Since Rick's parents re-entered his life, things have been different. His mother calls at least twice a day, talking to Rick and Janet. However, ever since Rick's blow-up at church, things between him and his father are still at a slow progress. The trust issues still come to the surface as Rick believes he can't let his guard down.

A few weeks go by after both families move into their new homes. Rick and Janet love their new home. The exterior is a light sandstone with a large front and back porch. The windows are also large to allow natural light to help keep utilities low, and the chimney gives Janet the country feel she always wanted. The kids adore the playset in the backyard, while Rick makes good with the firepit every evening when Tara and CJ come over.

"Gosh, I love this place!" Janet says, curled up on a red wooden lawn chair.

"It's beautiful y'all. Our hose is cute, and I'm refusing to get attached since it's only temporary. The only thing I hate about it is the steps going into the basement. They feel too steep, but that's where the washer and dryer are at, so I ain't gotta choice," Tara shares between sips of sweet tea.

The kids have Rick's attention, playing on the swings. Charlotte plays Queen of the Castle. Unable to focus on the conversation between Janet and Tara, he sits there nursing on a can of Miller Lite. It's not until Tara dashes inside, feeling her pregnancy sickness about to flare up again. Janet follows her inside and gets her best friend a cool, damp washcloth.

"Here, girl, I have you covered. I even got some saltines for you. I'm prepared for when I get pregnant. Rick's been such a great role model for the kids that I know he'll be even better when we have one of our own."

Tara groans with her face over the sink, waiting for the nauseous feeling to subside. She's leaning there, breathing hard as her head continues to spin, "I didn't miss this part of being pregnant."

"I can imagine how that feels. It'll pass, though; we know that much, but just try to keep your wits about you. How's work going?"

"Ugh, it's going okay. I have people in training and the menu to finalize. My bosses are excited to hand over this restaurant to me. They love my southern tastes, which is why this restaurant is a different theme. But, oh, God, go outside; you don't want to hear this."

Heaving heavily over the sink, Janet covers her ears and walks outside, shutting the door behind her. Rick sees the concerned look on her face.

"I take it she's puking again?"

"Yes, and I couldn't stand to hear her heave like that. Tara sounds like she's about to keel over like a deer on the highway. Hunny, do you think Cory will be back here as soon as his training is done?"

Rick shakes his head, yes, but as the sun begins to disappear from the sky, he calls the kids inside to get cleaned up for bed, "Hey kids, playtime is over. Time to come inside and clean up for bed soon."

The kids are disappointed, but they come inside as instructed. Tara regains her poise long enough when everyone is inside so the children don't hear her. CJ takes a seat on the couch until Tara feels up to walking next door to go home. Janet walks with her, but Rick asks her to return when a text from Olivia comes in.

"Hey, baby, I need you to get back and stay with the kids. Tara, your mom, texted me and thought she saw someone snooping around the store. So I'm going to head over there and make sure she's good. I'll be back shortly."

Worried, the girls say goodbye for the night, and Tara calls her mother.

"Mom. Rick said he's on his way over. Are you okay?"

"I'm good and okay. I thought I saw some guy casing the outside. I don't want to call the Sheriff's office in case it's nothing. So, don't worry, it's not healthy for you or the baby."

Tara does worry since it's a natural characteristic of hers. She sits on the couch, allowing the worst ideas to run through her mind. She imagines someone busting the glass to break in to rob the store and kill her mother. The vivid pictures in her mind send Tara into a crying fit.

"Mom, I hope it is nothing. I can't lose you yet. My children need both of their grandmas."

Olivia gets a chuckle, but before long, Rick arrives, and Olivia ends the call, "Hey, my sweet girl, Rick just arrived. I'm going to let him inside after he walks around the store. Love ya, kiddo, bye."

"Love you too, momma."

Remaining at her desk, Olivia watches as Rick checks out around the store and makes his way back to the entrance. For a second, Rick thinks he hears something move but figures it must be trash in the wind. Olivia comes to the door, unlocking it as Rick stays with her as a sense of security. It takes them nearly an hour for Olivia to wrap up and get deposits ready for the next day. Sticking close to Olivia until she's home, Rick takes one more trip, driving around the store to be safe as his gut instinct tells him something is off. Tara comes from her house when he returns home, watching for him.

