Anna wrapped her arm around Steve's neck as he lifted her off the bed and up closer against him; her other arm around his waist pulling him in with every thrust of his body. It felt so good having a night to themselves, and even better what he was doing to her at the moment.

She looked over his shoulder at his room, wondering if she would ever live here, or would they live at her house, or would they ever live together?

She pushed that ridiculous thought from her head as he laid her back down on the bed and kissed her, bringing her back into the realm of the moment. Her hand went from his shoulder into his hair, getting lost in the feel of him, lifting her hips off the bed and taking control of their love making. He was pleased over that move, telling her so as he moaned softly while indulging in another kiss.

He pushed up, looking down at her. Her face was flushed, her lips full as the blood coursed through her body. She never looked so beautiful as she did when they were together like this. His heart leapt as a euphoric rush swept over him. He didn't think anything could feel as good as being inside her, but just looking at her sometimes was so satisfying he could indulge in the pleasure of it for hours. This is what it meant to be in love. He didn't question it any longer, he had arrived, and it was more rewarding than he had ever imagined.

Anna ran the palm of her hand down his face as he closed his eyes and smiled, truly enjoying the motion of it. He nestled back down on her, sliding an arm under her neck and the other around her waist, keeping a slow pace with her.

She could feel the end fast approaching as the built up force worked its magic through both of them. Knowing him well enough already to read the signs and he knowing her as well, always able to hold off until she was right there with him. No man had ever been that generous every single time. He was special, she knew that.

The moment suddenly turned on her, not feeling that euphoric rush that he did, but a dreaded one. She was in love with him more than she had led herself to believe. If she lost him she felt certain it would be something she would never recover from. It scared her as she hugged him tightly. The words of her sister crept into her head, wondering if these liaisons with him would be just that, stolen moments when they could be alone because they didn't have a life together everyday that would involve their own bed, in their own room.

Steve misread the signs and increased his pace, pushing into her knowing what she liked and how she liked it. It was the second best part of their love making that he enjoyed the most, feeling and hearing her climax. It was even better when it happened for both at them at the same time.

She tried to concentrate on his motive, knowing what he was searching for from her, but her mind was elsewhere as she cursed her sister for putting those crazy thoughts in her head. She reached up and kissed him, knowing that would help the cause as much as the feel of him, but it backfired on her as he found it to be so as well.

'Don't do it,' he thought as the power of her kiss moved through him, setting off the chain reaction that he couldn't stop. He gripped her tightly as it rippled through his body, his head swirling as those four to five seconds of sheer and utter bliss played out. It wasn't as pleasurable as the ones before because he had tried to hold back on her account, hoping she'd succumb to it at the last second, but to his dismay it didn't happen.

He laid his head down on her shoulder and sighed. "Sorry. You got me too wound up."

She stroked his hair knowing with those crazy thoughts in her head that it probably wouldn't have happened anyway. "It's ok," she said softly.

He sat up on his elbows, looking down at her. "No it's not, and it won't happen again." He kissed her telling her so. "I thought you were right there with me, especially with that kiss."

She knew what he was talking about. She often kissed him just before, and it had always worked like a charm, except this time. "I told you it's ok. It's not your fault."

He took that as a sign that she was distracted. "Are you ok? Did I do something or not do something to prevent it?"

"No," she shook her head turning her face away from him. "It's not that big of a deal."

"Yes it is," he moved off of her, "it's a big deal to me." He sensed that it was to her too but she was either trying to be nice about it, or cover her true feelings.

"It happened one time Steve. It's not like it's an epidemic. You're making too much out of it."

He rolled over on his back, looking over at her. "Are you telling me the truth?" He began to sense another reason and it didn't sit well with him.

She looked over at him, slightly annoyed over that question. "Are you interrogating me now?"

He sat up on the edge of the bed. "That was low." He glanced back at her, "Now I know there's something wrong. You're a terrible liar." He stared out the french doors of his room at the darkness. Everything had been good until the unexpected visitors arrived. He felt that familiar fear that masked itself as jealousy. "Is it because he's here?"

Anna sat up, "Is it because who's here?" She knew exactly what he was saying but wanted to hear it from his lips.

