Nora knocked gently on her eldest daughter's door. When she got the ok to enter, she pushed open the door and gently shut it behind her. Casey and Lizzie were on Casey's bed apparently just talking. Nora took a seat on the edge of the bed looking graciously at her daughters' smiling faces.

"I want to thank both of you for everything you have done in the past few days."

"Really, Mom its no big deal," said Casey. Nora shook her head.

"I know what it was must have put you through. Seeing me like that must have been hard, especially since you knew my pain was for nothing and I couldn't see that. I love George with all of my heart, just like I love the two of you. I guess I overreacted to the thought of losing him. I'm just happy that I have such great daughters who look after me." Nora reached over and pulled them into a hug.

"Really, Mom, it was all Lizzie and Edwin. Derek and I were two busy fighting like you and George to see the truth," added Casey looking at her little sister, who blushed.

"I just didn't want to see you hurt. After Edwin explained what happened, it all made sense. Abby really wanted George back and Edwin said she'd do anything to get him. We really didn't want you and George to get a divorce. We are a family now!" insisted Lizzie. Nora wrapped her arms around her two girls.

"Thank you." A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Ahh…Mom don't cry!" Casey was beginning to tear up as well. Lizzie rolled her eyes. She did not inherit the "crying" gene. Thank goodness.

"You two look ridiculous. What are you crying for!?" They all burst out laughing. After a small moment of silence, Casey spoke.

"It's awfully romantic. That's the way I saw it…Two families came together because two people loved each other. The kids argued and fought through it all. Then when those two beautiful people came into a fight, it was the kids that showed them how much they loved each other." They all sighed, cuddling up on Casey's bed.

"Does anyone want to play circus with me?" Marti poked her head into the room. Smiling, all three got up. Nora picked up the young girl.

"Only if I get to be the trapeze artist," she winked.

"Ooo! I want to be the person who trains the lions!" Shouted Lizzie, joining in on the fun.

"That is animal cruelty!" Retorted Casey. Soon the two were bickering over whether or not using animals as entertainment was cruelty. Nora smiled; happy that thing were back to normal.

--

Derek was laid back in his chair when his dad came into the living room. Edwin was spiraled out on the couch and never looked up. He was exhausted. The first night staying up with his dad and the second with Lizzie had worn him out. Plus, he had a feeling George was about to get sentimental with them- something that Derek was completely against, so naturally, Edwin hated it too.

"What are you watching?" George sat down in another chair. Derek grunted something, but Edwin really didn't know what they were watching either, so he didn't answer. It was just something he and Derek did together- watch useless junk on television. "I was just going to say-"

"Don't," replied Derek, his eyes never leaving the television.

"Ok." George leaned back, glad for this special moment with his sons.

--

George lay back on his bed with a sigh. Two nights on the couch had murdered his back. He had no idea how Derek did it. That kid was always falling asleep on the couch watching television. Nora was tucking Marti into bed tonight. The little girl had insisted on her step-mother reading her a bedtime story. So now he was waiting for her to return. Ten minutes later the bedroom door opened and Nora walked in.

"Cinderella again," she smiled. Any princess story was Marti's favorite right now. "We played circus today."

"Really?" She nodded, walking into the bathroom.

"Your daughter makes quite the clown," came her tranquil voice. George stayed in the bed.

"I thought she was scared of clowns?"

"Not any more. Now that she became the clown, it isn't so scary anymore. She faced her fears." Nora came back to the bedroom in her night clothes.

"Just like you did," he added, pulling back the covers for her.

"Hmmm?" Nora crawled into bed, snuggling up close to her husband.

"Well, I thought you were going to leave me. Not even give me the chance to explain. Actually, I thought you were going to kick me out on the street and never speak to me again. But you didn't- you got the courage to listen to me, no matter that it could hurt you," whispered George. Nora laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She closed her eyes, not replying at first.

"I just couldn't think of my life without you…"

"I know."

"No you don't. You've never had anyone walk out on you. You left Abby- Dennis left me. It's hard to see someone you love leave and never look back. I just panicked." George pulled her head up towards him, kissing her gently. There was more passion to the second kiss they shared next. Finally, George pulled away, looking her straight in the eyes.

"I love you."

"Say it again." George looked at her in confusion; however it didn't do him any good. Her eyes were closed, her head laid back against his shoulder.

"I love you?"

"Yeah. That."

"I love you." Soon they were both giggling like teenagers, competing for who loved who more. He kissed her through her smile, falling in love with her all over again.

A/N: Thanks guys for sticking with me! I hoped you enjoyed it! That is the last chapter and probably the last story I'll do for LWD for a while. Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I really love yall!!