Donna and Robert sheared sheep and milked several cows until three when he had to temporarily leave to pick up Mark and Delilah from school. In the meantime, Donna took her break inside with her parents, Michelle and Bill.

                                     Over sandwiches and lemonade, Michelle decided to inquire about Robert's current situation.

                                     "So did Robert say what's gonna happen with Mark and Delilah?" She asked.

                                    Donna sighed. "He said they're probably gonna end up in foster care. His uncle can't take care of them anymore and he won't be able to keep them because he's not married."

                                    Michelle looked down at her cup and swilled it gently. "Well, what if we adopted them?"

                                   "That's IF they ever end up for adoption, Mom. Remember, I ended up in a group foster home first, and it was horrible. I just hope that he can figure something out."

                                  Michelle and Bill eyed Donna curiously. "It's too bad you two aren't in love anymore." commented Michelle.

                                 "What?" Asked Donna. "Nothing," answered Michelle, shaking her head.

                                 Donna just wanted to make sure she'd heard right. Of course she'd already come to the suggestion on her own. If she married Robert, they would be married AND working, mother AND father, and the kids would have to be able to stay then. But somehow, she just didn't believe it was right. She and Robert decided long ago they worked better as friends. What if either of them fell in love for real? Then they would have to deal with divorce and she just wasn't ready for that.

                                The roar of Robert's engine cut through the silence, followed by truck doors slamming. The front door opened and he entered with his siblings, both of whom ran straight to Donna.

                                "Donna! Can we see the horses?" Asked Delilah, scaling her lap. "Yeah! Can we? Please?" Asked Mark.

                                "Yes you can!" She replied cheerily, setting Delilah on the floor and rising to her feet. "We'll be in the barn if you need us." She said, opening the back door and following the kids out.

                               Michelle decided to introduce her suggestion again. To Robert this time. "She's so good with kids, don't you think?"

                               "She sure is," Replied Bill, winking at her.

                               "I imagine she'll make a good wife someday, and an even better mother. Don't you agree, Robert?"

                              "Yeah, she would." He replied distantly. He would be lying if he said he didn't still love her, but during their short time together, it became clear they wanted different things.

                              Donna wanted a lot of kids, and to live further South, just having a home and family. Robert, on the other hand, had spent much of his life avoiding commitment. He'd always wanted to be a musician and live on the open road.

                             It took a long time and a lot of introspection to come to those revelations, but when they did, there was a mutual parting of ways.

                            "I-I better go." He said, exiting through the back door to join Donna and the kids.

                           Bill gave Michelle a knowing look. "I know what you were getting at." He said with a grin.

                           "What? Robert's in a delicate situation right now, and that group home was no good for Donna. You saw the bruises and social anxiety she dealt with yourself."

                          "No, you're right. I agree with you." said Bill. "I mean, look at her with those kids, she's practically a mother now. And he'd be a good dad, but think about everything they'd be giving up. Is it really worth it?"

                          Michelle watched as Donna and Robert led Experience around the yard with Mark and Delilah on her back.

                          "That's something only they can decide." said Michelle, taking a sip of her lemonade.