"You know what I'm talking about," his voice stressing his irritation as he pushed off the bed, pulling his sweat pants up. "Like I said, you're a bad liar."

"Talk about low blows." She scooted over to the other side and reached over for her shirt, angrily slipping it on. "Yea that's right Steve. I was SOOO distracted because Daryl was all I could think about while I having sex with you!" She stood up slipping her jeans on over her naked waist. "Go to hell," she spat grabbing her underwear and shoes off the floor, exiting through his bedroom door.

He stood in the middle of the room listing to her stomp down the stairs and out the front door, slamming it so hard he could feel the vibration through the floor.

He closed his eyes, trying to recall what had just happened. His head pounding as he reached up and massaged his temples.

"Fuck!" he growled, not able to determine if it was his fault or hers or both of theirs. It didn't matter either way, she was gone and at that second all he could feel was regret.

Anna came inside her house and slammed the door shut with the same intensity as she did his. She cringed over the loud noise, and then remembered the kids were at Alyssa's hotel for the night, becoming irritated over their excitement and joy over seeing their Aunt, barely giving her a nod as they both met them at the bus stop.

She barely made it halfway up the steps when she turned around and sat down, feeling all her energy depleted. She thought of the harsh words she and Steve had just said to each other and even more so the angry bitterness of their tone of voices.

He was right, she had been distracted. He sensed it on her and then she lied to him about it, which he also caught on to. How could he not, he dealt with liars everyday. Her lack of openness would only lead him to believe it was something she was hiding from him. Why wouldn't he consider the results bad, knowing what he had dealt with in the past and then Daryl showing up. Her silence led him in the only direction he could go, that she was being deceitful.

She dropped her head in hands, "Oh God. You are so stupid."

She pulled herself up and came down the steps going for the door when she saw it open from the other side. By the time she got to the bottom step he was there to greet her. His expression matched the same agonizing one that she wore.

"I'm sorry Anna. I shouldn't have..." he began when she put her hand over his mouth, silencing him.

"Don't say it," she whimpered. "It was my fault." She put her arms around his neck hugging him. "You have nothing to be sorry for, it was all me. You were right, I was distracted. I'm sorry I didn't admit that to you." She pulled back looking at him apologetically.

Her confession pleased him but it also scared him. He felt a tight grip around his heart as he asked the next question. "Was it then...because of him?"

Anna instantly saw a change come over him, it was everywhere, but more so in his eyes that looked worried.

"No!, No, of course not," she quickly replied. "God Steve, no." she put her hands on his face. "I don't think about other men...," she halfheartedly laughed, "at all! You are the only man I think about."

He liked that answer as a rye smile curved in the corner of his mouth, "Well I don't want to be greedy and take up all your man time," he joked.

"Too late," she grinned, "it's a done deal.

He kissed her for that before moving on to the subject at hand. "So what was it then? What had you distracted?"

"Nothing. Just something that Alyssa had said. It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does. Its come between us. We need to talk about it so I know how to deal with it."

She sighed heavily and then growled, not angry with him, but uneasy over having to say what she had too.

"You can tell me anything, you know that, right?" he said trying to ease her into it. "Good or bad."

That helped as she stumbled into it. "She just…She said something about you being thirty-four and never married or engaged. She said you probably have a hard time committing to a relationship," she shrugged, "or something stupid like that."

He could almost hear the words spilling out of Alyssa's mouth. That girl seemed to have no end when it came to her sister's demise. "She's right. I am thirty-four and I've never been married and no, I've never been close." He reached up and stroked her cheek with his hand. "But that's only because I was never with the right girl."

She felt the warmth of that touch all the way down to her toes. "It's important," she said, suddenly intoxicated over his presence. "you should find someone that has your best interest at heart. She should be someone that wants to make you happy and someone you can trust. There's nothing wrong with waiting…for that right person."

He smiled at her shyness as she bent her head down. He didn't have to look any further for that person than the one standing before him. "I'm not afraid of it, Anna. But when it happens I don't want it to be for your sister, or for Jenny and Eric, or anyone else but us."

She nodded feeling as if he had just proposed to her right then and there. "I agree." She laid her head against shoulder feeling his strong embrace wrap around her. "I love you," she said fighting back tears.

