So here is a little something to tide you all over. This is the second installment in my Mistakes series.

Overall, Neal was happy with both the bedroom and the bathroom. They held a mixture of classic elegance and modern functionality. His tastes in selections for both rooms surprised him. He had never realized he was so eclectic. He still couldn't believe Peter had given him the o.k. to do whatever he wanted with the spaces. He also couldn't fathom Peter giving up his man cave, but it had happened. And now the basement den was a studio of sorts. It wasn't perfect, with so little light streaming in, but it was doable. Especially now that Peter had hired contractors to add several small windows. As if Neal didn't feel guilty enough with the decorations upstairs, now the Burkes were shelling out more money on him. Not to mention Peter no longer had his own space. It was if Neal had taken over the house. He hoped Peter didn't resent him for anything.

Peter glanced around the room, taking in the lighter paint color. El had been right, the room was brighter now. He could see Neal painting and sculpting for hours on end here. The thought made him smile. Neal was finally and completely home. Sure, he stayed with June from time to time, or even at the country house, but the boy had made this place his home. Time to find Neal and show him the finished product. The contractor was finally finished.

El shredded the chicken breasts and tossed it into a mix of low fat citrus infused mayonnaise, a dab of grainy mustard, a little horseradish sauce, sea salt, ground black pepper, minced garlic, finely onion, thinly shredded carrot, chopped broccoli, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, halved grapes, and a bit of homemade sweet pickle relish. The chicken salad would be great in a whole-wheat wrap later for lunch. After stretching the cling wrap across the bowl, El deposited her dish in the refrigerator and headed up stairs to do the laundry.

Neal tossed the whites into one basket and the reds into another. Really, the biggest load was the coloreds. The whites could wait until he had a few more articles to make a full load. Grabbing that basket, he tossed the coloreds into the washing machine. The fabric softener he and Elizabeth insisted on was in hand also.

El watched her son effortlessly sort and start the laundry. Neal never had to be asked to do anything around the house; he usually did it before anyone else thought about it. El was grateful for the thoughtful gestures, though she wished sometimes, he would let that guard down and act his age. Most twenty year olds never thought about laundry or cleaning until they were naked with six-week-old empty take out boxes cluttering the house.

"Thank you. You know you don't have to do our laundry also."

"I live here, so I just thought why not help out some."

El placed her hand on he cheek and kissed his forehead. How she wished she had been in his life when things started to go bad. If she and Peter had been there, Neal would have had such a different life. He would probably be in college now, studying art, no doubt.

"I love you, sweetie."

Those words never failed to have an impact on him. Even though he heard them everyday now, they still stopped him in his tracks. Years without them had taught him to treasure those three simple words.

"I love you, too. You and Peter didn't have to totally redecorate to make me love you. I already did."

"We wanted you to have your own space; besides, the basement was Peter's idea. He does occasionally have one of those."

The giggles stopped Peter's upward motion. Neal had never giggled until he moved in. Now Neal and El seemed to do it at his expense. He didn't really mind. He knew they meant no harm. Besides, if it got Neal laughing, it was worth it.

"I think the contractor just finished, if you guys want to come down."

Neal stood in shock. The sun streaming through the room was amazing. The oddly shaped windows suited him just fine. They would go well with his newly discovered varied style. He honestly had no idea what to say. Peter and El had done more for him in a few months than most people had done for him in his life.

"I don't know what to say. You guys are turning you whole loves upside down for me. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough."

Peter wrapped his arms around his son and kissed the top of the kid's head. He realized that for Neal, the concepts of gifts and giving only went one way. That had to change. Neal would have to get used to having people that doted upon him. He certainly deserved it.

"Why don't you look around, get a feel for the room?"

Neal was grateful for mortgage fraud cases now that he had an art studio to put his time into. Peter didn't seem to mind if his thoughts drifted now. He had already started a sculpture and a small painting. Peter and Elizabeth seemed happy. Satchmo was content to watch him work. Life was good for Neal Caffrey. He just hoped he didn't somehow mess that up.

Walking Satch had somehow become his job. He didn't mind, it gave him time to put his thoughts together. It also gave him time to find inspiration in the little things in life. Taking the dog to the park to play fetch was surprisingly relaxing. The walk home helped him clear his head. It always did. Until Satchmo darted into the bushes, pulling him along.

The small, crying animal lay there staring at him, with big sad eyes. There was no collar and no identification of any kind. The poor little thing looked half-starved. Making a decision, Neal gently scooped the little puppy into his arms and wrapped it in his coat. If he could find a home for the little guy fairly quickly, El and Peter never had to know. First, though, the little thing needed food and water. And a bath.

The next chapter will be posted soon.