"Cameron," I hear Amelia come up from behind me as I grab a beer from the fridge. "I'm sorry, I meant to tell you but I completely forgot." She's whispering, obviously trying not to draw the attention of my parents from the dining room.

"It's fine." I mutter, straightening up and closing the refrigerator door. "Not a big deal."

"It's is, Cameron." She says after I turn to her. "You don't like your mother, I invited her over for dinner, and forgot to tell you."

"You invited my Dad too." I smirk, brushing my thumb against her cheek to get the flour that's there. "I'm not too fond of him at the moment either."

"I guess that means you get two kisses." She whispers and I quirk a brow.

"Are you gonna keep doing things I don't like and then kissing me to make it better?" I question, not too bothered by the prospect, as it reminds me of our past.

She steps closer, to the point that we're almost touching, bouncing onto the tips of her toes. "Until I'm braver." She whispers in my ear, sending a slight tremor through me, before stepping back and grabbing the bowl of fruit from the counter.

"I did something." My wife of one year practically bounces into my office. "And you can't get mad."

"I can't?" I ask, closing my laptop and leaning back in my chair. "What is it that you did?"

She's glowing, unable to stop smiling, and I have the feeling that I won't mind doing whatever she asks.

"I signed you up to coach Xander's soccer team." The coffee that I just started swallowing comes back up, sending me into a coughing fit.

"You what?" I question, when I'm finally able to breathe again.

"The coach who's been there for years was just diagnosed with cancer, they were going to skip the season."

I sigh in understanding. "And Xander was so excited."

"And you know how to play."

"Baby," I laugh at the pout on her face, begging me to agree. "Just because I played in school, ten years ago," I add. "Doesn't mean I know how to teach it."

She continues toward me, stepping between my legs.

"You were good, I remember."

"Amelia," I pull her down to my lap, laughing. "You only saw me at one game."

"Only one?" She questions, frowning. "I thought I went to more."

"Only one." I confirm before quickly pecking her lips. "I spent the whole game wishing you were there for me, not because you were hanging out with Meghan and Isaiah." I grab the piece of hair that has fallen into her eyes and tuck it behind her ear. "You were beautiful," I breath, my lips ghosting over hers. "Sitting in those bleachers. You're smile, when my team won, was so big I swear you were smiling for me."

She leans forward, our lips molding together. The move in sync for a few minutes before she pulls away, breathing heavily.

"How come you didn't say anything then?"

"I was a college senior in love with a high school sophomore." My thumb brushes her swollen lip. "It wasn't okay."

I follow the movement of her tongue as she wets her lips.

"I thought you were so unbelievably sexy that day." She grins, a sparkle in her ocean eyes. "At one point I swear you were trying to frustrate me, continually lifting your shift."

"I was trying to impress you." Knowing exactly what she's talking about. "You just looked annoyed."

"The girl sitting next to me kept bragging about how perfect the night she spent with you was."

Forgetting that she's on my lap, I stand. "Shit." I mutter, bending down to scoop her back up before sitting. "She said what?"

"Mhm." Amelia hums, her finger tracing my chin. "I sat through a two hour game, and she never shut up. All that being said, you play soccer well and will be great at teaching it."

"And now we're back to the fact that you did something with out asking me."

"I'll help too." She states quickly, reaching into her back pocket and pulling out photo, then handing it to me. "I thought I could referee."

The photo makes not just my brows rise. "Not in this you're not."

"Oh, not the kid's soccer games," She snatches the photo before I can start drooling over it, leaning to whisper in my ears. "I was thinking maybe our own, private games." She nips my ear and my hands grip her waist.

"Eventually this will get old, Amelia." I mutter, my eyes closing after I check that's she's locked the door to my office.

"What's that?" She asks, as she presses small kisses along my jaw.

"Doing things without asking and then getting forgiveness this way."

"It's worked so far." She continues to follow the trail of kisses to the base of my throat, causing a groan to escape me.

"And it will work for the rest of my days." I mutter before attaching my mouth to hers.

"Cameron," Amelia reappears in the kitchen, pulling me from my memories. "Dinner?"

"Yeah," I mutter, downing the rest of my beer before heading to the dining room. "Coming."

Amelia has added a leaf into the dinning table and brought two extra chairs out. One at the head and one at the foot of the table.

"Don't worry, we got them out." Xander slaps my back as I walk by and I grab his arm, halting his movement.

"Really?" I raise a brow at the brunette that is slowly taking a seat next to my four year old currently chatting the ear off my mother. Audrey look nervous, good, it means she realizes she's not welcome.

"I figured you needed back up." He shrugs, glancing at at his ex-girlfriend. "I can't leave her."

Releasing his arm, I glance back at Audrey only to see her quickly look away from my son. "We'll talk later." I tell Xander as he moves away, taking the seat next to his... assignment.

