"Hey Nick," she said in typical Abigail fashion.

"Abigail," he said with a Sam-like quality that made her burst out in laughter.

"That is exactly how your Dad used to say my name when he was slightly annoyed with me. Usually because I had interrupted a moment with Cassie," she reflected.

"Ah, well I understand the feeling, but probably not for the same reason," he smirked.

"Right. So, how have I annoyed this particular Radford?" she asked amused.

"I just want to be alone right now, Abigail."

"Sorry, Nick," she said more seriously. "You're related to Merriwicks now. Don't you know we never leave people we care about alone?" Nick smiled a bit and crossed the bridge sitting on a nearby bench overlooking the falls. Abigail followed. "You know, you and I have something in common," she said as a matter of fact.

"We do?" he said doubtfully.

"We do," she reaffirmed. "We both have a parent who let us go."

Nick looked at her realising what she meant. He had heard of the return of her father after 22 years. Though he was fighting with his step-sister at the time, his father had kept him up to speed on what was happening next door. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he acknowledged. "Your dad had left you, didn't he? Just like my mom left me."

"Yeah, my Dad, like your Mom, made a conscious decision to let me go."

"So, you understand why I want nothing to do with my Mom. You get it!"

"I do Nick. I even told people he was dead."

Nick nodded. Happy that someone finally seemed to understand how he felt. "But," she continued. "The best decision I made was to eventually mend that fence because I knew I would regret it if I went through the rest of my life without a father, even if it took me a while to get over what he did."

"My Mom lied. Her job was more important than her son," Nick explained.

"Yeah, my Dad had lied as well and couldn't even be completely honest when he returned, but I still eventually forgave him. Our relationship isn't perfect, but I have him in my life, if I want." She put her hand on Nick's shoulder. "After my mother died, I had neither parent, but you, you've got a lot. Don't exclude your mom from your family circle simply because of the past. You will end up regretting it if you do. Take it from someone who knows." She got up and began to make her way down the rest of the path.

"Abigail," Nick called out. "Was it worth it? Forgiving your father?"

"Forgiveness is always worth it."

After her confrontation with Nick and a long walk, Linda had returned to Grey House recomposed. Upon entering she noted Sam, Cassie and other members of the extended family deep in discussion. Sam approached her, Elizabeth in his arms.

"Linda, what happened?!" He questioned. "Grace said she heard from a friend of Nick's who said he cancelled meeting her today, and he never does that."

"Sam, I tried. I tried to explain everything he wanted to know—truthfully—but it didn't work." She explained, tears on the verge of falling again.

"Where is he?" Sam pressed on, as Cassie came up behind him with Alexander.

"I don't know, but he wants me to go, so I think maybe…I should," she said sadly. Cassie looked to Sam hopefully despite Linda's words.

"Thank you both," she said honestly. "I think I'm too late. We've done all we could."

With those words, she went upstairs. Cassie and Sam looked back to the rest of the family looking concerned, all save for Abigail.

Nick looked to the waterfall taking in Abigail's words realising they sounded a lot like something his step-mother would say. When he turned to thank her, she was already gone as if she disappeared into thin air. He sat back down on the bench and looked around him—he had learned to love the small, Midwestern town his father had dragged him to all those years ago. Middleton was his home, he knew this now. Lost in thought, he considered Anthony, who had faced a custody battle between two parents, never really feeling at home with either. He thought about Brandon and Lori, who had lost both their mother and father. And finally, about Abigail whose father had also left, yet she still found it possible to forgive him.

Then he considered himself: he was raised by a loving father who put him first, and because of his mother's decision never went through a custody battle. He now had a wonderful new family that made him happy and, he knew, loved him. And, he had both his mother and father who loved him each in their own way, even though they weren't together. Nick realised he was pretty lucky and his life had been pretty good so far. Perhaps what his mother had done had been a bit selfish, but in the end, everything turned out as it should have—for the best. In an instant he was running towards his home, hoping he would be able to stop his mom from leaving, possibly for good.

He returned to the end of Grey House's driveway. His father and step-mother were talking to his mother. Behind them a few yards away on the steps of the B&B, he saw the others. They were all there, all of his family.

Sam and Cassie were attempting to convince Linda to not give up on fixing things with Nick, but weren't having any luck when Nick ran towards them. Upon seeing him, Sam and Cassie retreated to join the rest of the family. "Mom wait!" He said, almost out of breath. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. Don't go…not yet."

"Oh no Nick," Linda said. "I'm the one who's truly sorry. I should have been honest with you. I shouldn't have let Geoffrey say that like he did. I should have…been a better mother."

Nick sighed. "Mom, you did what you thought was best for you and for me. And…it's ok. Everything turned out ok." The worry faded from Linda's face. "Though," he added, a small smirk on his face. "I could have really done without Geoffrey spilling the beans the way he did."

"You're right. Geoffrey had no right to tell you that. Your mother and father should have, and we're both sorry we didn't do that," she said glancing at Sam. "I know I am not a perfect mother Nick, but I do love you."

"I know. I love you too. And, you can call me 'Nicky' if you want. Only you," he said giving his signature sideways grin. Linda wiped the tears that had been falling and embraced her son. It was the longest hug Nick remembered receiving in recent years. They separated and she said, "I'll call you when I get back to New York?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah, do. Bye Mom."

"Bye Nicky," she said kissing him on his forehead then getting in her car. As she drove away, he watched her car leave the driveway, once again. Turning around, he saw the rest of his family waiting for him and he smiled happily, bounding up the stairs to join them. Sam lagged behind, his daughter in his arms, waiting for Nick

"Are you alright?" he asked seriously, the last time Linda had driven out of his older son's life clearly on his mind.

"Yeah Dad, I am. I realised I am very lucky to have my family. All my family," he said giving a knowing smile to his father and tickling his little sister and making her laugh instantly.

Sam and Nick joined Elizabeth in her laughter and the rest of their family as they all gathered together inside their Grey House.