K here's chapter 8... Please review when your done, I love to hear from you!
Disclaimer: I, unfortunately am not the amazing josh who thought up all these amazing characters. I don't own them. He does.
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Ch. 8
Kirsten rolled over in her bed for what seemed like the millionth time that night. The clock read 1:56. Only two minutes later than the last time she had checked it. She sighed quietly to herself.
She hated sleeping without Sandy- or rather, attempting to sleep. It was kind of like sleeping on the floor- impossible to get comfortable, you wish you had that security and familiarity of your own bed- and you just cannot get a good night's sleep.
She had become so used to him being there that the bed just felt too big, empty and cold without him. She felt a bit nervous without him in the house at night. His presence just made her feel so safe, so relaxed and comfortable.
But when he was out of town for business, or in this case, visiting his mother, then Kirsten could not help but tense up all the time, especially while trying to sleep. The past two weeks had been miserable on her.
She had been late to work twice, Seth and Ryan seemed to be mad at her for some reason, she had only had time to talk to Sandy on the phone for a few minutes, and her lack of sleep had put her in the worst mood, not to mention given her dark circles under her eyes that no "magic wand" concealer could cover.
Thank god he was coming home tonight, she thought to herself. His plane was not scheduled to land until after midnight, and he had called to say that the plane had been delayed, so was trying to get home as fast as he could.
Kirsten knew she really should try to fall asleep. Sandy would feel horrible if she had been up all night waiting for him. She knew that he wasn't much better when it came to sleeping without Kirsten.
Sandy's plane had just landed, and he found his bag at baggage claim. He was waiting out on the sidewalk for the cab, and fumbled through his jacket pocket to find his cell phone. He dialed the familiar home phone number, and after half a ring, it was picked up.
"Sandy!" Kirsten hoped.
"Hey sweetie." Sandy was tired, but strained his voice sounding happy to see her. Kirsten could tell he was trying, but was being sincere.
"Are you almost home?"
"Yeah, just leaving the airport. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
"Ok. I can't sleep so I'll get up and wait for you. Do you want anything to eat when you get here"
"Not if your going to cook it." Kirsten started to laugh.
"Ok fine. I'll see you in twenty minutes"
"I love you." he said.
"I love you too"
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Twenty minutes later-
"Kirsten?" Sandy said as he opened the door to their bedroom.
"Hey!" she literally jumped out of the bed and ran over to him. She threw her arms around him, and clung to him tightly, smiling, and kissed him with their familiar lingering passion.
Her hands raked through his messy black hair, and naturally, his left hand found the small of her back, and the right grazed her soft cheek. She laced her fingers with his, and leading him toward the bed, she sat down placing her hand on the bed next to her, telling him to come sit down. He sat down next to her, taking off his shoes, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Mmmm. I'm so glad your home. I missed you. I haven't slept properly since you left." She whispered.
"I know. Me either."
He kissed her temple and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer to him. They turned to face each other, their lips meeting once again. Everything seemed exactly as they had remembered it, the touch, taste, the sense of security and romance- it was all there, but they both seemed miserable.
"Let's get some sleep, huh?" Kirsten suggested.
"Yes… my bed, you, its an unbeatable combination." Sandy replied with a chuckle. He undressed and climbed underneath the covers sliding in next to Kirsten. Laying down, he took a deep breath, and looked over to his wife, holding out his hand. She smiled at him, and rolled over close to his body, taking his hand, and pulling it across her body as they lied close to each other, her back against his chest. Now they could finally relax.
"How are the boys?" Sandy asked, trying to stay awake.
"Fine. I think. You know I can never really tell- well with Ryan that is."
"So I haven't missed out on much then."
"Well I was terribly lonely without you."
"Me too."
"How's your mom?" Kirsten's tone changed to a deeper, more serious one.
