CHAPTER 12
9AM: SARA'S APARTMENT
"Hey" Sara opens the door to find Ian and Emma standing there. "Morning Emma." She smiles at the girl as they enter the apartment.
"Morning" Emma yawns
"Coffee time huh?"
Emma nods
"In the kitchen."
Emma trudges to the kitchen.
"It took me forever to get her out of bed." Ian explains "Where's the Buell? I didn't see it out there."
"I borrowed Danny's car for the week while their out of town so I can run a bunch of errands." She slides her arms around his neck. "What are you doing today?"
"Couple more things to take care of with the security system for the new office. He wanted to change a few things." His arms going around her waist. "What are you two going to do?"
"Fourth Sunday of the month is brunch with Joe and Marie. You OK with me taking her there?" Sara asks brushing his hair back.
"Take her where you want." He kisses her sweetly. "I'll pick her up at 2."
"What time is her flight?" Sara asks
"4:15." At her expression he smiles slightly. "Hey only two more weeks then you can see her whenever you want."
"I know."
"I should go." Ian says after a minute.
Sara nods "All right."
"Emma be good today huh?"
"I will" Emma returns
Ian looks at Sara "Don't let her drink too much coffee huh? She'll be up all night."
Sara nods "We'll see you later." She kisses him lightly.
"That all I get?" He lifts his brow
"Come by after I get off work and you might get more." She gently shoves him out the door. "Now get moving."
"Bye Emma"
"Bye Daddy"
"Bye" Ian trails his fingers down Sara's cheek.
"Bye." Sara watches Ian walk down the stairs then closes the door. She enters the kitchen where she finds Emma sitting at the counter staring into her mug of coffee.
"So what are we doing?" Emma asks looking at her Mom.
"Brunch with my godparents then we'll figure something out."
"OK"
"Now I just have to find my shoes." Sara mutters
Emma notices some pictures on the table behind the couch. She sets her coffee down and goes over picking up one of the framed pictures of her Mom, her Aunt and another girl all three dressed in school uniforms. "Mom who is this?"
Sara joins her daughter "That's Maria." Sara smiles sadly. "That picture was taken the day before I found out I was pregnant. Maria had tried that day to get Aras and I to actually have a conversation that didn't end in yelling."
"Did it work?"
"For a while it did. We actually had a conversation then things went back to us not speaking or arguing constantly." She picks up another picture, "This was the last picture of Dad taken with the both of us... and technically you. I was four months pregnant at the time. These are the only pictures taken of me while I was pregnant." She looks at Emma "I wish your Grandparents were here... they'd love to see you." She sets the picture down. "We should get going Marie hates when brunch is delayed."
"OK"
20 MINS LATER: SIRI'S APARTMENT
"Oh my God." Marie Siri says stunned when she sees the teen.
"Emma this is Marie."
"Hi" Emma smiles
"My God you look just like your Mom." Marie states
"Marie" Sara laughs "Emma looks more like Ian than me."
"I'm not talking about looks looks but attitude look."
"OK" Sara drawls "Where's Joe?"
"Grocery store. I ran out of milk. Come into the kitchen and we'll talk."
Emma follows her Mom and Mrs. Siri into the kitchen.
"Are you excited about moving to New York?" Marie asks Emma
"Yes Ma'am." Emma answers politely. "Though having to be near the Evil B-"
"Emma" Sara interrupts "You know your Dad doesn't like when you call Irons that."
"So he is." Emma shrugs "Everyone knows it."
"He's still your Grandfather" Sara says
"Minor non-legal technicality." Emma waves off
"Sara when are we going to meet Ian?" Marie asks
Sara shrugs "I don't know. It might have been today if he hadn't had to work."
"Does your Dad work a lot Emma?" Marie asks
"Now yes."
"Has he always worked a lot?" Marie asks
"Not until he joined the army. After the army he worked from home most of the time... sometimes when he'd go somewhere I'd go with him."
"Sara, why don't you set the dining room table?" Marie suggests
"All right." Sara walks out of the kitchen.
