Chapter 9: The Winner

The next day, Alan had more people called up for Kimberly's side. Aisha was called up first as her best friend. Aisha explained to the Judge, her life story and the story about moving from Stone Canyon to Angel Grove and meeting Kim, and knowing from the first moment they met, there was a strong friendship connection.

"Miss Campbell, when did you find out that Kimberly was pregnant?" Alan asked.

"About a few hours after Trini knew. Secretly Trini called me and she confided in me that she had seen Kimberly. She didn't tell me exactly, but I kind of knew my friend was in trouble. I waited and a few days later, Kimberly called me and confessed."

"How did you feel?"

"Lost."

"Lost?"

"She was my best friend at that time and she just… disappeared with no call, no letter, nothing. It was very strange and it hurt."

"Did you tell Kimberly that?"

"How could I? She was pregnant, I didn't want to add on, besides, I'm pretty sure Trini gave Kim a piece of her mind."

"Yes, she did. Now, I'm going to beat my collage to the punch, why didn't you call and tell Tommy?"

"It wasn't my place."

"But you are friends with him as well."

"Of course. Tommy is one of my closet friends, but Kimberly is my sister. And when a sister confides in you, you do as she says and at that time Kimberly couldn't do it."

"Thank you Aisha." Mr. Lewis stood up.

"You said Miss Hart couldn't do it, but what really stopped you, Miss Campbell?"

"I just couldn't do that."

"Was it the fear your best friend would disappear again?" Mr. Lewis asked.

"That was part of it, a small part. I knew I would be able to find her again if she did."

"And why's that?"

"Because I wouldn't have given up."

"Explain."

"When Kimberly disappeared the first time, I didn't take the time as a sister should to find out why. I accepted it, when I shouldn't have. And if that ever happens again, I would do everything in my power to find her and be with her." Mr. Lewis walked away.

For the next 2 weeks, Alan Shore and Dillon Lewis had family and friends called into the court to hear their testimonies on behalf of their clients. Tommy was mad at their friends, everyone seemingly siding with Kimberly due to his mother's tactics which cased such a case, but Tommy felt totally unfairly treated because of his mother's actions. Mr. Hansen, Kim's former advisor and now boss, came to support of his favorite artists, showing how dedicated to her son and her work Kimberly has been since the beginning of her college life and still is to this day. Mr. Hansen explained he had never found one so devoted to her son to give him the best care and life any mother could hope for and he was honored to be apart of Kim's life. Hayley came to support Tommy as well, and was called briefly to testify on behalf of Tommy. Along with some other friends, Dr. Mercer even flew up from his island to help out his prized assistance. Jason, Trini's parents, Adam, Zack, Rocky, people at Kim's job and her mentor came on Kim's side.

Tim came into Kim's house, as he heard the yelling from the door. Kimberly was clearly upset about something very important.

"I'm going to the police and file a restraining order against that man, and your mother to not be within a hundred yards from my son and myself!" Kimberly slammed her phone down. Kimberly had just hung up the phone on Tommy after finding out his mother still had someone following her since that night at the karaoke restaurant and after the Judge told their side to stop.

"What is going on?"

"She's still stalking me!"

"What?"

"Yes! After the Judge ordered them to stop… she is still stalking me!"

"Are you sure, you're not just being paranoid…"

"Tim, shut up! I know what I saw! It was a different man, but he was always there, watching me and my son in the park!"

"Did you try to talk to Tommy first before…"

"He is letting her do this!"

"You know how his mother tends to go off…"

"I don't give a damn about his mother because she clearly doesn't give a damn about me or my son. She is crazy and I'm going to…"

"To what? Hit her? She's freaking 60 years old Kim!"

"If I must!" Kimberly yelled at Tim, though she should have saved that anger and energy on fighting back in court.

"You know lil sis, I think you are the reason, God gave us the middle finger."

"Wow, thanks Tim, that was really sweet!"

"I'm not trying to be sweet with you. You are on the verge of losing your God forsaking mind with this case!"

"His mother has been stalking me Tim! Stalking me again! How can I not lose my God forsaking mind?! This is crazy!"

