As the laughter died down, the sound of the porch door creaking open on its hinges could be heard, followed by the click of cowboy boots across wooden boards.

"Why, here come the newlyweds now..." Moira remarked, standing from her chair and crossing the room as if to greet them.

Killian entered the kitchen first, followed by Maggie, holding a sleepy Finley in her arms. Killian stopped short upon seeing Emily and Alex sitting in the kitchen, as if he couldn't quite believe they were really there, having successfully tracked them down in spite of their hasty departure...though, surely he'd been told they were coming.

Emily stood, nodding once at Killian – more out of politeness than anything else – then turned her attention to their former daughter-in-law. "Maggie..."

"Hi, Emily," Maggie greeted in a small voice. She couldn't quite meet either woman's gaze, as if feeling ashamed over having left without saying goodbye.

"Hi, Finley," Alex murmured, unable to contain her eagerness to hold her grandson any longer. Finley, who was sucking his thumb (a habit which Alex had never seen from him before), waved his other four fingers. "May I?" she asked, standing and reaching for the boy. As Maggie eased him into Alex's arms, she wrapped her arms tightly around him, holding him to her chest like he was the most precious of cargo and she never intended to let him go again.

Maggie smiled, just the faintest bit, upon seeing Alex's obvious adoration for the boy. "He's turning into quite the load..." she said.

"I told you, you carry him too much," Killian remarked. He stared pointedly at Maggie. "How's he supposed to learn?"

And, though she was obviously frightened of the man and his family, Maggie seemed to grow bold with the presence of her former in-laws. "Learn what?" she asked. "How to walk? He knows how to walk."

"Well, I'd probably unlearn myself if someone carried me everywhere I wanted to go," he said snidely.

Alex stroked Finley's back, pressed a kiss to his temple. She rocked him gently back and forth, hoping to soothe him amidst the argument, though she had a strong feeling he'd long since gotten used to hearing them fight.

Killian remained steadfast in his reprimanding. "It's flat out spoiling him."

"He weighs nothing," Alex insisted. She couldn't resist the urge to mother hen, just a little, inquiring, "Has he eaten?"

"I got him a burger while we were waiting," Killian said dismissively.

Alex raised a brow at the evasive answer. "Did he eat it?" she asked again.

"Half."

Moira chimed in, asking the boy, "You want a pork chop? Some potatoes?" Finley mumbled something in response. "Huh? Should I cut up some meat for you?"

"No," the boy mumbled, louder than before, but still muffled as his face was buried in Alex's neck.

"What was that?" Moira demanded, "What are you supposed to say?"

"No, thank you," he corrected himself.

For a few moments, Moira glanced from Finley to Maggie, then back. "Take him up to bed, then."

Alex gasped audibly. "What? He just got here!"

"We believe in 'early to bed' in this house," Moira said, taking her seat once again. "And we believe in walking upstairs on our own two feet!" She gestured pointedly with her cigarette towards the stairs.

Alex held on all the tighter, looking close to tears. She began backing towards the door with the boy as if thinking about making a run for it.

"Easy there, grandma..." Ian said. "You know who makes the rules around here."

Emily looked very much like she would have liked to say something on the matter...but she didn't miss the way the Doyle men all bristled, staring them down as if daring them to try something. She didn't miss that the numbers were decidedly not in their favour.

She turned to Alex and for what felt like eons, the two women shared a silent conversation, full of pleas and desperation and years and years of mutual understanding. Alex's eyes were filled with tears now and Emily could barely meet her gaze knowing she was powerless to prevent what was happening.

With great reluctance, Alex set Finley on the floor, sniffling softly. She couldn't seem to make herself let go of his hand, though.

"There was mustard," Finley said quietly. He could tell that the situation was tense, but all that mattered to him in that moment was his grandmother.

"There was mustard?" Alex echoed. "On your hamburger?" He nodded solemnly. With a tender smile, Alex said, "You don't like mustard, do you?" He shook his head then.

"Off you go!" Moira said, clapping her hands and disturbing the moment. "Up the stairs!"

Alex couldn't resist one last hug.

Killian pushed Maggie towards them in a silent command to take the boy to bed.

"Come on, Finley," Maggie whispered, taking his hand and leading him away. When they got to the stairs, though, Finley stopped, turned back to look at Alex. "Finley..."

Alex had no choice but to watch him go.

Emily approached behind her, resting comforting hands on her shoulders and pressing a kiss to the back of her head.

For a few moments, Moira watched the two women, a sneer on her face. "Now you know where to find us, you'll have to visit more often," she said with false pleasantness in her voice. It wasn't a genuine offer, though. It was a show of power. A show that if they wanted Finley in their lives, they had to play by the Doyles' rules.

"We thank you, but we'll be on our way," Emily said quietly. She knew there was nothing more for them there...and if they endured the Doyles' brand of 'hospitality' much longer, there was no telling what might happen (though it was unlikely to be anything good).

Wordlessly, she reached for Alex's hand, dragging her away from the spot she was rooted to, having watched Finley disappear up the stairs and, quite possibly, out of their lives forever.