A/N Hello everyone, yes I'm finally updating, thank you for your patience, well wishes and as always your reviews. I do apologize I have been ridiculously busy with work and to be honest I've not felt very inspired to write. Please review or PM me your thoughts on this chapter. I do like writing this story but right now I feel like giving up as I feel as though I don't have the time to give my all to this. Let me know whether you'd like me to continue. For now here is some EC loveliness for those of us feeling deprived. Fingers crossed for a final season. Much love to you all.

The room was still and peaceful, as Calleigh and Eric lay slumbering in the comfort of Eric's bed, it was the dull hum of a cell phone vibrating on the adjacent bedside table that finally stirred them. Calleigh shifted in Eric's arms, turning around to face him.

"I think someone's trying to reach you" she said softly, her fingertips of her right hand making steps up his chest, before stopping and laying her palm flat upon it at the opening of Eric's eyes.

"Yeah" he said gently reaching over to the side table and getting his phone, he checked it before returning it to its place "It's just Ryan, said he's fine to cover for me today."

"Good, I'm glad means we're still on for today."

"Absolutely, by the way, good morning beautiful" he said wrapping his arms around her and tugging her in closer to him.

"Good morning to you too handsome" Calleigh replied before pressing a kiss to his lips, her hand caressing the skin of his cheek as he drew circles with his thumb on an exposed patch of skin at Calleigh's waist. A smile bloomed across her face as she looked up into his eyes and he skimmed his hand upwards before relinquishing it in order to cup her face so he could draw her inwards and kiss her more deeply this time.

"I love you and this is the first day of the rest of our lives together, I know that sounds incredibly cheesy, but I can't describe how happy I am to wake up next to you this morning" He declared after they had kissed.

"I like that kind of cheesy and I'm really happy too, I love you Eric" she answered. They lay basking in each other's company for a few moments, before a small rumble emanated from Calleigh's stomach.

"Hungry? Maybe we should get you something" Eric chuckled.

"Mmmm...yeah a little, but I'd rather stay here with you" she said glancing down briefly at her stomach, giving a slight roll of her eyes as if to tell it to be silent, before looking back up at Eric. She wrapped her right leg over his left slightly, tantalisingly running the point of her toes up and down his calf muscle and indulging her lips in a slow, sensual press and release of his lips. Her hand was now resting at the nape of his neck.

"You're...Killing...me...here" Eric managed to get out between kisses.

"But you love it" Calleigh retaliated with a smirk.

"I do, but it's a little dangerous, we did decide we didn't want to rush this time."

"I'm sorry, you're right" Calleigh realised; she pulled away slightly, unwrapping her leg from his in the process. Her stomach then let out another growl, slightly louder than the last. "Saved by the bell I guess."

"C'mon, let's go get you something to eat" Eric said as he climbed out of bed, extending his hand to Calleigh as she sat up, she clambered across on her knees towards him before getting up herself.

"Sounds good to me" she replied, following him out of the bedroom and towards his kitchen. She noticed the pictures of Eric's family adorning his wall on the way through, including the multitude of his beloved nieces and nephew. She paused as she noticed nestled amongst them was that same picture Calleigh adored and had held onto of them at the beach that day. Eric noticed her staring at the picture.

"I love that picture so much, I couldn't let it go, I hope that's not weird for you. I in fact have quite a few, but that's the only one I just couldn't seem to pack away."

"Nope...not at all, actually I held onto that one too, in fact I found it whilst I was packing up my things...it's, well it's one of the reasons I'm standing here today. That day was...well it was magic ya know?"

"I do" he answered clutching her hand ever tighter and bringing it up to his lips and planting a small kiss upon her knuckles "We can have more of those now."

"Absolutely, now what have you got in the way of breakfast?" She questioned as they both made their way finally into the kitchen, Calleigh perched herself casually a top of the counter as Eric began rifling through his cupboards.

"Erm, by the looks of it not much, I haven't really been able to shop much lately. I've kind of been working ridiculous hours at work, to keep myself busy" he paused and Calleigh looked over to him noticing the momentary sadness in his tone and in his eyes as he recollected his lifestyle of late. His sadness dissipated as he caught sight of two familiar boxes sitting in his cupboard "I do however have lots of cereals, if you like Froot Loops or Cap'N Crunch?"

"Bree and Ella?" Calleigh laughed as she recited the names of Eric's younger nieces.

"Yep, it's surprising how insistent and stubborn a four and six year old can be."

"Got you wrapped around their fingers still huh? I remember how when Ella was two she went through a phase of eating Froot Loops and only Froot Loops, Anna was tearing her hair out for a good few weeks there" she chuckled.

"You remember that?"

"I remember everything that matters and all the little things in between."

"Good to know" Eric smiled as he placed the cereals on the countertop and ventured towards the fridge to retrieve some milk. He reached in and placed it on the counter next to Calleigh. Calleigh carefully slid out the drawer beneath her and retrieved two spoons placing them on the countertop as Eric bought over two bowls.

"Froot Loops or Cap'N Crunch?" Eric asked.

