Dottie and Leann arrived at Union Station around 10PM. There had been a little bit of a delay but not much. She was sure Carrie would complain that they were not there exactly on time.

Jamie was waiting at the train station for them. He had grown a little beard. It was very cute. It was still strange to her that he was a man now. The beard made him look a little older. But he would always be her sweet little grandson no matter how old he got or how much facial hair he grew.

Jamie came over with a big smile and hugged both of them in turn, "Hi Grandma and munchkin."

Leann's face lit up when she saw him, "Hi Jamie, did you bring me anything from New York?"

Jamie smiled, "Yeah but it's back at my dad's house. How was your trip? Grandma, too bad you aren't still with Captain Curt. You could've flown or borrowed one of his friend's planes."

Dottie nodded, "The train was fine. I considered it but you remember how needy he got at the end. One of you would have had to be on death's door for me to open that can of worms again. I love your little beard. You look so handsome. I bet the girls like it too. Speaking of girls. Abel Mathers's daughter Darla just moved back home. She is single."

Jamie smiled, "Grandma. I'm seeing someone in New York. It's not serious but I really should not be dating anyone's daughters or granddaughters when I'm back home. I am going back really soon so I wouldn't be able to commit to anything."

Dottie smiled "Alright darling, but you know a little one night tryst now and then is good for the soul."

Jamie laughed, "Eww Grandma, seriously? I'm not the love them and leave them type. You are confusing your grandsons again."

Dottie smiled, "Well neither is Phillip. And he doesn't leave them. That poor boy it's usually the other way around."

Jamie nodded, "Yeah well, I kind of think he and Mom are in some kind of competition for weirdest dates ever. But what does Phillip expect thinking he's going to find his true love at Goofy Golf. I can't believe he still goes there to pick up women."

Leann spoke, "Mom wins if its a competition for worse dates. Hazel was nuts but at least Phillip never dated any turtles. I kind of hope Phillip doesn't meets the right girl. I don't want him to leave home and forget about me."

Jamie put his arm around her, "Nobody could forget about you. Wait, do you think I forgot about you because I don't live at home? I never could. You are my little sister. I love you, munchkin. I'd never forget about you. You can call me whenever you want. You know that."

Leann smiled at him, "I know. I just sometimes wish that you and Phillip weren't so old. At least Alex is a kid too so he can't go anywhere unless I can come too. I just hope he likes me."

Jamie smiled, "I can guarantee he will do more than like you. Everyone loves you, munchkin. I bet you and he will get along great. I mean he's been through a lot but he is very easy to get along with. He always just kind of goes with the flow of whatever you are doing."

Jamie packed up their bags in the trunk of Carrie's Volvo. They got in. Jamie looked at them. "Do you want me to stop and get you something to eat before we get to my Dad's? We can go to Marvelous Marvin's or Quickie Chickie. Wherever you want. I mean it's nothing but hippie dippy granola health crap at my dad's house."

Dottie smiled at her grandson, "We ate on the train. I packed some extra sandwiches if you want one. We are fine. I just want to go to bed, honestly. It's been a long day."

Jamie nodded, "Sounds good, Grandma."

Then Dottie said, "So what has been happening? Do you think it's really your brother?"

Jamie grinned, "I know it's him. I got to meet him earlier. He's the same, Grandma. The only thing is. I don't know if Mom told you but he's deaf now."

Dottie felt horrible for her poor grandson, "Oh no. She didn't tell me that. What did those horrible men do to him?"

Jamie sighed, "He lost his hearing in the explosion. Some shrapnel got in his ear. But he does have a scar on his other ear. I don't know if I want to know why. But he's awesome Grandma. I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with him but Phillip did. He said except for being deaf and a little traumatized he's exactly the same. Phillip actually had to go meet a source or he would have come with me to pick you up."

Leann spoke, "So am I going to have to learn sign language?"

Jamie nodded, "Yeah, we all are. It will be fun though because regular people won't know what we are saying to each other. It will be like talking in code."

Dottie smiled, "So he isn't dangerous?"

Jamie smiled, "No, I don't think he is. You'll see when you meet him. Lee actually rescue him from the bad men when the warehouse exploded. Lee passed him off to someone in his Barnstorm network at the warehouse. They hid him with Lee's grandfather in England."

Dottie was confused, "The rich grandfather that wouldn't take Lee in when he was a little boy? Your mother told me he was an awful man."

