"So is she still here you think?" Pizza Girl asked Phil. She was setting the table, holding up an extra plate. "What do you think Philly…Do I set a place for her?"

It was Sunday Pancake Breakfast Funday, a weekly tradition for the foursome and Janet had been sorely missed.

"I would think that she is still here, just based on the fact that bacon is frying and Eddie has yet to make his way down." Phil said kissing the side of Pizza Girls head.

"Good thinking Philly. My fingers are crossed, my toes too. He has just not been the same without her." Pizza Girl fluttered in between the kitchen and dining room, setting the table, putting out the coffee and juice, syrup and butter until she was pleased with herself.

"Now what?" she asked plopping herself down at the table.

"Now we wait." Phil answered, walking back into the kitchen to finish up the pancake flipping.

For a brief moment Janet thought she was dreaming, that the last half hour had not happened. She thought for sure that she would wake up in Hannah's guest room, wrapped in her childhood quilt, safe but terribly alone. So for a few seconds she just laid there silent, drifting, riding a wave of happiness. She closed her eyes tight trying to hold on all the while waiting for this dream, this wonderful, perfect, soul satisfying dream to end.

"Janet, did you hear me?" Eddie was full of adrenaline, it was pumping through him like a rock song. Bon Jovi or maybe The Boss. Her silence was maddening, every second seemed like an hour. Janet opened her eyes, and the realization that she was in fact not dreaming kicked in as did the weight of Eddie's question. For a second she allowed herself to imagine walking down the aisle to Eddie and a smile spread across her face. Eddie took this as a good sign. But the reality snapped back into Janet's mind, and the smile quickly faded.

"Uh, Eddie you don't mean that you just…" Janet stuttered out. "uh, got carried away."

"No, Janet I do mean it. I want you to be my wife. I am not scared anymore. In fact I am more scared not to have you." The fear that Eddie felt at the thought of Janet not being in his life in that moment was an overwhelming, unrelenting weight.

"Eddie, please." Janet begged, she shifted her body, urging him off of her. He rolled next to her on his back staring at the ceiling. "Please ask me again in six months or even three. But not today. Please not today." Janet couldn't say yes, no matter how much she wanted to. The wounds were too fresh, the forgiveness and trust too far off in the distance.

"So you are saying no." Eddie sounded like a little boy, Janet's heart broke at the sound of his voice. She turned into him, laying on her side. Her head resting on his shoulder.

"No, I am not saying no. But I cant say yes either. And tomorrow you will be grateful that I didn't." Eddie pulled away from her, feeling stupid and rejected.

"Grateful huh, well that's just…I mean…fine…" He went to get up off the bed but Janet wrapped her arms around him, actually it was more like she threw her body over him.

"No, Eddie. Stop! I love you and to be your wife would make me happy. So very happy. The fact that you asked after all that we've been through these weeks, after all I have done. You have no idea what that means to me."

"But?'

"Not today. We need to figure out some of our crap out. Forgive each other, trust each other and move on. Please ask me again and I swear I would marry you on the spot but just not on this day." Deep down Eddie knew she was right, there was much to heal before marriage could come. He had to figure out how to mend that part of Janet the made her feel like she was not worthy, not enough. He had to find out where it started and figure out how to make the insecurity and self-doubt disappear. He turned his body into her, running his had down her cheek. He leaned into her, stopping to look at her for a moment before pressing his lips to hers, wrapping his arm around her pulling her close. "Ok Jem, Ok.' he whispered before he kissed her again. He pulled away from her, taking a deep breath "Baby, do you smell bacon?"

"Good Morning Eddie!" Pizza Girl chirped as he walked into the dining room. "And good morning JANET!" Janet blushed, Eddie took her hand and lead her to the table. Pizza Girl could help bit notice that both Janet and Eddie had wet hair and obviously just took a shower.

"JANET!" Phil yelled as he walked into the dining room with a plate fill of pancakes. "Sit sit, let's eat!" Eddie's stomach was growling, he couldn't remember the last time he ate.

"I am starving Phys." Eddie served Janet first and then Pizza Girl and Phil, before finally filling his plate.

"Oh my god Phil, these are great." Janet moaned and she chewed a mouthful of heaven doused in maple syrup.

"So, Janet it is good to see you here again." Phil said with a smirk. He and Eddie made eye contact. Eddie nodded, to indicate that they were back together.

"It's really good to been seen Phil, really good." Janet smiled at Phil and then at Eddie.

