Sophie spent the night in Dallin's room. She was afraid to fall asleep from the fear this wasn't real. Only after a while, listening to her sweet son's even breathing, she herself closed her eyes. 

Jaxon couldn't sleep, like every other night he ventured into his son's room. It became a habit of his to check on him every night. Quietly he opened up the door, and slowly approached the bed. Mother and son were curled up together. He stood there by the bed for a while, watching Sophie and Dallin sleep. The moonlight that entered through the open curtains shone on Sophie's face, and he thought how beautiful she was. No other woman ever evoked the same feeling in him. He wanted her, in his bed, and then he even admitted to himself in his life. Can he expect and hope she'll ever forgive him? Love him? 

The cover slid off, revealing the outline of her delicate shoulder through the nightgown. He remembered her perfectly smooth, soft, delicate skin. The hot desire spreads through him, and he exits the room before he gets tempted to scoop her up and take her to his room. 

She was here under his roof, safe, that gave him some consolation. 

Sophie thought she heard the door swiftly close, and opened up her eyes, but all was quiet except for the owl howling someplace in the distance. She listened for a while, but then closed her eyes and slept oblivious of Jaxon's struggle. 

With the first sign of morning the little warm body beside her wiggled, and woke her up. She smiled, the happiness quickly rose in her chest.

"Good morning my darling." With the gentleness she traced his cheek.  

"You are here mommy!" He snuggled closer to her. 

"Yes, I'm so happy to be here with you. I love you, my little one." Sophie pulled him closer kissing him. 

"I love you too." He stayed like that for a little, but then started to get restless and slid off the bed.

The soft knock came shortly after, and the young maid walked in. 

"Good morning!" She greeted them cheerfully. "Mr. Barnett asked if you would like to join him for breakfast." 

"Thank you! Tell him we will be down shortly. Could you tell me where I can find Dallin's clothes? I don't want to bother Elaine."

"Oh,Elaine! Don't worry about her. She is not so bad, she just likes the routine. His clothes are all in the armoire. You should be able to find all you need there." She pointed at the beautiful carved furniture in the corner of the room. ****

Sophie thanked her again, and when the maid left she got both of them ready and went downstairs carrying Dallin. 

Elaine waited for them, and her look told Sophie she doesn't approve of her carrying her son. 

Sophie chose to ignore her. Elaine will just have to get used to it. 

She placed Dallin down and he ran to his father all excited.

"Dad, dad , guess what? I woke up and mommy was in my bed." 

"Good morning, son! Good morning Sophie!" He greeted them, "you must of like that, your mom beside you in the morning." Dallin nodded his head but then was eager for his breakfast.

Jaxon thought how lucky Dallin was, and how much he would like to find Sophie in his bed every morning. 

They ate the morning meal aware of each other, and Dallin's constant questions were a welcome distraction in the room full of tension. 

After the meal Elaine and Dallin left to the playroom, leaving them alone at the table.

"I hope this arrangement doesn't interfere with your plans." He leaned in the chair watching her. 

"Do I have the choice?" She asked calmly but she had a hard time containing her temper that threatened to erupt. Sophie hardly ever got to the point of shouting, but right now she was tempted.  

"No, if you wish to see our son!" 

"Everything has to be just for your convenience. Doesn't it?" 

"Yes Sophie, I'm a busy man." 

"I wonder if you have a heart in there at all." It was said quietly but loud enough for him to hear. 

 Jaxon stood up and grabbed his hat," I'll be out most of the day. The staff will show you your room. It should be ready shortly." 

 At first he ignored her remark, but then turned around and added, "You are here only because he misses you!"

"’I'm aware of it, but we will have to find different solutions for the future. I don't think I can stay here forever.” In a quieter tone she added more to herself “ I hate you!”

Determined not to show her how much her response hurt him, Jaxon's voice got to the low level, "i've heard that.That is fine, but make sure Dallin doesn't see that." He closed the door behind him. Once outside, he drew in a deep breath. More and more he started to regret his decisions to keep her here under his roof, when he knew he didn't give her a choice. 

Sophie was different from his own mother. She was devoted to their son, and the love for him shone out of her eyes. 

The days after that were just about identical. She saw very little of Jaxon. He left every morning after breakfast, bidding them a good day, but always came in the afternoon to get Dallin to spend time with him. Some days it was unbearable to stay behind. It was the time when she thought of Eric, and her heart ached. More and more she felt like a bird in a cage, but she told herself, it was all for her son.


*****

They both saw a change in Dallin since Sophie's arrival. He was a happier child, more sure and confident in himself. 

Each morning was harder and harder for Jaxon to leave. He wanted to stay with them, to spend the time with Sophie. He couldn't trust his heart around her. Her feelings towards him were obvious, so he tried to make it easier for her by staying out of her way. 

After a long week as he watched her, the need to stay around was getting stronger. She was just too quiet, too agreeable, but there was no real spark in her eyes. It was like someone took all of her willpower. She was here because he made her. It was an existence, and he hated to see her lifeless. Sophie closed herself off from him completely.

