By Becky (Herbard)

This short story was inspired by a poem written by Terri Stanfield. After posting it on the sight and reading it, I began to think about the story possibilities. And so with Terri's kind permission, here is the story; but first off, please read Terri's wonderful poem.

Mommy's Little Boy
A little boy
With eyes so wide
Stands in the cold
Alone, outside
Watching closely
Searching each face
As it passes
His little space
Eyes full of hope
heart full of trust
Mommy will come
He knows she must
She said to wait
And not to move
She will be back
And pretty soon
But hours pass
She doesn't come
He's cold, hungry
And he's scared, some
Where is mommy
She should've been back
Maybe she's hurt
Or been attacked
People are mean
Or they can be
Now he'e worried
And then he sees
A policeman
He goes for help
Tells his story
And finds himself
Held in strong arms
And taken in
To where it's warm
And asked again
To tell his tale
Right from the start
And so he does
He's very smart
Now everyone
Looks really sad
And that's not good
Bu they're not mad
They give him food
And hot cocoa
Then a lady
Says he must go
With her for now
To a new place
Just for tonight
He'll have to stay
But he can't go
His mommy said
That she'd be back
And so he led
Them back to where
It all began
He knew his mom
Would come again
But when he saw
She wasn't there
It broke his heart
She didn't care
Did she just leave
Him all alone
It looked that way
His mom was gone
What did he do
That was so bad
He didn't think
He's made her mad
His mom loved him
She really did
And she'd be back
He was her kid
But the people
That he was with
Looked really sad
And said that this
Was not a place
For him to be
To come with them
And they would see
If they could find
His missing mom
And talk to her
About this some
And so he went
With them, for now
They'd find his mom
He knew, somehow
And they would be
Back together
Him and mommy
Always, forever
Terri Lyn Stanfield
reulyn@aol.com


herbard@yahoo.com

********************

Chapter 1:

'Don't move Tommy!' were the last words she said to him as she slowly walked down the street and out of sight. How long had it been? He'd been a good boy and stayed put for what seemed like forever. She'd be proud of him for obeying. But now it was getting colder and his tummy was empty. How much longer until she came back? He looked at all the people passing by and wondered if they knew where mommy was. Something must be wrong, she must be hurt, or maybe someone attacked her. Fear gripped his little body as he waited for mommy to come back. It was so cold now, and all he had on was a lightweight jacket. A policeman was approaching him. What should he do? Ask if he knows where mommy is? Tell the policeman he's scared, cold and hungry? Now it's starting to snow, and it's so much colder.

'Excuse me, Mr. Policeman?'......................

********************

Kris watched the snow coming down from her office window. It had started off lightly but in the last hour it had really begun to fall. The latest weather report was promising a record snowfall of 2-3 feet. The newscasters were telling people to stay in and get off the roads. Kristy glanced at the pile of paperwork on her desk. It was only 2 o'clock but her boss, Michael Santiago, told everyone to leave as soon as they could. Kris gathered up some of the files on her desk and stuck them in her briefcase. She could work at home as well as the office. Gathering up her coat she shut the lights off and started to head out but was stopped by the ringing of her phone. Something made her pick it up and answer.

'Hello,' she said as she lay her briefcase back down on the paper laden desk. 'In this weather? Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible. It never ends,' Kris said as she hung the phone back up.

The ride to the police station should have only taken twenty minutes, but the roads where getting nearly impassible so it took Kristy over an hour to arrive at the east side police station. The east side of town wasn't one of the better areas to be in, but Kris figured the snow was keeping the riff raf in. Finding a place to park the car, Kris exited out into the elements. The wind had started to pick up making the snow blow hard against her face. The first thing thirty year-old Kris Winters saw as she entered the police station was a little boy of no more than 7 laughing and giggling as one of the police officers was carrying him around on his back. The officer stopped when he saw Kris enter.

'Can I help you?'

'Yes, I'm Kris Winters from DSS. I'm here for Tommy Turner,' the woman said a little more sterile than she felt. It tugged at her heart everytime she had to pick up a throw away child. And lately there seemed to be more of them.

