Feeling the warmth on his face, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Looking up at the ceiling, he glanced down at his side and found it empty. Sitting up slowly, he looked around the room and found her sitting on her window sill. She had stolen his shirt and left her hair down while holding her knees to her stomach. He leaned over the bed and found his pants missing.

Looking back at her, he found her watching and a slow smirk capturing her mouth. She stood up and held his pants up as she stood just out of his reach.

"Give them."

"I think not."

He watched her toss them into the basket by the bathroom and slowly look back at him. Frowning, he quickly reached forward and caught her hand. Pulling her back to him, he held her against him and took a deep breath. She leaned her head back against him and looked out the window.

"Good morning."

She looked up at him and he slowly captured her mouth. Taking in her scent, he closed his eyes and held her closer to him. She had been through hell because of him but somehow he had managed to bring her back and keep her. They didn't even get the chance to talk to Mack about their plans before he escorted them to town. The big mouth of a young blonde boy had put everything into motion before he had even asked her.

Nearly a year has passed since she was finally his and every day they were out doing the other. He remembered her suttle reaction from the day before and smirked. At first he thought she was going to kill him and when he had lived to the end of the day he had been hesitant to enter their room. Remembering what had happened afterwards had made it worth it.

"Am I forgiven?"

She looked up at him and said "Hardly."

She pulled free faster than he anticipated and put the room between them. Stranded alone in bed, he watched her dress in a pair of denims and slide his shirt off. His eyes slid over her recovering form and he caught her watching him.

"That's cruel woman."

She smirked and slowly came back to bed. Leaning past him, she grabbed her hair tie and he caught her wrist. Pulling her down to him, he drank her in and pulled her down onto the bed. Laughing, she looked into his burning gaze and felt him roll her underneath him. He looked down at her and she pulled him down to her.

"Now you're forgiven."

He smirked and said "Never took you for being so heartless."

"You deserved it."

Chuckling, he kissed her again and heard the knock from behind him. The groan couldn't be stopped and she laughed as she slid out from underneath him. He tried holding her in place but she slid across the room, slipping into a shirt on her way to the door. She shot him a warning look to lose his frown just before she opened the door.

"It's about time."

Looking down into the young amber set of eyes, she glanced back at Reese and the boy smirked. He caught the danger in the man's eyes and knew what he was interrupting.

"Grandpa just got here."

"We'll be down in a few."

"Uh huh."

She pushed him out of the room and closed the door behind him. Shaking her head with a smirk, she looked back at Reese and found his frown settling back in. She tossed clean clothes at him and the shirt landed on his head.

"In a rush are we?"

"Reese, it's my dad."

"He can wait."

Shaking her head, she slid into a pair of socks and pulled on her boots. He dressed as she pulled her hair out of her face and brought his boots over. She waited at the door as he slid the boots on and pulled his shirt on. Silently he stood and walked up to her. She opened the door and he followed her downstairs.

Laughter came from the family room and he caught her before she entered the room. She looked up at him and he kissed her. The smile he felt tempted him to devour her but he pulled away and kissed her faint scar. They entered the room and Mack looked up from his seat. He smiled when he looked over his daughter and saw the changes in her.

She looked happy for the first time in a long time and her recovery was more than evident. He could see the muscle returning to her frame and her illness weight loss was gone. She had filled back out and what struck him the most was the look in her eyes. For the longest time she had a guarded light to them but now it was like she was 18 years old again and carefree.

"It's good to see you, Joe."

He stood up and hugged her. Glancing at the blonde man in the doorway, he nodded and saw the slow grin across the man's face. Mack looked down at his daughter and then back at the two kids home for the summer. Will was looking more like his father every day and Grace was beaming. She had a whole family and part of that family was the man who adopted her after the marriage was concrete.

"How long are you staying?"

Glancing over at Reese, he knew the man was being polite when he and Joe were still enjoying their new life together. Joe looked up at him and he squeezed her shoulder.

"I was planning on staying until everyone else decided to head back home."

"And you had to beat them here."

The man nodded and said "It's not every day I get to come here and see my daughter or grandchildren."

Will stood up and asked "Can we show Grandpa?"

