"Why can't I get a phone, daddy?"

"Bella," he scolded, snapping his fingers and pointing to the space between he and Katrina. "Now."

Face casting a sour look, she set the phone case she'd been picking up back on its display before dragging her feet as she moved to resume her place in the seat. When she slumped back with her arms crossed and a pout on her lips, he leaned close to her ear. "You're pushing your luck today, young lady."

Gold-green flickered up to him, a defiant expression on her face. "You're so mean, daddy!"

With that outburst, she fell over against Katrina and buried her face in Katrina's blouse. Torn between being put out and torn up over his daughter's current disdain for him, he met Katrina's eyes with mild exasperation.

However, she only smiled at him, making him sure that she was taking some form of satisfaction out of his dilemma as she wrapped her arms around Bella in a consoling fashion. Since when had he become the stern parent? Rolling his eyes, he nearly opened his mouth to rebuke her when she did something he wouldn't have expected.

"Bella," she whispered as she stroked her fingers through their daughter's hair. "You shouldn't speak to your father in such a way."

Bella made a dissatisfied sound as she burrowed further into Katrina's side, but Katrina didn't falter. "He knows what's best for you and you should obey him."

Bella sat up, her wet cheeks casting a pink tinge. "But he's mean."

"That's not what you told me last night." Katrina smiled as she wiped her fingers over Bella's cheek. "You said he was the best daddy in the world."

With a scowl, Bella grunted and pushed away from Katrina. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"Do not speak to your mother like that," he whispered, reaching for her arm and straightening her in her seat. "Now, sit still and adjust your attitude."

"I don't have to!" she growled as she attempted to exit her seat, forcing him to catch her around the arm and tug her back down.

"Bella, you're about two second's from a spanking." He raised an eyebrow. "And losing your day to play with Madison."

One loud huff later and she'd jerked her arms across her body as she slumped in her seat, allowing her long, dark hair to hang in front of her face.

Spankings were rare in their house. He, himself, had only given her four and he was sure he'd cried more than she had. Abbie, on the other hand, kept a belt on hand for his stubborn child while Jenny tended to rest her case somewhere in the middle. She never spanked Bella, but she could sure put the fear of God in her when she had to. He just prayed he didn't have to start doing the same. If this morning was any indication, he feared the worst. It had started with her wanting to wear pajama's to the park and went right into wanting taco's for breakfast.

He supposed she did have a good reason to be in a right foul mood. Their night hadn't gone as well as the one before it. Right around three in the morning, Katrina had shook him awake with the warning that Bella was struggling in her sleep. He'd been at Bella's side in moments in a panic only to find her restfully sleeping. For a moment, he'd thought Katrina was insane, but, then, hardly a full minute later, Bella had bolted upright, her breathing labored and her voice caught in her throat. Thankfully, there had been no fires or any other destructive forces accompanying her waking, but it had scared her nonetheless. The three of them had stayed awake for near to an hour afterward, with he and Katrina both attempting to calm Bella enough for her to return to sleep.

Katrina had assured him that Bella was fine. Apparently, the way her magic worked was tied to her emotions. Nightmares or stress were two key triggers to calling her power to the surface. Until she managed to get a handle on it, the outbursts would continue.

"Sorry about the wait," a woman said while coming to stand in front of them. "We had a small problem with the system."

Taking a deep breath, he stood and held out his hand. "That's perfectly alright."

The young woman, looking to be in her late twenties, glanced at Katrina and Bella with a bright smile, despite the latter's still present frown. "So, what can I do for you today?"

He cleared his throat and gestured to Katrina. "Adding a line to my plan."

The woman, Vikki, he gathered from her name tag, nodded and began backing toward the counter. "Sure, just follow me."

Turning to hold out his hand for Bella, he was hardly surprised when she took Katrina's, instead. Ignoring the pain it sent through him, he ran a hand through his hair and began following Vikki across the room.

"Did you have a phone already?"

"No," he said, placing his on the counter. "One like this will be fine, though."

While Vikki nodded and departed, he glanced at Bella, who had her face pressed to the glass, looking at all the items inside.

"I really don't think this is necessary," Katrina said as she eyed his phone with slight trepidation. "You know I'm not the best with modern technology."

"It'll be easier for all of us." He met her eyes. "We can better keep track of Bella and make plans this way."

Rather than argue with him, he was thankful when Katrina shrugged and knelt next to Bella to look at the display. The two of them were two peas in a pod for sure. If one wasn't upset, the other most assuredly was.

Vikki returned, a white box in hand, and gestured to the display of cases with a smile. "Did you have one picked out?"

He glanced at Katrina in question who shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Anything's fine."

Deciding this might improve her mood, he tapped Bella's shoulder and nodded to the display. "Choose your mother a case."

"Really?" Bella excitedly jumped up and began running her finger along the glass. "That one!"