"What do you do for fun?" Marie asks
"Lots of things. Rollerblading, skateboarding... I have a lot of interests."
"Good."
"Marie" A voice calls from the front door.
"Kitchen." Marie returns
Joe Siri smiles when he sees Sara setting the dining room table. "I didn't see the Buell out there."
"No borrowed Danny's car for the week." Sara hugs her Godfather. "Emma is in the kitchen with Marie." She walks into the kitchen with Joe "Emma"
Emma looks at her Mom
"Joe this is Emma"
"Hi" Emma smiles
"Hello" Joe nods in greeting as he puts the milk in the refrigerator.
"Emma come and help me finish setting the table."
"All right" Emma follows her Mom out of the kitchen.
OVER AN HOUR LATER
"Next time you better bring him with you." Marie says firmly.
Sara laughs "I'll try."
"Emma it was nice to finally meet you." Marie smiles at the teen.
"Same."
"Joe come and say goodbye."
"I'll be right there." A moment later Joe joins them "Emma it was very nice to meet you."
"You too sir."
"Sara, don't be such a stranger." Joe hugs her
"I know Joe." Sara laughs. "I'll see you guys later." Once in the car she looks at Emma "What do you want to do now?"
"I don't know."
"How about we go to the park?" Sara suggests
"Sounds good."
WHILE LATER: PARK
"You OK, sweetie?" Sara asks seeing the look on Emma's face as they sit at a picnic table.
Emma rests her chin on her hands. "I wish I didn't have to go back."
Sara reaches out running her hand down Emma's head. "Its only a few weeks."
"I know."
Sara leans in kissing Emma's temple. "When I was pregnant I spent hours wondering what my baby was going to look like." She smiles at Emma "I wondered if you'd have brown eyes or green... though I really hoped you'd have your Dad's eyes and you do." She smoothes her hair back "And his smile. You look so much like him."
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
Emma rests her head on her arms looking at her Mom. "Do you ever wish you could change what happened?"
"Only when it comes to telling Aras. I think if I had told Aras maybe things would have turned out differently. If your asking me if I regret having you... never. You mean everything to me Emma. You always have meant everything to me."
"OK" Emma nods relieved.
"Good" Sara kisses Emma's temple. "You know we really haven't done much talking about how you feel about everything."
"I'm fine."
"You sure?" Sara asks
"If I wasn't I'd tell you."
"Emma" Sara pauses collecting her thoughts "I don't want to leave things unsaid between us. I know that all of this has been... odd for you."
"I'm cool Mom. If I do have problems I'll tell you."
Sara nods "You know I love you right baby?"
"I know." Emma smiles faintly at her Mom. "I love you Mom."
'I love hearing that.' Sara thinks giving her daughter a small smile.
WHILE LATER: SARA'S APARTMENT
"Hi" Sara greets kissing Ian lightly
"Hello beautiful." He runs his fingers through her hair "How did it go?"
"Good. Joe and Marie were happy to meet her. Now all they want is to meet you."
"Soon. Maybe the next time he goes out of town."
"All right."
"We better get going so you can get to work." Ian looks at Emma sitting on the couch watching TV.
"See you tonight?" She asks hopefully
Ian nods. "Emma we need to go." He calls
Emma turns off the TV and stands "OK." She joins her parents in the foyer as she pulls on her jacket.
"Have a good flight back sweetie. I'll talk to you later." Sara smiles
Emma nods "Bye Mom" she hugs her Mom.
"I'll see you in a few weeks." Sara says wistfully.
"OK" Emma nods stepping away from her Mom.
"Have a good afternoon." Ian kisses Sara slightly "I'll see you later."
Sara nods watching as the two most important people in her life walk away. 'It won't be long.' She sighs 'She'll be back soon.'
Once in the car Ian looks at Emma "Did you have a good time?"
"Uh huh" Emma nods
"What's wrong?" He asks starting the car.
"Do I have to go back to Boston? I wanna stay with you and Mom."
"It's only for two weeks." Ian reaches out running his hand over her dark hair.
