Fiddling to find her key who had seem to have fallen deep down at the bottom of her purse she thought it was ironic that the miami crime lab wasnt more protected when dakrnest who decent upon the town , Barely no lighting provide little for the eye to see .
Fishing her key out she unlocked her car getting in just as her cellphone rang on her hips, answering she tuck the phone between her ear and shoulder while starting the igintion of her car .
CAL: Duquesne!
Putting the car in reverse Calleigh listened to whatt he caller had to say , pushing on te brake pedal suddenly she straighten reaching with her hand to hold the phone before it fell down .
CAL: EXCUSE ME ! she said with an harsh tone to the caller ... NO ...I DONT CARE ...ARE YOU DEAF I SAID NO ...DONT EVER CALL ME AGAIN ...
Ending the call before the caller had any chance to reply he threw her phone on the passenger seat , she 'd managed to have a good day even though a good part of it was spend thinking about Eric they had been good memories that made her smile , but the phone call had made her on the edge , with shaky hands she held onto the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white .
Everytime she took a tiny step toward happyness it always seemed that something pulled her back into the abyss .That call hadnt help , the source of all the pain and anger where it all had began , the lies ,the deception, the heartbreak he caused all of this .
Starting her car she drove out of the parking lot grinding her teeth has she did so the road back home for once seemed shorter then usual , might have been due to the fact that she was driving like an infuriating woman .
Slamming her front door she threw he purse on the floor and kicked her heels away she didnt bother turning the light on she knew her goals has usual , the fridge, found a glass of wine and filled it to the rim , before emptying the content , Filling herself another glass she took a long sip and set the glass on the counter .Taking a moment to gather herself Calleigh gripped the counter with both hands and closed her eyes doing her best to erased all the memories flooding through her mind .
Shaking her head she looked back at what she had become an alcooholic just like a father along with being a workholic a woman who couldnt let go of the pass .With a loud scream she picked her glass and threw it at the nearest floor the red wine spilling everywhere and the glass shattering onto the floor .
Kicking a chair panting and her eyes seeing red she ran over her closet where she found a box emptying the contain into the floor of her closet she took his jacket he had elft over and threw it in the box , then she ran in her bedroom took the picture frame of them on her dresser and threw it in the box , the glass cracking , her next destination the bathroom , where his cologne , his tootbrush where thrown into the box rushing back into her bedroom she opened her nightstand drawer and took out another picture , it joined the other items, his shirt too found the bottom of the box .
Back to her dresser she took another shirt out and intend on heading out of her bedroom but stop on her track took a deep long breath and turned back to the dresser this time she opened a smaller drawer where she kept her jewlery and there it was the silver sparkling at her , defying her .
moving her finger along the silver chain , her bottom lips quivered the top one bitting it , she wouldnt cry , she wouldnt .Easier say then done her arms holding the box let it fall to the floor with a thud , her finger grasping his silver cross her knees went weak and she fell backward her back hitting her matress .
Her chest panting and burning, her cheek stain with tears she felt short of breath gasping for air has she clutch the cross in her fingers her eyes rolling into her head , her body fell limp onto the floor unconcious .
The last thing he wanted was an annoying mid-wife arguing over the price of a damn shampoo .Standing behing her Ryan was agravated holding the tube of anitbiotics in his hand he try to be patient but he had none .The young clerk at the cash register was trying to be patient and nice but the costumer didnt seem to understand her no mather how much she try .
By now Ryan was tired still angry and his body sore from the abuse she gave him he kept shifting from one foot to another pinching the edge of his nose trying to damp his headache .
''mam i told you the specail ended yesterday i cant change it on the computer i cant do that , you have to pay regular price ''. the clerk tried to explain for the hundred time .
'' surely there must something you can do , i come here very often i would hate for you to loose a costumer '' the mid wife argue even more testing the patience of not only ryan but of the other costumer .
RYAN: OHHH FOR GOD SAKE ...THERE HERE YOUR DAMN 50 CENT IM BUYING NOW CAN YOU PAY SO SOME OF US CAN GET ON WITH THEIR LIFE.
