Love and Marriage

Chapter Eighty-Three

Martin opened his eyes, slowly adjusting to the light shining in from the windows. He looked down and saw that Sam was still clinging to him, fast asleep. He always loved waking up before her and getting to watch her sleep. There was something magical about the way she looked with the sunlight streaming in through the windows and bathing her in its' light. It made her look like an angel. His angel.

He still couldn't believe that he had gotten her to agree to his compromise. It was amazing and he was beyond happy about it. He had been starting to think that maybe she was having second thoughts about staying in this marriage and that was why she wanted to continue with this break. But the fact that she agreed to let him move in with them in two weeks made his rethink his earlier assumption.

The next two weeks were going to be hard for him since he was going to be away from his family again, but he was certain that he could manage it now since he had something to look forward to.

He wouldn't miss out on experiencing Sam's pregnancy with her and he wouldn't miss all of those important moments, like the first ultrasound and finding out the sex of the baby. He'd be able to be there for her and try to help her out with her anxieties. That made him happy too.

And Claire. He wouldn't have to miss out on watching her grow up either. He had surprised even himself when he had suggested that he quit his job and be in charge of Claire until he could get another job in the FBI, but it seemed right. Although he had a great relationship with his daughter, he did feel like he hadn't spent enough time with her in the past.

He tried to spend as much time as possible with her, but sometimes that didn't work out. So maybe he could make up for all the times he didn't feel like he gave her the attention she deserved by staying home with her for a few weeks.

Sam woke up and smiled when she realized that she was still cuddled close to Martin. There was something almost cathartic about waking up with him next to her that she didn't think she'd ever be able to explain to anyone.

She was beyond happy that she had finally made a decision and accepted Martin's compromise. She had to stop being so stubborn and indecisive. Not knowing what she wanted and not being willing to go after what she did know she wanted could have cost her Martin, and that was unacceptable to her.

She noticed that Martin wasn't moving around and wondered if he was still asleep. To find out, she raised her head up from its' resting place on his chest and saw two deep blue eyes staring back at her. "Morning."

"Morning." He smiled at her.

"How long have you been awake?" She knew that he had a habit of watching her sleep. For the past few months he hadn't paid enough attention to her to do that anymore and was curious about whether he had started that again.

"Not too long." He leaned down and placed a small kiss on her lips. "Just long enough to realize how beautiful you are."

She couldn't help but smile and blush slightly. "We're going to be ok now, right?"

"Of course we are." He assured her, wrapping his arms around her tightly and bringing her closer to him. "We're going to be just fine. Are you still worried?"

"Maybe a little." Sam confessed. "You know, every time that we start to be happy something comes along and wrecks it. I don't want that to happen again."

"I don't want that either." He agreed. "But we don't have to worry about that because nothing is going to wreck us again. Now I can't guarantee that we won't have fights or that life won't throw us a curveball here or there, but nothing is going to keep us apart again. We won't let it. Ok?"

"I like the way you think Mr. Fitzgerald."

"Why thank you Mrs. Fitzgerald." Martin grinned, gently pulling Sam so that she was now lying directly on top of him. He reached up and started kissing her, keeping his hands firmly planted on her hips.

She eagerly kissed him back, letting her hands roam free. Her hands soon found the edge of his t-shirt and started to pull it up so that she could make contact with his skin instead of the cotton fabric.

"Hmm, Sam." Martin croaked between kisses. The feel of her hands roaming around his body was enough to send him into overdrive.

"Yeah?" She asked, breaking their kiss and beginning to kiss his neck. She still knew the exact spots that would excite him, and focused her attention on those spots.

"What are we doing?" He wasn't sure this activity was a good idea right now. That didn't mean he wanted to stop though.

She laughed and whispered into his ear. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten."

He chuckled. "No. I definitely haven't forgotten."

"Good." She smirked.

He gave her one more kiss before pulling away again. "I'm not sure we should continue this."

"Why not?" She asked, not understanding.

"Because Claire could come in at any moment." He pointed out.

"She's probably still asleep." Sam argued, even though she knew that Martin was right.

"Maybe, but do you want to take that chance?" He asked. "Besides, I think we should wait a little while longer before taking the next step."

She knew that he was right, but she couldn't help being slightly disappointed. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to change your mind?"

He grinned at her. "There are plenty of things you could do to change my mind. But I'm hoping you'll be good and not use your feminine charms against me…yet."

She sighed. "Ok. If I have to be good, I'll be good."

"Thank you." Martin kissed the tip of her nose.

"I'll be good as soon as I'm done with this." Without hesitation, she kissed him again.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Claire yelled as she entered their bedroom.

Sam immediately slid off of Martin and glanced at her daughter, hoping that Claire hadn't gotten too much of a show.

"What's up princess?" Martin asked, picking Claire up and placing her on the bed between him and Sam. "What are you doing awake so early?"

"I couldn't get back to sleep." Claire admitted sheepishly.

"Why not?" Sam asked, stroking her daughter's hair. "Bad dream?"

"No." Claire shook her head. "I just wanted to spend more time with daddy before he left."

"Oh. I see." Sam smiled at her daughter.

Claire looked up at her mommy. "Does daddy really have to go today?"

"Yes sweetie, I'm afraid he does." Sam told her.

"Why?" Claire asked. "Why can't he stay here with us?"

Sam looked over at Martin. "You want to field this question or should I?"

"I'll do it." Martin volunteered. He turned his attention to his daughter. "Sweetie, I know you want me to stay, and I want to stay too. But I have to go back to New York for a little while. I have to go pack up all of our stuff and get ready to move back here."

"You're moving back here?" Claire's face broke out into a huge smile. "Really?"

"Yes really." Martin told his daughter.

She wrapped her arms around her daddy's neck, giving him a tight hug. "Yay!" Then she pulled away and looked back and forth at her parents. "When?"

"Two weeks." Sam answered.

The smile on Claire's face faltered slightly. "Another two weeks without daddy?"

"Yes, but after that I'll be here with you and mommy forever." Martin promised.

"Are you sure?" Claire asked him.

"I'm sure." Martin replied.

"So in two weeks we'll be a real family again?" Claire asked, wanting to make sure that she understood what they were telling her.

"Well we're already a real family," Sam corrected her daughter, "but in two weeks you're daddy will be living with us."

The huge smile was back on Claire's face. "That's good."

"Yes it is." Sam agreed with Claire. "It's very good."