Imagine

Mick falls silent, hating the things that separated him from his family right now. It was his own fault though, and he was paying for it. But it wouldn't be forever. If he could just hold out for a little longer... just a little longer.

"Mick?"

He turns quickly to see Brenda's gentle nod. Sighing, he focuses back on his phonecall. "I gotta go... I'll call back as soon as I get another chance. Tell BJ to keep the checkers board out."


Once showered and dressed, Sparky realizes just how sick he's been. Even this little bit of activity had him exhausted, and he was ready for more sleep. But he wanted to eat first.

Exiting the bathroom, he had on clean jeans, a t-shirt and socks, his hair still wet. He'd managed to get his face shaved, thankful to be rid of the itchy scruff. He wanders to the bed to sit again, bypassing the table for now... the bed was just so much more comfortable. He props himself up with pillows and closes his eyes a moment. "I feel better and worse at the same time," he muses.

Sighing, he opens his eyes again to watch Faith getting the soup ready. Cocking his head a little, he wonders again why she chose to be here, rather than outdoors or spending time with Annie.

Once he's set with the soup in front of him, he has a silent prayer then takes a bite. He cringes just a little as the hot liquid hits his one tooth... he still hadn't seen a dentist. But the pain was quickly replaced by the good taste of the meal. "Mmm... I don't know if I'm just that hungry or what, but this is really good." He takes another bite, eating slowly. "Who made it?"


Gage's eyes don't break from Sapphire's. He liked the feeling of her hand on his face... it was warm and soft. The far corner of his mouth upturns just a little, but he takes his time responding to her permission. He wanted these times with her burned into his memory, not rushed.

Mimicking her own movement, Gage takes his hand to cradle the side of Sapphire's face. It was even softer than he'd imagined against his palm. To be so close to those sparkling eyes was like being close to the stars. She'd accepted him when no one else did... she'd willingly been his friend when he deserved so much worse. And he couldn't help the feelings he had towards her now. Maybe he hadn't planned it, and maybe she didn't even feel quite the same way towards him... but he wanted to show her how grateful he was... and what his feelings really meant. 'Thank you' just didn't cut it anymore.

Leaning in close, Gage pauses with his eyes inches from hers. He searches them again, as if almost afraid she'd change her mind. But not seeing resistance, he cocks his head and gently touches her lips with his own, his eyes falling shut.

Still holding her one hand, he shifts his palm towards her own, interlocking her fingers with his. His other hand continues to cradle her face, keeping her chin tilted towards him. Letting himself be drawn into the moment, he ventures a deeper kiss, finding it sweeter than he'd imagined.

He lets the exchange linger for several quiet moments before he pulls away, his eyes opening again as his thumb gently runs along her cheek. "Thank you."


Laura sits in her car in the police station parking lot as another tear runs down her cheek. Her afternoon break was over before her late work day was finished out... she needed to go back inside now, but even more, she needed to compose herself first. She didn't need the others asking her what was wrong.

But sitting several more moments, her silent tears turn into sobs as she leans forward to rest her forehead on the steering wheel. She'd hoped that her doctor's visit would not confirm her fears... but it had. She wasn't ready for this. She hadn't planned this. She knew Nate wanted kids before either of them got too much older... they'd talked about it, but had not planned anything. She'd thought they were safe. But apparently their intentions had not been enough.

Now what would happen? She'd wanted to spend at least a couple more years in law enforcement - it was her passion. She and Nate had planned several trips for this coming year. They were doing okay financially, but things had been a little tight lately. Now her career would be forced to come to a sudden halt. The trips would have to be canceled - she either couldn't go that late in the game or they wouldn't be going with a baby. And finances... they just weren't ready for this.

Still crying, Laura lifts her face and pushes her hair back behind her ears. Grabbing some leftover napkins she kept in the car, she blows her nose and tries to dry her eyes. Deep down she knew that this was a blessing. Deep down she knew that if she and Nate had tried to avoid this at this point in time, that it must be God's plan. But that didn't take away the shock. From this point on, her life would never be the same. And it was a change she had not been prepared for. It wasn't her timing... it wasn't even her choice.

She liked where she was at... she liked her job, she liked her freedom of being able to go where she wanted, whenever she wanted. Now she would be staying at home, taking a baby with her wherever she went, or forced to hire a babysitter, which they couldn't afford anyway. The nights would be long and their homelife would be completely turned upside down. Nights out with their friends would be reduced to a minimum. Her time alone with girlfriends would be close to naught. All focus and energy would have to go towards one thing. Quiet nights would end... and there would be a whole new batch of serious responsibilities. Raising a child... raising it right and raising it in the Lord... talk about a burden she wasn't prepared for.

Taking a shaky breath, Laura swallows all the fear she could, in order to make herself presentable. Like it or not, she had a job to do right now. She had to set aside this discovery at least for today. She had to figure out how to deal with it all and figure out how she was going to be able to accept this change. Because she knew that there was no turning back now. From here on out, she had a completely different life. Like it or not, they'd passed the point of no return.

Her phone rings, making her jump. Seeing it was Con, she hesitates, but answers it anyway. "Hello?"

"Hey, Laura, it's me. Need a favor, if you're at work."

Laura sniffs. "Yeah... yeah, I'm here. What do you need?"

There's a pause. "You alright?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine."

Tears pool in Laura's eyes again and her voice cracks. "I'm fine, Con... just tell me what you need."

"Well I needed some files transferred over here... but I'd rather know what's wrong."

"Nothing!" Laura didn't like not telling Con. But if Nate ever found out that Con knew this news before him, he'd be more than upset. "Email me what you need and I'll get you the files today."

Con hears a click a the other end of the line and blinks at the dead phone. There was a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach that he'd never felt before. Laura had never cut him off like that before... ever, that he could remember. And even if she couldn't resolve her problems right away, she'd always told him what was wrong, whether she shouted at him or just needed a hug from her big brother. This was so unusual that it really threw him for a loop, and it hurt just a little bit too. Trying to forget about it, he hangs up and goes back to his work.

Drying her eyes again, Laura grabs her purse to put her phone away and finally gets out of her car. Throwing on her sunglasses, she heads into the station, prepared with an excuse for her red eyes.


The long day of practice was over. More would come tomorrow. Everyone needed to buckle down and get in all they could before presenting themselves. They'd come amazingly far in a short amount of time and for having Kyle as a new member, but all could only credit it to God. He had blended their personalities and talents just right so that anyone listening would think all of them had been together for years.

Kip paces around in the living room, bored. It was his day off as far as maintenance went, practice was done, and he didn't dare take a ride across town lest he be wallopped by Erik again. He looks at the clock. No one had said anything to him... had Karla called? Would she come? He couldn't help but hope she'd accept the job offer and at least come to see if Erik's mom would hire her.


In the back sunroom, it was quiet. Kyle sat in the corner of the couch, curled up with Alice as they took a breather alone. Kyle was tired from all of the activity, so relaxing felt good.

"This has been nice," he comments. "Unfortunately, I think I could get used to this." He doesn't move his head, but his eyes roam the room. His one hand absentmindedly rubs Alice's arm. He chuckles lightly. "Maybe when I hit it big, we could afford a place like this, eh? Plenty of room... indoor pool... throw in a white picket fence for good measure." He grins. "Can you imagine having your own room just for your writing?"