Ryan slammed 50 cents on the counter and gave the lady the evil eye, she looked him up and down twice and when she was about to reply something Ryan moved his jasket aside showing her his badge strap onto his belt .
She snarled at him pay for her shampoo and quietly went on her way , the other costumers relieved that the line was finnaly moving ,Ryan pay for his things and left has quietly .
Sitting in his car he opened the tube of antibiotics and looked at his burned ear and neck , already blistering .Wincing he aply the cream to his ear , no use putting it on his lips this he would have tough it out and his neck was already showing fingerprint that he knew tomorrow would be more visible and he would have peering eyes at the lab hovering around him .
He couldnt imagine how pathetic he looked right now , a cop beat up by his tiny girlfriend .Other then that he had nowhere to go , who could he call ,Horatio, ryan knew he would help him in a heart beat but would also have to endure one his speach and ryan wasnt sure he could deal with it right now , next on the list was Frank and for ryan it took him half a second to think'' hell no'' even though Frank would help him he would have to endure the cosntant teasing that left him Calleigh and Natalia , the first was in no shape to help a friend and he didnt want to burden her .So all was left was Natalia but has he dialed her number he knew it was wrong for him to do so after all she was a good part of why he had broken up with Jasmine appart from the abuse , but that she didnt know .
Has the phone rang he once again notice how pathetic he was in the almost ten years he had been living in miami he praticly had no real friend and those he had he met through work most of his old friends lived back in boston and even then ryan rarely contacted them .
RYAN :Hey ...i...i know its late ...but huh...i got ...i ...have nowhere else to go ! he admitted .
she was silent for a moment worried about the sound of voices but she didnt hesitate and told him to come over , it beend fifteen minutes ago and he still hadnt arrived , she kept looking throught he curtain of her living room.
When his suv pull up in front of her house she was relieved , she opened the door before he could knock, shock on her face when she saw his appearance , bloody and swollen lips , blood on his shirt , fingerprint on his neck that he tried to hide by tilting his head and part of his neck an ear bright red .
NAT: Jesus ! ryan ...
Taking his hand she pulled him inside to the living room where she made him sit on the couch .
She sat on the coffee table in front of him her hands holding both of his she hadnt remenber ryan looking so defeated .
softly she reach out touching his cheek her thumb smoothing the skin he look for a second ashamed to be here at such a time , joey sleeping shes in her pj hes disturbing her but yet she welcomed him into her house.
NAT: tell me what happened ? who did this to you ? she asked softly .
RYAN: we broke up ...
NAT: im sorry to hear that !
RYAN : No your not you hated her ! he said with a tiny smile .
NAT: Ok i admit she wasnt my favorite person , but i can see your in pain over it , thats what im sorry about ...so tell me what happenned .
Hiding his head between his hands he shook it side to side unable to comprehended how he had let everything got this far .
NAT: Ryan...did Jasmine did this to you ?
His answer was simple nod his head down eyes cast down on the floor .
NAT: ryan..hey ...look at me ok .
LIfting his head she met his eyes and smiled slighlty the situation not calling for a bright smile she simply tried to be reassuring .
NAT: so you 2 fought , right?
RYAN; ye...yes !she ..she wasnt happy i was late for our diner ...
NAT:And ..and you were late because of me , because you took Joey to see santa .
RYAN: yes ..
NAT: God Ryan im so sorry ...you should have told me i would have found another way!
RYAN: no...no dont think that i have no regret taking Joey to see santa ..what happened between me and Jasmine it ...it wasnt..it ...
NAT: it wasnt the first time ? she finished for him understanding too well now his situation .
RYAN : No...no it wasnt...
NAT: There nothing to be ashamed Ryan !
Even though for Natalia it was hard memories to remenber she didnt mind talking about it , she learnd years ago that keeping things bottle up inside wasnt helping .
NAT: I've been there , i know how it feels.
RYAN: NO YOU DONT! he said harsher then he intended but Natalia didnt seem unphased by it .
