andhiswife | (Reply)

Sam doesn't even need to think before he nods, still fighting off the temptation to pull her closer, to step forward and embrace her or at least tuck her under one arm. Even without knowing what's going on, though, it's clear that it's something serious, and doing what she's asked simply goes without saying. She shouldn't have to stand out here on the sidewalk looking on the verge of tears anyway. If she didn't want him to see her like this, then he can't imagine that she would want any passersby to, either. Besides, they're already close to her place. He'd have walked her halfway across the damn city if that was what she needed, but at least it will be easy to get her back there, and hopefully without too many eyes on her. That seems like the last thing she needs right about now.

"Of course," he says, nodding seriously, taking the smallest of steps back as if to start them in that direction. "Come on, we'll get you back, and..." That, he isn't quite sure how to finish, not wanting to assume that she'll want to tell him whatever has prompted this, but wanting to make sure she knows that she can if she wants to. If she doesn't know that already, though — and he hopes she does — then that, too, can wait until they've gotten somewhere a little more private. He isn't going to ask her more than he has to when she seems to be in such an unsteady state, barely holding it together, nor is he going to put her in a position to say more than she needs to. "Well, you can sit down, and we'll take it from there."