My father sits at the head next to my mother, while Ryder sits at the foot, Xander and Zoey flanking him. Theo is sitting in the chair next to Zoey and Amelia walks in taking the seat next to him. That leaves the only chair available next to my father and across from my mother.

"Would you mind saying grace?" I ask my father, taking my seat and the chatter around the table dies down.

Already holding my mother's hand, he reaches for mine. A tradition I grew up with, one that I've continued with the children.

A small, cold hand to my right grips mine, and when I glance at Amelia, her face holds an encouraging smile, causing me to take my father's hand.

He says grace, Mayzie beating him to the 'amen' part, and I feel Amelia's body shake with silent laughter.

When my father finishes his prayer, I glance at Mayzie. "Mayzie, remember that we wait to say 'amen' until the person saying grace says it first."

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I'm sorry, Grandfather." My baby frowns and before I can tell her it's alright my mother starts patting her head.

"It's fine, sweetheart. Cameron," my mother frowns at me. "Don't correct the child, she'll learn eventually."

Amelia's grip on my hand tightens and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from lashing out. I hear my father sigh and Zander release a small cough.

"And how will she learn if I don't correct her?" I ask sharply. "You-"

"Mrs. James," my wife interrupts me, releasing my hand and grabbing the large bowl of pasta from the table and passing it to Ryder after placing some on Theo's plate. "This is a reoccurring issue with Mayzie that we're trying to correct before she becomes insistent that prayer ends when she wants. She knows she's not in trouble, right Mayzie?"

"Yes, Mommy," our daughter smiles at her Grandmother. "Daddy says it's rude to innerup people, espally when they're talking to God." My anger evaporates as she butchers the big words before giving me a very accomplished smile.

"Good girl." I smile at her, squeezing Amelia's hand is it finds it's place in mine.

Silence ensues aside from the scraping of plates as bowls of pasta and salad are passed around.

"So, Miss. Rush," my father starts to break the awkwardness. "I wasn't aware that you and my grandson were still together."

Water sprays from my son's nose as the girl next to him starts choking on her bite of food.

"No, Grandfather," Xander shakes his head, vehemently. "That's not something either of us are interested in exploring again. This-" He waves his hand between the two of them. "Is just work."

"I see." My father clears his throat, nodding, before continuing to eat. "Well..."

My mother is the next one I try to deal with the silence. "Amelia, honey, how has the pregnancy been so far? You're what, sixteen weeks?"

"Seventeen." Amelia clarifies, setting her fork down and glancing at me. "As of today. So far, it's been a smooth pregnancy, my body certainly remembers what to do." I hear the slight strain in her laugh, as she pulls her hand from mine, letting it rest on her stomach.

"That's good." Is my mother's slow response, and my appetite goes out the window as a feel a headache starting.

"Has Cameron told you our name choices?" Amelia asks, flushing at the questions obvious answer.

Thankfully my father spares my wife. "No, he hasn't mentioned names."

"We decided Nora," Amelia smiles, not realizing the momentum of her words. "If it's a girl, her name will be Nora."

My mother doesn't hold her gasp and Amelia frowns. "You don't like it?"

My mother blinks rapidly before responding. "It's beautiful."

"Flynn," I glance at my father, "Is the boy name we picked."

"Well.." He clears his throat of the emotion starting to clog it. "Your mother and I are honored."

For the rest of the meal, Amelia makes small talk with my father while the kids engage in mindless chatter.

It eventually dies down and when everyone seems finished eating, I stand, gathering the pile of plates. My mother stands, laying her hand in my father's shoulder while looking at my wife.

"Please, allow me to help Cameron in the kitchen."

"Oh, it's okay," Amelia starts to stand but I gently force her to stay sitting, causing her to look at me.

"Ask my father about his war wounds," I bend to kiss the top of her head. "He'll be happy to tell you about them again."

When I get into the kitchen my mother is already rinsing dishes, the jacket of her navy pantsuit resting on the counter.

"I don't remember the last time I did dishes." She says as I approach, opening the dishwasher and taking the plate she holds.

"You don't have to." I mutter in response, setting the plate down. "The kids and I can handle it."

"I don't mind, sweetheart." She whispers, and I notice the shake in her hand grow as we continue to wash the dishes. "I'm sorry," her whisper breaks, and I turn the water on more so our conversation can't be heard. "I'm so sorry for what happened."

"I just want to know why." I tell her, setting the dish down as I turn to her. "You said it was because she didn't fit in with this life but.. you have no problem with Dex." I reference my brother in law, who was working security when my sister fell in love with him.

Her hand comes up, brushing my cheek and I watch as tears well in my eyes.

"Why Mother?!"

"I didn't think she was good enough for you." She wipes her tears away, sighing and leaning against the counter.

"Why?"

"After everything that happened, Cameron, I didn't think she loved you. I was convinced that she was after your money."

"What do you mean everything?" I grit, as my fists clenched at their sides.

