how does their one year together ends?
Chapter 23 - Awards
As every year the annual police ceremony of awards was held during nice sunny weather of summer. There were loads of preparation to be made and festive uniforms to be cleaned. Gail was beaming from happiness because one of the awarded persons was her father, who got promoted to Staff Inspector. Contrary to her mother, he was the quiet patient person, but very good at his job as well.
What also made Gail proud was the official invitation for the forensic department. Of course the young officer could take Holly as her plus one, but official invitation emphasised the importance of the medical role for the police work.
Hours later when the awards were handed over and the ceremony was about to end when a guest of honour was announced. The blonde turned her head towards the stairs that led to the podium where she saw two vaguely familiar people dressed nicely in the official uniforms with golden embroidery of senior officers. The male officer walked behind his smaller partner while climbing the stairs. The woman with three golden stars on her shoulder and five medals hanging from her chest was no one else than Priscilla, she nonchalantly grabbed the counter as the man who –as could be suspected in this case– was Percy with his Inspector rank and six medals, stepped back.
"Ladies and gentleman, friends and colleagues," Priscilla said, looking around. "At this stage of honour I should probably say a few sappy words of gratitude, but let me leave that to someone else." Yup she was back, smiled Gail at her friend. The Montreal Staff Inspector bent her head watching patterns of the wooden counter. "I would rather point out other things," she raised her head looking around the place. "Most of you have family legacy in this job, nevertheless it does not mean much. Actions speak for themselves. Sometimes a person who you do not expect any help from is the first one to save your bum," she looked at the certain blond officer who immediately understood what this was about. "When I came to the 15th division, I could not understand how anyone could put together this squad of rookies." She watched their table one occupant by the other. "There is the cute boy who would cut himself into pieces to be able to help everybody around. Then there is another guy who is way too paranoid and suspects everyone, always trying to prove himself to be worthy this job while practically he is the one who underestimates himself. Soldier boy, devoted to his work and friends, which sometimes limits with obsession, nevertheless he has a lion heart. And when it comes to the female part," she shook her head smiling. "A girl who never shuts up, always eager to follow her instincts, which are right most of the time, but she completely ignores any set of rules is opposite to the Ice Queen considering the police manual as the second Holy Bible. And another young woman who is hardworking, but somehow spreads her maternal and protective feelings over her colleagues." The brunette looked around the whole the whole room. "To my big surprise they work together swell. I would like to appeal to all of you, no matter who is by your side, do not judge them. No one is a bigger hero than the other, because a hero –"
"– ACTS FAST AND THINKS EVEN FASTER!" called the youngest people of 15th together which caused the older officer grin.
"It is good to see they have learnt something from me too," she remarked and continued her speech. "None of us has any superpowers and those who run to save someone without thinking, end up harmed or worse dead. Therefore, take a second longer and ask for a back up to secure your own safety before rushing anywhere. Our job is hard and dangerous enough on every day basis –"
"– THAT IS WHY WE PATROL IN PAIRS AND SECURE OUR ASSES!" finished the group of 15th again.
The senior officer shook her head and laughed. "Alright, come to me my dears," she invited them with a hand gesture to the podium. The constables looked and each other quizzically but stood up. "In order to Nick Collins, Chris Diaz, Dov Epstein, Andy McNally, Gail Peck, Traci Nash!" They all lined up in the stage facing the crown holding their amusements back.
Staff Sergeant Best took the position at the speech counter and Priscilla slowly went into the middle with Percy who was holding a pad with medals. She nodded to Nick to take a step forward, coming to the front. "Nicholas Collins, Constable 1st class, Special Service Medal," announced the Staff Sergeant. Priscilla pinned the medal and they saluted each other. Nick made the step back and Chris was called forward. "Christopher Diaz, Constable 1st class, Special Service Medal." He did the same and the next in line stepped forward. "Dov Epstein, Constable 1st class, Detective, Special Service Medal." The young man's eyes widened but maintained the professional appearance. "Andrea McNally, Constable 1st class, Detective, Special Service Medal." The female officer was surprised, and let her guard down but quickly regained the stoic face as she was decorated. "Abigail Peck, Sergeant, Special Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal." It took the blonde a good while to digest all that had been just said.
"This is other way how to rise up in ranks," said Priscilla very quietly so only her former ward could hear her. Her decoration took longer since her shoulder patches were exchanged as well. "Don't let anyone second guess you just because you are a Peck, you do well on your own."
"Thank you," murmured Gail, saluted and stepped backwards.
"Traci Nash, Sergeant, Detective, Special Service Medal," called Frank last of his former rookies.
