A/N: I know it's been a minute since I've updated my stories. I have been slammed at work and this chapter was actually supposed to be longer, but because I haven't had much time to write lately, I wanted to get you guys an update now. I hope you all enjoy. Don't forget to comment.

Conflicting Emotions

"Sex is weird."

Connor blinked, a bemused smile crossing his lips as he sat up. Sarah lay on her stomach with one of her textbooks open.. They had been studying for the past hour- Well, she had been studying, he had been staring at her ass for the last ten minutes, "What?"

"Sex." Sarah tilted her head around to meet his gaze, "It's weird. And gross, but definitely weird."

Connor barely managed to suppress a snicker as he shoved his textbook to the side and twisted to lay alongside her, "Are you saying it's gross when we have sex?"

"Well...yeah." She replied simply, a faint smile gracing her features before she turned her attention back to her book, "Between my natural lubrication, our saliva and sweat, and your sperm. It's incredibly gross – that's why it's weird we get so much pleasure from it and not to mention it's supposed to result in another person."

Connor rested his head on his hand as he placed his other on the small of her back, "Is this your incredibly roundabout way of saying that our sex is bad or that you're pregnant?"

Sarah huffed and shook her head, "Neither. I'm saying it's weird."

He grinned at the exasperation in her voice as he peered at her book. Understanding dawned on him as he realized she was studying psycho-social relationships for her psychology course, "Why else is it weird?"

"Well..." Sarah drawled, ignoring his wandering hand as she contemplated his question because this was part of the weird. The way they flirted, teased, the emotion it evoked – the ritual of it all... She quietly began to explain even as she participated in that ritual...

Sex was weird.

It was weirder still that he was thinking of his ex while standing in the apartment of another woman. He wasn't even sure what had triggered that specific memory, but he wondered... What it would have been like if Sarah had been pregnant then. If that had been her roundabout way of telling him... He would have taken that over what had actually happened months later.

"Are you always this tense after? Makes a girl think she didn't do a good job."

Connor smirked faintly as he turned from the view of the city to see Sam. She was wearing his shirt and - he arched a brow, nothing else.

Zanetti's lip tilted up knowingly, "And I know that I do a good job, Rhodes."

A soft chuckle left him as he turned to face her fully, "It's just been a tense few days. Sorry if I woke you."

Sam shook her head, "Pager woke me. I need to go in. You want to talk about what's bothering you? I got a few minutes."

Connor shook his head, "Trust me, that'll take more than a few minutes and I can think of a more interesting way to use the time."

Zanetti grinned as he reached for the edges of his shirt and tugged her forward, "I don't know if I have that much time."

"How else am I getting back my shirt?" He teased lowly, leaning down to capture her lips.

He shouldn't be prolonging his stay like this. Connor knew he was confusing things by indulging in the distraction she was providing, but rash decisions seemed to be the only decisions he had control of lately. Sam was oblivious to his inner turmoil as she gave in to his gentle caress for a moment.

A few minutes wouldn't hurt.

It was a thought that both lingered over and one that came back to bite Connor in the ass as he pulled up to the hospital with Zanetti. He was helping her pull her bag from the back of his car when he sensed a familiar presence. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he was almost hesitant to look even though he knew exactly what he would find.

Something in him cringed at the thought of Sarah seeing him right now. They were done. He was allowed to sleep with other people, but somehow, he felt inexplicably guilty.

In the early twilight, his gaze shifted to a familiar black town car before meeting the curious chocolate gaze of his ex. Sarah didn't even blink at Zanetti's presence by his side. She offered him a nod and a small smile as she slid into the car. Connor felt cold as something in him huffed and growled. He didn't know why, but her reaction bothered him. Sarah seemed to be in agreement with him. They were done...

Connor kept waiting for relief to come, but he only felt more... mulish. He followed Zanetti inside, intent on finding out why Sarah was leaving the hospital so early in the morning. He had memorized her schedule – she hadn't been set for any night shifts... And where was Callum if she had been here all night?

Sarah sighed and ignored the heaviness residing in her bones as a weighty wave of tiredness struck her. She tugged on her shoes and gathered up her things with more energy than she felt. Callum watched her almost solemnly from the doorway, "Come on, Bug. Get your bag. We gotta go."

