All familiar characters and events belong to Janet. Mistakes are mine alone. The recipe is one I saw that Steph thought she could actually do.

As soon as the last bite of Olivia's rainbow waffle disappeared into her mouth, Stephanie leaned forward with her elbows on the kitchen table.

"Guess what we're gonna do as soon as we're done breakfast and get you dressed?"

"We'd played da more."

My wife nodded encouragingly. "In a way. We're traveling back to the nineteen fifties and are gonna make cookies while Daddy goes to work."

It's official, I'll never be able to predict what will come out of Stephanie's mouth. I'm familiar with being under heavy mortar fire, and I've been married to Steph for almost two years - and have loved her for much longer than that - and the two produce oddly similar internal 'I can't believe this shit' responses at times.

"Babe."

"You're right. I lived in or near the Burg for three decades of my life, and that's what 'good' Burg families still do … and we've been out of the fifties for a bazillion years now."

"Ballillon," Olive repeated.

"Exactly, Olive. See? Even our baby agrees with me. But to keep things in this century, we're making cookies that are only partially homemade."

"And why are you doing that?"

"Because cookies make people feel better. And you can't show up to somebody's house empty-handed. That's probably the only thing I learned from the Burg that I agree with. Plus, Mary Lou gave me the recipe with the added knowledge that these kept her boys busy when they were all Olive's age. You dump a tub of whipped topping stuff, a box of cake mix, and an egg, in a bowl ... mix, and then roll blobs of dough in 'snow sugar' as Olive calls it, then bake until done. It's basically a craft project. Easy peasy."

"Peely zee," our daughter agreed.

I know when to let a subject go. "I thought you said you were stopping in to see how Mabyn and her mother are doing today and visiting with Aubrey and Hades afterwards?"

"We are … and we're bringing them snacks. Right, Olive?"

"Right!" She yelled, meeting her Mama's high-five with one that was likely audible over in Newark.

"Oww, but I love the confidence you've got going on there. You're small, but freakin' mighty, Olive-Pie."

All of my girls would qualify as that, but I'm smart enough not to say that out loud.

Steph gathered dishes for the dishwasher while the dogs and I headed to the twilight zone that is Olive's closet. Before we got past our mutts to get the door open, Steph was back with us.

"It's cold out today, so go with a tunic top so she can wear some thick leggings and her tall buckle boots."

"I didn't understand one word of that, Babe, other than it's cold out."

She waved her hand at me. "Let the experts take over here. You're released from duty after we get a kiss. Are you taking the boys with you?"

I pressed my lips to hers, not because I was leaving … but because I wanted to kiss her. "Yes. Barring an emergency, I'm not scheduled to leave the building, so Gunny and Mo can have the run of the fifth floor. I expect the two of you to stop in on your way out."

"Like I'd ever deprive myself of more time with you or not let Olive see her Uncles."

"I didn't think you would, but I wanted to be sure."

She snorted adorably. "When aren't you sure of something?"

"You'd be surprised."

But how I meant that is she'd never believe that her loving me back is the only thing in my life I've never been sure of. Though maybe that's not entirely accurate, since I never thought I'd have the relationship with Julie that I've been fortunate enough to develop.

I avoided thinking about the similarities in the only things I've ever doubted in my life.

"Olive, Daddy needs lots of kisses to hold him over until we're ready to leave. No, Mo, I said Olive needs to give kisses … not you. Put that tongue away already. Where's Mado when you need a doggie diversion?"

"I didn't look because I don't want my hunch to be correct, but I'd guess she's snoring on top of my pillow again."

I withstood the dog licks from Mo and then Gunny and was rewarded for my fortitude by being surrounded by love as Stephanie and Olivia gave me a group hug and almost as many kisses as I'll need to get through the next two or so hours without them.

As I was walking out of Olivia's room, I heard Stephanie ask our daughter to pick a color from the choices of white, brown, green, or red for their cookie project. I made a mental note to warn Raphael that the additives in whatever my ladies drop off may not be the best thing for his baby. It is the thought that counts, so I'll also remind him that Aubrey doesn't have to eat the baked goods, only appreciate the fact that Stephanie and Olivia made them out of love for their friends.

The morning passed quickly on Five. I handled a few clients through phone calls to limit the risk of exposure to anything airborne, and I verified the location of two skips who'll need to be brought in by the end of the week so I'm days ahead on captures now. I was getting ready to add a new client by talking him into hiring Rangeman to provide security for a classic car show when I sensed my space was about to be infiltrated seconds before Gunny and Mo stood up.

Olivia was the first to burst into my office, my wife a half-second behind her. "We're here and we're heading out."

She lifted Olivia up over our dogs, and both rounded my desk to reach me. I met Steph's mouth with mine as my arms closed around the rowdy little bundle of toddler energy she'd deposited on my lap.