Jamie spoke, "Well it sounds like it was actually Lee's uncle that was taking care of him. The details are still being researched. But what we know so far is that Alex was living on Lee's grandfather's estate. He was going to school like a normal kid."

Dottie was even more confused, "Robert would never keep little Alex away from Amanda. I thought he was teaching at the Air Force Academy in Colorado not London. "

Jamie nodded no, "No, not the Colonel. Lee's Canadian uncle."

Dottie raised her eyebrow. "Lee's Canadian Uncle? So one of Lee's spy friends has been taking care of Alex?"

Jamie smiled, "No, he is literally Lee's real uncle who is from Canada. He isn't a spy. Sounds like he's a teacher. He's Lee's mother's half brother except he was born after she died. Lee's uncle is about ten years younger than Lee. I guess Lee's grandfather had an affair with a Canadian woman in the early sixties. It's kind of a crazy story that I don't know all the details of yet. But this guy his name is Michael Winthrope, he has been taking care of him."

Dottie was tired. This was making her brain hurt. "Why would he not give him back to us?"

Jamie spoke, "We don't know yet. But what we know so far is that he really loved Matty. Like all the character witness reports start with how much he cared about his son."

Dottie spoke, "Who is Matty?"

"Oh that's Alex's name now. He asked Mom and Phillip to call him that. He doesn't really remember before. You should be prepared for that, Grandma. He doesn't remember us."

Dottie nodded, "Amanda did tell me that would most likely be the case. They do something to those poor children so they won't remember their families."

Jamie pulled into his father's driveway.

"Do you think the ice queen still awake?"

Jamie laughed, "Yes. She's waiting up. I think she set it up so that you and Leann are both staying in Joey's room or you can stay in Phillip & I's old room with us. I helped her clean it out."

Dottie nodded, "Staying with the little darlings is fine. I should have bought some more candy on the train for Joey."

Jamie grinned. "Oh, I already hooked him up with a secret stash. I loosened one of the floorboards in his room. You know like Phillip had in ours. I made sure to put comic books and candy in there for him. I also showed Leann where it is. So we can sneak stuff over with her when she goes over."

Dottie smiled, "That's a That poor child having to eat that awful health food all the time. It's not right."

Dottie went into the house. Carrie was there looking very uptight. They greeted each other. It was uncomfortable. That woman needs to let her hair down once in a while. he had no idea what Joe saw in that woman. Dottie knew that Joe was still in love with her daughter. She would have liked them to reconcile when he came back. Except she was so glad that Amanda never listened to her and hadn't settled for Joe. Joe had never appreciated how good he had it with her daughter or how wonderful his sons were. Dottie had not met Lee back then. The second she had actually met Lee and saw what he looked like. She understood exactly why her daughter had been pushing other men away.

Lee had been such a darling man. Her daughter had no reason to hide him from her. She could tell when Amanda's fires were flamed and they were an inferno for Lee. Lee adored her daughter. The way he looked at her. Dottie had never had a man look at her like that. Not even Amanda's father. Carl had been the love of her life. But what Lee and Amanda had that was what they write the songs and novels about. It was a shame that it had turned out a tragedy.

Dottie then went into to Joe's study and said hello to Joe. She gave him a quick hug. He looked exhausted.

"Any news on my daughter?"

Joe smiled at her tiredly, "Well you should be able to go back to your house by tomorrow afternoon. Amanda is still in a little trouble with the Agency. They aren't happy with the way she took him out of there. But I should be able to smooth things over for her. I think she might have to start looking for a new job though.
The DNA tests came back. He is your grandson. He's real cute too. Wait until you see him."

Dottie smiled, "I can't wait. When we go home, I'm going to make him pot roast and succotash. You, Carrie and Joey are invited. That was his favorite just like Amanda. Jamie said he was deaf now."

Joe nodded, "Yes, he is. He's been through quite an ordeal. But he's got Amanda as his mother. She is really good with those kids. And well your grandson besides being deaf. From what Phillip said he seems to still be him. Just he doesn't speak either. You should be aware of that. I read his medical file. Besides the fight, it doesn't look like anyone was hurting him recently. The scars he has are all old."

Dottie looked at him, "Scars? What kind of scars?"

Joe sighed, "Dottie how about you get some rest. We can talk about all of this in the morning."

Dottie wanted to know. "Tell me, Joe."

