CHAPTER 16
NEXT DAY: SCHOOL
"Done unpacking?" Dawn asks as she and Emma walk to class.
"No. I still have a lot to go."
"When Buffy and I moved here with Angel it took me weeks to unpack everything."
"How long have you lived here?" Emma asks
"Two years. My Dad didn't want to deal with me so he agreed to let me move with Buffy."
"Miss him?"
"God no. My Dad didn't give a damn about us. Angel had to threaten him with legal action to keep up on the child support and pay for Buffy's college." She looks at Emma "When did your parents divorce?"
"They never married." Emma answers "My parents relationship is complicated. I'm still trying to figure it out."
"See ya." Dawn says as they part ways to go to their only separate class.
Emma enters the history classroom where she notices Connor sitting in the back ignoring the students talking around him. She makes her way to the back row and sits down removing her book and notebook from her backpack.
40 MINS LATER
As the bell rings Emma stands walking over to where Connor is sitting. "So Connor are you going to work with me or what?"
Connor looks at the girl surprised by her annoyed tone, a tone no girl in the school has ever taken with him. "You know most people around here don't talk to me unless I talk first... and they definitely don't talk like you do."
"Yeah well secrets out... I'm not like most people." Emma shrugs waving her hand. "Look I'll try to make this whole partnership as painless as possible."
Connor scowls in annoyance then sighs "Fine. I'll work with you." He stands walking away.
Emma smirks watching him walk out of the classroom. 'He's gonna learn a very important lesson by the time I'm done with him.'
3 PERIOD: PE
"All right who is up for the rope climb?" The PE teacher Coach Allen asks looking at the group of students.
"I will Coach Allen." A boy steps forward.
"Does anyone want to challenge Rob's time?" Coach Allen asks.
"He is the biggest jock in school." Dawn whispers to Emma. "No one in this class has beat him."
Emma notices the smug look on the boy's face then inwardly smirks stepping forward. "I will."
"The new girl's up." Coach Allen announces gesturing to the ropes.
"No chick has ever come close to my time." Rob says snidely.
"Don't call me chick." Emma warns.
"You're in for a loss." Rob shrugs
"We'll see." Emma glares at him then looks at the rope before her.
"Ready?" Coach Allen asks
"Ready." Rob nods
"Ready."
"Then GO!"
Emma grabs the rope pulling herself up hand over hand. Blocking out the voices she continues to pull herself up remembering all the years of training with her Dad and Uncles. Within moments she reaches the top of the rope seconds before Rob. She meets the boy's gaze and smirks before releasing the rope dropping to the mat below in a crouch as the other students especially the girls and the smaller boys cheer her on.
"Way to go Emma" Dawn applauds.
"You beat Rob's time." Coach Allen says impressed
Emma shrugs as Rob lands beside her.
"Where did you learn to climb like that?" Coach Allen inquires
"My Dad. He taught me when I was little." Emma answers with a sheepish shrug
Coach Allen nods then looks at the crowd. "Who's next?"
AFTER PE: LOCKER ROOM
"Damn it." Dawn mutters
Emma looks at her new friend as she pulls on her shirt. "What?"
"Damn locker won't open. Stupid thing has been getting stuck lately." Dawn grumbles
"Give me a minute then I'll try to get it open."
"Really?"
Emma nods
"How do you know how to do something like that?"
"I've had an... eclectic upbringing." Emma shrugs pulling on her jeans. She unzips the front pouch of her backpack and removes a set of lock picking tools. When she sees the look on Dawn's face she smiles. "Don't tell my Dad about this. He's still mad my Uncle taught me... he'd be even more pissed if he found out I have these." She turns her attention to the lock and quickly works and within seconds Dawn's locker is open. "There." She sits back on the bench.
"Damn that's a good trait to have." Dawn laughs
"Your telling me." Emma says dryly "Though I'm not allowed to use my powers for evil." She grins at her new friend.
"You listen to him?" Dawn asks with a grin.
Emma shrugs "Most of the time." She answers "Dad and I are close." She says in explanation.
Dawn nods pulling on her jeans. "So what are you doing after school?"
"Not sure. Dad's picking me up and I think he wants to do some more unpacking." Emma replies closing her locker.
LUNCH TIME
"Heard you beat Rob the Snob." Connor says as the group sits around their table.
Emma lifts her shoulder slightly.
