Fate of Love

byEA Hunt

Prologue

“Mr. Jackson?” He looked up. The man in the white lab coat had a grim look on his face; a look that he didn’t

want to see. Didn’t ever care to see a day in his life. He stood slowly.“I’m sorry, Mr. Jackson. But, there was nothing we could do.”He shook his head. It wasn’t possible; his wife had been a healthy, vibrant woman. She

couldn’t be gone. “Dr. Monroe, you have to be wrong. Angela…”“Had a complication we didn’t know about. I am sorry, Mr. Jackson, but she didn’t make it.”

Dr. Monroe stated.Mr. Jackson closed his eyes and fell into the chair behind him. He looked at the doctor, tears

streaming down his face. “Our baby?”“He’s fine. You have a strong baby boy.”“I have nothing.”“Excuse me?” Dr. Monroe questioned. When the Jackson’s had walked into his office five

months ago they had been ecstatic about the upcoming birth of their child. Moving from New York toDallas they had sought him out and that had been that. Granted, Mrs. Jackson had been more excitedthen her husband, but that was always the case when you had been told you couldn’t have children andthen by some miracle you end up pregnant. “Mr. Jackson, how about I give you a few minutes and thenyou can see your son?”

“I don’t want to see him. Actually, I want to know when I can give him up for adoption.”Dr. Monroe hid his surprise behind his professional demeanor. “Are you sure about this?

Most men-““I’m not ‘most men’. My son took my wife’s life.”“He didn’t… your wife…”“I don’t want him” was all he said before he head out of the waiting room. He stopped briefly

when a nurse approached him with a blue bundle and a smile. He looked at the caramel coloredinfant. He would look like his wife. He shook his head, walking away from his son; saving both ofthem from the heartache that was sure to come if he kept him.

Chapter One

Grayson Jackson shook his head as he remembered that awful day in the hospital a year ago.

He had lost Angela and his son all in one day. He chuckled bitterly; the day after his son’s birth hehad signed away all rights to his son and had him put in private adoption never, knowing whathappened to his child. He had been so grief stricken that he didn’t care, until he had found out that hiswife had died of a rare genetic disorder that was passed from her mother to herself. He closed hiseyes. Now he knew why her father had raised Angela alone. Her mother had died during childbirth,just as Angela had died during childbirth. The difference between himself and Angela’s father wasthe fact Jerry Geen had had the guts and the nerve to take his child home and do the best he could.

Unlike Jerry, he had given his child up for adoption, never looking back. Always wonderingwhat had happened to his little boy. He and Angela’s child. Gray cleared his head, wondering wasn’tgoing to do any good. He wanted to know who had his child. He had tried to find out a few monthsago, but the hospital didn’t know and the adoption had been private, which meant he would probablynever find out what had happened to his son. All because of his grief he had let go of their child.Loving her more than he loved his child… what kind of parent was he? Truly, what kind of parentwas he?

“Kale Alexander Billings! Come back here!”Gray looked at the child running from his mother. It couldn’t be possible, no way could he

looking at Angela! He stood slowly. It wasn’t possible.Was it?

**********

She rushed after her son and scooped him up in front of one of the terminals. She shook her

head as she kissed her baby’s caramel colored cheek. “Mommy told you to stay by her. Didn’t she?”“Mommy” Kale said as he touched her cheek.“’Yes mommy’. Now, come on, your sister is waiting.” She turned away from the terminal and

headed back down the concourse, her son safely on her hip. Haley Billings smiled at her daughter,Kayla, who was standing right where she had left her when she had gone after her son. Hale placedhim in his stroller and they all headed towards the terminal, to catch their flight to Dallas. She smiled.It had been a year since Kale had come into their lives, a year that neither she, nor her daughter,would ever forget.

**********

“I’m looking for Haley Billings?”Hale cradled the phone with her shoulder as she placed her laptop in her bag. She was

running behind for work. “This is she?”“Ms. Billings, this is the Grammar Agency”Hale stopped what she was doing and straightened. She had gone to the Grammar Agency

almost a year ago, when Kayla had been four and a half. Now her daughter was five, and lovingthe fact they were together after years of being apart because of her schooling. She cleared herthroat; if the agency was calling her, then that meant they had a baby for her. “What can I do for

you?”“Can you come to Dallas Memorial? Your son is waiting for you.”She wiped away a tear. Her son. She had a son. Hale talked a few minutes more with the

agency representative before hanging up the phone and calling her daughter. They were going togo pick up the newest member of their family, a much-wanted member of the Billings family.

**********

That day had been wonderful. Kale had come into their life, and everything had beenperfectly wonderful. Kayla doted on her brother, and she doted on both of her children, equaling avery happy and loving family.

“Mom, you know he’s going to run again if you let him out” “Kay, you make him sound like a dog!”“Sometimes he acts like one.”“But you know you love him,”“OK so I love him.” Kay stopped at the terminal that was their number. “Can we come back

for Christmas?” Hale looked at her daughter as she sat down and turned her son to face her. “We just spent a

whole week with your grandmother, aunts and uncles. I’ll think about Christmas, but for right now? No.”

Kay shrugged and nodded. “Hey, look! There’s an arcade!”Hale held up a finger. “One game. The plane will be leaving in about an hour”“OK, one game.” Kay took her backpack from her back and placed it beside her mother,

holding out her hand for some money.Hale reached into her son’s diaper bag and pulled out two dollars. “An hour Kayla Elise.”“Yes, ma’am” Kay said before she rushed away from her mother.She looked after her daughter and smiled. Kay was a smart kid to be only six. Smart, and

capable. She knew her daughter would be all right. Hale turned back to her son who was chewing onhis sleeve. She took it out of his mouth as she reached absently into the diaper bag and pulled out thegraham crackers she always kept for the children. “Here, Kale”

He took the cookie and attacked it. Hale smiled; they had just left her mother’s an hour agoand Kale was hungry again, even though his grandmother had feed him before they left. She openedthe diaper bag and pulled out her laptop and booted it up. Kale had loved the attention he receivedfrom the family. Her mother had fallen in love with Kale the moment she had seen him. When Kalehad come to them she had intended on going to her mother’s and showing everyone the newestaddition to the family. But between work and getting acquainted with Kale and starting a routine withher son, it had taken a year to get back to her hometown. But, she had made it and everyone there hadloved him, and he had loved them back. He had been passed from person to person. His uncles hadeven taken him out on their “guys night”, promising Kale would ‘not be a girl’.

Well, she had something for them. Her son was not going to be a girl. She worked withenough males, she could ask one of them to be a male role model to her child. Kale was going togrow up just fine.

Hale opened her e-mail. She was definitely not going to her mother’s for Christmas, it wasgoing to take her that long to answer all these e-mails and get caught up on work. She released abreath as she passed her son his sippy cup. She had a lot to do on the plane and when they finally got

back to Dallas.

Gray stood slowly as the woman and child approached the terminal he was sitting, wellstanding, in. How had this occurred? He had been thinking about his son, but to actually see the littleboy? To be only inches away from the child was some kind of miracle. He licked his lips as heapproached them. No… he had no sold proof this was his son, but he looked so much like Angela.Her soft brown eyes, auburn hair, caramel coloring; this child looked so much like his late wife; itwas impossible that it wasn’t her.

**********

He took a seat a few seats away from the woman and her children. She was talking to the little

girl. She was a pretty child; her hair was the same blackish brown coloring as her mother’s. But,unlike her mother, she had a yellow coloring and her mother had a brown coloring. No matter whatcoloring any of them were, they all seemed to fit each other. His child included.

Gray looked at the little boy. He was chubby and he looked extremely happy. And if hewasn't mistaken, had two front teeth. He shook his head; he had missed out on so much. His first steps,his first words… everything. Gray could feel the tears swelling in his eyes. His little Angela wasnow some one else’s child. He racked his brain for what the woman had called him. He had been sosurprised to see the child that his name never did register to him what she had called him.

He was about to speak to the woman when her phone rang. He wondered if that was herhusband?

“Billings?”She cradled the phone with her shoulder “I have that right here Jim. Yes, I’ll be in the office

in the morning. Ha. Ha. Very funny… you know the life of a single mother is not the easiest thing inthe world.” She sighed. “Don’t start. You sound like my mother.” She shook her head.

He watched as she navigated her laptop and cared for his son, never missing a beat. Who wasthis woman?

“Yeah. I’ll send it to you now. Oh, and Jim? Please don’t be late to the courthouse… youknow how Judge Newhouse can be”

Anderson Newhouse? He was the U.S. District Judge in Dallas. Gray wondered what she wasdoing seeing Judge Newhouse. Was she in some kind of trouble? He shook his head. That wasn’tpossible. By the way she was talking she was some kind of lawyer. Gray smiled when an idea cameto him. He would do what he did for a living. He was a strategic analyst. He would research thenanalysis the situation. As with any good research project, he would a full name. He looked at her; shewas off the phone, which was a good thing because it meant he could strike up a conversation andfind out what he wanted to know. He had given his son up a year ago and now he had a chance tolearn something about his child. He wanted to know everything… ok, most things… about his son’slife.

He moved closer to the woman and her child. He had no clue how he was going to start aconversation with this woman, but he knew he definitely couldn’t say ‘I believe you have my son’.No, that was not a good opener. Gray was about to speak when the child dropped his toy. He smiled;the boy was a smart one.

“Thanks kid”, he said as he bent to pick up the toy. “Excuse me”

She looked at himGray smiled at her “I believe he dropped this”She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “He’s always dropping his Ducky”“Ducky?”She closed her laptop and placed it beside her. “Yes his Ducky. He’s had it since he was a

week old.” She took the toy from Gray and handed it back to her son. “If he can’t find it he’ll screambloody murder even though he was the one who dropped it.”

“He sounds like he knows what he wants”“He does. He’s a lot like his sister. He knows what he wants and where he wants it. I don’t

think that going to change any time soon. Kale” she motioned towards the baby, “started walkingwhen he was eight months like his sister, and he’s just now started to talk. Not complete sentences,but enough for you know what he’s talking about.”

Gray nodded as he sat down one seat away from her. He didn’t want to scare her off; he justwanted her to keep talking about Kale. He wanted to know as much as he could about his son. “Yousaid he was like his sister?”

She nodded “Kayla. She’s six.”“How old is your son, if you don’t mind me asking?”“No. I don’t mind you asking. He’s a year.” she replied with a smile.Gray nodded “He’s a Gemini, isn’t he?”She looked at him in surprise “How did you know that?”He shrugged. “Lucky guess.”She nodded. “Well, we must be going”He released a breath, knowing he had scared her off. He should have kept his mouth shut.

Saying his son’s sign was going a little too far. “Are you going to Dallas?”She nodded as she gathered her and her son’s things. “Yes. We are”He nodded. He had to leave this alone. “Well, I hope you have a nice trip”“Thank you.” She said as she took the handle of the stroller and walked away.

Gray looked after them; her Kale was his son, he knew it. He just knew it. He knew thatchild was his just like he knew he wanted to be apart of its life. He stood and headed back to histhings on the other side of the terminal. Gray sighed as he pulled his cell phone from his laptop bag.He had some planning to do. He had missed out on so much, and he wasn’t about to miss any more.

**********

Hale looked at the man that was talking on his cell phone. There had been something abouthim; she had seen him somewhere before, she was sure of it. When he had come to sit beside her shehad thought he was going to hit on her. But, he hadn’t, he had just asked about her son. Why?

She moved her mouth from the left to the right. The latest case she was working on was stillin the planning stages, so she couldn’t work for any of the people she was investigating. Heck, shehadn’t even met with the lead agent. She was supposed to do that when she went back to work. Sowho was he? She was positive she’d remember this man if he walked over to her. He was built likeVin Diesel and had the looks of Boris Kodjoe. Put those together, and you have a deadlycombination. Add in the fact that he looked to be a foot taller than her five foot five, and he was avery imposing man. So who was he and why was he so interested in her son?

Hale turned away from him and looked down at her little boy who had fallen asleep, a

Graham Cracker still in his mouth. She smiled down at the child; no matter who the man was she wasnot about to let anything happen to her children. Nothing would ever happen to her children.

“Mom?”She looked at her daughter“Can we get some candy for the plane?”Hale nodded, took her daughter’s hand and they headed to the little store on the concourse, the

man and his questions forgotten.

**********

The office was just as he remembered it: drab and no pictures of anyone on the desks or thewalls. His sister was in Australia and his brother was forever on assignment for the DEA, so hehardly got to see his family. His best friend was a lawyer for the Justice Department, which meant hegot to see less of him then he did his brother Adam.

Gray walked over to his desk, sat down and booted up his computer. Despite the fact hedidn’t get to see his family or friends, he was happy about one thing: he had gotten a chance to see hisson, and he wanted to see more of Kale. Gray smiled; ‘Kale’, it meant ‘Noble’ in Hawaiian. He knewthat from a name search he had done while on the plane. He had watched them the whole plane ride.He watched how Kale’s mother interacted with her daughter and how she, Kale’s sister, interactedwith Kale when he finally woke. That had been when the plane landed and their mother had had to getKale’s stroller from the overhead compartment. He had watched as Kay took care of her brother forher mother but she had also taken care of herself. She was quiet a self-sufficient child, putting herbackpack on her back and tying her own shoes.

Gray shook his head. He had never been around children, he and his siblings were only a yearapart and he was the middle child at thirty. So, what did he know about children? It seemed thatKale’s mother knew a lot about children, as evidenced by how she handled hers with ease and grace.He envied her. She had kept a close watch on her children and had navigated them through the busyDallas airport and kept them close when she had taken them to the baggage claim. He knew he wasbordering on stalking, but he didn’t care. In the year since he had last seen his son he had missed outon so much. Things he never wanted to miss out on again.

Meaning he had to get back into his son’s life. He needed to find this mystery woman who hadhis son. He wanted, and needed, to know Kale. Gray sighed as he reached for the phone. His son washappy, and he knew that he was happy, but he wanted to know him. He exhaled as he dialed hislawyer… time to put things in motion.

**********

Hale rubbed her eyes as she walked into the office. She was tired and had no desire to testifytoday, but she had to do what she had to do. She walked into her office, sat behind her desk andstarted up her computer. She had a desk full of files to go through and about ten reports to write. Atleast she had been able to cut some of her report writing down while she was at home, which waswhere she wished she were. Her precious son had kept her up all night after his little nap on theplane, which meant she was keeping him entertained while trying to work at the same time. It hadbeen a nightmare, but she had made it work with books, crayons and finally a video during which herchild finally fell asleep.

She opened her writing program and began to type, hoping she could cut down on some of thework she had to do before she had to go to court.

**********

That was how May Williams found her, typing on her computer and transferring files to her

laptop. She shook her head disapprovingly. “You know you work to much.”Hale agreed. “My mom always said it took a lot to raise children.”May walked into the office and took one of the chairs that were in front of her desk. “You

know your mother can be a hypocrite sometimes. She had all four of you and she did it on onepaycheck.”

Hale shrugged. “She is hypocritical at times, but she only wants the best for me and mychildren.”

“I can understand that. But, for her to say the things that she says to you…it’s uncalled for.”“May, please… not right now.” She covered a yawn“Tired?”“You have no idea.”May smiled. “How is my God son?”“Bad as ever” she replied while saving her last brief. Hale looked at the clock on her desk;

she needed to get ready for court. “So what brings you down here. The IRS never comes to the poorlittle DEA.”

“We do when we’re all after the same person.”“Farling?”May nodded. “He’s wanted for tax evasion”Hale stood and started placing things in her laptop bag. “This guy is amazing! He’s wanted by

us, by the IRS and now the FEDS?” She shook her head. “If I were him I’d run. Run as fast as I could,because it might be a while before he sees the light of day.”

May raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “When are you meeting with the others involved inthe investigation?”

“We’re having a planning session this afternoon at three. Can you make it?”May nodded and stood. “Have fun in court”Hale chuckled as May left the room. She knew her friend hated testifying but it was a part of

both of their jobs. A part they both hated. May looked at her; watch she needed to get back upstairs toher department. They were having a meeting in ten minutes and she didn’t have any of the things sheneeded for the meeting. That’s what she got for leaving things until the last minute.

“Are you ready?”Hale looked at Jim and nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go wow ’em.”

**********

“Gray, I’ve explained this to you before. You don’t have a case.”Gray looked at his lawyer and brother in law, Tom Barker. “I was grief stricken, Tom. All I

want is to see him. I don’t care to raise him that would be unfair to his new family, to take him fromthem. But, to know him, to be apart of his life, that’s all I’m asking for.”

Tom shook his head “I’ve been over this ten different ways and there is no way we can

reinstate your parental rights. You can’t be apart of his life unless his mother allows it.”He blinked and shook his head. He didn’t remember telling Tom his son had only a mother.

Before, it had always been the ‘adoptive parents’. What had changed?“Tom do you know something that I don’t know?”Tom stood and walked over to the bar that was in Gray’s office. The private eye they hired

had come to him just before Gray’s call to give him the low down on the person who had adoptedGray’s son, which also giving him a bit of a surprise about the child’s adoption.

“Tom. I asked you a question.”Tom sighed. He turned and faced Gray, a drink in his hand. He was going to need this; he just

knew it. “Alex came to see me.”“The P.I.? I thought he couldn’t find anything.”“So did he, until…” Tom took a drink. “He stumbled on to the adoption records for one baby

Jackson born May 30th. It seems baby Jackson was given to a woman by the name of Haley Billings.She works for the DEA.”

“Does Adam know of her?”“I have no clue. There was also something else.”Gray sat up in his chair, his curiosity piqued. “What?”“Baby Jackson, whose name is now Kale, has not been adopted”“What?” Gray bolted from his seat. “I thought…”“Gray, Ms. Billings is a single mother”Well, he knew that, but his brother in law didn’t know that he knew that. And, he wasn’t about

to volunteer the information that he had seen his son only days earlier, either. That was why he waspushing this so much and so hard to see his child again.

Tom continued after taking another gulp of his drink. “Social Services wanted to make surethey were doing the right thing, being she has a stressful job and another child.”

“Another child?” he questioned keeping the deception up.He nodded. “A little girl. Kayla. Anyway, Hale, as they call her, went along with this because

she didn’t want there to be any problems if the biological parents wanted to come and claim thechild.” He placed his glass on the bar top. “Listen, Gray, before you get any ideas about contestingthis adoption. This woman loves this child and he’s happy. Plus, you gave up your parental rights tothis child a year ago. There’s no basis for this.”

“There’s always basis and I was under duress.” Gray shook his head; he was going to beapart of his child’s life one way or another. “File the papers, Tom.”

“Gray, think about this”“I have. Now, please do as I ask.”Tom shook his head disbelievingly. A can of worms was about to be reopened here, one that

shouldn’t have been opened in the first place. His brother in law was out of his mind. “I’ll file thepapers as soon as possible.”

