It was the sixteenth of December. Andrea was getting to drive Desiree and Hallie to the airport. Eli was saying goodbye to Hallie.
"Bye daddy." Hallie said.
"Bye." "You be a good girl for mommy."
"I will."
"Give daddy a hug." She hugged him.
"Love you."
"I love you too."
They pulled up to the airport.
"Are you sure you're gonna be ok?" Desiree asked.
"Yeah I'm staying with a friend."
"That makes me feel a lot better."
The next night it around six o'clock in the evening. Desiree was watching TV and Hallie was playing with her toys. There was a knock at the door. Desiree answered it and was shocked to see John standing there.
"John." She said surprised.
"Hi." He said smiling. He went inside.
They hugged. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you guys."
"Did you drive here all the way from San Diego?"
"Yeah."
"That's so far."
"It was only two hours." He went over to Hallie. She looked up.
"Ohn." She said happily.
"Hi." He sat down next to her.
"Hi."
How are you?"
"Good." "I this many now." She said holding up three fingers.
"I know." "You're a big girl."
"Yep."
"What are you doing?"
"Coloring." "Want to color?"
"Sure."
"Mommy, play with us."
An hour later Desiree had put Hallie to bed ten minutes ago. She and John were talking.
"Seventeen more days, then I'm free." She said happily.
"I know." "I'm so happy for you." "What are you gonna do once it's finalized."
"Definitely go back my maiden name, enjoy life again."
"With anyone in particular?" "I know someone who's definitely interested."
"I had a feeling." They kissed. It started off slow. As it grew more passionate she broke it. "We shouldn't yet." "I want it, I do but we should wait until after everything."
"I understand." "I'm coming to New York on the twenty-third for the Today Show." "Do you think we could meet up then?"
"Yeah." "Wanna lay down on the couch for a little while?"
"Yeah." They laid down and fell asleep.