'This is Tommy,' the officer said to Kris as he slid the youngster down off his back. He then turned toward the boy and smiled. 'Tommy,' he started gently, 'this nice lady is going to take you to a nice place to stay until we can find your mommy.'

'But I want to stay with you.'

'I wish you could, kiddo, but Miss Winters is going to take real good care of you.'

'What about my aunt?.'

Kris turned to the officer. 'What about his aunt?'

The officer leaned in to Kris and spoke softly. 'The kid keeps saying that his aunt is Addison Turner. Probably just heard it on TV or something. There's no way she'd let her nephew stand on a street corner alone.'

'Thank you officer.'

'I just need you to sign a release form Miss Winters and you'll be all set.'
Kris had signed hundreds of these forms and knew them by heart. Once signed she offered her hand to the scared tyke.

Tommy looked up at the officer and said, 'Thank you for taking good care of me.'

Kris glanced at the tough looking officer and could see even he was touched by the child's sincerity.

'You're a good boy Tommy and don't ever let anyone tell you differently.'

'I won't.' Tommy took Kris' hand, looked up and smiled at the blonde haird green-eyed beauty. The two started out the door but were stopped by the police officer.

'Miss Winters?'

'Yes officer?'

'Be careful out there, the roads are really starting to get bad.'

'I will thank you.'

With that Kris took Tommy's hand and headed out into the gray snowy afternoon. She looked down at the poor boy and his windbreaker and knew that it didn't offer any warmth from the cold snowy day. Luckily the heater in her car worked well and he'd be kept warm until she dropped him off at the foster home she was sending him to.

Kris walked up to her snow covered car and let out a sigh. The windshield was all covered again with snow. She unlocked the passenger side door and helped Tommy get buckled up while taking her brush to remove the snow. Once that was done, Kris got into the car and started it. The heat came right up. She looked down at the half frozen boy sadly. How many like him had she seen? How many children had been thrown away by their parents, unwanted? Too many in the four years she'd been with DSS.

'Miss Winters?' asked the small voice.

'Yes Tommy?'

'Are you taking me to see my aunt?'

There was so much sincerity in his voice, Kris almost believed him. 'No honey, I'm taking you to stay with some nice people I know. They will take good care of you.'

'But so will Aunt Addy. Besides, she'll be mad if you take me someplace where she doesn't know where I am. Please can we call her?'

'I'm sorry honey, but I need to take you to the Millers for tonight.' Kris put the car in gear and pulled out onto the street. The back tires spun and the car skidded in the deep snow. Once Kris gained control of the spinning tires she slowly accelerated and headed towards the Millers. The going was slow, as the heavy snow came down.

Eyeing Kris' cell phone, Tommy thought he'd make one final plea to see Aunt Addy. Her phone number was the only number he knew by heart. He'd asked the policeman if he could call and he only laughed, saying that he couldn't possibly know Addy Turner. Tommy didn't know why, but lots of people always laughed at him when he said that she was his aunt. The nice lady was so busy trying to drive in the heavy snow that she didn't see him take the cell phone off of its stand. He looked at the phone for a minute and then dialed the number. Relief washed over him as a familiar voice answered the phone. 'Aunty, please come get me!' the little voice pleaded.

Kris looked down at her charge and saw he was using her cell phone. Her first instinct was to grab it from him, but the foul streets before her prevented that action. Kris looked for a place to pull the car over. She let the engine idle as she took the phone from Tommy.

'Hello? Who's this? My name is Kris Winters. I work for DSS.' Kris felt the wind knocked out of her sails as she heard the name on the other end of the phone. Addison Turner. The child was right, he was her nephew and Kris was getting chewed out by one of the wealthiest women in the world. 'Look Miss Turner, I'm sitting in my car, trying to drive in this foul weather, perhaps if you give me your address I can bring Tommy to you.' Kris was trying to stay calm and not let her temper get the best of her. Who did this woman think she was? She didn't leave the boy alone on the street. Once she had written down the address, she pulled out into traffic, and slowly made the drive to Addison Turners house. The roads were almost impassible, but Kris knew she had to keep going.