“Thanks, Tom.”“Yeah.” On that, Tom left, wondering how exactly he was going to pull this off. The law was

against Gray and he didn’t even see it. He entered the elevator wondering if his brother-in-law knewexactly what he was getting into. Tom had a strong feeling he didn’t. Or, he didn’t care.

One thing was for sure: this was not going to turn out the way Gray wanted it to. He had asinking suspicion Gray was in for a rude awakening, one his brother in law would never forget.

**********

“Sorry I’m late.” Hale said as she walked into the conference room. She smiled at the DEAAgent, FBI Agent and May from the IRS. They were all after the same person, and she was thecoordinator for the whole situation.

Everyone nodded, and a man that looked like the man she had seen at the airport steppedforward. “My name is Agent Adam Jackson, DEA. This is Agent Hon Calvin FBI. And, I believeyou know May Williams from the IRS?”

“Good deciphering, Agent Jackson. Can we all sit down and get started? We have a lot togo through and a short time to do it. Each agency wants to move within the next three weeks.”

Every agreed and took a seat around the conference room table.

**********

Hale rubbed her eyes as she stood and smiled at everyone at the table. She needed to go, shehad to pick up the kids from daycare and school, plus she had quiet a few briefs that needed to bewritten added on the coordination for this case. She was up to her eyeballs in things to do.

“Hale, are we still having dinner tonight?” May questioned, gathering her things.“Yes, we are still having dinner. Be at the house at seven, please?”“I am always on time”“Yeah right!” she replied while closing her laptop and placing it in her bag. “Think again.

You get so distracted sometimes that I have to call you three times in order to get your attention”“You are so not funny.”“I’m funny, you know I am. That’s why you love me.” Hale wrapped an arm around May’s.

“So, you’ll come play with the kids and then we’ll all have dessert and talk.”May smiled. “Sounds like fun.” She hugged her friend, stepped away and headed back to the

IRS office on the floor above Hale’s.“Ms. Billings?”Hale smiled at Agent Jackson. “Yes?”“I wanted to talk some more about the case.”She walked into her office as Adam followed “I would love to, but I have to be somewhere in

twenty minutes.” She looked at Adam; he was staring at the pictures of the children that she kept onher desk. “Agent Jackson?”

Adam blinked and looked at her.“Is there something wrong?”He motioned towards the picture of the little boy “He’s adorable.”Hale nodded and smiled. “That’s my baby, Kale Alexander. He’s a year.”“He’s cute”“My daddy used to say, ‘cute is for monkeys’”He smiled. “Smart man. Actually, both of your children are adorable”“Thank you. You wanted to discuss something about the case?”“Yes, but we can talk about it tomorrow if that’s all right with you?”“Fine. So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”Adam nodded.Hale grabbed her things and headed to her office door. “I don’t mean to rush you but I have an

appointment I can’t miss.”“Yes, of course.” He followed her out of the office and watched her go. He turned back to the

office and tried the door. It was locked. He looked around him; no one was in sight as he pulled hislock pick kit from his pocket. He jimmied the lock and opened the door.

Closing it quietly behind him, he walked over to the desk and picked up the picture that wason the desk. Adam shook his head; it wasn’t possible, was it? He was looking at his brother, his babybrother, in a younger form maybe, but still, that was who he was looking at. Adam replaced thepicture and inhaled. What kind of test was this? He had found the child Gray had given up a year ago.So did he tell his brother? Or, did he just leave it alone?

He wasn’t happy when he heard his brother had given up his child, but that had been Gray’sdecision, not his. Adam walked over to the door; he listened to make sure the outer office was still asempty it had been when he broke into Haley’s office. Satisfied at what he heard, he opened the doorand walked out of the office, still wondering if he should tell his brother or not.

“What are you doing?”Adam turned around to the woman who walked with purpose. Boy, she was light on her feet!

He smiled at Haley “I was talking on my phone.”Hale shook her head. “Sorry. When you work for the DEA a long time, you become

suspicious”“I can understand that. I thought you had an appointment?”“I did, but I forgot something in my office.”Adam nodded and stepped aside. “Then I’ll let you go. See you tomorrow?”Hale nodded and watched as Adam walked away. There was something going on here. She

looked at her watch. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the time to figure it out. She needed to get herchildren. She’d get the file after she got the kids. She turned away from her office and headed to hercar.

Chapter Two

“I can’t believe you!”Gray looked at his sister on the videophone. “Still in Australia, Cammie?”She released a breath. “Yes, I’m still in Australia and I’ll be here for another week. But, that

still doesn’t stop me from finding out about you and what you’re about to do!”“Tom travels fast.” Gray said as he removed his dinner from the microwave.“Don’t blame Tom Grayson. Do you understand what you’re doing?”“I know what I’m doing. Tom filed the papers just yesterday.”“No, he didn’t.”Gray stopped mid bite. “As my lawyer, he was supposed to file the papers!”“And, as your brother in law, he talked to your sister!”“He wasn’t supposed to do that, either.”“You know, Gray, this is selfish of you. You’re willing to take this child from his mother

because…? You’re having remorse? Get over it! He’s happy, Gray!”“Well, I want to know him”“You should have thought about that before you gave him up.”“I had just lost my wife…”“And gained a child you decided you didn’t want because you had just lost Angela!”He shook his head. “I didn’t know if I could do it be myself.”“And, now you think you can handle it?”“I don’t need you sarcasm Camille.”“You need something, Grayson, because you are definitely not thinking here.”“I am thinking, Sister dear. And what I want to know is my son.”“Guess what? That has nothing to do with this child. Gray, honey, please reconsider this?”“Camille, I love you. You know that I do. But, I want to know my child.”“You’re making a mistake here, Gray. One that might come back to bite you on the bum if

you’re not careful!”“Thanks for the vote of encouragement.”“That was nothing but.” she said before hanging up on her brother.Gray sighed. Did his sister have a point? He had given his son up of his own free will, so why

was he pushing to be apart of this child’s life? Because it was his child? Kale was his child and hewanted and intended to know his child. Gray picked up the phone; he wanted Tom to file the papers,and he wanted them filed them before the adoption was finalized.

**********

Hale chuckled and cleaned her son’s hand. “Sorry about that.” she said to Adam“No problem.” he said, wiping the cheese from his pants.She placed her son on the floor and sent him to play in the corner with his toys. She looked at

Adam; he was smiling. She wondered why? “The smile is for?”“Because. Children are a lot of fun”She shook her head “I would have thought you would have been upset about the fact Kale had

but cheese on your pants.”

“Hardly.” He looked at his nephew. He had come to her home to make sure he was happy andthat Hale, as she liked to be called, was a good mother. And, she was. She doted on her children.Her daughter Kayla loved her brother as much as Hale loved him. He looked back at Hale. “I have allI need. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Hale noddedAdam stood he grabbed his briefcase. It had taken him twenty- four hours to decide if he was

going to tell Gray or not, and now he knew he wouldn’t. Kale was happy and Adam could see that.No, he was not going to tell his brother the truth. Honestly, Gray didn’t deserve to know. He walkedover to the door. “Thanks for the information and the snack.”

“You’re quiet welcome.” Hale said, opening the door for him. She smiled. “See youtomorrow?”

“Yes.” Adam was about to turn and leave when he saw Tom’s assistant coming towards thefront door. He wondered what Sally was doing here. He stepped outside. “Sally! Hello!”

“Hi Adam. I didn’t expect to see you here.”“Well, I work with Ms. Billings. What are you doing here?”“I can’t tell you, but I suggest you call Tom or Camille”Adam nodded and walked away from her. He had a feeling he didn’t like what was about to

happen.“Ms. Billings?”Hale nodded and stepped out onto the porch“This is for you.” Sally said handing her the papers.Hale took the papers and the young woman left. She opened the papers and began to shake.

This was not happening. She covered her mouth with her hand as she continued to read. This was nothappening to her. This could NOT be happening.

********** “This has to be a joke.”May inhaled a breath as she placed the papers on the coffee table. She looked at her friend;

Hale had called her frantic and making little sense. She had cancelled her date and come over to herfriend’s home. She had greeted the kids then found her friend in the kitchen cleaning frantically. Haleonly cleaned when she was worried about something or she was thinking. It looked to her as if herfriend was doing both, and now May knew why. “Hale. I know you were waiting until social servicesgave you the ok so you could finalize the adoption, but they gave you an ok when Kale was threeweeks old. You should have finalized it then.”

“I thought I was doing the right thing by waiting.”She released a breath. “It seems you waited too long.”Hale looked at her son as he wobbled across the hall to the playroom. “I can’t lose him.”“Go see Stan. See if this person”, she looked at the papers again, “see if this ‘G. Jackson’ has

a leg to stand on.” May stood and walked over to her friend. “And step out on faith, honey. Remember, you’re Kale’s mother, no one else. And nothing will change that. Have faith you’ll keepyour son. I do.”

Hale sighed and said, “You have more faith than I do.”May chuckled. “No, my dear, I don’t. Your faith and belief in all things good, and right from

wrong has always been stronger than mine. Listen to me; it took you a long time to get to the place

you’re at right now, and I’m happy you’re at this place and I know you’re happy you’re at this place.Contentment is hard to reach, I should know. But where life is for you is a good place. So just keepbelieving it will always be a good place.” She smiled. “We’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine, and theadoption will be finalized and Kale will stay right where he is.”

“I know. But, it’s so hard not to think the worse.”“You have to stop thinking the worse, or the worse will happen.”“Do you know how happy I am that you’re my friend?”“Yeah, I know.” May said, embracing her friend. She released a breath and hoped what she

had told Hale were true because if Hale lost Kale, neither she nor Kay would be any good to anyone.Kale was both their worlds, and they loved him more than anything.

“Te-Te May? Can we go for ice cream?” Kay asked. She looked at her mother. “Is theresomething wrong?”

May released Hale and faced one of her best friends. “No, sweetie. And yes, we can go forice cream. Go grab your brother and your jackets and we’ll go get the ice cream.”

Kay nodded and raced from the room.May faced her friend. “Want to tell her what’s going on?”Hale shook her head no. She would not alarm her children unnecessarily. “Take them for ice

cream while I call Stan and see when I can get an appointment”“You want anything?” May smiled. “Besides keeping your son?”“No, but thank you for the everything.”“You know I’m always here for you.”“I know.”“Ready!” Kay called while holding her brother’s hand.“OK, let’s go.”“Momma?” Kale asked.“Momma is going to stay here, sweetie. You have fun with Te-Te May.” She kissed each on

the cheek and walked them to the door. “I’ll see all of you later.”She waved her children off, hoping that that would not be the last time she was telling her

them good bye.

**********

“You son of a-““Choose your words carefully, Adam.”“How could you?” Adam shook his head. He would have reamed his brother out the day Hale

had received the custody papers, but his brother had been on a business trip the last three days so hehad had to wait. “Do you even understand what you’re doing to her?”

“Please. Save the dramatics, you don’t even know this woman.”“Yes I do. She’s the researcher on my latest case. I’ve spent a week working with this

woman. And, I’ve meet your son.”Gray looked at him in surprise. He had seen Kale, had even tried to talk to him, but the shock

had been so much that it hadn’t worked to well. “You talked to Kale?”“I said I’ve seen him. I haven’t talked to him since he’s not making that much sense to me. But,

what does make sense to me is leaving Kale exactly where he is. He’s happy, Gray, and you’rewilling to take him away from that for your own selfish needs.”

“I was under duress when I gave him up,”“Bull. I’ll give you the fact that you were grieving and maybe you went to far with that grief

but…” he shook his head. “No matter how much you were grieving, you shouldn’t have given up yourson. But, you did. And now because you want to right a mistake you made a year ago you’re willingto take him away from his mother, sister and an aunt that love him more than life itself!”

“I know what I’m doing Adam.”Adam huffed, shook his head and walked out of his brother’s office. He would be damned if

he let his brother take Kale from Haley. He belonged to her, and she to him. There had to besomething he could do. Adam pulled his phone from his breast pocket.

“Cammie we need to talk”

**********

Hale bit her lower lip. Stan had been on the phone for the last fifteen minutes talking tosomeone from the courthouse to see if they could get her court date moved forward and not after thefirst of the year. She shook her head; she had had to wait three days for this meeting, and still Stanhadn’t told her anything she didn’t already know. He had told her she had nothing to worry about, theadoption was set and there was no way custody could be challenged; especially since this G. Jacksonperson had given up all rights to his son in the first place. So, why was there a trail? Why was shehaving dreams of her son being ripped from her arms?

Hale moved a piece of hair from her face. She wasn’t sleeping, she was hardly eating and itwasn’t good for her or her children. She needed this rectified, and she needed it rectified soon.

“Thanks, Shelby.” Stan hung up the phone, looked at his client and smiled. After some sweet-talking and promises of a dinner, he knew Shelby wanted he had gotten what he wanted. “OK. Wehave a hearing this afternoon.”

Hale released a breath and sat down in one of the chairs Stan had in front of his desk. “So,will this Jackson person be notified?”

Stan nodded. “He and his lawyer will be notified, and we hopefully will have a decision bythis afternoon.”

“I won’t lose them, will I, Stan? Kale and Kayla?”“I know.” He smiled. “I’ve known you since college and what did Mario tell you that night in

choir a year and a half ago?”“That I will always have Gospel Ensemble. My GE Fam.”“And I am apart of that family. I love you like the sister you are and I always will. Which

means, my niece and nephew will stay right were they are.”“I know,” Hale sighed. “Thank you, Stan.” she stood she walked around the desk and

embraced him. “I love you so much.”“I know.” He hugged her back. “I’ll see you this afternoon at one?”Hale nodded. She kissed Stan’s cheek, gathered her things and left his office.Stan looked after her. Hale had been through a lot, from losing people in her life, to finally

realizing that she had a group of people who loved her with all their hearts and souls. He nodded;Hale would be all right, and he would help her.

She was, after all, his sister in Christ.**********

The courthouse was packed, but what did he expect at one in the afternoon. When Tom hadcalled him about the court date Gray had no clue that they would be moving this fast; but, they were,and that was fine with him. The faster he got his son back, the happier he would be.

He located the courtroom number and headed to the third floor. Getting his son back, yes,that’s what he wanted. He didn’t want to be a weekend father to Kale. He wanted to be the child’sfather full time. So he would have to cut back on his travels and his workload, but that would be finewith him. All he wanted was for Kale to be apart of his life and he apart of Kale’s. Gray noddedwhen he spotted Tom, but stopped short when he saw Kale’s mother and his sister talking with him.

What was going on around here?

**********

“Ms. Billings?”Hale looked at the caramel-skinned woman; she had to be five-foot, if that, and she had the

most beautiful auburn colored hair she had ever seen. Her hair reminded her of Kale’s. “Yes?”The woman sat down next to Hale. “My name is Camille Jackson- Barker.” She pulled her

wallet from her purse. “Your son is my nephew.” She showed Hale a picture of her and her brotherswhen they were younger.

Hale swallowed as she looked at the picture. It wasn’t possible, her child looked just like thetallest one of the children in the picture. She looked at Camille

Mrs. Barker smiled sadly, saying, “The child you keep staring at is my brother, Gray. He’syour son’s father.”

Hale shook her head. “Why are you telling me this?”“Because I believe what my brother is doing to you isn't right.”“So do I, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Hopefully I have the law on my side.”“You do” Camille smiled and stood she faced Hale. “I haven’t seen a picture of him. I know

this is presumptive of me, but do you have a picture?”“I have dozens.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the small photo album she had

brought to court. She handed it to Camille. “He looks just like his father.”Camille agreed. “He sure does. Tom, come and look.”Tom Barker walked over to his wife and looked over her shoulder at the little boy every one

loved. “He’s adorable.”“Yes, he is.”Everyone’s eyes turned towards the person who had spoken.“Haley Billings. My name is Grayson Jackson, and I’m your son’s father.”Hale stood, extending her hand. “Nice to meet you. Mr. Jackson.” She smiled “I guess I should

thank you for such a beautiful and wonderful boy.”Gray nodded as he accepted her proffered hand. “You’re quiet welcome.”Hale nodded and released his hand. “Well… um, I should go see my lawyer. Nice to have

met all of you.” And on that, she turned and walked away.“Still want to take a child away from a woman like that?”Gray looked after her. No. He didn’t want to take his child away from a woman like that.

**********

“Your Honor, my client just wants to be apart of his son’s life.”“He should have thought about that, Mr. Barker, before he gave his son up for adoption. Mr.

Davis has presented me with evidence stating the fact that your client put his son in a private adoptionthree days after he was born.”

“Mr. Jackson was under duress. He wasn’t thinking straight. He had just lost his wife andwas in no condition to be thinking rationally.”

“I can understand grief, Mr. Barker, but the facts are the facts. And there are more factsagainst your client than a little bit. I have a letter here from your client’s brother stating the child inquestion should not be removed. Then, Representative Johns Chief of Staff called this morning givingme the same advice. I don’t like calls like that, Mr. Barker.”

“I can understand, Judge Clayborn.”“Can you? I have people calling who are backing Ms. Billings. When I get a call from higher

ups in the DEA and the IRS, I start to wonder if I want to take this case. What little case your clienthas.”

Tom nodded. He knew his wife had taken steps, but calling the judge was going a little far.However, Cammie knew her own mind, just like Adam did. Both were against this and they had madetheir displeasure, and his job, that much harder. “Your Honor?”

“Sit down, Mr. Barker.” Judge Clayborn shook his graying head. “Your client has no casehere. Despite the fact I’ve gotten ten calls in the last three hours about this case, Social Services hasno problem with this adoption and your client did severe his parental rights to this child. I’m sorry,but this case is dismissed. But before I adjourn, one more thing”, he looked at Hale. “Every childdeserves to know their parent. Both of their parents.” He once more faced the court. “The adoptionwill be signed and finalized. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.” he banged his gavel and it wasover.

Hale hugged Stan. “Thank you so much, Stan!”He hugged her back. “I didn’t do anything.”“You”, she looked at him. “You gave me the strength to believe in myself, and I thank you for

that.”Stan kissed her cheek. “It was all you, Sista Girl. It was all you.” He stood and helped her to

her feet. “Now. Go home, hug your children and get back to your life.”“I will. But, there’s something I have to do first.” Hale licked her lips and walked over to

where Gray was sitting. “Mr. Jackson?”He looked at her.She could see tears in his eyes “Kale has a Christmas program next week, it’s at our church. I

would like for you to come. Plus”, she released a breath. “Plus, he’s learning how to go to thewashroom by himself. I’m not a man so I can’t teach him, but I would like for you to. I’m asking youto dinner tonight. You can meet Kale and my daughter, Kayla.” She wrote her address down on thelegal pad on the desk. “Dinners at six. It’s usually at seven, ‘cause I get home late, but not today. And,I know this all stemmed from your seeing me at the airport.”

“How?”“Don’t see to many men with your characteristics.” She smiled. “The judge was right every

child does need to know their parent.”“Hale?”She looked at Stan over her shoulder and nodded. She faced Gray, “See you this evening?”

on that she turned and walked out of the courtroom with Stan.

