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by Desi 
Chapter Three Chris rolled over feeling the soft form beside him as he snuggled in closer to the woman in his arms. A smile pressed over his features as he took in her soft, familiar scent. Keeping her close to him he pressed a kiss over the back of her neck as his eyes opened revealing her dark tresses to him. Somehow he hadn’t recalled entering his bedroom, nor anything else that had happened to bring him to that position, but here he was with an obviously beautiful woman in his arms at perfect ease. Shifting a bit, he felt a tiny breath escape from her lips as she rolled over snuggling into him and he noted her soft features. “Eve,” he breathed in surprise easing away from her and instantly regretting it as he sat up keeping his eye on her. He looked down to his things finding himself completely dressed as was she and a sigh fell from his lips. Before he could lose himself to his confusion, he heard tiny voices coming through over the baby monitor he’d kept in his room and slowly he eased himself from the blankets to the bedroom that Angel and Daniel were in. Chris opened the door finding the two youngsters talking with one another joyously as if they hadn’t a care in the world. Chris found himself almost envious of the sheer delight they seemed to be having with their simple conversation. Daniel reached for a toy that he’d gone to bed with and after a light explanation, he tossed it over to Angel, who hugged it tenderly before bellowing the words, “Tank you,” in a cheerful tone before her eyes fell upon Chris. “Daddy,” she stood upright in her bed stretching her arms out towards him, “daddy.” “Hey sweetheart,” Chris pulled her into his arms in a tender motion, keeping her close to him as her tiny embrace warmed his heart. “I’m hungry,” she explained bringing her hand over her stomach, “my tummy hurts and Danny’s does too. He’s hungry too.” “I see,” Chris turned over to scoop Daniel out of the crib he’d been in, “Well, I think we ought to work on fixing that one. Come on. What do you two say to chocolate chip pancakes?” “Yummy,” Angel clapped her hands together as Daniel followed suit joining in with a chorus of playful laughter, “but I get to help right daddy?” “You both can help me with them, but no eating my chocolate chips all up before I get to use them in the pancakes,” Chris teased tickling them both lightly. “We won’t,” the children promised as he carried them into the kitchen ready to appease their big appetites.
Eve rolled over finding herself far too comfortable beneath the blankets as she stretched out seeing the morning light shining in through the blinds. She turned her eyes towards the clock as a gasp rose from within her throat. It was ten-thirty. She hadn’t intended on staying so late, but now that the morning had come and nearly passed and she hadn’t made a move to leave Chris’ apartment. When he’d fallen asleep in her lap, he’d seemed so relaxed, so at ease in her arms that she’d hated to leave him. She’d promised herself that she’d get him into bed, tend to the children and then keep a watchful eye upon him, but after Danny and Angel woke up during the night demanding a bedtime story, Eve found herself more exhausted than she’d imagined and somehow she’d wound up in Chris’s bed, sleeping her morning away. Tossing her feet over the side of the bed, Eve tried to straighten out her wrinkled clothes before she let the bedroom taking in the scent of bacon and sausage as she entered the kitchen finding Chris by the stove with Danny in his arms as Angel stood on a chair watching them intently. Angel heard the noise of Eve behind her and she turned to smile, revealing her pancake batter covered pajamas, “Hi Eve.” “Hey Angel,” Eve smiled at her as Chris cast a glance in her direction, “what are you three up to?” “Pancakes,” Angel replied dipping her hand in the batter, “want to try some?” “Oh I think I’ll wait till they are cooked before I take some,” Eve decided with a smile. “Actually,” Chris turned to reveal a pancake covered Daniel with his matching chocolate laced smile, “you’d be the first one here to decline a taste test of the batter.” “Well in that case,” Eve stepped forward as Angel extended her finger towards Eve once again and Eve took a taste of the batter causing Angel to squeal with delight, “that was great.” “I made it with Danny’s help,” Angel explained looking to her companion, “right?” “Right,” Danny nodded leaning across Chris’ chest to kiss his mother. “Good-morning sweetheart,” Eve kissed her son, “I can see you’re having a lot of fun with Uncle Chris.” “We’re having a great deal of fun,” Chris smiled at her, “in fact if you want to flip those pancakes over so we can get the next batch going.” “Say no more, Angel and I are on it, right girlfriend?” “You betcha,” Angel smiled giving Eve a high five as Eve helped her over to tend to the waiting pancakes. After a few short minutes and what would probably be hours of cleanup ahead of them, Chris, Eve and the children sat down