Dante pulled into his driveway and then exited the car to help Robyn out. Still holding hands, they walked the short distance to Robyn's car. He opened the door for her to climb in then stood in the open doorway while she settled into her seat. She leaned her head back against the headrest and they looked at each other for a long moment. She reached out to grab his tie and used it to gently tug him towards her. He went willingly and their lips met in a sweet lingering goodnight kiss. They separated before the kiss got intense again.

"You should probably go before I find a reason to convince you to come inside tonight," Dante said huskily when they broke apart.

Robyn gave a small nod of agreement. "I know, you're right." She gave him another chaste kiss before he stepped back and closed her door. She waited until he opened his front door and looked back at her before she pulled off and drove home.

Robyn woke up later than normal the next morning with a smile on her face. Last night had been even better than she thought it would be. She bit her lower lip and stretched. She'd had some very vivid dreams about the kisses she and Marcus had shared last night. Most of the extra activities in her dream hadn't actually happened, but she'd be happy to consider it delightful foreshadowing. It had taken every ounce of her willpower not to join Marcus in his house last night. She was doing her best to take things slowly. The more time spent with him away from work, the more she wanted a future with him. She needed to find a way to deal with the joining of her worlds. Her being okay with that joining and unwilling to let him into her life completely was holding her back. He wasn't just a fling and she didn't want to unintentionally hurt him while she was working through things. She looked up when Delilah walked into her room.

"Morning Mom," she said, climbing onto the bed next to her. "Are you mad at me?"

Robyn looked up at her daughter and sighed. "I'm a lot of things Dee. I'm mad, disappointed, frustrated, and hurt. I'm still processing everything," she replied.

"We weren't trying to hurt you," Delilaln said quickly. " And don't be mad at Mel. I talked her into it."

"Mel is the adult in this situation," Robyn said sitting up. "She doesn't get to be excused for giving in to my child's wishes and then going behind my back and lying about it."

"After everything that's happened recently, I just want to know how to protect myself," Delilah tried to explain, leaning back against the headboard. "You just kept telling me no. What if something happens and you're not around?"

Robyn sighed again and moved to stand up, "I get that Dee, but you had other options besides lying and sneaking around behind my back for weeks. It hurts that you weren't willing to try harder to help me understand your side." She paced a few steps before she turned to face her, "I don't want you to go through what I did at your age. I know I can be stubborn, but I also know you got those same traits from both me and your father. I thought we trusted each other enough to talk things through. You push back and argue about everything else."

"I know our conversation about how you want to protect me from the things you experienced. I get wanting to keep me safe and outside of your world, but I'm already a part of your world. You're always so busy and rushing off to help someone," Delilah said. "I get why. I'm not blaming you for that. I know what you do is important. I figured I could handle this myself. I talked to Mel because she knows what's going on."

Robyn stopped pacing to look at her.

Delilah continued, "It's one thing to know your job is dangerous, it's another to experience it. The separation really ended when you were kidnapped in front of me and Aunt Vi and we couldn't do anything. Between Jason, my PTSD, and having you taken, I just can't be helpless anymore. I don't want to live terrified. I acted instinctively at school, but I just need more training. I was trying to help Noah."

"I am aware I'm not blameless in all of this. I'm sorry if you feel like my job takes precedence over you. I love you and I never want you to feel like you're not the most important person to me." Robyn's mouth turned down into a frown. "I will always be here when you need me and if you need me to make time sooner, just tell me. Did you try to talk to your Dad or Aunt Vi about training, or did you go straight to Mel?"

"Dad has been impossible to talk to since you were kidnapped and I know Aunt Vi would probably side with you," she admitted. "I went to Mel because I wanted her to be the one to train me. I figured she would understand my side. Aunt Vi found out a couple of days ago and told me I should tell you. I didn't know how to. "

Robyn looked at Dee for a moment before responding, "I need to process some things. I don't want to say anything I might regret later." She started walking towards her bathroom. "I'll talk to you more later," she entered the bathroom and gently closed the door behind her. She showered, wrapped a towel around herself, and then sat on the edge of the tub. She grabbed her phone off the table to send a text.

Robyn: Morning. You working today?

Dante: Hey you. No, I'm home with the boys today.

Robyn: Good to know.

Dante: They've been upstairs gaming most of the morning. What's up?

Instead of responding, Robyn stood up to get dressed. She needed someone outside of the family to talk things out with and she'd prefer to do it in person.

"Stop running in the house!" Dante called as the boys ran by him from the kitchen.

"Sorry Dad," they called without stopping.

He rolled his eyes as their feet pounded up the stairs. The things he could accomplish with their endless energy. He closed the book he had been reading and listened to the saxophone jazz music that was playing. The fact that he heard them opening cabinets in the kitchen meant it was time to figure out lunch. He thought back to last night's dinner and smiled. While dinner had been delicious, he had been more enchanted by his newfound songstress. The things her voice did to his body. He needed to stop that train of thought. Lunch, focus on lunch. He put his book down and stood up. He turned toward the kitchen just as the doorbell rang. He opened the door to find Robyn holding 2 large pizzas and a box of donuts.

"I need someone to talk to and a distraction, so I thought I'd show up with a bribe for my Donut Bandit and his kids," she explained as she held up the boxes. She silently admired his navy sweater and dark jean combo that outlined his form. She was also tempted to steal the navy sneakers he was rocking.

He took the boxes from her as she walked into the house. His eyes raked her from head to toe as he took in the leather leggings, black and silver sweater, and black Converse she was wearing. Her straight hair was up in a smooth ponytail and her long dangly silver earrings swung as she walked past him. "You will never need to bribe me to spend time or talk with you." He led them to the kitchen and set the boxes down. "As for a distraction, I can think of an idea." He grabbed her hips and pulled her towards him, capturing her lips with his. Her hands moved past his chest and stopped to rest on his shoulders. He walked her a few steps backward and pressed her into the wall. She groaned as one hand moved up to cup his cheek and the other moved behind his neck to hold him closer. He moved from her mouth to her neck, ending to place open-mouthed kisses on her pulse point. She groaned and he moved back to meet her mouth. They were interrupted by the sound of feet thundering down the upstairs hallway toward the stairs. They stepped apart and looked at each other, both attempting to gain control and catch their breath.

"Plates, cups?" Robyn asked breathlessly. He pointed and was slightly flustered as she turned to get some while he opened the fridge for drinks.

"Pizza!" Stefon crowed excitedly.

"Wash your hands," Dante said before they could touch the boxes. Both boys turned to the sink and Robyn turned around to find Dante watching her over the kids' heads. She gave him a sly smile and then set plates and cups on the counter.

"Hi!" Stefon said cheerfully as he sat down.

"Hey, Stefon, Kyler," Robyn greeted them.

"Hello," Kyler responded.

"Robyn came by to hang out and brought lunch," Dante explained.

"Thanks," Kyler said."I'm starving!"

"Thanks," Stefon parroted. Both boys grabbed a couple of slices and started to eat like it was their first meal in days.

"I promise they ate breakfast," Dante said, shaking his head.

Robyn laughed as she grabbed a slice. "They're growing boys."

The group ate their lunch while talking and teasing each other.