"Fire & Ice" (Revised for Wattpad), Ch. 5: Saturday Morning,  August 07, 2015 Gratiana Lovelace

(An original story copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace, 2015; all rights reserved)

[From time to time, I will illustrate my story with images of actors representing my dream cast--including Richard Armitage as Thomas Kane and Anne Hathaway as Caroline Walters, and others as noted in the image credits.] [(1) "Fire & Ice" story logo]

Author's Mature Content Note: "Fire & Ice" is romantic thriller story with mature themes (D for drama, S for sensuality, and V for violence) of love and relationships. Most chapters will be PG or PG-13. However, if you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer.

Author's Recap from the previous chapter:  In the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning, Thomas and Caroline gave in to their loving feelings for each other and made love. Then upon waking Saturday morning, little Trevor climbed up on the bed to snuggle with his Mommy as usual, but he found his Daddy there and the truth came out. Actually, little Trevor is handling the revelation that Thomas the Tall man is his Daddy quite well for an almost three and a half year old. And their first Saturday morning as a family begins.

"Fire & Ice" (Revised for Wattpad), Ch. 5: Saturday Morning

As the newly reconstituted Walters-Kane family walks into the living area of Caroline's apartment this early Saturday morning, their thoughts naturally turn to breakfast.

Caroline: "Thomas, we usually do French toast on Saturday's—with pan cakes on Sundays. So, how many would you like?"

Thomas: "Hmmm. Sounds tasty. Two please. But may I help you?" Thomas [(2)] offers eagerly, the ebb and flow of partnering with his love Caroline in their new family life together is a wonder to him.

Caroline: "Well if you could keep Trevor occupied--so he stays away from the hot stove--that will be a big help. Trevor honey, why don't you get your Memory Book and show it to Daddy? Then after breakfast you can watch cartoons."

Trevor: "Okay Mommy." Trevor goes over to an end table with a lower shelf and picks up a large scrap book that he puts on the couch. Then he climbs on the couch and says patting the seat next to him. "Sit here Daddy." Trevor smiles broadly.

Thomas marvels at how adaptable little Trevor seems to be with meeting his Daddy—Thomas—for the first time just this morning. He guesses that kids are more resilient that way. And even though Thomas was at first taken aback by the news that he is a Daddy—but wonderfully so—Thomas has managed to follow Caroline's lead in taking care of and interacting with little Trevor. Caroline delights that Thomas and their son are getting along so well together, smiling at them as she begins to prepare their French toast. And Thomas will soon discover that he has Caroline to thank for their son Trevor's ease in being around him as his Daddy.

Thomas: Thomas sits down on the couch and Trevor crawls onto his lap again. Then lifting up the scrapbook, Thomas says. "So Trevor, let's look through your Memory Book."

Trevor: Excitedly Trevor claps his hands together gleefully. "Open it up, Daddy! Open it up!" Thomas does so. Then pointing to different pictures, Trevor suggests. "I'll point to the pictures and you read the stories."

Thomas: Thomas smiles. "Alright, Trevor. I can do that. Let's start." Trevor points to a picture of Caroline looking very pregnant and Thomas reads the captions, obviously written by Caroline. "I am 9 months pregnant and I'm about to give birth to my baby boy." Trevor points to a newborn picture of himself being held by Caroline in the hospital. "Trevor Thomas Walters Kane was born October 15th." Trevor points to a printed handwritten note that is taped in the scrapbook. "Dear Trevor, Happy Birth Day. Love, Daddy." Thomas looks over at Caroline who is busily making their breakfast, touched that she has included him in this Memory book for Trevor from the very beginning. Trevor points to himself at 6 months old in a patterned outfit and Thomas reads the caption. "Daddy sent Trevor this shirt and pants with planes on it." Trevor points to his first birthday picture and Thomas reads the caption. "Trevor is one year old today." Then he points to another printed handwritten note below it. "Dear Trevor, Daddy loves you and wishes he could eat some birthday cake with you. Eat a bite of cake for me. Happy First Birthday, Love Daddy."

Thomas realizes that at every milestone in his son Trevor's short life, Caroline has been sure to include a mention of his Daddy for Trevor--and Thomas loves Caroline even more for that kindness. Trevor points to some later birthdays and Thomas reads their captions and notes from Daddy.

