"Where is she? I can't believe it's been almost three months since she was last home." Darcy squealed entering the Hanson house. "Me either. I guess I didn't think about this part of her winning." Walker shared, adding, "I just got back from picking her up. Poor thing is just beat. It took forever getting her through the crowds at the airport. It was like the guys during the 'Mmmbop' days. Anyway we loaded up and before I pulled out of the parking lot, she was fast asleep in Zac's arms. She still is. They're in the family room. Mother is standing guard." "I'll be quiet I promise but I just want to see her. I need to know that she is okay." Darcy sighed. "She's been driving me crazy. Worst case of best friend withdrawals on the books." Adam teased, adding, "How's our boy holding up?" "He's fine now that he has her in his arms." Walker shared following them to the family room. "She's home." Darcy sighed stopping in the doorway just staring. "Yep. Come on it's okay." Zac whispered waving her over. "I missed her." Darcy whimpered sitting next to Zac on the sofa. "I know. Adam told me how hard this has been on him." Zac teased. "It's just.." Darcy said reaching out and lightly lifting a strand of hair from her face. "Yeah iit has been the pits hasn't it." Zac whispered wrapping an arm around Darcy. "So how long do you think he'll sit holding her while she sleeps?" Adam asked. "I predict he will hold her until she wakes up." Diana shared, adding, "I could use a hand in the kitchen. She's lost more weight and I plan on changing that while she's home with us." "How about we go get her favorite pizza?" Adam asked. "Hmm I think that is a wonderful idea. Dear you and Adam take care of that. Girls give me a hand making a salad." Diana declared. "Daddy. Daddy. Make sure you get her some strawberry ice when you pick up her pizza. That's her favorite Daddy. She always takes us there when we go shopping. We eat our pizza and then moan over our strawberry ice." Jessie shared. "Strawberry ice it is then . That was nice of you to suggest it prncess." Walker replied kissing her cheek. "You haven't called me that in so long." Jessie sighed, adding, "I thought you forgot." "Never sweetie. I just figured you'd be embarassed now that you've grown. You'll always be my princess." Walker replied with a big hug. "I better go help Mom before I end up waking her up." Darcy sighed. "You're okay." Zac insisted in barely a whisper. "Zac." Jessy moaned trying to wake. "It's okay babe. Go back to sleep." Zac whispered kissing the top of her head. "Zac. It's you." Jessy squealed opening her eyes and looking up, adding as she fought the tears filling her eyes, "I thought I was dreaming but it's really you." "Yeah babe you're home." Zac replied as she hugged him tighter and tighter, adding, "Don't cry babe. Everything will be okay." "But I missed you so much." Jessy sniffled. "I missed you too. I missed holding you." Zac replied kissing the top of her head. "I missed you holding me too. I can't count the times... I want to stay home Zac. I don't want to leave again." Jessy whimpered. "I don't want you to leave me again either." Zac agreed before explaining, "But if you hadn't left me, you never would have made such a difference. I heard Dad talking about how much money the CD has raised and that the Pagents are instituting new award guidelines that include all participants. And just think about those kids in Afghanistan that you helped with your plea for assistance during your interview on the Today Show. I mean world wide people have given to help feed and house them. I've never been so proud of you. I can't believe what you have accomplished in such a short time." "But Zac.." Jessy whimpered. "No buts babe." Zac declared before teasing, "Well maybe this one." "You butt squeezer." Jessy squealed. "I've missed that too." Zac whispered kissing her deeply. "I think we'll go help Mom." Darcy whispered turning red. "I'll help." Adam whispered extending his hand. "Darcy." Jessy squealed turning her way. "Babe." Zac moaned as she pulled away. "Ahhh I've missed you too." Jessy squealed hugging Darcy. "Sorry dude." Adam whispered. "Huh? Oh Zac I'm sorry." Jessy apologized turning back finding Zac slowly shaking his head no. "I understand. I understand." Zac moaned over and over. "Well good." Jessy teased turning back to Darcy adding, "I've really missed you. Man I can't count the times I started to call you and then told myself I just talked to her, let her be." "Me too. Poor Adam has a callous from hanging up the phone all the times I tried to call you." Darcy teased as Adam stuck out a finger. "You should have let her call me. I