Hello again, I was in a rush to publish last night and when I re-read my story in the morning there were quite a few errors in it, so I have taken it down and fixed them. I know I said I wasn't going to write again, but this story came into my head and I fortunately had the time to write it. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea and I forewarn you if you've not read it yet there's angst by the bucketful in this first chapter. I want to apologize in advance because I'm going to break your hearts first. It took me a while to write the break-up because I just didn't want to magine it, it will get better I promise you so please stick with it. There are more chapters to come and hopefully they won't be too far behind. Please read and review, it really helps to know someone is reading your stories, constructive critism is always welcomed.
'To Let You in Again'
Eric had awoken that morning with more of a sense of dread than usual, he knew exactly why. It wasn't just a mere matter of him missing Calleigh, although he did desperately. Today was the day of Calleigh and Aidan's rehearsal dinner, in just over a day's time she would be married and therefore officially out of Eric's life and his reach. Calleigh had met Aidan, just a little over six months ago and no one was more surprised than Eric when he'd found out they were engaged. It had all happened so quickly.
The drive to work that morning was a slow one, the sun trying in vain to permeate the grey clouds that had decided to descend upon Miami that morning.
It had been fifteen months since she'd walked out of his life, since she'd broken off their relationship that had been eight years in the making in a matter of just a few minutes. Between work, Eric's lies, Jesse's death and a couple of brushes with death it had all gotten too complicated for Calleigh and despite Eric's attempts to reason with her she was insistent that their relationship be strictly a working relationship. He had been completely blind-sided by Calleigh's decision, they had been attempting to work through their problems and Eric was optimistic he could regain her trust; it would work out between them and that their love could conquer anything and everything.
Eric half awake half asleep, lazily turned over in bed wanting to pull Calleigh in close and snuggle up to her, when he turned however all he discovered was an empty space and cold sheets. Disappointed, but not distraught he decided to get up and seek her out. She'd probably had gone on one of her early morning runs, wanting to get her cardio in before spending the day with him he thought as he glanced over to the alarm clock beside the bed. It was 7.45am, not late enough for a lie in, but late by his standard considering he was a CSI and any other working day, but today, he'd be up at 6am. Today however was different, they'd manage to work out their schedules so they both got the same day off, they'd decided last night that they would spend quality time together away from the hectic nature of the lab. They'd maybe spend their day at the pier and beach or maybe at the park. Eric began to mentally plan out the day in his head, they'd have a picnic that he'd pack complete with strawberries and champagne. Eric would set it all up before hand as Calleigh waited impatiently, at his insistence in the car, whilst he prepared her surprise. He'd maybe even blindfold her so she couldn't peek at what he was doing. He could imagine the cute way her nose would wrinkle when she laughed as he placed the silky blindfold over her eyes and tie it up; she'd insist he was being silly of course. He'd then carefully lead her by the hand from the car down the path to their favourite spot, he could picture her beautiful smile and look of surprise as he revealed his surprise picnic lunch he had made for them. He'd even have a small vase of her favourite flowers and candles in case they decided to stay late. That was for later though; first he'd have to find her. Pushing the sheets aside he climbed out of bed, the bed they had so tenderly made love in last night for the first time in ages. It had felt good and it had felt right, the whole evening did, they'd talked for hours over dinner Calleigh had made them, before settling on the couch to talk some more sharing kisses as well as thoughts. Calleigh snuggled into Eric's lap and her head rested on his chest. She was totally relaxed in his arms as she gently thumbed the fabric of his shirt. They had re-connected and Eric felt that he was finally gaining Calleigh's trust back after all the recent upheaval in their lives. This thought cemented when she took him by the hand and led him into her bedroom.
He eagerly descended the plush carpeted stairs of Calleigh's home hoping to find her in the kitchen, she was always absolutely ravenous whenever she came back from a run and if that's where she'd been he'd knew she'd been in the kitchen fixing up either French toast or pancakes right now, something substantial.
"Cal...Calleigh" he called out casually, passing through the lounge into the kitchen.
As he walked through the kitchen door he realised she wasn't there; the kitchen was as neat and tidy as it had been left by them the night before. No coffee was brewing and there were definitely no pancakes to be seen.
"Calleigh?" Eric said, he was now puzzled as to where she had got to, he went over to the patio doors to look out into her yard. It was possible she'd gone for a swim in her pool before breakfast; he had known her to do this. But the water was still and there was no Calleigh to be seen. Eric decided to make a start on breakfast for them; he'd figured she'd be back soon enough. He retrieved some milk and an egg out of the fridge and some sugar and flour out of the cupboard and began to make up some pancake batter, deciding he could always fry some for Calleigh when she came home. He'd make them just the way she liked decorating them with icing sugar and a few berries. He was beginning to beat in the egg and add some milk when he heard the front door open and then close. Calleigh had returned from her run, she could hear him pottering in the kitchen and made her way through the lounge into the kitchen to see what was going on.
"Morning babe, how was your run?" Eric asked noticing her workout clothes.
"Oh ok, I guess" Calleigh replied meandering her way around the kitchen island Eric was preparing the pancakes on to get to the fridge and retrieve a bottle of water. She pressed it to her lips and took a few sips.
