Hello readers, hope you're enjoying your Christmas holidays, my apologies for not updating sooner my life has been pretty manic of late and has only just slowed down. It's only temporarily slowing down as I start a new job next week so I thought I should make this update special as I don't know when I'll get the chance to write again. I just wanted to say that this is by no means the end of the story, it's really only just getting started and I even have a sequal penned. I just have to finish this one first. Thank you for the reviews, I appreciate your comments, unfortunately I cannot change big things as I have the storyline all planned out (sorry about that). Please enjoy and keep reviewing even if it's just a one word review it all helps to encourage me along.
Valera's words had been echoing through Eric's head all afternoon and into the evening affecting his ability to concentrate as his shift continued.
'So go get your girl Eric'
She made it sound so simple, but in practice this was Calleigh and things were never that easy when it came to her, but when he got it right the rewards were so very worth it. He realised if he ever stood a shot at getting Calleigh back and reaping those rewards he had to act now. Tomorrow, as far as he knew, she would be married and out of his reach forever.
He finally managed to leave work at 7.16pm that evening, deciding to high tail it over to the rehearsal dinner about thirty minutes from the crime lab, providing there was no Friday night traffic. If he went to Calleigh's beforehand there was a good chance that he'd miss her. He had decided he'd be calm about it, take her to one side and ask if he could talk to her privately after dinner. If she said yes he'd wait if she said no he'd stay regardless. He needed her to hear what he had to say before he walked away. He needed to fight for her this time and she needed to see that.
He made it to the venue before its start at 8pm, pulling into a vacant space in the parking lot, as he was early he decided to wait in his car. If she came whilst he was waiting he could possibly pull her aside and talk to her then. He switched off the ignition and relinquished the steering wheel from his cast iron grip. He took in a deep steadying breath as he lay back in the driver's seat in an attempt to relax himself, allowing his eyes to shut for just a moment. He imagined Calleigh and himself walking along the beach the waves gently lapping at their feet. She was barefoot her sandals clasped in one hand as he held her other hand tightly with their fingers intertwined. It was almost real he could feel the soft, delicate skin of her hands and sense the distinct smell her hair had of coconut shampoo as it glimmered in the sunshine. He whirled her around and into his arms so they were looking out beyond the shoreline. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and she looked around up to him and gave him a beaming smile before uttering an 'I love you'. He wrapped his hands around her sundress covered abdomen as she settled comfortably in his arms, running his hands lovingly over the beginnings of her baby bump as they watched the sun's descent for the day. The moment was unbelievably perfect, but he soon realised it wasn't real as he heard a car pull into the lot; however it wasn't Calleigh and Aidan. It was now gone 8pm and he decided to go inside and enquire after the Williams/Duquesne party, he knew Calleigh always to be punctual so he thought he might have missed them.
Stepping inside the elegant restaurant he noticed the large and elaborate floral displays and exquisite chandeliers, it definitely was different to the establishments they had eaten in whilst together. They had preferred the more homely look than the formal one, but then again this was a wedding rehearsal dinner and these sorts of occasions commanded this type of establishment. He walked towards the hostess and enquired after the Williams/Duquesne party.
"I'm sorry sir, it appears that the party cancelled their booking" proclaimed the aloof brunette "I suggest you check with your friends as to what happened."
She turned her attention to the couple that had arrived after Eric, busying herself with escorting them to their table.
"Well she was certainly helpful" Eric muttered to himself as he retrieved his cell phone from his pocket. He tried Natalia first, she told him that she was no long able to go as she was taking care of one of her nieces due to a family emergency, so if the venue had changed she wasn't aware of anything; He apologized for disturbing her and hoped the situation with her family would resolve soon. He tried Alexx and then Calleigh, both to no avail and made the decision to head over to Calleigh's house to see if by any chance she was home.
Twenty minutes later he pulled up into Calleigh's drive, her prized blue Crossfire wasn't there, but there was a light on inside so he thought he'd try just to be sure. He knocked on her front door, waiting several minutes before trying again. It was now obvious however that she wasn't home, he was worried he'd missed his chance and tried calling her again but again it went straight to voicemail. He hopped into his car and tried to call Alexx again. This time he was in luck and she answered.
"Eric baby" she answered with a sense of relief.
"Hi Alexx, listen I need to find Calleigh, it's important, I went to the restaurant and they said the reservation was cancelled. Can you tell me where she is?"
