Before Us Ch. 4

David watched how Isa charmed the kid's principal, pleased to see that not only did she approve of the notary contract, but she also made sure to list Isa as primary on all phone calls. While he wanted to be kept in the loop, it was far more important that the school be able to reach her first, because with his job, he wouldn't always be able to answer the call.

However, it was her trying to convince Isa to take a job as a teacher that was annoying the shit out of him. While he would never want to hinder her career in any way, he wasn't ready to lose her yet, he still had a little over year to plan for her graduation. Glancing at his watch, they had been in this office for almost an hour, which made no sense, both Matthew and Lila were in their classes and the computers had been updated with who can and cannot pick them up.

Isa could see that David was getting pissed by her offering a job, while it was flattering, it wasn't her dream. She wanted to work at the Harvard-Westlake Private school. Not only did they have a stronger curriculum, but it was also a high paying job and when she had her child, she wanted to have the means to continue to support it.

"Mrs. Martin, you are way too kind, honestly, but as of right now, I'm happy with my job." Moving standing, Isa extended her hand, "I am afraid however, we have another meeting to get to, but please, call me if the children need me."

Frowning a bit, Edna was a little sad that she couldn't convince such a qualified person to come work for her, but that was something that she could work on over the next year. Standing up, she extended her hands to the father, a little surprised to see him, but without his wife, he had no choice but to be a dad.

"Thank you so much Mr. Kay for making sure we had all the appropriate documents," dropping his hand, she zeroed in on Isabella, "And you Ms. Hayes, if you need anything, you do not hesitate to call me, directly."

David could feel his jaw twitching, placing his hand on her shoulder, "Thank you so much for your time, Mrs. Martin." His desire to get as far away from the woman was growing by every passing second.

Giving them both a warm smile, but her eyes focused on Isabella, she could see the potential in the young woman. "You both have a wonderful day." Walking them towards the front door, with a quick wave, she turned back towards her office, perhaps coming up with a game plan to suede her to applying.

Isa found herself leaning against the passenger seat, frowning at the sight of his white knuckles. "Is there a reason you're so tense?" she asked him.

Exhaling slowly, David glanced over at her, he could see her concern, and it was a little annoyed that she was able to pick up on that. Sighing, "I'll be fine. Thank you." Turning back towards the road, "Does that happen often, people offering you positions that you haven't applied for?"

Raising her eyebrow at him, "Not as often as one would think." Smirking at his discomfort, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

Hearing those words made him frown, he didn't want to hold her back, "Isa, if at any point you want to take this opportunity, I do not want to hold you back."

Lightly touching his shoulder, "Hey, don't you dare, I choose to be here, OK?"

Reaching over with a hand, David patted her hand that was on his shoulder, "Thank you. Truly." Putting his hand back on the wheel, "So, after the kid's doctors, what's the plan?"

Looking at her watch, "Well, I think after we update their charts, you should take me to lunch, I mean, since you keep thinking that I'm going to jump ship." Smirking at his face.

Turning his head, David could see the amusement in her eyes, "Well, that seems like a fair deal." Turning into the doctor's office, he put the car in park. "Ready?"

"I am." Opening the door, Isa stepped out only to find him standing in front of her, his elbow extended. "Such a gentleman." Looping her hand through his, "careful, you're setting the bar high."

Chuckling a bit, David couldn't help but smile, "Well, I like to think every woman should be treated well." Opening the door, ready to get the last part of their chores done for the day.

Chris found the team standing in the breakroom, a little confused to why they were all just standing around. "Am I interrupting?" her eyes taking in each one of them.

Buck looked up at her, munching on his lunch, "No, just excited to get the band back together." Tuning towards the team, "Perhaps when we have the next two days off, we can go out and grab some drinks."

Luca laughed, "Yea, be really cool, it's been a long time since Deac was able to go out for a beer." Taking a second, "would Isa mind?" he asked Chris, not sure of the arrangement that Deac had with her.