Trevor: "Daaadddy!" Trevor gains his father's attention again by patting his face.

Thomas: "Sorry!" Thomas mock pouts. Then Thomas spies an old picture of he and Caroline together that he knows so well and asks. "Trevor, what's this?"

Trevor: Trevor thinks for a moment [(3)] . "Oh, when I was only two, ..." Trevor says this as if he is a much older boy now—of at least six years old--and not his almost three and a half years old self. "... I asked Mommy where I came from. So, she put this picture in the Memory book and told me that I grew in her tummy, ..." Trevor points back to the picture of his then very pregnant Mommy. "... but that your love had put me there. " Trevor grins cheerfully--not truly understanding what he has said regarding reproduction, but that he was born because his parents love each other, and they love him.

Thomas tears up at this simple, childlike explanation that Caroline had given Trevor—but that also reflected Thomas' and Caroline's true and loving hearts at the time that they must have conceived Trevor. Thomas looks over at Caroline who has stopped her cooking as she heard Trevor talk about the picture of the two of them—Thomas and Caroline together--and Caroline looks over at Thomas. Their gaze is one of appreciation, of understanding, and of love.

Then Trevor continues to point to pictures of his first steps, his first tooth, his first haircut, trips to the zoo, riding on a merry go round at the fair, Halloweens, and Christmas' and such. And Thomas reads the captions and the notes from Daddy. Each of Trevor's life events—big and small—dutifully and lovingly recorded by Caroline for her son, Trevor... and his Daddy, Thomas. Thomas looks over lovingly at Caroline [(4)] again and their mutual adoring gazes reflect their true and loving hearts now as well.

Trevor: "Daddy, ..." Trevor says, breaking Thomas' and Caroline's reverie as he tugs on his Daddy's flash drive hanging around his neck. "... we have to get a new picture of you today for our memory of you coming home."

Thomas: "Yes, we'll have to get a family picture of the three of us together." Thomas smiles jovially as he deftly tucks his work flashdrive inside his shirt as he looks over at Caroline—who smiles warmly and nods at him.

Thomas' work flashdrive is always with him. He only takes it off to shower and to sleep--and then he tucks it away into a hiding place for safe keeping. The flashdrive doesn't generally contain security sensitive information on it--or he wouldn't be able to leave the building with it. But it does contain encrypted notes that he makes about projects that he is currently work on--him often getting a burst of inspiration evenings and weekends. Thomas is all about the job, as he told Caroline. So quite rightly, Thomas' flashdrive should not fall into the wrong hands.

Caroline starts to put the food on the breakfast table and Thomas and Trevor come over to help her. Thomas gives Caroline a kiss and rubs her shoulders. Then, despite Caroline trying to hide it, Thomas sees that she seems to still be favoring her hand and asks.

Thomas: "Caroline, is your hand still hurting you?" He holds out his hand wanting to see her hand.

Caroline: "Yes it is. I guess I really banged it up good." She holds her hand out to Thomas. And to him, her hand still looks swollen and red under the fresh bandage that Caroline had put on after her shower.

Thomas: Thomas gingerly examines her hand and arm and says. "I think after breakfast, we should go over to the employee emergent care clinic that's open today and have this looked at. You might have broken it after all."

Caroline: "Alright." She sighs and nods. Then after they all sit down at the table together, she says. "Trevor honey, after breakfast, we're going to have the doctor look at Mommy's boo boo. So, you might have to miss some cartoons. I'm sorry sweetie." She winces.

Trevor: "That's alright Mommy, it's the same cartoons every Saturday any way." Again, little Trevor states this simple truth matter of factly—to his parents' mutual amusement as Thomas and Caroline smile at Trevor.

So, this little family of three eat their French toasts and bacon before Thomas drives them over to the Emergent Care facility near their office building.

***

The three of them—Thomas, and Caroline, and Trevor—walk into the Emergent Care Clinic for Company employees. Thomas has never actually been inside before, but he is glad to see that it looks clean and hospital like. After Caroline fills out the admitting form at the emergent care reception desk—happily she is right handed for writing--she goes and sits with Thomas and Trevor waiting to be called. Trevor is still a little sleepy and he sits nestled in his Daddy's—Thomas'—arms. Then, Caroline's name is called and they all troop to the examining room. Thomas and Trevor sit in a side chair together watching while Caroline is examined.