NAT: shhh you want to wake Joey ...
Standing on his feet he ran his hand through his hair confused about everything he looked everywhere except at Natalia.
RYAN: im...im sorry i should ..i shouldnt have yell at you ..im sorry i came here it's late ...i should go ...
Has Ryan began walking to the front door Natalia did her best to stop him standing between him and the door .
NAT: Hey ..wait ok i dont think your in no shape to drive , stay here i dont mind ...please Ryan stay ...for me .
Has always unable to refuse her anything he let her walk him back to the couch holding his hands , he didnt let go even they were seated .
RYAN : Im sorry i yelled !
Smilling she patted his hand letting him know that for her it was already forgotten .Sitting next to him she could take a closer look at his injuries , his ear and neck blistering from the burn.
NAT: ryan ...what the hell did she do to you ! she asked not sure she wanted to know the answer .
Moving her thumb along the line of where the skin was burn carefull not to hurt him , ryan couldnt help himself he closed his eyes relaxing has her touch smooth him .
RYAN: baking tray ! he answer his eyes closed relaxing agaisnt the couch.
NAT: she ...she threw a baking tray at you .
RYAN : More like swing it at me ! he sighted heavyly.
She seen the finger mark on his neck making Natalia blood boiled inside again she smoothed the skin on his neck her other hand holding his , she didnt say anything when he intertwined their fingers.
NAT: Has it been going on for a long time ?
Opening his eyes Ryan tilted his head facing her his head leanign back against the couch he didnt realised how close she was herself leaning her head on the back of the couch facing him , she smile and he smile back their voices merely above a whisper .
RYAN: im sorry this is opening hold wounds !
NAT: i made my peace the day Joey was born Ryan , you didnt answer my question .
Sighting he closed his eyes again when her finger resumed her stroking , his neck then his cheek back to his neck ryan was in heaven and the last thing he wanted was to go back to the devil which he called jasmine .
RYAN: It wasnt always like that , i mean we were great she was funny , laughed all the time at everything i said ...then ..then ...
NAT: it change , anything would set her off .
RYAN : yeah, the first time was when we had the party when we moved together , after all you guys left , she , accused me of all sort of things , we fought ,yell , i mean the whole nine yard , she threw the remote at me and cut me above the eye.
NAT: I remenber that ,you told me you bang your head on a cabinet door .
RYAN : yeah sorry about that ...i lied .
NAT: you dont need to apoligise Ryan , i know what it's like , you feel ashamed , think it's your fault , they apologised and then you think yes he will change but it doesnt .
RYAN: Im sorry Nick did this to you !
NAT: hey hey mister dont try to change the subject were talking about you here .
RYAN: yeah sorry .
NAT: if you want to stop it's fine Ryan you dont have to tell me everything .
RYAN : I know ...but i dont want to burden you , it's late .
NAT: You know after i left Nick , i thought i was bothering people with my problems too but soon i found an ear to listen and it made me feel better.
RYAN : Hey i thougth we were talking about me here ! he teased lightly nudging her with his elbow .
Giggling she playfully tap his chest .
NAT: Then keep going ! you were telling me about your first fight .
With s ight Ryan kept on his story , Natalia listened and didnt judge him which is what he needed .
RYAN : she always was jealous it was ridiculous anything i did she accused me of cheating of this of that , then when i would dare talk back she would hit throw things , i knew it was spousal abuse but you know .
NAT: yeah i know Ryan , you were afraid of being judge and i know it's harder for men to file a complain then women and even when they do we both know in some case it's the man who get arrested because he dare to fought back even if it was just pushing her away . I know the mentality are changing and patrol cop now knows what to look for but were still far from being in a perfect world .
RYAN : But i should ...i should have left her a long time ago ...the jealousy i could have taken it show she actually care, but the accusation that i cheated the hitting that i couldnt deal with it anymore ...tonight i was so ..so angry i raised my hand to her i wanted so hard to hit her to hurt like she did to me .
