"Hey Carol, I'm leaving."

"You can't," Carol looked nervous. "Ummm…. You have to review the board report before you head out."

"I did that. I take it you haven't checked your email; the changes I need made are outlined. Make sure you hit those clarifications as well." CJ began putting some items in her briefcase. Maybe Carol was just having an off day.

"CJ you can't leave."

"Carol what the hell is wrong with you?" The secretary played with the hem of her shirt looking for something to say. "Carol!" CJ said impatiently.

"Abby called down. She wanted me to keep you here until 6pm." They both looked at the clock. "You have four minutes."

"Did she want to see me because I can head to her office?"

"No, she said you couldn't leave until 6. I don't know what she's planning, but she was insistent on you being in your office. And I wasn't supposed to tell you."

"Ok Carol. I'll wait. But I'm leaving at six." Carol noticed a change in CJ over the last few weeks. She seemed less herself and a little depressed. Carol was actually concerned. She hoped Abby got here soon. She left, closing the door behind her.

CJ sat down and laid her head on her desk. She was out of fight. Jac would be with them a few more weeks, then Brooke would move into the room with Hayden. Abby had pulled strings and got Hayden into the same school that Zoey attended.

Every day the barn felt smaller and smaller. She loved her sister and nieces, but she felt trapped. It was even worse that she hadn't seen Abby in all that time.

These days Abby split her responsibilities between the governor's mansion and the face of Barrington Company. It had become difficult for CJ to see Abby outside of work. And waiting for her now, in the office, was not her idea of a good time. She looked at the clock it said 6pm. She grabbed her coat and briefcase and headed out the door.

"See ya tomorrow, Carol." She breezed pass Carol and headed towards the elevator to press the button several times impatiently. Usually CJ would have waited for Abby. Even called her at 6 to see what was up. All she wanted to do now was go home and get in bed. She was spent.

A car was waiting by the curb. CJ ignored it; walking past it to hail herself a cab. As a cab pulled up to the curb behind the black sedan, the door to the sedan opened.

"Excuse me ma'am. The car is waiting for you." CJ looked at the driver. The man was not Abby's regular chauffeur and that made CJ annoyed and nervous at the same time.

"Where does she want you to take me?"

"Home ma'am. I have strict instructions to take you directly home." CJ was happy to hear that. Once she was home she could talk Abby out of whatever else she had planned. CJ climbed in the car, closing her eyes wishing that the 25 minute drive wouldn't feel like forever.

She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew they were pulling into driveway. The driver stopped in front of the barn. She didn't wait for him to open the car door she got out and walked into the barn.

The furniture had been pushed against the walls. Every surface was covered in candles illuminating the entire room. In the middle of the room was a massage table and a masseuse. The masseuse stepped forward and handed her a note.

Zoey, Jac and Hayden are spending the night watching movies and hanging out all night. They will not be back. Brooke has gone to Ohio for the weekend. This is for you. Relax and enjoy. If you need me I'll be home all night. Love, Abby.

CJ wiped her eyes. How did Abby always know what she needed. "Should I shower before the massage?"

"Yes. If you will wrap yourself in this towel, I'll be here when you're ready. Would you like a glass of wine?" The masseuse poured CJ a glass of red wine.

She took a sip. "Mmmm. Malbec." Abby definitely knew what she liked.

CJ went upstairs, showered and returned downstairs. She fell asleep on the table during the massage. When masseuse woke her up, she felt relaxed.

"You'll want to drink plenty of water. Have a good night." CJ laid on the table while he left. It took her a few minutes, but she finally got up. Pouring herself another glass of wine she looked around the refrigerator for the chicken salad Brooke had made the night before. As she stood at the counter spooning out salad with crackers, Abby walked in.

"Hey, can I come in?"

"It's your barn."

Abby decided not to take the bait. "I just wanted to see you." CJ didn't respond. The distance between them was more than the 25 feet from the door to the counter. "I know it has been strained between us recently. And I guess it's my fault."

"Not everything is your cross to bear."

"Ok," Abby waited a beat. "About the pregnancy idea, I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry. I was thinking it and did not fully work out the consequences. It was insensitive."

CJ took a deep breath. "It was what you were thinking. You are entitled to think it. It was just more than I could handle."

Abby rushed to CJ's side brushing the tears in her eyes away. "I'm so sorry baby."

