Here it is! Thank you to everyone who waited patiently and kept reading this story even though it's been SO long since I updated last. Finals are OVER and it is summer vacation. My very last summer vacation EVER! On the bright side, I am officially a second year medical student! AND, this has been the word's best summer, and it will only continue to get better! Do you know what would make it even sweeter? Reviews! (well nice ones). So, here it is. One more chapter to go!

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After much deliberation, Eric decided to accept the offer that was put down on his condo, but not after a little bargaining. He eventually got a few thousand more than they originally offered. In all of the hustle and hubbub, however, he did not forget Pablo's birthday.

"Elena, take that outside to Eric, will you please?" Calleigh handed Elena a pile of paper decorations.

Elena grabbed the festive decorations and ran outside to her favorite cousin. Eric was standing on a ladder outside of Calleigh's house carefully tacking up happy birthday banners and streamers. One of his sisters was directing his decorating activities.

"Oh, Elena, honey, give those to me!" She held out her hands and gave the little girl a kiss on the cheek. "I'll make sure Eric puts those in a good spot."

"When is my birthday?" Elena questioned with a frown. All of the festivities were exciting, but Calleigh and Eric had sat her down the night before and explained that this was for Pablo. Her party would come in the summer, and it would be no less fun, Eric promised her, but this day was for Pablo.

"You're birthday is in July, little angel." Eric climbed down off the ladder, holstered the hammer, and ruffled her hair.

"When is July?"

"Three more months, sweetie, and then we party for you. I promise."

"That's a long time." She said very gravely, and he had to smile.

"It's not so long." He squatted down and brushed her hair out of her face. "For now, do you want to help me decide where to hang this stuff?"

She was quiet for a moment before responding enthusiastically. "Pablo's day is today!" She smiled at Eric and he felt his heart melt a little more. "We're making the house pretty!"

"We sure are, honey." He grabbed another banner off the pile his sister was holding and caught the look on her face.

"What?" He straightened and questioned her. "What's that look for, Pi?"

"Nothing." She smiled knowingly and shook her head.

"Pi!" He warned with a frown.

"Just you." Pilar smiled at Elena as the little girl watched their exchange. "It's weird seeing you all paternal and stuff. But good, you know? I can tell you really love them. You're good with them. You're doing a good job." He was her baby brother, and this was new to her. Seeing him in a father role, all responsible and grown up; it was new. New in a good way, though.

She meant it, and he could tell. Pilar wore her emotions on her sleeve, much the same as him, and he had always been able to read her like a book. "Thanks. I do love 'em."

"I know." She replied simply. "And so do they."

"Good." That meant he was doing his job.

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Inside the house, Pablo was bouncing off the walls and just beginning to drive Calleigh crazy with his energy and enthusiasm. Still, it wasn't often that she saw him this excited about something, so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Today is my party!" He chanted again and again while he jumped from room to room. "Today is my party. All for me!" He stopped bouncing long enough to take a breath and shot Calleigh a quizzical look. "Calleigh?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"How much longer until the party?" He was bouncing again. "When do my friends get here? What about Tía Clorinda and Tío Pavel? We can still go swimming, right?"

"Just a few more hours until your friends arrive. Clorinda and Pavel will be here any minute, and of course you and your friends can still go swimming!" Pablo rewarded her with a quick hug then bounced off excitedly.

"Lambchop?" A distinctive voice called out. "Lambchop, are you in here?"

"In the kitchen, Daddy." She answered with a smile. She'd invited her father to come tonight, but hadn't actually believed that he'd show.

"Dad, it's good to see you." She kissed her father's cheek and surveyed his beverage choices. Coffee and water. "How are you?"

"Oh, me? Oh, fine. Fine." He pulled out her chair for her and took a seat himself.

"I took the liberty of ordering appetizers. I'm starving. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. What'd you order?"

"Okra and shrimp beignets." He pointed to the item on the menu.

"Mmm." She approved. "Looks great."

