XIV. If You Only Knew
Without you next to me,
I toss and turn like the sea
The only thing I still believe in is you
If you only knew
I'd sacrifice my beating heart
before I lose you
-Shinedown
"Everything is ready," Pinkie announced. "And if anyone dares to cancel they will so regret it." He plopped on Maria's couch in the living room, looking around at his handy work. "God, and the snow, if it doesn't-"
"Sweetie," Laurie chastised, putting his hand on his boyfriend's. "Calm down. Everything will go wonderfully."
"Of course it will." Pinkie smiled at him.
"I hope so," Maria added, rubbing her tummy.
"And Dr. Simms will be here, no?" Pinkie inquired.
"He took the time off," she replied. "But you never know." Deep down, she really wanted Tyler to be here for the baby shower, even if he would be spending most of his time with the other guys in the den. The fact that he would be under the same roof as her would be a huge comfort.
Reid and Rowan had been keeping her company during the days, and seeing tiny Luke made her that much more eager for Alexander to be born. Their presence helped to keep her mind occupied and focused on the good things, assuaging the loneliness of her days. And Reid had the uncanny ability of forcing a person's attention away from worries with his natural blunt personality, while Rowan was more subtle. Together, the Garwins made a good mix.
The door opening diverted their attention. Maria hadn't been expecting anyone.
Pinkie pursed his lips and went towards the foyer. "Ooh!" Laurie and Maria heard him exclaim.
"Who is it?" Maria questioned, her voice faint. She wobbled over towards the window and saw Tyler's car in the driveway. Her face lit up. "What are you doing here so early?" she smiled at him. He was already in the living room.
"I traded shifts," he replied, kissing her on the cheek.
Laurie put his hand over his heart. "Total sweetness."
Pinkie agreed. "Spoonfuls of sweetness."
"Hey, Pinkie. Laurie, it's been a while," Tyler said.
Laurie got up, gave Tyler a hug and a light kiss on each cheek. "Where's your white coat?"
Pinkie swatted him on the arm. "He's off duty. And I have a white coat at home."
The half-fairy's eyes twinkled. "Ooh, yes you do."
Tyler's face flushed. "I don't want to know."
The heater was on, so was the electric fireplace. Maria tugged Tyler towards the heat. "Are you hungry?"
Tyler half-smiled, shaking his head. He was constantly trying to get his wife to slow down, never expecting her to have meals ready for him although he did love her cooking. Neither of them were overly messy people so cleaning wasn't a huge problem, but their house was fairly large and carpets required vacuuming, hardwood floors sweeping, things dusted.
"Sit down," Pinkie insisted to Maria. "I swear, you will go, go, go till the moment you pop."
"Are you hungry, Doctor?" Laurie asked. "Pinkie and I can whip something up." He looked to Maria. "What can I get for you?"
"Rowan's tea," she said, and Tyler seconded that.
"Coming right up," Pinkie and Laurie said. The former took Maria's empty mug from the coffee table and both of them wisped out of the living room.
Tyler sighed and leaned back on the couch. He felt Maria's fingertips caress his hair and a light smile curved his lips.
"You can tell me why you really came home early later," she said softly.
His eyes opened, looking at her with some surprise which then melted into a wry expression. She knew him too well.
xx
"He's saying what?" Reid demanded.
Caleb held up a restraining hand. "Nothing will come of it, Reid."
The blonde Son's blue eyes bugged out and his cheeks flushed crimson. "That psycho is saying that I assaulted him? I assaulted him?"
Caleb and Judy had come over for dinner, and while things were getting prepared upstairs, Caleb had needed to talk to Reid in private so they went to the den. Not that it was a secret, but he knew that Reid would get angry and Luke didn't need to hear the curses his father was spewing at the moment. Not that Caleb blamed his brother-in-law.
Ginger's ex-stalker was claiming that Reid Garwin had 'assaulted' him after he'd been forcibly tied to a chair. It was a natural tactic for the defense, trying to gain sympathy from whatever influential parties were gullible enough to believe him. The media was chomping at the bit to interview those who'd been present at the rescue of one Ginger Collins, but none of the Sons were talking. Not that that kept their names out of the papers.