"Rob looked like he was going to flip." Dawn laughs
"You've got guts kid." Lonnie states regarding the newcomer to their group. "You messed with one of the most popular jocks in this school."
"Oh well." Emma says airly as she takes a bite of her apple. She regards Connor as she chews "So Connor" she begins after swallowing. "You going to suck it up and work with me?"
Connor scowls "Might as well. Maybe he'll get off my back for a while."
"When do you want to start?"
"Whenever."
"This weekend? Won't take long... we'll just figure out what the topic is and how to go about it."
"Fine." Connor says gruffly.
"Wow you got Connor to agree to do homework." Rath says amazed
"Only because I want him to stop bitching at me." Connor glares at his friend.
"What are you doing afterschool kid?" Zan asks
"Mostly unpacking." Emma answers
"Not going to the park?" Zan asks
Emma shakes her head "Not until things are organized. Dad hates when things are disorganized." She rolls her eyes
"Same with my parents." Liz laughs "Leave out a shoe and they freak."
"Parents can't live with 'em... and without 'em nothing interesting happens." Emma says dryly.
3:30 PM: SCHOOL PARKING LOT
"Hi Dad" Emma greets as she tosses her backpack into the backseat of her Dad's car.
"Hello Em." Ian greets smiling slightly as she gets into the car. "How was school?" He asks as he starts the car.
"Decent. The guy I was pretty much ordered to work with said he might actually work. He's coming over on Saturday."
Ian nods. "Don't forget that some of your Mom's friends are joining us for dinner... including Detective Woo's kids and his niece."
"OK." Emma nods "Guess what?"
Ian looks at his excited child "What?"
"I beat a guy on the ropes."
Ian chuckles reaching over he runs his hand over her hair. "That's my girl." He says his voice filled with pride.
Emma grins. "Are you going back to work?" She asks after a moment.
"Unfortunately I am." He glances at her. "I want your homework done by the time I get home."
"OK."
"Let the dogs out huh?"
"I know Dad." She says exasperatedly.
20 MINS LATER: HOUSE
Emma leans across the seat kissing her Dad's cheek. "Bye."
"Get your work done." He says sternly.
"I will." Emma opens the door. "Don't worry Dad... I have stayed by myself before."
Ian watches in the rearview mirror as she grabs her backpack from the backseat. "There's money on the dresser if you want to order dinner."
"OK." She closes the car door making her way up to the front door.
Ian watches and waits until Emma is in the house before he drives away.
8PM
Ian enters the house to the sound of the TV blaring in the living room. He winces at the noise. 'God I hate when she does that.' "Emma" he calls as he removes his cap and overcoat. He sighs when she doesn't respond. "Emma turn that down." He hangs up his coat then makes his way back to the kitchen where he finds Emma sitting at the kitchen counter eating ice cream and talking on the phone. He shakes his head picking up the remote lying on the couch and presses mute. He makes his way over to where Emma is sitting and drops a kiss on her head.
Emma tilts her head "Hi Dad."
"Tell 'im hey."
"Lauren says hi."
Ian takes the phone from his daughter. "Lauren don't keep my daughter too long huh? I haven't seen her all day."
"I won't." Lauren assures
"Dad" Emma takes the phone back. "So what happened?"
Ian tunes out his daughter's conversation as he greets the dogs.
After a few minutes Lauren groans "Emma I have to go. Mom's home."
"Tell her I said Hi."
"I will. Call me later."
"Yeah sure." Emma hangs up the phone looking at her Dad. "Your home late." She states
Ian glances at his daughter "He wanted a prelim on a new system he wants installed next month."
"Oh."
"I talked to Martha earlier." Ian informs his daughter as he stands.
"When will she be here?"
"She will pick you up from school tomorrow."
"OK." Emma nods "Is Mom coming over?"
"No. She has an early meeting in the morning." He answers as he opens the refrigerator. "Did you have dinner?"
"Yes."
"Homework done?"
"Yes."
"Good." Ian nods pouring himself a glass of water. "Are you done unpacking?"
"Have only two or so boxes left."
"How about we start unpacking the books in the study" Ian suggests
"Fine with me."
"Good." He sets the glass in the sink "I will change and be right there." He walks out of the kitchen.
Emma pulls herself up onto the counter digs into the bag of chips she left out. As she's eating the chips the phone rings and she wipes her hands off on her jeans then picks up the phone resting beside her. "Hello?" She says in greeting.