"So." Duke prompted. "Tell me what's going on in your life."

"Well." She squirmed a little, unsure of how comfortable she was telling her father about Eric and the kids.

"Are you seeing anyone?" He had that look in his eye that let her know that he already had the answer.

"If you already know, then why ask?" She smirked at him.

"Maybe I'd like to hear it from my daughter rather than her boss." He shrugged and sent the look right back to her.

"Well you already know, so yeah. I'm "seeing" Eric. You know him."

"I do." He nodded. "He's a nice young man."

"Oh, good Lord." She breathed in exasperation. "I'm thirty four years old, Daddy. I know he's a…"

"Just because you're all grown up doesn't mean I don't care, pumpkin." He patted her hand. "I like him. When do I get to meet him?"

"You already met him." She countered. "Remember. That's how you know you like him."

"Well now I need to re-meet him. As a concerned father."

"Daddy!" Speaking of fathers. "There's more."

"You're engaged?" He reached for her left hand.

"No, I'm not engaged." She pulled her hand away. "It's just…" She stammered a little. "He has these kids now."

"He has children? With another woman?"

"They're not his, per se." She tried to explain. "They're his cousins. From Cuba. He's getting custody of them."

"And you have met them?" He queried.

"We've been introduced." She laughed lightly, remembering the pictures that now decorated her refrigerator, her lab, her locker. The happy evenings and weekends spent with Eric and the children.

"And…"

"And they're great kids."

"Tell me about them."

This was easier than she'd anticipated. He offered up no resistance to the idea of her basically filling in as surrogate mother, and this surprised her.

"Actually, Daddy, Pablo's birthday party is next week. You're welcome to come."

"Come?" He questioned as he pondered the invitation. "His ninth birthday you say?"

"That's right."

"And what about Elena?"

"She's four. Turns five in July."

"I'll come."

She was skeptical, but agreed. "It's at my house, because of the pool, you know. At noon on Saturday."

"I'll see you then, Lambchop."

Apparently he meant it, because here he was dressed in jeans and a polo shirt and seemingly ready to party.

"You look busy." He observed as he surveyed the kitchen.

"I am." Her voice was muffled because her head was stuck in the refrigerator as she rummaged around looking for…where it was…yes! "Lemon juice! I knew I had some."

"Can I help?" He offered with a chuckle. This was a side of his daughter he'd never seen before. Before he could offer, however, they were interrupted.

"Calleigh! Calleigh! Eric says we need more balloons!" Elena came sprinting into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Calleigh. "Where are balloons?"

"Right here, honey." She strained to reach the bags, but was unable to with a small child wrapped around her. "Dad, could you?" She motioned to the clear plastic bags stuffed with yellow, red, and blue latex.

"You must be Elena." Kenwall Duquesne squatted down to her level as he handed over the balloons.

Elena responded by burying her face in Calleigh's side.

"Sweetie, this is my father." Calleigh caressed the little girl's cheek and hair. "Will you say "hi?""

"Hi." She turned her head a little to the side and smiled.

"Hello, young lady. How are you?"

"Good." She grinned at him.

"I have something for you." He reached into his pocket while Calleigh protested.

"Daddy, no. Don't give her that. We're almost ready to eat…"

Too late. He'd already handed over the candy. "Calm down, Calleigh." He stood after Elena sprinted back out of the house. "It's just a little candy."

"Eric doesn't like for them to have much junk food." Protest as she may, she was secretly warmed by his gesture. There was something tender about his interaction with the small girl that she had not anticipated.

"Where's the birthday boy?" He asked as he watched Calleigh expertly decorate cupcakes.

"Out back with Eric's brother in law and the kids."

"Well, I brought presents, but I left them in the car. It can't really be wrapped." He lowered his voice to barely above a whisper just in case.

"Daddy, what did you do?" She paused, decorating bag poised just above an unfrosted cupcake.

"It's the boy's birthday!" He defended. "I got him a present. And Elena, because she's just four. But her's is smaller!"