Vikki opened the glass and lifted the purple case out of the display. "Great choice!"

Bella beamed as she looked at Katrina. "Do you like it, mommy?"

Katrina laughed as she ran her fingers through Bella's hair. "It's perfect."

Satisfied he had all in hand, he slid his keys over to Katrina. "Could you get her buckled in the car? I'll be out as soon as we get everything set."

"Alright," Katrina answered as she reached for Bella's hand. "Let's go."

As the two of them walked away, Vikki laughed. "Your wife's the most agreeable customer I've ever had. Most women want to see everything and then spend twenty minutes asking questions about the pros and cons."

Clearing his throat, he avoided the woman's eyes. "She's not my wife."

"Oh," Vikki's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry. I just assumed... with your daughter."

"It was an honest mistake," he replied, hoping to put an end to the conversation right there. "How long will this take?"

"Look, daddy!" Bella squirmed in her seat. "How'd they get the balloons way up there?"

Leaning forward, he noticed the red and blue balloons high above the car dealership. "You just can't see the string."

"Or maybe it's magic."

With a sigh, he glanced at Katrina, who was staring out the passenger window, her own interest piqued by the balloons.

"Bella, what did we talk about?"

A small groan came before she said, "Not to talk about magic when we're not home."

"Exactly." He stopped at a red light. "You'd do well to keep that in mind today."

"But daddy, it's just us," she protested. "I can talk about it to you and mommy."

Why did she always have to have an answer for everything? Oh, right. She was his and Katrina's daughter.

"Because you never know who's listening." He glanced at her through the rear view mirror. "Alright?"

She crossed her arms and threw her head against the seat. At the end of his wits, he considered it was only eleven in the morning and sighed again. This was going to be a long day.

Steering into a parking space, he shut down the engine and unbuckled his seat belt before turning to look at Bella.

"You are always to be where?"

Katrina frowned as she looked between them, her brow knit in evident confusion.

"In your sight," Bella responded, her eyes already out the window and on the bustling park.

"Right," he said before adding, "No repeats of last time."

Satisfied she understood, or, at least that's what he told himself, he opened his door.

The park was fairly busy this morning with parents and children scattered all about the area. At least, the day was beautiful. Hopefully, it would perk everyone's moods up a bit. He wasn't sure how much more he could handle before his mood took a turn for the worse as well.

When Bella and Katrina were close, he gestured Bella toward him and knelt before her. "I'm sorry I was so hard on you earlier, but, Bells, you have to learn that you can't have everything you want any more than I or your mother can."

She squirmed, her shoes twisting in the grass. "Sorry, daddy."

The small whisper had him reaching to pull her into a hug. With her little form pressed against his, he whispered, "I'm sorry you had such a scary night."

Her head bobbed as she nodded against his shoulder. He just couldn't stay upset with her. How many five year olds had the excuse she did for her mood?

"Alright, now apologize to your mother and you can go play."

Without a word, Bella spun on her heel and ran over to Katrina, who dropped down to catch her. They spoke quietly for a moment before Bella shot off toward the swings.

Muttering a small groan, he pushed himself to his feet. There were a few too many women in his life.

"What happened last time?"

With a tired glance at Katrina, he found her watching after Bella. "She gets wound up and tends to forget she can't just run off as she pleases. I found her down the street, chasing a stray dog."

Katrina smiled as she crossed her arms. "She really loves dogs."

"Yes," he replied, recalling his and Bella's conversation from yesterday. "She wants one for her birthday."

"Will you give her one?"

He shrugged and began walking in Bella's direction. "It's a great deal of responsibility. I'm not sure she's ready for it."

"When I was a girl, I had a red bird."

"Named Red," he said, twisting to smile at her. "You told me."

"But, due to my craft, I didn't tell the full story," Katrina explained as she fell into step beside him. "As a young girl and only child, I spent a great deal of time alone on my father's farm, leaving me with little contact with other children. My mother tutored me in my magic and other studies, but there was always a need deep within me to share my talent with someone new; someone who knew nothing of my secret life."

Katrina's eyes were focused ahead, leaving him the opportunity to gaze upon her and absorb the way the sunlight glinted off her hair. Could there be anything more beautiful?

"It was hard to be so silent. I was a very outspoken girl and my mother, haunted by her own childhood of fleeing after my grandmother's passing, never gave me a moment's relief from the warnings she always pressed upon me. It was as though she feared her very shadow at times." A small smile came to her face. "One day, I was in the garden behind our family home, practicing my craft, when a red bird lighted beside me. I offered it a handful of seed and, from that moment on, it followed me everywhere I went. It became my friend, someone to which I could pour out my heart; all my anger, joy, sorrow, fear." She turned to face him, her expression solemn. "I know you don't ask my opinion, but I believe Bella needs a friend such as that bird was to me. Being a witch can be a very lonely walk without companionship. She'll need someone to confide in; someone who won't judge or ridicule her."