Clenching his fist on his lap ryan body tense remenbering the event of the evening and the many of the past months.
NAT: You..you didnt did you ?
She wasnt sure she wanted to know the answer even she knew Ryan wasnt that kind of man she also knew that everyone had their limit and if push over the edge they would act on impulse , even if Ryan would have defending himself he was much stronger then Jasmine and could do more damage then she could , even though looking at Ryan injuries she wonder where such anger came from that women .
RYAN: no..no i dint ...no mather how much i wanted too how much i was angry i couldnt my dad always told its better to hit the wall then a women punish the wall not her , i couldnt betray him like that and i couldnt betray you like that .
NAT: me?
RYAN : yes i thought about what Nick did to you and i couldnt do that i just couldnt .
NAT: Ryan...you...you dont owe me anything , im glad you didnt hit her but you shouldnt have taken this much abuse without defending yourself .
RYAN: Can you honestly tell me that wehn you fought back agaisnt Nick it made things better?
Tilting her head she gave a small nod understanding his point of view he was right fighting back never help only made the abuser more angry .All you could do was take it and hope that this time would be the last but it never was .
NAT: The thing i dont get it how could she accuse you to cheat on her when you were always either at work or at home it makes no sense.
RYAN : i dont know it's not like i have the most exiting life all i do his work and go home , i would go home to her more when she wasnt on a flight god knows where .
NAT: yeah but i mean Ryan it's not like you went out clubbing and brought back girls over i know it's not your style why on earth whould she think you were cheating is beyond me .
Shaking her head Natalia couldnt comprehend why Jasmine could accuse ryan of such a stared at her blinking a few times he wonder if he should tell her the reason why Jasmine was jealous .
RYAN: she ...huh ... she thought you and me ...she thought we were spending too much time together .
She stared at him her mouth slightly open , ryan wanted to die right there , when she blink at him over and over and started laughing so hard that Ryan heart actually stop , he had his answer she didnt see him the way he did .
NAT: God ..you and me ...pfffft ...no offense but ...your ..your like my brother it's ridiculous that women is coocoo ...
She laughed harder and harder each time she didnt realised she was stabbing Ryan in the heart he laugh dryly along with her not letting his feeling show .
RYAN : yeah ...ridiculous ...
Wiping her tears Natalia took a deep breath still laughing a bit about the situation .
NAT: Im sorry , i didnt mean to laugh but the idea to me is so ridiculous .
RYAN : yeah ..what ever she was crazy ! he said trying to change the subject .
NAT: yeah that she was ...so you and her are done over for good right .
RYAN: yes i aint going back tot hat witch dont worry .
NAT: Good dont get me wrong but you can do better.
RYAN: definitly can do better ! he said longing at her to which again she was oblivious too .
NAT: Your gonna press charges agaisnt her?
RYAN: no , it's over lets leave to that , i have everything that belong to me in my car , pretty pathetic huh i can fit my entire life in an suv .
NAT: it's a pretty big suv !she tried to tease...anyway your welcome to stay here as long has you need , the couch all i have to offer but it's pretty comfy .
RYAN: ohh no no i couldnt Natalia , thank you but i'll get a motel somewhere .
NAT: please i insist , take it has a pay back for everything you did for me over the years ..your welcome to stay until you get back on your feet , plus Joey will be so happy to have you here and so will i .
RYAN: when you offer it like that how can i say no .
NAT: then it's settle ...get you bag out of your car i'll get some blankets for you .
Has Natalia stood from the couch to fetch everything she needed Ryan caught her hand gently getting her attention .
RYAN : thank ..thank you for listening .
NAT: anytime ! she said with a smile squeezing his hand before leaving the living room ,
Ryan headed outside got his bag out of his suv and went back inside , it was then he notice the blood on his shirt from his cut lip , he took it off just has Natalia came back with blankets and a pillow , She stop on her track seeing the bruise on his back , the burn mark between his shoulder blades that was at least a few weeks old.
Gasping she drop the pillow and blankets on the floor covering her mouth and nose with her hands .