"You didn't have to do that." She sighed, and turned her attention back to the cupcakes. Eric's mother was bringing a cake as well, but she figured there could never be too many. Besides, if they didn't get eaten, Pablo could take them to school with him the next day for his class.

"I wanted to." He replied simply. He'd seen something in his daughter's eye the other day at dinner that let him know that this was but the first of many birthday parties to which he'd be invited.

"Well, do I get a hint?" She teased.

"It's not a surprise if I tell you." His little girl could never handle surprises. She'd always been all questions and curious when it came time for Christmas. He figured she'd found every hiding place he and his wife had ever devised.

"It's not a present for ME!" She teased him.

"Eric!" Her father boomed and changed the subject as her boyfriend entered the kitchen. "How are you, son?"

"Son?" Calleigh mouthed silently to Eric, who just shrugged before responding to the greeting.

"Well, sir. Thank you. And yourself?"

"Just fine. Say, I just met your little Elena here," he poked Elena in the belly. "What do you say you introduce me to this Pablo I've heard so much about."

"Right this way."

"So." Pilar popped a grape into her mouth and sat down heavily at the kitchen table. "That's your dad?"

"That's him." She barely looked up from her work.

"And he's here today for Pablo's party."

"Looks that way."

"You invited him?"

"Sure did." This was getting old. "Something you want to say to me, Pilar?" She straightened and brushed the hair out of her face with the back of her wrist.

"Not really. Just…"

"Just what?"

"Your father is here for my cousin's birthday. Isn't that a little weird?"

"Weird how?"

"Calleigh, you know what I mean."

"He brought presents. You can relax."

"That's not what I meant."

"Well then, what did you mean?"

"Your family is attending these little functions now?"

"It's just my dad." Calleigh was well on her way to getting annoyed.

"Are you in this for the long haul?" Pilar cut right to the chase.

"I am if he is." She figured Pilar would know who she meant by "he."

"Good." Pilar smiled. She'd always liked Calleigh. If the past few months plus this amazing birthday party were any indication, the children would have a good life with her.

"Where's the birthday boy?" Clorinda poked her head inside the front door and hollered out her greeting. Pilar jumped to her feet and rushed to greet her parents, leaving Calleigh to finish up the decorating.

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"I don't believe your dad got him a bike that nice." Eric commented later that night after the kids had fallen asleep and most of the mess was cleaned up.

"He, uh, he…it was very generous." He agreed, still a tad conflicted about how she felt about all of this.

"Generous?" Eric was almost levitating he was so excited. "This bicycle is amazing. It's a ten speed. What nine year old needs a bike this nice?"

"Pablo, apparently." She smiled. His enthusiasm was contagious.

"Did you see his face when he saw it?!"

"I did." She couldn't help it. It was fun to see Pablo so happy.

"And Elena!" He dropped onto Calleigh's sofa with a whoosh. "Did you see her with that new doll?"

"I certainly did." Calleigh gave up all pretenses of cleaning up and snuggled up next to him on the sofa. "It was a good party, huh?"

"Calleigh, thank you so much for all of this." He hugged her closer to him. "That party…wow. You really outdid yourself."

"Well, anything for my Pablo. You know that."

"I do." He kissed her forehead quietly. "And thank you."

"It was my pleasure. Your mom wasn't too upset about not having the party at her house?"

"Nah. You have a pool. She understands." She did, too. Pablo wanted a pool party, and Calleigh's house could accommodate that for no charge. It was a perfect arrangement and a perfect party.

"I'm glad. I was worried she think I was stepping on her toes."

"She just wants him to be happy on his birthday." Eric assured her. "No one is mad at you."

"Just checking." She shrugged, then yawned.

"You're tired." He observed. "Let's go to bed."

"Hmmm-kay." She sighed. She was tired. Two straight days of cooking, baking, cleaning, and decorating had worn her out.

"Hey, Cal?" His voice drew her out of a light slumber a few minutes later.

"Uh huh?"

"I…uh…I have to go away next weekend."

