A/N: I am so sorry it's taken this long. Writer's block is kicking my butt on the regular.

He woke slowly the next morning, finding his arms full of warmth. Blinking against the sunrise, he stretched a little and adjusted his arms around her, just so the one on the bottom would stop tingling. She wrinkled her nose and snuggled in closer to him while he placed his hand on her hip and pressed a gentle kiss to her ear.

"Hmm."

"Hey. It's almost seven."

"Okay."

"What time do you have to get up?"

"Not until I'm tired of laying here with you."

"Linds."

"Half an hour or so. You don't have to…"

"Stay? What if I want to?"

"Hmm, then I guess that makes two of us."

He smiled to himself as his thumb stroked up and down her side.

"So did you decide?"

"Decide what?" she yawned, confused.

"About going back. For the hearing."

She sighed gently and took his hand so she could pull his arm tighter around her waist.

"I don't want to. I don't want to feel obligated either. But I do feel like I have to, like I owe it to the girls to go back. I just don't know what the right answer is, if I'm loyal to them or if I take care of myself."

"I think you're the only one who can answer that."

"You don't want to make the decision for me?"

"I don't think this relationship is old enough for that kind of thing."

She chuckled and brought his hand up to her mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to his knuckles.

"I'll figure it out, but not today."

"Fair enough. Now, can I kiss you good morning?"

"Of course not, haven't you heard of morning breath?"

"Well yeah but…"

She smiled and tossed the blankets off, standing up from the bed.

"Where are you going?"

"To brush my teeth."

He chuckled and followed her into the bathroom, reaching into the back of the drawer for the toothbrush he kept there for nights when she worked third shift and he stayed with Levi. They stood at the sink and made faces at each other while they brushed and the second she was done he swung her into his arms and kissed her, running his fingers through her hair. Her fingers curled around his arm and she pressed herself closer to him wondering how long they could kiss like this before she got dizzy.

"So, good morning," he whispered, breaking the kiss and pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Good morning," she replied, resting against his chest and wishing she could pause this moment until she could appreciate every aspect of how perfect it felt.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"I know you've told me before but I always felt like you were holding something back. Why haven't you dated since Josh?"

"Because I didn't have time. Levi was more important than some guy and I barely had time enough for her those first few years, much less a relationship."

"So what's different now?"

"You're worth juggling for."

"Juggling huh?"

"Somethin' like that. But really it comes down to me being ready and knowing that timing made me ready and fate made sure it's you."

"Do you think if you'd never moved here, if you still would have been ready?"

"Maybe. But I'd rather think that anyone else would have been wrong, it had to be you."

"Boggling."

"Something like that. Breakfast?"

"You can shower and I'll whip something up."

"You want to come with me to get Levi or meet up with us later?"

"Oh… I'm not sure."

"My parents like you, you know," she said, hoisting herself up to sit on the counter.

"They like Adam the friend, they might sing a different tune when they meet Adam the… whatever label we want to slap on this."

"Right, that's why my mom asks about you every time she calls."

"She does?"

"And my dad thinks we've both got it bad."

"What are they basing this on?"

"Probably the fact that they were just friends all through high school before they decided to elope. Don't freak out, I don't plan on anything like that but they're romantics and I guess they see whatever it is that we're just now learning."

"Gotcha."

"So, do you want to go with me?"

He tried to decide quickly, knowing that this could be a very important decision, even if it was small, and could set the stage for a lot of things in their relationship.

"Okay, I'll go."

"Good," she smiled, leaning up to kiss him. "Now get out of here so I can make myself presentable."

"Yes ma'am."

"We didn't mean to keep her up so late, but she was so excited that she didn't fall asleep until almost two."

"That's okay mom. I'll make her take a nap after lunch. If she makes it that long," Lindsay said watching as her daughter ran in crazy figure-eights, letting out a bundle of energy that seemingly came from nowhere. Adam was chasing her but let out a yelp of surprise when she changed course and took off after him, catching up quickly and leaping for him, causing him to stumble into the snow.