The smile faded from her face and Mack looked over at Reese. The man had an amused look on his face and he looked back at Will.

"Show me what?"

"Something his father thought would be funny."

She didn't sound like she had forgiven the man yet but nodded slowly. Grace stood up and led them down the hall. They walked outside and Will led them into the barn. Mack found himself looking at an enormous place with every stall filled. The horses looked back at him slowly and then he heard the whimpering.

Will walked down the aisle and pointed to a stall by the end. Mack slowly approached and found the small area filled with young stray puppies. The puppies looked up at him and he turned to Reese.

"Who are these?"

"Ask your daughter."

Mack glanced at her and she sighed "Every abandoned or neglected animal since we moved here."

"You seem annoyed about it."

"I think he didn't realize how much work this is going to take to rehabiltate these animals."

The man chuckled and met Reese's gaze. The man was still amused at her annoyance and Mack looked down at Grace. She was watching the puppies run around and glanced over at her mom.

"Can we go in yet?"

"Not just yet. Just give it a few more weeks."

The girl smirked and nodded. Bear appeared from the office and Mack watched him settle next to Joe's leg. He leaned into her caress but kept his eyes on him.

"He's protecting them?"

"Yes."

The man chuckled and Will asked "We going to ever eat breakfast?"

Reese smirked and said "Head in. We'll be right in."

The two siblings walked outside and Mack watched Joe follow them. He watched her husband follow her retreat into the house and cleared his throat. Reese turned his amber eyes on him and Mack smirked.

"It's amazing what you've given them."

"They deserve it."

"I know you love my daughter very much."

Reese turned his gaze away and asked "What is it you want?"

Chuckling, he looked at the house and asked "Any more kids on the way?"

"The food will be on the table soon."

Mack watched him walk across the drive with Bear beside him, watching him. Frowning at the avoidance, he followed the man into the house and the smell warmed him. As they walked through the hall, he took in the photos on the wall of the family settling in and creating new memories. Laughter pulled his gaze to the kitchen as they entered the room and he found Will keeping something from Grace. Joe dished up the food and Grace sat down on the table as Reese took the item and gave it back to Grace.

"Hey!"

Reese shot him a look and the boy sighed as he took his seat. Grace smiled up at him and Mack looked at the item. It was a stuffed bear that had been recently given to her.

"I was just giving her a hard time. She's older than me but has it with her all the time."

Joe put his food in front of him and said "That's because you gave it to her for her birthday."

He took a bite of food and looked up at Mack. The man was taking everything in with an amused look in his eye. Joe handed Reese and him their food and she took a seat at the end of the table. Her amount of food was nothing compared to theirs but it was more than what she had eaten while still living with him. She caught his gaze and nodded as she took a drink from her glass.

After breakfast was over, Mack watched his daughter groom Daemon in his stall and thought back to his question. The man he had poised it to was still in the house cleaning up the meal and now he had the chance to ask her. Seeing the smile on her face, he almost hesitated at the idea of taking it away from her but he had to know.

"Joe?"

She looked over her shoulder at him and asked "Yeah?"

The man watched Daemon nudge her face to get her attention back on her and smirked. The horse was almost as protective of her as his son-in-law.

"I talked with Reese earlier before breakfast."

"About?"

He took a deep breath and said "Grandchildren."

She looked back at Daemon and said "I take it you were asking if there were more on the way."

"I don't want to be pushy but I see the way you two love each other and the two kids."

Putting the brush down, she turned her attention to her father and tried to keep the distant echo out of her voice.

"We agreed no children. We have what we want."

He saw the slight darkening in her eyes and wanted to ask more but she left the stall and put the brush away. Quietly she entered the office and he followed her into the small room. The room had the usual filing cabinet for her work and a few boxes he guessed where stuff from her practice back home.

"I'm sorry if my question made you uncomfortable."

She looked over her shoulder at him and said "We both agreed that I'm still recovering and not ready to attempt for more children."

"Do you want anymore?"

The question made her stop and she turned to face him. Leaning back against the desk, she took a deep breath and met his gaze.

"What I want is to see everyone happy."

