From * to * is a dream. If you recognize them, they don't belong to me. If you don't recognize them, then I made them up.
As Rita was watching the doctors work on Chris, tears were streaming down her face. "Chris!"
The monitor went flatline and she started sobbing clutching her stomach.
"Rita..come on. Let's get you home."
"Cap…I…"
"I know."
She goes over to the bed and lays her head on his chest. "We love you." Kissing him one last time, she turns and heads out.
A bit later, the doctors walk over to the Marshalls. "He's asleep."
They nod and wheel him out of the hospital.
The funeral comes and goes. Rita packs up both the loft and her apartment. "Where should we go little one? I need to keep you safe.."
Meanwhile at the office, Cap's phone rings. "Yeah?"
"Cap..it's me."
"No, you're dead…we laid you to rest."
"No you didn't. Empty coffin. Witness.."
"Got it. Rita's a mess. She's moving to keep the baby safe."
"Baby…"
"Yeah..your baby boy or girl."
"Tell me where she goes. Shouldn't be long."
"Ok. She loves you."
"Me too."
"Get some rest. I'll let you know where she is."
"Thanks."
He hangs up the phone and sighs. "Don't go too far Rita."
Rita goes by the cemetery one last time before she leaves. "I know we never talked names for the baby but if he's a boy I'm naming him after you. And if she's a girl she'll be our little Sam. We love you..so much. Come hold us in our dreams ok?"
She kisses his grave marker and gets in the car.
"Ok little one. Let's go. We'll live wherever the gas runs out."
She puts the car in gear and starts driving. When it comes time to decide which way to go, she sighs. She pulls off to a rest area and starts sobbing.
An officer comes over to her. "Are you ok?"
She nods. "I'm ok. Thank you. My husband was killed in the line of duty and it's still so fresh. Can't decide if I want to move far away or stay close."
He nods. "I understand that. Just wanted to check on you. Make sure you weren't hurt or anything."
"Thank you. What's your name?"
"Sam."
She smiles. "That's what my nickname for my husband was."
"I'm sorry for your loss. Stay as long as you need."
"Thank you so much." She sits at the picnic table and sighs. "I think that was a sign from Daddy little one. I think we're far enough to keep you safe but close enough we can go see him when you come."
She gets back in the car and drives into town.
She pulls into the first safe hotel she can find and goes to get a room for a couple of days.
"Is there a real estate agent that you'd recommend? I don't need anything big. Just something for me and the baby."
The clerk nods. "Sure. Jamie. She's my cousin. Just tell her Christina sent you."
"Thanks."
Rita pulls the car around to where her room is and calls Harry.
"Yeah what?"
"Cap..it's me. I'm in a little town and I think we are meant to be here. The clerk at the hotel I'm staying is Christina…"
"Yes you are. I'm glad you're safe. Call me when you have an address and phone."
"I will. Would you go let Chris know we're safe.. please?"
"Sure thing. I know he's watching you."
"I feel it too." She sighs. "I miss him…so much.. why him?"
"You know how he was. So protective of you."
"Yeah. He was." She yawns.
"Ok. Get some rest. Take care of that baby. And stay in touch."
"I will Cap."
She hangs up and gets ready for bed. She pulls on one of Chris' shirts and drifts off into a restless sleep.
Rita looks around. She's at the beach and sees him walking towards her.
"Sam!"
She runs towards him and launches herself at him. He catches her and holds her tight.
"I miss you…so much."
"I miss you too. And the baby.."
"I went to your grave and told you what I decided for names. Something we never got around to."
"Let me guess. Sam and Sam?"
"Yes and no. After you if he's a boy and Sam if she's a girl. Not sure on her middle name."
"I wish I could see you..and the baby."
"We'll just meet in our dreams."
He nods. "Ok. I love you."
"I love you too."
He slowly lets her go. "Stay safe."
She nods. "Always."