This was a labor of love, seriously. It started out as just something simple that turned into, well, this. I apologize in advance for the length, but hopefully you won't mind. Based on the ABCs of Marriage.

For those of you who have read my previous works know I'm a sap, a huge one. I included a headcannon that I first introduced in my other story, A Fine Mess. I also pulled no punches with a couple of these, so be mindful.

Enjoy! *throws fic at fandom and hides*

1. Absolutely adore each other...

May was sitting at the kitchen table when her mother walked into the kitchen and started making coffee. The conversation was light as her mother asked her about her plans for the day. They fell into a comfortable silence while her mother took sips of her cup. Bobby walked into the kitchen, greeting May, and went over to where Athena was standing.

She was leaning against the counter, looking at her phone when she said, "Morning, baby, do you-"

Whatever she was about to ask him was silenced by Bobby tilting her face towards his, and kissing her. Harry found it gross, but May always found it sweet when they showed affection in front of them. Their lips parted and she could tell her mother was trying not to blush.

"I was trying to decide what kind of coffee I wanted, so just thought I'd see which one you were drinking," he told her. He walked towards the cabinets and said, "tastes good. Which one is that?"

Athena turned to look at him, "the Colombian one. You know you could have just asked me."

"Where's the fun in that?"

May chuckled to herself. It was like this, in some way or another, every time that they were at home together. They made the love they held for each other obvious. Even now, as they talked, May saw them standing close, touching, smiling, laughing at each other. This was what happiness looked like, she felt, and she loved seeing it.

2. Be best friends...

"Tell me again how you roped me into watching a Friends marathon with you?" Athena asked. She sniffed and wrapped the blanket she was cocooned in tighter around her.

"You gave me the flu," Bobby walked back into the living room with two bowls of homemade soup, handing her one of them.

"Excuse you. You gave yourself the flu. I told you I felt like I was getting sick when you wanted to be all under me the other day."

"It's still your fault because those shorts you were wearing that day should probably be illegal," she rolled her eyes, "anyway, you weren't doing any complaining then." She eyed him as he sat next to her and took some of the blanket she was wrapped in. He ignored her and took it anyway making sure it was spread out over both of them.

"Really, Bobby?"

"Yep. Besides, you know you actually like this show."

"Eh, I tolerate it. For you."

"And I love you for it."

"I know you do."

3. Compromise...

"What do you want for dinner?" Athena asked.

"Whatever you want." Bobby answered, knowing exactly where this conversation was going.

"Nah, what do you want?"

Bobby gave it some thought. Alright, he'd take the bait, "Mexican."

"But we had that a couple of days ago," there was a slight whine in her voice.

Bobby rolled his eyes, "Athena, why do we always do this? We both know that we're going to end up getting what you want."

"Not all the time."

"99.9% of the time."

"Stop exaggerating. I just like to see if what you want sounds better than what I want."

"What did you want?"

"I have a craving for Sushi."

"We can have that, it's fine."

"Great. Love you," she said sweetly.

"I'm hanging up now." Her laughter could be heard as the call ended.

It was another half hour before she walked through the door with their dinner. After eating, Bobby cleared the dishes. When he came back into the dining room, she was sitting there with a familiar covered dish in front of her. She slid the dish over to him for him to open. He smiled when he saw it was flan from his favorite Mexican place.

"Sometimes, we can both have what we want," she said as as she handed him a fork.

4. Discover new things together...

"There's another another episode?"

"Did we find a reality show that you actually like?"

"Like is a strong word. I will say that this kept me entertained."

"Entertained? You were a running commentary the entire time."

"I got into it," he hated the self-satisfied grin he saw on her face, "just press play."

She did so and they settled in for the next episode .

"Previously on Love After Lockup..."

5. Encourage each other...

"I hate this!" She huffed in frustration as she struggled to sit up. She was so tired. Tired of being in pain, tired of not being able to really to do anything. She just wanted to feel like herself again.

"You're doing fine," Bobby told her tentatively, watching her, resisting the reflex to help.

"I just," she leaned her head against the headboard, eyes to the ceiling, "hate feeling useless," her voice cracked, despite her best efforts. She covered her eyes with palms of her hands.

Bobby walked around the bed to sit in front of her, "look at me." She didn't.

"Athena, look at me," he said with a little firmer, "please."

She put her arms down and leaned forward, meeting his eyes. "There is no part of you that is useless. Just because it's hard for you to do certain things right now doesn't mean make you any less needed," he told her as he wiped the tear that slid down her face.

"I know, I know. I just want this to be over. It's been almost two months and I'm still in so much pain. I can barely get up just to feed my babies. It was no where near like this after I had May and Harry. This is new territory for me and I'm not handling it well," she laughed humorlessly, "as you can see."

