CHAPTER 29
COUPLE WEEKS LATER: SARA'S APARTMENT
"And Zan just looked at the guy and said 'Don't mess with the girls... they'll lay you flat in ten seconds and if they don't we will.' One look at Lonnie and the guy just ran."
"Lonnie is tough." Sara agrees "I've seen her record."
"She and I are at an agreement... she leaves me alone and I leave her alone."
"Smart on both of your sides." Sara laughs as she hears a knock at the door. "Wonder who that is."
"Its too early to be Dad." Emma shrugs
Sara stands and heads to the door and opens it to find much to her surprise... her sister.
"Aras what do you want?"
"Nice to see you too sis." Aras smirks looking at her sister over her sunglasses. "Can't a sister see her twin?"
"What did you do this time?" Sara asks suspiciously.
"Nothing. I just thought we could spend sometime together... after all it is our birthday."
"Last time you said you wanted to spend time with me you fucked the guy I was seeing." Sara snaps.
"I promise to behave." Aras says with a smirk. "Come on sis its our birthday."
"Mom?"
Sara looks over her shoulder to see Emma watching from the couch. "Just a second Em." She calls then turns back to her sister.
"Mom?" Aras lifts her brow. "You forget to tell me something over the years?"
"No its something you've known for 14 years." Sara snaps. "Look behave or I'll kick you out." She steps aside allowing her sister to enter. "Emma" Sara begins as they walk further into the loft. "Emma this is Aras. Aras this is your niece Emma."
Emma looks her Aunt over who is wearing a short leather skirt, thigh high boots, with a leather vest top. Her dark hair streaked with white and purple with numerous earrings in each ear as well as a piercing in her brow. "Hi"
"Holy... you look just like him." Aras says stunned.
"Actually Dad thinks I look more like you and Mom."
Aras's looks at her sister surprised.
"Emma I need to talk to Aras. Why don't you take your coffee out to the hall and wait for your Dad." Sara says staring at her sister.
Emma shrugs "All right. Don't do too much damage. I think Daddy might have a few words to throw her way." Emma picks up her coffee "Enjoy." She smirks at Aras then walks out of the apartment.
Aras chuckles "Definitely a Pezzini." She says as the door closes behind the teen. "So I take it from her remark he had the brat the whole time."
"You lied to me Aras!" Sara says angrily as she clenches her fists.
"You gotta be a little more specific sis." Aras shrugs
"About Ian!"
"Yeah so" Aras waves her hand.
"I'm your sister Aras" Sara says angrily "and you lied to me!"
"Oh and like you didn't?!" Aras retorts. "He was my friend as well and you were fucking him."
"Once Aras. I only had sex with him once!"
"So what!"
"You lied to both of us!" Sara exclaims "He told me that he called and you told him that I never wanted to see him again. You knew I did! You knew I'd find out the truth so you kept us apart!"
"You have always gotten what you wanted. Ever since we were kids you were the favored one... the smart one. Mom... Dad... teachers. Our friends always liked you more than me. Then Ian comes around and as always you get what you wanted."
"So what? Is that why you've done all these things over the years? To get back at me for falling in love?!" Sara says angrily.
"Always about you." Aras mutters
Sara throws her arms up "So what is this about? What was behind your constant need to ruin my life?" Sara demands "I let you ruin so many relationships over the years but that is over Aras. You deal with the fact that I am with Ian and that I love him and he loves me. If you can't deal then stay out of my life because I'm not going to let you or anyone get in the way."
"Oh come on Sara. I did all I did to prove they were weak... not good enough for you."
"Then why Ian?"
Aras shrugs
"I was going to tell you."
"Why didn't you Sara? I deserved to know!"
"Things kept coming up. Then the week after Ian and I slept together he disappeared."
"I know. That's why I told you."
"God Aras you hurt me a lot that day. The one thing that hurt the most was when you told me to have an abortion and forget Ian existed."
"I saved you from a lot more heartbreak than him leaving you."
"He left because you lied."
"What makes you think he wasn't off screwing some chick that week?"
A few moments later Emma smiles seeing her Dad walk up the stairs. "Hi Dad."
