His thoughts pause as he hears her say, "I know it's your choice of whether to go see your dad or not. And, I don't want to nag you about it. But, if it were you that were in his position. Would you want to see Anna, Tess, or Isa?" Her question hits him like a ton of bricks.
His heart flutters as he considers her point. It's not about his dad being in good hands. It's about him needing to be there for his dad. He looks at his wife, as she looks back at him with love and compassion in her eyes staring back at him. He has to admit, she has a point. However, his quiet demeanor is driving her crazy.
So she says, "T, please say something." He releases a breath he didn't know he was holding, as he says, "Ker, I know you're right. I know that my dad would love it if I was there with him. I honestly want to be." She thinks he's buying in, but then hears him continue. "But, like I said, with us shooting right now. And, you here alone with Isa. I can't just pick up and go right now. If the situation worsens. I am a call away. I know my dad understands as well as the family."
Her hopes are dashed a bit by his response. But, she doesn't let it go. She says, "Babe, you know as well as I do that your shooting schedule isn't a factor. All of the scenes you have coming up, could be shot next week or later if necessary. And, as for helping me with Isa. I could easily get Janet to stay overnight for a while during your absence as well as travel with us to work. Like she's done in the past, when you were going between studios shooting The Divide and Scandal. So, please, tell me why you're fighting me on this? Because nothing you've come up with is a good enough reason for you to opt to stay here."
Her persistence hits pay dirt, and she sees it. His eyes go from defiant to sad. She sees the sadness well up in his eyes, and her heart breaks as she hears him say, "I can't see him like that Ker. I Jus…"
Tears begin to stream down his face. She pulls his head down onto her shoulder and she cradles him in her arms as he sobs. He lets him let it all out, she too is crying. She feels his hurt, and she'd do anything to take it away. But, she knows she can't. All she can do is be there for him, and let him release it.
She strokes his head and holds him until his tears slow, and his breathing settles. As he lifts his head, she kisses him on the cheek, and he looks her in the eyes. As their eyes meet, he sees her looking back at him with tear stained eyes, filled with nothing but love, and acceptance.
As he tries to dry his face with tissues she hands him. He takes a breath, and blows his nose. She strokes his face when he sits back against the head board. He takes a breath, and the silence settles them both.
She appreciates him finally admitting the truth about his resistance. It's not what she expected. But, it's the reality behind what he's saying. Determined to push through. She dries her eyes, as she says, "You know that because you're scared to see him sick. It's more of a reason to go, right?" He nods as he responds, "Yeah, I know. I just don't know how I am going to deal with it though. Damn, that's selfish huh?"
She understands his conflict, and thinks he's being too hard on himself. Supportively she says, "We're all entitled to our own emotions, especially at times like these babe. And to be fair, nobody knows how they're going to deal with situations like this until it happens. But, one thing I know for sure, is that avoiding the current situation because you're in fear of something worse happening isn't fair to anybody involved."
He asks, "So how do I do this Ker? I feel so, so.." She interjects, "Helpless?" He nods as he replies, "Yes. It feels a lot like when we lost mom." She strokes him compassionately as she says, "Babe, I know losing your mom was heartbreaking. But, there's no indication your dad's condition is terminal. So, let's remove that negativity from your thoughts."
He replies, "I can't stop thinking about it though Ker. Liz sounded so sad." She agrees, she did sound sad, it was difficult to hear her describing how the pneumonia had progressed, and ravaged Sam's lungs. Leaving him on breathing treatments and heavily medicated.
But, she too knows that if he's going to get through this. He has to face it for himself, as well as for his father. So she says, "Babe, I truly feel for you right now. I know it's a struggle for you. But, I also know that if you mishandle this now, you will regret it. You have to give yourself a chance to deal with everything one step at a time, taking it as it comes. Instead of waiting for it to all unfold at once and then dealing with the results. That's not fair to you or anybody else."
Her words sit with him, he can't deny it. She's spot on. For the sake of easing his own nerves about his dad's health, and to be supportive of him I his recovery. He has to be there for him. She sees him in thought, and pauses, giving him a moment to process it all. It's like she can see the gears churning in his head. Watching him, she sees his eyes begin to clear, the cloudiness of sadness no longer hovering over his beautiful blue hue.
He then takes a deep breath and looks at her as he says, "I'm going." She smiles at him as she says, "Good. I'm so proud of you." He smiles at her as he responds, "Don't be proud of me. I haven't left yet."
She sweetly kisses him as she says, "I know I've been pushing you. But know that I've got your back regardless, okay? No judgment." He sweetly caresses her face, as he pecks her lips, and says, "I know. Which is just one of the reasons I love you so much baby. Thank you." Her cheeks warm as she grins, and says, "You're welcome." His words do the trick for her, more times than not.
Their kiss deepens and she finds herself flat on her back, with him atop her. But, not for long, as she quickly flips him over to be atop him instead. They laugh loudly, as he always marvels at how her take down move works on him so easily, despite him having a hundred pounds on her.