"I do see it and wish there was more I could do to help you."

"You wish there was more-" she grabbed his hand. "You're already doing so much, you're practically super dad and husband, at this point. I couldn't ask for better if I wanted to try."

"Glad to know that I'm doing okay," it wasn't until Athena said that, that Bobby was aware of his own insecurity in how he was navigating the shift in their dynamic. "And so are you. Trust me, when you're able, there are so many late night feedings and diaper changes with your name on them, but until then, we're good. Everyone's still alive, so there's a pretty good handle on things," he leaned in to kiss her, "give yourself time Athena, okay?"

"Okay."

6. Forgive & Forget...

Athena was wrong. Now that she'd had time and space to cool off, find her rationale, she could see her fault. A completely avoidable and unnecessary situation created by her shitty mood. She bit, he bit back just as hard, until they reached an impasse and thought it best to just separate.

As she walked into their home from her walk, she could smell the food as soon as she hit the door. She walked towards dining and saw him at the stove. She didn't say anything as she sat down at the dining room table. Chancing a look at Bobby, she saw he was completely focused on his task, face still holding the same angered expression from earlier. Her eyes stayed on him, he didn't even attempt to look at her.

Great. Just great.

She sighed audibly and placed her head in hands, trying to figure out how she was going to fix this. The sound of glass scraping against the table broke her thoughts. She removed her hands to see a plate of food and a bottle of water in front of her. She looked up to find Bobby looming over her, same neutral expression on his face.

"Just because I'm mad at you doesn't mean I don't love you," he walked towards the glass sliding door leading towards the backyard. Without turning back around said, "when you're ready to talk about this like the adults we are, I'll be outside."

She watched as he shut the door behind him. She picked up and a stabbed at the food, taking a bite. The flavorful taste drowned out by the sour inevitability of what she knew she had to do. Putting the fork on the plate, she rose from the table. She grabbed the plate, the water, and a blanket from the back of the couch before heading outside.

He was laying in one of the lounge chairs on the patio. She sat her things on the table, spread out the blanket, and laid in his arms, covering both of them. Feeling his arms wrap around her, she reveled in his warmth.

"Look Bobby," she said as sat up and met his eyes, "I'm sorry. I was upset and looking for an outlet. I, completely unfairly, took it out on you. I should have handled it better"

"Yeah, I figured when you came in the door this afternoon. You know, you we could have just talked about what was really bothering you when you were ready."

"I know, I was being difficult-"

"Oh, were you? I couldn't tell," the remark earned Bobby a light swat on the chest. She was grateful for the light-hearted joking.

"I was pissed off and, because of it, I pissed you off and created this whole unnecessary thing. I'm truly sorry."

He put his finger under her chin and brought his lips to hers, "already forgiven," he said, tone low.

This wasn't the first time and, probably, won't be the last time something like this happened. It was okay, though. As long as they were able to see past their bullshit and get back to this, what made them, them, they would always be fine.

His lips were back on hers, this time with more hunger. The kiss deepening. Athena stopped him before she could get completely lost in it. "Can we hold off on the makeup sex until after I eat?"

She sat up and grabbed the food off the table beside them and was ready to dig in when he said, "only if we can do it out here?"

Her grin was wide, "feeling a bit adventurous, aren't we?" She eyed him as she brought the fork to her lips.

"Well, we haven't pissed off the neighbors in a while," he said nonchalantly. She knew he was speaking of one neighbor in particular.

"We haven't, have we?"

7. Gaze into each other's eyes...

It was one of the first things that attracted him to her, her eyes. He would even say they held a certain power over him. Even now, as he sat in front of her, captured by her dark brown orbs, it was really hard for him to think of a convincing counter argument. Unfortunately for him, she was completely aware of this fact, too.

"Fine, Athena, we can spend Christmas with your parents this year."

She smiled brightly and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, "I knew you'd see things my way."

"Yeah, yeah."

8. Hand holds & hugs...

It always amazed them how tactile they were around each, how much touch truly defined their relationship. Whether it was sitting on the couch watching a movie or out on a date, their hands always found their way to each other. And, on those tough days, when the job becomes more than they handle, all they needed to do was give each other a look. It was their signal, their arms wrap around each other and everything else falls away.

There was an instant calming sensation in their contact that was unmatched.

9. Inspire & intrigue each other...

They actually enjoyed when they got to work together. Even in the mist of pure chaos, they retained the ability to work in tandem to keep the situation under control and do what needed to be done. Their energies fed off of each other's. In truth, they found that they made each other better leaders.

10. Joke, laugh, & have fun...

They were at his childhood home in Saint Paul for the Christmas holiday, visiting with two of his sisters and one of his brothers. His sibling were finally getting to meet Athena and the kids for the first time. They were also reconnecting since he hadn't seen them since Marcy, BJ, and Brooke's funerals.

