Once again thank you for all of your reviews, story adds and PM's. I appreciate every one.

I did intend finishing this story here, but it went on a little longer once I'd put everything in it that I wanted. So the final chapter will be ready next week some time.

As always, huge thanks to Purdys Pal and DaisyDay for being my sounding board, and to Kelly for her constant support.

5

Fiona turned in her sleep, taking most of the covers with her, exposing Michael's naked body. He looked over at her cocooned in the nice warm sheets and smiled sleepily. For someone so tiny she took up a lot of their king sized bed. Shifting nearer, he held her close to him, managing to partly cover his rear with the edge of the sheet that she'd neglected to wrap around herself.

Leaning over, Michael placed a soft kiss onto her forehead and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly within the circle of his arms. He gazed at her for a long time, content to watch her sleep. Since she had told him about their child, he was overcome with a burning desire to protect her. His job, the burn notice, and the truth he had been seeking for so long, they all paled in comparison to her.

When she shifted again to roll out of his arms, Michael moved away from her slowly to climb out of bed. Pulling on his jeans he turned back to glance at her sleeping form. She was captivating, even in slumber. Moving towards her he bent down to press a gentle kiss to her cheek, then stood back to regard her beautiful face. So many feelings were rampaging inside him right at this moment that sometimes he didn't know where she ended and he began. He smiled down at her sleeping form before leaving their bed and headed towards the balcony to sit down in one of the chairs.

The sun was just starting to come up and the birds were chirping in the trees. For the first time since he had returned to Miami, he actually felt like he was right where he was supposed to be. It wasn't just the fact that he had finally allowed himself to think that the family dream was possible. It was more than that. Now he wanted it all, the wife, the kids, the white picket fence, the job…everything.

His thoughts were interrupted some time later when Fiona came up behind him to wrap her arms around his shoulders and placed a kiss on his temple.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" She asked softly as she moved around the chair to position herself on his lap and slip her arms around his torso. She leaned into him and hooked her thumbs into the waistband of his unbuttoned jeans, feeling the heat of his skin against her fingers. When his arms came up and around her shoulders, pulling her tight to his body, she sighed contentedly as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"I'm just thinking things over, that's all," he told her with a smile as he placed a soft kiss onto her cheek.

Sitting up slightly so that she could look into his eyes, she leaned forward to press a tender kiss to his lips before fixing him with a steady gaze.

"You know I'll support any decision you make, right?"

"Fi…"

"No," she sighed. "Let me say this, okay…" Lifting one of her hands she traced the scar on his face with her fingers before drawing back again to gaze into his eyes. "If your job is the thing you need to focus on right now, then I'll stand by you, okay…I may not like it, but I want you to do whatever makes you happy."

Michael's eyes flared with emotion when he saw how much she meant those words, and for a moment, he was totally speechless.

"I want you," he told her sincerely, his voice no more than a whisper as he manoeuvred her around so that she straddled his thighs, facing him. "You make me happy."

She leaned her forehead against his and smiled down at him with a watery gaze. "You make me happy too,"

"It's always been you Fi," he told her as he lifted his hands up to frame her face. "I do love you, I always have."

The smile that graced her face almost shattered his heart; opening him up to every emotion he had ever felt before..

"Michael" she told him tenderly, placing a kiss onto his forehead, "I'll never get tired of hearing you telling me that."

"I'd tell you every day if it means I can keep you with me," he told her with a coy smile. "Just don't tell anyone I said that, okay?"

"You know I wouldn't," she told him, her voice softening as her lips trailed across his cheek to stop a breath away from his mouth, hovering above him enticingly.

"You tell me every time you look at me. I left Ireland and my family to be with you," her lips touched his in a delicate kiss before moving away again to gaze into his eyes. "I would do it all over again."

"Fi," he whispered against her lips as she caught him again, sealing eternity into their kiss.

