Chapter 24

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Martin padded softly down the hall so he wouldn't wake up his two nieces who were conked out on the sofa. They had wanted to camp out right next to the tree so they could catch Santa delivering their presents. But a long day of running around and eating sweets resulted in a serious sugar crash and they were out before ten o'clock. As he passed he noticed that Olivia was hogging the covers so he carefully pulled the soft afghan blanket over Amy so she could get some warmth too. He brushed some hair away from Amy's eyes and patted her head gently before continuing down the hall to the kitchen. He was about to switch on the light when he decided against it; there was enough moonlight filtering in that he could see where everything was. He walked over to the fridge and opened it up trying to decide what would make a good midnight snack.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Martin turned around and saw his father, Victor, standing behind him.

"Must be hereditary," he replied.

The two men stood in front of the open refrigerator, illuminated by the soft yellow light. Victor put his hand on Martin's shoulder and said, "So, what shall we eat? That turkey was pretty good, is there enough left for a few sandwiches?"

"I think so." Martin reached in and pulled out the container while Victor wandered to the counter to get the bread and utensils. He put the turkey, lettuce, and tomato on the table, along with the mayo and mustard when he turned back asking, "What do you want to drink?"

"I'll take some milk," Victor replied as he sat down at the table.

Martin grabbed the pitcher of milk and shut the door. He took a couple of clean glasses from the cabinet and sat down across from his dad.

As they assembled their snack, Victor quietly asked, "So, how are things?"

He put the top slice of bread on his sandwich and studied it. The Fitzgerald men don't have long heart to heart talks so he simply replied, "Fine. How are things with you, why couldn't you sleep?" Martin bit into his sandwich and looked up, waiting for his dad's response.

"I'm worried about the playoffs. The Redskins have really blown it again this year." Victor smiled as he held up his sandwich and took a bite. Once he swallowed he added, "I'm over sixty and I haven't had a decent night's sleep in years. How about you? How are things at work, Jack treating you well?"

Martin considered his answered as he chewed. It was no secret that his father did not care for Jack Malone and while there were times he may have had issues with Jack, he would never voice them, especially to his father who happened to be the Deputy Director of the F.B.I. He finished chewing and simply said, "Good. We've been pretty busy but that's the job, right?"

His father gave him a small smile and nodded his head as he continued eating. "This is a pretty good sandwich. Hilde certainly knows how to cook a bird."

Hilde was his parent's housekeeper for the last thirty years.

"Yes, she does." He was about to take another bite when he stopped and asked, "Do you remember the year mom decided that she would make a traditional Irish Christmas dinner all by herself?"

"How could I forget? She burned half the dinner. I didn't even know you could burn mashed potatoes." Victor laughed. "And she made that wretched spiced beef. I was burping that meal for at least a week."

"That's because you were the only one who actually ate it." Martin smirked. "We feed ours to Chester under the table."

"I know. I had to walk him, and believe me: the beef disagreed with him, too." Victor laughed softly and a little later added, "God it was awful."

"It's a good thing you didn't marry mom for her cooking," he said as he finished off his sandwich.

"You're right about that," Victor replied as he took a drink of his milk.

Martin paused and asked, "How did you know mom was the one?"

He could see his dad considering how to respond when he gently said, "I don't know exactly. I knew I liked her. She was smart, feisty and incredibly hard headed." Victor smiled mischievously at Martin. "You know, I was actually planning to propose to someone else when I met your mom."

Martin raised his eyebrows and asked, "Really?"

"Her name was Elle McCain." As Victor spoke Martin leaned forward and listened intently. "It was back in college. She was gorgeous, vivacious, and I seriously thought I was in love with her. Then I met your mom. We ended up in the same study group for a political science class. She argued with me on just about everything. If I said the sky was blue she would say that it was actually a matter of light waves interacting with the atmosphere."

Martin laughed. That pretty much summed up his mother. She never pulled any punches.

Victor continued, "I still don't know how it happened but I found myself wanting to spend more and more time with Kate. I'd find an excuse to show up at the same parties as her or arrange it so we would happen to run into each other. It wasn't exactly for romantic reasons; I just really liked talking to her. She was so different from the girls I knew. I guess Elle noticed it too because she said she was tired of me talking about Kat all the time and she broke it off with me. So being a free man I rushed out, told your mom that Elle and I were over and then I asked her out. She marched right up to me, looked me straight in the eye and said it was about damn time."

Martin laughed and leaned back in his chair and took a drink of his milk.

Victor stopped and studied him carefully. "Does this have anything to do with Samantha Spade?" Martin eyed his father over the rim of his glass as he explained, "Your mother told me."

He didn't say anything but just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what to think about Sam anymore and he certainly did not want to be criticized for his decision either.

"For what it's worth, I don't think you're an idiot. I'm sure you did what you thought was best for the both of you." Victor stood up and put his dishes in the sink before heading to the door. He paused and not looking at Martin said, "I know you think I put too much pressure on you or try to influence how you live your life but it's only because I thought you could do great things. I still do. But when you were in the coma I promised myself that if you were to wake up I would support you in doing whatever you wanted to do or being with whomever you pleased. I just wanted you to be awake, alive and happy." Victor looked up at him and a little later added, "I know I don't say this enough but you're a good man, Martin and I'm proud to be your father."

The two men's eyes met and Martin wanted to say something but all of his words were blocked by the giant lump in his throat.

"I better get to bed. The girls are going to be awake in a few hours and they will not let us sleep in when there are presents to be unwrapped." Victor gave a quick nod to Martin and started down the hall. "Goodnight, Martin."

"Goodnight dad," Martin breathed softly.