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KaKate watched as Rick gathered up the bandages and other supplies he needed to bandage up her knuckles. She watched him while he worked and she couldn't stop smiling at how careful he was with her. He took the time to clean her wounds carefully and so very gently.

When he was done, he kissed the tips of her fingers and whispered, "There. All done. Do you think you can sleep now?"

Kate shrugged and whispered, "It won't be the first time that I've gone without sleep. I can do it again."

Rick only hesitated for a brief moment, before he helped her up and walked her into her bedroom. He pulled back the covers and helped her lay down. She looked up at him and whispered, "Thank you Rick. For everything."

He smiled softly at her. Before he could second guess himself, he leaned down and kissed her forehead and told her, "Get some sleep Kate."

She smiled up at him and closed her eyes. Rick turned to walk out of the room, but stopped when she whispered, "Can you lay down with me?"

"Kate..I don't think that's a good idea. I..."

Kate shook her head, "Just to hold me while I sleep. Please?"

Rick closed his eyes and even though he knew he shouldn't, he couldn't seem to ignore the pleading tone in her voice. He sighed and walked over to the bed and climbed in beside her. Before he could second guess himself or what he was doing, he draped his arm around her waist. She put her hand on top of his and laced her fingers in between his. He felt her sigh and then he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Opening his eyes the following morning, Rick turned over and noticed that the other side of the bed was empty. He sat up in bed and hurried to use the bathroom. After her was done, he walked downstairs and heard the unmistakeable sound of the kids laughter.

He walked into the kitchen and saw that Kate was currently helping the children make pancakes. Well, at least she was helping Alexis and Samantha. Noah was currently sitting on the floor playing with an empty mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.

Rick laughed at the sight of them and said, "I hope you weren't going to let me sleep through breakfast."

Kate, Alexis and Samantha all looked up at him and smiled. Then Kate told her, "Of course not. We would have woken you up. Eventually."

Shaking his head, Rick walked over to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup. He stood close to Kate and asked softly, "How's your hand doing?"

"It's sore."

Rick nodded and went to the kitchen cabinet and rummaged around until he found a bottle of ibuprofen. He took out two of them and handed them to her. Along with a fresh cup of coffee, "Take these."

For a brief moment, Kate thought about telling him no, but she decided that she kind of liked him taking care of her. It had been a long time since she'd had someone else that cared about her. Thinking back, she remembered that the last man to do it was Rick. She realized once again how damn foolish she had been. How on earth could he ever forgive her?

Rick looked at her and whispered, "Stop thinking so hard Kate."

Kate turned away from him and went back to the pancakes. She didn't want to look at him. Didn't want him to read her. He was so damn good at that. He seemed to be able to read her mind. She knew that was crazy, but he did it somehow.

She put the last two pancakes on the plate and told everyone, "Breakfast is ready guys! Lets eat!"

The kids all cheered and headed towards the table. Kate told Rick, "Can you put Noah in his booster seat? Please?"

Rick nodded softly and Noah reached out to take his hand. The sight of Rick and Noah holding hands made Kate's heart skip a beat. Seeing father and son together like this made her smile, but it also made her sad. It shouldn't be like this. It should have been like this from the moment that Noah was born.

Looking over at Kate, he saw the sad smile on her face. He walked over to her and whispered in her ear, "What's wrong Kate?"

"Seeing you with him. It's a beautiful thing Rick. I..."

Rick shook his head, "No looking back remember. We are going forward."

"How am I supposed to do that Rick? How am I supposed to just forget about everything I've done to you? The things I've done to you Rick...I can't forgive myself or what I've done. I..."

Nuzzling her neck, he kissed her softly, "Stop it Kate. If I can find it in my heart to forgive you, then you have to find it within yourself to forgive your actions of the past Kate. That's the only way that we will ever be able to move forward Kate."

Kate nodded softly and whispered, "It's so hard."

"I know, but I believe that it will be worth it in the end Kate. I want to move forward with you. I realized that last night Kate."

"What are you saying Rick?"

"I want to find a way back to each other Kate." Looking over at their children, Rick whispered, "I want us to eventually become a real family. I don't want you to be afraid of this again Kate. I want you trust in our love."

Looking over at him, Kate whispered, "I'd like that also. I'm still afraid, but.."

"But?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Kate whispered, "But I love you and I've never been quite so happy as when I was with you."

Rick sucked in a deep breath and asked, "what changed your mind?"

Kate swallowed hard, "A lot of things, but falling asleep beside you last night made me realize that I can't run from my feelings for you any longer."

That was when the Samantha said, "Mom! Where are the pancakes? We are starving here!"

Kate laughed softly and told him, "I think the natives are hungry."

"You think so?"

Nodding, Kate picked up the platter of pancakes and Rick went to the fridge and grabbed the milk and juice. They all sat down and ate their breakfast together. When they were done, Rick told Kate, "I'm doing the dishes since the ladies of the house cooked."

"You don't have to do that Rick."

Samantha nudged him and whispered, "He's offering mom!"

Kate laughed and then the three girls hurried out of the kitchen. Kate stopped long enough to grab Noah and they hurried out. Rick listened to them giggling as he turned to start doing the dishes. He laughed to himself and shook his head. For the first time in a long time he realized that this was want he truly wanted. A family and he wanted it with Kate.

That thought stayed with him for the entire time that he did the dishes. After he was done, he walked out to the living room and saw Noah sitting on the couch coloring. Rick swallowed softly and got down on his knees beside him. Then he asked, "Can I color with you?"

Noah nodded and handed Rick a green crayon. When he started to color the sky with it, Noah giggled and told him, "The sky isn't green."

"It isn't?"

Giggling some more, Noah told him, "No! The grass is green and the sky is blue!"

"Oh! Thank you for letting me know. You are so smart!"

"My mommy says that to."

"Your mommy's a very smart lady."

Noah simply looked at him and smiled. Then father and son sat in the cabin coloring for the first time in Noah's young life. That was how Kate found them over an hour later and her heart soared and she smiled brightly. It was a wonderful thing to see and she realized then that this trip was the best thing to ever happen to all of them. It was bringing them together as a family for the first time and for that Kate would always be grateful for.

Rick looked up at her and smiled and she couldn't help but return the smile, "Rick I..."

That was all she got out before she heard the door to the cabin open and in walked the last two people she would have ever expected. Her mother and father were here at the cabin. Together. Oh this couldn't be good...