Ric felt as if he were floating.
Or maybe he was soaring.
Here he was in the throes of passion with his wife, his lover, his best friend. He was overcome with feelings of love and lust. It had been a while; he had almost forgotten what it was like to be with her.
It was simply splendid.
Spent, Ric rolled over, cuddling Alexis in his arms. He whispered in her ear.
"Tell me again, why has it been so long since we made love?"
Alexis glared at Ric.
"Oh, yeah, that's right," said Ric. "Because I've been a dumbass."
Matchsticks
"I found two matchsticks in the plane's first aid kit," Ric said as he lit a small fire on the cave floor.
"That's not enough to keep us warm."
"Fine, then get closer."
"I don't think so! I divorced you a year ago. I just hope the girls are all right back home."
"I'm sure they're fine, but they're going to need their mother...unfrozen. Come closer."
Alexis gets closer, reluctantly. Ric kisses her, passionately. Alexis pushes him away, abruptly.
"I loathe you."
"I love you, too."
"What? I said 'I loathe you.' "
"I heard you…and I still love you."
Not Here
They were the words Alexis did not want to hear.
"Alexis, there's something wrong with the baby. The heart rate is precariously low. I think the cord is wrapped around her neck. We need to get you to the OR immediately for an emergency c-section."
Alexis sprang upright from Dr. Meadows' exam table.
"No, no, we can't! Ric isn't here!"
Alexis woke with a start, bolting upright in her bed. Her hands instinctively grasped at her swollen belly.
The baby – she was safe.
Alexis turned over to face the other side of the bed.
Then she remembered.
Ric isn't here.
Losing the Race
Ric awoke with a start...and a massive hangover. He squinted at the clock on the nightstand. Damn, 6:30. He had been there all night.
Slowly Ric rose from the bed, collecting his clothes from the floor, his cellphone from the dresser. Damn, it's off. He shot a disgusted look back at her.
One hand fumbled with his zipper, one hand fumbled with the phone. Damn, eleven messages. He bolted out the door.
Ric raced down the hospital corridor, barging into room 430.
"Where is she?"
Before Alexis could answer, Ric's attention diverted to his beautiful new baby girl…in Jax's arms.