"Is she not at home? "
"No and I can't reach her on her cell, please tell me that she hasn't eloped with him." he felt himself becoming angry.
"Honey they haven't eloped, but it's really something you need to ask her about. I suggest you go home and relax and wait for her to come to you when she's ready."
"So she's called the wedding off and she wants to see me? Is that what you're saying to me Alexx?" he said as he became calmer, a look of relief was now washing over his face.
"Yes baby that's what I'm saying, but I can't say anything else other than Eric it's taken a lot for her to do what she's done and when she comes to you please just listen to her."
"I think I can do that, thanks Alexx" Eric said as he ended the call a slight smile creeping across his lips, he knew that they weren't exactly out of the woods yet, but they were on their way.
He raced over to his apartment, deciding he'd take a long shower and relax in front of the television, maybe with a pizza and wait for Calleigh to make her move. He made his way up the four flights of stairs, making light work of them as he joyfully hummed a tune, some catchy pop sing he'd probably listened to several times over the last week in his car. He had allowed his older nieces, Sofia and Marianna, to tune his radio and unbeknownst to him at the time they had changed all his presets. He had never figured out how to change them, but he liked being the cool, fun uncle who would sing along with them to their favourite tunes. As he rounded the corner and entered the hallway where his front door was situated his tuneful humming came to an abrupt end as he saw a familiar figure slumped at his doorstep, sitting, her knees clasped to her chest as her head rested upon them.
"Calleigh" he spoke softly, she looked up to him and he offered her a hand up off of the floor, which she accepted. "How long have you been here?"
"Two, maybe three hours. I...well I...uh didn't want to miss you coming home from work. Can I come in?" she asked timidly gesturing to the door unsure of how he'd react to her.
"Of course" he unlocked the door and motioned her inside.
She went towards the sofa, placing her purse down on it before making an about turn and heading with purpose back towards Eric.
"I broke it off with Aidan" she stated.
"I know."
"But how?"
"I spoke to Alexx."
"Oh..." she sat down on the sofa clasping her hands together in front of her and resting her arms on her thighs. He sat opposite her, perching on the coffee table. "Did she tell you anything else?"
"Only that I needed to listen to what you had to say to me"
She chuckled, somewhat uncomfortably unsure of what his reaction was going to be to what she had to say next. However so far the signs were good, he'd let her into his home and sat with her; he was willing to listen, she just hoped he'd accept it.
"Eric, I've been an absolute fool. I don't know if you're ever going to forgive me for what I did to you, but I have to try because...because I love you and I'm hoping that you're willing to give us another chance." She took in a small breath as she looked into his eyes and tried to gage his reaction. "I know it may take some time and I can give you that if you need to think about it, just know that I'm sorry that I ran from us. I was scared you have to know that, scared of what we were becoming and the seriousness of it all and that's why I bolted. It wasn't because I stopped loving you, I've never stopped loving you Eric and I will do whatever it takes for you to take me back. I ran to Aidan because it seemed safe to me, he...well he just wanted someone who'd share his life with him, a life that he'd already built. With you we'd be building a life together, maybe having a family and that prospect used to terrify me. It doesn't anymore though Eric, if this experience has taught me anything it's that I want to build that life with you, you're it for me."
He remained silent as she leant back from him and turned to reach for her purse to shield her tearful eyes away from the man she thought she'd just made a fool of herself in front of. She swiftly wiped away the tears with her right hand, but in the midst of her tears she heard his voice call to her.
"Calleigh...Cal" he tenderly called to her reaching out for her left upper arm, she noticed the term of endearment. Cal was the name only he called her and it made her turn back to face him. "The truth is I've been all over Miami tonight looking for you to tell you that I love you too."
"Really? ...I mean even after all I did...Eric I almost married another man, surely that's too much to forgive." Tears rolled down her face again, tears this time that he swiftly wiped away¸ his thumbs caressing her cheeks soothingly.
"I forgive you Calleigh, I know it's not going to be easy and we mustn't rush it this time, but I want there to be an us again too. I should've stepped up sooner and fought harder for you."
"It's ok, I'm not sure I was ready to listen then Eric, I really made some mistakes, but I want to make it up to you. I want there to be an us again too more than anything, I'm ready this time and I love you Eric."
