I am really sorry for late update but work has been keeping me too busy.
MandyGordon since you asked, I am from Greece. I started writing 8 years ago. I finished my last story 5 years ago but took a along hiatius because I lost inspiration. I am glad I am finally over my writer's draft period and I owe it to Upstead.
Hope you all enjoy this and as always, can;t wait to hear your thoughts.
The hot rays from the suns creeped through the curtains and landed on Hailey's cheek.
She moaned in pleasure but refused to open her eyes. It had been raining nonstop for days. so it actually felt pleasing to feel some warmth on her face.
She snuzzled into her pillow and smiled as she slowly opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She frowned her eyebrows as she realized she was laying on her sofa.
It took her a few minutes, but then she remembered. She fell asleep on the sofa. She fell asleep, with him, on the sofa. Suddenly, his absence was evident. His body wasn't keeping her warm anymore. His rough hands were no longer wrapped around her. His scent was no longer sinking on her covers.
She turned around only to confirm the obvious. He was gone.
"Jay?" she softly said and lifted her body from the couch.
She took a quick look around but he was nowhere to be seen. She stood up, covered herself with the blanket because despite the sun, the house was still pretty chill, and walked towards his duffle bag.
His stuff was still there but his shoes were missing. Where was he?
She checked her watch and it was already 8:15am.
Maybe he had gone out for a run. Yes, that should be it. After all Jay loved his morning jog.
She shook her head trying to keep all the negative thoughts away and walked straight towards the kitchen. That was when she saw it.
A little note on the fridge saying, "Don't freak out, I am out to get some coffee. I somehow broke your coffee pot. Promise I'll buy you a new one."
A slight giggle escaped her lips as she checked the broken pot still sitting on the counter. How on earth did he manage to break it? And how on earth did she not hear any of that?
Now that her mind could rest, she headed upstairs to get changed. Her mind wondered on how they could fill up day 4 of Quarantine.
She dreaded to say it out loud, but she loved having him around the house. She could get used to his presence. Actually, she already had.
She loved all his pet peeves. The numerous coffee mugs that he left lying in the house. His obsession with football. His endless list of "guys". His competitive nature.
But above all, his inability to accept the fact that Jon Snow did not sit on the throne. Oh, countless nights they had fought over Game of Thrones. Teams Daenerys V Team Jon Snow.
She smiled as she remembered their last debate but her train of thought was soon disturbed when she heard the front door close.
"Jay? Are you back?" she shouted.
"No, just me!" an all too cheerful Vanessa answered back.
The blonde detective ran back to the kitchen, now fully dressed in her sweatpants.
"Hey, long time no see roomie," she smiled at Reyes and gave her a long hug.
"I missed you too," Reyes smiled and slowly pulled away. "Why do I not smell coffee in here?"
"Well Jay, don't ask me how, broke the pot and he is out to get us some coffee," Hailey explained and sat on a stool by the counter.
"Oh let me guess. He is getting coffee just for you two, right?" Vanessa sat on the stool opposite to her and crossed her arms in frustration.
"Well we didn't know you were coming," Hailey tried to comfort her. "We thought you were having too much fun with your new boyfriend."
"I am having fun, don't get me wrong but…" she took a small pause to take off her jacket and sit more comfortably.
"But…." she continued "I was hoping you were having more fun!" she looked at her colleague with a wicked smile on her face.
"What do you mean?" Hailey squinted her eyes.
"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Vanessa smiled at her again and crossed her finger in anticipation.
Hailey shook her head puzzled. "I don't know what you expect me to say."
"Anything?" she leaned forward, her eyes filled with hope.
"Again, I don't know what you want me to say," Hailey raised her shoulders in unawareness.
"Oh, come on!" Vanessa exclaimed in frustration. "I leave you dorks alone for three days and nothing happens?"
"What do you mean you left us alone?" Hailey straightened her back and crossed her arms in defense.
"Look, I am having fun with mark, really! But the only reason I chose to stay away for three days was to leave you guys some time alone."