Bobby and Athena were sitting outside on the porch steps, as Athena refused to go any further. The lawn was blanketed with fresh snow from the storm that pasted through the previous night. She was layered and holding on tight to him trying to stay warm.

"Are you sure you don't want to that walk, show you around my old 'hood?" Bobby asked.

"I'm fine right where I am, you got me to come out here. I think that was more than enough. That's looks like freezing and death." Bobby looked at the smooth ground where he and his brother, Roland, had shoveled earlier that morning. He actually found himself glad to be back in it, he like LA winters just fine, but it was nothing like being back here again.

Getting up, he went out into the yard, jumping and sliding showing her everything was fine. "It seems okay out here, I don't think I've died yet."

"Stay on out there, I told you I'm fine right here," by the time she finished that sentence a snowball hit her in the chest. Bobby stood there holding two more snowballs, ready to throw, "Bobby, what in the hell ?"

His answer was to throw another snowball at her.

"Will you stop that?" The smile in her voice betrayed the annoyed look on her face.

"Come make me, Sergeant," he said as he threw the last snowball at her. It hit her right in the face, "oh fuck, I wasn't trying to do that. Are you okay?"

She stood up, walked to the bottom of the steps, and said, "oh you're going to pay for that one, Captain," she started gathering snow.

Bobby, who now realized what happening, took off running. Athena started throwing. They soon found themselves in the middle of a full scale, competitive snowball fight. They probably looked like children laughing, screaming, and running all over the yard, they didn't care.

Ronnie, Rogue, and Roland looked out the window at their brother and his wife. Rogue smiled loving seeing her brother so happy. She turned around towards May and Harry behind them, "is it always like this?" She asked

"Pretty much," they answered simultaneously.

"I'd be that happy, too, if my wife was that hot. You think she has a sister?" Roland commented. Ronnie and Rogue just looked at him.

"She doesn't," May told him.

"Oh damn, hot cousin then?"

"Please ignore him," Ronni told the children, "I think our mom dropped him one too many times was he was a baby."

11. Keep each other's secrets...

He knew the truth about her relationship with her mom. She knew the truth about his phobia of needles. One wouldn't think these two things would correlate, but they did as the reasons why family was a touchy subject for both of them.

Little by little they eased each other into the harsher parts of what made them tick, knowing that the information would never go further than the two of them.

12. Love each other fully & completely...

He was walking into the kitchen, in his dress blues, ready for the LAFD Charity Gala, when he was stopped cold at the sight of her. She was sitting on a stool, legs crossed, putting the final touches on her hair and makeup, looking at the compact in her hand. She was wearing a deep red dress that hugged all the right places. The high slit was giving more than teasing peaks of her thighs. Her hair was styled in shoulder length curls. God, she was gorgeous.

"Are you just going to stand there and stare?" She asked without looking at him, closing the compact with a pop.

"Can you blame me? You're beautiful," He said as he walked towards her.

She smirked, leaning back on the counter behind her, "you're bold."

"You didn't look like the type that appreciated cheesy pickup lines. So I thought I'd try being direct," he leaned against the counter next to her, "besides, I didn't say anything that wasn't true."

"What makes you so sure this flattery is working?"

"You haven't told me off yet, so I must be doing something right."

A small smile crossed her face before it fell back into her mask of aloofness, "you're intriguing. And I might have a thing for handsome men in uniform."

"Is that right?" He asked as he moved closer to her.

"It is," she found herself leaning in and kissing him. When they broke apart she said, "sorry, I don't think we would've been able to keep that up much longer. We should get going, if we don't want to be late."

"Right," he said with a little reluctance, "I do love when we do that."

"Well we do have the night to ourselves. What do you say we pick where we left off when we get home."

"I like the way you think."

13. Marvel at each other's talents...

Athena told Bobby that multitasking was one of her many talents at the beginning of their relationship. She meant it.

It was late when he walked through the door. The house was quiet, cozy with fireplace burning to combat the winter chill. He walked into the living room to find Athena and Harry asleep on the couch. Ayesha was asleep in the baby swing they kept down there, Amelia was asleep against Athena's chest. On the coffee table was what looked like Harry's homework on top of Athena's study materials for her exam. He saw a plate he knew was for him on the kitchen counter, as she always did when he worked late.

Wanting a little bonding time with his babies, he went to take Mila from his wife. As soon as his hand touched Mila's back he heard, "Robert, I promise you, if you touch this baby, I will not hesitate to smack you. I just got her to sleep."

He just backed away and went upstairs to change, knowing Athena was not kidding.

