Sabrina was gracious enough to squeeze Nick and Lexie in the next day to discuss the changes that Nick wanted to make. She had laughed when Jill set up the meeting, joking that she was wondering how she was going to fill her one 'outta court day'. Jill felt safe directing them to her, knowing what Nick wanted to do and Sabrina would be careful on how she would break the news to them. Sabrina was well versed when they asked about Lexie adopting CJ.

"Well, I can draw up the papers. . . are you sure you want to do this?" Sabrina asked from the couch opposite of them.

"Of course." Nick said. "Lexie is my wife now. . ."

"I'm not saying that Lexie doesn't have every right to adopt CJ, but I have to warn you that Christine has rights too. Unfortunately, that comes into play. In order to have Lexie adopt CJ, Christine has to sign over all her parental rights. We'd have to find a way to contact her. Are you sure that's something you want?" Sabrina asked.

"Even after all these years?" Lexie asked.

"She's CJ's mother. No court can change that and neither can time." Sabrina said gently.

"She practically abandoned the both of us. Sabrina, I haven't heard from her since she left CJ here that day." Nick said tersely. Sabrina could see the tension building and tried to head it off.

"If you had been married, then perhaps it would be different. Then you could have called it abandonment and had her rights voided." Sabrina said.

Nick was becoming agitated and got to his feet and began to pace. Lexie sat where she was and watched his turmoil begin.

"Nick?" Lexie asked, watching him wind up.

"I'm not ready for that. I can't deal with her right now." He said to Lexie, his voice beginning to quiver. He didn't want to say 'no' to her now, not when he had said he had wanted this.

"I understand. Let's get the other papers drawn up and take care of that. As long as CJ is protected now. . ." Lexie said, "Come sit down."

Nick sat down next to her and she slipped her hand onto his arm. He have her a desperate half smile and then refocused back on Sabrina.

"Yes. She can come back and protest Jill and Aaron, but she wouldn't stand much of chance. She might get visitation, but not full custody."

"If we do contact her and she says she wants CJ, can she get her?" Nick asked.

"There is a possibility, but it's very slim. She's been absent all of these years, but visitation would still be in the picture. There would be no doubt in the courts that you're a fit father and step mother, but a judge would give her a chance to be a parent." Sabrina said. "Nick, I have to ask. Do you know where Christine is? Has she ever contacted you?"

"No. I spoke to her on the day she left and that was it. I mean it. I did find out she was in New York a couple years ago, because Brian ran into her."

"Have you ever tried to contact her?"

"In the beginning, but to be honest with you, I knew very little about her. I don't even think that Christine is her real name. I couldn't find her parents or anyone in her family. I tried, but I gave up. I didn't think she'd go away for this long." He said. "How would've I known things would end up like this?"

Nick was leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. He was twisting his wedding ring violently around his finger. Lexie and Sabrina both could see his hands begin to shake. He sat back and crossed his arms across his chest in an attempt to soothe himself. When Lexie touched him, he just wanted to shrink into her arms.

He couldn't bear to lose CJ. He couldn't risk it and he doubted they understood the depth of his fear. Just the idea of losing her. . .

"Do you know how far Jill went in looking?" Sabrina asked.

"Not very far. She just thought like we all did that she'd come back eventually." Nick said, no longer able to contain his voice from shaking.

"Look, why don't I get these notes drafted for your changes to your and Lexie's wills and we won't touch the part about CJ yet. You guys will need to go home and talk about this." Sabrina said, getting to her feet. Nick started to get up but she shushed him back down. "I'll have my assistant bring you two some coffee and I'll be right back."

Sabrina stepped out of her office and asked her assistant to get them some coffee and leave them alone for a while. She took her notes and headed to Jill's office. She knocked and Jill called her in.

"How's it going?" Jill asked.

"Nick is delaying the adoption."

"That's what I thought would happen." Jill said, sitting back in her chair.

"I had to tell them we'd have to try to contact her mother first."

"How'd he take that?"

