Stay With You
Chapter 2
Author's note: I should clarify for you, this happens after the alternate ending of By Your Side. I guess I should've stated that previously.
Author's note#2: Thanks to Deb for providing me with some inspiration!
Tim dropped the bags at the door and turned the knob, hoping that she had been able to get the finishing touches done. Walking into the foyer, he could hear Sam as she closed the door to the SUV, and he closed the door slightly. He scanned the kitchen, seeing the mess, but not his daughter.
"Sash?" Tim called. He walked back into the foyer, just in time to see Sascha coming out of the living room, slowly. He saw the balloons tacked to the wall as well as the 'welcome home' sign that she had spent three hours on ,and smiled to himself. She was a very resourceful girl. " Are you about done?"
" I just have to put the cake out on the table. Where is she?" Sascha asked as she heard Sam coming to the door.
" Tim, why are the bags still at the door?" Sam asked as she touched the door lightly.
Tim quickly pushed the door, it closing on her suddenly. She looked at the door, surprised.
"Tim! What's going on in there?" Sam called.
Inside, Tim motioned to Sascha to get the cake. " Um, nothing."
" If it's nothing, then let me in," Sam replied as she started to get tensed. It had been a long flight and she was exhausted.
"Just a moment," Tim called back. He watched as Sascha carried the cake slowly into the room, taking deliberate steps. It had been three weeks since she had started walking again, but Tim noticed that she was still uneasy on her legs, " You want me to take it?"
Sascha shook her head and tried to speed up, her gait getting more and more unstable. She tried desperately to hold on to the cake, but felt it as it started to slip. Tim noticed and tried to save it, but his fingers slipped and the cake went all over him. Sam opened the door to see Tim standing there with cake icing on his black shirt, and frustrated glare on his face.
Sascha giggled slightly and smiled at Sam ," Welcome home, Sam."
S/S
Calleigh pulled the H3 to the side of the park, as she glanced at her watch, sighing inwardly. She was against this trip from the start, but she didn't want to be the bad guy in this situation. She eyed the twins through the rearview mirror as they talked and played amongst themselves. The real reason that she was late, was because she had to search for the missing Barbie doll that was suddenly nowhere to be seen. Calleigh shifted the H3 in park and got out quickly. If she could hurry, she could beat the traffic on the causeway.
Horatio unbuckled his seat belt and watched as Calleigh got out of the truck and go to the back. He hated to see her stressed, but there was nothing he could do about it. In a matter of moments, his life had changed and that change had put a strain on them and their marriage. He wanted to help out , but his injury just wouldn't cooperate. Getting out , he went against his own judgement and opened the door to the back.
" Daddy! I want to get out," Livvy said gleefully.
" Just let me get the seat belt," Horatio grunted as he leaned into the truck, his shoulder screaming.
" Let me get her," Calleigh said as she gestured to Lizzy to stay on the grass, " C'mon, Livvy mommy's gotta go."
" I want daddy to get me ," Livvy said as she poked her lips out.
"Livvy,..." Calleigh warned as she put her hand on her hip, " get out this instant!"
"Livvy, don't you want to go play with Lizzy? She's already out," Horatio said gently. He reached out his hand and nodded to her, " Now, daddy can't pick you up, but can you be a big girl and jump down?"
Livvy let a wild smile attack her face as she took her father's hand, " Yay!"
How does he do that? Calleigh thought as she smiled lightly. Horatio gestured to Livvy to stand next to her sister, then turned to Calleigh. He knew that she was a stickler for being on time and he had an apologetic look on his face.
" Don't you apologize, Horatio. You all need this," Calleigh said as she looked into his eyes. She saw the despair that swam in them, and knew instantly what he was feeling. " Thanks for the help."
" I wasn't much help," Horatio countered gently as he put a hand to his shoulder. The pain pulsated through his chest like a rabid dog.
"Are you sure you are going to be okay with the girls?"
" We'll be fine, won't we ladies?" Horatio said as he glanced back at his daughters. They nodded in unison and turned their sights on the swings.
" Alright, you got your cell?" Calleigh said as she walked over to the driver's side.
" Yes."
"Call me if anything happens."
" You'll probably be calling me first."
"Cute. I gotta go, but be careful. Girls, take care of your daddy, and stay where he can see you," Calleigh called to them.
" Calleigh, go."
" Alright, alright, I'm going. I love you."
" I love you, now go." Horatio returned as she smiled back at him and got in. When she pulled off , he glanced at the girls, seeing their desperation to get to the swings, " Alright, ladies, ready?"
