Mike didn't spend the entire day with Anna. He left after Alison arrived. Apparently the boys would bring Anna dinner. He suspected that Amy and Tim might check back. They left to walk around Portland to keep their minds off of everything.

During the time they were alone, Anna asked, "Are you planning to be there when your niece is born?"

They had never talked about it. A part of him was dreading it. She was his daughter, and he didn't like her being in pain and not being able to help her.

"Do you want me to support you?"

"Dad, you never tell me what you want. I asked you first."

He sighed. "I only want what you want. If you want me, I'm there. If you don't want me, I'll wait outside. Would you want someone else?"

"Alison, maybe. She's been through it."

"We can ask her."

"You aren't angry?"

"Baby girl, what is most important is you being comfortable and I get you might not want your dad. It is kind of private."

He had a hard enough time thinking of her pregnant. He didn't need to see her push a baby out of her. Chances are they wouldn't be able to hold the baby instead the doctors would whisk her away.

"Dad?"

"What? Anna, you seem worried today."

She was more relaxed without the medicine and her contractions had stopped, but she was quiet. This was too much for her.

"When will I have to go home?"

"I don't know. Turner still isn't ready for you."

He hated leaving her here longer, but he left without resolving his issues with Schlosser. He felt like he had walked out and handed the prick his job.

Knowing he was lying but not wanting to burden her, he said, "Hopefully soon. It will be good to go back to our life. Tina misses you."

If only he believed himself.

On his drive back to Mari's he thought of waking up with her watching him. He wanted to love every inch of her, but he didn't even kiss her.

He was disappointed to find the house empty. He could text her but he didn't want to clip her newfound freedom. He went to his room to decompress by playing his guitar. He figured he'd go see Bryan after he let off at seven. He went for a walk on the beach in the meantime.

When he went down the stairs, he found Mason in the kitchen. He wanted to walk by, but knew it would be rude. He wasn't sure if he could handle small talk. He had so much on his mind.

Sure enough, he called out. "Going out?"

Mike had his sunglasses perched on his head. He wasn't wearing his cap, but he had on shorts and a t-shirt. "Just a walk on the beach."

"So my Maribelle mentioned you're a fireman."

"And EMT."

"Do you know what she went through?"

His question caught Mike by surprise. He thought he was being grilled about his career and was prepared to tell him he was the chief because it sounded better than it was.

"I know about the fire. I experienced a few moments in my life just as scary but never the pain of burns."

"Do you know how she was deserted?"

"I know the flames trapped her and about a window that wouldn't open." He heard the anger in his own voice. "Whoever owned that home should have been held accountable."

"She hasn't told you?" He sounded concerned.

"Oh God, was it you?" Mike was suddenly concerned that he had fallen into a trap.

"No! She was in Atlanta."

Mike sighed. "Right, you live in Virginia."

"She's been through a lot." He reminded Mike of himself concerned for his daughter.

"I know. I remember the hoodie. I did not protect my daughter. You weren't there when she was trapped, but you were there after for her. She's strong."

Anna was strong too.

Mason surprised him. "You care about my daughter don't you?"

Mike replied, "We're friends. She's supported me and my daughter."

"You'd never let her get trapped?"

"Of course not, safety in paramount to me."

Mike answered honestly even though he didn't understand the question.

The older man nodded. "Enjoy your walk."

Mari sat on the beach watching Ryan throw the football for Will to catch. She had heard about their practice but this was the first time she had seen them. Will was cute the way he called his brother-in-law QB.

Lana sat beside her in the sand. Mari was sure that she would be there until Ryan came to help her up. Mari turned her head when Lana yelled, "Ohio!"

She saw him walking down the beach. Her heart thumped in her chest. He had sunglasses on but she saw the instant he saw her. His mouth turned up from the serious look he was wearing. For a moment Mari worried about Anna but he would have texted her. He was most likely thinking of his problems at home.

When he reached them, he said, "Hey."

Mari felt his eyes caress her face even with his shades on.

Lana asked, "How's Anna?"

"Hanging on. Whatcha doin'?"

"Just watching the football star." Lana replied although Mari was certain he was asking her.

Mike turned, and they watched as Ryan threw a bomb way down the beach. Will caught it and ran back to Ryan.

