Chapter 3
After the wedding, Michael didn't know what to expect going forward. He got a glimpse of things with his mother and Samuel, a marriage that seemed more like a soft, comfortable blanket wrapped around the two. With Sam and Yvette, there was always something hot bubbling underneath the proper front they put up for those around them. He and Sam talked about that shortly before his wedding, so Michael knew that it was possible for him and Fiona to have pretty much the same relationship they had before. So far, it was proving true, and in a way it was even better, because they knew they were bonded for life and nothing could tear them apart.
That was the one good thing that came out of Madelyn's marriage to Frank. Michael learned that you always stay with your partner, no matter how things around you may fall apart. She never left, never asked for a divorce, although he suspected she wanted to. She toughed it out and made Michael a stronger person by her example. She made him who he was today.
He sighed as he cradled a sleeping Fiona in his arms. Into her hair, he whispered, "If we do this, have kids, I hope that we can be a good influence on our child...children, if it comes to that. I'm scared. I don't want to be my dad."
Michael didn't have long to wait for the real test to begin. He came home a few weeks later after a long, boring stakeout in the car with Sam. He was hot and tired, and he just wanted to jump in the shower and go to bed. It was late, and he thought he would find Fiona in bed, but when he unlocked the door and entered, he found her still up, with the lamp over the bar as the only light in the loft.
"Hi, sweetie," Fiona greeted him in a sexy lingerie set that left little to the imagination.
Michael grinned as he closed the door, threw his keys on the workbench, and came into the room. After a long kiss, he said, "I really need to get into the shower. Sam and I were on the stakeout from hell today, and we got nothing to show for it."
"Your suspect didn't show?"
"No. So now I'm hot and sweaty. I feel like I melted off ten pounds. It didn't help that the snacks Sam brought were actually...healthy. No more sausage and chips. He's on a new kick to get in even better shape for building his house."
"You can't fault him for that." Fiona rubbed his back and her hands came away damp as she made a face, but she quickly changed to a seductive smile. "I think we need to get you in there right now and cleaned up." She paused. "And then we can get dirty again."
Afterwards, Michael lay in the dark and listened to her breathing. He knew she was awake, and that she had something on her mind. "Fi, what is it?"
"I've been thinking about Sam and how he's going to take a few months off to work on his house. His friend Jack is helping him, and Tom is going to work on it too. But you, Michael, haven't said one word about it. Why is that?"
"I don't know. I offered to help. But how much time can I commit? What if a job comes up?"
"We're not hurting for money, Michael. Maybe you owe it to yourself, and your future clients, to take a sabbatical. Like Sam. Put your mind on something else for awhile, and when you get back into the business of helping people, you'll be fresh." She smiled against his chest. "Besides, you'll still be helping someone...your best friend...your brother."
Michael smiled into her hair. "Fi, how'd you get to be so wise?"
"I have this friend named Yvette. You'd be surprised how much she understands you. She's the one who said that pushing you to stop doing cases for awhile might be a good way to recharge your batteries."
"Ah, she was just trying to recruit me to help on the house."
Fiona propped herself up on one elbow. "Michael, Yvette is a good-hearted woman. She sees things in people, things they need. She wasn't just saying that to get you to work with Sam. She's not that devious, and you know it."
"I'm sorry, Fi. Maybe it is time to take a break. I've been getting too cynical for my own good."
"Yes, you have." She laid a hand on his chest and ran it over the expanse. "And if we're going to be parents, I don't want our son or daughter to have a negative father."
"Fi, what are you saying?" Michael sat up and stared at her.
She smiled, pulled something out from under her pillow, and handed it to him.
He stared down at the clear plastic box containing a pair of white booties. "Fi, what is this?"
Her smile widened as she took him into her arms and kissed his cheek. "You better hang on and get ready for the ride of your life...Daddy."