missed her." Jessy pouted shaking a finger at him. "Man now I'm in trouble with both of them. I can't win." Adam grumbled. "At least they're talking to you." Zac pouted. "Be mad at him. He feels left out." Adam teased turning both girls with hands on hips, glaring at Zac. "That's okay. Ignore me. Ignore me." Zac declared, turning the girls back at Adam, adding, "This glare is yours." "Whoa. I'm so hungry, I'm smelling pizza." Jessy moaned, turning back to Zac, pouting, "I'm hungry." "That must be Dad with your pizza." Zac explained sniffing the air. "Daddy is that you?" Jessy called out. "Yes sweetie. I have pizza." Walker called back. "I love you." Jesy squealed racing his way. "She used to say that to me." Zac teased not far behind her. "But I have her favorite pizza." Walker teased back, adding, "She'll be back to loving you again when she's full." "Thanks Mom I'm famished. I can't tell you how many ways there are to prepare lousy chicken. Cold chicken kiev is the worst." Jessy shared making a face as she sat where Diana had placed a salad and plate that Walker placed two slices of pizza on. "You're too thin." Diana insisted shaking her head no. "I agree. I have to find something I can take with me so I'm not at the mercy of lousy banquet food." Jessy said through her mouthfull, adding, "I'm sorry. I know not to talk with my mouth full but I'm starved." "That's okay sweetie. Just eat." Diana shared patting her hand. "Can I get milk please. You won't believe what they do to milk. They keep it on the shelf. On the shelf. Yuck. Room temperature wine is one thing but I want my milk cold." "I got it Mom." Zac said pulling down a glass and filling it for her. "Thanks." Jessy moaned chugging down the milk and moaning. "Better keep that near dear." Diana called out stopping Zac in his tracks. "Refill babe?" Zac asked pouring another glass. "I'm sorry it's just so good." Jessy shared lifting the newly filled glass and downing half of it. "Hit bottom?" Zac asked. "I feel like a pig." Jessy said stuffing her mouth again with pizza. "Another slice of pizza dear." Diana called out. "Mother she'll get sick." Walker questioned placing another slice of pizza on Jessy's plate. "She'll know when she's full." Diana insisted. "Just remember to leave room for the strawberry ice." Walker suggested. "Strawberry ice? How did you know it's my favorite?" Jessy squealed finishing her pizza, adding, "May I have dessert please?" "I'll get it." Walker called out as Diana took the seat next to Jessy. "Your father got my only eight days with you so you will be on eating and sleeping detail until I tell you differently." Diana declared fixing her plate. "Here you go sweetie a nice big bowl." Walker shared placing the bowl in front of her. "Mmmm this is delicious. Thank you for going for my favorites Daddy." Jessy shared through her mouthfull. "That's okay sweetie. Your mother has been so worried about you." Walker replied. "I didn't mean to worry you." Jessy whispered placing her head on Diana's shoulder look up at her. "We'll figure soemthing out sweetie, don't worry." Diana shared kissing her forehead. "I tried Mom honest but it tasted so terrible, I just couldn't eat it." Jessy explained. "Sweetie it'll be okay. Walker we have to do something about this. It appears to be a problem in the Middle East mostly. I suggest you get in touch with whoever is scheduling her appearances and let them know I will not tolerate this again." Diana declared. "Can you Daddy? I mean for two whole weeks the most edible thing was the bread. I even snuck out thinking I coud find something to eat at the outdoor market, you know fresh fruit or vegetables but it just isn't there. Everything is dried or canned." Jessy complained. "Ill make a call and see what can be done." Walker replied. "See what can be done?" Diana questioned. "Yes dear, I'll call and insist that they're more careful in scheduling her appearances." Walker replied rolling his eyes. "I saw that." Diana scorned wagging a finger at him. "Thanks Daddy I appreciate it." Jessy shared hugging him while making a face at Diana. "I saw that too." Diana choked out laughing heartily. "It'll be okay mother. You have your little girl home and everything will be okay." Walker comforted as Diana's laughter turned to uncontrollable tears. "Mom what's wrong?" Jessy gasped racing to her side. "You have to leave me again." Diana choked out. "Yeah I know. I don't want to but I have to. Zac is so proud of me and I don't want to let him down." Jessy shared. "What?" Diana asked wiping her tears. "Tell her wwhat you told me Zac. I was whining earlier. I told him I wasn't leaving again. I didn't