Chapter 4: The Big Idea

When she arrived home from work she heard video game music coming from the den. She softly accused herself of being crazy and started to go upstairs. Suddenly, though, she heard a quiet but distinct "Hi-YA!" and she felt momentarily faint. Sandy didn't play video games. Seth did.

"Seth?" she called out quietly. The music from the game stopped. "Seth?" She neared the den.

"No, Kirsten, it's me." Sandy was sitting on the couch with a controller in his hand and she felt horribly disappointed and embarrassed at the same time.

"Sorry," she muttered, and he offered her a sad smile.

"Me too." She couldn't help but smile back, thanking god that she was married to him and he was willing to take small steps with her. "I have a surprise for you." He was unsuccessfully fighting off a grin and she was confused by his cheerfulness. This was the man she had barely spoken to in the last week. The man who she pushed away when he tried to kiss her. The man who was so fucking frustrated with her that sometimes he slept at work.

"What?" she asked uncertainly. He held out two fists.

"Pick a hand." She laughed, confused.

"Uh...left." He showed her his empty left palm. "Okay, right." He made a big show of finding nothing in his other hand.

"Damn. I must have left it in the living room." She rolled her eyes.

"Worst surpriser ever."

"You know...why don't you go see for me. You've always been better at keeping track of things." She took a tentative step towards the living room and glanced warily back at him. "Go see for yourself." He grinned, shaking his head. "'Worst surpriser ever'," he mused. "You're going to eat your words, honey."

"What are you doing, Sandy?" she asked cagily.

"I'm surprising you." She stared at him doubtfully and he gestured towards the living room. "Go, go...the suspense is killing me." She took a few steps, then spun around.

"Just give me a hint. So I can prepare."

"It's not a stray puppy," he replied. She shot him one last glance and then bravely entered the living room. She wasn't sure what to expect but absolutely nothing could have prepared her for what was waiting there. Ryan stood up, his hands jammed in his pockets.

"Hi, Kirsten," he said softly, and his voice cracked slightly, evidence of the fact that he was much more excited than he appeared.

"Ryan..." She paused, unsure, taking him in, then breathed a sigh of what sounded like relief and threw her arms around him. "What are you doing here? Are you staying? How long have you been here? Did you drive?" She took a breath to calm herself down. "How are you, sweetie?"

"I'm good." He suddenly felt shy. "How are you?"

"A lot better than I was a few minutes ago," she laughed in spite of herself. "Are you here for good?"

"I...I'm just..."

"He's here for good," Sandy confirmed from the doorway.

"If that's okay with you," Ryan said quickly.

"Oh, Ryan, it's more than okay with me," she said, and turned to face Sandy. "I'm eating my words."

"What'd I tell you?" He laughed. "Good plan, right? We had to race around a little. We were playing Grand Theft Auto and we heard you come in and we decided to pull a fast one on you."

"You succeeded," Kirsten admitted, smiling. "It's so good to see you," she said, focusing back on Ryan. "What are you doing here?" she asked again.

"Long story," Ryan said, and she nodded.

"You want to tell me in the morning?"

"Yeah."

"You're going to be here in the morning," she mused, giddy. She hugged him again. "I missed you so much, Ryan." He barely managed to choke out a "you, too" as he hugged her back.

You're getting something
Cause I'm getting something
Right across to you
The big idea
When I see you
Involves no one else
My head and heart are here for you
And I know you feel it too

You keep believing
And I'll keep believing
What you want to do

--The Special Goodness, "The Big Idea"

So there are two more for you. ;) Please review and let me know what you think! I know the song selection is a little weird, but...I don't know. I was drawing a blank. Several, actually. Anyways...there's more to come. Perhaps Sandy will be "getting some", as requested...you never know. ;) Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks for reading!

xoxo