Racing Hearts

When Sarah's father returns to her life years later claiming he wants to make amends she struggles a bit with the decision of letting the man who once betrayed her into her heart again. Will her family make her see there's forgiveness after all? And how will she and Connor deal with tragedy as it strikes and a dark secret its revealed?

I own nothing.

Her father was dying. That much she knew. Ava had told her so and Connor had concurred.

As she walked through Med with her children in hand a million thoughts invaded her mind, including how mad Connor had been over her decision.

Safe to say, her husband hadn't been happy about it, but she made a good point, in order for her to move on, to work on her insecurities and fears, she would have to close that book once and for all.

"Hey, Maggie," Sarah said to the head nurse.

"Check up?" She inquired, looking at the boys.

"Actually no, is Connor in surgery?" Sarah asked.

"Come to see Daddy then?" Maggie smiled. "I'm not sure, I can try and page him for you?"

"That'd be great. Thanks!"

Maggie huddled the boys under her desk as they called for her attention as Dr Charles approached them.

"Sarah? What a nice surprise. I thought you were off today?" Daniel asked her.

"Yeah, I am, we've just thought we'd surprise Connor for lunch."

"Well, that's nice." Daniel put in. "How are these three treating you?"

"They get smarter every day."

Daniel laughed. "Yes, that tends to happen."

Sarah bit her lip. "Something on your mind Dr. Reese?"

"I'm doing the right thing, right?" He eyed her carefully.

"Ah, you're seeing your father today?" Sarah nodded. "Well, if you feel like it will help you cope with whatever is holding you back, as a mother, a wife and maybe even a daughter, yes I believe it is the right decision."

She nodded. "I take it Connor still has his reservations?"

"He does, but I'd never put myself in danger, he knows that."

"Of course."

"Daddy!" Ollie spotted Connor first from under the station and snuck out. "Daddy, we've come to sprise you." He managed to say.

"Well, this is a nice surprise for sure." Connor kissed the boys cheek. "Dr. Charles."

"Dr. Rhodes, Sarah…" The older man smiled as he waved the boys goodbye. "You boys be good now."

Maggie picked up Finn and handed him to Sarah, who then took Luke's hand and followed Connor ahead.

They made it over to the cafeteria and Sarah ordered a club sandwich for her boys to share. "So, I rescheduled all my surgeries to have the afternoon free," Connor said, watching the boys. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I have to Connor…" She told him. "I promise you, it will be okay."

"You can't guarantee that. I've told you, you don't owe him anything.."

"Connor…"

"Or is this a social experiment?"

"Don't start again."

"Start what?"

"I don't want to fight you." She sighed. "Please just be on the same page as me on this. Please babe."

Connor sighed. "Fine. But if he does something…"

"He's dying, what is he possibly going to do?"

Connor looked at her. He'd done enough harm with his words alone."

"Awrr." Finn joked throwing his part of the sandwich to his brother's forcing Connor to look at him. He smiled cheekily.

"Here Daddy, try it, it's yummy…" He said. Connor grinned, leaning over to bump heads with him and taking a small bite.

Sarah smiled as Finn giggled. "You're leaving the boys at daycare, right?"

"I'd rather go with you, I asked Nat to take them…if you're doing this, then I want to be there."


Afternoon came and Connor was getting more anxious. As he and Sarah made it upstairs to Robert's room, it was like you could cut the tension with a knife.

They made it to the corridor. "Dr. Rhodes?" Lucy spotted them with a confused glance.

"Is Dr. Haywood awake?"

"He is but, we might have to tube him soon. Dr. Bekker told me you'd asked to wait until today…"

"Yes," Connor said.

Lucy nodded "Alright, I'll be here if you need me."

"Sarah?" A voice called, it made her shiver. Even though she could only hear weakness as he spoke. "Come to pay one last visit I see? Dr. Bekker said they might have to put a tube in me soon."

Sarah stepped a little bit further inside.

"Yes, your O2 is getting lower and your organs will begin to shut down soon."

"Right." He gasped. "So, what is this? Some way to make yourself believe you've been a good daughter?"

