Rob was startled by the sound of the dogs barking at the door, and he pushed himself off the couch to find out what all the ruckus was about.

He immediately spotted Celia's vehicle in the driveway next to his truck and watched as she climbed down and pulled something out of the back seat, slinging it over her shoulder.

She waved as soon as she saw him, that wide smile lighting up her whole face as she trotted up the steps. Rob swung the screen door open, and Celia reached down to give each of the dogs a scratch before giving Rob a quick kiss.

"I see how I rate." Rob teased her, returning the kiss. "You're early."

"Had an interview in Murfreesboro." Celia answered. "Figured I might as well come here right after."

"You didn't tell me that." Rob responded, following Celia to his bedroom.

"Didn't wanna jinx it." Celia replied, setting down her bag and turning to wrap her arms around Rob's neck. "Looks like you're movin' a little better."

"Went to the VA a while back." Rob told her. "Doctor there made this ol' thing so that it wasn't rubbin' so much. Had a couple of consultations since then. Should have a new leg before too long. Titanium."

"Fancy."

"It's pretty damn sweet. Gonna cost the VA a pretty penny."

"Better them than you." Celia told him.

Rob paused for a moment, reluctant to share the rest of it. He took a deep breath, resting his hands at Celia's waist. "Started seein' a shrink over there, too. And they've got a couple of support groups. It's…it's helpin' a little. Still havin' the nightmares, but I'm dealin' with 'em a little better."

Celia smiled and nodded, sliding her hands to stroke his cheeks. "I'm real proud of you. I know it ain't easy for you."

"Might not have done any of it if it weren't for you." Rob replied.

"Now look, I don't want you doin' all this just for me." Celia told him firmly. "You'd better be doin' this for yourself, too."

That hadn't occurred to Rob. The idea that Celia and him might not last wasn't something he wanted to think much about. Hell, he'd just gotten used to the idea of being with her. "'Course I am. You just gave me the kick in the ass I needed. Ain't nothin' wrong with that, is there?"

"Didn't say there was." Celia responded before pushing herself on tiptoe to kiss him, and Rob immediately pulled her in closer, his hands coming to rest on her rear as their kiss deepened.

Lord, she felt so good, so right. Rob couldn't imagine anywhere else he wanted to be but right here.

They finally broke apart, and Rob lightly nuzzled Celia's neck. "Your mama an' them know you're here?"

"Mm-mm." Celia murmured, her hand resting on the back of Rob's head. "Told 'em I was comin' in tonight."

"So you're tellin' me I've got you all to myself for a while."

Celia laughed softly. "Suppose you do. Kinda sounds like you've got somethin' in mind."

"You know I do, girl."

Rob gently guided Celia toward the bed, both of them settling in next to each other, and it wasn't long before Rob had Celia's t-shirt pushed up, exposing the soft skin underneath. He lightly caressed and kissed her stomach before working his way up, nuzzling her between her breasts, stroking a nipple with a thumb through the thin material of her bra.

Celia let out a sigh of pleasure, arching into his touch while taking her t-shirt the rest of the way off. Rob started feeling around for a way to get her bra undone, only to have Celia guide his hand to the front.

"It's one of those front hook things." She told him breathlessly. "You need some help?"

Rob shifted to lay on his side, his hand still smoothing over her stomach. "Wouldn't mind watchin' you do it."

Celia barely suppressed a little smile as she moved to unhook the bra, letting it fall open, the soft flesh spilling out. Rob's breath caught a little in his throat at the sight.

"Goddamn, you're beautiful." He murmured as he gently took hold of one breast, stroking the nipple, while leaning down to take the other in his mouth.

She let out a soft gasp, further emboldening Rob to start working at the button of her jeans, getting them undone before slipping his hand inside, finding that little nub of flesh and rubbing it in slow circles.

The gasp turned to other sounds of pleasure, and Rob moved to tug her jeans off her body, spreading her legs and running his hands up the inside of her thighs before all but diving in, licking and sucking gently, slipping a finger deep inside her.

He could feel her squirming under him, her fingers threading through his hair. "Mmm…don't stop." She murmured.

Rob sucked at her a little harder, his tongue beating a quick tattoo over that hardening nub of flesh, adding in another finger as her breathing seemed to grow shorter.

"Ohhhh…" Celia arched upward, and Rob could feel her contract around his fingers, keeping at it until she finally relaxed under him, stroking the top of his head.

Rob blew out a long breath, coming to rest on her stomach and closing his eyes. Goddamn, it felt so good to give her that kind of pleasure. He would have been content to just lay there for a good long moment.

"You alright?" Celia finally asked him.

"Yeah." Rob answered absently. "Just takin' a little breather. Doin' hard work down here."

Celia laughed at that. "Doin' good work, I'd say."

"Glad you think so, girl." Rob finally moved to lay beside Celia, wrapping an arm around her.

Celia lay a hand on his chest. "Now, how is it I'm the only one losin' my clothes here?"

