Breaking up is hard to do..but making up is harder

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

Carter woke up with a throbbing head and a dry throat. He'd drank far too much the night before and from what he could remember it wasn't even worth it. He vaguely remembered fighting with Hillary out by the pool and screaming at Jenny for throwing him a party when he'd come back home to sulk. He'd apologized to his sister when he saw her later that day, but she had been hurt by the words he'd said, not that he remembered them. She would forgive him, though. She always did.

The house, for the most part, was quiet. Carter thought about going to see his ex and apologize for his behavior, but he wasn't ready to face her yet. He felt like an idiot coming on to another woman when he was still married, even if the marriage was on hiatus. It had always been so easy to escape into Hillary's waiting arms and lose himself in her. She was a bitch, but she was beautiful and they were friends. They shared a lot of history, and there was a part of Carter that would always care for her. He would always be jealous of other men with her, as she would be jealous of other women with him, but Hillary wasn't the one for him. He'd thought Cassidy was, but he'd been wrong. Or maybe she was the one for him, but he just wasn't for her.

The thought depressed him. He'd invested so much into the marriage. They had a child and a home together. They had businesses they ran in the same city. It would be difficult to pick and move back home if divorce was in their future, and it would no doubt be a messy one.

Just the thought of a divorce made him feel ill. Lilly would never get to know her father if that was the case. Cass would never trust him with her and truthfully he wouldn't trust himself with her. Not until she was old enough to resent him for not being a part of her life.

He tried to push the thought from his mind, spending the day out by the beach. He didn't go in the water. Hell, he never even put on a swimsuit. He sat there and stared at the waves crashing for a few hours and even fell asleep. Mostly he was just trying to get back to his old self and muster up an apology worthy for the friend he'd hurt, and maybe for his wife. But even as he thought of apologizing it made him stomach churn. He was a stubborn man and though he had things to apologize for, she had been the one at fault. He couldn't stand to lose her. That's how deeply he cared for her, but she didn't seem to mind putting her life on the line for someone else. Someone she hardly knew. It was a respectable trait in most cases, but their history had proved it was a flaw. She had gotten herself and him hurt in the past by putting her life on the line for others. That was why they'd escaped to the west coast.

As night fell he returned home and ate his supper alone. Jenny had been avoiding him for the better part of the day even though he'd apologized. He had a feeling she was off at the Waldorf's complaining to Randy about him. After supper he retired to his room to avoid spending quality time with his mother who only probed twice for details about why he'd come alone. Wasn't it obvious? He didn't care about her complaints about not getting to see Lilly. As far as Carter was concerned if his mother wanted to see her grandchild so desperately she could come out to visit. It wasn't as if she worked for a living.

He fired up his laptop and started working, checking the files Cheyenne had sent. She might be a bitch, and she might give him a hard time, but she was good. Nothing needed changes. He absentmindedly grabbed the remote and turned the television on, the sound of the news filling the background as he worked.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

The time after the blowout was a disaster for Cassidy. She didn't want to call a sitter to watch Lilly so she had to take the baby with her to the store. Although her sketches for the new line were getting better, Lilly kept fussing. It was as if the infant knew that her father wasn't there. Not like he played with her much but that didn't matter for the little girl, she knew who her daddy was and she was clearly missing him. She whined and wouldn't sleep and Cass was on the verge of a mental break down. She couldn't deny that she missed her husband as well. Also, that she screwed up big time.

Since Lilly wouldn't sleep and she couldn't get much sleep either she ended up running to the movie store and rented a bunch of sappy movies. What better when you were down than to watch depressing movies to make you feel even more down?! So while Lilly cried, Cassidy cried and it was the great Cry-fest of 2012! But she could only take so much time alone until she finally opened up the laptop and ordered a one-way ticket to New York. She could get a returning ticket when she was done and it wasn't as if Lilly had school or anything like that yet, so she could take all the time in the world... she'd just have to make sure that her shop was left in good hands. And who better than Alyson? Of course Aly was a bit reluctant but Cass did everything but get on her hands and knees and beg. With her store being tended to, she was set to go.

