Ch 10
The next morning Chris wakes up and gets Sam ready for the day.
"Hey baby girl. Let's go get Mama some things and surprise her."
He goes downstairs and lays Sam in her bassinet. He grabs a piece of paper.
'Sammy and I went to go get you a few surprises. We'll be back soon. We love you! Always.
Chris'
He takes it upstairs with her cell phone and puts it in her hand.
"We'll be back Sammy. Love you."
"Hmm love you too."
Chris takes Sam down the block to a diner and orders breakfast and coffee. While that's getting fixed, he goes down to a florist and gets some red roses and baby's breath.
Rita drops the note when she wakes up and looks around. "Chris? Christopher?!" She doesn't hear him or Sam cooing. She grabs on to his pillow and starts sobbing.
Once they get back to the loft, Chris walks in and hears gut wrenching sobbing.
He puts everything on the bar and lays Sam in the bassinet before rushing up to her.
"Hey, I'm here. We're back. It's ok."
He wraps her up in his arms tight.
"Where…"
He shows her the note.
"Went to get you some surprises. Thought you needed it after last night." He kisses her cheek.
"I…"
He lifts her up in his arms and carries her downstairs. He shows her the bags and flowers.
"That's why I left you the note. So you'd see it and know we would be back."
She breaks down.
"Hey, it's ok. It's ok." He rubs her back and kisses her all over.
"I will always…always come home to you,ok?"
She nods and finally calms down. "What's for breakfast?"
He holds her close. "We went to that diner you like down the block and got pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs and hash browns."
"Coffee?"
"Always coffee." He sets her down. "Wait right here."
"As if I can walk anywhere."
He picks Sammy up and takes her over to Rita. "There's your Mama."
Rita takes her and kisses her all over.
Chris fixed their breakfast plates. "What do you want Sammy? Bacon or sausage?"
"Can I have both?"
"Of course you can."
He brings her plate over and kisses her. "Can I put Sammy in the swing?"
She nods. "Yeah."
He takes Sammy and puts her in the swing.
He brings the coffee over. "Where do you want me?"
"You know where."
He sits beside her and puts his hand on her knee.
She picks at her breakfast.
"You ok?"
She shrugs. "I just…I don't know."
"What if I call Frannie and see if she will come take Sam for a couple hours. Just so we can talk or just watch a movie or whatever you want."
"What I want is to stop feeling like this. Feeling like I'm one minute away from being alone again."
"You are not alone. You're not going to be alone. We both need you too much."
She nods and lays her head on his shoulder.
He kisses her cheek. "I'm sorry you didn't see the note."
"It must've fallen out of my hand. When I didn't see Sammy or you..I just.."
"I know. But we came back. We'll always come back. Even if I left, I couldn't leave for long because I'm not equipped with milk unless it's frozen."
She laughs. "True."
"Now…want me to call Frannie or.."
"No. I need her close today. Just feeling off or something I guess."
"Ok. Tell me what's off."
"I just want to go for a walk on the beach but.."
"Oh. Got it. You need some outside time. Did the doctor send crutches?"
"No."
"Of course not."
She finally finishes her breakfast.
"I'll bring you Sammy and then I'm going to go get you a pair. Then I'll load Sammy up and we'll go to the beach and we'll come back whenever you're ready."
"Ok."
He takes their plates and brings Sammy over to her. He runs upstairs to get wipes and a diaper.
"Diaper and wipes just in case. There's her bag with clothes if she needs it."
"Ok. Thanks for putting up with me."
"I will always put up with you. I love you too much not to have you with me."
"I love you too." She kisses him. "Oh my cell.."
"I'll bring it and the cordless."
He brings both phones. "You good?"
"Almost."
He looks at her. "What?"
She lays Sam down beside her and reaches up.
He leans down and hugs her tight.
"That's better."
"I'll be right back. I promise. And if I have to go somewhere else, I'll call."
"Ok. Be careful."
"Always." He kisses her softly. He grabs the keys and heads out.