"I don't wanna go." Callum groaned.

Sarah arched a brow, not believing her son for a moment, "You love spending time at Max's. All the trouble the two of you get into."

"Max is stupid!" He shouted, a pout forming on his lips as he all but stomped in place.

"Callum!" Sarah rebuked sharply, automatically bringing tears to her little boy's eyes, "We do not call people stupid. And you most certainly do not call your friends stupid."

Callum shuffled in place a mutinous scowl painting his features making her frown, "What has gotten into you? Has something happened with Max?"

He remained stubbornly silent and stubbornly unmoving from his spot in the doorway. Callum had been in a mood all morning. Picking at his breakfast, dawdling, and generally just ignoring everything she asked him to do. Sarah thought this kind of behavior wasn't supposed to begin until he was a teenager.

She sighed, putting her bag down as she came to kneel in front of him, "Callum, look at me."

It took a minute, but he reluctantly met her gaze – looking miserable and petulant all in one go. She brushed her hand across his cheek, trying to see if he felt warm. Her boy could be an absolute terror when he felt sick, "Did you have a fight with Max?"

Sarah remembered Meredith mentioning the boys had some sort of fight a few weeks ago, but they had seemed fine when she left Callum to play before school.

"I wanna stay home," Callum whined quietly, rocking on his heels.

Sarah could only sigh again, "You can't, Bug. I have to go to the hospital, and you can't stay at home by yourself. Get your bag please, we need to go."

"Nooo!" He howled, his body jerking with frustration as he sunk to the ground. Fat, angry tears spilled down his cheeks as he fell into a full-blown tantrum.

A dull pain began to throb behind Sarah's right eye, and she barely contained her own howl of frustration.

They didn't have time for this. And she didn't have time to soothe him.

She needed to be in for her shift in less than thirty minutes. She deftly stepped over her son and threw his bag up over her shoulder and then grabbed hers before she came back for her sobbing boy, "Come on. Get up."

"I. WANNA. STAY. HOME!" Callum screamed.

"And I want you to behave. I don't think either one of us is going to get what we want." Sarah murmured wearily, not that Callum fully heard her. She anchored a hand underneath him and the screeched he emitted only drove the pain behind her eye into a headache.

Somehow, someway she managed to get her wriggling little boy into her arms as he continued to wail and scream, and marched them both down to the waiting car. Andre merely raised a brow at the duo, he had four kids. All grown now thankfully, but tantrums were nothing new to him. He held the door open silently for Sarah as he subtly removed her bags and placed them in the front seat, allowing her a chance to settle Callum as he continued to put up a fight.

It wasn't until the door clicked shut that he slowly became limp. Sarah bit the inside of her cheek as he continued to cry, "Callum, Bug, come on. Deep breaths."

She tried to run a genlte hand through his hair, but he jerked away.

"Nooo." He sobbed, turning his face from her, "I don't like you."

It wasn't the first time Sarah had heard those words from Callum, but it didn't stop her heart from cracking every time he did say it. She reminded herself that he was just a little boy, and something was upsetting him. He didn't mean what he said... It didn't stop the hurt, but it made it a little more bearable.

"That's okay, Bug. You can not like me all you want, but I still love you." Sarah murmured, feeling absolutely wretched as he curled further away from her, "I wish you'd tell me what has you in such a bad mood today. You have your tantrum now, I do want you to be on your best behavior at Max's."

Silence was her only answer as Callum ignored her. It was ten minutes later and a very sulky little boy that she dropped off at the Vencilli's. Charlotte Vencilli offered her a sympathetic smile as Sarah explained her son's foul mood and promised to keep an eye on him, but Sarah already saw signs of her boy perking up as Max pulled him over to see his new scooter.

It was a Sunday and she'd give more than anything to skip out on the hospital and spend the day with her son.

It was a feeling that stayed with her as she swept into the ED for her shift.

"Hey, Reese." April called with a bemused smile, "Didn't you just finish a night shift?"

A smile that was more like a grimace crossed Sarah's features as she nodded, "Yeah, but I also have a few hours to put in today. I'm supposed to do a ride-a-long with the paramedics. See an emergency from start to finish, you know?"