Sarah took a step backwards as Connor entered the room.

"No, I've actually come to tell you I forgive you."

"Forgive me?" Robert inquired softly.

"For leaving when I was little. You know? I've always wanted for you to come back, I always thought you would eventually…but then when you did. It hurt me more."

"So, all I do is hurt you? Is that what you are saying? Why? Because I showed you the truth?" He eyed Connor. "I showed you what kind of man you'd married?"

Sarah glanced at Connor. "A man that is so insecure of himself he has to go and threaten a dying man? Just to prove a point?"

Connor froze. He kept himself in check because he'd promised Sarah. If it had been up to him…

"Really? You think so little of people that that's your reasoning?" Sarah put in. "You don't get it, Dad. Connor doesn't need to prove anything to me because he already does, every day, just how much he wants to be the best version of himself. He loves me and our boys, he's always there, even though it's not always easy. Something I'm sorry to say, you will never understand."

Robert remained quiet as Connor glanced at Sarah. His heart swelled, he couldn't believe he could feel more in love with her. The mother of his children.

"I actually considered giving you the chance to meet my boys." Sarah continued. "Now I understand that would have been a mistake."

Robert smiled taking off his oxygen mask once more. "Oh, that's too bad, I've only gotten a couple glances at them. so, now I've finally understood. Are you terrified of me? Enough that you would not want your children to meet me?"

Connor's patience was running out.

"Actually, I just want them to have a different picture than the one I have."

Robert didn't reply.

"Sarah, Connor." It was Ava. "I'm sorry but it's time."

Sarah stepped back, standing beside Connor who put an arm around her. "Sarah?" Robert said as they took off the mask for him.

"I do hope you find some peace now."

"Goodbye Dad."


It had been two weeks since Robert had died.

"Babe? We're going to be late. Are you ready?" Connor came into the room. She was sitting on the bed, playing with her wedding band. "What's up?"

Sarah turned to look at him as soon as he sat beside her. "I love you, you know, that right?"

"I might have an idea, yeah." Connor smiled, leaning to kiss her softly on the lips.

"We don't have to go if you don't want to." He said.

Sarah sighed, her head dropping onto his shoulder. He kissed her forehead.

It was their first night out in a while, with their friends, since Ollie and Robert. They needed it.

But as Sarah sat there safely in Connor's arms, she'd rather stay there for a little longer.

He began to kiss her shoulder. "Connor…"

Hmmm…"

"I know what you are doing…"

"What?" He asked innocently. His eyes sparkling.

Amy was in the next room. Her boys were sleeping.

"Come on, we're going…" she pulled away and offered him her hand.

Connor rolled his eyes at her. "Let's go Dr. Rhodes."


The night went by quickly. She had allowed herself to enjoy it. It had been so long since she'd found some peace. "What's going on in that head of yours?" Connor asked as they drove back.

"Nothing…" she smiled, kissing the hand she was holding.

They reached the apartment and said their goodbyes to Amy, Sarah went to check on the boys and got the baby monitor.

"They're sound asleep." She told Connor as she came back, he'd already changed and was in the bathroom brushing his teeth.

"I'm so tired…" she sighed.

"How much?" Connor asked.

Sarah smiled. "A lot. Why?"

"Well I was thinking…" he left the bathroom and joined her on the bed.

"Hmmm…" she moaned when he kissed her.

"You're incorrigible, do you know that?" She mused.

"Only because I love you." He admitted shyly.

"I love you too." Sarah gave him a quick peck on the lips. "But... just give me a minute…"

She came back from the bathroom in her pajamas and without makeup.

Connor beamed at her. "Come here." Struggling to believe how lucky he was to have Sarah love him.

Sarah obliged, cuddling next to him. It was soon enough that Sarah was struggling to breathe. It also has been a while that they'd been together like this, without a cloud hanging over them.

"Sarah? Are you okay?" Connor asked sweetly, moving a strand of hair away from her face.

She nodded as he kissed her again. Sarah pulled him closer to her, feeling his bare chest against hers.

His heart beating beside hers.

Racing.


That was such an emotional ride guys! We still have the epilogue to go! What did you think?