14. Nurture each other's soul...

She ran her fingers along the balcony railing as she walked out of their hotel room. It was very early, so no one was out yet. All that could be heard were the waves crashing against the shoreline. The skyline was dusted in pale blue, pink, and orange from the rising sun. She sighed deeply in contentment and took a sip from the mug in her hand.

She felt his presence. An arm slowly wrapped around her waist, pulling her body flush against his. His lips pressed a tender kiss to the space where her neck and collarbone met. His other arm wrapped around her. She leaned against his chest, enjoying the embrace. No words were needed.

This trip was just what they both needed. They'd been able to reconnect and get back what they'd been steadily losing, unhindered. No children. No demanding jobs. No pressures leading to arguments. No distance. No one else but them.

15. Overcome problems together...

"He thinks that once the babies are born, he'll get left behind and you won't care about him anymore." May reluctantly told her mother.

"What? Where did that come from?" Athena asked her daughter, stunned.

"You guys remember, TJ?"

"Harry's friend that recently moved?" Bobby asked.

"Yeah, him. Well, one night I overheard a conversation between the two of them when TJ Skyped him. I don't remember exactly how the topic came up, but Harry told him about having a new sibling. That's when TJ told him how that was the exact reason why he lived with his dad now. His mom didn't really want him around anymore after she had a kid with his stepdad. I do remember him saying to Harry that he hoped his mom didn't treat him like that, but be prepared if she does because babies change everything."

"Oh my god, when did they talk?"

"About three weeks ago."

Everything made so much sense now. That was around the time when she started noticing changes in Harry's behavior. They felt like something was bothering him, but he'd write it off, saying that he was just upset because he didn't understand something that he was learning at school. She had no idea it was anywhere close to this. "So he's been lying about what's going on with him."

"Yeah, I thought I could intervene when I saw that this was bothering him. He broke down and told me everything and that he was scared, mainly because he'd go through it alone because I was older and this wouldn't really affect me. I could take care of myself. I tried to tell him you guys would never do that to him. I thought I'd gotten through."

"Why didn't you tell us, May?"

"I didn't want to stress you guys out more, there's so much going on right now. I thought I'd gotten through to him and he asked me not to tell you. I'm telling you guys now because he told me that he was thinking about asking to live with dad to 'go ahead and be out of the way,'" she said with air quotes.

"Thanks for telling us May. This ends tonight. Harry!" Athena called out to her son.

Her son came to the top of the stairs, "yeah, mom."

"Come downstairs, we need to talk to you," she looked at May, "alone."

May nodded and got up from the chair she was sitting in. As she passed her brother she mouthed "I'm sorry" to him before going upstairs to her room. Harry, slightly confused, sat down in the same chair his sister had occupied.

Athena, never being one to beat around the bush, got straight to the point, "something has come to my attention and we need to talk."

"Okay."

"We've been told about how you're scared that things are changing and you might get left behind because of it. I-"

It only took a few seconds for the realization to dawn on him, "May told you?" He huffed.

"She did," Athena.

"As she should have," Bobby told him.

"Right," Athena moved to sit on the edge of the coffee in front of her son, "Harry, I'm sorry your friend is being put through something so horrible Harry," she grabbed his chin and lifted his face to look at her, "but I need you to understand that will never happen in this house. I can promise you that."

"But can you really, though?" Harry leaned back, "mom, everything's changing, the move, the babies. You guys already said that you're building a life together, plus what happened between you and dad. May and I are part of your old life. What's to stop you from changing the way you feel about us?"

"Oh, Harry. You and your sister are not just some part of my life, you are my life. Nothing going on, or what did and didn't happen with your father, will ever change that because I love you both. Yes, Bobby and I did say that we're building a life together, but it will always include you two. Remember what I told you before Bobby and I got married, either we're all okay with it or it doesn't happen."

"Yeah."

"Making sure that you guys have been included in every decision has been very important to your mother and me. We've discussed everything with you. I think the only thing we didn't discuss was adding to the family, but I think we can ask for a little forgiveness, we didn't even discuss it with each other," Bobby sat against the arm rest next to him, "nothing that happens between me and your mother will ever change how she feels - how either of us feel, truly - about the two of you."

"I know that. So much has changed, so much so fast. Mom's been happy and I was fine with it. I am fine with it, it's just when T.J told me that..." Harry trailed off.

"You felt if it could happen to him, what's to stop it from happening to you." Bobby finished for him.

"Yeah, I guess. I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. Actually, May come out from wherever you're hiding and come down here," May came out from around the corner and down the stairs, "I want to look at both of you when I say this: if you're uncomfortable or overwhelmed, tell us. There's a problem, we fix it, together. I'm your mother, I don't care what I have going on, I'm never to busy for you. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Harry and May answered simultaneously.

"Harry, do you feel better?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Good," Athena grabbed Harry's face and kissed him on the cheek.

