Chapter 6

A New Chapter

Somewhere in the Northern Netherlands

It was almost 11 pm at the hotel where Elizabeth Keen stayed. She watched her 4 years old daughter played with Raymond Reddington and Dembe while at the same time her mind flew back to him. It's been three months since the last time she saw him in that hotel. Three months since he said for the first time that he loved her. Three months since he kissed her and she kissed him back. And not a day went by that she didn't think about him. His safety. His life. She's in the dark. Even Reddington.

"Lizzie," Reddington made her heart jumped.

She lifted her eyes to him without words.

"Come on, let's go. We don't want to miss the big firework, right Agnes?" Red said, partly to her and partly to Agnes, while holding her small hand.

"Yes, Mommy! Let's go!" Agnes nodded enthusiastically.

Liz smiled at her.

"Right, Sweetheart. Wait a moment, ok?"

She grabbed her scarf and coat and followed them outside.

The walk to the city centre was not far. But, if Agnes wasn't with them, surely it would be very quiet journey.

"You will love the firework this time, Lizzie." Red said with mischivieous smile, breaking the silence.

Liz only smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's because we still live after all chaos with the last blacklister to see it."

Reddington laughed proudly. "That's an unexpected answer -to be honest. But, on top of that, do you know that this afternoon I was doing a little research about the fireworks they plan to burn tonight. They said – one of them was made in China – you see it's really expensive because it can write something in the sky –" Red continue on his story about how sophisticated fireworks were now.

Liz listened but not really paid attention to detail. But she admitted, Red's story was good to make the time passing by because she's suddenly aware they had arrived at the city centre.

There were not so many people there. Liz suspected it's because the city where they spent holiday was not so large. It was almost midnight. At the balcony of an old building in the centre of the city sguare, some people played a loud music, a modern one. Red took the position slightly far behind the crowd. Liz just followed suit. Dembe started to take pictures of the surroundings.

While Reddington kept chatting with Agnes, Liz looked around. She dipped her gloves hands into her pockets deeper, feeling cold. She heard Agnes laughed happily when Red pointed to the sky, at the fireworks. Liz smiled. She couldn't imagine what her life would be without them. Still she felt something missing inside. The crowd started to count down the time. The old bell heard from a tower not far from where they stood. Another year was coming. Then, the sky was so bright. Agnes was cheering. Liz just looked at the sky while her mind was wandering.

"Mommy, look!" Agnes cried. Liz turned her head to the direction pointed out by her little daughter. The firework was a little closer to their place. Liz stunned. It's because the firework was flying a couple of times in the sky forming her name and Agnes. Then, there's another word. It was "Don". Another firework. It was a symbol for heart. A symbol of love. Liz frowned. 'Liz – Agnes – Don – Love'

Her heart was beating hard. Liz looked down to the person who burn the firework. She gasped. She faced his back, clothed in black coat. It was a little dark. But she recognized the posture. The height, the size, the back-form, the color of his hair, everypart of him was so familiar to her. He turned, facing her. Smiling.

Liz couldn't believe her own eyes.

"Ressler..." His name escaped her lips, was barely heard.

"I told you, you will love this one." She heard Red said in a low, but certain voice.

She couldn't stop herself not to run to him. His smile was growing widely as she leaped into him, as he catched her, lifted her up, spinned her while laughing, then put her down. Both were breathless. Their eyes locked. Their forehead touched.

"Missed me?" He whispered.

"Not really..." Liz answered in teasing tone.

"Liar..." Ressler said between his laugh.

Then she hugged him. Breathed in his presence deeply, feeling him. Ressler returned the embrace immediately. She heard his deep-heavy voice whispering softly between her hair while also stroking them and her back,

"It's all over, Liz... Will you stay with me?"

Liz loosened her embrace, just to put a little space between them, still holding his arms and looked up at him.

"Are you still asking? Seriously?" she said. Her eyes danced in joy.

Ressler laughed, then said with his toxicating smile,

"I really want to kiss you right now, but with Agnes, Dembe and Red watching ..."

Liz smacked his upper arm and laughed again.

"Come on!" She pulled him, hand in hand, they walked closely to where Reddington, Agnes and Dembe were standing.

Five minutes later they're still there, watching fireworks at the sky before them. From left to right: Ressler, Liz, Reddington and Dembe. Ressler's left arm was holding Agnes while Agnes small hand was circling around his neck. Liz tucked her left arm inside Ressler's right elbow, while her other arm held his, and lean her head to his shoulder. Reddington was standing close to her, smiled in satisfaction. Dembe put emotionless face, but there was some peace written there. Liz turned her head to find Red, and said softly,

"Thank you."

Red only gave her a nod and a look she understood very well. Liz smiled and more firmly hold on to Ressler. She felt his arm moved, enveloped her from behind her back, brought her closer to his side. He kissed her temple sofly. Liz closed her eyes. In her mind the sky had never been so bright that it almost blinded her.

The End.

Author's note:

Thank you for all the reviews that's been posted. I really appreciate it!

Happy New Year, Everyone! May the New Year brings the best Keenler moment =D