Sean waited patiently for Viggo and Orlando to arrive. As bachelors, the three had decided to celebrate Valentine's Day together, getting sloshed at the local pub. Sean never had been one to drink alone, always preferring the company of mates -- especially when down and lonely. This was the first time he hadn't been able to be home with the girls on the special holiday, the romance of it set aside in favor of sharing the love for his girls between them. Filming Rings had taken a few things away from him, but given him far more in return. Now, as he stared out the front window, a wave of homesickness hit him and he silently begged Viggo and Orlando to hurry up so he didn't have to dwell on it much longer.

Minutes later, a small, dark blue Peugeot pulled into his drive and Sean rushed out to meet them, not minding to lock the door behind him. It was New Zealand, after all. A more hospitable place he'd never been.

"Bout bloody time you two got here," he said as he climbed into the back seat, folding his long legs in behind him. "And why did you have to bring the small car?" he groused good-naturedly, knowing the Honda Orlando drove wasn't much better.

"In a hurry much, mate?" Orlando asked, turning from the passenger seat with a grin. "You know Viggo likes this little thing. Can't pry his fingers off the wheel."

Sean sighed heavily as he pushed the ever-present Anduril to the other seat, his eyes focused on the scenery as they made their way into town. Orlando heard it and looked back through the mirror over the visor. The older Brit's eyes were melancholy, his posture slumped, and he was rubbing the scar on his knee - a habit, Orlando had observed, the other man performed when he was tense or deep in thought. Slightly concerned, Orlando decided to mention it to Viggo when they had a moment alone. They could tackle it together if Sean's mood didn't lighten.

When they reached the pub, Sean climbed out smiling and Orlando thought perhaps he'd just imagined the other man's somber disposition. They were all pretty tired lately, and taking time to unwind was medically necessary, not only for their health, but for their sanity. Holding the door for them, Sean followed as they made their way to a round booth in the back, raising hands in silent greeting to some of the locals at tables nearby.

After giving the barmaid their order, the silence lingered. Orlando fidgeted uncomfortably until Viggo reached across the table and stilled his thumping fingers. The waitress returned and handed each man their drink of choice, smiling flirtatiously at Sean before leaving.

"She wants you, mate," Orlando grinned, giving the older Brit a gentle nudge with his elbow. Sean sipped his scotch, seemingly oblivious to the comment, and Orlando caught Viggo's gaze. Silent communication passed between them and Orlando got up to feed the jukebox.

Viggo waited until Orlando was at the machine before beginning his subtle inquisition. "You're awfully quiet this evening."

Sean shrugged and leaned back against the cushion, giving Viggo the half-assed grin he normally used to disarm unwitting journalists.

"Don't give me that Sheffield charm - I'm immune," Viggo said drolly, but with a smile.

The blonde winked at his friend before giving a shake of his head. "Not able to get much past you, am I?" He swigged his scotch and set the glass down lightly. "Just the holiday blues, mate. No worries."

"Valentine's Day gives you the blues?" Now Viggo was extremely curious. He could understand if Sean had a steady girlfriend, but there was no one in his life... except his girls. Sean hadn't answered him, so Viggo continued. "Must be rough being away from them."

Sean flinched as the Dane read his thoughts. "More than you know. Lorna's grown up, by all accounts. Molly is this sweet, charming little angel, and Evie... well, she has me around the crook of her finger." His cheeks colored slightly as the words fell from his lips, his pride as a doting father clearly evident to those who knew him.

Viggo remembered when Henry was a baby and how one innocent smile could get him to do somersaults if that was what the boy wanted. "Kids are great. Having Henry here on-set has been wonderful." It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to take your child with you when you worked, and then to have him become a cast member. It was a shared experience neither one of them would forget. When Sean looked at him, his green eyes full of sadness, Viggo's heart went out to him. He realized that not every ex-spouse was as easily dealt with as Christine. "Have you asked them if they want to come? Peter wouldn't have any problems with it, I'm sure."

The Brit shook his head as he watched Orlando making his way slowly back to their table, stopping to talk to one of the older women who'd been an extra. "They've got their own lives to lead. Their mothers wouldn't give too much trouble, but taking them out of school would be tough on them. Besides," he sighed resignedly, "they don't need any of this Hollywood shite."

Viggo snorted, fingering the rim of his glass. "Yeah, we're obviously at the height of Hollywood glamour out here." He waved a hand around a bit to illustrate and Sean chuckled.

"You have a point. I'll talk to their mothers. I think Molly would love this. Lorna too."

When Orlando saw both men smiling, he politely excused himself and took the remaining steps back to his table. As he settled in close to Sean, his head on the older man's shoulder, he cut his eyes to Vig. "So, did you get him squared away?"

Viggo gave a nod and explained, "He's missing the girls."

Orlando's eyes went wide as if he'd just been told his fly was open on national television. "Oh fuck!"

Viggo and Sean both looked at the young man expectantly as he leaned back and reached into the back pocket of his jeans. "Knew there was something I forgot today." He extricated a pink envelope and handed it to Sean. "Angie found me on-set yesterday afternoon and asked me to give you this. Said they'd put it in the wrong mail slot and that I'd most likely see you before she would, so...." His words trailed off seeing the wistful expression on the blonde's face and his gaze immediately went to Viggo, who smiled softly.

Weathered fingertips traced the outline of the letters on the envelope. "Daddy Sean Bean" it read, with his location address below. Feeling the prickling of tears behind his eyes, he slipped his finger under the lip and pried it open. Two handmade cards he pulled out, one red, the other pink, a paper-lace border surrounding the heart shapes. The red card was written in flowing script with 'Daddy' on its face, the pink in a child's scrawl with 'Mine' inscribed.

Tears gently sliding down his cheeks unnoticed, Sean turned the cards over to find them signed by each girl, with Evie's name obviously written by Lorna. 'Love you! Miss you, Daddy! Come see us soon!' was written beside their names. Deciding in favor of love over caution, he made a mental note to call their mothers when he got back to his house. Not that he would forget. The reminders were lovingly clutched in his palm. As he put the cards back in the envelope, he noticed a sticky note with familiar lettering on it.

"The girls knew you wouldn't be able to get together this year, so they arranged a play date and created these for you. -Love, Abby"

Viggo and Orlando had taken the whole scene in quietly, neither man wanting to interrupt the private moment. When he'd put the cards away, Orlando touched his shoulder. "You okay, mate?"

"Couldn't be better," Sean smiled, signaling to the barmaid for another round. "Couldn't be better."

~END~