Shrugging, "I don't know, probably not." However, she knew that Isa wasn't his wife or girlfriend, so when he wasn't on the clock, he was supposed to be home with his kids. "She's pretty laid back, as long as it's not all the time, it should be OK."

Hondo was curious about the girl, "Luca you've met her, what is she like?" While they all read her file, it didn't explain who she was as a person. Hearing Chris snort, his eyes turned to her, he could see her amusement of the whole thing.

He couldn't help but smile like an idiot, "She's really sweet, like 5' tall, kids really seemed to like her, and after they left the hospital, my mom wouldn't stop talking about how amazing she was."

Tan could see that stupid look on his face, the one Luca gets when he's interested, rolling his eyes, that was something that he needed to avoid at all costs. Deac would kill him if he did anything to put his family in jeopardy, especially if Luca broke her heart, like he did almost every girl he has dated.

Buck could see that Tan and Chris were tense about Luca's observations, they all knew Luca, jumped in without thinking about the long-term effects. That would be something he would handle at another time, "How'd you meet her?" he asked Chris.

Giving Luca another pointed look, making a mental note to tell him not to go there, Chris turned her eyes towards Buck. "About 2 years ago, she moved into my building, one day after shift, I saw her get corned by some guy." Slightly amused by their faces, "As I went to intervene, I saw him grab her arm, and then she brought him to his knees."

Smiling at the memory, looking up she could them still staring, Luca looked like he was in love, Hondo, Tan, and Buck seemed more curious about her. "After I told him to back off, she asked if I was going to arrest her for assault, I said no and that was it, we became friends."

Raising his eyebrow, Hondo looked at Chris, it was clear that she cared for her, perhaps they were more than friends. "She's feisty, I can appreciate that."

Luca watched as his friends came to their own opinions about the woman, but from what he could tell, they all seemed like they were going to give her a chance. For that he was grateful, he really thought she was amazing, and he wanted to have a chance to get to know her better. "It's always the quiet ones."

Buck watched as Tan and Chris eyed Luca, he didn't know why Tan was giving him that look, Chris on the other hand, probably wanted to protect her friend. Not that the man was a bad guy, in fact he was one of the better ones, but his probably was that he would always put SWAT before anything or anyone else. He could appreciate his dedication; but it was no way to have a good or productive relationship.

"Good for her," he said to the team. As he went to speak again, their alarms went off, "Tac up." He said, for it was time to go to work.

David found himself watching her as she had the kids going through all their toys, anything that was broken, was heading to the trash, anything that was something that they didn't play with was going to be donated. Looking around, this was the first time since they had Matthew that the playroom was this clean.

"Isa?"

Looking down at Lila, giving her a smile, "What's up sweetie?"

"What's donating?" she asked.

"It's when someone has a lot of something, and they give it to kids that have almost nothing." Her eyes found David watching her. Turning back to Lila, "You understand?"

Nodding, "Yes. We have a lot, and other kids need some." Looking over at her daddy, "That makes Jesus happy."

David lifted her onto his lap, "That it will baby." Kissing her head, "Now, you and your brother finish up." Chuckling as she jumped out of his lap and put a few of her older toys away. Looking over at Isa, she was helping Matthew carry his box, chuckling as he was bugging her about helping with dinner tonight. Seeing Lila look up at him, "You ready too?"

Pulling her box towards her daddy, sweating a bit as she struggled. "Yes!"

Moving to stand, David picked up the box, surprised at how heavy it was, glancing down, she got rid of more than half her toys. "Lila, I'm very proud of you." He said to her. Making their way out of the sunroom, he found Isa and Matthew coming back in the front door, "Is the truck still open?" he asked her.

Holding the door, "It is." Isa couldn't help but watch as his arms flexed, blinking rapidly, she turned her attention to Matthew. "OK, well, we need to get dinner prepped, chicken fajitas with fresh tortilla's, sound good?"