"This is exactly what they want you to do! Lose your mind so you will lose your son!"

"If I lose my mind it would be their faults!"

"And you would still lose your son." Kimberly looked at Tim. Her brother was right. "Don't give in to their craziness and schemes. Stay calm, stay sane." Tim placed his hands on Kim's shoulders. "You'll get through this sis. Just remember what Alan said." Kimberly sighed and pressed the top of her head against her brother's chest.

"Thanks."

Tommy came by the house to take his son for the day and night. His parents had wanted him to come earlier this morning, so that they would do something fun in the city, but Tommy felt it would be best not to wake Kimberly or his son so early in the morning. Even though the thing about the stalker had caused another problem between Kimberly and himself, he was still allowed visitation rights, as long as his mother was watched. Kimberly opened the door. She shielded her eyes from the glaring sun. Tommy could tell something was wrong by Kim's tiresome face. They weren't called into court today, nor would they be in court tomorrow.

"Good morning. I'm here to pick up Zeke for the day. Is he up?" Tommy asked.

"You can't take him."

"What?"

"He's sleeping right now and I think that it is best for him…"

"I was given visitation rights and the ability to take my son when we have scheduled! This is my time to take my son for the day and night and you will not stop…"

"He's sick ok!" Tommy looked at Kimberly. "He's sick." Kimberly burst into tears. "He woke me last night with a high fever, he can't sleep comfortably, and he's in pain and the doctor…"

"I'm so sorry Kim." Tommy went to hug Kimberly, but she pulled away. Tommy remembered a time when Kimberly would have never pulled away from his comfort.

"I don't want to bother him, just let him sleep."

"Of course. What did the doctor say?"

"It's just a bad case of the flu, a cough with a fever, to let him rest and keep him drinking fluids, but if nothing changes by tomorrow to bring him in." Kimberly's voice cracked. "But I just feel so bad just waiting for him to get better…" Finally Tommy was able to hug Kimberly. She cried against Tommy's chest. "Why did he have to get sick now?"

"It just happens… but he'll get through it. He's strong, Kim."

Tommy and Kimberly sat or laid on Zeke's bed, watching and taking care of their ill son. Zeke's starting temperature was at 104.2, very high for something to drink, just chicken broth soup to get Zeke to have something other than OJ or water before Kimberly can give him another round of medicine. Tommy took his temperature before the soup. The stick read 103.7.

"I think you're getting better son."

"I still feel so weak." Kimberly rubbed his head after Zeke coughed again.

"I know baby, but your father made you something to drink right now."

"I'm not thirsty."

"Its just broth to get some nutrients on your stomach."

"No… please Mommy no…" Zeke shoved the spoon away as Tommy tried to feed him.

"He doesn't want it."

"He needs to take it, if only a little bit."

"He's drinking water and…"

"He doesn't have anything on his stomach, that's why he puked the first time you gave him medicine."

"He puked because you gave him too much. We should start off slow like I said, Tylenol, then maybe the cough syrup, not that Sudafed, it just makes him sleepy…"

"No, you have to attack fevers and the flu with the highest first round of medications and slowly ease up as he gets better."

"Why because your mother told you that? She doesn't know our son, my son!"

"Please… don't fight…" Zeke whined softly before coughing.

"We're not fighting!" Tommy and Kimberly yelled at each other. Zeke looked at his parents.

"Please Mommy… Dad, don't fight because of me." Kimberly and Tommy looked at each other. They both nodded. Kimberly held Zeke's hand. Tommy covered both their hands with his hand.

"We won't argue anymore son. I promise."

"I promise too," Kimberly said looking at Tommy.

Though at first Zeke was coughing, he then got very congested in his chest. Kimberly knew the only thing to help her son. She sent Tommy in the closet to find her cool mist vaporizer. Zeke stopped drinking water and juice, just wanting to sleep, but Kimberly knew a Popsicle would help just as much to keep fluids in her son. Plus Zeke loved his Popsicles.

"But won't a little steam from a hot shower help loosen that up too."