at the table to enjoy their breakfast. Eve reached for Danny’s plate cutting up his pancakes as Angel held her food out towards her father while batting her eyelashes at him. “Come here you,” Chris began bringing his daughter into his lap as he eased his fingers over hers slowly showing her how to cut apart her pancakes with his guidance. A smile crept over Eve’s features as she saw the bond with Chris and his daughter, but before she could truly find herself immersed in the moment, her pager went off. Reaching for it, she noted the number and despite her better senses, she rose from her chair. “Something wrong?” Chris frowned slightly. “It’s Ian,” Eve explained with a sigh, “he’s probably wondering where Danny and I are right now.” “Oh,” Chris frowned realizing that in the last twenty four hours Ian hadn’t crossed his mind, yet he was a reality Chris realized couldn’t be forgotten. “I’ll be right back,” Eve explained excusing herself as she went into the living room to return her call. She could hear the laughter of Chris and the children in the kitchen as she reached for the phone dialing the number. “Lambert,” he answered sharply not bothering to greet her, “where are you?” “I’m fine Ian,” Eve frowned upon hearing his voice. “Why aren’t you here?” “I was busy,” Eve answered tightly. “Too busy to bring my son home to spend some time with me?” “Ian, I already told you before,” Eve sighed. “I know what you said, but Eve it’s not finished at that,” Ian grumbled back at her, “don’t think that you can up and run with my son every time you and I have a disagreement. We aren’t finished with this by a long shot.” “Ian, it wasn’t my intention to be out all night, but clearly not coming home was a good idea,” Eve sighed, “you’re obviously still as pigheaded as you were when I left yesterday.” “Lambert, I don’t want to hear it. You know by now how I feel and you should respect that.” “Just like you respect how I feel. How your actions have effect me,” Eve snapped back at him, “never mind how this might be effecting me.” “Eve, I told you when Scott asked you to consider....” “Save it Ian. I don’t want to hear it and quite frankly I’m not really up for it over the phone.” “Fine, then when are you coming home with my son?” “My son Ian and we’ll get there when we get there,” Eve answered tightly. “That’s not good enough woman. You’d better get back here soon or else,” his threat was silenced as Eve slammed the phone back down on it’s base. Better to avoid conflict than to be in the brunt of it, she thought to herself as she turned to find Chris standing behind her. “Everything alright,” Chris questioned entering the living room as he noted the tension that washed over her features. “Everything is fine,” Eve answered with a soft smile, “now what about that breakfast?” “It’s still in there,” Chris offered with a smile, “that is if Danny and Angel haven’t already devoured what you had waiting for you.” “Let’s hope they didn’t, but in the event they did,” she offered up a playful smile, “well I’ll just steal yours,” she winked at him before heading back towards the kitchen determined not to let Ian ruin her perfectly wonderful morning at Casa de Ramsey.
“There’s the little princess,” Monica Quartermaine smiled as Chris entered her office with Angel in his arms, “I was wondering if you were going to bring her in with you today.” “She was on her way down with me over to the park, but when I’d received your message, it sounded urgent,” Chris explained as she motioned for him to take a seat across from her. “Well, I had a question about one of your patients,” she smiled reaching for the file on her desk before circling around to hand the pages to him, “but it’s not a rush.” “Hi,” Angel smiled at Monica as Chris accepted the page. She looked to her father’s notations curiously before tugging at the page. “No no,” Chris began trying to keep his daughter from wrinkling the page as he carefully moved her hand. “May I?” Monica questioned with a soft smile before nodding to Chris. “Oh of course,” he replied offering Angel over to Monica as he thumbed through his notations. “Hello,” Monica smiled as Angel looked to the stethoscope Monica had around her neck and she tugged at it with curious interest, “you like this?” Angel nodded and Monica removed it from her neck offering it up to the beautiful little girl. “See what you do is you listen like this,” Monica instructed showing Angel how to use it as Angel’s eyes lit up. “Daddy, daddy,” she turned to Chris, “Daddy hear.” “Hold on a sec,” Chris replied pointing to the middle of the page, “what you’re looking for is right here.” “And what I see is that you have a young doctor in training here,” Monica noted as Angel began to press the stethoscope to her teddy bear’s chest. “Indeed,” Chris replied with a proud smile, “she takes after her mother.” “Maybe a little after her father as well,” Monica smiled at him, “you know I realize Alan told you we wouldn’t push for your return and that you should take it at your own pace, however, despite the things that