MOTHER'S DAY

By AJB

PROLOGUE

Soft breathing lured him from sleep but before opening his eyes, Martin nuzzled the warm, soft skin of Samantha's shoulder and appreciated her musky smell for a moment. Dawn wasn't far away- he could feel it. He tucked in her close to her, glancing at the glowing red numbers on the clock – 4:48. Smiling, he worked his nose through the tangle of golden hair until it rested right behind her ear. Then he kissed the pliable flesh under her ear lobe.

She groaned and stretched her neck, not quite awake. Martin pressed a pair of soft kisses in his favorite spot before moving on. He worked one arm under her waist and around her hips, pulling her closer as he stroked a long line down her flank with the other hand.

"Mmmm. . ." she breathed, fumbling to find the stimulation with her hand. Once done, she rested her palm on the top of his fingers, encouraging the exploration.

Martin kissed her neck and pressed his growing interest into the erotic curve of her lower back. Samantha turned her head toward him, her eyes still closed. The ambient light made her skin glow. Martin kissed the corner of her mouth and she swam to wakefulness.

They both startled when her cell phone sang from the bed stand.

"Aw, shit," Samantha sighed.

Quick to put aside the disturbance, Martin continued mapping her body with his lips, cupping her breast and hoping the phone was a dream. It persisted. Samantha's hand left his to quiet the intruder. She fumbled the device, cursed, and then silenced it with a flick of her wrist. "Spade," she croaked somewhere in the area of the receiver.

She tried to ignore her paramour's advances as he lightly fingered the silky line of hair that lead to her most warm and ready place. A quickly suppressed gasp followed by her clamping her hand over the phone's speaker encouraged him onward. He readjusted just enough to slip his hardness between her legs and thrust against her, teasing.

"I'll be there in twenty," Samantha managed to gasp before she snapped the phone closed and let it drop to the floor. "Martin," she whined. "I've got to . . ." She didn't get a chance to finish the statement.

Several minutes later, she caught her breath, swatted Martin's tousled head and rolled from the bed. "I can't wait for the water to heat up now, thanks to you."

Martin, sated and smiling, chuckled as he left the rumpled bed at a slower pace. He grabbed his robe from the closet door, pulling it on as he navigated the clothes strewn across the floor from the night before. "I'll get you some coffee."

Samantha's voice echoed behind the bathroom door just before the shower knob squeaked. "Check on Finn?"

"Sure." He was sure she didn't hear him, as she was busy muttering curses about tepid water.

Down the hall, Martin poked his head in Finn's room and saw that the baby was sleeping soundly so he pulled the door closed with a quiet snick and headed to the kitchen. Coffee was in progress before the shower sounds stopped. In the few quiet minutes to himself, Martin threw together toast and scrambled eggs, combining them into a to-go sandwich that he wrapped in a paper towel. Samantha was on call for the weekend and he knew the chances were against her getting a meal anytime soon with a new case to handle.

Her coffee was in a travel cup and the sandwich ready to go when she rushed down the hall brushing her hair. She paused to look in on Finn and Martin heard her whisper, "I love you, baby." He peeked around the corner and watched her wrestle her hair into a ponytail. Then she was in motion again, pulling on her coat as she headed to the front door. He moved to the door and waited to hand off the sustenance seconds before her arrival in a well-rehearsed dance.

"Brian should be here by nine for Finn," she said. "Thanks for being here."

"My pleasure, you know that." He sneaked in a peck to her cheek when she reached for the food. "Always my pleasure," he whispered in her ear.

"Mmmm," she complained through a mouthful of egg. "Stop that. You're gonna make me even later."

Martin stepped aside and opened the door with a grin. "Guilty. I called a cab. It should be here any time now. I'll let you know when Brian picks up Finn."

Samantha headed out the door but stopped on the threshold and turned to him. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," she said, then gave him a quick kiss. "Gotta go."

Martin watched until she turned the final corner then went to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee for himself. Holding the warm mug between his hands, he moved to the front window and watched her get into the cab just as pink fingers of the approaching dawn marked the sky.

Taking a careful sip as the cab disappeared from sight, Martin felt like a very lucky man.