Two hours later, she pulled up in front of the large Victorian home. The front door opened and out ran a tall lone figure. Tommy unbuckled his seatbelt, and tore out of the car and into waiting arms. Kris took a little longer, dreading a confrontation with Addison Turner. The woman had been angry on the phone. At this point all she wanted was to go home and crawl into bed with a good book.

'Honey, go ahead into the house, Margaret has dinner waiting for you,' the woman said softly to her nephew.

Tommy tore into the house while Kris came around and stood face to face with the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. 'Miss Winters, I'm Addison Turner,' the woman said as she held out her hand. 'Please come into the house and out of this mess.'

Kris couldn't even say anything to the woman as she followed her into the old Victorian home. A kindly looking woman stood by to take her coat. With a smile she walked off with Kris' coat.

'Let's go sit in the living room, there's a fire in the fireplace to warm you up.'

'Thank you Miss Turner.' Kris looked at the woman. She was more beautiful than her newspaper photos. Her dark hair cut at the shoulders glistened in the light. And her eyes, they had to be the bluest eyes that she had ever seen on anyone. The woman montioned for her to sit. The warmth of the fire felt good as she let herself relax in the plush couch. 'Miss Turner, I want to apologize for any mix up.'

Addison held up her hand and shook her head. 'No, I'm the one who needs to apologize. I called your supervisor and he explained the situation in full. I understand that you were only doing your job and looking out for Tommy's best interests. I'm only sorry that his mother put him in that position and didn't call me.'

'Is she your sister?'

'Sister-in-law. She's my brother's widow.' 'I'm sorry Miss Turner. I'm just glad that Tommy will be with family tonight instead of a foster home. I should probably get going, the roads are horrible and it's going to take me hours to get home.'

'Absolutely not Miss Winters. You're going to stay here until the storm passes. The weather reports are telling people to stay in because the roads are impassible. I can't in all good conscious let you back out into those conditions.'

'I don't want to impose. I'll get a hotel room.'

'No you won't because there aren't any to be had. I insist. I have plenty of room. It's the least I can do after the way I treated you on the phone.' For the first time Addison smiled, and that was all Kris needed to consent to staying.

'If you're sure,' the social worker smiled back.

'Good it's settled.'

'If you'll excuse me a moment, I actually have a bag packed in case of emergencies.'

'I like that a woman who thinks ahead.'

Kris went back outside and retreived the small suitcase from her trunk. She went back inside the warm cozy home. Addison was waiting in the front hall as she entered the home.

'I'll show you your room.'

The two women started up the stairs but stopped when Margaret came along. 'Miss Addy, Tommy fell asleep, he needs to be put to bed.'

'Just a minute Miss Winters. Addy went out to the kitchen and picked up the exhausted little boy. She carried him upstairs follow by Kris. Gently, Addy placed the sleeping figure onto the bed and with Kris' help undressed the little tyke. She had always kept on hand clothing for the boy, as well as toys, games and books for his frequent visits. Addy had to push the tears back down as she looked at her young nephew. Leaning down, she kissed him on the forehead, turned on a small night light and left the room.

Kris could see on Addy's face how upset she was and instinctively put her hand on the womans back. 'Are you okay?' she asked softly.

'He looks so much like my brother did at that age. I'm sorry Miss Winters, let me show you your room and then we can have some dinner.' For a brief second Kris thought the woman was letting down her defences but then the wall came right back up. Addison Turner had made her money in the corporate world, and Kris was sure she didn't do that by being emotional. But Kris could sense that this woman was a softy, especially when it came to her nephew.

The two women entered a bedroom next to Tommy's. It was beautifully decorated with old antiques. 'What a beautiful room Miss Turner.'

'Please it's Addy, and thank you. I decorated it myself.'

'I just love antiques. My idea of a relaxing weekend is hitting the antique stores looking for old treasures.' Kris examined all the knick knacks about the room.