have happened over the past year, this place doesn’t run quite as efficiently with you gone.” “That doesn’t surprise me,” Chris remarked offhandedly. “Actually, it shouldn’t,” Monica admitted, “despite Amanda’s complaints, you’ve done a fine job with the Chief Residency and I was hoping you’d be able to be present for the intern review seeing as you have spent the most time with them.” “Of course,” Chris nodded, “I’d planned on it.” “Excellent,” Monica smiled, “and of course when ever you feel ready to come back, you should be able to pick up right where you left off. Just have Dr. Lambert give you a quick update and you should be all set.” “I’ll be sure to do that,” Chris nodded rising from his seat as he reached out to his daughter, “hey you? Are you ready to go find Aunt Eve so we can finish up here and go to the park?” “No,” she shook her head, “I want to stay here with her.” “Angel, I told you that we had to go do a few things...” “So go,” Angel folded her arms in front of her chest, “I’m going to wait here with my friends.” “Angel,” Chris shifted his tone a bit. “She’ll be fine,” Monica waved at him, “I don’t have anything scheduled for the next hour and I was just planning on catching up on some paper work, though I would much rather the distraction she’s presenting.” “Monica, I appreciate the gesture, but....” “Think nothing of it,” Monica teased, “besides if she’s a little doctor in training, I’ll teach her how to do things the right way starting with following the rules.” “She’s my daughter,” Chris reminded her. “All the more reason to teach her at a young age,” Monica teased back as she moved over to the sofa setting Angel down beside her, “go on.” “I’ll be back soon,” Chris promised as he left Monica’s office in search of Eve. Making his way towards his office, he thought about the morning of pancakes he and the children had shared before she’d rushed off to meet Ian. He’d noted a change in her once she’d hung up the phone, but she’d said nothing about her talk with Ian, other than he was going into work later, but beyond that she was rather silent. Now entering the on call room, Chris heard the sounds of muffled voices coming from his office. Curiously he stepped forward taking in a closer view of what was happening. “Look Ian, I already told you. It’s over,” Eve’s voice rose from behind the door. “It’s not over. We’re not over,” Ian snapped back at her, “don’t play games with me.” “I’m not playing anymore Ian. I want a divorce,” Eve insisted sharply, “and if you take a moment to think about things, really think about where we’ve come to in our marriage you’ll see that it’s really the best thing for the both of us.” “The best thing? Lambert, would you listen to yourself? You think that breaking up our happy home is the answer to all of your problems?” “It’s not happy. It hasn’t been happy in a long time and I don’t want Danny to be exposed to the fighting. We’re only hurting him by subjecting him to all of this tension between us,” Eve sighed. “Lambert, what brought this on? You were fine a few weeks ago. We were fine. We told each other that we were going to find our way back to what we had.” “Ian, what we had is gone. Our lives as we knew it, our love was gone the moment I couldn’t trust you.” “Couldn’t trust me? Lambert, you were the one who shut me out. You're the one who chose to believe those lies about me, to believe those horrible things.” “And you’re the one who decided that seeing as I didn’t trust you, that you’d take it a step further and sleep with Lucy.” “I already explained that to you....” “Explained it yes, but you’ve never said you were truly sorry you did it,” Eve reminded him. “I already apologized time and time again,” Ian sighed. “Only because you were caught. Not because you regret what happened,” she paused, “but then again I suppose you can’t say you’re sorry for something you clearly feel was right.” “I never said it was right.” “But you don’t regret it, do you?” “Eve?” “Do you?” “No,” he answered after a long moment of silence, “I don’t regret it. Lucy is my friend and she needed me and if I had to go back in time to that moment feeling what I was feeling, I can’t say I wouldn’t do it again.” “Imagine that,” she huffed in response, “now why doesn’t that surprise me?” “Eve, it’s not like I haven’t explained to you that Lucy and I are friends. You don’t see me getting on your case for your being there for Chris Ramsey now that he’s become your latest pet project.” “Chris is my friend and he needs me.” “No, what the man needs is serious therapy not to mention a personality transplant,” Ian groaned, “that bastard doesn’t deserve that little girl Julie left him, nor does he deserve the time and efforts you put into helping him. He doesn’t appreciate it you know. He’s just waiting for the perfect moment to use your affections and friendship against you.” “Ian, you don’t know the first thing about Chris,” Eve defended, “he’s one of my best friends.” “Like hell. All the man wants is to see you as miserable as he is. He’s not looking out