"Hello my sweet Em." Ian stops dropping a kiss to Emma's head. "Why are you out here?"
"Mom's arguing with her sister." Emma shrugs
"Aras is here?"
Emma nods inwardly wincing as his eyes narrow. 'Uh oh Dad mad... not good.'
"Stay here." Ian says stiffly.
Emma watches as he enters the apartment. 'Man this sucks! I have to stay out here why the fun happens in there.'
Inside the apartment Ian enters at the end of Aras's accusation. "That week I was healing."
Aras and Sara turn to see Ian enter the living room. "Hey Nottingham, you've grown." Aras says looking him over appreciatively.
"You want to know where I was that week Aras?" Ian asks dangerously as he tosses his overcoat on the couch. "The night I left your apartment I returned home to find Father furious. He had lost a large bid as well as a lot of money in the market. He was also angry over the amount of time I was spending with you and Sara... he believed I was dividing my time and not spending enough with him." Ian explains "Like he did many times over the years he brought out the whip."
Sara shivers at his words.
"That night he was out of control and he didn't stop until I passed out. I was unconscious for a full day and wasn't able to move for many more. That's why I was gone." Ian looks at Sara "I have only loved Sara... I'd never hurt her... ever."
"I'm not going to let you ruin this Aras." Sara goes to Ian's side slipping her hand into his. "If you are going to stay a while that's fine but if you try any of your old tricks." Sara warns.
"As always Sara gets what she wants." Aras walks out of the apartment.
Sara sighs leaning against Ian as the door closes.
"You OK?" Ian hugs her.
"Surprised to see her."
"I bet."
"I wonder why she's here. Aras never comes to see me without a motive."
"Maybe she doesn't have one this time."
"We'll see. I just hope she doesn't cause any trouble."
Ian gently tilts Sara's head up. "It will be fine." He kisses her sweetly.
Outside in the hall Aras passes the teen and starts to head down the stairs.
"She loves him. He loves her. You won't be able to try anything again." Emma says watching her Aunt. "Don't try to hurt them again."
Aras pauses and looks at her niece. "What makes you think I would?"
"People do things out of misguided needs. They need each other. I think you've realized that over the years."
"You're wise for a kid." Aras remarks.
Emma smirks "I'm my Father's daughter." She takes a sip of her coffee and watches her Aunt walk down the stairs.
THAT NIGHT: SARA'S APARTMENT
"Are you OK my love?" Ian asks softly.
"I don't know if I want to work things out with Aras."
"Why not?"
"She enjoys hurting me."
"Maybe she wants to change."
"I doubt it." Sara says bitterly.
"She's your sister. As much trouble as she causes she's still your sister."
"Why do you defend her?" Sara demands sitting up.
"Sara... you have a sibling. Do you have any idea how lucky you are to know that? I don't know if I have one. I have no idea if I am who he says I am. I would love to know that kind of information about myself." Ian sits up smoothing her hair back. "Try to work things out huh?"
"I guess I should... Emma does want to get to know her... and she is my sister."
"Emma is curious and I bet Aras is curious as well."
Sara returns her head to his shoulder "So where is our delightful child?"
"At Dawn's for the night."
"Ahh."
"Two days until your birthday."
"Mm." Sara nods
"Do you know where Aras is?"
"Yeah. She called Marie and left her number there. Marie ordered me to check up on her."
"Are you?"
"I'll call her tomorrow."
"Are you going to be at the house tomorrow night?"
"I already promised Emma I would be."
"Good." He glances at the clock. "It's getting late."
"Are you staying?"
"Of course."
"Good." Sara says relieved. "Always sleep better with you." She snuggles close.
"Same."
"Night." Sara yawns
"Goodnight my love."
NEXT MORNING
"Happy birthday." Ian murmurs
Sara smiles happily and tangles her fingers in his hair as she rests her forehead against his. "Nice way to wake up."
"Mmm"
"I should go shower... join me?"
"I can't my love. I have to get going. I have a meeting I have to attend and I can't be late. He hates when I'm late."
Sara scowls
"You know I'd rather stay here with you." Ian says as he sees the scowl on her face.
"I know."
"I'll see you at dinner OK?"
Sara nods moving out of his arms watching as he gets out of bed.