The lump in his throat was lodged pretty well. Did he really have to wonder why she kept her witchcraft a secret? So much to carry for someone so young.

"Perhaps, a puppy won't be so bad."

A bright smile came to Katrina's lips as she turned to look out at Bella. It was enough to soothe him to the point that he felt like he could begin actually acknowledging her this morning. Since their rather odd conversation the night before, he'd barely addressed her at all. He'd just been so tense afterward and it didn't help that his thoughts had been just as muddled.

Taking a seat on the bench facing the swings, he asked, "Did you enjoy our morning monster?"

Katrina bowed her head, her laughter shaking her. "To be honest, I wasn't sure how to handle her mood this morning. I hadn't thought she could be so moody."

"It can be a challenge at times with how stubborn she is. Not to mention her holding the title for being the most exaggerated complainer I've ever met."

A teasing smile touched Katrina's lips as she took the seat beside him. "Well, she is your daughter."

Not about to take all the blame, he added, "She also has an awful temper. The fury that wells in her is quiet, but you can watch it sweep over her whole body." He leaned close to ask, "Is breathing fire one of her gifts because, at times, it certainly looks like she could."

With a laugh and lick to her lips, Katrina whispered, "No."

Shrugging, he returned his gaze to Bella. "We put a lot of terrible things in her." He shook his head as her dark hair flew every which way. "Thankfully, she's also very merciful. She's intelligent, spirited, and amusing." He looked at Katrina again, finding her own gaze on their daughter. "We put a great many beautiful things into her as well."

Gold-green flickered to him, first to his eyes, then to his mouth. To be honest, they were very close on the bench. She didn't have many other places to look. Then again, maybe his mouth looked just as inviting as hers did.

"Daddy!"

Shaken out of his thoughts, he found Bella darting toward him, Madison trailing behind her.

"Madison's here!"

The fair haired girl grinned at him as she pushed some of her bushy hair from her face. "Hi, Mr. Crane."

"Hello, Madison," he said, leaning forward on the bench. "How are you, today?"

"Ok," she whispered, never one to talk too much.

Maybe that was why Bella had made such quick friends with her; plenty of talking space.

"This is my mommy," Bella said as she leaned over Katrina's legs.

For her part, Katrina beamed at the young girl. "Bella talks about you all the time. You must be a very true friend."

"Hey, guys." Tish, Madison's mother, came around the bench, her blonde hair pulled back from her face. "Sorry, we're late."

Gaining his feet, he politely shook his head. "Oh, no, we haven't been here long, either."

"Awesome!" she said as she set her bag down beside the bench. "Madison's been ecstatic all morning." He chuckled as Tish held her hand out to Katrina. "You must be Bella's mother."

Katrina smiled as she accepted the gesture. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ok, we're going to play, now," Bella said, taking Madison's hand and bolting toward the swings.

As he watched the girls dart away, Tish gestured behind her. "You'd be surprised how fast news of your arrival has spread across town."

He flinched, dread for the conversation ahead already lodged within him. "What do you mean?"

Tish shrugged and nodded to Katrina with a teasing smile. "I heard about you in the grocery line behind Taylor's mom, who apparently heard it from Samantha's mom."

Of course, the school grapevine. If one person had a bit of news, soon the whole town would. Privacy was something he'd never again have. It was quite the hard pill to swallow.

"But depending on who you ask, you're either dating, remarried, or living together." Tish laughed, tilting her head as she looked Katrina over. "I've also heard varying descriptions regarding your looks, which range from drop dead gorgeous to straight up homely."

Rolling his eyes, he reclaimed his seat and slouched against it. "I'm never leaving the house again."

Tish sat next to him, leaving him planted between the two women.

"Oh, come on, Ichabod," she laughed with a pat to his arm. "We haven't had something this scandalous to chew on since the big divorce scandal between Taylor's parents."

He groaned. "It's not a scandal."

"So, you're not living together?"

He shot Tish a disgruntled look. "It's for Bella."

"Mhm," she muttered as she began digging in her huge bag. "I saw Betsy yesterday."

Shifting uncomfortably, he glanced at Katrina, who was now staring at the ground. "Tish..."

"What?" she asked with wide eyes. "I'm just saying, there's a lot of speculation going on." She held out a pack of gum. "Gum?"

He leaned forward and pressed his head into his hands. "It's no one's business."

"In this town?" She chuckled and patted his back. "Good luck with that."

Katrina cleared her throat and shifted on the bench. "How long have Bella and your daughter been friends?"

Subject change. Thank God.

"Oh, birth, I think," Tish answered with a chuckle. "Ichabod brought Bella to the same pediatrician as me and, while he had Abbie or Jenny with him at all times, I could tell the poor man needed help with his newborn."

