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The New Kids on the Block

Kirsten had spent the day at work fielding telephone calls from concerned clients. She was tired and stressed; with her father away from the office, the pile of work was mounting and Kirsten could see no end to it all.

"Mr Rubacker, I assure that you my father is innocent," she tried to placate the man on the end of the telephone. She wasn't even sure if she believed that herself. A knock at the door distracted her for a moment and she looked up to see Sandy through the glass. She motioned for him to come in, glad that it was her husband.

The man on the end of the telephone was still talking. "No, he's not in the office but…I'll have him call you."

She hung up as quickly as possible. "I am so happy to see you."

"Guess who no longer works for Partridge, Savage and Kahn," Sandy announced.

"You quit?" Kirsten asked, surprised.

"Or got fired. Quit slash got fired," Sandy answered. "A lot of things were said, none of them good."

"What happened?" Kirsten asked warily.

"Your father. They said as long as I was representing him, I wasn't working for them," Sandy said.

Kirsten sighed. "Are you serious?"

Sandy nodded and flopped down in the chair on the other side of the table.

"So, tell them you won't represent him. We'll get outside counsel," Kirsten said.

"Oh, honey…"

"I'm serious, Sandy. This is your job, your career. You can't give that up because of my father," Kirsten said.

"I think it's a little late for that," Sandy said.

Kirsten sighed, despondent, and wearily leaned back in her chair.

"Ah, maybe it's for the best anyway," Sandy said, trying to convince himself as much as his wife.

Kirsten raised her eyebrows, unconvinced.

"I was never cut out to be a corporate sell-out really," Sandy joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Kirsten looked sadly at him. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Sandy was quick to offer.

"He's my father," Kirsten stated.

Sandy didn't respond. He couldn't argue with that.

"So, what now?" Kirsten asked.

"Now? Now, I'm going to do what any man in my position would do," Sandy said.

Kirsten frowned and looked expectantly at him. "Which is?"

"I'm gonna go surfing."

Kirsten couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. Only her husband would solve his problems by surfing.

Sandy grinned, glad he could get her to smile. The truth was, without the backing of Partridge, Savage and Kahn, proving Caleb's innocence – or his alleged innocence – was going to be tough and Sandy wasn't sure he could do it alone.

The telephone rang again and Kirsten let out a heavy sigh. She didn't want to have to deal with any more clients today, but she had no choice. Damn her father and his lies. She dropped her head, brushing her hair away from her face with her hands, holding it behind her head. Sandy stood up and leaned across the desk, kissing the top of her head.

"I'll see you at home," he said softly.

Kirsten nodded before picking up her headset and answering the telephone.

"Kirsten Cohen…"

She watched Sandy leave her office. How could this be for the best?

It was nearly 7pm by the time Kirsten got home from the office. She had spent so much time on the telephone she had hardly got any work done, forcing her to work late. She came through the front door to a quiet house, her arms full of house designs and paperwork.

"Hello? Sandy? Seth? Ryan?" she called out.

Sandy's face appeared from the kitchen. "You're home!"

"I had some work to finish," Kirsten said, putting down the contents of her arms on the floor.

Sandy moved to meet her at the steps down from the hallway. Kirsten noticed his smiling face, surprised at seeing how happy he seemed.

"Everything ok?" she asked, curiously.

"Everything's great," Sandy beamed. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her off the step.

"Oh!" Kirsten cried as he spun her around 180 degrees, grabbing his shoulders.

Sandy placed her on the floor next to him and embraced her in a kiss.

"What's going on?" Kirsten asked, confused.

"I've been thinking," Sandy said, grabbing Kirsten's hand and leading her to the kitchen. "I know you don't believe me, but me quitting slash getting fired really is the best thing that could have happened."

"Really?" Sandy was right – she didn't believe him.

"Really. I was surfing this afternoon – oh, you should have seen the waves, honey, they were fantastic! Anyway, I was surfing and it hit me. Why should I work for someone else when I can work for myself?"

"Yourself?" Kirsten questioned.

"Yes!" Sandy exclaimed as he poured them both a glass of wine. "I can start my own practice; work for the clients I want to work for. No more petty nuisance cases, no more corporate suits. Just me."

"You want to go into practice on your own?" Kirsten asked, not sure she was following this correctly. She accepted the drink that Sandy offered her.

"Yes! I have the money from the restaurant sat in the bank doing nothing. I can find myself an office and go back to helping people who really need it."

"So…you're happy?" Kirsten asked, still unconvinced.

Sandy nodded enthusiastically. He took the drink from her and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his body.

"Honestly, honey, this is going to turn out to be a blessing in disguise," Sandy said, cupping her face with his hands. "You'll see."

"Uh-huh."

Sandy bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. "What is it going to take to convince you?"

"Maybe half that bottle of wine and a few margaritas might help!" Kirsten joked, before turning serious again. "I think it's a really good idea."

"You do?" Sandy asked, hoping for her approval.

Kirsten smiled. "Yeah. I miss my self-righteous husband."

Sandy pulled her closer.

"Trust me, it's all going to work out," Sandy whispered softly. He kissed her forehead, then her nose, before reaching her lips.

"I trust you," Kirsten whispered.

Kirsten leaned in towards Sandy, resting her head on his shoulder. He ran his hands over her back, tightening his hold of her.

"You don't have to work tonight, do you?" he asked suggestively.

"Where are the boys?" Kirsten asked into his shirt, a smile creeping onto her face.

"Seth's at work and Ryan is studying," Sandy answered.

Kirsten looked up, frowning. "What?"

Sandy laughed at her confused look. "You really haven't been paying attention, have you? It seems our sons have had a role-reversal."

"Wow," Kirsten responded.

"So, why don't you go take a shower and relax? I'll make you some dinner," Sandy said, taking charge and pushing her out of the kitchen.

Kirsten paused and shook her head, no. Her eyes danced playfully.

"No?"

Kirsten grabbed his shirt. "If I'm having a shower…then you're coming with me."

Sandy grinned. "Now that is a good idea."