"Hey sweetie."
"Hi Mom." Emma greets "Aren't you supposed to be working?"
"I am." Sara replies "I just thought I'd call and see how school went."
"It was OK." Emma shrugs "I beat this guy's time on the ropes. Pissed him off."
Sara laughs "Good for you. Anything else happen?"
"That guy Connor I'm supposed to work with said he might actually work."
"That's good. Is your homework done?"
"Yep. Did it right when I got home. What are you doing?"
"Paperwork. Damn pile keeps growing." Sara grumbles.
Emma giggles
"So where's your Dad? Still at work?"
"Nah. He got home a few minutes ago. He's changing so we can unpack some of the books that go in the study."
"Good. How's your room coming along?"
"Almost done. Down to a few more boxes." Emma answers swinging her legs her heels hitting the cabinet doors.
Ian enters the kitchen frowning when he hears to soft thudys. He notices Emma sitting on the counter swinging her legs. "Emma stop kicking the cabinet."
"Sorry Daddy." Emma stills her legs.
"Let me talk to your Dad for a moment."
"OK" Emma holds the phone out to her Dad. "It's Mom."
Ian takes the phone from Emma "Sara."
"Hey you. Emma said you are going to work on unpacking the books in the study."
"Yes. There are a lot of books to unpack."
Sara is about to reply then growls in annoyance "Ian I have to go. Dante wants to yell at me for something I so did not do."
"Are you sure you didn't do it?" Ian teases
"Very funny Nottingham." Sara grumbles "I'll call you later."
"All right." Ian hangs up and looks at Emma who is happily eating chips. "Emma what is with you and unhealthy food?"
"Another trait from Mom?" She shrugs with a small grin.
Ian smiles "Definitely from your mother."
"Duh... considering you hate junk food."
"I just never developed a taste for it like you and your Mother." Ian shrugs "Now come on let's get to work."
"When did I?" Emma hops off the counter "I mean the Evil One wouldn't allow food like this in the house. I know Martha hates my eating habits." She follows her Dad out of the kitchen. "Was it just a late trait?"
"Pretty much. When you were little you had very little access to junk food. I know Cook used to sneak you cookies every so often." He enters the study turning on the light "But I don't think you really got into junk food until you met Lauren."
"Oh." She grins "And the Evil One said Lauren was a bad influence on me."
"First of all don't call your grandfather that." Ian chastises. "Secondly, I think it was the other way around. You were the bad influence on Lauren."
"I so was not." Emma denies
"Emma do you really think Lauren would have glued someone to a chair if you two hadn't met?"
Emma tilts her head then sighs heavily "No she wouldn't have."
"Come on let's get to work."
10 PM
Emma grins as she picks up a familiar book. "Dad look what I found."
Ian pauses from shelving books to look at his daughter and smiles slightly when he sees the book. He sets the book he's holding down and joins Emma. "The book you read your first full sentence from." He smiles at the memory. "You were so proud of yourself. You weren't even four and you read your first sentence. You went in search of Father and read the same sentence to him."
"I did?"
"You wanted to show everyone you could. You went from room to room and whoever you could find you read it to them."
"That's weird."
"How so?"
"I don't really have any good memories of him."
Ian runs his hand down her hair as she snuggles against his side. "You used to like him."
"What made me stop?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you when your older."
"I'm not a baby."
"I know you aren't. I'm just not ready to tell you about it."
"Oh OK." She says reluctantly.
"Let's get back to work huh?"
Emma nods
OVER AN HOUR LATER
Ian glances at the clock then at Emma "All right its past time for someone to be in bed."
"Dad" Emma groans
"Don't Dad me. Go on. I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Oh fine." Emma grumbles setting the books she holding down she walks out of the study.
Ian shakes his head and continues shelving the books when his phone rings. He sets the books down and picks up his phone flipping it open. "Yes?" He greets.
"Hi"
Ian smiles "Hello love. Aren't you still at work?"
"I'm taking a short break. There's only so much paperwork I can stand before the words start to blur."
Ian sits on the edge of the desk. "Poor Sara."
"Emma in bed yet?"
"I just sent her up to get ready for bed. Do you want to talk to her?"
"Unfortunately I don't have time. I have to get back. Tell her I said goodnight."
"I will. Enjoy work."
