It's a Wonderful Life Worth Living Chapter 5
Before they knew it they were back in Manhattan again, and Bobby once again remembered his situation. Suspiciously he asked, "Just how did my bail get paid? Did you do it?"
"Oh, no!" Jacob said, surprised that Bobby would even think that. "We don't have money in Heaven."
"Of course," Bobby said, the sarcasm coming through. "Of course not! Then how did it get paid?"
"It was all your friends while you were alive. Your partner Alex, Captain Ross, your detective friends Logan and Wheeler, and your good friend Lewis. Those and a few others, they all got together, for you Bobby."
Bobby was stunned, "My friends? But…"
"Remember, Bobby, no man is a failure who has friends." Bobby thought about that for a long time.
0o0
Soon they found themselves in front of Denise's apartment. "Okay," Bobby said, almost afraid to hear the answer, "where is Denise?" He didn't even bother going to the door.
"Well, she doesn't live here anymore," Jacob told him. "She didn't find what she was looking for here so she moved back to California with her mother. She became an old maid."
"What? That's impossible! Denise is…an incredibly beautiful woman! Any man would be lucky to have her!"
"That's just the problem, Bobby, she didn't just want 'any' man. She was looking for the love of her life, a man who was intelligent, charming, and compassionate, and cared more for others than he ever cared for himself. When she didn't find that man, she assumed he didn't exist, and left."
"Me?" Bobby asked softly. "Was...I that man?"
"Well, I really can't say for sure, 'cause you were never born."
"Hypothetically," Bobby said, playing the game now, "if it was me, why didn't she ever say she loved me?"
"Hypothetically," Jacob answered, "maybe she did, but you rejected it as pity."
Oh God! I really messed things up, Bobby thought.
"And Alex?" he asked. He could only hope for the best. Please God…"I guess her career really developed without me to slow her down…?"
"Let's go see," Jacob suggested. It was morning now, and they headed to One Police Plaza. After signing in as visitors they headed up to the eleventh floor. Bobby looked around, his eyes searching for Alex. Not seeing her he looked for her desk.
Turning to Jacob he said, "Where is she, Jacob? And don't give me any of your 'I can't tell you' shit! Now where is she?!"
"Something I can help you gentlemen with?" came a voice from behind them, and Bobby turned to see Captain Danny Ross.
"Captain! Thank God!" Bobby exclaimed. "At least one thing's right in this world!"
"Glad you think so," Ross said, not a bit happy. He stared at Bobby for a moment, wondering at his familiarity.
Jacob leaned into Bobby. He whispered, "Captain Ross is about to be demoted. His department's solve rate is the worst in thirty years. Because you weren't here."
Bobby shook his head, trying to clear it, as Ross waited patiently. "Yes, uh, Captain Ross. I was wondering if you could tell me when Detective Eames would be in?"
Ross narrowed his eyes at him. "What? Are you some kind of smart ass or something?"
"Huh? No, sir. I'm…I'm a friend. We just haven't seen each other in a while…"
"Oh, okay, then I guess you don't know…well, I'm sorry to tell you that Detective Eames was killed in the line of duty. Two years ago."
"What?! Please, no!!"
"Here, sit down…Ramsey! Some water here!" Ross helped Bobby into a chair, and handed him a glass of water that Detective Ramsey brought over.
"I'm so sorry," Ross continued. "How well did you know Detective Eames?"
Bobby looked up at him as the tears streamed down his face. "For years…we were par—friends, we…knew each for years…what happened?"
"Such a waste," Ross shook his head. "She and her partner, Detective Jefferies, went to see this small town cop, a guy named Ray Wiznesky, who'd killed his stepdaughter. Apparently when they stepped into his den he pulled a gun on them. Witnesses heard them trying to talk him down, but they couldn't do it. He just shot them both in cold blood. They were both killed."
And this time Jacob didn't have to tell Bobby it was because he wasn't there. "Oh God! Oh God! N000!!" Bobby got up and stumbled blindly out of the bullpen, down the stairs and out onto the street.
"Is he going to be okay?" Ross asked. "He seemed to take it pretty bad…"
"They were close," Jacob explained. "I better go check on him." He left, with Ross staring after him.
Hurrying down, Jacob found Bobby in the parking garage, leaning over someone's car, sobbing uncontrollably, calling for him. "Jacob!" he cried, "Jacob, help me! Get me back! I don't care anymore what happens to me! Please! Jacob, I want to live again! I want to live! Please, Jacob, I want to live!"
He looked up for Jacob, but couldn't see him, and the tears still streamed down his face, which made his head positively pound. He didn't need that now…suddenly it hit him—he had a headache! A horribly throbbing, head hammering wonderful headache! He was alive!
"Alex! I've got to see Alex!" He went back into the building, and took the stairs, two at a time. Running into the bullpen, he saw Eames standing by her desk, talking on the phone. When she saw him, she put the phone down.