"Why don't you invite Aras over for dinner." Ian suggests as he dresses.
"I'll think about it." She sighs heavily.
"What is it?" Ian asks
"Nothing... come here."
"What?" Ian asks going to her side.
Sara reaches up brushing the backs of her fingers down his cheek. "I love you."
Ian smiles "I love you." He echoes
Sara kisses him sweetly.
"So when are you going to marry me?" He asks his lips inches from hers.
Sara smiles at his tone. "One day... I promise."
"I'm going to hold you to that." He warns
"I know." Sara releases him and watches as he looks around the room. "What?"
"Socks?"
"Have no idea where they landed." Sara shrugs getting out of bed she grabs her robe pulling it on. "I wasn't exactly paying attention." She watches as Ian puts his watch back on then heads into the kitchen and pours herself a cup of coffee. "Mmm" she says happily as she takes a sip watching as Ian finishes dressing.
Ian makes his way down the steps to the kitchen. "See you this evening?"
Sara nods "I'll be there."
"All right." Ian picks up his keys. "Tell Aras I said hello and do think about inviting her over for dinner tonight."
"I'll think about it."
Ian kisses her lightly. "Have a good day."
"You too."
8AM: PRECINCT
"Morning boys." Sara greets cheerfully.
"Um should I be worried?" Jake asks warily.
"Normally I would say yes." Danny replies looking at Sara. "She's normally not cheerful on her birthday."
"Come on guys." Sara groans
"So have you heard from Aras?" Danny inquires as Sara hangs up her jacket.
"Uh yeah. She showed up at my apartment yesterday afternoon." Sara admits
"Wow. How is she?" Danny asks
"We argued. She admitted she lied. I'm going to see if she wants to meet for lunch."
"Should we warn the military of a future war?" Danny teases
"Funny." Sara scowls.
"You know I so want to meet this sister of yours." Jake remarks
Sara shrugs "It depends on if I can trust her."
"Trust her how?"
"Around people I care about. She tends to destroy lives." Sara walks out of the office.
"Issues huh?" Jake looks at Danny.
"It was because of Aras that Sara lost Ian... then Emma. I don't think she'll ever forgive her sister for that."
"Understandable."
"Yeah."
NOON: PARK
Aras and Sara sit side by side on a bench at a picnic table. "So that was your kid."
Sara nods "Her name is Emma Joy."
"I thought you signed the paperwork."
Sara winces "I did. Ian couldn't do it."
"How'd he find out? You never told him."
"Irons found out somehow." Sara shrugs "Ian doesn't know how he found out and Irons won't tell him how he found out." Sara says taking a bite of her hotdog.
"She looks a lot like him." Aras remarks
"She does." Sara agrees "But she's definitely a Pezzini."
"How's Danny?"
"Good."
"Still partners?"
Sara nods "We have a third partner named Jake. Dante wanted someone to keep us in line."
"I thought Joe was your Captain."
"He was but when he retired Dante replaced him. Turns out Dante knew Dad... didn't like him though... so he and I don't get along." Sara looks at her sister. "What are you up to now?"
"Working."
"Do I even want to know what your doing for a living?"
"Let's just have a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy when it comes to that because we'll just get into another fight."
"Agreed."
After a few moments of silence Aras speaks. "You love him?"
"Never stopped." Sara shrugs
"So tell me about my niece." Aras requests
Sara smiles "She's smart... like Ian. She's very protective of Ian... and very devoted to him as he is to her."
"So she's a Daddy's girl huh?"
"Oh yeah." Sara laughs "She's very independent... says what she thinks."
"A Pezzini trait." Aras laughs
"Definitely." Sara agrees "She's also very stubborn. Ian's done a great job with her. Despite his own childhood he raised a very sweet and affectionate child."
"I'm surprised his Father let him keep her."
Sara nods "So am I. He had to do a lot of compromising but it paid off. He adores her and she adores him."
"You know he was hot back then but damn he's grown into his body even more."
Sara glares at her sister. "Don't even think about it Aras." She warns
"It was just an observation." Aras says quickly.
"Keep it that way."
"Sara" Aras looks at her sister "What I did was cruel and I know that I just... I didn't want him to hurt you."