"I love you too," he confessed wholeheartedly. He realized then it was the first time he had actually said that to a woman using those exact words. He was surprised that it felt just as good to say it as it was to hear.

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Anna rolled over the next morning and draped her arm over Steve's chest as he lay next to her, resting her head on his shoulder. He moaned softly coming out of dead sleep but enjoying the way it was happening, stroking her bare back and arm.

"I gotta get up," he groaned, eyes still closed.

"Me too," she said sighing. "Let's just go someplace and disappear," she smiled, knowing it was impossible even for the day.

"Ok," he played along, knowing too that it was impossible. "Where?"

"We can just hike up some trail in the mountains. You can build us a little log cabin, hunt and fish for food and I'll skin and cook it."

He chuckled over that, squeezing her a little tighter. "My kind of girl."

She looked up at him, "We could even play naked survivalist."

He rolled her over on her back, grinning down at her. "Now you're talking. When do we leave?"

She giggled as her hand moved down his body and between his legs. "Right after you make love to me again. Do we have time?"

He moaned as she began to stroke him. "You're lucky, I've got all the time in the world for that."

"My kind of man," she said reaching up with her mouth and kissing him.

"I don't have time Anna. I have to go," Steve yelled going for the front door.

She quickly screwed the lid on the coffee mug and picked up the sandwich, chasing after him. "Wait!" she yelled out.

He stopped just outside the door as she came at him still wearing her blue bathrobe and her hair in a turbulent mess after their last encounter. He couldn't help but smile over the sweetness of it. The only word that came to mind was 'housewife'. 'Sexiest damn housewife I've ever seen,' he thought.

"Here," she said, shoving the coffee mug at him and then the sandwich.

He took the mug but hesitated on the food. "What is that?"

She rolled her eyes, knowing it was pitiful, but it was the best she could do. "It's peanut butter and jelly. I can't make a good egg sandwich and you can't eat pancakes in the truck." She shoved it at him again. "Just take it. You have to eat something before you go to work."

He opened his mouth to object but changed his mind, not remembering the last time someone cared enough to make him eat. "Ok." He took it and leaned over kissing her. "Thank you. I don't think I've had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich since I was five, but I promise I'll eat it."

She smiled over that as he backed up, taking a large bite.

"Hey," he said with a mouthful, "not bad."

She leaned against the doorframe crossing her arms, watching him jog to his truck and take another bite.

"Be safe!" she yelled out.

"I will," he yelled over his shoulder, swallowing down another bite of his breakfast. "Stay out of trouble today."

She laughed over that, standing at the door and waving as he drove off, hearing a toot of his horn as Alyssa and the kids pulled in seconds later in her SUV. Jenny was just pulling her arm in the window after waving to him.

Eric got out first and came running up to her. "Aunt Alyssa's going to come to my school today and have lunch with me!"

"That's nice." She looked over his shoulder as she came walking up, holding Jenny's hand.

"Hurry up," Alyssa said, "or you're going to be late."

"Ok." He tore up the stairs as Anna said the same thing to Jenny.

"You're bus is going to be here in about twenty minutes."

"Ok." She went up the stairs and stopped halfway. "Aunt Alyssa said we could paint my room pink," she announced running up the rest of the way to her room.

"Oh she did, did she?" Anna glared at her sister. "That's sweet of her."

"What? That green is hideous." She looked her up and down in the robe, focusing on her hair. "I hope Steve didn't see you like this this morning. You could use some help too."

"Shut up," Anna said closing the door as they came inside.

"I'm just saying Sis, a little makeup goes a long way and maybe a new robe. Something silky and red maybe."

"Yes, Steve saw me this morning," Anna grinned, "and I'm pretty sure he was pleased with what he saw." She breezed past her smiling brightly.

Alyssa rolled her eyes, "Well isn't that sweet."

They heard a slight knock on the door as Alyssa turned and went back. "Oh yea, I forgot. Daryl followed us here."

"What?!" Anna said, going ahead of her to the stairs. "You didn't tell me he was coming over."

"I had your car. I needed a ride. He went and rented one." She watched her sister bolt up the stairs. "Well my, my," Alyssa snickered. "All of a sudden your appearance matters?"