Settling his face deeper into his hands, he wished this wasn't happening. Now, he wished they could return to the rumors.

"So, I decided to make friends with him during our long waits. Bella was an absolute beautiful baby. Ichabod was so proud of her."

"I'm sure he was," Katrina whispered, the low change in her voice making him give a small flinch.

A heavy silence settled and he just knew Tish was dying on the inside from curiosity. So, he panicked a bit and blurted the first thought that came to his mind.

"Katrina's been in England studying," he said, being sure to avoid her eyes. "It was very demanding of her time and she's from a very old fashioned family who's strict about schooling."

"Oh." Tish frowned as she glanced between him and Katrina. "That's..."

"Yes," Katrina said, her tone edgy. "And Ichabod, my husband, was wonderful enough to take our baby and move to America, while leaving me alone with my... strict family."

Able to take no more, he stood and began pacing. This was going less than well and it didn't help that his words had come out with the wrong sort of implications.

"Ichabod," Tish asked, concern lacing her voice. "Are you alright?"

"Of course," he answered, running a hand over the back of his neck. "I'm fine."

He hardly sounded fine and when he met Katrina's gold green eyes, he knew he was right. She was staring at him with a mixture of sorrow and anger, the latter stabbing him straight through the heart.

So, much for their heart to heart. It was too late to make up another story at this point, though.

"So, the two of you are still married?"

"No."

"Yes."

His eyes jerked to Katrina, wide and startled. What was she doing?

"You see," Katrina began, her eyes leaving him to turn to Tish, a small smile on her lips. "We've been separated for quite some time, but, I'd wager in the eyes of God, we're still bound by marriage." She shrugged and turned her gaze to his, cutting him to pieces. "Or did I miss those divorce papers?"

Heart hammering, he opened his mouth, but promptly closed it right after. She was better at this than him, he had to remind himself. She played dirty.

"Well, if you hadn't chosen less important things in life over our marriage, we wouldn't have been separated."

Her eyes narrowed, flashing a fire in them that would surely burn him where he stood were it real. "I chose our son."

"Holy shit, you have a son!?"

Suddenly aware of where he was, he turned to Tish, who was practically on the edge of her seat as her head swiveled to look from him to Katrina.

"No." His eyes slammed shut. "I mean, yes."

"You don't know?" Tish glanced between him and Katrina, her face set deep in a frown.

"He passed away," he whispered, staring at Katrina's shoes. "Not long after he was born."

"Oh, I'm... so sorry."

He nodded, but Katrina standing brought his gaze to hers at last. The blank look on her face was enough to crush his spirits altogether. He'd rather her be angry than give him that look; the one that seemed to say he didn't mean anything to her at all; that he couldn't affect her at all.

"I think I'll take a walk." She turned to Tish with a tight smile. "It was lovely to meet you."

With that, she set off down the path, her red hair swaying in the breeze.

"Oh my God," Tish said, her eyes wide. "That was..."

"Forgive me, Tish. I-" He shook his head. "We should not have spoken so..."

"Oh, no, it's fine." Tish smiled understandingly. "I know this must be hard for you."

Collapsing into his seat, he whispered, "You have no idea."

The car ride home was silent save for Bella's rambling about the rolly polly's she and Madison had found beneath the slide. The consolation he took from her constant chatter was that her mood had improved. Katrina, on the other hand, hadn't said a word since returning from her walk and it was beginning to bother him immensely. It seemed he was right about one of them always being in a bad mood. He supposed they'd decided to take turns. For that, he was grateful.

"Bella, go wash up for dinner."

"You know, Ms. Ross said some germs are good for you."

Rolling his eyes, he tapped her upturned nose. "Do you want bugs in your food?"

"Eww, gross, daddy," she groaned as she stomped off toward the bathroom. "Boys are so gross."

As Katrina walked past him, he shut the door and yelled, "You keep thinking that way!"

When he heard the bathroom door shut, he cast a wary glance at the still tense mother of his child. Time to break the silence, he supposed.

"Listen, Katrina-"

"So, is that what I'm to be?" she asked, holding out her hands as she spun to face him. "I chose my job over our child?"

He shook his head as he lifted a hand to press against his eyes. "I didn't mean for it to sound that way. I-I panicked."

"And now I'm some horrible mother because of it."

Jerking his head up, he caught her glistening eyes and couldn't stop the step he took forward. "No one thinks that," he whispered. "No one and I'd never allow them to."

She nodded as she looked away from him and the sight broke something within him. Being a mother was all she had; all she'd wanted for so long. How could he ruin it in a matter of moments?

"I'm trying so hard to be acceptable for you. I'm shoving everything I feel aside to be with our daughter; to be with you."