The plane rid was a bumpy one. Lilly was still small enough to ride on her lap and with every bump her daughter would let out a little cry. She'd given her benadryl before they took off but it must have not been enough because she kept waking and crying. By the third hour Cass was ready to just down the benadryl herself and let Lilly crawl all over the plane.

After landing things started to get a little easier on her. She felt home with the change of climate, hearing the shouts of New Yorkers screaming profanities at one another, and of course horns honking. Now all she had to do was hail a cab and get down to the Hamptons, which would take a while in itself. She'd called Jenny who was ecstatic to hear she was coming with the baby and let her know that Carter was in fact in the Hamptons.

It felt like forever, but Cassidy finally arrived. Her hair was frazzled, her shirt covered in drool and she even had mushed up animal crackers glued to her pants. It was more difficult to take care of Lilly by herself than when Carter was there, even if he didn't do much he was able to hold her while she took a moment to get everything situated. Trying to open a box of animal crackers, hold Lilly, her bottle, and a cell phone was like juggling in the circus!

Climbing the stairs to the Merriweather summer home the door was open before she even go to the doorbell. Jenny, who looked like she'd just gotten home, instantly snatched Lilly out of Cassidy's arms and went running away without even saying a word to her. "...nice to see you too," she muttered to jenny as she ran away with her daughter. Cass lugged her bags inside and left them next to the door, she wasn't sure if she would be staying or if she'd have to find a hotel with the way that her and Carter were at ends right now. All she wanted to do though was see him.

She wasted no time, knowing that Lilly was safe and her arms were going to have a time out, she headed up the stairs. She knew exactly which room was Carter's and although she should have just went right in she wanted to be a little more subtle and less.. invasive. So she knocked on the door lightly and listened, hearing the sound of the television on.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

He'd been typing away for over an hour. The sun had set and he sighed, tearing his eyes from the computer and rubbing them. It was far too early to sleep, but somehow he wanted to. Maybe he should go see Hillary now. Landon would probably have left already considering it was technically a work night, but then he realized maybe she would have as well. She did work in the city now..

A sudden knock on his door made him look up, startled. Would it be divine coincidence she would come see him as he thought that? Not likely. He'd fucked up, not her which meant she wouldn't show her face until he had done some grand apology. Maybe it was Jenny wanting to play a game. She liked games... or his mother wanting to know why Cassidy wasn't there. He rolled his eyes and sighed, getting off the bed to answer the door since he'd locked it to keep Jenny from just running in. A man needed his privacy.

When he opened the door his jaw went slack. He was surprised to see her and a little unsure what to say or do, so he stood there frozen. A part of him wanted to scoop her into his arms and kiss her. He'd missed her.. desperately. But he was still so hurt by what she'd said and he was unsure if she'd come to end things. If that were the case he wasn't sure he could handle the rejection of his kiss getting turned down.

"You're probably the last person I expected to see standing there." He offered softly, gulping as he stepped aside for her to enter. He watched her as she came in suddenly so anxious about her being there. What did she have to say? What was so big that she had to spend several hundred dollars to tell him? "Where's Lilly?" He asked, genuinely interested in seeing his daughter, which was a surprise even for him. He found he sort of missed her. He was wearing more of his old clothes, looking like he stepped out of Abercrombie rather than Barney's.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

When Carter opened the door she wasn't expecting to see him looking so.. clean? So preppy? She was so used to seeing him in his suits these days that it was so strange to see him in some of his old clothes. He looked younger and she couldn't deny that it looked good on him. But Cassidy didn't fly across the country just to tell him he looked good.

"You're probably the last person I expected to see standing there." She tried her best not to break down right there in front of his bedroom and choked back a sob, replacing it with a short little laugh and shook her head. "If you want I can go and send a telegram instead?" She knew her joke wasn't all that funny and so she shrugged at him.