"Very funny." Sara hangs up on him.
Ian closes his phone and walks out of the study.
Emma steps out of her bathroom dressed in her pajamas just as she hears a knock at her door. "Come in."
Ian enters the bedroom just as Emma crawls under the covers. He sits on the edge of the bed. "You OK Em?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" She asks puzzled.
"You've had a lot of changes the last few months."
"I'm OK. I miss Lauren though."
"I know you do. You know what?"
"What?"
"I had gotten used to having both of you around making noise at all hours."
Emma grins "Oh really?"
"Really. This place seems kind of quiet without you two bickering over something."
"We don't bicker." Emma protests snuggling into the covers "Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"I may miss Lauren but I am happy."
"You are huh?" He smoothes a strand of hair off her forehead. "Why are you happy?"
Emma shrugs "I don't know really."
"Are you happy about your Mom being around?"
Emma nods after a moment of thought. "Yeah. She makes you happy doesn't she?"
"Yes she does." He strokes her cheek. "As must as I love your Mom do you know what I love most?"
"What's that?"
Ian smiles slightly "That I have you."
Emma grins "Really?"
"Really. As crazy as my life has been you are the one part of my life that has always made sense."
"You know most people would totally disagree that having a kid at 17 makes any sense." Emma points out.
"Like you always say 'I'm not most people.'"
"Nah... your my Dad of course your not like most people." She says impishly.
Ian laughs then sombers quickly "You need to get to sleep. Now are you going to give me a hug or what?"
Emma sits up wraps her arms around his neck. "I love you Daddy." She kisses his cheek.
"I love you too Emma." As she lies down he pulls the covers up kisses her forehead. "Sleep well."
Emma burrows into the covers. "Night Daddy."
Ian sits there for a moment watching Emma as she settles into her bed then stands walking out of her bedroom.
SAME TIME: PRECINCT
"So how's Emma?" Danny asks his best friend.
"Good." Sara answers as she sits down. "They were unpacking the study."
"They have a lot of books?"
Sara nods "Stacked all over the place." She smiles slightly "Ian once told me that books were his only friends." At Danny's curious expression she shrugs "Irons never encouraged him to have friends growing up."
"And what about Emma? Who does she take after?"
"Ian." Sara answers with a laugh. "She's very bright and self-relient. She's also very self-protective and also protective of Ian."
"How so?" Danny asks lifting his brow.
"Ian told me that when Emma was little she would leave him alone with any of Irons money grubbing, skanky girlfriends. She even kicked one for getting too close to Ian."
"Your kidding."
"Nope." Sara laughs
"Definitely your kid." Danny says dryly.
"Definitely." Sara agrees
CHAPTER 17
NEXT AFTERNOON: HIGHSCHOOL
Emma smiles seeing Martha's car waiting for her in the school parking lot. "I got to go." She says hurriedly to Dawn as they walk down the steps.
"Your Dad?" Dawn asks
"No. Martha... she's the housekeeper... and was my Nanny. Call me later." She calls over her shoulder as she hurries through the crowd of students. As she opens the car door she grins. "Hi"
"Hello Emma." Martha smiles back "How was school?" She asks as the teen gets into the car.
"Long." Emma sighs heavily as she buckles her seatbelt. "How are your parents?" She asks as Martha starts the car.
"They send their love... and a present. Its in the back seat."
Emma shifts looking in the backseat she finds a plainly wrapped gift on the seat. Reaching back she grabs the package and settles in her seat ripping into the wrapping to find a book. "Cool." She reads the title "I don't have this one." She opens the book and carefully flips through the pages. "So are they going to visit soon?"
"They might but they haven't decided. Their currently planning their trip to Florida."
"Cool."
"How are things going with your Mom?" Martha asks glancing at the teen.
Emma shrugs "We've talked a lot."
"Good." Martha nods
"Martha" Emma pauses "if Mom moves in or they get married are you going to leave?"
"I don't know. That all depends on your parents."
"Well I want you to stay no matter what."
"We don't know what the future will bring Emma."
"I know"
"Now tell me about this boy you have to work with."
"Not much to tell." Emma shrugs "He's uh... interesting."
"Cute?" Martha grins
Emma groans "Very."
"Don't let your Dad hear that." Martha laughs
"I know... he'd freak. I don't know why he'd freak though... I have absolutely no interest in dating right now."
