Kim leaned back in her chair and smiled at the group in the living room. The battle had finally subsided, with the pirate, brave, and soldier defeating the invaders. As penance, the big boys were now telling ghost stories.
Bo and Steve were sitting on the couch. Bo had a giggling Stephanie in his lap, while Steve kept Jeannie entertained. In front of the couch, the pirate, brave, soldier, and princess sat in rapt attention.
Carly had wandered over to them and now stood behind the couch, leaning over Bo's shoulder. Roman stood a few feet away, his eyes on his children and an inscrutable expression on his face.
Kim watched her older brother for a moment, then turned to Marlena who was sitting next to her at the kitchen table.
"How are things going with Roman and the kids?" Kim asked, keeping her voice low.
Marlena's eyes darted to where Roman was standing and then back to Kim. Marlena shrugged slightly. "As well as can be expected I guess."
"Marlena . . ." Kayla chimed in softly from her spot on the other side of where Kim was sitting. "I was watching Roman earlier when the boys were playing with Bo and Steve. I could tell he wanted to join them, but he wouldn't. What's going on?"
Marlena sighed and leaned forward. "The kids are just having a hard time adjusting. They don't remember Roman." She glanced at her husband again. "I tried to tell him that it just takes time. When I returned, they weren't sure about me, either. And now we're fine."
"I take it that's not making Roman feel any better, though," Kim replied.
"He's been trying to be patient and not push but. . . ." Marlena stopped.
"But what?" Kayla pressed.
"Last night," Marlena finally said. "Sami was having a bad dream and Roman heard her calling for 'Daddy.' He ran into her room to comfort her, but when she finally opened her eyes, she just started screaming even more. She kept telling Roman she wanted her 'Daddy.'"
Kim's heart went out to her big brother. She remember when they had first gotten Andrew back and how it had taken Andrew some time to adjust. But he was just a baby and could not talk. It had torn her up inside knowing that he was crying because he missed the only parents he had known.
"Poor Roman," Kayla said with a sigh.
Marlena and Kim nodded in agreement. Then all three women turned at the sound of a knock at the door. Kim watched as Shawn opened it and was shocked when Eve entered the house, dressed as something straight out of Woodstock.
Eve quickly exchanged hellos as she searched the room until she found Kim. Walking purposefully, she approached the table where Kim was sitting.
As Eve reached the table, Kim said, "Hi, Eve. I didn't think you could make it tonight. I thought you were working at Wings."
"I am," Eve replied as she sat down. "I only have a few minutes, so I'm going to make this quick." She leaned forward and looked directly into Kim's eyes. "I want to know what it's going to take for you to get back together with my dad?"
Kim's eyes widened in surprise at Eve's blunt question. She looked at Kayla and Marlena, both of whom looked equally surprised. "Uh . . . Eve . . . that's really-"
"I know. . . 'it's complicated,'" Eve interrupted, rolling her eyes. "That's what you keep telling me. But I know Dad loves you. And . . . I know you love him too."
"Really?" Kim could not help but be surprised by Eve's admission after all the time Eve had insisted otherwise.
Eve nodded and her tone softened slightly. "I'm not saying I understand everything that's happened between the two of you, or why you keep hurting each other. . . . But Dad insists that he can only be truly happy is if he has you. And I want him to be happy."
"I want him to be happy too," Kim said softly. "It's all I've ever wanted for him."
"Then why are you still pushing him away?" Eve asked. Her eyes dropped to the table and her voice softened even more. "The other day you told me that I couldn't let the past control my future. You told me I should look at it as a difficult learning experience and be proud that I came through all of it."
Kim nodded. "That's right. I meant every word of it."
"Well shouldn't you take your own advice then?" Eve looked at Kayla and Marlena who were still sitting silently. "You two know I'm right, don't you?"
Marlena and Kayla both stifled smiles, which Kim knew was at least partly because they had both given her similar advice.
Kayla reached over and took Kim's hand. "She's right, you know."
Eve smiled triumphantly. "See." Then she glanced at her watch and jumped up. "I have to go before Julie fires me on my first official night back." She looked at Kim again. "Just remember what I said, okay?"
Kim nodded and Eve hurried to the door, saying her goodbyes as she went. When the door closed behind Eve, Kim turned back to Kayla and Marlena. "Wow," was all she could manage to say.
Kayla and Marlena giggled in response and Kim found herself joining them. When the laughter finally subsided, Kayla smiled and said, "I know it's not always a good thing, but Eve does seem to know how to cut to the chase, doesn't she?"
Marlena gave Kim a sideways glance. "I don't really know Eve that well yet, but is she always so . . . blunt?"
As Kayla burst into laughter, Kim chuckled and nodded. "Eve's never been one to hold back her feelings. At least not about me or my relationship with Shane. This is just one of the first times she's ever actually encouraged it."
"Well, maybe that should tell you something." Kayla grinned. "If Eve's being supportive of you and Shane, then it must be meant to be."
Kim smiled for a moment, then grew more serious. "I wish it were just that easy. But you both know it's not. And you both know why."
Marlena leaned forward. "You still haven't talked to Shane about Cal?"
Kim shook her head. "I've wanted to. But he's still so weak. I'm just not sure he's ready for that conversation."
Marlena smiled at Kim. It was her psychiatrist smile, which Kim knew all too well. "Is that really why you haven't told him?"
Kim glanced at Kayla for help, but Kayla's expression said she wanted an answer to the same question. Sighing, Kim finally answered. "Okay . . . so it's not the only reason. Maybe I'm not sure I'm ready for that conversation either."
"Kim." Kayla spoke softly. "You're never going to know the answers to your questions until you finally talk to Shane. Go home and talk to him now."
"I . . . I can't." Kim felt the fear grip her heart. She searched for an excuse. "Andrew's having so much fun. I can't just leave."
"Then let Andrew stay," Marlena said. "You know he can always stay with Shawn and Caroline. Or maybe he'll want to go home with Bo and Shawn Douglas and spend the night."
"Go home, Kimmie," Kayla whispered. "Don't waste any more time."
Kim nodded. It was time to talk to Shane and face the consequences, whatever they might be. She tried to stifle the dread growing inside her as she forced a smile at Marlena and Kayla. Then, Kim stood up and walked to where Bo was sitting.
When she reached the living room, she asked Bo if it was okay for Andrew to spend the night on the boat. Bo quickly agreed, offering her a smile that seemed to indicate he knew exactly why she was going home early.
Gathering Jeannie from Steve, Kim kissed Andrew goodbye and told him he was going to stay with Shawn Douglas. Both boys were thrilled with the news and immediately began making plans for the sleepover. By the way Eric was chiming in, Kim was pretty sure he was angling for an invite too.
Finally, Kim said her goodbyes to her parents, explaining she needed to check on Shane. They both just smiled and Kim wondered how it was that her family seemed to know what was really going on. Shrugging it off, Kim got Jeannie into her coat and made her way out the door.
"All right, Jeannie," she said to her smiling daughter. "Let's go see Daddy."