"Go where?" She murmured sleepily.

"My friend buddy, T.J., from college is getting married. In Pensacola." He started to explain. "I'd forgotten with all that's been going on, but the guy I'm riding up there with emailed me this morning. I have to be gone all weekend."

She smiled against his chest where her head was pillowed. "I think I can manage by myself for a weekend. I'll be fine."

"I…uh…I can't take the kids with me."

"Oh." She understood. "Do you want me to watch them for you?"

"Would you?" He kissed her.

"Of course."

"There's one more thing." He started quietly.

"Tell me."

"I'm supposed to be moved out by next Monday." She remembered. He was moving into his new house.

"I'm sure I can handle that, too." She nestled down under the blankets and sighed deeply when he tightened his arms around her.

"Cal, are you sure?"

"I think I can bribe Ryan and Horatio into helping me move the furniture. Plus my dad is still in town."

"I'll call my sisters." He promised her. "I'll have my brothers in law help, too."

"I'm not worried about it." She murmured quietly. "Do you want me to unpack stuff, too?" She had a tendency to be a little compulsive when it came to organization.

"Only if you want to." He assured her.

"I'll unpack the kid's rooms and the kitchen at least." She wanted to get the children settled as quickly as possible.

"Thanks, Cal." He meant it, too. She was saving him. Truly saving him.

"You'd do it for me." She barely got the words out before she drifted back off to sleep.

"You know I would." He whispered to his slumbering girlfriend. He let his eyes focus on the ceiling fan as it went around and around knowing he'd fall asleep soon. Before that could happen, however, there was a knock at the door.

"Calleigh?" A small, timid voice called. "Calleigh?"

Easing Calleigh's head off of his shoulder, he slipped out of bed and answered the door, opening it to find Elena sagging against the door jam.

"Elena, little angel, what's the matter?"

"I throwed up." She whispered, red faced and embarrassed.

"Oh, honey." He picked her up and glanced back at Calleigh. "Where, baby?"

"In the bedroom."

Crap. Now he was going to have to wake her up so she could care for Elena while he cleaned up the mess.

"Cal?" He hated to do this after all the work she'd put into the party. She had to be exhausted, and she deserved to rest. "Cal?" She opened her eyes and squinted a little. "I'm sorry. Elena's sick. Can you look after her while I clean up?"

"Clean up what?" She sat up and held her arms out to take Elena from him.

"I throwed up in the bedroom."

"Oh, baby." The storm he'd anticipated never came. She wasn't upset at all. She just put her cheek to Elena's forehead and felt for a fever. "Does your tummy hurt, baby girl?"

"Uh huh." She hiccupped and nodded.

"Too much sugar and excitement today, huh?"

"Nooo." She shook her head hard.

"You got this?" He kissed each girl when she nodded, then turned her full attention back to the sick little girl on her lap.

While Eric was busy cleaning and changing sheets, Calleigh grabbed some ginger ale and soda crackers from the kitchen as quietly as possible. Eric had moved Pablo to the couch when he and Calleigh went to bed. The judge preferred for the children to sleep in separate rooms, and that made sense to him. Pablo was getting older. He was nine years old now. But that just meant that Calleigh had to be extra quiet while she tried to settle Elena's stomach.

"Drink this, precious." She carried her back to the bedroom and handed her a cup of ginger ale. "Drink it slowly." "I can't believe I'm giving her soda." She thought to herself, but that's what her mother had always given her. Mother knows best, right?

"It tickles." Elena giggled after she swallowed a few sips, and then took a bite of cracker.

"How's the patient?" He asked when he was done cleaning.

"She'll be fine." Calleigh assured him, and he received a cracker-filled grin from Elena.

"Are you feeling okay, pumpkin?" He sat beside them on the bed.

"I'm okay." She assured him, reaching for her ginger ale.

"Here." He reached his much longer arms, retrieved the beverage and handed it to her. He sat in silence while Calleigh fussed over the little girl. It was so normal and family-like. She was so good at this.