for your happiness, just for a way to weasel his thoughts and his ideals into your life so he can control you,” Ian hesitated, “come to think of it, maybe he’s the one behind your current change of heart in regard to us.” “What are you talking about?” “You’ve been spending so much time with him lately, that I'm sure he’s found a way to convince you that I'm all wrong for you.” “Chris wouldn’t do that and besides he wouldn’t have to convince me, you’re proving it all on your own as time goes on.” “Right Lambert, which is why you spend so much time comforting him and tending to his wounded heart,” Ian grumbled at her, “tell me Eve, where were you last night?” “I was with Chris,” Eve answered firmly as Chris leaned in closer to the door. “Really?” Ian grew silent as Chris heard the sounds of footsteps circling around the office. “That’s right.” “And just what were you doing with,” Ian’s voice cut back sharply, “Chris?” “I was making sure he was alright,” Eve answered, “I’m worried about him.” “Of course you are,” Ian growled at her, “So much in fact that you’d put your husband and your son second to him and his problems, right?” “I’ve never put Danny second ever,” Eve snapped back. “No, but you wouldn’t mind putting me down on the list while Chris does his damnedest to get you into his bed seeing as you refuse to get back into mine,” Ian reached out to her. “Let go of me,” Chris heard Eve respond sharply. “Or what?” “Or else you’re not going to like what happens next,” Eve answered once more. “You’re my wife Lambert,” Ian’s voice lowered as Chris strained to hear what was going on, “I can do whatever the hell I want with you.” “Ian,” Eve began hearing the sound of breaking glass in the on call room as Ian’s hold on her eased up and she stepped back. As she headed towards the office door, she stepped out swiftly as she noted Chris standing over by the coffee machine, “Chris, what are you doing here?” “I came in because you know how I can’t resist a good cup of stale coffee,” Chris offered with a half smile as Ian followed Eve out of the office, “something wrong?” “Not at all,” Ian grumbled as his pager went off and he pushed past his wife with a stomp, “Lambert, we’ll continue this later.” “Later will be fine,” Eve answered tightly as Ian left the on call room and she turned her eyes towards Chris, “I didn’t realize you’d be stopping by today.” “Well I wasn’t planning on it, but Monica called me in,” Chris explained seeing how shaken Eve appeared to be, “are you okay?” “Oh yeah, you know how it is here. The stress of your job can be so overwhelming. I don’t know why I even rallied for the position to begin with,” Eve offered a half smile, “truth be told I can’t wait for you to return and step back where you belong so I can just go back to doing what I do.” “Which is next to nothing,” Chris teased lightly. “Watch it,” she nudged him, “or else I might have to draw up a hideous schedule for you when you return.” “You could, but I’d just change it, so it doesn’t really matter,” he reminded her. “Still it was a thought,” Eve replied with a tiny laugh, “so what can I do for you?” “Actually,” he tossed the last of the paper towels he’d had from cleaning up the mess he’d made, “what time are you getting off tonight?” “Around six I think,” Eve hesitated, “is something wrong? Did something happen with Angel?” “Well actually she’s with Monica right now and I don’t know if I’ll be getting her back anytime soon seeing as they’ve bonded, however if you were interested, it’s Italian night at the Ramsey household and you’re more than welcome to join the two of us...that is if Ian doesn’t mind.” “To hell with Ian,” Eve remarked offhandedly as Chris gave her a look, “actually what I meant to say was that Ian’s working tonight and Danny and I were going to just spend a quiet evening alone, but I know he wouldn’t turn down a chance to spend some time with Angel. He just loves her so much already.” “And she him,” Chris confessed, “she really enjoys having him around. He makes the place feel more like home.” “Well he really feels at home when he’s there,” Eve answered with a soft smile, “somehow when he’s at the apartment, he feels like things are as they were always meant to be. He knows that in Angel he’s found something wonderful.” “Angel knows she’s found an incredible companion in Danny,” Chris replied watching her eyes as she stepped in closer to him, “Danny always seems to get her back into perspective even when she’s ready to get lost in frustrations.” “Well, you know Angel does seem to have a very positive effect on Danny,” Eve smiled as she drew in nearer to him, “in fact they kind of feel like family when their together. Kind of like they’re part of this wonderful, amazing gift that has somehow come upon them.” “Indeed,” Chris reached out across Eve finding any excuse he could think of to be close to her as he reached for another paper towel, “then I should set the table for four?” he questioned reaching for the roll of paper towels as she clasped onto it bringing her hand over his. “You