"Great, I can hear it now," Reid snipped. "Olympic gold medalist assaulted serial killer." He muttered something derogatory under his breath and poured himself a shot of vodka.
"No one will believe him," he assured him.
Reid snorted derisively. "I don't like this Caleb. I really fucking don't."
He nodded. "I know."
Still peeved, Reid took a seat next to him. "Are we on the witness list?"
"Yes," he replied. "But Dorian Pomeroy," – the prosecutor – "might not need us."
"Ginger will be called though, right?"
Caleb grimaced. "Dorian will want her. He needs the jury to see the second survivor." And Chase sure as hell wasn't happy, and Caleb felt for him, he did. It was like making Ginger relive what had happened, and in front of many strangers. Whether or not the media would be allowed in the courtroom during the actual trial was still in debate. The defense wanted them, ADA Dorian Pomeroy did not.
"Caleb, Reid!" Rowan called from upstairs.
They got up, shaking off the bleak conversation. The kitchen smelled fantastic. Beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes with home-made gravy, rolls. The works, as usual.
"Hey, come here," Reid smiled at Luke, taking him from Judy so she could sit down. Luke was almost conked out, drifting off from this conscious plane. Reid put him in his playpen/bassinet in full view of them, Tippy and Bruce Lee instantly circled around and got comfortable on the floor. Erwin sat down and looked at the baby through the blue mesh of the bassinet.
"You okay?" Rowan asked him. Judy had told her about the accusation.
"Yeah," he replied.
"It will never stick," Judy said as Caleb pulled out her chair for her. "Typical ploys that have gone on since law was established."
"Hmmph," was Reid's reply.
They got down to eating, abandoning the sordid topic of Ward Jacoby. Instead they spoke of tomorrow's baby shower, the upcoming meals for Thanksgiving. They were holding it at the Danvers' estate for all the families. Plenty of food.
xx
"Pogue!" Hope called from the kitchen.
He finished taping up the box and went into the kitchen. Before he could ask anything, Hope said, "There's no mustard. Where did the mustard go?"
Oh, boy. "I uh…there wasn't much left so I…"
"You threw it out?" Hope nearly gasped. "It was still good!"
"Well…I figured we'd be at our new home by this evening and there's bound to be some mustard there. Hey, I can run out and get you some…"
Hope was already waving away his offer. "No, no. I can eat the sandwich without the mustard. Just this one time." She gave him a conciliatory grin to show that she wasn't upset. Much.
The moving van was coming in about an hour to transport the belongings they were taking to the Parry mansion. They had decided to take Pogue's parents up on their offer, and Beatrice and Wayne were overjoyed. Because the mansion was already furnished, their own furniture had been donated to the Salvation Army. Pogue thought this decision was a good one, especially since it put such a huge smile on Hope's face.
Her stomach was burgeoning, and the bigger she got so did the glow on her face. She was no longer teaching self-defense at work, only yoga. Of course, when Pogue had heard this he'd received a punch in the arm from his wife because of the satisfied grin on his face. Oh well, small price to pay.
As was arranged, the moving van came an hour later. Their motorcycles were carefully (reminded both by Hope and Pogue) put into the van first, then the rest of their things. When all was finished, the van on its way to the Parry mansion, the couple stood in the doorway of their now empty apartment.
"Ten years," Hope sighed, looking around nostalgically.
Pogue pulled her close to him. "The first place we made love. How many times that night?"
She smirked at him. "Uh-huh…"
"Three times?" he postulated with a self-satisfied smile on his face.
She snorted. "Yeah, and I did badly on the test the next morning."
He half-shrugged. "Small prices."
They turned serious then. In all actuality there had been good memories here. Hope had considered this her home all these years, the place where'd she shared so many laughs and a lot of love with Pogue. Now, they were moving forward, their first child within her, and a new home they would be at soon.
xx
"Okay, now you can go play with the other boys," Maria said, shooing away her husband.
The guys had to spend the obligatory half-hour with the crowd before being allowed to excuse themselves to the den. Tyler didn't really mind being around the hub-bub, his wife and Pinkie had gone all out and the place looked great. There was a lot of smiles and laughter, and he couldn't ask anything more for Maria.
"You get permission?" Reid asked, coming into the kitchen.
Maria mock-glared at him. "I'm telling Row you said that."