"You know your Dad... he's just obsessive when it comes to you."
"I know."
"So tell me about this boy." Martha urges
"He's interesting. Dawn's told me a little about him."
"Who is Dawn again?"
"Well Dawn's sister dates Connor's Dad who is according to Liz and a few of the other girls I met... very hot." Emma rolls her eyes "Anyway Dawn moved out here with her sister after Connor's grandparents died. I guess his Grandparents raised him... Dawn doesn't say much about that whole thing."
"So how old is Connor's Father?" Martha asks curiously
"I think Dawn said he's 29 or so." Emma shrugs "Her sister is 21."
"You've made some friends huh?"
"I guess a few."
"How is Lauren doing these days?"
"She's good. She's trying to decide if she's going to try out for the school play. Her Mom has another boyfriend. Her Dad... well he's still a loser."
"When is she going to visit?"
"Next month sometime. They still have to figure out what weekends best."
"I bet you can't wait to see her."
"Yeah."
7PM: HOUSE
"Hey Emma" Sara greets walking into the kitchen where her daughter is sitting at the kitchen table talking with Martha while Martha is moving around the kitchen preparing dinner. "Martha" She smiles at the woman.
Martha smiles at the younger woman "Sara."
"Where's Ian?" Sara asks leaning against the counter.
"He should be home soon." Martha answers "Emma pick up your things and take them upstairs."
Emma sighs "Oh OK." She gathers her things
As Emma walks out of the kitchen Sara looks at Martha "You know I have yet to thank you."
"For what?" Martha asks puzzled.
"For taking care of her... and him."
"You don't need..."
"I do." Sara interrupts "You were there for both of them. And from what Ian has told me you've stood up to Irons many times when it comes to Emma."
"Well if it was up to him she'd be in boarding school and those two would be miserable." She meets the younger woman's gaze head on. "They are both very important to me."
"I can see that."
The two women look at each other coming to a silent understanding. Martha notices Emma reenter the kitchen. "Emma please set the table."
"Which table?"
"Kitchen. Dining room table is a mess."
"Why do we even have a dining room table?" Emma asks thoughtfully as she opens the drawer to remove the placemats. "We never use it unless the Evil One is over."
"Did he visit often?" Sara asks
"Once or twice a year but mostly we'd go see him somewhere or Dad would go see him on his own." Emma half listens as her Mom and Martha talk while she sets the table. She grins seeing her Dad enter the kitchen "Hi Daddy."
Ian smiles faintly.
"Emma finish setting the table and pour drinks." Martha instructs. "Dinners almost ready."
"Long day?" Sara asks seeing the exhaustion in his eyes along with the love and relief.
Ian nods "He was short tempered today." He notices Felix sitting at Martha's feet. "Felix get out of the kitchen." He orders changing the subject. "Emma did you feed the dogs?" He asks as the dog slinks out of the kitchen.
"Uh huh." Emma nods
"All right. I'll finish this up. You go wash up and let the dogs out."
HOUR LATER
Martha watches Ian watch Sara and Emma. "How short tempered was he today?" She asks knowing there's more to the story.
Ian shrugs "Not bad. It should be gone in a few days."
"You really love her." Martha states seeing the look in his eyes as he watches Sara laugh.
Ian glances at Martha and back at Sara. "She was the first person to ever treat me like I was... normal. I fell in love with her the moment we met."
Martha picks up the handtowel and wipes her hands off. "Well I am going to do some more unpacking." She starts towards the garage when Ian's voice stops her.
"Martha... I know I don't say it often" he pauses "but thank you for everything over the years. If it wasn't for you who knows how she would have turned out."
"You raised her Ian... I've just been there." She smiles slightly "Go spend time with your family." She watches as he joins Sara and Emma in the living room. 'They are happy together... they definitely deserve some happiness.' She quietly walks out of the kitchen through the laundry room and out to the garage.
"And your Dad punched the guy."
"Just what are you telling her Sara?" Ian asks as he catches the tail end of her sentence.
"Did you actually punch a guy?" Emma looks at her Dad surprised.
Ian shrugs sitting next to Sara on the couch. "He insulted your Mom and your Aunt. I couldn't let him get away with that."
"And you tell me not to punch people." Emma shakes her head in disbelief.
"I'm the adult here." Ian reminds "What I say goes... and I say no punching people."
