See end of story for disclaimers.
This is set in our Texas AU where Sarah and Adam are very much alive.
"This is Cowboy Bill on KNTY, Houston's top country station. Coming up in just a few minutes is our daily triple play request. And let me tell you, folks, this request is something special. Stay tuned. But now, here's a message from our sponsor."
Sarah Larabee smiled as she listened to the disc jockey. She always enjoyed the afternoon "Triple Play." That's where a listener was able to call or email their three favorite songs and why they liked them. Then the radio station would play the songs back to back. As she heard the commercial ending, she turned up the volume just a bit, so she could hear while she cleaned up the kitchen.
"And we're back. It's now time for our daily Triple Play request, and I just have to read you this email we got. I'll tell you, though, boys, that it's gonna make your girlfriends and wives jealous, so if they're listening with you, you may wanna prepare yourself. "Bill, I have a very special request. My name is Chris. There is a wonderful lady in your audience named Sarah. Today is our tenth wedding anniversary. Although so many of the songs I hear on your station remind me of her, these three say so much about our lives together and how I feel about her. I was hoping you would play these three today for me as an anniversary gift to her. Thanks so much. Well, Chris, we would be more than happy to play these for you and your wife, Sarah. Sarah, I hope you're listening. Happy Anniversary from Chris and from all of us at KNTY. First up is Trace Adkins and "One Hot Mama.'"
Sarah sat down in the chair as the music started, listening to the song. She started grinning as she listened to the words of the first song Chris had requested for her. She thought back to the time a few months after Adam's birth. She had received an invitation to her 10-year high school class reunion and was upset because she felt so huge after having Adam. Chris had come into their bedroom as she was struggling to fit into a dress she had from before her pregnancy and she was near tears from frustration. She felt like a blimp.
You're doin' all you can to get in them old jeans
You want that body back you had at seventeen
Baby, don't get down, don't you worry 'bout a thing
'Cause the way you fill them out, hey, that's all right with me
I don't want the girl you used to be
And if you ain't noticed, the kids are fast asleep
And you're one hot mama
You turn me on, let's turn it up
And turn this room into a sauna
One hot mama
Oh, Whaddya say, baby?
You wanna?
Well, I know sometimes you think that all you really are
Is the woman with the kids and the groceries in the car
And you worry about your hips and you worry about your age
Meanwhile I'm trying to catch the breath you take away
Oh, and believe me you still do
Baby, all I see, when I look at you
Is one hot mama
Your turn me on, let's turn it up
And turn this room into a sauna
One hot mama
Oh, whaddya say, baby?
You wanna?
I can't imagine me lovin' someone else
I'm a lucky man
I think Daddy's got himself
One hot mama
You turn me on, let's turn it up
And turn this room into a sauna
Whaddya say, babe?
Oh, now whaddya say, babe?
You wanna?
You're one hot mama
Let's turn this room into a sauna, yeah
Whaddya say, babe
Whaddya say, babe
Flashback
Sarah sighed as she looked in the mirror. She couldn't get the dress zipped up. She felt like a cow, even though Adam was six months old and she'd lost most of her pregnancy weight, she still wasn't as slim as she used to be. Suddenly, she felt Chris' arms slip around her waist as he kissed her neck.
"What wrong, sweetheart?" he asked as his eyes met hers in the mirror.
"What's wrong? I'm huge. How can I go to my reunion looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy? What will everyone think?"
"The men will think you're sexy and that I'm a lucky bastard. The women will want to tear your hair out for looking so beautiful. They'll all pale in comparison."
"Chris, I'm serious."
He turned her around in his arms so that he could look in her eyes. "I'm serious, too. Sarah, you have nothing to be worried about. You are a beautiful, foxy woman with curves in all the right places. You're even more sexy now than when we first met. Trust me, you are gonna knock their collective socks off. You knock mine off every day. I still get breathless looking at you."
Sarah looked into his eyes, seeing the truth reflecting in those pools of green. She sighed, twining her arms around his neck and kissing him. "You always know how to make me feel better. Thank you."
He hugged her tight. "You're welcome. You know," he said with a glint in his eye, "you could make me feel better, too. Adam's asleep and the house is locked up tight."
"Why, Chris Larabee, what could you be suggesting?" she said impishly.
He shrugged. "I don't know, a game of Parcheesi, maybe?" He laughed as she whomped him with a pillow, then proceeded to kiss her. The pillow dropped onto the floor, and was ignored for the rest of the night.
End Flashback
At the end of the first song, they immediately went into the second song without pause. Again, Sarah really listened to the words, smiling as she realized just how well the lyrics fit her and Chris.
