Here and Now

Connor Rhodes struggles with life choices, his career, parenting and broken relationships. But one thing is for sure, he will never be like his father.

I own nothing. Here's me making some self promotion. Please check out my other Rheese story "Racing Hearts" based on the 3x11 ep. Thank you!

CH. 11

Sarah expected Connor's idea to tell Hannah about them would be more elaborate, yet he had only asked her to meet her at Dennis's Dinner. She wondered if this would paint out like the time her mother tried to explain her divorce. Not that she felt her relationship with Connor would be a bad thing but she didn't really know what to expect. As always, she tended to over think everything.

"Dr. Rhodes," Ally, Dennis's wife smiled at him, Hahhah by his side. "What will be serving you two today?"

"Actually, we might take a minute." Connor smiled. Hannah turned to the lady, so she could whisper something in her ear. "You do know you're not supposed to tell secrets at the table, missy?"

"Oh don't worry, it's nothing bad." Ally assured him. "I'll be around when you are ready." Hannah turned around after Ally had disappeared for good.

"I hope you were not asking her for cookies again." Connor said sweetly.

"Nope, I'm passed my cookie phase daddy." She told him. " And...It's a girl's thing, you wouldn't understand."

Connor sighed. "Of course."

"Finally!" Hannah said as the bell rang and the frame that belonged to Sarah Reese spotted them rather quickly.

"Wait... what?" Connor turned at Hannah.

"Oh Daddy, boys really are clueless like Meghan says. I know you like Dr. Reese." She said much to his surprise. "It's okay, I like her too."

So much for the big revelation. "Hi Dr. Reese!" Hannah called.

"Hey, what a coincidence..."

"She knows." Connor said rolling his eyes at his grinning child.

"Knows?" Sarah asked. Connor bit his lip, he moved over so she could sit next to him. "Oh."

"Are you ready to order now?" Ally said coming back, winking at Hannah as she went.

"Yep, you gotta bring Dr. Reese your blueberry pie Ally, she loves blueberry.." Hannah was uncharacteristically cheerful.

"Slow down there Han, we have to wait for Ally to ask her."

"But I already know what she'd want..." She told her father. Sarah couldn't help but smile at the gesture.

"Actually, blueberry pie sounds perfect." Sarah smiled. "Thank you."

"Right, well and for the two of you?" Ally inquired watching as Connor made a pleading look at Sarah. Hannah assured Ally she and Connor loved her pies, so they each ordered a different one. "Coming right up."

When their food arrived, they ate in silence, the sugar rush that had seemed to have taken over Hannah a minute ago had made her turn deep into her thoughts. As if she was thinking about what her next move would be.

Sarah remained quiet. She really wanted to understand where she stood with the little girl.

"Han, there's something I need to tell you and I wanted Sarah to be here, because..." Connor began.

"Daddy, wait." Hannah said a moment later. "I know Dr. Reese is your new girlfriend." Connor wanted the earth to swallow him and Sarah turned tomato red.

How in the world? They've been careful not to be too affectionate at work and they'd never made it back to Connor's after their dates.

"What?" Connor asked. Hannah smiled. "Meghan."

"She didn't tell me, not really..." She explained. "But I've heard you talking to someone on the phone." She turned to Sarah. "I'm not meant to listen but..."

Sarah laughed. She didn't know if it was because she was nervous of because Connor seemed mortified.

"How did you know it was Sarah?"

"Because you call her Sarah and she's the only Sarah you know." Hannah reasoned. "And your voice changes when you're talking to her."

"My voice changes?" Connor inquired.

"Yeah... Meghan's voice changes when she's talking to Tyler and yours changes when Dr. Reese calls."

Was she really 5 and a half years old? Oh.

"I don't know whether that was a disaster or not." Connor said as they walked over to the park, he felt so free holding Sarah's hand as Hannah walked a few feet ahead. "But I feel like she's been on to us longer. So much for keeping it low." Sarah laughed.

"I'm wondering if they know at work." She told him.

"Probably..." He mused. He bit his lip. "So... you're okay, right?"

"With people knowing? I don't know... I guess it was doomed to happen."

"No, I wasn't talking about our friends Sarah..." He said sweetly.

"You're trying to prove a point..." She said shyly. "Well, you were right. She took it better than I thought... maybe even better than I could have pictured it."

