(A/N: I am so sorry that it took a long time for the update. Summer was busy travelling and working. Now, back to school and back to writing. I promise to update regularly from now on.)

It did not take 5 seconds for the door to open which delighted Eric because it meant Calleigh was waiting for him and probably was eager to see him too.

"Hey!" Calleigh greeted Eric with an obvious excitement in her voice and facial expression.

"Hi" Eric followed Calleigh to the kitchen. "I'm sorry that I came late. It was hard to leave and not get a lot of heat from the guys."

"No, that's alright. I was hoping you'd drop by." Calleigh said with a playful smile as she poured hot water on the tea pot. Eric was watching her fill the cups & gave one to him.

"So where are the kids? Are they asleep already?"

"Yup, we were watching TV after dinner and Patty fell asleep on my lap and Austin was dozing off so I told him to go to his room. I tucked him in after I brought Patty to her bed. Oh Eric, they are such good kids inspite of everything. Austin is such a sweet kid and Patty is just so adorable. And oh, you know what they 've decided to call me? Mommy C. "

Eric was just so amused watching Calleigh talk about the kids…her kids. He could tell how happy she was and that made him feel good. It's so wonderful to see Calleigh that way. He was just hoping that he could be a part of the happiness that she is experiencing right now.

"You are really loving being a Mom ha? I am so happy for you Cal. I know in my heart that you will make a great Mom."

Calleigh gave him a warm smile and place her tiny hands into his. She missed the sight of their hands together – dark & light. For a while they just stayed that way staring at their hands and simultaneously they looked up and lovingly gazed at each other's eyes.

Finally Calleigh said," Thank you Eric. Now I am sure how much I mean to you."

"As I said before Cal, you are everything to me, your dreams, your happiness are mine too. I don't care how much I'll wait to earn back your trust. I am a very patient man when it comes to you."

"Eric, you remember what you asked me when I was treating your cut in the locker room…when you said that you would want to help me with the kids? Ummm, I have been thinking about that."

"And?" Eric was feeling his excitement growing on what Calleigh was about to tell him.

" You know what I said about us being unstable? Well, today I realized that that is not entirely true. Over the years, even back then when we were just best friends , you always had my back. I've trusted you with every fiber of my being . Even though we had a lot of challenges in our relationship – you know lying to me about helping your Father, keeping from me about wearing a wire and the whole SA investigation … I've realized you did it to protect me. I was just too stubborn to see it your way. I was just too scared to get hurt again and I know that it would hurt more with you."

Eric squeezed Calleigh's hand a little more and inched closer to her. He could not resist it anymore so he tenderly kissed Calleigh on her forehead.

Calleigh continued on, "Eric, I think we were dragging our feet – well, more my feet for far too long now. I want you back in my life, I want the way things were. I want to try this again with you. I want to take care of these kids with you."

Eric could not contain his happiness anymore upon hearing Calleigh's words. He lowered down his lips to meet Calleigh's. The kiss was tender and sweet but full of pent up emotions. When they broke apart they were breathless and smiling.

"I missed that." Calleigh coyly said.

"I missed that too Babe, but if you want to take your time, I'd understand."

Calleigh didn't answer him but instead she hugged Eric tighter. With her head rested on his chest, she closed her eyes, loving the feeling to be back in Eric's arms. They stayed like that for a while, just savoring the moment that finally they are officially back together again.

"Um, Babe? Do you mind if I'll just take at a peek at the kids sleeping before I leave?" Eric asked.

Calleigh gave him a warm smile, took his hands and lead the way to kids' rooms.

Austin was so adorably asleep with his very light snoring and Patty looked so cute hugging her ever inseparable Mr. Rabbit.

"They look happy Cal. I would love to take care of them with you. I know you will make a great Mom."

"And I know you will make a great Dad." Calleigh countered.

They quietly left Patty's room and while they were on the hallway, Calleigh stopped and faced Eric. She placed her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Can you please stay tonight?" Calleigh asked him.

"Are you sure it's what you want Cal?

Eric just wanted to make sure. God knows how long he had imagined to be in Calleigh's bed again but he did not want to ruin anything by being rash about this.

"Eric, I don't want to waste time anymore. Two years is a long time and I know I have myself to blame for that. I miss you terribly Eric and yes I am sure of this as I'm standing here."

She tugged Eric's hand as they made their way to her room.

They slowly made love like they had all the time in the world, exploring the all too familiar curves and sensitive areas of each other's body . Breathless with hungry kisses, aroused with every touch,releasing moans of pleasure with every thrust- all those wasted time of being apart culminated in one explosive moment of unrestrained passion. Basking in the afterglow, they just lay in bed, Calleigh's head on Eric's chest –his hand combing thorugh her hair, her hand drawing circles on his abdomen.

"I miss hearing your heart beat." Calleigh softly said.

"And I miss touching your hair." Eric replied.

"Umm, so I wanna know exactly how you sweet talked the adoption supervisor to choose me?" Calleigh teasingly asked Eric.

"They don't need sweet talking Cal. They already know what an amazing human being you are and the kids are lucky to have you as their mother." Eric said.

"Well, I'm just curious when Ellen said how I have some quality people in my life. She gave me that meaningful smile when she said that and I know you said a lot more."

"Do you really wanna know what I told them?"

"Yes, Eric, I want to hear the exact words."

"Hmm, let me see- I told them that how blessed the kids will be to have you as their Mommy. That you are the most caring person I have ever known and that you will give your life to protect them. And that.."

"And that what?"

"And that…" Eric looked down and held Calleigh's face, looked straight in to her eyes as he continued. "you are not alone in this. That I will be right by your side and we will be raising the kid's together."

"Oh Eric. I know that Austin and Patty will love you. You are great with you."

"I am just so happy to be able to help you raise the kids Cal. As I said, whatever makes you happy makes me happy."

They were silent for awhile. Eric was slowly drifting off to sleep when he heard Calleigh.

Calleigh closed her eyes, took a deep breath and finally said, "I love you."

She could feel him stiffen a bit upon hearing those three words. He has waited so long for her to say it to him and now that she has finally said it he was dumbfounded.

"Babe, did you hear what I said?" Calleigh asked with concern as she lifted her head from Eric's chest to look at him.

Eric finally smiled at her and said. "I've imagined the day that you'd say that to me and now that I finally heard it - I am just speechless. I love you too babe but you know that already."

He pulled her head towards him and they kissed again and again.