"I asked!" he defended himself. "She said I could."
Tyler shook his head at his friend with a smirk. "You sure? You don't need anything?" he asked Maria.
"Nope, I'm good. We're about to start the games."
Reid winced. "Come on…before they change their minds."
They headed for the den where their friends were waiting, cards and beers at the ready. Pinkie had decorated this room for good measure, just because he knew the manly-men would be sitting in here to hide from the array of baby pinks and blues, streamers, balloons… There was no escaping it.
Reid popped the cap and took a healthy swig. "Deal me in."
"So you can lose?" Chase inquired, and received a glare in return.
"How's Abe?" Caleb asked. "He got big."
Chase grinned unabashedly. "Four weeks." It was insane, four weeks since he became a full-fledged father. Four weeks since Ward Jacoby had been imprisoned, kind of out of their lives. Ginger still had some trouble sleeping sometimes, but she remained positive.
A half-hour into the game Ginger entered. "Um, sweetie?" She held Abe in her arms.
"New diaper?" Chase asked, already getting up.
"Reid?" Rowan followed with Luke in her arms.
"Ah, double duty," Reid grinned, taking his son.
"I hope you're all enjoying yourselves," Rowan eyed them.
"Yes, Lil Bit," Caleb, Hunter and Tyler answered in unison.
Reid and Chase went to the bathroom where a diaper station had been set up. Both had become adept at the routine, already desensitized to the foul odors that such innocent babies could make.
Chase cleared his throat after a moment. "Sorry about the uh…the accusation Jacoby made."
Reid snorted derisively at the notion. "How much weight can a psychopath's word hold?" Chase chuckled. "A few reporters got me this morning though." Atticus Crane's eldest son was taking care of that end for Reid. "They want blood."
"Tell me about it," he commiserated. The press was still lurking outside of his house, although it had tapered off some. They weren't going to entirely give up, so eager were they to get a statement from Ginger or Chase. They wanted the two survivors of Ward Jacoby to have a sit down on a prime-time special. Chase fastened the last sticky on the diaper. "There you go," he crooned, picking up Abe. "Dry and clean."
"Feels better, don't it?" Reid said to Luke.
The two Sons eyed each other.
"Have we lost our edge?" Chase queried ironically.
"Fu-" Reid corrected himself. "Hell no. We're just adults."
"Adults. Right."
"Let's go get a beer."
xx
Tyler was mid-laughter when his cell rang. He frowned when he saw the caller ID. He couldn't do this right now, so he tried to ignore it. It rang a minute later. Tyler grimaced and finally picked up.
The guys exchanged glances, getting a sense that this wasn't good.
"My wife's baby shower is today, remember?" Tyler said. He nodded. "You can't find anyone else? I said I was taking this day off a month in advance." The youngest Son pinched the area between his eyes before snapping his phone closed. "Shit."
"They call you in?" Hunter asked.
"Just don't go," Reid said.
"Kevin just came in with his mother, he's seriously hurt." His jaw clenched and he stood up. "Sorry guys."
"Don't worry about it," Pogue said.
Tyler sighed and went upstairs to tell his wife. Because of the snow and the holidays, staff was short for the many patients. They wouldn't have called him unless it was absolutely imperative, but it didn't stop Tyler from feeling frustrated that he'd have to disappoint Maria on this day. He stood at the periphery of the living room for a brief moment before Maria caught his eye.
Maria excused herself and went to speak with Tyler. He pulled her to the side and explained. He saw the joy flicker out from her eyes though her face remained amiable.
"I understand," she said.
"I'm so sorry," he told her, hands on her arms. "If there was anyone else…"
"I know. I know," she assured him, nodding, avoiding his eyes.
Tyler hugged her, wishing this could be different. "I love you." He grinned. "Don't open all the presents without me."
Her smile was strained. "I won't." She sniffed. "Drive safely, okay?"
"I will."
xx
It was rare when Tyler couldn't entirely focus on his work, but today he was struggling with just that. Leaving Maria on such an important day did not sit well with him and she was constantly on the periphery of his mind, the expression on her face when he told her he needed to leave, then the one when she said bye. Tyler was wrung out, emotionally and physically.
