Author's Note: For starters- You guys are awesome! Seriously! You totally brighten up my day! One thing I wanted to bring up: After I complete this story- there WILL be another one. When I upload the final chapter- I will also be uploading a description of what the next one will entail. I will upload it so it is in its own chapter- As I'm sure you all have noticed I don't name my chapters. This one I will name as 'Last Word' In it will include the name of the next story.

While I know I am driving you all crazy with this love triangle- I can say Stephanie will make her choice between who she will be with at the end of this story. I promise I won't keep this going on forever like this =] I have tons more ideas for these darling characters!

Oh and an update on my knee- It will be okay, I've done this many times. It really sucks and makes my knee sore. Sometimes there is more pain than other times. But nothing to worry about! =]

Well now my lovelies- I won't keep you waiting anymore. ; )

Disclaimer: You know what is mine and what is JE's…. right?

OoooOooooOoooooOooooO

When my phone rang at 10 the next morning I was already showered (my long curly hair back in place), got dressed and had breakfast. But I was ridiculously fidgety- I couldn't sit still for more than 2 minutes. I couldn't understand why. Different scenarios kept running through my head- I was nervous because this was Joe and Aly's first night together. But I knew that wasn't it, those two adored each other- there was no way I had anything to worry about. Maybe it was the fact that I had been on an actual date last night with Ranger- well Carlos. The scary thing about all that was- it felt like a date between us. Our hands brushed against each other, we stayed as close as we possibly could all night. Then there was that kiss! Just the thought of it was still giving me butterflies in my stomach- it had been amazing! Duh- that's what's throwing me off- I feel guilty. Joe asked me to be part of his family again, be together and I said I wasn't ready for any relationship type stuff yet. But then I went out on a date with Ranger! Okay- so I didn't know he was considering it an actual date, but when he asked if it was okay to call it a date- I said yes. Because in that moment it felt right, not only that but last night had been one of the best dates of my life. Not that it was specifically the drinks and the dancing but it was the fact that Ranger had been there.

Once again I felt the guilt seep into my heart- I knew if roles were reversed and if it had been Joe on the date would me- it still would have been amazing. Damn! Why couldn't they both be repulsed by me or something! It would hurt to not have them want me, but at least then I wouldn't have to choose. Because now- no matter what I did people were going to hurt. Not just one of them, but Aly and myself too. She was drawn to both of these guys and in return- both loved her and wanted to protect her. So when I saw that it was Joe calling my heart practically leapt out of my chest with how hard it was beating. I had to keep myself from answering the phone by blurting out that not only had the friend thing last night been an actual date, but I also kissed Ranger- and liked it. So instead I decided to just settle for…

"Hey Joe, how'd it go last night?"

"It was great- she is such a great kid. Bob loves her too- I swear she's like the dog whisperer, she would give him a command that I have never said before- and he listened to her. Bob even slept on the floor of her room last night- I bet if the bed was big enough he would have climbed on in with her."

"I'm glad things went so well for you guys."

"Yeah- did you have a good night?"

"It was a lot of fun."

"So do you think Suzanne and Lester like each other?" I smiled- remembering how amazing they looked together.

"Oh yeah- they are so cute together."

"That's good." He said with a chuckle. "So I have a question for you about today."

"Oh alright, what is it?"

"I know I said I would bring her back over there this afternoon- but I'd really like to take her to the beach."

"Which beach?"

"Point Pleasant."

"Oh…"

"Unless you're not okay with it- I mean I don't want to intrude if you have plans." He hurriedly added in.

"No it's not that- I'm sure she would love it."

"So what is it?"

"Well- I want to go to Point Pleasant too." I could hear Joe laugh into the phone.

"Cupcake- you know you're welcome to come."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay- well I'll get changed into my suit and I'll bring over Aly's suit and our towels and stuff. I'll just drive to your house then when we get back you don't have to drive us home too."

"Sounds good- oh quick question."

"Yeah?"

"What's the possibility of you wearing that purple suit?" I smiled.

"Well that's the only suit I have- so chances are pretty good."

"Then you are absolutely welcome to come."

"Ha ha." I said pretending to laugh, even though I really was smiling.

"See you in a bit- door will be open so just come in when you get here."

