You all are SO amazing! Thank you for waiting paitently for this update! I intended it to be longer, but I'm looking to move the story along! Stay tuned!

16

"Well?" Martha prompts.

Cassie takes a minute to survey the Merriwick display for the Historical Middleton exhibit. Black and white and more than a little frayed, the few pictures she has of her family have stood the test of time and a testament to the will of her Merriwick heritage. "I think it's beautiful, Martha."

Martha exhales dramatically, clasping her hands together. "Oh I'm glad you approve! With everything that's been going on, I didn't want to add anymore to your plate!"

She smiles kindly, pondering a minute over the photo of her great-grandmother, Laurel. She's still not sure who the man is standing next to her, and the more she ponders it, the more she thinks Grace may be right: had there been a mystery man in her life?

"How are things with Sam?" Martha questions gently.

Despite being just down the hall from their kids, they had spent the past few nights and early mornings reconnecting. The blush slides over her cheeks and she looks down, biting her lip in an attempt to hide the grin that's come unexpectedly. "Really good," she answers. "You were right: we were in need of some honest conversation."

"Well, I do hope it led to a conversation of different kind, if you know what I mean," Martha winks knowingly.

She laughs, nodding.

. . . . . . . . . .

"You said it was just a sprain."

Sam nods, exhaling. "That's what I thought, yes, then I received Bobby's xrays." Grabbing the file off his desk, he slides the X-ray up onto the light turning it on. "Do you see this sliver here?"

Mrs. Burke nods, while trying to keep her son occupied on her lap.

"That's a break in Bobby's growth plate. It doesn't look like much, but they're very serious; they can affect the growth of Bobby's arm."

"So does he need a cast?" She questions.

Flicking off the light, Sam returns to his seat. "His fracture is too unstable for a cast. He's going to need surgery."

"Surgery? He's four years old!"

He had anticipated this. "I know that sounds scary-"

"-scary is an understatement, Dr. Radford! He's just a baby!" Mrs. Burke cuts him off.

"Hillcrest has an amazing orthopaedic surgeon; Bobby will be in great hands. And I'll be right beside you, every step of the way," he reassures.

Mrs. Burke relaxes a fraction, nodding.

"I've made an appointment for Bobby to have his arm assessed later this afternoon. I know this is all moving fast; the sooner Bobby see's the surgeon for a consult, the sooner his surgery can be booked."

"Ok," Mrs. Burke nods, exhaling.

He gives her another reassuring nod. "Would someone like a lollipop now?"

Bobby's face lights up. "Meeee!" He exclaims excitedly.

His mother laughs, adding a little levity to the situation.

"Let's go then," he smiles, following them both out into the waiting room. "Someone's ready for their lollipop, Eve!"

"Is that so!" Eve smiles, setting the dish in front of the boy on the counter.

His little hand goes right for the red one, and Sam helps him tear the rapper off. "Eve, could you get Mrs. Burke the directions for Dr. Samir's office and the time for their appointment?"

"Sure thing!" Eve takes a minute to write the information down, before sliding it across the counter. "There you go! Hope everything goes well."

Mrs. Burke takes the slip of paper, setting her son down, taking his hand. "Me too."

Sam gives her a reassuring look. "It will. Call me if you have any questions after your appointment."

"Thank you Dr. Radford….come on Bobby. Say bye!"

The little boy waves to them both, sucker in his mouth.

When the door closes behind them, he finally exhales, rubbing his forehead.

"This probably isn't the best time to tell you that I have Linda on hold," Eve grimaces. "She's been calling all morning."

"All morning?"

"ALLLLLLLLL morning," Eve clarifies. "She's been tying up the phones."

Dealing with his ex-wife wasn't on his to-do list. Frankly, nothing all morning had been on his to-do list other than Cassie.

He smiles at this, think of the way she writhed under his mouth all morning.

"Dr. Radford?"

He clears his throat. "I'll take it. Thanks, Eve." He fishes his phone out of his pocket on the way back to his office, opening up a new message to Cassie.

Thinking of you. And my bed.

He hit's send before falling into his chair, reaching for the phone. He connects the blinking light to his line, bracing himself for the onslaught.

"4 hours Sam! Really?!"

"Hello to you too, Linda-"

"-don't be flip, Sam!" She admonishes. "I've been trying to reach you all morning! How come you haven't been returning my calls?"

"I've been with patients all morning; I'm squeezing you in now."

Linda scoffs. "How generous of you."

He pinches the bridge of his nose, willing his voice to remain even. "What do you want, Linda?"

"When were you going to tell me about what's been happening in that apparently not-so-small town you live in?"

He exhales.

"Here's one better!" She continues. "When were you going to tell me that you're sleeping with her!?"

"Don't be crass-"

"-I'll be however I choose when it comes to the safety of my son!" She cuts him off.

