Over the next few months, Tim felt himself opening up to Ally more and more. He couldn't get enough of her and he hoped soon they would meet face to face instead of conversing through the computer. So Tim finally asked her.
You know, I've told Hannah about you.
Does she miss Calleigh?
Yeah. A lot. But she seems to like you.
What about you Tim?
I love Calleigh. I always have and will but... I think she would want me to move on with my life.
So what are you saying?
I'm saying how about you come down to Miami?
There was a few minutes of no answer and Tim sighed at his stupidity.
Ally, I didn't mean it like you have to.
Tim, I don't think that would be a good idea.
Why not?
It just isn't.
I'm not a serial killer if that's what you're thinking.
Haha. No. I just... I'm a busy person and I always seem to have something to do. I'll probably just annoy y'all anyway.
Tim stared at the computer.
Where are you originally from?
Down south.
Where?
What is this? 20 Questions?
I just want to get to know you Ally. I mean, we've talked all about me. We've talked for five months now and I barely know anything about you.
I'm 30. My birthday is Sept. 27, 1975. I'm originally from Fort Worth, Texas. I have two sisters, Annie and Suzie. I'm the middle child. I'm divorced. I have no kids. I moved to Seattle to get away from my family, who are, mind you, very annoying.
Sounds rehearsed.
You're never satisfied are you?
Funny, Calleigh said that all the time.
Well she was a smart woman then.
She was.
Tim glanced out the window and sighed. For the past two months there had been a black town car with tinted windows outside his house.
I gotta go pick Hannah up from school.
Okay. I'll talk to you tonight?
Yeah. Don't see why not. Bye Ally.
Bye Tim.
They both signed off and Tim grabbed his keys and walked outside. He walked up to the town car and knocked on the window. It seemed reluctant to roll down, but did.
"Dennis Sackheim." Tim smirked. "What are you doing in front of my house?"
"Checking up on things."
"What kind of things?"
"Making sure there's nothing suspicious going on." Sackheim replied. "It's federal business Speedle so stay out of it."
"When you're sitting in front of my house for two months, it's my business too. What's going on?"
"I'm not authorized to say and even if I did I wouldn't tell you."
"Horatio put you out here?"
"No. Like I said, federal business. Heard about your wife. Nice woman. Sorry."
"Yeah I'm sure you are. I want you gone by the time I get back."
"I'm here to babysit you Speedle. Trust me, I got better things I'd like to be doing."
"I don't need a babysitter. If I wanted one I'd call my mom." Tim quipped.
"It's for protection." Sackheim said.
"From what?"
"Just think of it this way. You already lost your wife. Do you really want to lose your daughter too?"
"You threatening me?"
"No. Warning you." Dennis pulled away from the curb and drove off. Tim stood there for a second, then got into his SUV.
---------S/C--------
"Daddy?"
"What?" Tim turned away from the stove to look at Hannah.
"Do you still love Mommy?"
"Yes. Why?"
"It's just you were telling me about that... girl."
"Ally? I only talk to her on the computer. I doubt I'll ever really meet her."
"Do you love her?" Hannah asked. Tim lied and shook his head. Well half lied. He was attracted to Ally but that confused him. How could you be attracted to someone you've only spoken to? He didn't know what she looked like or sounded like. Tim didn't know what it was but something pulled him towards Ally. "Do you miss Mommy?"
"Very much." Tim set a plate of food in front of Hannah. "Eat."
"Daddy, do you... do you think Mommy could still be here?"
"Sure. I suppose. And if she is, she's probably mad at me that I'm not making you eat. Now do it." Tim pointed at the plate of vegetables in front of Hannah. She scowled and pushed the plate away. "Hannah, eat your dinner."
"I don't want it." she said. "It's gross. I want a hot dog."
"You need something healthy for a change."
Hannah pushed her chair out and walked away from the table.
"Hannah... Hannah, get back here!" Tim called as she ran upstairs. He sighed and shook his head. He knew if she was hungry, she'd come back down. No use in fighting with her.
----------S/C---------
Tim kept glancing at the stairs, hoping Hannah would come down from her room. She hadn't yet and Tim had a feeling she wasn't going too. So Tim went upstairs and went into Hannah's room to find an unusual sized lump, which by the way, was crying, on Hannah's bed. Tim sat down at the edge of Hannah's bed and dragged her blanket over to him, causing the crying to turn into a slight giggling. Tim smiled slightly and pulled the blanket away from Hannah's face.
"I don't think I need to ask what's wrong."
"I want Mommy back." Hannah sniffed. Tim pulled her into his lap and wiped the tears off her face.
"I know you do. I want her back too but she's not coming back."
"It's not fair."
"It's not, I agree but.. We're gonna have to make the best of it."
"You don't miss her do you?"
"I miss her so much Hannah. I just know that she would want us to be upset like this." Tim said, kissing her forehead. "How about tomorrow we go get a puppy?"
"Really?"
"Yeah. You want to come downstairs and eat something?"
"Do I have to eat that stuff?"
"How about I make you a sandwich?"
"PB and J?"
"Sure. Come on." Tim picked Hannah up and carried her downstairs. Things were starting to look better.