"Ah! Mom, stop." Harry tried to move out of his mother's hold, "you get over here, too," Athena pulled her daughter into the embrace, "I love you both."

"Love you, too." May said.

"Yeah, love you." Harry said.

She looked over her children's heads and met Bobby's eyes. She knew every problem they face would be solved this easily, but they'd face them together.

16. Play games...

"And why are we doing this?" He asked as he shuffled the cards.

"I'm teaching you how to play Spades."

"I already know how to play. You know that," he made a show of expertly shuffling the cards.

"Yeah, but you don't know how to play, play," she stated as a matter of fact.

"Um, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Baby, do you know the correct card order? What reneging truly means?"

"Something strong tells me I'm going to be wrong if I attempt to answer those questions."

"That's what I thought. Deal," she said preparing for another game, "I can't have you embarrassing me when we go down to Florida for my family reunion."

As he passed out the cards, he knew she was only halfway joking.

17. Quiet each other's fears...

"We got this," Bobby stated warily as he looked at Athena.

"For sure." Athena said from beside him, with much more certainty. Athena grabbed his hand, "everything will be fine, I'm sure of it." She knew, he knew she did.

He felt twinges of insecurity as looked down at their newborn girls, Ayesha in his lap, Amelia in Athena's. Fears of not being enough for them, not deserving of being a parent again danced around in his head. He'd been okay throughout Athena's pregnancy, but now that they were here and home everything was hitting him all at once.

Ayesha started to fuss and he quickly picked her up. The cries quieted instantly. He smiled down at her as he rocked her back to sleep.

"She loves you so much already, they both do," Athena looked down at Amelia, "isn't that right sweetheart?"

Everything would be okay.

18. Remember the little things...

Don't kill anyone today.

One certain piece of shit coworker is making that very hard, but I think I'll manage. Besides orange isn't my color anyway.

1st: Every color is your color.
2nd: You won't have worry about that, you're not getting caught. We bury the bodies together.

Didn't you just tell me not to kill anyone?

You know how well you listen. Always be prepared for everything, right?

You being this ready is oddly sweet. But I'm fine though. I'll let him live. The reminder is appreciated.

Well what kind of husband would I be if I didn't make sure my wife ate and slept properly, is happy, and didn't commit murder everyday, while letting her know he'd be by her side if she did?

19. Say "I love you" everyday...

Huffing a sigh of relief, Athena leaned against the kitchen island and sipped her coffee. It had been one of those morning when all hell wanted to break loose. From May oversleeping to Harry "forgetting" about his homework assignment, it was a miracle that they made it out of the house in time to catch the bus. Even Bobby left in a rush, being completely thrown off by this morning's craziness, having to run out the door with nothing but a hurried goodbye. Such is life in the Grant/Nash household, she guessed.

The ringing of her phone brought her out of her thoughts. She smiled seeing that it was her father and answered immediately.

"Hey daddy," she beamed, "no, not today, your grandkids-" the sound of the door opening interrupted what she was going to say. She looked to see her husband walking back into the kitchen, "hold on, Daddy," she put the phone on mute, put it down on the counter, and turned towards him, "what did you forget?"

"This," was all he said before he picked her up, placed her on the counter and kissed her.

Thoroughly.

His lips on hers, starved and feverish. It took milliseconds for her to respond, giving as good as she got. Her arms snaked around his neck, bringing them closer. This dance continued for a few more seconds before he broke away from her. Her lips were trying to chase his, brain not having caught up to what was happening yet. She opened her eyes and met his, both a little breathless.

"I love you," he said, holding her gaze, "I realized I forgot to tell you that before I left this morning."

She couldn't help but smile at that. "Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting with the chief right about now?"

"Eh, he'll be alright," Bobby told her, "besides this was more important."

"Alright now, don't come back here without a job," she joked.

"An odd way to say 'Bobby, I love you, too'."

"I love you," she said before giving him one more peck on the lips. She pushed him back so she could jump down off the counter, "now go, you're already gonna be late enough."

"Alright, I'm going, I'm going," Bobby said as he backed away and headed towards the door. Athena shook her head and chuckled as she heard it shut. He always made sure to let her know that he loved her, no matter what. For that, she was grateful.

She picked her phone, checking to see if her father was still on the line. He was. She took the call off of mute. "Hey, daddy, yeah, sorry about that, your son-in-law play entirely too much."

20. Take time for tenderness...

Sure fingers caressed lightly down her body. How he missed this, being in this zone with her. He'd barely been able to touch her in months. Between their, May, and Harry's busy schedules, still settling into their new home, the birth of the twins, Athena healing and him taking on more responsibility with the kids because of it, and the overall transition from a family of four to a family of six, they haven't had much time to carve out for each other.

