"What... How?" Grace stammered struggling to comprehend how her father was here. Jake stood and went to take Grace in his arms but she backed away. She turned to Cassie, "Mom? I don't understand," she pleaded.

"Your Dad will explain everything to you," Cassie answered softly, placing a hand on her back.

"I will tell you everything Grace," Jake began, "I can't believe you are all grown up, I've missed you so much."

"I... I can't do this right now," Grace began to cry as she turned on her heels and ran up to her bedroom and slammed the door closed. Jake stood still looking deflated, Cassie looked at him sympathetically, "She'll come around. She just needs some time."

"Yeah, I just thought... I don't know what I thought. Maybe that she might be happy to see me?"

"She's in shock. She thought you were dead. She never expected to see you again. You just need to give her some time." Jake nodded, tears in his eyes. His pain pulled at Cassie's heart, she stepped closer to him and placed her arms around him in a hug. Jake held her tightly, "I've missed this," he whispered against hair.

"Me too," Cassie replied, his arms felt both familiar yet strange. Jake placed his lips against her forehead tenderly in way he had done so many times during their marriage. Cassie pulled away quickly, "I...um... I'm going to check on Grace."

"Cassie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Cassie gave him an awkward smile before she went back into the house and up to Grace's room.

...

"Grace," Cassie called as she knocked gently on her daughter's bedroom door. "Grace, are you ok?"

"Mom, are you alone?" came Grace's choked sob.

"Yeah, it's just me." The bedroom door opened a crack and the sight of Grace's tear stained face broke Cassie's heart. Grace flopped down onto her bed, Cassie closed the door and followed her. Grace snuggled into her mother after she wrapped her arms around her. "It's ok honey, I'm here," Cassie whispered as she stroked Grace's hair. They stayed like that for a long time until Grace finally said, "Mom? How long have you known?"

"He turned up a couple of days ago."

"How did you take it?"

"I fainted," Cassie said and Grace gave a small laugh through her tears.

"You fainted?"

Cassie smiled, "Yeah I fainted, Sam had to catch me."

"Oh my god, Sam. Are you guys ok?" Grace asked concerned.

"Yeah, we will be fine. But it's you i'm worried about. It's ok to be angry, to be sad, to feel however you feel."

"How did you feel, Mom?"

"I was hurt and really really angry. It's been hard to process but Sam made me see why your Dad did what he did."

"And why was that? Grace asked curiously.

"To protect us from some bad people. He will explain everything, when you are ready."

"I'm not ready yet." Cassie nodded and just held her daughter while the tears spilled down her face.

...

Sam carried Nick's luggage into Grey House and placed them at the bottom of the stairs. "Is Grace home yet?" Nick asked, eager to see his step sister.

"I'm not sure, I don't see them around."

"Hey kid, it's great to have you home," came a familiar voice.

"George!" Nick exclaimed giving the older man a hug.

"It's been far too quiet around here without you and Grace."

Nick laughed, "Is she back?"

"Err, yes she is but you might want to give her some space."

"Oh yeah, sure," he said understanding. "Is she ok?"

George looked towards Sam silently asking if Nick knew, Sam nodded in response. "Cassie has been with her for over an hour. I think she just needs some time," Nick nodded.

"Linda, who had been making tea in the kitchen joined the group. "I've made some tea, why don't we let Cassie deal with Grace and we can catch up over some scones."

...

Sam, Nick, Linda and George sat around the kitchen table tucking into Cassie's baking while Nick told them all about college. It was clear that Nick loved being in California, he talked about going to the beach with his room mates and what they expecting to do on spring break. "Sounds like you've been having a blast, pal," Sam said happy that his son was so happy.

"Yeah it's great, but it's nice to be home too."

"It's nice to have you home," Sam said putting his hand in his son's shoulder to which Nick gave him one of his lop sided grins.

"Hey Cassie," Nick exclaimed as she appeared in the doorway. He got up and went to give his step mother a hug.

"Nick, it's so great to see you."

He smiled before asking, "How's Grace?"

"Why don't you take her some tea and a muffin? She'd love to see you."

"Great," Nick poured 2 cups of tea and placed it on the tray on which Cassie had just piled up some muffins and cookies. After Nick left and began walking up the stairs Cassie went to stand at the island, she placed her hands flat on the surface a took a deep breath. Sam walked over to stand behind her, placing his arms around her. He could feel her body begin to relax against his. They didn't need words, he knew she was worried about Grace and he was too. "Everything will be ok."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I know it will. Now what can I do to help with dinner?"

...

"Grace, can I come in?" Nick called from outside her door, "I've got tea and muffins." The door opened slowly and Grace stepped aside to allow Nick in. He placed the tray on her desk and handed her a cup of tea. "I heard about your Dad... It's got to be weird seeing him after all this time." Nick waited patiently while Grace took a sip of her tea.

"Yeah, it's really weird. I just... I don't know how to feel. He left me and Mom, he pretended he was dead. Who does that?"

"Did your Mom tell you why he did it?" Nick asked curiously before biting into his muffin.

"No, she said I should talk to my Dad," she shook her head. "You have no idea how many times I've wanted to talk to him. Tell him about what's going on in my life but I couldn't and... now I can... I can't wrap my head around it."

"It's pretty crazy, it sounds like a plot in a movie."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Grace said sadly as she went to take a sip of her tea.

"What does this mean for Cassie and my Dad? She's not still technically married to your Dad is she?" Nick sounded worried.

"Err, I don't know. I always thought that my parents would still be together if my Dad hadn't... you know. But I know her and Sam really love each other so I'm sure they will be ok."

"I hope so, I kinda like having you as my sister."

Grace smiled and bumped his shoulder with hers, "Yeah, I kinda like having you as my brother. And thanks, it's been good to talk about it. I think I'm ready to speak to my Dad now."

Nick gave her one of his crooked grins, "Glad I could help," he said as he grabbed another muffin and a couple of cookies. "I'm going to go battle some aliens for a bit. See you at dinner."

"See ya," Grace called behind him as he closed the door.

...

When Grace finally returned downstairs she went into the kitchen to find her mother and Sam locked in a sweet kiss."Eww gross," she exclaimed, although she was happy that they looked like they were as strong as ever. Sam pulled away from Cassie, who blushed. "It's great to have you home Grace," Sam smiled warmly as he walked over and gave his step-daughter a hug. "I know this is a confusing time for you, for all of us, I'm here if you need me."

"Thanks, Sam."

Cassie smiled as she watched the exchange, moments like this made her love Sam even more.

At that moment Jake entered the kitchen, he looked slightly taken aback at witnessing the bond that Sam had with his daughter. He felt another pang of jealousy tug at him and perhaps a hint of anger. He was so caught up in what he was feeling that he didn't realise that Grace was now now standing in front of him. "Dad... Dad. I think I'm ready to talk."