Victoria wired Sister Catherine as well as Nick and Heath to let them all know Jarrod would be meeting with the Wells family attorney regarding Abby. She knew they would not arrive in Lincoln in time for the meeting but she knew they would want to know and guessed they all would be arriving in a few days; for a celebration or...Victoria refused to believe her son had went through Hell to only be denied any future with Abby.

But Victoria was troubled because no one had heard from Mr. Well's parents and she thought that was odd. And why hadn't they claimed their son's body? The sheriff had sent them two wires and neither one had been responded too. She sent his parents a wire for Jarrod requesting they set up a day and time in which they could make arrangements for Abby and the family attorney responded. She knew they would know soon enough but Jarrod was unusually short with everyone since he had received the response from Mr. Sherlock and she knew he was worried and scared about what was going to happen.

Jarrod had insisted on Abby staying with him the rest of the day after they returned from shopping and asked if she could join him for dinner tonight. Abby was overjoyed Mistah Jay was finally feeling better so they could spend time together. She had asked several times a day about going to see Jarrod but was not allowed to do so since he needed to rest. Abby understood but it was apparent to everyone how disappointed she had been.

Victoria watched as Jarrod, Mary and Abby played checkers. Mary set up the board for them as Abby sat next to Jarrod on the bed being careful of his sore ribs. Although Abby had learned quickly how to play checkers she always wanted Jarrod to be on 'her team.' Mary picked at them saying it wasn't fair since it was the two of them against her. Victoria smiled as she watched how comfortable Abby was with both Jarrod and Mary. Abby was slowly warming up to Victoria and Audra but the women knew not to push the little girl so they enjoyed whenever Abby was comfortable with them.

Victoria laughed as they showed Jarrod all the clothes they had bought for the little girl. He simply rolled his eyes and said Abby and Audra could not go shopping together anymore. Abby frowned but when Jarrod winked at her she knew he had been joking with her.

After they had eaten dinner and Jarrod read to Abby it was obvious the little girl did not want to leave Jarrod. He looked at his mother, sister and Mary and shrugged his shoulders in defeat.

"Abby do you want to stay here with me tonight?" Jarrod asked although he already knew the answer.

Abby smiled widely and said, "YES!"

Jarrod laughed as he looked at her, "You'll have to sleep on the cot over there." Abby nodded her head yes. "Okay but you still need to go back to the hotel and get a bath." Abby pouted but Jarrod ignored her face as he continued. "After you get your bath, brush your teeth and comb your hair you can come back, okay?"

Abby clapped her hands together and started dancing around which made everyone laugh. Audra interrupted Abby and said, "The sooner we get cleaned up the sooner you can come back."

Abby frowned once again but reached for Audra's hand. "See you soon Mistah Jay.'

Jarrod smiled widely as he winked at her, "I can't wait."

As Audra led her out of the room they could hear the little girl laughing.

"You're spoiling her Jarrod," Victoria said sternly.

"Yes I am," Jarrod turned somber. "I want tonight to be special in case..." Jarrod's voice trailed off.

Mary sat down next to Jarrod and said, "In that case I'll stay too."

Jarrod smiled at Mary and said, "That's not necessary."

Mary argued, "Yes it is. As I recall she wants to stay with both of us so IF tomorrow doesn't work out I want her last memory to be of all of us together."

Jarrod sighed as he knew Mary was correct. "Fine but if you two start snoring I will not be held responsible for my actions."

Victoria choked back her laughter as Mary glared at him, "Ladies do not snore." She got up and went to the door. "I'll be back shortly." She turned and left leaving Jarrod and Victoria laughing.

Victoria shook her head as she sat next to her son. "Are you really worried about tomorrow?"

Jarrod spoke quietly, "Yes."

"But isn't it odd that her grandparents are not coming?"

Jarrod shrugged his shoulders and said, "They may not want to face me."

"But they haven't claimed their own son's body."

Jarrod sighed, "I guess they could be ashamed of what he has done which would explain why they haven't claimed his body and why they are sending the family attorney."

"Do you believe that?"

"I honestly don't know mother. All I know is they are Abby's grandparents and legally I don't have a leg to stand on."

Victoria patted Jarrod's leg and said, "If tomorrow does not go as you want we'll fight with everything we have Jarrod."

"But I can't take Abby from her grandparents, they are her family."

Victoria argued, "No Jarrod you are her family. In the last few months you have been the only stable and consistent person in her life and if she is removed from you I believe it will be very detrimental to her and you both."

Jarrod sighed, "I don't want to talk about this anymore mother. I want to enjoy tonight with Abby and Mary."

Victoria smiled, "Very well son." She stood up and kissed Jarrod's cheek. "I'll see you in the morning dear." Victoria left.

Jarrod leaned back and closed his eyes. He knew he was not facing any charges for kidnapping Abby but there was still a possibility he would have to face charges from the State Ethics Board.

He had dozed off when he heard Mary and Abby come into the room laughing.

"You were snoring." Mary said.

Jarrod smiled, "I don't snore."

Abby laughed and said, "Yes you do."

Jarrod reached his good hand to Abby who happily joined Jarrod beside on the bed.

"So counselor what are your plans for tonight?"

Jarrod looked at Abby and said, "Whatever this little lady would like to do."

Abby beamed, "Weally?"

"Really."

Abby thought for a moment and said, "Moe checks."

Mary laughed as she set up the checkerboard. They played checkers for almost two more hours until Abby fell asleep in Jarrod's lap.

"Want me to get her for you?" Mary asked.

"No, not right now."

Mary nodded her head in agreement as she put the checkerboard up and sat next to Jarrod. Mary and Jarrod talked for another hour before it was obvious Jarrod was exhausted from holding Abby. Mary gently picked up Abby and laid her down on the cot next to Jarrod. She helped Jarrod lie back down and get comfortable although she knew he would most likely not sleep a wink because she knew she wouldn't be sleeping either.

After she laid down she asked quietly, "Want to talk?"

Jarrod sighed as he answered, "No, not really."

Mary smiled and said, "As you wish." She rolled over and tried to go to sleep.

Neither Jarrod nor Mary slept that night. When Victoria and Audra showed up Mary was helping Jarrod get ready for the meeting. Victoria noticed right away neither one slept much the night before as they were both short tempered and extremely testy. Jarrod didn't want the attorney to know how badly injured he was and insisted on being dressed but that was easier said than done because of his broken ribs, knife wound and his injured arm. Mary's patience was gone as she finally threw her hands in the air and stomped out.

She was startled when she walked into the waiting room and saw James Sherlock standing there.