"I know." Emma sighs
4PM: AIRPORT
"All right" Ian reaches into his pocket removing Emma's ticket and boarding pass. "Here." He hands her the items. "Now I want you to call me once you land."
Emma nods
"Now help Martha with the packing OK?"
"I will" Emma throws her arms around her Dad's neck. "I love you Daddy."
"I love you too Em." He kisses her forehead. "Now get going."
"Bye Daddy"
"Bye Emma" Ian watches as she makes her way through the crowd. 'I miss my baby girl already.' He thinks 'Not much longer until she's back with me... for good.'
MIDNIGHT: SARA'S APARTMENT
"God I missed you" Ian caresses Sara's cheek as they stand in the foyer.
"Same" Sara presses her lips to his.
WHILE LATER
Ian runs his fingers through Sara's hair as her head rests on his chest. "How was work?"
Sara sighs "Long..." She lifts her head "at least it felt long." She trails her fingers down his jaw. "All I could think of was this... us... no obsessing bosses or friends."
"No impish 14 year old in sight." He says with faint sadness in his voice.
"You miss her." Sara states
"Mmm" Ian nods running his finger down Sara's nose. "I always miss her... probably why I usually don't stay away from her for very long." He muses
"But?"
"Right now all I want is you... no interruptions."
"And what do you want with me?" Sara asks teasingly.
"Oh many things." Ian murmurs brushing his lips over hers. "We have all night."
DAWN
Ian awakens his inner alarm clock going off. He reluctantly lifts his head from the pillow and looks at Sara smiling faintly. 'She is so beautiful... and mine.' He gently brushes a strand off hair off her cheek. 'I still want to spend the rest of my life with my love. I never stopped wanting that.' He silently sighs 'Perhaps one day.' He gently brushes his lips over her cheek then starts to move out of bed.
"Ian?" Sara asks sleepily.
"Go back to sleep."
"Where are you going?" Sara asks
"It's dawn. I need to get back to the house."
"Kiss?"
Ian leans down kissing her lightly. "Go back to sleep."
"'k" Sara burrows into the covers.
Ian quickly dresses and hurries out of the apartment.
LATE AFTERNOON: BOSTON
"How was New York?" Lauren asks as she waits for her friend to grab her books.
"Good. I spent time with Mom. Met some kids at a skate park not far from Vorschlag."
"You know I have never seen your Dad look so happy."
"I know." Emma looks at her friend. "He really loves my Mom... I just never knew how much."
"Think they'll ever get married?" Lauren asks
Emma shrugs "Dad said maybe one day."
"I hope so." Lauren smiles at her friend.
"Me too."
"How did things go with your Grandfather?"
"Good... I guess. We only had one meal together and it didn't end in a war. Though his skanky-assed girlfriend showed up."
"You mean the one that hits on your Dad?"
Emma scowls "Yeah."
"So kick her ass or what?"
"Nah. Once Dad realized she was in town he kept up apart."
"What about your Mom? Does she know that the skank is in town?"
"If he told her I have no idea."
"I could see your Mom kicking some chicks ass for hitting on your Dad."
"I know." Emma laughs. "Now its no longer my job to keep him safe from the greedy sluts of the world."
"So Nottingham heard that you're moving." A voice says snidely.
Emma scowls hearing the voice of one of the most popular girls in her class. "Tanya" She looks at the girl annoyed.
"So it's true huh?"
"I'm moving to New York." Emma acknowledges
"Too bad it means I'm the top student now."
"But Tanya I heard you like to be on the bottom... at least that's what the bathroom walls say." Emma says walking away leaving the other girl steaming.
"Damn girl that was one major slam."
"Why lie" Emma shrugs
"So meet any hotties at the park?" Lauren asks
"Oh a few. There was this one boy... Connor. He was beyond hot. So was Zan."
"What do they look like?"
"Zan has dark hair with piercings and tattoos. Connor has brown hair and blue eyes. There is something about Connor."
"Think you'll see them again?"