"Not well. He's falling apart in there right now. He's shaking like a leaf. I had Star take them some coffee and I'm giving them a little air. The rest is pretty standard." Sabrina sighed.

"Well, you can imagine how scared he is of losing her. She's all he's had for years until Lexie." Jill said. "Want me to go talk to them?"

"No, they'll go home and talk about it." She nodded.

"You okay?" Jill asked.

"I think so. I just can't help but think that he's such a great father and she can come back any time and get visitation and maybe even custody from him." She snapped.

"You know the chances are real slim." Jill said.

"I know, but it's still there." Sabrina sighed, leaning against her desk where she sat.

"Makes you glad you never got married or had kids, huh?" Jill smiled. Sabrina just rolled her eyes at her best friend. "Between me and Tina, you haven't had the best role models."

"That's not why I never did it. . ." Sabrina began.

"I know. There is a mister right for you." Jill said.

"Yeah, but he's probably in jail."

"Well, then I guess it's a good thing you're a lawyer." Jill laughed.

Sabrina came back about 20 minutes later and let them go. The ride home was quiet. Lexie had to drive because Nick was still upset. He wasn't hungry for lunch, so she took him straight home.

CJ was at school and Cook had left a note welcoming them back, but now she had to go shopping. Nick simply walked into the house and sank into a couch. Lexie followed him into the living room and sat on the coffee table in front of him. She reached up, brushed a couple of hairs from his face and tucked them behind his ear.

"Honey, you going to be okay?" she asked, taking his hands. They were icy cold and he was still shaking.

"I'm sorry. I can't stop thinking about Christine coming back and taking CJ away from me."

"You know Sabrina said she had a very slim chance of getting custody of CJ." Lexie said.

"What if she kidnaps her on a visitation or something. . ." he said, his voice rising.

"Nick, Christine hasn't contacted you in nearly 7 years. Seven! That's a long time. It's too premature to be worrying about things like that." Lexie said softly.

"I know, but what about CJ? She has never, ever asked about her mother. You know I have no idea what she knows or doesn't know. I know when we told her about the baby that she was concerned that you were going to leave too. I know she knows her mother left her. . . what would having Christine come back do to her? And what if we can't find her and she never knows what happened?" he said. He finally looked up and Lexie gave him the best answers she could.

"The questions will come. I can promise you that." Lexie said, speaking from experience. "As a matter of fact, I can almost promise you that they never have gone away. I think she doesn't ask, because she doesn't want to hurt you. That's why I gave up asking about AJ. I suddenly realized one night that look on Howie's face was pain that I was causing. That's when I knew he was as 'real' as a Dad I was ever going to get."

"Do you really think she doesn't ask because of some loyalty to me?"

"I can almost guarantee that." She nodded.

"Has she ever said anything to you?" he asked.

"No. Never. I've never asked her either." Lexie said.

"Do you know what you're going to say if she asks?"

"It depends on the question."

"You know. We're going to have to explain this whole thing with you and AJ pretty soon." Nick said.

"I know. That may bring everything to the surface." Lexie sighed.

"Now that she's in school, people are going to talk about us. Her classmates. It's not a secret AJ is really your father." Nick said.

"I know. He doesn't quite feel like my father, though." She said.

"He doesn't?"

"No. Howie is. AJ is like. . . a friend. A favorite uncle." She sighed. "If I step out of line, if anyone is going to offer an opinion about my life, it's going to be Howie. He's my Dad." Lexie said, letting go of Nick's hands and getting to her feet. "He was with my mom, but AJ was never around. Even when my mother was alive. He was almost like my father, then with the fight when he found out about us, it hasn't felt the same."

"I had no idea."

"Don't get me wrong. I love him to death! He's absolutely wonderful, but he's not my Dad." Lexie said, turning back to Nick.

"Do you think CJ will feel the same about her mother?"

"I don't know. It's hard to say. You two are very close." Lexie said.

"I don't know what to do, Lex." He sighed, burying his face in his hands. She went to him and put her arm around his shoulders.

"Think about it a while. I know you'll make the right decision." She said quietly.

