The rest of their visit to Mississippi went much better than the first day. Tabitha and Lance sat down with Ariel and discussed the kidnapping with her. She told them that she was scared that she and Adam would be kidnapped again although Darden and Amber were gone. They assured her that she and Adam were safe and that they would hire new security once they moved into their new house in Mississippi. Tabitha and Lance had already decided that Ariel needed to see a child psychologist to help her with the traumatic event and they hoped that she would begin speaking in her normal voice again. They knew that she could do it because she would do it sometimes, but she looked like she was scared to talk too loudly. Tabitha and Lance also had a talk with each other about the kidnapping and the fears they had of it happening again. They decided that they didn't want to lose any more time together so they were married that very weekend at Lance's house. The other guys and their girlfriends flew in for the occasion. Tabitha was glad to see that Justin had been able to pick up the pieces after Amber died and was dating someone new. His new girlfriend was sweet and Tabitha could tell that she made Justin happy.

After the wedding, they left Ariel and Adam with their grandparents and flew to Hawaii for a weeklong honeymoon. Lance tried to convince Tabitha that they needed a longer honeymoon, but she didn't want to leave the children for longer than a week. She trusted his parents, but she still couldn't shake her fears for her children's safety. Lance could sense her unease throughout their entire honeymoon and he asked her about it one night while they were lying on the beach looking at the stars.

"Honey, are you OK ?"

"I'm great, why do you ask ?" Tabitha questioned as she turned her gaze from the sky to Lance's face.

"You seem really apprehensive the past few days, that's all."

"I'm sorry. I know that I'm supposed to be having the time of my life, but I can't help but worry about the kids."

"I understand. I worry about them too, but I know that they're safe with my parents. Don't you ?"

"I do, but there's a little voice in the back of my mind that questions their safety. I try not to listen to it, but it's pretty loud sometimes," Tabitha confessed.

"If you're really that worried, we can go back home anytime you want," Lance offered.

"That's really sweet, but I'll be fine. Just being here with you makes me feel safe. I just hope the kids feel as safe as I do."

"I'm sure that they do. I'm glad that you feel safe with me. I was afraid that would never happen again," Lance replied as he kissed her neck.

"Me too," Tabitha murmured. All thoughts and worries were forgotten as they kissed tenderly on the sand. After a while, they left the beach and went back to their room.

"Mama," Adam cried as he tottered across the Bass's porch and into Tabitha's arms.

"Did you miss me baby ? ," she teased as he squeezed her tightly.

"I missed you too, Mama," Ariel spoke quietly from Tabitha's side. She was holding onto Lance's hand and reaching for her mother.

"I missed you more than you can imagine," Tabitha replied as she hugged Ariel close.

"Please don't leave me again," Ariel cried as Lance picked her up.

"We won't. We're here to stay. How about us moving into our new house tomorrow ?" Lance suggested with a smile.

Ariel's tears dried up as she grinned the first genuine smile Tabitha and Lance had seen for weeks.

"Were you guys good while we were gone ?" Tabitha asked as she sat down on the steps and pulled Adam onto her lap.

"They were angels, of course," Diane answered. "They didn't even cry that much after you left, except for one night when Ariel had a nightmare."

"Did she calm down pretty quickly or did it take a while ?" Tabitha asked with concern.

"She calmed down as soon as I turned her light on. I slept with her for the rest of the night just so she wouldn't get scared again. I think she's doing really well. She's talked a little bit while you were gone and she has been a great help in taking care of her brother."

"She's always done that. I'm so glad she's doing better. I was so worried about both of them while we were gone."

"There wasn't any need to worry. We have good security here and I don't think there's any threat to their safety any more," Diane reassured her.

"I know, but you know how a mother worries anyway."

"All too well."

"Well, since you two "mothers" are going to talk about your children, I'll take Ariel and Adam up to bed," Lance volunteered.

"Thanks honey," Tabitha rewarded him with a kiss. She told the kids goodnight and watched as the three of them went inside.

"Are you guys really going to move into your new house so soon ?" Diane queried.

"Yeah, I want the kids to get settled in before I start my new job in two weeks. I'm so glad that Stacey has offered to watch them for me on the days that I work."

"I knew you would be. They've really gotten attached to her in the last week and she's equally attached to them. Of course, Caron and Cordell love their younger cousins. I think they've been here more lately than they've been at their own house.

"They are such sweet kids and so well-mannered. I'm happy that they all get along well despite the five-year age difference between the twins and Ariel."

"Did you hear that Stacey is pregnant again ?"

"Really ? Omigosh, that is so great !"

"Are you and Lance planning to have any more kids soon ?" Diane asked with a sly smile.

"I don't know. I think we're going to wait a couple more years so I can get settled in my career. I've never had a chance to get settled in with all the moving I've done in the last few years."

"That sounds great."

Tabitha sighed happily. After all the chaos in her life, she never would have guessed how great her life would end up being. Ariel was finally talking again and had become much more outgoing, Adam was a rambunctious three-year-old that flirted with every female he saw, and her marriage to Lance seemed to be made in heaven. All of the fears that she'd had in the beginning had melted away and she was more in love every day. Their new house was a mile away from Lance's parents and ten miles from Lance's sister. Tabitha's job was going great and she was able to have two days off a week to spend with her kids. Lance was busy managing a new artist and was currently starring in a new film produced by his company. Stacey had given birth to a little boy named Connor eight months ago and he was keeping her busy along with Caron and Cordell. Of course, the event that topped Tabitha's list of happiness was the birth of her and Lance's daughter, Shechanah Ann, three weeks ago. Shechanah looked more like Tabitha than either one of her other kids, but she had Lance's brilliant green eyes.

Tabitha looked up from rocking her daughter as the door opened. Lance stood there with a grin on his face.

"What ?" Tabitha asked curiously.

"Nothing. I'm just enjoying the view," he replied, still grinning from ear to ear. He walked over and kissed Shechanah on the forehead and then kissed Tabitha on the lips before leaving the room.

"Your dad is a nut," Tabitha commented to Shechanah," but I wouldn't trade him for anyone else in the world." She continued to rock Shechanah happily until the two of them fell asleep.