“That’s quite some woman.”“Yeah it is” Gray looked after her. She was quiet some woman and the mother of his child.

How did Kale get so lucky?

**********

“I think you’re out of your mind.” May said as she helped Hale set the table.“You can say what you want to say, but Kale does deserve to know his father.”“I still don’t get it.” She placed her hands on her hips. “He serves you with papers to take

your child, and still you let this man come to your home and know your son?”“Kale deserves this/”May was about to say something when the doorbell rang. “I still think you’re out of your

mind.”“Thanks.” Hale said before she went to answer the door.

**********

Gray stood straighter. He was never more nervous a day in his life. It was like Angela was

going into labor all over again. He adjusted the presents he had under his arm. He had a ball for Kaleand a doll for Kayla. He hoped each child loved them. He knew he shouldn’t have brought he kidsgifts but he wanted to make a good impression and most children loved gifts. He just hoped his sonand his sister liked the gifts he had brought them.

He turned as the door opened and he smiled at Hale.“Hello, Mr. Jackson.”“Gray. Please.” he said.She nodded, stepping aside and allowing him to enter. Hale shut the door behind him. “Gray

Jackson, I would like for you to meet May Williams. She’s the kids aunt.”Gray nodded and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Williams.”“You also”, May said accepting the offered hand. She looked at Hale and winked. ‘He’s

cute,’ she mouthed.Hale rolled her eyes and shook her head.May faced Gray again. She smiled. “How about I go and get the kids?” she asked, not

allowing either adult answer. May released his hand and headed up the stairs behind her.Hale exhaled. She had never been in this much of an uncomfortable silence a day in her life.

She didn’t know what to say to this man, or if she even really wanted him in her home. OK, so he wasKale’s father, but he was also the one who had tried to take her son from her.

She smiled at him when he looked at her. She was out of her mind to let this man in her home.Kale was her child, he wasn’t going anywhere and she knew it. So, why had she told him aboutKale’s Christmas play? She shook her head. Stan had thought she was crazy for inviting him to dinner,but she wasn’t. She knew she wasn’t crazy. Being angry with Gray wouldn’t change the fact that hewas Kale’s father nor would it change the fact that every child deserves to know its father no matterhow you feel about that person. ‘Remember the last time you thought that?’

Hale told her conscience to shut up. Her daughter was fine and her son would be better forknowing his father. She had to believe that, or none of this was going to work. “Would you likesomething to drink?” she questioned, breaking the drawn out silence.

“I would love something. What do you have?”Hale walked towards the kitchen “We have water, Iced Tea, Kool-Aid, and juice.”“Iced tea would be perfect.”She nodded, took a glass from the table and poured the iced tea she had on the counter. She

passed the glass to Gray. “I noticed the packages in your hands.”He smiled “I brought them for the kids. A doll for… Kayla, I believe is your daughter’s

name?”Hale nodded.“And I have a ball for Kale. He does like balls, doesn’t he?”“He loves them. Balls and trucks.”“I liked those when I was a kid. My mom says I use to sleep with a toy truck when I was a kid.

It was my favorite.”“Sounds like Kale and his Ducky. You have a brother, Adam, right?”Gray nodded as he placed the packages he had for the children in one of the chairs at the table.

“How did you know?”“Your sister showed me a picture of you guys when you were younger. I put two and two

together. Plus, Adam looks like you. Are you the oldest?”Gray shook his head. “The middle child.”Hale nodded.He was about to ask her a familial question when he heard four feet rushing down the stairs

and laughter following the footsteps. He turned and watched as his son barreled past him and into thearms of his mother. He faced mother and child. “Hi”, he said.

Hale straightened her daughter at her side and her son on her hip. “Kayla and Kale Billings, Iwould like for you to meet Mr. Gray Jackson”

“Hi,” both children replied.He stepped forward. “Hi. These are for you guys”, he said as he handed them the gifts. Gray

hoped this was all right with Haley; she hadn’t said anything while they were talking, nor had she saidanything during that long unadulterated silence they had had in her living room. He never wanted to gothrough that again.

As the children took their presents, Hale placed Kale on the floor. “Before you open those,what do you say?”

“Thank you!” they said, and opened the presents.“I also have this.”Hale looked at him. She swallowed when she saw the rectangular box. “It’s too much, the

children’s gifts are just fine. You didn’t have to get me anything”“Actually I did. You could have slapped me, called me all out my name or told me I would

never see Kale again. But, you didn't. You're giving me this chance, and I want to thank you for it.She shook her head and pushed the box away “A thank you is enough, ray.“Momma look!”Hale looked at her daughter.“She’s the same color as me! She’s yellow! Cool!” Kay looked at Gray. “Thanks! Momma

tries to find dolls that look like me, but she usually can’t. But, you did! Thanks!”Gray nodded, he was glad the little girl liked her gift. He had called a specialty shop on the

other side of town looking for a doll with the same skin tone as Kayla Billings and he had found one.He looked at his son; Kale had a look on his face that Gray didn’t know what to make of it. He wasn’t

crying, but he looked as if he wanted to. “Did I get him the wrong thing?”Hale shook her head and crouched beside her son. “Kale, what’s wrong?”“Want ducky”, he said through his tears. She looked at the ball and smiled. His ducky was on the ball. She looked at Gray. “He thinks

you put his ducky on the ball.”“Oh.” He walked over to his son and crouched down in front of him. “You know, this is

Ducky’s ball. I brought it for you and Ducky.”“Did?” Kale questioned.Gray nodded.“Than you”, he replied.“Who are you?” Kay questioned, coming to stand beside her mother.Hale wrapped an arm around her daughter. Remember when I told you that Kale came to us

from very special people?”Kay nodded and looked at Gray. “Are you a special people?”Gray smiled. “I think that I am.”“He is.” Hale said looking at him she smiled “Gray is Kale’s daddy.”“He is?” Kay said in surprise.“Yes, sweetheart. He is.” She squeezed her daughter. “And, he’s going to be spending some

time with us.”“Cool.” She looked at Gray. “You seem nice.”“Thank you.”She shrugged, stepped away from her mother and headed down the hall to the playroom. Kale

followed.Gray stood and reached out a hand absently to help Hale to her feet. “That’s it.”She stepped away from him. “My children have been through a lot. Kay especially.”He looked at her. “Hal-““May! I forgot you were standing there. Sorry.” She rounded Gray and came to stand beside

her friend. “Are you staying for dinner?”“No.” May said. She had seen the interaction between Hale and Gray. They had been sizing

each other up. When they decided each was no harm to the other, and Gray was no harm to herchildren, Hale had turned on that subtle charm she had and only used when she was sure of thesituation. Or, when she wanted something. May wondered if her friend wanted her son’s father. Shesmiled; he was good enough to eat. She looked at her friend. “I have another engagement.” She turnedand headed to the door.

Hale followed her friend. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with this man. Himhelping her to her feet had scared her a bit. He had touched her, and her body had felt like it was onfire. She needed May here to help her and keep her from doing something stupid. “You can’t leave.”

“Yes, I can” she said while grabbing her jacket from the closet. She put on her jacket andfaced her friend. “You’ll be fine.”

“No, I won’t. I have no clue what to talk to this man about1”“How about his son. Or, you can continue to flirt.”“I have not been flirting!”“Please.” May rolled her eyes. “You, my dear, have been flirting. And, what’s more, it’s

working. I saw how he helped you to your feet. Such a gallant man we have here.”“I’m his son’s mother.”

“Yeah, I know.” May touched her shoulder. “You’ll be fine.”“I hope you’re right.”“I am. Now, I’ll call you tomorrow.”“We have a meeting tomorrow.”“Then I’ll see you then.”Hale nodded and opened the door for her friend. She could do this; she could have a nice

dinner with her child’s father and not feel like she was in a trapped cage. They could find somethingto talk about. She shut the door. Hopefully they could find something to talk about.

Hale released a breath as she headed back into the house. She had expected to find Gray in thedining room where she had left him, but he wasn’t there. She looked down the small hall that led tothe playroom when she heard male laughter and followed it. She found Gray in the playroom with herdaughter and son, playing ball with Ducky while having a tea party with Kay and her dollies. Sheleaned against the door jam and smiled.

Yeah. They could find something to talk about.

**********

“I hope you liked the pizza.”Gray looked at her as he helped her finish clearing the table. The children were watching a

movie, which left the adults alone in the kitchen. After dinner had been filled with Kay askingquestions of both adults and Kale trying out the word ‘Da’. He had to admit, he liked hearing his soncalling him Da. It was the one thing in the world he thought he would never hear. It was amazing; thiswhole situation was all amazing. Kayla, Kale and especially Hale were all, well …amazing.

“Gray?”He blinked and looked at her. “Sorry. Did you say something?”She smiled and shook her head. “I had to call you twice. What has you so preoccupied?” she

questioned while walking over to the table. She picked up a few more dishes.“You.”“Excuse me?”“You… this.” He gestured around him. “When I gave Kale up, I never thought I would ever

see him again. And then, for him to walk back into my life? In an airport? How ironic. Then for youto let me see him”, he shook his head. “It’s all so amazing.”

“Stan and May thought I was crazy for inviting you here.”“Honestly? I thought you were a little weird myself.”“Kale does deserve to know you. You obviously wanted to know your son. I couldn’t fault

you for that. Any parent who loves their child would want to know them, no matter what happens intheir life.” She smiled bitterly, picking up the dishes she had gathered and headed to the dishwasher.

Gray followed, carrying what was left of the dishes on the table. He could hear sadness inher voice and wondered what it was from. Had Kay’s father wronged her, or was she talking from achildhood experience. Who was this woman, really? “So why aren’t you married, if I may ask?”

Hale licked her lips sand faced him, taking the dishes he had and loading them into thedishwasher “I was married. Right out of high school… actually, a year out of high school. We weremarried for two years.”

“Kayla’s father?”“James was a year older than me and the first man to pay me any attention. My nose was so

wide open it wasn’t even funny.” She shook her head; she was not about to go down that road again. Ithad taken her a long time to come to terms with her divorce and loss. She was still coping with whathappened in her marriage and she was not about to open that can of worms again. “Why aren’t youmarried?”

“The right woman hasn’t come along?”“Stan told me Kale’s mother died in child birth. That must have been hard.”“It was. I loved Angela more than life itself. Trying to raise Kale by myself wasn’t the best

thing for either of us at the time.”She nodded. “It takes a real man to admit that.”He shrugged. “The city has a Christmas parade the second Saturday of the month. I was

wondering if I could take Kale. I have a feeling he would love to see all the floats. And Santa.”Gray moved from on foot to the other. He didn’t know what else to say to this woman. He

wanted her to tell him everything about his child but he had enough time for that. He hoped.“Would you like to see Kale’s baby pictures?”“I would love it.”Hale nodded and led the way to the living room. Both children were glued to the television.

She smiled down at them, knowing they would be sleeping soon. She opened the doors of the uprightchest sitting in one corner of the living room, pulling out three photo albums and passing them toGray. “There are pictures from the hospital all the way up to the Thanksgiving we spent with myfamily this past week.”

He took them and smiled. “Thank you for doing this.”“No. Thank you, for Kale.”He nodded and opened the first book. Looking at the first picture of his son and thinking he

was luckiest man in the world.

Chapter Three

Kale smiled at him and he thought he was going to jump for joy right then and right there. No

way should he be standing with his son in his arms at a Christmas parade. This should not behappening; in no way, shape or form should this be happening. But it was.

“See Da.” Kale said.Gray nodded and placed his son his shoulders so the little boy could see the parade better.

When he had come to pick up Kale from Hale’s he had been with May playing in the front yard. Halehad left with Kay stating, through May, that this would go better if she and Kay weren’t there. No oneher son could cry for. He had thanked May for the message, taken his son’s hand and had gotten in thecar, loving the fact he was about to spend Christmas and the days leading up to it with his son.

“Hona Claus!”Gray looked in the direction his son was pointing. Santa was coming down the street. “How

about we go see Santa after the parade?”Kale nodded furiously.He chuckled. This was what dreams were made of.

**********

She knew this bordered on stalking, but he had her son and she was determined to make sureeverything was going fine. She smiled as Kale clapped when Santa came down the street. He wasfine. Kale was fine and Gray looked as if he was handling things just perfectly, as she hoped he was.Kale could be a handful at times.

“Momma, can we get some hot dogs?”Hale nodded as she took one last look at her son and his father. They looked good together.

Good and content. “We sure can.”

**********

“OK Kale, we’re next!” Gray looked down at his side. Kale wasn’t there. He turned quickly. Where had he gone? He got out of the department store Santa line and rushed across the walkway tothe clothing stands, looking through each. He had left the stroller in the car so that Kale could getmore practice walking and because he couldn’t remember how the thing opened. No sign of him.

“Kale!” he called. He had to find him! If he lost his son, Hale would never forgive him. And, he would never forgive himself.

**********

“So. What would you like to do now?”“Can we go to the movies?”“Sure” Hale said as she put the remains of their lunch in the garbage. “What would you like

to see?”Kay shrugged her shoulders. “How about we go and see what’s there?”“Cool” Hale took her daughter’s hand and they headed out of the food place. It had been a

long time since she and her daughter had a girl’s day out. This was fun, and since she didn’t have toworry about Kale, this would be a day she would enjoy and remember for years to come.

**********

Gray paced the security office. He was worried about his son. He had been in every store,

through every department, looking for his son and there was no sign of him anywhere. Now they werelooking at the security cameras to see if they could spot him. He shook his head, he should havebrought the stroller should have remembered what had happened at the airport with Hale when Kalehad gotten away from her, also. So, what made him think he could handle his son without a stroller? He rubbed his eyes as he looked at another screen. He had to find him; he had to find hisson. Gray released a breath, knowing he should have called Hale a long time ago. But, she and Kaywere probably at some spa somewhere. He was not going to interrupt them until he knew something…anything. This was not happening.

This could not be happening to him.

********** “So how did you like the movie?”Kay smiled up at her mother. “It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”“I thought so, too!” she said as they walked to the car. They had decided on a cartoon, one

Kale would have enjoyed just as much as his sister had enjoyed it. She was rambling off scenes sheliked and fun stuff she saw in the movie. Hale opened the car doors, thinking she would have toremember to buy the movie when it came out on video. She was sliding under the wheel when her cellphone rang. She started the car and pulled the device from her pocket

“Hello?” she said as she pulled into traffic.“Hale… its Gray. We have a problem.”“What kind of a problem?”“How long will it take you to get to Century Mall?”“Ten minutes. Why?”“I...” he took a deep breath. “I can’t find Kale”“What!”“I’m sorry.”She shook her head and made a U-turn “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

**********

Gray hung up the phone; she was going to hate him for this. The first time she had let her sonout of her sight and he had lost him. He walked over to the security room door, thinking he was nevergoing to see Kale again after this.

**********

“Did you check the furniture department?” Hale questioned as she walked into the mall.“No, but the cameras scanned that department and I didn’t see anything.” Gray replied, trying

to keep in step with her. She had Kay on her hip and was heading to the furniture department.“Did the cameras show the children’s furniture?”“I don’t know. I can’t remember, there were so many cameras that I couldn’t look at them all”She shook her head. She had left her child with this man after spending two hours watching

them, making sure her child was all right with this man and that nothing would happen to her child.But now she was mistaken; she should have gone with them, been with her child.

Hale released a breath and placed her daughter on the ground. She couldn’t put the entireblame on Gray, he was new at this and it could have happened to her just as fast as it happened tohim. “Stay here”, she told her daughter and headed over to the bed that had a spider-man motif. Shesmiled down at the little bundle that was curled under the comforter. She pulled the blanket back andlooked at the angel-devil she called her son. “Kale”, she said gently as she picked up her baby.

“Momma?”She kissed his cheek. “Yes, momma has you.”“I’m sorry Hale I…”“I know. It could have happened to anyone.” She said as she walked over to her daughter and

took Kay’s hand. “How about we go home?”Kay nodded and they started out of the department store.“Hale, that can’t be all you have to say to me?” Gray said as he followed them out of the

store.“That IS all I have to say to you.”“I lost him Haley. I wasn’t watching and I lost him”“Why are you pushing this?”“Because you allowed me to take him! To watch out for him! And, I lost him!”She stopped, sighed and faced him. “It could have happened to anyone. Now please, leave it

alone.” She turned and left him standing still.He looked after her. He didn’t get her; most mothers would have reamed him out for losing

their child. But not this woman, she had let him off the hook. Again. Why?He shook his head, not understanding why she didn’t say something to him about losing Kale.

Gray followed her. He was about to find out what he wanted to know.

**********

Kay looked at her mother as they pulled onto their street. Her mom was mad; she knew shewas because she could see her mom was breathing was hard and she had the radio on loud. And, shewas singing, but not loud either. She looked at her brother who was still sleeping. That was good,because when their mom finally blew, it was going to be loud and full of words she didn’t want eitherof them to hear.

“Honey, what do you want for dinner?”“Potatoes?” Kay said, glad that her mother was starting to calm down.“OK. How about steak and potatoes?”“That’s cool.”“Alright. Is Kale awake?”“Yeah, he just woke up.”“Can you please give him his cup? It’s in his bag.”“Mom, his bag is with Gray.”

Hale shook her head; she had forgotten his bag was with Gray. She was glad they were almosthome. “OK, he can get something to drink when we get home.”

“Mom… we are home.”Hale chuckled. She had forgotten they were on their street. Being mad at Gray and not

reaming him out had her mind wondering. She had gone through everything she had wanted to say tohim in her mind. What she should have said to him but didn’t. Well, that was that. She hadn’t saidwhat she wanted to, but she would go on with this. Gray could see his son; she had told him that hecould and she was not about to go back on her word.

“Okay guys. Let’s go inside.”

**********

Gray pulled in front of the house; she had forgotten Kale’s stroller and diaper bag. He lookedat the house before him. Did he want to really hear what she had to say? He had wrestled all the wayto her home wondering if he really wanted to know what she thought of him losing her son. Grayshook his head; he wanted her to scream at him. Needed her to. He had lost their child, maybe not onpurpose, but he still had lost their son. He needed to know how she felt about that.

He exited the car. Time to face the music.

**********

She put dinner in the oven, wiped her hands on the dishtowel she had by the stove and headedover to her laptop. On Monday they were going to sit down and find the best way to deal withFarling. Where they wanted to pick him up and which of his offices to raid. She was the one that knewall that information and she couldn’t wait until this was over. Farling has been her most ambitiouscase, and one she had stumbled onto while working on another case. She had never expected Jim toassign the case to her, but he had and she loved it. She’d testify to what she found to connect Farlingto the DEA, FBI and IRS. All three agencies would get what they wanted from Farling and she wouldget a raise that would help a lot when Kale went to preschool. She released a breath as she pulled upthe game plan she had for getting Farling. The next time she saw Gray she would talk to him about theschool she wanted to send Kale to. No matter what happened today, he deserved to be apart of theprocess of choosing their son’s school.

