Part 7

Sara was sat on the sofa, the glow of the tv and fire the only light filling the room. Jason on her lap with his head on her chest asleep now and Lindsey at her other side with her head placed on her shoulder – sleep also taken her. They'd been sat there for about two hours now – midnight around the time, though she was reluctant for them to leave because then she'd have to go and talk to Catherine.

The door opened, and Sara knew by the soft footsteps who it was, "They okay?"

"Why wouldn't they be… I'm not that bad with kids" she shot.

"I didn't…" Catherine was cut off.

"Yeah…I know…" Sara sighed, "He was a little shook up from a bad dream." She explained looking down at the young boy – she then looked up to Catherine and anger filled her because she'd do anything for all three of these people. Giving her life, without a second though if needs be –

"You want me to get him back up to bed?" Catherine offered.

Sara just nodded her head, "Okay…" She slowly awoke Lindsey at her side, "Dude… go on up to bed…"

"Mm…" The teenager slowly work up,

"Go on… up stairs" Sara offered.

Catherine slowly guided her daughter to her feet – "See you in the morning sweetie"

"Night mom …Sara"

She mumbled as she staggered away.

"Night" Both offered.

Then Sara slowly stood up and offered the sleeping kid to Catherine's arms.

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"There both down okay" Catherine explained walking into the living room holding two beers in hand. Sara took it and continued to watch the TV, trying so hard not to talk about her feelings and how this was the worst Christmas that she'd had in a while. She just wanted to be alone -

Catherine took a seat on the coffee table in front of Sara –"baby" She asked softly. The blond wanted to talk, wanted to make sure that her god damned family hadn't hurt Sara too much. "Please talk to me"

"I'm too tired Hun" Sara explained then taking a mouthful of her beer. She went to flick over the channel but the remote was taken from her hands. "Cath… please"

Catherine ignored Sara, she turned the TV off. Only the sound of the fire crackling could be hared. After a few moments Catherine spoke – "I'm sorry…"

"What are you sorry for?" Sara growled.

"For sending you up here… I'm sorry"

"You should be" Sara shot, "do you know how hard the past days have been. I can't do anything fucking right here Cath. They hate me." Sara had never wanted Catherine's family to hate her. She knew how important family was. That was mainly why she'd eventually agreed to this – hoping that it would fix what it was like between them all, but it had only made it worse.

"I know…I'm…so sorry"

Sara just sighed, leaning back – "Why?"

"Why what honey?" Catherine moved and sat over Sara's legs – straddling the brunette. She put her hands on Sara's waist.

"Why do they…hate me…"

Catherine shook her head, and then looked to where she was playing with the hem of Sara's shirt. "I don't know baby" She offered –"I honestly don't… but... I do know that tomorrow morning – we are out of here"

Sara just let out a scoff – a low laugh. "Hun…as much as I want to do that…we can't… its Christmas eve tomorrow and we promised the kids a great Christmas and I'm going to give it to them – and you. You all deserve it. And if that means sticking up with them for another three days I'll do it – but… you owe me"

"I do" Catherine nodded seriously, "for so much babe."

Sara just moved her arms around Catherine's waist. "I love you" she said softly.

"I love you to"

"… can we just leave it. Not talk about them tonight? I just can't"

Catherine nodded, she then kissed Sara passionately, loving and reassuringly all in once. "Just hold me baby?" Sara nodded, Catherine slid off the brunette and lay against her – Sara wrapped her arms around Catherine and they both looked at the fire – "You know … I missed you so much baby"

"I missed you to Cath…"