"Katrina-"

"I want to strangle you," she whispered, her eyes darkening as she turned them toward him. "I want to rip you to pieces and feed you to the dogs."

Cold warning swept over him as he took a step away from her.

"Do you have any idea how much restraint it took to hear that woman talk about how beautiful my baby was?" She jerked a finger to point at the bathroom. "I have no idea what she looked like other than from what I've seen in the few pictures you have sitting out. Then, for you to act as though I never wanted to be with her? Ichabod, I swear-"

He opened his mouth to speak when Bella came bounding down the hallway. "What's for dinner?"

Katrina turned her back to Bella as he forced a smile. "I don't know, sweetheart. I'll find something."

"Can we order a pizza?" she asked hopefully.

"Uhm," he glanced at Katrina who was wiping at her face. "Yes. That'll be perfect."

"Yay!" Bella jumped on the sofa and began bouncing. "We're getting pizza!"

Unsure what to do with Katrina, he cleared his throat and pulled out his phone. "I'll just..."

As no one was listening to him, he stepped onto the porch and made the call before deciding to just sit out there and wait for the pizza to arrive.

What had he done? Everything had been going so well. They'd even found a weird sort of rhythm. Now, Katrina was back to wanting to murder him and for what? A few words he should have thought to better phrase? In truth, he could see why she was upset. He'd been thinking of excuses since releasing her and he'd been circling the one that had her away from them due to choices that weren't her own, not because she didn't wish to be with them. Somehow, though, he'd managed to screw it all up in a matter of a few seconds.

His phone vibrated, causing him to turn it over and find Betsy's name flashing across the screen.

Perfect. Just what he needed. Another woman angry with him today. First, Bella. Then, Katrina. Surely, Abbie was still fuming at him. He wasn't sure he could take another hit this soon.

Groaning, he wiped a hand down his face and lifted the phone to his ear. "Hi."

"Hey," she whispered, her voice low. "How are you?"

"At the moment?" He gave a tired chuckle. "Not wonderful."

A quiet pause lingered before she softly replied, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Nodding as if she could actually see him, he admitted, "I should have called you already. Please, forgive me."

"Ichabod." She sighed and he could almost imagine her brown eyes staring at her feet as she shifted them back and forth. "You have a lot going on."

"I do," he answered. "More than you could imagine, but that's not an excuse to hurt you."

"It's fine-"

"It's not," he countered. "You've been so good to Bella and I."

"I care about you," she whispered.

Eyes falling closed, he propped his head in his hand and sighed. There had been a time in his life where a simple smile in his direction from a woman had been his greatest wish. Now, he had two women smiling at him, begging him to give him their attention, and he couldn't make himself treat either appropriately. Granted, he was sure Katrina's smiles had disappeared for a while.

"You don't have to say anything," she added.

Realizing he'd lingered in silence too long, he replied, "I should."

"But you don't have to." She chuckled. "I'm a big girl, Ichabod. One who's been rejected more than once. If you don't want this anymore, I'd rather you tell me now."

Feeling like the devil, himself, he shook his head. "I don't know what I want."

Brakes squeaking brought his gaze up to find the pizza had arrived. Had he been out here that long? A glance at his watch told him half an hour had passed.

"The pizza's here."

"What?"

Standing, he began walking toward the steps. "I ordered a pizza and it just arrived." He wiped a hand down his face. "Can you... if you want... call me later tonight?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "I'll talk to you then."

"It was so cool," Bella exclaimed, her body humming with energy. "Mommy can do anything!"

Since walking through the front door, Bella had been bouncing around while praising Katrina. It made him feel a little resentful.

"Can she?" He set her a piece of pizza on her plate as she bounced on the sofa.

Bella's eyes widened. "Yeah, show him, mommy!"

Katrina took a seat next to Bella with a smile. "He's seen me levitate things before."

Nodding his head, he held out a plate for Katrina to take. "I have."

Her eyes met his momentarily as she accepted the offering, but it didn't last as she tore them away in favor of her food. He supposed there'd be no lingering looks between them tonight. He wasn't sure if that relieved or disappointed him. Judging from the drop in his spirits, it must have been the latter.

"Ok," Bella said, obviously disappointed she wasn't getting another show.

"So, what are we starting with?" he asked, taking a seat on Bella's other side.

"Mulan," Bella laughed. "She's so cool."

He sighed in relief. At least, this one had a decent amount of action.

"Mommy's never watched a Disney movie," Bella said, her disbelief nearly tangible.

"Really?" he asked, eyebrow raised as he smiled at Katrina. "That's a shame."

She didn't return his smile, but at least he didn't receive a glare. He considered it an improvement.

"Yeah," Bella said, taking a bite of her pizza. "It's so sad."

He chuckled and relaxed into the sofa cushions, sure this would be interesting. "I suppose you'll have to watch all of them with her."

