Chapter Eighty Two: Dance, Dance

Strung up, strung out for your love
Hang in, hung up, it's so rough

Florence and the Machine - Delilah

To say that Gabe had done a good job of the Sadie Hawkins dance would be a complete understatement. Maggie would never be able to understand how he had managed to secure not only the means but the ability to change the entire interior of the church hall. The rustic beams above them were twisted with twinkling fairy lights that winked at her like a thousand tiny stars. It reminded Maggie of that time a week ago, when she'd been up in the cabin in Wisconsin with Antonio staring up at the nighttime sky. Her heart hurt at that thought, the two of them had been blissfully happy, wrapped up in each other without a care in the world and then Cooper had died. It had sent Antonio into a tailspin that her poor lover couldn't seem to get himself out of.

It had been a while since a gulf like this had stretched between them. It had been a long time since she had felt like this, the last time being when she had walked away from him almost three years ago to become a completely different person. That familiar ache, the one she knew so well was back in her chest and she couldn't seem to shift it. They were different now, she was different and so was he but it didn't stop her mind delving back to those dark days, the ones where Antonio Dawson hadn't existed in her life.

Her cobalt blue eyes came to rest once more upon the couple in front of her, a sad smile gracing her pretty features as a rush of endearment flooded her senses. Like she'd said things were different now, she had roots here, a family made by spirit if not by blood and despite the fact she was feeling out of sorts she was appreciative for every single one of them being in her life.

It didn't take a genius to realise that Kayla Sharpe and Sean Roman were meant for one another, Maggie had known it the instant she had laid eyes on the two of them. There was a tenderness in Roman that her partner reserved only for the young paramedic in his life and it made Maggie smile like a fool to see it in action. The two of them swayed together, Roman in his navy blue suit, the one that made his eyes glitter as he looked adoringly at Kayla. That rare smile of his was back, it was boyish and content as he whispered something into Kayla's ear making the other woman tilt her head back and laugh.

The two of them were perfect together. They were a couple in love and she knew it wouldn't be long until her partner was ring shopping. The two of them had talked about it a few times during the week after Roman had returned to work. In the past when marriage came up her partner had always snorted at the possibility, he had never been able to see himself as settling down. Maggie knew that that wasn't on him, the women he had dated in the past had cut him deep, made him feel inferior. He had never felt deserving of love because of it. However during the past week he had seemed wistful when they talked about it. What had happened to them with that smuggling ring seemed to have put things perspective for him as well as Kayla. Instead of breaking them, it appeared to have strengthened the two of them and fortified the foundations of their relationship. It may have been a rocky start but now it seemed more solid than ever and Maggie was glad of that.

"You look like your in your own world." Gabe's amiable voice broke into his sister's thoughts, shattering her reverie.

Maggie bowed her head, a humorless smile crossing her pale features before she raised her eyes to meet her brother's. There was weight in that gaze, Gabe knew that it hung heavy on her shoulders, dragging her down into that place, the one he hated. The past week had been tough on her, she wasn't used to being shut out and the more Antonio did it, the more it tore his sister up inside. He could see both sides of the coin. Antonio was forever the diligent cop but when something got under his skin the other man was like a dog with a bone, he didn't let go until he had his prize and sometimes it bordered on obsession. He couldn't be helped when he was like that, his determination was always single focused and he worked all the hours that God gave him until it was resolved.

"Just making sure none of those wily teens get it into their head to sneak off." Maggie responded, straightening her head so that she was staring back at the dance floor.

"It's starting to wind down so I think we should be ok." Gabe commented, mentally counting the number of teens before returning his attention back to his sister. "I'm guessing Antonio's not doing so well?"

Maggie crossed her arms over her chest before she pursed her lips together into a grim line. It was a defensive position that Gabe recognized well from their childhood, it was a way of fortifying herself before she spoke. He knew how badly she was hurting, he wondered if Antonio understood the toll his actions were taking.

"The case is over, they found the leak and arrested him today." Maggie stated, shaking her head as she thought about how much money a man's life could be worth to someone else. It made her sick to think about it. "But Antonio still feels responsible, he's letting that guilt eat him up inside."

"We both know he didn't do anything wrong." Gabe said solemnly, his hand seeking out his sister's in a show of solidarity. Maggie took it gratefully, giving it a light squeeze. It was something they used to do as children when their parents were arguing, a way to reassure one another. "It's never that simple though."

"I feel like he's pulling away from me." Maggie said in a small voice, betraying her frustration at the situation. "We've barely spoken this past week and trust me I have been trying."

"You said he's at the gym tonight right?" Gabe queried her with an arched eyebrow before Maggie nodded her agreement. "Go to him. He's hurting right now, he needs to know that you are still gonna be there, fighting in his corner even when he's acted like an ass."

Maggie's lips quirked up at her brother's words before she tilted her head towards him.

"Does God not frown on the word ass?" she teased him, a hint of mirth in her features.

"I am but a lowly servant of our Lord." Gabe reminded her with that sparkle in those blue eyes as he released her hand. "Who am I to suppose I know his mind?"

"Nice save." Maggie responded before casting a glance around the room. "Are you sure you don't need me here?"

Gabe rolled his eyes at her suggestion before using his head to indicate towards Kayla and Roman who were breaking apart from each other as the song came to an end.

"I have two more of Chicago's finest here. I think we'll be ok." he told her knowingly before using his hands to make a shooing motion. "Go."

And with that Maggie was dismissed.

Hey guys. It's my 30th birthday tomorrow and I get the day off work so I'm excited to relax after a gruelling week.

Anime: You guessed right, the drama is just starting to unfold and I'm looking forward to your reaction when it does! I wanted to have a little interlude before all the insanity starts. I hope you enjoyed this one!

Lauren: I'm glad you enjoyed the text chapter, it was great fun to use a few lines to thread through the direction of the story. You'll have to wait and see what happens. She may be only time will tell.

Nat: I'm glad you enjoyed it, I really love running them. You'll have to wait and see that happens over the next couple of chapters. Brett may make an appearance who knows? You'll have to keep reading. LMAO! Maggie is pretty possessive if she thought Sylvie was trying it on with him. My new story is going well now that I've managed to locate the notes. It's rough as hell but there is a lot to work with.