Liza and Charles spent all of Saturday together, not wanting to leave his house, or more truthfully not wanting to leave his bed. They made lists of books that they wanted the other to read, discussed some of their favorite literature, and talked happily about their kids. Charles learned more about Liza's previous life, her ex-husband, who sounded like a real winner. How he had gambled away Caitlin's college savings and cheated on Liza with his dental hygiene assistant. Dentists were the worst. It made him angry how much she had gone through, and his own feelings of guilt returned when he thought about the way he had treated her for months.

"Charles, I had been lying to you, it was a perfectly reasonable reaction."

"Maybe for a little while, I just wish I wouldn't have been so stubborn and hard headed."

"Isn't that just men in general?" Liza teased.

"It shouldn't be," Charles said all too seriously.

"You know I think you needed to see how strong I was, that's why I put on that silver suit when I got back with Chrissy Hart's manuscript, it made me feel confident and strong, and it gave me enough courage to say I wasn't going to take your shit anymore."

Charles laughed, "I won't ever forget that day, you walked in looking so strong and sexy and accomplished, I felt small and pathetic for having left Chrissy's without telling you." "I truly am sorry Liza."

"Hey, we're here now," Liza smiled as she took Charles hand.

Not wanting to leave their own little world for as long as possible, they ordered in and watched The Crown on Netflix. Relaxing, they both fell asleep on the couch, without a care in the world.

Sunday morning Liza woke up feeling slightly more anxious, she knew Pauline would be dropping the girls off this morning. Plus it was one day closer to Monday, bringing all sorts of change to Millennial and Liza's life. Think about anything else, Liza told herself. She rolled her own eyes at how pathetic she was being. Liza was excited and nervous to see the girls this morning, she was ready to embrace this new part of her life, but she worried about Pauline's reaction to having her here. It made her want to hide in bed all day (which really didn't seem like such a bad idea). Liza mentally kicked herself for wanting to avoid hard situations, she just really didn't like confrontation. Liza rolled over to find some comfort in Charles' arms, only to find his side of the bed empty. "I guess this means I really do have to get up," Liza muttered to herself.

Just then Charles came out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a white towel across his hips. "Talking to yourself?" Charles asked with a smile.

"Of course, I give the best advice." Charles laughed, she really was something.

"Why didn't you wake me up, we could have showered together, I could have helped you wash all the hard to reach places," Liza said flirtatiously.

Charles groaned, "You were snoring and didn't move a muscle when I got out of bed, I didn't have the heart to wake you. Next time I am definitely waking you up." Liza laughed, as Charles leaned down to kiss her.

"Mmm, this feels good, waking up next to you and being here like this. I'm really happy Charles."

"I am too," Charles murmured as he deepened the kiss. Laughing Liza pushed him away, "Now I have to go get ready, you should go downstairs and get ready for the girls. I'll be down in 30 minutes and we can make them breakfast together."

Wearing a green and white striped apron over her light yellow sundress, Liza was mixing pancake batter when she heard Charles open the door to Pauline and his girls. Nervously Liza took a deep breath and made her way out of the kitchen.

"We missed you Dad!" Both Nicole and Bianca exclaimed as they each wrapped their arms around Charles' legs.

"Oh, I missed you both so very much, were you good for your Mom?" Charles asked as he bent down to pull them closer. He hated not having them around all of the time. "Pauline." Charles nodded his head acknowledging her presence.

"We were angels, Mommy even said so," Bianca said very seriously.

"Charles we need to talk…" Pauline trailed off as she heard her girls squeal in delight when they spotted Liza. You could feel the tension fill up the entire room as Pauline stared at her. Undeterred Liza couldn't help but smile at Nicole and Bianca's excitement about her being there.

"Hi girls! I've miss both of you so much. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures." Liza turned and gave Pauline a tight smile, "Good morning Pauline."

"Charles I didn't know you had a guest over," Pauline spit the words out like knives. All 3 adults in the room could hear the biting resentment from Pauline.

"Not a guest Pauline, a good friend. Isn't that right girls?" Charles couldn't help himself, he knew it was petty but he felt the need to put an end to Pauline's bitter words. "Nicole, Bianca, why don't you say goodbye to your Mom and then join Liza in the kitchen. She has been working hard on a surprise breakfast for all of us."