Joe sighed, "It looks like scars from being beaten and well he has multiple burn scars from a cigarette. I'm sorry, Dottie."
Dottie knew what they had done to the children. But the fact that it had happened to her grandchild, "How evil must someone be to hurt such a sweet child? Little Alex never hurt anyone. He was always so gentle like Jamie. But it's all old?"

Joe nodded, "Except for injuries he sustained in the fight."

Dottie looked at him, "What fight? Did they try and take him again?"

Joe sighed, "He went to Billy Melrose for help. Except Billy had an Agency guard around his house. He's been getting death threats. Little Matty has the mark on his wrist. One of the agents noticed it. They thought that he might be there to kill Billy. The Agency took him in. Alex tried to get away. He almost did too. You should watch the footage. His martial arts skills are incredible. But he got injured when one of the agents tackled him."

Dottie looked at Joe. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "He was always such a sweet little boy. I can't imagine him in a fight. I hate to ask this but is it safe to have him near Leann and Joey?"

Joe looked at her, "Honestly, I was worried about that too. But then I saw him in person. I don't think he's dangerous. I would keep him separate from the other kids at night though. Make sure that Phillip or Amanda are around just to be safe."

Dottie yawned, she was exhausted from the trip. Joe smiled at her, "Get some rest Dottie. Are you sure you are okay staying in the kids room with them? You can stay with Phillip and Jamie if you want."

Dottie smiled, "Yes, that's fine. I don't mind staying in the room with Leann and Joey. Phillip and Jamie will be up late. They always are."

Joe smiled, "Well if you need anything. Just yell."

Dottie went and changed into her nightgown. When she came out of the bathroom. Jamie was coming up from the basement with a bottle of wine. "Hey Grandma, Carrie & I are going to have some wine. You want to join us for a night cap before you go to sleep?"

Dottie smiled and grabbed Jamie's little beard, "If it was just you. I would. But it's been a long day. I need some sleep before I have to deal with the ice queen. Where is your brother?"

Jamie smiled, "I'm guessing he's taking his own sweet time coming back in hopes that Carrie will be asleep when he gets back."

Dottie smiled, "Well I hope he gets you something real to eat when he comes back at least."

Jamie smiled, "I saw you snuck a couple of sandwiches into my bag. Thanks for that. Goodnight, Grandma, I love you."

She smiled, "I love you too darling boy. Don't eat them both. Give one to Philip if he forgets to bring you something."

Dottie went to bed. Leann was fast asleep already. Joey too. She was quiet when she got into the roll away bed. It was not as comfortable as her own bed but it would do.

Dottie fell asleep. When she woke up, she heard birds chirping. She got out of bed and grabbed her robe. She went to the bathroom and washed up. Then she went downstairs. Carrie was making coffee.

"Good morning, Dottie. It's early. Did you sleep well?"

Dottie smiled, "Yes, I slept fine. I thought maybe I could make breakfast for everyone."

Carrie looked at her, "No, I'll make breakfast when everyone wakes up. I'm making us chickpea hummus oatmeal."

Dottie didn't want to fight with Carrie but whoever heard of chickpea hummus oatmeal for breakfast? "Carrie you were up late last night if you even slept at all. How about you take it easy and let me make something?"

Carrie looked at her, "Nonsense, you are our guests. Besides it's good for you all. All that grease you give the kids. It's not healthy. You'll see you all will have so much more energy during the day."

Just then Phillip walked into the kitchen. He looked a little scared when he saw Carrie and then relieved when he saw her. He smiled at her. "Hey Grandma. How are you?"

He came over and hugged her and whispered."Is she letting you cook?"

"No We need to get out of here." Dottie whispered back.

Phillip looked at Carrie. "Is it alright if I have some coffee?"

Carrie poured him a cup. "How do you take it?"

Phillip looked at her, "Usually cream and sugar. But I'm guessing you don't have either?"

Carrie smiled, "I have Stevia and Goat's milk."

Phillip looked at her, "Black coffee is fine."

Dottie nodded, "Same for me."

Carrie poured them each a cup. Phillip went and sat on the couch. Jamie walked in and went over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup.
He also took it black.

She sat in between her two grown grandsons. It felt so nice to be with them. Then she said, "So when can we go back home and see your little brother?"

Phillip grinned, "Well we should be able to go home this afternoon. Except you don't have to wait until then to see him. He's sleeping in our room right now. He's exhausted though. We got here pretty late. But you'll get to meet him as soon as he wakes up."

Dottie wasn't going to wait for that. "I won't wake him up. I want to see him. Is your mother here too?"