Anna ignored the comment going into her room and closing the door.

She came down twenty minutes later after a quick shower and primping. It wasn't done to impress Daryl in the least. It was more to show him that she'd happily moved on and his leaving her at that moment turned out to be the best decision he'd ever made as far as she was concerned.

She came in the kitchen just as they sat down after returning from walking the kids to the bus stop. He rose out of his chair, smiling at her; his dark blue eyes scanning her figure and coming to rest on her face and hair.

"Wow," he said grinning. "That suits you," he said of the new hair cut.

She was just as surprised over the physical changes in him, seeing Alyssa written all over them. His hair which had once been thick and blond was now all but cut off, he wore it in almost a buzz cut, but his new style suited him as well. His teeth were whiter than before and a body that she knew had a personal trainer attached to it. The tan that covered it was richer as well, she could recognize a spray tan from thirty feet. Yes, she thought sadly, he was a Hollywood boy toy now.

"Thank you," she said of his compliment, not giving one in return as she went to the fridge. "It's nice to see you again Daryl. So, did you have fun with the kids last night?"

"Yes," Alyssa spoke up. "They were so much fun. We had dinner at restaurant that was on the top floor of the hotel, very nice and they were perfectly behaved."

"They're great kids," Daryl replied sincerely. "They sure do admire you, and Steve," he shook his head. "they went on and on about him. I feel like I already know him." He sat back in his chair, holding up a finger for every description that he spoke off. "A high school football star, a Navy Seal, a police officer, but not just any police officer, a special one that works exclusively for the Governor?" he asked, wondering if there was some exaggeration on Eric's part there.

Anna smiled as she sat down at the table and opened a small bottle of OJ, pleased over Eric's bragging of Steve. It made her feel proud knowing Daryl couldn't help but feel impressed over it, solidifying her idea that she had done well for herself after his absence. "Yes," she said nonchalantly. "He runs a task force for the Governor and answers only to him. He was born and raised here for most of his life." She pointed in the direction of his house. "He grew up in that house next door. He's a great guy and Eric and Jenny have really taken to him."

Daryl nodded with a grin, "They love him. I think every other word out of their mouth if they weren't bragging on you was bragging on him."

Alyssa took in a deep breath and smiled, but what she wanted to do was reach over and smother Daryl. "They really liked the pool we swam in. It had water slides and a swim up bar so they got to order smoothies right there."

"I'm glad you had fun," Anna said. "It was kind of nice to have the night off. Steve and I had a nice night too." She blushed just slightly over the remembrance of it. "So thank you." She took a drink of her OJ, "Oh and by the way," she said to Alyssa. "I took your advice and I spoke to him last night about what we talked about yesterday," her smile grew even wider, "he's completely on board."

Alyssa forced a pleasant smile, but inside she was reeling over it. "Really? Well good for you." She reached over and put a hand on Daryl's leg, stroking it, hoping the suggestive gesture would irk Anna and make her feel jealous, but on the contrary she wasn't even sure she noticed it.

Daryl on the other hand was surprised over it; she very seldom ever touched him in such an intimate way. He had said to her once that she recouped all the sexual genes in the womb from her sister but as their relationship progressed, he wanted to tell her that although she had that, Anna had recouped all the nurturing genes. Alyssa's touch was cold, and even now he knew this gesture was not for his benefit. "You seem like you carved out a really nice life here Anna. You seem happy and so do the kids." He knew that would piss off Alyssa, knowing she wanted Anna back in LA.

Sure enough that hand came off. He didn't care. The guilt over what had happened bothered him every time Anna's name came up. Thinking back now he knew a force that was stronger than his will led him astray. That force was Alyssa. She was smooth and she came on like a hurricane, leaving the path behind her in ruins. It was a good life he led now, but it was also lonely and he often felt she was unfaithful but could never catch her in the act. And even if he could he was pretty sure she'd convince him that it wasn't her fault. He was in love in the beginning but as time was moving on he was beginning to realize he wasn't really in love with her, he was in love with the missing side of Anna that he found so incredibly fascinating in Alyssa. He often thought that if he could combine the two women into one, he'd be set for life.