Emma shrugs "I hope so."
"I can't believe you're leaving." Lauren says sadly
"Not like you'll never see me again."
"True." Lauren laughs. "You'll always be a pain in the ass."
"Of course." Emma smirks
"Good" Lauren nod. "So what are you doing after school?"
LATE EVENING: NEW YORK
Ian groans as Sara nips at his neck. "Sara come on this is not the..." He's stopped mid sentence by her lips on his.
Sara pulls back after a second of heavy kissing. "God I needed to do that." She says huskily her eyes meeting his.
"Glad you did." Ian caresses her face with the backs of his gloved fingers. "You are so beautiful."
Sara sighs, "I have to get back to work."
Ian nods stepping back he holds out his hand when she slips her hand into his he leads her out of the alley. "I talked to Emma."
"Really? How is she?"
"She wants to come early."
"Poor baby... she must really miss you."
"She misses you too Sara."
"Maybe but I don't think she and I will ever be as close as you two are. I think what I did will always be in the back of her mind." Sara says as they walk down the sidewalk.
"She understands Sara." Ian assures
"Understanding has nothing to do with it. No matter what she says or I say its still there." She sighs heavily. "It will always be there Ian."
They walk in silence then Ian speaks. "I found out something I think you will like."
"What?"
"He's leaving town for the weekend and wants me to stay behind and keep an eye on things."
"Does this mean you will actually stay the whole night?"
"If you want."
"You know I want that." Sara stops looking up at him. "So are you coming over tonight?"
"Yes but I can't stay long. He has an early day."
Sara nods and they continue walking until they reach the precinct. "I don't wanna go back to work." She grumbles
"Then don't call in sick and we'll go back to the apartment and finish what you started back in the alley."
Sara grins, "As much as I like that idea I can't. I'm already on a short leash with the guys for leaving them with paperwork."
Ian smiles back "I'll see you later than."
Sara nods kissing him quickly she steps away shoving her hands in her pockets.
AFTER MIDNIGHT: APARTMENT
"You know one of these days we might break the bed." Sara says with a laugh.
"I'll buy you a new one." Ian says with a groan.
"We could just stop being so... rough." Sara suggests looking at Ian.
The two lock eyes then together they say, "Nah."
"When we're together I can't stop touching you." Ian brushes his knuckle down Sara's cheek.
"I know." She runs her hand down his arm. "When we're so close to each other I can't stop touching you."
"I love being able to touch you. Being so close to you." He murmurs trailing his fingers down her neck causing her to shiver. "Having you in my arms. Do you have any idea how hard it is getting for me to be away from you?" He pauses searching her eyes. "It's more intense then it was all those years ago."
"I know." She agrees scratching at his beard. "When do you have to leave?"
"Soon." Ian tugs lightly on a strand of her hair. "Are you working all this weekend?"
Sara shakes her head. "I have Saturday off." She tilts her head "How should we spend the day?" She asks innocently.
Ian draws absent circles on her stomach "Oh I'm sure we'll come up with something."
"Oh definitely." Sara grins gently shoving him onto his back she straddles his waist. She meets Ian's gaze running her hands over his chest and stomach. 'I love touching him.'
LATER
Sara scratches lightly at his neck as their stare at each other. "Wow."
Ian chuckles "More than wow." He glances at the clock and sighs, "I have to get going."
"No" Sara whines
"I have to my love."
Sara sighs, "Oh fine." She kisses him sweetly crawling under the covers she watches as he dresses. 'God I love him.'
Once dressed Ian sits on the edge of the bed brushing his knuckle down her cheek, "I love you."
Sara smiles "I love you too." She leans up kissing him. "Night."
"Night." Ian stands walking down the stairs.
CHAPTER 13
FRIDAY NIGHT: SARA'S APARTMENT
"When is he going to be back?" Sara asks as she's sprawled across Ian as they lie on the couch watching a movie.
"Sunday evening." Ian answers running his fingers through her hair.
"That mean I get you all weekend?"
"Pretty much."