"She really loves him doesn't she?"

"Mom…"

"Hey, it's a simple question."

"Yes she really does love him. And so do I."

"I know."

"Just don't say I told you so."

"But I did tell you so, Lindsay."

"Okay, I can handle your gloating but not dads. Deal?"

"Fine."

Lindsay smiled and looked back across the street from the park, where her dad was coming out of the hotel after having paid for the room. He walked briskly across the street to them and she giggled at how out of place his Wranglers and Stetson were.

"Mama! Hey mama guess what? Adam said to me, well he told me that we could, I mean he said if it was okay and if I was not a cranky-butt that… Adam what did you say?"

"I said I would take you ice-skating if you're a good girl today."

"Yes that was it. At Rocky and Bullwinkle center?"

"Rockefeller center," Lindsay and Adam corrected in unison.

"Yes, that's it, that's the famous place. Can we go now?"

"We're going to take grandma and grandpa to the airport and then we're going to see about you taking a nap."

"A nap?! I am not two."

"No you're not two but you're not the mom either, are you?"

Levi scrunched her nose up hard until the desire to sass her mama went away.

"Well fine then. Tag Adam, you're it!"

She took off running across the playground and he sighed, going after her even though it was much too cold for this kind of outdoor play.

"I think he loves both of you too."

"Yeah, we know."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

Lindsay shrugged.

"Enjoy it?"

"That's my girl."

"I think I am really a New Yorker now," Levi announced, lacing up her ice-skates. "Went to Times Square last night and Rockefeller center ice-skating today. What else is left?"

"You have to claim loyalty to a pizza place," Adam said, standing up on his own skates.

"Root only for the Yankees," Lindsay added.

"Oh and maybe get on and off the Subway without any mistakes! I remember when we moved here mama, and I hated it so much because there is no fresh air and stuff, but I guess I have found I like it too."

"Good, because we're going to be here for a while."

"Okay. Come on, let's do this thing."

They made their way out to the ice and Levi took both of their hands as she got her feet under her. She concentrated for a little while, going slowly as she tried to remember what she was supposed to do. It had been a while since she'd put on a pair of skates after all.

"I'm gonna go ahead," she said after a while. "I won't get too far away."

She dropped their hands and skated a little faster, being careful to avoid other people as she made her way around the rink.

"She's pretty good," Adam mused, reaching over for Lindsay's hand. "Ever thought of putting her in a class?"

"Not really. She knows she can ask for things like that if she wants them. I don't want her to say yes because she thinks it will make me happy."

"What kinds of things do you want her to do?"

Lindsay shrugged.

"I just want her to be a good person. Help other people, never harm anyone. Whatever she does with her life career-wise is fine with me, as long as it accomplishes those two things."

"What do you think she'll end up like?"

"I don't know. I think it'll be a surprise."

"Like life."

She nodded and gave his hand a little squeeze.

"Surprises are good."

"Speaking of which," he said, dropping her hand and gesturing to the other side of the rink where Levi had found Austin and Danny and was excitedly telling them about her night in Times Square. Adam and Lindsay skated their way over as Danny swung Levi up into his arms so he could hear her better in the din of the crowd.

"And we saw a man wearing just his underpants and grandpa covered my eyes but grandma made a whoo-hoo noise to tease grandpa and I don't get their jokes but it was very funny. So why was that guy running around in just his underpants?"

"Because this is New York, baby," Danny chuckled, setting her back on the ice.

"I'm beginning to accept that explanation," she said, shaking her head and reaching into Adam's coat pocket for the small bag of trail mix he kept there for her.

"So, you guys starting a New Years Day tradition?" Austin asked, shooting a look at Lindsay that mean she'd seen the handhold and they would discuss it later.

"Hmm, maybe. You guys participating in a long standing New Years Day tradition?"

"Absolutely. Flack had to work but normally he comes with us. This year I get his hot chocolate."

