Disclaimer: I own nothing

Summary: a fluff fic for Valentine's Day

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Her thoughts moved to him, just like they always did when she looked at her daughter. Or when a tall dark stranger walked passed her. Or when a love song played on the radio.

She'd been thinking a lot about him lately. What would have happened if she'd taken him up on his proposal? Of marriage and looking after her and her unborn child. The child of another man. Would she be in this mess had she admitted her feelings earlier? She doubted it. She probably would have a man by her side, a good job and all the love in the world. But what about Kelly? What about her little girl? Would it have all been worth it, to never have known the child who grew in her, who loved her unconditionally and held smiles for none other than her?

Tess knew the answer. She just wasn't sure which she would prefer. Kelly or Evan. If she hadn't been so stubborn and pigheaded, she wouldn't be here in the city, with hardly any friends. Sure, she and her mother got on better, all mistakes of the past lay forgiven but not quite forgotten. They probably never would be.

But her mother's love was no substitute for the life she loved. For the job she loved. For the community she loved. For the man she loved.

Yes, she loved him. It had only taken her two days of living with her mother to realise what she had thrown away.

Two days in Melbourne, and three hundred and fifty odd of regrets. Because each day she regretted more that she had left. Each day she wondered what life would have been like had she married Jonesy rather than Josh.

Three hundred and fifty two days of wishing she wasn't so stubborn. That she could just pick up the phone and call him.

Or better, pack her bags and go home. But she couldn't. initially it was because she wanted to give her mother a chance. Then because Kelly was too young, but after that excuse died, the only thing stopping her was her stubborn pig-headed nature. And the fact he might have moved on.

Did he still love her? Or had he found another. Had he found someone who would love him back, and actually show it this time. Her mother assured her that she had seen in his eyes a love that would not die easily. But not to keep him waiting.

The doorbell rang, and like each time it did, Tess thought that it would be him, waiting on the doorstep, to take her home. Only now it would be her and Kelly. A child he had loved as much as he love her.

It turned out not to be him, like it always was.

After Tess had bought two packets of Guide Girl Cookies, she closed the door and the phone rang.

"Hello, this is Tess." There was silence on the other end, and Tess' police instincts cut in. "Hello?"

The first few bars of a song down the phone.

* No New Year's Day to celebrate no chocolate covered candy

heart to give away

No first of spring no song to sing

In fact It's just another ordinary day

No April rain no flowers bloom

no wedding Saturday within the month of June

But what it is is something true

make up of these three words

that I must say to you*

by this stage, Tess was humming along, not quite knowing what the song was, but she had heard it before. She was oddly undisturbed by this gesture.

* I just called to say I love you

I just called to say how much I care

I just called to say I love you

And I mean it from the bottom of my heart*

"Evan? Is that you?" She had no doubt who it was. But there was no response, and the song continued:

*No summer's high no warm July

No harvest moon to light one

tender August night

No autumn breeze no falling leaves

Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies

No Libra sun no Halloween

No giving thanks to

all the Christmas joy you bring

But what it is Though old to new

To fill your heart like no

three words could ever do*

She knew it was him. He knew she loved singing and thought that love songs were a romantic gesture. Plus he must have seen the Stevie Wonder album in her collection at some stage.

*I just called to say I love you

I just called to say how much I care

I just called to say I love you

And I mean it from the bottom of my heart I just called to say I love you

I just called to say how much I care

I just called to say I love you

And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

of my heart of my heart*

And then nothing! He hung up. But there was no longer any doubt in her mind. He loved her still. And she wasn't going to let him get away this time. No chance in hell!

Tess turned towards her sleeping daughter's room, and began to pack.

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Happy Valentine's Day everyone.