Chapter 20
…
It was a few days later and Fiona finally allowed Kate to go home; the older woman was putting some clothes in to a bag when she heard the door to her room open and Reddington walked in.
"Raymond, what are you doing up. You should be resting."
Kate walked over to him, urging him over to the bed to sit down.
"Kate I'm fine, the doctor said I can go home tomorrow."
"They're letting me go today."
"Fiona told me."
Kate to see he was preoccupied with something as his hand never left her back.
"Raymond, are you alright?"
"I've been thinking a lot about what you said the other day…about Italy."
"Oh I see, look I know I surprised you with my suggestions and not that long ago it wouldn't have crossed my mind. As strange as it sounds, I love what I do. I'm bloody good at it."
"But?"
"The baby's changed things and changed my perspectives. I've come to realise what's important in my life and it's not this job. It's all of you…Dembe, Elizabeth, Andrea, Agnes and this baby."
Reddington watched the way Kate's hand found its way to the baby as she spoke, a small smile on her face.
"You're a remarkable woman Kate, I know I've said it before but you are and that baby is going to be very lucky to have you."
"Have all of us, if you were to agree."
"I have been thinking about it a lot and it sounds wonderful…almost too wonderful to be true."
"It could be, if it was something you really wanted."
"What about Elizabeth?"
"Raymond you'll never know how she really feels unless you take that step, go to her and tell her. If she says no then at least you tried."
"I don't want to lose Elizabeth, it would kill me Kate."
Kate gripped Reddington's hand, offering a supportive smile before hearing someone behind them. Kate looked up to see Elizabeth standing behind them, Agnes in her car seat playing with her teddy.
"Elizabeth, dearie."
Elizabeth smiled before walking in to the room and over to them, placing the car seat on the bed.
"Sorry, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
"Not at all dearie."
"Andrea said you were being discharged today, she's caught up in a meeting and asked if I could take you home."
"That's very kind of you, isn't it Raymond?"
"Yes it is…how much did you just hear Lizzie?"
"Enough I think."
She finally looked up at him as Kate began taking Agnes out of the car seat to hold her.
"Why don't Agnes and I go and wait outside, leave you two to talk."
"Kate you don't have to do…"
"It's no trouble Raymond, come on dearie…let's go and get some fresh air."
…
The room went quiet as Kate left the room with Agnes, the door closing behind them. Reddington wavered slightly as Elizabeth's arm suddenly came around his waist.
"Maybe you should sit down."
She helped him on to the bed, hearing Reddington inhaling deeply.
"Did you just smell my hair?"
"Strawberry, in four years you've never changed your shampoo."
Elizabeth went quiet, trying to find the right words to say in that moment.
"What you said to Mr Kaplan?"
"Lizzie…"
"Did you mean it?"
"I don't want to lose you."
"Why not?"
"What?"
"After everything that's happened, I think it's time we were all honest with each other and I mean all of us. I want the truth, why don't you want to lose me."
"Lizzie…"
"There's always been something between us that I could never explain or maybe I just didn't want too, but I need to know…especially now."
"Why now?"
"Tom's been cheating on me, I asked him right out and he didn't deny it. Things have never been the same between us since I was arrested. I thought having Agnes would change things but I think we've just grown further apart, he stays for her and I know that, I'm not stupid."
"I'm sorry Lizzie."
"Why don't you want to lose me, I need to hear you say it…please."
Reddington reached out, taking hold of her hands in his, pulling her closer.
"We've always had a connection Lizzie, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you to protect you and keep you and Agnes safe."
"I know you would."
"And you've done the same for me on more than one occasion. I know I'm not a good man; I've done unspeakable things in my life. What happened to Kate is just another thing I managed to create."
"She doesn't blame you for what happened to her."
"But you did?"
"Yes and I'm sorry, she told me not to hold you responsible. It was just that she's become a part of my life just like you and Dembe, without me really realising it and when she was hurt, I didn't expect to feel so angry about what she went through. I needed someone to blame and you were it…I'm so sorry."
