Author's Note: See disclaimer in first chapter

Chapter 9: Familiar Routines

Sarah sighed as she awoke. She noticed that Matt had gotten up and was in the shower. She picked up his wedding band and quietly read the inscription in the band: "You bring out the best in me." Her mind then wandered to the conversation she had with Annie one night in April. She and Matt had just finished dinner with the family and they were going to head to the promenade to wander around for awhile.

April 2002

"Sarah, I want to talk to you about something," Annie said as she and Sarah loaded the dishwasher.

"What?" Sarah asked. As she and Matt had spent more time at his house, she had grown more comfortable talking with her mother-in-law.

"Have you and Matt bought your wedding bands yet?" Annie asked.

Sarah, who of course had, said "Yeah. We got them about a month ago. It was easier to go ahead and get them since we already knew what we wanted. Why?"

"Well, it's a family thing. I told Mary, Lucy and Ruthie about it and it hit me today that I should tell you. I had Eric's band inscribed with "You bring out the best in me" and I thought you may like to do it," Annie answered as she closed the dishwasher.

"Thanks for telling me. That sounds like a neat tradition. I think that I am going to do it," Sarah answered.

Back in the present

Matt walked in wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He had just gotten off from his shift and was looking forward to staying at the apartment the rest of the day. He had a few phone calls to return and he also wanted to spend some time with his wife. He noticed his wife playing with his wedding band.

"Why are you playing with my band?" he asked as he picked it from her fingers.

"Have you ever noticed that I had it inscribed?" Sarah asked as she watched him eye the inside of his band.

"You bring out the best in me.. Huh…when did you have inscribed?" Matt asked.

"In April, way back when we were engaged. I took advantage of you opening your locker one day and borrowed your ring. I returned it before you even noticed," Sarah said laughing at his astonished expression.

"You mean, it's been four years and I never knew?" Matt asked.

"Yep. I also talked to Dr. Matthews yesterday and she said that I could fly out to Glen Oak in May. She said that the only thing was that I needed to rest as much as possible," Sarah added.

"So, I take it you want to fly out?" Matt asked.

"Yep. I don't know, for some reason, I really don't want to wait till the day of graduation to tell them. It's just going to be too many surprises revealed in one day. I still think that Mary has some surprises of her own," Sarah said as she climbed slowly up from the bed.

Matt reached over and gave her a helping hand. As soon as she was standing, he pulled her into a passionate kiss.

"What was that for?" Sarah asked.

"I just wanted to remind you how much I love you," Matt answered.

"Thanks for the reminder. I wouldn't mind another one" Sarah answered as she pulled his head down to meet hers in another passionate kiss. The two continued to make out for a few minutes until one of the twins protested his parents' proximity.

"Whoa, which one is that?" Matt asked.

"Daniel, I think. He's usually the more active one. Robert's getting the same way though. It seems that they both want my attention. I know one thing, I'm getting hungry," Sarah answered as she led Matt toward their kitchenette.

The two passed the rest of the afternoon in the same way. Conversations revolved around their families, her pregnancy, patients and dealing with the stresses of the end of their last semester.

Preview: Final Chapter