Hearing her gasp Ryan turned around seeing a distraught Natalia staring at him , her eyes watering .Quickly he ran to her thinking she wasnt feeling well .
RYAN : hey ..hey ..you ok , your not feeling well, whats wrong .
sobbing she push herself agaisnt him wrapping her arms around his neck she hugged him tight .
RYAN : Nat...whats wrong?
NAT: I didnt see ..i didnt see the signs ...im sorry Ryan ...please forgive me .
Sobbing she held him tighter not that ryan minded but he was wonderign why she was apologising for .
RYAN : what the hell are you talking about ?
Pulling away slighlty he wiped the tears under her eyes with his thumb , smilling so that she stop crying .
RYAN : Please dont cry , you know i hate when you cry .
NAT: You...you got so many scars! she said sobbing betwen each words
NAT: I should have seen the signs , i knew the signs Ryan i should have seen what she was doing to you .
RYAN : you wouldnt have had Natalia she was good at making sure no one saw the cuts the burns or the bruises and i was good at hiding them , dont blame yourself ok , please dont cry because of me .
nodding she ran her hand to his side where the blue and yellow bruises that was faint but clear was the size of a grapefruit .
RYAN : it's nothing Nat i swear it doesnt hurt im fine .
NAT : no ..it's not she should have not been threating you this way you didnt deserved it , i dont care what you did , you didnt deserved it .
RYAN : It's fine it's over now , please stop crying !
NAT: Whats the burn in you back ? she asked ignoring his plea for her to stop crying .
RYAN : curling iron ! he answer truthfully .
NAT: WHAT? she praticly screamed in disbelief.
RYAN : shhh Joey! Look Nat it's fine .
NAT: NO ...NO...NO ...it's not ...no one deserved to be burn with a curling iron ...NO ONE.
RYAN : apparantly someone who doesnt agree with her does .
Natalia wanted to scream grab her car keys drive to her places and arrest her but not befroe slapping some sense into her , if she didnt have Joey she would have in a heartbeat.
RYAN: hey nothing is your fault ..ok nothing , no one saw the signs , no one your not the only hey your family didnt see the signs right away right ?
NAT: no ...she answer sniffing her tears away .
RYAN : well then it' s not your fault it's not my fault it's just a turn of event caused by a crazy witch!
It made her laugh which made ryan smile .
RYAN: Can we make a deal and put all that behind us and move forward ?
NAT: deal !she said shaking his hand with a smile.
Picking the blankets and pillow from the floor Ryan made his makeshift bed on the couch.
NAT: you need anything else ?she said with yawn
RYAN: no im all good , thank you again .
NAT: No problem, night ryan !
RYAN : good night Nat!
Settling himself on the couch Ryan found sleep hard to achieved even if he was exhausted with his forearms resting agaisnt his forehead he thought it was ironic that once again he was sleeping on the couch something he had done more often then he liked when he was with Jasmine .
He didnt want Natalia to see the scar left between his shoulder blades by the curling iron but it would always be there , it would never go away .
Staring at the ceiling he remenbered clearly the event of what lead to it , he didnt know what he had done to make her so angry but last thing he knew was that she had throw the curling iron at him steaming after a dissagrement .The stinging pain he felt over the last few days afterward ryan never felt anything like that she the audacity to make him sleep on the couch blaming him , after that day ryan would always be carefull to not turn his back on her during a dissagrement , but tonight again he had made that mistake which is when she swung the hot baking tray at him , once again burning his body .
But the physical pain was nothing compared to the way he felt when Natalia had laugh at the idea of the 2 of them together , she didnt mean to hurt him that he knew she had no clue has to what he felt and if he wasnt such a coward he would have admitted his feeling long ago and she wouldnt have had laugh , but Ryan never had the guts and now that he had his answer he would never have , it would be lock in a box , comparmentalized and never to be open publicly his feeling woudl have to remain to himself.
Her head throbbing she blink and blink again , every muscle aching in her body she took a minute to register that she was actually on the floor .