"It's not about you and it is about you. I love you Abby. And I want kids so bad. But this is not normal. You made me realize that its sooo not normal. I'm your kept mistress. I live in your house and if we broke up I would lose everything. It's a hard reality to bear."

"You're not kept."

"Abby I live on your property in your barn. I don't pay any bills or contribute."

"You want me to charge you rent. What would that change? It's not like I need the money."

CJ shook her head. "It doesn't matter."

"It does when you won't look me in the eye. Please talk to me Claudia."

"I want children. I want them with you, and until a few weeks ago I didn't have to admit to myself that it wasn't possible."

"I didn't know you wanted children."

"We didn't have the typical dating portion where we would have talked about these things."

"We jumped in head first. I guess I assumed we had worked out the difficult parts."

"Yeah me too."

"There is nothing I want more than for you to be happy. I want to talk about everything. I want to know how you feel, because when you hurt it breaks my heart. I don't know if we can have everything, but I want to try to give it to you."

XXXXX

Since their first date Millicent and Jamie saw each other as much as possible. Jamie traveled a lot for work, so the actual seeing each other was harder than they originally thought. Jamie called Millicent at least once a day no matter what time zone he was in.

They had an easiness with each other. Jamie told Millicent things that he never shared with anyone. She made him laugh with her bawdy jokes. He was falling in love that he was most certain of.

Tonight, they were going to the Foundation's annual ball. Jamie had been to the past three at his father's insistence. But his mother's ousting by Abby a few years before made it his least favorite event. When Millicent asked him to accompany her, he wanted to say no at first. He didn't want Millicent to have a bad time because he was in a bad mood. Now, he knew his nervousness was silly. Being with Millicent was always fun.

He adjusted his tie and climed out of the car. Were his palms actually sweaty?

"It's a limo," Brynn screamed from her mother's bedroom window.

"What?" Millicent's mother and sister ran to the window to get a look at the car.

"He's so handsome." Millicent's mother, Dora, said.

"Would y'all get away from the window, he could see you. How do I look?" Millicent spun around as she heard the door bell ring. She wore a magenta gown with an empire waste. "I should head downstairs."

"Wait a few minutes its good to keep a suitor waiting. Besides your father's down there." Millicent rolled her eyes.

"Mom, I'm not 16, dad doesn't get to clear my dates."

"Mommy, you look pretty."

"Thanks Sugar." Millicent said as she leaned over to kiss Brynn. "Be good for grandma and grandpa."

She left the room and headed downstairs.

XXXXX Meanwhile downstairs…

Millicent's father opened the door. Jamie kept his smile in place. He knew when he was being sized up. "Hello Sir, I'm James Barrington. I am Mill… Dr. Griffiths escort to the ball."

"Yes, yes come in. I am George Monroe, Millicent's father. She's still dressing." George ushered Jamie into the living room. "Have a seat. Can I offer you a drink?" Jamie looked around and saw a paper and a glass of clear liquid on the table. He played it safe.

"I'll have whatever you're having sir."

"That would be water." Jamie nodded and George retrieved some water for him. "So, this is your ball you've invited my daughter to."

"No, actually it's my sister's - Abby." Jamie swallowed. "She runs the foundation that Dr. Griffiths sits on the board of. Your daughter has been gracious enough to let me escort her." Of course George knew this because Millicent had explained it to him. But being a father meant he got the pleasure of watching a man squirm.

"So, are you driving?"

"No sir; I hired a car."

Millicent came downstairs at this point. "Daddy you can stop grilling him."

"Wow Millicent… you look amazing."

"Thanks Jamie. Are you ready to go?"

"Wait wait let me get a picture," Dora said.

"Mom this is not prom." Dora rustled around in her bag for her camera. Millicent looked at her father with a save me look. He shrugged in a defeatist manner. "Ok one quick picture." They posed for a picture.

"Make sure your home at eleven."

Millicent rolled her eyes, "Dad I no longer have a curfew. But we won't be late." She kissed her parents and they left.

As they drove away Millicent said, "That was absolutely mortifying."

"It was certainly different. Very quaint."

"You just never expect your parents to do that when your 40."

"I only thought parents did that on TV."

"Are you serious?" She looked at him incredulously. "Are you telling me you never went through that as a teenager?"

"No I didn't. Most girls' parents didn't feel the need to grill me. I think maybe Dad did it to Jed when he asked to marry Abby, but its not exactly something that happens when you are a Barrington."

"Seriously?"

"When I was a teenager girls threw themselves at me."