"Is everything okay? Did you see or find anything?" She questions with fear in her voice.

"You don't need to be afraid of anything. It's all good, go inside and stay warm. Good night Tara, tell Cory I said hey when you talk to him."

They hug, and Tara returns to her house. Rick walks inside and hangs up his jacket. Slowly Rick makes his way back to the bedroom, where he walks in and sees that Janet has half a dozen candles lit with the music turned down low. Janet comes from the ensuite bathroom wearing a black silk robe when Rick whistles.

"About time you got home. I've been waiting for you, sexy. Come take me and make me yours for as long as you want," Janet taunts, using her finger to draw Rick close.

Suddenly Rick's shoved into the chair by the bed. That's when Janet moves into the next part of her surprise. She puts Rick's hands on her hips after turning her back to him and sitting on his lap. Slowly she grinds against his crotch, and in a few seconds, Rick notices she's wearing a bright pink thong.

"Damn baby, you going all out tonight, ain't you?" Rick says as his breathing picks up.

Janet begins to grind harder and deeper into his body to work up anticipation, "You fucking know it. I don't want our baby-making to feel like a chore. So, I'm going to find ways to keep it burning hot until we put a baby inside of me."

Unable to bear it any longer, Rick wraps Janet in his arms and drops her on the bed. They make love the rest of the night until they fall asleep naked in each other's arms. Rick nearly sleeps through his alarm the next morning. Rick gets his uniform and a pair of boxers when he gathers his wits and then slips into the shower. However, there's not even time for the water to rinse off Rick's body when Janet joins him.

"The kids have breakfast, and I wanted more of you this morning. I can't describe it, but right now, I can't keep my hands off of you," she says, then enters the shower, planting a kiss on Rick.

Without waiting, Rick pins Janet's body to the wall and has his way with her. They don't last long, and Janet doesn't waste time getting out to dry off and return to the kitchen with Dawson and Charlotte. Rick's finally able to get a shower and get dressed for work. He's hungry and makes his way to the kitchen, where Rick has fresh homemade waffles with strawberries and bananas smothered in syrup waiting for him. Charlotte makes the polite gesture to get Rick a tall glass of ice-cold orange juice.

"Here you go, daddy, you need your juice to stay big and strong!" Charlotte says and smiles when she finishes pouring the juice into the glass.

"You're the sweetest; thank you, Charlotte. Did you get enough to eat?"

She shakes her head yes and takes the juice back to the refrigerator, giggling as she leaves the kitchen to get her belongings for school.

"Those are two wonderful children," Rick admits, leaving Janet feeling a sense of parental pride she's never known.

"Thank you, my love. That means more than you'll ever know."

Janet makes her exit to drive Dawson, Charlotte, and CJ to school. Tara had already texted and asked as she's feeling rough and has an early doctor's appointment. Lorraine is the one taking her, but Janet offers to take her instead. Having the house to himself, Rick finishes up his meal and washes the dishes for Janet. After he hands dry everything, Rick puts them away, then slips into his work boots and heads out the door. He's out the door before Janet returns.

That's the pattern set for the next five weeks. It's a routine that becomes normal, but when Cory is home, things are twisted around. On the first Sunday home, everyone gathers at the First Baptist Church of RiverCreek. In what feels like no time, the service flies by, and before Rick makes his way out the door first, Cory stops him and does something no one foresaw.

"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. McGuiness, would you like to join us for lunch?" Cory invites them.

"Yes, sure thing," Nia responds, "Where are you taking us?"

Looking out the window to see it could be one of the last warm and pretty days of the season, Cory makes his case, "Dairy Queen, I thought that maybe some slushies and ice creams after eating might hit the spot. Besides, who could stay angry at anyone with a double big dip of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge on top?"

