Chapter 3

Faith had to laugh at her daughter's timing, "well I guess we are all going to dinner." The foursome gathered their things and made their way to their cars. Faith let Richie lead the way to the restaurant, all the while admiring the slick silver sports car he drove. They made it to Paradise Cove without incident. As it was early enough, they were seated almost immediately. After they ordered Faith excused herself to the ladies' room. She used the facilities, washed her hands and looked at herself in the mirror. What am I doing? She sighed and shook her head.

Richie watched as Faith came back to the table. He liked what he saw, even better, he liked that she had acted normal around him. That usually didn't happen, but he was glad it did in this case. He stood as she approached the table and pulled her chair out for her. Faith was surprised by the gesture, it had been a long time since anyone had done that for her. "Thank you." He smiled, "my pleasure."

They enjoyed their meal and the girls were talking and not paying the adults any mind. Faith and Richie chatted between the two of them. "So, Faith, what do you do when you aren't lounging on the beach?" She smiled at the image, "wouldn't that be a wonderful way to while away the hours? Actually, I am one of two chefs at a little cafe downtown, but my dream is to own my own catering business one day. Good food made easy is a passion for me. I love to cook." "I love a woman who can cook, because I like to eat." Again Faith had to laugh. "Well, I am always looking for a guinea pig to test out new recipes on." Richie smiled, "I have been called a lot of things, but guinea pig is a new one." Faith laughed again. Her face was going to hurt after all the laughter this afternoon. "So, are you working at the cafe tonight?" Faith shook her head. "No, I clean a building downtown a couple nights a week too. The extra money never hurts."

Richie was impressed with this woman. She works two jobs to support her daughter and apparently there was no husband involved. "How do you manage it?" Faith shook her head, "I just do what needs to be done. I need to be able to provide for Hannah so I just do." Richie took her hand and again noticed her ring. "Where is he?" He really wanted to know how someone could let her get away. Faith opened her mouth to answer when the waitress came. "Anyone need anything else?" Faith glanced at her watch, "just the check please."

Chapter 2

An awkward minute passed with Faith just standing there, Richie still holding her hand. "Well," she started, "I think I will just go and leave you alone now." She started to pull her hand away and Richie stopped her. "Why don't you bring your stuff over here?" Faith didn't know what to do. "I don't want to bother you." "If you were bothering me I wouldn't have asked you to join me." He still hadn't let go of her hand. "Well, just let me go get my stuff. Thanks." She turned and the sun glinted off the ring on her left hand. It figures he thought.

As Faith gathered up their things she happened to glance down at her hands. She still wore her wedding ring, even though her husband had been gone for more than a year. She just couldn't bring herself to take it off yet. What am I doing? She hadn't so much as been on a date since her husband and now she was going to spend the afternoon with not just any guy, but with Richie Sambora! How does that happen? Faith decided to just go with it.

Faith brought her things over by Richie and got herself settled. Richie moved over so he was closer to her. They sat there, side by side, watching the girls and saying little. His curiosity finally got the better of him and he picked up her left hand. "So, Faith, how long have you been married?" She looked at him, down at their joined hands and then back up at him again. "I'm not married." The look on his face told her that he didn't believe her. "Then what's this for?" he asked touching her ring. Sighing, she took off her sunglasses and looked at him. He could see the pain in her stormy green eyes. "Richie, I'm not married, not anymore."

As much as this statement made him feel better, Richie wanted to know more. "How long have you..." before he could finish the question the girls came running back. "Mom" "Dad" they yelled at the same time. "We're hungry!" Faith and Richie turned their attention to the girls and the question went unasked.

Faith had brought some snacks and got the girls situated with something to drink. She reminded Hannah that they would have to leave soon. "Aw Mom, do we have to?" Hannah was having a good time with her new friend and didn't want to leave yet. "Yes honey, we have to. I have to work tonight and we were going to stop at that cafe to eat." "Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Faith gave one of Hannah's braids a tug. "Go play for now. We still have about an hour." "Thanks mom." She ran off to join Ava again.

Richie and Faith were alone again. "Looks like we are going to have a hard time separating the girls." Richie looked to where Faith was watching the girls. They were huddled together as if sharing a secret then they burst into girlish giggling. Typical nine year-olds. "I think you may be right about that" he said as he turned to look at Faith. She had started to gather their things. "Do you really have to go already?" He wasn't ready for their afternoon to end.