"Hmm." Rob let his hand travel up her back. "Probably 'cause you're the one that looks good naked."

Celia slid a hand under Rob's t-shirt. "I'm not the only one."

"Aw, come on, girl." Rob protested, still a little self-conscious. "No one wants to see all that."

"I do." Celia was on top of Rob before he could react, pushing Rob's t-shirt up and over his head, running her hands down his chest and stomach, following with her mouth, leaving a trail of kisses down to the waistband of his jeans.

"What're you doin'?"

"What do you think?" Celia responded as she undid Rob's jeans, tugging them off his body.

"I…aw, hell." Rob barely managed to get out as Celia's mouth and hands started working at his rapidly hardening flesh, and it was all he could do to just hold on for the ride.

It didn't take long for the sensation to build, and Rob did his damnedest to hold back, but he could only hold out for so long before coming undone, the release seeming to last for ages until Rob finally relaxed with a rough sigh.

"Goddamn, girl." He finally found his words again. "You're gonna be the death of me."

Celia made her way back up, straddling him and resting on his chest, looking up at him. "Looks like you survived to me."

"Barely." Rob let out a short laugh. "Ain't a bad way to go, though."

"And you still managed to keep some of your clothes on." Celia told him.

Rob didn't respond, simply enjoying the feeling of Celia laying on him as he rested his hand on the small of her back.

They lay there quietly for a while until Rob finally broke the silence. "You stayin' at your mama's?"

Celia lifted her head. "Thought maybe I'd stay here, if that's alright with you."

"That's fine, girl." Rob told her. "That's just fine. Been a little quiet since Greg up and moved above that doctor's office."

Hell, maybe she'd want to stay here if she got that job in Murfreesboro. Rob kept that thought to himself. He didn't want to scare Celia off when they'd barely gotten started.

"Might be lookin' for a place to live if this job comes through." Celia told him.

Rob felt his chest tighten. He took a deep breath to try to settle himself. "You can stay here. You know, 'til you find a place."

"Hmm, I'll have to think about that." Celia answered. "I was thinkin' about stayin' with my mama, but it's gettin' a little crowded with Caroline and Kieran there."

"I'm just makin' an offer." Rob told her. "You ain't gotta take me up on it."

Celia shifted and gave him a quick kiss. "Let's see if I get the job first. Then I'll…consider your offer."

"'Course you'll get the job." Rob responded. "They'd be a bunch of damn fools if they didn't hire you."

Celia laughed. "Good to know you're in my corner."

"I've always got your back." Rob told her, lightly tracing his fingers between her breasts. "And I've got your front."

"You're so silly." Celia laughed and kissed him hard, and it wasn't long before they were tangled up in each other again.

Lord, this felt so damn good. Rob never wanted to be apart from this woman again. Maybe, if things worked out, he wouldn't have to be.

# # #

It took everything Celia had to leave Rob later that day and head over to her mom's. If she had her way, she would have stayed there with Rob, curled up with him and talking about anything and everything.

Lord, he was really doing a number on her. She knew the scars on his heart were as thick as the scars on his body, and things wouldn't always be so easy as they were now. But if everything worked out…

No, she wasn't going to try to think that far ahead. Hell, the ink was barely dry on her divorce papers, and here she was thinking about moving in with someone else.

But it wouldn't really be moving in if she were staying temporarily. Just until she found a place, right?

Celia sighed as she drove through town to her mom's house. She hadn't gotten the job yet, nothing had changed. She really needed to calm down and just enjoy whatever time she got to spend with Rob.

She pulled into the driveway right behind Caroline's SUV and climbed out of her own vehicle, making her way into the house.

"Auntie CeeCee!" Kieran threw himself at her as soon as she walked in.

"Hi, baby." Celia hugged him. "How you doin'?"

"Fine." Kieran smiled broadly and took her hand. "Come on."

Her mom and Caroline were both working in the kitchen as she and Kieran entered. "Mama." Kieran called out.

"What do you want, baby?" Caroline turned around, her face lighting up when she saw Celia. "There you are! Mama was startin' to wonder about you."

Celia felt her face heat up a little, and she hoped it didn't show. Not that she was embarrassed about spending time with Rob, but she didn't want to give details, either. "Oh, I had a job interview over in Murfreesboro. Pediatric oncology practice."

"I didn't know that." Her mom broke in. "You're serious about comin' back here?"

Celia took up a spot at the counter and started helping with dinner. "I suppose I am. Got a lot here to come back for."

"Mm-hmm." Caroline replied as she stirred a pot on the stove. "Don't suppose this somethin' has a name."

"Rob ain't the only reason." Celia asserted. "I wanna be closer to you guys, too."

"Ain't nobody upset about you and Rob." Her mom told her firmly. "He's a real good guy."

Celia huffed. "Y'all act like I'm losin' my mind over some guy again. I'm not."

"We know that." Caroline told her. "Already said we liked him."

"And you'd better bring him to dinner on Sunday." Her mom chimed in. "Caroline already invited Greg. Be bad form if Rob didn't show up."