"I don't want to be that man anymore."
"You can't change who you are."
"I can try; I have a property in Italy. It's a big acre of land and Kate wants me to give all this up, this life and move there."
"You're leaving?"
"I've thought a lot about it and she's right, but then she always is. With everything that's happened, sooner or later one of us, if not all, are going to end up dead and I can't have their deaths on my conscience. Shooting Kate before was bad enough and I can only thank whoever saved her that day for bringing her back to me alive."
"She still won't tell you who they were?"
"She never will, I know Kate well enough to know when she won't give something up, much like that baby."
"So you're really leaving?"
"I think it would be a good idea, a change. Not just for me but for Kate and Dembe too. She wants somewhere safe to raise the baby and I can't argue with her thinking. She shouldn't have to look over her shoulder every five minutes, waiting for someone to attack us."
"All three of you, wow. I'm not sure what Agnes will do without you guys, especially Mr Kaplan. They've become quite close, but I do understand where you're coming from. Maybe you do all deserve to break free from all of this, well I should probably get Mr Kaplan home, let you rest."
Elizabeth released her hands from Reddington's and began to walk away only to be caught by her wrist in a firm grip as she was pulled back towards Reddington, who wrapped his free arm around her waist before leaning up to kiss her.
Kate stood by the door, ready to go in when she saw the pair in an embrace, stopping the older woman in her tracks. She gave a small smile to herself as she looked at Agnes in her arms, hugging the child.
…
Elizabeth felt the air leave her as she was pulled in close to Reddington, his lips firmly pressed against her own. She felt herself leaning in to deepen the kiss as her arms came around his neck. Reddington was the first to pull back for air, looking in to Elizabeth's eyes, afraid of what he might see in them.
"I'm sorry Lizzie."
"Don't, don't say you're sorry."
"Come with us?"
"What…to Italy."
"Aren't you tired of all of this too?"
"You really think Tom's gonna let me take his daughter out of the country and what about my job, money. Red, you might not have to think about stuff like that but I do, I…"
"Money isn't an issue, everything you need you can have with us."
"You're crazy."
"Why are you so surprised, I thought Kate was when she came up with this idea but I can see now what she meant? Why put ourselves in danger day in, day out when we don't have too. I'm tired Lizzie, god knows you must be too."
"You're asking so much."
"I'm telling you that I'm in love with you Lizzie, and I want you and Agnes with me in Italy."
"I need to think about this, it's a lot to take in, you have to understand that?"
"I do and you can take all the time you need, there's no rush."
Elizabeth heard Agnes behind them, looking over to see Kate standing in the doorway.
"I didn't want to interrupt."
"No, it's fine. Are you ready to go?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes dearie."
Elizabeth grabbed the car seat before taking it over to Kate and getting Agnes settled back in.
"I'll wait outside for you."
Elizabeth gave one last look at Reddington, a brief smile to him before she left the room. He stood up slowly as Kate walked over to him.
"Well?"
"I think you heard most of what was said Kate."
"Give her time, there was something there. I could see it."
"I hope you're right."
"I'm glad you're thinking very seriously about all of this Raymond."
"A lot of what you said made sense; I don't want you or anyone else I care about at risk again. Perhaps it is time to retire form this business, I think we've all earned the rest."
"We have."
"When are you going to ask Andrea?"
"She's coming by later, I'll mention it to her then. If she doesn't want to do this then I understand. We haven't been together that long and I know it's a lot to ask of her to give up her life here, especially for me. I'll fully understand if she didn't want too."
"She loves you Kate, more than you know."
"Like wise, I'll get the house ready for you're return tomorrow."
"Kate no, you just rest."
"I'll get my girls to do it for you, don't worry…I won't life a finger."
"Thank you Kate."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Kate kissed his cheek before he handed Kate her bag then left the room.
…
To Be Continued…