"I think you lucked out then. You guys just get here?"

"We're on our way out. If you're gonna eat here, go to the stand with the blue umbrella. They have hot dogs in pretzel buns."

"Thanks for the tip."

"Could we go there?" Levi squealed, clapping her hands.

"We'll have to wait and see, honey."

"Well I hope we get to. Can I go skate if I stay close?"

"Yes, that's fine."

She scooted off to skate by herself and Lindsay kept one eye on her while also half-paying attention to the conversation. She'd had butterflies in her stomach since this morning and while she was certain that they were there for a good reason, running into Danny and Austin had impressed upon her that this new relationship was going to be very visible and very soon.

"I hope she's not mad that she got her nap," Adam grinned, shifting Levi in his arms while Lindsay opened the front door.

"She'll be fine. Sorry you had to carry her so far."

"She's not heavy. Want me to put her in her room?"

Lindsay nodded and they went into the bedroom, settling Levi in her bed and taking her shoes and coat off. She sighed in her sleep and reached her hand out, then dropped it to the mattress. Adam leaned down and kissed her cheek, tucking his hair behind her ear before he stood up.

"She's kind of adorable when she sleeps," Lindsay mused, hanging the small coat on the back of a chair.

"She's adorable all the time."

"That's true."

"You've done a really good job with her."

"Not so sure that's true, but I'll take it."

He smiled and reached for her hand, leading her out of the room and to the front door.

"You're leaving?"

"You look exhausted and that's about how I feel."

"Okay."

"You wanna do me a favor though?"

"Sure, what's that?"

"Find a sitter for this weekend."

"I'll see what I can do."

He smiled and slid his hand over her waist, pulling her closer and kissing her in a way he couldn't recall ever having kissed anyone.

"Get some rest. I'll talk to you tonight."

"'Kay. Bye."

She closed the door behind him, then turned and leaned against it, a smile playing over her lips. She had no idea what she was doing and she was scared to death but she was ready to face that fear, as long as he was by her side.

"Mama?"

"Levi. I thought you were asleep."

"I woke up. Why were you kissin' Adam? Are you gonna marry him?"

"Whoa-"

"Is he going to live with us?"

"Whoa-"

"Are you going to have some babies for me to play with? Mama-"

"Hey, even horses understand "whoa."

"Sorry. I forget that I can't be a question bulldozer."

"That's alright. Come on, let's go have a chat."

They walked into the bedroom and sat down on the floor together, Lindsay having to move Barbies out of the way.

"Hey, New Year's resolution, kiddo. I think it's time for you to start picking up your room every day."

"Every day? But why?"

"Because all these things you have, when you don't pick them up, that says to me that you don't appreciate them. How would you feel if I took things you've given me and left them on the floor?"

"Bad."

"So maybe it's time to start taking better care of your things."

"Okay I will do that, but you have to make me a deal too."

"What's that?"

"When I clean it, you will have to vacuum the floor until I am big enough to do that part."

"It's a deal."

"Good. Okay, time to tell me about the kissin' I seen."

"You seen? Maybe we need to talk about your grammar."

"Mama."

"Alright, alright. I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, Levi. I don't know what's going to happen with me and Adam. I don't know if we're going to try this and it won't work, or if we're going to live happily ever after."

"Do you love him, mama?"

"I love him very much, but adults make things complicated."

Levi chewed on her lip, then nodded.

"Okay, but mama, are you happy?"

"Yes, I'm happy."

"And if you and Adam decide not to be in love, he won't go away like Josh, will he?"

"No sweetheart."

"Okay then, I suppose this is good. I really like him, you know. And I would like him to be my daddy someday, but no pressure!"

"Nope, no pressure at all."

"I'm glad you're happy, mama. I'm happy too. I just feel like… let's dance!"

"Dance?" Lindsay asked with a laugh. "Okay, but we both really need a real nap afterwards."

Levi nodded and stood up from the floor.

"This is a really great day I will remember for a long time."