Now it was Caroline's turn to blush. "I just said I invited him. He ain't said if he's comin' or not."

"I'll ask him when he picks you up for your date tomorrow." Her mom responded.

"Date?" Celia questioned. "Y'all datin' for real now?"

"Oh no you don't, sis." Caroline told her. "We're just…spendin' time together. It ain't what you think."

"It never is…until it is." Celia pointed out.

Caroline pressed her lips together and stirred the pot, and Celia knew she had gone a little far teasing her sister. She stepped over and gave Caroline a quick hug. "I'm just teasin'. Greg's a good one, too. I'm sure y'all will have a real nice time."

"Hope so." Caroline answered.

The three of them chatted as they prepared dinner, and as they were getting ready to sit down, there was a knock on the front door.

"I get it!" Kieran shouted as he raced to the door.

"Kieran!" Caroline called after him as she ran to catch up.

Celia heard voices out in the living room and went to investigate herself. "Everythin' alright?"

Charley, their mom's neighbor, nodded to her. "Got the whole welcomin' committee here."

"Oh, hello Charley." Celia breathed out a sigh of relief. "Come on in. We're just about to sit down to supper."

"Well now, I can't very well turn that down, can I?" Charley chuckled as he followed the three of them into the kitchen. Kieran once again insisted on holding Charley's hand as they walked in.

Charley crossed over to where her mom was keeping an eye on the pot on the stove, placing a hand on her waist and kissing her neck. To say Celia was surprised was an understatement, and she looked over at Caroline.

Caroline merely shrugged and smiled a little before setting Kieran up at the table. Whatever was going on between Charley and their mom was their business, Celia supposed.

It was a pleasant family supper, and it reminded Celia of when she and Caroline had been kids, before Caroline had taken up with Kevin and Celia had taken the job at St. Jude's.

Now it seemed as if they were going to be a family again. It was funny, in all of Celia's desperation to get out of this town, that she had found herself right back here.

Maybe it was a sign that she belonged here.

After supper, Caroline and Celia started cleaning up, all but shooing Charley and their mom out to the back deck. Kieran decided to follow, leaving the two sisters alone in the kitchen.

"Suppose you'll be stayin' with Rob for the weekend." Caroline started. "Didn't see if you brought a bag in with you."

"Figured it was gettin' a little crowded here." Celia told her.

"Mm-hmm." Caroline responded with the slightest smile. "We all know you'd rather be there than here."

"Caroline, really." Celia scoffed, even as she knew she was blushing furiously.

"Does he know you're here?"

Celia took a deep breath. "I suppose he does, seein' as I stopped there first."

"I knew it." Caroline's face lit up.

"You did not."

"Okay, I suspected." Caroline answered.

Celia let out a huff. "For cryin' out loud, we're all adults. Ain't nothin' wrong with me stayin' with him. He even said I could stay with him if I get the job."

Caroline's eyes went wide. "Like…live with him?"

"Just until I find a place." Celia quickly responded. "I ain't ready for that, and he ain't either."

"You sure about that?"

Celia paused from where she was wiping the counter. "I ain't sure about much of anythin'. Things are goin' awfully fast. Kinda like it, though."

"Well, I can't think of two folks who deserve it more." Caroline told her.

"Oh, I can." Celia asserted. "You and that good doctor. Mama and Charley. We all deserve it."

Caroline looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know what? You're right."

"'Course I am." Celia replied casually. "Ain't I usually?"

Caroline laughed at that, and the two of them fell into their usual chatter about all the happenings in town.

By the end of the evening, Celia was good and tired. It had been a long day, but a good one. "Think I'm gonna head out." She told her mom.

Her mom gave her a look. "You ain't stayin' here?"

Celia took in a deep breath. "No, Mama. I'm gonna stay out at Rob's."

"Oh." Her mom seemed surprised, but covered it well. "Well, alright then. You just come on over when you get ready. At the very least, we'll see you Sunday, right?"

"Right." Celia hugged her mom. "And I'll invite Rob."

"Yes, you will." Her mom asserted. "If he's gonna be part of the family, he's gonna act like it."

"Yes, Mama." Celia responded. "I love you."

Celia said her goodbyes to everyone else, with an extra hug for Caroline. "You be sure and tell me all about your date."

Caroline smiled a little. "Maybe not all of it."

"Girl." Celia laughed, surprised at her sister. Things sure had changed since Greg showed up. "I'll see you Sunday."

With that she left, climbing back into her vehicle for the drive back to Rob's. The porch light was on, and as she climbed out, she could hear the dogs barking and Rob scolding them.

He greeted her with a hug and a quick kiss. "Good supper?"

"Very good." Celia told him. "You're invited Sunday."

Rob looked worried for a moment before nodding. "I'll be there. Guess this means I'm becomin' part of the family."

Celia studied him closely. "That okay with you?"

Rob smiled a little as he pulled her in close. "Yeah, girl. That's fine. Just fine."