A Quiet Explosion
"Happy Birthday, Eddie! See you tomorrow." Everyone in the bar yells as two people walk out the door. One of them is loaded down with gift bags – it's not the birthday girl.
She waves at their fellow officers before turning back to her partner and reaching for the bags. "I can carry some of those."
"I've got them; it's your birthday after all."
"Aw, Reagan, I kind of like you being my personal lackey."
"Yeah, just don't get used to it." He replies, but he smiles as he says it.
They walk in silence for all of one block before she starts humming the same song they argued about so many years ago on the same walk. Neither acknowledges the song or the previous walk out loud, but on the inside both can't help but replay their first and brief kiss over and over. Just like last time they reach her apartment too quickly, but this time he follows her in and places her presents on the table.
She goes immediately to the fridge. "Do you want a beer? Oh, my god. Where did this come from?"
He know exactly what she's talking about because he got it for her and he smiles again – this time at her surprise and delight.
She takes the gift out, places it on the table with the others, and reaches for the small card attached to the bouquet. It reads – Happy Birthday! From the best and most handsome partner you've ever had. She looks up.
"You got me an Edible Arrangement as a birthday present?"
Something in her voice gives him reservations. Did she not like it?
"I thought you'd like it. Fruit dipped in chocolate, what's not to love?"
"Of course I like it – any gift I can eat has a soft spot in my heart – but how did it get in my fridge?"
"Oh, I snuck it in here right after you left for the bar and then I ran a few blocks so I'd beat you there." Relieved that she likes the gift he reaches into his jacket pocket and takes out three long candles and a lighter. "They gave me candles to light when I said it was a birthday present – kind of like a birthday cake."
"Nothing like a birthday cake, but I'll take what I can get." She watches intently as he sticks the candles in and lights them one by one.
He steps back, "Make a wish."
They look at each other over the flames. He tries not to but he can't help but notice that the candlelight on her face makes her blue eyes glint like gems. She can't help noticing how relived he looks that she likes his gift and it makes her heart clench. She looks away first only to close her eyes and blow out the candles.
"You didn't sing me 'Happy Birthday.'" She exclaims when the candles are extinguished.
"You do not want to hear that. What did you wish for?"
"It won't come true if I tell and you wouldn't want to know it anyway." She looks him in the eye again and he knows right away what her wish was.
He also knows that he shouldn't move towards her, shouldn't trap her against the counter with his arms, shouldn't enjoy the sound of her breath catching. He tells himself he's only doing it because it's her birthday and it's what she wished for but they both know that's a lie.
"You shouldn't want me Eddie – there are so many reasons why…" He doesn't finish the sentence.
"Just kiss me." She wants him so badly that her limbs ache with it. She doesn't know if he'll do it. She might die if he doesn't, she might die if he does.
He stops warring with himself and ardently presses his lips against hers.
They both stop breathing.
That only lasts for a moment before their kisses become hungry, before hands start roaming and buttons come undone.
She leans back slightly, only long enough to tell him that she has a bedroom and that they should be using it.
"Lead the way."
They both lie on their backs breathing hard, staring at the ceiling. Neither of them dares to speak first but one of them must eventually.
A full minute passes.
Finally, he speaks. "You were right, I am ruined." He says the words quietly, fervently.
"Yeah, that was…"
"Incredible," he offers.
She nods at the ceiling, "The best."
They look at each other out of the corner of their eyes which leads to them reaching for one another and, in turn, leads to lips pressing against lips.
Another minute passes.
She breaks the silence this time. "What are we going to do?"
She asks because they both know that after tonight there'll be no hiding their feelings at work, there'll be no going back to pretending there are no feelings.
"We'll figure it out," is all he says because he knows they will. "Turn around."
It takes her a moment to understand his request but when she does she smirks. "Are you going to spoon me, Reagan?" She jokes about it but obliges and turns around.
His chest hits her back while his arms go around her. "Yes," he responds in all seriousness.
She takes one of his hands in hers and softly kisses his palm.
"Sleep, Eddie. We'll take care of everything tomorrow."
Because he tells her too, she sleeps.