Doctor: "So, Mrs. Walters...?" The male doctor decides to err on the side of caution--but flubs it.

Caroline: "It is Ms. Walters." Caroline states primly.

Doctor: "Sorry. Ms. Walters. What seems to be the problem?"

Caroline: Caroline holds up her injured left hand to him and unwraps it. "I tripped and banged my hand on a cubicle wall at the office. We cleaned and bandaged it up, but it's still swollen and hurting quite a lot this morning. So, we thought I should come in to have it x-rayed or something."

Doctor: "Yes, we'll do that." He says seeing her slightly swollen hand. "And how up to date are you with your tetanus booster?"

Caroline: "It's been ages. So, I'm probably due for new one."

Doctor: "Yes, so let's get you x-rayed and we'll go from there." Then turning to Thomas he says. "Mr. ..."

Thomas: " Kane. Thomas Kane. And this is our son, Trevor."

Trevor: Then Trevor sleepily offers. "I'm Trevor Thomas Walters." Then Trevor goes back to dozing.

Doctor: "Well, we've got the whole family here. Mr. Kane, we should be back in a few minutes with the x-rays since everything is digital these days." Thomas nods.

The doctor and Caroline step out of the exam room and go to get her hand x-rayed. Thomas looks at his son Trevor's sleepy face as Trevor dozes in Thomas' arms. Thomas instinctively gives Trevor a little hug and kisses Trevor's forehead as Thomas rocks him in his arms.

Trevor: Trevor stirs a little and pats Thomas' face, saying. "Nice, Daddy." Then Trevor promptly falls back to sleep.

Thomas feels so much love for his little boy, his son—even though Thomas didn't know that Trevor existed twenty four hours ago. Though popular thought always mentions the maternal instinct, Thomas wonders if there isn't a corresponding paternal instinct as well—at least in his case there seems to be, he thinks. Thomas knows that from this day forward, his life will be all about seeing to Trevor's welfare--and the welfare of any other children he and Caroline may have. Children, plural. Thomas is almost giddy with the thought of having more kids with Caroline and getting to be with her as they await their children's birth--something Thomas missed being able to be a part of for Trevor's birth and missing Trevor's early years.

Then, as promised, the doctor returns with Caroline in a few minutes and calls up her digital x-rays on the examining room computer monitor and points to them.

Doctor: "Well, Ms. Walters, it looks like you have got a hairline fracture in your left hand there. But, you won't need a cast. We'll give you a removable splint that I want you to wear for the next two weeks continuously—you can put a plastic bag around it to shower. And then the next month after that, continue to wear the splint daily—but you can take it off to shower--until you're completely healed. Needless to say, you can't use that hand at all—certainly not to lift anything." The doctor says this looking over at her little boy, Trevor. "But, it looks like you have some help in that regard." And he smiles at Thomas.

Thomas: "Yes, I can help out." He nods his head to the doctor and looks over at Caroline. Since their being a couple again is so new—not even fifteen hours old—Caroline and Thomas have not discussed logistics such as their time together and living arrangements. But he says looking at Caroline. "We'll work it out."

Caroline: "Thanks." She says gratefully to Thomas.

Doctor: "Here's a tetanus booster shot." He gives her the shot. "And these prescriptions are for the pain and swelling. You can also ice it to help reduce the swelling." Caroline nods.

Caroline and Thomas and Trevor stop by the pharmacy conveniently located in the clinic to have her prescriptions filled and pick up some cold ice packs, before they head out.

***

As they're walking to the emergent care clinic's parking lot—Thomas carrying the sleepy Trevor--Caroline wonders how the rest of their day will be planned out and she says practically.

Caroline: "Well, I guess we should try to drop you at your car so you can pick it up since we're so close."

Thomas: "My car is fine where it is. I still don't think you can drive with that hand. Maybe you'll feel a bit better by Monday." Then he tentatively suggests. " I can stay and help out over the weekend, if you would like me to."

Trevor: Trevor stirs awake a bit and says. "Yes Daddy, please stay." Then Trevor drifts back to sleep.

How can Thomas or Caroline say no to their toddler son's request? So, Caroline smiles warmly and says.

Caroline: "Thanks Thomas, I would like that, too."

