The kids were fast asleep by the time they arrived home. Eve freed Jeannie from her car seat and passed her to Kim, who watched while Shane gave Andrew a soft nudge. The boy squirmed in his seat before opening his eyes sleepily.

"Come on, Champ," Shane said. "We're home." Kim could hear the regret in his voice that he had to wake Andrew. Another time, Shane would have just carried his sleeping son into the house, but he was still under orders not to lift much. Holding Jeannie tightly, she watched Shane help Andrew unbuckle the seatbelt and climb out of the car.

Rubbing his eyes, a tired Andrew stumbled toward the door, causing Kim to laugh. "You look like you could use a good night sleep, sweetie. Let's get you to bed."

Kim walked beside him to the door. Shane followed closely behind. Once inside, Eve disappeared, saying she had a phone call to make. Meanwhile, Kim sent Andrew upstairs to brush his teeth and get changed for bed. In her arms, Jeannie remained fast asleep.

"Why don't we tuck the kids in together," Shane said.

"It's no bother," Kim replied. "This one-" She motioned to Jeannie. "This one's out like a light, and I suspect Andrew will be asleep almost as soon as his head hits the pillow."

Shane smiled. "I know it's no bother, but this is Thanksgiving. Even though we talked about what we're thankful for at your folks, I didn't even begin to scratch the surface. There's still so much that we have to be thankful for." He fell silent for a minute. "You know . . . this is the first Thanksgiving with Jeannie, and we haven't had Thanksgiving together since Andrew was a baby."

Kim thought about that for a minute. Shane was right. They had never spent Thanksgiving together as a family. The year before, she had been in Los Angeles. She had believed Shane dead the year before that. And the year before that, she and Shane had been Stefano's captives. Their only Thanksgiving together had been shortly after Eve's arrival, and things had been tense and confusing at that time.

"I know we probably could have done without the drama," Kim said. "But I'm glad we were together as a family tonight."

Shane wrapped an arm around her and smiled. "Come on. The night's not over."

She let him lead her to the stairs and noticed that he did not hesitate at all as they climbed to the second floor. He is getting stronger. Shane helped her as she changed Jeannie's diaper and got her dressed for bed. Then they both gave Jeannie a goodnight kiss and Kim set the baby in her crib. She started for the door, but stopped when she realized that Shane was still standing over the crib.

"Shane?" she asked softly.

It took a moment for him to respond. His eyes never left Jeannie. "She's so beautiful, Kim. And sometimes I think of how we almost never knew and how I was such a fool for pushing her away." He reached down and brushed Jeannie's cheek. "I always wanted a little girl and here she was. . . . All that time. . . ."

Kim walked over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned her head against his back. "But we learned the truth and you can't spend your life regretting what you can't change. We're here now and we're all together. You should be happy."

Shane turned around, put a hand under her chin, and tilted her face up so they were looking into each other's eyes. His eyes shone, glistening from unshed tears. "I am happy," he said softly. "Right now, in this house, I have everything I've ever wanted."

She kissed him, then took his hand. "Come on. Your son is waiting."

Tucking Andrew in took no time. He was already half-asleep when they entered his room and did not even ask for a bedtime story. After they kissed him goodnight, Shane turned off the light and they headed toward their own bedroom. But just before they reached the door, Shane stopped her.

"Wait," he said.

Kim turned around to face him and asked, "Why?"

For a moment, Shane seemed to hesitate, but then he stepped around her so he was between her and the bedroom door.

"Shane, what's going on?"

He held up a hand. "Patience, my dear." Still facing her, he reached behind himself with the other hand and turned the doorknob. He pushed the door open slightly and stepped aside so Kim could enter.

"Oh my-"

The words caught in Kim's throat as the stepped through the doorway. The bedroom was aglow with the soft, flickering light of dozens of candles. Kim could smell the scent of roses even before she saw the numerous bouquets of flowers.

She heard the click of the door shutting closed and then Shane's voice came from close behind her. "I hope you like it."

"How couldn't I like it?" she breathed, still taking in the soft light and the flowers. The entire room was swathed in the soft gleam. "It's . . . it's wonderful."

Shane wrapped his arms around her and she felt his breath against her cheek. In her ear, he whispered, "Not as wonderful as you are. You are everything to me, Kimberly Brady, and I am beyond thankful that I am here with you."

She turned her head so she could look into his eyes again. "And you are everything to me, Shane Donovan."

He kissed her gently and her eyes closed as she savored the feel of his lips against hers. The kiss grew in intensity. Kim's lips parted and their tongues met. Her heart began to pound as her body melted into his. His lips moved to her neck and she reached back with one hand, which entwined in his thick hair.

I want this so much, she thought, shivering in anticipation. She was barely aware of him sliding off her jacket. He continued to kiss her neck and worked the buttons on her blouse, which soon joined the jacket on the floor. Kim pressed her body back against his as his hands stroked her now bare shoulders and arms.

"Wait!" She turned quickly, but Shane's arms remained around her as she said, "Your doctors-"

Shane grinned like a little boy.

"When?" she asked, dumbfounded.

"Yesterday," he said. "As long as I don't push myself too hard. . . . Do you have any idea how hard it was to stop myself from pulling you into this room last night?" He brushed her cheek with his hand. "But I wanted it to be just right."

Kim could feel joyful tears forming in her eyes. "This . . . this couldn't be any more right," she said. She reached up and pushed a little hair from over his eyes, then drew her index finger around his eye and then over his lips. "This is a night I'll treasure forever."

There were no more words, as she took his hands in hers and stepped backward toward the bed. His eyes, filled with hungry desire, remained fixed on hers as she reclined on the bed, pulling him with her. Kim stared into his face. His skin was already glistening in the soft glow of the candlelight as he slipped off her camisole, lowered his head, and his lips began to travel down her body.

As she shuddered under his touch, Kim felt the entire world dissolve. She was his. Nothing could be more right.