Thanks to everyone who reviewed and sorry it's been awhile between updates.
The next week passed uneventfully. Kirsten settled into life back at home, visited some of her friends (including Julie and Jimmy whose relationship looked rocky) and the boys returned to school.
"Hey Mom, these came for you," Seth pointed to a bunch of flowers as Kirsten blearily stumbled into the kitchen one morning.
"I wonder who they're from," Kirsten mused, making her way over to them and opening the letter.
I'm sorry for what happened, the letter read. I'm staying at my sister's in Toronto-give me a call if you're ever out that way. Thank you for being such a great friend and helping me through rehab-Charlotte.
Kirsten looked at the address and phone number included in the letter and her heart couldn't help but sink: she'd thought Charlotte would change her mind about moving. Her one, true female friend was now hours away.
"Who're they from?" Seth asked, as Sandy walked in from his morning surf.
"Who're what from?" Sandy asked.
"The flowers Mom got," Seth explained.
"Ah…they're from Charlotte," Kirsten answered, to which Seth raised his eyebrows. "For something that happened. She's moved to Canada and wanted to give me her address. Where's Ryan? You're gonna be late for school."
"He's had breakfast," Seth replied. "He's in the pool house. I'll see you guys later."
Seth slipped out and went to find Ryan, as Kirsten collected a bagel and begun to prepare it. Sandy walked over to the flowers, observing them.
"They're nice," Sandy decided. "So she's moved in with her sister?"
"Yep," Kirsten replied with a sad tone in her voice. "I thought it was a heat of the moment decision…something she wouldn't go through with. She said she loved that house."
"It's a drastic action to take, anyway," Sandy mused. In his mind, it just wasn't right: people don't move across the country just because some guy came to their house and threatened their friend. Sandy could somewhat understand Charlotte wanting to move with her living alone, but to a different state? Sandy decided that she must have known Richard.
"What?" Kirsten asked, noticing Sandy was lost in thought.
"Nothing," Sandy said quickly. Whatever this was, it was Charlotte's problem-not Kirsten's or his. He didn't want his family dragged into any of Charlotte's messes.
"You know, I've been thinking," Kirsten announced, taking a bite out of her bagel. "And what I'm about to say is a pretty big matter, so you'll really need to think about it."
"Oh honey, I'm not living in the back of a mail truck again," Sandy said jokingly. "Or the back of anything, for that matter."
"Very funny," Kirsten said, dryly. "This is bigger than that-and I have really thought about it."
"What is it?" Sandy asked, sitting down next to Kirsten with his breakfast.
"Well, do you remember last week when we were at the beach?" Kirsten begun. "And we were talking about why we never had another baby? I've been thinking-a lot-and, well, what if we tried for another baby?"
"Another baby?" Sandy asked, surprised by the idea.
"Like I said, you don't have to answer right away," Kirsten declared, quickly. "But, could you promise me to really think about it? And we'll need to talk about it too, of course."
"Okay," Sandy agreed. "I'll think about it. What made you decide this?"
"I don't really know," Kirsten replied. "I guess it was partly seeing that family on the beach-but it's been on my mind for awhile. Seth and Ryan are graduating this year-and it's not a case of trying to replace them but I've always wanted to have another baby and this way, we could give the baby more of our time. What are your feelings on this?"
"I'm surprised at the moment," Sandy admitted with a smile. "I didn't see this coming. I mean, I'll need to think about it but to tell you the truth; I'd kind of like another kid."
"I think it would rejuvenate us as well," Kirsten stated.
"What, you think we're getting old?" Sandy mocked.
"We're not getting any younger," Kirsten pointed out.
"Well, with today's inventions that's an option," Sandy kidded. "Look at the Newpsies."
Kirsten smiled and kissed Sandy, ignoring his corny comment.
"So you'll think about it?" Kirsten reminded him.
"I will," Sandy promised.
Sandy walked into his and Kirsten's bedroom, where he found Kirsten in the wardrobe amidst a sea of shoes.
"What are you doing?" Sandy asked, a frown creasing his puzzled forehead.
"Sorting out my shoes," Kirsten explained. "Some of them escaped from my rack. What's that you're holding?"
"Oh, that," Sandy said, remembering the reason why he came in. "I brought you lunch in bed."
"Lunch in bed?" Kirsten laughed.
"I'm sure it works just as well on the floor," Sandy decided. "Let's see; I made you that noodle dish you like, a chicken salad and some coffee."
"I think I'd like it in bed," Kirsten declared, manoeuvring her way through the sea of shoes until she reached their just-made bed. "Or on bed. It doesn't have to be in bed."
Sandy smiled and set the tray down where Kirsten was sitting.
"Thank you," Kirsten smiled. Only Sandy would do something like lunch in bed.
"I'd eat the salad first if I were you," Sandy suggested.
"But then the noodles will go cold," Kirsten complained.
"It probably needs some time to cool down, anyway," Sandy pointed out.
"You know I'm the worlds slowest eater," Kirsten reminded him.
"So, have some of the salad and then the noodles," Sandy compromised.
Kirsten looked at him, perplexed as to why he was so insistent on her eating the salad first. Picking up the fork, Kirsten filled it with some salad. Spearing a lettuce leaf, Kirsten almost dropped her fork when she saw something underneath it. Looking closer, Kirsten's mouth dropped open as she saw a metallic glint and then a white-gold engagement ring. She picked it up-it was almost identical to the one she'd lost in her car accident a few months ago.
"Oh my God," Kirsten said quietly.
"You didn't expect me not to get you a replacement, did you?" Sandy said with a smile. "Keep looking."
Kirsten searched through the salad, finding twisted wedding and eternity rings.
"The engagement ring is engraved," Sandy told her, taking the rings out of Kirsten's hand. Turning it on an angle, Sandy held it so Kirsten could see the engraving of Love Eternal.
"That's beautiful," Kirsten told him with a big smile. Her finding them may not have been exactly romantic, but it was certainly unique and sweet.
"So, will you accept these rings?" Sandy asked.
"I will," Kirsten answered as Sandy slipped the rings on her finger.
"You can kiss me now," Sandy told her, moving the tray to a side.
2 chapters until it all starts up…