Okay guys, I wanted to get this chapter out before I'm gone over the weekend and I knew if I didn't post it now it'd be the end of next week before I did ;-) The song this time is Ache by James Carrington, I thought it fit perfectly with our Charah.

Thanks to Wepdiggy for his awesome beta editing!


Isn't Isn't it strange?
The way things can change
Life that you lead turned on its head
Suddenly someone means more than you felt before
House in its yard turns into hope
I'm sorry but I meant to say
Many things are on the way
This one's for you

...

Ellie sat on her and Devon's living room couch, trying to drown out the racket being made by her boisterous boys. Cell phone in hand, she called Chuck's cell and made a disgusted sound when she got a disconnected tone. She threw the phone on the couch in anger as the boys ran past her, yelling and throwing a ball back and forth.

"Stop it!" Ellie called, their noise beginning to grate on her already strained nerves. What was Chuck thinking, meeting Sarah? She'd never understand what went through that head of his. He was thrusting Emily into a situation she would not react well to. Emily couldn't be put in a position with Sarah like this and be okay; she'd need to warm up to the idea first.

Ellie was sick with worry. Chuck should have called her by now. What had Sarah done? Where has she whisked them off to? She didn't like the idea of Chuck with Sarah. Chuck still loved Sarah and Ellie hoped that her brother would keep a level head about the whole situation.

Hunter and Matthew ran through the backdoor, leaving Ellie in a sudden silence. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to talk to Chuck and Emily so badly; wanted to be there for them. Especially Emily. I just know she's having a hard time.

Part of Ellie felt like her territory was being invaded. Not that she staked any claim on her brother or niece, but she had invested just as much time with them as her own family. She didn't like Sarah taking them off somewhere without her around. Maybe she was being silly, but she didn't care. Chuck would be getting an earful from her when she saw him.


Have I told you I ache, have I told you I ache,
Have I told you I ache, for you...
Have I told you I ache, have I told you I ache,
have I told you I ache, for you

...

"You shouldn't be upset with her," Sarah told Chuck, looking back at their daughter. "She's right."

"Sarah, there a line between telling people how you feel and just lashing out in anger and she crossed it. No matter how angry she gets at us we're her parents and she just can't do that."

"Chuck, she's an upset girl. You have to let her vent. I'm surprised she even lasted that long. She's too much like Ellie and you to just stand aside."

Chuck looked past Sarah at the fifteen year old sitting on the couch located in the living room. He saw Bryce come up the stairs and head for Emily, which caused him to stiffen. He didn't want Bryce near Emily. He didn't want her to have too much contact with any spy…excluding Sarah of course.

"What?" Sarah asked and turned her head. A series of emotions flashed on Sarah's face, too fast for Chuck to interpret.

"I don't know Sarah, but something about Bryce talking to Emily just…Well, I just don't like it."

"It's natural, Chuck." Sarah replied, turning back to face him. Her clear blue eyes showing understanding. "We've come in and totally disturbed everything…It's natural you don't want us to be near her." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've made me proud, Chuck. You've been the father I always knew you would." She gave him a slight smile.

"Sarah, you've got it wrong. I just don't want Bryce and Carina around her. You're a different story." Chuck responded. "No matter what you did, you're still her mother… and my friend."

Just friend? Sarah thought. He couldn't know how hearing "friend"made her feel. She was relieved to hear he would consider her a friend and not an enemy, here to torture him. But the way he said made it sound final; as if they could never be more. What did I expect?

Sarah stayed quiet. What was she supposed to say? No way was she going to question what he said. Chuck's eyes met hers and they stood a moment, locked in their gaze. They gave each other an awkward smile, neither one of them knowing exactly what to do now.

"I've got work to do," Sarah said and turned away, heading for the basement where Carina was located. She could feel Chuck's eyes on her; the way they could pierce her and speak to her in a totally different language still caused an ache in Sarah when she thought about the pain the owner of those eyes had endured because of her.

She felt like it took an eternity to make it to those stairs. The thoughts of her most intense memories with Chuck coming back to the surface; probably because she needed him so much. He was the reason she had made it through those years, the reason she had even done that. Anyone else and she was sure she wouldn't have been so quick to defend him.

Their first kiss at the docks, their talk at the fountain after Bryce had shown up the second time, the motel in Barstow, the moment she told Bryce she was staying, the first time they made love, when she discovered she was pregnant, and when Emily was born. All those memories held pain and joy for her. The kiss at the docks had been her desperate need to show him how she felt before they died and she'd been frightened at what kind of relationship Chuck would offer once she realized they weren't going to die right there. The talk at the fountain had been very painful for her, she'd gone to tell him the same thing yes, but, it still hurt to hear him say it. To hear him deciding it would never work.

Barstow had been both of them finally giving into how they felt. They had been on the run and the government already wanted them captured dead or alive. Why should they care about being "professional"? But they'd been interrupted to Sarah's disappointment and then again when Sarah tried to tell Chuck she was staying.

The first time they had made love was…different than anything Sarah had experienced with another man. She'd felt a bond with him she hadn't felt with another. Her connection with Bryce had been more confusing. But with Chuck it had felt so right, like nothing else in the world was as good as what they had.

Her finding out she was pregnant was one of the happiest moments in her life.