"Well. Let's see. She wants to see more of Seth, still at work finding homes for kids, still a bit of a smart ass, worrying me sick, she still hates you- so really other than the chemo, she's the same old Sophie Cohen"
"I meant how are you doing with your mom"
"I know. I'll be ok. Right now I need you." he said, raising his head to brush her hair aside and kiss her cheek softly. Kirsten could tell he was trying to cover the fact that he was really worried about his mom. She decided just to let it be, and enjoy having him home. Sandy turned out the light next to them, and found his spot next to Kirsten again. Stroking her left hand, he found her wedding ring and started to play with it. He's home, Kirsten thought to herself. She shut her eyes and drifted off into a calm and peaceful sleep.
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The next morning-
Sandy's internal clock woke him up at the time he normally went surfing. He was still exhausted, and the thought sleeping next to his wife was so much more enticing than getting out of bed to go surfing. She was still asleep, which he could tell by her calm and quiet breathing pattern. He laid back recalling the conversation he had had with his wife last night, about his mother. Sandy was worried sick about him, and Kirsten could tell. Unfortunately, anything that Kirsten could say or do to help Sophie's condition would not make a difference. Sophie hated Kirsten, only one more factor that made it all the more difficult for Sandy to cope with his mother's illness. Sandy had to do this one on his own. Kirsten was always there for him for moral support, but she couldn't take some of the work for herself, she couldn't sit up all night helping her mother-in-law, she could take away Sandy's pain, but not Sophie's. And unfortunately, whatever his mother felt, Sandy felt too. Sandy was on his own with this one- unlike when Kirsten's mother was dying. Kirsten's mother and Sandy had a great relationship- she had this air about her that seemed to calm any trauma or drama that was going on in the lives of people around her. That was Sandy's favorite quality about her- it was one of his favorite things about his wife too. He could tell who she got it from. All of his most fond memories of Kate Nichol were little things about getting through dinner parties with such grace even when there was some crisis going on. She numerously put Sandy and Kirsten back together when they fought in college. She would call Sandy and scold him for letting Kirsten walk all over him, and that she knew that the two of them would end up together- no matter what the world said to them. Sandy missed her so much. He knew that Kirsten would never be able to have that bond with her mother-in-law that Sandy had had with his. He also knew that it was not Kirsten's fault. Kirsten had done absolutely nothing wrong. At a time when Sandy needed Sophie to swallow her pride, and let Kirsten be there for her, and help her, simply because Sandy couldn't do this alone, she was too proud. The whole thing was simply exhausting.
Sandy took a deep breath, his eyes focused on the back of his wife's head. He kissed it gently and pulled her closer to him. Her left hand was still holding his, and she stroked his wedding finger in her sleep. Now that's knowing something so well you can do it in your sleep- Sandy thought to himself. He knew his wife felt miserable that she couldn't help her husband much right now- but being there- even for the moral support made one hell of a difference rather than not being there at all.
Kirsten awoke, noticing that she was still in Sandy's arms. She rolled over to face him.
"Morning." She yawned.
"Hey." Sandy replied cheerfully, kissing her forehead.
"You ok?" Kirsten knew him so well it was funny.
"Yeah. I'll be fine. It's tough though. We both know what its like- going through this- but it doesn't make it any easier."
"I know. And I'm sorry that you feel like you're in it alone. But you're not. I'm here. And I love you." She gazed deep into his eyes, searching for a connection with his. She took his left hand, and held it with hers.
"See these rings. In sickness and health honey- I think that applies to our parents as well. At least it does now. And I love you." He smiled at her, and kissed her softly.
"You have no idea how much I love you too." She smiled up at him and he stroked her cheek, and then kissing her again.
"I missed you"
"I missed you more"
"How much more?" she teased.
"Much much more"
"Hmmm is that so? Well- now that we've had our rest, I say its time we spend a little 'quality time' together? Don't you think so? I think s-" Sandy's lips on hers interrupted her.
"Yes." he replied.
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K that's it for now, hope you liked it…. Please reply- the buttons right down there- you know you want to!