Phillip and Jamie looked at each other. "I'll tell you where Mom is later. It's complicated."

Dottie nodded. Her daughter must be at the Agency. Joe had said there was trouble. They probably brought her in. That would explain Phillip's absence last night.

Dottie went to the room. She knew it was her long lost grandson as soon as she saw him sleeping. She went over to the bed. She started playing with his hair. Matty's hair was so soft. It felt almost like petting a fur coat. Lee's hair had been soft like that as well. But he had the same dark hair color as her daughter. She moved his hair, and she saw the scar on his ear. She felt her eyes tearing up. How anyone could hurt such a precious child was beyond her.

Dottie touched his face gently and his eyes opened. His beautiful brown eyes with gold flecks just like his mother's. "Oh, my darling angel. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."

He just was staring at her, she was pretty sure he was trying to figure out who she was. "Oh, you look just like your mother did at your age. How there was such a fuss over who you really are? I really don't understand."

Dottie hugged him and held him tightly. She felt some tears stream down her cheeks "When we go home. I'm going to make you pot roast and succotash. That used to be your favorite. It's your mother's favorite too. I would have made a big breakfast for everyone. But well, that woman won't let me near her kitchen. We are having Chickpea Hummus oatmeal for breakfast. Whatever that is, it is not breakfast."

Alex smiled at her and laughed a little bit at that. Gosh when he smiled he looked just like he used to. How could there have been any question at all at who he was?

Dottie wiped away her tears "Do you remember me at all my sweet darling? I'm your grandmother."

The smile faded off her grandson's face. His eyes filled with guilt. She could tell he wanted to remember her but didn't.

"That's okay angel. I remember you." She kissed the top of his head. It was so wonderful to have him back. She couldn't believe she had even considered that he might be dangerous last night. He did look a little different. He was older and his eyes were sadder. They actually looked more like his father's eyes except for the color. His eyes had lost their innocence and there was a sadness in them now. You could see so much in his eyes. No her grandson wouldn't hurt anyone. She was sure of it. She was also going to make sure that nobody would ever hurt him again.

The door flew open, and her little granddaughter flew into the room at full speed. "Hi, you must be Alex. I'm Leann. Are you really deaf? Jamie said that you can't talk. That we have to learn sign language. It's too bad you're a boy. Having a long lost sister would have been way cooler than just another lame brother. Your shorter than I thought you would be. Aren't you supposed to be like 10? You look like you're the same age as Joey."

Dottie needed to stop her. "Leann that was very rude. You are meeting your brother for the first time and the first thing you tell him is that you want a sister and that he's short. Apologize to your brother this instant."
Her little grandson was smiling again. She could tell he liked Leann.

Leann looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry Alex."

Her grandson just smiled and held out his hand to shake hers. Leann smiled back at him and took his hand. Oh, Amanda would be sad that she missed these two meeting for the first time.
Dottie spoke "Be careful of his fingers."

Leann shook his hand gently, "What happened to your hand? And your arm? Did the bad men do that to you? That's why you should have been a girl too. Mommy said the bad men that hurt you. They only take boys. That I'm safe."

Her grandson put his hand on Leann's shoulder and nodded yes. It looked like he was trying to reassure his sister. It was very sweet. Jamie was right he had not changed at all.

Jamie burst into the room. "Leann! I told you to leave him alone. Let him sleep, Sorry I turned my back for a second. I'll take her back to the kitchen"

Leann gave Jamie an annoyed look "Grandma came in. Why can't I? I wanted to meet him too. He's my brother too. Actually he's more my brother than yours. We have the same daddy."

Dottie rolled her eyes. Maybe it was better that Amanda was missing this, "Leann! Now you are being very rude to Jamie now. Maybe he should take that nice picture book on horses back to New York with him."

Then Phillip walked in the room with a big smile and picked Leann up. "You causing trouble, runt?"

Phillip turned her upside down and started swinging her around. She started giggling. Just then Carrie came in the room. All the laughter instantly stopped. They all just looked over at Carrie. They were caught having fun.
"I swear why Amanda lets you manhandle the kids like that, Phillip. She is going to get hurt. Put her down. Do not even think about doing things like that to Joey. You are twenty-six years old. You need to grow up."

Phillip's smile dissipated and he put Leann down. Leann leaned into Phillip and put her arm around him. The way Leann put her arm around Phillip looked like she was trying to protect him from Carrie. It was very sweet. The room got really awkward. Phillip was trying to shrug it off. But Dottie knew her oldest grandson. She knew when Carrie dug at him like that it bothered him even though he was pretending like it didn't.