"And?"

"And that's okay, I see now I had nothing to worry about. She just wants one thing in life." Sarah said. Connor arched an eyebrow at her. "For her daddy to be happy."

"And what do you want Sarah Reese?" He turned to look at her and kissed her softly on the lips.

"For you to be happy too." She told him opening her eyes as his kiss took her breath away.

Connor smiled as Sarah leaned her head on his shoulder and they both watch Hannah play. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Sam was calling him. "Hannah, sweetie, come back here." The little girl turned around. "Would you..." He asked Sarah who quickly went to get her.

"Hey Sam." Connor finally answered the call. "What's the news?"

"How willing would you be to Hannah testifying?" Sam asked.

"I don't... why?"

"Your father's lawyer just dropped a formal lawsuit. He's asking for full custody." Sam said. Connor held his breath. "He's trying to discredit your habilites as a father because of the demanding nature of your job."

He felt sick. "Connor? Are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here. Do you have a hearing date?"

"I've asked for a private agreement hearing. There'd be no jury but I judge would have to rule out the case and decide what's best for Hannah. Your father of course wants to make a show of it, but normally this type of cases are better off behind closed doors."

"Connor?" Sarah asked as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Connor? Listen I know it sucks but I needed to tell you right away, which also means you can't leave the state with Hannah before this whole thing is over."

"He thinks I might want to run away?" Connor hissed. "Unbelievable."

"He knows you have the means to do it and he's seen you do it before... mostly from him." Sam told him. "So, can you meet me tomorrow? Talk over the details?"

"Yeah, sure." He said. His mouth had gone dry and the relief he'd felt earlier built up again into uncertainty. "Send me the time. I'll make it work."

"I can go over to Med..."

"No, I don't really everyone to know more than what they should." Connor admitted. "I'll see you in your office Sam."

"Alright. How about one?"

"I'll be there. Thanks."

"Connor? We'll beat him. You know that right?" Sam said reassuringly.

"Daddy?" Hannah asked that night as he tucked her in. "Are you sad because I ruined the surprise?" Hannah had suddenly turned to an actual 5 year old.

"What? No..." He assured her. "I'm not sad, I'm actually happy you know about me and Sarah...are you happy about it?"

"I guess." She told him. "She's really nice." Hannah smiled. "And she makes you smile daddy, I like that."

"She is." Connor agreed. "And I like that too. She makes me smile just like you do."

Sarah watched from the doorway as Connor talked the little girl. She didn't think it was the wisest thing to come back to his apartment after their day in the park but he'd gone into little detail about his call with Sam and she wasn't ready to leave him alone to deal with it all.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

"Can I call her Sarah? Now that's she's your girlfriend?" Hannah asked shyly.

"You could always call her that baby... but I'm sure she's going to love it." Hannah grinned.

"Okay Daddy." She said. "I love you."

"I love too Hannah, so much."Connor held her close. Wishing he could stay like this forever.

"So, will she have to testify?" Sarah asked as they sat on the bed of Connor's bedroom.

"I don't know, Sam doesn't even know if they will agree to do it closed doors." Connor said. "I have to meet her tomorrow."

"I'll go with you." Sarah told him. Connor froze.

"No... I don't want you involved in..."

"Connor, I'm already involved." She said firmly. "And I want to do everything I can to help you and Hannah." She touched his arm sofly, making his gaze turn to her face. "Please let me help you."

"I'm sorry..." He admitted shyly. "I'm kind of a mess."

"Please, you have every right to be, don't try and fix everything by yourself. People can help you. People that love you and are willing to not let you face it alone." His eyes turned darker as if he was about to cry. And she for one dared to take the first step and kiss him. He tried to pull back but she held him in place. "Let's get you to bed..." Sarah said breaking the kiss.

"Will you stay?"

"Of course, I'm not going anywhere." She kissed him again as she ruffled his hair to help him release some stress. "Close your eyes..."

"Sarah..."

"I'm here... just try and relax.." She took his boots off and cuddled next to him.

it had been the first time Sarah had seen him so vulnerable. And a part of her wished she could make him feel safe like he'd done for her.

Oh man! That was so intense to write. I apologize for my law inaccuracies. What did you think? Please review!