It was a crisp, but sunny, winter day in Middleton. The kind where the sky reminded Nick of the bright, blue waters that surrounded the Maldives. That trip, he realised, was a big reason he was studying history and anthropology in university. He knew he needed to take advantage of the nice days, the snow would come soon enough.

Nick pushed a stroller with his sister down Main Street toward the Bistro. Passing people said 'hello', stopped to admire Elizabeth, ask about his parents, or even ask about his own studies. This never happened, nor would it happen, in New York he thought to himself. Walking into the Bistro, he was immediately greeted by Stephanie's typically perky welcome.

"Hey there! It's two of my favourite Radfords! Hi Nick, Hello Elizabeth," she said tickling the girl and making her laugh.

"Hi Stephanie. Cassie mentioned you had a cake…" Nick began. "Oh, yes! But, it is at my catering shop," she said with a slight hint of regret. "Stay here, have something to eat, and let me get it for you."

"Ok, sure thing," he replied grabbing a muffin from the counter. "Lizzie and I will share this blueberry muffin." Grateful that they would wait, Stephanie handed Nick the muffin and darted out the door promising she'd be back in a jiffy. Nick shook his head and chuckled giving a piece of the muffin to his sister. "You know Lizzie, you are quite lucky to be growing up in Middleton. I wish I did. I actually hated it here at first," he said handing her another piece. "But, it has grown on me."

Anthony had been at the Bistro since his conversation with Grace earlier that day and had witnessed Nick interact with his little sister. Maybe Grace was right, he thought, maybe the cretin had changed—grown up. "'Ummy," Elizabeth said pointing over Nick's shoulder. "Yes, Lizzie, Stephanie's getting our yummy dessert," he reminded his sister. She continued pointing past his shoulder insisting there was something 'yummy'. When Nick finally looked over to see the sweet that had caught her eye, he saw a face he hadn't seen in a long time. "'Ummy," Elizabeth insisted, pointing to Anthony's piece of cake. "Ok, Ok. I get it Miss Elizabeth. I can already see that you are lot like our sister," he smiled, getting up to make his way over to his old high school acquaintance.

"Nick," Anthony said. "Anthony," he responded. "Sorry about my sister. She has quite the sweet tooth even if she doesn't have that many teeth." Anthony chuckled and smiled slightly. "No problem," he replied. "Sit down, if you want, I don't have the plague or anything." Nick sat down and took Elizabeth out of the stroller placing her on his lap with a bottle. "She can have a bit my cake," Anthony offered. "Thanks. Maybe later. Cassie doesn't like to give her too many sweets." Nick turned his attention to his sister once again, unsure of where to take the conversation with Anthony. He had recalled how he treated him in the past.

"You're really good with her," Anthony finally said. "Oh, uh, thanks," he replied, surprised. "I always wanted siblings, but never really thought it would happen after my dad and mom got divorced, but now I have three."

"Yeah, I heard about your Dad and Grace's Mom and the twins through the Middleton network," Anthony said. Nick laughed, "Yeah, I guess there are no secrets in this town."

"Well, luckily there are still some," Anthony had said barely audible, but Nick did. "Care to elaborate?" Anthony quickly backtracked, shaking his head, "oh, no you don't want to…" Nick cut him off. "Look, I was a jerk to you in high school. I was going through some things and I was just…stupid." "Yeah, you were. That's big of you to admit," Anthony said somewhat shocked. "Well, a lot has happened between then and now. I'm sorry," he finally said.

Anthony studied him, looking for any hint of sarcasm or insincerity, but failing to find any answered, "Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Well, I mean it. Really," Nick said honestly. "Now, spill." Anthony laughed and nodded. "Wow, if I didn't know better, I'd think that you and Grace were actual siblings. It's like a bit of 'Grace-ness' has rubbed off on you." Nick smiled and tickled his little sister, "Yeah, well there's something about those Merriwicks."

Sam gave Cassie the look that he had every time the subject of his ex-wife arose. Reluctantly, he answered his phone, "Hello, Linda."

"Sam. Has Nick arrived back in Middleton?! He hasn't called me," she said in a slight panic.

"Yeah, he arrived early this morning." He took a deep breath. "And, he told me what he learned last night." The other end of the line went silent.

"Linda?" he enquired. "Yes, I'm here," she answered.

"So, can you tell me just how Nick found out about the real outcome of our custody arrangement and reasons behind it?" Linda could tell Sam's question was question was more rhetorical than actual, so she decided to be honest. "Geoffrey¸" she answered simply.

"Uh huh," he replied, happy that she had told the truth. "Well, I can ask him to call you, but I won't make him. He's an adult. I let him make his own decisions."

"Sam," she persisted, "You have to insist he call me. I've tried calling him, but he won't answer!"

"Your relationship with Nick is up to you to maintain now," retorted Sam. "He's hurt and a bit angry."

"Angry?"

"Yes, Linda. Angry," Sam said, frustration visibly growing in his body language and tone. "Do you happen to recall that you told him his father stole him from you and bullied you?" Cassie rubbed his shoulders and he calmed slightly. "Look, he's not happy with me either for not telling him the truth, but at least I didn't have it thrown in his face in front of strangers. That was Geoffrey, and you let him do that."

"That is why he won't return my calls," she finally said.

"Yep."

"Well, what should I do?"

Sam sighed heavily, "I don't know, Linda. You need to figure this out on your own."

"Ok, well, thank you so much for your help," she said sarcastically.

"I've always thought it was important for Nick to have a relationship with you. You know that," Sam retorted. "I thought it was pretty good…until now."

"It was," Linda admitted.

"Then find a way to get it back that way, and who knows, it might be even better now that this is out."

"Right. ok." she relented.

"Ok?" he asked, wondering if she really meant what she said. "You're going to do what you need to do and leave me out of it."

"Yes, Sam. I am a big girl," she smirked.

"Ok, I will tell him to call you, but whether he does is his choice." Sam warned.

"Understood," she replied. "Bye, Sam."

"Goodbye Linda."

Sam hung up his phone looking like a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. "I think she may finally be out of my life."

"Sam, she's Nick's mother. She will always be part of our lives in one way or another," Cassie said calmly.

"Perhaps," Sam said putting his arms around her. "But you, Cassandra Nightingale, are my beautiful, kind and compassionate wife. The mother to our son and daughter, Alexander and Elizabeth Radford; and Grace Russell, my amazing step-daughter. And, a wonderful step-mother to Nick as well as Brandon and Lori. You are my life. Now and always."

"You, Samuel Radford, know exactly what to say to make my heart melt over and over again," Cassie smiled. "I am so lucky to have found you. I love you."

"I love you too and I was just as lucky to find you," Sam answered, kissing her deeply.