As he sat in the kitchen with the other twin he began to long for those days with her. She might have been sexually inexperienced but it was something they could have worked on together and fixed, but with Alyssa, you were either born with a nurturing side or you weren't, and she wasn't.

"Thank you Daryl," Anna replied, surprised over the sincere way in which he complimented her life here. "I am happy. I hope you like Steve too. His credentials describe him as kind of like a machine, so to speak, but it couldn't be further from the truth. You should see him around Jenny," she laughed, "that little girl has him wrapped around her little finger. He'd be the first to admit it."

He nodded, "I'm looking forward to it." But what he really felt was jealously. He was jealous of a man that he didn't even know. His curiosity to meet him was there but so was the dread of seeing the two of them together. He began to think now more than ever that he never should have left her. He had made a mistake.

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Steve heard a soft knock on his front door and opened it to Jenny standing there in a white sundress with silver sandals. He recalled picking out both of them on their latest shopping trip. Her hair was up in a ponytail with a white hibiscus flower tucked neatly on the side.

"Wow," he gasped, looking down at her. "Don't you look beautiful."

She smiled brightly over his compliment, putting her hands behind her back, showing off her dress. "Do you remember this dress we bought?"

"Of course I do. I think I'm the one that picked it out."

She did a small leap over the correct answer, pleased with it. "Anna wanted me to tell you she's ready. Are you ready?"

"I am," He reached over on the side table and picked up his wallet, putting it in the inside pocket of his blue blazer. He came out the door. Closing it behind him. He held his hand out to her. "May I escort you to dinner Miss Jordan?"

She giggled over the formal way in which he said it, hearing something like that before in a Disney movie. "Ok." She took his hand as they started over to her house. She looked up at him. "What are you going to order for dinner tonight?" she asked.

He chuckled, "I don't know, maybe a steak."

"I want chicken strips!" she replied, gripping his hand and jumping up at the same time. "Or maybe a grilled cheese sandwich." Her eyes got big over that idea. "I'm hungry."

"Me too. Maybe I'll order three steaks and for desert a bowl of ice cream with worms."

She laughed, leaning her body into him as they walked. "Real worms?!"

"Only but the best."

She gripped his hand with both of hers. "Can I sit next to you at the place?"

It was a small request but one that he found quite endearing. "Absolutely." He looked up seeing Anna standing in the doorway wearing a dark blue dress and black pumps that put her almost at his height. She looked stunning. He stared at her but spoke to Jenny. "With you sitting on one side of me and Anna on the other, I'll be the luckiest man in the place."

Anna smiled shyly, rolling her eyes. She admired him in the jacket and light blue shirt that was unbuttoned just enough that she could make out the beginning of his chest hair. He looked just as stunning to her. "I think Jenny and I are the lucky ones to be sitting with two of the most handsome men on the island." She put her hand on Eric's shoulder as he came and stood next to her.

He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. "This shirt itches my back." He looked up at her. "Can't I put on a t-shirt?"

"No," Steve answered for her. "If I have to wear this, then you're wearing that."

Anna put her hands on her hips. "It's only one night. I know you'd both rather go to JJ's for pizza, but get over it."

"It's going to be fun. Fun! Fun!" Jenny declared. "Its fun to dress up."

Eric rolled his eyes as he walked past both of them to the car. "It's stupid."

Steve looked over at Anna as she shook her head, mouthing the words, "bad mood."

He had an idea what it was about. "Did something happen at the 'lunch' today?" he asked, insinuating the trip to the school with Alyssa.

Anna shook her head. "I don't think so. He seemed pretty happy about that. His classmates loved her." she shrugged, "She's great at appearances."

"Then what?"

Anna shrugged again. "I don't know."

Steve looked at his watch. "We better get going."

"I'll be right out." Anna held the keys to her car out to him as she went back inside. "See if you can get anything out of him in the next five minutes." She knew if anyone could get the goods on Eric it was Steve.

"Alright, give me a minute."

He went to the car, touching the release on the alarm as Eric got in the back.

"Hey," he said. "Guys up front this time."

He seemed to like that and quickly shut that door, running around to the passenger side and getting in.