"Will do."

Just to be a brat I was tempted to run out and buy a totally new- much less sexy bathing suit. But hell- one I paid enough money for the suit I have and two- did I not buy the suit in hopes that someone would like seeing me in it? Hell yeah I did. I put on a loose white tank top on over my bikini top, and denim shorts on over the bottom. There was no point doing anything special with my hair or make-up, I didn't expect it would stay that way for long. So I pulled my hair into a high pony tail, loaded up Aly's suit, sunscreen for her and tanning lotion for me and our towels.

When I got to Joe's, Aly was laying on her belly in the middle of the living room and she was facing Bob- who was doing the same thing as her.

"Hey Aly Baby."

"Mommy!" She got up and ran over to me giving me a big hug, Bob did the same.

"Did you have fun, sweetie?"

"Yeah! We had a lot of fun and Daddy said that we get to go to the beach today too!"

"We sure do, I brought your suit do you want me to help you put it on?"

"I can do it." My suddenly extremely independent daughter said, taking her suit upstairs to her room- Bob ran after her and laid down outside of her door. Joe came downstairs wearing a simple grey T-shirt and blue board shorts. Even in something simple like that Joe's perfectly toned and lean body was easy to admire.

"You look nice." Joe said walking up to me placing a kiss on my cheek before walking into the kitchen. He was filling up a little cooler with bottles of water.

"I'm think we'll get there about lunch time- so we can eat on the boardwalk, but this way we have water when we get to the beach."

"Good thinking." I said, I was almost mesmerized watching him pack things up the way his muscles slightly firmed as he picked up the cooler to walk it out to the car. My legs were just starting to follow after him, even though my mind didn't quite get why, but I heard Aly's door open. Her suit was a pink two piece with a tankini top and a skirt bottom, I put a tank top on over her suit as Joe was coming back in.

"Is Bob coming?" I asked hi.

"No, Mooch will come over later if we aren't home by the time he needs to eat dinner. Oh I grabbed your towels and stuff out of your car and put them in my Explorer- do we need anything else?"

"I don't think so."

"Then let's go." He lifted Aly up and threw her over his shoulder sending her into a fit of laughter. I locked up the house as Joe secured Aly in her car seat- and then we were off on our hour drive. We listened to some Beach Boys on the ride down- to get us in the mood for our beach day.

Aly had never seen anything like the Point Pleasant Boardwalk and between me and Joe- we wanted to show her everything. We walked around getting a bunch of different kinds of food sharing everything between the 3 of us. I saw the swirly cone stand and starting immediately heading towards it. Joe grabbed my arm and told me we'd get dessert later- I was going to protest but then I saw the way Aly stared at the Ocean. She wanted nothing more than to go play on the beach. While Joe laid out our towels I applied sunscreen on Aly, once it was on she ran down to the water's edge. I knew she wasn't going to go in until one of us was there with her- but her and a few other little kids would take a few steps in but quickly run out at the wave washed up on the shore.

"Do you mind if I use your sunblock- I guess I did forget something." I pulled my eyes away from watching Aly play and froze when I saw Joe standing there without his shirt. His body looked amazing, and I certainly wasn't the only woman on the beach that noticed. Now I was glad I hadn't picked up a different bathing suit- there was no way I wanted another girl walking up to him. Not that I had any reason at all to feel any sort of claim to Joe- the night before I had been on a date with Ranger.

"You can use Aly's, or you can use my tanning lotion."

"I'll use yours." He reached into the bag and squeezed some in his hands and started rubbing it in. To keep myself from just staring and drooling I pulled out the binder from my hair, and pulled my tank top off and stuffed it into the beach bag. I looked up and saw Joe staring at me with his eyes turning into a liquid chocolate color.

"Can you do my back?" He asked me- never breaking eye contact. I didn't trust my voice enough to answer, so instead I nodded my head and grabbing the lotion. My hands slowly began spreading it over Joe's smooth toned back, I was trying to be as good about it as I could. But since my fingers suddenly had a mind of their own they explored a little more than they needed to. I finally pulled myself away and grabbed more lotion to spread on my own body. My foot rested on the cooler as I spread the lotion over my leg, then I switched legs. I took some more rubbing it over my stomach, chest, neck and face. Before I could even decide how I was going to get my back- Joe's hands were working tanning lotion in. His hands moved slow and pressed deep giving me a massage as he rubbed it in. I could hear myself sigh and a soft moan escape my lips as he hit some knots in my shoulders that I didn't realize were there. A soft chuckle came from his mouth and he moved his lips to my ear.

