I just want to take a moment and say thank you IFarin for all the lovely reviews on AO3, you've been amazing and I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
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Chapter 4
…
As Elise and Sean left the restaurant, Sean began to walk towards the car, stopping when he couldn't hear Elsie behind him, turning to see her watching him.
"Elise, you okay?"
"Fine, it's just…such a nice night, I feel like a walk."
"A walk, can you manage that?"
"It's not that bad Sean, come on…why not? Unless you need to get home to the kids."
Sean walked back over to her, seeing the uncertainty in her eyes, obviously wondering if she's taken a step too far with him.
"No, absolutely not, I'm in no rush at all. Shall we."
Sean held out his arm for Elise, watching the smile that crept back on her face as she slipped her arm through his as they made their way down the path of the restaurant.
"Where would you like to go?"
"How about down by the river, it's always nice down there at night."
"Very well."
They walked along the streets in silence, Elise looking up at him every now and again to make sure he wasn't getting bored, only to see him smiling back at her as he tightened his hold on her. They crossed over the bridge and down the steps, the moonlight bouncing off the water as they walked along by the river. Sean turned to Elise to see a pained look on her face, stopping by one of the benches along the way.
"Sean, everything okay?"
"Me? You're in pain."
"What, no I…"
"Elise, I can see it on your face."
Elise sighed before Sean turned, so they were standing in front of one another, a serious look on his face as he looked down at her.
"Why did you insist on a walk when your ankle is obviously bothering you?"
"Okay fine, yes it's bothering me, but not that much."
"Elise?"
"Asking you to take me home so soon because I'm in pain, I already thought you were crazy when you asked me out to dinner, I knew I was older and now, this ankle proves my point."
"Having a sore ankle doesn't make you old, the ankle was all down to your job and anyway, I already told you…I don't look at you at someone who's older than me, I just look at you as…Elise."
"Really?"
"Yeah…really."
Elise looked up to see the small glint in Sean's eyes when she felt his arms suddenly going around her waist as he leaned down to kiss her. She felt herself respond immediately, she hadn't felt this safe in the arms of a man since Jack but it felt right. When Sean pulled back he saw the happy look on Elise's face.
"So, you wanna head back to the car?"
"You don't mind?"
"I don't mind at all, there'll be plenty of nights for walks."
"Thank you Sean, for being so understanding."
Sean wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they made their way back to the car. When they got to the car, Sean turned to her before she got in to the car.
"So, home."
"I imagine Tucker and Specs will still be there."
"Waiting for the details?"
"More than likely."
"It's nice that they care."
"Mmmm, how about we go back to yours."
"Mine, really…you know Quinn and Alex will be there."
"I know, it would be nice to see them again."
"You do realise Quinn will quiz you?"
"I don't mind."
"Okay then, home to the kids."
Elise sat back as Sean started the car, closing her eyes for a few moments, as she gave a small smile to herself.
…
Quinn was sitting on the couch, going over some of her course work for college when she heard the front door, looking at her phone to see that t wasn't even midnight yet.
"Dad…that has to be the shortest date I've ever…."
Quinn stopped short when her father and Elise walked in to the living room, Elise smiling at the younger woman.
"Elise…hey."
Quinn was on her feet and over to Elise, hugging her in seconds.
"Well someone's happy to see me." She giggled.
"I don't even get that when I come home."
"Shut up dad, I see you everyday."
When Quinn pulled back, she saw the cane Elise had in her hand.
"Oh my god, what happened to you. Geez Dad, what did you go and do to her."
"Hey."
"It wasn't your father sweetie, it was work related."
"Oh, right." Quinn went quiet at that.
Elise saw the worry in Quinn's eyes as she looked at the cane in Elise's hand.
"Are you okay Quinn?"
"Sure, I just…sorry."
"Why don't I go and make us some coffee?" Sean said.
"Would love one." Elise smiled in his direction.
Quinn nodded when he asked if she wanted one and watched with a small smile as her father kissed Elise on the cheek before leaving the room. Elsie took hold of Quinn's hand and guided her back over to the sofa.
"Come on sweetie, sit down and tell me what's on your mind."
"It's nothing, it was just…you got hurt, again."
"This wasn't because of you Quinn, just a hazard of the job."
"Don't you ever think of giving it up?"
"I already tried that once, and then you arrived on my doorstep and I knew I couldn't turn my back on you, there will undoubtedly be more just like you in the future, I just can't say no. I don't want you to worry about me Quinn, perhaps one day I will give it up, but for now…there are others just like you who need my help."
"I guess so…so, how was he, he didn't go on too much did he."
"Your Father, no…he was wonderful."
"Yeah, really. So you like him then."
"I do, but honey are you sure that you'd be okay with this, if your Father and I were to continue to see one another."
"Why wouldn't I be."
"I am older than he is, I wouldn't want you…or Alex to feel embarrassed by us."
"Are you kidding, Alex thinks you're a bad ass. He's always telling his friends about you and as for me, you already know how I feel about gave me my life back, you helped me connect with my Mom one last time, and even more…you've made my Dad happy. He hasn't smiled this much or talked this much about a woman since Mom, it's nice to see him happy again. He really likes you Elsie."
"Well good, because I really like him too."
Elsie giggled as Quinn leaned in to hug her as Sean came back through with the coffee.
"Hey what are you pair talking about huh?"
"Oh nothing special." Elise grinned.
"Yeah Dad….just girl talk."
"Girl talk huh?"
"Get used too it." Elise said, as she held Quinn close."
…
-Fin