Chapter 7 #2
Calleigh covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Focus on the goal of today, Seaton. This is your next step toward moving on in your life. You've already come so far. This is one more thing to check off on the list."
Seaton nodded and focused on the judge's desk at the front of the room.
When the bailiff stepped forward from the wall, Seaton got up from her seat in anticipation.
"All rise!"
She drew in a breath through her nose and watched a man in a long black robe walk into the room.
"The Honorable Joseph Landon presiding."
Seaton was focused on the judge as he sat down. She wondered how many hearings he was going to have to rule over today. The one thing she knew for certain about appearing in court was to listen to the judge and her attorney. Those were the only two things she could control.
Everything else, she would have to put in someone else's hands.
The judge sat forward and braced his elbows on the surface of his desk.
For a moment, Seaton worried about what she thought was a strange way to begin a hearing.
A moment later, she understood why.
"Excuse me? Mister Miller?"
Seaton refused to look over at her ex.
He tended to bask in attention.
"Mister Miller," the judge leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest., "I'm the one talking here. You do not need to stare at your ex-wife, sir."
The courtroom around her went still.
Sighing, the judge took off his glasses and dangled them from his fingers. "In this courtroom, unless you are addressing one of the attorneys here, do NOT make the mistake of glaring at your ex-wife. It will not help you."
Seaton heard Daryl scoff under his breath, and she started to believe that the hearing would end up in her favor.
The judge addressed the courtroom.
"Alright. You folks can sit down." He turned to his clerk. "What are we doing today?"
CADDO
When they got home, the world felt smaller to him.
It wasn't a bad thing for either of them.
Having been surrounded by the firehouse family, he could tell that Seaton felt the rush of support, but she'd also expended a lot of energy.
The hearing couldn't have gone better. Daryl had been ordered to stay far, far away from her and not to come anywhere near her home or workplace.
After they'd left, Calleigh had invited them out for a meal, so had his firehouse family, but they'd also recognized how exhausted Seaton was, so they stepped back and let Sam take her home.
He filled her tub with hot water and set out a nightshirt for her and a pair of sleep shorts that would be comfortable.
Sam had intended to leave her when she'd gone in to take a bath, he didn't want to crowd her, but just before she stepped into the bathroom, she looked at him and her eyes... her beautiful eyes... made him ache for her.
"Sam?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "Could you-"
"Yes."
He'd spoken before she finished her question. He shook his head and leaned against the door frame leading into the bedroom.
"Sorry," he apologized.
She shook her head and a ghost of a smile touched her lips. "I was just wondering if you could stay."
His eyes widened at her question, and he felt his heart kick against his ribs.
He didn't know what she saw in his expression, but she rushed on to explain. "At least until I fall asleep. Would that be okay?"
Sam nodded. "Happy to, Seaton. Whatever you need."
Her smile broadened as she stepped beyond the door.
By the time she came out, he had a warm glass of milk that he pressed into her hands.
With a nod, she took the glass and drank it down.
"Thanks," she handed the glass to him, "for the milk and for staying."
She looked around, her gaze ended up at the ceiling above her head.
"I feel safe here, but all day I've had you with me." She closed her eyes for a moment. "Beside me," she explained. "I'm pretty sure I'm just being clingy right now, or selfish, wanting you to stay, but-"
"You can ask me anything. If I'm not okay with it," he leaned in and touched his lips to her cheek, "I'll let you know."
She turned her head and her lips glanced along the skin at the side of his neck. "Why do you always smell so good?"
He knew she wasn't completely conscious of what she was doing.
Her voice had a dreamy, half-asleep quality to it.
"I'm glad you think so." He let his eyes drift closed when she stepped in and leaned against his chest.
Well, it wasn't just his chest, but he wasn't going to allow his thoughts to go there.
"One day," she murmured softly, "I'm going to look in your bedroom and find out what cologne you use."
He didn't want to ruin the moment and tell her that he didn't use cologne.
It was just the combination of his body wash and deodorant that made him smell the way he did.
The word cologne sounded better, so he let it go and wrapped his free arm around her body to hold her close.
"You're welcome to go looking in my bedroom and my bathroom any time you want to. "
Seaton placed a hand against his chest, her fingertips brushed against his shirt, forward and back in a vague circular shape.
"Do you," her voice was softer now, "wish that I hadn't come over to say hello?"
"No." He placed a kiss on the top of her head. "And I won't. The day you came by with cookies was the beginning of the best part of my life, Seaton."
He felt her lean in against him and he let out a soft sigh. "Here, let me get you settled, and I'll wash this glass and come back."
Sam kept his arm around her, but loosened his hold, setting down the glass on the nightstand.
He drew back the blanket and held it open for her.
There was something so intimate about watching her climb into bed. She slipped under the blanket and turned on her side, facing him.
Beautiful.
She was just beautiful inside and out.
She was brave, too. Courageous.
And if he was completely honest with himself, he was completely in love with her.
He wanted to be the one standing at her side. Holding her close. Putting himself between her and the world.
He'd consider himself lucky beyond belief if she kept him in her life.
Sam covered her with her blanket and reached for the glass to head to the kitchen.
"Sam?"
He looked down and saw her hand on his.
As he watched, she folded their fingers together, holding his hand.
"Please." Her eyes were slowly closing. "Stay with me."
He nodded, but he doubted that she saw the gesture.
Leaving the glass on the nightstand, he toed off his shoes, thankful that he was wearing his dress shoes for court instead of his boots from work.
He lifted the edge of the blanket and slipped under, lowering it back over his body before he put his head down on the pillow.
Stirred by the shift of the bed, Seaton's eyes opened for a moment and she smiled.
She let go of his hand and moved closer wrapping her arm around him.
Sam wrapped his arm around her, too and felt her cuddle in close.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and leaned his cheek there, surrounding her with his warmth.
Being so close, he knew the moment she slipped off to sleep. He felt her body relax into his.
And a moment later, he fell asleep.