18

Chapter 6- Closer

"There has to be some mistake..." Quinn said on the phone as the woman explained the number in her bank account as she paced back and forth in her room. "How-Yes...thank you." Hanging up the phone, she heard the sound of steps outside her door and just before a knock began, she opened the door to find Hudson holding two cups of coffee. It was obvious by the looks of them that one had been excessively treated with sugar and the other was dark enough to confuse for tar.

"Did you add money to my account?" She asked as he looked to the ground then back to her.

"I saw how much you were struggling...and you've been doing incredible with the kids-"

"And you pay for doing that. I don't feel right with you giving me money like that-"

"You have more then earned it."

"Please Hudson...I can't."

"Why?"

"I don't feel right."

"Is it about last week? When I did that to David and you?"

She paused. "It's not about that."

"I promise that it won't happen again. To be honest, I let myself be immature. I can't stand guys like him. Especially when they don't know a good thing when they have it. I'm sorry if I made things awkward. I really do hope that you accept the money and understand that you help me so much around here. Without you, I would be on anti-depressants-without a doubt. You have allowed me to breathe."

"I love it here...and the kids." Moving to the other side of the pool house, she could feel his gaze on her.

"Speaking of which...I wanted to ask if you wanted to go with us...to the beach..."

"Are you sure? That sounds like a good bonding day."

"Actually...I thought you would say that so I asked them if they wanted to and they said not without you."

"Really?"

He nodded. "We are leaving in twenty minutes."

"Oh. Okay." As he left her alone, she threw everything she would need into a bag before searching her drawers for the most appropriate bathing suit. Choosing the one that had polka dots and appeared like something from the 50s, she snatched her shades and headed into the house. Upon entering, the kids gave her large hugs and began talking her ear off about all the things they wanted to do.

"I need some time with Miss Quinn too..."

Her eyes locked to him as her heart began to flutter.

"To discuss our upcoming activities."

She kept her polite smile as they made their way to the beach. For the first hour, Quinn found herself to be a floating device for Roderick as he tightly clung onto her. With not much more than a few glances from him and a collection of memorable flirtatious comments, she thought hard on what she wanted with Hudson.

The second hour was spent with her in a chair, tanning while the kids got snacks and played with the kids their age. It was this time where Hudson snatched her attention as he began to talk.

"I don't think I have ever seen the kids off of their electronics this long. It is all because of your influence."

Realizing she should keep it professional, she slowly shook her head.

"I'm sure they like the fact you are home. They talk about how much they miss you." She squinted. "Can I ask you something?"

He nodded.

"Why is it you ARE home? I mean...I know you work from your office during the day, but you've done almost everything with the kids-"

"About four years ago, I was taking a call with four other firefighters and a beam came down and fractured my spine. I am sure this is going to make me sound old....but...it....it affected me up until about six months ago. There was this alignment machine in England that helped the swelling deduce and everything...but due to my time away, the kids thought I didn't want to spend time with them. They don't understand that it wasn't a choice. I didn't want them to see me that way-all broken."

"I'm so sorry. That must have been awful."

"It's better now though...I mean...I could pick you up...if it ever came down to it."

"So do you still work outside of the house?"

"At the moment, I am doing physical therapy and when I'm cleared, I'll go back to work. They just want to be sure they discs don't slip or I become disabled on the job."

"I commend you, Hudson. The thought of giving my life everyday, petrifies me. And to think you are dying to get back to work."

"I thought I wanted to."

She squinted at him.

"But then you came along." Her expression changed from amused to surprised. "You've livened up all of our lives. Made things easier for Rochelle. Although to be honest, I don't things can get much easier for her."

"What do you mean?"

"Well she works six hours and spends the other four or five having drinks and talking with her friends. These poor kids need a role model and she's off talking about waxing and George Clooney-I'm guessing. She's never really been a mom figure. I mean...she leaves for weeks and doesn't think ahead about the kids-their lunches, their hobbies or sports-just expects us to figure everything out."

"I'm sorry. That sounds awful."

"It's not your fault."

"I'm still sorry. She seems like an inspirational woman...but a disappearing mother. It's very sad."

"I'm so glad you see it. I mean...I don't want to be cliche when it comes to being in the middle of a divorce...but I jut want it over...so I can be free."

"What will you do with that freedom?" She teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Whatever I want." The way he arched is brow to her was as if he had been asking her permission. Very slowly, she smiled.

"The kids were telling me about a camping trip..."

"Yes. The one I used to take them on before my accident. We go to the state park and roast marshmallows, go hiking...go to the river...tell ghost stories."

"You want me to go?"

"Yeah...unless you wanted....to...not." Suddenly he seemed nervous around her as he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.

"We go on Friday if you want to." He added.

"Sure. Sounds fun."