CHAPTER ONE

Martin got through two cups of coffee and a majority of the sports pages before Finn demanded release from his crib. Entering the boy's room Martin found the boy standing up, squealing happily, as he clutched the side rail and bounced on the mattress with joyous abandon. Martin's face broke into a smile.

"Well, look who's a morning person," he said as he moved to lower the panel. "I don't think you got that trait from your mother." Finn released the rail and reached up to Martin, falling to his bottom in the process. Finn chortled and wiggled as Martin lifted him and held him to his chest. "Don't tell your mother I said that."

"Mamamamamama," Finn sang in reply.

Making short work of the clothes and very wet diaper, he again appreciated the expertise acquired from the close relation with his nieces. He kept his eyes on the clock through a messy but successful breakfast and then regaled the energetic bundle to the bouncy chair hanging in the doorway while he cleaned the kitchen. Finishing in good time, he started out of the kitchen to get dressed when his cell rang. He plucked it from the counter as he passed and flipped it open without checking the caller ID.

"Fitzgerald."

"Hey. How's the morning going?" Sam's voice caused a warm tingle.

"Great. Just getting things together for the Finn transfer."

"About that," she began. "I just got a call from Brian. Weather delayed his flight and he won't be in until early afternoon. I'm sorry – can you hang on until I can make arrangements?"

"Hey, no worries. I'll take care of him. I had nothing planned." Martin grinned. "You will owe me, though."

When she replied, her voice dropped to a husky near-whisper. "I think I can pony up enough to keep you happy."

Martin could visualize the smokiness in her eyes at the tone and it caused a hitch in his stride. "I bet you can." There was a beat of heated pause. "Anyway, I'm sure we can keep busy. We can hang at my bachelor pad for some manly bonding."

Samantha groaned. "Just keep in mind that he's too young for pizza and beer, okay?"

Martin chuffed. "Well, there goes my lunch plan." They both chuckled. "How's it going?"

Turning serious Samantha said, "Not sure yet. Teenage girl, twelfth hour, multiple scenarios. I don't know." She sighed. "I have a bad feeling about this one."

"I hope you're wrong, then." In the brief silence that followed, Martin pursed his lips and then forced a smile. "Well, you better get to it. Don't worry about Finn. Brian has my cell number, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Marty."

"Love you."

"Love you, too."

Martin waited for Sam to disconnect before closing his cell. Turning his attention to the carefree, bouncing, near-toddler lifted his spirits. "Hang on a sec, bud, and we'll go for a run and get some fresh air."

Once changed into a worn tee shirt, running pants and jacket he kept in his allotted drawer space, Martin retrieved his cross-trainers from the closet floor and returned to the living room. Dropping on the chair closest to Finn, he pulled on socks and tied his shoes and held a one sided conversation with the happy, burbling child.

After several minutes and a bit amazed at how long it took, Martin had Finn changed again, dressed and the sport stroller unfolded and ready to go. He loaded the small pouch in the back with his flat badge and FBI identification, phone, wallet and off duty gun. Ever since he'd witness a boy's kidnapping in front of a busy school while on a morning run a couple of years before, Martin always made it a point to be prepared.

Now ready, he gathered Finn in his arms and pulled the sturdy stroller into the apartment hallway where he locked the door, added the keys to the pouch and headed to the elevator. Once on the bottom floor, he stepped out into the lobby and greeted two of Samantha's neighbors just returning from their morning walk.

"Hey there, Finn!" Mrs. Waverly cooed as she tickled the child's chubby chin. The Waverlys seemed to be the classic grandparents – grey hair, kind faces and cheerful.

"Good morning," Martin said. "How are you two this morning?"

"Great. Beautiful morning," Mr. Waverly answered as he held the elevator door.

"You ready for your Mama's first Mother's Day?" Mrs. Waverly asked Finn in a sing song voice before glancing at Martin with raised eyebrows.

"I've got a few ideas," Martin answered. "It's covered."

"That's great. The first one's always the best." She straightened and gave Martin's arm a friendly pat. "Enjoy the day!"

They exchanged good byes and Martin continued outside. Once the stroller was down the building's front steps, he settled Finn in the stroller and moved off at a leisurely pace.

