The Way We Were

It was nearly midnight by the time Sandy returned from the police station. He found Kirsten sat at the kitchen island, staring at a cold cup of coffee in front of her.

She looked up when she heard him come through the door and into the kitchen.

"Hey," she greeted him. She started to get up but Sandy waved for her to stop as he walked towards her and sat down on the other stool.

"How did it go?" Kirsten asked. Part of her didn't want to know; that way, she could pretend like it wasn't real, like it wasn't really happening.

Sandy shrugged. "I couldn't get him out tonight. He'll be released on bail in the morning," he answered.

"It's bad, isn't it?" Kirsten said. She already knew the answer.

"Yeah, he's in serious trouble," Sandy said, regretfully. It was no secret that there was no love lost between him and his father-in-law, but he knew that this was upsetting to Kirsten and he wished he could protect her from that.

Kirsten nodded.

"What did you tell the boys?" Sandy asked.

"The truth," Kirsten replied, shrugging her shoulders. "I couldn't answer all their questions though, you might need to talk to them again tomorrow."

Sandy nodded and let out a long sigh. He looked tired.

"Thank you," Kirsten said.

Sandy still didn't speak.

"I don't think I say that enough," Kirsten continued, placing her hand on his arm. "But I am grateful for everything you do to help him. After the way he's treated you all these years, he doesn't deserve it."

Sandy looked at her. "I do it for you," he said.

"I know," Kirsten said with a small smile. She ran her fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes. "I'll make you a drink."

Kirsten got up from the island and started to move around the kitchen. She lit the hob and placed the kettle on top. She paused and sighed. It had been such a long summer with both Seth and Ryan gone; now they were back and her father's mess was getting worse. She wondered if it was ever going to end.

Sandy watched his wife's back. The tension in her body was obvious and his heart reached out for her, knowing that this evening must have been hard on her, watching her father be arrested. He stood up and went up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. Kirsten smiled and rested her hand on top of his.

"Are you ok?" Sandy asked, realising that he hadn't asked her that yet.

"Yeah," Kirsten answered unconvincingly.

"It's gonna be ok, I promise," Sandy tried to reassure her.

"You don't know that," Kirsten said.

"No, but I'm going to do everything I can to make it ok," Sandy promised.

Kirsten closed her eyes, grateful for her husband. Sometimes she wondered how she had gotten so lucky.

"Just…just be careful, ok?" Kirsten turned to face him suddenly. "Don't get mixed up in my father's mess."

Sandy smiled at her concern for him. "I think I'm big enough and ugly enough to take care of myself."

Kirsten let out a small laugh. She reached her arms around his neck and leaned into his body, resting her head on his shoulder. Sandy put his arms around her and held her tightly against him, running his hands up and down her back, feeling her relax.

"I love you," Kirsten whispered into his ear.

"I know," Sandy replied. "I love you too."

They stayed in each other's arms, both comforted by the embrace.

"Forget the drinks, let's go to bed and get some sleep," Sandy said eventually. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."

Kirsten nodded in agreement. She removed the kettle from the heat, while Sandy took her other hand in his. She leant on his shoulder as they walked down the hallway, craving her bed, craving her husband's arms around her, craving a peaceful night's sleep.

Well, two out of three wasn't bad.