Fiona's heart thumped wildly in her chest, his kiss igniting her from the inside out. Dipping her head to press her lips to his, she sank into his body as all rational thoughts scattered into the cool breeze encircling their bodies.

Michael groaned into her mouth desperate to deepen their kiss, needing to feel more of her. She willingly complied, opening her mouth above his, plunging her tongue into his warm depths making him groan with desire.

Fiona's heart was racing wildly. She could feel his arousal beneath her body, flaring her own passion as she started to pull backwards taking his hands and mouth with her, sitting them up so she could wrap her legs behind him to increase their contact.

Michael tore his lips away from hers, gasping for breath. His eyes swam in passion, wanting more than anything to make love to her.

"Fi…" he gasped when her fingers raked over his bare chest and she ground against him.

Leaning closer to him, she started to place tiny kisses over his forehead, knowing that he couldn't resist her quiet seduction. Inclining her head slightly, she moved to accommodate him so he could trail hot kisses down her neck. Her whole body seemed to shake as she surrendered to him completely as his hands wandered over her body to find their way beneath the unbuttoned shirt she wore.

"Michael" she gasped, throwing her head backwards as her hands came to his, guiding him over her soft flesh. Her body was on fire with his touch, the cool breeze only helping to flare her growing desire as she abandoned all sense of how they shouldn't be doing this, not here in the open. All protesting thoughts scattered in a thousand different directions, disappearing into the breeze along with any coherent thoughts as she gave in to his body, willingly following him as she moved to guide him into her body.

A soft groan escaped her lips as he moved beneath her, gazing at her with pure love in his eyes.

Muttered groans and whimpered words followed as they moved as one, taking each other to the brink of heaven before slowly being released to fall slowly back down to earth.

Michael leaned into her body as she gasped out his name in release, holding onto her until her shaking began to subside. His heart ached with love for her. Never in his life had a woman driven him to this extreme passionate haze he seemed to be permanently in. Floating back into awareness, he heard her say his name with such love he almost gasped with the intensity of his feelings. Holding her close to him, he delighted in the sweet sensations of her warm half naked body leaning into his, slick and sated.

"Michael," she whispered into his neck, her lips caressing him as she began kissing the soft flesh until her pulse rate began to return to some kind of normality. She loved this man so much that it scared her.

"I know," he told her softly, as he brought her head up to his so he could see her eyes. "I know…"

Neither could seem to draw away, their bodies still reacting to each other even now, needing physical contact.

His hand came up to trail his fingers across her face, loving every inch of her with his touch before his lips followed where his fingers burned, to finally catch her lips again in one of the most loving kisses they had ever shared.

Fiona fell into his kiss with total abandonment, willingly letting him control her senses as he loved her, showing her with his touch that she was his.

A few minutes later they finally untangled themselves from each other, both reluctant to let go and lose precious contact.

"Are you okay?" he asked tenderly, his lips trailing gentle kisses down her cheek.

"Do you really have to ask?" she grinned; moving her arms to loop around his neck as she languishly stretched her body into his. They pressed together again, lingering in their intimate embrace.

"I think we should move back inside," he sighed reluctantly, his mouth groaning into her neck. He tried to will himself away from her warm arms, but he was finding it increasingly difficult.

"Just a little longer," she smiled as she brought her fingers to comb sensuously through his hair. "I want to stay with you."

"You are with me," he smiled as he lifted his head to look into her eyes. The second he saw her he was lost once more in the depth of love in her gaze, filling his heart with so many emotions he didn't think he would ever comprehend how he had become so lucky to have her in his life.

She was just about to answer when they heard the heavy metal gate creak open, scraping along the concrete floor.

"Oh crap," Michael groaned as he hurriedly lifted her off of his lap. "I forgot Sam was coming over."

She beamed a smile at him as he tried to fasten his jeans but his fingers wouldn't seem to work. Stepping closer, her hands danced over the buttons as she lowered her voice into a seductive whisper. "I can do that for you."