The women crossed to the nurse's station as Sarah explained. Maggie, who had heard the conversation with half an ear, frowned, "But you shouldn't have back-to-back-shifts. I know the med students are placed on a special rotation to prevent that."

"That's because she's playing the shift swap game."It was amazing how much censure could be placed into a simple sentence. Sarah was sure that she was the only one who heard it too as they all turned to the approaching trauma surgeon. Connor arched a knowing brow at her, "Reese here has taken on a few of the other med students' shifts in addition to her own shifts the past few days."

Sarah barely kept from rolling her eyes as she shrugged, "I wanted the end of the week off to spend with my family. My schedule would have had me working Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Now I'm not."

"Yeah, but you don't want to burn yourself out before you can enjoy the holiday." Maggie drawled a little worriedly as she eyed the younger woman. There was no missing the circles under Sarah's eyes or the dull glint to her normally sharp gaze, "Did you get any rest before you came back in?"

"Some." Sarah answered with a reassuring smile, "I just need to get some coffee in me, and I'll be right as rain."

Connor frowned because he knew what some meant. She had gotten some sleep during finals week which was really no sleep. And if she needed coffee then she also needed food, but one of those she would ignore. He may not have been around her in years, but some things hadn't seemed to change, "Well, I can help with that – I'm heading to the cafeteria, buy you a coffee."

And breakfast.

The words went unsaid, but Sarah heard it all the same. She was tempted to decline, but Connor had that look like he would follow her anyway and she had the feeling he wanted to talk about more than her shift schedule. She didn't particularly want to have any kind of serious discussion with him at the hospital. After witnessing how fast gossip spread around here, she really didn't want to be a part of the sickness.

"You may regret that because I was planning on drinking enough coffee to replace the blood in my veins," Sarah replied dryly as he gestured to the hall.

Connor snorted, "Somehow, I think I'll be fine."

They walked in silence, mostly because Sarah was simply too tired to even attempt conversation, but partly because she could see Connor weighing his words. It never boded well when he didn't utter what was on his mind right out the gate.

"Maggie's right, you know, there's a reason why the med student rotation is set up the way it is," Connor said quietly.

Sarah sent him a dry look, "Connor."

"Where's Callum?" He asked.

The pointedness of his question made Sarah quietly growl. She stilled in the hallway and turned to him, "He's fine, with his friend. But that's not what you're really asking me, are you?"

"Sa-"

"I've been taking care of our son for a long time, Connor. I make sure he is safe and cared for every time I need to be away from him. So don't -"

"Sarah." Connor barked, his expression twisted with incredulity and bewilderment, "I'm not attacking you. What the hell?"

Sarah closed her eyes, "I'm sorry... Sorry, it's just been a rough morning." She shook her head as he tilted his head inquiringly at her, "Callum was in a bad mood. I've only gotten about an hour of sleep. I really just need some coffee."

"You need to go home and go to bed and eat a full meal." Connor quietly rebuked, ushering her into the cafeteria, "Why was Callum in a bad mood?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Sometimes he just has bad days." Sarah murmured, "He was fine yesterday. Today he was sulky and short-tempered. Everything was a battle."

"Is that why you have a bruise on your arm?" Connor asked as he edged up her sleeve to get a better look at the fresh purple mark peeking out.

She snagged her arm away, "I'm fine. You try getting a wriggling child down a set of stairs and not get bruised."

In truth, her hip smarted more from a kick from her son's tennis-shoed foot.

A paper cup was shoved into her hand as Connor pushed her toward the coffee kiosk, more than a little done with her snappish attitude. He grabbed them both breakfast sandwiches, not daring to get a cup of coffee for himself before he witnessed her taking a sip from her cup. He didn't need his head bitten off again.

It wasn't until they both settled at a table that he spoke, "Okay, let's try this again. Good morning. How's our son?"

Sarah seemed to deflate under his patiently awaiting gaze, "He's having a bad day, but otherwise fine. I'm sorry I'm being so..."

"Sulky? Short-tempered? Determined to make everything a battle?" Connor offered as she dwindled off, making her realized how close she was to having a tantrum herself, "And those are the nice words I'm thinking."

