Two weeks later, end of July

Lucas stood behind his sexy wife, made even more sexy by holding a .22. Her stance was perfect, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, goggles on, earplugs in.

She looked back at him, waiting for his signal to pull the trigger. He gazed at her mouth, placed a kiss on her lips and his hand on her hip.

"When you're ready," he told her.

She took a breath and squeezed the trigger. "Holy crap! That was awesome!" she yelled. Lucas laughed. "Let's go again."

So they did. By the time they were finished, they decided they would make it a regular thing to go shooting because they both enjoyed it so much.

"Let's go to Greg's and get dinner," Lucas suggested. It was still date night and they both enjoyed the food at Greg's.

"Sure. I'm in the mood for a good burger."

"Perfect. I love their grilled cheese and tomato soup."

"I was thinking," she said as they ate their food.

"About…"

"Fostering a child."

"Mm. What about it?"

"That maybe it isn't the right time. I want to teach this year and we just got married and Van is living with us. Maybe we have a ton going on and it isn't the right time."

"I'm good with waiting until next summer to start the process," he told her. "If it means you are happier and I get to spend more time with you, I'm good with it."

She sighed out of relief.

"Were you worried?" he wondered.

"Well, when we decided to do it, you seemed excited. I didn't want to take away that excitement if you really wanted to do it."

"I appreciate that but its not a deal breaker if we don't. I mean, we have four kids between us already."

"But they are essentially grown. It might be nice to have a younger child. Our child."

He raised his eyebrows. "A baby?"

"No. I don't know if I should get pregnant at this point. Or could. Just younger than ours."

He nodded and took another spoonful of soup. "Let's wait a year and see how we feel."

"Okay."

….

"Ten weeks," Allie mumbled, watching the grainy image of their little peanut, the little heart fluttering.

Tim squeezed her hand and smiled. "I still can't believe we're pregnant."

"You sure are," the technician said with a wink and a curious tone.

"What do you mean?" Allie said.

"This here, and this here. Two heartbeats."

"Twins?!" Tim asked. "I…what? We can't. I don't know how to take care of two babies!"

"Babe," Allie said, starting to laugh. "Tim, we will learn together. We are a team."

"Holy crap!"

Tim realized now he had to either get a second job or try for the Captain position.

"Don't stress, Tim."

"Why are you not stressed? Twins, honey. Two babies. At one time. Two of everything!"

"Yes, and two of us. We will be fine."

Allie couldn't figure out why she wasn't panicking right now either. She just knew that in her heart, she was their mother already. Yes, there would be two and she would be outnumbered when Tim was working but she was looking forward to the experience.

TIm didn't get in the car right away. He leaned against it, back facing her.

She figured he needed a minute but after a few, she got out and walked around. "Honey?"

Tears were rolling down his face and that broke her heart. She wrapped her arms around him and held him, at a loss.

"I don't know if I'm going to be a good father, Al. I'm scared. My dad was awesome and I want to do a good job but…"

She stood up taller and kissed him a few times, trying to convey her feelings and assure him he wasn't alone. "I know that you are going to be a wonderful father, Tim Lawson. I know it in my heart."

She kissed him again and gave him a smile, pulling back a little to put his hand on her barely there bump.

"They are our babies, Tim. We are going to raise them to be good people and we are not going to be perfect at it. I know that. Aunt Beth and Uncle Nathan weren't perfect but I think I learned what I needed from them to make good decisions."

TIm knew in his heart he wouldn't be perfect but would he be enough for Allie and their babies?

"Yes, you will, Tim."

"Huh?"

"I know what you are thinking. You are enough for me and you will be for our babies."

"How did you…."

"Because I know you and because you are nothing if not predictable. Now let's go celebrate."

"We should save every penny…."

"At home. Let's celebrate at home."

"Oh. Alright." He couldn't say no to a little celebration.

…..

Jared took Ivy's hand and led her into the bowling alley. They were having a rare date night with just them and Ivy was looking forward to it.

"Should we get some pizza or burgers?" Jared asked her.

"I'd love some nachos."

"Deal. Diet Dr. Pepper?"

"Absolutely."

They wandered into the bar area to order food and then they got their shoes and found a lane and a couple balls.

Ivy felt happy and peaceful and so grateful for Jared. She even asked Marley to borrow a cute outfit so she'd feel desirable and less…Ivy.

Jared watched his very attractive girlfriend choosing a ball. She bit her bottom lip and that drove him nuts. She looked different tonight. More sexy and less casual and covered up than usual.

"Jer?"

"Hm?"

"You're staring."

"I can't help it. You look gorgeous tonight."

"Yeah?"

"Mm. You always look beautiful, don't get me wrong. You just have a different look tonight."

"I borrowed this outfit from Marley."

"Well, I think you should keep it."

She walked close and slipped her arms over his shoulders, bringing him within kissing range. "Do I get to keep you?"

"I hope so."

"Me too."

He leaned slightly toward her and placed a slow, deep kiss on her lips. "I love you, Ivy."

"I love you, Jer."

"Get a room!" a very familiar voice called out.

"Marley, seriously. What are you doing here?"

"Bowling, obviously."

"Can I talk to you, please?" Ivy said, walking toward the bathroom.

"What's up, sis?" Marley asked, a grin on her face once they closed the door.

"We had an agreement. No more double dates. Now you show up here?"

"I really didn't think you'd mind."

"Listen, Mar, you are amazing and I love you…."