"Janet I have missed you around here, the testosterone and the moping. It's been a real drag." Pizza Girl added, throwing a few more pancakes on her plate.

"She's right Janet, a total drag of epic proportions, our boy here was lost without you."

Janet smiled, and reached over rubbing the back of Eddie neck. He just smiled back at her nodding slightly in agreement.

" I have a great idea! We should do pasta night tonight!" Pizza Girl exclaimed.

"No can do PG, I am taking Janet to that French place tonight." Eddie said not looking up from his plate of pancakes.

"Um, excuse you? We are?"

"Yup, I heard it was a great place to work on crap." Eddie and Janet both laughed.

"You know, I heard the same thing."

An hour later Eddie dropped Janet off at Hannah's. They had enjoyed their breakfast, it felt good to do something that felt familiar, like nothing had ever happened.

Hannah heard the key in the door and ran to it, Janet was barely in the door.

"Holy Crap Girl, I called you like ten times. What goes on… Spill!" Janet was expecting this, but she wasn't sure how much she wanted to share.

"Well, we are working on our crap." Janet was doing her best to be vague.

"Nope, no way. That is not going to cut it. Sorry kid I want details."

"Hannah…" Janet tried to protest.

"Nope, Details Meadows."

"Ok, well after the fight we went to his house and we talked. Then we argued, and then talked again until we were exhausted. It was so draining. So he asked me to stay the night."

"Did he now?" Hannah asked suggestively.

"To sleep, just to sleep. Which we did…Until morning and then we…"

"You little hussy! And it was…"

"Amazing, like really amazing…" Janet toyed with the idea of telling Hannah about the proposal but decided against it. "We are going to dinner tonight, that French place finally. So I need to borrow those heels."

"You can borrow any damn thing you want, its just so nice to see you smile again."

Hannah wrapped her arms around Janet, and gave her a good squeeze. Janet sensed something as going on.

"Ok Hannah, now it is your turn to spill. Something is up."

Hannah inhaled deeply. "I saw Ray last night at the fling, he was there with the twins."

"Ahhh, and how was that? You haven't seen him but your really not totally broken up."

"Well, he was pissed because I was with Nick."

"You were with Nick… and how did that go?

"Well, I was with you and he was with Eddie and when you both took off to destinations unknown… we just kinda hung out together. We had a few beers, he bought me a funnel cake and we talked for hours and hours."

"And?"

"And nothing."

"You didn't tell him?"

"No, I wanted to but I just couldn't."

"Hannah, this cant go on forever, at some point you are going to have to come clean about who Sam's real father is."

"Yeah, I know."

Hannah was conflicted deep to her core. This lie was a blanket of security, a safe haven. This lie kept Sam hers, all hers. The idea that she might have to share him was unthinkable. There was also the added agony of having to tell Janet that Eddie the love of her life could in fact be Sam's father. The fall out and carnage was too great. Years ago Hannah would day dream about the possibility of what if. What if she had gone to Europe, she never went to medical school when all was said and done. What if Nick came back when he was suppose to. What if she would have called him in NY and told him to come home. She had picked up the phone hundreds of times over the years. For a while she would hope that every time her phone rang it would be Nick. That someone had told him about Sam and he wanted to come home but it never happened. SO Hannah began to believe the lie, she would forget the truth and believe that Gavin Goddard was Sam's father. But then Sam would give her a look, and see would see Nick or throw a football with ease and skill and see Eddie and her delusion would fall to pieces.

"So what did Ray do when he saw you two together?"

"The usual, he huffed and he puffed but he couldn't blow anything down because the twins were with him."

"Hannah, I don't want to put you on the spot but I know Ray had Eddie beaten up." Hannah nodded, not wanting to believe it but knowing it was true. "I can't, I won't have anything to do with him, he should go to jail for what happened, but he has his fall guys doing that for him. And to be honest, why you would want a man like that anywhere near Sam, I just don't understand that. I makes no sense."

"I know, but I loved Ray. He was always great to me."

"He manipulated you, he lied to you and he played you . Actually he has been playing all of us Hannah. Eddie's business, the fight with Lauche, Owen and Allison. I mean the list goes on and on."

"You're right. I know you are but…"

"No buts Hannah, you love Nick for crying out loud. Why you insist on settling for Ray when Nick is here and waiting for you I don't get it. But I don't need to get it. You need to do what you think is best, but if Ray is in that picture. I can't be. I just can't." Janet's voice broke, and Hannah had tears in her eyes.

