A/N: CincyRedsAllTheWay …..I appreciate all the feedback…I'm just glad someone likes it….LOL

Elliot POV

She's no good at sneaking out. I watched her take some of my clothes, put them on and go be Mom for a little while…

So, why is it that women think they have rights to our clothes? Like they can wear anything of ours anytime they please. Maybe it's more about a matter of comfort…not a clue. Never been a woman. But….and the sexiest thing I've EVER seen is her in on my dress shirts….and nothing else.

Now that I think about it, I remember exactly….we were dropping the girls off to stay with Kathy's parents. They thought we needed a break from being parents of two, at least for one night.

So, we packed up two little suitcases and I took Maureen and Kathleen over there. It was only for twenty four hours and just a few miles away, but I still missed them. But….when I got home….Kath was waiting for me, upstairs….nothing but that shirt and a smile.

It was….amazing. But we didn't have many days or nights much like that after that. For one night off from being parents of two…we became parents of four. Always ends up like that….

And on that note, I need a shower. I smell like….her. You ever notice that sex as that distinct smell…well, it's a blend of her, me…sweat. It's pretty much a tell tale sign….that and the shit eating grin on my face.

Huh, funny….the light's not so blinding after you've been awake for a few minutes. I just hope Kathleen didn't use all the hot water….IT'S A MIRACLE! Steaming hot water….hopefully the heat some of the knots and aches disappear.

Oh yeah….that's what I'm talkin' about. Let the water pour over my head….like it's washing away all the evil things I've seen….touched….carried on my shoulders…

Lord, look at all this stuff in here. I think she owns every kind of shower gel known to man. It's just soap, but she always smells so great. Ha, I remember once she told me she loves the way I smell after I work out…that's love right there.

I think she smells best right after she puts on perfume. Then it's a blend of shampoo, body wash…perfume. I don't know what it is….but it's just…

"Kath? Did you need something…" And must you pull back that curtain…a little chilly in here.

"A shower….don't suppose I can talk you into…conserving water?"

Well, at least one part of me is saying yes….. "We do that, and we'll be late….I'm about done anyways….hand me that towel will ya?"

"Sure thing." She dropped it?….so mature Kath. "Oops."

"I can tell you're sorry….watch that water…kinda hot."

OW! Why….does she have to smack my ass so hard? "Easy there killer….god, I feel so violated."

"I can tell." Watching her get into the shower….a small pleasure in a very long day. "Hey, make sure you shave….I think I've got rug burn."

"Yes, mother. For the record, I never forget….just sometimes, I'm too tired."

As I clean the steam from the mirror…I look at myself. Everyday I seem to look older….like every case just add one more line on my face. ha I look more and more like my father everyday. He took work personally too. Seemed like every victim at him up inside….I just hope that I can stop before I get that bad.

Shaving….a necessary evil. You know, most of the eastern cultures associate a clean shaven face with youth….or at least that's what Maureen keeps telling me. Hard to believe my baby girl is almost old enough to drink….damn, I'll have to start patrolling bars.

But I think my shaving obsession is the Marine in me. Facial hair is so restricted and frankly, I didn't want to screw with it. There….me….hmm, maybe Maureen is right. You know, I'm a few weeks away from 40 and it really helps me keep my boyish charm….that and maybe that tanning….oh, hello

"Hmm, how do you have such a good tan this late in the year…"

"Don't tease Kath…besides, you seem to enjoy it."

"I enjoy everything about you."

She takes the towel from my waist and wraps us in it…. "Do we really have to leave…go…"

"We can't stay in here forever…as badly as I want too….but it was a very nice thought."

Oh, that kiss. Damp bodies so close together. How, how does she still make me lose all brain function after all this time…. "I love you Kathy. Always will. More than life itself."

"I love you too, more than should be humanly possible….now, go and get dressed…before I change my mind."

Fine, fine. sigh For the boring task of getting dressed….let's see….jeans….tee-shirt…oh, pull over, it's cold….Is she watching me get dressed…she is…

"What?"

"Nothing. You're just….so damn hot. I mean, don't get me wrong….you were hot when we were kids…and now, twenty years later…still damn amazing."

"Thanks. I work out." Laugh it off….feel kinda goofy to hear her say that. But as long as we're on the subject….look at what she's wearing…Holy Mary…. "But, you. Stunning. And I've seen you after four children….what, about forty pounds each time?"

"Pretty close." When did she ever wear stuff like that…she's not really that type of girl. But a push up bra….that's hot.

Stop staring…she knows. Say something… "I just don't know where you find time to work out…with work, and the kids…"

"I find time. But the muscles, my body….I do it for myself. And to be perfectly honest, I look damn good, for my age…and after four kids."

Do it, say it…she'll laugh. "Well, you must be a ticket cause you've got fine written all over you." Oh, yeah….I'm the man.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard…and yet, the most hilarious. Where on earth did you hear that?

"Liv. Some guy used it on her….she told us all about it, I think she threw a drink in his face…lucky for him, it wasn't her fist."

"I'm really glad she's your partner, really." There's that kiss again…. "Besides, I don't think you'd have it any other way."

"So, where's the rest of the show…."

"Patience is a virtue…but I do need to finish I guess."

You guess….please. Ha, she really is enjoying the fact I'm watching. And all I can say is wow….look at those jeans, her ass in those jeans….God have mercy on all the perverts that look her over, cause I'll have to personally rip out their eyeballs.

And that shirt….damn. Why does she always complain how she looks? Hmm, but why is she doing this all now….do I make her feel this way….

Alright….show's over…too bad. "Hungry?"

"Starving…kitchen…two minutes."

"Alright." A sweet little kiss….I hate to see you leave, but I love to see you walk away. Now, get it all together. Hey, this pull over kinda covers the bite marks….okay, okay. Wallet…watch…shield…hope she got everything from up here.

What….instructions for filing dissolution of marriage…she was serious.

God forgive me for pushing her so far away. Help me to heal her heart…which I know I've broken…which I swore to never do. I ask You give her the peace and understanding to know that I just thought I was protecting her….please.

"Gotta make it right."