Donovan eyed the phone as the call ended.

Bryce handed him a shot of whiskey from his bar in the den as the Dixon boys watched their father down the booze and go for another.

"We'll keep an eye on her," Cooper said, "You know how we roll."

"Dad, it'll be alright," Jason said, watching his father grab another shot. He glanced at his brothers and back to Donovan.

"Maybe we should call Les?"

Donovan huffed, "I don't need a babysitter. I'm worried."

Bryce nodded, "You have every right to be. Brett's a douchebag. What the fuck did she ever see in him?"

"They were high school sweethearts," Donovan reminded them,"He wasn't always an asshole."

"Well, she's your girlfriend now so you have every right to be pissed off," Cooper said,"We'll call around and see if anyone else is available for Thursday. I'm sure Brett isn't going to let up."

Jason shook his head,"Nah, he's gonna come by, but he isn't gonna be alone."

Bryce smiled,"I can't wait."

Delilah and the children played a few board games before making dinner together. They wanted spaghetti, but she didn't feel like having anything that would remind her of Donovan.

"Is Mr. Donnie going away?" Olivia asked as Delilah took out some vegetables to have with the baked chicken, "I like him."

"So do I, baby," Delilah said, nuzzling close to her daughter, "He really likes you, too."

Isaiah stepped into the kitchen and grabbed a juice,"Are you gonna marry him? Are we moving? Can we get a dog?"

"We're getting a dog?" Beatrice asked as she slid into the space next to her mother and Olivia,"I want a poodle."

"I want a pitbull!" Isaiah smiled,"So, is he going to be gone a long time?"

"Yes, two years.." Delilah sighed, "Rice or mashed potatoes?"

"Rice!"

"Taters!"

"A Pomeranian!"

"Well, what do you think?"

Jason watched their father call up Les and the other men he worked with to stay close to Delilah.

"Dude is in love, bro," Bryce said, turning on the video game,"But I'm about to kick your ass so set it up."

Cooper sighed,"Do you remember when they got divorced? That's how Dad was.. drinking.."

"He's got a lot on his mind. Mom did, too," Bryce said,"You have to remember that they were kids when they got together. It was hard on him to lose Mom, but he got over it. He'll be fine. I'd be worried if I was leaving my woman behind knowing that psycho was literally in her fucking yard today."

"There's no way he can back out of the deal, though," Jason said, setting up his controller, "I asked him again if Pate could take over, but no dice."

Donovan stepped into the room, his gait a little unsteady.

"I'm going to shower and then we can grab some dinner. If you want takeout, go ahead and call for it," Donovan said as he eyed Bryce who was eyeing him. He was so much like his father that it startled the elder Dixon every now and then.

"You're not..."

"We'll go when you're asleep."

"I seriously don't think it's necessary.. "

"Oh, it's very necessary."

"Can we watch a movie?"

Delilah dried off Olivia's hair and combed it out. She smiled at her daughter in the mirror and nodded.

"Sure! It's your night to choose."

Much to the boy's chagrin, Olivia chose The Little Mermaid–again.

"Popcorn?"

"Oh please?!" Ezra squeaked, "Thank you!!"

Delilah smiled as she moved Olivia off her lap and onto the couch.

Heading into the kitchen, her phone buzzed.

Donovan.

Like a blushing school girl, Delilah's heart skipped a million beats.

"Hey!"

"Hey, beautiful. I just wanted to call and tell you to have sweet dreams and I miss your sweet face.."

"Oh, I miss yours, too.. I wish you were here. We're watching movies and having popcorn."

Donovan smiled,"I love hearing your voice, Del. I'm glad you're alright. Are all of the doors locked? The windows?"

Delilah shuddered as she placed the bag of popcorn in the microwave. Gazing out the window, dusk was closing in.

Something caught her attention, but it was gone almost instantly.

"Yes, all is well here, Donnie. Why?"

"I need to know you're safe, Del. Promise me you'll let me know if things aren't going well?"

Delilah frowned, "I promise.. Are you alright?"

Donovan looked down at the note Bryce had left him.

"I will be.. and you'll be in good hands while I'm gone."

"Think she saw us?"

Jason asked as they sped out of the empty lot next to Delilah's house and headed to Bucky's.

"This idiot just had to sneeze... "

Cooper shrugged, "I'm allergic to shrubbery."

"I can't believe you left Dad a note– "Be back soon. Don't eat all the lo mein."

Bryce snickered,"It's my lo mein. We'll be back in two hours, tops. I wanted to canvas the place before Thursday."

"And if we run into the dick less wonder?" Jason asked.

Bryce smiled, "Then we give him a taste of his own medicine."

"We're being reckless," Cooper huffed, "I like Miss Delilah, but we don't even know if these guys are onto us."

Bryce waved his hand in frustration,"In and out of Bucky's. We know what to do. We'll find his house, we'll scope it out. We'll make sure we have a man at every post. Not one of these people will catch on that there are new people in town. Salem is a tourist's haven. We'll be fine. Young and dumb and I've got your fake ID, Coop."

A truck roared passed them, swerving in the middle of the road as the driver flipped them off.

"Oh shit.." Bryce said,"Bingo.."

"What?" Jason glanced at his brother.

"Looks like Brett's gonna make this a lot easier than I thought."