Bella nodded enthusiastically as she chewed causing him to smile at her excitement before lifting his gaze to Katrina again. Since talking to Betsy, he'd determined to take his heart and examine it more closely. He truly did care for her. He just wasn't sure it was the kind of care that could lead to love. Anything short of what he'd had with Katrina would be a disappointment and he simply wasn't sure his feelings toward Betsy would ever compare. However, he owed her the courtesy of knowing for sure.

With a sigh, he returned his gaze to the screen as the movie began.

Rolling his head to the side, he opened his eyes to ask where they were in the movie only to find the room shrouded in darkness.

Oh.

Stretching his body to get the kinks out, he stood and switched the lamp on before making his way into the kitchen for a sip of water.

As he stood at the sink, swishing the water in his mouth, he stared at his bedroom door, contemplating if he could actually slip in without disturbing her and grab a change of clothes as he was still dressed in his long sleeved shirt and pants. Short of sleeping nude, which was not something he did any longer due to Bella climbing in the bed with him at various stages in the night, he needed something else.

Deciding he could manage it, he tentatively moved over to the door and pressed his ear to it. No sounds were being made which he took to mean she was in bed. So, doing his best to be quiet, he eased the door open and slipped in. The room was dark save for the bathroom light, which he assumed she'd left on. Like mother, like daughter; they both hated the dark.

Tiptoeing to his dresser, he eased the top drawer open to pull out a shirt.

"Ichabod?"

Nearly jumping out of his skin, he spun on his heel as the bedside lamp switched on, showing her sitting up with her long hair falling over her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry," he muttered as he gestured to the clothes. "I just... I needed..."

"It's alright." She nodded toward the door. "We didn't want to wake you."

As she ran her hand down one of her bare arms, he felt himself jerk forward a little. There she was, just sitting in his bed, all beautiful and half naked. Oh, the temptation she was.

Clearing his throat, he dropped his eyes to the floor. "Bella went to bed alright?"

"Yes, she was really excited about her magic."

With a sigh, he stared at his bare feet, observing the way his toes burrowed in the carpet. "I'm glad."

"You don't sound glad," she whispered, drawing his gaze back to hers. "You sound disappointed."

Shaking his head, he found himself lost for how to explain what he was feeling. It wasn't the magic that was bothering him. It was the look that had been on Katrina's face when Tish had been talking about Bella as a baby.

A thought occurred to him, prompting him to turn to his closet and reach for a box on the top shelf. After acquiring it, he began approaching her, but paused when he noticed her tense. "I want to show you something, if that's alright?"

She seemed to hesitate before she nodded and sat straighter, pulling the blankets further up her body.

Tentatively taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he set the box between them and removed the lid. Inside were several pictures, but the particular book he was in search of was at the bottom. Pulling it out, he opened it and handed it to her.

"It's her baby book," he explained. "It's basically all the big to do events that occurred during her first years."

Katrina cradled the book in one hand and ran her fingers over the first picture, one of Bella on her first day of life. Abbie had snapped it after placing Bella on the bed for him to change her diaper.

"That was a very trying moment for me," he said with a chuckle. "The first of a thousand diapers to come."

A smile came to Katrina's face, prompting him to edge closer to her so he could flip the page.

"This was all her measurements and a few things about her first day." He ran his finger over her weight. "She was tiny. 6lbs 3ounces."

"Twenty inches long," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"She was a good baby, if not a little temperamental," he added with a smile, hoping to draw her out. "I'd sit up late into the night, rocking her and reading her stories covering all manner of subjects." He grinned. "She was no more fond of Ben Franklin than I was."

Katrina laughed as he turned the page to show more pictures.

"She truly was beautiful," he added, wanting her to know that was fact. "Pictures don't do her justice."

Finger running over Bella's face, she whispered, "I dreamed of holding her so many times."

Eyes on her as she stared at the next picture, he felt himself begin to build with emotion. For the thousandth time, he cursed destiny and what it had done to them. His and her gifts, the one's fate had bestowed upon them, were the worst things that had ever happened to them.

"I wanted you so desperately." His breath caught as her gaze flickered to him. "I couldn't..." He shook his head as his eyes fell closed in an attempt to hold back his tears. "Abbie stayed with me to help me during those first few weeks, but it..." He choked on a sob. "That's not the way it was supposed to be, Katrina."

"You could have let me hold her once," she whispered. "Just once."

"But I couldn't," he responded as he opened his eyes to meet her gaze, which wasn't on him, but the pictures. "Once would never have been enough... for either of us."

He stared at her beautiful face, wishing the right words would come to him.

"You were right," he admitted, reaching out to tilt her head up. "You are my greatest weakness, but that's only because you're still so tightly wound around my heart." He laid his hand over hers, taking it within his and bringing it to his chest. "You're the mother of my child and..." He shook his head. "I wasn't allowed to see you after Bella was born. You were right abut that, too. Abbie knew I'd let you go. She knew how weak I was; how much having you with Bella meant to me; how much having you to myself meant."

