"A Risk Worth Taking" - Chapter Seven
Layla spent the weekend at her sister's house, looking after her niece and nephews. Cindy and Chris had taken a much needed weekend vacation, and Layla was happy to watch the kids for them; but by the time 7:00 PM rolled around on Sunday night, she was exhausted.
Layla was sitting on the couch watching "Trolls" with the kids when they heard a key in the door knob. Chris burst through the door, shouting, "We're home," and the kids bombarded he and Cindy with hugs.
Layla paused the movie and stood, helping the couple get their bags in the door.
"How was it?" Layla asked her sister.
"The house Christopher rented was just beautiful. It was right on the lake. We woke up whenever we wanted, drank coffee on the deck in silence and just relaxed!" Chris gave his wife a sly grin, indicating that that wasn't all they did, and Cindy blushed.
Layla smirked. "Mm hmm. Ok, well I'm glad you had a good time."
The two women walked into the kitchen while Chris plopped on the couch with the kids and resumed the movie.
"How were the kids?" Cindy asked, pulling a bottle of Chardonnay from the fridge. "You look like you could use a glass." She told Layla with a smile.
Layla let out a tired laugh, "Yeah, I could. The kids were great, I'm just beat. I don't know how you do this everyday."
Cindy poured them each a glass of wine and sat down at the kitchen island beside her sister. "You get used to never sleeping." Cindy told her, taking a sip.
Layla sat there for a few minutes just looking at her glass. The two women could hear Chris in the other room playing with the kids, their infectious giggles made Cindy smile.
Noticing that Layla was just staring at her glass, Cindy asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Layla told her, but Cindy knew it was a lie. She reached out and touched sister's arm, saying softly, "Tell me."
Layla looked around to make sure the kids were out of ear shot.
"I kissed someone."
Cindy knew her sister had been on a few dates since her husband had died, but she never cared enough to go on a second one. She knew if Layla had kissed someone, she must really be interested.
Cindy smiled, "Layla, that's great!"
Layla smiled, briefly recalling how she felt with Hank's lips on hers.
"It was. I just," Layla sighed when tears burned her eyes, frustrated that she had been so emotional lately, "I feel guilty."
She didn't need to explain, Cindy understood what she meant. Cindy slid off her stool and wrapped her arms around her sister. "Honey, you have no reason to feel guilty. Jake would want you to be happy."
Layla sniffed and nodded.
"I know, you're right. It's just hard. I don't know how to make that feeling go away."
Cindy rubbed Layla's back like their mother used to do. "If you really like this person, take it slow and be up front with him. I think once you get used to not being alone, you'll be able to start allowing yourself to be happy, without the guilt."
Layla nodded, feeling a little better, and took a sip of her wine.
"Is it anyone I may know?" Cindy asked.
"Based on your husband's reaction to me working with him, I feel sure you do. Hank Voight?"
Cindy's eyes widened and she choked on the sip of wine she's just taken. Clearing her throat, the tried to act casual as she placed her glass back on the counter.
"He's older than you. Than me." Cindy observed, keeping her tone even so Layla wasn't sure if she was judging or not.
"I know. But that doesn't matter to me." Layla told her.
Cindy started to say something else, but Layla interrupted her. "If you're going to list all the reasons why we shouldn't pursue something together, save it. I've already heard it. I'm just telling you I feel a connection to him that I haven't felt with anyone since…" Layla trailed off and Cindy met her eyes with sympathy.
Layla was surprised when her sister smiled.
"You know, before she got sick," Cindy started, "Hank's wife, Camille, used to plan all of the children's activities at church. You know, like nativity plays and sunday school for the kids."
"Every year since she died, the church has gotten a large donation from an anonymous donor, indicating that the funds should be used for children's activities. I've always suspected that it's Hank."
Cindy looked at Layla. "I'm not saying the man is perfect, because God only knows where he's getting that money," Cindy told her sister with a serious look in her eyes, "but I can acknowledge that there's more to Hank Voight than his reputation."