After Eddie dropped Janet off her drove around for a while. He was trying to piece together all that Janet had told him. The timeline of things . The fact that she went to Sully's right after seeing him left a bad taste in his mouth. He found himself parked in front of the Dunlop's knocking on the door. Rory answered, wearing a tank top and shorts. Usually this outfit would have warranted a second look but Eddie hardly noticed.

"Hey you, what brings you here so early?" Rory was surprised but happy to see him, she leaned into the door jam.

"Why, did you go to Sully's that day?"

"Um, excuse me?" She said folding her arms across her chest.

"Why did you go to Sully's and talk to Janet after you saw me in the shop?" Eddie was getting agitated now, he was in no mood for Rory's games.

"Ah, that. Well I had heard through the grapevine that you were dating the bartender at Sully's. I mean you are the talk of the town after all. When we talked you never mentioned her. So I went to check her out. I vaguely remembered her from high school. She's really sweet and very pretty. I get why you are with her."

"Ok, that's fine. But later on. The Strombolis why didn't you tell me you knew I was with her."

"Uh I think the bigger and better question is why didn't she tell me and why didn't YOU tell me." Eddie cringed for a moment, Rory was right.

"Just answer my question Rory"

"Well, I wanted to size her up. I mean I am living back in the ridge now. So I thought maybe you and me… So I went there to shake her tree a bit. But when I got there I couldn't do it, I started to but she is just so sweet and nice. It felt wrong. I was expecting some one more…"

"Like you…" Eddie whispered.

"Exactly."

"So why did you come to my house then?"

"Well, you didn't say anything, she didn't say anything. So I figured it was just a rumor. So I thought why not, lets see if there is anything there, and there wasn't. I am sorry if I caused you any drama. I heard you guys are on the outs now and after last nights little show…"

"We're not on the outs we are together, I plan on marrying her." Rory was taken aback but recovered quickly.

"Oh, good. Eddies that's great news. I am happy for you guys. Really I am. She is not at all what I would have pictured for you but some how that's what makes her perfect for you." Eddie smiled for the first time, that was the best description he had heard about him and Janet yet.

"Yeah, she is perfect for me. Listen, its good that you are home and all but…"

"Stay away from Janet."

"Yes."

"It's a small town Eddie, I will try but I am still going to Sully's. it's the only bar in town."

"Yeah, but just be cool ok Rory."

"Ok, how is this?" Janet emerged from the guest room in Hannah's heels and a little black dress. It had cap sleeves, a deep v-neck, it skimmed over her curves just to the top of her knee. Hannah had taken an hour, curling her hair to perfection it hung down around her shoulders.

"Hot damn Meadows you look fan-freaking-tastic!." Janet blushed.

"Ma's right Janet you look great!"

"Thank you Sam."

The door bell rang and all three of them jumped and burst into a fit of nervous laughter.

"Sam, get the door. Janet you stay here so you can make a grand entrance." Hannah commanded.

"Hey there Sam." Eddie said, walking thru Hannah's front door.

"Eddie." Sam said in a authoritative tone. "So you an Janet, together again?"

"Yes, Sam we are."

"I'm watching you Latekka…"

"You're what?" Eddie was shocked, this little kid was going him the once over.

"Watching you, keeping my eyes fixed on you… So don't go and screw this up for the third time." Eddie opened his mouth to speak but then he saw Janet coming down the stairs and his mouth just dropped. He felt his pulse quicken, his heart race. Janet looked amazing, as she smiled at him descending to him.

"Wow, Meadows… Just wow." Janet looked down, trying to hide her blush and how uncomfortable she was with his complement.

"Thank you.' She finally said.

"Could you… you know do a little… twirl for me?" Eddie smirked, spinning his finger in a circle. Janet looked him dead in the eye and smiled before she spun around slowly "Yeah, wow is the right word."

"You don't look too bad yourself Latekka, a suit and a tie. WOW"

"Why thank you," Eddie held out his hand "You ready to go?" AS they walked through the door Sam called out.

"Hey Make sure you have her back at a descent hour, not like last night"

"Sam!" Janet said embarrassed.

"Yes Sir Mr. Daniels"

"Uh, Jem this menu is in French."

"I know Eddie, this is a French restaurant. I mean you took French in High School."

"Yeah, but I played foot ball, French was more like a nap period." Janet laughed.

"Ok, what do you want to eat… Wait let me guess… Steak, fries, salad…"

"You know me too well."

A few minutes later the waiter came to get then order and Janet placed it perfect French.