"I'm glad you came with us."

"Me too."

I slipped out of my shorts and we joined Aly at the shore. I held Aly's hand and we slowly walked into the water, but ran back as the ways came. We did this a few times but then Joe asked if he wanted to watch me go in first. Aly said yes- but I really had no intentions of jumping into the water today. I wanted to dip my feet in and work on getting a nice tan, plus play with my Aly in the sand. Apparently, Joe had completely other plans. Aly squealed with joy when Joe lifted me over his shoulder and ran deeper into the water.

"Joe- I swear you better not drop me! I don't want to get soaked!"

"Well cupcake- you should have stayed home." The next second we were both under the water, after a few seconds Joe grabbed my hand and pulled me up with him. I inhaled a breath of the fresh air and flipped my hair out of my face.

"You're dead, Morelli." I dove at him sending us both back under the water. We came above water laughing and he ran to shore to grab Aly. She hesitated at first, afraid he was going to throw her into the water like he did to me. But I could see it in her face that she trusted him and eventually accepted his arms.

Joe slowly walked in with her until they reached where I was waiting. Her little feet were kicking around so fast but we didn't let go of her. She was a great swimmer- for a 3 year old, but this was the ocean- and neither of us were risking anything happening to her.

An hour and a half of playing in the water and all of us were ready to get out for a little while. We dried Aly off a little and I made her throw on her beach cover up so she didn't get completely covered in sand. I squeezed as much of the water out of my hair as I could but ended up tying it into a bun anyways. I laid down on my towel using Joe's T-shirt as a pillow. A few feet away from us these other little kids invited Aly to build sandcastles with them. Joe sat down on the towel next to me, I could hear him digging around in the beach bag but my eyes were closed- and I was too tired to open them up.

"Want me to put some more lotion on your back?" I would have said no- if I hadn't flopped down stomach first and my back was now exposed to the Jersey sun.

"If you don't mind."

Joe slowly began applying the lotion on my back, shoulders and even the backside of my legs. But the way he massaged every part of my body as he applied it, I didn't put up any kind of fight. I opened my eyes and watched him but the sun was so bright I had to close them again. After about 10 minutes of rubbing me down his hand slowly traced down my arm until he reached my fingers. His fingers slowly laced between mine, pausing long enough for me to object- but my fingers responded by tightening around his. I peeked my eyes open once more as he laid back using the beach bag as a pillow, reading a book he brought with.

What is wrong with me- I should be stronger than this. It was as if those past 4 years of living in Wisconsin didn't even happen, like my life here had been stuck in a time capsule. And by returning, life started up again- exactly where it left off. Well except now I was a mother, and Morelli was a father. But the worst part was I couldn't push either Joe or Ranger away. Both of them made me feel different, still myself but in a way that both fit in a way the other didn't. What in the hell was I getting myself in to? I didn't need the raise at work that bad- I should have just stayed in Wisconsin. Sure maybe I was totally hiding out from everything- but at least there I was only hurting myself. Okay- and Aly, and I suppose everyone else. After a lot of contemplating I eventually decided to live in the moment and let Joe's thumb slowly draw circles on my hand. As comfortable as I was though I wasn't about to let myself get this awkward tan with my back dark- and my front pale. So when Joe got up to go back to the car to call Mooch and tell him to feed Bob I flipped onto my back. While I applied more tanning lotion to my front Aly came over so I could add more to her. She was having so much fun with the kids so I wasn't about to make her stop playing with them. But I made her drink some water before going back over to join them, and since I didn't want to end up dehydrated either, I slammed down another one of the bottles.

I laid back down and a few minutes later Joe came back over and laid back down on his towel. This time he didn't hesitate in grabbing my hand as he went back to reading his book. After another hour of laying around Joe and Aly went back into the water. I sat up and let my hair fall down and dry a little more. Besides- watching the two of them play together was incredible. Then it hit me- it wasn't like I had just joined them on their beach trip, we were here as a family. And it would have been perfect- if my indecisive mind wasn't missing Ranger.

