Thankfully, not too many questions were asked at the precinct over what had occurred at the warehouse. Mike was able to chalk it up to luck. Because Braidon was found safe and sound, no one seemed to worry too much.
"Thank you will never be enough." Christi Edwards told Vicki and Henry when she returned to Vicki's office. She attempted to pay them, but they would have none of it. Braidon held his mother's hand and hummed ,sang to himself, rocked back and forth from one foot to the other, kept himself calm. He never made eye contact with anyone until Henry spoke and then he stopped, looking only at Henry.
"It was our great pleasure, really." Henry said. Henry bent down to Braidon's level, running his hand down his face as he had done earlier, causing Braidon to once again laugh and giggle. Christi had no idea what Henry was doing to her son, but she didn't care. It seemed to make him happy and she was beyond what words could convey in her own happiness that her son was safe.
Christi turned to leave, then turned back.
"Excuse me Henry, but you look so familiar. I meant to say something before now, but I was rather distraught." She said looking for the familiarity.
"Well, I don't think we've met before, I have a face that everyone seems to remember." He responded trying not to show emotion.
"Oh, okay, well thanks again anyway," she waved as she left, Braidon said, bye, bye, bye, bye over and over, waving too.
Vicki turned Henry to face her expecting to see sadness again, but saw peace.
"Are you okay?" she asked knowing he realized that Christi probably remembered his face from all those years ago, wondering if it bothered him.
"Yes, I am. I feel like I've somewhat made up for not helping before. It won't bring her brother back, but she has her son." Henry kissed Vicki on the forehead, she closed her eyes as he did and she smiled. Henry was happy again.
"Well, I've got to get ready for the book signing," Henry announced.
"Oh, I almost forgot about that. When is it?" she asked.
"In three weeks." Three weeks, four weeks from when she was planning their wedding, a wedding he still didn't know about.
"What, you gonna sign some books for all those pimple-face geeks that like comic books?" Mike walked in, smiling as he said it.
Henry knew he was joking but he still took offense.
"Detective, you should join me. You would be surprised at the fact that there aren't any "pimple-faced geeks" as you so kindly put it." Henry smiled back at him.
"Really? So what kind of people come to see you, Fitzroy?" Mike was intrigued, he assumed that because Henry wrote graphic novels, it was just some giant comic book convention with a bunch of teen-aged boys who were into Star Wars and other sci-fic geeky things.
"Wonderful people. Lots of women." Henry waited for his reaction.
"Women?!" Mike was shocked, women?
"Yes, wonderful, strong independent women. There are guys too, but mostly women. They are kind, gentle and love my novels. Seems they love seeing a strong woman in the role of heroine. Really, you should join me. It would be a great weekend getaway."
Henry was serious.
"Vicki, you don't care?" Mike looked at her surprised that she wasn't jealous, also knowing that she wouldn't show it if she was.
"Why would I, I'm the one he comes home to and sleeps with. Besides, if he's providing a strong female role model for girls and women of all ages, who am I to argue." She entwined her arm around Henry's arm, putting her head on his shoulder at the same time.
"Aw how sweet, " Mike said. Vicki scowled at him.
"Well, I'd have to run it by Kate, with the new baby and all, but what the hell? Me and you greeting your fans, huh? Who'd a thunk?"
Mike started to leave and then snapped his fingers.
"I did have a purpose for coming. Crowley wanted me to come and personally thank you." Mike smiled waiting for their reaction.
"What?" They said in unison.
"Yeah, seems she's decided that your freaky business might be good for police business. She wants to put you and I quote "quietly on retainer for our most difficult cases" he said in his best Crowley impression. He shrugged his hands, waved bye and was gone.
"Well, that was strange, but I'll take it." Vicki said moving over to her desk. Back working with the force, anything, she'd take anything.
"I'm going back to the house, do you want to come or do you want me to come back in a couple of hours." Henry asked.
"Naw, I'm gonna stay and close some things up. Come back," He leaned over and kissed her, told her he loved her and she watched his fine ass move as he left the office.
"I know your looking." Henry said, never looking back.
"Damn straight!" She said grinning from ear to ear.
"Now," she muttered to herself, "How is the most unromantic woman in the world going to plan a wedding, the wedding of a lifetime really for the most romantic vampire in the world..."