"Conceited much," Millicent poked him in the ribs and laughed.

"Not conceit - truth. Being Mrs. James Barrington the IV carries a lot of weight. Its pretty prestigious." Millicent was laughing really hard. "Fine laugh at me." Jamie looked away in mock disgust. "I'm glad you find that so funny."

"I'm sorry you just said it with such pomp. Its kinda cute. Did I hurt your feelings?"

"No. You bruised my family pride a little bit."

"What can I do to make it up to you?"

"I don't know." Jamie pouted, Millicent tilted her head up and kissed him. "Oh you are going to have to do better than that." Millicent kissed him more passionately. "Let's skip the party and run away."

"You want to make it to third base without even given me dinner. What type of girl do you think I am?"

"A beautiful one."

"Awe. We still have to go to the party."

"Damn." Jamie took a deep breath. "I have been putting off telling you something."

"Your ex-wife is going to be at the ball."

Jamie looked confused. "Yes. How did you know?"

"Abby told me. 'She weaseled her way in,' Abby's words not mine. I can handle anything she can throw out."

"That's good. But that's not what I was going to tell you. My mother is going to be there. Thanks to me, Jed and CJ, Abby and my mother have brokered a truce. She knows I am bringing you as a date. She is not happy about the divorce. I hope that she won't say anything but I can't guarantee it. I wanted to warn you. I will do my best to shield you."

"You brokered a truce? One day you are going to have to tell me the story. I'll be fine."

"I love my mother very much. But she can be a hand full. I just wanted to warn you."

"I appreciate the warning."

They arrived at the ball. Millicent joined the receiving line. He went to the bar.

"Scotch rocks," the bartender poured his drink.

"Hello Jamie."

"Mother," he leaned over and kissed his mother's cheek. "How are you?"

"Abby has certainly catered to the lower class hasn't she?"

"Mother you promised to try."

"I did." Elizabeth looked across the room at her daughter in the line. She hadn't seen Abby in over two years ago; at this very event. She had almost stayed home tonight, but she missed her daughter. She missed her grandchildren.

"I saw Monica."

"Yippee." Jamie drained his glass and singled for another.

"She looks like a fool hanging all over Charles Keen. She was a small blip on your screen. No need to worry yourself with her."

"I just hope she won't create a scene."

"She won't."

"Hey," Millicent said as she came up behind Elizabeth. Jamie broke into the biggest smile. "I've never shook more hands in my life."

"Let me get you a drink. Millicent this is my mother. Elizabeth Barrington. Mother this is Dr. Millicent Griffiths." Millicent smiled warmly despite the cold stare that Elizabeth gave her.

"Its nice to meet you Mrs. Barrington."

"Dr. Griffiths. Jamie I see someone I know if you'll excuse me." Elizabeth made her way to the other side of the room.

"She doesn't like me."

"Don't worry about it. It's a tense night for her. Let's dance." He pulled her close as he led her out to the ballroom. She fit perfectly in his arms.

"You're very good at this."

"Five years of ballroom classes. Are you impressed?"

"Not really." She teased.

"Well, let me show what I can do." He spun her around the room as she threw her head back and laughed.

"Ok. Ok. I'm impressed. Can we get something to eat? I'm starving." Jamie grabbed Millicent a martini. Then he snuck into the kitchen and piled a plate full of food. "You are entirely to practiced at that.

"When I was a teenager, I attended a lot of formal functions. We'd steal a plate of food and sneak out to a hotel room. Or someone's car."

"You lured girls away with food."

"Sometimes." She chuckled. Bit by bit she learned little tidbits about him. She enjoyed the mystery.

"Your mother doesn't like me."

"She's protective."

"I get that. I'm already prepared to dislike whoever Dillon or Luke bring home."

"Hey don't worry about it. She'll come around. Let's just have a goodtime."

Across the room Elizabeth observed Millicent and Jamie. He looked happy. When she had spoken to him last he sounded happier. She knew that Millicent Griffiths was the cause of that. When Jamie had married Monica he warned him that she was golddigger. She'd done her best to protect her son. Even going as far as aligning herself with Monica. It was a necessary tactic to keep her son safe.

She would do no less with Millicent. Of course Elizabeth had already checked her out. Three children and a middle management ex-husband with a seemingly dimwitted wife. She needed to know what this woman was after. Jamie would not be hurt again.