Smiling wide, Matthew nodded, and bolted to the kitchen, washing his hands in the sink.

Following behind, Isa got everything out and ready to go, after she washed her hands, the pair got started on making the tortillas.

David found himself watching her in the kitchen, pleased to see that Lila had already set the table, now she was standing on her stool next to her brother and Isa. Not wanting to be the only one sitting at the table, he made his way to the breakfast bar, watching as his kids used the special knives that she got for them.

"What are you making?" he asked them.

"Chicken fajitas!" Matthew chimed; his face covered in some flour.

Leaning on his elbow, "That sounds amazing." Turning his attention to Lila who was working on cutting some fruit. "You both are doing a good job." Looking up, Isa was placing their food on plates, making his way around, reaching over her to get some cups for their drinks.

Stepping back, Isa didn't realize that he was behind her, bumping into his chest, Isa looked over her shoulder, their eyes locked in just a moment. Taking a deep breath, Isa just smiled up at him, "You need to wear a bell." She teased, for someone that tall and muscular it was surprising that he was so quiet.

Laughing, he could see the amusement in her eyes, "I'll take that under advisement." Stepping back, he quickly filled their cups and made his way towards the table. Once everyone was seated, he led their prayer and soon their evening was filled with good conversations.

Isa found herself sitting on the back porch, her mind tirelessly going over everything that she wanted to get done within the next month. If she was able to get most of it accomplished, she felt that she would be able to easily maintain the house while he was out doing SWAT things. Blinking rapidly, she turned her attention back to her laptop, she was finishing up a homework assignment when she heard Goliath chuffing.

Glancing over at the dog, she found him sitting up looking behind her, looking over her shoulder she found David staring at her. His face was somewhere between thrilled and confused, "Um, you good?" Wondering if something happened.

Making his way outside, he watched her watch him, "I went to go pack my cooler for my shift, and found it already done." Taking a seat in the chair across from her, David stared at her, confused as to why she did that. "Isa, you really do not have to take care of me, but I do thank you for helping."

Hitting save, then send, Isa made sure her assignment was sent off to her professor, closing the laptop, her eyes found his. "I was already making lunch for Matthew, so, it wasn't an inconvenience." Giving him a small smile, "but if it makes you uncomfortable, I won't do it again."

Leaning forward, he could see that she wasn't offended, "It's not that it makes me uncomfortable, I just don't want you to think I am useless."

Crossing her legs, Isa tucked them under herself, "I don't think that at all." Staring off towards the corner of the yard, she already had a mental picture of how she would like the garden, turning back to him, "I helped my mom a lot, between cooking, baking, sewing, taking care of the property, and everything else in between, so for me, it's almost therapeutic."

Taking a sip of wine Isa could see that he was a little curious about her life. "Growing up in the middle of nowhere, we had to be self-sufficient, hunting, farming, making our own foods, soaps, it was a lot to manage, but I think that's what kept me out of trouble."

David absorbed her words, but it was a little surprising to hear that someone of this century knew how to do all those things. "Do you miss it?" he asked her.

Nodding, "I miss some things, like having chickens, pigs, goats, and I miss having my four-wheeler. I would take it after school up into the woods on our property, go exploring, fish, I had a lot of freedom." Sighing, "What I don't miss, is that I was able to fit in on some level with the people I grew up with, but I wanted more, to see more, do more, be more. It made it hard, because by the time I was 21, it was like a complete shock to the world that I wasn't engaged or having babies."

It made him wonder; did she want to have those things? "At some point you'd like to have a family, right?"

Shrugging, "I do. However, dating in L.A is such crap. In my experiences thus far, has made me question a lot about myself, and what I need to be happy." Biting her lip, "I would love to find someone that I could love, and that could love me, build a family, make a house a home, but it's becoming painfully obvious, that perhaps I'm the problem."