can plan on us being there,” she nodded her eyes fixed on him seeking out something from him and he from her though neither was quite certain of what was happening between them in that moment. Eve tipped upward towards Chris saying nothing as they held the roll of paper towels, their fingers gently playing over each other as a smile swept over Eve’s beautiful features, “so what time do you want me...us?” she corrected. “I’ll take you anytime I can have you,” Chris answered watching her take an inward breath as her finger circled around his brushing against the center of his palm. “Good,” she smiled at him as she lifted her free hand towards his face touching his cheek gently, “in that case I’ll pick Danny up after work and we’ll be right on over.” “Is he down in daycare right now?” Chris questioned leaning into her touch as her finger swept over his cheek brushing up into his hair gently drawing him closer to her. She nodded. “Maybe Angel and I could go pick him up on the way out. We were going to the park to spend a day together,” Chris replied with a suggestive grin as he inched closer towards her bringing his arm around her onto the counter top behind her, “we were going to just take it easy, maybe have a picnic.” “It sounds lovely,” Eve nodded half listening to his words as she found herself lost in the depths of his eyes, “I’m sure it’ll be incredible. Just the idea of spending the day with those you care about,” she softened her tone as her hand eased around the back of his neck in a far more intimate gesture than he’d expected, “it sounds like heaven.” “Heaven is being well,” Chris couldn’t help but smile as she leaned in against the counter top another breath falling from her lips, “actually this,” he closed in upon her as his arm wrapped around her waist drawing her closer to him, “this is pretty close to it...” “So I’m seeing,” Eve answered him closing her eyes as she lifted her chin slightly upward anticipating the feel of his soft lips upon hers as she’d imagined the tenderness behind his gentle kiss, however much to her dismay she felt a rush of cold air pass through her as she opened her eyes once again seeing not only that Chris had moved, but they were no longer alone as Gabriella had entered the room. “Eve, I was looking for you,” Gabriella cleared her throat, “I hope it’s not a bad time.” “No, not at all,” Eve shook her head standing up straighter as she wondered how long Gabby had been in the room, “what’s up?” “We have a patient in need of your attention down the hall,” Gabby explained. “Okay, I’ll be right there,” Eve looked to Chris, “so I’ll meet you after work.” “Sure and you can rest assured that Danny is in good hands,” Chris promised, “Angel and I will keep him so busy he won’t know what to do with himself by the time you come to dinner. With any luck I’ll still have enough energy for dinner after a day in the park.” “Thanks Chris,” Eve smiled in response, “I truly appreciate this. I owe you.” “I know,” Chris waved as she turned towards the door, “and I’ll collect on it along with the other IOU’s eventually.” “I’m sure you will,” Eve offered back a flirty smile before leaving Chris alone in the on call room wondering what was happening between the two of them at such a tentative time in their lives.
Eve stood out in the hallway shifting nervously on her feet as she fidgeted with her short, black and white print dress. Maybe she’d made a mistake in getting dressed up for dinner, she worried to herself as she thought about Chris’s invitation to Italian night. He’d invited her and Danny over for dinner, yet when she’d gotten off of work, she’d hit the showers right away before going home to change into something a bit more comfortable. Of course now as she stood before the door to the apartment, she felt a bit overdressed, or was it underdressed, she thought to herself as a thin strap of her dress slipped down her shoulder. She reached up to adjust it, ready to knock on the door as it opened and Chris stood before her, a surprised expression on his face. “Hey,” he smiled at her, his eyes causing her to flush slightly as he gazed over her appreciatively, “wow, you look...” “It’s too much, isn’t it,” Eve began noting the way he’d eyed her intently as her face grew hot. “No, no you look amazing,” Chris replied, “I just didn’t realize that we were making this a formal thing.” “This old thing,” Eve tossed her hair over her shoulder, “Chris, you should know by now that I’d hardly dress up for dinner with you,” she teased tossing out a confident grin, “so are you going to let me in or keep me standing here all night waiting for dinner?” “I’d thought a little pre-dinner entertainment would be nice, but seeing as I haven’t been keeping up on my comedy routines,” he stepped aside allowing her to enter the apartment, “you’ll just have to settle for my corny jokes.” “Good thing I brought my ear plugs,” she teased lightly turning around to face him once again as the door closed behind her, “so has Danny been behaving himself?” “Oh yeah he and Angel were