I apologize for not updating sooner. I had an opportunity to be an extra for a movie, and it took a lot of my time at night that's when I write. It was a fun experience. I don't think I'll do t again. I got really tired.

Thanks for your patience. I think I have 2 to 3 more chapters left for this story.

Chapter 20. Extended Family

Kyle's POV

I have lived with Jessi and the children for a few weeks now and we have settled in to a routine. I treasure the family life I thought I would never have. I also enjoy working at the inner city with the gangs. The center is now open and I have applications from some UN interns and a few social workers from Harvard that would like to do an internship with me. I will have to choose carefully, not everyone can be a peacekeeper.

Until I get some help I open the center from 8 am to 3 pm three times week, the other two days I open it from 9 pm to 7am. That schedule works out perfect for me. I pick Sarah and Brian up at 3:30 pm from school, hit home and take them to the neighborhood park. Then I start dinner and help them with homework until Jessi comes in. It gives me a chance to truly bond with them.

Every Friday Jessi and I go out on a date. Brian takes care of the children one week and the other week Grace does. I really have not seen her, but if Jessi thinks the children are safe with her then they are. They do seem to love her. I am looking forward to this Friday, Jessi and I will be talking about the wedding plans.

I get dressed up for my date with Jessi she is doing the same then we head to Luciano's our favorite Italian restaurant. As we sit there sipping on our wine and waiting for dinner we look at each other's eyes. We are both reluctant to start. Jessi and I are perfect together. I am not sure the same can be said of our families. Technically Grace is on my side of the family, but realistically she is on Jessi's side.

As I am thinking how to start, Jessi blurts out, what are we going to do Kyle? I don't even know where to start, I'll like to avoid world war III. Jessi has it right the best for us it to communicate frankly and directly. I follow suit and say, I would like to tell my family that you took me back and that we are going to get married. I also would like to tell them about Sarah and Brian. I think my mom and dad will be crazy about them, just like with Josh daughter.

Jessi tell me, Kyle I would never want to keep you from your family, they are good people. I think they did the best they could under the circumstances, we all did. I have no resentment towards them, if anything I have a debt of gratitude, they took me in when no one else wanted me. Don't think I have forgotten that.

I take Jessi's right hand in mind and kiss it, I say, thank you Jessi. I will call mom and dad tomorrow, and then Lori and Josh. Jessi tells me, I love it when you are happy.

After a few minutes and a wine refill, Jessi tells me, Kyle thank you for accepting Brian, it means a lot to me. I smile at her and say, Jessi he is your father, how could I not? I love everything about you, and I can see Brian in you. After blowing me a kiss, Jessi looks at her glass of wine and then tells me, let's talk about the elephant in the room. I am not sure what category Grace falls in, all I know is that Brian and Sarah love her and she is a good grandmother. I tell Jessi, I don't know what to tell you Jessi, I trust your judgment on her. Jessi puts her right hand on my left and tells me, I know Kyle, but you know eventually both of you are going to at least be able to be social, for the children.

This Friday it is Grace turn to take care of Sarah and Brian. When I hear the doorbell, I know she is here bringing the children back. I tell Jessi don't worry I have it. I open the door and Grace appears surprised to see me, the children give her a hug and run in. I ask, would you like some tea Grace. She looks at me and responds, sure Kyle.

I make the tea and we sit at the table. I am at a loss for words. Grace starts, Kyle is good to see you after all this years. I appreciate you not cutting me out of Brian's and Sarah's life. They are very important to me and I love them with all my heart. They are all I have left Kyle. I can hear sadness in her voice.

I look at Grace and tell her, Grace I don't know what to say. The children love you I would never stop them from seeing you. After a pause I continue, you know Jessi tells me you have changed. I have changed to Grace. I am truly sorry for your loss, but I cannot apologize, what I did I was force to do. It was in self-defense and for my family's safety. I wish there would have been a different way.

Grace looks at me and tells me, Kyle I don't expect an apology. I also wish things would have been different, but you were cornered. After losing Michael, and loosing you on the same day. I realized that what really matters in life is family, the people that you care about. I know you will never see me as a mother, but I want you to know that is the way I love you now. We are what we are Kyle. I'll take anything you can give. Tea is a good start, thank you.

Jessi's POV

It has been a few weeks since Kyle and I talked about our relatives, the real test for me is coming. I hope I can live up to my words to Kyle. I have no time to continue thinking. I hear Kyle opening the Garage. The whole Trager family walks in. I cannot help but to feel like an outsider. Then I remember this is my home, and they are going to be my in-laws. I walk towards them and say, Welcome guys make yourself at home. Then I go and give each one a hug. Kyle goes to look for Brian and Sarah. Nicole walks to me and tells me, thank you Jessi. Thank you for letting us stay in Kyle's life.

I have no time to respond as Kyle and the kids come in. Kyle introduces Sarah and Brian to his family. Sarah walks to Nicole and Stephen followed by Brian she says, if you are our daddy's parents does that mean you are our grandparents? Nicole lowers herself to the eye level of Sarah and tells her, we sure are sweetheart. Sarah and Brian seem to think about it and then Brian says looking at them, come we want to show you our room.

We have Stephen ad Nicole staying at the guest room, Josh Andy and their little girl Andrea ares staying in the office we have a sleeper sofa there. To my surprise Lori is staying with us to, we gave her Sarah's room and Sarah is going to sleep in Brian's room.

After putting the children to bed we all seat at the family room and sip on some tea. Kyle is sitting at my side beaming and has an arm around me. After a while Nicole looks at me an tells me, Jessi, I want you to know that I am sorry, we are all sorry. I see the others agreeing with her. We made assumptions we had no right to make, and worse of all we acted on them without even asking you. Thank you for welcoming us in to your home. I look at Nicole and tell her, I am a mother Nicole. I know that if Sarah or Brian did something that was totally unacceptable to me. It would not be that hard to believe that someone else did it. I probably would want to believe that. A few tears leave my eyes, Kyle kisses my head.

Then Stephen tells me We are truly sorry Jessi, thank you for allowing us in to your children's life, they are beautiful, I promise you we will be the best grandparents we can be. I tell them, they are Kyle's kids to I would not keep them from you. Lori tells me, we know Jessi. But I know in my heart that if you told Kyle never to see us again he would listen to you. I know how much he loves you, he was never happy without you. I am sorry I interfere with you relationship, I was wrong.

Josh looks at me and says, I am sorry Jessi, I should have asked. The he elbows Andy who tells him, what Josh, I have nothing to apologize for. I asked, I never believed it was Jessi. But it was her's and Kyle's secret to keep or tell not mine. The Andy walks to me and hugs me. I stand up and hug her. Then all take turns to hug me and apologize once more. I assure them all is forgiven. At the end Kyle's says, I take full responsibility for what happened, I could have stopped the assumptions with the truth. But I did not. I betrayed everyone I loved. Thank you for forgiving me, especially you Jessi, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I kiss Kyle and wipe his tears, then I say, let's leave this things in the past and enjoy what we have now. Every one nods in agreement.

The next morning I and all the women in the family, Grace included, head to choose my wedding dress and dresses for the maids of honor, I have two close friends from the board that will be my maids of honor but also Lori and Andy. I have asked Grace to stand in for Sarah, she agreed and told me it would be her honor and the least that she could do for Sarah.

After the family of Kyle's leaves, I feel happy to have them in my life again, they seem happy to have me in their lives too. I think this time things will go much better.

I appreciate the comments of Thomas, the reviews and of Mc aj. Thanks to papajim21 for the suggestions. Please review it means a lot to me and keeps me going. I also appreciate criticism, it helps me to grow as a writer.