The time that it took
Riding wiles for my book
Seems to have broken in half
The gate that I shut
Last time I got hurt
Seems to have opened

Sarah gripped the small object in her hand, sitting on the closed lid of the toilet and waiting for the results. Her stomach was twisted in a nervous knot as she tapped her foot impatiently. She'd been feeling strange for a few weeks now and it wasn't until today she realized exactly what might be the matter. So, she'd gone to the nearest store and (after thoroughly comparing the different brands via her iPhone) bought up the best one she could find. It's been two minutes! Why is it taking so long? Did I do it right? I didn't miss. Breathe, just breath. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to keep herself from shaking. She was terrified and excited at the same time about what this would say. She put it down on the sink and turned her back to it, tapping her hands against her legs.

When she couldn't bear it anymore she spun around and grabbed up the small pink object. The sight that greeted her caused her breath to hitch. "Oh my god" was all she thought over and over as she bit her bottom lip. A grin spread across her features and the realization of what was happening hit her. The little plus sign told her everything she wanted. She was going to have a baby. She was going to have Chuck's baby.

Tears of happiness filled her eyes. I have to call him! No, wait…I need to plan something. What should I do? Should I get Ellie involved? No…I want Chuck to know first. She grabbed some toilet paper and wrapped up the positive pregnancy test and stuffed it at the bottom of the trash can. She didn't want him to see before she had the chance to tell him.

What was she going to do? How was she going to tell him? She wanted it to be special. Chuck would be home in just a few minutes and she needed to think fast. She hurried into the kitchen, looking around and hoping she'd find some kind of inspiration. She sighed when she found nothing. What would Chuck like best?

Usually Sarah was able to think quickly. Give her a life or death situation and she'd make a decision in a blink of an eye…but give her something like this and she just froze. She didn't know what to do. She wanted it to be perfect.

She saw a flash of light through the living room window and stepped up to it. Chuck was home. Sarah exhaled nervously. How will he react? Does he want a baby? This is a huge step for us. We didn't plan this but, it's going to be wonderful. Oh, God, please let him be okay with it. She pulled out her iPhone and quickly googled something.

Chuck entered and gave Sarah his special grin that only she received. She loved his smile. Oh, I hope that our baby gets his mouth and his smile. Sarah went up to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly, pressing her lips against his firmly. After she pulled away she squeezed him tighter against her, grinning widely.

"What's that for?" Chuck's eyes sparkled as he placed a kiss on her cheek. Sarah sighed contentedly and brought him close again.

"I love you," Sarah said. She always felt triumph whenever she said those three words, despite the fact she said it regularly now. But it never felt routine, which she knew could happen to people. No, when she and Chuck said "I love you" they really meant it. There was no routine about it.

"Chuck," Sarah started, pulling back to look him in the eyes, a smile on her face. She raised up her iPhone, which a baby name site was present. "We need to pick one of these out." She watched his face turn from confusion, to surprise, to nervousness, to utter joy.

"Are you – oh my god, you're pregnant!" He beamed and picked her up, spinning her around in a quick circle before returning her feet to the ground. "Sarah! This is wonderful!"

"I know!" She cried and wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug. "Chuck, we're going to be parents." She exclaimed excitedly.

"We need to tell everyone!" Chuck bent down and placed a meaningful and loving kiss on her lips, drawing her close and they shared an intimate moment, each just communicating their love. They were going to be parents; they were going to show the world how much they loved one another. A child was the most important thing for them to share and now it was theirs.

He looked down at the first name on the phone.

Emily.


All the world has been unknown
It's trying to catch me up
Tell me to appreciate here and now
I'm sorry but I meant to say
Many things are on the way
This one's for you

Sarah exhaled raggedly. That was one of their happiest moments. Sarah wouldn't trade the years they had for anything. She'd never felt more alive.


Have I told you I ache?
Have I told you I ache?
Have I told you I ache
For you?

"We're home," Chuck exclaimed, grinning ear to ear. Their beautiful new bundle of joy had arrived and with her had come a joy and love that neither one of them had experienced before. She was their world now. They'd do everything in their power to keep her safe and sound.

Sarah held the small infant close, gazing at her face. Emily slept peacefully in her arms and pride swelled in Sarah's chest. "Chuck, we made this. Can you believe that?" Sarah had never been experienced an awe like this.

"Hopefully she got most of your genes," Chuck joked and slid down beside Sarah who was located on the couch. "That way it'll be easier to teach her how to beat the boys off," He looked at Emily. "Because, she's gonna need it cause she already has your looks."

Sarah chuckled. "Very funny," She smiled at her husband, the joy she felt reflected in his eyes. "I love you,"

"I love you," Chuck leaned in and kissed her lightly. "We're pretty good at this making babies stuff huh?"

"I'm pretty good. I did all the work," Sarah joked. Chuck had plenty of work dealing with me. A former spy with pregnancy hormones? Scary at times.

"Hey, I said the "making babies" part; I didn't say the pregnancy part." He laughed.

"Oh, I see. Yes, we're so good at that." Sarah grinned and felt Emily wrap her hand against her finger. Sarah looked down at the child and marveled at how tiny she was. Sarah's index finger dwarfed the child's whole hand. "She has a strong grip." The blonde remarked.

Sarah had known the instant she'd seen that small plus sign that she loved the life growing inside of her. Now that she could touch and see her and Chuck's creation, she has a bond with this little girl. She'd love her no matter what deeds Emily committed. This was her and Chuck's child. This was a dream come true.

Sarah then realized. She had everything she ever wanted.

Have I told you I ache?
Have I told you I ache?
Have I told you I ache
For you?


So yeah, this was mostly a flashback chapter and it was shorter than I've recently been writing but I hoped you enjoyed anyways. I really enjoyed writing the two flashbacks as writing happy Charah is definitely one of my favorite things to do. So, please review too as those motivate me to write more and also because I just really like reviews :D