An unwilling smirk pulled at her lips, "Yeah..."

"Luckily, I'm familiar with a sleep-deprived you. I'm sorry Callum's bad mood is upsetting you so much." Connor continued a frown forming as he prepared for another fight, "Are you sure that you absolutely need to be here today? I think it would be better if you went home and got some rest."

"Yes, I need to be here today. It's the only way I get Thursday thru Sunday off to be with Callum." Sarah said, trying not to grumble.

"It's not the only way." Connor murmured, "We could go to admin. Let them know we have a kid – they'd work with us to get us both a new schedule, we could bring him here to the on-site daycare when needed."

"Or I could lose my spot because our past relationship and the fact that I have a child was never disclosed and you being a fellow could be seen as bias in my schooling." Sarah dismissed immediately. She had worked too hard to do anything to risk achieving her medical degree. She could weather this for a few more months.

"I don't see how. I was hired after you were offered a spot in the rotation, and I didn't know Callum existed at the time I was hired. My shifts and your shifts overlap here and there, but for the most part, we don't interact that often here." Connor argued.

Sarah arched a brow, "We're interacting now."

"You know what I mean. If it does become an issue, I'll leave. I can find a spot at a different hospital." Connor stated evenly, frustrated as Sarah just gave him a doubtful glance, "What?"

"They'll kick me out long before they let you leave, Connor," Sarah said. Now that the hospital knew that he was that Rhodes they'd do anything they could to keep him on the hook. He was a donation goldmine after all, "We can discuss this another time. I need to get to the loading bay."

"You're doing a ride-a-long?" Connor asked quietly, his entire body tensing. The idea of Sarah being a first responder set his nerves on end. Chicago was not the safest city in the world and violent acts tended to spike just before and on a holiday.

"I'll be fine. It's part of the curriculum.," Sarah replied, already knowing where his mind was going. She didn't have time for overprotective Connor.

He merely shoved her sandwich into her hand as she stood, biting his tongue against what he wanted to say, "You have your phone on you?"

"Yes." She answered.

"Text me when you get back, please." He requested quietly, ignoring the doleful stare he received in return, "Please."

Sarah nodded, "Okay, I need to text you the park name anyway. You still alright to meet us on Friday?"

Connor crossed his arms and stared at her, "I'd meet him today if you'd let me."

"Conn-"

"I'll be there Friday." He said quietly cutting her off. He understood why Sarah was doing this the way she was, but that didn't mean it didn't grate, "And Sarah, about what you saw this morning."

There was a moment of silence as he grappled with how to proceed, but Sarah really... really wasn't interested. She swallowed tightly and offered him the same smile she had earlier, "Connor, you're free to date whoever you want. We haven't been a couple for a really long time."

"I'm not dating Zanetti." Connor sighed.

Sarah shrugged and tried to ignore the pit growing in her stomach, "Sleep with, then. It's not my business. It only becomes my business if you start bringing women around Callum which I would prefer you didn't unless it's something serious."

"Sarah -"

"Connor, if you think the fact that you're not celibate surprises me then you'd be wrong." Sarah said quietly, "You're an attractive man, and half the hospital wants to sleep with you. Like I said, what you get up to is not my business anymore. Callum is what is important now, so don't worry about it. I'll see you Friday."

Connor looked like he wanted to object, but Sarah merely nodded her goodbye before he could. She couldn't continue that conversation – not without showing him how much it, in fact, did bother her. She didn't want to admit it, but some part of her had been holding on to the hope that he may still want her – love her. It was stupid because she knew that love like that didn't exist anywhere but in fairytales. It was time she grew up and moved on.

Connor paced nervously.

His stomach fluttered with angry butterflies in a way he hadn't felt before and he swore his heart would beat its way out of his throat. He barely paid any mind to the quiet murmurs of passersby or the gradual influx of excited kids as they ran for the swings and slides of the playground. True to her word, he hadn't seen Sarah for the rest of the week. They exchanged texts and a few calls, but no in-person appearances. Not for a lack of trying on his part. He didn't like the way their last conversation had ended. It had left a bad taste in his mouth.

But she was right, Callum was what was important now. His boy. His son.