"Breakfast is ready." Carrie said and left the room.

Jamie looked over at her. "Grandma, you will hook us up with real food when we get home right?"

"Of course, dear. That woman. I swear. Don't listen to her, darling. We all like you just the way you are. Even Jamie."

Jamie patted Phillip's shoulder and then pushed him playfully, "Yeah I guess you can be alright sometimes when you aren't being a total worm brain."

Phillip smiled at Jamie and pushed him back.

Dottie put her arm around her youngest grandson.

"What is the plan for today, Phillip?"

Phillip and Jamie gave each other a look. Like they were telepathically talking to each other for a second. Then Jamie just picked Leann up and left the room.

"Umm grandma, Jamie and I have to go after pretending to eat breakfast. But the house is safe to take Leann too. Mom wanted Jamie to get the groceries this morning. Do you think you can get the groceries on your way back to Maplewood?"

His grandmother smiled, "Of course, dear. I'll take Alex and Leann with me. You and Jamie go off. It will give me an excuse to get out of this house as fast as possible. Leann and I can get to know Alex a little better. He can pick out whatever snacks he likes at the store. He's much too thin."

Phillip looked at as his grandmother. "He goes by Matty now. We are actually taking him with us. We have to take him to where Mom is right now. Mom will explain everything to you when you see her again. It's just too complicated. I would tell you everything now, but she wants to be the one that tells you about it."

His grandmother nodded, "Of course dear. Should I even bother with the pot-roast tonight?"

Phillip sighed, "Honestly Grandma. You should make something easy tonight. Do the pot roast when we have a better idea of when Mom is actually coming home."

Dotty looked at them. "Ok Phillip. I understand I'm used to my daughter."

Phillip smiled. "Thanks Grandma."

Then Dottie touched the side of Phillip's face. "The way that woman talked to you just now. Don't listen to her. I meant it when I said you are wonderful just the way you are. I tell you the next time we watch Joey. I'm giving that poor boy all the soda, candy and junk food he can eat. What on Earth does your father see in that woman?"

Phillip shrugged. "I am the worst person to ask grandma. I promised Mom I would make more an effort with her."

Dottie ruffled Phillip's hair. "Well it's a two-way street. She needs to make more of an effort as well. You are a good boy. The best. Don't let anyone tell you different. After breakfast you will stop and get some real food on the way to wherever it is you are going right? Your little brother is all skin and bones."

Phillip smiled at her. "Grandma it's Jamie & me. Of course, we are going to stop and get real food after whatever organic tofu chickpea hummus oatmeal crap we are about to have to try and pretend to eat. You are going to make us all a real breakfast tomorrow with the greasiest bacon you can find at the store. Right?"

Dottie had already planned on that. "I will make you a breakfast guaranteed to make your arteries harden. Let's go before that little vein in her forehead bursts."

Then they heard Carrie call out for them again.

"Awkward family breakfast time" Phillip said quietly, and they left the room.

Jamie, Joey, & Leann were already at the table eating.

Carrie smiled the coldest smile at them "Was about to come check you three. We don't want your oatmeal getting cold, do we?"

Dottie responded in a sarcastic tone. "No, we really wouldn't want that."

Dottie sat down at the table in between Phillip and Matty. Joey, Leann and Jamie were on the other side of the table. Joey was just staring at Matty in fascination. He looked like he wanted to say something but was scared to.

Dottie wanted to rescue that poor boy. She just wanted to feed him real food. He should enjoy being a child. Joe had him on the lawyer track as well. But Joey's grades were just mediocre. Joe had even given Jamie a hard time about his grades and Jamie had always mostly gotten straight A's. Dottie had also suspected that Phillip's grades would have been just as good as Jamie's if not for Joe. She wondered sometimes if he had gotten worse grades on purpose to spite Joe. Although history was Phillip's worst subject until Lee came along.

Then Carrie said, "Joey honey, this is Alex. Leann's brother that was missing. Do you remember him?"

Joey smiled at Matty shyly and said, "Hi Alex." in a small voice.

"He's shy around new people." Carrie said.

Matty stuck out his hand very politely for Joey to shake it. "Joey his fingers are broken so don't grip his hand too hard."

Then Jamie said, "He likes to be called Matty not Alex."

Joey looked nervous. "I'm sorry, Matty. I didn't know."

