Short, friendship postep for Diamonds are forever
Title: Food, friends, family
author: Cindy Ryan
category: one shot, postep
summary: Jo takes Mike up on his dinner offer.
Quietly Jo let herself out of the noisy two story brick home in Staten Island. The police detective didn't go far just out to the front porch. She didn't want to leave Mike Hanson's family just yet. Jo just needed a break; a bit of peace. Pulling her coat tighter around herself Jo leaned back against the wall in the farthest corner of the porch. Snow had started to fall in earnest. It was a cloudy night no moon to illuminate the snow only the street lights. Sean had loved watching the snow fall. A lump formed in Jo's throat and she swallowed it forcing the tears away. She'd said her goodbye's to her husband the week before. A process she should've done long ago. It had taken Henry's help to start grieving and in turn healing again.
Jo knew there would always be reminders. Winter was one. Dinner with Mike's family another. As wonderful as the night had been it had also been bittersweet. Watching Mike play with his sons had been heartwarming and also another what if for Jo. What would her and Sean's children have been like? She pictured a girl with dark hair and brown eyes playing in the snow. Jo closed her eyes against the image; another dream not fulfilled.
Laughter from the house drew Jo's attention to the window. She smiled seeing Mike's oldest son Tyler who was six jumping over the back of the sofa and sliding down onto the cushions. The black haired boy giggled and started to round the couch again to do the makeshift slide once more when Mike caught him in a one armed hug.
Looking back at the snow Jo knew she was fortunate to have had the time with Sean that she had. It was only natural to miss someone who was gone. The door opened letting out a blast of heat and Jo turned to see Mike stepping out onto the porch.
"Hey."Hanson greeted.
"Hi."Jo responded with a smile. "Thanks again for dinner, it was lovely."
"You're welcome. It was nice to have you."Hanson commented as he moved to stand next to Jo. "Sorry if the kids were too much."
"No, they were fine."Jo responded as she inched closer to her friend. "Being around them was what I needed. Thanks."
"Any time."Hanson acknowledged. "You okay?"
"I will be."Jo stated confidently. "Especially if I stick with my friends."
Mike placed his good arm around Jo's shoulder and pulled her into a hug. She smiled and met Mike's gaze.
"Think it's too late for the boys to have a snow ball fight?"Jo asked.
"Are you kidding? Be the best thing to wear them out."Mike replied with the laugh. "I'll round everybody up."
Jo walked down the steps and onto the front lawn. The snow had slowed to flurries making it perfect snowball fight weather. Ten minutes later the Hanson family joined Jo in the snow. The early evening was soon filled with laughter. For Jo this night had been a dose of what she needed; food, family and friends.