Mr. Waverly was right – it was a beautiful morning. Martin kept an even stride and thought about Samantha and the current case; knowing there was one set of parents out there today that would be oblivious to the nice, spring day. Martin shook his head to clear it of the depressing scenario and, instead, turned his thoughts to future possibilities.

He and Sam were nearing the six-month mark. His re-dedication to Narcotics Anonymous dictated that he shouldn't be in a serious relationship for a year and the idea was one he struggled with constantly. They discussed it in early on and decided to tailor the program point by keeping separate households and limiting overnight stays. Not only was it a good plan for Martin, it made sense with young Finn in the picture. In the past half-year, a solid framework was in place between him, Sam and Brian. Right now, everything was perfect. At times, it seemed too easy and it made Martin wonder when the next shoe was going to drop.

"One day at a time," Martin reminded himself. "Live for the moment and see what the next six months bring."

Being Saturday, the sidewalk was clear and running with the stroller was easier than usual. Getting further along than he'd expected, Martin perked up as an idea struck. He changed course slightly, hopped over a couple of blocks and grinned when he reached his destination. He glanced at his watch and dropped down to a walk to catch his breath.

"Hey, buddy, how about some shopping for Mom?" He peered over the top of the stroller and saw that Finn was sound asleep. "Not to worry. I'll take care of it for you."

The block was a mix of businesses. It was just hitting nine o'clock and some of them were just opening. Foot traffic was light, which Martin appreciated as he pushed the stroller and window-shopped. The shops were small and quaint with many interesting things displayed in the windows, but none seemed quite right for Samantha until he reached the jewelry store.

Martin paused and studied the shiny baubles behind the glass. The clerk was busy stocking and arranging the display window and Martin smiled a silent greeting. The older woman working inside nodded in return as she worked. When she reached in to place a ring on a plastic finger, Martin's found his gaze drawn to a shiny bracelet encircling her wrist.

He pointed at her wrist and the woman held up her arm. It was a gold charm bracelet heavy with various shaped charms. Martin remembered his mother having a similar thing. He looked up and the woman pointed to the other end of the display. A sign said "Remember Mother's Day With Style" and it was set behind a several kinds of link bracelets and a few examples of charms.

Martin knew Sam would love the idea. He tried the front door and found it locked. The woman pointed at the impressive grandfather clock inside that showed one minute until nine. He spent the time looking at the rest of the displays visible from the sidewalk, but nothing came close to the charm bracelet. Once the clock struck nine, Martin heard the door's automatic lock disengage and the clerk pushed the door open for him.

"Good morning!" She greeted.

Checking Finn and seeing that he was still asleep, Martin entered the store. The woman wore an ID card on a neck lanyard that told him her name was Lena.

"What a little darling," Lena crooned as she looked at the sleeping boy's face. "Are you shopping for Mom?"

"Looks like it. Yes."

Lena directed him to the back of the store. "There are more bracelets and charms back here," she said as she walked in that direction. Several glass display cases arranged in a circle held a variety of items.

Lena walked through the center of the circle obviously meant for employees as Martin walked an outer path. Knowing Finn's grabby, drooling nature, he was glad the boy was asleep and congratulated himself on his timing. It was as if the idea was fated. He snorted at the concept of Fate. "Never saw myself as a romantic," Martin muttered.

Once they arrived at the proper display case, Martin realized the decision would be more difficult than he first thought – not only were there at least a dozen bracelets to choose from, the number of charms in the case was mind-boggling.

Lena must have noticed the flash of panic because she chuckled and leaned over the case to pat Martin's hand in sympathy. "You concentrate on the bracelets. I'll put together a few charms for you that would be appropriate for the occasion. First Mother's Day, I assume?"

Martin nodded, grateful for the input. "Yeah. Thanks."

As Lena selected charms, Martin studied the chains and imagined how each would look on Sam's slim wrist. After several minutes, he pointed out two of them and Lena placed them on the velvet tray along with her charm selections.

"Now for the difficult part," she said. She directed his attention to the first charm. "Here we have . . ."

Martin glanced up at Lena's abrupt pause and straightened at her wide-eyed stare toward the front door. He followed her gaze as she gasped and the sound of shattering glass accented Martin's instant realization of what was going down.

TBC

09-12-2010