Liza smiled, grateful that Charles was trying to do his best to relieve the tension in the room and defending their relationship.

"Bye Mom!" Both girls ran over to give Pauline a hug goodbye and then hurried over to Liza's side and followed her into the kitchen. "I can't wait to see what we get to eat, "Nicole agreed with Bianca, "We are starving!" Their voices trailed off as they left the room.

"Charles is this really a good idea, having your mistress over?" Pauline asked incredulously, "We haven't discussed any of this… and I don't feel comfort-"

"Pauline STOP," Charles whispered, as he could feel the anger and resentment start to boil over. "2 years ago you walked out that door, you left me and you left your 2 young daughters. For over a year there was literally no communication between you and your family." "I know I may have been blind to some of your feelings and needs, but YOU never told me. I would never have stopped you from working, or writing, or volunteering, whatever the hell you thought you needed. I would have supported you. But you kept it all inside, you never wanted to try and fix it, fix us, our marriage. I thought we were happy up until a month before you left. Then I wanted to try counseling, to work together to see if we could find what we had lost, but YOU left!" Charles yelled angrily. "Now I have moved on, and I am happy. I waited for you and then I had to stop, I couldn't wait for you anymore. I got tired of feeling sad, then I got angry, and then I had to move on." "Liza is a permanent part of my life now, she is not leaving and I need you to understand that. To respect her and our relationship, if not for me Pauline, then do it for our girls."

Pauline could feel the hot bitterness welling up in her throat and behind her eyes, she fiercely wanted to argue and deny, but she knew deep down inside it was pointless. Privately she could admit to herself just how badly she had messed up, she knew the blame was hers and that she had ruined whatever small chance of reconciliation they had by staying away for so long. She had given up on their marriage, long before she had even left, but she was still stunned that Charles had moved on. She didn't ever truly think he would.

Straightening her jacket and her pride, Pauline blinked away the tears and knew she had to do better for her girls. "You are right Charles. This isn't easy for me, I guess it isn't easy for any of us," Pauline said sadly. "I came here this morning to ask if you would consider letting the girls come to Europe with me for 6 weeks in the summer after their school semester ends."

Dumbfounded Charles could only shake his head, "What…."

"I know it's a lot to ask, but I would love to give them this experience, to spend some more time with them. I have missed so much, please consider saying yes."

"I, uh, I will have to think about this Pauline."

"Yes, of course, thank you. I will pick the girls up from school on Friday night. Goodbye Charles."

"Goodbye Pauline."

Charles walked into the kitchen looking for comfort, sighing he lightly kissed Liza without thinking about having his audience. "Daddy, Liza made us pancakes!" Bianca said with the cutest little lisp, she was missing her 2 front teeth. "Pancakes are okay I guess…" Nicole trailed off, more quiet than usual as she looked between Charles and Liza. Charles could see the questions starting to form on his oldest daughters face.

"Nicole, why don't you come help me find the syrup in the pantry." Charles followed his daughter down the hall, "Is there something you want to ask me Nicole?"

"I don't know…"

"Nicole if you are wondering why Liza is here, it's because we like each other very much. We have become good friends and now we have decided to date each other."

"Why?" Nicole innocently asked.

"Uh, because we make each other happy."

"Okay, I guess that makes sense. Liza did smile really big when she saw us, and when you came into the kitchen."

"Did she? That makes me happy to hear, because you and Bianca are the most important part of my life. I want to make you both happy too."

Nicole smiled, "That's good Dad. I love you."

"I love you too Nicole."

As they walked back in Charles could hear Bianca talking to Liza about how much she loved pancakes, "I really, really like pancakes, but I like them even better with strawberries."

"Good idea Bianca," Liza walked over to the refrigerator, "And some whip cream?" Nicole asked.

"Of course we have to have whip cream, that's the best part," said Liza. That made the girls giggle.

"I want 10 pancakes,-"Nicole rolled her eyes at the silliness of her younger sister, "Bianca you can't possibly eat 10 pancakes."

"Everything okay?" Liza whispered to Charles. "Yes, for right this moment, everything's perfect."

After breakfast was cleaned up they decided to go to the local park and let the girls play. The girls talked the whole way to the park, discussing their favorite princesses and how exciting it was that summer was almost here. "Can we go splash around in the water Daddy?" Bianca asked.

