Anna wanted to be anywhere but in a hospital bed having strangers fuss over her. She wanted it all to be over, but she wanted her cousin to be safe. She also didn't want to go home to Turner.

When she asked her dad about home, he didn't really answer. She needed to ask Darlene because she'd tell the truth. Even after all she had done, he was still protecting her. He was even acting as if he were glad that psycho Shelby was marrying boring George with a stick up his butt.

Her father stayed with her all day. He talked to the nurses and the doctors. He made small talk about the stupid shows on the TV. He helped her pass the time that seemed to move a hundred times slower than normal. He tried to stay awake, but he took a nap while she texted with Cole.

She wanted to scream. She wanted to get up and walk and use the bathroom but no one would let her. Even her cousin was restless, so they were a pair. It was her cousin's heart rate that made them slow down on the medicine.

The best part of her day was when Cole, Sam and Rory came. Even her dad was glad to see them because he could go to sleep. She hadn't expected him to drive all the way from Ohio.

Sam was smiling as he handed her a container of ice cream. Everyone knew her favorite was Needham, a flavor she had never heard of before she came to Maine. She loved the coconut ice cream and dark chocolate chips. They spent a while talking about Cassie and how Ryan yelled at her.

Rory said, "He went to her house. I saw him."

Cole said, "Good! Her mother should know what she's up to. Not that she'll care."

"Why?" Anna asked.

"Her parents are... let's just say she was envious of Rory because her dad is great even when Rory was still crying over her mother all the time."

Anna looked at Rory who looked thoughtful but not sad, although she had Sam holding her hand so maybe that helped.

"They never cared what she did. I still have a curfew and she never had one. They never cared that you..." Rory looked at Cole and continued, "... hung out at their house when no one was home."

Anna felt awkward because she knew what they were doing.

"I'll be the first one to admit it was stupid. She was the one. I know you both liked to read but Rory you were reading books that Maddie gave you. She... she was reading Fifty Shades and books like it she found online. You know her parents are probably getting a divorce which was one reason I kept meeting her. I was helping her... like Sam helped you, Rory, but she wanted something other than my help."

Anna felt bad for her. She still hated her mostly because it was mutual. Sam and Rory didn't know that Cassie was right. She and Cole had something, but they weren't having sex and didn't plan to.

Rory told Sam she wanted to go see some babies. Sam replied, "Don't you have enough babies at home."

"JP is fifteen months. Come on."

Anna and Cole watched them go and the minute the door shut Cole kissed her. It wasn't a long make out kiss but it was perfect.

"I think Rory knows," Cole said.

"Knows what?"

"That I love you," he said softly.

Her breath caught, and she squeaked, "You love me?" He nodded. "How can you know? I thought I did before but I was a fool."

"It's okay. I just know because my heart wants to explode when I think of you. I know you feel something for me but you don't need to label it."

"But what happens when my dad makes me go home?"

"I've been thinking. I heard Lana teasing Mari. Do you think if we could make her and him fall in love then you could stay?"

"I don't know. My dad loves his job, and he has never lived any place else."

When Sam and Rory returned, Sam asked, "What's got you so serious?"

Cole answered, "Anna doesn't want to go back home. We need Mike to move."

Sam said, "That's easy just keep the rumors flying around Turner."

"Like what?" Anna said.

"I don't know something about the teacher's love child."

Anna exclaimed, "No way! That's the one thing no one knows."

"Well, if you change your mind, I bet Dee would help us," Sam said confidently.

Anna liked Cole's idea better. The only other problem was her mother. Would she agree to let them move for good?

While her friends were visiting, she received a text that her uncle and aunt were at their hotel. She looked up. "My baby cousin's mommy and daddy are in Maine."

Sam asked, "So no regrets with your decision?"

"No, I only wish they didn't live so far away. If I live here, it's even further."

Cole said, "Maybe we can get them to move too."

Anna laughed. "You're crazy."

Rory said, "No crazier than what happened to my uncle last summer."

"What?" Anna asked.

"It's a long story, but..."

When Rory finished, Anna looked at Sam. "Is that true because he is nothing like she just described?"

"Yup, all true."

The nurse gave them funny looks, and they decided they should go. Anna watched as Cole left wishing he could have kissed her. He must have felt the same because he sent her a text: ❤😘

In the middle of the night, she stopped feeling like she was crawling out of her skin. Unfortunately, she was awake worrying about how her cousin would get out of her. She should have talked to her father about it. Did he want to be there? Did she want him there? She didn't want her uncle to look at her but she wanted Tim and Amy there. That was why they were in Maine to wait for their baby.

Suddenly Mari felt like she had her life back. Sitting on the patio eating lobster and brie and corn on the cob like they had since the days her mother used to impress with her hostess abilities. Her scarred face and wearing a scarf was as comfortable as her hood had been.