Now, he had arrived at the park an hour early. Too anxious to stay at home. He hadn't even been able to eat any breakfast. His eyes kept darting toward the park entrance, worried he may miss their arrival... or worse that they may not show.

He glanced at his phone to make sure he hadn't missed a call from Sarah and noted the time. She was ten minutes late.

Sarah was never late.

She was always pathologically early.

His heart began to sink and an emotion he couldn't quite describe clenched at his gut.

"Callum, slow down!"

Connor's head swung around at the sound of Sarah's voice, but his gaze didn't land on her, but on the little boy that was running ahead of her, holding some small toy in hand. A manic grin painted Callum's face as he glanced over his shoulder towards his mother. He slowed maybe a half-step, but the lure of the playground proved strong.

At least it did until his gaze landed on his father for the first time. Connor could only hold his breath as his son came to a stop. Big blue eyes blinked at him curiously, even as uncertainty replaced Callum's earlier glee.

Connor tried to will his feet forward, but he was frozen in place, unknowingly reflecting the same expression at his son.

Sarah finally caught up to Callum. Her hand came to gently brush against the back of his head as her gaze shifted between father and son worriedly. Her touch was all that it took to break the spell. Callum immediately turned to press his face into his mother's belly, seeking her comfort as so many big emotions crashed through him.

She winced as his fingers dug into her thigh, but she recognized this. Her little boy was overwhelmed. Sarah quickly leveraged him onto her hip. Unsurprised, when he merely buried his face into her shoulder instead and locked his arms around her neck.

Sarah found Connor still stuck in place, looking for the world like he wanted to come over, but unsure if he should. She smiled gently at him in an attempt to soothe his nerves as she nodded toward a bench a few feet away from them. He didn't need to be told twice as he followed her over and sank down next to them.

"It's okay, Bug. Deep breaths." Sarah whispered, rubbing his back as she adjusted him on her lap, "We can just sit here. All three of us, but I would like you to at least say hello. Can you do that for me?"

Connor tried not to fidget as he waited for his son to respond. His hand clenched and unclenched and he found himself settling an arm behind Sarah in a bid to get closer, but not touch.

"Callum?" Sarah prompted when their boy didn't budge.

He seemed to curl in tighter to her, but slowly peeked a watery eye out at Connor.

"Hi." Connor breathed. That one little word was all it took for Callum to hide again and for Connor's heart to crack. He ignored it, more focused on the frightened little boy, "It's okay if you don't want to speak to me. We can sit here. Your mommy and I will talk until you're ready."

Sarah frowned, seeing the quiet pain that Connor couldn't quite mask, but was grateful he wasn't pushing Callum too hard. He looked unsure where to go from there, so she took the lead, "How was the hospital yesterday? Busy?"

"Uhh, yeah." Connor answered, unable to tear his gaze away from Callum at first, "A lot of usual Thanksgiving accidents. Had a couple of fried turkey incidents gone wrong, and some family dramas that went a little too far. Only one really bad case and a bunch of small ones. How was yours? Did you guys do anything special?"

"Not really." Sarah murmured, "Our neighbors are an elderly couple. They look after Callum in the afternoons for me. Meredith put together a lovely dinner for us all to enjoy. We went for a walk in the afternoon before coming back for dessert. I'm pretty sure I gained ten pounds."

Callum slowly relaxed against Sarah as he listened to the murmured conversation.

Connor snorted because she barely looked bloated. He was still struggling to picture her pregnant, she was so thin now, "Maggie brought in these pumpkin pie tartlet things – I think I ate half the tray. She can bake."

"Mommy made pie," Callum whispered suddenly.

If Connor hadn't been so hyper-focused on everything Callum was doing, he's not sure he would have heard him. Instead, he raised a brow at his son, who still had half his face hidden in his mother's shoulder, but was watching him with hesitant curiosity, "She did? What kind of pie?"

"Apple," Callum mumbled, tempted to hide again.

"Was it good?" Connor asked, "Last time I saw Mommy cook, she set the kitchen on fire."

Sarah rolled her eyes, "That was cooking, not baking and it was one time. Thank you."

Connor only just suppressed a snigger but grinned amusedly.

Callum's brow furrowed before he leaned back enough to regard his mother, "Really?"

