When Abel came downstairs for breakfast the next day, he didn't expect to see his dad there. Dean smiled at him.
"Hey kid, get some sleep?", Dean asked.
Abel smiled and nodded, before taking a seat at the table and his mom set a plate down for him. Dean was giving Austin a bottle.
"So, does this mean you're home, for good?", Abel asked.
"Yes, I'm home. I make you a promise now, Ab, I won't mess up as badly as I did before. Learn from my mistakes, kid", Dean said.
"I know dad", Abel replied.
Dean nodded. Their front door opened, Mia, Spencer, and Chad walked in. Surprising Dean and Isabelle.
"Hey", Isabelle said.
"Aren't you suppose to be in San Fran right now?", Dean asked.
"About that, I actually transferred. I miss everyone and I hated leaving, I was just being stubborn.", Mia said.
Dean nodded.
"I could see why you would want to leave. Given everything that happened when you first moved here, I wouldn't want to live here either", Dean said.
"But I do want to live here. It's why I came home.", Mia said.
Dean nodded.
"If you want, I can clear out the bedroom next to Spencer's. I've put all the wedding stuff in there", Izzy said, excited to have her sister back.
"Actually, I spoke to mom and I'll be staying with her", Mia said.
"Oh", Isabelle said, a little disappointed.
"Its not that I don't love you, because I do. You've both done so much for me, but I think you two need your space with your kids. Besides that, I want to spend time with mom, I still can't believe she's back sometimes", Mia said.
"We get it, Mia", Dean said.
Mia smiled at him before looking at her sister.
"Iz?", she asked.
"Its okay, and I get it too. I don't believe she's back sometimes either. I feel like I'm going to wake up and she's going to disappear", Izzy said.
Mia nodded. After hearing what Mia said about Dean and Izzy needing space with their kids, made Spencer realize he needed to do the same. He didn't know how though, he didn't have a job yet. He had to pass the evaluation with Hunter to make sure he was ready to be a full time firefighter.
"Spence", he turned when he heard his name.
Isabelle smiled at him.
"Hungry? We've got plenty", she said.
He nodded and sat.
Dean had gone to a session with Paul. Spencer said he needed to pick up a few things from the store, leaving Isabelle and Mia alone with the kids. She was showing her little sister everything she had picked out.
"I love it, Iz", Mia said.
Isabelle could still see Mia was struggling with what happened to her. Setting her hand on her little sister's shoulder, Mia looked up at her.
"If you ever need to talk, I'm here", Izzy let her know.
Mia smiled and nodded.
"I know sis", Mia replied.
Isabelle nodded.
"So, what's up with Chad?", Isabelle asked.
Mia laughed softly.
"I don't know. I mean, we both told each other, I love you. He holds my hand, hugs me, and kisses my cheek", Mia said.
"Are you ready for that? I mean, given everything that happened", Isabelle said.
"I never stopped loving him, Isa. I tried, obviously. I want to take things slow though", Mia said.
Isabelle nodded.
"Yeah. Make sure you tell him that. I mean, I'm sure he'll understand", Isabelle said.
Mia nodded.
"Chad and I never had trouble talking. I could be completely honest with him and he with me.", Mia said.
"Good, and it doesn't hurt that Dean loves him for you. We all do.", Isabelle said.
Mia chuckled.
"I think Dean loves him more than I do", Mia said.
Isabelle laughed.
"Probably even more than he loves me", Izzy said.
They laughed. Izzy missed these moments with her sister. She was glad Mia was back to herself.
Spencer had passed the evaluation. Roman spotted him and waved.
"So, how did it go?", he asked.
"I passed. I'll be taking Dean's slot till he comes back. Then I'll be moved to second shift", Spencer said.
"Good. Those guys are great by the way, but if they give you any trouble, let me know.", Roman said.
"Will do", Spencer said.
"When do you start?", Roman asked.
"Monday", he replied.
Roman nodded.
"Yeah, the faster I get out of Izzy and Dean's, the better", Spencer said.
Roman was confused by that.
"Did they say something?", Roman asked.
"Oh no, I just feel like I'm in the way, you know. Hopefully I can find a place of my own, soon", Spencer said.
"You know, my parents own a couple of rental houses close to grandpa Jon. They know your situation and they'll let you stay in one rent free for awhile, till you start getting some money flow coming in", Roman said.
"I can't do that", Spencer said.
Roman chuckled.
"Yes you can. If you don't feel comfortable not paying them, then give them an 'I owe you', pay them when you do have the cash", Roman said.
Spencer nodded.
"Sounds good. I'll talk to them", Spencer said.
"Good. See you Monday", Roman said.
"Sounds to me like you're are doing good", Paul said.
Dean wrung his hands and nodded.
"Yeah. I feel like myself a bit.", he replied.
"Even maybe a bit ready to go back to work?", Paul asked.
Dean stopped and met Paul's eyes. He swallowed.
"What if I freak out when I need to help someone? I don't think I could deal with that. I would be putting myself and that person in danger.", Dean said.
Paul nodded.
"Is there anyway, we can test this theory of yours?", Paul asked.
"I would have to speak to my boss", Dean said.
They had practice runs for the newbies. Dean felt a bit embarrassed that he would have to do that run all over again. He scratched the back of his neck.
"Uncomfortable with that?", Paul asked.
"A bit", he replied.
"Why?", Paul asked.
Dean shrugged.
"Could it be because you don't want to look fragile? Afraid your coworkers will make fun of you? Terrified?", Paul asked.
Dean knew Paul hit the nail on the head. He looked down at his hands.
"I've never felt this weak before", Dean said.
Paul nodded.
"You've been through a lot, but it's how you get through it, that makes you strong again. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to get back to that?", Paul said.
Dean swallowed and looked up.
"I am", he replied.
Mia had met up with Chad at his work, and his families store. His mom saw her and hugged her tight.
"I am so glad you're okay", she said to Mia.
"Its good to see you Mrs. Gable", Mia said.
Chad walked over with a smile.
"So, I'll let you two get going. Chad, lock up tight and I'll see you at home", she said to her son.
Chad nodded. He looked up, making sure the shelves were stocked. Mia helped, remembering they use to do this when they were dating in high school.
"Brings back memories, huh", Chad said.
She giggled and nodded.
"It does", she replied.
She bit her lip before continuing.
"Speaking of us", she started.
He looked over at her.
"I want to give us a second chance, Chad, only if you want to of course. I just need a little time, I don't want to freak out on you. From the moment I left, you were always on my mind. I wondered if you moved on, stocking these shelves with someone else. I wanted to call you, but I stopped myself every time. I couldn't take you hanging up on me. Then I met Jason and, I don't know, I guess I hoped that he would help me move on from you, but he didn't", she said.
"You are the only one I've stocked these shelves with. I tried to move on to, but they weren't you. I would have never hung up on you either, if anything I would probably begged you to come home. I love you, Mia and I'm willing to wait till you're ready", he replied.
She smiled and closed the space between them. Kissing him gently. He pulled away a bit, but she found herself pulling him back to her. He was always a good kisser.
"Mia", he whispered.
Before they knew it, they were in the back office making love. There was a cot in there, Chad spent most of his late nights going over inventory and too tired to drive home. Looking over her body as she slept, Chad gently ran his fingers over the bruises, not even close to fading yet. He kissed the one on her left shoulder.
She woke up and tried to cover her body. Embarrassed that he saw her like that.
"Don't. You shouldn't be ashamed, he should. He did this, not you", Chad said.
A tear slipped and he wiped it.
"You won't ever have to be scared or embarrassed like that again, not with me", he whispered.
She kissed him.