Everyone finds his words a little over-the-top, but they share a laugh. Even Rick cracks a smile that his father sees. Since the DQ isn't that far from the church, they make their way and enjoy the birds chirping with the sun shining. When they walk inside, everyone orders and Cory covers the cost. The kid's order hotdogs and fries with orange Hi-C's while the adults enjoy a variety of burgers with fries or onion rings. Olivia and Lorraine sit at a separate table so everyone can stay between Rick and Grant as the stare-off between father and son is the center of attention.

With the trays emptied and dumped, Nia returns to the counter and orders enough ice cream for everyone. The little ones have theirs placed in plastic bowls, while the adults have theirs in the signature blue and white DQ soft serve cups.

"Cory, you're right; you can't be angry with ice cream in front of you. Just look at those two. It's almost like they're friends," Nia states after the spoonful is eaten.

It's a move that Cory remembered from when things were rocky between him and his father. Rick doesn't want to admit it, but the magic in the delightful treat creates an effect that he lets go of the animosity toward his father. One by one, everyone makes their way outside, leaving Rick with Grant to talk. Cory's hoping that it won't be as intense as it was that night at the church since it's in a public place.

"How's work?" Grant begins, pulling up his sleeves to reveal the faded tattoos on his arms from his younger days when he was part of a gang in Chicago.

"Can we skip the small talk, please?" Rick counters, refusing to look up, "But it's good and steady with plenty of work and new customers coming in all the time. I never did thank you for allowing my wife and me to move into the house. We won't outstay our welcome."

Grant calmly reminds Rick about something important, "Your mother and I have told you that the house is being signed over to you and Janet. It's our wedding gift to you."

Rick can't help himself with the lack of control over his reply, "Feels more like a bribe to buy my forgiveness, if you ask me."

"It's not a bribe or a way to buy your forgiveness. You are our son, our only child. I know what I did was wrong and sinful. The pain and shame you've had to deal with must be massive, but Rick, I am your father, and I will not turn my back on you again. There's no way for me to prove other than standing by your side from today going forward. I wish I could find some way to prove that to you."

As bad as Rick wants to believe his father, his trust is still tattered from the years of silence. With his eyes shut, Rick takes a few breaths before he replies.

"Dad, I wish it was that easy, but it's not. Up until you shoved me away, you were my hero. What am I supposed to do without a hero in my life? How do I become a hero to my kids if I don't know how?"

The hidden agony inside of Grant comes to the surface. He starts to cry, and when Rick sees it, he's caught off guard, "Um, dad, I've never seen you cry. Are you okay?"

"No. I failed as a father and a pastor. I'm supposed to be the beacon of light to the world and remain above all others as the leading example of living a Godly life. If I couldn't be your strength, then what good am I? Your mother has told me how good you are with your children. All I can think is how I'm missing out because my son hates me."

"Dad, I don't hate you. I'm angry as hell at you, but there's no hate in my heart. The pastor in prison always had the message that anger in a heart will lead you back to the iron bars of the prison. I have too much to lose now. This is my second chance, and I can't blow it."

The moment begins to feel the cracks sealing up as Grant pulls himself from the pleather booth and motions for Rick to get a hug. They embrace as Janet and Nia watch from outside.

"That's a moment in time to freeze. Rick won't admit it, but he's missed y'all," Janet mentions, holding onto Nia's arm.

"Bless my soul; I've prayed for this day for ages. It's going to take some more time, but I am thrilled to see them finally hug. It'll do their souls good to mend and rebuild their relationship."

As things take a turn for the better, Grant and Rick finish their desserts before joining the others back at the church. Nia and Janet walk with their husbands, but it's when they arrive that another surprise takes place.

"Cory, Tara, may I speak to you alone inside, please," Grant requests, leading the way.

They both give a hard gulp as they walk inside and shut the doors, "Follow me to the pulpit and have a seat in the front row for once."

Tara feels her stomach turning upside down while Cory begins to sweat, fearing a lecture is on the way with the tone Grant uses.

"It is my understanding that you want to get married before your child comes into the world. Regrettably, thanks partly to my lack of passion, I missed my son's wedding, but I won't make that mistake twice. Cory, you've always been close to Rick like a brother. Would you and Tara allow me the honor and privilege to be the man to marry you?"