'Perhaps we could go sometime,' Addy said before she even realized what she offered.

'I'd love to.'

'I'll let you get changed out of your work clothes. Dinner will be ready when you come down. And Miss Winters?'

'It's Kris,' the blonde woman smiled nearly taking the breath away from Addy.

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome,' she said as she shut the door. In a few minutes, Kris had changed out of her work clothes and into a pair of sweats and T-shirt she had packed in case of such emergencies. She had everything she needed in the suitcase. Toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, a couple of days change of clothing. Kris headed downstairs and followed her nose to the kitchen, where she found Addy and Margaret deep in conversation. 'Exuse me, am I intruding?'

'Not at all, please come in have a seat. Kris this is Margaret, she takes care of me,' Addy smiled.

Kris extended her hand to the older woman. 'Someone has to, you can't take care of yourself. Nice to meet you.'

Kris sat down next to Addy at the kitchen table. Three places had been set. Margaret got up and brought three bowls of steaming stew over to the table.

'That smells good,' Kris commented.

'Margaret make the best stew of any one around.'

'If it tastes half as good as it smells, I'm going to have to agree,' the blonde laughed as she tasted the food. 'Yup! I agree, it is the best,' she said between mouthfuls.

'Thank you,' Margaret beamed.

'How long have you been a social worker?' Addy asked.

'Four years.'

'I bet you've seen a lot,' Margaret commented sadly.

'Yes I have, and that's why I have to keep trying, help those children that I can. Someone needs to be an advocate for them. Most children don't have a voice, and if in some small way I can be their voice, then it's all worthwhile. I'm sorry, I'm rambling about my work.'

'Don't be sorry,' Addy started, 'I can see you have passion about your work. I admire that, and I admire what you do to try and help these children.'

'You do a lot towards children rights.'

'Not nearly as much as I should, and I'm not in the middle of it like you are, day in and day out.'

Kris smiled at Addy momentarily causing the older woman to shudder. Kris Winters had the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. Addy was glad she was sitting because surely if she were standing her legs would have gone out from under her.

The ringing of the telephone brought Addy out of her reverie. Getting up from the chair she went over to the wall phone and answered it. 'Addison Turner...Beth, where are you?...What the hell were you thinking, leaving Tommy all alone, and out on the street without proper clothing...Do you have any idea what it's like out there?...This is the final straw Beth...I'm calling my lawyer and I'm going to get custody of Tommy until such a time as you're capable of taking care of him...End of subject Beth, you clean up your act and prove to me you're clean and sober, and then you get Tommy back. Addy hung up the phone and went back to the table.

'I'm sorry Kris.'

'If you want my opinion, that girl married my Thomas for his money, plain and simple,' Margaret said with her back turned to Addy and Kris as she washed the dishes.

'I agree Margaret, but she is Tommy's mother and we have to do what we can to help her.'

'She needs six months in county lock-up and maybe she'll see what harm can come to her,' Margaret huffed.

'Is there anything I can do to help?' Kris asked with all sincerety.

'If you can tell me why Beth does the things she does. This wasn't the first time she left Tommy alone, it's just the first time she got caught. The other times I was able to head her off at the pass, so to speak.'

'I take it from the phone conversation you had, that she either drinks or uses,' Kris said softly.

'Both.'

'I can tell you from experience that even the best mothers lose all sight of right and wrong when they get in over their head with drugs and alcohol. Many of them don't mean to be negligent, but at the time the most important thing is their next fix, not their children or spouses. And then the next thing you know, the children haven't been fed or bathed, and in extreme cases they are left alone to fend for themselves, when they are too little to do so.'

'What can I do?'

'You're doing it. By removing Tommy from the situation. I learned a long time ago that it's easier to help the children than it is to try and get help for their parents. Especially the ones who don't want help. Many times once they are on this path of destruction it's a matter of time before they crash. And sometimes it's at the expense of the child.'

'Thank you Kris, I'm glad to have your input on this.'

'If there's anything at all I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask.'

