Ch 17

Chris comes downstairs. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

She wraps her arms around his neck.

"Uhoh. What's that for?"

She pouts. "Ok. No more of that." She drops her arms and puts the next letter in an envelope and writes '1st day of school-Kindergarten'

She puts it in the safe and goes to check on Sam.

"Hi baby. Did you sleep good?"

"Hey Sammy…you hungry?"

"Yeah. Just whatever."

She sighs and gets Sammy dressed. She gets dressed and gets Sammy and goes downstairs.

"I'm goin to the beach. Be home later. There's milk for her in the freezer."

"Sammy…why?"

"Why? I just wrapped my arms around your neck and you thought something was wrong. Nothing was wrong."

He takes her hand and pulls her towards him. She lays her head on his chest and he puts his head on top of hers.

"You were right. We were made for each other."

Tears fall down her face.

He wipes the tears away. "I'm sorry."

She wants to put her arms around him. He lifts her arms up and she wraps them around his waist.

She holds on to him tight.

He lifts her up in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too." She wraps her arms around his neck. "We need a date night."

"Yes we do. Want me to call Frannie and see when they can?"

"Yeah. Please."

He puts her down. She doesn't let him go. "Hey, it's ok. You're stuck with me."

She nods. "Can we go to the beach?"

"Absolutely. Let me call Frannie and I'll go get ready."

"Ok."

She finally lets him go. He tips her head up and kisses her.

"That's all I wanted to do earlier.."

He sighs. "I'm sorry."

"You know I'd tell you if something was wrong."

He nods. "I know." He goes to get ready.

Rita sits at the bar and grabs her pen

'Dear Sammy,

You did it! You finished kindergarten! I'm so proud of you baby girl. I bet you've grown a lot too.

I love you Sammy girl. See you in your dreams.

Love,

Mama'

She folds it and puts it in an envelope 'Sam last day of Kindergarten'

She puts it in the safe.

Chris grabs the phone and calls Frannie.

"Hello?"

"Hey Frannie. Are you and Cap up to babysit overnight? I screwed up big time and need to make it up to Rita."

"Christopher..what did you do?"

"I came downstairs and she wrapped her arms around my neck and said something I shouldn't have."

"Oh Chris.."

"I know."

"We'll be there. What time?"

"How about this afternoon? Can you stay here?"

"Absolutely."

"Thank you."

Chris packs their bags and hides them.

"Chris? You ok up there?"

"Yeah. I'm heading down."

"Ok."

"Ready?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

"Frannie and Cap are coming here to stay with Sammy."

"They are?"

"Yes. We are going to go up to the beach house. Just us. And we're going to do whatever you want."

"But.."

"Nothing. She's going to be fine. We'll be back tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Promise." He kisses her cheek.

She picks a fussy Sammy up. "Hi baby. You hungry? Mama is sore."

She sits on the couch and gets Sammy settled to nurse. "There ya go."

"Better?"

She nods. "Much."

He sits beside her and wraps his arm around her shoulder.

She lays her head against his shoulder.

He plays with her hair.

Once Sammy is done, Rita fixes her top and hands her to Chris.

"Hi baby girl."

Sammy smiles at him.

"Grandpa and Grandma are coming to spend the night with you tonight. Daddy screwed up with Mama big time earlier. But we'll be back tomorrow. I promise."