Emma tilts her head "Can I punch someone if they call me names?"
"No" Sara and Ian say together.
"Can I punch someone if they try to hit me first?"
"Emma I taught you more control than that." Ian says sternly.
"Not like I'd hit someone just for the hell of it." Emma grumbles.
"Good." Ian says relieved.
"What else did Dad do?" Emma asks her Mom curiously.
"Almost got us kicked out of the library once." Sara grins at the memory.
"Oh really?" Emma looks at her Dad.
"You started it." Ian argues
"What happened?" Emma asks
"One of the librarians caught us kissing in the stacks." Sara explains with a laugh.
Emma shakes her head "Dad"
"Don't Dad me your Mom started it."
"I did not." Sara protests smacking him across the chest.
"Yes you did." Ian retorts
"Oh fine it was my fault." Sara grumbles "I'll take the blame."
"Anything else Dad has neglected to tell me over the years?"
"Why do you want to know?" Ian asks suspiciously.
Emma gives him her best innocent look. "I need something to throw back when I do something and get caught."
"Sorry baby." Sara says sympathetically. "other than punching that guy and getting caught kissing in the library your Dad was always the good one." She rests her head on Ian's shoulder "He was always getting us out of trouble."
"Someone had to keep you two out of trouble." Ian presses his lips to her hair.
"That you did." Sara smiles.
"Emma when are you starting your project?" Ian asks changing the subject.
"Saturday. Connor's coming over at 1 is that OK?"
Ian nods "What time will your friends be here?" He asks Sara as he runs his fingers through her hair.
"Four." Sara answers with a happy sigh.
"He'll be gone by then." Emma assures.
"What's your project going to be on?" Sara asks Emma.
"Not sure yet. That's what were going to do on Saturday."
FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL
"Are you going to be at my house at 1?" Emma asks Connor as they stand on the steps overlooking the parking lot.
"Yeah sure." Connor shrugs
"I'll drag him there if need be." Dawn offers.
"Oh he'll be there." Zan says confidently. "Or else I'll kick his ass."
"I gotta go... Martha's waiting." Emma says seeing Martha's car.
"You coming to the park?" Zan asks
"No. I have to help Martha get ready for tomorrow... we're having some of Mom's friends over for dinner." Emma replies "Later." She calls over her shoulder as she hurries down the steps.
LATE THAT NIGHT: NOTTINGHAM HOUSEHOLD
Emma enters her Dad's study to find him sitting in his chair reading a book. "Hi Daddy."
Ian sets his book aside "Come 'ere."
Emma grins hurrying over she climbs onto his lap snuggling close.
"How was your first week at school?" Ian inquires as he strokes her hair.
"It was... interesting." Emma says with a heavy sigh.
"What's wrong Emma?" He asks concerned.
"Daddy do you have to work after school? I like having you home after school."
"I know... I like it too but things have changed."
"I know I just wish that that didn't have to change."
"I wish that didn't have to change but it has to be this way."
"Why?" Emma demands
"Just the way the world works." He presses his lips to her hair.
They sit there in silence then after a few minutes Emma sits up. "I'm going to go talk with Lauren for a while then go to bed."
"All right. Tell Lauren I said Hello."
"I will." Emma kisses his cheek. "I love you Daddy." She climbs off his lap.
"I love you too Emma."
AFTER MIDNIGHT
Sara enters the house and resets the alarm after locking the door. Hearing nails clicking across the floor she looks over to see Hugo. "Hey Buddy." She scratches his head after setting her helmet on the chair. "So where is he?" She asks the dog. "I bet he's downstairs huh?" Sara makes her way back through the kitchen to the laundry room and opens the basement door. She walks halfway down the stairs and stops swallowing a wave of lust at the sight of Ian shirtless and barefoot as he hits a punching bag. 'Good God he's beautiful.' Her eyes roam over his body. 'And all mine.' She smiles faintly.
Sensing eyes on him Ian turns and smiles seeing Sara on the stairs. "I thought you weren't coming over until morning."
Sara shrugs "I wasn't" she continues down the stairs stopping a few feet away from him. "but I wanted to see you."
"How was work?" Ian asks
"Long." She sighs wrapping her arms around his neck. "You?"
"Decent." Ian wraps his arms around her waist. "He was in a calm mood."
"Good." Sara brushes her lips over his and slowly the kiss deepens.