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"What color do you want your room to be?" Calleigh heaved Elena onto her hip so she could see the paint chips at the store.

"Pink!" She pointed to a light pastel color that Calleigh actually liked.

"Okay." She grabbed the color and thought about the bedspread she'd picked out. "How about this pretty blue or this yellow as an accent?"

"Yellow!"

That was easy.

"Pablo, what color do you want?"

"Green!" He chose a darker green with navy blue and white accents.

She'd planned on painting the rooms that night with some much-appreciated help from Natalia and Ryan. That way the paint could cure before the things got moved in that weekend.

"You got paint?" Eric met up with her when he was finished picking out light fixtures.

"He's mixing it. It'll be ready in a few." She perused his choices and quirked an eyebrow at him when she disapproved.

"No good?"

"It's your house, Eric." She started to backtrack, feeling badly about throwing in her opinion at all. "It's your decision…"

"Come with me." He sat Elena in the back of the buggy, and urged Calleigh to follow. "Pick a better one out for me."

"Are you sure you want my input?"

"I've seen your house." He kissed her cheek. "I know you have good taste."

"That one." She handed him a classier choice, and replaced the other on the shelf. "It just goes better."

"Okay." He trusted her opinion.

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Painting took longer than anticipated, of course. Things always take longer when wrangling small children, and Eric failed to factor that in. The rooms turned out beautifully, though. Calleigh and Eric had painstakingly taped out the designs the night before. She'd already made curtains for Elena's room; a fact which continued to amaze Eric. He'd never guessed that she was the kind of woman who was handy with a sewing machine. But there they were. Waiting to be hung in the room as soon as the paint was dry.

Pablo's room looked very nice. A good room for a boy, dark colors to hide the inevitable marks on the wall. She had the material to make his curtains, too, but they weren't finished yet. The kitchen was a dream. He loved the blue and yellow hand painted Spanish tiling around the counter. It was so bright and so very…Calleigh. She'd picked out rugs for the kid's rooms, art work to put on the walls. She'd even cooked up a few surprises of her own that Eric didn't know about.

Duke Duquesne turned out the be the biggest surprise of all. Eric had mentioned in passing that they were painting the kid's room on Tuesday after work. He'd shown up with supplies and food and little flower decals to put on Elena's wall, and handsome shelves to hang in Pablo's room.

"These are for your trophies and such, son." He'd told Pablo as he leveled the shelves. "A boy like you is bound to be an athlete, and you're going to have some trophies to display." He reached behind him and grabbed a shopping bag. "And to start things off, take a look at this!"

Inside the bag was a brand new football.

"What is it?" Pablo questioned.

"It's a football!"

"I don't…" He was confused, but Eric stepped in and explained the difference.

"Thank you, sir!" Pablo wasn't sure what trophies were, but he liked having someone believe in him and give him presents.

"Daddy, that was really nice." Calleigh whispered as she showed Elena the flowers. "And these match her bedspread almost perfectly."

"If they don't go, I can take them back." He whipped out a receipt and handed it to her. "The saleslady said they can specially make them if you'd prefer."

"These are perfect, Daddy. Thank you."

Duke looked down when someone tugged on the hem of his tee shirt. "Yes, young lady?"

"Are those for me?" Elena asked him with wide eyes.

"Of course!" He hoisted her high into the air and carried her into bedroom. "We'll put them here and here and here when the paint is dry."

"Pretty!" She squealed. "Thank you!"

"You're quite welcome, little lady." He sat her on her feet and patted the top of her head, shocked when she slid her tiny hand in his. "Are you Calleigh's Papi?"

"I am."

"I don't have a Papi." She looked sad when she said it, and he felt his heart break a little.

"Well," The situation had been thoroughly explained to him already, but still, he had no idea how to react. "You have Eric. He's like a Papi. Whenever you need Papi-type things done, you just ask him, okay?"

"Okay." She sniffed a little, but grinned just the same.