Faith looked up at Richie, "we really do. I have to work tonight and I told Hannah we would stop at Paradise Cove to eat on the way home." "Would you mind if Ava and I joined you for your early dinner?" The words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them. Faith didn't know what to make of him. "Um, well, I ..." she was interrupted by Hannah, "mom, can Ava and her dad come eat with us?"

Chapter 1

Faith locked up for the night. She was so tired. She unlocked the car and sat down behind the wheel, groaning in relief. She couldn't remember when she had been off her feet last that day. Thank goodness I have tomorrow off she thought. She made her way down the dark streets and turned the corner for home.

"Mom". There was an incessent tapping at her elbow. "Mom." "Hmmm?" came Faith's mumbled reply. "Mom, we are going to the beach today, remember?" Shit. Faith opened her eyes to find her daughter's very excited face only inches from hers. "Okay baby, just give me a minute." These were the times when she wished she weren't the only parent. Faith rolled over and sat up, looking over at her daughter. "The beach, huh?" Hannah shook her head, "yup, you promised." Faith got out of bed, "well, then I guess we should get a move on, right?" Hannah smiled at her mother and ran from the room.

Faith sat down on the bed. She could hear Hannah in the other room rummaging through drawers looking for her bathing suit and then watched a pajama-clad body run across the hall to the bathroom. Faith smiled. She couldn't deny her daughter this today. Couldn't deny her much of anything come to think of it. Ever since Billy had died, it had been her and Hannah and Hannah's happiness was all that mattered to Faith now.

Slipping on her sunglasses and grabbing her bag Faith called out "come on Hannah, let's go!" I was a beautiful day. The sky was so blue it hurt to look at it. Hannah came running out and slammed the door behind her. She winced "sorry mom." "It's all right, come on, let's get going."

They drove out the Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu and ended up at Zuma Beach. For a Monday it wasn't too busy which made Faith happy. They found a spot and Faith spread out their blanket and slathered sunscreen on both of them. Hannah ran down to test the water and Faith dug out a magazine, trying to relax. She had to work later that night.

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"Come on Ava, over here." "Okay dad." Ava had wanted to come to the beach, why Richie didn't know since there was a perfectly nice pool at his house, but here they were. They trudged through the sand and found a spot. He spread out their blanket and got Ava covered with sunscreen. He looked around, not too many people today. He then noticed a woman with dark hair and a very pretty little girl that he thought to be her daughter not too far away. Sunglasses firmly in place he took stock of the woman. She was laying on her stomach, but he did take in the modest black bikini, long well-toned legs, and nice ass. She turned her head then, he liked the small nose and full lips, but she was wearing sunglasses and couldn't tell about the eyes. I may just enjoy the day after all he thought as he turned back to look at the water.

Ava came running up, "dad, can I build a sandcastle with Hannah?" "Who's Hannah?" Ava pointed to the little girl standing next to her, "dad, this is Hannah." Richie turned his gaze from his daughter to the little girl, "hi Hannah. Where's your mom and dad?" Hannah turned and pointed to the woman in the black bikini, "my mom is over there."

Faith had sat up and was frantically scanning the area for her daughter. She turned and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her just a few feet away. "Hannah!" Faith walked over and took Hannah's hand. "Mom, I'm fine. Ava and I are going to build a sandcastle." Ava. She knew that name, but it couldn't be. She glanced down at the little girl and then over at the man sitting on the blanket. Holy shit. Her eyes widened behind her sunglasses but she did her best to keep her expression in check. She turned her attention back to the girls. "Okay honey, as long as it is okay with Ava's dad."

Richie's mind went blank when the woman stood up and walked over to the girls. She was more impressive up close. "Dad." He dragged his eyes from the woman to his daughter. "Is it okay?" "Yeah, sure, it's fine. Just don't wander too far." The girls ran off. Faith turned to Richie, "I'm sorry about that. Hannah shouldn't have bothered you. "It's no bother. Actually, I am glad Ava found someone to play with. Gives me a bit of a break." Faith smiled, "I know the feeling." She held out her hand, "I'm Faith. It's nice to meet you." He took her hand, "I'm Ri.." Faith cut him off, "I know who you are." She glanced around, "I won't tell anyone though." He smiled, liking her sense of humor. "Well Faith, it's nice to meet you too."