Elizabeth was distracted, replaying Jack's kisses over and over through her mind, even when she was supposed to be doing something else.

For instance, Rylee was cuddling in the recliner with her at naptime, like always, but instead of sleeping too, Elizabeth daydreamed about him, slipping his fingers under her shirt, his hands there, waiting for the kick of their child to hit his hand.

What an unbelievably wonderful husband she had, willing to start all over again with another child. Willing to give up their freedom that was tantalizingly close with the kids getting older.

Now things were different because Syd wouldn't leave for college, instead studying at home for her degree while raising her own child.

"Libby? Seep? Me seep." Rylee touched Elizabeth's chin and smiled when Elizabeth kissed her fingers.

"Yes, baby girl. You sleep."

"Sing pease?"

Elizabeth smiled at her little bee and then began to sing, making them both drift off within minutes.

An hour later, Elizabeth woke to Noah crying and the bell jingling above the door to the nursery. She stood up, placed Rylee in the playpen, and went to find Connor and Quinn.

Fred bolted out of Liam's room followed closely by Quinn and Connor, huge smiles on their faces. Elizabeth scooped up Fred as he ran by and stuck him outside the back door.

"Hey! We were playing with Fred, Aunt Libby."

"I know Quinn, but Rylee is still sleeping and it was time for Fred to potty outside. How about a snack?"

Connor's face lit up. "Popcorn and movie?" he signed.

"Ok. Go sit," she signed and pointed. The boys ran over to the couch and waited.

Liam walked in as she was making popcorn. "Hey, Ma. What's for dinner?"

"Soup and sandwiches courtesy of Abigail and Sweets and Stuff." She took the bag of popcorn out of the microwave and emptied it into a bowl. "Two things, Liam. One, can you give this to the boys and set up a movie for them? Two, Fred is outside. He had two accidents in the living room today, just so you know."

Liam groaned. "Sorry, Ma." He grabbed the bowl and took it to Connor and Quinn.

"Mom?" Syd asked.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Can you take Noah for a few? I think I'm going to go crazy if I stay in this house any longer."

"Of course." She held out her arms and accepted the tiny bundle of warmth. "Grandma's got you, baby."

She turned and wiped off the highchair and table, started the dishwasher, and took a bottle of water out of the fridge, all with one hand.

"How did you do that?" Syd asked. "I can't seem to do anything if I'm holding him."

"Practice, Syd. Give yourself time. You've only had him with you for two days. It's normal to be overwhelmed because it's an adjustment. Don't be afraid to ask for help."

"Thank you. I'm going to sit on the porch for a few."

Elizabeth peeked at the boys on the couch, who were happily watching Toy Story for the thousandth time and munching on popcorn.

Rylee was awake, but watching the tv from her playpen. "Wood!" Elizabeth chuckled knowing she meant Woody.

Then Rylee saw Noah. "Oooo! Bebe! Me see bebe!" Elizabeth bent down and scooped her up with her free arm and set her on the floor.

"Ok, come see the baby, Rylee."

Rylee ran over to her and looked at the little boy. She touched his hand and held it. "This is Noah. Can you say Noah?"

"Noah bebe." She climbed up on Elizabeth's lap and snuggled. "Bebe?"

She patted Elizabeth's tummy.

"Yes, there is a baby in there."

TWO HOURS LATER

Elizabeth was exhausted. Taking care of three needy little ones and a puppy and being five, almost six, months pregnant at the age of forty, was taking its toll. She knew Syd would help as much as she could in a few weeks, but as for now, she needed to make a change.

"Honey? You look pale and exhausted. Go lay down, please," Jack told her.

He took the spoon from her hand and led her to their room. He held back the covers and waited for her to get in, placing a light kiss on her lips. "Sleep, babe. I'll bring you dinner in an hour."

She was too tired to protest, so she shut her eyes and gave in.

Elizabeth slept past the hour mark. With the exception of getting up to use the bathroom, she slept for about three hours before she wandered out to find her family.

Jack was on the porch holding Noah, rocking on the swing, singing softly.

"Hey," she said from the doorway. "Where's Syd?"

"Taking a bath. I told her to go relax, I'd watch him."

"That was very sweet of you." She sat next to him and stared off in the distance. "I've been thinking."

"About what?"

"Quitting my daycare." She had said it so softly that he almost didn't hear her.

"You want to quit?"

"No, but it's too much right now."

He watched her. He could see tears glistening in her eyes. "Maybe just keep one little bee."

"How could I choose? I love all three of them."

"I know, but just until Syd can help. A month or two. Can I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"Tom told me Julie wants another baby soon and she has been looking for a reason to quit Abigail's. This could be the reason she needs."