"Yeah, but Zeke can't have a hot shower when he's sick."

"Why not?" Tommy asked.

"He's asthmatic, remember."

"Oh, right."

"And that would cause bronchospasms, which we don't need."

"I used to be asthmatic at his age."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that's why my mother signed me up to play sports when I was young. She hoped I would out grow it and I did." Tommy found the vaporizer. He set it up with help from Kimberly.

The next morning, Tommy woke up to find Kimberly asleep against his body, though her back was to his chest. Their hands was over their sleeping son's chest touching. Tommy eased and felt Zeke's forehead. It was normal, and cool. Tommy smiled. After their fight, they calmed down and worked together as parents should to help heal their son. Kimberly woke up. She looked back to see Tommy awake and smiling. Kimberly quickly felt Zeke's forehead. He slightly groaned as Kimberly held her hand across his forehead.

"He's not warm anymore."

"Yeah, I think the fever broke while we were sleeping." Kimberly shed a few tears.

"Great." Kimberly laid her head against her son's head after kissing his cheek. "Oh my baby. My baby…" Tommy kissed the back of Kim's head and hugged both Kim and his son.

When Tommy's mother felt her son might lose and Kim might just take the case and win it, she and Mr. Lewis go to put their plan into order. Tommy's mother overhears Tommy talking about Kimberly talking to the dead Trini. Mr. Lewis is able to ask Judge Black to do another psych and social testing with Kimberly and her son. Then there were these photos taken of Kimberly. Though Judge Black ordered them to stop with no just cause, Mr. Lewis decided to find just cause. With many of the pictures there was nothing really wrong, but there were some photos that could be used otherwise. The Judge's ruling would be given by tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, after the closing speeches today and Judge Black taking his time to make the right decision. But before the closing statement, that's when Mr. Lewis brought the new photos into court and had them set up for all to see.

"What is this?" Alan Shore asked.

"New evidence." There was this picture of Kimberly, and it looked as if she was dragging her son by the arm. Everyone gasped. Mrs. Oliver had photos taken of bruises on Zeke's arm. Mrs. Oliver also had photos of Kimberly taking shots at a birthday party.

"And why do we have all this?"

"Your Honor, with all this new evidences that has come forward and I would like to call Kimberly Hart back to the stand." Kimberly exchanged looks with Alan. He nodded. Mr. Lewis walked over to one photo.

"Would you care to explain this pictures Miss Hart?"

"Your Honor, these photos are outlandish!" Alan yelled.

"I will allow it."

"But your honor…"

"Answer the question."

"It looks like a bruise."

"A very large bruise on your son's arm. Where, oh where could he have gotten this from?"

"If you are insinuating that I would…"

"I'm asking where did he get this?" Kimberly looked at Alan for help. Judge Black looked at Kimberly.

"Answer the question, Miss Hart." Kimberly looked up at the Judge.

"Not from me. I swear. I would never hurt my son!"

"What about this picture?"

"That is not what happened there!"

"So you didn't grab your son's arm and nearly break it."

"I was protecting him…"

"And how about all these bruises on his legs and…"

"He plays soccer, sometimes the boys get rough and kick him, but I would never hurt my son!"

"These photos show otherwise. I mean, are we really to believe your son has all these marks, from soccer?"

"You stupid son of bitch!"

"Restrain yourself Miss Hart!"

"He is telling lies! I would never hit my son! I have never hit my son!"

"Your Honor, I will need speak alone with my client immediately," Alan said. He knew Kimberly was on the verge of perhaps attack Mr. Lewis.

"Let's have a recess, so I can look at this photos more in dept as well as Miss Hart will be back on the stand to explain exactly what each photo means."

"But your Honor, I am willing to tell you right now!"

"Kimberly…" Alan looked at her stern.

"I suggest you talk over exactly what you need to say with your lawyer, Miss Hart. We will break for recess." Judge Black hit his pallet to excuse everyone.