Michael gulped heavily and forced himself to step away from her, his body already reacting to her touch. He manoeuvred himself around her, trailing his fingers over her arms as he passed. "I…I'll get the door!"

"Wait!" She stopped him and he turned around to look at her questioningly as she pointed in the general direction of her open shirt. "Can I just button this first?"

Sam banged on the door, yelling out Michael's name before banging again impatiently. Michael's mouth opened and closed, his words sticking in his throat. He was torn between wanting to rip the shirt from her body and going to open the door.

"Go," she grinned at him before she pulled the material closed, holding it together with her fingers. "I'm going for a shower…better let him in before he breaks down the door!"

Michael watched her longingly as she sauntered away before he gathered his composure and made his way to the door.

"What took you so long?" Sam asked with a groan as he pushed past Michael. "It's hotter than hell out here!"

"Uh…I…"

Sam ignored him and walked towards the refrigerator to pull out a beer. Popping off the cap, he took a long swig and swallowed with a satisfied gulp. "That hits the spot."

Michael shook his head and laughed as he moved behind Sam and into the kitchen. Reaching for the kettle he clicked it on and turned back around to lean his bare back against the kitchen counter.

"So," Sam asked curiously, waving his half empty bottle in Michael's direction. "What's going on with your mom and Fiona these days. I don't think I've ever seen them so…clingy."

"Clingy?" Michael asked, casting him with an amused smile. "They're not clingy!"

"Sure they're not," Sam nodded, taking another long swig of beer.

"Look Sam," Michael started as he looked for any signs on Fiona. When he didn't see her he leaned forwards onto the counter top and rested on his elbows. "I didn't have a chance to thank you…you know, for looking out for her and my mom."

"Well you know Fi, she's not the looking after type," Sam told him but nodded anyway. "Anytime Mike."

"I appreciate it, Sam. She told me you helped her go through what was left of her old place." Michael told him as he turned to take two mugs out of the cupboard and reach for the coffee. "And I do know my mom and Fi have been spending a lot of time together."

"In each other's pockets," Sam told him dubiously. "That's never a good thing my friend."

"It is this time," Michael told him quietly as he turned around to face the older man. "My mom has been helping Fiona through something…"

"Really?"

"Yeah…I…she told me something last night that's changed everything. It's made me realise what I put her through."

"And this thing…It's bad?" Sam asked worriedly as he watched the colour drain from Michael's face.

"I…I was going to be a father…" Michael told him reflectively, not noticing his friend's stunned expression. "Back in Ireland… She was pregnant but I left before she could tell me."

"Fiona?" Sam asked, even though he already knew the answer. He could see the well of emotions in the younger man's eyes, something he'd only seen on rare occasions. "Mike, what happened?"

Michael swallowed hard and met his friends eyes, his voice etched in sadness. "She lost the baby…she went through all of it alone, Sam…"

"I'm sorry to hear that Mikey, I really am…And, your mom knows?"

"Yeah…" Michael sighed heavily as he turned back to the kettle to pour boiling water into the coffee mugs.

"So, are you two okay?" Sam asked cautiously. "That's one hell of a bombshell dropped on you when you're just getting your life back."

"We're good," Michael's eyes lit up as he looked over Sam's shoulder to see Fiona coming back, fresh from her shower.

Sam turned to see what had Michael so distracted and instantly felt like a third wheel. The look they gave each other was enough to melt the paint off the walls, and he suddenly felt the atmosphere in the room shift.

"Hi Sam," Fiona's voice echoed through the loft as she came through to the kitchen wearing a short white sundress. She beamed a smile in his direction before walking up to Michael to stand beside him.

"I thought you might need these," her eyes flashed with desire as she handed him a dark blue polo shirt and a pair of his shoes.

"Thanks," he smiled, taking the shirt from her hands to pull it quickly over his head to cover his bare chest.

