Deacon parked the car in front of Emma's house. He had gone back to his place to get dressed after their shift had been over. He unlocked the front door with his set of keys and let himself in. Soft music was playing in the background and as he walked into the living room, Emma emerged from the bedroom.
She was stunning. She was wearing a dark navy, A-line one shoulder floor length tulle dress with beaded lace and her hair was in a low ponytail. She literally took his breath away. She looked at him and smiled as she met him.
"You look very handsome", she said as she looked him over. He was wearing a traditional black suit, white button-down shirt, black tie and a white pocket square. It was a winning classic but not something she had seen him wear often over the years they'd known each other.
"And you, are breath-takingly beautiful".
She blushed and it warmed his heart to know that after so many months, he could still make her blush. There had always been this humbleness about her on all levels. Whether it was work related or in her private life, she always saw herself as average, which she was far from being the cased. He loved that about her.
They kissed and then she headed over to the dining room table to grab her clutch bag. They walked out of the house and settled down in his car on route to Santa Clarita Valley.
When they pulled up in front of 15435 Live Oak Springs Canyon Road, the road was packed with cars. There was a valet parking organized and Emma knew that the big Police Commission big shots had been dropped off by private chauffeurs. They parked a little further down the road and when they reached the front door, he looked at her.
"Are you sure you're ready for this"?
"I've never been surer or more ready about anything", she said as she took his hand in her left and rang the doorbell.
The door opened revealing one of the maids in a very formal attire.
"Miss Emma" said the maid smiling at her.
"Good evening Lupita. Como esta"?
Lupita was in her mid-fifties and had been Emma's favorite house helper for the past thirty years.
"Muy bien. Y tu"?
"Si, estoy bien".
Had it been any other day, the two women would have hugged but this was a formal get together and both knew their place.
"Lupita, te presento a mi novio, Sargento David Kay. El trabajo con Dom en SWAT".
"David, this is Lupita".
Lupita smiled. "Mucho gusto en conocerte".
"Yo Tambien", replied Deacon, "Emma habla mucho de ti".
Lupita nodded touched. "Your father is in the garden, with the other guests".
"Have Dom and Janet arrived"? she asked as Lupita closed the door.
"Yes, a couple of minutes ago".
Emma greeted the rest of the house helpers they crossed on their way outside. When they walked through the open French doors, that gave on the back of the property, they seemed to set foot in another world. There were plenty of people, laughing, talking, drinking and eating. Everyone was dressed up for the occasion and they quickly caught sight of some of LAPD's highest-ranking members as well as some of the Police Commission members. Unless accompanied by Commission or high-ranking LAPD, Dom, Emma and Deacon would be the lowest in rank. But that was not an issue for any one of them, they'd been to other gatherings before where it had been the case and once the booze started flowing, it was impressive to notice how ranks seemed to disappear.
Janet was standing at one of the high tables set up throughout the property. She smiled and waved as she saw Emma and Deacon.
"Why don't I get us something to drink"? said Deacon.
"Alright, I'll go join Janet and find out where Dom is".
Deacon nodded, let go of Emma's hand and watched as she walked over to Janet's table, all the while stopping and shaking hands with people along the way.
Janet hugged and looked at her. "You look beautiful".
"Thank you and you look gorgeous". It wasn't just a polite reciprocated compliment; it was the truth. Most of the time, Janet was in scrubs and here, wearing a red off the shoulder mermaid dress, she was simply stunning.
Janet gave her a side smile. "Sergeant Kay, nice choice for tonight's plus one".
Emma gave her a broad smile. "He's more than just tonight's plus one".
"I figured that much seeing you walk in together. The way you two came in hand in hand, looking at each other".
"That obvious, huh"?
"Oh yeah". She cocked her head to the side. "Dom, didn't mention it, so I guess he doesn't know".
"Not yet and I'm not exactly sure how he's going to take it".
"Sweetie, your brother loves Deacon, he has a lot of respect for him and knows he's a good man".
"Yeah, that's SWAT member talk, I hope he'll think the same knowing he's dating his sister".
"Two champagnes, please", said Deacon as he reached the bar.
"Two here too, please".
The two men looked at each other.
"Deac"?
"Dom".
Dom gave him a brotherly hug. "What are you doing here? No, dumb question. Let me guess, you, my brother, have met someone in the Police Commission. A very good looking and smart someone".