Kevin, the young boy, was in a coma, and whether he would come out of it was anyone's guess. His mother was speaking to the police and her husband was being tracked down. The doctor walked into the hospital room where the small body of the boy lay under a blanket, machines beeping on either side of him, a medicinal smell in the air. Tyler checked the IV line, then looked at Kevin.
His face was bruised; the jaw had to be wired shut. He'd suffered severe trauma to the head and broken bones. Tyler shook his head, thinking things like this should never have to happen. His parents had never raised a hand to him, and Tyler couldn't even imagine raising a hand to his soon-to-be-born son. All Tyler wanted to do was protect Alexander from the ugliness of the world and give him all the love he was capable of. Exactly the things Kevin's father should have done, but had not.
The youngest Son felt an irrational swell of anger towards Kevin's mother, too. For letting this go on as long as it had. But he could tell just by the look in her eyes that the woman was terrified. Tyler had studied this in college, the battered woman, the fear they held, the shame.
"Hey," Serena said quietly, walking into the room.
"Hi," he said.
She stood next to him. "How's he doing?"
"Same."
Serena was quiet. "The police just got a call. They found his father."
Tyler nodded. Good, he thought. I hope he rots in jail.
"God, I'm exhausted," she went on.
He looked out the window. It was nearing dark and the snow was violent. A moment later one of the policemen knocked on the door. Kevin's mother was with him. Her eyes flicked towards her son and her hands came to cover her trembling lips. Tears filled her eyes and her face creased in agony.
"My baby," she said under her breath, hurrying to her son's side. "I'm so sorry, Kevy. I'm so, so sorry." Her head whipped around to face Tyler. "Is he going to be okay?" she asked Tyler, tears streaming down her face. "Dr. Simms?"
He schooled his face into something that didn't project negativity or hopelessness. "It's bad, Mrs. Wilcox." He went on to tell her as simply as possible what was going on with her son's body. By the time he was finished she could barely stand and she fell into Tyler's arms. It was important as the doctor to keep a certain distance, but his arms went around her anyway and gave her a comforting pat.
"This is all my fault," she sobbed.
Tyler caught Serena's eyes over the woman's head. "This isn't your fault," Tyler told her.
"Dr. Simms?" the police officer said. He indicated that he needed to talk to him.
Tyler let Mrs. Wilcox go gently. Serena took over and Tyler left with the police officer.
xx
"Sit down, honey," Pinkie insisted once again. "You don't have to clean up." He nudged Maria back onto the couch.
"I can't help it, I need to do something," she said with a pout.
"He's right," Rowan said, coming into the living room with Luke and taking a seat next to her friend.
It was eight o'clock and all the guests save for family had departed. It was a baby shower to end all baby showers and Pinkie still had two more to plan. Reid entered and saw his wife nearly dozing on the couch with an equally tired baby in her arms. Normally such a day would not have sapped Rowan, but she was still getting her strength back.
"This was a wonderful day, Maria," Dottie extolled.
"Thank you," Maria smiled. She maneuvered herself off of the couch. "Are you guys leaving?" She saw Chase with the diaper bag and Ginger with a sleeping Abe.
"Yeah, we need to put Abraham down," Ginger said.
"Drive safely, please, there's a storm coming on," Rowan told them.
"We will," Ginger replied.
Hugs were exchanged and Ginger, Chase and Dottie were gone within minutes.
"I understand if anyone else wants to clear out to beat the storm," Maria said. "We can leave this mess for tomorrow, really." A sudden yawn assaulted her.
"That'd be best, you're pooped," Laurie tsked. "Pinkie and I will stay. Has Tyler phoned?"
"Not a word," Reid said. He bent down and gave Rowan a light kiss on the cheek. "Ready?" We should get you and Luke home.
Shouldn't we stay? Ty's not home yet, were her thoughts.
Diz won't be by herself, he replied.
Reluctantly she nodded and got up; Reid went to retrieve the diaper bag. Within forty-five minutes all but Maria, Pinkie and Laurie were gone. Maria stared at the cordless phone mournfully on the coffee table. She wanted to talk to Tyler. He must be really busy if he hadn't had a spare moment to call her yet.
"Up to bed?" Pinkie inquired gaily. "Tea and a foot rub, my sweet?"