I had barely felt the press of my wife's lips before a small palm was smacking my chest.

"We baida cookies!" I was told.

"That's great, but you could have 'baid' apple slices a lot faster."

Steph snorted. "We did that too," she said. "I knew you wouldn't be brave enough to try one of our cookies and didn't want you to feel left out. Where's the snack we made for Daddy?"

My daughter smiled at me. It was an extremely mischievous grin, which I know to be wary of, but it still melted another piece of me.

She held one hand out in place of a shrug. "I dun no."

"Olivia Adora Manoso, you're not hiding my snack from me, are you?"

She giggled as I knew she would at hearing her full name. "I didda eat it," she teased.

I rearranged my features into the sternest expression I could manage under the circumstances. "Did you really eat my apple? Or, didyou … hide it behind your back?"

Before she knew what I was going to do, Steph took a step back as I lifted our baby straight off my lap and tipped her upside down so I'd be able to see the small plastic container held behind her back that I knew she'd tried to hide when the apple was mentioned.

"Ah-hah," I said, playing along. "It looks like I caught the snack-thief red-handed."

"It's boo," she told me, when I'd righted her again.

She was looking confused at the container's lid that is in fact blue, not red.

"Good job, Olive," Steph told her. "You're getting really good at knowing your colors. If we keep at it, you're gonna ace preschool."

"I don't think you have to pass preschool, Steph. I think it's considered more educational babysitting."

"You know, Olive had the right idea about hiding your snack," she said, but kissed me again despite her words. "We've gotta get going."

"Do you want to take one of the guys with you?"

"Nope. If Cal can pass out during active labor, something he really should've told Kenzie about before they made a baby boy together, then I'm sure what me and Aubrey discuss is going to psychologically damage whoever tags along. We'll be fine."

I always want to believe her when she says that, but just a walk down our street had her tackling and arresting a purse-snatcher and meeting the woman who would eventually become Frank's lady friend.

"I wish you could promise me that," I told her. "But I know you'll never let anything happen to our daughter, so there's a measure of comfort in that."

"That's the spirit, Batman. I'll call you when I get to or leave Mabyn's. You don't need to consult my trackers."

I didn't agree or disagree with that. If I'm worried, I'll act on it. I helped Olivia get zipped into her jacket and after another kiss for both, I watched them walk hand-in-hand out of my office with our mutts following them as far as the elevator.

I reminded myself that they don't need to be in my line of sight in order to be safe and got back to work. I was enjoying the fact that I succeeded in my plan for my company to work like a well-oiled machine even if I'm not micromanaging it every day like I once was, and then Raphael knocked on my door and pushed it open before I gave him permission to.

That's a bad sign on all counts. "Did Steph call you?" He asked me, not bothering with pleasantries when he knows I'll be wanting answers.

"She called to say they were leaving Mabyn's and were on their way to your house to see Aubrey."

"Well, my wife just rang me to say that Steph saw something suspicious she wanted to check out, so she left Olivia with Aubrey and Hades and took off before Aubrey could figure out a way to stop her."

Like anything, even a pregnant Rangewife, had a hope in hell of stopping Stephanie when she discovers a mystery that needs solving.

"What are you still doing here?" I barked. "Move and find out where Stephanie went. Is she on foot or in her car?"

"Car. I checked with Vince, and it's parked by the first house on my street. The couple that owns it don't get home until five and six o'clock respectively, so it'd be weird if something is going down over there."

"And if anything unusual is happening, my wife will sense it five miles out."

"I'll be your backup. I don't know what's going on, but I don't want Aubrey alone dealing with whatever it is."

I didn't waste time arguing that if Stephanie is in any danger, I won't require backup to end it. The drive took longer than it has any other time I've driven this route with my wife and daughter in my vehicle instead of Raphael.

What concerned me as we turned onto his street is how visible Stephanie's car is. She made no effort to hide her approach. Apprehension 101 clearly states surprise is the best path to a less problematic capture.

She wasn't anywhere I could see her when I parked directly behind her Cayenne. I got out and closed my door without making a sound. Raphael did the same, our weapons moving from our holsters to our hands at almost the same time. The small section of my mind that can remain detached from emotional situations was proud that I can still outmaneuver those I've trained.

"You can put those away," I heard my wife say a beat later.

When I turned my head towards the sound of her voice, there she was … looking beautiful and thankfully uninjured.

"What's going on, Babe? And why the fuck didn't you call me?"

"I didn't need help. This guy did."

It was then I allowed my eyes to move away from her and down to the boy who I'd guess is around eight or nine. I remember Raphael describing his neighbors when he and Aubrey first moved here, so I know a young boy shouldn't be making himself comfortable in this couple's yard.

