Ch 18
Frannie and Harry come over later that afternoon and Chris gets the stroller, car seat and carrier all in their car and loads their bag in the car.
"Ready Sammy?"
"Yeah." She kisses Sam's cheek. "Bye baby. See you tomorrow."
She grabs the pump and cooler for the milk. "Ok. Let's go."
Frannie smiles. "Be careful."
"We will. Call you when we get there and call if you need anything."
"We will. See you two tomorrow."
They head out and Chris starts driving them towards the beach house.
"Ok. Why here?"
"Why not? Just think of it as an extended date night."
"I can do that."
He pulls up and parks the car. She opens the door and gets out.
Chris comes around and holds his hand out for her. She takes it and they walk inside.
"You want to call or want me to?"
"You can."
She grabs her cell phone and dials the loft. "Hello?"
"Hey Frannie. We made it."
"Glad you made it."
"How's Sammy?"
"She's fine. Just snuggled up with Harry and looking around."
"Good. We usually put her to bed for the night around eight. She's getting better about sleeping at night but she's still up some.."
"Don't worry Mama, we've got her."
"I know. She's in great hands. I wouldn't trust her overnight with just anyone.."
"Go relax and have fun."
"Call if you need anything."
"We will. Enjoy."
"We will."
Rita hangs up. "Sammy's good. Just snuggled with Cap."
"Good. What do you want to do first?"
She smiles. "First I need to pump..then I want to just relax on the couch and do nothing."
"Sounds good to me."
She heads inside and puts the bag for her pump on the bed. She gets everything out and takes her top off.
Chris walks in and smiles.
"Like what you see?"
He shakes his head. "Nope. I love it."
She smiles and pats the bed next to her. He sits beside her and kisses her cheek. "Talk to me."
"I was thinking…"
"About what?"
"When I almost lost you."
"Which time?"
"When you went to Deborah Buchard's."
"Oh yeah. When I almost got you killed."
"You saved me." She takes the pump off.
He takes the bottles from her. "Be back." He grabs a few bags and goes to the kitchen. He pours the milk in the bags and puts them in the freezer.
Meanwhile, Rita fixes her top and goes out to the kitchen.
He goes over and wraps his arms around her waist. "Talk to me."
"Remember last time we were here?"
"You pushed me down and forced me to go get dressed."
"Yes I did. But this time I'm going to push you down and climb on your lap and wrap my arms around you."
"Oh yeah?"
She nods. "Yeah."
He smiles. "Prove it."
She turns in his arms and kisses him. She pushes him on the couch and climbs on his lap. "This ok?"
"Yeah. You're good."
She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls back before she kisses him. "You gonna stop me from kissing you?"
"Only if I'm sick."
"Good answer." She smiles and kisses him.
He kisses her back. "Now this is what we needed."
"Yeah we did." She lays her head on his shoulder.
He smiles and rubs her back. "Need anything?"
She shakes her head. "Just keep doing this."
"As long as you want."
"Let's go to bed..you'll be comfortable."
He nods and stands up with her in his arms. He carries her back to bed and carefully lays her down. He kisses her and goes around to the other side of the bed.
He lays down and lifts his arm for her. She smiles and lays her head over his heart.
He strokes her hair. "Better?"
She nods. "Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I love Sammy..but we needed this time."
"Yes we did. Especially after I messed up earlier."
"Yeah. Why didn't you let me kiss you?"
"I was being stupid."
"Yeah you were."
"But we're good..right?"
"Hmmm I dunno."
"Oh you..". He tickles her side.
She laughs and moves her ankle weird. "Ok that hurt."
"Need anything?"
She shakes her head. "I'm good right here."
He kisses the top of her head and holds her tighter.
Rita yawns and drifts off to sleep.
Rita and Chris are at the beach and see a beautiful young lady coming towards them.
Chris smiles. "Hi pretty."
Sam laughs. "Daddy..why do you always say that?"
"I have since the day you were born. And it's true."
Sam blushes. "Thanks Daddy."
Rita smiles. "Hey Sammy girl."
"Hi Mama."
"You're so grown up."
"You wouldn't know if I was here if I was still a baby. Which I am. Fell asleep on Grandpa."
"You sure do love him. And he does you too. You doing ok?"
"Cried a little when I couldn't see you."
"Aw baby. We'll be home tomorrow. Then you and I can snuggle."
"Ok."
Rita wakes up and smiles.
Chris smiles. "Good dream?"
"Yeah. Sammy came all grown up. She was so beautiful."
"Of course she was. Look at her Mama."
"You have to say that.."
"It's the truth."
"Would you say that even if we weren't married?"
"Of course. She'd still be part you."