Weeks later and they were still hooking up together on a whim but kept it strictly physical. The slightest glance could send them straight to the bedroom. Neither had made any attempt to move the relationship further and it had worked well.

"What is all this?" Jack asked, flipping through scattered sheets of paper.

"Trying to plan this. I have shopping lists, recipes, times, a schedule of the order to cook things..."

"Kate, calm down," Jack chuckled. "It's just Thanksgiving. It doesn't have to be perfect."

Kate turned to look at him, "I just want it to be perfect for Aaron. I owe it to Claire to give him the absolute best."

Jack couldn't argue with that logic. As much as he loved and respected Kate always considering Claire, he knew it came at a price. Kate would forever raise Aaron without ever once feeling like she was deserving of the little boy's love.

"You know, I'm a pretty decent cook," Jack offered. "I could cook the dinner for the three of us..."

"Is that you're way of saying you'll be joining us for Thanksgiving?" She smiled at the idea; she hadn't mentioned it to Jack and instead had wanted to see what he chose to do. She had hoped he'd spend it with her and Aaron whether invited or not.

"You knew I was." He thought for a moment. "But I'm serious. I'll cook. You do so much and I want to do this for you."

"Okay."

"Really?"

"Why wouldn't I agree?" She laughed.

Jack knew this was his moment. He needed to step up if he ever wanted to take a step forward in their relationship. "Well, with all the prep work I'll probably need to start the night before..."

"You know you're always welcome here."

"I was thinking maybe I could stay the night..."

Her eyes widened at the idea. Of course she wanted it, one night with Jack next to her in bed. But she had to ease into it. She didn't want to seem too eager especially after she had been the one to warn him about developing feelings.

"Don't worry, I'll sleep on the couch," he offered.

"We both know you aren't going to sleep on the couch." She raised an eyebrow as she stepped closer to him. "But it's fine. I'm sure we can handle one night."

Despite their confidence, the night before Thanksgiving they skated around each other awkwardly. It was as if they each knew the other was in the verge of falling right back into their relationship.

By the evening, Aaron was on the couch, rubbing his eyes with his balled up fists. Kate smiled at the child knowingly. He always fought sleep harder when Jack was around, not wanting to miss a single moment with his dad.

"I'll be back, I want to put him to bed," Kate stood.

"I'll do it," Jack offered as he got to his feet.

"We can just do it together."

Jack carried the toddler in his arms to his bed while Kate followed behind. She watched as Jack tucked the boy into his bed.

"Get some sleep, buddy," Jack whispered, crouched down next to the bed and stroked the boy's blonde hair. "Your mom and I will be right next door so if you need anything or have a bad dream we're both here. But you won't have a bad dream, dad's gonna keep you and Mommy safe." He turned on the little boy's night light and grabbed his favorite stuffed animal, sliding it under Aaron's arm. There had been a time when Jack hadn't known Aaron's favorite toys, he hadn't known Aaron. Seeing the man she loved showing his fatherly side left Kate breathless.

"You're really good with him," she whispered when they were in the hallway. "I don't tell you that enough."

Jack put a hand on her hip, both stopping her and pinning her to the wall. "You tell me that all the time."

"Well you prove it all the time," her fingers traced the buttons on his button down shirt.

"What are you doing?" He teased as he ran his fingers around her earlobe and down her jawline. He knew how she operated, the sly allusions to prompt him to make the first move. But not this time. She was going to make the first move.

"Nothing," she smiled innocently. She glanced up at him, reminding him how much shorter she was than him.

He wasn't stupid, he knew exactly what this was. This happened whenever Jack had father-son time with Aaron. He could never mention it to her but it was obvious that Kate had "daddy issues." While he wasn't happy with the idea, he was happy with all the sex it afforded him.

"It's getting late," Kate changed the subject sweetly, feigning innocence. She swayed down the hallway fully aware that he was watching her hips and ass as she walked away.

Jack climbed into bed next to Kate and wrapped an arm around her. That was all the encouragement she needed. Her hands were down his pants, her mouth invading his in an urgent need for him. He put a hand over her mouth as he pushed into her, knowing she'd be loud. He held her hips, holding her still as he pounded her thrust after thrust.

"Jack," she pleaded. Her toes were curled and she yanked his hair as she came. Hard. "Jesus," she panted, brushing a tuft of hair across her sweaty forehead while she struggled to catch her breath. She laid back on the bed, her eyes heavy before they hit the pillow.

"Kate," Jack whispered in the middle of the night "you stole all the blankets," he laughed quietly. When Kate didn't move, he grabbed the brunette and pulled her against him until he could share the blanket.

Kate rolled over and settled with her head on his chest. He ran his hands through her hair; he couldn't help thinking how lucky he had been to meet her once, to love her once and now lucky to have her in his arms. He knew to treat it like it was the last time she'd be in his arms because months ago, it had been.

"I love you," Kate whispered as she nuzzled against his chest. He kissed the top of her head, realizing that this changed everything. He didn't need to make Kate fall back in love with him, she already was. He just needed to make it so she couldn't deny it anymore.