Linda sighed as she looked at the clock. It was a Friday afternoon in September, and the boys were spending the day at school. Afterwards, they would be going with their favorite Uncle to see the new superhero movie. Once the movie was over, their Uncle would be taking the boys to his house, to have a sleepover. Linda was going to have to thank Jamie big time.
Linda frowned as she watched the clock, Danny was supposed to be home hours ago. She picked up the phone and dialed a number she knew by heart.
"What?!" Danny asked angrily into the phone, not bothering to see who was calling.
"Are you okay?" His wife's voice filtered through his ear.
"No, I'm not okay," his tone lightened just a little bit.
"What's the matter?"
"What's the matter? Let's see... I'm here, trying to catch a lowlife pissant, instead of there, banging you against the wall! And that's o my the beginning of what's bothering me today."
Linda frowned, "it's okay, Danny. I mean, no where does it say that an anniversary has to be celebrated on the day we got married."
"It's not okay, Linda. I had today off, for that very reason. My boss signed the damn paper. But I'm here anyways!"
"One of the perks of being the best, I guess."
Danny couldn't help but smirk. He could practically see that smile of Linda's. That smile that was in between a smirk, a sad frown, and a disapproving glance. "I guess. Maybe Dad can take the kids tomorrow?"
"Next weekend. You're not gonna be done till then. You may be the best, but criminals are great at hiding."
"I love you. So much, you know that, right?"
"I do. And I love you more than anything else in this world. Come home to me? You owe me an anniversary."
Danny chuckled, which made Linda smile. "Always. Love you."
"Love you more."
"Love you most. Bye, babe."
"Bye Bye."
Danny yawned as he stretched his arms over his head. He rubbed his tired eyes and looked at the clock. 11. Ugh. I wish I wasn't here.
"Reagan, go home." His partner, Jackie, instructed.
"I wish. But we've got all this stuff-"
"You have a wife to go home to. Spend the last half-hour of your anniversary with her."
"You sure?"
"I'm positive. Go."
"Thanks, Jack. You're a life saver," Danny smiled and gathered his things.
"You owe me a big, thick, juicy burger."
"Deal. See ya tomorrow."
"Go have fun."
Danny walked through his front door, his face stricken with sleep. He dropped the keys in the tray, and casually looked to the couch. He smiled a little when he saw his wife asleep, the candles on the coffee table nearly burned down. He quietly blew the candles out before making his routine lock-down check. He sat on the coffee table, watching Linda sleep. Gosh, she's beautiful. I'm so lucky.
Danny stood up and picked up his wife, bridal style. She barely moved a muscle as he carried her to their bedroom. He tucked her into bed, then took a quick shower. It was 11:45 when he snuggled behind Linda. "Happy anniversary, babe. Love you forever." He kissed her cheek and threw a protective arm around her.
Linda smiled, "Happy anniversary. Love you to bits." She turned her head to give Danny's lips a kiss.
He smiled, "I owe you a night of fun."
"You better believe it... I'm glad you made it home."
"Me too, baby. Me too."