"What made him think he would have?" Sara demands. "You knew Ian as well as I did. He would never hurt either of us intentionally... he's the sweetest guy we've ever known."
"I know."
"Then why did you do it Aras? Because of your... selfishness I lost him and I lost 14 years with my daughter. I have given you so many chances over the years Aras and you kept on hurting me and I always forgive you. I want to give you more chances but not if you hurt my child. She wants to know more about you but I'm not going to allow that if you're going to end up hurting her." Sara stands "I have to get back to work." She gathers her garbage and sighs "Ian wanted to know if you wanted to come to the house for dinner tonight."
"Tell him thanks but I can't. I have to work."
Sara nods "Fine."
"Happy Birthday sis."
"You too." Sara nods at her sister.
EVENING: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Happy Birthday Mom." Emma says happily as her Mom walks into the house.
"Thank you sweetie. How was your day?"
Emma scrunches up her nose.
"Ah boring or sucky?"
"Both."
"Know that kind of day." Sara says as she removes her gun. "Where is your Dad?"
"He should be home soon." Emma shrugs "How was work?"
"Good. Didn't have to do too much paperwork."
"Always a good thing." Emma says stoically.
"Smart ass."
"I'm your kid." Emma shrugs
"Definitely are." Sara slings her arm around Emma's shoulders. "Now did anything interesting happen today?"
"Well Lonnie shoved a guy into a locker."
"Ouch."
"Got detention for two weeks."
"I always hated detention."
"I've never been."
"Your kidding."
Emma shakes her head "I've always been careful not to get caught doing anything stupid. Lauren and I pulled a lot of pranks but they couldn't prove we pulled them. They suspected though."
"Smart." Sara laughs as they enter the kitchen. "Hi Martha."
"Hello Sara."
"Smells good."
"Thank you."
"So what else happened?"
LATE EVENING
Emma snuggles on her Dad's lap.
Sara smiles at the sight. 'The sweetest sight I could ever see.'
"You know my sweet child one day" Ian presses his lips to Emma's hair "you will be to big or too old to curl up on my lap."
"No I won't." Emma denies
"You say that now."
"Hey you two." Sara joins them on the couch. She chuckles as she sees Emma snuggle closer to Ian. "Even when I was pregnant I knew you were a Daddy's girl."
"Really?"
"Mm" Sara nods. "The only way I could get you to stop kicking was stories about your Dad."
"What kind of stories?"
"You know all of them." Ian says
"Oh there is one she doesn't know."
"Which one?" Ian asks warily.
"The times you almost got caught in my room."
"I got out." Ian grumbles
"Barely... Monkeyboy."
"Hey we agreed you would never again call me that." Ian pouts
"Dad had a nickname?"
"Only for a day." Sara laughs
"How'd he get it?"
"Climbing the fire escape." Sara answers slipping her hand into his.
"It's how I would visit when they were grounded."
"He was scared of my Dad."
"No I wasn't." Ian denies "You two didn't think it was a good idea to tell him we were friends."
"Why not?" Emma asks curiously.
"We didn't want Dad to say we couldn't be friends."
"Why would he say that?" Emma asks puzzled.
Sara squeezes Ian's hand. "Dad had... issues with Irons. We didn't know how he'd react."
"Did you ever tell him?"
"Yeah... not long before he died. Dad was of course furious but he got over it. He realized that no matter how much he hated the idea of being related to Irons you were on your way. Once he got used to the fact he really started to look forward to being Grandpa." Sara says wistfully.
"Think he'd be OK with it now?" Emma asks
Sara tilts her head then looks at Ian and smiles. "I think he would be. He'd love being Grandpa."
Sensing Sara's sadness Ian changes the subject. "Emma why don't you let Loki and Felix in."
"But I'm comfy."
"He's your dog your responsibility."
"Why don't you just put in a doggy door." Emma grumbles
"Its not secure."
"Oh fine." Emma moves off his lap going to the door.
Ian turns to look at Sara. "You OK?" He caresses her cheek with his thumb.
Sara nods "Just thinking."
"You miss him."
