Chapter 6
"So what are you doing tomorrow with your uncle Sarzo?"
"Ohh" She looked surprised by his question. Anyway she had to answer. She understood what he was doing. He was right. They needed to be careful. No need to repeat the mistakes of the past. It had been too painful. They were still paying the prize of them. Of IT.
"Uncle Sarzo and Auntie Elena want to make a new slab in their garden. They want to change everything. And to be fair, it really needs to be refreshed. The thing is like 30 years old. It was already there when I was a kid. Everyone is requisitioned for the occasion." She looked at her watch. "I've to be there at 8… that's in 4 hours from now."
"Oh God! It's already 4?! Didn't want to prevent you from sleeping, so sorry."
She laughed. He was giving her his Droopy eyes. He made him cuter… She needed to stop thinking this way. But still she did. Come on, Chris. Focus!
"Anyway, I think I won't sleep tonight, will sleep better tomorrow. That's why days off have been invented, right?"
She looked at the park around them, still so peaceful. For again some more hours before the chaos of the day will be back. She turned to him.
"And you? What are you doing tomorrow? I mean in a few hours." She let out a laugh. Stupid feelings.
"Ah ah ah… As I said earlier, nothing in particular… Just hanging out… Maybe watching one of these stupid car movies on Netflix… Riding my bike to enjoy the seaside... Don't really know."
"You can come helping at Uncle Sarzo's if you like…" She hated herself as soon as she had told those words coming out of her mouth.
"I'd love too." Street stopped talking. He might have answered way too quickly. It could seem desperate. But he already enjoyed spending the day with Chris around…
"So I guess I'm not sleeping either." He grinned at her. "But it's for the good cause. "
"And Auntie Elena makes a chili con carne for lunch!"
"Sounds really good. Better than my first plans! "
He gave her a large grin. The one only him could do. The one that made her heart melt. The one she felt for every time. The one she wanted to fight so hard that it hurt In her chest. But tonight it hit different. She didn't know why. She just knew it deep inside her.
She knew it was the good time. She moved her hand and put it over Jim's. He looked at her, surprised. She gave him a faint smile and pressed his hand in her thin one. He enjoyed the moment to intertwine his fingers with hers. It felt so natural to be hand in hand. She rested her head on his arm. He liked this feeling, her so close to him. No more drama. They were finally on the same line.
They didn't say a word. They didn't need too. They both knew they shared the same feelings. For one moment, they forgot about all their problems: being in the same SWAT team, not having the right to be together, Chris's position as a woman in a manly world. They were just two people, in love, where they were supposed to be and it was enough.
Dawn finally came. It was beautiful to see. Even more when you were close to the person you love the most in this world.
"You think one day we'll be able to be together for real…"
Chris's words lost in the air. She was afraid of Jim's answer. Maybe the moment they had shared was ephemeral. Suspended in time. That in a few minutes all will be gone forever and it broke her heart.
"It's my deepest wish, Chris. I'm tired of hiding how I feel about you for more than 4 years now."
She raised her head from his arm. She remained in this place for so long, her cheek had the marks of Jim's shirt.
"I don't know what the future is holding for us, but I swear I'll fight to keep it and will cherish it till I die."
She was moved. She was expected the worst when in fact, Jim was telling her he was about to fight everything and everyone just for them to be together. She came closer to him; she was ready. She hid enough in the past. She bent and dropped a kiss on Jim's lips. It was good to meet them again. It was like a safe place. Like home.
He was surprised by her move. Pleasantly surprised. He smiled and kissed her back, smoothly. She answered, this time with more ardor. She allowed his tongue in her mouth. She enjoyed their tongues twirling again and again. As the separated, she blushed. She had not felt like this for a long time. Jim seemed happy even if she guessed some fear in his eyes.
"I won't run this time."
He let out a sigh of relief. She pressed his hand. She was there for a long time. She didn't want to reproduce the mess of last time. They suffered enough. She learned from her mistake. Jim Street was a good man. He was her good man and she was her scared woman.
"You promise?" She nodded. "Because the time that will come for us won't be easy… For us, for me and especially for you…. But you know I'll be there for you, Chris. Whatever it costs."
She did know this. He was his rock. The only person who really saw for who she was. And respected her even when she screwed up big time.
"Us against the hierarchy… I like this…" She grinned. He did the same. And he took her in her arms. Their first real hug as a couple. The first of so many more….