"Well, that was awkward," Sam said as he entered his and Cassie's bedroom.

"What's that?" Cassie mumbled as she sat up in bed and gratefully accepted the tea Sam handed to her.

"Linda, just turned up."

"Oh, you didn't mention she was coming," Cassie said calmly.

"I didn't know, she said she wanted to surprise Nick for Christmas. Apparently she turned up a couple of hours ago but we were otherwise engaged."

Cassie blushed, "I should have known but I guess I was a little...distracted."

Sam laughed as he slid into bed next to his wife, "Yeah, I think we both were." He trailed his hand down her bare back as she sipped her tea. "I love it when you're naked," he smiled cheekily.

"I love that you love it when I'm naked," she smiled back at him.

"So... This is going to be an interesting Christmas with everything going on."

She gave a little laugh, "Its nothing we can't handle..." Cassie ran her fingertips down Sam's cheek, "together."

...

The next morning, as Cassie was getting breakfast ready, Linda came to sit at the breakfast bar. Without turning around, Cassie cheerily said, "Good morning, Linda. Would you like some tea?"

Morning Cassie, yes I'd love some."

Over the past couple of years that Sam and Cassie had been married Linda had visited a couple of times. Linda had to admit that they seemed much happier than herself and Sam ever had been. Cassie had also been really good to Nick and despite Linda's initial dislike of her, she and Cassie got on pretty well these days. "Nick is going to be so happy to see you. Why don't you go with Sam and pick him up from the airport this afternoon?"

"I'd like that, but aren't you going with him?"

"Grace is coming home today as well so I'm going to stay home and wait for her."

Linda nodded, "I, um... met your ex-husband last night. I didn't realise you were divorced. I thought you were a widow?"

Cassie sighed, "Well, it's a long, complicated story."

"He said as much."

Cassie stopped What she was doing and placed a cup in front of Linda, she tilted her head to one side hoping that Linda would elaborate.

"There was no-one around when I got here I walked into town for a drink."

Cassie blushed, "Sorry about that."

Linda gave a small laugh, "Anyway, we got talking in the Micro-brewery. He told me how he wanted to re-connect with his children."

Cassie furrowed her brows, unsure of what she was feeling. "Seems like the two of you hit it off?"

"I guess," Linda replied narrowing her eyes at Cassie who went back to preparing some fruit and pastries for breakfast.

"Morning," Sam greeted as he entered the kitchen.

"Hey Sam, Cassie suggested I come with you to pick up Nick from the airport."

"Yeah, sure. I'll be leaving at 11am," Sam answered as he poured himself a coffee then went to. place a kiss on his wife's cheek.

"Perfect, that gives me some time to unpack."

A few minutes later Jake entered the kitchen, "Good morning...everyone," he said as he sat down next to Linda. Sam poured Jake a cup of coffee and passed it to him, he nodded his thanks. "So, do you have any more guests staying at the moment?" Linda asked.

"No, since Nick and Grace went off to college we like to keep it just family at Christmas. Gives us more time to spend with them," Sam answered as he absentmindedly rubbed his hand up and down Cassie's back. This didn't go unnoticed by either Linda or Jake, Linda could see that Cassie and Sam's relationship made the other man uncomfortable. She could understand why it would, she herself had felt that way for a while but she was used to it now. Cassie placed the platter of breakfast items in front of them, allowing them to choose before she and Sam filled their own plates and went to sit down at the kitchen table. They couldn't help but notice how the conversation flowed so easily between Jake and Linda.

...

After Jake and Linda had left the kitchen, Sam commented, "Did I miss something with those two?"

Cassie shrugged her shoulders, "They seem to have a few things in common."

"I can't imagine what," he asked running his hand along his chin.

"Well for a start they are both distanced from their children, albeit for very different reasons."

Sam nodded, "Yeah, I can understand that."

"Then there's us. Linda's your ex-wife and Jake is my...ex-husband."

"But it's weird, right?"

Cassie gave a small laugh, "Yeah, it's a bit weird."

...

After Linda finished unpacking she went to meet Sam in the kitchen before they left for the airport. Cassie was busy baking at the counter, "What's all this?" Sam asked.

"I just wanted to make sure there were some treats for when Nick and Grace get home," she smiled. "You heading off now?" Sam nodded. Cassie handed him a box of muffins and a travel cup of coffee. "Thank you," he whispered as he kissed her gently on the cheek. Linda felt awkward as she followed Sam towards the door. Cassie handed Linda a second travel cup, who was slightly taken aback. "Thanks, Cassie," she said as she left with her ex-husband.

"Drive safe," called behind them.

...

"So, I take it married life is going well?" Linda asked as they drove out of Middleton. Sam couldn't help the grin that spread across his face, "Yeah, we are doing good all things considered."

"What do you mean by that? Cassie mentioned that things with Jake were a long story. What's with that?" Linda asked curiously.

"It's a long story," Sam reiterated.

