their three year anniversary. Jack wasn't going to take his usual mile run even though he had set the alarm for five o' clock. There were a lot of things that he needed to do before Kate woke up at seven. He needed to shower, get breakfast ready, and last but not least make sure that the yacht was ready for him to take Kate and Riley around the marina. He wasn't able to take the yacht out as much as he would like, because he worked most of the time. And even though Jack had never been the materialistic type of person, the modestly sized yacht served its purpose as a reason to getaway with his family.

The alarm went off shaking Jack from the lightest stages of sleep. He opened his hazel eyes wincing at the tiniest sliver of light that was sneaking through the closed curtains. Kate was next to him. Jack yawned tiredly as he looked down at his wife. His beautiful wife, who looked like a work of art, any time of the day, and in any situation. Kate's hand was placed against his chest, and her nose rested against his cheek. She was sleeping so peacefully that Jack didn't want to wake her.

Jack kissed Kate on top of her tasseled chocolate tresses which were covering her face, and then pulled back the covers. Jack felt bad, because he had seen Kate turn off his alarm and set her own. He knew that she wanted to beat him, and wake up before dawn so she could plan her own surprise, but Jack was selfish and he wanted to shower Kate with his love, not the other way around. As he sat up Jack looked around the dark room, and allowed his eyes to adjust to the faint light. He was tired but there was no time to give himself a couple more seconds to wake up. After breakfast and a trip around the marina, Claire was coming over with Aaron so she could go with Kate to the spa, and during that time Jack would have to fulfill his babysitting duties. He figured that he would take Aaron and Riley to the beach for the day, and then when Kate and Claire came back he would be ready to wisk Kate to Atlanta.

Yes, he had it all planned out. Jack opened their bathroom door, and then closed it behind him so the bathroom light wouldn't wake Kate. As he looked into the mirror, he realized that he needed to shave. Jack wanted to be fresh for today, clean shaven. Kate liked his stubble and she preferred that he kept just the right amount, but since they were going to be attending one of the finest restaurants in Atlanta, the stubble would have to go. Jack dropped down to look underneath the sink, and pulled out a packet of razors and some Gillette shaving foam.

Fifteen minutes later Jack was shaved, showered, and out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. From the dresser he pulled out a pair of boxers, and then moved towards the closet he shared with Kate to take out some khaki pants, with a stripped blue and white button down shirt. He got dressed in record speed, and lastly sprayed on Kate's favorite cologne on him. When he wore this particular cologne, Curve, Kate was always close by breathing him in. Jack thought it was hilarious, but at the same time he had learned how to make his cologne work for him and the mood. Marriage had changed them both in odd ways, but in Jack's eyes they had both changed for the best.

Jack glanced at Kate one last time before disappearing outside. She was now holding onto his pillow as if it was him. He smiled to himself and closed the door. Jack checked on his son next. The room was dark so he stepped inside. Riley was still asleep as well. Jack sat down on the edge of his son's bed and ran his hands over Riley's dark brown hair. Unable to resist Jack leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Hopefully, Kate will consider giving you another sister or brother, so you and Aaron can have someone else to play with." Jack checked Riley's temperature and was relieved to see that Riley didn't have a fever any longer. A few minutes later, Jack went downstairs to start on breakfast.

Jack turned on the radio, and hummed along to the Dave Matthew's Band "Dreamgirl" as he pulled out a pot, as well as some eggs and butter from the refrigerator. So far he was in a good mood so Jack hoped that the rest of the day would run smoothly. Usually he was able to prepare breakfast, but by the time Kate and Riley woke up he had to leave, but today he could eat with them. Jack scooped out a spoonful of butter and placed it into the pan, as it sizzled and popped; he went to the refrigerator and pulled out some bacon and toast next. He had a lot to do in so little time.