Their son? She shook her head. Who would have thought? She had chosen adoption overartificial insemination because of what happened when she was pregnant with Kayla. Pre-eclamsiawas nothing to play with. She had almost lost her life and Kay’s. What would have happened if shehad given birth? Both of her children would have been left with no parent. She shook her head; shecouldn't, wouldn’t, have done that to her children. But, she had never expected to have a two-parenthome here. Especially where Kale was concerned. She had wanted another child and had wanted it tobe a boy and she had gotten her wish. But, she had never expected that Kale’s father would show upand want to be apart of his life. Never had she expected that.

She looked up when the doorbell rang and checked the clock on her laptop. Maybe May hadcome by for dinner, but she wouldn’t bet on it. Her friend had a new man in her life and was keepinghim under wraps. So, who could be at her door? She got up from the table and headed to the door.

There was only one way to find out.

**********

“Hi.”She smiled. “Hi.” She stepped aside and let him enter.“You forgot the stroller and bag.”“I know.” She took the bag from his hand. “Thanks.”“Hale, I wanted to talk about what happened at the mall today.”She walked over to the couch and placed the diaper bag on it. “There’s nothing to discuss.”

She faced him. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”“I would love to, but I have another engagement.”“OK. Well then, we’ll see you on Thursday for the Christmas program?”He shook his head. “I don’t get you. You don’t, or won’t, tell me how you feel about me losing

our son. You don’t holler at me, you don’t say anything besides it could have happened to anyone.”“And it could have.” She walked towards the kitchen.Gray followed. Talk to me Hale, tell what you’re feeling!”“Would that make you feel better?” she questioned while checking on dinner“Would you believe me if I told you yes?”She chuckled as she closed the stove and looked at him. “It’s not my place to make you feel

better.”“You’re his mother! I lost him, but you didn’t say anything about it! Do you not care that I

lost…““You think I don’t care?” she licked her lips and huffed.“You act like it.”“All because I won’t make you feel better by hollering at you?” She walked over to him. “If I

told you what I thought of you, Mr. Jackson, you would think the worse of me as I think of you. Youlost my son when I left specific instructions that you never let him out of your sight! You always takethe stroller with you because he can move faster than the average one year old! But I guess youranalytical mind couldn’t comprehend taking care of a child Kale’s age. I should tell you that youcould never see him again, but I won’t do that. I would never do that. Kale needs his father, and Iwon’t take you away from him. But”, she poked him in he chest, “lose my child again and I won’t carewho the hell you are, you will never be allowed within twenty feet of him until he’s old enough toattend college!” On that she turned on her heels and walked away from him.

Gray swallowed. Never had he been so intimidated in his life, but Haley Billings had donethe job most wished they could do. He smiled.

Maybe there was hope for her yet.

**********

The restaurant was crowded and the last place he wanted to be, but Grace had invited he,Tom and Cammie out to dinner before this whole thing with Kale and Hale came about. He smiled atthe matre’d and headed to towards the table his family was seated at.

After Hale had threatened him he had spent some time with the kids, enjoying Kay’s companyas much as he enjoyed Kale’s, then had found Hale setting the table said his good byes and headedhome. He had showered in record time all while wondering if he should cancel on Grace. Tom andCammie would have kept her entertained and he could have called and made his apologies. He was

more interested in spending time with the Billings than he was with Grace. She was a nice girl, but atthis point in his life, he was not interested in the same thing Grace was. He had just gotten Kale backin his life and he wanted to spend time with his son. Gray smiled as he approached the table, knowinghe would have to talk to Grace in private and see where she wanted to take this. Not like he didn’talready know, but they needed to have a conversation he didn’t want to have. Stringing her alongwould be the worse thing in the world and he knew it.

“We thought you weren’t coming.”Gray smiled at his sister and bent to kiss her cheek. “You knew I was coming. Grace planned

this weeks ago. It would be wrong to disappoint her.” He shook Tom’s hand then sat down in thechair across from him. “So, where is Grace?”

“How is Kale?”“Fine Cammie. Grace?”“She’s in the kitchen. Something happened.”Gray nodded and ordered a drink when the waiter came over to them. Once the order was

taken the man left.“So. How was your first day with your son?”He looked at his brother-in-law. “It was fine. We went and saw the parade, then Santa, and

then I lost him.”“What?” They both exclaimed.Gray smiled at the patrons as they turned and looked at their table. “Please don’t make a

scene.”Cammie leaned forward. “You lost my nephew? How did that happen?”“I looked away for a minute and he was gone.”She shook her head. “Haley must have gone ballistic!”“Actually, she didn’t. She came to the mall, found him and took him home.”Tom chuckled. “That is some woman! If it was Cammie, she would have reamed me out real

good.”“You know it!” Cammie looked at Gray. “She really didn’t say anything about what

happened?”Gray shook his head. He was not about to tell his sister what Hale had said. That was

between him and her. Everything that happened was between him and her.“So, Kale wasn’t hurt?”He shook his head. “He’s fine. When I left he was playing.”“Who was playing?”Gray looked up at Grace. He stood. “No one”, he said as he kissed her cheek.“Are you sure?” She questioned while taking her seat.“Positive.” Gray replied. He hadn’t told Grace about Kale and he didn’t know if he wanted

to. They had only been dating a little while; springing a child on her, especially a child with a motherand sister that adored him, was a little too much to right now. “Is everything all right in the kitchen?”

She rolled her eyes. “The chef was threatening to quit, so I had to smooch him tell him howgreat he was and so on and so forth. He’s staying and making us a great dinner.” She smiled at Gray “Ihave the most delicious idea, how about we go to the cabin for the holidays?”

Gray smiled at her. He had planned on spending the holidays with Kale and his family. Maybe it was time to have that long awaited talk with Grace.

“How about a dance?” Tom suggested to his wife.

Cammie nodded and stood, taking her husband’s hand as they left Gray and Grace alone.“Grace, honey, I would love to spend the holidays at the cabin with you. But, I would have to

bring my son along.”“Your son?”Gray nodded. “I have a one-year-old son. He’s with his mother right now.”“Your married?”“No.”“I can’t believe this! You’re married and didn’t tell me! Plus, you have a kid? I don’t even

like kids!” She shook her head and stood. “This is over! I don’t date liars, especially ones withkids!”

“Grace…”“Good bye, Gray.”“I take it, it didn’t go well?” Tom questioned.Gray stood. “No, it didn’t. Listen you guys have a nice time, on me, and I’ll talk to you

later.”They nodded and he left.Gray looked at his watch, it was still early. Could he make it to Hale’s? Maybe read Kale a

bedtime story?

********** “Goodnight, my little love.” She kissed her son on the forehead, turned on his night-light and

closed the door partially behind her. She covered a yawn as she walked to her daughter’s room.Kay’s television was on and there were toys all over the place. She walked into the room and over tothe television. She turned it off, faced her daughter, replaced her covers and kissed her on theforehead. She was down for the night and so was her mother. She walked out of her daughter’s room,knowing she had finished as much of her paper work as she could, so now it was time for her to go tobed.

She was heading to her room when the doorbell rang Hale sighed. Wondering whom it couldbe at this time of night? She headed down stairs, whoever this was; they were going to get a piece ofher mind for coming to her home at this hour! She opened the door and shook her head. “What areyou doing here?”

“I wanted to see Kale, maybe read him a bedtime story?”“Kale is sleeping, and I was on my way to bed, too.”Gray nodded, “Sorry.” He turned to leave.“Gray?” She walked out onto the porch “You seem,” she shook her head. “I don’t know…

aloof. Is there something wrong?”He smiled and shook his head. “I’m fine, thanks for asking. I have to work late tomorrow and

have an out of town trip, so I won’t be able to make it to dinner.”“What makes you think I was going to invite you to dinner?”“So you weren’t going to invite me?” he said while walking over to her. “You’ve invited me

to dinner every night since our day in court. That was almost a week ago.”“Your point?”He stopped in front of her. “You’re not going to let me eat dinner with a beautiful woman, her

equally lovely child and my son?”

Hale swallowed as he invaded her space “I didn’t say that.”“You didn’t not say it, either.”“Gray…”They both looked towards the house when they heard a scream. Gray was the first to head for

the stairs. If he remembered the lay of the house, the scream was coming from Kay’s room. Heopened the child’s door and saw she was sitting in the middle of the bed her window open and therewas someone going out of it. “Hey!” He screamed as he went towards the window. He looked out ofthe window at the man running away. He took a mental assessment of the man; he would call thepolice after he saw if Kay was all right. Gray turned to see Hale picking up her daughter. “Is she alright?”

Hale nodded as she kissed her daughter’s cheek. She looked at Gray. “Who was that?”“I don’t know, but get the kids while I call the police.”

**********

Sergeant Alan Grevey looked at the woman and child sitting on the couch. When he had

gotten the call he had chalked it up to another robbery, until he arrived and saw six unmarkedgovernment cars. Who ever this woman was she had some serious clout behind her. “Did you see theperson?”

“All I saw was my child scared.” Hale said as she kissed Kay’s hair. Her children weregoing to be safe. She had never had anyone break into her home before, and this was weird and scary.

“Ms. Billings we…”“Sergeant, may I speak with you?” Gray interrupted. He placed Kale in Hale’s lap. His son

had needed a bathroom break. That was before the police and his uncle Adam arrived with so manyagents that the police were having trouble doing their job.

Alan nodded“I’ll be right back.” He kissed Hale’s cheek, straightened and directed the Sergeant out of the

house.“Mr. Jackson, what’s going on here? And, who are all these people?”Gray closed the front door behind them. “Friends of the family.” He looked at Adam. “Are

you guys almost done?”“Yeah. We’ll be done in a few minutes.”Gray nodded and looked at the Sergeant. “I’m afraid calling you was a mistake.”“Mr. Jackson, a man broke into Ms. Billings home and was in her daughter’s room. I would

like to find out who it was, but I can’t do that with all of these people around.”“These people are family, Sergeant, and they will be taking over the investigation. So, thank

you, but no thank you.”Alan shook his head. “The only thing I can think of here, is that Ms. Billings is a part of

something with the government; and if she is, then I don’t want any part of it. So I’ll take you’rewarning and leave.”

“Thank you.”Alan nodded and headed to his car. But, before he left this alone he was going to run Ms.

Billings and Mr. Jackson through the database. He wasn’t going to let this go that easily.“What did he say?” Adam asked coming to stand beside his brother.“That he’s going to drop it. But, I have a feeling he won’t.” He looked at his brother “If…”

“Hale and the kids will be fine. We protect our own. Now, go back in the house and take careof them, we’ll finish up out here and go from there.”

Gray nodded and headed back into the house. He would make a call in the morning and makesure Sergeant Grevey left the case alone. He trusted Adam and the rest of the agents to take care ofHale and the kids more then he did the police.

He looked at her as he walked back into the house. She was sitting on the coffee table lookingat the kids who were lying on the couch. He sighed, he had seen the tears in her eyes but he hadn’tknown how to comfort her. When his mother had cried his father had only looked at her and askedwhy she was crying. Never once did he see his father wrap his arms around his mother and make herfeel better. Did he want to give his son or Kay that kind of impression? No. He wasn’t their father ina true sense, but he was all they had right now. He walked over to her and placed a hand on hershoulder. She jumped slightly.

“Sorry.”“No it’s...” She wiped away a tear, looking over her shoulder at him. “Is the Sergeant gone?”Gray nodded. He came and sat beside her on the table, taking her hand in his. “I want you

and the kids to stay somewhere else tonight.”She shook her head. “No.”“Hale…”“I will not let whoever this was run me out of my home.” She said, looking at him.He moved a piece of hair from her face “I would feel better if you and the kids stayed

somewhere else. At least for tonight”“You guys can stay with us”They both faced the door. Cammie and Tom were standing there.“Hey, sis.”“Hey.” She walked into the house. “Adam called us. He said Haley and the kids might need a

place to stay, and since his place is too small and you, big brother, live in a building that is hardly kidfriendly, we’re offering our place.”

Hale shook her head. She stood and walked over to the Barkers and hugged each. “Thank youboth so much for the offer.”

Cammie hugged her back. “You are so welcome.” She leaned back and looked at Hale. “You’re family, Haley, and we take care of family.”

Hale nodded and released Cammie. “Again, thank you for the offer. But I can’t accept.”“Yes, you can.” Gray said. He came and stood beside her. “You are going to go and pack a

few things and stay at Cammie and Tom’s.”“Gray, you can’t make that kind of decision for me.”“Yes, I can. Especially when the children are involved. I don’t want anything to happen to any

of you.”She sighed. “I don’t want anything to happen to the children either, and nothing will. We will

all be fine.”“You have two choices here, little sister.” Adam said while walking into the house. “You can

either go with Cam and Tom, or you can have a car parked in front of the house.”“Adam, we don’t know if this person is even coming back.”“Neither of us is willing to take that chance, especially with the case you’re handling.” he

replied.Hale shook her head. “This may have nothing to do with the case.”

“But it could. I got a call today saying there was a leak. They want to push up the sting, andsince you’re key in that, this could have been a warning.”

“Or this could have been what it was a robbery attempt that went bad.”“Are you truly willing to take that chance?” Gray questioned. He turned her to face him “I’m

working all day tomorrow and going on a three day business trip. I won’t be back until the Christmasprogram, which means I’ll feel better if you’re with Cammie and Tom, and with Adam while you’reat the office.”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “But”, she held up a hand, “just for tonight. Tomorrow Icome back home and start living my life again.”

Gray held up his hands in surrender. “Fine. One night.” He bent and kissed her on the cheek.“Come on, Haley.”“Hale, Camille. Please.”“Then call me Cammie”Hale nodded. “Cammie”, she said.“Yes. Now Hale, come on, we’ll get you guys some things and then I’ll take you back to my

house. Tom can get a ride with one of the boys,”Hale nodded and led Cammie up the stairs to the children’s rooms and her own.Once the girls were gone Gray looked at Adam, “Was what you told Hale true?”Adam nodded. “They don’t know who the leak is, and I’m willing to move the raid up. But

since this is a joint effort between two other agencies we have to wait.”“Adam, I don’t want anything to happen to her.”“And it won’t. We’ll place a guard on her and the kids. But Hale is stubborn and she knows

her own mind. She’s going to fight me on the guard.”Gray looked up the stairs. “Don’t place one from the agency on her. I’ll do it and take care of

any problems she has with it.” He was going to make sure she and the children were protected.Well protected.

Chapter Four

“I can start this afternoon. If that’s alright?”Gray nodded as he placed his laptop in its case. “Meet me at my sister’s. You have the

address?”He nodded.“Meet me there this afternoon and I’ll introduce you to Hale and the children.”“Ms. Billings knows I’m coming?”Gray nodded. She would know Alex King was coming soon enough.And, soon enough, he would have to deal with the fall out.

**********

“You had no right to do this! I already had to deal with your brother telling security to look

out for someone suspicious. Now I have a guy I don’t know outside with my children and all he tellsme is that he was hired by Grayson Jackson to watch out for his family.” She looked at him ice in hereyes. “’We’ are not your family. I’m just the mother of your son.”

“That makes you my family,” he said. Gray released a breath; he had made it to Cammie’safter Alex had arrived and explained the situation to Hale. She had been ready and waiting to reamhim out. “Haley, listen to me. I want you and the kids to be safe.” He shook his head. “I have no clueif what happened last night has anything to do with your job or if it was just random like you say itwas. But, what I do know, is it that I hired Alex to do a job, and he will do his job.”

“He will not do his job with me. Let him find another person to protect, my children and Idon’t need it.”

“Want to bet? I will not leave this continent without knowing you and the children arealright!”

“We’re just fine and we are going to stay that way.” She picked up her purse and headedtowards the door.

“Oh, no you don’t!” He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “Think about the kids foronce here. You have a job that is dangerous!”

“My job is not dangerous!” she replied, while pulling her arm from his. “This case fell in mylap, and I was not about to let it go. Farling is not after me.”

“You don’t know that. What will happen to the kids if something happens to you? I’m notKale’s father legally, nor can I claim Kayla so that the kids can stay together. I will not let anythinghappen to their mother. You mean to much to them.”

“I don’t-““Tough. He stays.” Gray opened the front door. “Oh, and before you get the bright idea to

fire him, I’m the only one that can do that.” He walked out of the house, saying, “I’ll see you at theChristmas pageant.”

“Hey guys!” he said, smiling down at both of the children as they came running over to him.What he was doing was the right thing; he was protecting his son and his son’s sister. He was

definitely doing the right thing. He crouched down in front of them taking each by the hand. “I haveto go away for a few days. Mr. Alex will be here to make sure that no one will come in the house

again.” He kissed each on the cheek. “Be good for your mother. Can you do that for me?”Both children nodded.“We’ll be good.” Kay said. She took her brother’s hand and smiled at Gray. “Come on Kale,

we have to go”“Kay?”She looked at Gray. He could see something in her face that said she didn’t believe a word

that was coming from his mouth.“I’m coming back!” he said.She shrugged, turned and headed over to her mother.He shook his head, thinking there was something wrong here. Neither she nor her mother had

warmed up to him. It was like neither of them believed he was serious about being in their lives. Well, he was about to change that. He wasn’t going anywhere.

He was going to be apart of this family and they were going to be apart of his.

**********

She paced the foyer of the church. He was late.She looked at her watch he was suppose to be here and hour ago, but instead she was the one

standing in the foyer, waiting for a man that probably went on a business trip so he wouldn’t have tobe bothered with Kale anymore.

Hale released a breath; if that were what he did, she would never forgive him. She shook herhead as she looked out in the parking lot. He wasn’t coming. She had to face facts… he wasn’tcoming. Gray was going to disappoint his son and her daughter.

Surprisingly, Kay was looking forward to Gray coming to their play. OK, so Kale was just asheep in the manger, but that was something, and her daughter had been practicing her solos for thelast few weeks. Both of her children wanted the man that had come into their life on a whim here atthis church at this moment, so that they could show him what they could do and how special theywere. As if he already didn’t already know.

“Hale, they’re about to start.”She looked over her shoulder at May “he’s still not here”“But Adam Cammie and Tom are”Hale shook her head; the Barkers and Jackson’s had been able to make it for their nephew, but

not his father. What kind of man builds up a child, two children, then just lets them down again? Sheturned and headed into the church “he’s not coming”

“He’s coming.”“Yeah. When hell freezes over?”“Hale-““No. He’s disappointed his child. And mine.”“Plus yourself?”She shook her head and walked away from her friend. The last thing that Gray Jackson did

was disappointing her?

**********

Everything was pitch black when he pulled into the parking lot of the church. There were no

cars or lights. He hit the steering wheel and steered his car out of the parking lot hating the fact he hadmissed the one milestone he tried to see of his son’s. Plus, he had missed the chance he had at seeingHale. Surprisingly, while he was in Singapore, he had thought of nothing but her. A few times he hadwoken in the middle of the night expecting to find her there, and the children in the adjoining room.All of them sleeping together, like a normal family. He stopped at a light. But, that was just it; theyweren’t a normal family. If anything, they were abnormal. Kay didn’t like him and Kale was someoneelse’s child, no longer legally his.

