Chapter 16 – I feel it too

A week had passed and Lily found herself in front of a grieving woman, trying to convince her she was the best person who could take the case.

'I know how it feels to have someone close risking their lives every day. My boyfriend is a detective at the 12th precinct,' she explained. 'And I know what it's like to be afraid he won't return. I spend many hours a day praying nothing happens to him and worrying. He doesn't know it but I worry a lot about him. I'm afraid I won't see him again or get to kiss him, see his gorgeous smile or look at his eyes. Every morning I kiss him goodbye, tell him to have a nice day and the last thing I say to him is something along the lines of 'be careful, take care'. I do it hoping it protects him from danger. It's stupid, I know but I can't bring myself to stop saying it,' Lily's eyes were watery.

'Last year he was caught in a bomb blast while in a crime scene. He was my friend back then but thinking he wouldn't recover, thinking he'd be in a coma for years was too much to bear. And now I don't even want to explore the possibility of it happening again. He doesn't realize what he's doing to me because he loves his job and is proud of it. Quitting for something safer isn't an option and I understand him; I felt the same way when I was a patrol cop. Some days I want him to quit but the shield is a part of who he is and he loves his job. And I love him so I'd rather worry 24/7 than see him unhappy. I'm guessing you felt the same way,' she looked at the woman in front of her and finished the speech. 'I can't say I'm the best lawyer for this because I'm probably not that skilled but I can tell you that I'll fight no matter what for this case. Because I felt and I feel the same things you do. Thank you for your time,' Lily gathered her things and tried not to cry.

'You have the case,' the woman said. 'I hope you can move the judge the same way you moved me.'

'I will. Or at least I'll try … Thank you.'

After the woman left, Lily called her friends and they arranged to meet in an hour at Meredith's place. When she got there she met Mary at the door of the building. Once inside their friend's apartment they exchanged greetings and settled down.

'I wanted to talk about something,' said Lily shyly.

'What is it honey?' asked Emily.

'I love him,' she smiled. 'I've loved him for some time but I'd never realized it.'

'We know,' Lisa smiled too.

'It was soo obvious!' interjected Mary.

'It took you too long …' Meredith rolled her eyes.

'I can't believe I was so blind! Now I understand why I did some things.'

'I told you girls, she just needed time,' gloated Emily. She just loved being right.

'So what are you going to do?' wondered Mary.

'I need to tell him even if he doesn't feel the same way.'

'You kidding me?' asked Lisa disbelievingly. 'That guy would jump off a cliff if you asked him to.'

'What she's trying to say is that he loves you back,' Meredith glared at Lisa.

'I wouldn't be so sure …'

'Stop underestimating yourself! You're a wonderful woman and he loves you,' tried to reason the psychologist.

'You gonna tell him tonight?'

Lily nodded.

'Know what you're going to wear yet?' Mary's eyes had a mischievous glint.

'No clue. But it doesn't matter anyway …'

'Of course it does! You have to look prettier. You should wear the Jimmy Choos,' Mary was really excited.

'Those boots are for when I want to feel sexy. Tonight I'm telling Don how I feel; it should be deep and serious.'

'When does he get home?' asked Lisa.

'Near seven.'

'It's six thirty,' Meredith looked at her watch. 'You should be getting ready.'

'If you didn't want me here, Mer you could have told me … no need to kick me out,' joked Lily.

'I'm kicking all of you out, actually. I've got to make dinner.'

The four women left the apartment, each of them going home.

After a quick shower Lily picked a black skirt, a light blue blouse and her beloved Jimmy Choos. Those boots always make me feel confident and it's exactly what I need, she argued. Fifteen minutes later she was knocking on his door.

'Hey, I wasn't expecting you,' he said softly. 'Come in.'

She headed straight to the couch without saying hello.

'Is everything okay?' he asked concerned.

She nodded and started speaking. 'You know I had this meeting today with the widow of the cop who was killed last month,' she paused briefly and he interrupted.

'Yeah, how did it go?'

'I got the case but that's not the point. The thing is I realized something,' she bit her lip and staring right into his eyes finished talking. 'I love you, Don and I'm not expecting you to return the feeling, I just needed to tell you. I've loved you for a while now but I didn't know it.'

'I love you too,' he said earnestly. 'I didn't want to say it until you were ready, but I do. And I'm glad you return the feeling. For a moment I thought you were never going to,' Flack smiled and Lily smiled too.

'I'm glad I got it out,' she sighed.

He kissed her.

'Now, may I ask why you're looking so nice tonight, Ms. Stewart?'

'You're never satisfied, are you?'

'There's just something about you that makes me wanna take off your clothes every time I see you.'

'You're a pervert, you know that?' she shook her head.

'Yeah but you love me anyway,' he enjoyed how that word rolled of his lips.

'That I do. And for the record, you have the same effect on me; I just don't have that much stamina.'

'It's a matter of practice,' he grinned and in two seconds had her groaning.

That night they muttered the first 'I love yous' between sweat and moans. The following morning Lily woke up to the sound of Flack's neighbors leaving the apartment. She was taken aback. The kids had school at nine so they left near eight thirty but it had to be earlier. She looked at her watch and groaned with exasperation; eight thirty two. Lily got up quickly and went to the living room. She got her cell phone and made a call.

'You sure? Okay, bye,' she hung up.

'What are you doing?' asked Flack rubbing his eyes. 'Come back to bed.'

'Have you seen the time? I was supposed to be at work half an hour ago.'

'Were you talking to your boss?'

'He told me to stay home, that they needed my office for a meeting all morning and I shouldn't bother.'

'Good. My shift starts at noon so we still got some time. Can we please go back to bed?' he was very tired.

They got back to the bedroom and slept for an hour and a half. Flack reluctantly had a shower and got ready for work while she stayed in bed.

'You want me to make you something to eat?' she asked with her hands on his shoulders as he fixed his tie.

'Nah, thanks.'

'You have to eat, Don.'

'I'll grab something on the way, don't worry,' he stood up from the bed, kissed her briefly and took his gun from the safe he always kept it in. Lily couldn't help but smile when she saw the code he punched.

'Are they random numbers, a date?' she played dumb and smirked.

'A date. The day life as I knew it ended,' he said looking down.

'What happened that day?' she tried to look innocent but there was a huge smile on her face.

'I met you again.'

Thanks for reading! That was chapter 16, a bit shorter than usual. Hopefully, I'll make it up for you with the next chapter. You know the drill: review, leave a comment, question, suggestion ... I like hearing from you and knowing somebody's actually reading.

Thanks sparkyCSI for the wonderful job you're doing.