Sunday came at last and Marissa was invited to visit AJ at his home. Marissa was more than a little astounded to discover that his home was actually a king sized mansion.

AJ had clung to her the moment she entered the house. He gave her the guided tour of the manor, introducing her to his grandfather Adam who greeted her tersely, and his great-uncle Stuart who engulfed her in a hug. He showed her every corner and secret passage in the place, all the while refusing to let go of her hand.

Marissa became uncomfortably aware of the unspoken tension between father and son, AJ always placing himself as a barrier between Marissa and his dad. JR followed their every step; although Marissa was a little confused by the oddly satisfied smile plastered to her ex-husband face, almost as if the act of her just being there was some kind of victory. Maybe he thought she could help him win back his son's trust.

The mansion tour ended in the parlour. It had been a very surreal moment when AJ took her to the room and told her this was where she'd been shot.

"Do you want to stay for lunch?" JR asked when the tour was finally finished. He had hardly spoken at all for that last few minutes, seemingly happy to let his son take the lead.

"Oh please, please say yes." cried AJ, is eyes wide with delight, his hand still entwined with hers.

"I think I can manage that!" said Marissa with a smile, there was no way that little boy was going to take no for an answer and she wasn't going to turn down any opportunity to spend more time with her son.

"Why don't we make it a picnic in the garden." said JR, "It's a nice day."

Marissa thought it was looking a little cloudy, but before she could speak AJ was already leading her into the garden.

…

Marissa reclassified the 'garden' as 'extensive grounds'. There were mature woodland, wide lawns, statues, topiary hedges, a swimming pool and tennis courts.

As they walked AJ was chatting eagerly with her, talking about pool parties and hide and seek and the-day-after-Easter treasure hunts. JR led them towards the shade of an oak tree not far from a fountain. Marissa thought it was a wonderful spot. She found it had a very soothing effect on her, the sound of the wind in the trees and the soft splashing of water, even if she couldn't remember why.

JR spontaneous lunch invitation proved a little less off the cuff than he had led on. A little further on a picnic blanket had been laid on the ground ready for them and there was also a small hamper of food. JR suggested AJ have a little run around to let off steam before dinner. AJ just scowled at his father and refused to leave Marissa's side.

When JR produced a box of donuts and some cans of orange soda Marissa though he was a little crazy. It was hardly what she would consider lunch. He obviously noticed her reaction

"It's a family tradition." He explained, "One you had with your parents growing up. I'm not sure how much you remember… I mean how much you've been told about your adopted family. This is something I knew about and I wanted to share it with you. Every Sunday you and your parents would sit in the park after church with a soda and donuts and just talk."

Marissa was quite touched.

"No one has really spoken to me about my life before Pine Valley," she said, surprised by his thoughtfulness, although a part of her was wondering if this was one of JRs games her mother had warned her about.

"I know very little about my childhood and my adoptive parents." continued Marissa, unsure where JR was planning to take this conversation. "Do you know any more about them?"

"I know you were devastated after their death." He said.

"It was a car crash wasn't it." said Marissa, "I just feel horrible, unable to mourn their death because I've no memory of them."

"You know if you every want to talk, I'll be glad to listen." said JR, a very earnest expression on his face.

"I know the song your daddy sang." said AJ wanting to be a part of the conversation. He was sat beside Marissa, leaning on her legs. "You sang it to me every night; you sang it for Miranda and Gabby too. And I sang it to you every day in hospital. You said it always made you feel safe. Bianca even brought…"

"AJ, you don't need to bore Marissa with all that right now." said JR abruptly, opening the box of donuts and placing it between them. "It's time for lunch."

AJ looked down at his lap, clearly upset by his father's interruption. An uncomfortable silence descended over the picnic blanket. Marissa had no idea why JR had jumped on his son like that. She decided she needed to ease the tension so she pulled the ring pull on her can.

"Well I guess a toast is in order." she said "To family and traditions," and she clonked cans with JR.

"To family." said JR, "And maybe starting some traditions of our own."

That comment threw Marissa completely, only she didn't have a chance to question JR about it.

"To family." said AJ adding his can to the toast, smiling widely at his mom "Because all families are special, especially ours!"

"That's beautiful." said Marissa as she pulled the little boy into a hug. He snuggled close for a moment, but on seeing the open box of donuts, he suddenly darted forward to grab the one with chocolate sprinkles.

…

The picnic would have lasted a little longer, except the weather had other ideas. The sky got greyer and greyer and after about five minutes the heavens opened. They briefly scurried under the shelter of the tree but the downpour wasn't stopping, if anything the rain was getting heavier.

"I think we are going to have to make a run for it." said JR.

Marissa had to agree he was right. All three of them used the picnic blanket for cover, as they raced toward the mansion. By the time they reached the house they were all soaked to the skin.

…

They were all shaking off the excess water in the parlour.

"We should have waited." laughed Marissa watching as the last few raindrops plopped into puddles on the patio. "We're all soaked!"

"AJ, I think you had better run upstairs and change into some dry clothes." suggested JR.

AJ gave his father an odd look which Marissa couldn't quite read.

"I want to stay with mommy." protested the little boy.

Marissa felt his t-shirt. It really was soaking. She gave the bit she was holding a squeeze and water dribbled onto the carpet.

"I think you really should get changed." said Marissa. "I'd never forgive myself if you got pneumonia."

AJ sighed.

"Okay mom. But only if you promise to still be here when I get back!"

"I promise." said Marissa, giving him a soggy hug, "Now go on, scoot! The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back!"

AJ ran from the room.

"I'll be quick." he cried.

…

Marissa pulled off her new hat, a striped woolly one she had found at Tad's and shook the excess water off it. Standing alone in the parlour with JR, Marissa began to be aware of his eyes on her. At first she thought he was staring at her scar. Then she realised that it wasn't that at all. She looked down, suddenly conscious of how her wet clothes were clinging to her body.

JR smiled warmly at her.

"Do you want to dry off as well? You could take a shower if you want and change into some dry clothing. I think Colby left some things. If not I can always loan you one of my shirts"

Marissa felt a strange chill, and it had nothing to do with her damp clothing. JRs smile wasn't quite reaching his eyes, and the lust in them was making her feel a little uncomfortable. She knew he had been her husband once but it still made her feel dirty.

AJ broke the tension by tearing back into the parlour. He'd gotten dressed so fast he'd put his t-shirt on inside out.

"That was quick!" gasped Marissa, which made AJ laugh.

…

As much as she was loathed to abandon her son she took this as her leave to go.

"I hate to say it, but it's getting rather late. And I should probably go home and dry off."

"No." cried AJ, "Please stay." He looked devastated; she thought he might start crying.

"You are welcome to stay." said JR.

Marissa looked from the little boy to his father. She really had enjoyed spending time with them as a family, although she would definitely need more time to get used to JR on his own.

"Look why don't we make a compromise." she said, taking a moment to ruffle her son's hair. "What if I come back tomorrow and take both you and your daddy out for dinner as a thank you for such a wonderful day."

"Yes please" cried AJ.

Marissa gave her little boy one long last hug, before reminding him to turn his shirt round the right way. JR's goodbye was a little more awkward. In the end she settled for a kiss on the cheek. Marissa wondered if maybe this had given him the wrong idea. When she left she noticed JR's grin was almost as wide as AJ's.

…