Rita picks Sammy up and holds her close. "Just us girls now baby girl."
Sammy grabs on to Rita's shirt tight.
"I know baby. I'm sorry. I wouldn't blame daddy one bit if he just took you and left."
Sammy looks around and cuddles closer to Rita.
Chris goes to the pharmacy and gets the crutches. He calls the loft.
"Hello?"
"Hey. I'm gonna run one more errand and then I'll be home."
"Ok.."
"I got the crutches."
"Good."
He pulls up to a jewelry store. "I will see you shortly. I love you."
"I love you too."
Chris walks in and starts looking at the necklaces.
The saleswoman walks up. "How can I help you?"
"Well my wife has been going thru some rough patches lately and I want to get her something to remind her that I'm always there for her."
She smiles. "I got it." She pulls out a heart shaped locket.
"Oh that's perfect. Do you happen to know where I can get pictures for it made?"
"Any photo studio can do it."
"Perfect. Thank you."
"Shall I wrap it up for you?"
"Please. Oh and where are your engagement rings? We got married quick so she didn't get the proposal she deserves."
"Of course. Tell me about her."
"She's the love of my life. We were partners at work. I almost lost her on a case and it woke us both up. Got our heads out of our butts. Then we find out she's pregnant with our daughter. I proposed, we got married and split up at work. Then I got sent into a program to keep her and the baby safe and came home and the baby was born the next morning."
"Oh my gosh. So she's the queen of your heart."
"Definitely. She has had my heart for I don't know how long."
"Ok. Let me see. What about this one? We can replace the stones on the side with your birthstones."
She shows him a simple Princess cut diamond on a silver band and stones on either side.
"Oh that's perfect." He flips thru the list of birthstones. "Pearl for the baby, ruby for me."
"Got it."
He gives her his credit card and smiles. "Thank you so much."
He calls the loft.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sam. I'm on my way home. Need anything?"
"Just you."
"You got me forever."
She smiles. "Be careful."
"Always. Love you."
"Love you too."
He hangs up and drives to the loft.
"One pair of crutches and one more present just because I love you."
She rubs Sammy's back. "You didn't have to."
He hands her the box.
She hands Sam to him and takes it. She opens it carefully. "Christopher…"
He smiles. "When we get pictures I'll have one of me and Sammy made into the size we need for it and you can put whatever you want on the other side."
"Can we put one of Sammy on one side and you on the other?"
"Of course. Whatever you want." He kisses her softly.
"I love it. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So can I try the crutches out?"
"Sure. Let me lay Sammy down and I'll help you. Don't want you to fall."
"Or just an excuse to hold me?"
"Both?"
She laughs and smacks his arm.
He puts Sam in the swing and buckled her in. He takes the crutches over to her.
"I think I adjusted these right. If not I can fix it." He helps her up and comes around behind her and holds her waist. He can't help but kiss her neck. "Want me to put the locket on or wait?"
"Wait."
"Ok. Got your balance?"
"Yeah." She takes a few steps.
"Looking good. Now do you want Sam in the carrier or …"
"Stroller. I'll carry her when I'm not needing these to walk."
"Ok."
"But I'll take snuggles anytime when we're home or sitting somewhere."
Chris nods. "Ok. Want me to take you upstairs to get ready?"
"Please."
He wraps his arms around her waist and scoops her up.
She lays her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."
"For…"
"Everything.."
He carefully sets her on the bed and kisses her cheek and down to her neck.
"Christopher.."
"I know."
She sighs. "When my ankle gets better."
"Ok. What do you want to wear?"
"Capris and a tank top."
"Ok. Sandals?"
"Yeah. Just the one though."
"Of course."
He grabs a tank top and her capris. He helps her balance while she puts the capri's on.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
He scoops her up in his arms and kisses her.
"What was that for?"
"Just because.."
Sam wakes up and starts crying.
"Guess I need to feed her before we go."
"Ok."
He carries her downstairs and to the couch. He goes to get Sammy and kisses her cheek. "I know baby girl. Mama's ready for you."
