Hide and Seek.

Chapter 12

The sun has barely came out when they walk Peter to the door. Sarah dreads the moment of his departure, but there's only so much she can do to stall him, and she's not willing to be that girl.

Their time was intense, but far too short for her likings. And whose fault is that? her own thoughts have an accusatory tone, because, really, she was the one to make things difficult. But not anymore. Now she was determined to change. She doesn't want to be the one people have to walk on eggshells around, always trying hard not to set her off. Sarah knows she won't ever be calm like Allan - no one could ever be like him - but she doesn't want to be so Sarah all the time either. Maybe a sprinkle of Allan and a dash of Peter would do her some good. Soften some of her rough edges and sweeten her mood a bit when it turns sour.

Allan walks carefully behind them. Silent. Not sure of where he stands yet. They say goodbye to Peter, together this time. The arms still holding onto each other, not knowing exactly when it's time to let go. Some part of her hoped that she wouldn't have to, not so soon anyway. But she knows that life goes on and Peter has his life to take care of. His lawyer friends and his fancy job are waiting for him back in New York.

"I guess this is it, huh?" Allan says because he had always been the one that could express his feelings more easily.

"We're going to see each other again, don't worry." Peter reassures both of them, but it still sounds like a 'goodbye' rather than a 'see you soon'.

Sarah swallows the lump in her throat. "You sure?"

Peter steps into her personal space, holds her face with both of his hands and kisses her. It's more sugar than spice, but she enjoys it either way. "You won't get rid of me so easily, baby girl."

This time, the mention of the nickname warms up her insides, and she smiles. She missed that stupid little nickname.

He turns to Allan then, and it's suddenly taken aback by the sight of him. He is looking down, but he has tears forming in his eyes. He holds Allan's face and brings them closer together. The kiss has a bit more of tongue than the one he gave Sarah, but it's just as tender.

"You were always able to see right through us. Don't ever stop doing that."

He smiles. "I won't"

"Next time I'm here I'll make one of your dishes and Sarah will choose which one of us makes it better."

He teases Allan, simply because old habits die hard, and he likes to see his nose wrinkling when he laughs.

"I think we already learned enough about choosing yesterday. No need for that anymore."

They give yet another final hug, and Sarah gets inside before his cab gets there because she can never stand the cold for too long. As always, Allan is the poster-boy for good manners, and he grabs Peter's bags and puts them in the trunk. They too, hug again and talk about something that Sarah can't hear. But they're smiling, so she doesn't worry much about it. Peter looks at the window and gives her a final stare. She can't quite read the expression on his face, but she hopes it has a good nature behind it.

In the afternoon when Allan has to leave for work, and she is looking outside at the swing they used to play when they were kids, Sarah thinks that, finally, she is ready to start a family.

And maybe that's just what she'll do.