Once Traci returned to her spot music started playing and the senior officer took the liberty of final words to her colleagues. "I was a stranger in your division, but what I have seen during the year of stay makes me really proud and honoured to be here. Frank is lucky to have you," she smiled. The Staff Inspector turned around to face the crowd and they all stood still until their ceremony was over.
After an event like this the police workers were excited, chatting around and of filling their hungry stomachs. The Montreal senior officers joined their table and of course everyone wanted to know the details of the unexpected surprise and evaluation. "Well, guys, saving a bum of a senior officer brings its fruits. Their official decision was made during the mission, so you saved a highly appreciated superior."
"How are you doing, anyway?" asked Andy.
"Still have to wait two more weeks until the doctors pull out the metal thingies that support my ribs. Other than that I feel fine."
"Oh, poor doggie," teased Gail with a mocking grin.
Priscilla leaned closer and whispered to her ear. "As for you, I should give you my mind about calling me a flea-bitten dog… unless of course it was a dream of mine." The blonde's eyes widened as she looked at the stern face of her friend. "Anyway," she said and pulled away to continue eating. "You are an official tracker now."
"What? How come?"
"You found the killer in the middle of a busy city, you tracked us down within minutes. You did really great. I have nothing more to teach you, the rest is experience that you will gain during your service."
They talked some more until the people started milling around, when Priscilla excused herself to have the duty of shaking hands with other senior officers.
"Who are they?" came a female voice from behind Gail. She turned around to see her girlfriend's intern Lucy looking in awe at the Montreal couple. The young doctor was about five inches shorter than the officer, with straight dark brown hair under her shoulder blades and light brown eyes.
"Priscilla Silver and Percy Grant from Montreal Law Enforcements," responded Holly. "Come sit with us," she offered pointing at the empty chair by the blonde's side.
"Oh I shouldn't. I don't really belong here."
"You saved one of our men –women," said Gail, "of course you belong here." Lucy accepted the seat but the blonde noticed her gaze escaping to the senior officers. "Yup, she is the one you saved."
"She does not look like poisoned but beaten to death," commented the youngest woman. "Three or four broken ribs, her breathing is a little shallow so I guess her lung was penetrated and she is limping on her left leg, not visibly, but you can see that most of her weight is on the right side. But all the injuries look like three months old, not three weeks."
She is good, Gail mouthed to her girl, pleasantly surprised at the intern's observation. Holly smiled and nodded. "She heals fast," noted the pathologist.
"Lucy," someone hissed. It was a young man standing about six feet from them. "What are you doing with them?"
"Well –"
The blonde officer cleared her throat but the rookie ignored her and paid the attention to his girlfriend. "You are supposed to sit with 27th not messing with 15th."
Gail rose on her feet in her full length, she might be smaller by height but higher in ranks and she was more than willing to use her position. "Constable," she said clearly. Just now the boy looked at them. "Do you see any cards or barriers that would divide divisions here?"
"No," he answered confused.
"And straighten up when you are talking to a superior officer," she barked at him. Just that moment the rookie man noticed Gail's stripes and stood up straight as plank. "Now," she said slyly, "Miss Grey is having a conversation with her boss and it is very rude to interrupt, not to mention I was participating in that conversation as well and you have been disrespectful."
"Yes, Madam. I am sorry, Madam," he said exactly the way he had been taught at the academy.
"Get lost. Miss Grey will join you when we are done."
"Yes, Madam. Thank you, Madam." And the young rookie left.
"Hey Peck," smiled Traci, coming closer and wrapped her arm around her colleague's shoulder. "Already making the greens squirm?"
"It's fun, you should try it," she smiled broadly at her colleague. The other sergeant smiled and left to give her attention to a certain blond male detective.
Gail sighed watching the young rookie sitting down at his own place between 27th, still sending offended and humiliated glares towards their table. "Sorry," she uttered towards the new medic.
"It's alright, he is just overprotective."
They had a casual conversation, laughing and enjoying the good mood. Sometime later the younger scientist excused herself and returned to her boyfriend. Then Superintendent Peck expressed her pride of her daughter who finally was living up to the family name and making it visible. The father only pulled her into a warm embrace congratulating, but Gail was sure she saw his eyes filling with emotion.
The Montreal officers stopped by to say their farewells as well.
"So back to the normal work," remarked Gail hugging her friend tenderly, minding the broken bones.
"Not exactly. I got really pissed off when they demoted me because they are douche heads, like my previous actions meant nothing. Now they were talking with all those serious faces reminding me the rules and looking at me like they made me a favour in returning me my rights and ranks. Hypocrites," she rolled her eyes. "Anyway my brother contacted one of his friends he had made during his stay in Britain, and I got accepted to the Birmingham Police Department," she smiled wide.
