Chapter 7

John and Renee sat in John's apartment watching the latest release on DVD 'Sherlock Holmes' starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. They were bondinItg over pizza, cookies, and beer as a celebration of John graduating from the police academy earlier that day.

"Renee, I can't tell you how much it meant to me to see you and your mom Carol today at the ceremony."

"It was not a problem, John," Renee said after swallowing her drink of alcohol. "Thank you for inviting us."

"Sure, sure. Your mom seems really nice."

"Oh, thank you. I can't tell you how many times she had asked me when she was going to meet the one that stole her baby girl away from her."

John laughed.

"Plus, she seems to like you."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Wow. Tell her I said thank you."

"I will."

"And please tell her I said thank you for these chocolate chip cookies too."

"I'll let her know. Glad you like them."

"These are delicious," he commented picking one up. "Of course, I hope she didn't lace these with something."

"Hey!"

"I'm only kidding."

John proceeded the cookie, the entire cookie, into his mouth. He looked at her widening his blue eyes making Renee laugh. If there was one thing that Renee loved adored the most about John was his ability to make her laugh.

"Oh, John."

"It's a great cookie," John saiid with a mouthful of chocolate chip gooeyness.

"Please swallow that before you choke. Please."

John chewed a little more then swallowed. "Aaahhh...delicious."

"You are a nerd."

"Hmm. Maybe."

"And you obviously have a big mouth."

"Hey..." Renee chuckled. "Well, my mouth might be big, but my lips are silky smooth."

"Oh yeah? Is that..."

Renee couldn't finish her sentence when she found John's lips pressed gently to hers. John pulled back and gazed into Renee's eyes. She looked at him not saying a thing. She didn't even make a peep. It was then that John thought he had made a mistake. He was chewing on his lower lip.

"Sorry. I'm so sor..."

Renee leaned forward and put her lips to his. It was John's turned to be surprised as Renee pulled away. She looked at him seductively.

"You might be sorry...but I'm not."

A slight smirk appeared on John's face. Renee gave him a wink. John positioned himself closer to Renee. His right hand reached up and brushed her blond hair away from her face. He closed the gap between them. The kiss started gently, and grew with more emotion. Renee pushed John onto his back then broke the kiss.

"What's wrong?"

"Just making sure I'm not making you uncomfortable."

"You? Make me uncomfortable? How could you? I love you."

"I love you too."

Renee leanded down and continued kissig John on the lips. Their love for one another blossomed throughout the night.

-John looked down at his son still nestled up against his side. Asleep. Silently snoring. John quielty began rising from his son's bed, then situated Maxwell's little head upon his pillow. He covered his son with his comforter blanket. He straightened up his stance and continued glancing down at his little boy. He didn't want to leave him or Renee but his job didn't give him a choice. John proceeded to walked out of the bedroom. He stopped in the doorway of Maxwell's bedroom.

John turned to look at his son once again before switching off the light and shutting the door behind him. He heard a sound to his left. His eyes locked with his wife. Renee walked toward her husband.

"He knows you love him."

"I hope he knows."

"He does. And you know what? He loves you too. And so do I."

"I don't want to leave you."

"It's part of your job. I understand that."

John offered a soft smile. "How did I get so lucky to have a girl like you in my life?"

"Really," Renee said with a smile of her own. "I thought I was the lucky one. To have a man like you in my life."

John took Renee into his arms. Renee rested her head against her husband's chest.

"I know you don't want to go. I promise we'll be fine."

"I know, Renee," John sighed as a tear ran down his cheek. "I know."