As Jack cooked he looked out towards the marina. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. The sky was a breathtaking shade of dark pink and the sun was just to rise beyond the horizon. Jack smiled to himself as he took in the sunset. Back in L.A. he never took the time to breathe and enjoy something as simple as the sunset, but here in Georgia with Kate and Riley, he was able to do that every other morning. Life was great, almost too perfect, so at times Jack had to remind himself that something wasn't going to come out of the blue to mess up his paradise.

Breakfast was ready about twenty minutes later. While the food cooled Jack quickly ran outside to check the condition of the yacht. Luckily for him everything was in order, and the only thing left for him to do was set the table. The water lapped at the edges of the medium sized boat as Jack made sure everything was in place. Flowers were on the table, fresh flowers, and next to that was a necklace inside a delicate blue box. Every anniversary Jack gave Kate a new necklace, among other things. He knew that Kate didn't care for jewelry, but he couldn't resist but to buy her the finest whenever he came across it. Once he was pleased with the setting of the table, Jack got ready to go upstairs to wake Kate.

The winds shifted gently blowing against his cheeks. He closed his eyes as he enjoyed the soothing feel. Jack liked to sail whenever he could, and he was happy that he could today. He loosed his shirt a little more to reveal his chest. Jack couldn't remember the last time that he got to spend a full day with Kate, and even more so he couldn't remember the last time they had been intimate. He smiled to himself. Although he held her in his arms every night, he missed the closeness that they used to share, the sex.

"Ahoy Captain, that's some sexy chest hair you have there." Kate teased.

Jack looked up shaking his thoughts. His mouth dropped open as he straightened his back slowly. He crossed his arms as he admired Kate who resembled a beacon from the shore. She had showered and her mocha tresses hung in soft curls around her shoulders. Kate wore a pale green sundress and heels, and Riley was standing next to her. Jack took in a mouthful of air as he tried to gather his thoughts. She looked stunning, not that this was the first time that Kate had shocked him, but she only wore dresses on rare occasions. "You look beautiful," He shielded the rising sun's beams from his eyes with his hand.

"You turned off my alarm clock Jack." Kate replied as she approached her husband with a disapproving shake of the head. "I am not happy."

Jack stepped off of the yacht, and walked the docks towards Kate and Riley. Without giving Kate a reason for turning off her alarm clock, Jack swept her up in his arms. He kissed her tenderly and then placed her back down on the ground. Kate hugged him, and then playfully hit him on the back.

"You always plan everything; I wanted to do something special for you just this once."

"Well then you should've hid your alarm from me." Jack advised.

Kate rolled her eyes towards him. "Now I know. But I think I've got something that will make your day, maybe even your year." She raised her chin in his direction and passed him a pleased smile. "So I'll be one up on you."

Jack narrowed his eyes at Kate curiously. "When are you going to fill me in this surprise of yours?"

Kate placed her hands on Riley's shoulders and then bent down so she could hug him. Riley looked up at Kate with big green eyes, and held his arms up in the air to accept his mothers hug. "Sweetie, would you mind going inside for a second so I could talk to your father…" Kate looked up towards Jack with a hint of mischief in her lustrous jade saucers.

"Yes," Riley said.

"We'll be right in little man." Jack replied bending down to Riley's level and then placing a hand on his shoulder. "I was thinking that we could go to the beach later with Aaron does that sound fun."

Riley smiled back at Jack. "Can we see the whales?"

Kate grinned at Jack as she rested her chin on top of Riley's soft hair. "I think he means the dolphins."

"No mommy the whales," Riley replied with a shake of the head.

"Oh," Kate said looking back at Riley in confusion. She had been to the beach multiple times but she had never seen whales.

"We can see the whales when we go to Sea World in the summer, but at the beach you know what we can do instead." Jack's eyes widened as he saw the joy on his sons face. "We can make sandcastles, with a big moat right around the walls."

To most kids sandcastles, and moats would fall way short of the chance to see a whale, but Riley wasn't like other kids. "Is that okay with you buddy?"

