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Part XI : Just comfort
Angel had waited for Sam's return to go and join John at his appartment. When she saw that Bailey was not with Sam, she had offered to stay, but Sam had denied the proposal.
Chloe had been agitated the whole evening. She had always felt the tension of her mother and reacted accordingly. She finally fell asleep and Sam went to bed.
The bell of the elevator woke her up in the middle of the night. She looked at the clock on her bedside table : 3:12. She first thought she was dreaming, but she heard a light knocking on the door. She got up, put a robe on and went to open the door.
Bailey was leaning against the frame casing. "Hi Sam." he said "Hope I didn't wake up Chlo." His voice was coated. No doubt he had had more than one or two drinks. Sam put his arm around him and pulled him inside without a word.
" I think I'm drunk, Sam.
- No kidding !
- I ... I would understand it if you didn't let me in.
- Come on Bail, help me would you !"
His feet got trapped in the carpet and he almost fell to the ground. Sam managed dragging him to the sofa. "I'm making some coffee" she said, "I'll be back in a minute". She was not sure he had understood. Before going to the kitchen, she went to Chloe's bedroom and opened the door. Her daughter was sleeping quietly in her bed.
As she was preparing the strongest coffee she could, she heard a big noise from the leaving room. She started the coffee machine and joined Bailey in the bathroom.
He was bent over the tub, throwing up. Sam took a towel from the shelf, poured some water on it and put it on Bailey's forehead. After a few minutes, Bailey turned back and buried his head in the towel.
" I'm sorry, Sam." he murmured. "I couldn't make it to home and I didn't know where to go.
- It's OK." she smiled ant put her hand on his shoulder. "Feel better now ?
- I sure feel more stupid.
- Everybody's got the right ot be stupid from time to time. Even Bailey Malone."
He went to the basin and washed his face. He sat on a stool.
" I shouldn't have come." he said, avoiding her eyes.
" Bail, you're my love and my best friend. And I thought this was mutual. If there is a place where you can come any time, under any circumstances, it's here. And it always will be."
He lifted his face to her. Tears had rolled on his cheeks. Sam got closer and pulled his head to her breast. She rocked him tenderly for a few minutes. Bailey finally regrouped and kissed her chin before he stood up.
Bailey's shirt was soaked with sweat and she helped him out of it. They went back to the living room. Sam went to the kitchen to get two cups of black coffee while Bailey sat in the sofa. She handed him his mug, sat close to him, and leant on his bare chest, her hand resting on his hard stomach. Even drunk and sick, she thought, he still gave her this feeling of strength and comfort. They stayed silent. Bailey was not ready to talk and she respected that. They ended up sleeping in each others' arms.
To be continued ... R&R, Thanks.
Absolut.