Well, I'll never forget the first time that I heard
That pretty mouth say that dirty word
And I can't even remember now what she backed my truck into
But she covered her mouth and her face got red
And she just looked so darn cute
That I couldn't even act like I was mad
Yeah, I live for little moments like that
Well, that's just like last year on my birthday
She lost all track of time and burnt the cake
And every smoke detector in the house was goin' off
And she was just about to cry until I took her in my arms
And I tried not to let her see me laugh
Yeah, I live for little moments like that
I know she's not perfect, but she tries so hard for me
And I thank God that she isn't, 'cause how boring would that be
It's the little imperfections, it's the sudden change in plans
When she misreads the directions and we're lost but holdin' hands
Yeah, I live for little moments like that
When she's layin' on my shoulder on the sofa in the dark
And about the time she falls asleep, so does my right arm
And I want so bad to move it 'cause it's tingling and it's numb
But she looks so much like and angel that I don't wanna wake her up
Yeah, I live for little moments
When she steals my heart again and doesn't even know it
Yeah, I live for little moments like that
Flashback
Sarah was in her office, working on her latest book. As a published author of historical romances, jokingly called 'bodice-rippers' by Buck, she was able to work from home and was slowly gaining a name in writing circles. She'd gotten a terrific idea for a scene and wanted to get it down before she forgot it. She'd been working for some time, trying to type as fast as she could, the scene unfolding in her mind. Suddenly, a loud, piercing buzzing broke her concentration. She jerked her head up, then her eyes widened. "Oh, no. The roast!"
She ran into the kitchen, seeing smoke coming from the oven. She grabbed the potholders and opened the oven door, coughing as smoke got into her eyes and mouth. Pulling out the pan containing the charred remains of what would have been dinner, she dumped the whole thing in the sink and turned the faucet on over it. Her eyes were watering from a combination of the smoke and sheer frustration. She'd wanted this dinner to be perfect, but now it was ruined and Chris would be home any minute.
"Sarah! Where are you?" she heard his cry over the din of the smoke detector.
"In the kitchen," she said, grabbing a broomstick and trying to hit the detector, hoping to knock out the battery and shut the thing up. She was about to take another swing, when Chris ran into the room. She was off balance and almost brought the broomstick down on his head.
"Whoa, hold on, honey," he said, gently taking the broomstick out of her hands. He glanced around the kitchen, then led her over to a chair and seated her. He proceeded to open up all the windows and turn off the oven. Finally, grabbing a footstool, he climbed up and pulled the battery out of the smoke detector. Silence descended over the room. During all of this, Sarah could only sit, numbly staring as Chris aired out the room.
"Sarah, are you okay?" he asked softly, kneeling in front of her.
Her eyes welled up. "No, I'm not. I wanted this night to be special and I got an idea for my story and forgot the oven was on and now the entire fucking dinner is ruined!!!!" Her eyes widened as she realized what she had said, and she could feel heat creeping up her face. She covered her face, embarassed that she'd used a word like that.
She felt his arms enfold her in their embrace, and she just buried her face in his chest and started sobbing. She couldn't believe this. First, she'd ruined a special dinner that she'd been planning all day, then she'd almost burned down the house and now she was using words her mother would have washed her mouth out for saying. But Chris didn't say anything, he just kept his arms around her and was rubbing her back.
Once the tears had subsided, she pulled back, her swollen eyes gazing into Chris'. "You okay now?" he asked, while wiping the last of the tears from her cheeks. She nodded.
"I'm sorry. I just... I wanted this to be so special and now it's ruined."
"Nothing's ruined, baby. So we won't have roast tonight. We can order out for pizza, instead."
"No, pizza isn't good enough. This was too important."
Chris had a troubled look on his face. "Um, baby, please don't be mad, but did I forget something? It's not our anniversay, or either of our birthdays. What important thing did I forget?"
Sarah smiled through her tears. "Oh, no, Chris, nothing like that. It's just that I have something to tell you, something important, and I wanted to have a special dinner all prepared. But it didn't quite work out that way." She couldn't help but grin as she saw the look of relief in Chris' eyes, knowing it was because he was glad he hadn't forgotten something.
"Oh, okay. That's good," he said, then stammered, "No, not good that things didn't work out, just that I, I mean...."
She decided to let him off the hook. She put a hand on his arm. "I know what you meant."