A faint flush rose to her cheeks as she sighed and admitted, "I was trying to make Daddy a special dinner and it didn't work out the way I hoped." Callum continued to stare at her, "Yes, I set the kitchen on fire. One time."

"Is that why Nana makes dinner?" Callum asked quietly.

Sarah refused to look at Connor, knowing he was more entertained than anything by that question, "Nana makes dinner because I'm not home when you need to eat. You've seen me cook, Bug. Usually, breakfast."

"Oh yeah."

She smirked, echoing back, "Oh yeah."

Curiosity satisfied, Callum leaned back against her, pressing his cheek to her chest as he turned his solemn gaze on Connor. He didn't look as anxious anymore, but Connor could tell he was still hesitant because he had seen that look before, "You look so much like your mother."

The words slipped out before he could stop himself.

Callum blinked and even Sarah arched a brow, "Mommy says I look like you."

"You do." Connor murmured, "You look a lot like me, but you have some of her quirks too."

"What's a quirk?" Callum asked.

It made Connor pause as he tried to find the words to explain, "A quirk is... It's the way a person does something special to them. Like... like when Mommy finds something you did funny but doesn't want you to know - she always crosses her arms and gives you this look that's..."

"Kinda grumpy, but she's kinda smiling too," Callum said as Connor struggled to explain.

"Yes, exactly." Connor laughed because Sarah was giving him a variation of that look right now, "I bet you get that look a lot."

"Sometimes," Callum mumbled shyly.

Sarah stayed silent as Connor continued to offer little observations and felt her boy grow more at ease as his natural curiosity came to the surface and he started asking more questions of his father. She had never seen Connor so enraptured before – if there were ever a personification of a sponge then Connor was it as he soaked up everything Callum said and did.

It wasn't long before their boy grew somewhat weary of talking and his gaze began to drift more towards the swings. Connor noticed almost immediately as he coaxed Callum to come play with him. Normally, her boy would be in that sandbox in an instant, but some of his reluctance remained as he stiffened faintly, his little fingers grasping tightly to her coat.

It was only as Sarah settled back and whispered, "Go on, Bug. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here. You can see me the whole time, promise."

Callum chewed on his lip as he looked toward the swing set again and then at Connor who stood waiting. Coming to a decision, he swiftly shoved his toy that had become largely forgotten at Sarah as he very seriously said, "You have to keep Marshall safe for me, Mommy."

Sarah nodded in understanding, a little sad that Callum thought he needed to do something to ensure she stayed, but more amused by the determined look he gave her. If he had a Sarah-look earlier, then he definitely had a Connor one now, "Okay, Bug. I promise to keep him safe. Now go play."

"Kay." Callum mumbled as he slid off her lap and began to rush toward the swings, "Come on, Daddy."

Connor seemed to freeze as Callum called for him, but Sarah saw the way his eyes lit up. She smiled as he met her gaze, "Go on, Daddy."

It was all he needed to remember how to move. Connor swallowed tightly and was beside his son in a blink.

Sarah pulled out her phone as she watched Connor hold the swing steady for Callum. She snapped a few pictures as he pulled the chains back and let Callum sway forward. A grin began to paint both of their faces as Callum swung higher until his little feet were nearly eye-level with Connor. Connor teasingly reached out and gave a slight tug to both of Callum's ankles making him shriek with laughter.

It was such a sweet sound.

One that made Sarah's throat tighten as her heart seemed to grow and contract at the same time. Tears rushed to her eyes, and she had to press a hand to her mouth to suppress a sob. All she had ever wanted was for Callum to know his father and this... this was going so much better than she could have hoped.

Connor followed Callum's lead as they went from the swings to the monkey bars to the slides, eventually falling into an odd game of tag. He hadn't played like this in ages and didn't think he had ever enjoyed it as much as he was now. Callum would give the occasional glance toward the benches to make sure Sarah was still there and as time went on and she didn't move he became more relaxed... more open. Connor quietly relished that openness – that willingness to give him a chance. His son was so bright...

Eventually, Callum began to tire, even as he gigglingly tagged Connor on his leg, he didn't run off right away. He leaned a little towards his father as he caught his breath and his big blue eyes swung toward his mother again, but this time he frowned.