Steve slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. "So how was lunch today with your Aunt?"

"Pretty cool," he smiled. "She sat with me in the lunch room and everybody ended up gathering around our table and taking selfies with her and getting her autograph."

"Nice." He crossed that off his list. Anna was right, he sounded like that wasn't the issue. "I haven't talked to you in a couple days. How's everything else going?"

Eric shrugged. "Ok, I guess." He looked over at him sheepishly and then turned away.

Steve caught on that he wanted to say something but was either afraid to or uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat so he could see him better. "Spill it."

Eric looked over at him. "What?"

"Come on," he motioned with his hand for him to speak. "Here we are, both of us sitting in this car in monkey suits because we got talked into it by the girls, and now you're telling me we can't even have a man to man conversation. I'm disappointed. Maybe we should go change into dresses."

Eric laughed over that, looking back over at him. "Ok, ok." He bent his head down, speaking softly, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

Steve took a silent deep breath assuming it was going to be something huge by his demeanor, hoping he could help him through whatever the situation was.

"They have this thing at school," Eric started. "They take the kids who want to go up to this place in the Koolau Mountains. They hike up and then spend the night." He glanced over in his direction but kept his head down. "A parent has to go with if you want to go, but…" he sighed, "I don't think Anna could go because of Jenny and she wasn't very good in that tree and all. I was just wondering if maybe you…" he paused, feeling that anxiety over asking, simply because Steve wasn't his parent, or even a parent at all.

Steve leaned forward just a bit, surprised that it was something so simple. "So, are you asking if I would go with you instead?"

Eric looked over at him sheepishly and nodded. "If you want to. You don't have to if you don't want to. I know you're really busy and have to work and all and…it will be with other parents, and we aren't really...you know."

"Work isn't a problem. I can take off work. And if you're asking me to go, I would love to."

Eric sat up in his seat. "You would?"

Steve smiled, "Yes! Are you kidding me. I live for that kind of stuff."

"It'll be really fun!" his attitude instantly changing. "We have to make our own shelter and start our own fire and cook our own food."

"Ah man," Steve's enthusiasm mirrored his, "you and me, we'll have the best set up there. We'll be living like kings."

"I know!" Eric sat up even higher in his seat. "I'll help you because I know you know how to do all that stuff from when you were a Seal. It'll be just like we're both Seals on a mission."

Steve put his fist up. "Heck ya. It'll be great!"

Eric touched his fist to his. "I can't wait!"

"When is it?"

"After Thanksgiving. In December."

"Ok, I'm in for sure."

Eric sat back in his seat, smiling happily. "Thanks for going with me."

"I'm really looking forward to it. We're going to have a good time."

He tapped on the horn for the girls, rolling his window down. "Let's go ladies, your boys are hungry."

Anna smiled knowing all must be well.

"Can we go now?" Jenny asked not sure why they had to stand by the door for no reason.

"Yes, we can go now."

Steve got out, looking over at Eric. "Hey, a gentleman always opens a door for a lady."

He looked out as Jenny came over to his side. "But she's my sister."

"Even more reason. Get out and open the door."

He climbed out and did as instructed as Steve opened that back driver's side door for Anna. "You have chauffers' tonight if that's ok?"

"That's fine," she agreed, leaning in and whispering to him. "Is everything ok?"

"Everything's great," he assured her as she got in.

He closed her door and the two of them got back in the front seat as Steve began to back up, Eric turned in his seat to Anna. "Steve and I are going to go on a camping trip with my class at school."

"You are?" Jenny asked. "Can I go too?"

"No," Eric quickly announced, "it's for my class only."

"We'll all go sometime together, ok," Steve said, trying not to make her feel left out.

"Ok," she said, but still sounded disappointed.

"You know what," Anna said. "You and I will do a spa day while they are up in the mountains getting all dirty and yucky. What do you think of that?"

Jenny clapped excitedly. "Yes! Can we get our toenails painted too?"

"Of course."

Steve looked at Anna in the rearview mirror, winking at her for helping out the cause. She smiled back at him, scanning the car at their little family that had come together under extraordinary circumstances but were as close if not closer than most real families she had known in LA. She had grown to love each and every one of them and couldn't imagine a life without them.

