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Once Jasper paid for the food, Victoria stood from the booth and reached out, taking his hand. "I am so ready." She leaned onto her toes and she planted a kiss on his cheek, giving his hand a firm squeeze before following him outside, and grabbing the helmet she had been using. "I think this is the most time we've been able to spend together in one sitting. I am one lucky girl." She clicked on the straps and settled behind Jasper on his bike, wraping her arms around his midsections.

A smile danced across her lips, "Are you trying to quote Darwin's Theory or Evolution? I don't think any such greater force is at play. You all just want to see who can cause the bigger heart attack." She replied in all a joking manner. Men were vicious, and often could kill each other over little things. Or well their own stupidity because they didn't think something threw all the way. But as he continued to talk about the differences of the way men and women handled their problems, Lyn could only laugh. It was true. Men often killed or hit someone to the point where they were in physical pain. Women on the other hand didn't stop often enough at just physical pain. They went for mental and emotional as well. Anything they could get their hands on. The small woman next to him just shrugged her shoulders, "Tis the way of the world. When you gents can't kill them, we'll be damned if they don't pay some way."

For a while the car was silent as Lincoln thought about her latest question. When he answered, she knew he was right. Running a hand threw her hair and pushing it back from her face, Lyn asked,"Do you mind a few stops then? Maybe just one can be managed if you go to the newer, bigger grocery store."She told him wiht a wink. The old one wouldn't have fresh stuff for sushi, but the one that had opened a few months ago just outside of town she was sure did. And then she could get a steak or two from the butcher there as well. Make Dereck a little bigger of a meal. Maybe even get Lincoln something easy to make himself, although she was sure Moira would have it all covered.

"What....where? HOW?!" Orion couldn't keep his train of thought long enough to ask a full question. His mind was racing. His Father was dead, or at least he had thought he was. He had went to his funeral after all!

Joshua backed up and Orion entered the house. He was silent as he looked his Father over a minute. He was older but it was definitely him. Orion shook his head, as if he was clearing off an Etch-A-Sketch within his head.
"What are you doing here? After all this time...what happened?! We thought you were dead!"
"I can explain everything....just...breathe. Relax. You look like you have seen a ghost."
"You are a ghost as far as I know!" Orion closed the door and set the bags down as he circled Joshua. He still couldn't believe the man was alive all this time! Why had he stayed away? Surely he had a good reason for staying away from his family. That raised the question as to why he was here now. Why had he come back?

Orion's body immediately tensed up. His eyes widened as it hit him. His eyes immediately narrowed. Of course he was back. His favorite child was injured. Orion felt that wave of hatred and jealousy wash over him again as it had as a child.
"Cadie....of course. Your favorite child. You came back because she is hurt. What, did Lena send for you? Demand you come back and be there for her daughter?" Joshua's emotions flashed across his face as fast as Orion's own moods changed.
"Yes, yes I did hear of what happened to MY daughter, and came back. I thought my daughter was departing this world, and felt the least I could do was be there for her when she exits this world, since I wasn't there when she entered this world." Joshua grew silent, angry and disappointed that his eldest was acting so much like his spiteful jealous Mother.
"As for where I have been....in Witness Protection. My family was in no danger. You were already grown, as was Elias. So...I couldn't demand that you boys be moved with me." Orion shook his head.
"So....what happens now...?"
"Now....I am on my own. I left, they aren't going to come up with a new identity for me again."
"So are you going to run?" Orion asked, unsure of how he would feel if Joshua left again.
"No. I will spent time with my family while I can. If I end up dead...it still beats the lonely life full of regrets I was living." Joshua's eyes finally returned to Grace and Thomas.
"Get to know my new family members while I can."
"Who is after you?" Orion asked and Joshua waved away Orion's question.
"That is not something I will ever discuss with you. I won't endanger you, or anyone else for that matter."
"Maybe I can help. I know people....I have connections...."
"Orion, that's enough. I would like to meet my daughter-in-law and my grandson now. Please." He moved toward Grace.
"I would like to properly introduce myself this time. Now that there is no reason for secrecy. I am Joshua De La Cruz, Orion, Elias and Cadence's Father." He extended his hand to Grace.
"I understand you are the latest Ms. De La Cruz. I was pleased to hear Orion finally settled down."

"Thanks, Linc." She told her cousin with a smile. If tho he was driving, she reached over and placed a kiss on the man's cheek. She appreciated beyond belief what he was doing for her tonight. Driving her around, taking her shopping, helping her with her relationship issue she had created. Lyn nodded her head to his rhetorical question. Yes this was the new market place. As soon as Lincoln had the car turned off, Lyn opened the door and slowly stepped out, closing the door behind her. As they walked towards the store, her blue eyes looked to him puzzled by his sudden thought. Hadn't they already discussed that she loved Dereck? More than she could express really. "Yea, I do. I don't know where I'd be without him Linc."As messed up as her question to Dereck had been earlier this morning, Lyn loved the man fiercely. And without him, who knew what would have happened with her. Sure Lincoln would have saved her fro Tommy as well he had been there that night since.... But Dylan was dead because Dereck had been so close.

As they entered the store, Lincoln mentioned that he was going his own way. Lyn nodded her head slowly,"Alright Linc, I'll see you soon. Get something healthy while your at it. Granola bars maybe."The woman couldn't argue that poptarts weren't delicious, but they weren't a meal either. She watched as he left her side and moved through the store. Pushing her red locks back, Lyn grabbed a basket and headed off towards the fresh section that held the butcher, fish, and veggie area. Grabbing the Sushi was the easy thing. She found the variety pack of tuna and salmon almost immediately. Then it was off to grab a couple steaks. And finally Lyn was found wandering the veggie and fruit area, trying to decide what else to add to their meal while adding a few containers of raspberries to the basket.

Lena returned to Archie's house some time later. She was all cleaned up. Showered, dressed, and in a black skirt with a pale blue blouse. She had her dark hair pulled back in a french braid. She wore her short black strappy heels.
"Hey hun!" She called as she walked over to him. Immediately she went over and kissed his cheek.
"Can I help with anything?"

Grace stood there watching the exchange between the two men, and shifted awkwardly. She could feel the air change as Joshua mentioned having come back for Cadence. She could see the way if affected Orion, and the whole situation just made her nervous. She hated conflict, and this was a bit too much for her taste. It seemed like there were a lot of unsaid feelings between the two men. However, when Joshua stepped forward and explained that he wanted to formally meet her and Thomas, she shifted slightly and reached her hand out to take his gently. "Yes. Nice to meet you." She gave him a small smile and moved her gaze to Orion, trying to gauge what he was thinking about it all. Was he happy to see his father? Did he want his father to be here to meet Thomas? She wasn't really sure what to expect.

Once they were parked and Jasper was leading her inside, she hooked her fingers into one of the belt loops on his jeans, moving in step with him. 'I was thinking we could start off at Victoria's Secret. I wanted to pick something out for our night together." She tilted her head up and grinned up at him, wiggling her eyebrows playfully. "It's a special occasion after all.." Her hips bumped into his own, leading him through the small crowd until they finally made it to the store. She'd picked out a few items, and pulled Jasper into the dressing room with her, a mischievous look on her face.
The first thing she tried on was a black lace teddy, that dipped really low in the front.