Nick ended up working down in the studio for the rest of the day until Lexie went to pick up CJ at school. He heard his girls come bounding down the stairs and CJ was the first to burst in and run up to him with papers flapping from her hands.

"Look, Dad! I got an A in math and English today!" she squealed, waving the papers in front of him.

"That's great, honey. Let me see." He said, getting the papers from her. He smoothed out the wrinkles and looked them over. "CJ, this is great. I can't believe you only missed one math question!"

"Can we go to McDonald's for dinner?" she asked quickly.

"I think we can!" Nick laughed as she jumped into his arms. "Go change into some play clothes and we'll go get in the truck."

"Okay!" she yelled, running out of the studio and back up the stairs.

"She's doing great." Nick smiled.

"Yes, she is." Lexie smiled back.

"I'm so worried, Lexie. I don't know what to do." He sighed, setting her papers aside.

"It'll come to us. We'll figure this out." She said, watching him get to his feet slowly. He looked grim. "Let's go scan those and send them to AJ and my folks before we go."

"That sounds like a good idea." He nodded, picking them up and handing them to her.

They all piled into the den where Lexie scanned the papers and sent them out. AJ called immediately and chatted with CJ, congratulating her. They went on for about 20 minutes.

"Really, Uncle AJ? Did you really buy another house here?!" she suddenly squealed. Lexie and Nick smiled at one another. "When can I come over?"

"I don't know for sure. Should be in about a month. I've gotta wrap up the paperwork and everything on it." He laughed.

"Where is it?" she asked. "Is it close by? Do you think I could ride my bike there?"

"Well, I'm not sure. It might be too far for that. It's about 10 minutes away by car."

"Do I get my own room?"

"CJ!" Nick admonished her.

"Tell your Dad, 'yes'. You get your room there!" he laughed.

"That's great, Uncle AJ. Can we paint it pink, like the one in Orlando?"

"You bet, honey. Anything you want!"

"CJ! That's enough!" Nick said, taking the phone from her. "Hey, AJ."

"Hey, Nicky, how the hell are you? Or do I need to ask?" he joked.

"We're doing great. So, you got another house out here?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. I was just in town and picked it out. I wanted it kinda close to Lexie and CJ."

"Well, it'll be nice to see you too, AJ." Nick chuckled.

"Oh, no man! No hard feelings. You know you're welcome anytime!" AJ said quickly.

"I know. I just think you're after my women." Nick said to lighten the mood.

"Of course I am!" AJ laughed. "Speaking of which, is my babygirl there?"

"AJ?" Lexie asked, as Nick handed her the phone.

"Hey, Babygirl. How you doing?" he asked.

"Oh, AJ. We had the best time! Thank you so much!" she said. "We had great weather and everything was just perfect thanks to you!"

"It's the least I could do." AJ said.

"No really, thank you. You don't know what this has done for us." She said.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." He smiled.

"So, tell me about the new house. Where is it?" she asked. They chatted for another 10 minutes before they had to go to dinner. They exchanged their 'I love yous' and hung up. Lexie had to run to catch up with Nick pulling out of the garage.

The sun was setting on another perfect Orlando day. Leah barely noticed the vibrant colors as she worked in the kitchen getting ready for dinner.

Howie was fast asleep in his chair before dinner was ready. He had actually made it home early this night. Leah had asked him to be home for bedtime because the children were missing him. He had agreed before he left early this morning.

"Mom?" John asked her as she stirred the stew.

"Yeah, honey?"

"Dad fell asleep in the living room."

"I know. He's tired right now."

"He said he'd play basketball with me today."

"I know. After dinner, okay? Let him sleep a little." She said.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Tyler?" she sighed as her other son piped in.

"Can I call Lexie?"

"Yes, but after dinner. John, go get Caroline, please?" she asked the oldest boy.

"Are you gonna wake Dad?" John asked.

"No, not yet." She sighed.

John left to get Caroline out of her crib and Tyler climbed up into his chair at the dinner table.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Tyler." She sighed, setting the table.