David couldn't help but frown, "How could you be the problem?"

"I don't know, honestly. In Bonner's Ferry, the idea of me wanting to be more than a housewife was looked down upon, here in L.A, you mention the idea of a 'relationship' and you get ghosted, so I'm learning to adjust my expectations." Finishing her wine, she only really talked about this stuff with Chris, but it was nice to speak to man about it.

Sipping his beer, he could see that she was OK with her choices about that, but it was bothering him, why, he had no damn clue, but it did. "Adjust them how?" he asked her, more than curious.

Running her hand through her hair, Isa looked at him, "Most men are grown children, they want all the fun things that come with a relationship, but the moment it gets complicated, they are gone. Or, I have found that they are not emotionally ready to have a relationship, be it still hung up on someone or just enjoying playing the field."

She could see the annoyance on his face, why that was, was lost on her. "So, for me, I don't want to be someone's consolation prize or just a booty call. If I can't have the life I want, I'm not just going to settle just so that I'm not single."

He could completely understand that he knew just based on Hondo, Luca, and even Tan, that while they weren't bad guys, they weren't looking for long-term, and even Chris, she bounced in an out of relationships. It seemed for Isa, she wanted a whole life, not a half of one, and that was something he could respect.

"You're an amazing person, you shouldn't have to settle." His eyes never leaving hers.

Giving him a small smile, Isa just nodded. "Thank you and trust me I won't." Leaning back, Isa could feel herself pondering on a few things about him, "So, now that I just bared my soul to you, it's only customary for you to share something with me."

Laughing a bit, "Fair enough." Turning his eyes towards the house, a million memories washing over him, but there was one that no one really knew about or the reason behind it. Turning his eyes towards her, he could see her interest in what he was going to reveal. He liked that about her, she was completely open about her emotions, for that he was grateful, he didn't feel like he had to guess.

"Five years ago, there was a school shooting, Riverhill High." Closing his eyes, he couldn't help but feel the emotions come forward, taking a steady breath, opening his eyes he found hers filled with concern.

Coughing the emotion out of his voice, "Our team made entry, Chris wasn't on our team yet. I was on the phone with a young girl, she and a few kids locked themselves in a closet, I told her that we were making our way there, but the shooter found them." Blinking away a tear, "After we disabled him, I went straight to the closet, they were terrified, and the girl I was talking to, she held the door, keeping him from coming in, and she lost her life as he shot through it."

Isa refused to move or speak; she could see that wasn't the whole story. Leaning forward, wondering if he was going to tell her.

David watched her, in the very few times he tried to talk about his job with Annie, as much as she tried, she couldn't handle it. Isa, while she wasn't happy about it, he could see that she was just willing to listen to him, and just let him vent.

Wiping his face, David took a deep breath, "So, when Lila was born, I told Annie that was her name, Lila." Giving her a small smile, "That was the name of the girl that died in the school shooting, Lila, I felt anyone that brave to sacrifice their life to save others, deserved to be honored."

"David, that is the most beautifully tragic thing I've ever heard." Blinking away a few tears, "Lila is very lucky to have a father that is so thoughtful." She had an urge to hug him, but that was just how she treated people around her, but while they seemed to get along well enough, she wasn't sure if that was something he would be comfortable with.

Clearing his throat, he couldn't help but smile at her, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Chewing on her cheek, "I told Chris once, and now I will tell you. If you ever feel that you just need to talk about the job, I will listen, and not judge, if not, I won't push you." Hoping that he understood that she was a friendly ear.

David watched her, he could see the sincerity in her eyes, "I appreciate it. Thank you, Isa." Holding her eyes for a moment longer, he didn't know what about her put him at ease, but whatever it was he was grateful.

Isa could see that he was feeling a little exposed, turning her eyes back to the area that she was thinking about turning into a garden, figured that would be a good way to change the subject. Pointing to it, "I was thinking of a project to do with the kids. Would you be upset if I commandeer that area and built a garden?"