"Where's Lilly?" She nodded towards the downstairs, "Jenny stole her before I even got in the door." Her eyes landed back on her husband and she tried to look happy but it just wasn't working for her and her smile turned more into a frown than anything else. "Can we go inside and talk?" She pointed into his room hoping he wasn't going to just slam the door in her face and make this whole trip mean nothing.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"Jenny stole her before I even got in the door." He looked over Cassidy's shoulder as if he would some how see his sister playing with his daughter, but of course that was silly. They were downstairs and he was up there with his wife. He gulped when she asked if they could talk and he nodded, letting her in and shutting the door behind her.

Carter wasn't sure what to do with himself so he stood there letting out a long breath. The moment of truth... He watched Cassidy, feeling stupid wearing what he was, but it was warm there and in his haste he'd really only packed warmer clothes since the city was chillier.

He watched her, taking in the sight. She was a mess. In a way he was sort of glad to see her in that state, but he also felt sort of bad for feeling vindicated by it.

"Did you mean what you said?" He finally ask, his voice small but firm. His heart was hammering in his chest not sure how he would take it if the answer was yes. They had their differences, and lord knew he was bored of their life, but he didn't want them to be over. Yes, he wouldn't mind having sex with someone else, but he loved Cassidy with all of him and he wouldn't trade that for a thousand one night stands. Maybe a thousand and one... no. Not even that.

But if her answer was yes he needed to know so he could go get piss drunk and fuck some floozy to make himself feel better. Because nothing made a rejected 20-something tycoon feel better about himself than having some stupid, blue-blood whore telling him how perfect he was, even though he was anything but.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

She walked into the bedroom and went straight for the bed, sitting on the edge of it and facing Carter. It was so soft that she would have loved to just fall over and pass out, sleep for a good fifteen hours. "Did you mean what you said?" She didn't have to ask him what he was talking about, she knew she said a lot of things but there was one thing in particular that stood out over everything else.

Her moist eyes looked up to meet his, feeling ashamed for her words and feeling like she couldn't even look at him but she forced herself to, shaking her head softly from side to side. "No, baby I never meant any of it." Her voice cracked and she had to look down at her lap to keep herself from crying. She had told herself she wasn't going to do this!

When Cass looked back up to him she had to stand up or else she was going to pass out. She took the few short steps to close the distance between them and placed her hands on his chest. "I was just so angry and hurt that I was just trying to be mean.. I went too far and went total bitch instead."

It had been such a long flight and she was just so weary, covered in drool and animal crackers, she was emotionally distraught as it was but she was keeping herself together all things considering. "Meeting you was the best thing that could ever happen to me. W-we've been through so much, and we have a wonderful life and a beautiful daughter. I'm sorry."

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

He watched her with expectant eyes, not sure what she would say. She looked worn and tired and upset. Did she come all this way to break his heart? Was she overcome with guilt? Grief? Relief? He waited with bated breath for her answer.

"No, baby I never meant any of it." He swallowed the lump in his throat as his own relief washed through him. It was so good to hear that. It didn't make up for the fact she'd said it at all, but it was still good to hear that they weren't divorcing. Not now, anyway. He had no idea what would be in their future, but he hoped not that.

"I was just so angry and hurt that I was just trying to be mean.. I went too far and went total bitch instead. Meeting you was the best thing that could ever happen to me. W-we've been through so much, and we have a wonderful life and a beautiful daughter. I'm sorry."

Her touch felt so nice against his chest and he looked down at her with sad, relieved eyes, showing how very deeply the last couple of days had affected him. He reached up sliding his hands over hers, grasping them and bringing them to his lips and kissing the knuckles gently. He pulled her hands up to his shoulders and then slid his own hands to her chin, cradling her face as he leaned in to kiss her.

Every ounce of remorse went into that kiss, his hands sliding from her face to around her back, pulling her into him as his lips moved steadily against hers, just glad she was back, glad she was still his. It was evident he forgave her for what she said, but he was still so hurt about everything else.

