Run, Girl (If You Can)

As always, Aaron was insanely grateful that his wife was the best and kindest person he had ever met. Not just anyone would have a heart big enough to give him a second chance. Even after all of the stupid, selfish things he did, she still cared about him and wanted him to be happy.

It wasn't romantic love but it was more than he deserved. He sidled up to her and snaked his arm around her waist before pulling her close for a long kiss.

Keeley poked him. "Don't distract me while I'm supposed to be watching the pasta."

"What about after?"

"Go play with the babies, Aaron."

Technically it wasn't a no. He did as she said, happy to see their precious little faces after a long day.

They had recently learned how to smile too. When he smiled at them, they did it back. Those toothless grins were nearly as beautiful a sight as their mother's.

Kaleb had his tiny hand wrapped around Aaron's pinky finger while Violet kicked her legs and reached toward him. He held his other hand out to her and she ended up doing the same thing as her brother.

"Hey Keeley, I'm playing with the babies. About that kiss?" he dared to ask.

"You're hopeless," she called back from the kitchen, laughter evident in her tone.

That still wasn't a no. He was confident he would get his kiss at some point tonight. Good. He could never get enough of her.

Keeley was the very air he breathed. Now that he had her again, he didn't know how he ever managed to make it so long without her.

Aaron put their son in his bouncer and carried Violet over to tease her mother. Kaleb immediately began to wail. He didn't want to be left alone.

He handed the baby in his arms off to his wife, who was making the pasta sauce, and she wasn't pleased. "What are you doing?"

"We wanted to be closer to you," he said simply as he came back with Kaleb, who smiled because he had gotten what he wanted.

She pulled a dramatic face. "It's so difficult being everyone's favorite."

He moved closer to kiss her cheek. "It just means you're extra loved."

"Oh, I'm definitely feeling the love. Look, even the cats are rubbing up against my ankles now." Sure enough, they were. They had seen the commotion in the kitchen and wanted in on it.

"Can you bring the bouncers in here though? I really can't finish dinner like this," Keeley said with a frown as she tried to support her daughter's head and stir at the same time.

Aaron did as he was told and everybody ended up happy. Best of all, once the pasta sauce was done and had to sit for a few minutes to thicken he got his kiss.

===

"I would have pictured you as more of a minimalist," Gray remarked once he set foot into the Hales' penthouse on Sunday.

"You should have seen this place before I moved in," Keeley said with a laugh. "It was practically empty. Aaron wanted me to help him redecorate."

Robert, who was holding little Kaleb nearby, smiled. "Ah yes, they dragged me along furniture shopping. They were so cute."

"Daaad," she complained. "Don't embarrass me."

"It's my job! Wait and see Aaron, you'll have a lot of fun embarrassing your kids someday too."

Aaron simply shrugged and continued bouncing Violet up and down in his arms. It occurred to him as he was standing there that he should probably introduce Robert and Gray properly.

It was going to be a bit awkward but his father-in-law knew the kind of people his parents were. He shouldn't be too shocked.

"Should be fun. By the way Robert, this is my half-brother, Gray. We met about six months ago."

If he was surprised, he didn't show it on his face. "Nice to meet you! I'd offer to shake your hand but I'm a little occupied at the moment."

"The pleasure is all mine Mr. Hall."

"No need for formalities, son. We're all family here."

Gray's smile seemed a lot more genuine than usual after that. As expected, Keeley was right on the mark. He really did want to feel like part of a family.

Aaron ushered everyone upstairs where dinner was waiting in the Crock Pot. His wife had made a roast with carrots and potatoes. It finished cooking a while ago and was left on the 'warm' setting.

He and Robert reluctantly set the babies back down into their bouncers—they knew a crying fit or two would be coming on because those two demanded constant attention when they were awake—and headed into the kitchen. Keeley began serving up the food and setting the plates down at the table.

Everyone thanked her before they dug in. Aaron had eaten a lot of gourmet meals in his lives but somehow nothing ever compared to the things his wife made for him. There was something special about it.

"This is delicious, thank you Keeley," Gray said in his most charming voice.

"Wait until you try the brownies," Aaron said, causing her to roll her eyes. She knew about his brownie obsession.

"That takes me back," Robert said nostalgically. "I still remember the time Keeley made brownies for you at ten o'clock at night because you brought her scrapbooking supplies."

"Dad!"

He hadn't realized she made them so late. She must have agonized over whether or not to do it at all in order for that to happen. He could easily imagine her younger self trudging to the kitchen with a resigned sigh because she didn't want to owe him.

Those were dark days. How horrible would it have been for him if she stayed that angry forever?

Her eyes darted toward him, clearly apologetic and he smiled and shook his head. Keeley somehow guessed what he was thinking about. They had both been oddly in sync like this lately. It must be because they were spending so much time together.

"How sweet," Gray said. "No wonder you liked her so much back then."

Aaron figured it would be best to change the subject before Robert said something about how she didn't used to like him because that would contradict what he told his brother about how they started dating. Telling people different things that were both true tended to be confusing.

Rebirth in general was confusing but he had stopped caring about the hows and whys as soon as Keeley agreed to marry him again. None of that mattered anymore. He had what he wanted so it wasn't worth worrying about.

"How have the Yankees been doing this season, Robert?" he asked suddenly, sparking a lengthy discussion about sports. What a relief!