She'd like to say she never thought of Charlie and the past, but she thought of Mike more often. Most often her thoughts of her ex were in comparison to Mike.

She was nervous when she introduced him to her father. She wished she could have held his hand and felt his strength, but they had yet to truly define their relationship even for themselves. Friends was what they called themselves. Apparently friends go into the other friend's room and fall asleep in their bed. Two things were stopping Mari from doing just that - her father and not knowing just how far she wanted to go.

Mari spent a lot of time wondering should they or shouldn't they? They had never discussed their level of intimacy, but she assumed being a male he'd be interested. She knew if she climbed in his bed and pressed her body to his, he would be her lover. She felt a tingle settle in her core. If only, she could let him walk away. Even though nothing was stopping her from going to Ohio, she needed love and a commitment and Mike wasn't whispering either of those. They were friends.

She and her father walked up for coffee. Luckily she had been to The Landing enough that Rick was no longer making a big deal when she walked in. He did however greet Mason with enthusiasm.

On the way back, she asked, "When you retire will you spend your entire summer here again?"

"We've talked about. With you and Heidi here it seems right."

She wanted to ask, what if I'm not here? It was too soon to mention that possibility.

She carried Mike's coffee upstairs to wake him again. He didn't stir when she entered his room. He was exhausted when he came back the night before. She looked at him his black silk lashes brushing the top of his cheeks. She wanted to kiss his lids that were hiding his gorgeous brown eyes.

His lids flickered and opened. "Are you going to watch me or climb in with me?"

She smiled. "I brought coffee."

"I want a hug not coffee."

She felt herself blush as she put the two cups down and slipped in beside him. He gathered her in his arms and buried his face in her hair.

"You smell so good."

As much as she wanted him to, he didn't kiss her. Instead, he groaned. "I've got to get up and check on Anna."

"Your coffee is here." She slid out of his embrace and off the bed.

Reluctantly she went downstairs and Melissa asked, "Is your friend awake?"

Before she could answer the pipes clanked and groaned. She tried not to think of him wet and soapy and naked.

"Breakfast?" Melissa asked.

She nodded. "What's your plan for today?"

"You know... the beach. Cam is taking Heidi to Oliver's restaurant so we'll watch Grace."

"Did they have to twist your arm?"

Melissa laughed. "Sweetheart, I knew a lot more about what you were going through than you shared with your father. I am so proud of you. I confess I discouraged him from making a trip sooner. Truthfully I wasn't sure who I was protecting... you or him. I just know that you're his world and seeing you struggling would have been hard on him. I also knew if you wanted us to know you'd tell us. I don't know who or what is responsible for turning you around but I was never so glad to see you smiling yesterday."

Melissa had tears in her eyes. Mari always knew she loved her even before she loved her father. They had fallen in love while living in different states. In fact, it took years before they lived together.

"Don't kill him but he was so happy last night he texted some pictures of you to Ruby."

"Oh no, can't you as his wife refuse to allow him to have contact with his ex-wife?"

Melissa laughed. "Love doesn't work that way."

Before she could respond, Mike appeared. He had showered and looked handsome.

Melissa said, "Do you want some breakfast?"

He declined and Mari asked, "Did you hear from her this morning?"

"Yeah, my brother has already been to see her. Apparently they're having a tour of the NICU."

"That's good. I know that doctor put us all at ease. You should talk to Jack."

Mike shrugged and waved goodbye. Mari wanted a kiss. She caught his clean scent as he walked by causing that familiar feeling of longing.

Melissa asked, "Jack?"

Mari explained, "The same doctor who took care of Jack Harris' daughter is in Portland now."

"Oh, small world." Melissa sighed. "I've always liked Kelly Harris. Lana deserves a decent mother-in-law with a mother like Nora. I like Nora but she's so hard on Lana."

Without thinking of the implication, Mari said, "Mike's mother is very nice. His sister-in-law came up with the scarf."

"So you've met his family?" Melissa's intonation seemed to say, interesting.

"Well, they came to see Anna. His brother and his wife are adopting the baby. It was a huge relief for Mike when Anna decided."

"He's still young enough to have a baby. He's not as old as Cam or Ryan."

"No, but Anna's mother wouldn't help so being a single dad and grandfather is a not ideal."

"Sweetheart, is he going to stay single?"

"You've been listening to Heidi. You've heard his nickname. It's because he lives in Ohio."

Melissa shrugged. Just then Mason walked in. I could hear you laughing from the street.

"Oh, I was just asking Mari about her houseguest."

"Nice guy. I like him."

Mari smiled at her father's verdict. Still, she needed to gauge his reaction. "You know what he does for a living."

Melissa said, "That's why he's perfect for you."

"What?" Mason asked.

Melissa said, "He's a fireman."

"Oh."

Did her father not approve?