I cut my eyes to Raphael. "This is the first I'm seeing or hearing anything about this," he told me.

"It's okay, Jaxton," Stephanie told the child. "The big, scary guy is actually my husband, and the other man is our friend. Both are really sweet guys. Jaxton has been telling me that his mom works two jobs since the divorce, and the people who live here leave him after-school snacks and books, sometimes an iPad to borrow, until she comes home so he won't be hungry or bored. I've been trying to decide if this is a really thoughtful arrangement or one that's not at all safe and needs to be stopped."

"Speaking as someone who has too-many friends who've had to survive worse home life conditions," Raphael told her, "telling someone about this could hurt the kid more than help him."

Her expression clearly showed that she didn't like that particular information. Unfortunately, I had to agree with Raphael here. Systems put into place to help the less fortunate tend to end up screwing them in the end.

"Well, I already promised Jaxton that I'm going to help him and his mom," my wife stated.

"I have one idea off the top of my head that I hope Aubrey won't kill me for suggesting, but I have a pregnant wife and a puppy, maybe we can work it out between your mom and my wife so that you can walk our dog after school and maybe help Aubrey out with a few things when she's not able to do them anymore. We can pay you a little something for your time."

My chest felt as full of pride at Raphael immediately coming up with a temporary solution as Jaxton's obviously did hearing it. "I can do that! My momma works too hard. I need to do more to help her."

"What does she do?" I asked him.

I felt Steph glance my way, sensing where my question was heading.

"Anything she can. She cleans up after old people mostly. She keeps telling me to do good in school because she doesn't want me to end up like her who can't finish her school yet."

"She sounds like a smart lady," Steph told him.

He nodded enthusiastically. "She's the smartest person I know. Even smarter than my teachers!"

"Hmmm, maybe you should stick to just saying that to your mom and not to any of your teachers," Steph suggested.

His nose wrinkled in displeasure. "Duh. I wouldn't tell them that. I'm not stupid."

"Clearly," I said. "What time does your mother normally come home from work?"

"Six-thirty if everything's 'done right'. That's what her boss says to her all the time. I don't like her. She's mean."

"I don't doubt it."

"Sooo, I should get home. Momma says I shouldn't talk to strangers, but you seem like a really nice lady," he told my wife. "Not mean like that other one who bosses people around."

"Thank you. Are you sure you're going to be alright on your own?"

He nodded again. "I'm the man of the house now." He leaned in close as if sharing a secret. "I don't really need these," he said, holding up the bagged snack and three comic books, "it just makes Mr. and Mrs. Alinsky feel good when I come over and get them."

I wanted to smile at how confident he is that he's helping his neighbors and not the other way around.

"Bye," he told us, disappearing through the backyard and into the mirroring one directly behind this house just one street over.

"Shit. We can't just leave him alone, can we?" My wife asked, clearly concerned.

"I'm on it," I told her, calling Vince and requesting a complete background history done on Jaxton and his mother, and arranged for a one-man team to keep watch over the boy and his home until his mother returned.

"We're going to get her a better job, one job, that pays better, aren't we? So her son will get his mom back," Steph said to me.

"We'll talk to her when she gets home and figure something out. Between my company, Aideen's café, and Ella's contacts, we should be able to find her a position where she can earn a decent paycheck, get her diploma or degree, and still have plenty of time for her son."

"Thank you," Steph whispered, pressing a kiss to my mouth before turning to Raphael. "And thank you for offering him a 'job' where he'll be looked after."

"No problem. I wasn't lying. Aubrey will probably appreciate having someone to walk and play with Hades."

"Speaking of that, we should get back to her. There's a fifty-fifty chance she's either planning an Olive-napping or completely terrified that she's maybe gonna have a kid just like her."

I drove my wife down the street in her car, while Raphael pulled into his driveway in my vehicle. Before we had opened our doors, Aubrey was standing in her doorway holding Olivia's hand. Our daughter ran towards us as soon as the storm door was opened for her after no obvious signs of danger followed us home.

"Everything's okay?" She asked us, once she'd kissed Raphael hello.

"It is now," I assured her.

Steph narrowed her eyes at Aubrey. "Now imagine my surprise when these two suddenly showed up."

Raphael's wife immediately raised her hands defensively. "I'm so sorry, Steph, but my baby wouldn't have a daddy if I didn't let one or both of our guys know you'd taken off after someone or something. You didn't give me much time to weigh my options."

Being a man, Raphael tried to get his woman off the hook. "Don't blame, Aubs, Steph. When she told me this morning that you'd be dropping off craving-cookies, I made her swear on everything I could reach to call me if you stumbled into any trouble. You have to admit, it does find you."

My wife shrugged, not the least bit offended hearing that. "What can I say? Some people go to parties to meet new people, I only have to step outside our building to change lives."