Title: Message on the machine

Author: Soraya ( soraya_dean@yahoo.uk.com )

Summary: This takes place sometime in the future…

Disclaimer:
The characters are obviously not mine. They belong to DEK and ABC. I
just like to borrow them and colour them up a bit.

------------------

The phone rings for a while. Then a beep signals the answering
machine switching on.

"Hi, we're not in right now. Leave a name and number, we'll get
back to you… and Lindsay, if that's you calling, I love you
sweetheart," says a deep, male voice.

Lindsay puts down the phone, leans back in her chair and whispers,
"I love you too Bobby."

The last few words on the answering machine - I love you sweetheart -
brings a warm glow to her face. That was Bobby's so-called public
display of affection. Before the message was recorded, Lindsay had
asked why it was so difficult for him to be affectionate with her in
front of other people. He didn't answer, just smiled. When he had
added that little message at the end, she had laughed, calling it a
futile attempt. But deep inside she was touched. Truly touched.

A soft knock on the door shakes her out of her reverie. The door
opens and in walks a tall, dark-haired man. He smiles at her. The
effect is astounding. That smile rarely comes to play… except for
Lindsay. She always gets his sweetest smile because she occupies a
very special place in his heart.

"You all set?" he asks, walking towards her.

"Yes, did you get the flowers?" She takes the hands he offers.

"Yep, white lilies. Just like you said. But I left them in the
car," he answers, pulling her gently to her feet.

Cupping his face in the palm of her hands, she studies the handsome
face before her. From the beautiful, expressive eyes to the strong,
determine jaw. Tender emotion washes over her.

"So alike…" she says with a catch in her voice.

Those two words and her eyes carry so much emotions. He finds himself
tongue-tied. He swallows the painful lump in his throat. Feeling
uncomfortable he quickly takes her hands and leads her to the door.
It is always difficult for him to open up. When it comes to matters
of the heart, he likes to keep the lid tightly shut. Even with her…
But one day, she'll find a way to get inside that shell. She did it
once and she will again… She smiles as they walk out the door and
down the street, hand in hand.

Later in the car, they sat in silence. As the scent of white lilies
drifted in the air, she thinks back of the voice on the machine. It
was recorded a long time ago but she still can't bring herself to
take it off the answering machine. Sometimes, she would call the
phone in her bedroom just to hear that message. She would call from
her office or when she was away. Just to hear his voice saying "I
love you sweetheart" once again.

When the car came to a halt, the two figures step out and walk along
the pathway. Such a beautiful spring morning. The air, crisp and
fresh. Here and there, trees and flowers in full bloom dot the green
landscape. Silence fills the air, interrupted only by the occasional
sounds of birds chirping in the distance. It's so peaceful, too
peaceful for some. After a few minutes of walking, they reach the
spot they've been looking for. Both suddenly turn pensive, each
holding on to different memories.

"I miss him, " Her voice breaks the silence.

"Yeah, I miss him too mom. Six years now and yet sometimes… I still
can't believe that dad's not with us anymore."

"Neither can I honey… neither can I," she says looking into the blue,
blue eyes of her 24-year old son. Eyes so much like his father's,
sometimes it hurts just to look at them.

She places the flowers near the headstone and whispers, "I love you
Bobby. Always…"

The end