'Thank you Kris, that means a lot.'

Kris smiled warmly at Addy. She wasn't anything like the reports she had heard on TV. Kris had always heard that Addison Turner was a cutthroat, a force not to be reckoned with. But sitting at her kitchen table, she was a woman who was hurting and upset over the treatment of her beloved nephew. Just then the kitchen door opened and Tommy walked in.

'What the matter Tommy?' Addy asked warmly.

'I don't feel well,' the boy whined.

'Come here sweetie.' the woman beckoned. Tommy trudged over to his aunt and crawled up into her lap. She felt of his forehead with her hand and frowned. 'He's burning up!'

Margaret turned around and wiped her hands on the dish towel, and walked over to the small boy. 'We need to get the fever down. He probably caught a chill standing outside in the cold all afternoon. Kris, there's a bathroom right through that doorway,' the older woman pointed, 'in the medicine cabinet is a thermometer. Would you be so kind as to get it?'

'Of course.' Kris stood up and went in the direction Margaret pointed. She entered the bathroom, and opened the cabinet and pulled out a thermometer. Taking it back to the older woman she could only watch as she popped it into Tommy's mouth. Five minutes later she pulled it out. Concern washed over her face as she read it.

'How much?' Addy asked with concern.

'103. Not good Addy.'

'We need to get him to the hospital.'

'Addison, you'll never get out of the driveway. There's three feet of snow on the ground already. If only we had enough ice, we could put him in an ice bath.'

'Snow, we have plenty of snow,' Kris responded as she was halfway out the door without a coat on.

'Kris! Get back here!' Addy commanded. 'I don't want you getting a chill too, you're only dressed in a t-shirt and sweats. You two get Tommy upstairs, I'll go out and get the snow.'

After a call to the Doctor to confirm they were doing the right thing, Tommy was placed in the tub of ice. In no time his temperature came down to 101. With children's Tylenol, plenty of fluids, the Doctor felt he would be fine in a day or two. As soon as the roads were clear he wanted to see the boy and give him a complete check-up.

Addy sent an exhausted Margaret to bed. Kris stayed in the background not wanting to intrude and yet she wanted to be there for Addy. She knew how upset the older woman was, and wanted to offer whatever support she could.

'Kris, I don't expect you to stay up all night, you need your rest. Please go get some sleep.'

'I'm fine, really.'

'At least bring a chair over and sit with me if you insist on staying up.'

'I didn't want to intrude.'

'You're not,' Addy said softly.

Kris brought a chair over and put it beside Addy's chair. The two watched Tommy sleep fitfully. Every once in a while Addy would feel his forehead. Satisfied he was okay, she would relax back into the chair.

Around 2 o'clock Addy awoke with a start. She hadn't meant to drop off to sleep, but the day had been emotionally exhausting and she must have dozed off. What she saw in front of her brought tears to her eyes. Kris was rubbing Tommy's hand as she was humming to him. The boy was at least sleeping peacefully.

Kris heard Addy moved and stopped humming. She felt her face turn red as she turned around to look at the woman.

'Please don't stop, it's lovely. What is it you're humming?'

'A lullaby my grandmother used to hum to me when I was a child. He's been sleeping peacefully for about the last hour. I took his temperature about 10 minutes ago and it's down to 100.'

Relief washed over Addy as she looked at Tommy and then at Kris. 'I don't know how to thank you Kris, you've gone above and beyong the call of duty.'

'Actually, I was dreading going home last night, I didn't want to be alone, so actually my staying here prevented me from going home to an empty house.'

Addy looked at Kris and felt jealousy course through her veins. So this beautiful woman didn't live alone. Of course not, someone like her would be married with a couple of kids. She certainly wouldn't be interested in women.

'Is your husband away on business?' Addy hated to ask but needed to know.

Kris laughed. 'My husband? Not my husband, my grandmothers' are away on vacation.'

'So you're not married?' Addy asked in relief.

'Married? I don't even have a boyfriend,' the good natured woman laughed.