"I love you.." He said softly as he pulled away from her lips, his forehead pressed against hers as he let out a long sigh. He leaned back against the wall so he could look more into her face, his arms still wrapped around her. "You didn't look hurt when you came back. I didn't think I needed to ask, but I should have. For that I'm sorry. I'm not sorry, however, for getting angry with you for chasing her." It was all the things he'd been thinking since he left Oregon. "We fled across the country to seek safety for us, for Lilly... What if something were to have happened to you? You can't..." He frowned and gulped, swallowing the tears the threatened. He wouldn't cry.. he couldn't break down, but the very thought of someone hurting her killed him. "I don't know what to do.. I don't know how to make you stop, how to make you see what you're putting me through.."

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

"I love you.." Cassidy swore she felt butterflies in her stomach at his words, they were words that they told each other all the time but after such a big fight they were the best three little words that she could hear. "I love you too," she choked out and when her arms were around him she couldn't help but feel like she was home. It didn't matter where they were or where they lived, as long as they were together that was home enough for her.

"You didn't look hurt when you came back. I didn't think I needed to ask, but I should have. For that I'm sorry. I'm not sorry, however, for getting angry with you for chasing her." She knew that he needed to talk this through, these were words he'd been holding in for almost three days now, and she knew that he had to let her know everything that he felt, "We fled across the country to seek safety for us, for Lilly... What if something were to have happened to you? You can't..." "I know!" She cried out in a whisper, reaching up and touching his face just wanting to kiss him over and over again but holding back.

"I don't know what to do.. I don't know how to make you stop, how to make you see what you're putting me through.." She hadn't thought of it as putting him through anything, and that was the problem. She didn't see it from his perspective, she'd been blind to what it was doing to him and she nodded her head as she finally let the tears streak down her cheeks.

"I never thought it would be as bad as it was, sweetie. I thought I could stop her and talk her out of it. Maybe find where the creep lived and call the police but it got out of hand.. god, he had another girl there and he had a sister who tried to play dress up with us.. they didn't hurt me.. I was just scared." She blurted out and had to press her forehead against his again, trying to stay strong even though all she wanted to do was fall apart in his arms. She pushed her lips to his, just wanting to feel some normalcy in his kisses.

"I promise.. I promise from now on it won't be like that. I swear that's the last time, okay? No more. I don't want to put our family in danger, I just.. I like to help people.."

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"I never thought it would be as bad as it was, sweetie. I thought I could stop her and talk her out of it." He listened patiently, his brows creased as her hand stroked his face. Why did she need to play the hero all the time? Why couldn't she just let it alone? He wondered if it was because she hadn't been able to save her mother or because of her fathers influence. Maybe it was just the Hall way of thinking, but it wasn't a Merryweather way They didn't deal with their problems like that. They hired people to do that sort of dirty work, which kept them safe. At least safe from being killed in the crossfire. Not necessarily safe from a prison term.

He shut his eyes and sighed as her forehead pressed against his. "I promise.. I promise from now on it won't be like that. I swear that's the last time, okay? No more. I don't want to put our family in danger, I just.. I like to help people.." He hugged her closer, his lips hovering close to hers. "Then volunteer at a soup kitchen." He grumbled into her lips as he kissed her again.

Hillary momentarily flashed in his mind and he was suddenly glad she hadn't taken him up on his pathetic offer. As for him kissing her, Carter decided there were some things best left unsaid. He'd done it out of pain and anguish, and she wouldn't understand. It meant nothing. Well, maybe it had meant a little something, but nothing compared to what he felt just then as he lost himself in her.

An old spark lit in him, remember how things had been when they were new, when danger had threatened to tear them apart. The danger was alive and fresh and so was their spark. Maybe they needed this sort of turmoil to keep him interested. Wasn't that what he'd been craving? It had, but at what expense? He'd need to figure out a way to find that fix now and then without a potentially life threatening situation coming between them.