"Of course, just don't get too wet."

Liza was busy laying out the blanket she brought as the girls took off their shoes and walked over to the fountain. Sighing Charles laid next to Liza and laid back on his elbows. He was wearing a blue linen button up shirt and some casual slacks, and looked like some model enjoying a nice spring day. God he was gorgeous, almost too good to be true. Keeping his sunglasses on, Liza couldn't read his eyes, deciding she would let Charles talk when he was ready she got up to play with girls in the water. After splashing with the girls for 15 minutes she needed a break, man she really was getting old. "Do you want to come sit with me and your Dad?"

"Umm, can we go down the slide and play on the carousel?"

"Yes, just stay where both me and your Dad can see you."

"Awesome, thanks Liza!"

Liza had barely sat next to Charles when he grabbed her hand and kissed her softly. "Thanks for playing with my girls." His fingers brushed the bottom of her dress, where it had gotten wet. "Your dress got wet," his hand now caressing her thigh just above her knee. Liza's skin tingled where he had touched her, remembering she wanted to talk to him, Liza scooted over until she was out of his reach. His hands were too distracting.

"What's bothering you Charles?"

"Pauline wants to take the girls to Europe."

"That's exciting... I take it that you are against the idea?" She could see the worry and hesitation in his eyes now that he had taken off his sunglasses.

"Well she wants to take them for 6 weeks. I don't know that I could be away from them that long, or that I fully trust her decision making abilities." Charles pulled at the grass next to him, "What do you think?"

"Oh Charles, I would love to help you but this has to be your decision. I will give you some advice though, don't let anger or bitterness be the deciding factor in whatever you choose."

"That's some good advice, thank you Liza."

"My pleasure. Now let's go splash around." Charles looked up in surprise as he felt Liza stand up and pull on his arm. Taking off his shoes he joined Liza and his girls, laughing at their surprised faces when he splashed them all. It was one of the simplest moments of his life, and yet he knew he would never forget a single detail. He was incredibly happy.

They spent all day at the park, enjoying the sun and each other's company.

Liza convinced Charles to pick up a pizza on the way home and the girls could not have been more excited. "Definitely pepperoni," both Nicole and Bianca decided.

"What about mushrooms?" Charles asked. All 3 girls scrunched up their noses and vetoed any mention of vegetables. "No way Dad, those are disgusting!"

Charles carried the pizza and the blanket, as Liza walked up ahead with the girls, holding their hands as his girls skipped along her side and his heart skipped a beat watching them together.

"What movie should we watch when we get home Nicole?" Bianca asked, she was not about to forget that Charles had promised they could end their night with a movie and treats.

"Um, nothing too babyish."

"I don't pick baby movies!" Sensing a heated argument forming, Liza tried to stop the fight before it happened, "What about Cinderella?"

Both Bianca and Nicole looked up in surprise, "That one's really old," Nicole hesitantly said while Bianca shook her head in agreement.

Liza laughed, "Okay you are both right, but it was my personal favorite because it was my daughter Caitlin's pick every time we had movie night, she loved the mice and the fairy godmother."

Bianca's eyes had grown big, "You have a daughter? How old is she? Is she nice?"

"She just turned 21 years old and she is very nice." "Wow," the girls replied in unison, they didn't know any older girls that were 21. Liza continued, "Caitlin's favorite toy when she was little was Polly Pocket, just like both of you."

"Maybe she could pick the movie," Bianca said sweetly.

"Oh that's a sweet idea, but I think she would want you both to pick your favorite movie. Do you both have a favorite that you can agree on?"

"Moana!" Nicole decided and luckily Bianca agreed.

The pizza was devoured by all four of them, they were exhausted after all of their adventures in the park. Charles decided to have them shower and get ready for bed before the movie. He led the girls upstairs to help them pick out their pajamas and to remind them to brush their teeth. Liza cleaned up after dinner and got some soft blankets out to snuggle with for their movie night. Forty-five minutes later, Nicole walked down the stairs freshly bathed and darling in Moana pjs.

"Daddy is just helping Bianca comb out her hair, I don't need his help anymore since I am 2 years older than Bianca. I can do all of those things on my own." Thinking of Charles combing out his daughter's hair made Liza's heart melt.