OoooOoooOooooOoooooO

On the way back to Joe's we picked up Pino's for dinner and poured into his house around 7. All of us were so tired so Joe flipped it to some family movie that I couldn't name one thing about, Aly was laying on the floor using Bob as a pillow. Morelli and I had been on the couch and as he slowly sank lower in the couch- I was suddenly laying the length of the couch. With my head resting on one of the couch pillows- on Joe's lap. No one said anything as the movie droned on. I glanced at the clock, 8:30- I really should get up and bring us home. But that required energy- which I had none of.

My eyes slowly fluttered open and at first I had no idea where I was- it was dark and quiet. My body shot straight up- I had fallen asleep on Joe's lap. The clock read 2:00 am, Joe's eyes were slowly opening up as he looked around and came to the same realization I had. My eyes shot to the floor where Bob and Aly were laying earlier tonight- neither of them were there. Ohmigod. What if she had let Bob outside and the stalker that was after me took her. And here I was 'mother-of-the-year' passed out on the couch. I looked out back and didn't see any sign of a struggle and the patio door was still shut and locked. Her shoes were still at the front door, so I ran up the steps two at a time and peeked into her bedroom. There she was, sleeping in her bed with Bob curled up on the floor next to her. Bob's eyes opened and looked at me, he apparently decided I wasn't going to hurt his baby and fell back asleep.

I slowly crept next to the bed and shook her arm until she half opened her eyes and smiled to me.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"After the movie you and daddy were sleeping and looked comfy. So me and Bob came upstairs to go to sleep- I put my jammies on too."

"Honey, you should have woke me up."

"I'm okay- and you were sleepy."

"I was, but you're okay?"

"Mhmm." She nodded.

"Then go back to sleep, baby."

"Okay, nite mommy."

"G'night baby, I love you." I placed a kiss on her forehead and crept back out of her room, closing the door behind me. The light was on in Joe's room so I walked in there and saw that he had just pulled on his pajamas.

"She put herself to bed- I feel awful!"

"Don't- because that independence she has- all you." Joe said making me smile and shake my head. My eyes flicked over to the alarm clock taking in the time once again.

"Steph, please don't try to drive home right now. Listen you can sleep in the bed or on the couch and I'll sleep wherever you tell me to." I thought about it- but I knew I was too tired to drive home right now.

"Can I borrow a shirt and some sweatpants?"

"Of course." He rummaged through his closet and came up with navy blue sweatpants and a grey shirt. In the bathroom I took off the suit and I was still wearing, and hung it over the shower rod along with my shorts and tank top. Once I had slipped into the clothes Joe gave me I walked back into the bedroom where Joe was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"You can sleep here- I'll take the couch."

"Don't be stupid, Joe. I'm not going to make you sleep back on that couch- and there's no way I'm sleeping back on that couch. We've slept in the same bed before." I didn't have to tell him twice, he laid down on one side of the bed and after I shut off the light I took the other side. Joe's arm wound around me pulling me into his body.

"You're not wearing your suit." He said.

"Don't get any ideas."

"Well you're in luck- I'm too tired to try to seduce you tonight."

"Good to know." Joe leaned over me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Goodnight Cupcake."

"Night."

OoooOoooOooooOoooO

I shot out of bed the next morning at 6 o'clock.

"Go back to bed, Steph." Joe mumbled, without opening his eyes.

"I can't, I need to get Aly dressed and to my mom's. Then I need to go home and shower and get ready for work. You need to get ready for work too."

"I'll take Aly to your mom's."

"You will?"

"Yeah- no problem. Don't make my poor kid wake up this damn early." I smiled and left the bedroom and went into the bathroom. I splashed some water onto my face and put my suit back on. I decided I'd wear the shorts and T-shirt home so I didn't look like a total train wreck leaving Joe's house. Before I left I went back into the bedroom where Joe was still laying in bed but now his eyes were opened as he watched me.