"Hospital payments for both her parents, her college degree, a beautiful wedding for her brother, those beautiful children" She points toward where everyone else is. "in that room." Her voice starts to shake. "They are all very expensive investments you made before she decided to even give you a second look. What else is a mother supposed to think?" She questions hotly before starting to sob. "I know I was wrong! I know that now."

"What made you realize that?" I question, trying to keep my emotions at bay at the sight of her tears.

"It started at the wedding." She responds. "She looked so happy. And then each time I saw her she was looking at you with so much love and adoration. She wasn't out drastically spending your money everyday, she wouldn't even let you hire a maid. The last sliver of doubt I had evaporated when she put aside all fear and stayed married to you after the accident." My mother shakes her head, looking away. "No one would have blamed her for walking away, but she stayed, because she has a beautiful heart. Oh, my sweet boy!" She starts sobbing, and this time without hesitation, I pull her to me.

"I forgive you." I mutter, awkwardly patting her head to my shoulder. "Mom, it's okay."

I catch my father's movement in the kitchen archway. I wave him off, letting him know it's okay and he nods before walking away. Then, I hold my mother and let her cry, I let her cry for the moments she's lost with her family. Even my sister distanced herself after the incident.

"A day at a time." I tell her as her cries die down. "We'll figure it out. Mom," I address her, pulling back. "Amelia tried to tell me she had feelings right after she graduated and I wouldn't listen. She was ready to confess her feelings before knowing about mine, before any investment was made."

I see sorrow melt through my mother's green orbs. The same green eyes I carry, the ones Mayzie carries as well. "I-" She starts, unable to continue.

"Honey," my father reappears in the kitchen. "Let's let them get their children into bed." He grabs my mother's jacket if the counter, helping her slip it on. "It's past our bed time too."

It takes ten minutes to get them out of the house, thirty to get the kids into their own respective beds, and another forty before I get to mine.

Today was draining. My first day back in the office, I was in back to back meetings, having to deal with first Kyle and then my parents.

"It's warm in here." I mutter, turning over in the bed and I hear Amelia hum in question. "Is it?"

"It's not bad now." I mumble, closing my eyes, begging sleep to take over when Amelia suddenly whispers my name.

"Will you hold me again, like last weekend?" She requests meekly, causing me to open my eyes. "I haven't slept well since." Her head bends to glance at me before she softly whispers again. "Maybe you can hold me like that every night."

Afraid my words will break the bubble currently surrounding us, I simply pull her against me, holding her as tightly as I can get her, tucking her head under my chin.

To my surprise, a few moments later she rolls to face me; we're pressed as close together as possible with her growing bump squeezed between us, our sweet Nora.

"What-" She doesn't allow me to speak, silencing my question by pressing her lips to mine.

I've always been the demanding one in our marriage, always taking everything I can from her. But right this second, she has my head spinning.

The few kisses we've shared since the accident have been slow and careful, like children. But this one, is hot and wild. It's like she's testing herself, seeing how far she can make herself go and I'm happy to help her test her theory.

My mouth willing opens when her tongue presses for entrance. Slowly her fingers thread through my hair and my hands itch to move from the silk nightgown to her smooth skin.

A moan from the back of my throat ends up being the thing that break the moment.

"What was that for?" I question, still trying to get my breath back. She's always been the one to knock the wind out of me.

"I heard your mother." She whispers, her eyes rapidly dart around my face, searching for something. "All those things you did for me..." She slowly pecks my lips again and I groan.

"You weren't supposed to know about those." Is the only thing my muddled mind can come up with. "The kids, I think, were obvious and my mother told you about the hospital payments around the time of our engagement. As for your brother's wedding and your college payments, I've been able to keep those a secret."

"Why didn't you tell me after we married?" Her eyes are still trained in my face when her hand slowly comes up to wipe some hair off of my forehead. "You know it's not true right? I had to have told you at some point in our marriage." She says suddenly, watching me. "I- I had feelings for you in high school. I wasn't crazy in love with you but..." She stops when I start to smile at her.

"I know. I know."

"I just don't get it." She suddenly sighs, rolling back over, pressing her back to mine and I allow my arm to rest on her stomach.

"What?" I ask, as my eyes again start to close on their own accord.

"How you can love me so much, even now."

"What do you mean even now?"

"I can't remember anything about our great love that everyone talks about and you still insist on loving me."

My eyes jolt open as a frown covers my face. "Amelia," I sit up, leaning over her so she can see my eyes. "You are the love of my wife, the mother of my children, I promised to show up every day and I will keep that promise whether you remember the day I made it or not."

She smiles softly, nodding, and I lie back down.

"Cameron,"She whispers one more time, just as I start to fade.

"Hm?"

"I'm not in love Ryan."

An exhausted chuckle leaves me. "That's the best thing I've heard in a long time because I'm more than in love with you."