XXXXX

It was their first time. And Jamie was looking forward to spending the day with Millicent. He had never been so comfortable with anyone before. He climbed out of bed excited to make her breakfast.

He made his way downstairs and dug around her in the kitchen for food. Jamie had learned to cook in college. Much to his mother's surprise and chargrin he decided to live in an apartment with a few of his frat brothers. He taught himself some simple dishes when he got tired of eating take-out. He rarely cooked anymore, but this felt like something he wanted to do every day.

He turned at the sound of footsteps. He smiled and poured her a cup of coffee. "It took me a while, but I figured out how to work your coffee maker."

"Its not that sophisticated." She smiled and leaned over him. "Is this something I shouldn't get used to? Because its been a long time since a man has cooked for me. A really long time, I think my Dad cooked for me once when my mother was sick. And that was the last time."

"I'll cook whenever you want." He kissed her.

"Imma hold you to that." They kissed more. Jamie walked her back towards the counter, lifting her onto the center island. The front door slammed. "What the hell?" Millicent said.

A moment later: "MOM!" Dillon yelled. The kitchen door swung open. "Mom, can I have some cereal?" Dillon either didn't care or notice that his mother was sitting on the counter in her robe with Jamie shirtless in between her legs.

"What are you doing here?" Millicent asked.

"Dad dropped us off." In quick succession Luke and Brynn came in followed by David and Page, David's wife. Jamie took a step back while Millicent hoped off the counter. She eyed David.

"Before you say anything. We have to take Page's mother home and I didn't want to be late getting them back tomorrow."

"So, instead of calling me and seeing if I had other plans you thought you would just drop your children off to an empty house." Millicent was fuming. "What if I hadn't been here what would you do then? Left them to fend for themselves?"

"Well, I didn't expect you to have a half naked man in the kitchen. I'm not sure its appropriate to have this type of behavior around the children."

"You pompous son of a bitch." Millicent approached him aggressively and Jamie cut her off.

"Hey why don't you go sit in the living room while we make breakfast." He pleaded with Millicent. She walked around him and opened the kitchen door for David and Page to pass. Jamie gave each of the kids an assignment which allowed him to expand his two person breakfast to a five person breakfast.

Once in the dining room Millicent said to David. "You are supposed to have your children from 4pm on Friday until 3pm on Sunday every other weekend. That's the agreement you wanted. Otherwise I let you live your life. These last few weekends you have had them barely that amount of time."

"At least I don't hand them off to a babysitter every time I have them."

"We're not going to do this. I can no longer do this with you. Is the agreement still working for you cause if you don't want them at all; let me know. But you occasionally dipping your feet in the parental pond is no longer working for me."

"I think you are overreacting."

"Of course you do."

"You're treating David like he's not a good father is unfair and so typical of you Millicent." Page chimed in.

"You're right; in order to be a father he would at least have to be present and we all know he's not."

"Screw you Millie. Just because this new boyfriend isn't satisfying you, its no reason to take it out on me."

"You're an ass. And I can't deal with this anymore. You have to see your mother that's fine. Leave." David went to say something else and Millicent put up her hand. "Get out of my house both of you." They both retreated.

Millicent put her head in her hands. She couldn't keep fighting this battle with him. She couldn't want him to be a parent more than he wanted it. She wasn't sure she could keep putting her children through this. Jamie came out of the kitchen. And sat down next her to rub her back.

"You ok."

"Yeah. I can't believe he produced my children. Jamie my life is complicated."

"Because you have a crazy ex-husband."

"I come as an instant family."

"I get that. You should know though that I am falling in love with you. And I would like to get to know your children better. I can respect any boundaries you put in place. But I plan on being around for a while."

"I guess at some point you are going to have to spend time with them."

"Ok. So instead of my plans to ravish you for the rest of the day, we mix it up. Abby and Jed are in town. And I was kinda expected to come over today and hang out with them and the children. So, why don't we all go? Jed is firing up the grill and there's a pool. They'll love it."

She cupped his face. "How did I get so lucky?"

"You're not so bad yourself."They kissed.

XXXX

"Abby you should slip on your glasses; your eyes keep wandering." Jed said as he walked up to her.

"I can't help it." She slipped on her shades. "It's a very bad habit that I don't think I will be breaking."

"Did you buy her that bikini?"

"Nope. Supposedly Brooke picked it out."

"Its like a present for all of us."

"Jackass." CJ had on a snug blue bikini. For a bikini it was conservative in that it had boy shorts, the top left very little to the imagination. It made Abby wish that this was a private pool party.