Matty tried to signal that he didn't really care. Her grandson really had not changed. He was the same wonderful, sweet easy-going boy he always was. The only difference is that he was not always smiling like he used to. But she saw that smile was trying to sneak back.

Leann was also staring at Matty lost in thought and then she spoke "Where's Matty going to sleep when we go home? Am I going to have to share my room?"

Phillip smiled at her. "Well Jamie does not live at our house anymore. I think Mom is just going to give him Jamie's bed."

Jamie nodded. "That makes sense. I'm fine with that. Just sorry you're going to have to listen to Worm Brain snore and deal with all of the smells that come from that side of the room, little dude."

Phillip shot Jamie a dirty look. "Shut up Doofus. I don't snore. Besides it doesn't matter because Matty couldn't hear it even if I did."

Matty pointed to his nose and wrinkled it. Dottie laughed. It was just like old times. Matty may not have remembered his brothers, but they were acting just like they used too. It was absolutely wonderful. If they were in their own house and Amanda was with them. It would be perfect.

"Think he's trying to tell you he still has his sense of smell" Jamie laughingly responded

Then Phillip turned to Matty and pretended he was hurt but had a goofy grin. "Et tu little dude?"

Dottie laughed. "Well dear, there is a laundry hamper in your room for a reason. Maybe you should start using it."

Dottie noticed everyone was smiling and laughing except Carrie. She seemed uncomfortable. What Joe saw in her she really didn't understand.

Dottie then realized Joe wasn't there."Carrie, where is Joe?"

Carrie sighed, "He's still sleeping. He didn't come back home until around 3am last night."

Amanda must have been arrested by the Agency. That was the only thing that would make sense. Why they were being so secretive about telling her things. That blasted place after everything her daughter had done and given up for them. "He was here when Leann and I got in."

Carrie looked at Dottie. "He got a call after you went to bed. Had to go see one of his clients. It was an emergency."

Dottie wanted to get out of this house. She wanted to find out what was going on with her daughter. "Well Leann and I are going to be leaving after breakfast. I have to say this dish was very interesting. You 'll have to give me the recipe."

Matty was looking at her and he gave her a really you want the recipe look. She winked at him, and he laughed a little and winked back. He was so cute. It was so nice having him back. He was much too thin though. They needed to get him home so she could give him some proper food in him.

Then Phillip interrupted her train of thought, "Well Jamie & I need to get going. Matty is coming with us. Tell dad when he wakes up, I'll call him later. Carrie, do you need help cleaning up breakfast before you go?"

Dottie knew they were probably going to help their mother. She guessed maybe they were going to go pick her up from whatever holding cell the Agency had her in. She figured they wanted to bring Matty along because she could just imagine that Amanda wanted to be with her lost baby. "You boys run along. I'll help Carrie clean up."

Phillip smiled. "Thanks Grandma" and he went over and hugged her.

Then Leann came up to Matty. "It was nice meeting you Matty. Will you play Barbies with me when you come home later?"

Matty smiled and nodded yes. Then Matty hugged his sister. That was so sweet. It was a shame that Jamie didn't have his camera around his neck. That would have made such a nice picture.

Jamie was going to have to take a lot of pictures when they got home. They would need some of all four of the children together. That was when it hit Dottie. This awkward breakfast was the first time all four of her grandchildren had ever been together. Amanda would regret missing that. Well, they would have a lot more moments that Amanda could witness with much better food when they got home.

Dottie would have to make some chili too. Matty always liked that as well. She smiled at her youngest grandson. He smiled at her back. He was such a dear.

Phillip said, "Runt, you will have to show Matty the Care Bears Movie when we go home. He has not seen it yet."

Why on Earth would Phillip say that to him? That was cruel even for Phillip.

Leann's eyes lit up. Dottie was going to chide Phillip but Jamie just whacked him one.

"What was that for Dingus?" Jamie shot Phillip a look.

"Why would you do that to Matty?"

Phillip looking pleased with himself responded. "Revenge for him thinking I'm smelly too."

Matty laughed. He even laughed the same. He had such a cute little laugh. God it really was like old times. Dottie had not expected Matty to be exactly the same but he was. Matty was strong like his mother. Things were looking up for this family. Things would be even better as soon as she could out of this house and went home. She would help Carrie clean up. Then pack up her and Leann's stuff and head out as soon as humanly possible. She was so thankful to the boys with tasking her to grocery shop to give her an excuse to leave even earlier.

Notes:

Next Chapter: Jamie reunites with Lee.