great at the park,” Chris nodded crossing the room, “can I get you a drink? A martini?” “That sounds good,” Eve nodded keeping her eyes upon him as he moved towards the bar with, “I’m just glad to see you’re still in one piece after an afternoon with the troublesome duo.” “They were great,“ Chris confessed, “Speaking of the two little ones, they won’t be joining us tonight,” Chris explained pouring their drinks before returning to her side and offering her a glass. “What?” she questioned surprised. “We ran into Jack and Livvie in the park. They wanted to have them over for a trip to the carnival in town and for pizza,” Chris sipped his martini, “I didn’t think you’d mind seeing as they’d been spending time with them lately.” “No, no not at all,” Eve shook her head, “Danny enjoys being around Jack and especially around Angel, so I’m sure he’s having a blast.” “I’m sure he is,” Chris nodded in response, “so I guess you’re just stuck with me and my cooking until Jack and Livvie bring them back.” “What time was that again?” “Around eight I believe,” Chris sipped his drink again as a silence fell over them, “hungry?” “Starved,” she nodded with a nervous smile. “In that case,” he extended his arm out towards her, “why don’t you put yourself in my hands and allow me to seduce your senses with my sensual, succulent, mouth watering feast of ecstasy I have waiting for you?” “Since you put it that way,” Eve accepted his arm, “who am I to resist?” “You aren’t one to protest, or at least I wasn’t planning on it,” he confessed leading her over to the table he’d set up for them. “I see you were planning on the four of us,” Eve noted the high chair in the corner of the room. “What, did you think I was just using a line to get you over here,” he pulled her chair out for her, “you should know me better than that by now.” “I do,” Eve teased, “which is why I have plenty of reason to worry.” “Don’t fret Lambert, I promise I won’t make a pass at you until after dessert,” he winked at her, “unless of course you make one first.” “Not likely, but hey they say it doesn’t hurt to dream,” she teased back as he took his seat across from her. “Be ready to be amazed,” Chris promised revealing the meal he’d prepared for them. “With you,” Eve’s eyes hungrily took in the tantalizing dishes before her, “I’m always amazed.” “That’s just the way I like it,” Chris confessed with a hint of promise as he laid out a meal he was certain she’d never forget.
“As always it was a masterpiece,” Eve placed her hand over her stomach as she let out a sigh, “I don’t know how you manage to outdo yourself each and every time you cook for me.” “I aim to please,” Chris winked at her refilling her champagne glass, “and besides you should know by now that I am by far the best.” “So you keep claiming,” she smiled at him, “so I take it this renewed passion for cooking has been good for you huh?” “Only when I get to see you smile like that,” Chris offered reaching across the table to take her hand gently. “I thought I was supposed to be the one cheering you up,” Eve reminded him with a smile. “You already accomplished that mission, so now it’s my turn,” Chris decided after a moment, “so why don’t you tell me what’s been on your mind lately?” “You know what’s been on my mind,” she shrugged, “I’ve just been up to the usual.” “Eve, I know something’s bothering you and I get the distinct feeling it has to do with Ian.” “Chris, Ian is Ian. There isn’t anything new and out of the ordinary there,” she shrugged, “you know how he is.” “I do, but I also know how you are. Is something wrong?” “No, not really,” Eve rose from her chair turning away from him. “You’re sure,” he questioned reaching for the dishes on the table. “Of course,” she nodded tossing him a half smile. “I see,” he watched her for a moment before he stepped into the kitchen taking the plates to the sink. A few moments later Eve followed him entering the kitchen carrying a few more dishes. “Let me help,” she offered moving in along side of him. “Actually,” Chris watched her for a moment before reaching out for her wrist, “I have another idea.” “Do you?” she raised a curious brow. “Absolutely,” he nodded with a smile, “in fact the way I see it, well I want you to just kick back in the living room and relax. I’ll be in there in a few minutes and I promise I’ll find a way to turn the mood around once again.” “Chris, I’m fine.” “Eve, I, well I just want us to have a good time. You keep telling me that I shouldn’t waste my time in misery and I don’t want to feel like I’m bringing you down as well.” “You aren’t bringing me down,” she shook her head, “you’ve done anything but...” “Either way,” Chris decided releasing her as he smiled at her hoping to get to the heart of what was bothering her, “go take a seat and I’ll join you shortly.” “Fine, but I’m telling you now I’m having a great time,” Eve reminded him. “Even so, it’s going to get much better,” he promised shooing her out of his kitchen as he thought to the good old days they’d shared. Maybe it was time to get back to that.