"I'm glad." Sara lifts her head looking at her love. "God I love you." She brushes her fingers down his beard.
Ian grasps her hand bringing it to his lips. "I love you."
"Wonder what Emma's up too." Sara muses
"She's either at Lauren's place or Lauren is at the house."
"Ian tell me more about her when she was little." Sara nuzzles into his neck.
"What do you want to know?" He asks running his fingers through her hair.
"Anything."
"When she first started crawling she always seemed to find her way underneath tables and chairs. One time when Emma was maybe seven, eight months old, she crawled behind this chair in the study and promptly fell asleep. Martha had left the room for a minute, when she returned Emma wasn't where she left her. I had taken a break from my studies to play with Emma and I found Martha searching the room. That was the first time I ever saw Martha panicked. When I asked her what was wrong she told me she couldn't find Emma. At first, I was just as worried then I remembered finding her another time sleeping behind the chair. I looked behind the chair and there was Emma asleep with her legs tucked under her and her butt in the air."
Sara giggles at the image
"After that whenever we can't find Emma there are three places we always look: my bedroom, her bedroom, and always behind the furniture. She likes to hide... even now. She still hides at times but I always find her somewhere."
"Smart girl." Sara laughs
"That she is." He agrees
"Any regrets?"
"On how she was raised?"
"Yeah."
"Other than not having you around not much... I regret that I allowed Father to keep custody for so long."
"Why did you?"
Ian shrugs "I guess I lost track of time and just shoved the knowledge aside. I mean its not like he was raising her or anything. She did live in the house with him until I left the army but Martha took care of her."
"You rely on Martha a lot." Sara remarks
"I guess. Martha is loyal to Emma, more than she is to him or me. That's all I wanted when I hired her... someone who would make sure Emma's life was balanced and do what she thought was best for Emma even if it meant going against what Father and I wanted." He chuckles "Do you know how many times Martha has said no to Father when it comes to Emma?"
Sara smiles "I'd love to see someone say no to him."
"Emma does all the time. Martha even says no to me."
"I'm liking Martha more and more"
"Why do I feel that between the three of you my life is going to become even more insane?"
"Because it is." Sara laughs
AFTER MIDNIGHT
"This is how it should be." Ian murmurs pressing his lips to Sara's hair as they sit on the bed Ian leaning against the headboard with Sara leaning against his chest.
"I know." Sara traces the tattoo on his forearm. "Its weird."
"What is?"
"That I found the love of my life at 14." She looks at Ian "God Emma is the same age as I was when we met."
Ian scowls "She's not dating until I'm dead."
Sara bursts out laughing at his expression. "Sure honey." She pats his cheek.
"I'm serious."
"You know that's what Dad said to us. Look how we turned out. My sister screws every guy she meets. I ended up getting pregnant at 15." She frowns "Think that will happen to her? Getting pregnant as a teenager?"
"No." He says then sighs, "Yes sometimes that thought pops up in the back of my mind. Then I realized something."
"What's that?"
"She's not dating until I'm dead."
"Ian" Sara groans
"OK OK. She's not dating until I'm 40."
"Ian" Sara laughs
"That's as low as I'm going." Ian grumbles
"Ian she'd be 24 by then."
"Good." Ian says petulantly.
Sara giggles, "That is such a typical Dad response. You just want her to stay a baby forever."
"Of course."
"Just trust her to make the right choice. If you tell her she can't do something she'll most likely do it."
"I know." He admits, "I do trust her... I just don't want her to go through what we went through."
"Yeah." Sara agrees, "I know. God there were times I wondered if Emma would repeat that."
"Well she hasn't and if I have my say she won't be having any kids for a very, very, very long time."
"Let's hope so."
SATURDAY MORNING
Sara opens her eyes, as she smells coffee nearby. She smiles seeing Ian sitting on the edge of the bed holding a mug of coffee. "Coffee" she says happily as she sits up glancing at the clock seeing its nine. "How long have you been up?"
"A while. Breakfast is almost ready."
Sara takes a sip of coffee "Smells good." She kisses him lightly.