"Thank you." I said and I wasn't sure what my motivation was but I sat on the bed and leaned down placing my lips on his. He wasn't expecting it either- but by the way he kissed me back I could tell he didn't mind. I ran out to my car and put the key in the ignition and turned- nothing. I did it again- nothing. The car wasn't even making an attempt to turn over.

"DAMNIT!" I yelled getting out and stomping back inside and up to Joe's room where he was surprisingly get out of bed.

"My car won't start!"

"Well, why don't you shower here. I have some donuts downstairs, I'll get ready for work and all of us will go to your mom's drop off Aly- then I'll drive you home so you can get changed."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah we work in the same place and I have no problem taking my kid to your mom's. While you're in the shower I'll call the car shop and have them pick it up for you and figure out what's wrong."

"Thanks."

"Oh, but one more thing." He said, stopping me from walking out of the bedroom again. Joe closed the distance between us in just a few strides pulling me in for another kiss. This one didn't feel as innocent as the one just a few minutes ago had felt. Our tongues touched and my fingers laced in his hair while his hands moved under my shirt and up to my chest. A moan escaped me as his mouth moved to my neck and his fingers continued to move exploring every inch of my body. But we stopped when we heard Bob's collar jingle, as a way to signal we weren't the only ones awake now. Part of me was screaming- Thank God, I've been saved before I did something I might not be ready to do, yet. While the other part just wanted to shut and lock the bedroom door so I could experience the Morelli-induced orgasm my body was screaming for.

"Well I better go finish." I said and it wasn't until I saw his mouth slide into a seductive smile that I realized what I had said.

"Finish, getting ready. You know, I need to get in the shower." Joe walked up to me resting his forehead against mine.

"Think of me while you're finishing." He said before leaving the room. What I was really going to think of- was how screwed up I was, I should be locked up.

OoooOooooOooooOooooO

"You're not really going to work like that are you?" My mother asked me the second I stepped into her house. I had slipped back into the outfit I was originally going to leave Joe's house in, but now my hair was still wet from my shower.

"No ma, I have to go home and change."

"Well why did you bring her over here before you were ready?" As I was trying to think of some excuse that might satisfy my mother- Grandma Mazur showed up and blew everything.

"Is that Joe Morelli sitting in that car out there?" My mother's mouth dropped open as she did the sign of the Cross.

"Did you stay with Joe last night!"

"Ma, it wasn't like that. We all went to Point Pleasant yesterday and we got back to his house and we all fell asleep. My car was dead this morning so he's giving me a ride."

"Lord Stephanie!" My mother yelled running to the window looking out at Joe too, I saw him wave in at them. He was more than happy to come in- but I told him under no circumstances is he to leave the car.

"What?"

"The phone is going to be ringing off the hook! Are you and Joe a couple now?"

"No ma! I told you nothing happened." I figured I should leave out that something would have happened if it wasn't for Aly and Bob waking up. "I got to go now, bye Aly." I called and ran out of the house before they could question me anymore about it. Joe had a smug look on his face as I got into the passenger seat.

"Looks like that went well."

"Just drive." I said.

When we got to my house I told Joe to wait in the car again, because I was only going to be a minute. Not just that- but I didn't know if I could trust myself to be in my house alone- with Joe. My phone rang as I was quickly throwing an outfit on- it was Ranger. I didn't want to answer it- but I knew if I didn't answer, especially with the recent stalker development there could be a team out searching for me in a matter of minutes.

"Hello."

"I was told that your car was brought into the shop this morning- everything okay?"

"How'd you know?"

"The guys working the control room told me." All at once my heart sank to the floor, just as I did.

"Did you start tracking my car again?"

"Part of the plan once you got those notes." His voice was cold and angry. I was used to short phone conversations, but nothing about his voice made me feel like this was normal.

"Yeah I'm okay, my car wouldn't start so it was towed to the shop." There was silence.

"I'm assuming Joe's giving you a ride to work then."

"You saw my car there last night?"

"Yup." He spit out.

"Ranger, it was nothing…" Before I could finish I was cut off.

"Ha- Ranger." He was saying it more to himself then to me before he disconnected. I didn't move for a minute- this was one of those days where I should just crawl into bed and not wake up until it was a new day and I could start fresh. Because this day was already not going well, and it was only 8 in the morning.