She laughed lightly. "I'm waiting for Ty to call."
Pinkie's face creased in a moue. "You can wait for a call upstairs. You need rest after this hectic but extremely fun day." With more cajoling Pinkie finally got her upstairs. She performed her nightly ablutions before Pinkie gave her feet a massage.
Maria stole peeks at the phone on the nightstand.
"I'm sure nothing but an emergency would have taken him away," Pinkie said.
"I know," she sighed.
xx
In the background the television was updating the news on the snow storm and the many accidents that were occurring and roads that were being blocked off. Tyler closed the door to an empty office to call Maria. It was nine and everyone was likely gone from the baby shower by now. She picked up on the second ring.
"Ty?" her voice came through urgently.
"Hey, sweetheart," he greeted, her voice releasing the tension in his shoulders. "How are you?"
"Good. You? How did things go?"
He didn't want to go over the dark details on the phone. All he wanted to do was get home and curl into bed with his wife. "Um, it's not good. We can talk about it later though. How was the baby shower?"
"So fun," she replied. "And we got a million pictures and video footage."
Tyler wished he hadn't missed it. What would his son say when he looked over the pictures and watched the video footage and didn't see his father in them? Tyler swallowed a hard lump in his throat. He was exhausted.
"I'll be home soon," he told her.
"In this?" Maria questioned. "Oh, it's snowing like crazy."
A quick rap sounded on the door. One of his colleagues apologized for interrupting. "Hey, if you're thinking of getting home, rethink it." He told Tyler about the roads being blocked off; two of those Tyler could have taken to get home.
Damn it, he thought. "I'll make it."
"Ty…" Maria's voice was cautious. As much as she wanted him home, she didn't want to risk his life in the storm. "Row said it was going to get worse."
His jaw clenched. "There are ways I can make it."
Maria half-smiled. "I know, but we use that as a last resort."
He nodded though she couldn't see it.
"And you're exhausted, aren't you? I can hear it," she said. "I want you home so badly, Tyler, but it's nuts out there."
"You shouldn't be there by yourself."
"Pinkie and Laurie are still here."
"Hello, Dr. Sweetness!" came Pinkie's voice.
"Dr. Cuteness," Laurie added.
Tyler couldn't help but chuckle dryly at that. "All right." At least Maria wasn't alone. "I want to be there with you."
"How bad was it?" she asked softly. Maria knew that Tyler sought her presence all the more after a particularly hard day at work.
"Bad," he said.
"We'll talk when you get home." Her voice was soothing. "Could you get to that one hotel to sleep before the weather gets completely out of control?"
"Yeah. I can do that. I'll let you get some rest. I love you."
"I love you, too. Be safe."
They hung up a minute later and Tyler stood in the dark of the room until Serena's voice broke him out of his stupor.
"You heading home?" she asked.
He sighed, exhaled. "Roads are blocked."
She nodded. "I was going to crash at a hotel." The closest was five minutes away. "It's insane here and taking up a room would be pointless."
"I was uh…just thinking about heading there."
They didn't plan on going together, but they both needed to go to their lockers and retrieve their things then go out the same direction. Serena was parked across a space from his in the employee lot. The snowy wind cut Tyler's face and his winter garb was doing little to succor him from the cold. He thought that Maria was home, safe and sound and warm, which brought him content.
He put his bag in the back, and was just about to open the driver's door when he noticed Serena get out of her car, a little convertible, hardly suitable for driving in this weather. Despite the internal warning, he called out to her, "Everything okay?"
"My car won't start!" she replied.
He turned his head away, sighed. "Shit." Reid's words came back to him, telling him not to get 'chummy.' What was he supposed to do, leave her in the cold? Tell her to just head back into the hospital? Serena's day had been just as hectic and wearing as his. Against his better judgment, he said, "Come on. I'll drive us both."
Serena hesitated only for a moment before jogging to his car. They both got in and Tyler carefully maneuvered his SUV out of the parking lot. There was traffic on the main roads, and it took fifteen minutes to get to the hotel instead of the usual five. He parked and they both ran into the register area.
"A single, please," Tyler said.
The man behind the desk glanced at Tyler, then Serena. "I'm sorry, but I only have one room with two beds." He saw Tyler's look of displeasure and shrugged an apology. "Sorry, people will sleep anywhere to get out of the storm."