Alan quickly closed the door behind Aisha and Tim. Kimberly was fuming, no, she was passed fuming. If Alan didn't get Kimberly out that stand at that very moment, things would have been worse off than it already was. It was already bad enough that Tommy's side was fabricating tales of abuse, if Kimberly attacked the lawyer, her case would be meaningless because she would have shown to have a violent side.

"What are they playing at, creating these photos to make Kimberly look bad?" Tim asked.

"How can they do that?" Aisha asked.

"I need you to tell me everything."

"You can't believe I would…"

"No! Of course I know you would not hit your son, but…"

"But? There are no buts here! I didn't do! Those photos are ridiculous! I would not hit my son. They know that, that's why they made it up!"

"Exactly! And you are not making things easy."

"What?"

"You have to calm down, you cannot get anger, you cannot show anger because if you think Judge Black doesn't look at that, then you are delusional."

"Fine, I'm sorry I got mad, but what they did… I just can't believe it!"

"Then explain photos so that I can make a better case…"

"There is no need to explain! I was protecting my son! And those bruises…."

"No, I need the story right now, because right now with those photos… we're not going to win this case." Kimberly gasped.

"You can't be serious!" Aisha said.

"The Judge should see right there them!" Kimberly yelled.

"He should, but he won't. If there is just an inkle of doubt, if they can make him believe for one second that you are capable of hurting your son, he will not hesitate to rule against you." Kimberly looked at Alan.

Tommy stood against his lawyer, after he yelled at his mother. She promised she stopped stalking Kimberly, which she didn't. But Mrs. Oliver assured her son, this is the only way to win the case.

"I don't care! I don't want to win the case! Not like that! Kimberly would never hurt Zeke!"

"And why are you so sure?"

"Because I know her! You went too far Mother!" Tommy turned to his lawyer. "And you, you are fired!"

"Excuse me?"

"You're fired! And I want you to go back in there, take back those photos."

"Tommy, that can't happen," Mr. Lewis said.

"And why not?"

"The judge has already seen them. And Judge Black will make his decision because of them. This has helped your case."

"No, not like this! Kimberly would never hit our son. She is good and what you did in there was twist everything! You're fired!"

"Tommy, son, please…you can't do that."

"I would listen to your mother son."

"If you don't go in there and tell them the truth, you're leaving here more than just getting fired because I will beat the living hell out of you!"

"Tommy!"

"No Mother! This is wrong! What you two did, schemed out is wrong! And I won't be apart of it!"

"Dillon, he doesn't mean it, he's just…."

"No! After recess, you will go in there, and you will tell the Judge the truth about those photos, you will tell them the truth behind each of them!"

"Tommy…"

"No mother! I am threw with your interfering! This is wrong! All of this is just wrong!"

Judge Black came back after recess and with all the new evidence and his files about the case, he was ready to make his ruling after Kim's finish on the witness stand.

"Your Honor, I would like to take the time to explain the photos, Mr. Lewis decided to spring on the courts today."

"Please do." Kimberly went back to the witness stand.

"Kimberly came explain photo number 1?"

"Yes, of course. I know what it looks like, I'm grabbing my son's arm rather harshly, but that's not the only truth. I am protecting him." Kimberly told about how a window washer track had fallen just a few feet before them. "I had to grab him, or he would be dead." Kimberly went to tell the stories behind the bruises and how little boys will be little boys, getting scratches and bruises because that's the way they play. Kimberly asked Judge Black to call her son into court and he would tell the same thing. Judge Black nodded.

"And what about the photos of your drinking Miss? You told Judge Black you don't party or drink?" Mr. Lewis interrupted.

"I never said that! I have a drink once and while with friends, and if I do go to a party, I am sure Zeke is well taken care of. I do not get drunk, but I do have a drink."

"Thank you Kimberly. I will have a short recess and come back with the closing statements."

Mr. Lewis gave his closing speech first, stating all that he had before, much to the dislike of Kimberly.

"So, I am asking you, Your Honor, make the right decision here, choose my client. He deserves the chance to provide he can and will be the better parent. Thank you, Your Honor." Alan Shore stood up next after Mr. Lewis sat down. He fixed his blazer, buttoning it up.