"So what is this important news you have to tell me?" he asked. "Did you win an award for one of you books?" His tone told her that such an occurance wouldn't surprise him. Sarah knew that Chris was proud of her and her work. Even when he joked to Buck that some of those steamy love scenes she wrote were acted out in their bedroom, she could hear the pride in his voice. It always amazed her how supportive Chris was of her work. It was because of her work that she and Chris had even met. She'd been doing a book signing in a local bookstore right after her first book was published. Chris had been a customer in the store and approached her afterward. They had been married six months later.
She smiled, her whole face lighting up. "No, something even better."
"Better than winning an award?" Chris said, "Must be pretty big news then."
She nodded, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. "Chris, we're going to have a baby."
She leaned back, watching as his face turned from shock to awe and then to joy as her news sunk in. Then, grinning like a loon, he picked her up, spun her around and let out a loud "YAHOO!"
End Flashback
As the third song started, Sarah let the words flow over her. This last song was one of her favorites and she knew why Chris had chosen it. She loved having candles in the house, especially in their bedroom. And she did use them to "set the mood' on many occasions. She'd used them several weeks ago, when Buck had taken Adam for the weekend while she and Chris enjoyed some special time at the cabin built by Chris' grandparents.
When you light those candles
Up there on that mantle, setting the mood
Well, I just lie there staring
Silently preparing to love on you
Well, I can feel the heat from across the room
Ain't it wild what a little flame can make you wanna do
I melt
Everytime you look at me that way
It never fails, anytime, anyplace
This burn in me is the coolest thing I've ever felt
I melt
Don't know how you do it
I love the way I lose it, every time
What's even better
Is knowing that forever you're all mine
The closer you get, the more my body aches
One little stare from you is all it takes
I melt
Everytime you look at me that way
It never fails, anytime, any place
This burn in me is the coolest thing I've ever felt
I melt
I melt
Everytime you look at me that way
It never fails, anytime, any place
This burn in me is the coolest thing I've ever felt
I melt
Everytime you look at me that way
I melt
I melt
Flashback
The sun was still high in the sky when Sarah heard Chris' pickup in the yard. It was Friday and he'd taken the afternoon off from work early. He didn't know it yet, but Sarah had special plans for them this weekend. She shivered in anticipation. She'd been planning this surprise for over a week. Buck was going to take care of Adam all weekend, a treat both man and boy were looking forward to. Adam loved spending time with his "Uncle" Buck, and Buck enjoyed any excuse to shuck off his adult persona and be the big kid he was inside. She smiled as she finished saddling the horse, going over things in her mind, trying to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
She smiled as she heard laughter echoing from the yard as Adam greeted his daddy. She loved to hear Adam laugh, especially since the kidnapping scare. Those few days, when their son had been missing, had been the toughest she and Chris had ever had to endure. Even now, months after the incident, her heart still ached. She had blamed herself for not being able to keep Adam safe. That monster had stolen her baby right out of her arms. If it hadn't been for Chris and his love, she would have gone crazy.
Sarah shook her head, trying to dispel the horrible images of what might have been. This was no time to dwell on bad thoughts. Adam was safe and sound, she had a new family member in the form of Vin Tanner, the man that had saved Adam. And she had Chris, her beautiful, wonderful Chris. And this weekend she intended to remind him of just how much she loved him. She had spent the morning running back and forth between their house and the cabin, taking supplies out there in a truck so that everything would be ready when they got there. Then she'd come back to shower and get the horse ready. Now, she just had to get her man, and the next two days would be spent alone, just she and Chris.
She pulled herself into the saddle, and headed her horse over to the corral, where Chris was talking to Adam and Vin.
"Hey, Handsome, need a ride?" she said, smiling down into the beautiful green eyes of her husband. He didn't reply for a long moment. She could see his eyes moving over her, watching as the wind lifted up her long hair that she had purposely left hanging free. Then he smiled. She almost groaned at the heat in his gaze.
"Depends. Which way you headed?" he asked.
She shrugged. "Thought I'd go find me a sunset. Care to join me?" She slipped her left foot out of the stirrup.
"I never turn down a beautiful woman." Chris turned toward his son, who was whispering into Tanner's ear. Both were smirking at the blond man.
"What about the munchkin?" he asked.
"Vin is going to watch Adam until Buck gets here. Buck's gonna make a weekend of it with Adam," Sarah replied.
"All weekend?"
"Yes. I told him we'd be back sometime on Sunday."
"Well, then, I guess you've got yourself a date. Do I need to pack?"
She shook her head. "Already done."
He walked over to her horse, never taking his eyes from hers. Lifting himself into the saddle behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, as she slid her foot back into the stirrup.
"Lead on, sweetness," he said softly as he nuzzled her neck.