This kept getting worse and worse.
"You know, what, Tyler? It's okay. I can…" Serena couldn't think of anything else. It wasn't as if she could head back to the hospital, and she highly doubted a taxi would be able to get to her in this.
"Uh…" Tyler paused. "We'll take the room."
He paid and was handed the key. Serena walked a few steps behind him. "Really, I can find somewhere else to stay, Tyler."
"Listen," he stopped to face her. "We're both adults. It's just for a few hours anyway." He ended it there and went the rest of the way to the room. It was small, drab, but warm and clean. Tyler wasn't picky.
Serena heaved a big sigh and plopped on the bed nearest the bathroom. "Do you mind if I…" She gestured towards the bathroom.
"No," he replied. He sat down on the bed, back to her. His cell rang. Reid's name popped up on the caller ID.
"I thought doctors were supposed to keep their phones on and stuff," Reid began without a hello. "What if I was calling with a medical emergency, Baby Boy? Huh?"
Tyler smirked. Oddly enough even Reid's banter was a welcome comfort at the moment. "Sorry. I got off work and had a hell of a time getting to a hotel."
"Yeah, Row said it was not good driving weather. She was worried. Insisted everyone call her to make sure they got home okay."
"I did not insist!" Rowan's voice came through.
"She did," Reid told Tyler.
"Hi, Ty," Rowan's voice came clear having taken the phone away from her husband. "Are you okay? Was there nowhere to sleep in the hospital that you had to risk driving in this snow?"
He chuckled. "I was careful, Lil Bit." No matter how old he got, even after he was married, Rowan remained the caring, devoted sister.
"All right, all right," Reid came back on the phone.
Serena could not have come out of the bathroom at a worse time.
"Tyler, there's some disposable…" She saw he was on the phone and said quietly, "Oh, sorry."
Tyler thought this was a good time to head to the bathroom. He avoided Serena's eyes and shut the door quietly behind him. He was thankful to see a disposable toothbrush in its pack; his mouth was dry and bland. Just to be safe he used his Power to put a sound barrier around the bathroom to be sure Serena couldn't hear.
"Tyler," Reid said after a moment, his voice was firm. "That didn't sound like Maria."
He swallowed heavily. "There was only one room left…with two beds," he added hastily.
"Let me guess who you're sharing it with," Reid said sharply. "Dude, what the hell did I say? Are you insane? Your actions better be from sleep deprivation. Not that it matters. Are you listening?" Reid demanded.
"Yes, I hear you. There was only one room left in this place and I couldn't just send her back to the hospital. She came in my car because hers wouldn't start."
Reid scoffed. "Are you sure her car wouldn't start? Did you check and see? Couldn't you have used your Power this once to get it started? She was probably lying, Tyler!"
He hadn't thought of that. All he'd known was that it was freaking cold and he wanted to get out of the snow immediately. "Look, I can't do anything about it now, all right?" Tyler sighed. "I'm exhausted and I just want to get some sleep."
"Fine," Reid said grudgingly. "Just watch out for Miss Fatal Attraction."
Tyler snorted. "Yeah, thanks." They hung up; he set his phone on the counter. In the mirror he saw a beleaguered face with the beginning of dark circles under his eyes. He brushed his teeth, splashed some cold water on his face, felt the spell he'd put up go away when he opened the door and walked to his bed. He sat with his back facing Serena again, and shucked off his shoes. He didn't feel comfortable undoing his belt or anything, so he simply got under the covers and turned off the bedside lamp.
Serena did the same. "Thanks for this, by the way."
"No problem," he replied. Five minutes later he was asleep.
xx
Tyler was having a pleasant dream of Maria. He could feel her warmth against his body and her arms reaching around him. She often did this, as did he (one or the other usually got there first), and tonight she'd beaten him to the chase. His wife would mumble his name, sometimes in a vulnerable manner, and he'd reciprocate. The larger her belly became, however, it was difficult for her to get her arm around him. He would feel her stomach bump against his lower back. And as if they were one, she would scooch onto her other side, as would he; and his arm went around her, then he would give her a kiss on the back of her neck.
