I had hopes Amber straightened Julie out, but I guess not.

"So, Joey, tell us about your husband. How did you meet, and what does he do for a living?" Julie asked.

Dammit, Julie.

"There's not much to tell, he's back in London working, and he works most of the time." Joey said.

"Julie, may I have a word?" I asked.

"Yeah." She followed me into the house.

"Lay off her, Julie."

"You don't think she owes us an explanation?"

"Joey owes none of us a damn thing. She's been through hell and back, and the details are nobody's business, but they'll come to light someday, and you're going to feel like an ass when it does come out." I warned her.

"She abandoned us, Hudson." She said.

"No, she didn't abandon us. She was physically forced away, so you better watch what you say or you'll have a shitload of regrets. I'm warning you not to push her away, you have no idea how many sacrifices she made, so shut the bullshit down." I said.

"You sound like Amber." She crossed her arms over her big pregnant belly.

"You're 35 years old, so act like it, Julie. You know who her father was, so cut her some slack."

"Fine, but I want an explanation soon." She said.

"As I said, she doesn't owe you anything. Just play it cool, so you don't regret your behavior later." I walked away and left her standing in the kitchen.

I walked outside, and Jake had sat down next to Joey, and they both played with the baby. I feel bad, because I know it was hard for her to see him. She only had my children, but I had one with another woman.

I looked the other direction, and Serenity was chatting with Riley. I can't even begin to comprehend what I learned today. Mason was staring at his mother, and apparently his little brother, with adoration.

The kid is tall and built like I was at his age. His brown hair and blue eyes, definitely, make him resemble my father.

The crew made small talk, and every once in a while there was laughter, but it seemed Joey had everyone tuned out.

"Dad, can we come back and play with Gage sometime?" Jake asked.

"Maybe sometime, but we have to get you back to your mom soon."

"Home isn't fun anymore. Uncle Greg comes over too much." He said.

"Don't you miss mom?" I asked.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"We won't be here much longer, so you better go play with Gage a little longer." I reminded him.

"Okay," he got up from the table, and ran off toward the other kids.

It feels so strange having her so close. For so many years, I pleaded with God to bring her back to me, even while I was married to Hannah, Joey haunted me.

The night went on, until it got late and I needed to get Jake back to my parent's house. Joey is holding a sleeping baby, and Jake is up in the treehouse. The older kids left about an hour ago with Riley, and I can tell Julie is exhausted. She and Doug will head out soon enough.

"Are you about ready?" I leaned in and asked Joey.

"Yeah, I'll give Abigail to Amber." She said.

"I'll go get Jake." I said.

The kid has dirt from head to toe, and he will probably fall asleep in the truck.

I put Jake in the back and strapped him in, then turned and saw Joey, so I picked her up and set her in the passenger seat. She laughed the moment I did it, and it was like an angels song to my ears. I've always loved her laugh.

I hopped up to the driver's side, and soon we were on the road.

"He's already asleep." She said.

"Yeah, and he sleeps really hard and won't wake up until late in the morning." I said.

"Serenity would scream and cry so early every morning, but Mason would quietly play in his crib until I came in the room. He has been attached to me since the day he was born. Still today, he would follow me anywhere. Serenity isn't my biggest fan. A complete daddy's girl, and I hate it." She said.

That stung a little.

"Does anyone else know about the twins?" I asked.

"Rob found out about ten years ago while he visited us. He's the only one that ever knew." She said.

"He never told anyone?" I asked.

"No, he wouldn't risk my life." She answered.

"You do know you're not ever going back to him? There's no way Rob, or anyone else, would allow that to happen." I said.

"I was hoping that was the case." She said. "I worry about Serenity. She wants to go to the only home she's ever known." She said.

We pulled into her driveway, and she had Victor open the gate for us, so I drove through.

"Can I come over tomorrow? I'd like to see the twins. I don't expect them to be told, but I just want to know them." I said.

"Sure, what time?" She asked.

"Would noon be okay?" I asked.

"Sure" she answered.

Nobody ever could understand how hard it was to watch her walk away and into that big house. I wanted her in my arms more than anything, but it just isn't realistic.

When I got home and tucked Jake into bed, my father called me into his office. I sat for about an hour and listened to all the ways he wanted to kill Jackson Beaumont.