"Thanks for allowing the photographers to take some shots."

"Were they fine with the pictures?"

"Yeah sure. You know pictures at home with the governor and his family. Important for image and everything."

"Its not a problem. I just don't want every family event to turn into a photo shoot."

"It won't Abby. I promise."

"Good. Brooke's cute."

"Isn't one sister enough for you? How long is she here?" Brooke had come into town almost a month ago.

"Claudia's not sure. They will be moving here."

"In the barn?"

"We'd have to add on. That is not enough space for three women."

"Just three?"

"Jac is leaving in a few days. Its been fun having them here. And I think it has been good for Zoey. I'm not sure how we are going to separate those three."

"Does Jac and Hayden know about you and CJ?"

"No, at least I don't think so. Do you think we should tell Zoey?"

"What? that her mother's a lesbian or that her lover lives right next door?"

"Ok maybe not that. I just don't want her to randomly find out."

"I have to imagine it's a tough conversation to have and hear. I think maybe she's a bit too young to understand."

"Hey, can we crash your party?" Abby and Jed turned to see Jamie, Millicent and the kids walk in.

"Jamie. Its good that you're here you can keep Jed from burning down my house." Abby teased and kissed her brother on the cheek. "Millicent I can't believe you are still hanging out with this degenerate."

They spent the rest of the day together as a family.

Xxxx

"Mmm. Good morning." CJ stood at the stove making eggs when Abby came up behind her to kiss her shoulder.

"You want eggs."

"No I want you." They kissed. Neither heard the door open. They did hear the sharp intake of breath.

"Oh My God." Abby's eyes snapped to the door to see Zoey standing there flanked by Jac and Hayden.

"Zoey," Abby moved towards her daughter, her hand outstretched.

"You lied to me." Abby reached for Zoey who yanked her entire body away from her.

"I... I… I…"

"No, you lied to me. Your cheating on Daddy and when I asked you you said you weren't. I NEVER WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN!" Zoey ran from the barn. Abby stood in shock. Hayden went to follow her, CJ stepped forward.

"Hayden stay here." She came to Abby's side. "Hun, you need to talk to her." Abby nodded slowly and walked out.

There was a moment where Hayden, Jac and CJ just stared at each other. Finally, CJ spoke. "How long have y'all known?"

"I asked Daddy when the report came out and Grandma was so upset. He told me. I told Hayden."

"Mom told us not to say anything because she didn't think Zoey knew. And the few times you've come up it was obvious that she thought you were single."

"Is there anything you want to ask me?" CJ said.

"Does Grandma know?" This from Jac. She was her Grandmother's biggest fan.

"Yes, it took her a while, but she's ok with it." CJ looked at Jac, the teenager looked like she wanted to ask something else. Then Hayden gave her the slightest nudge.

"How did you know that you liked girls?" CJ sat down. This was not a conversation she had planned on having with her nieces.

"I just did. I had male friends and I even dated boys for a while. It just felt better when I kissed girls than when I kissed boys. I think your Dad knew before I did. He used to ask me whether I thought his girlfriends were cute."

"Oh."

"I know that Zoey's your friend. Her mother loves her a lot, and anything that Abby told her was because she loved her."

"She shouldn't have lied," Hayden said indignantly.

"Maybe not. But she didn't want to hurt her child."

XXXXXXXX

"Zoey, please open the door." Abby stood at the door with her face pressed against the wood. She had followed Zoey upstairs to her room, which the teenager promptly locked. "Please, let me just talk to you."

"What's wrong Mommy?" Cullen came out of his room in his football gear.

"Your sister's upset. You ready for your game buddy."

"Yeah! We're gonna crush'em." He said fiercely. Every day the boy turned into a smaller version of Jed, Abby ruffled his hair and put his helmet on.

"Try not to break any bones, my little line backer." He walked down the hall with his nanny following behind. He turned back before he bounded down the stairs. "Mom are you coming to my game with CJ?"

Abby wiped the tears out of her eyes. CJ had promised Cullen that she wouldn't miss a game if she was in town and she hadn't. "I'm gonna try."

"Hey Zoe. You coming to my game." Abby turned to see Zoey's tear stained face standing in the doorway.

"Of Course. You promised Hayden that you would break some bones."

"K. See ya." He ran downstairs. Abby turned to Zoey.

"Can we talk?" Abby said.