And his mother? Hale was one person he couldn’t figure out. When the light changed he pulledback into traffic. She was an enigma. She forgave him for things most wouldn’t, she let him see hischild and when he pushed her she pushed back. And, quite hard. But she wasn’t hard; she was softand beautiful. Not in the normal sense, unless the normal sense were high cheekbones, and a slightlypudgy face to go along with a body that wasn’t skin, but that wasn’t big either. He would have to sayshe was thick; hourglass thick, and he found that attractive. She was comfortable in who she was andin the fact that she was a single mother of two. She handled him, her job and her children with easeand little flair. You would never know she was a single mother unless she said something.

Haley Billings was a woman who didn’t want any flare or fuss. All she wanted was for herchildren to be happy and her life to be good. She wanted what everyone else in the world wanted:happiness. To him, it seemed like she had found it in her career and her children.

He pulled in front of her house. It was empty; he could tell that by the fact there were nolights on. Hale at least left the porch light on. He did know that much about her.

He pulled away from the house wondering, where could she be?

**********

“Uncle Adam? Uncle Tom say you work with my mommy?”Adam looked at Kay. “I do.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his badge. “See, I

have the same badge as your mommy.”Kay took the badge and looked at it. “Cool!”“Yeah, cool!” Adam looked at Tom. “See? I’m the cool Uncle!”Tom chuckled. “Yeah, well, I can give her money.”“No, you can’t!” Hale interjected.“Mommy?”“No Kayla. How about you and your Uncles go play skee-ball?”“Cool! Come on!” She grabbed each by their hand and pulled them away from the table.Hale looked after them. “You would think they didn’t have anything else to do then spoil

her.”“They don’t.” Cammie said. “Tom and I aren’t ready for kids. Tom’s ready, but I’m not. And

Adam? I don’t think he’ll marry anytime soon.”“Give him time he’s finding himself.”Cammie shook her head. “He’s been ‘finding himself’ since he joined the agency. I think he

hasn’t found the right woman yet.”“That could be true.” Hale started to gather up the plates that were on the table, piling them on

top of each other.“Still upset about Gray not coming?”Hale smiled. “I am not upset.”

“Honey, I’ve been married to a lawyer for the last ten years. You’re upset. And, you’re ahorrible liar.”

She shook her head. “That’s why I work for the government. Plausible deniability iswonderful.”

“Yeah it is. Hale, I know Gray. He would have been here for the kids if he could.”She licked her lips and released a breath. “It wasn’t for the children. Yes, Kay was looking

forward to him coming and Kale asking for his Da didn’t help, especially when I couldn’t give a goodreason while he wasn’t there. ”She shook her head. “For the past few weeks he’s been in our livesone way or the other. For God’s Sake, he hired a bodyguard to watch out for us, but he can’t come toa Christmas program that his son was in?”

“Hale?”“No, you can’t explain it away Cammie. You, Tom and Adam came and you guys aren’t even

family to Kay and myself. But you came.”Cammie stood. She came around the table and placed an arm around Hale’s shoulder. “We

are family. We told you that when you had the break in.” She shook her head. “That won’t change,Hale. That will never change. Just because Kale is my nephew doesn’t mean I don’t need a niece tospoil along with him.”

Hale shook her head and smiled. “You guys are too good to be true.”“Well, guess what? You haven’t even met our parents yet. There more admiring then we are.”“I can’t wait.” Hale said. And truly, she couldn’t wait to meet her son’s grandparents. “OK.

Let’s go find the boys and Kay. I have a feeling she’s getting them to buy her something.”Cammie chuckled and nodded. “She does have them wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?”

she questioned while picking up her nephew.“Yeah she does. Lets go make sure they’re not agreeing to buying her a horse.”

**********

Gray pulled behind the SUV and got out of the car. He had gone home after his sister, brother-

in-law and his brother hadn’t bothered to answer their phones. It was as if his whole family haddisappeared. And, he couldn’t find Hale and the kids. After about an hour and a half of sitting at homeand wondering where everyone could be, he had gotten in his car and headed back out, this timestarting with his sister’s home.

Thankfully, his sister’s car was parked in the driveway.He knocked on the front door and had to blink twice when Kay opened the door. “Sweetheart!

What are you doing here?” he questioned. “Auntie Cammie! Gray is here!” she said, instead of answering him.Gray walked into the house. “Kayla Billings! I asked you a question.”“And I didn’t answer.”He placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her from walking away from him.She looked at him. “You’re not my dad!”Gray released her and crouched down in front of her. “No, I’m not your Dad. But I would like

to be your friend if I can?”She shrugged, turned and walked away from him.“Hard nut to crack.”Gray looked at his sister over his shoulder. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to see that Kay has gotten to you.”He shook his head and stood. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“I think you do.” She walked over to him. “You see that little girl’s pain just as much as I do.

You want to make her pain go away, just like she and her mother made your pain go away.”“Cammie, I have no clue what you are talking about.”“I think you do.”“Cam…” Kale said, following her down the hall.“Hey, Big guy!” Gray said rounding his sister and scooping up the little boy. He kissed his son

on the cheek. “I missed you!”“Da!” the baby said while placing a hand on his father’s cheek. “Yes! Da!” He smiled at Kale then faced Cammie. “Where’s Hale? Kay refused to answer

me.”“Adam and Hale got called into the office while we were at dinner. Oh, and before I forget,

you are in trouble. You missed your son’s part in the program, and Kay’s. I suggest you make it up tothem, or you will be in the dog house for a very long time.”

“Cam…““Aunt Cammie! Uncle Tom wants you!” Kay shouted, cutting Gray off.“Coming sweetie.” She smiled at her brother, “See you later.” She turned on her heels and

walked from the room.Gray looked at his son; OK, so he was in the doghouse, but it wasn’t his fault. His plane had

landed late and customs had taken forever. He patted his son’s back and released a breath. And yes,he did miss the program, which Hale had reminded him about and he had wanted to attend very much.Not just for Kale, but for Kayla too. He had heard her practicing her solo and she was good. Hewanted to hear all of it and see how happy she was singing it. Gray walked to the library door; hewatched as his sister, brother-in-law and Kay playing the computer game. He smiled at the scene,they all looked so happy. He wanted that scene, but the only way he was going to have it was if hestarted keeping his promises.

He looked at his son. “So, what does Da have to do to make things up to your mom andsister?”

Kale smiled and placed his head on his father’s shoulder.“Thanks for the help, kid.”Kale gurgled and placed his thumb in his mouth.Gray shook his head. His son was no help and Kay didn’t care for him that much. So, that left

him, and he sucked at apologizing. But, for the mother of his children, he would figure out somethingto do. Because being on Haley Billings’ bad side was not a place he wanted to be.

Never did he want to be on her bad side.

**********

Hale rubbed her eyes as she walked to her car. Adam would have walked her, but he hadgotten a call on his cell and the last thing she wanted to do was wait for him. Right now all shewanted was to get her children and go home. She was positive Cammie and Tom had their fill of herkids; Kale and Kayla could be a handful at times.

She opened the door of her car and slide under the wheel. She started it and pulled out of herparking slot. After she put the kids down for the night she would make herself a warm bath and do

some work while she soaked. The raid had been pushed up and she needed to give them a goodvantage point as to where to enter the home they had chosen to raid. From her research, Farling wasin his home in Florida, which meant they only had a few days to do this or it wasn’t going to get doneat all.

She shook her head as she stopped at a stoplight. Farling moved more than she did in a day.But no matter how fast Farling moved, they were going to get him. Hale was about to pull away fromthe light when she watch in amazement as a car ran the light and was struck by another car. The struckvehicle spun, coming towards her. She was frozen, she couldn’t move as the car came towards her.She wanted to move her car, knew she needed to move her car, but she couldn’t move.

Oh God she couldn’t move.

**********

“Kay, honey, come on. It’s time to go.”Kay looked at Gray. “I want to stay here and wait for mommy.”He nodded and walked over to her. Gray crouched down in front of the little girl. “Honey, I

know you want to wait for your mommy. But it’s late, and Kale’s tired. And I know you are, too.”“No,” she yawned. “I’m not.”Gray tried not to smile but it was hard. He could see that the little girl was sleepy, but she

was fighting it so much and she looked so cute doing so. He placed a hand on her cheek. “We’ll go toyour house and wait for your mom there.”

Kay released a breath. “OK.”He nodded. “OK. So, get your coat so we can go.”She nodded and ran into the living room to grab her coat.Gray straightened and wondered where Hale was. It was unlike her to leave the kids for a

long period of time. He knew that just as well as anyone else. For her to be gone for so long whenAdam had called and said the meeting was over? He had thought Hale was on her way here, but shewasn’t. She hadn’t shown up yet and he wondered why?

“Gray?”He turned at the sound of his sister’s voice. He didn’t like the look on her face. Something

was wrong, something was definitely wrong. **********“How are you feeling?”

Hale looked at the sheriff. “I’m fine. Just a little shaken up.”The Sheriff nodded. The person you asked me to call said they’d be here in a few minutes. Is

there anything else I can do for you?”She sniffled and shook her head. “I just want to go home. I just want to see my children and

hold them.”“Well, you might get that chance.”She looked at him in confusion, not understanding his meaning at all.The sheriff pointed behind her. “I believe your husband has brought them to you.”Hale turned she covered her mouth so the sob couldn’t come out. Gray was walking towards

them with Kale on his hip and Kayla by his side. She walked towards them; she had never in her lifebeen so happy to see three people. She scooped up her daughter and kissed her cheek. “Oh Honey! Mommy is so happy to see you!”

Gray looked at her. She looked all right, but he had to make sure. He pulled her into his armsand kissed her hair. When Cammie had told him what happened, he had grabbed their children andcome to where the accident had happened. He inhaled her scent. The whole ride he had beenpetrified thinking he had lost her and their children. Two things he never wanted to lose. He closedhis eyes and held on tighter to her; this was the one night he was regretting the fact she let theirbodyguard take the night off. He leaned back and looked at her. “Are you all right?”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “I’m fine, just a little shaken up.”He placed a hand on her cheek.She looked up at him.He smiled down at her; she had the softest look in her eyes. One of innocence and fear for

what could have happened if… he didn’t want to think about the ‘if’. She was all right and that wasall that mattered. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

“The car?”“I’ll have it towed to any place you want it.”She nodded and buried her face in his chest.He rubbed her back. “It’ll be all right. I’ll take you home and everything will be just fine.”

**********

He placed his son in the bed and pulled the comforter over him. He kissed his son on the

forehead turned on the night light beside the bed and left the room. He had done the same thing withKay when they had gotten back to Hale’s; she had been so tired that she had kissed each of herchildren helped them with their pajama’s, then she had placed each in bed and disappeared. Gray hada sinking suspicion she had wanted to stay with her children cuddle them make sure they were allright. He closed his son’s door, and then checked on Kay to make sure she was all right. He wentdown the stairs the stairs to find Hale. He wanted, no needed, to know how she was feeling.

He walked into the living room; there was no sign of her there so he walked down the smallhall towards the kitchen. He was about to go inside when he noticed the sliding door was open. Heshook his head and walked towards the opening. It was cold this time of year for Texas, which meanta jacket was needed. He had passed her jacket on the way to the living room, which meant she wasn’twearing one. He grabbed the throw she kept on the back of the couch and walked out of the door.“You know, you really should have a jacket on”, he said while he wrapped the throw around her. Hewrapped his arms around her from behind. “The kids are sleeping.”

She nodded and wrapped the throw more securely around her. She licked her lips; she hadwanted to watch her children sleep but she couldn’t. Every time she looked at them, she imagined thatthey were in the car with her, that they hadn’t had on their seat belts and… she shook.

Gray squeezed her a little. She was fighting some thing and he wanted to help her with it. Hekissed her temple. “You should go to bed. I can make you something. Tea? Coffee?”

She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to sleep. She couldn’t sleep; sleepingwould only have her reliving the accident. She didn’t want to relive it she wanted to forget it.

He sighed; she had to talk sooner or later; he just hoped it would be sooner than later. She hadheld on to their son all the way back to the house and she had refused to let either of them go whenthey had gotten to the there. But, she had, and he wanted to know: why? “How about we go inside? It’s a little cold out here.”

“Not cold.”

“She speaks!” She smiled at him over her shoulder and placed a hand on his cheek. “Very funny.” She lether hand drop from his face and turned back towards the setting sun. She shivered.

He wrapped his arms, and the afghan, tighter around her. “Hale? Are you all right?”She nodded and stepped out of his arms. “I’m going to check on the kids.” She stepped around

him as he grasped her hand. She turned and looked at him.“I’m here if you want to talk.”She squeezed his hand and nodded before releasing it and walking into the house.He shook his head as he watched her go. Sooner or later she would talk.

**********

“How is Hale?”Gray locked the front door and turned off the living room lights and exhaled. “She’s fine.

She’s sleeping in Kale’s room.”“Give her our best. Tom and I were worried.”“She’s fine, Cammie. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Gray hung up with his sister and headed

upstairs. He walked down the short hall to his son’s room and leaned up against the door jam. Halewas curled around their son, holding him like he was going to leave her. But Kale wasn’t goinganywhere, and neither was Kay, who was sleeping at her mother’s feet. He pushed away from thedoor and walked into the room and placed a blanket that was at the end of the bed over the mother andher two children. He would watch over them tonight.

They were all going to be fine.

********** She sat up slowly and moved her hair from her face. She had come into the room to make sure

her son was all right. Kay had followed, and they had all ended up in this bed together. She replacedher son’s blanket and that of her daughter’s and was about to get out of the bed when she saw him.Hale smiled; he was sitting in the rocker she kept in the room. He looked disheveled anduncomfortable with that small blanket covering him. She got up from the bed and walked over to him,placing a gentle hand on his cheek. He had stayed at her home and watched over. She rubbed herthumb slowly over his cheek; that was so sweet of him to stay and watch over them to make sure theywere all right. It was sweet and wonderful of him. She bent and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” wasall she said before she turned and walked out of the room.

He watched her go and wondered what she had thanked him for. He had done nothing but staywith her. So, what was she thanking him for?

**********

She covered a yawn as she walked into the kitchen. Breakfast had to be made and thechildren needed to be gotten up for school. She had a lot to do. Hale picked up the phone when itrang. “Billings.”

“Hale? It’s May. How are you feeling?”“Fine. Why are you asking?”“Because of the accident.”“Who told you about the accident?”“Adam. Now, don’t blame him. I was calling about the raid when he told me what happened.

Are you sure you’re all right?”“I’m fine,” she said as she turned off the stove and placed breakfast on the plates she had

sitting out.“Hale?”“May?”“Ok. Ok. I’ll let it go.”“Thank you. So, how was the raid?”“It hasn’t happened yet.”“You can’t be serious!” Hale said on a sigh as she started to set the table. She could hear her

children rumbling above her, which meant Gray was about to follow them. “Why hasn’t it happened?”“The personnel hadn’t arrived yet, but they’re here now, so it’s all set.”“Good. The faster this happens the happier I’ll be.”“I know. After the raid, how about lunch?”Hale smiled. “All right. But, I have to run this by Gray first.”“You two are getting pretty chummy.”“May, don’t start.”“Come on, Hale. You haven’t been with anyone since Kay’s father. Don’t you think its time

to break that cycle?”“It’s not a cycle. I’m just picky.”“A pickiness that’s lasted five years. Gray seems like a nice guy. And he’s cute.”“Handsome.”“Excuse me?”“Nothing.” Her friend had ears like a dog; she could hear almost anything.“I heard you, Haley Billings. You think that man is handsome.”“He is. But I’m not ready for a relationship.”“Oh please. You wanted another child and you got it. Kale is a wonderful little boy and I love

him like I love Kay. But you cannot keep letting your past mess with your future, whether it be withGray or with some one else.”

“Look. I hear the kids and Gray, so I’ll talk to you at lunch. Maybe we’ll talk about your lovelife.”

“Or lack there of!” May said with a chuckle.“Yeah.” She hung up with her friend and placed a smile on her face as her children and Gray

entered the kitchen. She was not going think about what May had said on the phone; she was not goingto dwell on the subject.

She would worry about it later.

**********

“Are we ready?” Adam questioned as he checked his gun. They were going to take this guyfast and smooth.

“Let’s go, ladies and gentleman! Let’s go!”

**********

He took a sip of his coffee and watched as she played with her children. She looked tired anddrawn but she didn’t let it show, all she did was keep smiling and playing. He placed his coffee cupon the table beside him before he’d fallen asleep in that highly uncomfortable rocker, watching as herhead tossed and turned and her hands had reached out for her children. She had been reaching forthem all night, making sure they were where she had left them and where they were laying. She wasthe kind of mother any child would love to have, and his children had her. His children… he smiled. How had that happened? His son… yes. But, his daughter? He walked over to them and sat downbeside her on the floor. Yeah, he had a daughter, and one that was just like her mother. And, that wasa wonderful thing. “What are we playing?”

“Sorry. ” Hale said as she moved her piece.“Can I play?”Kay looked at him and nodded. She handed him a piece, saying, “You have to start here.” and

pointing to the start line.Gray placed his piece there and waited for his turn.“OK, my turn.” Hale said. She was moving her piece and smiling at Gray beginning to move

his piece when the phone rang. She passed their son to his father as she got off the floor and headed tothe phone, picking it up on the third ring. “Billings.”

“Hale, its Cammie. Is Gray still there?”She looked at the man that was the playing the game with her children. He was smiling and so

were they. “Yeah he’s still here.”“Good.”“Cammie, is there something wrong?”“Yeah.”

Chapter Five

He rushed through the door; he had to find his brother. When Cammie had called and said

Adam was in the hospital, he and Hale had dressed the children quickly before getting into the car andracing to the hospital. He stopped the first nurse he saw. “Adam. Adam Jackson. I’m looking forAdam Jackson.”

“If you’ll wait in the waiting room with everyone else.”“No! I want to know…”“Gray.” He looked at Hale.“Let’s go to the waiting room. The children needed to sit down, and Kale is hungry.” She

needed him to think about the children. He would do anything for the children, and she knew that.He nodded and scooped up Kay. “Come on. We’ll go to the waiting room.”

**********

“Mother?” Gray said as he walked into the waiting room. His parents were supposed to be inEurope somewhere. What were they doing here?

“Hello, Grayson.” Pamela Jackson said as she embraced her son. She pulled back “Who isthis?”

“Kayla. Kay, this is my mom.”“Hi” Kay said.“Hello, dear. Gray…?”“Mother, please, not now. We will explain everything later.” Cammie said as she took Kay

from her brother.Gray looked at his sister. “How is he?”She shook her head. “Kay, sweetie? Uncle Tom needs some help with the puzzle. How about

you go and help him?”She looked at Gray as he crouched down in front of the little girl. “Its fine, sweetie.”Kay nodded and walked away from the adults.Gray stood and looked at his mother. “I thought you and father were in Europe?”“Your father still is but I came back early for the holidays. Cammie called my cell just as I

walked into the house. Your father is on his way back.”Gray nodded he released a breath. “What happened?”“I believe I can answer that.” May said as she stepped forward.He waited. “They were entering Farling’s home when they were ambushed. Farling got away,

three agents were killed, and Adam was injured.”“Farling got away?”May nodded.Gray sighed and rubbed his eyes. If Farling got away it meant that he could come after Hale.