He hands her to Rita.
"Hi baby girl. You hungry?"
Sam nuzzles around.
"Ok baby. Hang on."
Rita lays her on her knees and moved her tank top strap down. She picks Sammy up. "There you go."
Chris smiles.
"What?"
"She's getting so big."
"I know. Almost six weeks old.. I need to go requalify at some point too."
"Got to get rid of the crutches first."
"I know."
"You ready to go back?"
"Yes and no."
"We'll come visit."
"You better."
Chris kisses her. "You ready?"
"Yeah."
She hands Sammy to him and reaches for the crutches.
Chris lays Sammy in the bassinet and helps her up. "Got it?"
She nods. "Thank you". She walks out the door. "You coming?"
Chris laughs. "I'm coming."
He picks Sammy up and grabs her bag. "I think your mama wanted out of the house quick huh?"
Sammy coos and grabs on to him.
"Christopher!"
He laughs. "Coming."
Once outside, Rita starts to step off the curb but the crutch slides off the curb.
"Wait! Don't move."
He gets Sammy in the car and goes over to help her. He comes over and scoops her up in his arms. "That was close."
"What.."
"The crutch slipped off the curb and you almost fell."
"Oh. Thanks for the rescue."
He kisses her. "You're welcome."
She wraps her arms around his neck. He carefully sets her in the car.
"Need anything?"
She shakes her head.
He puts the crutches in the trunk. He comes around and makes sure Sammy is buckled in. He slides in the drivers seat.
He pulls into traffic and takes Rita's hand. "Do you not want to go to the beach?"
"Oh I want to go.."
"Ok. Then what's wrong?"
"I just…"
"What? Talk to me.."
"My aneurysm..I might see if I can find a neurologist. Don't want to risk holding Sammy and it pop. And both of us being hurt."
He nods. "Good idea. Let's get your ankle better first."
"Ok. Do you remember one of our cases…the one with Cameron.."
"Yeah…"
"I want to start reading to Sammy."
He smiles. "Mother Goose?"
"Yeah."
"Beach then book store on the way home. Got it."
She smiles. "Thanks."
They get to the beach and Chris gets the stroller out and her crutches. "Ok Sammy girl. In you go." He lays her in the stroller and hands Rita the crutches. "Need some help or.."
"I'm good. I think."
He helps steady her. "You lead, we'll follow."
Rita leads them to a bench near their spot. Chris parks the stroller and wraps his foot around it.
He wraps an arm over her shoulder.
She smiles and leans her head on his shoulder. "How's Sammy?"
"Asleep."
"Good."
Chris kisses the top of her head. "Better?"
"Yeah."
"I'm glad. Now…date night this week."
"Yeah.. movie and Chinese at home?"
"Sounds good to me. What else is going on?"
"Just ready to get this cast off."
"I know. Just a couple more weeks."
He kisses her cheek. "Have you thought about where we are taking pictures with Sammy?"
"I thought about it. Guess we need to find a photographer too.."
"Yeah. Where were you thinking?"
"Here..then maybe the office..get her dressed up and prop her up at my desk and your desk."
"Now that would be cute."
She smiles.
"What else is going on?"
She shrugs. "Just still worried.."
"That we'll leave you?"
She nods.
"I promise you…the only time we will leave you is to go run errands or something. But we will always be home."
She nods and draws on his hand. "Wouldn't blame you if you did."
"Why would I want to? I never want to be away from you. When I was gone…those were the worst days." He carefully lifts her up and puts her on his lap.
She tucks her head against his neck. He kisses her and hold her close. "Don't you fall asleep on me."
"Too comfy."
"Let's go to the bookstore and head home. We can all take a nap."
"Can we just go home? Go to the store later.."
"Sure. I would carry you but I can't push the stroller at the same time."
She groans. "Meanie."
"You love me."
"I guess."
"You guess?" He tickles her.
"Ok I do." She kisses him.
He carefully puts her back down beside him and stands up. He hands her the crutches. He helps her up and wraps his arms around her waist. "You good?"
