I was just placing Arrianna and my dinner on the table, when AJ walked in. “Hey babe, what smells so good? He said walking up behind me and kissing my neck.
I stood there in amazement of his actions. He hadn't done anything like that in a long time. “I just made spaghetti,” I said.
He looked at the two setting on the table. “What no place for me?”
“You aren't usually home for supper anymore,” I snapped. “In fact you aren't usually home anymore period.”
AJ walked over and pressed me up against the refrigerator. He forced me to look into his eyes. “I know I've been the worst husband and father lately,” he said sincerely, “But that's all over babe. From now on things are gonna be different around here.”
I wanted so much to believe him. I wanted us to be like the way we were before, but I couldn't help but have doubts.
“I promise you,” AJ said as he gently kissed my lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him.
“Now where's my food? I'm starving!” he said jokingly. I laughed and went to add a place setting to the table.
We had a wonderful meal. Tyler woke up in the middle of dinner and I ended up bringing him to the table with us. I looked around at my family and though to myself, “This is everything I'll ever need.”

Rhonda's View

“So what's the plans for tonight?” Howie asked as he came through the doorway.
“Well...the kids are just about ready to get up from their nap. They'll probably be hungry. Do you want me to make something or go somewhere?”
“A home-cooked meal would be nice,” Howie laughed. “I'm not much of a cook so I've been doing the microwave things.”
“You are looking a bit thin now that you mention it...,” I snickered, “any requests for dinner?”
“I always liked your Chicken Devane,” Howie said with a huge smile on his face.
“I'd have to run back to the store if you want me to make that. I don't think I have everything.”
“Okay – why don't you run to the store and I'll stay here with the kids.”

I came home from the grocery store to find Howie playing on the floor with the kids. “He is trying to be a good father,” I mumbled to myself. “I owe it to Nikki and Jacob to try again.”
Howie and I had dinner with the kids and then took them for a walk. As we strolled down the street, Mrs. Maxium, one of our neighbors, who hadn't seen us in awhile, stopped us.
“Oh Howie dear it's so good to see you,” she said as she gave him a little hug. “You must be so busy touring because I haven't seen you around lately.”
“Yeah,” Howie said, “busy touring.”
“You little ones aren't so little anymore! Nikki has Rhonda's hair and your eyes. Jacob definitely has your smile and Rhonda's eyes. You have such a beautiful family.”
“Beautiful family” rang over and over in my head. “Are we a family?” I thought to myself.

We finished the walk, gave the kids a bath and put them to bed for the night.
“She was right you know,” Howie said.
“What are you talking about?”
“We do have a beautiful family,” Howie said sliding over next to me on the couch. “I want us to be a family again.”
I looked into his deep brown eyes and saw the things that I hadn't seen in the past couple of months - honesty, sincerity and love.
He whispered into my ear as he began to kiss my neck. “We can get back what we had...I know that we still have it...and I know that you feel it too.”

I felt a tickle along the side of my face. I looked up to see Howie with a red rose lying next to me. “Good morning sweetheart,” Howie whispered into my ear.
“What time is it?” I grumbled.
“I almost forgot you weren't much of a morning person,” Howie laughed. I shot him an evil glare. “And I forgot that you hate to be reminded of it!”
I rolled back over hoping to get five more minutes of sleep.
“I made you breakfast,” Howie said. “You're favorite too – strawberry pancakes with whipped cream.”
I sat up in bed and looked around. Howie had breakfast ready, roses on the nightstand and music playing softly in the background.
“Wait!” he shouted. “There's something else I forgot.” Howie left the room and came back a couple of minutes later with Jacob and Nikki. “Everything is perfect!”