"Let's revisit the puppy discussion," Kate suggested. She rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"He doesn't want a puppy, Kate. You saw the paper."

"What little boy doesn't want a puppy?"

"Kate, we've lived together before. We can make this work."

"If we're living together, raising Aaron together and sleeping together, what makes it any different than getting back together?"

"Is that really the worst thing in the world?" Jack asked.

"Jack, you can't be serious! I'm not letting a 3 year old plan out my love life!" Kate yelled in exasperation.

"All he wants is for us to be a family!" Jack fired back.

"He wants you!" Kate took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Aaron wants you around because you left us, Jack."

Jack stood from the kitchen table and began to pace. "Don't you think I know that?"

Kate felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't meant for that to come out; she knew how badly it had hurt him. Nothing could remedy the guilt Jack felt and Kate had only made it worse. She wanted to apologize, to comfort him but she knew it was a waste. The words had been said.

"What if we convert the guest room?" She finally spoke.

"To what?"

"A bedroom for you."

Jack stopped, staring at her. As much as he wanted to move in, he understood what a big step it was for Kate. He could never forgive himself for how he treated her. He had accused her of cheating; he had thrown their rescue in her face as if she hadn't played a pivotal role. To top it off, he had hurt Aaron and in turn broken Kate's heart all over. He knew he needed to be patient and go at her pace. Patience was a lot easier since he had heard Kate confess her love for him in her sleep.

"You can stay as little or as much as you'd like," she continued, taking a step closer to him.

"You're okay with that?" He asked softly. He followed her cue and closed the gap between them. "Really okay?"

"I offered, didn't I?" She let him put one hand on each of her hips, pulling her closer. "Don't make me regret it," she whispered breathlessly as her green eyes searched his brown eyes for reassurance.

"You won't," he promised. "I've been told I'm excellent at making breakfast." He knew she'd remember how often she told him that; how often he'd surprised her with breakfast in bed or a big breakfast for the family. He knew it was working when he felt her body relax and lean into his embrace. "And good massages," he rubbed her neck.

"I just..."

"It doesn't mean we're back together," Jack finished her thought. He wanted to add the word 'yet' but felt it wasn't the right time. He knew that she loved him but he needed her to realize it and come to him. He had scared her off too many times for fall for that again. Not this time. This could be the last chance he had with her.

But he was one step closer.