want to go back." Jessy shared. "And you want her to leave you?" Diana asked turning to her son. "No Mom I don't want her to go but... Just think about what she has done in the short time she has been out there Mom. She has made such a difference. I heard Dad talking about how much money the CD has raised and that the Pagents are instituting new award guidelines that include all participants.You know that Dad told you too. And just think about those kids in Afghanistan that yshe helped with her plea for assistance on the Today Show. I can't believe what she has accomplished in such a short time. Just think what she'll do next." Zac replied wrapping an arm around each. "She has made a difference. You are right son. No more tears." Diana shared. "Just enjoy her why you have her." Walker insisted. "I want cookies and milk. You got any Mom?" Jessy asked. "You just ate lunch." Zac reminded. "So." Jessy pouted sticking out her bottom lip, grumbling, "So what you think I'm getting fat now?" "You just stop now. If she wants cookies, she can have cookies. And you will love her if she turns into a rolly polly. You hear me." Diana warned. "Get her cookies. Get her cookies. I'm sorry Mom don't bite my head off." Zac complaned. 'Zachary Hanson how could you." Jessy gasped. "What? How could I what?" Zac asked trying to figure out why she was suddenly mad and pushing him away. "He didn't mean it sweetie. It's okay." Diana insisted taking her hands. "It came out of his mouth. He said it. What I shouldn't believe what comes out of his mouth? Jessy grumbled, whispering, "He said he loved me," "What is your problem?" Zac asked still trying to figure out what was wrong. "You're my problem." Jessy screamed racing down the hall to the bathroom, slamming the door then slamming it again. 'Whoa. Now you decide to learn how to fight. Dude you are in the doghouse." Adam shared wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "What is she talking about?" Zac asked still confused. "You told Mom not to bite your head off. You know her Mom, her Grampa." Adam explained. "What? No way. Mom wasn't mad." Zac argued. "Hit it right on the head son." Walker agreed. "Put your foot in it. Let me go talk to her." Diana suggested. "No I'll go apologize." Zac insisted heading down the hall, rapping on the bathroom door, adding, "Babe let me in. I'm sorry Jessy." "Go away. I don't want to talk to you." Jessy screamed. "Babe I'm sorry. I apologized to Mom and she forgives me." Zac shared leaning against the door. "Wel I don't." Jessy screamed taking of her shoe and throwing it at the door, adding, "I said go away." "Mom. Mom can you talk to her. She's pissed at me." Zac asked as he felt her shoe hit the door. "Sweetie it's Mom." Diana said lightly tapping on the door. "He's mean." Jessy replied. "I told him the same thing. He apologized though. He didn't really mean it but he was shocked you were still hungry. He doesn't understand but I do." Diana replied. "You do?" Jessy whimpered leaning against the door. "Of course I do baby. You've been away for so long. So much stress and you didn't have him to make it all better." Diana explained. "You do." Jessy whimpered opening the door. "Of course I do. It'll be okay sweetie honest it will." Diana said wrapping her arms around her. "But Mom I just feel like crying all the time. It's so hard to smile and wave when all I want to do is cry." Jessy choked out. "It'll be okay. You're home now." Diana shared rocking her slowly catching Walker's eye. "It'll be okay girls. I have your cookies. The girls made them knowing you were coming home." Walker shared making his way down the hall. "Cookies." Jessy whimpered lifting her head looking his way. "You're favorite. Oatmeal Raisin." Walker said holding a huge cookie, adding, "This one the made especially for you." "They knew didn't they?" Jessy giggled. "Yeah they knew you'd be starved and craving all your favorites." Diana replied watching as she took the cookie from her husband and smiled. "Man I don't think we have a glass big enough to dunk that in. How about a glass to drink from and a bowl to dunk in." Zac suggested rushing towards the kitchen. "I don't think they make a glass that big." Jessy whimpered with a giggle at the end. "You could do like the commercial, dip it in the pitcher of milk." Walker teased. "I like Zac's idea better." Jessy said heading down the hall. "Walker. Psst." Diana whispered as he followed after Jessy. "What dear?" Walker asked stopping and turning back. "She said she feels like crying all the time. Do you think she's depressed? Should she talk to someone?" Diana shared her concern evident. "She's been