Gray could not let that happen. He needed to make arrangements to get Hale and the children out oftown. Maybe they could go to the cabin in Colorado? He nodded to himself; they could spendChristmas in Colorado. The children would love it, and the cabin would be more secure than stayinghere in Texas.

“Gray?”

He turned and faced Hale. She had stopped off at the bathroom with Kale so their son coulduse it. He took his son from his mother. “Your sister is playing with Uncle Tom. Go see if you canhelp.” He kissed his son’s cheek and placed him on the floor, then straightened and faced Hale. “Weneed to talk.”

She looked at him in confusion. What was going on here?

**********

“I will NOT go!”“Right about now, you haven’t a choice.”She turned and faced him. Gray had taken her elbow and guided her out of the waiting room

and out onto a balcony that was only a few feet away. She wrapped her jacket more firmly aroundherself; what he was asking was out of the question. She was not about to pack her children and theirChristmas up and leave town. She was not in danger. So, she was the intelligence specialist onFarling. It did not mean he was going to come after her. She looked at Gray. “We have security and Istill don’t think we need it”

“I do. And I will not put you, or our children, in danger.”She swallowed. “We are not in danger. We are fine.”He placed his hands on her shoulder. “No, we are not fine. This man had some one break into

the house.”“You don’t know that.”“Yes I do.”“How?”He had wanted to avoid telling her this, but he couldn’t now. She had to know, she had to be

told. “Adam called me while I was on my business trip. It seems that one of Farling's men turned onhim, and he wants the lead person in his investigation.”

She swallowed. “Me.”He nodded.“Oh God.”He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back; this was the reason he didn’t want to tell her

about the threat. She loved her job, and after working for the government for so long she had thoughtshe and her children were safe. But it had somehow backfired, and now they were all in trouble. Heleaned back and cupped her face with both his hands. “As soon as I find out about Adam, I’m sendingyou and the children to Colorado.”

“That’s so far.”“But, you’ll be safe.”“Are you coming?”He shook his head. “I need to take care of something here, then I’ll be there.”She released a breath and lowered her gaze. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”“You’re agreeing because you want to keep the kids safe and you don’t want to fight.”“You’re right; I don’t want to fight. So yeah, I’ll agree to this. ”She placed a hand on his

chest. “You promise you’ll be there? You’ll come to Colorado?”“Yes. I will.”She nodded and bit her lip. She had to protect her children… she needed to protect her

children.

And with Gray’s help, she was going to do just that.

**********

It was beautiful.When Gray had said a ‘cabin’, she had no idea he meant two-story wood cabin with all the

amenities. She shook her head as she headed down the staircase, the ‘log cabin’ had to be at least thesize of a mini-mansion. It had seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen and a living room thesize of her home. She walked into the living room; a fireplace was in the middle of one wall. Itlooked as if a human being could stand in it. She would have tested her theory, but there was a firealready in it. One that had been set before she arrived here.

Hale sighed as she sat down in the over sized chair. She could see by the way Gray’s motherdressed that his parents were well off, but for him to have something like this cabin meant her soncame from money. Not just a little money, but a lot of it. According to the security detail that met themat the airport they took care of security while Mr. Jackson was here. They had informed her that thegrounds were extensive. She wondered what ‘extensive’ meant. She had been meaning to find out, butthe children were tired and hungry; and to be honest, so was she. Now her children were down forthe night and she was sitting in front of a roaring fire wondering what do to.

She could watch television, but she knew that wouldn’t hold her attention. She released abreath, she had nowhere to go and even if she did, she would have about ten security guardsfollowing her. Meaning she had nowhere to go and no desire to go anywhere. Hale shook her head;she would find something to do. She got up from the couch and walked over to her backpack; maybeshe would write. And not just in her journal, but a story. She hadn’t done that in a while. She smiledas she pulled her laptop from her bag she; had the perfect story.

One she was sure would get her at least a few pages.

**********

“You know, you’ve been here every day for the last three days.”Gray chuckled as he walked into his brother’s hospital room. “I just wanted to make sure you

were all right.”“I’m fine.” Adam sat and sucked in a breath when his side protested.“You should take it easy.”“And you should be in Colorado with Hale.”He came over to his brother and sat in the chair that was beside the bed. “Where’s mother?”“She and father went down to the café. After they asked me fifteen different questions about

Hale and the kids. You really should tell them.”“How, exactly, am I supposed to explain they have a granddaughter and grandson? Achieving

this wonderful feet while they were in Europe?”“Be honest with them. And, when did you realize you had two children?”Gray chuckled. “The day you were shot.”He nodded. “You should have realized it a long time ago. The rest of us did. Especially after

the break in, the way you moved the children and fought with Hale. You wanted to protect yourfamily, and you did.”

“I have no clue if I can get to Colorado and celebrate Christmas with them, knowing the way I

feel about her.”“Don’t think Hale feels the same way?”

Gray shook his head. “I don’t know how she feels.” He stood and walked over to thewindow. “And I don’t think I can face how she feels.”

“Never know until you talk to her.”Gray looked over his shoulder at his brother; maybe it was time to talk to her.

**********

“Kay, don’t go to far! ” Hale called as she pushed her son down the street of Overton,Colorado. They were about fifty miles from Denver in a small town that was perfect for Christmas.The town was decked out in all the trimmings: lights, holly and garland. It was all quite beautiful.

“Momma! Look! Santa Claus!”Hale nodded. Her daughter deserved to see Santa, even if they were far from home, had three

bodyguards around them, and a house that was patrolled round the clock.“Can we go see Santa, Momma? Please?”Hale agreed. She and their entourage crossed the street and stepped in line.“When I see Santa I going to tell him what I want for Christmas!”“And what would that be?”Kay bit her lip and looked at her mother. “A dad.”She gasped and crouched in front of her daughter. “Honey, that’s not just some thing Santa can

give you.”“Why? Kale has a dad.”“Yes, baby, he does. But…”She bowed her head. “Can I ask him anyway?”Hale nodded and kissed her daughter on the cheek. “You can ask him.”Kay smiled. “After we see Santa, can we get a tree?”“We surely can, and we’ll even have Stan put it up!”Kay chuckled and looked at the stone-faced bodyguard. She didn’t know why he was with

them, but she did know he would protect her mother and her brother and herself. “Look momma! We’re next!”

“Yes baby, we are.” Hale straightened and walked over to Santa. She watched as her daughterask Santa for the one thing she knew the man in the jolly red suit couldn’t give her. She had known foryears her daughter wanted a father, ever since hers walked away from them when she was two. But,that had been four years ago. She had thought her daughter had gotten over this, but she hadn’t. Andwith the arrival of Gray in their lives her daughter wanted a father more than ever. She smiled at herdaughter as she took her brother to see Santa. Gray made the emptiness her daughter felt come alive.Hale wished she could make her daughter’s wish come true. Just this once, she wished she couldmake her daughter’s dream come true.

“Are we ready?” Hale asked as her children came back over to her.They both nodded“OK. I saw a tree farm on the way to the house. How about we stop there and get a tree?”“Cool!” her daughter said with a huge smile on her face.She placed a hand on her daughter’s head.“Yeah. Cool.”

**********

“Gray?”He turned and faced his mother. He hung up his phone and smiled at his parent. “Yes,

mother?”“Leaving so soon?” she questioned as she came to stand before him.Gray bent and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Yes, I’m leaving. I’ve seen Adam, so there is no

need for me to stay.”“I believe that there is. You still haven’t told me who that child or that woman was. She was

quite intriguing.”“And what do you mean by ‘intriguing’ mother?”Pamela shrugged her shoulders. “I just wanted to know who she was.”He released a breath. Right now, the last thing he wanted to do was talk to his mother about

Hale and the children. “I’ll tell you later. Right now I need to go.” He gave her a quick hug turnedand walked away.

Pamela looked after her son. He was hiding something, and she had every intention on findingout what it was.

**********

“Which one sweetie?” Hale asked as she and her daughter walked through the tree farm.Kay looked at each tree as she passed them. She didn’t see any that she liked. She was about

to tell her mom she was ready to go when she spotted the perfect tree. “This one!”Hale walked over to where her daughter was standing and looked at the tree her child was

pointing to. It was huge, full green and about twenty feet tall. “Sweetie!”She faced her mother. “ Please?”Hale smiled at her daughter. “For once, you can pick the tree.”“Can I have this one?”“Yes sweetie, you can have this one.” She motioned the sales man over to them.“Yes ma’am?”“We’ll take this one.”The man nodded and lifted the tree.“Come on sweetie, its getting cold, and Kale is probably awake by now.” She looked at Stan.

“Can you get the tree?”“Yes, Ms. Billings.”She smiled and took her daughter’s hand and headed back to the car. She and her daughter

were going to have a wonderful Christmas despite the fact they were in Colorado.They were going to have a wonderful Christmas.

**********

He looked at the house before him. It was empty; he had kind of known that since he hadcalled before he had left the city. He walked up the front porch and unlocked the door. He knew he

should have called and told Hale he was coming, but if he heard her voice he knew he would chickenout. He and Hale needed to talk, and they needed to talk bad. He’d spent the whole plane ridewondering what he was going to say to her, how he was going to start a conversation that wouldchange everything. He ascended the stairs and walked down the hall to his right. He had feeling forHale, feelings that had nothing to do with the fact that she was his children’s mother. His feelingswent deeper than that.

He opened the third door on his right. He hadn’t felt this way about a woman in a very longtime. Not since Angela had he felt this protective, this connected with a woman. He was about to stepin the room when he smelled her. He stopped. Of all the rooms in the house to choose, she hadchosen his room. He placed his bag by the door and walked further into the room. Her scent waswonderful, special. All Haley.

Gray smiled as he walked into the bathroom that was off the room. He knew for a fact that shewas special. And his son had found his mother and he had found his…

He stopped when he heard a car coming up the drive.

**********

“Momma, can we have some hot chocolate?”Hale nodded as she scooped up her son and headed into the house with her daughter ahead of

them. “Kay, when we get in the house I want you to take off those boots and then I’ll…” she stoppedwhen she saw Gray standing in the middle of the foyer.

“Da!” Kale squealed.“Gray!” Kay hollered before she rushed over to the man and embraced him. “Momma said

you were coming.”He hugged the little girl and looked at her mother. “Yes. I was coming.” He kissed her on the

cheek and walked over to her mother. “Hi, Kale.”“Da!” the baby said with a smile. Gray smiled down at his son.“Ms. Billings?”Hale looked over her shoulder; she had forgotten Stan was following them with the tree. “Oh,

sorry Stan.” She stepped aside and let him come into the house.“I brought the stand down from the attic.” Gray said as he placed Kay on the floor. “Plus all

the ornaments. One of the guards said you were tree shopping.” He took his son from Hale, placedhim on the floor and looked at both children. “Why don’t you and your brother go see if you can findthe stockings while your uncle, aunt and I put it up.”

Kay nodded, took her brother’s hand and walked away from them. Gray looked at Stan. “Youcan place the tree in the stand.” he ordered more than questioned.

Stan nodded and left both of them standing in the foyer.Hale moved her hair from her face. She shut the front door and faced Gray. “We expected you

a few days ago.”He took a step closer. “I know sweetheart…”She looked at him in surprise. Endearments… when had they started using endearments?

“Gray, I…”He covered her mouth with his. He had wanted to kiss her for so long now that finally

achieving what he wanted felt good. He wanted more… he needed more. He placed a hand on her

cheek. He could feel her surprise and slight hesitation, but he needed her to know in part about howhe felt. He lifted his head slightly. “I need you to know something.”

She pulled away from him and shook her head. “Don’t say anything. Please don’t.” Shestraightened her shoulders, licked her lips and released a breath. “I need to go check on the children.”

“Hale…”She shook her head, rounded him and disappeared into the living room.

**********

He chuckled as he helped Kay with the ornaments. They had been decorating the tree for thelast hour. He and the children had been decorating the tree while Hale was in the kitchen cookingdinner and making cookies. She had brought them the first batch, avoiding eye contact with him whileshe was in the room. The second batch she had taken to the security detail that was outside. After shehad come back in she had disappeared back into the kitchen, only sticking her head in when she wastelling them about dinner. He wished she would talk to him. Ask him why he had done what he haddone. But she hadn’t she had, she’d just taken care of the children and herself, and that was all.

“Dinner, guys!”He looked up at her. She looked wonderful… and he knew it. She had looked wonderful in the

airport, in court, at the hospital. She always looked wonderful. And he knew it.“Gray?”He blinked and smiled at her. They needed to talk, that was the reason he was here besides the

fact she was still in danger and he wanted to spend the holidays with his children. After the childrenwere down he would sit her down and they would talk.

If they didn’t Christmas, would be one holiday he would come to hate.

**********

She looked at the tree as it twinkled in the living room. She had listened for an hour while herchildren and their father played, sang songs and decorated the beautiful tree that she was nowstanding in front of drinking hot chocolate. She had wanted to join the festivities, but she hadn’t hadthe heart to. Not after what had happened earlier.

She shook her head; she had wanted to know why he had kissed her but she had been soshocked that she had made up some excuse about he kids needing her. She had run away like shealways did. She always ran away when she didn’t know what to say or how to act in a situation, andthis situation was no different. She turned away from the tree and walked over to the chaise loungethat sat just to the left of the tree and kiddie-corner to the fireplace. She looked at the fire roaring in itand sipped her cocoa Hale sighed. She had no clue as to how to act towards Gray.

He had kissed her and it had been wonderful. But she hadn’t been kissed or touched byanother male in a very long time, not since she was married, and that had been five years ago. Sincethat time she had been celibate in a sense. She had urges and she had wanted to fulfill them, but shehad never been able to find the right person. Maybe because she was so picky? It took her forever topick out a pair of shoes, and they were only going on her feet.

She bit her lower lip. Could Gray be the answer to her prays? The children adored him andwhy not. He’s their father, and a wonderful person. He encourages her and Kay to go with theirhearts, even if that meant hating him or screaming at him. So, why was it so hard to image that he

could like her, or even want to kiss her?“Hi.” Hale looked up. She hadn’t heard him come down stairs. The last she had seen of him was

when he had disappeared into the bathroom while she was putting the children to bed. “Hi.”Gray sat down on the chaise. He took one of her feet and began to massage it. “You’ve been

avoiding me all evening.”Hale nodded as she enjoyed the impromptu foot massage. “Sorry about that, but I had a lot to

do in the kitchen.”“Uh huh.” He switched feet. “I thought maybe you were avoiding me because of that kiss.”She swallowed and looked at him. “Why… why did you kiss me?”“I wanted you to know how I felt about you.”“Your tongue down my throat told me how you felt about me.”Gray smiled. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”She smiled back at him. “I had nothing to complain about.”He nodded and released her foot. He grasped her legs and pulled her further down the lounge.

He scooted up and leaned over her, moving a piece of hair from her face.“Tell me you didn’t like that kiss.” He ran the back of his hand along her cheek. “Tell me you

don’t want me to kiss you again.” He rested his hand on her cheek and leaned in closer. “If you sayeither of those things, I’ll never touch you again.”

She placed a hand on his cheek. “I can’t. And I won’t.”He smiled at her and took her lips with his. He had every intention on kissing her and doing

much, much more.

**********

“I am so sorry”, she said as they were laying spoon fashion, his front to her back, on thechaise.

Gray kissed her temple. “You have nothing to be sorry for Hale. I’m a big boy, I canhandle…”

“Rejection?” she finished while looking at him over the shoulder. After a much-heated kissthey were well on their way to a more intimate setting when she had stopped and pushed him away.

He kissed her gently on the lips. Gray lifted his head and smiled “I’m fine. I can wait.”“You can wait.” She shook her head. “I’ve heard that before, and it ended badly.”“This does not have to end badly. I’m not going to hurt you or do anything you don’t want to

do.” He looked into her amazing charcoal eyes. They were the same amazing color as theirdaughter’s, but the difference here was their daughter’s eyes didn’t war with the fact some one couldhurt her and hurt her dearly. He placed his forehead on hers. “Listen to me. I….” He licked his lips,“you are apart of my life I have no intentions of ever letting go of.” He stroked her cheek, it was nowor never and he chose now. He wrapped his arms tighter around her “Hale…”

“Momma?” Kay said as she walked down the stairs rubbing her eyes“We’ll finish this later” Gray said he kissed her lips, got off the chaise and walked over to his

daughter. He scooped her up. “Did you have a bad dream?”Kay nodded and laid her head on Gray’s shoulder.He rubbed her back and kissed her temple. “How about I put you back to bed and read you a

story?”

“Can you?” she questioned as she covered a yawn.“Yes, I can.” He looked at her mother. “Want to come with us?”Hale smiled and nodded she got up from the lounge and walked over to them. She placed a

hand on his fore arm. “Yes, I would like to join you, if you’ll do something for me?”“Are you using our daughter as a bargaining chip?”“No. I’m asking a question. And our daughter has fallen back to sleep.”He looked at the child he had in his arms who had gone back to sleep. He smiled at her. She

was a sweet child. He looked at her mother; Kay was a lot like her mother, she spoke her mind andwas not afraid to tell you what she thought of you. Hale did that all the time, that’s why he cared forher the way he did. He touched her cheek “Haley, I…”

She placed a single finger over his lips. “Please, not right now.” She released a breath andsmiled at him. “We’ll talk in the morning, but you have to stay with me tonight.”

“I have to stay with you tonight?” he questioned, leaning forward.“Yes, you have to lay in my bed and hold me all night. Are you up to the challenge?”He wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her closer. “Oh, you have no idea how much

I am up to that challenge.”

**********

And he was, Gray thought as he lay beside her in bed. They had put Kay back to bed then hadchecked on Kale, making sure both of their children were sleeping peacefully. They had walkeddown the hall to her room and entered. He looked at her; he had thought for a minute she had changedher mind. But, she hadn’t. She was shaking and he had wanted to ask her why. He wanted to knowwhy she had stopped their kiss, but she had seemed so upset about stopping them and so frightened.He sighed as he lay next to her. She was such an enigma, and one he wanted to learn more about.

“Gray?”He smiled down at her. He thought she was sleeping and she was… she was talking in her

sleep. He raised an eyebrow; this was quiet interesting. “I’m right here.”“Hmm.” She licked her lips she turned and faced him completely, waking. “I thought you left

us.”“Who?”“Me and the children. I thought you had left me and the children.”“I would never leave you and the children. You guys are my world.”She smiled in her sleep. “I know and I also know you love us as we love you”That surprised Gray. He knew she cared for him but… “Do you love me, Hale?”She looked at him under hooded eyes. “More and more each day.” on that she closed her eyes

and went back to sleep.Gray leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. He loved her more and more each day, too.