Katrina's fingers wrapped around his as she set the book aside and eased closer to him, so close she was practically in his lap. "Everyone has weakness in them. Before Jeremy, you were my greatest weakness as well."

Had he been? Doubt for the depth of her love had constantly swirled in his mind, yet there was always their beginning to consider; that love they'd shared centuries before. She'd chosen Purgatory over surrendering him, but that had been before; back when life had been simpler.

"I can't shake my distrust in you," he admitted. "I feel like you're going to turn on me at any time."

"I won't."

"But how do I know that isn't another lie?" he asked, meeting her eyes. "How do I know what the truth is?"

"I have no reason to lie," she explained. "I have nothing to fear of you or anyone else. I'm not going to lose anything by secrets being revealed. So, why would I keep them?"

"I don't know," he whispered, head falling forward to rest in his hands. "I don't know anything anymore."

Her fingers began scratching along the back of his neck as she moved closer to him, close enough to press her breasts against his side as she leaned over his shoulder.

"You know that you love, Bella; that we both love, Bella." Her warm breath caressed his ear. "You know that we'd both do anything to make her happy."

Habit had him turning into her neck, desperate to feel some comfort. His fingers tangled in the back of her nightgown as he burrowed further into her skin, his mouth pressed against her neck.

As her arms wrapped around him, she went on, "Us being together; we make her happy."

It would be so easy to give into feeling; to give into what he knew would feel good. She always felt so good.

"Trust is earned," she whispered as she slipped her leg over him, effectively straddling his lap. "I'll earn it back."

Every inch of her felt like heaven. However, it was when her lips began trailing along his cheek that he felt his body truly begin to respond.

"Katrina-"

Her fingers touched his lips as her own hovered just to the side of his mouth. "Stop thinking so much. This is as natural as breathing for me. I know it is for you, too."

How could he argue with that? It was as true as the sun rising every morning.

Hardly another full second passed before he felt her warm breath slipping between his lips as she softly brushed her mouth to his. It was like waking up after a long sleep; something he knew all too well. How long had it been since he'd known her kiss? Her intimate touch? No longer. Her fingers were woven through his hair as she pressed her body closer to his, the warmth between her thighs hot against his lap.

The only true thought he could conjure any longer was the question of where to put his hands. There was so much of her to touch, to familiarize himself with all over again. Where to begin was the only quandary he now had.

Resting one firm hand along her hip, he slid the other up her back, where he cupped the back of her neck to hold her close.

When her tongue began gliding along his lips, instinct parted them rather than actual thought. That same instinct had his hips jolting up to meet hers as her tongue teasingly touched his.

The pressure between their laps was sweet relief, something she must have appreciated as much as he due to her fingers tightening in his hair as her other hand slid down his chest. It was only natural to follow her lead as he had so many times before. As her fingers began on his shirt buttons, his fell to the hem of her nightgown and began working it up her thighs. Her smooth skin enticed him onward, leading him over her hip and up her side; his hand on a path that led to that plump flesh on her chest.

"Mmm," she moaned as his thumb brushed over her nipple, the sound reverberating in his mouth as she pressed further into his touch.

It was that very sound that led him to twist them around and lay her back against the pillows, never once breaking their kiss as he settled between her parted thighs. The soft, smooth flesh under his fingers had his blood boiling in all the right places, making their kisses all the more urgent. That desire he'd attempted to keep at bay had been unleashed, filling his trousers and leaving them tighter than usual. Rolling his hips into her, he felt her intake of breath before he heard it. The way she arched into him, seeking more pressure between their centers, drove him to slip his hand between their bodies in search of that place he'd once loved to spend his mornings and evenings exploring.

The first touch had her breaking their kiss as she tilted her head back into the pillows, responding just as he'd wanted as his fingers proceeded to delve deeper against her panties.

"Ichabod..."

His name on her lips drew his gaze up to find her chest and neck flushed, her mouth slightly parted as she panted for air. It was a truly beautiful sight.

However, it wasn't a sight he was permitted to enjoy long as the vibrating phone in his pocket snapped his attention.

Betsy.

Suddenly feeling sick, he hastily left Katrina's embrace and pushed himself from the bed before stumbling a few feet away where he squatted to catch his breath.

"Ichabod?" Her breathless inquiry had his eyes slamming shut as he attempted to gather himself. What had he nearly done? "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Katrina," he whispered as he wiped his hands down his face, only to catch a whiff of her scent on his fingers. "Oh, God."

He'd touched her; had been ready to delve into her deepest depths and give his body over to her. The idea of how consequential that would have been slammed into him.

"You don't have to apologize. I want this. We both want this."