"Ok, so that leaves Connor and Rylee. How could I possibly pick one?"

"Connor needs special attention. As amazing as the boy is, he demands a lot of time and energy. Maybe offer to keep him for two or three days and then Rylee the other days."

"I feel like I'm making it hard on Abigail and Rosie."

Jack turned and looked at her. "Babe, I'm worried that you or the baby are going to suffer if you don't do something soon."

She took her phone out of her pocket and called Julie first.

"Hey, Julz."

"Hey sister."

"Um, I have news."

"Ok."

"I can't watch Quinn anymore for a while. I'm sorry if this makes it hard on you, but I have to think about myself and my baby."

The line was silent for a moment. "Two weeks. Give me two weeks, Ok? I need to give notice at Abigail's."

"Ok. Two weeks."

"Thanks Beth. Talk to you tomorrow?"

"Yes, ok."

Elizabeth pressed the end button and sighed, feeling slightly less stressed.

"Can you make it two weeks?"

"I don't have a choice."

"Mom?" Syd called from the kitchen.

"Out here, honey."

"Hey. Are you doing ok?"

"Sure."

"I'm worried about you. You seemed worn out earlier."

"Yeah."

"I wish I could help you more."

"You will. Give yourself time."

"I was thinking," Syd said as she picked up Noah from Jack's arms.

"About what?"

"Katie. She needs a summer job. What if she helped you for a few weeks? She even knows sign language."

THE NEXT MORNING

Elizabeth got up, made coffee and oatmeal for herself. She needed to tell Abigail that she couldn't watch Connor anymore after two weeks. She had decided to keep Rylee only and only for two days a week until her baby was born, so she had to break that to Lee as well.

Katie would begin helping immediately and then after two weeks, she would see if she could take Julie's job at Abigail's until school started up again.

She had taken a year off before college to recover from losing her father and now, she was going to be starting at the University of Michigan, Elementary Education.

Jack walked out, dressed for work. Her stomach did a little flutter and it wasn't the baby kicking. She smiled at him, checking him out as he poured himself a cup of coffee, his rear end looking amazing in his uniform. She could tell he worked out hard everyday because his body looked the same as it had when they married, if not better.

"My my, Captain. Aren't you looking particularly adorable this morning?" she flirted.

He turned, flashing his dimples. "Think so?"

"Yeah, absolutely." She blushed as she sipped her coffee.

"Thank you." He walked over and kissed her good morning.

"May 10th. One week, just us. I made a reservation at a hotel in Mackinac."

"Perfect. I'll tell Rosie I can't watch Rylee that week."

What he didn't mention was he got them a room at the Grand Hotel on the island, where they stayed for their honeymoon. That would remain a secret until they got there. This was their twentieth. He should pull out all the stops.

"I gotta go. Text me if you need me, ok?"

"Sure." She stood and walked over to get a hug. She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. "Let's go to bed early tonight, Jack."

"Deal." He felt her hands slipping lower, resting just below his waist. "I'll see you later." He kissed her quickly and walked out the door, leaving her wanting more.

The day went pretty much the same as before. She was exhausted by the time the kids left but she had spoken with Abigail about finding someone else to watch Connor, and Lee said two days a week would be fine for Rylee.

The next day was Saturday, so Elizabeth was looking forward to catching up on her sleep. Liam walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, I'm going to Ty's until Sunday night."

"Hold on! What about Fred?"

"Syd said she'd take care of him."

"She just had a baby. Did you ask or did she offer?"

"A little of both I guess."

"Liam, after this weekend, no more going away unless Fred goes too."

"Yes, Mom."

Her phone beeped. She picked it up and smiled. It was from Jack.

"Picking Chinese for dinner."

"Thx hon."

"Oh, and it's dinner in bed 2nite. C U soon."

She smiled and went to let Syd know.

"Syd? Dad's bringing Chinese for dinner."

"Ok. That sounds wonderful."

"I'm headed to bed early. See you tomorrow ok?"

"Ok, Mom. Love you."

"Love you back."

An hour later, Elizabeth had taken a bath and set up some candles around the bedroom. When Jack walked in, she was sitting in bed waiting.

"Hey. How was your day?" he asked as he kissed her hello.

"Same as always. I did tell Abigail about Connor and I told Lee about watching Rylee two days a week. They both took it well."

She watched as he undressed and then sat down, handing her a plate and a fork.

"What did you get?" Her mouth was watering at the aromas coming out of the bag.

"General's chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, and then shrimp fried rice for me."