Connor followed his gaze and smiled faintly when he realized what was distressing his son. Sarah was wiping diligently at her eyes. He had noticed her crying earlier, but unlike his son had a better understanding of the cause, "She's okay, Callum."

"Mommy doesn't cry," Callum uttered, beginning to look more and more upset.

Connor smiled reassuringly, "Everybody cries, even Mommy. But I think those are happy tears."

Callum's brow furrowed as he gave his father a peculiar look, "Happy tears?"

"Mmhmm." Connor nodded, "Sometimes when you're really, really happy you'll cry and I think that's what Mommy's doing... but why don't we go check on her anyway?"

Callum didn't need to be told twice as he rushed across the sandbox to Sarah. Connor followed him at a more sedate pace, feeling strangely proud of his son's instant protectiveness of his mother.

Sarah offered Callum a watery smile as he came up to her, "You having fun, Bug?"

He threw himself into her arms, making her grunt at the sudden impact, "Why are you crying?"

"I'm just happy, Bug," Sarah murmured, rubbing his back.

"That's what Daddy said."

"He did?" Sarah said as met Connor's gaze. He quietly mouthed to her, 'You okay?' And she nodded, "Well Daddy's pretty smart sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Connor sounded somewhat outraged, making Callum giggle and Sarah smile.

"Nobody's perfect." She said.

"Uh huh, I'll remember you said that," Connor promised. He watched Callum nuzzle into Sarah and felt a pang of... he didn't know what. It wasn't jealousy, but it did hurt and made him want to smile at the same time. It was a bittersweet feeling he couldn't put his finger on, "We up for getting some lunch?"

Callum's head shot up and his blue eyes gleamed, "Ice cream?"

Sarah had the long-suffering look that only a mother could have as she answered, "Maybe. You need to eat something with nutrients in it first."

A churlish, grumpy scowl painted Callum's face and Connor had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from chuckling, "How about a burger?"

Callum scrunched his nose, "Eww."

That made Connor raise his brows, "Ew? What has your mother done to you?"

"Hey." Sarah protested with a smile, "Just because he doesn't like burgers, doesn't mean that's my fault."

"Burgers are yucky, Daddy"

Connor merely stared at her because of the two of them, she was the pickier eater. He wouldn't be surprised if that had rubbed off on Callum.

"How about a grilled cheese, Bug?" Sarah asked instead.

Callum mulled the thought of a grilled cheese over before nodding, "Fries?"

"Only if you eat some of my salad." Sarah countered, making Connor realize this was an old habit the two had. It was a little strange to hear a debate over food orders happening before getting to a restaurant.

"Okay." Callum sighed in such a way that it gave Sarah and Connor visions of a future teenager.

Connor smirked and arched a brow at her, "You said there's a diner near here?"

Sarah nodded, "Yeah, it's a couple of blocks down."

"Cats!" Callum whooped. His big blue eyes shone with excitement. Going to the diner was a treat for him and he knew he could wear his mother down and get a shake anytime they went.

Sarah knew exactly what was running through his little head too as she smiled ruefully. Connor smiled too as he watched Callum practically jump in place, "Is that the diner?"

Sarah nodded, "Yeah, Catz and Jammers. It's a fifties-styled dinner. It's cute, good food."

"Sounds like we have a plan then," Connor murmured as he offered her a hand up.

Callum bounced from the bench and leaned against his mother's leg as he peered up at Connor, "Daddy?"

Connor's heart did a delighted little flip at the address – he hoped like hell that he always felt this way when his son called for him, "Yeah, Bud?"

"Can I sit next to you?" Callum asked shyly, his face once again half-hidden against Sarah.

Connor felt his lips twitch at the adorable image that was his son as he nodded and choked out, "Of course."

Callum flushed red and grinned his pleasure into Sarah's hip, making his parents chuckle quietly. Their son may not know it yet, but Sarah and Connor were hit with the same realization at the same time. This would be their son's first meal with both his parents. They exchanged heavy glances filled with a lingering sentiment that was both good and bad. Suddenly, Connor wanted nothing more than to revisit the conversation about the status of their relationship – or lack thereof because he had never missed Sarah more than he did at that moment.