He could see the hesitation in her eyes and slowly approached. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her firmly against him and took a deep breath. He knew this woman better than anyone and knew she wasn't telling him everything. He could only guess it was related to her illness and it was something they weren't willing to face.

"I just want you to be happy. You deserve so much."

Closing her eyes, she took in his old scent and let his support ease some of the uneasiness. He was more than entitled to the truth but admitting the reality to the situation was more than she could bear. Slowly her father released her and stepped back.

"No matter what, you are so beautiful and I am just so thankful you are still with us."

Smiling, she looked up at him and said "I think you miss us being around there."

He nodded and said "I do. The place is nothing like the same."

"I imagine it's a lot more quiet and less stressful."

Again the man nodded and chuckled. Wrapping his arm around her, they walked out of the office and found Bear waiting at the door. She left her father to go unlock the stall door and let Bear in. The dog slipped inside the stall and Mack could hear the yapping from the little ones. Silently he approached and found Bear lying down with the puppies climbing all over him.

"Right now it's the only way to win their trust. I'm hoping a few more days and they may come to me."

She left the stall and asked "Do you feel up to a ride?"

The man chuckled and said "I'd hope to hear you ask that."

They saddled Daemon and Salazar in silence. When the two stallions stood ready, they were led outside and the two riders mounted their backs. She watched her father look over the property and they took off toward the hills. Looking over the property, she took in the open hills and grasslands. The woods were far back to allow for proper viewing from the house and she felt the tranquility settle back in.

They had picked this place to start a new life and the best part she had yet to show him. Swinging Daemon to the east portion of the property, she led her father to her favorite place. Pulling Daemon to a stop, she dismounted and waited as Mack slid to the ground.

"What is it?"

She smirked and said "You'll see."

They walked up the hill and stopped at the top. Taking a seat in the warm grass, she watched her father join her and she rested her arms on her knees. Soon she heard the hooves approaching and looked down below. The dust began flying but she could see them drawing closer. Her father's slight gasp brought a smile to her face and she looked up at him.

"This is why we picked this place."

"You and I have been dreaming of this your whole life."

"I know."

He caught her shoulder and asked "Did Reese know about this?"

"Of course I did."

They looked over their shoulders and found the blonde man dismounting from Champ. The stallion moved over by Daemon as Reese approached and knelt beside them. Mack saw the man's silent protection wrap around her despite the family bond and couldn't hold it against the man. He had been just as protective with her mother, especially after Joe and Cliff had been born.

"How did you find them?"

"I'd been tracking their movements since my mother became sick."

She looked up at him and he said "I told you I gave her my word."

Smiling, she looked back at her father and he said "Both mothers had it in their heads you two were going to be together forever, no matter how hard we tried to prove them wrong."

"You failed."

Mack chuckled and said "Indeed but just looking at you two is worth it."

Reese's arm rested around her and she leaned back against his warmth. Mack stood up and approached Salazar as she turned to face the amber eyes next to her.

"Did he ask?"

"It was to be expected."

He kissed her brow where the faint scar remained and asked "And how are you?"

"I'm okay now."

She let him help her up and they approached the horses. Climbing into her saddle, she took her reins and they rode back to the barn.

"Where's the kids?"

They dismounted and Reese said "Resting inside. Probably packing."

"Packing?"

Joe walked Daemon into his stall and said "They're going back to school in a few weeks. The break is almost up."

Mack watched them settle the three stallions in and joined them on the walk back into the house. Bear escorted them inside and trotted up the steps. Mack followed them into the family room and took a seat on the couch from earlier in the day. Reese took a seat by the fireplace and Joe walked over to the window.

"You asked about children."

Mack glanced over at his daughter and she slowly caught his gaze. The single nod allowed him to look back at Reese and he saw the change in the man's face. The protectiveness was there but so was a grim hard look in his eyes.

"We agreed to not try for any children for her sake."

"What are you saying?"

"If I carry another child, it will kill me."

Mack looked back at her and saw the hesitation in her eyes. Admitting the truth was painful for them, especially her, and he knew why. She was carrying a burden that would forever hold them back if she wanted to live and she had to make the decision to stop fighting it.

"Does Will and Grace know?"