"Yum!" She dug into the bag, taking the little white take-out container labeled Sweet and Sour Pork.

He laughed, watching her. "Hungry, babe?"

"Yeah. I am eating for two." She smirked and took another bite.

After they finished eating, Elizabeth felt like she could sleep for three days. She leaned against his chest and closed her eyes. Jack was a bit disappointed because he had been hoping they could pick up where they had left off that morning, but he could see she needed sleep so he didn't push the issue. He just wrapped her tighter in his arms and kissed her forehead before heading to take a shower.

He walked back in the room wrapped in just a towel, unaware Elizabeth watched from the bed. She smiled and then closed her eyes again. "You say I'm hot," she mumbled from the edge of the bed where she had moved.

He spun around, a grin on his face. "You are," he confirmed.

"Well, I'm pretty sure, if you got any hotter, you'd burst into flames, husband." He walked over and kissed her, taking her breath. "Or maybe I will," she whispered when he finally stepped back. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the bed. "Do you work tomorrow?" She kissed his neck, breathing in his soap.

"No."

"Thank goodness."

A WEEK LATER

Syd sat in the rocking chair, staring at her phone, while Noah ate. She wanted to call the Porters, but she was nervous. She didn't know them and what if they didn't want anything to do with their grandson?

She took a deep breath and dialed.

"Porter residence," a pleasant voice answered.

"Hello, may I please speak with Mrs. Porter?"

"Who may I say is calling?"

"Sydney Thornton, ma'am."

"One moment, please."

After five minutes, Syd thought either they had completely forgotten about her or they didn't want to speak to her.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Porter? This is Sydney Thornton."

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"I know we've never met, but I was Gavin's…"

"Yes, I know who you are."

"Ok. Well, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss and I was hoping that we could meet somewhere so you could meet your grandson."

"You want us to meet Noah?"

Syd was surprised she knew his name. "Yes, of course. If you want to. There is no pressure, but I would like him to know you and Mr. Porter."

"Why?"

"Family is important. In the last year, I went from being an angry, rebellious teenager to a happy mother of a pretty amazing little boy. I want you to see him and get to know him too."

Silence filled the line until Noah decided he was finished and let out a cry. She put him on her shoulder to burp him, setting her phone on speaker.

"Is that him?"

"Yes, that's Noah. Would you like to come to my house to meet him?"

"Would you come here? I would like Paul to meet him as well and he can't leave the house."

Syd agreed to go the next day. She hung up the phone, glad she made the call. She walked out into the kitchen with Noah sleeping on her shoulder. "Hey, Mom. Can I borrow the car tomorrow? I am taking Noah to the Porters' house."

"I can go with you."

"No, I appreciate it, but I think I need to go alone."

"Sure, you can use the Tahoe."

"Thanks Mom."

PORTER MANSION, NEXT MORNING

Laura Porter sat on the edge of her bed. She would meet her grandson today. She wondered if he looked like Gavin. Paul groaned from his hospital bed next to her. "Paul? Are you in pain?"

"Always." He used his thumb to adjust his bed to a more upright position. "When does the girl get here?"

"Her name is Sydney and ten o'clock. We have an hour to get you ready."

"I told you I don't want to meet them."

"Paul, I know your stubbornness might be just the thing that gets you through your cancer, but this is your grandson. Gavin's son."

"I know who it is and I don't want to do this. You're on your own."

"As usual," she muttered. Paul groaned again and closed his eyes.

Laura dressed and then gave him a sponge bath even though he protested the entire time.

"Paul, even if you won't meet them, you still need to bathe. I could have let Nurse Davidson do it." Nurse Davidson was most likely old enough to be his mother, had horrible breath, and couldn't hear so she yelled when she spoke.

Paul growled under his breath. Of course, he'd rather his wife bathe him if he couldn't do it himself. The whole cancer experience had challenged his patience and tested his will to live. He no longer had much dignity, being poked and prodded, seen in the buff by countless doctors and nurses.

When Laura finished bathing him, he grabbed her hand. "Laura," his voice softer than before.

She sat next to him on his bed and ran her fingers through his damp hair. "Yes, dear." She loved him so much, grumpy or not.

"I love you, and I'm sorry that I'm difficult sometimes. I bet you wish it was all over…."

"Paul Porter! Don't say such horrible things. The last thing I want is to lose you too, after Gavin. That's why I need to be in Noah's life. He's a part of our son, and a part of us. We need him."

How his wife put up with him was beyond comprehension. He knew he was grumpy and hard to live with. She was strong and he was grateful she was by his side. She bent down and kissed him. "I love you, my dear."