Her vision blurry she tried to stand but her weak body wasnt cooperating , deciding that sitting was a better option for now she leaned her back agaisnt her matress tilting her head back to ease the dizyness that over took her .
Feelling something in her hand she look down and then remenber what she had found just before she fainted ,Eric cross , the cross he had forgotten to put on the same morning , she coulndt but wonder that maybe if he had it on that morning he would be with her and now burried six feet under .
(flashback)
The sun shinning through the curtain early in the morning didnt bother her , she'd been awake for a good hour unable to sleep , but her companion was sleeping peacefully next to her, his chest rising slowly with each deep breath he took .a faint smile on his lips .
Last night they went to bed angry well at least on her part while he went to bed insecured and confused , she'd been angry at him for a while but mostly worry ,his admittance that he was talking to his father worried her and each time she made her worry know they would end up fighting , he would always apologise and tell her he knew what he was doing , but she worried, about his intergrity ,about themself , she never been in a relation so deep has this one so she wasnt sure if this was normal .The futur for them was blurry she couldnt make futur project she'd always been a day to day kind of girl , but Eric was different he was brougth up different and she knew the moment they gotten together he'd been dreaming of a white house and the sound of little feet running down the hall .
She wanted all those things too , all her life she wanted but she also never thought she would met anyone who could fufill those dreams , her work was her life , she had good friends a nice house to come too , a father that when was sober could almost be the perfect dad , for her that was enough , that was until eric came into her life , slowly easing himself into her heart .
She yearn to tell him those thing tell him she wanted everything , that she loved him each day she had that internal battle with herslef , each time he smile at her , kiss her or made love to her she wanted to tell him and she could see he wanted too but held himself for her patiently , the same yearning burning inside of him .
She loved him it was that simple and didnt want to loose , she wasnt sure she couldnt make it without eric being a part of her life , no mather if it was as a friend or a lover .
Nestling herself agaisnt him an arm drape over his belly her head resting on his chest , she felt him stir in his sleep ,blinding moving his arms so it was around her shoulder his hand resting on her hip .She'd listen to the sound of his heart thudding in his chest with a steady beat .
Her hair tickling his chest eric slowly rose awake a blurry vision of familiar blonde hair draping his chest eric couldnt help but smile his arms hugging her tighter , she humm her approval snuggling closer to him he kissed the top of her head .
ERIC: Good morning !
CAL: good morning ! she reply her voice low .
ERIC: I thought you were angry ! he said with a whisper easing her in into the conversation so early in the morning .
She simply shrug not giving him an answer she indeed still was angry that she didnt really have an answer for the cuddling in the morning after a night of fighting .
His hand sneaking under her top Eric thumb slid little cirlce on her soft skin much like she was on his chest .
CAL :Im worried ! she admitted quietly .
His hand still moving from underneath her top to her hair easing the lenght away from her face behind her ear .
ERIC: I know ! i know what im doing ! he said for the hundred time in weeks , doing his best to keep his voice low and calm .
CAL: Thats not what im worried about ! she answered slipping form his hold then off the bed eric watched her making her way to the bathroom and closing the door behind .
The rest of the morning was spend in silence they took separate shower , dressed in silence although she felt him watch her when she wasnt looking and she looked too when he wasnt .She handed him his coffee like every morning but this time there wasnt a kiss following.
They left for work in separate car has always, she did give him a kiss goodbye but it was quick and none at all passionnate like they were use too, they exchange some vague '' see you later'' nothing flirty or playfull .
At work it was business has usual working side by side has if nothing was wrong between them , which is something they always agree on , keep the love life out of work, sometimes they would bend the rules with playfull flirting .But that day had been business has usual interrogating a suspect together eric keep a far distance form her or maybe it was her who did she didnt remenber clearly.
A few hours later they fought again over his father , outside in front of the lab it wasnt a full blown fight but judging by the look on his face when she ask to check his phone it was obvious he was irritated and deeply hurt , she didnt want to do it but she had too , not only was his career and intergrity was at risk but their relationship as well .