"Well as much as I like seeing you half naked," she told him, her voice low and sultry, "it's a little distracting." They watched each other with a heated gaze as she handed him one of his shoes and watched him slip it onto his foot before handing him the other one.

"So…uh…are you kids about finished?" Sam asked, his voice caught between sarcasm and embarrassment. "You're kinda making me blush!"

Michael forcefully stepped away from Fiona but not before allowing his fingers to brush over her bare shoulders.

"So, Sam," Fiona turned towards him, casting a teasing smile in his direction. "You're here early. Did you get thrown out again?"

"I'll have you know that I'm a catch missy…" he started, matching her smile before it died on his lips. "But…Yeah…"

"Well, did you give her the card?" She asked sympathetically.

"I did," he sighed, looking down into his empty beer bottle miserably.

"And?" she asked patiently, catching Michael's amused glance as he passed her a fresh bottle of beer from the refrigerator.

"And, nothing. I told her I was sorry for, you know…and then she tells me she needs time to think. What is there to think about!" he said with a heavy sigh, taking the bottle from her and popping the cap.

Michael looked to Fiona with a quizzical glance and she shook her head, indicating that she would fill him in on the details later. Turning back to the miserable man who sat at the kitchen counter, she moved towards him to pat him on the shoulder.

"Sam, Sam, Sam," she sighed. "When are you going to realise that it takes more than a card to say you're sorry for accidently killing a girls pets?"

"It's not like I killed them on purpose!" he moaned. "I didn't mean to drop my electric razor in the tank!"

"Excuse me?" Michael was confused. His gaze swept from Sam to Fiona's, unable to hide the amusement in his eyes. "You were thrown out for killing fish?"

"Not just any fish, Mike," Sam groaned. "Her prized African Tiger Fish."

"So just buy her some more."

"I offered, but apparently Melvyn and Francesca were her babies…" Lifting the bottle to his lips, he took a long gulp of the bitter liquid before placing the bottle back on to the counter top.

"I'm sorry Sam," Michael told him as he tried to hide the amusement from his lips.

"Oh for goodness sake, you two are hopeless," Fiona shook her head and held out her hand to Sam. "Give me your phone."

"What?" he asked, moving his hand over his pocket protectively. "Why?"

"Just give me your phone," she demanded, her voice rising as she tapped her nails on the counter impatiently.

When he handed it over, she scrolled through it before finding the number she wanted and pressed the green button. Turning away from the two bewildered men, she waved a finger between the pair of them. "You two try not to cause any trouble while I sort out Sam's mess…" Then she turned and disappeared out onto the balcony.

"Is it me or has she got more crazy that usual?" Sam asked huffily. "You know, I was only doing what she told me to do…"

Michael held his hands up in mock surrender as he turned away to pick up his mug to hold it up to his lips.

"I'm…I don't think I'll answer that," he inclined his head to Sam, indicating that Fiona had come back in from the balcony and was heading their way.

Fiona strode purposely towards Sam to stop beside him and handed him back his phone. "Breakfast this morning at her place, she's expecting you."

Sam took the phone from her and gazed up at her in complete awe. "How?"

"I told you. Men haven't got a clue when it comes to relationships. Now go, and try not to murder any more of her fish."

"Uh, she doesn't have any," Sam told her a little guiltily as he slid his phone back into his pocket.

"Well when you take her out to buy some more, she will." Fiona glanced towards Michael who was watching them with confusion. He felt like he was watching some kind of parody unfolding right before his eyes.

"Fi, I could kiss you!" Sam grinned as he jumped up from the stool and practically sprinted towards the door.

"Don't make me shoot you!" She told him with a sarcastic smile.

"Catch you two later," he beamed as he left, swinging the door closed behind him.

"Do I want to know?" Michael asked when she came into the kitchen to wrap her arms around him.

"Hmm, nope," she smiled up at him and kissed his chin before drawing away just as quickly to grab hold of his hand, pulling him towards the door. "Come on, your mom's expecting us."

tbc