"I'll be right back."
Sara watches as he walks down the stairs 'God he's gorgeous.'
LATER
Sara sighs leaning against Ian's chest tracing the tattoo on his forearm. Her eyes land on the marks on his wrist and frowns "I've been meaning to ask you how you got these." She says curiously as she touches the scars.
Ian swallows heavily "I uh tried to kill myself." He admits
"What?!" Sara turns looking at him horrified. "When? Why?"
"When Emma was six. The doctors were using these drugs to control us but they had an adverse affect on me." He looks away feeling ashamed. "The doctors assumed that all the drug therapies over the years combined with particular drug they were trying on me caused something to go wrong in my brain." Feeling her brush his hair back Ian looks at Sara, "Its not that I wanted to die... I just couldn't stop myself." He looks down at his wrist. "Not even the thought of you and Emma could stop the power of the drugs." He blinks back tears "Mobi had to knock me out to get me to stop. I don't remember much after that. I guess the doctors drugged me until I was over it."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Ian shrugs "I don't know."
Sara looks at the scars 'He did this to himself.' She trails her fingers over the scars. 'I could have lost him... for real.' Her eyes meet his and after a moment, she speaks "If you ever try that again drugged or not I'll never forgive you." She rests her forehead against his. "Got it?"
"Got it." He smiles slightly.
'God his smile.' She shivers
"Cold?" Ian asks concerned.
Sara shakes her head "No." She brushes her fingers over his lips. 'God I have kissed these lips so many times in person and in my dreams. He is so incredible.' She captures his lips in a deep and loving kiss.
EARLY AFTERNOON
Sara looks at Ian thoughtfully as he lies next to her in the bed then grins. "OK tell me something you never told me." She challenges.
"Like what?"
Sara shrugs "Whatever you haven't told me."
Ian looks at the ceiling thoughtfully then back at Sara, "When he first brought Emma to me there were nights when I couldn't leave her side and Martha would find me sleeping beside the crib. One day I went to my room to find a cradle. When I asked Martha about it she said she was sick of almost tripping over me every morning." He smiles slightly at the memory. "I spent most nights just watching her sleep." He looks at Sara "I know I spoil her... can't help it. I want her to be happy... happier than I was at her age."
"You've managed that."
"That's all I want." He smoothes Sara's hair back from her face, "So is there anything you haven't told me?"
"Probably." Sara admits. "Who knows we've talked about a lot of stuff." She shrugs
"That we have." Ian agrees
Sara grins slightly
"What?" Ian asks warily
"It's just funny."
"What is?"
"The thought of Emma having you wrapped around her little finger." Sara says
"I know. They used to tease me about it but they stopped after a few visits from Emma. She charmed all of them. The two younger ones Scott and Drew taught her how to rollerblade and skateboard. Mobius unfortunately taught Emma everything I told him not to teach her."
"How so?"
"He taught her how to pick locks and disable security systems. However, Todd taught her how to play poker and cheat. Do you have any idea how much money I've lost to that girl?"
Sara snickers
"Everyone taught her something before I killed them." He looks away. "I wish I had another choice."
"What would that have been?"
"I don't know. For a while I debated even telling her that they were dead."
"What did you tell her?"
"That it had to be done. She was only eleven when I had to stop the first... Todd."
"So she knows you did it?"
Ian nods "I have very few secrets from her. She always knows when I'm lying to her or holding something back. If I hadn't killed them, who knows what would have happened. He could have used her against me to get me to do it. Or they could have come after Emma." He takes a deep breath. "As much as I hated having to do it, it had to be done. I wasn't going to take the chance that they'd come after Emma."
"What about Mobius? Isn't he affected as well?"
"So far he has shown no signs of breaking down. He knows that if he does I have no choice and he understands. We'd already seen one die from breaking down. It's not pleasant Sara." He glances at her briefly then continues, "Father doesn't think it will happen to me since I started the conditioning long before the others."
"It scares you doesn't it?"
