Miracle

Claire:

After the alarm beeped for the third time, I hit the OFF button with a closed fist. I turned to my side and expected to see my husband sleeping next to me. when I found the sheets empty I sat up and thought to myself, "Maybe he went to work early today...but then why didn't he wake me up...". My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Mac turning on the shower. I smiled to myself and stole a glance at the clock: 6:46, realizing that I had some time to relax, I stared out the window and started to daydream. It was a beautiful September morning, the sky was crystal clear and there was not a cloud in sight. The birds were chirping and the busy sound of New York filled my ears. The shower turned off and Mac stepped out of the bathroom wearing only a towel.

"You should wear that more often", I giggled "Makes you look sexy"

"Probably not as sexy as you look right now". He was grinning while walking towards me.

I was confused for a minute, then I realized that I was still naked. I grabbed the pale blue sheets and pulled the up, trying to cover myself. Mac smiled at my modesty and pulled the sheets away, exposing me. He then pulled me in for a deep kiss. I kissed him back for a minute, I grasped that if I kept on kissing him for just another minute, I would never make it to work. And with every ounce of my self-control, I pulled away from him.

"Mac, I have to go to work", I whispered

He pulled his face in so close that our noses were touching, "We can both call in sick today", He whispered back

I was tempted for a minute, but the I came to my senses, "You know I have a big meeting today"

"I know", he started to kiss my neck.

I knew what he was trying to do. And he knew that I could never resist once he started on my neck. I tried to resist again but, then I thought, "Well, maybe I can be a little late for work...it wouldn't hurt anybody, would it?". I could feel myself losing my self-control by the second. I really wanted to be with Mac, but I really needed to get to work also. Mac was still kissing my neck as I debated in my head, and that made it all the more harder to decide. "Ahh... to hell with work", I thought. I stopped trying to resist and pulled Mac up to my lips. Mac did a little chuckle of triumph.

"I knew you could never resist me", he gloated through my lips

"Oh, just shut up and kiss me", I mumbled in defeat. I hated to lose just as much as Mac, but I was happy about losing this battle.

later...

I got up from the bed and headed for the bathroom. I had to leave for work at 7:30 and thanks to Mac, it was already 7:00. As always Mac used up all the hot water, today I didn't mind as much as I normally would. I continued my usual morning routine: took a shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. I wore my favorite suit today: a black fitted blazer, with matching pants, and a hot pink cami underneath the blazer. I noticed that it was 7:15, I could have a quick breakfast. Mac was sitting at the dining table outside the kitchen, he wore his usual black suit, with the burgundy shirt that I liked. He was reading the paper while drinking his morning coffee. I got myself a mug of coffee for myself,a bowl of cereal, and sat down next to him. I took a sip of my coffee, Mac made it a little stronger that usual, but I was feeling a little sleepy so I didn't mind. Mac was frowing at the paper so, he was either lost in thought, or really irritated by the article he was reading.

"So, whats wrong with the world today?", I said jokingly.

Mac might have noticed my joke, but he didn't show it, maybe he was just lost in thought.

"Huh? Oh, nothings wrong just the usual, people getting what they want because of their reputation", he grumbled

"Damn politics", I said sarcastically

Ha! I finally got him to smile. He also seemed a little more relaxed than a few minutes ago. Mac did sometimes get a little frustrated with the news, but this wasn't frustration, I think something was really bothering him. Should I ask him? Maybe he'll tell me when he's ready? I don't know why this came to my mind, but I felt like what happened 2 weeks ago, was what was distracting him so much. My mind wandered a bit, and replayed the events. A while ago, on my way back from work, I got in a little car accident. Okay it wasn't that little, I had a minor cuncussion, but the doctor said that the symptoms would fade in a few days and I would be just fine. This happened a little after his father died, so when Mac saw me in the hospital, he went into full protection mode. It was sweet at first, but then I noticed that the image of me in the hospital really bothered him. Mac never wanted to talk about it, but he never acted like how he was acting now. So after a while I just sort of dropped it. And now I feel that its bugging him again.

"Is something wrong?", I was concerned

"What? nothings wrong, why would you think somethings wrong?", he smiled, but it looked kind of forced.

"It's nothing, you just look kind of distracted. That's all... You sure nothings wrong?, I kept asking him, maybe he will tell me. Or maybe I was just being paranoid, and everything was fine.

"Claire, I promise everything is okay", He flashed another forced smile.

I wasn't entirely convinced, but something in my head told me that I should let it go and move on. If it turned into a big problem then he would tell me when he on his own time. In the midst of my thoughts, I looked up at the clock and it was almost 7:30.

"CRAP! I going to be late!", I jumped out of my chair, dumped my half eaten cereal bowl in the sink, swallowed the rest the my coffee, and went through my morning checklist:

keys-check
cell phone-check
bag-check

Business as usual. Halfway out the door, I yelled, "See you tonight, I love you, bye!".

He might have replied but I didn't hear him. I was already halfway down the hallway of our apartment complex, towards the elevator. As I was pulling out of the garage (in my rental car...the other one still needs repairs), it hit me again. That nagging feeling that something was bothering Mac. I was beginning to feel that maybe I was just being paranoid, but then again, the last time I felt this way was when Mac didn't tell me that his father was sick. I thought about this all the way to work, and decided that I would call him once I got to work. He didn't leave until 8:00, so by the time I got to my office Mac would be in his car on the way to the crime lab. I parked in my usual spot in the the garage, got in the elevator and pushed the button for the 16th floor of the World Trade Center: North Tower. I settled into my office and it was nearly 8:00 so I decided to call Mac.

Right then my boss came through the door, "Claire, come on the meeting is about to start"

"Okay im coming, can you just give me a minute. I need to call Mac"

"Okay, but only a minute", he didn't seem mad, but I knew that I needed to hurry up.

I took out my cell and dialed Mac's number.