"They know it is too risky for them to have another sibling."

Mack looked back at Reese and saw the man studying her. He could see the inner debate going on but remained seated. The family's visit was going to make it much harder for them to get through this but he knew she wanted to deal with it her way.

"That is why you never answered my question."

She nodded slowly and said "When I answer it is when I know what we're going to do."

Mack let out a sigh and asked "Have you checked the chances being different since your last check up?"

"They aren't."

He stood up and raked a hand through his blonde hair. Knowing the burdern's origin now made his questioning and desires minute in comparison to this situation. They looked so happy and carefree but now he understood the rest. They wanted the family they have but to have even more is asking her to risk her life again. That is one risk no one could bear to watch her take, especially Reese.

Bear entered the room and she left the window. Mack watched them walk down the hall and saw Reese stand up.

"Guests."

"A silent alarm system."

"Sort of."

Chuckling at the change in the atmosphere, he followed the man down the hall and onto the front porch. Joe was waiting as the approaching riders came into view and he leaned against the porch column. Bear stood by her side, receiving the usual caress, and Mack made out his boys' frames. A slow smile caught her face as Billy and Cliff dismounted. Cliff caught her up in a big hug and then handed her off to Billy.

"It's so good to see you."

She looked over the two and said "I see you haven't killed each other yet."

The two exchanged looks and Cliff said "Only because we had to make sure you were being treated right."

"We hate you living so far away."

She smirked and said "Let me show you to your rooms."

The two grabbed their bags and followed her up the porch steps. Reese caught their gazes and watched them slip inside. Mack helped him put the two horses up in the barn and joined him at the barn doors.

"You're really worried about her."

"It's eating her up."

He took a deep breath and said "She'll do what's best for everyone."

"She is doing that and that's not what I want her to do."

He looked at the blonde man and asked "You want her to risk her life for a child?"

Reese closed his eyes and sighed "I want her happy."

"She is. I can see it. Anyone can see it."

He turned his amber eyes on the man and said "She is happy but not as much as she could be. I promised her that night I wouldn't ask for children if it meant losing her. Now I know she's fighting with that promise because of how far we've come."

"Do you think she's ready?"

Letting out a slow breath, he nodded and said "I know she is but I'm not ready to take that risk."

Mack looked back at their home and said "I remember when your mother was fatally ill. My wife wouldn't stay home when her best friend was dying. She had to be with her always. I had to make the choice on either forcing her to stay home and remain healthy or let her go to your mother and risk losing her."

"How do you live with it?"

He turned his brown gaze on the young man and said "I look back at the years I've had since them with my family. I know Claire would've been happy to know she had been right about you two and that Joe turned out to be one hell of a woman."

Reese took a deep breath and asked "Should I let her take the risk?"

He shook his head and said "I think you should talk to her and tell her your thoughts and that you will support her decision no matter what. What's so hard on her is fearing you will be against it if she does want to try for another child."

A grunt came from him and he said "I wouldn't be against it. Every man likes the idea of having a child. I just don't think I can live without her again."

Mack caught him by the shoulder and said "Well, we have the rest of the day to put the thoughts aside. I imagine my sons want to grill you on how you're treating their sister since you drug her out here."

Rolling his eyes, he walked with the man across the driveway and they entered the house. They heard the voices coming from the family room and stopped in the doorway. Will and Grace were going through gifts brought from back home and Billy was laughing at something said before they came inside. Mack took his seat on the couch and Joe slid from the arm of the chair Cliff sat in to his side at the doorway. She stood by him, feeling his warmth wrap around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

They watched the family come together again after a long year and when dinner was being prepared, Jeff arrived with Calli and Teddy. The family sat around the dinner table talking and catching up with one another. Reese leaned back in his chair as Teddy talked about the hunting trip he went on with his father and felt the hand slip over his on his knee. He entertwined their fingers and kept his gaze on the guests. After dinner, Calli helped Joe with the dishes and food while Will helped show the brothers around with Reese.

When the place finally grew quiet in the late evening, the family was sitting in the family room with the kids on the floor half asleep. Joe left Reese's side and Calli helped her escort the three upstairs for the night. As she settled Grace into her bed, she heard Calli talking with the boys and smirked.