"Um, excuse me. You speak French… like that?"

"Eddie, my mom was a French teacher, I have been speaking French as long as I have been speaking English." Eddie was taken aback, Janet rarely mentioned her parents.

"I didn't know that, Really?" He was amazed by how much he didn't know about this woman. Janet nodded.

"What about your dad?"

"He was a mechanic, a boat mechanic actually. For all the fishing boats in Providence." The pieces of Janet started to click together. "So that's why you know how to change your own oil and clean your carburetor."

Janet took a large sip of wine before responding

"Yup"

"Impressive that was."

"I try."

"And why you drive a muscle car."

"The Charger was my dad's. He loved that car." Janet's voice trailed off "What about your parents."

"Well my dad was a landscaper, he died the summer after graduation, heart attack at 46. But I guess you already know that. My mom moved to North Carolina, to be closer to her parents. She got remarried eight years ago and she gave me the house when she did."

"I didn't really know you when you dad died."

"No I guess not, you were Hannah's friend but after Nick left she stopped hanging with us."

"I guess you and I didn't really become aware of each other until we were legal and I started working at Sully's. You started paying attention to the girl that poured your beers"

"Ahhh come on it wasn't like that…"

"Yeah it was guy, don't deny it."

"Well maybe in the beginning but…"

"It's ok no explanation needed."

"No, I want to. I remember one night after the movie came out and I was getting all kinds of crap. It was last call, I was sitting at the bar. You gave me a shot and told me that anyone who really knew me, really knew me got it and everyone else didn't matter. After that I started to look forward to last call Fridays. Just you and me and some good conversation.'

"God, we were such kids back then"

"Yeah, now not so much."

"That's right you are going to be 30 next month, old man."

"Yeah, don't even say it. You're right behind me Meadows so don't get all high and mighty."

"No, I am a year younger then all of you… So take that!"

"Shit that's right, I always forget you are a year behind us. So tell me then how did you and Hannah become friends then?"

"Wait you don't know this story?'

"Nope."

"My mom, grew up in the ridge in the house I live in now. She went to school in Boston, met my dad moved to RI. I used to spend summers here from the time I was 6 or 7."

"You used to summer here. I didn't know that."

"Yeah, I knew Angela Ferelli you know. She lived around the block. Anyway I met Hannah when I was 10, she had just moved here. She was on her swing, and I walked by listening to my Pocket Rock-It, do you remember those?" Eddie nodded his head yes "And we just became friends. Pen pals in the Winter and playmates in the Summer. When my parents died, I came to live with Gram and Gramps."

"They died in a car crash right?" Eddie was trying to get closer to figuring out why Janet was how she was. Where the insecurity came from.

"Yeah, a drunk driver." For a few moments Janet was lost in though, frozen. Her wine glass to her lips but unable to drink. The events of that night played out in her head. "Can we please change this awful subject. How are things at BFW?"

"Good, great actually. Big job coming up. Carter Bump gave us the Library project."

"That's great news, he and Karen are still going strong. So I bet that is improving his mood…"

Eddie pulled his truck up to Gelson, hoping Janet would be staying the night. Janet's body tensed, when the truck stopped. He was torn half hoping her would bring her here and half hoping he would bring her home to Hannah's

"Eddie, I think you should take me home"

"To Hannah's?" Eddie asked crestfallen

"Yeah, we should go slow. Last night was… a lot. Too much even."

"Slow?" He questioned trying to absorb the word "Like slow slow or just slow?'

"Yes, slow slow. Like kiss me on the forehead slow." Janet nodded for emphasis.

"Wow, Ok that slow. Ok then what ever the lady wants she shall have."

Eddie walked Janet up to Hannah's door. He felt nervous, and it amused and surprised him. He leaned in to kiss her good night, over and over in his head chanting the word SLOW. But, he couldn't do it. The moment their lips touched Eddie forgot all about slow. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and they were both lost in a hot passionate kiss. And then they heard the front door open.

"AHEM!" Sam cleared his throat. Janet and Eddie pulled away both blushing and embarrassed.

"Uh, um Good night Eddie." Janet stuttered out as she walked past Sam unable to look him in the eye.

"Night Jem." Eddie called out after her. Sam glared at him, nodding his head.

"I am watching you Latekka" Sam took his two fingers in a V up to his eyes and them pointed them in Eddie's direction before slamming the door and turning off the porch light.

Eddie laughed, running his fingers through his hair as he walked down the path back to his truck.