She'd been harsh that she knew told him things that hurted him but she wanted to get some sense into him .Apparantly that hadnt work hours later she got an anonymous call telling her where the car was .Once again they fought over it more harshly this time and he left angry at her and her angry at him .That was the last time she would ever talk to him .
Staring at the sliver cross she wished like many times before she had say other things to him told him she was sorry because she loved him and wish he would make better choice but she never did, never told him those 3 little words .Maybe if she had taken a different route , instead of putting her walls up like she was use too each time there was trouble in the relationship .She should have taken the time to talk to him sit down and told him what he was doing was dangerous and not accuse and judge , eric would still be here with her .
Putting the cross around her neck she squeezed between her hand holding a piece of eric close to her heart .
A very tired 3 years old boy dragged himsself out of bed , nature was calling on line one so Joey dragged himself to the bathroom .With his elbow resting on his thigh and the palm of his hand holding his chin Joey did his business his head tilting forward from his still half asleep state .
Yawning he jump down the toilet , not forgetting to flush he then push the little step made for him in front of the sink .Stepping on them he turned the faucet on and wash his hand just like his mother had thought him .
Wipping his hand Joey then turned the faucet off , stepping down the step he push them back again in the corner so his mommy wouldnt walk into them in the morning.
Rubbing his tired eyes Joey made his way down the hall to watch his favorite cartoon , halfway there he heard a weird sound like a growl coming from a monster .HIs curiosity getting the best of him joey tip toe next to the wall sneaking around the corner leading to the living room to get a peek .
HIS eyes light up when he saw the growl was indeed his best friend Ryan snoring on his couch.
JOEY: 'YAN ! he yelled running to the couch and jumping on Ryan stomach .
Talk about a rude awakening Ryan got the wind knock out of him and let out a huge ''ouf'' his eyes darting open at the little boy sitting on his stomach .
RYAN ; hey..buddy ! he said half groggy half catching his breath .
JOEY: watcha you doing ?
RYAN: i was sleeping until a little monkey jump on me .
Tickling the little boy joey wiggle laughing his lungs out .
Awaken by the laughter natalia walked into the living room into a sweet sight , ryan tickling Joey and her son smilling and laughing out loud along with Ryan .This was certainly a different sight form the defeated mood ryan was the night before .
The laughter subsided and both man in her life right now stared at her .
RYAN : oh oh i think we woke mommy .
Smilling suspiciously at her joey pushed himself off Ryan his knees kicking ryan in some part that ache very much .Bitting his lips and fisting his hand , breath catching in his throat and his eyes wide has he looked at Natalia who fought the urge to laugh , her son at the uncanny ability to be eager sometimes.
NAT: you ok?
RYAN : humm ! he answered out of breath sliding his legs to the edge of the couch .
JOEY: Mommy look ' yan here ? he said has if his mother was unaware or Ryan presence .
NAT: I know i can see baby , Ryan slept here .
JOEY why? he asked confusion evident on his face .
NAT: ryan need us , so were going to help him for a while , hes gonna stay with us for a little bit .
JOEY: like a sleep ov'r?
NAT: yes i guess we could it that .
JOEY: COOL! he said jumping up and down .
Ryan had to laugh at his little buddy jumping up and down in his spiderman pj .Smoothing his hair back Ryan yawned covering his mouth with his hand , smilling when he saw the little care bears of Natalia pj .
RYAN : nice...huh bears! he said with a nod and smirk .
Looking down at herself Natalia had to admit that she did looked a bit ridiculous wearing a bright pink pj with cares bears on it .
NAT: huh..Joey choosed it for me ...
RYAN : did you now ? he said smilling at Joey who still had bright eyes at the prospect of Ryan having sleep over .
JOEY: yes ! he said proudly
RYAN : you got nice taste little man .
Shuffling Joey hair Ryan pushed himself off the couch stretching his body while Joey settle himself ont he floor indian style turnign the tv on to his favorite cartoon.
NAT: you want some coffee .