Lana said, "I'll be afraid to leave the two of them alone with the baby."

Mari laughed. Only Lana.

Mike asked, "Do you want to walk with me?"

Without answering, Mari stood beside him. Lana called, "Sure leave me stuck here."

Mike turned to her. "Do you need help up?"

He was so sweet and sincere but Mari was smirking.

"Thanks Ohio but I was kidding. Ryan will help me when they're done. He really is a hero." Lana winked.

Mike laughed nervously and Mari whispered, "I'm sorry about her."

"I like her."

They walked silently for a few minutes and Mari felt his hand nudging hers. When their hands joined, he looked down at her and smiled.

He spoke first. "I had a talk with your father."

"What did he say?" Mari asked concerned.

"I'm not sure what he was getting at but I think he liked my answers."

"Was he grilling you?" Mari knew he could be over protected especially after he failed with Luci.

"Nah, he knew what I did, but he was more concerned with what I knew about the fire."

"What did he tell you?" She didn't want Mike to know that she was in love with a man who abandoned her. He'd know there was something wrong with her. He would know that she was unlovable.

"Nothing, he seemed satisfied when I assured him that safety was important to me. You know I get it. You're his daughter."

He wanted to make sure Mike would never be as careless as Charlie was but Mike just thought he was an overprotective father.

Eventually they walked as far as they could and they sat together on the sand. Mike kissed her. It was soft and sensual.

"I wanted to do that since last night."

"I thought you'd be at Bryan's."

"It's different now that Anna's not there. We've imposed so much. I want to give them a break."

"What happens after the baby? When will she go home?" Mari was afraid of the answer. As long as Anna was still here, Mike would visit.

"I don't know things are still crazy in Turner. I keep hoping the dust will settle."

"I don't understand any of it."

"I would never have believed it if someone told me a year ago that the town would hate me. I used to walk down the street and people would greet me like it was Mayberry."

Mari laughed. She put her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her. She felt like a teenager again.

Mike turned his head and looked confused.

"What's wrong?"

"Sam and Rory are walking down the beach. I thought he was going to see Anna. I hope she isn't alone."

"Maybe Cole went without Sam"

"I haven't figured that kid out."

Mari sighed. "I think he's been a good friend to Anna. I also think the girl treated him similarly to the way the teacher treated Anna. They probably understand each other."

"How do you know so much?"

"Well now, that I get out of the house. Actually, I learn a lot from Lana. She listens while they swim in her pool."

"Should I worry about Cole?"

"I don't think so. Even if something develops Anna will not make the same mistakes. She's a smart girl."

"I feel like after this baby she should go on birth control, but I don't want to give her permission."

"She needs an IUD or something that she can forget about. If she has to take the pill every day, she may forget or feel like she has permission to have sex."

"I can't believe we're talking about this."

"Hey, just because you never mastered birth control." Mari almost said that she had mastered it but felt funny since she never mentioned a past relationship.

"Not true! I was married for five years and Anna's an only child."

"Was your marriage that bad?" She was curious, although it was none of her business.

"Yes, and no. We just didn't love each other enough. We make better friends than..."

"Lovers?"

"No, we were good at that, but we weren't good spouses. Without love the daily stuff just caused friction. It was anything from a messy house to bills to taking the garbage out. We were young, and we each ended up with our own cleaning, bills and garbage."

"You are so neat."

"I try to be. I probably didn't explain it well because it was a lot more than the garbage. I tried because I didn't want the marriage to fail. I didn't look for the easy out."

"You told me you'd never make the mistake of marrying again so I figured it was horrible."

"What? I didn't say that. I don't think marriage is a mistake. Just mine."

"Then why in ten years haven't you remarried?"

"Because I need to be in love. What about you? Your friends are all married."

"You've forgotten I'm scarred."

He sighed. "We've talked about this. I feel like there is more to the story. Was someone with you? Did you... did you lose someone?"

"I was asleep alone." I just wasn't home alone, and I lost someone but not to death, she didn't share the complete answer.

Not wanting their conversation to go further, Mari leaned in and kissed him. She could kiss him all night but eventually Mike pulled away. "You're cold. You should have worn your hoodie."

Mari laughed as they walked back down the beach with his arm around her sharing his body heat. She felt as if they just had their first date.