But none of that mattered tonight.

Now that the twins were five months old, they were (mostly)sleeping through the night and with Harry and May doing their own thing tonight, they felt they could take some time for each other. That's how they ended up here, her in his arms, enjoying the rare calm of the night, letting the warmth of the water soothe them.

He could hear the small gasp as his lips kissed along her neck and his fingers crept along her inner thighs. They knew they couldn't take this as far as they wanted, but that was okay. This was enough.

21. Understand & care deeply...

"I'm not doing this with you, mama," Athena dropped the dishes in the sink harder she intended to. She was tired of almost every conversation they had turning into an argument.

"If you acted with some sense, maybe this wouldn't happen."

"Yeah, because every decision you don't get to make for me is nonsensical." Athena rolled her eyes before she knew it.

"Don't you roll your eyes at me, I'm still your mother and I will be respected as such," Athena stood up a little straighter at her mother's tone feeling like she was a scolded teenager again, "this isn't about making decisions for you. This is about making your bull-headed behind see reason."

"You think I just jump into everything without thinking. You hated my relationship with Michael. You hate my relationship with Bobby. You can't stand to see me making decisions for myself."

"No, Athena, I can't stand to sit around and see you make mistakes for yourself," Beatrice looked her daughter directly in the eyes, "I told you and kept on telling you when you introduced us to Michael that something was off about him, I didn't know exactly what, but I knew it was something. Did you listen? No, you were too doe eyed in love with him to see it. And look how that turned out."

Athena was fuming, but she pushed it down not wanting to upset her father by causing a big blow up. "What do you want me to say? That you were right? That I shouldn't have done it? I'm not going to do that. I don't regret any of my time with Michael. He gave me our wonderful children. He is the best father my kids could have asked for."

"And I love my grand babies. I'm sure he is a good father, but that doesn't change what he did to you. The fact that if you stopped and thought for two seconds about the decision you might have seen what I saw. But I would feel better about it if you, at least, learned your lesson from it and started showing some discernment, but oh no, that's too much like right for you. Here you go again doing the same thing with Bobby."

"My relationship with Bobby is completely different. You'd know that if you knew anything about him or our relationship."

"I didn't need to, I saw where this was going as soon as I saw the two of you together. That same doe eyed look in your eyes. He had you right where he wanted you."

"It's called happiness mom. Why can't you just accept the fact that I'm happy?" She said, completely exasperated.

"Sure you are. Now," Beatrice sighed, "I'm not blind to the way the world works and I know you aren't either, I raised you better than that. It may not be the 60s anymore and you May be living in California, but we all know what happens when these relationships are entered into, especially for black women. Don't tell me the two of you haven't gotten any looks, stares, or snide comments thrown your way."

Athena silently bit her bottom lip.

"Exactly. If you noticed it, I know that he has, too. What happens when he no longer wants to deal with that tax of being with a black woman and wants something, someone, easier?"

"We don't care what people think and we don't let it bother us. I've dealt with racist people and derogatory comments before him and deal with it outside of him." She purposefully ignored her last question, not even trying to dignify that with a response.

"So why would want to invite more of that into your life unnecessarily? Because you love him? Can't you see he's using you, Athena?"

"And there it is."

"Yes, here it is. My main issue with him is that he's using you and your children to replace what he lost. Like I've said before, I feel for his situation, I do, but he doesn't get to do that, not to you and not to those kids. The fact that you're letting him is heart breaking. Got him swooping in, letting him play daddy to those kids. He's going to get over this game he's playing and, when he does, where does that leave you, those kids?" the sneer in her voice was evident.

"Mom, will you stop? Why are you doing this?"

"I'm doing this because I want you to get your head out of the clouds and see reason. I'm doing this because I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my daughter get hurt again," she stepped closer to her daughter and tilted her face up towards her, "contrary to popular belief, I love you, babygirl. I'm always going to protect you,"

Athena took her mother's hand away from her face, "I love you, too, mom, but what you think is protection ain't it. You're not protecting me, you're picking apart my life choices and telling me everywhere you think I went- I'm going- wrong again. This is my life to live," she shook her head and walked off. As soon as she got to the kitchen entryway, stopping, and without turning around she said, "and if Bobby's a mistake, he's one I'm damn glad to be making," she kept walking.

When she got down the hall to her old childhood bedroom, she all but slammed the door and let out a yell. She flopped down on the bed and put her head in her hands. She was more than drained emotionally from that conversation, as was the norm with drawn out conversations with her mother. She felt the weight of the bed dip and a strong arm coming around her shoulder. She dropped her arms and looked up to see Bobby next to her. Silently she wrapped her arms around him and laid his head on his shoulder.