Hailey smiled awkwardly. "Why would we need any time alone? We are together everyday, almost all day."
"I said ALONE," Reyes highlighted the word. "As in you and him. Not at the district. Not at Molly's. Not working a case. Just the two of you."
Hailey smirked and stood up nervously only to realize she had nowhere to go.
"I think I know what you have in mind, but you can forget it. It is not happening," she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Why not?" Reyes wondered in despair. "You love him. You can't deny that."
"Yes, I love him," her heart spoke quicker than her mind. "I love him as a partner."
Vanessa looked straight into her eyes and shook her head. "You can't lie to me. I know that look. I've had that look and it regarded men that I was in love with."
Hailey sighed and sat back on the stool. "Is it that obvious?" she softly asked.
Vanessa moved her stool closer to Hailey and placed her arm around her shoulder.
"Have you ever thought about it?"
"Thought about what?"
"Telling him!"
"No!" Hailey repeatedly shook her head in denial. "First of all, he is in no condition for a relationship right now. He cares too much about everyone else. It's time he should focus on himself Do some self exploring. But apart from that, the District is no place for romances. We have all been burnt. Even if we do get together, odds are we are going to break up within the first few months. How will we be able to work together after that? I don't want to ruin whatever relationship, friendship, partnership we have right now."
Reyes pulled her arm back. "It is understandable to be sacred. But maybe he had feelings for you too and he is afraid to express them for all the same reasons."
Hailey gave her a sad smile. "He doesn't feel the same way."
"How do you know?" Vanessa pressed back. "I notice things you know. No one has ever looked at me the way he looks at you. No one has ever cared about me the way he cares about you. I've heard the stories you know, about how he kept you safe last year in that van. He covered you with the vest and protected you with his body even if that meant completely exposing himself. I've seen the way he checks at you when you are not looking. No matter how hard you try to deny it, you dork are in love with each other."
Hailey placed her palm on her forehead. Hearing someone speaking the truth about how she felt made it real. They were in love with each other that that scared the crap out of her.
Maybe she had been lying to herself after all. All this time, she had been worrying about Jay not being ready for a relationship. The truth was though, that maybe she was the one that needed time. She was the one that needed some self exploring to do. Figure out what kind of cop she wanted to be. Did she want to become Voight or did she want to become someone Vought would be proud of?
Did she want to manipulate the rules or follow them? Did she want to become an honorable cop or just a shadow of her old self?
Then, she looked over her shoulder and took a glimpse at the photo of her and Jay. He was always there for her. Like he had once said, good or bad, right or wrong, he was always there to support her and give her a shoulder to share the burden.
Vanessa took Hailey's hand in hers. "Look, I didn't mean to upset you. Only you know what is best for you. Just keep in mind ; A minute too late might still be too late!"
Hailey got up and gave her colleague a long hug.
"I have faith," she whispered. "All will happen in good time."
Not long later, Jay entered with a brand new pot with one hand and three coffees placed in a paper case with the other.
He immediately walked towards the kitchen and handed Vanessa the one coffee with a cocky smile on his face.
"How did you now I was going to be here," she asked astonished.
"I saw your car parked outside, so I went back to get another coffee. So, the next time I forget to get you coffee remember this; I went all the way back, during quarantine time, out in the cold to get you coffee! Always remember this," Jay pointed with his finger towards the hot cup of coffee.
Vanessa looked over at Hailey. "I will never hear the end of this, will I?"
Hailey laughed and took a long sip out from her own cup of coffee.
As she stood there watching Jay and Vanessa banter over the silliest things she noticed the permanent smile on her face. A smile that formed as soon as Jay walked into the house.
There was no denying it. His presence made her happy and it was up to her to claim that feeling.
Vanessa decided to spend the day with her favorite detectives. Even though she wanted to give them some space, she missed their company.
Day 4 of Quarantine was filled with endless banters, hilarious jokes, loud laughters and at some point, even pop corn. Life couldn't get any better, or could it?