"Mr. McGuiness, there's no one else I would ask, sir. I've spent so many services inside this church that I would love to get married here. I love this woman with all of my heart and our son. If it's okay with you, I'd like to give Tara control to plan and come up with it all. How much do we owe you to rent out the church and rent for the house?"

Grant gets to his feet without batting an eyelash to put his foot down, "You owe this church nothing. You're making your lives right. One of the toughest things in life is getting yourself to a point where you don't struggle. Nia and I only had Rick. You two are going to be doing it with two children. Cory, your father was a good friend, and it was a sad day when he passed, but I know he would be more proud of you than I am."

That's all it takes to make Cory cry. Even Tara can't stop tears from flowing down her cheeks.

"We can't see him, but he'll be here that day. The same with you, Tara. I know your father is gone too, and I prayed as much and as hard as I could when he was in that wreck. If it's not too forward, thank you for allowing me this honor, and welcome to Cory's extra family."

"Thank you, there's been so much stuff happening, and now we're on the cusp of becoming husband and wife. It doesn't feel real," Tara says as she takes a couple of tissues from the box in the pew.

Unable to go over details as the emotions are running high, Grant guides the love birds outside, where they join the others before heading home. After a couple of hours, Rick makes his way over to Cory's and trades places with Tara as she walks over with CJ.

"So, dude, you gotta tell me about some of the locations you hit. What was it like, and where did you go?" Rick begins as they watch preseason college hockey.

"The first place they sent me was to Allentown in Pennsylvania. I had to learn about different eye surgery machines and how they function and basic repairs," Cory divulges, "Then I drove about eight hours to Huntington, West Virginia. Oh man, they have a restaurant known as HillBilly Hotdogs, and they have the craziest ways to serve a hotdog and a ten-pound hamburger called the HomeWrecker."

Rick doesn't know how to react as he continues to listen to the ways HillBilly Hotdogs has changed up the basics of fast-food service. It takes Cory about ten minutes to finish the explanation before moving to the final location on his training journey.

"And the last place I was sent to train was in Greensboro, North Carolina. They have the best damn bar-be-que I've ever eaten. It was so smoky and tangy that hell; I know why Tara loves her southern-style cooking. It's amazing. I think I might be a southern boy at heart."

There's only laughter as the two best friends, "Anyway, how did it go with your dad? Do you think things will improve or stay the same?" Cory asks.

"Um, time will tell, but it seems like things are going to improve. Today was the first time I'd seen my dad cry. Talk about something that took my breath away. I've known him to be the stubborn, nonemotional kind of man all my life, but today he shed real tears."

"That's what I overheard your mom saying to Janet earlier. I was shocked myself. Speaking of which, I'm guessing the girls are over there looking up wedding ideas. Who would have ever thought that the longest surviving couple would be the last ones to get married? Lloyd did it first, followed by you and Janet. Holy fucking hell Rick, I've let my woman down."

With a pat on the thigh, Rick tries to comfort Cory, "It happens, bruh. You'll get there. I know you will. Our time as kids is finished. If that makes sense it's our kids' turn to be kids and have fun. It's time to put the sports car away and find that family-friendly ride. It doesn't have to be something dorky like a station wagon or anything, but something that says, 'cool kick-ass daddy,' ya feel me."

"It does make sense, and I hear you. It's not like I haven't been searching because I have, but nothing speaks to me like my Celica did when I first wrapped my hand around the steering wheel."

"Time, that's all it is, Cory; the timing hasn't met opportunity and fate yet. Maybe once you're married, things will line out," Rick says, trying to keep Cory's hopes riding high.

The day plays out as each day gives way to the next until the week comes to an end. Things remain on an uphill trajectory as plans for the wedding begin to come together with the help of Lorraine, Olivia, and Nia giving their perspective. Rick begins to talk to his father more on the phone as they build on the momentum. The feeling of peace and tranquility keeps riding high after Lloyd and Simon return home too. With the group back together at full force, life feels like it dealt them the best hand possible for the time being.