"Mom?"

She looked down at Grace and said "Get some sleep. It's late."

"You look sad tonight."

She slid her fingers through the soft hair and said "I'm okay. Just missed everyone."

Grace sat up and asked "Are you still worried?"

"About?"

"About having another baby."

Kissing the child's brow, she smirked and said "A little but right now I'm not planning on it. I have you and your brother. That's all I need."

She hugged Grace and tucked her back into bed. Watching the girl sleep, she slid to the door and turned off the light. Looking back in the room, she pulled the door shut and checked in on the boys. Calli was waiting for them to fall asleep and she stepped in long enough to say goodnight to Will. They left the boys and walked down the hall.

"I'm so glad you and Reese invited us to come."

"You're family. You're always welcome here."

Calli looked at her and said "I don't know if Reese will agree to that."

They walked downstairs and Joe led her out onto the front porch. Sitting down, she looked back at Calli and the woman smirked.

"Your brother and I have been living together for over half a year now."

"I know."

"He wants me to marry him."

She smirked and said "It's about time."

Calli smiled again and said "I fear my brother is going to skin him alive."

Joe rolled her eyes and said "Don't worry about Reese. He's just protecting you."

She nodded and said "Yes but you know how dangerous that can be."

Smiling, she nodded and asked "Do you love him?"

The woman's smile grew and she looked up at the evening sky. The stars were everywhere and reminded her why she loved living in the country, no matter where that was at.

"I do but will that be enough to convince my brother not to kill him?"

Joe rested a hand on her shoulder and said "He can't. Jeff and him went through the same situation and the only reason why Reese still doesn't like him or trust him is because of his relationship with me."

"He's your big brother."

She nodded and said "Yes but he protected me from Reese and hid everything. Jeff had everyone we knew convinced to leave me and the situation out of talk period. He covered up the tracks and essentially erased the relationship your brother and I had."

"From what I understand, he was just doing it to protect you from heartache."

Frowning, she sighed. "That didn't work well. I even resented him for it for a few years."

"Really?"

Calli took a deep breath and said "Never did Reese stop me from confronting Jeff. I just couldn't. It felt wrong to go near your family when my brother was working so hard to keep me and my son safe from everyone."

She closed her eyes and said "Older brothers are nothing but trouble."

Calli laughed and they stood up. Joe let her back into the house and they headed upstairs for the night. Stopping in the hall, Calli took her hand and hugged her.

"It was great talking with you. I really do miss visiting with you."

"I'm glad you're here."

Calli let her go and walked down the hall to her room. When the door shut, she let out a restrained breath and slid into her room. Leaving the light off, she let her hair down and changed. Her jeans and t-shirt were put into the laundry basket and she brushed her teeth. Running a comb through her hair, she walked over to her window and looked up at the evening sky.

The door opened quietly and she looked over her shoulder when it shut. His amber eyes greeted her and she watched him remove his shirt. As his boots fell on the floor, she slid into bed and waited for him to join her. The room was silent as he slid into bed and she looked up into his eyes. She saw the annoyance burning in them and smirked.

"My brother told you."

"I don't like it."

Laughing, she ran her hand along his chest and said "You don't have to."

"I don't trust him."

"And he didn't trust you either."

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and slid his hand through her hair. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his steady heart beat.

"I'm sorry about earlier."

"It had to be done."

"I know but it doesn't get easier."

She closed her eyes and said "It does as long as I know you're still around."

He kissed her brow and she turned her brown eyes on him. No matter how much anguish they faced everyday, he was grateful to have her still with him. Holding her against him eased the ache inside that knawed at him daily. Their past was still fighting them and no matter how much they overcome, it just didn't want to let go. Right now all he cared about was keeping her with him for a very long time, just like this, but he knew the time was not too far off when she would make her decision.

Looking down at her, he could see the light in her eyes and that was all he needed. It always captivated him and would devour him if he allowed it. She could feel his thoughts building as she held his gaze and drew him down to her. Her mouth silenced them and he drank her in. She gave herself to him and the hunger pushed away the world for one more night.