"I can't lose you again.." He breathed into her mouth as he kissed her harder, turning so it was her back against the wall. His kisses trailed over her jaw line and down her neck, intense and loving. He wanted nothing more than to rip her clothes off and take her right there against the wall, but he was reminded that they weren't kid anymore as he heard Lilly screeching downstairs, his kisses slowing down. He sighed, "My mother bought a crib for her. It's in the guest room." He offered softly. "You two must both be exhausted."

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

"I can't lose you again.." Cassidy didn't have a chance to answer him, they were too busy in their heated make out session. When her back was against the wall she felt old memories flooding of before they had Lilly, when they had been in life or death situations almost every week! It had been wild and passionate and new back then. Now it wasn't new but she still got that squirming feeling in her stomach when he kissed her that way. Her breathing accelerated and her eyes closed, craning her neck to the side to give him easier access to it. "You won't, baby.." she breathed out just before she heard the screech of one little babe that should probably be in bed at this time and opened her eyes when Carter started to slow down the kisses.

"My mother bought a crib for her. It's in the guest room." Although she was pretty certain that Carter's mother never really liked Cassidy before, ever since Lilly was born she'd warmed up to her. When she called and Cass answered the phone she didn't just ask for Carter anymore but would hold a conversation with her before asking for her son. She was glad, not wanting her daughter to grow up without grandparents. "You two must both be exhausted." She let out a long sigh and nodded. What she wouldn't give to just lay down for a little while.

"She's been a little terror the last two days. She missed you and wouldn't stop crying, you really should go say hi to her before I put her to bed." Cass reached up and gently touched Carter's lips with her fingers, "and then afterwards I'll put you to bed." The thought of sharing a bed with her husband made her smile and although she was exhausted, sleep was the farthest thing from her mind when she thought of getting in bed with him.

She grabbed his hand and moved away from the wall towards the door. "Before Jenny steals her and teaches her how to shop online." Cass teased knowing that their daughter more than likely was going to be such a spoiled brat when she was older. With a mom who made clothes and a dad with funds to spare, Lilly was going to have everything she wanted by the age of six.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"She's been a little terror the last two days. She missed you and wouldn't stop crying, you really should go say hi to her before I put her to bed." He suddenly felt guilty for having left. He genuinely didn't think Lilly would miss him. He was hardly around her it seemed, but she had also started coming around to him. She had hated him in her younger months, but now that she recognized him and he smiled at her more, she decided he wasn't such a bad guy after all. She didn't even scream when he held her. She usually snuggled into his arms, something even he found endearing, even if he wouldn't openly admit it. "and then afterwards I'll put you to bed." The promise ignited a fire deep inside of him and he suddenly forgot about Lilly again, wanting to throw his wife on the bed and just let her take him now, but the screeches form downstairs made him stop that sort of thinking. "Good, because I'm suddenly feeling very tired.."

With a great deal of reluctance Carter left the bedroom and smiled at Cassidy's comment. "I'm sure Jenny has already ordered a car in the morning to take the two of you shopping." He was glad that they were on speaking terms again, and all thoughts of Hillary dissipated.

When Carter got downstairs he found his sister and daughter in the living room. Lilly was rolling around and Jenny was tickling her. The screeches were from laughter mostly, but it was very apparent the baby was tired. As soon as she saw him she got a big grin on her face and flailed her arms around, screeching again and Carter's heart melted a little. He didn't even had to do anything and she was overjoyed by his very presence. Her love was unconditional and it was amazing. He wondered how long it would take for him to screw that up.

She pushed herself up and started towards him, waddling mostly. "Hello, peanut." He greeted softly, scooping her up and pressing his lips to her forehead. She melted into him as she often did, but she soon began to flail for her mother. "I think she's dirty." He offered softly, smelling something foul.

Carter passed Lilly to Cassidy and then smiled gently at his sister. "I think We're going to turn in. Tomorrow you'll have Cassidy and Lilly all you want." He promised, pecking her cheek before going with his wife upstairs, grabbing her bag on the way.