Chapter Six

Hale covered a yawn as she walked down the stairs. The kids were still sleeping and so was

Gray, which meant she could start breakfast and have some time to herself.She walked into the kitchen and started the coffee maker. She walked over to the stove and

placed the teapot on the eye. She was starting breakfast when this strange sense of de-ja-vu cameover her. Hale shook her head; it was like she had done this before, in another time and place. Sheturned off the stove and placed a hand on her head, shaking herself gently. She had to be imaging this,this could not be happening. She released a few deep breaths, she needed to calm down andremember where she was and what she was doing here.

“Hale.”She looked over her shoulder at Gray. He was out of focus. She moved her hair from her face,

realizing that she was not feeling too well.“Haley!” He rushed over to her and caught her before she collapsed completely. He moved

her hair from her face; she was breathing, that was good. He scooped her up. He needed to get her tothe hospital or call a doctor.

“Stan!” he called as he walked down the hall. He needed her to be all right, he couldn’t loseher like he had lost Angela. He shook his head.

That could not happen.

**********

“Gray?”He turned and faced Dr. Tyler Monroe. He and Tyler had grown up together, and he was the

only person he trusted with Hale. “How is she?”Tyler inhaled and walked over to his friend. “Gray, did you know Haley had a lump in her

breast?”Gray shook his head. Oh God, he was going to lose her! He couldn’t lose her!“Is it cancer?”“I won’t know until I do a biopsy.”He nodded. “Can I see her?”“Sure. But, Gray, this could be nothing. She could be fine.”“But, she could not be.”Tyler placed a hand on his shoulder. “Gray, think positive.”He nodded, walked away from his friend and headed into the room he had placed Hale in. He

had wanted to take her to the hospital but thought better of it when he remembered why they were inColorado in the first place. Plus, he wanted his children to be near their mother. He walked over tothe bed and sat down on it, taking her hand in his. “How are you feeling?”

Hale smiled up at him. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”“You didn’t.” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. “Stan took the kids to town to

do some more Christmas shopping.”She nodded. “So, aren’t you going to ask me?”“Ask you what, sweetheart?”She placed a hand on his cheek. “About the lump.”

He released a breath. “OK. Why didn’t you tell me about the lump?”“Because it’s the second one that I’ve found in the last few years.”“I take it social services doesn’t know?”She bit her lip and shook her head. “The lump was found last year at exactly the time I got

Kale. When they placed him in my arms I knew I couldn’t lose him, so I didn’t tell them. Nor you.”she said bowing her head.

He placed two fingers under her chin and brought her face back up to his. “I wouldn’t haveused that information against you.”

“You say that, but…”“I mean that.” He sighed. “I just don’t say that my darling, I mean it. I’ve seen you with the

children, with Kale, and you adore him. You love him more than I’ve seen anyone love a child. Youlove Kay the same way you love our son.” He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. Helifted his head and smiled down at her “I love you. I have no clue when it happened, but it did.”

She shook her head and licked her lips. “Do you know, that when” she placed a hand on hischeek, “I am half asleep, I talk and become the most honest person in the world?”

“Are you telling me you knew what you said last night?”She nodded slightly. “And I meant every word of it.”“You love me?”“Yes, Mr. Jackson. I do. ” She reached up and kissed him. She loved him and was never going

to let him go.Gray deepened the kiss; he was going to keep her forever. He was going to be by her side

forever because that was what he wanted, and if he knew anything about this woman, he knew thatwas what she wanted too. He placed a hand on her cheek. He was going to marry her and make thema family, even more of a family than they already were.

“Mommy?”Both adults sighed and shook their heads as their son ran into the room.Gray straightened. He stood and scooped up his son. “Where’s your sister?”“Right here. Mr. Stan said you were sleeping.”“I was, but now I’m up.” She sat up. Hale patted the bed. “Come tell me what you did in

town.”Kay nodded and came over to her mother. She climbed up on the bed with the help of Gray.He placed Kale on the bed beside his mother. “I’ll go downstairs and make you guys some

lunch.” He kissed Hale on the lips and headed out of the room.“Momma, do you like Gray?”Hale smiled at her daughter and pulled her son onto her lap. “Yes. I like Gray. Don’t you?”Kay smiled “I like him a lot. I’m glad he here.”She leaned forward and kissed her daughter on the forehead. “So am I.”

**********

Gray looked through the jewel case once more. He had been in the jewelry store for the lasthour with his children trying to find the perfect ring for Hale. She was with Tyler and Stan at hisoffice. They were going to biopsy the lump today and he had wanted to be there, but Hale had put herfoot down and had gotten in the car and placed the children in the car with them and gone into town.Now he was in Denver with his children, shopping for their mother.

“Daddy, this one!”Gray looked at his daughter. On their way to Denver, he and Kay had had a long talk and had

decided that calling him Daddy would help Kale learn to call him Daddy. Plus, he loved hearing hercall him Daddy. He walked over to his daughter, placed a hand on her head and looked at the ring hisdaughter was pointing to.

“Can we get that for Mommy for Christmas?”He nodded and motioned towards the salesman. “Yes baby, we can get this for your mom for

Christmas. How about you pick out a bracelet, too.”Kay nodded and rushed from the case over to the one with the bracelets in it.

Gray smiled after his daughter; this was going to be the best Christmas of his life. He had the womanhe loved and his children.

What more could he ask for?

**********

“So when will we have the results?”Tyler took his gloves off and faced Hale. “Not until after the first of the year.”She nodded and pulled her shirt down. “After the first of the year. I can handle that.”“But can Gray?”“Gray will be fine. It’s been almost a week since I collapsed and he’s been a little

protective. But other than that, he’s been fine.”“I know Gray and fine. He won’t let you out of his sight and the children are always in his

sight too. Plus, before you can pick your son up, he’s there to help you. To get you anything youwant.”

Hale smiled and nodded. “Yeah, he is. He’s just worried that I’ll leave him. Like Angeladid.”

“But you won’t. This could just be a cyst. You’ve had those before.”“Yes I have, and I pray that is all that it is.” She got off the exam table and put on her jacket.

“So. I’ll see you after the first of the year.”Tyler nodded. “Are you and Gray coming to the New Year’s Eve party the town hosts every

year?”Hale shrugged. “I don’t, know he hasn’t mention it. But I hope we do.”“So do I. So, I’ll see you there?”She smiled nodded and headed out of the exam room, wondering if Gray would be willing to

go to the New Year’s party. It would give them a chance to get out of the house besides the walksthey’d taken in the afternoons with the kids. A party would be good. She smiled as she got into thecar.

A party. That would be nice.

**********

He hitched his son up higher as he walked up the front walk of the house. He had it all mappedout and he knew how he wanted to ask Hale to marry him. He knew how he wanted to do it and…

“Hey guys!”“Momma!” Kay said excitedly as she rushed towards her mother.

Hale embraced her daughter. “Did you have fun with Gray?”Kay nodded. “Daddy said that he want to…”“Kay!”She looked at Gray over her shoulder“Sweetheart, that’s a secret! Remember?”Kay nodded released her mother and rushed into the house.Hale straightened. “What’s a secret?”He kissed her cheek as he walked into the house. “You have to wait and see.”She smiled at him and shook her head. “Grayson Jackson-…”“No. Now get your coat so we can go for our walk.”“What about the children?”“Stan’s watching them. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”She looked at him in confusion; there was something going on here. Her daughter had a secret

that Gray had told her, so why wasn’t she in on the secret. What was Gray about to tell her? That hedid love her but nothing could come of a relationship with her? If he was about to tell her that, thanshe didn’t want to hear it. All she wanted was to celebrate Christmas and then go home back to a lifeshe was content with. She could do without Gray.

“Hale?”She looked up at him; he had her coat. “Where’s Kale?”“In his bed. It’s his nap time, remember?”She nodded as she put her arms in the coat Gray held out for her. She shook herself mentally;

whatever he was about to say she could listen to. She would go along with whatever he decided aslong as he kept seeing her children. They both loved him more than anything. Just like she loved him.

“Ready?”She smiled and nodded.

**********

They walked through the snow in silence. It was beautiful she had always thought it was

beautiful, even when they brought the children out here after theirs nap to walk. The glistening snow,the sparse trees with snow all over them; it was all so picturesque. She looked at the man walkingbeside her. He looked as if he was deep in thought and she wondered what he was thinking about.She turned back towards their path. The only way to find out what he was thinking was to ask him.

“Tyler said we would get the results back after the first of the year.”Gray nodded. “You know, I really would have liked to go with you.”“And miss out on being called Daddy all afternoon?” She smiled and shook her head. “Yeah,

right!”He smiled. “We talked all the way to Denver about the Daddy thing.” He looked at Hale. “I

hope you don’t mind.”She shook her head. “No. I don’t mind. Kay’s been wanting a Dad since hers left us when

she was two.”“That was insensitive of him.”She shrugged. “His loss”He nodded.She bit her lower lip. “Gray…”

“I wanted to talk to you about something.” he said as he stopped walking.Hale stopped and turned to face him. She waited.“I know you have a lump in your breast and I’m praying everyday, every minute, that it’s

nothing. Like Tyler said it might be. But there…”“Gray, if you’re saying you don’t want to be with me because of the possibility of cancer…”“No.” he shook his head. “I do want to be with you because of your cancer.”“What?” she shook her head. “You want to be with me because I might have cancer? That’s

sick.” she rounded him and headed back towards the house.“No!” he rushed after her he grasped her hand.“That is not what I’m talking about. Haley Billings, I want to be your children’s father.”“You already are.”“In name, but I want my name on their birth certificates, and I”, he pulled her towards him. “I

want my name on a certificate that says we’re husband and wife.”She blinked; she could not be hearing him right. “You want to marry me?”He smiled and nodded.“I…I” she was speechless this could not be happening.“I love you and you know it. If you have cancer than we’ll deal with it like any normal couple

would deal with it.” He placed his hands on her cheek. “I’m not marrying you because of the canceryou might or might not have. I’m marrying you because I’ve seen how you are with my son anddaughter, and I want to make more children with you. I want to fill a house with children who looklike you, act like you and love like you. I, Haley Billings, want to wake up with you beside me fromnow until the day I die. I thought I would never find love again, and then you and Kay walked into mylife and changed that. Say you’ll marry me? Say you’ll be my wife and let me be the father to yourchildren, present and future?”

She licked her lips, the tears streaming down her face. “Yes.”He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. She was his pride his joy and she was going

to be come his wife. He pulled back and pulled the ring from his pocket. “I believe this belongs toyou.” He took her glove off and placed the ring on her left ring finger. He kissed the finger andlooked up at her. He smiled.

“I love you/”She leaned forward. “And I, you.” she said before she captured his lips with hers.

**********

“I still think we should have called.” Joseph Jackson said to his wife as they pulled into thedriveway of the cabin they kept in Colorado.

“Gray will be happy to see us.” Pamela replied.He looked at his wife. “I’m glad you have more faith than I do, because I think he’ll hate the

fact we’re up here.”She shook her head. “He’ll want to know about Adam and Cammie. He’ll be fine with it.”Joseph released a breath; he had a feeling his son wouldn’t be fine with it.

**********

“So does that mean you’re going to be moving in with us?” Kay asked as she sat on Gray’s

lap.They had come back to the cabin after a long make out session to check on the children, start

dinner and to tell their children they were going to be a family.Gray smiled at the woman who was sitting across from him with their son on her lap. “Yes,

that means we’re going to move in together.” He looked down at the little girl. “We’re going to buy ahouse,” he smiled at her, “a really big house with a yard big enough for a dog and…”

“Gray.”He smiled at her. “We’ll even get your mom to take a few days off.”“Cool1”“Yeah. Cool.”“You both are so not funny.” Hale said as she smiled at her future husband and her daughter.

“OK Kayla, you and your brother go wash your hands for dinner.”Kay nodded she got up off of Gray’s lap walked over to her mother. She took her brother’s

hand and they both left the room.“So you think I won’t ask you to take a few days off?” Gray questioned while crawling over

to her. Hale smirked at him. “I think you’ll try.” she said as she braced herself on her elbows.

He was above her before she could say ‘we have children’. “You, Mrs. Jackson, will takesome time off for our wedding, won’t you?”

“No. I think I’ll work through it.”He wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her closer to him. “You are not funny.”“I…” she stopped when the front door opened and his parents walked in.

**********

“Sorry.” Joseph said as he smiled at the lovely woman his son was holding quiet closely.“Mother! Father! We weren’t expecting you.” Gray said as he stood and reached a hand out

and helped Hale to her feet.“Sorry about that, but we wanted to tell you about Adam.” Pamela said.“Is he worse?”“No. No.” she shook her head. “He’s fine. He’s being released tomorrow.”“And you’re here instead of back in Dallas with Adam?”“He kind of kicked us out.” Joseph said.Gray nodded. “Well, I’m happy that he’s doing better.” he took Hale’s hand in his “Mother,

Father, I… we, have something to tell you.”“So do we.” Pamela said. She smiled. “Cammie and Tom told us today that they’re having a

baby!”“That’s wonderful mother!”“It’s more than wonderful, Grayson, it’s amazing. After ten years of being married they are

finally having a family! At least I know this time I’ll get to see my grandchild.”“Mother! That was a year ago and it was all my decision.”“Maybe I should leave you guys alone.” Hale said as she pulled her hand from Gray’s.“No.” he said he took her hand again and held it fast. “Mother, I am happy for Adam, Cammie

and Tom, but I have something that needs to be said.” He released a breath “Joseph and PamelaJackson, I would like for you to meet Haley Billings, my…”

“Momma?” Kay said as she and Kale walked back into the room.Joseph and Pamela stared at the little boy. It was Gray as a boy. Pamela walked over to the

child.Kay wrapped her arms around her brother and took a step back. She looked at her parents.Gray smiled at her and walked over to his children. “Kayla, this is my mother, Pamela. And

the man standing behind her is my father, Joseph. They’ll be your grandparents.”“Grandparents?” Pamela questioned.Gray nodded. “Mother this is Kayla and Kale Billings, my children. And this is their, mother

Haley. My soon to be wife.”Pamela looked at the woman standing beside her son “Over my dead body!”

**********

Hale wiped down the counter and avoided her potential in-laws. She had never seen Gray somad, not even when she had hollered at him for losing Kale. Or for the fifteen other things he haddone to take care of his family. She looked at the door leading to the hall he where his parents were inthe den talking. She had wanted to be there, but thought it was best if she and the children kept theirdistance. So she had fed her children in the kitchen and then had sent them in the living room to watchtelevision. She looked at the ring on her finger; she would gladly give the ring back to Gray if it weregoing to cause this much trouble. She didn’t want to alienate him from his parents. That was the lastthing she wanted to do.

She placed the dishtowel in the sink. Maybe she should give the ring back. Gray could still beapart of the children’s lives; she would never take that away from him. She bit her lower lip as sheheaded down the hall to the den, still not knowing what she was going to do.

**********

“Grayson Joseph Jackson! Have you thought about this?”“Yes, mother, I have. I love Hale, and nothing will change that.”“You don’t know this woman. Plus, she has a child!”“She has my child, mother. She has my son and my daughter, and I will be damned if I let you

stand here and try to lecture me!”“She’s after your money Gray. She found out who you were, and now she wants your money.”“The money great grandfather left me is still sitting in trust. I haven’t touched that three

million since you told me I had it.”“You haven’t touch that money in fifteen years?” Joseph questioned.Gray looked at his father “I didn’t want to be know as Grand Jefferson’s great grandson, the

great oil baron who was apart of the first rush in Texas. That’s not me, Father.”Joseph nodded; he could understand that. He had lived with the fact Grand Jefferson was his

grandfather and he had to live with the money; power and heart ache that came along with the money.So he could understand where his son was coming from.

“Gray; is that baby;” she shook her head, “what is his name? Kale?”Gray held up his hand to stop his mother. “Yes his name is Kale, and yes, he is the baby I

gave up a year ago.”“So that is my grandson?”

“And your granddaughter.” Gray released a staggered breath. “Mother, what part of thisconversation aren’t you understanding? I’m marrying Haley.”

“I will not have that woman anywhere near you or my grandson. I want Kale back.”“What do you have against her?” he questioned. “She’s a wonderful mother to Kale and

Kayla. She loves me and our children.”“Oh, please! She probably found out who Kale’s father was and decided to get a man for that

bastard.”“Get out, Mother!”Pamela stared at her son, mouth aghast. “You can not mean that!”Gray stepped forward. “You called my daughter a bastard and she’s far from it. I will not

have you here calling my children names.”She sniffled. “Gray, I love you.”“And I love Hale. So the choice is yours mother; do you want to be apart of our lives, or do

you want to walk out of that door and never see your grandchildren grow up?”“I choose to leave.” Pamela said as she grabbed her purse and prepared to leave.“Please don’t leave.” Hale said as she walked into the room. She sighed. “I don’t want to

alienate Gray away from his parents.”“Honey, no one is alienated from their parents.” Joseph said.“But you guys are fighting because of me”“No one is fighting because of you.” He walked over to her. “You are more than welcomed

into the family.”“But, Mrs. Jackson…”“Is nothing but hot air.” He kissed her cheek. He lifted his head and smiled down at her.

“Welcome to the family, and thank you for my grandchildren. I love them.”She smiled at him. “Thank you.”He nodded. “So, where are my grandchildren? I want to tell them good night.”“They’re in bed.”Joseph nodded. “Then I will call them from Dallas.” He took his wife’s hand “Pam and I will

be leaving. We have a lot to talk about.”Hale nodded and they left.Gray walked over to her he pulled her into his arms.Hale laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Your mother hates

me.”He rubbed her back; he had never seen his mother act like that before. She was animate about

him not marrying Hale, but why? Why was his mother so worried about him marrying her? She hadher own career and life. Hale and the children would be fine without him if they didn’t get married,but he couldn’t live without Hale and the kids and he wouldn’t want to. He kissed her hair. “Howabout we go to bed?”

She looked up at him. “Gray, if this is going to ruin your relationship with…”“My relationship with my mother is my concern.”“But our children will be affected.”He kissed her; he was not about to let her worry about this. He would handle this. He would

handle his mother and what had happened here. He scooped up his bride to be and headed to thestairs. He was going to make her forget.

**********

She moved her hair from her face and looked at the man sleeping in the bed they had sharedfor the last week. She had made love to him after a very long celibacy; she had made love to a manshe loved with all her heart and soul. But, why had she done it? She turned back to the window. Sheknew why Gray had done it; he had wanted to forget what his mother had said about Kay and theirpotential marriage. But, why had she done it?

Yes, she loved Gray and she had wanted him inside of her for a very long time. To haveremorse now was uncalled for. She shook her head; there wasn’t any room for remorse here. She hadswore to herself when she was in college that she would only sleep with a man she loved, and shehad kept that promise for a very long time. So, why was she having remorse? Why was she standing atthe picture window wondering why she had slept with this wonderful and gorgeous man?