Shaking his head, he answered, "It doesn't matter what we want."

He pushed himself to his feet and turned to face her, only to find her arms wrapped around herself as though cold. However, he knew it wasn't the cold, but rejection fresh on her mind that had her protecting herself.

"How would you feel if I was kissing another woman without your knowledge?"

Her eyes fell, but not before he saw a certain vulnerability there. "I'd feel betrayed and heartbroken."

God, it was a vicious cycle. She felt this way now and he'd felt it years ago.

"We torture each other, don't we? It's a wonder we can stand to be in the same room." When her eyes found his again, he whispered, "I imagined what you were doing with Abraham so many times. It became so bad that I sometimes felt as though I'd actually caught you."

Her entire countenance fell as she stood and took his hand. "I never allowed him to touch me; not once."

Nodding, he dropped his eyes to their hands. "I'm sorry. I just can't do this to her. She loves me. She loves Bella."

Katrina's fingers tightened around his. "Do you love her?"

The hesitation in her voice drew his eyes to the doubt in her gaze. "I don't know how I feel any more."

"And if you suddenly trusted me and became sure of my love for you? Would that change your lack of knowledge about what you want with her?"

"Katrina-"

"It's not fair to her," Katrina pressed, her voice on the edge of begging. "Loving her any less than you once loved me is stealing her chance at true love. Have you ever considered that perhaps the reason you haven't told Bella about your relationship with Betsy is because you know it's not meant to be?"

No response came to him. What could he truly say anyway? Perhaps, he could ask when Katrina suddenly began caring about another woman's true love.

"You and I, I believe we're meant to torture each other forever, my love." Katrina shrugged her shoulders as she ran her fingers over the long, jagged scar plastered across his chest. "We shouldn't force others to join in our torture when it can never really be about them."

"My love," he echoed as he dropped her hands. "The last time that phrase was used between us, you wrapped a chain around my neck and said you were no longer my love."

She crossed her arms as if to protect herself while managing to look somewhat ashamed. "I was upset."

"And that makes twice you've used that excuse in as many days," he replied, his voice raising. "How am I supposed to trust you when that's the way you react when you're upset?"

When her eyes fell, he stepped back in an attempt to clear his head. "Whether I maintain my relationship with Betsy or not isn't the problem here, Katrina. You are."

A moment's pause allowed her face to cloud with doubt. "You told me that the past was in the past; that I had a choice to make about who I wanted to be in my future. I know you might not believe that I want you, but, as I said earlier, I'll earn your trust with time."

"Time?"

She shrugged as she folded her fingers over her belly. "Ichabod, I've been here for three days and have yet to strangle you, Abbie, or the other woman you've allowed to touch you, even with the provocation from all three of you to do so." She knit her brow. "Is that not at least a small testament to how much I want a life here with you and Bella?"

"You behaving for three days is supposed to mean something?"

"It should when I could've killed all of you as easily as blinking and taken Bella to raise myself."

"See," he said, pointing a finger at her. "That is why I distrust you; when you say things like that."

She rolled her eyes. "It's supposed to make you trust me more by knowing that I haven't done it; that I don't intend to do it."

Damn her, he thought as he turned to his dresser and began finding some clothes to sleep in. She was nothing but a smart ass disguised in the skin of a beautiful woman sent to tempt him straight into hell.

"Give me a chance, Ichabod."

Yanking a shirt from the drawer, he argued, "I have."

"No, you're waiting for me to fail; to do something awful so you can be proven right. I want a real chance."

With a shake of his head, he allowed his dress shirt to fall from his arms before he pulled the new one over his head.

"Ichabod, please."

The desperation in her voice was what had him turning his head to find her standing where he'd left her, arms crossed, and a pleading expression on her face.

"What would you have me do, Katrina?" His shoulders slumped in defeat. "I've done everything I know to do to welcome you into my home."

"Don't hold your breath in fear every time I lift my hand. Don't dance around me as though you have to placate my every whim to prevent disaster. If you have the urge to kiss me, kiss me. If you want to tell me I'm beautiful, say it. If you want to run your fingers through me hair, do it. Stop acting as though you don't stare at me with longing. Stop acting as though you don't want to be within me. Stop doubting me. Have faith in me, Ichabod."

The ability to breathe properly seemed like a foreign action. All he knew was that his chest was rising and falling rapidly in desperate need for a calm. "I don't know that I can do that."

Her eyes painfully cut away from him as she nodded, leaving him feeling like he'd done something wrong. When had he become the bad guy?

Shaking his head, he turned to grab a pair of sleep pants. "I'm sorry."

With that, he started for the door.

My next update probably won't be until the end of June as I'm going out of state for a week. If I can finish the next one up before I leave, I'll try to get it posted. Until then...

Next up: Shopping. Interaction with Betsy.