"Froot Loops please" Calleigh replied.

"Good choice" Eric said as he grabbed the box and began to pour the cereal into the bowl. Calleigh reached over and took the milk, gently opening its top.

"Oh gosh Eric, this milk is seriously bad" Calleigh stated as she caught a whiff of its sour odour that made her nose crease up.

"Really?"

"Really" she said as she ran the milk carton under his nose for him to smell.

"Oh Cal, sorry that is awful, I don't have anything else we can have."

"That's ok, how about I go home, shower and change and you can pick me up in an hour? We can go to breakfast together."

"How about the diner by the pier?"

"Sounds perfect to me" she answered with a smile, hopping off the counter and placing a small kiss on his cheek before disappearing into the bedroom to get dressed.

Calleigh happily occupied herself with getting ready for her breakfast date with Eric; she emerged from the shower fresh, wrapped in a soft white towel. She unclasped her long blonde hair from the clip she had it pinned up with during her shower and let it gracefully cascade down her back. She went over to the few clothes she had left hanging in her closet and began to rifle through them, singing to herself as she did. She picked out a white halter neck dress with a subtle pattern of little pink, blue and violet flowers decorating the sheer layer on top and placed it on her bed. She walked into her closet and picked up the dusky blue shoes that matched. It was the type of dress you'd wear to a Summer Wedding or fancy party, not a breakfast date, but it was their first date back together as a couple and she wanted to look especially nice.

Once she was ready Calleigh made her way downstairs and she didn't have to wait long before Eric rang the doorbell, she opened the door to reveal the attractive man clothed in a pale blue polo shirt and a pair of dark jeans.

"Wow...I thought we were going to breakfast?" he exclaimed as his deep brown eyes saw the stunning beauty before him.

"We are who says you cannot dress nicely for breakfast?" she said with a smirk, closing the front door and heading towards Eric's car with a gentle sway of her hips "Let's go."

You're really killing me Calleigh Eric thought to himself with a nod of his head as they both climbed into the car and headed off to the diner.

As Eric pulled into the parking lot Calleigh couldn't help but notice the serene blue of the sea as it shimmered where the sunlight hit it.

"Mmmm...it's beautiful here, just as I remember." Calleigh said.

"Remember? You've not been here for some time I take it?" Eric asked as he emerged from the car noticing Calleigh as she took in the view.

"I haven't, I always thought of this as our place, the pier that is. It didn't seem right to come here without you." She looked over to him giving a slight smile.

"It is, most of the times I've come here it's been with you" Eric moved over to her to take her hand in his and joined her in admiring the view "We should take one of our walks after breakfast."

"I'd like that" Calleigh said as she let him lead her over to and inside the diner.

Having eaten breakfast, they found themselves out on the end of the pier. Calleigh happily ensconced in Eric's arms as he dotted kisses at her hairline. Unlike the last time they were there, when the sea had crashed relentlessly against the rocks, it was calm and at peace today.

"I really like this dress" he exclaimed after a while as he ran his hand over her material-clad abdomen tenderly before wrapping his arms about her waist and Calleigh rested her hands a top of them "It's new isn't it?"

"It is" Calleigh replied moving one of her hands to join his "Talking of clothes, I really need to do some unpacking this weekend. My whole life is packed up in far too many boxes about my house as I was planning to lease my house after...well after I was married."

There was a small silence and Calleigh hoped she hadn't upset Eric by mentioning what could have been again. Whilst Eric felt his grip subconsciously tighten about Calleigh's waist. Calleigh noticed this and glanced up to make eye contact with Eric.

"I'm sorry, I should've thought before I mentioned that" she spoke sympathetically.

"No it's ok, it happened, all that matters is that we're here now." He said relinquishing his grip on her before pulling her gently into him so he could embrace her properly. They embraced for a moment and then Eric pressed a kiss to her forehead before looking at her intently to make a proposition. "How about I help you start unpacking this afternoon? I can make dinner for us tonight at yours."

"Thanks Eric that would be great" Calleigh said happily, relieved that he wasn't upset at her.

A half hour later they were contentedly unpacking boxes at Calleigh's home, laughter filling the air as they bantered flirtatiously with each other. Calleigh had bought the silver picture frame up from downstairs that she had of that day at the beach, and placed it on her bedside table. Eric admiring its new position as he sat on her freshly made bed.

"I thought it should go there so I'm inspired by it every morning when I wake to make even more memories with you." Calleigh said sitting down beside him, he wrapped his arm around her pulling her close to him. "Maybe one day we'll put, say our children's pictures there."

"Our children huh? That doesn't scare you anymore?" he asked, their eyes meeting, even though he knew the answer already he wanted to hear her say it again.

"Not even in the slightest" She confirmed to him confidently "I'm not saying right now, but one day I want us to have our own family Eric, what do you think?"

"I think yes, I always thought you'd make a good mom" He spoke honestly a smile beaming across his face.

"And I always thought you'd be a great dad." She replied with a grin echoing the words she'd spoke to him all those years ago before they were even together. She'd known it then, but now she was finally willing to realise it and bring it to fruition.