“So what you’re trying to tell me is that you’ve never...” Chris gave Eve a pointed look as she hid her face behind her hand fighting to suppress the blush that had risen over her cheeks. “Never,” she shook her head with a tiny laugh, “I can’t even believe you’d think such a thing.” “Whatever,” Chris shook his head as she downed the shot. “Ta-da,” she finished setting it down on the table top, “see that wasn’t so bad.” “No I suppose it wouldn’t be, well except for that little mess you made on the table,” Chris teased her. “What mess?” she laughed lightly wiping the remnants of her shot away, “hey did you see that over there?” “What?” Chris asked looking over his shoulder as she reached for his shot glass and finished off his treat. He turned back to her, “I don’t see anything.” “No,” she wiped at her mouth with a smile, “hmm...well I guess I was wrong.” “So you were, but um Eve, in the event that you’d like to get rid of the evidence,” he reached out to wipe at her face gently, “you might like get that bit right here.” “What bit?” Eve asked as he gave her a look. ‘That one,” he nodded towards the corner of her mouth as she raised her hand to her face, “right there.” “Here,” she asked. “No, not there,” he wiped at her lip, “right...here....” he finished wiping away the trace of red in the corner of her mouth as she watched him intently. “Thanks,” she smiled at him. “No problem,” he offered keeping his hand against her face as she raised her palm up over his. “You know Chris, I don’t know if I’ve told you recently but I’ve had a really good time being here,” Eve confessed feeling the warmth of his touch against her skin. “It’s been great having you around,” Chris confessed with a soft smile. “Well in that case,” Eve reached for the empty shot glass refilling it once more, “it’s your turn.” “Oh no I thought it was yours.” “Uh uh, nope.” “But you stole my drink,” Chris pointed out. “Even so I get to ask you a question.” “A question, is that what you call this inquisition,” he asked with a tiny laugh as he leaned in closer to her. “Well, it has been interesting hasn’t it?” “Of course it has,” he nodded, “but you know weren’t you the one with the initial objections to our doing this seeing as we have the little ones on the way back?” “We’ve drank far more than this before,” Eve motioned to the table top, “we’ll be fine.” “Even so,” he decided rising from the sofa and turned on the radio hearing the song You Light Up My Life on, “I think we should work some of this off. How about a dance?” “You’re avoiding a truth,” Eve gave him a look. “So what,” Chris reached for her hand, “it won’t hurt us.” “Depends on who you ask,” she replied as he eased her up from the couch
and drew her into his arms. As they began to dance, he pulled her to him
as the music began to play softly.
So many nights,
Eve felt herself ease in against Chris as his arms draped around her, nestling her close to him. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of his arms as he held her. And you light up my life,
You light up my days
Chris took in a soft breath feeling Eve in his arms as he thought of Julie’s words to him. After all these years and the time that had gone by, he’d promised himself that he’d get over Eve, that somehow he wouldn’t allow her to be the one that he’d longed for. When Julie had returned, he’d believed that love he’d had for Julie was the kind of love that he’d wanted, needed in his life. He’d convinced himself that Julie was his one and only love, but now as he felt Eve in his arms, his breath caught in his throat as he knew that he hadn’t been completely honest with himself. He’d lied to himself, lied to his heart, but Julie knew the truth. Julie had seen what was there and as he held Eve, he realized that perhaps Julie was right. Maybe he’d made a mistake in not being honest with his heart, maybe he was meant to have a happily ever after with Eve. Rollin' at sea, adrift on the waters
Eve felt the strong hold Chris had on her as she was wrapped up in his arms. Tilting her head upward, she found his deep, pensive eyes upon her lost in some thought as she touched his cheek offering up a soft smile. “You look a million miles away,” she whispered up at him. “Part of me was, but the greatest part of me wouldn’t want to be anywhere, but here with you in my arms,” he confessed touching her face as a smile pressed over his handsome features, “this is the only place I’d want to be.” “I was just thinking the same thing,” Eve confessed leaning upward towards him as his arms squeezed around her waist drawing her in closer than ever as her heart raced in her chest. “Eve, there’s something I need to tell you,” Chris began unsure of what had possessed him as he held her. Somehow he’d vowed never to open himself up again, but as he held her, he wanted nothing more than to reveal his heart to her. “I have to tell you something too,” she explained keeping her eyes fixed on him as her arm pressed around him, “but first,” she tipped up on her toes as she leaned in towards them bridging the distance between them as their lips were a mere breath apart. “I love you,” Chris found himself thinking silently as he held onto
her hoping above anything that he wouldn’t wake up to find this to be yet
another disappointing dream.