Riley nodded. "Yes, can we get ice-cream too?"

"Whatever you want," Jack added.

"Thank you," Riley let go of Kate, and she stood up.

Kate watched him for a while, until she saw Riley sit down at the table in the kitchen, and then turned back to Jack. "Maybe if you're on your best behavior, then I'll let you in on my secret."

"What counts as my best behavior, because I have a feeling that I'm going to break all the rules tonight." Jack said in just below a whisper.

Kate glanced over her shoulder at Riley once more and then pulled Jack towards her. She looked him up and down as she gently fingered the buttons on his shirt. "I can't tell you the surprise until I get you alone, you're going to have to be patient."

Jack placed his hand behind Kate's head and gently pulled her towards him. He kissed her softly and then allowed his hands to slip through her silky locks. As they pulled away Jack beamed back at her. "I'll try to be patient, and I guess I'm sorry for turning off your alarm,"

"That was a very low thing to do Jack,"

"I know," He blushed.

"You should be punished."

Jack passed Kate a devilish grin, "Well then how about you punish me later and then we'll call it even."

Kate stared deep into Jack's hazel eyes, and then tilted her head to the side. She was going to take him up on that, since it was just going to be them tonight, on their anniversary. "We can talk about this later,"

"We can do more than talk later," Jack corrected.

Kate rolled her eyes as she reached for Jack's hand and led him back into the house. She grabbed a couple plates for the food and Riley quickly went to assist her. "Oh you don't have to help me Ry,"

"But can I?" He asked holding out his hands.

"Mommy's little helper," Kate nicknamed him affectionately as she handed him two cups from the cabinet above. "You got them,"

"They're light," Riley informed holding them up high.

"Okay then," She placed her hand on his lower back and guided Riley back outside with her.

The yacht gently bobbed in the calm waters not to far from the dock. Riley, Jack and Kate sat at the small table on the modestly sized top deck. Kate held her hair back as the wind wiped around her face. It was a little breezy outside, but it still felt nice with the warm sun bathing down on her. As she reached for a strawberry on Jack's plate he reached for her hand. Kate looked back at him in surprise. "I can't have one?"

"You can have them all if you want," Jack replied with a smirk as he motioned to the five strawberries left on his otherwise clean plate.

"You can have mine mom," Riley said pushing his plate over to Kate.

Kate tried to wring her hand out of Jack's but he held on tighter. She raised her eyebrows at him playfully and the focused on their son. "Riley, you didn't eat that much?"

"I'm saving room for ice cream," He announced placing his little hands on his stomach. "Can I?"

"If you're full," Kate said as she tickled his stomach.

Riley giggled and got away from Kate as quickly as his little legs would take him. "I don't like to be tickled,"

"Well mommy is sorry," Kate said with a nod.

"s'ok," Riley replied as he gave Kate a hug.

Kate kissed him on the head and then wrapped her free arm around him. It was going to be hard to leave him alone for the rest of the day; because she was so used to toting him around wherever she went. And speaking of 'toting' she still need to announce to Jack that she was carrying his 2nd child. Kate realized that Jack was still holding onto her hand. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to get you attention baby,"

Kate grinned back at Jack, "Well you've got it…baby,"

"Claire will be over shortly so we have to head back, but not without a dance." Jack raised his eyebrows up and down with a charming smile.

"You're too much," Kate said with a scoff, but she was only playing of course. From the corner of her eye she watched as Riley walked towards the railing. "Ry, don't get too close,"

"I know," He called back.

Jack stood up. He gave Kate's hand a gentle tug and looked down at her with an irresistible gleam in his light eyes. "I've always wanted to dance with you on this boat, but can you believe that I never asked until now."

"Leave up to you to come up with ideas like this,"

"You don't want to dance with me?"

"No,"

Jack shrugged, "Well, today I'm going to be bossy and order you too."

Kate hit him on the shoulder, "That may have worked on the island, but you know who is in charge here."