Cindy reached out and covered her sister's hand with her own. "Please be careful."
"I will." Layla assured her.
Once she was back at her apartment, Layla turned on some music and finished unpacking the last of her boxes. She had just finished with the last box when her phone rang. Without checking the caller ID, she paused the music and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey. How was babysitting?" Hank's gravelly voice asked on the other end.
Layla felt her heart beat faster at the sound of his voice. They hadn't talked since he'd dropped her off Friday night.
"Well let's see, I broke up three fights, cleaned up the kitchen about fifty times and got a total of seven hours of sleep all weekend."
Hank laughed.
Layla walked into her bedroom and laid down across the bed. "No, it was great. I love those kids." Layla said, remembering the feel of Annabelle asleep against her chest.
"So what did you do this weekend?" Layla asked Hank.
"I caught up on some paperwork down at the precinct and hung out with some guys at this social club I'm a part of, played some poker."
"Hmmm." Layla said in response, her eyelids heavy now that she'd laid down.
"Do you think you'll be finished updating the Intelligence computers after tomorrow?"
"Mhmm." Layla mumbled.
Hank let out a small laugh, realizing she was falling asleep.
"Get some sleep, Layla. I'll see you tomorrow." Hank said, the low rumble of his voice soothing her.
"Goodnight, Hank…" Layla whispered, before slipping into a heavy sleep.
Layla showed up at the precinct right at 8:00 AM and ran into Kim. "Oh good, someone to buzz me upstairs." Kim smiled, but there was something mischievous behind it.
"What?" Layla asked.
Kim pulled her into the vacant office at the bottom of the stairs and pushed the door closed.
"What's going on with you and Sarge?" Kim asked, her arms folded across her chest.
Layla didn't say anything.
"Because Antonio and Kevin said they are pretty sure they interrupted something Friday night outside of Molly's?" Kim raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, okay," Layla caved, "we kissed. That's all that's happened. It wasn't planned or anything."
Kim mouthed "oh my gosh" to herself, her eyes wide, as she took a step closer to Layla.
"Kim look, I haven't really dated anyone since my husband died." Kim's expression became more serious.
"I'm not even sure what we're doing. All I know is we're taking it really slow… like, snail paced."
Kim put her hand on Layla's arm.
"I think it's great. Really. I honestly can't think of anyone Voight has dated since I've been involved with Intelligence. You two could be good for each other. He's been through a lot recently."
Layla nodded. The group had briefly told her about Olinsky's death at Molly's the other night. Hank had excused himself to go to the bathroom as soon as his name was brought up.
"Thanks Kim. Just, please keep this between us."
Kim nodded. "For sure. The other guys are curious but I'll keep them off your back." Kim winked at her. Layla really liked Kim and was glad Chris has introduced them.
"Thanks girl."
Kim opened the office door and walked towards the staircase. Layla turned to grab her bag off the desk to follow her. She was pulling it over her shoulder as she walked through the doorway and ran right into Hank.
He initially looked pissed but once he realized who it was, his expression softened.
"Layla."
Kim raised an eyebrow at her, then buzzed herself up to Intelligence, leaving them standing there.
At the desk, Trudy was watching the whole thing.
"Good morning." Layla smiled at him, honestly happy to see him. She tried to ignore the butterflies.
"Morning." He answered, a smile on his face.
They stood there a second too long, just looking at each other. Hank had touched her arm to steady her when they bumped into each other but hadn't moved it. Instead, he rubbed his thumb back and forth over her skin.
Finally he said, "Let's head up."
Layla followed him as he scanned his fingerprint and unlocked the gate up to Intelligence.
Trudy watched them go, her mouth slightly open. Had she just seen what she thought she'd seen?
"Um, Sergeant Platt?"
Trudy turned back to the officers waiting for their patrol car assignments.
"Yeah, yeah, Summers. Hold your horses."