"Hey you," Eddie called out from the kitchen as her husband walked through the door. She gauged the look on his face. "Long day?"
"Very," he replied, dropping his duffel bag and walking over to greet her with a kiss. "Glad it's over. How was yours? Probably better than mine."
"Not really. Had a perp throw up in the RMP again."
Jamie scrunched his nose, "I think I heard someone talking about that. Didn't know it was you guys though."
"Yeah. It took us almost our whole lunch break to hose down the backseat. Badillo and I were on the verge of throwing up ourselves. But anyways, let's change the subject. I saw you in Espinoza's office as I was leaving. Is everything okay?"
"That's actually something I want to talk to you about," he replied. Jamie walked over to his duffel bag and pulled out an envelope then walked back and handed it over to her. "He actually gave me an application for the Lieutenant's Exam. They're opening it up at the end of next year. He thinks I should take it."
"Wow," she said, pulling the application out of the envelope and looking through it. "Well… are you going to take it?"
"Honestly, I don't know," he responded. "I don't know if I want to go through all of that again like I did with the Sergeant's exam."
"I'm sure you'd pass this one with flying colors like you did with the Sergeant's exam."
"Yeah… but I'm not sure."
"Why?" she questioned. "Look, it's totally up to you if you want to take it, babe. I'll support you no matter what. But I think this is a great opportunity for you."
He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms. "I just… I'm comfortable where I'm at. I'd be stuck behind the desk even more than I am now. I like still being able to get out on the beat when I can. I'd miss it."
"I know you would," she sympathized. "But I think it says a lot that Espinoza personally gave you an application. He clearly thinks you have the potential for it. And so do I."
Jamie pondered for a moment then nodded, "I won't lie, I have thought about it in the past. And it would be a great opportunity for me… and for us. We could actually start looking for a house and if we have a baby, you can take some extra time off if you want to and we wouldn't have to worry about the loss in pay."
"That's true," Eddie replied. "But I want you to take the exam for you. Not for me, for getting a house or for having a baby. I don't want to live in this place forever but if we did, I'd be perfectly fine with that. Just as long as I'm with you, I'll be happy. If you stay a Sergeant or become a Lieutenant, I'll be proud of you either way."
He gave her a small smile, "Thank you."
"This is completely your decision but I think it wouldn't hurt to take it. Who knows when they'll open up the exam again. And you know I can make a pretty great study partner," she said suggestively, reaching out and running her hands down his sides.
He let out a laugh remembering back to when they were studying for the Sergeant's exam. Eddie would make up fun, flirty games to make studying more enjoyable for them.
"How can I forget?" he replied, stepping forward and placing his hands on her hips. "I think my favorite one was if one of us got an answer right, the other had to remove a piece of clothing."
"You only liked that game because you got most of the answers right!"
"Exactly," he said. "You know what? I think I might take the test just so we can play that game again. How about we start tonight?"
Eddie rolled her eyes and pushed him away, "You're too much for me sometimes. If people only knew that the boy scout wasn't truly the boy scout they all know and love."
He kissed her forehead, "You're the only one who has ever brought this out of me."
"That's good to know. But seriously, taking the exam is completely up to you. If you decide to take it, then great. If not, that's fine too. Do whatever makes you happy."
"I know," he replied, then leaned in and gave her kiss. "I love you. Thank you."
She smiled, "You don't need to thank me. And I love you too."