Chapter Four

December 20

Alex finds her 'boys' in the kitchen, Robby is playing with some cheerios, and Bobby is reading the paper. "I didn't hear the alarm and I didn't hear Robby, I'm sorry."

He pours her a cup of coffee, "There is nothing to be sorry about. I forgot to set the alarm last night and I woke before Robby. Beside you looked so peaceful and beautiful sleeping I didn't want to wake you."

She takes a long sip of coffee, "Flattery will get you everywhere."

He leans over and kisses her cheek. "I have taken off tomorrow through December 26."

"I'm glad, you could use some time off….Bobby you and Ross didn't go at it again?"

"No, we've been working well together."

He sets down the paper and pours another cup of coffee, his cell phone rings. Flipping it open he checks the number. Alex catches the look on his face, as if all the joy of the past few days has been forgotten. "Who is it?" she says sounding concerned. He turns the phone in her direction she reads the name. "Doctor Shimo."

She taps his arm, "Think positively."

He expels a long breathe, "Hello."

"Bobby its Doctor Shimo, how are you?"

"Fine Doctor, how are you?"

"Very well thank you. The reason that I called is that your mother has come down with bronchitis. I have started her on antibiotics this morning. As of an hour ago her temperature has fallen to 99. She is very strong and should overcome this but she did inform me that she was to visit at your home for the holidays, considering her age I think it best that she stays in bed for the week."

"Did she argue with you?"

"No she is too ill to put up much of a fight."

"Can I call today?"

"No, I would wait till tomorrow; she's a little groggy this morning, let her get a little stronger."

"Before I ask her, let me ask you. Would it be alright if we came up on Christmas Eve to visit her?" he looks toward Alex she is watching him intently.

"I think that would be a fine idea she should be ready for visitors by then."

"I'll call her tomorrow."

"Enjoy your holiday Bobby."

"Thank you, and the same to you. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

He closes up the phone and sets it down, picking up his coffee mug to take a sip. "Well," Alex says.

He sets the mug down, "Moms' come down with bronchitis, she won't be able to visit." He takes a sip then shakes his head, "It's cold." He stands and places the mug in the microwave. Thirty seconds later it beeps. "I think, I mean if you want we could go up early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve," he says sheepishly.

"That's fine with me, Bobby. Like I said she deserves an enjoyable Christmas."

Later That Evening

Alex was getting spoiled with Bobby coming home early the last few evenings, tonight the clock chimes six-thirty, no Bobby. She shrugs her shoulders as she finishes her chores.

The door bell rings, Oh no Bobby not more decorations. She opens the door and is pleasantly surprised, "Mom, Laurie what are you guys doing here?" She holds the door for them.

"Mom and I were doing some last minute shopping and we thought we'd stop by and say hello."

"I'm glad you did."

They hear Robby, "Up." He lifts up his arms.

Alex makes a move to get him from the playpen, Laurie grabs her sister's arm, "I'll get him." She leans down and picks up the boy, kissing him before she releases him. He begins his journey around the room. Sara Eames gets a hold of him for a moment and gives him a kiss. "Once they start crawling, you're lucky if you can get a kiss."

Laurie and her mother stop short when they see the decorations on the inside of the home. "Alex, I am impressed," her mother walks further into the room. The only Christmas decoration I ever saw in your apartment was that little tree. It's looks very warm and cozy in here."

"Thanks Mom, I'd love to take credit for it but I have a 6 foot 4 inch Elf in the house."

The two women give each other a double take then laughter strikes all three, "Really," Sara Eames says.

"Yes, the night that we got the tree he found the 'Lionel' train set in the attic," she points in the direction of the tree. "The next day he went out and got all of these decorations for inside and last night we….he decorated outside."

"I….have to admit that when we pulled into the driveway I….we thought we were in front of the wrong house. He did a wonderful job."

"I think so too, he's having a great time and I have to admit so am I, after last year, well I didn't know what to expect from him."

Suddenly the door opens and a gust of wind circles the room, "Bobby, more decorations?"

"No, these are Christmas presents." He sets them down to the side of the door. "Hi Mom," he kisses her cheek.

She smiles as she holds his face in her hands, "You're a man of many surprises, Bobby."

"Is that good?" he says dubiously.

She pats his cheeks then tries to reach them, he bends down. She gives him a kiss.

He straightens up, "Laurie, how are you?" He takes a step forward and hugs and kisses his sister-in-law.

"I'm doing great and you," she nudges him. "Nice job with the decorations. I was telling Alex that we thought that maybe we were at the wrong house."

Nodding his head, "I can believe that," he smiles. "And thank you. It was fun." He removes his coat and hangs it up in the closet.

Alex gestures for them to sit, "Anybody want a glass of wine?"

"Yes I would," Laurie replies.

Alex asks, "Mom how about you?"

"No sweetie, I could go for a cup of tea."

Alex turns in the direction of the kitchen, "I'll get it." Bobby says. "You sit down."

"Not gonna get an argument from me Goren."

He laughs, "What kind of wine do you want?"

"The pinot grigio."

"Laurie?"

"The same Bobby thanks." He fills a cup of water and places a teabag in, setting the microwave for two minutes. He then pours the wine into two goblets. He delivers the drinks to the women then excuses himself.

Alex asks, "Where are you going?"

"I want to take a shower; unfortunately some people can't take a day off from hating one another." Silence for a moment, all aware of whom and what he is referring to.

Laurie takes a sip of wine, "Do you miss that?"

"I don't miss the crime scenes but I do miss the investigating and the wanting to know who," she takes a sip of wine. "It's going to be very strange when I go back, being assigned a new partner."

"How is Bobby holding up with his new partner?"

"There was some tension but he's learned to bend a little and he and Danni are working well together, I'm proud of him."

"Alex," Laurie looks toward the stairs checking to see that he is out of earshot. "Any word about Nic…….."

Alex holds her hand up, "We don't say that name in this house and no, nothing."

"Doesn't he talk about it, at all?"

"He mentioned something last night but normally, no. Laurie please drop the subject before he comes down."

Laurie nods her head, changing the subject she asks, "Is Frances coming to visit?"

"No she's come down with bronchitis and the doctor wants her to stay in bed, so we've decided to go up in the afternoon on Christmas Eve."

"That's a good idea, she needs to be with family especially now," Sara says. "And he makes a fine cup of tea." The women smile.

This time Alex checks the stairs, "He always gets shy when he asks to do things with and about his mother."

Sara pats her daughters' hand, "It' has been just the two of them for so long, give him time. You know how hard it is for him to let things out."

"I know but sometimes it bothers me, I get the feeling that he thinks I'm going to say no we can't do that. He still has trouble talking about his Mom with me," she raises her voice slightly. "Me, I'm his wife." They hear a noise on the stairs and the room suddenly gets quiet, being a detective he does indeed notice. "Ok should I go back upstairs so you can finish your conversation?"

Not sure if he is joking or serious the Eames women remain silent, Alex does catch a glint in his eye and smiles, "We were talking about visiting your Mom on Christmas Eve."

He descends the stairs, "Anyone for a refill?"

All present say, "Yes."

Alex whispers, "You see what I mean." They nod their heads.

"So Mom what time is the service on Christmas Eve?"

"Same time as last year and the year before Laurie."

Bobby walks into the room, "So," he hands Alex her drink. "Are we going?"

"Thanks," she says then catches his eye with a look of surprise. "We? You want to go," she swallows, "To church?"

Nodding his head, "Sure, I mean it is Christmas."

Shaking her head she stands and reaches up to kiss his cheek, "Thank you."

"For what," he says innocently.

She whispers, "For being a man of many surprises."

TBC