"Better parent?" Alan let out a laugh. "What, an ugly thing to fight over, an innocent child. Now, custody battles are not a welcoming fight anyone wishes to go through. They are hard and even painful to endure. In the midst of all this turmoil, we have all decided that right thing was done. There is a 5-year boy out there that needs both his mother and father to raise him to be the best damn boy he can be. My client wants that. She has always wanted Zeke's father in his life, apart of his life, making decisions with her on their son's well being. But then there is the problem. Mr. Oliver is not only wanting to be apart of his son's life, he wants his son, not to share, but take him completely from his mother to live with him. A man that has no experience with raising a boy, just because my client didn't tell him the truth about their son. Now you tell me, how fair that is. And moments before the defense realized they were going to lose this case, they manufacture this outlandish story about abuse, partying and the mental state of my client. They are so desperate to take an innocent child from the only person he knows, who loves and has taken the best care any mother could of her son, they would create such a story that I employ Your Honor, you would be a fool to believe. What if I told you, that moments after Kimberly grabbed her son's arm, which looked rather harshly, a window washer track fell right where her son would have stood if she didn't pull him back, there would no reason for this case, because her son would be dead. And Zeke's bruises, what if I told you he had gotten into a Indian rubbing arm war with a friend at daycare when they went to the Natural History Museum, and wanted the tattoo like a few of the Indians. That bruise was not caused from his mother, like Mr. Lewis would lead you to believe. And what if I also told you, those photos of Kimberly's drinking were stolen from her college days when someone took things from her house. And how do I know that. My client just last September after the death of her best friend, she got a dragonfly tattoo on her neck. In none of those photos, that were recent as the defendant called them, did my client have that tattoo, which proves how old those 'recent' photos are. And the day of her best friend's funeral, my client did see and speak something, was it her friend as an angel? Who knows, but that doesn't mean my client should lose her son. Kimberly Hart is the type of mother every child needs. She is kind, compassionate, loving, smart and an all-around good person. She had set up daycares and learning camps, everything the boy could want. She had cared for her child from the first moment she found out she was carrying him. She had done everything, everything humanly possibly to provide the perfect care for her son. And all Mr. Oliver wants to ship him off to some dusty paleontology site, leave him with a babysitter or worst, his mother… you tell me, is that the way a son should be brought up? Thank you." Alan sat. Kimberly smiled, as he patted her hand, giving her hand a squeeze.

Judge Black adjourned to come up with his ruling. He came back after an hour. Everyone stood up.

"As a father myself, I understand your need and desire to be apart of your son's life, Mr. Oliver. In the past, the decisions of the courts tend to favor the mother and since you both are so equally qualified to raise your son, it makes my decision even much harder. With the recent evidences and photos, I am sorry, but I had to make a more in-depth decision and I have to favor Mr. Oliver to become the legal full guardian of their son. Court is adjoined." Kimberly gasped, falling to her seat. Tommy just won the case. Kimberly sat in her seat heartbroken. Tommy sees her face and is crushed too.

Since the Judge's ruling, Kimberly had been spending her last few days, slowing packing up Zeke's things as well as spending as much time with Zeke she could. Her house was a mess, with things being scattered due to the fact that she had to pack up her son's things. At first she refused to believe it. Kimberly just couldn't see how a judge, any judge would just side with a stranger, even though he was Zeke's father. Alan told her about the appeal case he would be pushing for, but until that case, Kimberly still would have to give Zeke to Tommy for the time being.

Kimberly came across a few CD's as she was packing away her son's things for his trip back with Tommy. Kimberly smiled through the tears.

It was the middle of the night. The new mother stood in her bedroom over her baby's crib. He was crying loudly. And he was cranky because his mother couldn't soothe his cries. Kimberly had tried the bottle, had tried the pacifier, she changed the diaper, though her son was dry. But nothing seemed to help calm his cries. Kimberly was frustrated, what mother wouldn't be. She felt helpless to her baby's wails.