The next morning he announced to her, "We are leaving tomorrow for St. Paul's. I have business to attend to and you can check on your house." There was a first happy smile he saw beside the time she spent with Dallin. It was a beautiful smile that brightened up the room, and brought warmth to his heart.

"Today is perfect kite flying weather. What do you say, son, about going out for a picnic?" 

Dallin's response to that was ,"Yeeeeee! Can we go now?" 

"As soon as the cook can pack the basket with the food. In the meantime you get ready." Jaxon had to grin at his son's enthusiasm. 

"Can mommy come with us?" 

"Yes, but we have to ask her first." *****

Jaxon looked at Sophie with a question in his eyes. 

She turned to Dallin, " I would love to watch you flying the kite." The smile on her son's face matched the one on his father's face. Shortly after they were sitting in the surrey heading for one of the grass fields she could see in the distance. The day was sunny with only a few clouds in the sky and enough wind for a kite. When they arrived Jaxon set a few blankets on the ground and lifted the heavy food basket. Sophie went to help with unpacking and their hands touched, causing the tingling sensation to travel all over her. She quickly cast her eyes down to the basket avoiding looking at him. Did he see how vulnerable she was to him? 

He sat down and watched her play with their son. Her glorious dark hair escaped the confinement of the braid and was tousled by the wind. She was laughing, the sound he heard so rarely. It was the moment he made a decision to let them go, with the agreement that Dallin every year, spend some time at "Morning Glory". 

The thought of losing them got so painful he was sure that something inside of him would die and collapse. The feeling so strong it shook him. He wished he could take all the years back and undo all injustice he had done to Sophie. How he wished she loved him. He didn't deserve her love and couldn't hope to receive it. 

He had a few surprises for her, and so far never told her he employed a detective to find Eric. After all, this was a little thing he was able to do for her. It wasn't enough to fix all the mistakes he made, but giving her freedom and finding her brother was the only thing he found in his heart to do. He hoped it might just assure that she doesn't hate him as much. 

In the middle of the night he went to check on Dallin and was surprised to find Sophie there. She was just putting the covers back that he kicked off in his sleep. The picture was breathtaking. Even in her modest sleepwear with her bare feet, she was simply stunning.

Her hair cascading down her slender back, and all he wanted was to take her into his arms. He looked at her with longing, at that moment she turned and spotted him.

"Jaxon! What are you doing here?" 

"Don't be surprised, I check on him every night." 

"I'm not surprised, just startled. I know you love him." She was trying to slip out of the room, but he caught her waist and pulled her towards him. The feel of his strong body against her made her shiver. He scooped her face in between his hands and captured her lips in a gentle loving kiss, yet full of passion and longing for her.

It felt so good to hold her, she was like a feather in his arms. He wanted this to last him; the memory of her softness,the sweet taste of her lips. After they return to St. Paul's she won't likely want anything to do with him. The surprise that waited for her, will not be enough for her to forgive him. 

He knew it would make her happy to be rid of him. It hurt, but he was taking it as a punishment for his behavior towards her. 

He startled her, she never expected Jaxon to touch her that way again.  

"I'm sorry Sophie. It was stronger than me." He was still holding her, and she didn't try to get away. His warmth envelops her, surrounds her, and makes her dizzy with want. It's been a long time, but memories returned swiftly. With it his parting words, "You served me well." She froze at the thought of it.

The bitterness returned and she struggled away from him. His arms were empty and her eyes were full of pain. The pain he felt himself. 

He composed himself, but his voice was raspy, and a little harsh. 

"I'll see you tomorrow morning. We are leaving early." 

Sophie turned around and ran back to her room, and he could only watch after her. She closed the door and leaned on them. No, she won't cry, there were no tears left for him. He can't always play with her at his convenience. 

She hardly slept, but in the morning she was ready to leave. The "Morning Glory" became her glorious golden prison and she couldn't wait to see the freedom, and her little house.

Dallin looked sharp in his little suit and was chatting with both of them unaware of the tension between adults. By noon the novelty of travel wore off and he was exhausted. He fell asleep and the quiet in the coach took over. Sophie's own eyes after a while, closed, and she slept. She opened her eyes when the coach stopped, and she collided with the pair of sad, warm eyes watching her. 

"Good morning." 

"What happened? We stopped!" 

"We are stopping at the Inn to have a meal, and to take a break. I'm sure both of you are hungry by now ." 

Surprisingly, she felt hunger, and knew he was right. The little morning meal wasn't going to last all day. He helped her down, his strong arms circled her waist, and with ease he lifted her, and put her gently down. He didn't let go right away, as almost as he was reluctant to let go. 

"Sophie .." They were interrupted by Dallin, "Mommy! Can I go and play with the puppy over there?" He was referring to the small dog curled up beside the tree. 

"Just for a little while, but ask your father first." 

After he strode off to play Jaxon took her small hand in his. He was trembling.

"This trip is a one way trip for you and Dallin. The only thing I ask is that he spends some time with me." 

Her eyes grew bigger at the disbelief of what she just heard.

"You are letting us live at St. Paul's?"