"Where have you been?" she asked, angry with concern. Not waiting for an answer, she continued, "we've been looking all over for you! Me, Ross, Logan. Even Lewis. And Denise is out of her mind with worry…"
Before she could finish, Bobby was on her. Not caring how it looked, he kissed her full on the lips. Then hugged her, holding her in a tight embrace.
"Ahem.." Ross cleared his throat.
"Isn't it great?" Bobby said exuberantly. "I'm alive! You're alive Eames! And I know I'm going to prison; isn't it great?!"
"Have you been drinking?" Ross questioned, but Bobby ignored the question. "Eames, there so much I have to tell you!"
Alex stared at him, amused. "Well, I don't know whether or not you've been drinking, but you sure are happy. Do you already know?"
"All I know is I'm happy to be here!"
Alex and Ross both laughed. "Bobby, you're in the clear!"
"What?"
"I'll tell you this real quick, 'cause you have to call Denise, but you're in the clear. Declan is the murderer; he framed you with the Chief of D's help!"
"How? What did he..? What happened?"
"Well, you know how the Chief of D's has always disliked you?"
"Dislike is not the word I'd use, but yeah, ever since the first time I went out with his assistant, Denise. Not that I haven't deserved some of it, but go on."
"Well, he knew all about your mentor, and you told Declan about the chief. Anyway, they got together and framed you, but Declan couldn't go through with it and told us everything. So you're all cleared now!"
Bobby had tears in his eyes, and he hugged Alex again.
"Detective…" Ross said warningly.
Finally Bobby looked up. "Denise. I gotta see Denise." He hurried out of the bullpen, where he waited impatiently for the elevator, nearly taking the stairs again.
"Bobby! Wait up!" Alex called, just as the elevator doors opened. He got in, but held the doors open.
Catching her breath, she said, "I just wanted to tell you, I'm having a little impromptu get-together tonight, at my place. I'd like for you and Denise to be there…I think we've all got a little something to celebrate. You know, a few drinks, maybe a Christmas movie or so…"
"Sure, I'll call you," Bobby said, and as the doors closed, he added, "May I suggest It's a Wonderful Life?"
0o0
Bobby couldn't wait to get to Denise's home. As soon as he got there, he grabbed her and held her forever.
"I was so worried…" she said, finally pulling away to look him over. "Are you alright? I didn't even know you'd been arrested, then—"
"I'm alright now," he told her, embracing her again. "We…we have to talk…" he couldn't stop kissing her.
"I know," she managed, in-between kisses.
He took her hand and led her to the couch. Sitting them both down, he looked at her. "Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked her.
Her green eyes twinkled. "And do you know how attractive you are? Never has a man done for me what you do, and in so many ways. Bobby, I love you so much!"
"I never realized…and I've loved you since the day I met you…"
Denise nodded, "eight years ago." Then she said, "Don't you think we've wasted enough time?"
Bobby smiled, the smile she so loved.
She looked into his eyes, and the love in her eyes was so evident. Then she said, "Bobby, I've always loved you, and I always will. Will you marry me? And make me the happiest, luckiest woman in the world…"
He answered her with a long, lingering kiss, then said, "I'm the lucky one, Denise."
Denise asked, "You know who else is lucky?"
Bobby cocked an eyebrow at her, and laughed. "Don't even think I'm sharing you with anyone else!"
She smacked him lightly. "No, Goofy. The other lucky one will be our baby, cause he'll have the best daddy in the world. In about seven months."
Bobby stared at her for a moment. "Oh God, Denise!" And he kissed her mouth, long and deep, and all over her eyes and nose, then dropped down and kissed her abdomen.
0o0
Up in Heaven, Peter presented Jacob with his new wings. "Congratulations, Jacob, on a job well done." They watched the scene below.
"Thank you, Sir," Jacob replied, very proud of his wings. "And if I may say, Sir, I don't think we could have picked a more deserving man." Peter whole-heartedly agreed.
The get-together at Alex's that night was a rather small intimate event. There were just a few people: Bobby and Denise, Lewis, Ross, Logan and Wheeler and Alex and her friend, Detective Peter Lyons. Bobby and Denise had already announced their upcoming wedding and baby-to-be, much to the approval of everyone. Then Alex and Peter announced their engagement.
"We could have had a double wedding," Alex said, "except I guess you two are in more of a hurry." They all laughed and toasted, Denise with fruit juice.
Later they got to talking, and finally Logan said, "Hey, Bobby, you never did say where you were for the last twenty four hours…"
Bobby got serious, causing everyone to do the same.
"I was with a very old friend, from a long time ago. We talked, and Jacob set me straight on a few things, taught me a few things I didn't know."
That raised a few eyebrows. "Yes, it's true, I said it. He taught me some things I never knew, or realized—"
"Such as?"
"Well, some important things: first, that each man's life touches so many other lives in ways that we'll never know…when he isn't around, well, things are different." That was something no one had considered, and something really intriguing to think about. After a moment, Alex said, "and what's the other things, Bobby?"
Bobby looked at each of them. "That I have incredible friends, and a beautiful new family. And most of all, I really do have a wonderful life."
End