At one o'clock a.m., Samantha awoke from a dreamless sleep. She began to remember that Martin Fitzgerald, the father of her daughter, was asleep in her living room. She got out of bed and started for the kitchen, where she was planning on getting a glass of water. On her way, she checked on Cecilia, who was still in a deep sleep. Samantha continued walking in the blackened hallway. She glanced over at the vacant couch, covered in blankets that had been pulled down. Sam's first thought was that he left, he realized he didn't want the responsibly of a daughter and left. She looked toward the kitchen table, and comforted, saw Marty sitting at the table drinking a glass of water.
"Hi." She smiled and sat on the chair next to him.
"Hi. Couldn't sleep either?"
"No." Samantha took a swallow of Martin's cold water and stared down at her hands.
"Are you okay?" Martin was concerned about her and he wanted her to tell her what was wrong.
"Yeah, it's just been hard since you left."
"With Cecilia?"
"With everything. Work, I have a desk job now, and dealing with everyone. I took it the hardest when you left, and I guess I just didn't understand why you had to go."
"I'm back now Sam. It's going to be okay, I promise."
Samantha leaned into Martin's frame. He put his arms around her and they stayed there for several minutes, until they heard a small noise from the hallway. Cecilia stood rubbing her eyes, holding her teddy bear. "Mommy, I had a bad dream." Samantha got up and walked towards her young daughter, "remember what I told you about bad dreams?"
Cecilia paused in thought, "They aren't real."
Martin smiled to himself, that sounded like something Samantha would say.
"Can you go back to bed by yourself? Or do you want me to come?" Samantha asked
"I want you to come."
"Okay, you go get under the covers. I'll be there in a minute." Cecilia walked back to her room, still hugging her teddy bear. "I guess I should go. Cecilia has a lot of bad dreams, probably because she likes reading so many fairy-tails."
"Sam," Martin stood up and walked toward her, "I'll go. You go get some sleep."
"Are you sure? You don't have to."
"It's okay. I want to. She is my daughter after all."
"Okay. I'll be in my room if you need anything."
Samantha headed toward her room, while Martin headed toward Cecilia's. "Hi. So what's this dream about?"
"Where's my mommy."
"Your mom went back to bed. But I can get her if you want."
"No, it's okay. Are you really my dad?"
Martin smiled at the girl he barley knew but already adored. "Yea, I'm really your dad."
"My mom says she still loves you. Do you still love her?"
"Yes. I love your mother a lot."
"Are you going to be here tomorrow?"
"I'm going to be here tomorrow. And the day after that, and the day after that."
Cecilia smiled as she drifted off to sleep. Martin stayed there until he knew she was definitely asleep. He lightly kissed the top of her head before he left the room, carefully closing the door. Marty paused in the hallway, contemplating if he should go back to the couch or to Samantha's room; it was a fairly easy decision.
He knocked lightly on the wood door before walking in. Samantha was sitting up in bed. "She's asleep." Martin whispered. Sam's room was dark but they could still make out each other's faces. "I was hoping you'd come." Martin smiled and closed the door, then walked over to the bed. He sat down next to her and she leaned on his shoulder. Martin kissed the top of her head; Samantha turned to him and smiled. He leaned down to kiss her and Samantha pulled him closer. "Are you sure?" Martin said as he pulled away gently.
"You've been gone for five years. I want this more than anything." Martin leaned in more and Samantha started to unbutton her pajama shirt.