Disclaimer: Not mine.

Ten

Twelve days later, Red was standing in the bathroom and observing his own reflection with disdain and contempt, while he finally dialed the number she had given him. He was holding his breath when it started to ring. He was afraid that it was no longer valid, or that she would not answer.

"Yes?"

"Hello Lizzie." He breathed out, resting his head against the cool glass of his mirror for a moment. Hearing her voice was soothing and he closed his eyes.

"Red."

Funny how in those simple three letters she could express all of her thoughts. He chuckled silently and blinked, turning away from his own haggard face and heading to the bedroom of his suite.

"I am sorry it took me so long. There was… an incident." Red slowly sat down on his bed and untied his shoe lances with his free hand.

"What sort of incident? You sound weary."

He would give anything in the world, anything, if he could just skip that answer. He knew that he had to tell her, though. Shame colored his cheeks and he simply said, "I relapsed. I've just sobered up enough to think clearly."

"What set you off?" Lizzie sounded a little concerned and Red allowed himself to believe that she truly was concerned for him. "You need to avoid your triggers, Red."

"You." He had to be completely honest with her, now that she spotted a lie so easily. He wanted to be completely honest with her, to show her that he could do it, he could be whatever she wanted him to be, that he could eventually earn her trust and become the father of her child in every sense of that word.

"Excuse me?"

"You. You were the trigger. I couldn't handle it, the way things were between us."

"You are surprisingly open."

"I don't want to keep any secrets from you. That's what you wanted, me being truthful to you."

"You seem to realize these things a little too late, I'm afraid."

"I know. It seems I am always, always too late."

There was a long silence on the other side – she must have covered the microphone with her hand. He heard a faint rustling a second later, as if she put it down, and then his heart started to beat quickly and painfully.

"Mommy, I can't find…" came from the other side. He didn't hear the rest of the utterance, but he squeezed his eyes shut and collapsed on the bed, breathing heavily. The child's voice was perfect, simply perfect.

"I'm sure Hudson is in the backyard, honey. Would you like me to go with you and look for our doggie?"

Red marveled at how soft and caring her voice sounded – and he smiled at the dog's name. The mutt she had owned before was long gone, so this was probably Hudson II., and Red wondered what breed of dog it was.

The boy's reply must have been affirmative because Lizzie spoke next to him, "Ray? Sorry, I need to go."

"Of course, Lizzie." He blinked rapidly, trying to sound normal and not ready to fall apart. She hadn't noticed, but she had called him by his name. Not Red, but Ray – she had called him that only a handful of times, when they had been making love.

"Listen, I'll make you another deal. You remain sober for a whole month, and I take you to meet our son. Agreed?"

"Agreed? Lizzie, how can you even ask that!" Red sat up and his head spun. "Thank you, thank you so much…"

"I need to make sure you'll keep your promise, though. Call me tomorrow evening. Call me very night so I can be sure you are sober."

The line went dead, and Red stared at his phone for a very long moment, a slow smile forming on his face.

Things are looking up, guys :) Anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter, and don't be shy to check my newest story Clever Girl. I'd love to know what you think :)