She held her breath for just a second over the idea of where they were headed to at that moment; dinner with Alyssa and Daryl. She glanced at Steve again as he and Eric talked, pleased that he had accepted the invitation to come with them, after the late night events from the night before, they both felt a new bond form in their relationship, and as always, she felt better with him at her side. It was just nice knowing someone had her back no matter what. She didn't feel as apprehensive about dinner with them as she did the night before. After seeing Daryl again it only solidified her feelings for Steve. In a way she felt sorry for Daryl. He really didn't seem very happy at all.

She looked up at Steve again in the rearview mirror, her eyes drawn to him as she caught him looking back at that second as well. She couldn't see his smile but his eyes showed it.

"Keep your eyes on the road," he thought, having no willpower to stop himself from catching a quick glimpse of the beauty sitting behind him every so often. He had no qualms about going with her tonight. He hadn't even hesitated when she asked. He wanted to be with her, not because Daryl was going to be there, he had laid that crazy thought to rest the night before, but because she asked him, and too him that meant she needed him there, and he would do anything she asked regardless of the question. Besides, he thought, this guy might actually end up being his brother-in-law someday and he might as well get used to them being around. If Anna could move on from the past and be socially pleasant, then he decided he would too. It could be worse, he thought, they could live two streets over instead of an ocean away. He should count his blessings.

He pulled up in front of the Hilton and elected valet parking.

The man gave him his ticket as Anna and the kids waited just inside the doors for them. As he walked toward her she slipped her cell phone back in her purse.

"Alyssa said they have a table already in the dining room. A place called Bali?"

Steve nodded and motioned towards the beach. "It's over this way."

Jenny reached up without even thinking and took his hand, skipping along the path that led through the beautiful open-air lobby up to two large mahogany wood doors that were covered with Hawaiian carvings. Steve reached out and opened it letting Anna go through first and then Eric and then guiding Jenny inside who was paying more attention to the sparkling lights and warm atmosphere as they entered the dim lit restaurant.

"This is pretty," she said, looking all around her. "Look! You can see the ocean," she pointed out toward the back that was completely exposed to Waikiki Beach.

"Pretty nice place," Steve agreed.

She looked up at him worried. "Do you think they have chicken strips here?"

He squeezed her hand. "If they don't I bet you a million dollars they have grilled cheese, so you're covered for dinner."

She smiled and did a small leap. "Remember, I get to sit next to you." she reminded him.

"Of course." He caught up with Eric and Anna, putting a hand on her back as they made their way to the table, following the hostess. Other guests in the restaurant couldn't help but notice them as they passed by. They gave the appearance of the perfect little family. Steve couldn't help but feel a great sense of pride over that. He felt at that second that that's exactly who they were, his family. He knew this would be another moment that he would lock away and remember fondly.

Daryl stood up as they neared the table, seeing Anna first and then Steve holding Jenny's hand. His image of him was blown apart. By the way the kids described him he almost expected him to show up in fatigues with a crew cut and combat boots, wearing a big red cape, but there was nothing about him that showed his extensive military background, on the contrary, he looked like one of the guys that showed up at some of the auditions that Alyssa would attend. His thoughts were the same as the other patrons. He and Anna were perfect together. He felt a pain of jealously knowing the spot next to the Anna could have been his. It should have been his, but he'd lost it.

'No,' he thought sadly, 'he'd given it up.'

Alyssa didn't get up, she sat and stared at them as they approached. Anna looked more beautiful than she ever had, and Steve she could only describe as charismatic, along with every other woman in the place. She too saw the wandering gazes as they passed neighboring tables. It was as if they were a simulated family that had been put together as a promotional stunt, she thought. They fit the part perfectly.

Daryl reached his hand out to Steve when they finally arrived. "Hi there, you must be Steve," he said politely. "I was actually expecting someone ten feet tall and wearing an Iron Man suit the way Jenny and Eric brag about you," he grinned.

Steve grinned, but it was more over the bragging part from Jenny and Eric. He was hoping the comment was genuine and not put on to suck up to him. One; because he hated being sucked up too, and second; he loved the idea of Jenny and Eric bragging about him.