"It's nice when you can start doing some of that on your own isn't it Nicole? But I think it kind of makes us parents sad because of how fast it happens." Liza was studying Nicole's face, "Is there anything you want to talk about Nicole?" Liza wanted Nicole to feel like she could ask her anything.

"Daddy said you make each other happy and that you are dating."

"Yes all of that's true."

"How does he make you happy? Does he get you presents?"

"Umm, well he makes my heart happy, I sometimes get butterflies, the good kind, in my stomach when I think about your Dad. He treats me nice and makes me feel special."

"That is good I guess, do you do nice things for him?"

"I hope so, I try to."

"Okay, but Liza?"

"Ya…" They were almost in the clear, hopefully this wasn't a hard question to answer.

"Do you like to kiss? Because it looks really gross."

"Ha, well I hope you keep that opinion for as long as possible, and we will try and keep our kissing to the very minimum. Will that work for you?"

Nicole nodded happily in agreement, just as Charles and Bianca came down the stairs. "We are ready for the movie!"

Liza looked up and just about drooled when saw that Charles had changed into an old Princeton sweatshirt, and jeans. Along with some very sexy glasses, he also had a 5 o'clock shadow that was downright sexy. His hair was all messed, like he had run his fingers through it while helping his girls and Liza imagined trying to keep his patience. He was literally the sexiest man she had ever known, and he did it all without even trying. Keeping her hands off him was going to be no easy task. Then he smiled at her, yep she was in trouble.

The girls were busy discussing their favorite candy while Charles got the Blu-Ray set up, and Liza helped them build a fort to watch the movie in.

"My favorite is starburst, the pink ones" Bianca explained. "Oh and I love skittles, and chocolate and popcorn and sprite!" Bianca giggled as Charles tickled her toes, "That sounds like one giant tummy ache to me."

"I love gummi bears. What about you Liza?" asked Nicole.

"Hmm, I guess my favorite treat would be Twizzlers, I love licorice."

"Daddy what's your favorite?"

"Well if I had to pick one, it would definitely be chocolate covered caramels."

"Oooh, the movie is starting, everybody quiet!" Shushing everyone around her, Nicole settled in next to her sister, laying in the awesome for that Liza had helped them build.

Liza and Charles sat next to one another on the couch, holding each other's hands, while Liza laid her head on Charles shoulder. "What a perfect day, " Charles whispered as he kissed Liza's temple. Liza smiled, "Be careful with those lips, Nicole warned me how disgusting she thought kissing was." Charles and Liza were both overcome with silent laughter, as Nicole and Bianca sang along to Moana.

The girls had both fallen asleep by the time the movie ended so Liza helped carry them up to their beds.

"Goodnight Liza, goodnight Dad," said Bianca sleepily.

"Goodnight Bianca," Liza pulled Bianca's blanket up and tucked her in with a doll that was on her bed. Walking over to tell Nicole goodnight, she heard a soft "Thanks Liza, I had a lot of fun today."

"You are very welcome Nicole, sweet dreams." Liza tucked Nicole in with her favorite stuffed cat.

"I wish you could stay the night." Charles did not want his night to end with Liza leaving.

"You and me both, especially after seeing how hot you look in jeans."

"Liza you make me feel like I'm 20 again." Charles pulled Liza close to him and kissed her with the built up passion he had held inside all day. Using his teeth and tongue, Liza could do nothing but hold on.

Pausing only long enough to catch her breath, Liza knew she needed to leave now or she never would. "I better go Charles."

Unbelievably sad Charles agreed, "Let me call you a car,"

"You don't need to do-"

Charles cut off Liza's protests with just one look. "Okay, okay call me a car."

"Tomorrow is a big day."

"Yes it is. I don't quite know how I feel about all of it."

Holding Liza, he reassured her that everything would be fine, "It's the start of a new adventure for all of us. I can't wait to see how well you do."

Liza smiled against Charles chest, as she heard his phone buzz, signaling that her car had arrived. "I had the best day today Charles."

"Me too," Charles leaned in to kiss her one more time. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay, Bye."

Charles watched as Liza walked down his steps, he felt quite lonely. His home already felt different without Liza in it.

Liza climbed in the car and heard her phone buzz. She checked her phone and saw a new message from Charles, "I miss you already. Good luck tomorrow." Liza smiled, ready to face the changes coming her way.