Title: Cherish
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairing: Established Fiesta
Tag for Cost of living
Purple
Detective Don Flack would never look at the color the same way again.
He'd cursed the bastard that hurt her a million times over that week. Now though as Stella lay curled against him sound asleep; safe and secure in his apartment Flack cursed the man again.
Don watched Stella sleep his gaze lingering on the large bruise on her left shoulder that spread to the middle of her upper back. It was already a deep ugly purple. There was another on her lower back and two more on the backs of her legs.
Flack swallowed hard as he tenderly ran a finger along a ribbon of skin on Stella's shoulder that wasn't bruised. He placed a feather light kiss there and pulled her close as he settled back against the pillow.
Too damn close.
Again.
Don tightened his embrace being extra careful of Stella's bruised ribs.
He knew she was tough.
Knew she could take care of herself.
Hell, he wouldn't want anybody else watching his back.
The danger was part of the job.
They both knew that.
They both accepted that.
It made Don cherish moments…….nights like these all the more.
Stella stirred in his arms and opened her eyes. She turned sleepily and looked up into Don's blue gaze.
"Hi."
"Hi yourself."Don replied huskily as he lowered his head to kiss her.
Stella reached up and tenderly touched his right cheek before moving up to smooth down a few unruly hairs.
"You need to sleep, Don."
"I will."
"I'm okay."Stella promised for what seemed the thousandth time. She couldn't seem to say it enough to keep the worry out of his eyes.
"I know."Don replied softly as he trailed a hand down her right arm before entwining their hands.
Stella lifted their entwined hands and rested them against his chest.
"I love you."Stella whispered as she nestled her head in the crook of his free arm.
Don smoothed away a strand of dark curls. "I love you too, Stella, always."
end