through alot. Depressed? I don't think so." Walker repied, shaking his head in disbelief, adding, "I don't know. She's definitely not herself but depressed?" "What else? I mean what else would make her feel like crying all the time. She said it was so hard to smile and wave when she just felt like crying." Diana shared, thinking about what she'd said, adding, "I wonder if it's that time of the month I wish I had written it down. I knew when she was with me. I could just tell." "That would make her feel like crying. You're right we could all tell. No can't be because she's not all clingy to Zac. That went hand in hand." Walker shared. "Duh!" Diana teased smacking the side of his head before continuing, "You pick her up at the airport and she imediately falls asleep in Zac's arms." "Oh yeah that is kind of clingy." Walker chuckled. "I guess we'll just keep and eye on her. I'm telling you know she'll not be going back if she is depressed. They have her three weeks and turn her into a depressed little girl. Not my little girl." Diana grumbled heading down the hall. "No not your little girll." Walker chuckled as she passed. "These are delicious. You girls are getting good. Maybe everyone won't miss me with you two baking for them." Jessy shared waving a cookie at Jessie and Avery. "We knew you'd want some and didn't think you should have to bake them." Jessie replied. "Mommy helped us. So you think they're good?" Avery asked. "As good as mine. Like I said they won't miss me." Jessy repeated getting extremely quiet pushing away her cookies and milk. "Full babe?" Zac asked noticing the sadness on her face. "I guess." Jessy mumbled. "Walker dear did you get the hot tub fixed?" Diana asked. "Hot tub." Jessy moaned. "I know sweetie but ours went on the frit. I told your father you would need it when you got home." Diana shared glaring at her husband. "All fixed and waiting for you sweetie. Want me to turn it on for you? I think mother has your suit here still." Walker shared. "Of course I do." Diana shared making her way to Jessy. "I'd love it. It's been a couple of weeks. Lousy food and no hot tubs. I hope I'm done over there. I don't really care to go back." Jessy grumbled. "I'll have your father look into it sweetie. Zachary I put your suits in the laundry room. The ones you brought to me." Diana shared. "You brought my suit so I could use the hot tub?" Jessy asked looking up at him. "He didn't have a choice. I insisted." Diana shard. "Oh." Jessy repilied quickly looking away. "Let's get you changed while Dad gets it running." Zac suggested taking her by the hand. "Okay. I appreciate it Daddy." Jessy mumbled as Zac led her down the hall to the laundry room. "I'm glad I picked out your suit for me. It'll adjust to the new littlier you." Zac said closing the door behind her. "A string bikini huh?" Jessy teased. "You know me too well." Zac teased back. "I'm sorry." they said in unison finally looking at each other. "I didn't mean it babe. I wouldn't hurt your feelings for anything." Zac apologized smiling at her. "I know Zac. I'm sorry. I'm just a mess. I feel like crying for no reason." Jessy shared tears filling her eyes. "No reason. Babe whats wrong with you? You know you have every reason to feel like crying over nothing. You're PMSing babe. Haven't you been keeping track." Zac shared wrapping her in his arms. "I am. Really. I don't know." Jessy whimpered, adding, "All I know is the number of days before I get to see you again. That's all that matters to me now." "That's good. That is important. How about I keep track of everything else? Why didn't you tell me you felt this way?" Zac replied. "I told you I only know how man days until I see you. Zero." Jessy teased kissing him passionately. "I like Zero." Zac moaned as she kissed him harder and longer. "I missed you so much." Jessy sighed as she pulled her lips from his. "I sort of got that impression." Zac teased wiping the tear making its way down her cheek. "So did you miss me?" Jessy asked as she pulled her top off over her head. 