"Me?" Jack asked with a smirk as he linked his hands in between Kate's and swayed slowly from side to side. Kate leaned forward and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"You wish,"

"I'm only kidding." Jack placed his hands on Kate's face as he leaned away to look into her eyes. "I can't wait to get you to Atlanta,"

Kate smiled to herself wistfully as she relaxed against Jack's body. His stomach rose up and down slowly against her own, and now his nose rested against her cheek. She thought about telling him about the baby, but she would force herself to hold off the news for a little bit longer. "I brought something special for you,"

"Kate, I told you didn't have to buy me anything."

"Well, after I left work the other day Claire and I got together with Aaron and Riley and we went to the mall. I saw this sexy french blue button down shirt, and I wanted to see you in it."

"Wouldn't you rather see me in nothing," Jack said flirtatiously.

Kate peered over at Riley, and then looked back at Jack. "Well you do have to be dressed sometimes, but anyways the shirt isn't what I brought for you. While Claire took the boys to the toy store I went into Victoria's Secret…enough said.

Jack licked his lips. "Lingerie, nice,"

"Sexy lingerie, you're in for a treat later." Kate cupped his face in her hands and then stole a kiss. "It's lace Jack."

"You wear lace well," He replied in a stupor as images of Kate in a barely there lingerie ensemble flashed into his mind.

Kate raised her eyebrows up and down suggestively, and then trailed her hands along the smoothness of Jack's jaw. "You shaved,"

Jack raised his chin as Kate ran her hands along his smooth skin, "I did, because we're going to a five star restaurant tonight."

"Jack,"

"Kate," He said with a sigh. "I've made these reservations a while ago so there is no point in arguing now now. You'll like the food at this place." Jack gave her an ok sign with his hands as if that would pacify her.

Kate grabbed his hands and gave it a squeeze. "You know I would settle for a cheeseburger from McDonalds. Well, actually a happy meal, because you know the fries and drink come cheaper."

"And it also comes with a toy," Jack teased as he released Kate from his arms. He watched lovingly as Kate pulled her thick hair away from her face. She was so beautiful; everything she did made him fall harder for her. After three years his love hadn't faded but only increased. A smile slowly formed on Jack's face as he watched Kate turn towards Riley for support.

. "Hey Riley, you like it when I give you my toy right."

Riley nodded. "And when you play with me."

"See," Kate jabbed her finger into Jack's chest with satisfaction.

Jack rubbed Kate's bare arms. "I think Aaron and Riley would like another sibling better. I mean when they get older it's just not going to be cool to play with the 'mom' you know how kids are."

Jack was making this impossible. Kate bit her tongue in order to keep her secret. Instead she gave Jack a shrug and then eased her body out of his arms. "We'll cross that bridge when it's time, but as for now I am the coolest mom, well next to Claire of course."

Jack nodded, "Okay, and then you'll be the coolest soccer mom."

Kate's eyebrows lowered over her eyes at the horrid thought of being a soccer mom. She wasn't ready for that big of a transition yet. Kate expected Jack to give her more of an argument but instead he left it alone. Kate turned away from her husband who was now watching the sunlight cascade down on the bobbing waves. Patience had never been a quality that Jack was particularly good at, but he was trying. "Just wait for it,"

Jack glanced at Kate over his shoulder. "Wait for what?"

"I have a little anniversary gift for you too, besides the um…lace" Kate winked at him suggestively in order to clear his mind of any thoughts about a baby. "I'm not the only one that deserves to be pampered today," Kate and Jack shared each other's gaze for a couple more seconds until Kate looked around for Riley. She knew that he would never get to close to the edge but she couldn't help but to worry. It was motherhood that had turned her into this constant worrier, and she realized that everyday.

Riley was sitting in Kate's chair and eating the rest of the strawberries that he had given her earlier. "Sorry mommy,"

"For what?" Kate asked.

