Set sometime after Eggtown
Fear
He finally changes his mind. He knew he would the second she got into the taxi and drove away at the courthouse. He knew he would change his mind, knew he wouldn't be able to stay away much longer.
He find himself standing at her front door, flowers in one hand and a stuffed polar bear under his arm. He wasn't sure what to bring with him, to either her or Aaron, or if he should bring anything at all. The polar bear had been sitting in the spare bedroom in his apartment for over a year, since the last time Kate and Aaron had stayed over, before she bought the house, before they unofficially broke up and he slowly distanced himself from her until he cut them out of his life completely, not knowing how to deal with being Aaron his nephew and struggling with the guilt of abandoning his sister.
Her smile is slow but eventually creeps onto her lips and does not leave her face all evening. Aaron does not remember much but immediately takes a liking to his mother's guest. They have dinner and she is cautiously optimistic. Hours later, when they are in her bed, her back resting against his chest, the caution is all gone.
"I was scared," she says, lacing her fingers through his.
He kisses the side of her head, dropping his head slightly to whisper gently in her ear, "of what?"
"Many things," she admits, her thumb drawing circles in his palm, "the last year... there were many things that were really scary."
He chokes. He cannot see her face but he knows the tears are lining her eyes, creating a shallow glimmering lake reflecting her green orbs. He knows what is talking about. Being alone with an infant, finding a home and raising a child, alone, the arrest, the trial... alone.
"I'm sorry," he says, pulling her tighter towards him, "I am so sorry. I should have been with you."
She smiles, an honest heartfelt smile, and turns to meet his gaze, "you were," she whispers, and he stares at her in confusion. "You were with me because every time I got scared, I just counted to five."