"What do you want? What do you need?" Kimberly lifted the baby to her shoulder. "I don't know what to do baby." Kimberly bumped her hip into her stereo. With that jolt, the radio came, and some soft music filled the room. The baby after a few moments stopped crying. "Oh, you like that. You like music huh?" Kimberly stood dancing around with Zeke, he was about 2 months old. "I like this music too." Kimberly slowly twirled away as Zeke calmed down.

Kimberly lifted the baby spoons and smiled. She banged the 2 white spoons together and laughed.

Kimberly was trying to feed Zeke his lunch before having to head back to class for the afternoon, he was still on the bottle milk, but she was trying to feed him solid foods for the first time again with the rice cereal. Zeke didn't seem to like anything but his milk and applesauce. And with the babysitter being late again, Kimberly felt rushed for time with an uncooperative baby. Zeke loved to spit the food back at his mother and laugh sometimes too. Kimberly couldn't face another day with her professor covered in baby milk or food covering her chest.

"Baba!"

"No, you are eating this rice cereal baby, please for Mommy…."

"Baba!" Kimberly sighed. Zeke had been saying nothing but 'baba' for the past few weeks.

"Why can't you say Mama? Or lala, anything but baba." Zeke beat on the high chair with the spoons Kimberly let him have.

"Baba!"

"Yes, baba. Everything is baba" Kimberly stood up and went to dump the tray of rice cereal away.

"Mama!" Kimberly dropped the small bowl and spoon. She turned around.

"Did you…"

"Mama!" Kimberly laughed and rushed to Zeke.

"You said mama! You said mama… my baby said mama!" Kimberly quickly opened the table from the high chair and lifted Zeke into her arms. "My baby said mama! Mama. Mama!"

"Mama!" Kimberly laughed again.

"Yes, Mama! Oh baby!" Tim came into the dorm room.

"What's going on?"

"He said Mama!"

"What?"

"Yes! He did!" Kimberly bounced her son on her hip. "Say, Mama."

"Baba!" Kimberly groaned.

"No Mama!"

"Baba!"

"You were imagining things Kim."

"I know my baby said mama."

"Yeah right."

"Where is Denise?"

"Oh, didn't you get the note, she's not coming today."

"What? I didn't see any note!"

"Don't worry, I can watch Poot."

"Oh." Tim went over to Kim's computer. Kimberly lifted Zeke from her hip. "I know you said Mama." Zeke just laughed as Kimberly raised him up and down. "Mama…. Mama… Mmmmm…mama…"

"Baba." Tim laughed.

Kimberly found the tiny photo album of Zeke's first Christmas. Tim and Kimberly went to visit their grandparents and as a treat Nana and Papa dressed up like Santa and Mrs. Clause. Kimberly had to laugh since Zeke was tugging down Papa's beard in one photo. Kimberly lifted up another picture of baby Zeke, a little over 10 months old in his first swimtrunks and floaters.

Back when Zeke was about 7 months, Kimberly planned on letting him have swim lessons, but with her studies, some things she had to push back. Tim offered to take Zeke, but Kimberly felt that was mother and child activity. Kimberly loved to have bath time with Zeke, who loved water like his father. Kimberly could remember how much Tommy just loved swimming. Kimberly would lay in the tub with Zeke, singing 'Humpty Dumpty' over and over, and when she got to 'Had a great fall' she would life Zeke down into the water with a gentle splash. Zeke loved that part and would always laugh.

Kimberly started off slowly, visiting the public pool at NYU with Clark. He was a swimmer in high school. Clark and Kimberly just walked around the pool, making sure Zeke was above the water, though occasionally Kimberly would let the pool water touch Zeke's feet or hands. But a few months later, Kimberly was taking Zeke to his first swimming lessons about a month before he was one year's old. Kimberly had wanted to start lil Zeke swimming early, but with the winter season, she didn't think spending days in the pool would be best. It was closer to spring now; she could now start teaching him as a gift for his 1-year birthday. Tim carried the video camera around as Kimberly was playing with Zeke in the pool. Each passing moment, Zeke grew more confident and comfortable in the water. Kimberly would try blow bubbles in the water, and Zeke copied. Tim laughed when Kimberly would spit water at him, Zeke copied, getting larger spitfulls of water at his mother.