"Just ok? Well you just wait because I'm going to make sure our day is a great one Cal, starting with your favourite pancakes" Eric placed the bowl he was whisking down and wiped his flour covered hands on the apron he was wearing. He turned and took a couple of steps towards Calleigh, he found a wisp of blonde locks that had found its way out of the ponytail she'd placed her hair in and deftly tucked it behind her ear. As he went to press a kiss to her lips she turned away slightly, forcing him to kiss her cheek instead.
"Calleigh, what's wrong? Talk to me" Eric taken aback by her actions sensed something was up.
Calleigh turned her head back to look at him.
"We need to talk, Eric please come sit down at the table" she asked, her voice was cold and void of any emotion.
"Calleigh, I don't want to sit down, please just tell me what's going on"
Calleigh took a breath and tentatively drummed her fingers up and down the water bottle she was clutching onto. She bit the centre of her lip as she did so, so slightly that it was imperceptible to anyone but herself.
"Eric we can't be together anymore" there it was the cold hard statement that hit him sharply on the head, the statement he'd been working so hard to avoid these last few weeks.
"What...?" was all Eric could muster as a reply; he shook his head in doubt, what had happened to make her change her mind.
"We can't be in a relationship; it's just not going to work out. We can't be together, live together and work together. It's just not right".
"Calleigh, are you serious? I'm in love with you and you're in love with me, you told me, heck you even showed me last night! Does none of that matter to you?" Eric threw his hands up in the air in complete disbelief the tone of his voice escalating "Why are you doing this to us Cal?"
"Eric, I'm sorry but we can't be together, last night was a mistake. I shouldn't have let it happen; I was silly to think we could work through this" She took another deep breathe to stable herself noticing the tone of her voice was rising. "I'm going to go shower and then I'm heading out to see Alexx for the day. If you can be gone by the time I get back I'd appreciate it".
Calleigh left the room, going upstairs to shower, Eric wanted to call out to her to reason with her and make her see sense, but it was too late. He could tell from her wintry manner that her walls had gone up again and no amount of words were going to smash through them anytime soon. He grabbed the bowl of pancake mix and forcefully thrust it into the sink, he watched as it shattered into a thousand pieces.
Eric pulled into the parking garage of Miami Dade Police Department, parking his car skilfully in his normal space. He was relieved today he wouldn't have to see Calleigh, she was now on two weeks leave for her wedding and subsequent honeymoon. Their relationship had been anything but straightforward since the break up; all communication was on a strict work only policy and when that failed they talked about the weather or an awkward silence would descend, neither of them willing to bring up the big white elephant in the room. Gradually they began to work less and less with each other until an unspoken policy of all together avoidance was what they both carried out. It hadn't however gone unnoticed by the team, even though Calleigh and Eric were trying to be professional about it, all and all it was anything but. The team felt splintered and Natalia and Ryan had talked profusely of this feeling that they had to walk on eggshells around Eric and Calleigh just to keep the peace. They were hoping that now Calleigh was getting married it would settle everything down and they'd be an understanding between the two.
As Eric stepped out of his car, he saw Natalia approach him from across the garage.
"Hey Eric" Natalia greeted him.
"Hi Natalia, how are you?" he asked.
"I'm good thanks" she replied nodding her head "What about you?"
"Yeah well you know I'm ok. Have been working too hard lately like all of us"
"Are you going to the rehearsal dinner? I'm sure Calleigh would appreciate it"
"I thought about it, but I'm not going to go. I was invited, however I think it would be too awkward for the both of us. I wouldn't want to ruin her night" he replied turning to lock his car; he was deliberately trying to avoid her questions, he could've easily have locked it remotely. Taking the key from the lock he turned and slipped his car key into his pocket.
"Oh ok then..." Natalia took a small step forward and turned her head up to catch his eyes. "Look Eric I don't want to intrude, but I think if you went it might help you get past all this, it would be a good gesture to make and you two could be on friendly terms again. It's been awkward as hell at work lately, we've all noticed how you and Calleigh avoid going to crime scenes together and when you do you ignore each other as much as possible".
"Look Nat, I appreciate your logic, but I honestly think it would be the last thing Calleigh would want, she's made it pretty clear to me where I stand!"
"Eric I just think it would help you two be friends again if you did, I'm sorry to intrude, I'll see you inside, ok?" she began to walk away.
"Ok..."realising she was about to walk away in defeat he called out "Wait, look I'm sorry Natalia I appreciate that you care about Calleigh and I, it's just I'm not dealing well with the Aidan situation. I never thought she'd move on this fast and it's put me through the wringer a bit" Eric said putting one of his hands to his forehead.
"That's ok Eric, you know if you want to talk about it come find me at lunch and we'll go to the cafe down the street or something so we can talk properly away from the lab. I'm a good listener".
"Thanks Natalia, I promise I'll find you if I do".
She gave him a brief sympathetic smile acknowledging his reply and with that Natalia walked out of the garage and off into work, leaving Eric alone with his thoughts again.
Taking a moment to gather himself together, he began to wonder about Calleigh and Aidan, why was she marrying him so fast? Eric always thought he'd known Calleigh well, they'd been best friends for years before they were together and they'd not come close to marriage. Yes they had tentatively discussed the future, but that's what it was the future. It seemed strange to him that she'd be marrying somebody she'd known for a matter of months. He couldn't help but wish that he had been the one to propose and that she was going to be his wife shortly. He just hoped she was doing this to be happy and for all the right reasons and not doing it because she was feeling all the things Eric was feeling lately; lonely, sad and full of regret.