He watched them as they scrambled to the swings, laughing. Sitting down on the bench, he inhaled deeply and kept his eyes on them, feeling the sunshine on his back. A slight breeze blew through and it gave him a feeling of being alive. Despite the dull pain that now resided in his shoulder and chest, he felt as his eyes drooped slightly. With in seconds, his head lulled to the side. He could faintly hear the girls as they played on the swings.
S/S
" I can't believe you went through all of this just for me," Sam said as she helped Sascha pick up the cake. She had been pleasantly surprised when she saw the balloons and the banner, thinking to herself just how lucky she really was. Never had someone done anything remotely close to this, and it made her heart swell, as she fought against the tears. " I know your dad had a cow when he saw the balloons, right?"
" I did not," Tim said as he descended the stairs in a dark blue shirt, " I just told her that if any paint came off, a weekend paint party would be planned."
" And God knows, I don't want to waste my weekend on that," Sascha said as she took a break to lean against the wall. Tim noticed and went up to her quickly, she was flush and breathing irregularly. Sascha threw a tight smile to him and held on to his shoulder, " Thanks, Dad."
" Sash, maybe you need to rest," Tim said with concern. She looked between him and Sam, and nodded. It looked to her that they needed time alone anyway.
" I think I will go to my room and rest some. You guys take it easy on the cake," Sascha quipped wearily.
" Cute. Do you need some help?"
" I think I can manage, dad. Sam, it's good to see you again," Sascha returned as she started to walk towards her bedroom.
When she was gone, Sam looked to Tim as he continued to watch the hall, just in case she couldn't make it all the way. He then turned his attention to Sam, seeing that she too looked exhausted.
" Maybe you need to take a nap yourself," he said as he gazed into her eyes. Along with the exhaustion, he saw hesitation. " Are you okay?"
" I'm fine, Tim. What makes you ask?"
" You have that look. There's something that you are not telling me."
Sam couldn't hide the feeling anymore and she let out a sigh. She felt like she had to tell him, because it was murdering her conscience. Tim eyed her warily, knowing full well what a sigh like that meant. She had something to tell him, and it was of the upmost importance. He motioned her to the couch and she walked slowly ahead of him, trying to find the words to say. She wanted nothing more in this world than to marry him, but she felt like what she was holding back had the potential to ruin everything. As she sat down, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Exhaling , she spoke softly at first.
" Tim, you know that I love you. More than life itself."
" Yes, I do. And I love you. Sam , what is this all about?"
" I never wanted to hurt you, or do anything to put our relationship in jeopardy," Sam continued ,feeling her heart tumble into her stomach.
" Sam,..."
" Tim, I have to do this. If there is a chance for us, I have to tell you something."
Tim felt as his own stomach did a somersault, and closed his eyes. This couldn't be happening again. He couldn't be losing another love. " Just come out and tell me, Sam."
" Tim, I know how you've felt about this..." Sam said as Tim's phone chirped to life. He glanced down at it angrily and ignored it. It continued to ring, prompting Sam to ask, " Aren't you going to get that?"
" No. I want to finish this."
"Answer the phone, Tim. It could be important."
"There's nothing more important than you right now, Sam," Tim said with intensity. Sam stared back at him and he sighed, knowing that she wouldn't continue until he answered the phone. Angrily, he snatched the phone off of it's clip and answered, "Speedle."
" Whoa, did I catch you at a bad time?" Eric said into the phone.
" I'm kinda in the middle of something here, Delko," Tim said as he glanced back at Sam. She still held a look of nervousness as she fingered the edges of the pillow. " What do you want?"
" There's something that is requiring your attention."
" You can't handle it?"
" I'm not the temporary supervisor. That will be you, my friend. So , we need you here as soon as possible."
Tim pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily , " Alright, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
Hanging up the phone , he looked at the floor trying to remain composed. All kinds of thoughts ran through his mind as to what could be so important that she would act like this. He placed a hand on hers and squeezed lightly. Sam saw the hurt that was invading his eyes and felt as her own threatened to spill over. She would have to wait .
" Go."
" When I get back, we are going to talk. No interruptions," he said as he looked her in the eyes.
" Okay," she replied with her head down.
" Whatever it is, I'm sure we can work through it," Tim returned as he tilted her chin up to look at her again. " Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay."
Tim leaned in to kiss her , and she felt a tear drop as his lips gently brushed against hers. Her sadness surprised Tim as he pulled back. It was apparent that this was serious.
" I love you, Sam. Just know that." Tim stated as he awkwardly stood. This was already taking a toll on him.
" I do know that, and I love you too," Sam said as she wiped the tear off of her face. She glanced up to him, trying valiantly to smile, knowing that she was failing. She watched him walk to the door and pause before he opened it and stepped out. She couldn't help but feel that he may have just walked out of her life.
TBC...