Ian nods his hand going to her cheek "Not as much as it did. At least now if it happens Emma won't be alone."
"Ian" she says sadly "don't say that."
"I accepted the possibility long ago Sara. Besides it might not happen no one knows."
"Emma doesn't know does she?"
Ian shakes his head "Its one of the few things I've kept from her. I can't tell her. She tends to worry when I'm alone with him. If I told her then she'd start worrying all the time."
Gently Sara runs her fingers over his beard "You better not die on me Nottingham because I will be majorly pissed."
"I don't plan on it anytime soon."
"Good." Sara nods "Now tell me something else." She demands changing the subject.
"Something else huh?" Ian tilts his head searching his mind he slowly smiles "When Emma was three or four she asked for something."
"What was it?"
"A little brother." He brushes her hair back.
"How did that come about?"
"I think she was watching Sesame Street and someone brought up the topic of having a baby brother or sister. I wasn't paying much attention. She crawled onto my lap and announces in this serious voice that she wants a little brother."
"That must have been a shocker." Sara laughs. "What did you say?"
"I didn't know what to say at first but then I told her that it wouldn't happen."
"What did she say?"
"She asked why."
"What did you tell her?"
"Nothing. She brought it up every so often until she was about six or seven. I hated telling her no."
"Does she still ask?" Sara asks softly
"No. I think she realized no matter how many times she asked it wasn't going to just happen."
Sara swallows "You don't want anymore kids?"
"Its not that I don't want anymore kids. I just can't see anyone but you being the mother of my children." He says honestly. "What about you?" He rubs his thumb across her lower lip. "Do you ever think of having more kids?"
"I try not to think about it."
"Why not?"
"Every time I'd think about that I'd start thinking about Emma. It was too hard so I just don't think about it."
"And now?"
"Maybe one day."
Ian strokes her hair "If there ever is the possibility I won't let anything or anyone keep us apart."
"I know."
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
"I don't want to let you go." Ian murmurs as they sit on the couch his arms around Sara. "God I hate being away from you."
"I know." Sara sighs
"It has to be done."
"I know."
"I have to get going. I need to return to the house and make sure things are in order before he returns."
Sara looks at him. "Do you think we'll ever be able to be together without him messing with our lives?"
"One day."
"Promise?"
"I promise. One day we'll be able to be together... the three of us will be the family we should have always been." He kisses her forehead his eyes searching hers. "And I am going to ask you to marry me."
Sara smiles "You've asked me already."
"Yes, but we were still kids and we ended up being separated." He smoothes her hair back. "Now we're adults and I won't let anyone not even him keep us apart. You and Emma are everything to me Sara."
Sara blinks back tears "I love you so much."
"I love you." He kisses her and soon the kiss becomes desperate. Reluctantly he breaks the kiss. "I have to go before this ends up in bed." He says huskily.
Sara nods slightly and moves off his lap. She walks with him to the door kissing him lightly. "Bye." She says sadly.
"Bye" Ian presses his lips to her forehead. "I love you."
Sara smiles "I know." She watches as he walks down the stairs. She closes the door leaning against it she takes a deep breath. 'God please don't let me lose him now. I love him so much. If I lose him again I don't know if I'll survive.' She wraps her arms around herself.
LATE EVENING: 1111 FAUST
"How was your weekend?" Kenneth inquires
"It was good."
"I take it you spent it with the Detective."
"Yes." Ian watches his Father cautiously. 'Is he going to lose his temper?'
Kenneth nods "Did you finish with the security plan for next weeks meeting?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. When is the girl coming?"
"Emma will be here on Friday. Martha is going to stay in Boston for a few extra days to make sure everything is settled."
"And school? I take it she still refuses to go to a private school."
"She likes public school. It's her choice." Ian shrugs
"Decent school?"
"Yes. It's not far from the house so if needed she can walk to school."
Kenneth lifts his brow "Walk to school?"
"If she wants, normally she doesn't walk to school but sometimes she walks home."
"Her choice." Irons says with faint disgust in his voice. "Now for this weeks agenda."