'Maybe." Zac answered his eyes glued to her. "Not sure huh?" Jessy teased unzipping her slacks and sliding them down over her hips, wiggling just right. "I think so." Zac moaned watching her intently. "Think huh?" Jessy teased reaching behind her back, unhooking her bra letting it slowly slip from her body. "Oh yeah." Zac moaned loudly. "Sure?" Jessy whispered slipping her thimbs in the waistband of her thong and slowly pushing it down over her hips then letting it drop to the fllor. "Uh huh." Zac moaned lifting a hand, placing it on her breast then slowly caressing it. "I think so too." Jessy whispered noticing the bulge rising in his jeans as she stepped into him rubbing her bodly slowly against his. "I need you so bad." Zac moaned turning her, pinning her against the wall. "I need you too Zac." Jessy whispered kissing him desperatly as his hands made their way all over her body. "Jessy." Zac moaned as she thrust her hip against the growing bulge. "Let me Zac." Jessy whispered lowering her hands to the waist of his jeans. "Don't babe. I wouldn't be able to stop. One of us has to stay clothed or I won't be able to keep my promise." Zac moaned pinning her hands behind her back, kissing her passionately before lowering his lip to suckle her breast before dropping to his knees kissing his way down her body. "Please Zac." Jessy moaned as her body yearned for him. "Nope not gonna get it now." Zac teased before blowing in her belly button. "You're terrible." Jessy squealed before laughing uncontrollably. "So laugh at me." Zac teased rising and kissing her sweetly. "I'd never survive this without you. You make me laugh when I want to cry." Jessy choked out between laughs. "That's enough laughing." Zac teased making his way to the shelf, pulling out her suit before returning and putting it on her. "Don't like the naked model?" Jessy teased as he tied her top lifting it into place. "Shut up." Zac grumbled fumbling with the bottoms, adding, "Hold still." "Take me I'm yours." Jessy teased raising her hands and standing still. "Shut up about it. You aign't getting nothing yet." Zac teased back pulling her bottoms up quickly, adding, "Except a wedgie." "Ohhh. You love me so. Now you can pick it." Jessy teased. "No way." Zac declared as he pulled her bottoms back down. "Yeah like no way." Jessy whispered slowly moving closer and closer, finally pressing her lips to his, moaning, "i love you." "I love you to babe." Zac said pulling his lips away, lightly pecking her cheek, adding, "You go so I can take care of this and get dressed." "You should let me." Jessy whispered searching his eyes for an answer, adding, "But you won't so I'll go." "Hey you ain't going no where like that." Zac declared tossing his shirt at her. "What?" Jessy teased holding his shirt at arms length. "Cover it up." Zac insisted. "I guess." Jessy teased.slowly slipping his shirt down over her body as she moved suggestively. "You're bad." Zac moaned, adding, "i love you bad." "I love you too." Jessy sighed kissing his cheek, adding, "Sorry about that. You should make me clean up after myself. I mean I did cause it." "You ain't getting non so stop asking." Zac insisted turning her towards the door and pushing her out. "Don't forget our towels." Jessy hollered making her way down the hall. "Boy I bet he is sorry." Walker whispered into his wife's ear noticing the smile on her face. "Rightfully so." Diana whispered, turning to Jessy adding, "Adam and Darcy went to your place to see if they could find a suit for her. I have plenty for Adam but nothing to fit Darcy." Diana shared. "Oh. I think Zac put the suits away in the garage Mom. When we were putting up Christmas stuff he needed room in the hall closet for all the boxes the Christmas stuff came in." Jessy shared. "Walker call the house and see if they pick up." Diana suggested. "I'l just two way him. He had his cell phone on." Walker replied, paging Adam and letting him know. "She's right they're not where they belong." Adam replied. "SHe thinks they're in the garage but not sure where. Wait here comes Zac." Walker replied sharing with Zac. "They found them and will meet you in the tub. We're off after your Grandfather. He was so angry to find out you were due home when he normally volunteers. He was going to play hookey to be here but knew you'd get mad. We should be maybe an hour or two so you four behave." Walker shared. "My Grampa. I wondered why he wasn't here." Jessy sighed. "He loves you but knows how you feel about volunteer work. That's how he has been dealing withou you. He volunteers at the mission now." Diana shared. "You just make sure you feed her if she says she is hungry while I'm gone. There is fresh fruit, yogurt, more cookies." Diana insisted wagging a finger at Zac. "She's okay Mom. She's PMSing. And yes I will feed her. She's way too skinny again." Zac replied leaning to kiss his mother's cheek. "I just knew it." Diana insisted, adding, "You eat young lady." "I will Mom. I couldnt even get yogurt over there. Go figure. Chicken, yucky checken. Rice but they put way too much curry in it for me. Thank God I'm home to real food." Jessy sighed waving goodbye as she took Zac's hand and folowed him to the deck. "We're leaving now." Walker shared heading the family out the door.