"When are Lexie and Nick going to come visit?" he asked.

"Nick will be here in two weeks to work in the studio." She said.

"Will he be staying here or at Uncle AJ's?"

"I don't know for sure. He might stay in a hotel."

"Can he stay here?"

"Why honey? Do you miss Nick?"

"Yeah. He always plays basketball with us." Tyler said, fidgeting with his spoon.

"Your Dad will play with you after dinner." She said.

"He's too tired all the time." He groaned. "He's always so grumpy."

"I know. He's working very hard at the record company." She tried to explain.

"Can't he come home more? He used to all the time."

"I'm sure once Nick gets here and AJ is working on his album, Daddy will be home more." Leah said. "I know you miss your Daddy. He's trying to get home more." Tyler just shrugged his shoulders.

Leah got the children settled for dinner and went to wake Howie. She gently shook his shoulder.

"I'm awake." He mumbled, lolling his head towards her.

"Dinner's done. You hungry?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah." He sighed, getting to his feet.

"The children are excited to see you tonight." She smiled.

"I know. I heard." He sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry, honey. They miss you. You've been working more and more." She said gently.

"I miss them too." He nodded, taking her into his arms. "I can't get away right now."

"I know." She said into his chest. He pulled back and lifted her face toward his.

"Are you okay?" he asked, "I have been away a lot."

"I'm fine. I miss you."

"Are we okay?"

"Oh, yes. Of course." She said.

"I couldn't do this without you. I love you, hon. I miss being here with you and the kids terribly." He said, taking her back into his arms. He missed everything about her.

"What are you doing here so late?" Sabrina asked Tina. Tina looked up at her partner and then at her watch.

"Would you believe I'm buying a car?" she laughed, pointing to the computer screen.

"What for? The Porsche not cutting it?" Sabrina laughed, coming into her office.

"It's for the girls. They have Driver's Ed this quarter."

"My god! Are they really that old now?" Sabrina laughed, sitting on the corner of Tina's desk and peering at the computer screen.

"You know. I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. I don't know what got into me." She said.

"I know. It's okay. I wonder about it myself sometimes." She nodded.

"I don't. I think you're too pretty and too smart for most men." Tina chuckled.

"Yeah, right. I'd believe that if I had your legs." Sabrina chuckled back. "Are you looking at that Jeep?"

"Yeah, but I think I'm going to go with a sedan or a wagon or something."

"How about a Volvo? They have good safety records. You can get a four door if you want."

"That might be a way to go." Tina nodded, accepting Sabrina's change in subject.

Tina studied Sabrina out of the corner of her eye as Sabrina cruised the Internet for cars with her. Soft chestnut hair piled softly about her face with just a hint of blondness to make her a little edgy. She always wore a softer cut of suit than Tina did. She was very feminine, nothing like Tina any more. It was all about power and winning. Tina doubted she had anything else left in her that resembled Sabrina.

"You know, Beana, you work too much." Tina said suddenly.

"What are you talking about?" Sabrina laughed.

"I'm sorry. That just sorta came out." Tina laughed at herself.

"You sounded like my mother this past Christmas." Sabrina laughed. "I don't need more of that."

"She nagging you about a boyfriend?"

"Any man, are you kidding? She can't understand how I could move all the way out here to L.A. and be so successful and not date."

"You go out."

"I know! I told her, but she thinks I should be at least living in sin or something." Sabrina said.

"Maybe you should have an affair with a married man. This way, you'd have a boyfriend and it would be sinful enough for her." Tina teased.

"The idea is to get a man, be happy, have a couple kids. . ."

"We are all not Jill Carter." Tina smiled.

"She's blonde." Sabrina smiled back. They both nodded knowingly. That was their fall back line in case they ever had to tag team an argument with Jill. "Aw, here's a good one." Sabrina said, pointing to the screen.

Tina swiveled back to where she was pointing. Although Tina stopped believing in the kind of love others dreamed of, she still believed others would find it.

Even Sabrina.