"And when you need grand-Papi things, you can always ask me." He squeezed her hand in his and stood up straight. It was easy to see why Calleigh was so smitten with these children. He was well on his way was, too.

Calleigh, unfortunately, overheard the conversation and was furious.

"What do you mean, telling her you're her new grandpa?" She cornered him later.

"Lambchop, the child was sad! I was trying to cheer her up!" He defended.

"You don't make promises to children you aren't prepared to keep, Daddy! Not to these kids."

"What makes you think I'm not going to keep my promise?"

"Oh, gee. I don't know! History? My entire life? You promise them things, then you'll start drinking again. And they'll be there. Disappointed again because you're not there. And I'll have to clean up the mess. I won't let you do it, Daddy. I won't let you hurt them, too."

Eric heard that exchange, and closed his eyes briefly. He'd never heard her admit out loud before that her father had hurt her over and over again.

"But Lambchop, I was just trying to help!"

"Well don't!" She fumed. "Eric and I have it covered. If they need a grandfather, I'm sure Eric's dad will be happy to step in."

"People change, Button." He told her sadly as he left. Kenwall never realized how his lifestyle affected his daughter. Clearly he'd done some damage there. He just hoped it wasn't too late to repair that damage and cultivate some sort of relationship with his daughter's adopted children.

"You okay?" Eric drew her head against his chest and rubbed her back soothingly.

"I'm so mad at him." She said through clenched teeth. "I can't believe he did that."

"I'm sorry, Cal." He whispered. "I'm really sorry."

"It's not your fault." She tried to push him away, but he held her fast.

"That's not all I was talking about." He murmured against her temple.

"He'll hurt them, too, you know."

"Maybe he meant it." Eric hated that he wasn't taking Calleigh's side, but maybe. Just maybe. "Maybe he did change."

"I'll believe it when I see it." She felt so guilty. She'd invited him to Pablo's birthday party, and look where that had gotten her. "Serves me right." She thought angrily. "But what about Pablo?"

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"God, I'm tired." Eric muttered to himself as he pulled the car into the driveway. He was almost too exhausted to even notice the wreath that Calleigh had hung on the front door as he trudged up the walk. He quietly let himself into his new house and flipped on a light switch.

"Wow." He said aloud to the empty room. Calleigh had been busy. Every box was put away, and everything was in its place. She'd even gotten him a welcome mat and an umbrella stand. "That will come in handy in Miami." He mused as he slipped off his shoes and toured the rest of the downstairs.

The kitchen was unpacked and put away. The dining room was a little bare still, but he'd work on that. The living room was impeccable. She'd even hung the art on the walls. He peeked in the pantry and smiled. She'd gotten groceries and filled his cupboards. His refrigerator was brimming with fruits and vegetables and homemade goodness that she had, no doubt, whipped up. Grabbing an apple, he flipped off the light switch and went to turn off the entry light as well.

He paused for a moment to contemplate what he saw. His mind had been too scattered to notice before, but four pairs of shoes were all lined up in a row beside the front door. His, then Calleigh's, then Pablo's, then Elena's. All arranged by size. It was perfect, and he wished he had a camera on him to capture it on film. Rather than take a picture, he opted to just look for a moment. It was odd, it occurred to him later, that something so mundane and simple could take on such an important meaning to him. He wondered if he was being overly sentimental, then thought of the small children asleep upstairs and decided that he wasn't. He had kids now. He was being just sentimental enough.

After a few moments, he turned off the light, and climbed the night light-lit stairs up to his new bedroom. He smiled when he noticed that Calleigh had gotten the children plaques to hang on their bedroom doors with their names painted on them. It was so homey. So right. He'd have to thank her for all the work she'd done. He was so looking forward to FINALLY having a night alone with Calleigh. A real room. A real bed (he'd bought a brand new king size mattress set). Real privacy. He opened the door and waited as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He was finally going to get to make…"Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me." He groaned quietly. Calleigh was fast asleep, and gorgeous. The moonlight lit her face and set her golden hair afire in the dark room. She looked stunning sleeping there. So sexy. So gorgeous with her bare arms all wrapped around…Elena. "Really?" He turned his eyes up to the heavens and implored for an explanation. "Is this really necessary?" He'd been planning just the right way to wake her up, kiss her. Tell her how much he loved her. In all those plans, none of them involved children!