"Our son," he corrects.

"I don't want Nick around her or the danger that's she's found herself in! If you don't send her back to her Blue House-"

"-Grey House-"

"-WHATEVER!" She yells. "I'll have a lawyer revoke your rights so fast your head will spin, Sam!"

She hangs up in his ear before he can respond, and it's such a typical response that it doesn't effect him the way he knows she intended it to.

His phone buzzes from his desk, and he reads the text from Cassie flashing across his screen.

Mmmmmmm….thinking of you too. And your mouth.

He smiles, replying back. Let me take you to lunch?

Yes❤︎

. . . . . . . . . .

His SUV passes her just as she turns the corner to the Bistro. He parks right out front, and as he slides out the drivers side, Cassie can sense the tension in him. He circles his car, heading towards her and she welcomes the embrace he engulfs her in almost immediately.

"Hey," she greets softly, sliding her arms under his jacket. He deflates a little next her and she soothes the tension from his body with her hands, gliding up the firm columns in his back.

Pulling back, he presses his lips to hers. "I needed that."

She returns his kiss. "I know you did."

A slight smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he meets her gaze.

"Everything ok?" She questions.

He sighs, taking her hand in his. "I'll tell you about it over lunch."

She follows him into the Bistro, which is unusually quiet for this time of day. There's an empty table by the window and he heads right for it, knowing it's her favourite spot. He tucks her chair in for her before taking his own and it isn't long before Stephanie is at their table with a smile.

"Long time no see, strangers!"

Everything has been such a whirlwind lately she can't remember the last time they spoke. "I know! I'm sorry!"

Stephanie waves her off. "It's alright; I know you've been busy. Did you get the tea I sent to the Bell book this morning?"

"I did! That was so sweet of you, Stephanie, thank you."

"It's the least I could do, really….Have you been back to Grey House? If you and Grace need a place to stay, my door is always open!"

She looks over at Sam who's busied himself with a menu. "I haven't been yet, and we've been staying with Sam, actually…."

Stephanie's gaze widens for a split second before she smiles. "Sam probably throws a better slumber party anyway," she teases.

Sam hides behind the menu causing them both to laugh.

"The usual for you both?" Stephanie questions.

She nods. "That would be great."

"Coming right up!"

When they're alone again, Sam peaks at her over the top of his menu. "Should I be organizing facials and pedicures?"

She laughs, reaching across the table to take his hand. "I like the other activities you've planned."

He smiles playfully. "Me too….I definitely wish that I had stayed in bed with you this morning."

She swipes her thumb against the back of his hand encouragingly, and he recounts his morning at his practice, and his difficult conversation with a patient. He doesn't give specifics, and he doesn't have to; she knows his frustration and disappointment is with himself.

"…and then Linda called and proceeded to threaten to reopen our custody agreement and take Nick away from me."

The waiter arrives with their order, and she thanks him with a smile. "Linda doesn't approve of me-"

"-She doesn't get a say, Cassie," he interjects. "Not on this." He drags his spoon through his soup several times before he let's his guard down, rubbing his forehead.

"…She uses Nick as a pawn every time she disagrees with my decisions and I don't understand why she doesn't…." He lets his voice trail off, leaning back into his chair.

"…why she doesn't see how happy you make your son," she finishes.

His eyes well, and he shakes his head. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for him," he says softly.

"Nick knows that, Sam."

He nods, taking a minute to compose himself. "….I know she's bluffing but every time she threatens it…I'd sooner let her win than put Nick through that."

Business has picked up and as the customers occupy the tables around them, she recognizes this isn't where he needs to be right now. Signalling the waiter, she asks for their food to go and settles the bill.

Sam gives her a confused look. "What are you doing?"

"A change in scenery. Come on."

. . . . . . . . . .

The salt air is especially crisp this time of year, and as he sits in the trunk of his car, the door raised above them, he inhales deeply. The ice cream she insisted on stopping for drips on his hand, and he catches it with his mouth before the double scoop of chocolate chunk drips all over him.

It's exactly what he needed.

She's sitting beside him, her legs crossed and he takes a minute to just take her in. The wind plays gently with her hair and the afternoon sun casts a soft glow across her skin. Her lips are puckered around her double scoop of butter pecan and everything about her in that moment is perfect.

Like always.

She catches his gaze, and she smiles softly, offering her cone. "Want a lick?"

He wants a lifetime of this.

Just this.

Her.

Like this.

Leaning in, he mates his lips with hers and the rich taste of butter and pecans catch his tongue as he teases her mouth open. She doesn't hesitate, letting the heat of his kiss chase the chill from her lips.

"mmmmmm," she hums against his lips. "You taste like chocolate."

"That's a good thing, right?" He questions.

"A very good thing."

Tbc