"You heard that." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah, I was coming downstairs to head outside with the kids when I heard you two talking."

"I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I knew how she felt about me when we came here. I'm here because you and the kids wanted me to be and Samuel invited me. My only concern is that she's upset you."

She got up and started to pace. "And I hate that! I know how she is, been this way all my life. I know I shouldn't let her get under her skin. I'm just so fucking tired of her trying to control me."

"The people you love get under your skin the most, especially parents."

"Hmm," she stopped in front of him and folded her arms, "I just wish that she would, at least, try to see what I see, especially with you."

"I'll admit, I don't particularly like being a source of tension between the two of you-"

"Bobby-"

"It's fine, I know it's true. I know she sees me as a threat to you, sees me as someone who's going to hurt you," he grabbed her arms and pulled her into him, "do you believe that I'm going to hurt you?"

"Of course not."

"Then, that's all I need. As long as you understand that I'm very well aware of everything, that I see it, see you, what you go through, it's all good. I know that the world is different for us, a lot of the things you go through, I won't. I may not understand or like that the world we live in is terrible, but you know that I care. You can tell me and we can talk about anything, everything."

"I know that, I know I can. You know I'm quick to rant to you about that stuff that makes me mad. We talk about it and let it go. People's opinions are just that, opinions."

"Exactly. I've never cared what people thought of our relationship. It's going take to a whole hell lot more than a couple of mad people for me to give up being married to one of the wonderful women in the world."

"Oh, really? Sure you don't want someone easier for you to be with?"

"I don't want easy, I want you."

"So you saying I'm difficult?"

"Well..." she glared at him, "anyway, what I'm getting at is that you're stuck with me," he lifted her hand and ran his thumb along her engagement ring, "this was my promise to you," he ran his thumb along the wedding band above it, "and this was my vow that you have me through it all."

"You have me, too. I may have my doubts about a lot things, but us has never been one of them."

"Good," he looked her directly in the eyes," And I just have to say this because it keeps coming up and I want to make it very understood: I have not, I am not, I will not ever use you, May, and Harry to replace Marcy, Brooke, and BJ. I love all three of you. I have no desires to replace Michael in any capacity. I do want May and Harry to love and respect we as their step-parent, but that's all it is."

"You know that I know that and they know that. Michael and I talk about, all the time, how much we love how you are with them. You know the kids see you as their step parent and refer to you as that.

"I know. It just bared a little repeating. I love you, Athena. Whether or not your mother chooses to like me is on her. That's not going to stop me from being in her daughter's life until she, and I do mean her daughter, says otherwise."

"Yeah, no, that's never happening. You're kind of stuck with me."

22. Value everything you share...

There was a certain type of intimacy in domesticity.

They were grocery shopping, asking the other what they wanted, discussing what the kids would want. When they got home they cooked dinner, well, more like he cooked and she "supervised", but, still, they were both in the kitchen just talking and spending time together. It had become commonplace for them to do this when they could. In their, often unpredictable, lives having something simple and secure meant a lot to them.

23. Wish on stars together...

Her eyes stared at the ceiling as she laid on the floor of the partially finished nursery. She admired the starred wallpaper that they'd finish putting up this morning. She closed her eyes and her hand ran lazy circles over her stomach. Only 2 more months left to go.

"This was as far as you got wasn't it?" She heard his footsteps coming into the room. She opened her eyes to see him stranding above her.

"Yep."

"You're not getting up." It wasn't a question.

"Nope."

He laid down next to her and reached over to put his hand over her stomach. Their eyes met and they smiled at the small kicks they felt at the action. She covered his hand with hers and they laid there in comfortable silence.

"I still can't believe we're doing this," he told her.

"Um, we? Last time I checked-"

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know. On the list of things I thought would happen after we got married, this was nowhere on it."

"Far beyond what I could have even wished for, but I'm happy it's happening."

"Yeah, me too."

24. X-press your true feelings...

It was two in the morning when his eyes popped open. He knew why, instantly. He could never sleep when she was lost in deep in her late night thoughts. "Alexa, turn on the lights." As soon as the room light turned on he sat up, leaning against the headboard beside her.

She looked over at him, "really?"

"You really are not aware of how loudly you think, are you?" He lifted his arm and indicated for her to scoot towards him. She did so and he brought his arm around her. "Still having doubts?"

"The conversation we had with Harry still has me thinking that this really is all too much, too fast. It almost feels like I'm doing an entire 360 with my life. Getting ready for these babies and the move are enough. Should I really add a career change to the list?"

"Do you want to do it?" Bobby asked her.

"Well, there's more money involved and the hours are-"

"That's not what I'm asking," Bobby interrupted, "I know you've weighed the pros and cons, thought about how it would affect the family, you wouldn't be you if you hadn't," she gave him a look, "what I want to know is what you want. On the surface, letting go of all the factors that are currently at play, do you want to do this?"