Following her finger, it was almost overgrown, "Really, you think you can get something growing?" he asked her. Not that he didn't believe her, but he didn't have the first clue on how to grow plants of any kind.

Standing up, wanting to get the blood flowing into her legs, "Sgt. I grew up on a farm, I can grow most anything." Raising her arms over her head, leaning back, moaning as her back cracked, "So, can I?" Hoping that he would say yes.

Glancing at his watch, it was almost midnight, and while he wanted to stay up and talk with her, he had a long day ahead of him tomorrow. Standing up, he found Goliath moving to stand next to Isa, smiling at his loyalty. Looking over at her, "Yes, you can make a garden."

Stepping towards her, "When I am home, I will do what I can to help you." Smiling as her eyes lit up.

Opening the sliding glass door, her eyes looking down at Goliath, "Go." Knowing that he was going to sleep outside their rooms, not that she minded. Stepping inside, shutting the door behind him, she found him closer than she expected, "There's that need for a bell again."

"Sorry." Not that he really meant it, he enjoyed being able to sneak up on her. "Good night, Isa."

Smiling up at him, "Goodnight, David." Making her way to the front door, making sure it was locked, as she turned around, she found him watching her. "What?" Curious about what he was staring at.

Leaning against his doorway, taking in her, "You know, you're the only one that really calls me David." Everyone in his life calls him Deacon or Deac, even Annie, the only time his name was ever on her lips was when she was upset.

Snorting, "Well, that's your name. Do you want me to call you Deac? Or Sgt?" she teased. Unless he seriously told her not to call him David, she was going to.

Chuckling a bit, she was a bit of smartass, but he did take a second to really think about it, he really did like hearing his given name. "David is fine. Night Isabella." Chuckling at her scrunched-up face.

Isa couldn't help but roll her eyes, stepping into her room, "Night." Shutting the door, she made a beeline straight for the shower.

Shucking her clothes, she made her way into the small bathroom, while it wasn't the biggest, she was grateful that she had a little space to herself. Getting the water going, she found herself looking at her reflection, smirking at the little tattoo that was on her hip. Outside her tattoo artist, no-one would know it was there unless she was completely naked.

Frowning at that thought, while she wasn't only about sex, it was a realization that it had been close to a year and a half since she's even came close to it. Sighing, the last time was a hook-up, it was an experiment on her part, being with only one person beforehand, she wanted to know if she was able to have a sexual relationship that was more friends with benefits, but after, she just felt dirty.

Stepping into the water, enjoying having the hot water soak her bones, as she began the process of washing her hair to shaving, all she could think about her future. While dating wasn't the best in L.A, she did really love it here, and she was determined to make it all work for her.

Rinsing the soap of her body, her eyes watched as the bubbles started to go down the drain, it was hypnotic. Rubbing her face, she quickly shut off the water, and quickly got ready for bed. Plopping down, Isa stared at the ceiling fan above her bed, her eyes were transfixed with the spinning blades.

Rolling to her side, wrapping her arms around the pillow, she let her body ease off to sleep, but the last thought she had before she was pulled under, was starting the process to retrieve and fertilize her eggs. As much as she wanted to have a family the more traditional way, she didn't want to risk herself missing out on the opportunity of becoming a mom.

David found himself tossing a bit, for the longest time, he was worried about not being able to get back to work, and now he finally was able to do so. If he was being honest with himself, he was confused at his current emotions, he was so grateful for Isa, but the last couple of days, he felt more at home than he has in years.

Guilt hit him like a freight train, he loved Annie, but he knew there were times when they were only really staying together for the kids. As Catholics, divorce was really the last option, not that it stopped Cathy from trying to convince Annie to speak with a divorce attorney. But she didn't want to feel the shame of going through it, so attempted to seek counseling with their church.