"Yeah I do." Sara looks out to the backyard where Emma is rolling around on the grass with Loki and Felix. "He'd get a kick out of Emma... and I bet he'd like you a lot."
"Oh really?"
"Once he got pass the whole Irons issue yeah." She sighs "I miss him... I hate the fact that Gallo gets to be out running around. I know he pulled the trigger... I just can't prove it. Every time I try to get him with something he gets out of it." She sighs "I don't know if I'll ever get him."
"You will." Ian brings her hand up to his lips. "You will."
"I have too." Sara mutters resting her head on Ian's shoulder.
AFTER MIDNIGHT
Sara sits on the bottom stair of the basement gym and watches Ian go through his nightly, insomnia induced workout.
Ian looks over at Sara and frowns "Its late Love."
"I know."
Ian wipes the sweat from his face and sits beside her "What's wrong?" He asks concerned.
"I miss having my sister around."
"Sara she's around right now."
"I know she is but I mean the sister I had before Mom died. The nice sister. Not the one who does anything and everything she can to hurt me." Sara rests her head on his shoulder. "I want to trust her Ian but she doesn't have a good track record and I don't know if I can bring myself to give her another chance."
"You can't let her hurt you but ignoring the fact she exists is going to hurt as much as what she's done hurts."
"I don't ignore she exists." Sara protests
"Sara how many of your friends know you have a sister?"
"Not many." Sara admits. "But that's because most of my friends are guys. The guys in my life plus Aras equals trouble... even if I'm not involved with them. I don't want Aras to hurt any of them."
"Maybe things have changed."
"You think she's changed?"
"I don't know." Ian admits "I'm not the one in the position to know. You are."
Sara sighs heavily.
"Its later. Let's go to bed."
"You need a shower." Sara says standing.
"Want to join me?"
"Sure."
CHAPTER 30
NOON NEXT DAY: WATERFRONT
"So does my sister know you called me?" Aras asks as she sits beside Ian on the bench.
"No. I didn't want her to overreact. I'll tell her tonight."
"She'll still overreact... after all I'm the one who destroys relationships." Aras says bitterly. "So why'd you call me?"
"Are you here to torment Sara?"
"Always protecting her huh?"
"I love Sara. I don't want her hurt by anyone... even by her own sister."
"Look I'm not here to hurt her."
"Good." Ian nods after a moment.
"You love my sister."
"Yes." Ian looks at Aras. "If you had bothered to ask before lying to Sara you would have known that."
"You would have left her once you found out she was pregnant." Aras states
Ian sighs shaking his head. "Aras, you and Sara are the two people who know me best. Why would you think I would hurt her like that? I wanted to marry her back then and I still do."
"Is that why you called me? To tell me that you love her?"
"I want you two to work things out. Emma wants to get to know you Aras. You are the only blood relative she has and I would really like to see Emma on good terms with one family member because she certainly doesn't get along with Father." Ian starts to stand when he adds "Think about it."
"Nottingham..." Aras pauses "Sara thinks I was jealous over you two but truthfully... I wasn't."
"Then why did you lie?"
"Partially because I was made but mostly because I didn't want Sara to get hurt. Its why I tested the others."
"Yet your sister was the one you hurt time after time."
"Better me than someone she likes." Aras shrugs "Besides its not like she really cared about the others. You're the only one she's ever loved or been close too. I did feel guilty for lying... I told Dad the truth after Sara told him you were the Father. I didn't know why but I never told Sara I told him."
"Aras how did my Father find out?" Ian asks
Aras takes a deep breath "I overheard Dad and Joe talking the week before Dad died. Dad told Joe that he was thinking about talking to Irons... I don't know if he ever did though."
"I have a feeling he did." Ian says grimly. "Look Aras work things out with Sara. She's your sister and you two need each other."
"I'm trying Ian."
"Good." Ian nods. "I have to get back to work. And Aras... be careful at your... job."
"How'd you know?"
"Sara told me what she believed you were doing and I had a friend check in on you."
"Does Sara know... all?"
"No. That's yours to tell. I'll see you later." Ian walks away leaving Aras staring after him.
HOUR LATER: VORSCHLAG
Ian enters the storage room where the old security tapes are kept. "This will be interesting." Ian mutters looking at the rows of tapes.