“May I ask why you’re not in bed?” He questioned as he wrapped the blanket that was at theend of the bed around her.

“I already had a cover over me.”He wrapped his arms around her. “I know, but the heat is down and I didn’t have time to

make a fire, so this part of the house can get quiet cold.”She smiled at him over her shoulder and nodded, turning back to the window.“Haley, talk to me.”She pulled the blanket more firmly around her. She placed her hair behind her ear and bowed

her head. She stepped out of Gray’s arms, walked over to the bed and sat down on it. “Ever haveremorse about sleeping with someone?” She looked at him as she finished her sentence.

He walked over to her and crouched down in front of her. “Do you have remorse aboutsleeping with me?”

She shook her head. “I shouldn’t, but I do.” she closed her eyes and released them. Sheopened them again. She placed a hand on his cheek. “You are a wonderful man, and I love you somuch but, …”

“But?”She removed her hand. “It had been a long time for me.”“How long?”She sighed. Five years. For five years, I have not let a man touch me.”“Wow.”“Yeah. When I was in college, I had a friend, a male friend He asked if we could be friends

with benefits. At that time it had been going on four years. It took me a month to make up my mind.”“Well, I know what the decision was. So, what made you decide not to go that way?”“I didn’t love him. I didn’t want to break my celibacy on a man I didn’t care about, that I

didn’t love. That would be unfair to him, and to me.”He nodded stood and sat on the bed beside her. “So, tell me why you’re having regrets.”“Not so much regrets or remorse. It’s like…” she shook her head. She looked at him. “Have

you ever had everything you ever wanted come true? Come to life.” She gestured towards him. “Have everything you ever wanted to come into your life and make you ecstatically happy? LikeKarma has smiled on you?” She sniffled and wiped away a tear. “I’ve always been told” be carefulwhat you wish for”, and I what I wished for was you.”

“Me?”She nodded. “I wanted a man that would love my daughter as much as he loved me. A man

who was wonderful, and who would give me a baby. I wanted someone who had a life of their ownbut would understand our children and our family came first. Someone who would protect and nothurt me and my children in anyway.” She licked her lips, “Someone who would never hurt usintentionally.” She moved her hair. “I got that in you, but I am so afraid. So afraid that it won’t last,that…”

“Shhh.” he smiled at her. “Nothing lasts forever, but this will. I love you, and nothing willchange that.”

“I want to believe you but every time something good happens in my life, something badfollows right behind it.”

“But nothing bad will happen. We’re safe here. As long as we have each other, and our love,we’ll be fine.”

She sniffled. “Kay’s father didn’t leave us. He killed himself just as we divorced. Exampleone; my life was finally looking up, and tragedy struck.”

He kissed her hand. “That was an isolated incident.”“Was it an isolated incident when I moved here and things were looking up with Kale and

Kay and our lives, and then I found a lump?”“Listen to me. Those were just tests. The Lord was testing you. Every time something

happened, you pressed on and made the best of the situation. You found the man of your dreams,despite my flaws, and you gave your children a father and a happy life.”

“Gray, it’s just that…”“No. We’re happy here. Our lives are good. We’ll be…”“I was arrested.”“For?”“Missing a court date for a speeding ticket.”He smiled at her. “I thought you were going to tell me it was for something more serious.” He

placed a hand on her cheek. “Is there anything else?”She nodded.“Ok, tell me.”“I was raped when Kay was eight months.”Gray nodded. He wasn’t expecting that, but he could deal with it. “Is that why you waited so

long to let anyone touch you?”She nodded. “I was afraid. I was afraid the next person would hurt me as much as the last

person did.”“I would never do that.” he pulled her into his arms. “I swear to you I would never hurt you.”“I know. ”She started to sob.“Shhh.” he rocked her. Now he knew why she looked the way she did when he had first saw

her. She had been withdrawn and on guard. She had been hurt so much that she was afraid of anythinggood. Well, he was going to make her unafraid. He just needed to know how.

Gray looked at the phone on the side of the bed when it rang and reached for it. “Jackson.”“Its Adam.”“How are you feeling?”“Fine. I called to say they got Farling. You guys can come back to town.”“Thanks Adam. We’ll see you when we get back to town.” He hung up the phone and faced

his bride. “They got Farling.”She smiled through her tears and nodded. “I should probably give back your ring.”

“What for?”“Gray, you do not want to marry a woman with…”“The most beautiful charcoal eyes I have ever seen? And a daughter I love more and more

each day, just as I love you more and more each day?” He kissed her hair. “You and I have a past.There’s no difference.”

“Gray, there’s a big difference.”“How sweetheart? If your past didn’t bother social services why would you think it would

bother me? Love comes unconditionally, and I am not about to put conditions on our love… my lovefor you.” he cupped her face with both hands. “I love you so much. When Angela died, I thought I hadlost everything. Then you and the kids walked into my life and that changed. I changed. I stoppedbeing a workaholic and became a family man. A man wanting… needing, to protect his family. AndI’ve done that. And in the process, I fell in love and want to marry the most wonderful woman Iknow.” He released a breath. “You, my darling, have been my first since Angela.”

“Are you asking me to believe you’ve been celibate for a year?”“Yes, if you can believe that.” He kissed her. “I was waiting for the right woman. Someone

who would touch my heart and not break it. Some one who would give me a child to love and carefor.” He shook his head. “I could never replace Kale with another child, but I could give that childwhat I felt I couldn’t give Kale, and look what Fate, Karma, Kismet or whatever you want to call itgave me. A daughter and a beautiful wife. What more could I wish or want for?” He smiled at her. “Nothing. I have what I’ve always wanted, another chance at life and love. I have you and I intend onnever letting you go.”

“I’m happy to hear that, because I intend on never leaving you”“Good. Now that we have all of that out of the way, is there anything else you want to

discuss?”She smiled. “No, I think I’m good.”“Good, because I have and idea.”“And…”He captured her lips with his and laid her on the bed. Everything was out in the open, so now

they could start their lives together as wonderful as he knew they would always be.“Momma? Daddy?”“Welcome to parenthood.” Hale said when she heard Gray groan.He looked down at his soon to be wife. “Bring it on!” he kissed her once more before he got

off of her and the bed. “I’ll get her, but remember… we will finish what we started.”She winked. “Oh, plan on it.”

Chapter Seven

“Momma! Daddy! It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas!”Hale moved her hair from her face and sat up. She smiled at her daughter “Yes sweetie, I

know,” she got out of the bed and took her daughter’s hand, “Where’s your brother?”Kay pulled her towards the door. “In his crib. Come on, let’s go see what Santa brought!”Hale nodded. She released her daughter’s hand and sent her downstairs and walked into the

bedroom her son was in. She and Gray had been up most of the night putting together toys, bikes andsetting things out for Santa. She scooped up her son, kissed his cheek and walked out of the room. Shehad gone to bed well before Gray. He had been putting the finishing touches on Kay’s bike when shehad gone to bed. She headed down stairs, hoping he gotten some sleep before the kids woke. Shereached the base of the stairs and looked around for Gray. Where was he?

“Look momma!”She smiled at her daughter and placed her son on the floor.“Sweetie, I see Santa brought you everything you wanted!”She turned and looked at Gray; he looked haggard and sleepy, but still handsome.He walked over to her and handed her the tea he had made earlier.“Did you get any sleep?”He kissed her cheek. “Some, after I finished with Kay’s bike.” he whispered in her ear.She sipped the tea and nodded. “How about you go upstairs and get some sleep? You

deserve it.”“I will, after I see the children’s reactions.” he kissed her lips and walked over to his

children.She smiled after him. Gray was, and is a wonderful father and her children were wonderfully

blessed. Hale looked at the phone when it rang, wondering who it was? They had given security theirlast checks and Adam, Cammie, Tom and May were all coming for the New Year, so who could becalling them at this time of day. Especially on Christmas.

She picked up the phone and said a chipper Merry Christmas.“Haley, its Tyler.”“Tyler, hello! Are you calling to find out what time dinner is?”“No, and thank you for inviting me, but I won’t be able to make it.”“Oh, sorry to hear that” Hale said as she placed her teacup on the phone table. “Tyler is

they’re something else?”“I came into the office early today to see if your test results were in, and they were.”“I thought you said after the first of the year?”“Yeah, well. I know how Gray can be. Haley I’m sorry but the test came back positive.”She closed her eyes and released a breath. “So what’s next?”“You'll come into the office with Gray…”“No.”“He’s your fiancée”“How…?”“I’ve known Gray all my life and I know when he’s in love. And, he’s in love with you. Gray

is one of those people who go after what he wants. They usually marry who they want, too.”“Ok, I’ll give you that, but I will not bring Gray to this appointment.”

“Haley, you can not keep him in the dark.”“I’m not. I just have to figure out a way to deal with this without Gray and the children

knowing.” The question was how. “I’ll be in your office after the holiday.”“Haley, I really think…”“I know Tyler, but this is my decision not yours.”“All right. I’ll see you for New Years.”“Yes.” she hung up and released a breath. She walked back to the living room, where her

children were playing with their father. They were all gathered around the tree, looking wonderful,and completely like the family they were. She sat on the arm of the couch, thinking she could lose allof this. How could she tell him they could lose her? Gray went through so much after he lost Angela,and she couldn’t do that to him again. She had to figure out a way to leave him with their children.

“Hey, aren’t you going to join us?”She smiled at him. “Yes I’m going to join you.” She walked over to her family and sat down

on the floor.“This is for you.” Gray said.Hale took the wrapped gift and looked at the man she loved so much. “What is this?”“A gift for you, my love.” he said then faced his son.She blinked then opened the gift he had given her. Her breath caught when she saw the

beautiful tennis bracelet inside. She covered her mouth to stop the sob. It was an incredible gift, pinkand white diamonds set in a platinum band. She took it out of the casing and read the inscription onthe platinum tag that was on the clasp of the bracelet.

It read:‘To My Wife, My Love and My Friend.’ She wiped away a tear as she looked at the father of her children. This was the most

wonderful thing she had ever received from anyone. He was wonderful, and all the wonder she sawin him, her children deserved to have.

And they would… she would make sure of it.

**********

“Hale, we’re celebrating New Year’s! You have a house full of people coming, and you wantto head back to Dallas?”

She closed her suitcase and zipped it up. She faced Gray. “You and the children will be fine,and I’m only going for two days.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I’ll be back before you knowit.” She kissed him.

He deepened the kiss. He didn’t want her to go, but it was only for two days and it wouldgive him time to finish his surprise for her. He pulled back and placed a hand on her cheek. “Twodays, right?”

She smiled and nodded. “Now, I need to go.” She stepped out of his arms, grabbed her bagand headed out of the bedroom door.

Gray walked over to the phone beside the bed and picked it up. For his plan to work heneeded some help.

**********

“Are you sure this is going to work?”May released a breath and lit another candle. When Gray had called her she had been in the

middle of packing. She had no clue what she was suppose to bring to Colorado, but she had foundsomething an in a hurry. She needed to bring Hale’s journal and a few ideas about a New Year’s Evewedding. “I’m positive. She is going to love this, and the dress you brought will fit perfect!”

Gray released a breath; he hoped everything was going to go perfect. Tyler was to arrive anyminute along with Cammie, Adam and Tom plus his parents. His mother had refused to come. AndHale’s family… well, he had tried to reach them but there had been no answer at any of their homes.He wondered where they were. He would have liked to have at least one member of her family here.May was here and so where the children, but that wasn’t the same as having the other members ofyour family at your wedding.

“When does her plane land?”“Forty- five minutes. Every one should be here by then.”May nodded. She checked her watch. “OK. I’m going to get the kids ready. When Cammie

gets here, send her upstairs so we can surprise Hale.” She smiled. “She’s going to love this, Gray.He nodded. “I hope she loves it.”She placed a hand on his shoulder. “She will. ” She removed her hand. “Now, lets get your

children ready so they can see their parents love connection!”

**********

She stepped off the plane and covered a yawn. She had been practically the only one on theplane, but what she had to do was important, and the only way she could do it was making a cross-country journey and calling in every favor she had. She even made a few promises that would neededto be taken care of when she got back home. But, she had done what she needed to do, plus she hadseen the oncologist that had scheduled her for a mastectomy when she returned home. Her breast hadto be removed to save her life, and still they weren’t sure if she…. Hale stopped when she saw Adamstanding at the end of the concourse, what was he doing in Colorado? She hadn’t been expecting him,his sister and brother-in-law, yes, but not Adam.

“What are you doing here?”“Picking you up from the airport.”“Adam what’s going on?”He took her hand in his. “Come on, little sister. You have a party to attend.”

**********

He nodded to the deliveryman and took the package. “I didn’t know packages arrived on NewYear’s Eve.”

“They do when the person asking it to be delivered this instant.”Gray nodded, signed the clipboard, shut the door and turned the package over. What could this

be?“Was that Hale?” Tom questioned.Gray shook his head and opened the package.“What’s that?”

He pulled the envelope from its holding. “I have no clue.” He opened the envelope and pulledthe papers from it. It read:

‘I wanted to give you something special for Christmas. Sorry it’s so late. Hale’ “Gray?” Tom questioned as he watched a stricken look come over his brother-in-law’s face.

“Grayson, what is it?” he questioned again when he didn’t get an answer.“She gave me custody of the children.”“What?” Tom said as he took the papers from Gray. “It says here that you are now the

children’s custodial parent! Your name has been added to both birth certificates!” He looked at Gray. “According to these papers, if anything happens to Hale you get the children!”

“Why would she do something like this? Unless?” He turned away from Tom and walkedover to Tyler, who was talking to May. “Did the results come back?”

“Gray. You know…”“This is my wife, Tyler, answer me!”Tyler nodded. “Yes, they came back, and Hale needs surgery.”“She has cancer?” May questionedTyler nodded.“Oh God.” She said on a sigh.“Why didn’t she tell me?” Gray questioned.“Because somewhere in Hale’s mind, she thinks she’s protecting you.” May said as she wiped

away a tear. “She’s protecting you and the children.” She shook her head. “If I know Hale, she’smade arrangements so no one else will have to bother.”

“She’s not leaving us!” Gray protested. “We’re getting married!”“No, you’re not.”Gray turned at the sound of Adam’s voice. He was alone… why? He had sent his brother to

the airport to get Hale. “Where’s Haley?”Adam shook his head. “I have no clue. She gave me the slip at the airport.”“How?”“I met her at the gate and we were heading to the baggage claim when she said she had to use

the washroom. Next thing I know, she’s gone.”Gray looked at May.“If she didn’t go home, than she may have gone to her parents or her aunt…”“In Phoenix.”May nodded.“Watch the children. Take them back to Dallas!” he told his family as he walked over to the

door. He grabbed his coat from the hook. He was going to find his wife, and he was going to find her now.

**********

Hale released a breath as she sat on the table. She had called May and checked on herchildren. Kale and Kay were fine, but Gray wasn’t. Her friend had tried to find out where she was,but she hadn’t told her in fear she would tell Gray; and she didn’t want that to happen. She lay down

on the bed. After the surgery, she would go see her children, hug them and their father. But, shewouldn’t marry Gray. She wouldn’t put him through another heartbreak. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, dothat.

“Mrs. Jackson?”She looked at the doctor. She had had to find some way to hide from Gray and she had

figured he wouldn’t look for her under his name. So, she had checked herself into the hospital inAustin as Haley Jackson. “Yes?”

“The anesthesiologist will be here in a few minutes to talk to you and to prep you. Theoperation should take about forty-five minutes to an hour. We’ll be cutting the whole left breast offthen the plastic surgeon will be in to talk to you about reconstructive…”

“I don’t want it.”“Mrs. Jackson?”“Doctor, no matter what happens, I will have to deal with the fact I don’t have a breast. So, I

would rather not have the reconstructive surgery.”The doctor nodded. “That is your right.” He wrote something on her chart “Then, I’ll see you

in the operating room in about an hour.”“Yes,”He nodded, turned and walked out of the room.Hale turned over in the bed. She wished Gray was here to hold her to make things better, but

she couldn’t put him through this. His place was with their children, and she knew it.“You’re hard to find.”She bolted upright and looked at the door. Gray was standing there big as life! She wiped

away a tear; he looked so good. “How…” she swallowed. “How did you find me?”He walked over to the bed and placed a hand on her cheek. “I went to Phoenix looking for

you. Spent New Year’s there instead of having a surprise wedding.” He sat down on the bed. “Then,I went to Chicago and talked to your family. They were surprised to hear about me, especially whenyou had just been home a few days before looking for Kay’s birth certificate and lawyer so you couldchange her name and allow me to be placed on the document as her father. Then, I came back toDallas with the children, not knowing where to go next. Then something dawned on me, you needed amastectomy and wanted to hide.”

“How did you know I needed a mastectomy?”“I talked to Tyler, and he gave me the name of your doctor here.”“He shouldn’t have done that.”Gray took her hand in his. “I’m your husband, Hale. I love you, and I want to be here for

you.”“But I don’t want you here!” she pulled her hand from his, scooted to the edge of the bed and

stood. “Please, go back to Dallas!”“Not without you.” he stood and walked over to her.“Yes, without me! I will not do this to you!”“What?” He questioned as he walked around to her so she was facing him.She looked up at him “I will not put you in the position of watching me die.”He pulled her into his arms. “You are not going to die! You’re going to live, for yourself and

our children”“But, what if I don’t? Then you have to go through what you went through with Angela.

Losing another person you love, and I will not put you through something like that!”

“I’m fine. I can handle this.” he crouched so he was eye level with her. “I can handleanything, as long as I have you by my side.”

“But what if you don’t have me?”“Then I will always have you in my memories. In my heart and with our daughter.” He smiled

at her. “But you’re not going anywhere. I have every faith that you, my love, and I, will be togetherfor a very long time.”

“I’ll be missing…”“Nothing, my love. You will be missing nothing.” he kissed her and wiped away her tears.

“We’re going to beat this, Hale. I know we will.”

Epilogue

And they had, Haley thought as she watched her fifteen-year-old daughter primp in the hall

mirror. That had been almost ten years ago. She and Gray had been married for almost ten years andit had been the most wonderful ten years of her life.

“See you, Mom.”Hale nodded and waved her daughter off with her friends. She walked over to the living

room, where her sons and their father where playing cards on the coffee room table. She leanedagainst the door jam and watched them. Kale was ten. Jefferson, who had been born three years afterher mastectomy, was seven. And Thomas was a vibrant five year old who hung on his father’s everyword.

She looked in the corner where the bassinet lay. Their latest surprise was five-month-oldKalea, a child just as beautiful as her sister, brothers and father. Her life had turned out morewonderful than she thought it ever could.

“Honey?”She looked at her husband as she walked over to him. “I saw who she was in the car with,

and I told her to be back here by nine.”“Good.” Gray said as he stood. He bent and kissed his wife’s cheek. “How are you feeling?”She smiled at him “Fine, Mr. Jackson. Just fine."