She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back against him. "If you don't stop that, we'll never get where we're going," she whispered. She could feel his lips against her neck as he smiled, then he moved back far enough to look over at his son and Tanner.
"We'll see you later, boys," Chris said to Adam and Vin.
Tanner just nodded, while Adam waved as his parents rode off.
They had been riding for about ten minutes before he finally asked the question she'd been expecting. "So, where are we headed?"
"To your grandparent's cabin. These last few months, we've been so worried about being away from Adam and all. I decided that you and I needed some alone time just for us."
"Just us, huh? I like that idea. But why take the horse? Didn't we make a road going up to the cabin for a reason?" he asked quizzically.
"Yes," she replied, then glanced over her shoulder to give him a smoldering look. "But in the truck, I couldn't sit in front of you for two hours, with your arms wrapped around me while you nibbled my ear."
She felt his arms tighten around her waist as his eyes gleamed. "Well, you've got me there," he said.
"And I intend to keep you, too."
They rode in silence the rest of the way, enjoying the scenic ride and the smooth rhythm of the horse underneath them, and the simple joy of being together. Once they reached the cabin, Chris took care of bedding down the horse for the night in the small corral, while Sarah unpacked the saddlebags that Chris had carried in and started the small generator that powered the few electrical appliances. She got the dinner started that she'd prepared at home and brought up earlier in the truck. Just as she put the thicky, hearty Irish stew on the stove, she heard Chris walk up behind her. A hand appeared in front of her face, holding a bluebonnet. She grabbed the flower, turning around and into Chris' arms. For several minutes, they just stood there, holding each other, savoring their time together.
Sarah could see Chris looking around the room as she turned back to stir the stew. She'd been working hard today and the cabin showed it. She'd put fresh linens from their house on the bed, had dusted and aired out the little cabin. And she had numerous candles on the mantle, waiting to be lit. Chris set the table while she finished getting dinner, then they sat down to eat, telling each other about their days. Afterward, they sat on the small sofa, Sarah on Chris' lap, staring into the fire and doing some heavy necking. Finally, Chris raised his head.
"Sarah, you know when Adam asked me what I wished for when I blew out the candles on my birthday cake?"
She smiled, thinking back to the party a couple of months ago. "Yeah, you told him that it was a secret and you couldn't tell him or it wouldn't come true."
"Well, there is something I want, but only you can give it to me."
She stared at him, curious. "And what is it that my strong, handsome husband wished for?"
"A little girl."
Sarah could feel her throat close. Right before Adam's abduction, she and Chris had talked about having another baby, but since then, they'd been concentrating on Adam and how lucky they were to have gotten him back okay, that it hadn't been brought up again. Now, Chris was saying that he wanted another child. Sarah couldn't have been happier. "Oh, Chris. Yes. Oh, yes."
He smiled, then kissed her. "Then go light those candles, baby. And let's make us a daughter."
"It could be another boy, you know," she teased him.
Chris shrugged. "Then we'll love him as much as Adam, and we'll just have to try again."
Sarah laughed. "I do love the way your mind works, Larabee."
He feigned a wounded look. "Just my mind? I thought the rest of me had made more of an impression than that."
Sarah paused in the act of lighting the candles. She looked at him with a smoldering gaze. "Oh, believe me, stud, you definitely make an impression."
End Flashback
"And that was today's Triple Play. Trace Adkins' 'One Hot Mama,' followed by Brad Paisley with 'Little Moments' and finally 'I Melt' by Rascal Flatts. That goes out to Sarah from Chris on their tenth wedding anniversay. Congratulations to you both. Next up is Toby Keith's new one 'Sweet'..."
Sarah sang along softly, as she finished her chores in the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, she saw that she had a couple of hours to get ready. She intended to have a long soak in the tub, then take her time getting her makeup and hair just right. And she had a spectacular new dress to wear. Buck was picking up Adam from school and would be babysitting him for the night. Chris would be home right after work to get ready, then the two of them were heading out on the town for dinner and dancing. There would be no ruined pot roast for them tonight. Sarah couldn't wait to tell Chris her news. She lay a hand over her stomach. Their little girl was on the way.
THE END...for now
One Hot Mama is the property of Casey Beathard, Tom Shapiro, Trace Adkins and Capitol Records
Little Moments is the property of Chris Dubois, Brad Paisley and Arista Records
I Melt is the property of Gary LeVox, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher, Rascal Flatts and Hollywood Records
No copyright infringement is intended.
The boys don't belong to us, dangnabit! Thanks to Mirisch, Trilogy, MGM, TNN, CBS, Hallmark Channel for bringing them to us. And many thanks to those seven wonderful actors for giving them life.
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