He shook his hand, as Anna made the introductions. "Steve, this Daryl Salazar." She too was pleased over his words but knowing him better she also knew they were genuine, which surprised her. This was the moment she was stressing the most, but Daryl seemed to take the high road with that compliment.

"Good to meet you," Steve said, gripping his hand firmly and looking him straight in the eye. "I'm not sure about that description of me. A couple of weeks ago I was at mall picking out dresses for girls," he said with a grin that could only describe the horror of that idea to another man.

Daryl laughed, taking an instant liking to him, not sure that he would have. "Ah Jesus man, I wouldn't wish that on anyone." He jokingly pulled out a chair for him, "Sit down, you must still be traumatized by that ordeal."

"Stop," Anna chuckled, but she couldn't have been happier over the way the introduction went.

Alyssa wanted to roll her eyes over it. 'What," she thought bitterly, 'are they going to become best buddies now?' She hadn't counted on that. She was hoping to get Daryl back in Anna's good graces but not have him fall in 'man' love with the boyfriend too. She realized then she was on her own in this plan and had to cut him loose regardless. She was tired of him anyway. He'd become so needy it was exhausting. Anna had ruined him with all that bullshit affection. She didn't need him anyway. She needed to get herself in Steve's good graces and get his guard down, knowing full well what he thought of her. She didn't have to hear it from her sister, it was obvious. He tolerated her, only because she was Anna's sister. She'd have to put in an Academy Award winning presentation tonight if she wanted to win him over. She felt confident enough, after all, men were so predictable.

Alyssa smiled over at him as she stood up. "I'm glad you could make it, Steve. I think this will be a fun night. I've been looking forward to it all day. Anna said that you like steak, so I took the liberty of having the chef prepare a special cut of tenderloin. It's a twelve ounce aged tenderloin that I'm told will melt in your mouth."

"Alyssa?" Anna said surprised. "That was sweet of you."

"Thank you," Steve replied sincerely, "My mouth's watering just thinking about it."

"You're welcome," she motioned to the table that was set away from the other patrons so they could have some privacy. Some had already tried secretively to get a cell phone pick of Alyssa and some were just blatant about it. "Have a seat and let's start out with a good bottle of wine."

As the night progressed Steve was surprised at not only his liking of Daryl who turned out to be a pretty nice guy, but Alyssa also seemed to have settled down some. The conversation flowed nicely and wasn't surrounded by her, yet there was something odd about her demeanor that he couldn't quite put a finger on.

Anna leaned over closer to him as the server cleared away their dinner plates. "How was your steak?" she asked him.

"Mouthwatering, but not as much as you." He put a hand on her knee, leaning over whispering to her. "Maybe we can get Alyssa to take the kids again tonight."

Anna blushed slightly, feeling the touch on her knee ricochet throughout her whole body. "I think you should stay over regardless. The kids will be asleep and you're usually up before them anyway for your swim." She waited for his response.

He looked at her, a little surprised over the invitation that she threw at him. They had discussed it once or twice but he let her have the final say, not wanting to pressure her, but missing her at nighttime. He found that he slept better next to her than next door to her. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Ok. I'll set an alarm this time so I don't have to go out the window again."

"Go out the front door," she replied confidently. "I love you. I have nothing to hide." She put her hand over top of his. "Besides, I feel safer with you there. I think we all would. I miss you at night."

With those words spoken he couldn't imagine sleeping another night alone in his house. He glanced up and caught Alyssa staring at them, or was she staring at him? He felt a slight chill as her wicked glare quickly turned into a sweet smile, but no matter how good of an actress she thought she was, he could still see the animosity behind it. He didn't trust her, once again he didn't know what it was but he listened to that inner voice that seemed to always guide him in the right direction. He didn't believe for a second that this visit was for pure family time. She wanted something from this trip and he had a keen sense that she wasn't going to leave until she had it.

Author note: I wanted to let you know that it will be maybe two weeks before my next update. It's graduation season and I have two this year in my house, one from high school and one from college, so my time as you can imagine is occupied with the celebration plans. Sorry , you should know it's hard for me too, knowing that I want to write and can't! But I'll get something out ASAP…and as always….Thanks for reading and the nice replies, always a motivator!