"But….?"

"But you take over every room you are in. Its always been that way and I don't want you to change. I just…I need space and I am me. Not you."

"Says the girl in my skirt."

Ivy sighed. She was right but so was Marley. "Can you just stay on the other side of the bowling alley? Please?"

"Sure."

"Thank you."

"I love you, Ivy. I'm happy that you and Jared are together."

"Thank you. I love you too."

"What was that about?" Jared wondered once Ivy rejoined him.

"Just sister stuff. Sorry. I'm here now."

"There's an empty lane right near us. We could ask them to play there."

"I'd rather not."

"Why?"

She sighed, trying to figure out a way to explain what she was feeling. "My sister is bigger than life. She is everyone's friend and…I am not the same as her."

"Ivy, you are you. You are wonderful and kind and I am in love with YOU and your heart. You are who I want."

"She's…"

"Not you. Look at me, babe."

She looked up, tears in her eyes. "Babe, you are amazing and I only want you. I won't want Marley."

She hugged him tight. She didn't realize how much she wanted to be herself and have her own identity. She didn't know if it stemmed from her identity being challenged with the miscarriage. She became an adult and a mother with one choice and then lost that identity.

"You okay?" he asked, drying tears on her cheeks.

"Yeah. I'm okay. Thank you, Jer."

"You're welcome. Let's bowl!"

…..

Lucas and Elizabeth's house

"We could watch a movie," Lucas suggested.

"In our room, yes please."

"Perfect."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled. "Thank you for tonight, love. It was a wonderful date night."

They were going to try a date night out every other week based on Lucas' schedule at the station and date night in the opposite weeks.

In addition, they would each try to spend extra time with Vannah during the evenings.

"Dad?" Vannah said, walking into the living room.

"Hey, baby. What did you do this evening?"

"Just hung out here," she said with a shrug. "Did you guys go shooting?"

"Yes and it was so fun!" Elizabeth said, heading to the kitchen to make tea.

"It is."

Lucas walked up behind Elizabeth and kissed her cheek. Vannah looked away. "I'm going to bed. Night."

"Night, Van," Elizabeth said, smiling up at Lucas.

Vannah shut the door to her room and sighed, picking up her phone. She texted her friend Beau that she had been thinking about dating. He graduated but she knew him from school.

"Wanna come over?" she asked, not thinking of the consequences. Just thinking that she was lonely and wanted to feel important.

"Sure."

"My parents can't know. So when you pull in the driveway, you have to turn your lights off. And don't knock. I will watch for you."

"Got it. Want me to bring anything? Beer?"

"Uh no. No beer." She was acting unlike herself but she wasn't going to break the law. She just wanted some affection.

She texted him the address and then watched out her window which faced the driveway.

It didn't take long. He only lived a few miles away.

She snuck down the hall, ignoring the laughing she heard from the master and opened the door as quietly as she could.

"Hey," she whispered, opening the door wider so he could walk past her.

"Hey."

….

Lucas and Elizabeth's room

"Ever want to be a cop?" Lucas asked, kissing her forehead as they lay in bed a bit later.

"A cop?"

"Yeah, I'm serious. You, holding that gun…"

"You liked that, huh?"

"Um yeah."

"No, baby. I don't want to be a cop. I'm good with being a teacher." She laughed and snuggled closer. "You know what sounds good?"

"I have a few ideas."

"Ice cream. With hot fudge."

"Do we have ice cream and hot fudge?"

"Yes. I bought some the other day. You wouldn't want to go get us some, would you?"

"I suppose."

Lucas walked into the dark kitchen and grabbed a bowl and two spoons. As he scooped the rocky road into the bowl, he heard whispering and then a giggle. Vannah? Who was she whispering to?

He paused for a moment and there were no more sounds so he put another scoop into the bowl, licking the spoon he had in his hand. Another giggle.

"Van?" He walked toward the living room and turned on the light, gasping.

"Savannah!"

She was on the couch, in the dark, with some guy he didn't know. What was happening.

"Dad, um…" The guy stood up and adjusted his shirt.

"Um yeah. I'm Vannah's father, and you are?" he said.

"I'm….um going now." He bolted out the door, leaving Vannah in the awkward position to deal with Lucas.

"Explain."

"That was Beau. It was no big deal, Dad."

"Yes it is a big deal, Savannah Rae. You are seventeen and you were sitting in the dark with a boy that I have never met, doing who knows what…I don't even know….is this some alternate universe? Am I in the twilight zone?"

"Dad. I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

"No, you aren't. Who is the guy?"

"Beau."

"So you said. I need more info. Is he your boyfriend?"

"No."

"So you were in the dark, making out I'm going to assume, with a boy that isn't your boyfriend?"

She shrugged.

"You are grounded. Two weeks. No more making out with guys I don't know in my house…or anyone's house for that matter. I can't…did your mother let you do this at her house?"

"No, Dad."

"This isn't like you, Van."

"How would you know?" she mumbled, tears filling her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you and Beth and Mom and her husband…you are all so wrapped up in your own lives that I'm all alone. I didn't feel like being alone so I texted Beau. At least he makes me feel wanted."

"Look, Van…"

"No, Dad. I know that this is how its supposed to be and I know I chose to move here but I don't know where I fit in anymore."

She shook her head at his quiet response. He didn't even know what or how to handle this new Vannah.

"I need to go to bed. Night, Dad."

"I love you, Van."

"I love you too."