She looked up at him, he saw maybe a dozen different emotion flash across her face before she, "yes, I think I do."

"Then, I think you should. The rest of this will work itself out. We'll make it work," he said as he kissed her forehead, "besides, it won't really be a career change, you've been playing detective since I've known you."

"That's the same thing Elaine said. Told me that I've been basically doing it all of my career, all the cases that have been solved and reopened because my inability to leave well enough alone. So the only thing that would really change is my title and credentials."

"See. Do you how many times you called me, before we even got together, strong-arming me into a hunch you had."

"That was your fault. No one told you to agree with me and go along with it. Hell, you were more than willing to yourself."

"I know and I don't regret a single second of it," he smiled down at her, "I've always been in your corner, always will be, no matter the decision."

"You're really good to me, you know that?"

"You've told me once or twice." He said leaning his face up to peck her lips. "So, are you okay enough to turn off that brain of yours and let me get some sleep?"

"Yeah, I've decided to tell her to put my name down to take the exam."

"Great-"

"But, I don't think I really want to sleep, at least, not right now."

She fell into a fit of laughter as he had her on her back within seconds. He settled above her, making sure not too much of his weight was on her.

"Alexa, cut the lights."

25. Yearn for each other...

Athena turned over in the hotel bed, scrubbing a hand across the sheets, knowing she wasn't going to find the warmth that she'd become accustomed to. She sighed, head aching from how tired and jet lagged she was, but finding it difficult to go to sleep. She turned back towards the night stand. The clock on the table read 12:22 am. She thought for a moment, it was only nine pm in L.A., so he should still be awake. She got her phone and FaceTimed him.

"Your kids are still alive, Athena." Bobby said as his face appeared on screen.

"Not why I called, but I'm glad," she said as she got comfortable.

"Mhmm. It's pretty late there shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Come join, me and I might be able to."

"Aww, it's almost sounds like you miss me or something."

"I might. But how was your day, though. How was your first day as a single father."

He sighed audibly. "Fantastic. I only almost stood on the fountain in the middle of the park and ask if anyone wanted some kids."

"I wish you would have," the threat was only thinly veiled. "It couldn't have been that bad."

"You say that. All I know is: they don't act like that when you're around."

"Yeah, because they know better. It's your fault, you let them get away with everything."

"Sure. Blame me. After you've made sure that they were as cute as possible with your eyes and smile. Made them completely impossible to say no to. Sure, it's my fault."

"They just started talking a month ago, how convincing can they be?"

"Not the point. You know I-" he paused and she saw his eyes drift to something off screen, "well, hi," he flipped the camera for her to see Ayesha toddling into the room, "if you're here that means..." Amelia walked into the room next, "yep."

"I thought that you put them to bed?"

"I thought I did, too." She saw both of the 16 month olds walk towards their father. He put the phone down for a second. When he picked it up again, he turned the camera back to front-facing, seeing the girls sitting on Bobby's lap, "look guys, it's mommy."

The following squeals of "mama" she heard made her miss being at home so much more. "My sweet girls, mama misses you so much."

They spent the next hour like that, the four of them just talking amongst themselves. When asked anything, the girls would babble about their day and carry on a full conversation. She and Bobby loved moments like these. It wasn't long before she felt herself getting sleepy.

"It's getting late, you should go to sleep," Bobby told her.

"Yeah, you're probably right," she yawned.

"Alright girls, say bye bye to mama," they attempted to do as they were told, "say I love you and miss you and can't wait for you to come home."

"I love you. Take care of my kids, Bobby."

"No promises. Goodnight, talk to you later. I love you, too," the girls were now attempting to climb on him and get him to play, "counting down the days until you return."

Their faces disappeared back into her home screen. She put her phone on the night stand and settled into the bed, finally able to get some sleep.

26. Zzzz in each other's arms...

The weight of the bed dipped as Athena climbed in behind him. Bobby was on his side, facing the window. He turned his body towards her. She was settling into the pillows, already half asleep, when Bobby pulled her into him. She settled into the embrace.

"Did I wake you?" She asked, voice sleepy.

"It's fine," he said as he tightened the arm he had around her waist, "we haven't seen each other today, anyway," he kissed her forehead.

"I know. I hate not being on patrol anymore, at least we were able to see each other more."

"It's all for the greater good, detective," he enjoyed calling her that way too much, "you're here with me now, that's all that matters. We always come home to each other, right?"

"Always," she said before they both drifted to get as much sleep as they could.

*comes out of hiding*

What did you think? Which ones were your favorites? Tell me all the things! Fun Fact: the heavier ones (you know the ones I'm talking about) were based on true stories.