Chapter 4
Dani and Lily held tight to Andy's hands as they watched Sam throw his back in the back of the SUV and then climb in the front. All four of them had tears in their eyes. The mornig had been crazy and they had hardly had anytime to absorb everything that was happening.
"Andy have you seen my old black belt?" Sam yelled from the living room where he was doing a last minute inventory of his duffle bag.
She appeared around the corner," You mean this one?" she asked holding it.
"Yeah, thanks, you're a lifesaver. What about my…"
"Sneakers?" She interrupted, "Right here." He packed those as well, and then the two of them made their way to the table where the girls were waiting to eat breakfast with their father one last time.
Breakfast was eaten leisurely, in near silence, no one knew exactly what to say, it was only as they were finishing that Sam looked at Dani and Lily and said, "Girls, things are going to be a bit different around here for a while, mommy is doing the job of two parents and it would be very helpful and grown up if you could make it easier for her by doing what she asks you to, okay?"
"Alright, daddy." They answered.
Andy had begun to clear the dirty dishes from the table when she happened to glance at the clock on the stove. "Sam, what time are you supposed to be at the station?"
"Nine," he answered, "Why?"
"It's ten to nine now.
Sam swore under his breath. They had woken up plenty early, the girls had made sure of that, and everything had seemed to be on track, but somehow they had ended up running late with only fourty minutes until he had to leave, and ten before he got to the station.
Sam grabbed his bag and Andy grabbed the girls, their dishes left on the table and counter, and ran out the door, climbing into Sam's truck. They made it to the station just two minutes past nine and Sam ran in while Andy readied the girls.
The briefing was brief. Sam knew the case, and only needed to know exactly who he was and what he evidence he was collecting. Best, Boyd, and Sam all came back out of the interview room just fifteen minutes later.
"You have fifteen minutes to say goodbye, make it fast," Boyd told Sam walking away. "McNally," he greeted, glaring at her as he walked past.
"Boyd," she answered,"and its Swarek now, thanks," she said to his back.
Sam crouched down to talk to the girls first before rising to talk to Andy.
"I love you," he said.
"I know. I love you, too." She answered.
"I'm sorry for doing this."
"Not your fault."
"I'll miss you, all of you."
"Just come home."
"I will."
"Be safe."
"You, too."
"Goodbye"
"Bye, Sam."
"Goodbye, Daddy. I love you." Lily said.
"I love you this much", Dani said, hold her arms out wide. "I'll miss you."
I love you both so much. Be good, okay?"
"Okay, bye daddy." They chimed together.
The family embraced one last time before the walked out together to see Sam off.
Sam waved out the window, and the three on the sidewalk waved back, but too soon the car turned a corner. They all turned to go back inside, already feeling a little empty inside.