Kimberly ran across several tapes, Zeke's first birthday. What a magically day that was. Another tape was labeled 'Zeke's First Step'. Kimberly remembered that day as if it was yesterday.

Zeke was about 11 months. She was following behind her son with a camera while they were playing. She had been trying to teach her son to just a few steps, knowing he wouldn't be walking confidently for a while that weekend. Zeke had been pulling himself up to stand for a month now, but refused to take any steps from her bed or chair, as Kimberly or Tim would push him. Tim took over filming as Kimberly went to check her email. All of sudden, Tim gasped. Kimberly turned to see Zeke standing alone. He took one slow step, then another, and 2 more before falling back to his butt. Kimberly laughed. With tears in her eyes, she rushed over and picked him up.

"That's my boy."

Kimberly hugged a shirt against her chest. She had been in daydream land for a while as she packed. She was done to the last bit of things. Zeke was helping pack with his mother. They were now just on clothes. Kimberly had his bed, toys, games, many photos copied and packed away. Kimberly had sent Tim away after he brought the boxes a few days ago. Aisha too, she wanted to the spend the time packing just to be with her son. She knew it would be emotional, but wanted to share memories as she packed with her son. Tommy would be here tomorrow to take him. He looked over at his mother. Zeke took the shirt after Kimberly folded it nicely.

"Does this mean you don't want me anymore?" Kimberly quickly hugged her son.

"Of course not baby! I love you! I just…I didn't win."

"But why do I have to leave you?"

"Because, because your father missed so much time with you and, and well he deserves a chance to get to know you like I do."

"But Daddy snores." Kimberly laughed and cried. Zeke wiped her face.

"I don't like you sad."

"Mommy will be fine. We'll see each other all the time, anytime you want."

"Promise." Zeke held up his pinkie finger.

"I promise." They locked fingers and hugged. "Mommy loves you so very much."

"I love you too."

Tommy came to the house late that afternoon, wanting to give Kimberly all the time he could with their son before taking him back to California with him. He was moving Zeke before the Fourth of July weekend rush into the city. They would be flying out tomorrow afternoon. Tommy loaded his car with the many boxes and suitcases. Tommy would be paying the large fee for shipping all this stuff by air, since he and Zeke would be flying back home tomorrow. Kimberly was talking about all the things Zeke loves to Tommy as he carried the things to his car, the toys, and the stories to read him in the morning, for nap, and at night. What to do during a thunderstorm to help Zeke, if he gets a cut, what type of bandages to use that he likes best.

"Make him clean up his room, don't let him get away with throwing his stuff around. He gets lazy sometimes, oh and he loves music, don't forget to play this CD first on the plane and if you cook..."

"I got it Kim."

"Oh, and if he can't sleep, just…"

"I got it Kim."

"And he hates…"

"He hates clowns like you, he hates his eggs over easy like I do…" Kimberly looked back at Zeke at the steps. He refused to come down.

"I guess you do got it."

"Zeke, come on." Zeke shook his head. Kimberly was moment from falling apart, but refused to do it in front of her son. Kimberly walked up the stairs and picked up Zeke.

Kimberly carried Zeke down the steps to the car.

"I don't wanna go Mommmy!"

"You have to be a strong little man for me, baby."

"But I don't wanna leave you!"

"I'll be fine!"

"No, no you won't! You need me Mommy! I need you Mommy, please don't make me go! Please Mommy!"

"You have to go baby. I'll see you soon."

"I'll take him." Kimberly looked at Tommy with tears in her eyes as he took Zeke from her. Kimberly held back her cries as she held her son's head and kissed him. "We'll call you later." Kim nodded.

"Behave for your father!" Kimberly yelled. Tommy carried Zeke to the car, as Kimberly waved to them as Tommy opened the car door. Kimberly moved some hair from her face and turned to run up her stairs and into the house.

AN: Thanks everybody... leaving for North Carolina, back in a week! Next chapter, The Kiss, aren't kisses just magical? Will Kimberly remember that? Until next time