Thomas: "Good, then why don't we pop over to my apartment—it's just down the street next to the park—and I can put some of my clothes into an overnight bag. Then maybe we can take Trevor to the park and have lunch after? Or, do you have something else planned for today?"

Caroline: "That sounds fine." Caroline smiles warmly at Thomas. "We don't have anything planned. Trevor and I just wing it on the weekends since our weekdays are so scheduled." Thomas nods.

Then, Thomas drives them all in Caroline's car to his apartment a few blocks away. He likes living close to the office complex--it means that he can get there quickly during emergent situations. And there is indeed a very nice park and playground across from Thomas' building. As they walk into Thomas' apartment, Thomas apologizes for the disarray.

Thomas: "Well come on in—and don't mind the clutter. Well, you remember" Thomas sheepishly shrugs his shoulder while looking at the newspapers strewn about the room. "Uh, I haven't done my recycling yet this week."

Caroline: Smiling amusingly she says. "I guess some things never change." Thomas smiles in only slight embarrassment and then he leans down and kisses Caroline sweetly on her lips.

Trevor, now more awake, walks around exploring the large loft like apartment with its fifteen foot high ceilings and windows as his eyes go wide with wonder.

Trevor: "Daddy, you have a tall apartment." Thomas and Caroline smile and Thomas nods at Trevor.

The apartment has an open floor plan—except for the bedrooms and bathrooms—so you can see everything. There are few walls and little on the walls that are there. And, since this apartment belongs to the bachelor, Thomas, it does not have many decorating touches—well not any really. But, Trevor spies a picture frame on the sofa side table and goes to look at it and says in recognition as he points to it.

Trevor: "Mommy, it's you and Daddy's picture from when you made me."

Caroline walks over to see the picture of she and Thomas standing arm in arm. She picks up the frame and sees that it is the same picture that she put in Trevor's Memory Book. Caroline looks over to Thomas and she smiles at him and Thomas smiles back at her. Then Caroline realizes that this one small picture in its frame is the only picture frame in the entire room. Thomas walks over to Caroline and puts his arms around her shoulders and kisses her forehead.

Caroline: "Oh Thomas." She blinks back her tears in realizing that he really did mean it that she was his only love.

Thomas: Thomas has tears in his eyes, too. "Caroline, I always hoped that one day we might find our way back to each other."

Trevor: However Trevor also notices something about the apartment and asks. "But Daddy, where are all the pictures of me that I sent to you?"

Thomas pleadingly gives a look to Caroline, wondering how to bridge this awkwardness when Caroline interjects and helps him out.

Caroline: "Trevor sweetie. Daddy told me that he's having your pictures put into a new picture frame—like a collage of pictures."

Trevor: "Huh?" Trevor looks at his Mommy quizzically since he doesn't know what collage means.

Caroline: So she explains. "Oops, that will be another new word to add to our word tree for you. A collage means putting lots of things together—in this case lots of pictures side by side in the same picture frame—so that you can see them all at once."

Trevor nods seeming to understand what she is saying and walks away looking at more of the apartment.

Thomas: "Thanks Caroline." He whispers and gives her a hug and kisses her forehead. "You've still got your think on your feet field skills."

Caroline: Smiling amusingly, she says. "Well, it's a required skill when you're a parent." Thomas gives Caroline a tender kiss on her lips.

Thomas: Then Thomas joins Caroline as he walks over to the kitchen area. "Caroline, can I get you anything to drink while you're waiting as I pack? I do have apple juice if Trevor would like some."

Trevor: "Yes, please Daddy."

Caroline: "That would be nice, Thomas. I'll just take some water so I can take my pills. And I'll sit here icing my hand."

Thomas retrieves an unopened water bottle from the fridge and opens it for Caroline before handing it to her for her pills. Then he pulls out the apple juice container and wonders what kind of glass to give Trevor. But, Caroline saves him the trouble.

Caroline: "Oh, Thomas, I have Trevor's sippy cup with me. I always carry some things for him with me, just in case they're needed." She also has fresh wipes and a change of pull-ups and kid band aids and such—which Thomas sees as she unburies the sippy cup in her bag. "I've just learned to carry the kid basics with me." She says tilting her head and smiling.

Thomas: "Thanks Caroline."