'Now that I find hard to believe. Someone as beautiful as you not having a boyfriend.'

Kris knew that she could take Addy into her confidence. In her line of work she had to be so careful about dating, and if her superiors knew she was a lesbian, she would be fired immediately. 'Actually Addy, I'm gay.'

Addy couldn't believe her ears, 'You're what?' she asked making Kris immediately regret what she had told the woman.

'I'm sorry, I know in my line of work it's not a good thing, but I assure you..'

Addy cut the woman off, ' Kris, it's fine, I'm not upset that you're gay, just surprised. That's all.'

'You're not?'

Addy got up from the chair and stretched before going over to the window and looking out. 'No Kris I'm not upset in the least. As a matter of fact I'm a card carrying memeber myself.'

'That's wonderful!' Kris laughed.

'What's so funny?'

Kris blushed a deep red, 'I'm sorry, I just mean, you understand. In my line of work I have to be careful. DSS doesn't take kindly to homosexual people taking care of children.'

'I know Kris, and that's one of the things I've been trying to change. To get DSS to allow same sex partners to take in foster children.'

'That would be wonderful if you could get that changed. If there's anything I can do to help, sign me up.'

Addy smiled at the blonde. 'I will. Oh hey! Look outside!'

Kris came over and stood next to the tall brunette. It was the first time since arriving at the house that they stood next to one another. Addy towered over the blonde by a good foot, and yet Kris didn't feel intimidated, in fact she felt safe. Kris looked outside and was shocked by what she saw. The snow was still coming down hard and fast. And Kris' car was long burried under a snow drift. 'My car, it's completely gone,' she laughed.

'Well my new friend, I don't think you'll be going anywhere for a few days,' Addy said as she absently put her arm around Kris' shoulders and drew her near. As soon as she realized what she had done, she tried to remove her arm, but Kris held it there. 'I'm sorry Kris.'

'I'm not,' she looked up shyly.

Addy looked down at the woman and smiled. The two stayed like that for an hour just looking out the window watching the snow fall, while deep in thought.

'I'm hungry,' a small voice stated.

Addy and Kris turned around as Tommy pushed back the covers and attempted to get out of bed.

'Not so fast big guy,' Addy said to the youngster. 'You get to spend the day in bed.'

'Oh gee Aunt Addy, I feel fine. Really I do,' the boy said as he tried to get out of bed but the dizziness he felt forced him back down.

'Uh huh, just as I thought, a little dizzy, huh sport?'

'Kind of.'

'Tommy, I bet you've never had breakfast in bed,' Kris said.

'Who wants to eat in bed, that's sissy stuff.'

Kris went over to the bed and sat down on the edge. Tommy moved his legs over to allow Kris more room to sit. 'Tommy, have you ever heard of Mo Brilliant?'

'You mean from the group Monkey Sponge?'

Addy shook her head, she had no idea who Mo Brilliant or Monkey Sponge was. She just stood amazed with Kris as she talked to the youngster.

'The one and only. Did you know that Mo Brilliant eats breakfast in bed when he's sick?'

Tommy brightened. 'He does? Wow! Aundy Addy, I don't mind staying in bed.' Tommy settled back down in the pillows that Kris fluffed for him. 'Can I watch TV?'

'Sure.' Addy handed him the remote just as Margaret entered the room with a breakfast tray. 'Good morning Margaret,' Addy said as the older woman placed the tray on Tommy's lap.

'Three and a half feet of snow, what's good about it? Okay you two, out!'

Addy turned to Kris. 'That's our cue to leave Tommy and Margaret alone.' Kris followed Addy out into the hallway. 'Monkey Sponge?'

Kris smiled, 'Only the hottest group among 7-10 year-olds.'

'Thanks for bailing me out.'

'Anytime.'

'You must be tired, you didn't get any sleep last night.'

'Actually I'm wide awake. I love snow storms, they always make me feel alive.'

Addy placed her hand on Kris' back. Addy could feel the shudder go down the younger woman's back. 'You can feel alive after you've slept for a few hours,' Addy said in a deadpan voice.

