"It's been a while since you took a walk just to take a walk, hasn't it?"
With his hands in the pockets of his gray dress pants, Steve nodded slightly, eyes focused on the winding path ahead, appreciating the ornamental bricks lining the walkway and the vast assortment of flowers that had been planted to beautify the park.
The smell of blossoms and seawater filled the air along with sounds he hadn't had a chance to experience in far too long; leaves rustling in the slight breeze coming off the bay, the occasional bird chirping, genuine laughter of people relaxing and having a good time all around them as they made their way past an immaculately trimmed lawn toward the waterway.
With her arm hooked into Steve's, Beverly slowed her pace somewhat, dragging out the inevitable goodbye awaiting them once they reached the nearby parking lot.
"You know, I never forgot what you did for me in that hotel room. Your kindness."
Lowering his chin to his chest, Steve smiled, reminiscing about the awkward situation Mike had purposefully put them into, hoping to teach his protégé a lesson in humility, and to teach Beverly a thing or two about inner beauty and starting anew.
"Humble beginnings, I guess…"
"Nothing new can begin without something old dying. A seed of change was planted that night, Steve, whether we both knew it or not."
Spinning around to face her when Beverly came to a complete stop, the young inspector smiled insecurely, well aware of the direction the conversation was headed.
"The first day of forever.", he breathed, repeating his words from three years ago and causing Beverly's eyes to glisten.
With a quiet sob, she reached up to run her hand through his wavy hair, using the other one to caress his cheek.
"For so many years I despised men. Hated them from the bottom of my very being and yet…I came back to the same job over and over again, convincing myself that I was fulfilling an important role in tending their needs, and that their payment was worth what I was putting myself through. And then you came along and…all these thoughts…everything changed. And I began to experience things like trust again. And caring. And something else I thought I'd never feel again…"
When he saw the first tear escape her beautiful hazel eyes, Steve reached forward to wrap Beverly in a strong embrace, feeling her sobs against his chest, her body shaking, as he rested his chin atop her head.
Beyond the intoxicating aroma of her perfume, he succumbed to her hands travelling to his back, holding onto him with a death grip.
The minutes they spent in silent healing seemed to fly by, making Steve dread the moment he felt Beverly slowly release the hug, before reaching into her purse for a handkerchief to wipe off the runny makeup.
Stopping her midway, Steve reached for her chin and slowly brought her beautiful face close enough to his to do exactly what he'd promised wouldn't happen.