"Why? So you can lie to me again."

"No, I don't want to lie to you Zoey."

"But you did."

"Yes, I did." Abby lowered her eyes slightly.

"I'm not gonna lie to Daddy for you."

"Your father knows. He's always known. But I decided that you and Cullen shouldn't know. I'm sorry, but I thought it was more than you can handle."

"I'm not Cullen. I can handle it, I'm not your little princess anymore."

"You are always gonna be my little princess." Abby cupped her daughter's face and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Please forgive me. I shouldn't have lied."

Zoey looked at her mother. She had never seen her mother cry before. "Ok Mom. I forgive you."

"Do you wanna ask me some questions?"

"Yeah." They went into Zoey's room and sat on her bed. They were silent for a long time. Abby wanted to give her daughter time.

"Baby, you can ask me anything?"

"Are you and Daddy getting a divorce?"

"No."

"But you're with CJ."

"Yes, I am. I don't know how to explain it to you other than to say that we've never discussed or considered divorcing. I love your father."

"So, you don't love CJ."

"I love her too. I love them both. Your dad's my best friend. Claudia's…" She searched for the words to describe what she felt about CJ that wouldn't scare her daughter. "Claudia is so important to me. I love her."

"More than Dad?"

"Different from your father. When I met your father I thought my being attracted to women was a phase."

"Mom if your gay it's not gonna change."

"I know that sweet heart - now. But I thought it could and I wanted it to when I met him. He was the most handsome man I knew. He was so sweet and kind and had this vast knowledge of unimportant trivia."

"Still does."

"Yeah he does. So, we decided to marry and have you and Cullen. I was very happy. Then I met Claudia. I never imagined I would feel this way for her. I finally knew what the story books were talking about."

"Oh." Zoey hadn't expected her mother to say that.

"It didn't change what I feel for your father. And nothing is going to change for you or your brother. Your father and I love you more than anything. I'm sorry I hurt you baby. And you're right. You are no longer a child. But your brother is, so you can't tell him at least not now."

"I won't; he really likes CJ. So do I."

"Yeah. She thinks you guys are great." They hugged. There was a soft knock at the door. Both looked up to see Jac, Hayden and CJ standing in the door way.

"These two wanted to know if it would be ok to go to the pool," CJ said.

"Can I Mom?"

"You don't want to go to Cullen game."

"I'm not really up to it."

"Ok. But we're having dinner with your father when he gets home."

"I'll be here." Zoey went to her drawer and grabbed a suit. She walked up to CJ. "DO you love her."

"I do. Very much."

"Are you going to try to take her away from us?" Zoey wasn't stupid. Quite a few of her friends father's had had affairs and they didn't want to stay married anymore afterwards. She had even heard of a few of her mother's friends say the woman their husbands were sleeping with him made them leave. She wanted to know would CJ do the same thing to her mother.

"No sweetheart. I'm not."

XXXXXXX

Abby laid in bed thinking over the day. Zoey had forgiven her – at least partially. She had lied to her daughter and for that she could never forgive herself. Jed walked in the bedroom.

"Thanks for the heads up. That girl should be a reporter she asks the really tough questions."

"She ok." Abby looked at her husband. She needed his assurance right now.

He sat on the bed next to her and patted her leg. "She will be."

"I lied to her Jed. I've never lied to her." His eyebrow shot up. She smiled. "I mean about the important stuff. How could I do that to her? I feel like the worse mother in the world."

"Doubtful. She's upset. She will get over it. I think she's more concerned that you may not be happy and that you will up and leave."

"I told her I wouldn't."

"And in time she'll believe you. Think about how many over her friends parents are divorced. Now, imagine how many of them had affairs and then divorced. It happens every day and she sees it. We've shattered her image of our marriage. That doesn't mean we aren't a family, it just means we have to help our daughter understand our definition." He kissed her hand. "Its gonna be fine."

"Jed." He knew that tone.

"Yes…"

"Claudia wants children."

"She wants what?"

"Children."

"Abby…" He whispered. He could see his life falling apart before him. She wrapped her arms around him. "Abby." He whispered again. She would leave, he could feel it. He stood up suddenly, wiping his hands on his pants. "I'm going to take a shower."

"Jed. Jed talk to me."

"I can't right now. I need to shower. I'm heading back to the Governor's mansion tonight."

"Stay Jed."

"I can't Abby." He closed the bathroom door. Abby felt the distance.

XXXX