"She's asked about you a lot." He offered softly to Cassidy, referring to his sister. He went through the bag and pulled out a diaper and the wipes for her and found a pair of footed pajamas. He laid them out and then grabbed one of the bottles. "I'll get her bottle ready." He offered. He wasn't always so helpful at bedtime but he thought it would be nice to spend some time around them since he hadn't seen either one in a couple of days.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

Cassidy wasn't looking forward to going shopping with Jenny in the morning and maybe she'd be able to talk her way out of it. Jenny loved to shop but that just wasn't Cass. Then again, maybe she could get some fresh ideas for a new line. But she would definitely make Jenny work hard to try and get her to go shopping in the morning.

Once they got downstairs she watched Jenny tickling their daughter and even she had to laugh a little when she saw Lilly squealing. "Okay it's bedtime," she called out and clapped her hands together just as Carter reached out to grab the little girl. Even she couldn't keep from smiling and had to put a hand over her mouth to conceal it while Carter and Lilly seemed to share their moment.

"I think she's dirty." Of course she was. She reached out for her and took Lilly in her own arms and cradled her close, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead and climbing up the stairs with her. She knew Carter was close behind with the bags and once in the room he was already laying out what Cassidy needed which was a surprise! She figured it was because they just had a major blow out but she appreciated the extra set of hands. And after she changed her diaper and put her into pajamas she picked her up again.

"I'll get her bottle ready." She nodded and bounced her around on her hip as she babbled and whined. She was cranky and over tired and Cassidy couldn't blame her. She couldn't wait to put her to bed and get cleaned up herself. "Daddy's getting your bottle ready," she said quietly trying to get her to stop babbling, and it didn't take long once Carter came back with the bottle.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and cradled Lilly in the nook of her arm and fed her the bottle with the other hand. "She'll be out any minute.. and I need a shower." She rocked back and forth gently as Lilly fussed with the bottle in her mouth. She was going to squirm and put up a fight tonight! "Next time we fight how about we don't travel across country to make up?" She teased playfully and even smiled at her husband, wanting nothing more than to just make Lilly go to sleep faster so she could spend some time alone with him.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

Carter came back with the bottle all prepared, handing it off to his wife as she cradled their daughter. "She'll be out any minute.. and I need a shower." He took that as his cue to get a shower ready for her, taking a step back as Cassidy's eyes met his once more. "Next time we fight how about we don't travel across country to make up?" Carter frowned even though she was being playful, but the words hurt. The whole subject had been a tense one for him. She had put herself in danger and fought with him, said hurtful things and then insisted he go across the country to think about it. Of course going to New York had been his idea, but it had been a way for them to think separately. The way Cassidy had made it seem was like she was banishing him.

"How about there isn't a next time." He corrected not nearly as playful as she. He went to her and bent down, pressing his lips to the baby's temple and planting a gentle kiss. "Good night, love." He whispered softly to Lilly before moving his mouth to meet Cassidy's in a chaste kiss. "I'll start that shower for us." He said, not bothering to be discreet about planning on accompanying her. He had spent days away from her and now that they had made up and he had her word she would no longer taunt him with her life on the line, he wanted to spend some quality time with her. Preferably without clothes.

He backed out of the room and went to the bathroom, staring the shower and undressing. He set a couple of towels out for them and then climbed into the stall, letting the scalding water beat down on him. It was nice that the fighting had come to an end, but there was still a part of him that felt unresolved. How could he be sure she wouldn't cross the line again? What would he do if she did? What would she do if she found out he'd kissed Hillary? He shut his eyes and sighed, turning away from the water and pressing his forehead against the cool tile wall of the shower stall. It would just start another fight and he didn't want that. What happened with Hillary was no different than what happened last summer, so he simply decided it wasn't worth the fighting. He would put Hillary out of his mind and email her his apology later in the week.

The door opened, pulling Carter from his thoughts and he turned towards the curtain, feeling a strange jolt in his stomach knowing Cassidy was there for the first time in months. He was glad she was there..