"That's great," smiled the blonde. "Congratulation!"
"Which means," continued the Staff Inspector, "you should apply for Sergeant position in Montreal."
"What do you mean?" asked the newly promoted officer confused.
"There are enough sergeants here in Toronto, and Montreal will be one white shirt short since I am leaving, so…" she grinned and said in a soft voice, "they are expecting your application." Gail was left speechless with thousands of thoughts running through her head. She would need to make a list of pros and cons.
Holly looked up at the male friend. "What about you Percy?"
"We are finally going to work on more kids with Rob and the girls," he smiled as well proudly.
Priscilla looked around. "Time to go, guys." She hugged her best friend and a tear slid down Holly's face. "Thank you for taking care of Miracle. And don't worry you will not get rid of me so easily," she whispered loud enough for Gail to hear it too, and winked. With a wave of her hand she left with her partner most likely to pick up her canine from the kennel and head home.
The blonde officer took her girlfriend's hand and dragged her away. She took the car keys and drove them to her favourite place above Toronto. She parked the car in safe distance, got out and walked around facing the city bellow. Holly joined her and leant against the front hood of the car. "Having the world at your feet," commented the scientist.
"Hmm, but only with you by my side," she looked up into those warm eyes. The time has come. "You know, I don't wonder that Lucy's boyfriend came to protect what was his. She is a pretty girl and he was marking his territory. Just like I want to mark what is mine."
"I am yours, Gail."
The blonde shook her head. "Not the way I want it to be."
"What do you mean?" the brunette squinted at her partner.
"Last night, I was ready to punch the guy who was hitting on you. He could not know because you were not marked as mine but I still wanted to punch him and I would do that to anyone who dares to look at you the wrong way."
"Oh, so what do you propose? A tattoo?"
Gail turned around to face her girlfriend and pulled out a jewellery box from her pocket. "I propose you to marry me." She said and knelt down on one knee. "Holly Stewart, will you become officially mine?"
"Gail," sighed the doctor heavily tilting her head. "I am not ready to risk our luck."
The police worker bent her head and stood up. "You are still afraid we did not break the curse?" The scientist nodded. "I thought so. When you asked me if I would marry you one day, if I saw our future together, I told you to hold that thought. Now I see our future together, Holly. It is crystal clear and because shamans and werewolves are running around, I made Celery to charm this ring to Happily Ever After Together for 100 years."
"You are thoughtful," praised the doctor smiling.
"Of course, otherwise I would still be a stupid rookie picking up trash. Holly, you know I hate surprises, I plan things, I think them over until they are close to perfection, especially when it comes to you, to us. If I had the smallest doubt I would not propose. But I don't. We are solid rock and I want to be yours and you to be mine, to let the world know how lucky I am that you chose me to be your… how did you call it? 'Plus one forever'?"
"Yes," she smiled with twinkling eyes. "Gail, I love you so very much. I would rather be your girlfriend for the rest of my life than your widow."
"And stubborn you are. But so am I," she smiled slyly. "Listen, we need to solve this now because I would either slide this charmed ring onto your finger or throw it away to the smelly city, so think fast, nerd. Think twice before you make the decision."
"You are the one who proposed. I am still in awe, you Gail Peck, have actually done it. I do love you very much, but…"
"At least we have defined we love each other," she said sarcastically. "Alright, so… I am putting this charmed ring on your finger, marking you as mine and that is it. The wedding will be up to you whenever you are ready to make the next step, get hitched and make us official."
"That sounds reasonable."
"What?!" yelped Gail in shock. "I am trying to be romantic here and you say 'reasonable'?!" Holly began laughing which created a smile on the blonde's lips as well. "You silly nerd," she kissed her while sliding the ring on its right place. "I love you."
The scientist took her girl's head in her hands and pulled the sergeant for another passionate kiss, brushing her fingers through the blond mane and unclipping the tight bun, letting the veil of hair fall down. "And I love you." She took a look at her new jewellery which was made from platinum gold with engraved Gail's and mini-police badges on the rest of the band. The doctor chuckled, Typical.
The sergeant climbed up on the hood and crawled behind Holly, placing her legs on each side of the scientist and wrapped her hands around the brunette's waist from behind, resting her head on the doctor's shoulder. They faced the dusk over Toronto, together, engaged.
The End / Fin / Ende / Kоне́ц / Konec
now if I may ask thee of you who successfully reached the end to leave me a little feedback (review or PM in whatever of those five languages you prefer), at least what part you liked/disliked the most ... I really want to improve my writing and comments are always a big help
Thank you all for your time and reading!
special thanks and grand hug belong to Princy-xx
(completed)
maybe a sequel later, depends on your comments ;)