"Eating your berries," He said apologetically.

Kate went over to Riley and ruffled his hair, "Its okay I was finished with them anyways."

Riley handed her one off of the plate.

"Well okay," Kate accepted the strawberry and then glanced at Jack who was resting his back against the rail with his arms crossed. He was giving her one of usual admiring looks. Thankfully she was used to them by now, but whenever she was behaving like a 'mom' which was often, Jack gave her the 'look.'

"If only I had my camera right now," Jack mused.

"I hid that thing from you," Kate said as she reached for a napkin to wipe around Riley's mouth. She knew that he could do it by himself, but she had a tendency to help out anyways. "We have so many pictures that are still undeveloped, let's focus on developing them first and then we can have…" Kate playfully rolled her eyes in Jack's direction. "We can have more photo shoots so you can show pictures of Riley to your co-workers,"

"They look forward to new pictures every week, and I show you off too. My beautiful wife, and my son." Jack said with a grin. "Back in L.A. I didn't have anyone to show off, but now that I do, you better believe I'm going to boast." Jack knew that he had Sarah then, but she represented a dark part of his life that he didn't care to revisit. "I can't help it that I'm proud of my family, and how life turned out after being stranded on an island."

Kate wrapped her arms around Riley as she looked away from Jack's 'doting dad' expression. "They probably talk about you know. I can see it now, nurses run the other way when they see you because they know you have tons of pictures to make them look at."

"I don't make them look at anything, they come to me in flocks, Kate" Jack said with a smile as he walked over to Kate.

"Yes, of course." Kate sat down next to Riley and crossed her legs. "You're dad is delusional sweetie."

Riley rested his head on Kate's shoulder.

"No Riley, you're dad is just proud." Jack massaged Kate's shoulders, and looked down at her as she tilted her head up towards him. The sunlight was falling into her eyes so Jack blocked the brightness with his head as he leaned forward. "Any man that didn't show you off would be an idiot, next to your charm and beauty, you keep me in line."

Kate puckered out her lips. "I'll always keep you in line, whenever I suspect that you're being too bossy, or spending too much money on me, I'll give you a kick."

"You're lucky I love you because no one kicks Jack Shepard and gets away with it."

"I noticed, but I'm not Sawyer."

"I know, and I'm thankful for that." Jack lowered his lips onto Kate's and his eyelids fluttered close as he sampled her mouth. She was wearing some kind of lip gloss. Jack eased his hands through Kate's tangled locks, as her hair grazed his arms. They kissed for a couple more seconds until Jack stood back up.

Kate licked her lips. "I think you're wearing more of my lip gloss now than me."

Jack made a face as he wiped the back of his hand over his mouth.

"I guess we should keep the PDA down to acceptable levels when Riley is so close by, because I'm sure he doesn't want to see all of this." Kate focused back on Riley, who was sleeping now. "Sleep already?"

"He always falls asleep easily on this boat," Jack said. "I'm going to turn the boat back around so we can be there when Claire arrives."

Kate pulled Riley into her lap, and wrapped her arms around him. She tied his small Nikes that were unlaced and then rested her head against his. He was her child, and she loved him more than she could put into words. Next to Jack, Riley had been her chance for redemption. They had both made her a better person, and thanks to them here she was.

"He's not a teddy bear," Jack said with a chuckle as he watched Kate hold Riley tightly.

"I didn't have teddy bears when I was a kid," Kate announced.

"What did you have?" Jack asked softly.

Kate thought it over and then glanced over her shoulder at Jack, "Hopes and dreams." She smoothed down Riley's shirt over his stomach. "And somehow they all came true."

Jack smile lingered as he listened to Kate. "So you always dreamed of living in Georgia, and getting married to a doctor that you met on an island that your plane crashed on?"

"Something along those lines, but more than anything I just wanted to be happy. And I am Jack. All my life I've wanted to change something, but now I'm happy, and I couldn't ask for more."