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

Cassidy loved watching Carter show affection towards their daughter, and when he kissed Lilly's forehead it was no different than any other time and brought a smile to her face. "I'll start that shower for us." She gave a nod and looked down at Lilly once again, watching her drink from the bottle. It didn't take much rocking to get the little one to fall asleep and she got up from the bed and quietly carried her daughter to the room where Carter's mother had the crib set up in. It was only a room away and she was certain that if Lilly started to cry one of them would hear her, and if not then there would be Jenny or even his mother if she wasn't too wasted.

Once Lilly was in the crib and Cass was holding nothing but an empty bottle she stood there and just watched the sleeping child. Sometimes she was still amazed at how her and Carter had made such a beautiful child. She could be a nightmare at times but never did Cassidy ever stop loving her. Maybe it was because she was tired, maybe because she was just relieved that her and Carter were getting over their fight, but Cass found herself overwhelmingly emotional and she started to cry softly. She wasn't upset or sad. They were tears of relief as she felt like she could breathe with ease.

When she pulled herself together she left Lilly's room and headed back into Carter's old room, shutting the door and locking it. The last thing she wanted was someone (Jenny) barging in as she undressed.

Cassidy threw her dirty clothes into the hamper and entered the bathroom, opening the door and then shutting it softly almost as if it just in case the first door wasn't really locked.

She pulled back the shower curtain and stepped inside, greeted by her naked husband who already had the warm water running down him. Her arms found their way over his shoulders and wrapping around his neck, her body feeling cold as she pressed herself up against his for warmth and assurance that everything would be fine. Being so close she was able to get under the water as well and felt the goosebumps rising on her arms and down her back from the temperature change. Her lips found Carter's and she mashed them against his eagerly.

"I missed you. So much," she let out, not willing to let him go just yet. She didn't care how dirty they were, she just wanted to be pressed up against him and feel his arms wrap around her.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

His sad eyes met hers when she came into the shower, feeling comforted as she wrapped her arms up around his shoulders. He nuzzled the side of his face against hers and sighed as the water pounded down on them both, his hands slipping around her waist and folding at the small of her back as he hugged her, drawing her closer.

His body was fine tuned to hers and when her head turned, he did the same allowing her lips to find his in their heated kiss. Every ounce of tension came out; the love, the anger, the desperate need to keep each other safe and happy.. all sealed in their kiss. "I missed you. So much," His arms wrapped around her tighter, his right arm snaking up so he could cradle her face as he kissed her, leaning back against the shower so her back wouldn't be the one to get cold.

The water rained on them in such a way that he had to keep his eyes closed as he made out with his wife in the shower. He'd missed her, too. He'd been so afraid he'd lost her, that she was done with him, that he would have to resort to wooing Hillary back into his life, though he would never say those things to her.

He tore his lips form hers, hungrily moving his kisses down her jaw and over her neck, his hand sliding down to grope her. "I missed you too.." He finally choked out through the water that rippled over them.

---

The water was starting to get cold. Carter ran the loofah over Cassidy's shoulder gently, standing behind her and finishing washing her off. "You smell better now." He teased lightly into her ear, nipping it as the last of their lovemaking washed down the drain. He hung the loofah and wrapped his arms around her stomach, drawing her close as his lips feathered kisses over her shoulder.

"I should keep you in here until the water is ice." He threatened playfully in her ear, "For saying what you did to me.." He swallowed and rested his lips on her shoulder, sighing. "I thought we were done." He admitted softly, the water cooling further. "That I would never see you civilly again.. that you would keep Lilly from me." He gulped and sighed, pulling away and reaching around her to shut the water off before it became too cold. "You should get some rest." He said softly, pulling the curtain away and stepping out, grabbing the towels and offering one to Cassidy before drying his face off with the towel and then wrapping it around his waist. "I'll put you to bed." He offered. He knew he should stay up and get some work done, though he had all day tomorrow. There was a part of himself that hadn't completely forgiven her yet, and another part that still couldn't forgive himself.