You,
As the music ended, Chris held Eve close to him, his forehead pressed to hers as their eyes remained closed. Finally after what felt like an eternity, he felt her nudge him slightly before her mouth closed in over his in a tender, loving sweep offering up a tiny token of her appreciation for him in the form of a kiss. Finding himself lost in the dream of holding Eve in his arms, he returned her kiss allowing his thoughts and feelings to flow through in the soft, fragile sweetness of her lips. A tiny moan rose from within Eve, as he squeezed her closer and their kiss deepened his mouth tantalized by her every moment, but every touch they shared in their moment of silence. As they parted breathlessly, Chris looked to Eve seeking out what had prompted the kiss as he held her close, “So now that we’ve had our fun,” he paused seeing something behind her eyes, “what just happened?” “Chris,” Eve began unsure of what to say as he looked into her, “I wanted to tell you sooner, but Ian and I, well,” she tipped up to kiss him once more, “we’re getting a divorce.” “A divorce,” he repeated returning her brief kiss. “That’s right,” Eve nodded sliding her arms over his shoulders, “he and I were over a long time ago, but it took me so long to realize it.” “Eve, there’s something I need to tell you too,” he began reaching for her hands as he took a step back. She watched him as he lifted her hands to his lips pressing featherly light kisses over her skin as she watched him intently anticipating his words. “When Julie died, she’d wanted me to be happy, wanted me to find something wonderful, to be in love and to follow my heart, but what my heart is telling me, what I know about the love I feel is that,” he started taking in a nervous breath. “Yes?” “What I’m trying to tell you is,” He started again as there was a clicking sound and the door opened revealing Jack, Livvie and Angel standing in the doorway. “I hope this isn’t a bad time,” Jack began with a smile as Eve stepped back in surprise. “We just figured we’d let ourselves in,” Livvie explained looking to Eve, “oh hey, I didn‘t realize you‘d be here.” “Danny and I had dinner plans with Chris,” Eve smiled at Livvie realizing that her talk with Chris would have to wait as she approached Livvie, “speaking of which, where is Danny?” “Well he missed you,” Livvie explained, “he and Angel had a great time, but well, I think they’re both ready to call it a night which is why we brought them back. However we ran into Ian on the way over here and he offered to take Danny home.” “Ian’s with Danny,” Eve frowned realizing that this meant another confrontation with Ian was in the near future. “That’s okay right?” Livvie frowned. “Of course,” Eve answered uneasily realizing that her night with Chris was about to come to a close as she was certain Ian would have plenty to say back at home. “Did you have fun Princess,” Chris reached for his daughter as she offered up a tired nod. “I rode a pony,” Angel explained with a yawn, “but now I want you to read me a story daddy.” “I think I can do that,” Chris replied looking back to Eve as she seemed a bit tense upon word that her son was with his father. “Actually it is getting rather late,” Eve began thinking about going home and holding her son before Ian decided to tear into her once again. “Yeah,” Chris nodded, “but you know you two can stay for a while if you’d like.” “That actually sounds like a nice thought, but if Ian‘s at home with Danny, I should probably be...,” Eve began as her pager went off and she frowned, “wonderful,” she reached for her pager. “What is it?” Chris frowned. “It’s the hospital,” Eve replied, “can I use your phone?” “Of course,” he nodded turning to Jack and Livvie, “thanks for keeping an eye on them tonight.” “They were wonderful,” Livvie smiled proudly, “amazing really.” “Any time you’d like us to watch Angel, just let us know. Livvie already has a place set up for her,” Jack explained. “Well, while I appreciate the offer, I think she and I have some catching up to do,” Chris explained kissing his daughter’s tiny forehead as Eve emerged from the kitchen. “I have to go,” she explained in a hurried tone. “Something wrong?” “It’s Danny,” Eve answered with a look of panic over her features, “there was an accident that Ian and Danny were in.” “What kind of accident?” “I don’t know,” Eve admitted tearfully, “but Karen says I should get there as soon as possible as Danny is in surgery. Chris, she wouldn‘t say what was wrong with my son, but with the tone in her voice,” tears threatened. “I’m going with you,” Chris decided looking to Jack and Livvie, “you two don’t mind watching Angel for a few?” “What about my story?” Angel questioned confused. “I promise I’ll read it as soon as I get back, but Livvie will read you something while Eve and I check on Danny.” “Can I come too?” Angel asked. “Not now, but when we’re finished we’ll be back,” Chris promised as he looked over to Eve seeing the fear that had overtaken her. “She’ll be in good hands,” Livvie promised reaching out for Angel as she looked to Eve, “you’d better go.” “We’ll be back when we can be,” Chris replied kissing his daughter goodbye before reaching out to Eve and guiding her out of the apartment, “what did Karen say?” “She wouldn’t tell me anything,” Eve blurted out tearfully, “just that there’s been an accident.” “He’ll be okay,” Chris tried to assure her. “Ian was so angry with me Chris. He was upset that I’d filed for the divorce, you don’t think he’d hurt Danny on purpose?” “He wouldn’t do that,” Chris offered as they reached the elevators and she’d gone into a full blown panic. “Danny has to be okay. Chris, I can’t lose him,” Eve began tearfully. “You won’t lose him,” Chris promised her drawing her into his arms as he hoped and prayed that Karen’s evasiveness wasn’t as bad as Eve feared it could be.
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