His evening plans were foiled again, but the sight was still stirring. She really does love those kids. He slipped into the bathroom and changed into respectable pajamas. This was far more clothing than he'd planned on needing tonight. Not that he wasn't happy to see Elena, but…

"Calleigh." He whispered into her ear as he brushed his fingers through her hair. "Calleigh, scoot over." It amazed him that such tiny people could manage to take up the entire bed.

"Hmmhmm." She murmured and moved a little. "Eric?" She seemed more awake now.

"It's me." He kissed her sweetly. "Thank you. For all the work you've done. The house looks amazing."

"It's no big deal." She whispered back. "I just thought you'd like to come home and see it all put together."

"It looks wonderful. You're wonderful."

"How was the wedding?"

"It was…well it looked expensive." He admitted.

"Showy?" She knew him too well.

"A bit. But very nice. The food was pretty good, too."

"I can't believe I missed you in a tux." She winked at him, and he swallowed hard and changed the subject.

"What's with the munchkin?"

"Oh, I have to wake her up."

"What?" He looked alarmed. "No! I'll just take her to her room." Maybe his plans could be salvaged.

"No, I promised her that I'd wake her up when you got back. She was very worried."

"Do you think she has attachment issues?" He asked her as he stroked Elena's long, brown hair.

"No, why?"

"Ben's wife said they might have some problems. That was one of the one's she listed."

"Well, let me assure you that this little one is very securely attached. She might have a little separation anxiety, but that's to be expected, I think, after all she's been through."

"She was worried I wasn't coming home?" His heart broke when he realized what Calleigh was saying.

"You were away for a few days." She admitted. "She got a little nervous. They both did. I have to wake up Pablo, too."

"Both of 'em?" He buried his face in Calleigh's neck. "I'm horrible at this."

"They love you, Eric!" She comforted him. "If they didn't love you, they wouldn't have been concerned. You're doing great. Just let me wake her up and reassure her that you're here, okay?"

"Yeah." He watched as Calleigh gently coaxed his baby girl into wakefulness, then winced as her high-pitched squeal nearly burst his eardrums.

"Eric!" She launched herself into his arms. "You're back!"

"I'll always come back, little angel. Always." He soothed. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too!" Elena had already moved on from worried to excited to see him, and she launched into a description of what had been going on since she'd last seen her cousin.

"Okay, okay." Calleigh laughed. "Let him catch a breath for a minute, huh? Why don't you go get Pablo, okay?"

"Okay!" She was already out the door.

"See?" Calleigh made room for him. "Very securely attached."

"I guess so." He loved how happy Elena was to see him. It made him feel very…fatherly. Pablo poked his head in the door and Eric beckoned to him. "Can I have a hug?"

"Yes!" Pablo climbed onto the bed and hugged his favorite cousin as well while Elena snuggled back up on Calleigh's lap.

"Now. Tell me about school on Friday!" Eric requested. "How did that math test go?"

"Oh!" Pablo ran out of the room with a huge smile on his face.

"What?" Eric asked Calleigh, but she just shook her head.

"You'll have to wait and see."

"Look!" Pablo proudly presented him with a piece of paper.

"One hundred percent? Pablo, this is fantastic! You aced that math test! I knew you could do it!" He hugged his boy like a pleased father, heart bursting with pride. "Did you see this, Calleigh?" He asked, even though he knew she had. "One hundred percent! He's a genius! Pablo, you're a genius!" He had a little engineer on his hands, he just knew it!

"Let's watch a movie." Calleigh suggested. She didn't really want to send the kids off to bed. It was nice to just spend time with them. They were both so happy. They were all happy.