LATE EVENING: 1111 FAUST
Ian enters his Father's study and waits for his Father to acknowledge his presence.
"Shouldn't you be with the lovely Detective and the girl?"
"Sara is at work. Emma is at a friends."
"And you are here because?"
"I need to know... how did you find out that Emma was my child?"
"Rumors that the lovely young Pezzini was pregnant." Kenneth shrugs
Ian removes the tape from his overcoat pocket and sets it on the desk. "How about James Pezzini coming to your office four days before he was killed?"
Kenneth sighs "Fine. He told me. He asked me to bring you back to New York so you could face your responsibilities. He said if I didn't he'd go to the courts and ask a judge for child support. I told him I would think about it but four days later I found it he was dead. When the girl was born your name was put on the birth certificate and she signed the papers. I had paternity confirmed and discussed it with the lawyers who informed me that with your name on the birth certificate you would need to sign the adoption papers. You know the rest of the story."
Ian stares at his Father. "Did you have anything to do with his death?"
"Now Ian..."
"Don't Father. I know you better than anyone and I know that if anyone gets in your way you'd do anything to get them out of your way. Did you have anything to do with his death?" Ian demands.
"No."
"If you did and there is any evidence I will leave Father. I'm not going to risk losing her again."
"I had nothing to do with it." Kenneth says angrily.
Ian regards his Father thoughtfully. "For your sake I hope you're telling the truth."
"Are you going to tell her?"
"Probably. I have very few secrets from Sara." Ian says "I think she deserves to know how you found out." Ian picks up the tape and walks out of the study without waiting for the usual dismissal.
Kenneth stares after his son. 'He is getting too damn independent and rebellious.'
LATER THAT NIGHT: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"All right. Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow Em." Ian hangs up and sets the phone down beside him and starts doing sit-ups. 'Should I tell her?' He asks himself. 'Would she understand? Did Father have anything to do with his death? Will Sara go after him? Will she hate me for the possibility my Father had hers killed?' Ian pauses his heart pained at the thought of Sara hating him. 'No she loves me.' He continues with his sit-ups.
Sara makes her way down the steps barefoot wearing one of Ian's silk pajama tops and nothing else. She smiles when she sees Ian stop and look at her with such love, awe,... and lust causing her to shiver. "Where's Emma?"
"Dawn's." Ian answers as he sits up pulling Sara to sit astride his lap. "You're home early."
"Missed you." She shrugs brushing her fingers down his beard.
"And why are you wearing my shirt?"
"Smells like you and its comfy." She squirms closer causing him to groan.
"Sara" he hisses as she squirms on his lap.
"Did I forget to mention" she begins innocently "that I have nothing on under your shirt?"
Ian growls tangling his fingers in her hair pulling her into a rough kiss.
LATER
"Mine." Ian murmurs possessively as he nuzzles Sara's shoulder while they lie in bed his body spooned around hers.
Sara smiles "You're extra possessive tonight."
"Bother you?"
"Nah... I like it." Sara snuggles back against him. "How was your day?"
Ian hesitates before answering "I spoke with Aras this afternoon."
Sara shifts to face him. "Why?"
"I wanted to clear things up with her."
"Did you?"
"Yes... I believe so."
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"It was a last minute decision to call her."
"Oh."
"Mad at me?"
"No."
"Sara"
"I'm not." Sara frowns "And she didn't hit on you?"
"No." Ian brushes his knuckle down her cheek. "I did learn something though."
"What?"
"She feels bad for lying."
"Yeah right." Sara snorts
"Sara if she hadn't felt guilty then why did she tell your father the truth?"
"What?"
Ian nods "Aras confessed to your father."
"Look what good that did."
Ian takes a deep breath "That's how Father found out you were pregnant."
"What?!" Sara exclaims sitting up.
"I checked the security cameras and found out your Dad visited Father a week before he died. I talked to Father and he confirmed it."
"What did they talk about?"
"Us. Your Dad asked Father to allow me to return, but he died before Father gave him an answer. When Emma was born he knew there was no way to avoid telling me because you put my name on her birth certificate. I guess he figured that if I found out years later that you had my child and he hid the truth from me... I'd leave... or do something out of character."