'Okay mother,' the woman joked. Kris went to her room and lay down on the bed. Sleep eluded her as she thought of the beautiful raven haired beauty. In only a few short hours Kris felt herself falling in love with this powerful woman. She fell asleep wondering what it would be like to be kissed by Addison Turner.

Addy tried but couldn't sleep. Her head was spinning as she thought of the blonde haired beauty that was asleep in the next room. Up until now she had never believed in love at first sight, but every fiber in her being told her this was the woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Was it fate or something else that brought her to the Turner household? Addy felt herself doze as the phone rang. Immediately she picked it up, expecting it to be her Vice President of Operations. Addy had called him in the night, telling him to get the word out that Turner Corporation was closed due to the weather until further notice. 'Hello?...Speaking...' Addy listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. With all the details she hung up the phone and fell back onto the bed and cried.

Kris awoke with a start. She had to get to Addy, something was wrong. Without thinking the blonde haired beauty flew out of the bed and ran into Addy's room without knocking. She found the woman curled up in bed in tears. Instinctively she went to the bed, and took the woman into her arms. 'Sssh, it's okay, whatever it is it will be okay. I'm here sweetheart.'

Addy felt strong arms come around her, as she cried into the woman's neck.

'What is it, what's wrong?' Kris asked.

Addy composed herself and sat up, still hanging on to Kris for support. 'The police called. They found Beth's body this morning in a snow drift.' Addy began crying again.

'Ssh, it's okay honey, I'm here. What can I do?'

'I don't know, the police said it would be a week or more before they find out the cause.'

'Oh no it won't!' Kris picked up the phone by the bed and dialed a number. 'Francie, it's Kris. Not so good at the moment. I need a favor from my favorite cousin. Did they bring in a Beth Turner? Can you do the autopsy? Her sister-in-law is Addison Turner, and she'd like some answers as soon as possible. Thanks sweetie. Call me on my cell as soon as you have something.' Kris hung up the phone and took Addy back into her arms again.

'How am I going to tell Tommy his mother is dead?'

'We'll do it together, I'll be right here sweetheart.'

'Sweetheart, you called me sweetheart.'

Kris hadn't even realized the term of endearment she used on Addy. 'I'm sorry, I, um,'

'Don't be,' Addy said as she leaned in to Kris and kissed her on the lips. 'I know this isn't exactly the time, but Kris, I'm in love with you. I know it's hard to believe but..'

'Not at all Addy, because I feel the same. I feel as if we've always been together. Being here with you has been as natural as breathing.'

The two women kissed for what seemed like hours but in actuality was only a few moments. ''I love you Addison Turner, I think I always have.'

'I love you too.'

Two hours later, Addy and Kris entered Tommy's room. It tore at Addy's heart as she watched the youngster laugh at something funny in the cartoon he had on. Addy had already told Margaret what had happened and wanted the older woman there for support as well.

'Hi Aunt Addy, I'm watching cartoons,' he said as Addy sat down on the edge of the bed.

'I know sport. Listen, I have something I need to tell you, and it's a hard thing to talk about.'

'Is it about my mom?'

'Yeah, I'm afraid it is.' Addy looked to Kris for support. In a flash she was standing by Addy with her hand on the older woman's shoulder. Addy took her hand and held it tightly. Margaret supressed a smile as she saw the exchange between the two women. Any other time she would be pleased for Addison. It looked at last that the woman had found someone to love, someone she approved of and liked. But this was a difficult time for her beloved Addison.

'She's not ever coming back for me, is she?' the child asked.

Addy shook her head, and began to rub Tommy's hand. 'Your mom didn't feel well last night, and she tried to get help but she died before she could.' Addy didn't want Tommy to know all the details of Beth's death. Kris' cousin had called back with preliminary results. Beth had probably ventured out into the snow while high on drugs and not realizing how cold it was, she froze to death. 'The last thing Addy wanted Tommy to know was his mother was a drug addict.

'Is she with my dad in heaven?' the boy said.