"It's really late, Cal." Eric cautioned.

"Tomorrow's Sunday." She reminded him. "We can all sleep in late." He nodded, and she sent the kids off on an errand.

"Pablo, Elena, you guys pick a movie." She suggested. "I'll make popcorn."

"You hate eating in bed." Eric reminded her.

"I think I can deal with this once." She kissed him as she climbed out. "Help me get drinks?"

"Water all around?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"Of course."

The all climbed back into the big beg once the popcorn was done and settled down, fluffing pillows and adjusting until they all had just the perfect spot. Elena was sitting on Eric's lap, and Pablo was in between him and Calleigh, leaning his head on Calleigh's shoulder.

"Oh! Cinderella! My favorite." Calleigh approved of the children's movie selection.

"Me, too!" Elena smiled, thrilled that they had the same favorite movie.

Eric didn't' watch the movie much. He was busy paying attention to the scene playing out around him. Elena had fallen asleep a few minutes in. Pablo had followed her into dreamland not thirty minutes later. Only Calleigh was actually watching the film.

"Marry me." Eric burst out suddenly in the semi-darkness, taking her completely off guard and causing her to startle. Her unexpected movement awakened Pablo.

"What?"

"Marry me, Calleigh. Will you marry me?" He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life just like this. And for that, he needed her to marry him.

"Marry you? Are you serious?" She'd dreamed of this, true. More often than she'd ever admit aloud to anyone, but this seemed so…impulsive.

"I've never been more serious. I'm sorry, I don't have a ring. But this is too perfect. I know it's soon, and I know all the reasons why we shouldn't. Work. Stetler. We haven't been dating that long. I'm still getting custody…."

"Yes." Calleigh interrupted him.

"Yes?"

"You sound surprised." She teased with tears in her eyes.

"I'm just…wow! Really?" Now the tables were turned.

"Yes, really. Now kiss me." She ordered playfully, so he leaned over and kissed her.

"Eww!" Elena woke up when Eric moved and disapproved of the kiss.

"Elena, quiet!" Pablo ordered, a permanent grin plastered on his face. He'd witnessed the entire exchange, and he was thrilled. And a little worried.

"You really mean it?" Eric asked her once more.

"Ask me again." Her face was serious. "See if my answer changed."

He looked deep into her glistening eyes and repeated once more, "Calleigh Duquesne, will you marry me?"

"Yes."

The moment wasn't quite the same with the high-pitched squeals coming from Elena and the excited shouts from Pablo, but it was perfect. Everything was perfect.

"I promise I'll get a ring." Eric apologized again. "We can go tomorrow, even."

"That's fine, Eric." She kissed him again, earning more disapproving groans from the children.

"Eric?" Pablo asked quietly a few minutes later.

"Yeah, buddy?"

"When you get married, where will we live?"

"Here." Eric answered not understanding the question.

"No, where will Elena and me live."

"Elena and I." Eric corrected while the question sunk in. "Pablo! Elena, come here." He gathered the children into his arms and kissed them both on the cheek. "You're not going anywhere! I want you here with me always. And so does Calleigh, right?" He looked at Calleigh for confirmation.

"Of course!" Calleigh joined the group hug and reassured them. "The only thing that will change is that I'll live here with you."

"Really?" Pablo was a little skeptical.

"Really. I promise. We love you guys. You can't leave us now."

"We'll be like a family." Elena observed, then giggled when Calleigh and Eric simultaneously kissed her cheeks.

"That's right, baby girl." Calleigh kissed Elena again, and then Pablo. "We'll be like a family."

"So." Eric wrapped his arms around his beautiful fiancée a while later after he'd put the children in their respective bedrooms. "We're really getting married?"

"We're really getting married." She assured him.

It was funny, Eric realized as he lay awake later that night. He'd been so disappointed at first when he'd come into the master bedroom earlier that evening. But things had turned out better than he'd ever even imagined.

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A/N: So that's it for this chapter. One more. R/R!!!! (reviews make my day)