"Well it's a long drive to the airport." Sam knew that Linda wouldn't let it go until she had found out everything so Sam told her the whole story. She sat there silent and open-mouthed until he had finished. "Wow, poor Cassie. And Grace. So she's going to come home from college today to find her Dad who she thought died 10 years ago? That's crazy, poor kid."

"Yeah, Cassie had been really worried, she has no idea how Grace will react."

"Jesus Christ, if someone had done that to me...well let's just say they would wish they were dead."

Sam laughed, "Don't I know it."

"I just can't believe things like that happen, it sounds like a plot in a movie."

"Yeah, it does. I don't think he was too happy to come home and find his wife had re-married. I've seen the way he looks at her sometimes, the longing in his eyes."

"I can't believe I'm even saying this to my ex-husband, but... Anyone can see how much Cassie loves you. I know I wasn't too crazy about the two of you getting together but you do make a great couple. Better than we ever did."

Sam looked over at Linda, "I'm sorry."

She gave him a sad smile, "I'm sorry too."

As Sam took the exit off the freeway towards the airport Linda said, "I'm so excited to see our son. I want to hear all about college."

"Me too," Sam agreed, "Every time I talk to him it sounds like he's having a blast. I'm so glad he found something that he loves."

Linda laughed, "So am I, but I must admit that I don't understand what he's talking about most of the time. All that coding jargon."

Sam laughed along with her, "Yeah, me neither. But at least he knows."

...

Cassie would only ever admit this to Sam but she was nervous. She had no idea how Grace was going to react to seeing her father again. The pain that she had watched her daughter go through after they 'lost' Jake had been devastating and it was all lie. This was why she found herself baking, trying to organize her thoughts and settle her anxiety. So far she had baked two batches of muffins, a batch of cookies and some scones. At least Nick would be happy to get back to all the food. Cassie had made it a priority that every week she send Nick a care package with his favourite baked goods. Nick always sent her a text to say thankyou.

As she stood at the sink washing up a mixing bowl, Cassie was suddenly aware of another presence in the room. Having been lost in her thoughts her intuition hadn't had a chance to kick in. She turned around, "Oh, hi Jake."

"Hey, need a hand?" But before she could answer he was picking up the tea towel and drying up.

"Thinking? I know you bake when you are trying to sort things out in your head, " Jake said softly. "Yeah, I'm just worried how Grace is going to react."

"Me too, but I can't wait to see her. She looks so much like you in the photos."

Cassie smiled, "There's a lot of you in her too."

Jake smiled back, "Really? Tell me about her."

"She's really kind and caring to a fault. She loves books and writing and she's amazing at math. She's studying fashion design at Wellingsley and she is most definitely a Merriwick. She's brave, she went white water rafting and rock climbing with her friend. Although she did fall and end up in the ER but it was ok. Sam... He took really good care of her."

Cassie could see Jake's pained expression when she mentioned Sam. "She's missed having you in her life."

Jake swallowed, "I've missed you all so much. You, the kids, George and Middleton. I thought about you every day, wandered what you were doing and if you were ok...if you were happy. "

"It took me a long time, but I'm happy."

"Good, I'm glad you are. Sam seems like a good man."

"He is," the thought of her husband bringing a smile to her face.

"How did you meet?"

"He actually moved in next door about 6 years ago. We became good friends then... "

"You became more than friends?"

Cassie looked down at the plate she was washing. "I'm sorry, this has to be difficult for you. It took me a long time to move on from losing you. I'll always love you in a way, you gave me a home and a family. But I had to move past it eventually."

"I get it, I do. And if I could change what happened I woul, but I had to keep you all safe. I like to think that if I hadn't got tangled up in that mess we would still be together now."

"I guess we'll never know."

...

Linda and Sam met Nick just after baggage claim, he had his usual big grin on his face. "Mom," he exclaimed as he hugged her, "I didn't know you were coming."

"I thought I'd surprise you," she answered as she kissed his forehead. Sam gave his son a hug before taking his case. "It's great to have you back, Nick. Cassie is really looking forward to seeing you, she's been baking up a storm all morning."

"Fantastic, I'm starving," Nick answered already salivating over the thought of his step-mom's baking. They talked about Nick's flight and his latest computer game creation on the way back to the car. When they got in Sam tossed the box containing the muffins to Nick, here Cassie packed these for you for the ride home. As Nick took a bite of his blueberry muffin Sam's tone turned serious. "Nick, I need to fill you in on some things that have been happening back home. Grace is going to need her best friend."

Nick's attention went straight to his father as he caught him up on recent events."

...

Cassie was just finishing wiping down the kitchen counters when she felt a familiar presence close by. "Grace," she said a moment before the front door opened. She moved quickly to greet her daughter and enveloped her in a warm hug. "Hey, Mom," Grace said as she hugged her mother back.

"Hi, honey, I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too. Where is everyone?" Grace asked, surprised that Grey House was so quiet.

"Sam and Linda are on their way back from the airport with Nick."

"Nick's Mom is here?"

"Yeah and... Someone else too."

Grace looked confused as Cassie led her out to the garden where Jake was sat reading a paper. Grace looked at him stunned, she turned back to her mother then back again "Dad?"

"Hi Grace."