RYAN : yeah sure !
while Natalia headed to the kitchen to make coffee ryan put on a pair of pants laughing with joey when sponge bob square pants appeared on the tv .
Finding Natalia in the kitchen has she prepared breakfast for Joey , ryan caught himself staring , even with cotton pj on that was meant to be warm more then sexy ryan thought she looked beautifull his eyes ashamely scanning her body up and down .
Smilling at him completly unaware of the ache for her in his heart Natalia went around her business in the kitchen .
RYAN : Anything i can do to help?
NAT: No it's fine got everything got under contorl , Joey just want his cocoa puff for break fast hes not that fussy .
RYAN : Still there must be something i can do ?
NAT : you can bring Joey his cocoa puff ! she said with a smile handing the bowl of cereal .
RYAN : yes mam! he said with a smile before heading out of the kitchen .
Minutes later the coffee was done and has Natalia poured 2 cup , she brought one to Ryan in the living room , finding her son sitting on ryan lap his bowl of cocoa puff in his hand has ryan help him to steady the bowl both of them laughing at the cartoon on tv .
NAT: Here ! she said handing him his cup of coffee carefully .
RYAN : Thanks !
Looking at her watch Natalia figured she had a bit of time before they were due for work sitting next to Ryan on floor the three of them enjoyed the cartoon on tv .
JOEY: ' yan what was your favorite cartoon when you were little ! he ask suddenly turning to face Ryan .
RYAN : scooby doo !
JOEY: mommy likes cares bears ! he whispered conspicuously to Ryan .
RYAN : I notice ! he said with a smile at Natalia who rolled her eyes at the 2 .
JOEY: cares bear are for girls ! he whispered again
RYAN : of course not like spiderman right ?
JOEY: No but bumblebee cooler then spiderman !
RYAN : what ...no way bumblebee cooler then spiderman common the dude fly and shoot spiderweb whats cooler than that .
JOEY: Bumblebee car is cool and it goes fast swoooosh like that and and it transform into a giant robot and shoot missile .
RYAN: cant argue with a giant robot .
Joey nodded over and over glad that his point was proven .
NAT: Alright cartoon time over , go get dress sweety ,we dont want to be late .
JOEY: ok mommy ! he answered pushing himself up before running out of the living room .
RYAN: he really likes bumblebee doesnt he ?
NAT: yes , i've been trying to find that damn transformer for months, but nobody has it , he wants the really big one not the small one .
NAT: Anyway i should get ready ,i'll hop in the shower you can go after is that ok.
RYAN: yeah yeah sure dont worry ..thanks again for letting me stay here .
NAT: will you stop it's fine, i told you , you can stay here as long has you need .
giving her a nod showing his appreciation he began folding his blankets neatly ,while Natalia went on to help Joey to get dress before she hop in the shower .
Once the blankets and pillow were neatly folded Ryan search in his bag for his toothbrush , realising with a sight that he had forgottten to take it when he left that hell house in a hurry .
Scratching the back of his neck ryan rubbed his sore muscle , the couch wasnt that uncomfortable but he was stress , leaving an unhealthy relationship was stress full enough but living with the women you loved with her being oblivious to it was hard enough .
A few minutes later Natalia came out of the shower bathrobes around her towel tied around her hair , ryan heart nearly beat out of his chest at the sight , the v-neck of her bathroobe that hung low , her long lean leg that he rarely had the chance to appreciate , Ryan wasnt sure if he was in heaven or hell .
NAT: all done you need anything ?
Ryan stared and didnt answer his mouth wide open the room suddenly felt warmer .
NAT: ryan i asked you a question , do you need anything ?
RYAN : what ...huh...no..i mean yes ...you wouldnt happen to have an extra toothbrush .
NAT: just look under the sink there a brand new one there .
RYAN : thanks ! he answer his mouth dry .
NAT: the bathroom all yours if you want , i made sure to keep you some hot water !she teased before disspearing in her bedroom .
Making his way into the bathroom Ryan thought it wasnt hot water he would need but a very very cold shower .