Mandy pulled the car into her parents driveway. "I hope they've already left." she said to herself, yanking the keys out of the ignition. "I'm sure the cops have been here looking for me." She entered the house and called out. No answer. "Thank God!" She tossed her bag on the kitchen counter and picked up a note for the cleaner. Her parents were on their annual jaunt to Europe. "Lovely of you to be thinking of me!" Mandy thought bitterly. But right at the moment, she preferred that they were gone, she had now where else to go. If the police had already checked here and were aware that her parents were gone, maybe they wouldn't be back. She needed to get organized and get a plan in motion. She had to see Nick.

Nick tossed the last of the suitcases in their new forest green minivan. He made a face as he slammed the door shut. They had went out and bought it the day after the babies came home. It drove very nicely, he had to admit, and it had tons of room for the kids and all their stuff. Elisha came out with the twins and giggled at his facial expression. "It's alright Nick." She hugged him from behind. "It won't bite!" Nick leaned his head back and stole a kiss. "But it's a minivan!" he pouted. "You'll live!" she teased. Nick lifted Diana into her seat while Elisha buckled in Gene. "Where are Rebecca and Brian at?" Nick looked around the yard. "They must have snuck back in for another toy. Go look, will you Nick? I'll stay here with the twins." Nick walked towards the door and was almost knocked over by his two older children. "Daddy!" Rebecca grabbed his hand and looked up at him urgently. "I need my Gameboy! I can't find it! Brian tried to help me, but he can't remember anything!" Brian shrugged his shoulders comically. "I found my firetruck!" He held it up proudly to show Nick and then climbed into the van. "Let's go find that Gameboy and maybe we'll grab the Dreamcast, just for you and me, okay?" Rebecca nodded and father and daughter entered the house hand in hand.

Mandy slowly drove by the Carter house in her parents car. As she got near to the house she could see Nick putting the luggage in the van. Mandy pulled over and lowered her sunglasses. "So, where are you going, Nick?" She watched Elisha with the babies and Nick enter the house with his daughter. "Taking a long trip huh? Well there are ways to find out where you are going, Nick." She glanced out the window again and noticed a police car driving down the street. Mandy quickly adjusted her glasses and pulled away from the curb unnoticed.

Nick and Rebecca came out of the house a half hour later carrying a box full of video game systems and games. Rebecca was holding her cherished Gameboy and her purse full of games. Elisha laughed at the sight of them, thanks to the kids Nick would probably never grow old and she loved the thought of that. Rebecca got into her seat beside Brian at the back of the van and clicked on her game. Nick climbed into the drivers seat and glanced back at his children. Gene and Diana were already asleep, Brian was drawing in his coloring book with his prized firetruck by his side and Rebecca was lost in her video game world. Nick held Elisha's hand before starting up the engine. "Ready to hit the road, Mrs. Carter?" Elisha nodded and put his hand to her lips. "Yes sir, Mr. Carter." "Okay kids, we're on the road to Kentucky."