Kris could feel Addy tense. 'Honey, I'm sure she is. I'm sure your dad is taking good care of her,' Kris offered.

'I'm glad, because no one could take care of her here. Maybe she'll be happier.'

'I'm sure she will,' Kris said.

'Aunt Addy?'

'What baby?'

'What's going to happen to me? Where am I going to live?' Tommy looked up at Kris and frowned. 'You're not going to take me away from Aunt Addy are you?' he asked Kris.

Kris leaned down and tossled the boys head. 'No sweetheart, you're going to stay here with your aunt. And I'm going to help make sure it happens.'

Tommy began to cry. Addy took the boy into her arms and held him until he fell into an exhausted sleep. Addy and Kris stayed by his side, both making sure to be there when he awoke. Two hours later, he awoke in a good mood.

'Are you okay sport?' Addy asked.

'I had a dream Auny Addy.'

'What about?'

'About my mom. She said that she's okay, and I shouldn't be sad, that you and Kris will take good care of me. She's right isn't she?'

Addy looked at Kris who smiled and said, 'she sure is honey. Your aunt and I will take good care of you.'
'Don't you ever worry baby, I'll always be here for you,' Addy reinforced.

By noon the snow had stopped and the sun began to shine. Addy looked at the freshly fallen snow, and for the first time that day smiled. 'What's so funny? Kris asked.

'I was just thinking how pretty the freshly fallen snow looks. It blankets the countryside and everything is new and fresh looking.'

Kris came over and stood next to Addy and put her arm around her waist. 'Who would have thought.'

'What?' Addy asked.

'If anyone had said to me twenty-four hours ago that I would have met and fallen in love with the woman of my dreams, I would have told them they were crazy. But here I am standing with you, and I don't have a point of reference for this.'

'Me either. I've spent so much of my life working, I pretty much figured love wasn't in the picture. But you're here right by my side.'

'Where I plan on staying, if you'll have me.'

'Have you? I can't imagine now that I've got you ever letting you out of my life.'

Blue eyes met green, lips met lips for a long lasting kiss.

Epilogue:

'Tommy stop fidgeting,' Kris whispered as she put her hand on Tommy to still the excited boy. He looked so cute in his dress pants and jacket. He grinned from ear to ear as he listened to his aunt give her speech.

'So with pleasure I dedicate the Elizabeth Turner Rehabilitation Center,' Addy said as she handed the scissors to Tommy. He took the shiny shears and walked up to the tape and cut it in half. The crowd cheered as he smiled brightly at the crowd. 'Good job sport.' Addy said as she leaned down and hugged her nephew.

It had been a busy six months since that winter storm blanketed the area. Kris had moved in with Addy and continued her job as a social worker. Addy had been busy building the Rehab Center in Beth's name. Maybe in death her life would have meaning, and if one person could be helped, then it was all worthwhile.

Addy and Tommy posed for pictures as the media clustered around. Addy reached for Kris' hand insisting that she be in the family pictures as well. Kris had come out to her boss about her relationship with Addy, and not a peep was made. Kris suspected that he didn't want to go face to face with Addison Turner. Whatever the reason, Kris was happy to appear in public on Addy's side. She loved the woman, heart and soul. Tommy had taken a real shine to Kris and had recently begun calling her auntie which pleased Kris. Margaret found in Kris a kindred soul, because the two of them would spend hours pouring over recipes and trying out new dishes. Addy and Tommy never knew what they were getting but they cheerfully would try the dishes and rate them.

That night after Tommy had gone to bed and Margaret had retired to watch a movie, the two women were alone. Addy was sitting on the couch with her feet wrapped under her, as Kris came along and sat on her lap. She began kissing the older woman, causing her to moan.

'Addy, I love you so much.'

'I love you too baby. How about we finish this upstairs?'

'I thought you'd never ask,' Kris grinned as she followed her love upstairs. 'Addy?'

'Yes love?'

'Have you given any thought about giving Tommy a little brother or sister?'

Continued? Or The End?

I don't know, let me know.