"I love you Cal." He moved in towards her, brushing his lips against hers softly at first before deepening the kiss, which she allowed him to do resting her hands neatly at his shoulders before moving them to the nape of his neck grasping tightly as his gently caressed her face. Both their senses were aflame with the familiar taste and touch of each other that they had both so dearly missed.
They only broke apart when oxygen became necessary. He stood up and Calleigh smiled up at him curiously.
"Where are you going?" She asked as he headed to the kitchen.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starved, how do you feel about pizza?" Eric enquired smiling.
"Pizza sounds perfect" Calleigh beamed another smile at him, astonished at how comfortable this all felt. Maybe those fairytales she read as a girl were true after all and some people were just meant to be together.
A little later, when the pizza had been consumed and they'd talked some more, Eric found himself with a very sleepy and relaxed Calleigh curled up next to him. Her head propped against his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her securely. Eric had rid himself of his shoes as had Calleigh, as well as her leather jacket and they'd both been watching a movie and sharing a few stolen kisses until Calleigh had drifted off into sleep. He smiled at the image of the beautiful blonde sleeping beside him, he slowly and carefully reached for the remote and shut off the television and then leant in to press a kiss to Calleigh's forehead. The sensation of his lips on her forehead stirred her from her slumber and her eyes slowly fluttered opened.
"Oh hey Sleepy head" Eric said.
"Hey..." Calleigh replied softly sitting up and looking at her watch "Oh my it's late, I really should be going."
"Why don't you stay here tonight? You've had a long day and I'll sleep on the couch so there's no funny business."
"OK, but only if you're sure."
"More than sure, besides I have tomorrow off, we can spend some time together. That's if you want to."
"I'd like that very much, but I thought you were on tomorrow" she said raising an eyebrow inquisitively at him.
"I was, but I'm sure Ryan will cover for me, he owes me one. I covered for him when he just had to take his new girlfriend out last week" Eric declared with a smirk.
"OK, that sounds like a plan to me."
"Excellent" he smiled relieved she'd accepted his invitation with little hesitancy.
She got up made her way into his bedroom and through into the bathroom, Eric following closely behind. She stopped in front on the sink, Eric stood behind her and reached into the bathroom cabinet, producing a new toothbrush for her to use.
"You're so thoughtful" She smiled at him tilting her head slightly as she did.
"Well you know I always have spares, I actually still have the one you left here, but it's probably not hygienic to use that one seeing as it's been sat here for over a year." He chuckled before gesturing to the white and pink toothbrush sat on the top shelf of the cabinet.
"Oh Eric, that's cute, but gross. Do you have anything else of mine by any chance? Say a pair of pyjamas or something to sleep in."
"Errrr...no, but I can lend you a t-shirt and boxers to sleep in" he said wandering over to the chest of drawers in the bedroom, promptly returning with the garments in hand.
"Thank you" Calleigh responded "Now can a lady have some privacy for a moment?"
"You're serious aren't you?"
"Deadly" shooting him down with a look of authority "If we're going to take things slowly then I can't be undressing in front of you now can I? Because we both know where that'll lead, it didn't do us any favours last time."
"Yep, you're right; I need to go get changed anyways." He understood where she was coming from "Can I just grab my toothbrush before I go?"
"Sure, come back and say goodnight though won't you?"
"Absolutely"
He swiped his toothbrush and proceeded into the lounge also taking a pillow and spare sheet with him. He made himself up a bed on the couch before proceeding to brush his teeth at the kitchen sink. He then made his way back into the bedroom to say goodnight to Calleigh. He couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the petite blonde and how perfect she looked laying there tucked under his sheets. She was back in his life again and for good this time. He approached the bed and sat on the edge of the side she slept on. She sat up in bed as she felt his weight beside her.
"Goodnight Calleigh"
"Goodnight Eric" she said wrapping her arms about his torso and kissing his cheek. He stroked along her hairline with the thumb if his right hand and lightly kissed her lips. He then broke away as if to go back to the living room taking a few paces towards it.
"Wait...please stay with me" he heard a small voice call to him.
"But what about taking things slowly and no funny business?" he questioned.
"That rule still applies, just please sleep here tonight, I can behave if you can."
"Of course I can and I'll stay here if you're sure you want me to."
"I do" she gave out a small sigh of relief.
With that he settled in beside her for the night, pulling her into the warmth of his body, she tucked herself into his loving arms securely. There they remained cocooned in the crisp white sheets, their own private haven, peacefully slumbering until morning broke.