After another consultation with the new officer, Halliday left to return to the station house. Nick and Elisha still held each other, sitting on the floor with their twins. Nick nuzzled Elisha's ear and whispered into it. "It WILL be okay, sweetie. I promise you." Elisha looked up at Officer Clark. "Do you have follow us everywhere we go?" He chuckled. "No, I can even stand outside, if you prefer. I'm just here to ensure that you don't try to leave." Elisha nodded and glanced at Nick. "Let's put the kids to bed, they've been up for awhile. Nick looked confused for a moment and then he picked up the hint. "You're right." he looked at his watch. "It has been awhile." He stood and held out his hand to assist Elisha up. They each picked up a twin and started toward the bedroom. Once inside, Elisha set Gene on the bed and collapsed into Nicks arms. "What are we gonna do, Nick?" He brushed her hair off her face and smoothed it down over and over. "We're going to post bail and come back here. The lawyer will be here and we will discuss our case. Unless that private detective talks there is no way a jury will convict. And even then, I think you would get off. She stole our children for Gods sake! And not after all she put us through, damn it!" Nick let go of Elisha suddenly and sat on the bed with his head in his hands. "If only I had never met her!" he pounded the mattress in frustration. Elisha took over the calming role. "Honey, if you never met her, we might never have met. Remember, you came down to the gym that day to get away from her?" Nick nodded. "Everything happens for a reason, right?" Elisha nodded back and sat beside him for a hug. "Let's put these two to bed and go talk to Becca and Brian."

Nick's parents arrived about 3 hours later. Nick and Elisha filled them in on everything that was happening. Nick's mother was frantic that he had been arrested also, but he assured her that everything would be fine. "I just can't believe they would arrest you for shooting that witch." Jane said. "I know mom." Elisha said. "It's just a formality and we can post bail as soon as they set it in the morning. They have to prove I shot her in self denfense." "Have you contacted the lawyer?" Bob asked. Nick nodded. "He'll be here soon too." "Well, you two are certainly handling this well." Jane admired. "We've talked alot!" Elisha smiled as Nick took her hand. "Alot! And we've talked to the kids. We have to think positive for them." Jane smiled proudly at her oldest son. "You are such a wonderful father, Nick, it makes me so proud." He smiled and hugged her tight and turned to his father and did the same. "I learned from the best!"

Officer Halliday returned within a half hour of the elder Carters arrival. Elisha hugged Rebecca and Brian and assured them that mommy and daddy would be back after one sleep. Nick tickled them and hugged them tight to him, tears springing to his eyes. "Daddy loves you and mommy does to, we'll be back as quick as we can." They both cuddled Gene and Diana and reluctantly handed them over to Nicks parents. "Be good babies." Elisha sobbed. She hugged Jane and Bob and stood by Officer Halliday. Nick joined her and reached for her hand. "You don't have to cuff us do you? Not in front of the children." he implored. Halliday walked with them to the door. "No, I think we can skip that part. You won't run will you?" They both shook their heads no. As they neared the gate, flashes strobed in front of them. The photographers didn't stop even as they entered the back seat of the police car. Elisha and Nick glanced as one to the front of the house. They saw the tear streaked faces of their two older children and held each other as they too cried.