Tonight though, it felt different. He could feel his wife's breasts against his back, her hand under his shirt, sliding down to get to his belt. He heard the buckle come undone (in his slumber he was aware that he didn't wear a belt to sleep), then a hand move passed his boxers and to his…
Tyler's eyes snapped open as the events of the previous night came reeling towards him. This was not his bedroom, he was in a hotel, and Maria was at home where he was not.
"Jesus!" he exclaimed, shooting out of bed as if it were on fire. He nearly knocked the lamp over when he grappled to turn it on. It hurt his eyes as they adjusted. "What the hell are you doing?" Tyler yelled.
Serena looked surprised. She was nude, the blanket and sheet at her waist.
He didn't give her a chance to respond. "Are you insane?" The youngest Son hastily put his clothes back together, his anger rising.
"I thought tonight…I mean, you let me stay here…" she trailed off.
Tyler stared at her, dumbstruck. His voice was low, seething, "And you got the idea that I wanted to sleep with you? Are you dense, Serena? Where was I supposed to send you with no car? Huh?" His head turned left then right in search of his shoes. He found them and shoved them on.
A frustrated expression overcame her face. "Oh, come on, Tyler, seriously? You practically insist on sharing a room -"
"Jesus Christ, you are demented!" his voice rose. "You are completely twisting my actions."
"I am not demented," she snapped, getting out of bed and wrapping the sheet around her body. "Admit it, Tyler. You would not have shared a room with me unless you wanted me."
His eyes bulged, shaking his head in disbelief. Was she for real? Was this real? Was it happening? "What don't you get, Serena? I'm married."
"Please. Like married men don't have affairs?"
"I love my wife," he said, dead serious. "I love her more than anything. And if you think I'd betray her, ever, then you are very mistaken." Tyler shoved his jacket on, put his phone in his pocket. "Get yourself some help." And with that, he was gone. He didn't give a damn that she had no car to get home.
It was three in the morning and Tyler hurried out of the hotel and back outside. The cold barely phased him, he was angry, his mind in chaos. He got in his car, aware enough that he needed to let the engine warm up before he took off. His forehead fell against the steering wheel, his eyes squeezed shut tight. All he saw was Maria, and how much he wanted to get home to her.
A couple of minutes later, he was ready to go and on the main streets. The snow was fairly high, his windshield wipers weren't particularly effective against the flurries.
"Screw it," he muttered. His eyes flashed and turned black, they stayed that way for the entire hour and a half it took him to get home.
As he drove up the driveway, he hit the button for the garage and entered. It was quiet inside the house. He took off his shoes and set them aside, along with his jacket, gloves and beanie. The heater was on and he felt his body warming up.
A light came on in the hallway.
"Oh!" Pinkie whispered. "It's you." His hand was over his heart, and the umbrella he'd been carrying as a weapon lowered.
"You scared the dickens out of us," Laurie approached behind him, equally quiet. "I had my fairy dust all ready to incapacitate you."
Tyler snorted, amused. "The fact that the alarm wasn't triggered didn't indicate there was no intruder?"
Pinkie hmmphed. "Because burglars are incapable of deactivating an alarm?"
"All right, I hear you Pinks." They began to head back upstairs. "How's Maria?"
"Sleeping like a baby," Pinkie replied.
"Thanks for staying."
"No thanks required, sweetie. Sleep well." He and Laurie went back to their room.
Tyler entered his quietly. The moonlight shown in so he could see well enough. As silently as he could he shucked off his clothing and put on a pair of sweats and t-shirt. Carefully, he got into bed next to his wife, scooting close to spoon.
"Ty?" she mumbled.
"It's me."
Her head turned a little. "You came. Drove in this?" her voice was sleepy.
"Yeah. I needed to be here."
Maria smiled drowsily. "Me too. I thought about you all night." She wrapped his arm around her closer, tighter, beyond content now that he was here. And he had driven in this storm just to be with her.
Soon, Tyler heard the steady cadence of her breath. No sound was more beautiful.
"I love you," he whispered, and kissed her softly on the back of her neck.
I hope this is still keeping your interest. If so, thanks for the continued reading.
Just as a side note, I made some banners for my stories. The links are on my profile if you care to look at them.
Enjoy the holidays if you celebrate them. :)