When morning comes, Athos and Porthos are running late and don't remember to ask about when he's going to meet with Tim, not even when they drop him off for his appointment with Lemay before going to the train. Aramis is okay with their forgetfulness because he has an idea. He talks it over with Lemay during their session, surprising the psychiatrist by his readiness to talk. Lemay thinks that it's a good idea as well and they talk through how to discuss Aramis' illness with Tim. The last thing Aramis wants to do is to frustrate or confuse the young boy by explaining it in the wrong terms or telling him too much.

When he's done with the appointment, Sarah and Meg are there to pick him up. He's a little hesitant even though this is part of their routine.

"How'd your session go," Sarah asks as she puts the car into drive to head out of the parking lot.

"Good," Aramis says, feeling some of the worry slip away as he remembers what he and Lemay talked about.

"You sound unusually positive."

"I have something I'd like to talk with you about, but first I want to apologize for yesterday. I should've called or at least let Athos or Porthos know to let one of you know. So, I apologize for the hassle it caused and the worry."

"Thank you, Aramis. I'd made some backup plans, just in case."

"Sorry."

"No, that's not how I meant it. I wasn't expecting you to fail and I'm not upset that you couldn't go. I just knew that it might happen, so I made back up plan. Now, what's your thing that you'd like to talk with me about?"

"Well, it's about Tim. I'd like to apologize to him and give him some explanation of why I couldn't make it," Aramis says.

"Go on." She's glad that he wants to make another attempt to explain his illnesses to Tim. Their eldest child had taken Aramis' arrival the hardest, growing resentment and fear of him that hadn't been resolved in the past year. As Aramis explains, she's surprised and happy to see his growing excitement about the plans. While Ben will be home from school in the next couple hours, Tim won't be until the afternoon, so they have some time to get his plan put together. He sends a text to Athos and Porthos that he'll be at the Treville's for the day while Sarah drives them there.

Once Ben is home and lunch eaten, Sarah heads out to the store while Aramis apologizes profusely.

"I should go. I really should. I could probably do it," Aramis rambles.

"Sure, you could and then would you be functional this afternoon when Tim comes home," she asks bluntly.

"No, but I really should go. It's not your responsibility."

"Look at it this way. You're looking after the kids for me, so I'll take care of this for you. And while Ben could handle going out, it's nap time for Meg. She doesn't need to be going out to a noisy grocery store. I have your list and if I have questions, I have a phone."

"Okay, okay. Thanks. I really appreciate you doing this."

"I'm glad that you're willing to try again with Tim. Now, go have fun with Ben. I think he's waiting to show you what he's been doing in school. And call if you have any trouble."

The next couple hours go smoothly for Ben and Aramis with the two playing legos, drawing, and watching some TV. When Sarah comes home, laden with bags, they both help her bring them in from the garage and work on putting everything away. Sarah and Ben go to meet Tim when it's about time for the bus to drop him off at the corner.

"You have a surprise waiting for you at home," Sarah tells Tim as they walk back. She doesn't want him to be caught off-guard by Aramis' presence. He'd been quite upset all day yesterday, going between crying and being angry with Aramis. She and Jean had talked with him, explaining why Aramis couldn't make it but neither was sure how much Tim understood.

"I do?" Tim jumps a bit at the news.

"It's Aramis!" Ben can't contain his own excitement.

"Him?" Tim's tone sours immediately. "I don't want to see him."

"He wants to apologize and explain things to you," Sarah says, stopping and turning to look at Tim. "He feels really bad about what happened-"

"He should. He lied!" Tim cuts her off.

"No, he didn't. Like your dad and I said last night, he wanted to, but he couldn't and he can't help it."

"He's a coward then."

"He most definitely is not and you don't say that to him. Now, he's arranged a treat for you as well."

"What, is he going to tell me he's going to take me somewhere and then back out again? No, thanks. I'll just go to my room and do my homework."

"You will not. Now he's really trying and I want you to as well," Sarah says.

"I don't even know why you and dad care so much about him. He's useless. He can't even do things on his own like shop and drive."

"None of it is his fault, Tim. He's been through a lot the last couple years and he deserves more than your anger. Now, I think you're really going to like this treat he's got planned."

"I doubt it."

"However you feel, I want you to go into this open-minded. Now, let's go. He and Meg are waiting on us." Sarah starts them walking again.

"You left him with Meg?"

"I trust him with Meg, just like I trust him with you and Ben."

"He's really fun, Tim," Ben says loudly, running past Tim until Sarah tells him to stop. Tim sulks the rest of the walk to the house. Unsurprisingly, Aramis isn't there to greet them. She expects that his worry is getting the better part of him now.

"Why don't you two go take your boots and jackets off. Tim, put your backpack away and pull out your folder. Remember to put it on the desk. Then grab your lunch box and take it to the kitchen," Sarah says. Then she goes off in search of Aramis, finding him in the den, holding a quiet, but awake Meg while he paces.

"You doing okay," she asks.

"Yeah, sure, fine."

"You'll be fine. I will say that he's still angry. Jean and I've tried to explain things to him, but I don't think that it's making sense to him. So, if he's quiet or short, don't take it personally or give up. He'll get it. He's a smart, caring boy."

"Caring and smart only go so far, Sarah."

"I know him, Aramis. And I know that he'll understand. He just needs time and I think that this afternoon will be perfect. Now, handoff Meg now that you've worked your magic on her. I really could've used you when Ben was born. He was a noisy baby."

Aramis hands Meg off, looking at the door as though it was a gateway to a dangerous world.

"It'll be fine, but if you need help, then I'm here. Now, go. He's waiting in the kitchen."

"Thanks." Aramis grabs a book from the coffee table and takes a deep breath before going out into the hall and down to the kitchen. There, unloading his lunchbox, is Tim and for a good five seconds, Aramis considers turning. But he remembers what he and Lemay talked about and forces himself to put on something of a smile and walk into the kitchen.

"Hey, Tim. How was school today?" He can't keep the nervousness out of his voice.

"Fine." Tim's voice is short.

"Good, good. I'm sorry," Aramis blurts out. "About yesterday, that is."

"It's fine. I shouldn't have expected you to really be there anyway."

"I guess I deserve that." The two fall into a tense silence until Aramis forces himself to speak. "So, your mom and dad have told me that you love working in the kitchen. My grandmother and mom taught me to cook and bake."

"So." Tim leans against the counter, arms crossed, glaring.

"So, I used to be pretty good at baking. I'm a decent cook, too, but baking was more my thing. And I thought we could spend the afternoon baking some things for the party tomorrow night."

"You want to bake?" There's a slight ease of the tension as Tim is intrigued though he tries his best to hide it.

"Yes, I brought my favorite cookbook. I grew up using it and mom did too. It's been part of my family since we came here." Aramis pulls the cookbook from behind his back, holding the worn book in his arms. The look and feel are comforting in his hands and give him the courage to keep talking. "Your mom got a bunch of the things we'd need to make some cookies from here. I've…um... I've always found that baking calms me and helps me to be more relaxed."

"So, you think that this will help us be friends?" The doubt and tension are back.

"I'm hoping that we'll have a good time. If we come to be friends, then that's what happens. The truth is, Tim, I'm a mess and I know that can make it difficult to be around me. I don't know why the others want to be at times, but I'm more than grateful for their support. I wouldn't be here without it and I hate that we've gotten off to such a bad start. Can we be closer? I don't know but I don't want the tension between us. Okay?"

"Okay," Tim says hesitantly.

"Good."

"So, can I take a look at the book," Tim asks after a pause.

"Sure, let's go sit at the table and plan out what we want to make."