Sara's silent for a moment then asks, "What if things hadn't gone the way they did? What if you found out Emma had been adopted what would you have done?"
"It depends on the situation. If she had been completely safe and happy I think I would have stuck to the shadows and just watched out for her. If she wasn't safe and happy... I would have tried to get her back."
"And if by chance I hadn't signed the papers? What if I had kept her? What would you have done?"
"It would have been up to you whether or not I would have been allowed in her life... and yours."
"I'm glad that things turned out this way. I hated giving her up, but I guess it was better that I did. If she had stayed with me she would have had to spend a good portion of her life in daycare. She probably would have ended up as screwed up as half the kids in New York."
"She's still not a typical child."
"True." Sara laughs. "None of the kids we have will be typical." She snuggles close to Ian. "With your brains and the Pezzini ability to get into trouble... our lives will be very... interesting."
"And just how many do you want?" Ian asks stroking her hair.
"At least one more... Emma has wanted a little brother for a long time."
"And if she gets a sister first?"
"Then I guess we'll have to try until she gets a brother." Sara grins.
"I can work with that." Ian chuckles "So, when do you want to start on number two?" He asks curiously.
"Anxious?" Sara lifts her brow.
"Mmm" Ian kisses her neck. "I would love to see you carrying our child." He rests his hand on her middle.
Sara shivers at the thought of Ian's hands on her growing belly. "I'll be fat... you going to love me then?"
"Definitely."
"Think you can handle me being cranky?" She asks teasingly.
"Yes." Ian nuzzles her neck.
"Will you be able to handle me going through coffee withdrawal?"
"Yes."
"Will you get me food in the middle of the night? No matter what it is that I want?"
"Of course."
"Will you deal with a screaming baby in the middle of the night?"
"Sara I'm programmed on little sleep." Ian reminds
"Ian honey, you aren't a robot so avoid the word program when referring to yourself."
"Yes my love."
"Good." Sara kisses him and soon the kiss becomes passionate.
Ian breaks the kiss so they can breath "You didn't answer my question."
"Which question?"
"When do you want to start on number two?" Ian nuzzles her neck.
Sara tugs lightly on his hair causing Ian to look at her, "When we're ready."
"And when are you going to marry me?"
"Someday."
"I'm going to keep asking until you say yes."
"I know."
"I love you."
"I love you." Sara echoes kissing him.
COUPLE OF DAYS LATER: SARA'S APARTMENT
"Ian told me you two talked." Sara leans back looking at her sister who is sitting on the other end of the couch.
"I didn't jump him."
"I know."
"Look I got it... Nottingham is yours. I kind of figured he'd end up yours the moment we met him."
"Why did you think that?"
Aras shrugs "The look in his eyes." She takes a sip of her beer. "So is he good?"
"Aras" Sara groans
"Come on you've never hid your sex life from me before."
Sara smiles slightly. "Let's leave it at he's the best I've ever had." She takes a sip of her beer. "And don't hassle him about our sex life huh?"
"Why not?"
"Come on Ian's not like the other men I dated. He's more... reserved. You remember how he was when we first met?"
"Oh yeah... he still like that?"
"A little... I think having Emma around taught him a lot about the world outside Irons bubble." Sara grins "Remember the first time we introduced him to the guys?"
"Oh yeah."
"He's still kind of like that at times."
"So why aren't you living with them?"
"Emma has had a lot of changes in such a short time. Finding out about me, moving here, losing her best friend... she needs time to get used to all these changes."
"I'd say you're scared."
"I'm not scared." Sara protests
"Yes you are." Aras argues. "You're scared."
"No I'm not!"
"Gonna marry him?"
Sara takes a drink of her beer then answers. "One day... when we're ready to go through with the whole process. I want to marry him... always have."
"Is he a good Dad?"
"Great. He adores Emma. Emma adores him. They are so cute together... affectionate. Public Ian is so much different from private Ian. He's good with kids... Una, Danny's youngest, is always drawing Ian pictures."
"You two going to have anymore kids?"
"Probably. Emma wants a little brother." Sara rests her head on the cushion. "What have you been up to?" The two continue talking late into the night.
TBC...