He tried, by cutting back on the OT, unless they were in desperate need of cash. When he was home, he spent as much time with the kids, even taking them out letting her have some quiet time to herself. For a while, that seemed to help, but after a while, Cathy put it in her head again, and he was done fighting for something that her mother seemed so against.

Closing his eyes, all he could think about the argument they had about two weeks before she was admitted into the hospital.

FLASHBACK

Staring down at her, he could see the sadness in her eyes, "Annie, what are we doing? You always seem like you have one foot out the door, what can I do to prove to you that I'm here?" he asked her. His voice pleading with her.

Running her hand through her hair, she looked up at her husband, while she loved him, this wasn't the life that she pictured for herself. She loved being a stay-at-home mom, but she imagined it less stressful, being able to grab brunch with other mothers, but they didn't have that kind of money. When she met him, she knew that he was a cop, that didn't bother her, but she hoped that he would have moved up into command, but he just stayed a Sgt. and working SWAT kept putting him in danger, if something happened to him, she would have to get a job and that wasn't what he agreed to.

"David, don't you want to be more than just a SWAT officer? Is that what your career is going to be, just another small cog in the L.A.P.D wheel?" She was so frustrated, why did she have to keep explaining this to him, she needed more of him.

Feeling his jaw twitch, of course that was what she was upset about, again. It was always the same fight, he was SWAT when he met her, it wasn't fair for her to keep asking him to change his job. "This was who I was when you met me, so when did it become a problem, really?"

Rolling her eyes, "It's always been a problem, I just figured that once we got married, and had some kids you would have pulled your head out of your ass and did what was necessary to become a Lt. or something higher."

Inhaling deeply, David was stunned that she would even say that, and it broke his damn heart that she felt that way. "Then why would you marry me? I never lied to you, I was very honest on what I wanted in my career, and where I wanted to be. Yet, you stayed."

Annie had about enough, "You should have thought about me before your career!" she snapped. Looking at his face, "There is more to life than SWAT! I sit here day in day out taking care of kids, while you're out there playing cops and robbers."

Taking a step back, he could feel his body vibrating, for the first time in their relationship, he didn't know who she was. This wasn't woman that he fell in love with, she felt more like a stranger. "I'm sorry that you feel that way," rubbing his beard, "but I never told you to quit law school, you did that on your own, and I have taken the brunt of your mom's anger since."

Snapping her eyes to him, "It was your job as a man to take care of me, not the other way around." Standing up, "If that is something you can't do, then I think perhaps we need to take some time apart. I must think if this is something I can continue to deal with."

Freezing in his tracks, "What are you saying?"

"David, you're not the provider I need in my life, and while you're a good husband, and father, I need more of you. If you can't see that, then what is the point?" Sighing, "I need you to sleep in the guest room, I need to be alone for a while."

Shaking his head, turning on his heels, opening the door, "You know, I work myself to death to provide for you, but right now, all I hear is your mother. Goodnight. I love you." His heart breaking more when she rolled her eyes. Walking out of the room, he shut the door lightly, not wanting to wake the kids.

END FLASHBACK

Rolling on to his back, it was not the memory of his wife he wanted, but it was what he needed to deal with. He loved her, but it was clear towards the end, her mother influenced her, or perhaps that was who she was the entire time. Unfortunately, that was something that he would never know, nor did it honestly matter.

For his kids, he would make sure that they would only have the good memories of her, that was his job as their dad. Letting out a yawn, he could feel his body starting to be pulled to sleep, before he let his body relax enough, he knew that he would need to speak with Dr. Wendy. While he didn't want to see a counselor, a part of him was scared that if he didn't deal with some of his residual resentment, it would bleed all over his life, and he never wanted the kids to see him be angry at her.

Closing his eyes, he let himself relax, and one of the last thoughts he had before he was pulled to sleep, was seeing the kids smiling and laughing. Over the last two days, it was the most they both have done in a year, and it was good to see that they were finally getting to a better place.