She nods and wraps her arms around his neck. "Thank you.."
"What for?"
"Being so nice to me."
He kisses her cheek. "Come on. Let's get you two home."
They head back to the car and Chris helps Rita in. He gets Sammy out of the stroller and kisses her cheek as he buckled her in the car seat.
As Chris loads the stroller up he gets a weird feeling. "Sam..got your phone?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Just got an uneasy feeling."
"It'll be ok. Let's just get home and things will be better."
"Ok."
He takes the long way home to see if his feeling goes away and it does.
He gets Sammy out and puts her in the bassinet and goes back to help Rita.
"Couch or bed?"
"Couch."
He sets her down and goes to unpack Sammy's bag. "What do you want for lunch?"
Rita had pulled the blanket up over her and fallen asleep.
Chris smiles and kisses her cheek.
A couple hours later, Rita wakes up in a panic. "Chris?!"
"Hey Sammy. Up here with the baby. She needed changing and started crying."
"Bring her to me would ya?"
"Yeah."
He comes downstairs with a screaming Sammy.
"Wow. She's mad."
"Yeah. Tried the bottle and she didn't want it."
Rita takes her and she calms down. "You just wanted Mama huh?"
Sam looks at her and snuggles in.
"Aw baby girl. It's ok. Hey Chris, can you scoot me up a little please. I would but.."
"Of course."
He lifts her in his arms and scoots her up a little. "Better?"
She nods. "Thanks."
He kisses Sammy's cheek.
"Need anything?"
"Something to drink."
"Ok."
Sammy starts nuzzling around.
"Oh hungry huh? Ok." Rita gets her settled and starts feeding her.
"Poor baby.."
"She's eating like she hasn't all day. Probably growing."
"What? No. She can't."
"She's got to."
"But.."
"She'll still be a Daddy's girl."
"She better be."
Rita laughs and hands her to him.
"Sammy, you can't grow up so quick. Daddy wants you to stay little forever."
She cuddles in and sighs.
He rubs her back. "I know baby. I love you too."
Rita smiles. "So Chris, do you still want to have a big wedding?"
"Of course. Can we plan it before our anniversary?"
"We can try. But if we can't, we'll just plan it for another day."
"Ok. Or what about this…these past few weeks have been busy. And you're getting ready to go back to work.. what if we plan it for next year. We can take our time and get things how we want them and not have to settle for what we don't want."
"I like that idea."
"Ok so next year we'll have our big wedding. What do you want to do this year?"
"How would you feel about letting Sammy spend the night with Cap and Frannie? They can stay here so she can sleep in her crib."
"And us do what?"
"I thought I'd take you to a fancy hotel.. order room service.."
"Ooh. I think I can handle that."
"Ok."
She pats the couch beside her.
He lays Sammy in the bassinet and goes over to her.
She pouts. "What? Don't want to sit with me?"
He nods. "Always do. Just don't want to hurt your ankle."
"It's fine."
"But…"
"Forget it.." She turns away from him.
He goes over and kneels in front of her. "Hey..Sam, look at me."
She looks at him. "Why don't you want to hold me?"
He wraps his arms around her. "I always do. Just didn't want to accidentally bump your ankle." He carefully picks her up and kisses her.
She laughs and hugs him tight.
"Better?"
She nods and kisses him.
He sits down with her on his lap. "Ok so now what do you want to do?"
"I have a feeling Sammy will be up a lot tonight. So I'm thinking maybe a nap is on tap."
"Ok. Want to sleep here or upstairs?"
"Bed please."
He carries her upstairs and lays her down in bed. "I'm gonna go get Sammy."
"Ok."
He heads downstairs and goes to get Sammy. "Hi baby girl. Let's go up and you can snuggle with Mama and Daddy."
Chris takes her upstairs and lays down in bed with Sam on his chest. He holds his arm out for Rita.
She smiles and lays her head on his chest and rubs Sammy's back before drifting off to sleep.