Deacon laughed. "You have no idea. She's all that and so much more".
"I knew it. You've been happy these past months, I had my suspicions that a certain woman was behind this. Can't wait to meet her! Hey, speaking of meeting people, have you seen Emma around"?
"Actually, I have. She's talking with Janet".
They took their champagne flutes and walked away.
"You know, my dad mentioned that Emma has a plus one. I'm curious as to who this is. I mean, is he a cop, not a cop? Is this a casual plus one or is there more to it"?
He caught Deacon eyeing him trying not to laugh.
"Not that it matters, I mean as long as she's happy. After everything that happened to her, she deserves it. I just would hate it if this guy is not a good guy, you know? And what if he and I have nothing in common"?
"I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself Dom".
Emma took a deep breath in, as she saw Dom and Deacon walk towards their table.
"Hey sis", said Dom as he handed Janet her glass and hugged Emma, while Deacon said hi to Janet. "You look amazing".
"And you clean up real nice, Dom. I'm sure Dad is more than happy to see you dressed like this".
"Sure. I just can't tell you how long I'm going to keep this tie on, it's already starting to bug me".
He then turned his attention to Deacon who was still holding both champagne flutes in his hand.
"So, brother, who is the lucky mystery woman who has managed to get you happy and smiling again".
Deacon handed Emma her champagne flute.
"You're looking at her", replied Deacon smiling as he put his arm around Emma's waist and pulled her closer.
Janet, Emma and Deacon looked at Dom, waiting to see his reaction.
Dom looked at Deacon, then at Emma. There was something about their proximity that was different, and he understood that it was serious.
"Are you freaking serious"?! said Dom halfway between a doubtful and a happy face.
Emma smiled and nodded.
Dom smiled whole-heartedly and walked over to them. He took Deacon again in a huge brotherly accolade. He then hugged Emma.
"This is some of the best news, I've had in a while", said Dom as he went back and took Janet in his arms. "We're both very lucky men".
"I'll drink to that", said Deacon as he raised his glass.
"That being said", replied Dom, "you break her heart and I'll kill you".
"Ain't no chance that's going to happen", said Deacon very seriously and he meant it.
"There they are"!
They all turned around and saw Carl walking up to them, a glass of champagne in hand.
When Carl reached them, he noticed Deacon's arm around Emma. He said nothing but raised an eyebrow.
"Good evening, Dad", said Emma.
"Good evening sweetheart. Don't you look lovely"?
He then turned his attention to Deacon. "David, how nice to see you. It's been a while".
Deacon removed his arm from around Emma's waist and shook hands with Carl. "Good evening Mr. Luca. Yes, it has".
Carl smiled. "Although it may appear as though we'll be seeing a lot more of each other from now on".
Deacon smiled back "I'm counting on it, Sir".
"Good. You, Dom and I should have a drink together later".
"Of course,"
"Good evening, Commissioner", said Emma as Commissioner Plank joined them.
"Detective Luca, it's a pleasure to see you, as always. I'm glad to hear that you're back to full duty".
"Yes sir, so am I".
"What you did for your partner was exemplary. Our mistakes should not define who we are".
"Thank you".
A couple of hours later after mingling and talking, Emma watched as her father lead Dom, Deacon and some others to his private office for cognac and cigars. Janet laughed amused.
"Is it always like this"?
"Oh yeah, pretty much how the evening winds down. It's a bit archaic if you ask me but it's become a tradition".
"You think your father is going to give Deacon a hard time"?
Emma laughed. "Probably. It's going to be very much like an interrogation where my father is going to ask Deacon what his intentions are".
Janet raised an eyebrow. "Talk about archaic"!
"How are things with Dom"?
"Good. You know I think that we've managed to wrinkle out the issues we had in the past and for the moment it's smooth sailing".
"I'm glad. I can tell he's happy. If he breaks your heart, I'll kill him".
They both laughed.
Suddenly, Emma's phone beeped in her clutch. She pulled it out and narrowed her eyes.
"What is it"? asked Janet.
"There's a hostage situation at a club that's known to be the underground operations for drug swaps. I need to go".
As she walked back into the house towards the staircase, she met up with Dom and Deacon who were stepping out of her dad's office.
"We got a call", said Dom.
"I know. So, did I", said Emma. She looked at Deacon. "Go, I'll meet you guys there".
Deacon handed over his car keys to her and kissed her.