This is the penultimate chapter, the next one will be the last for sure :). So thanks everyone for your latest reviews, and thanks for following my story, hope you'll enjoy that chapter and the last one what will come later around the end of the week or next week because I've got college stuff to do. That one is a pretty long chapter but for once, I didn't want to be too evil, lol.

The day after, Jo and Henry were like literally on cloud 9 and they were walking down the precinct, hand in hand and couldn't care less about all eyes on them. They walked past Mike and greeted him while going to Lieutenant Reece's office. Seeing them so cheerful and stuck with each other, Mike nearly choked on his coffee. Obviously, a lot had changed in the past 24h.

They stopped in front of the office and looked at each other

- are you ready? - Jo asked, tightening her hold on Henry's hand

- yes! Jo, I have never been so sure of something in my life! Let's do this.

They both entered the office

- lieutenant!

Without even raising her eyes up, Reece said

- you two should really need to learn how to knock.

She finally looked up and noticed the hold of their hands and pretended to turn on a blind eye.

- sorry about that - Jo replied, her cheeks turning bright red

She was right, they had a bad tendency of coming into her office without knocking, not when it was important and Reece knew it

- well! What do you need?

Henry looked at Jo and frowned

- how do you know we want something?

Reece scoffed

- because every time you two burst into my office, it's either because you did something wrong or because you need my authorization, usually to do something wrong.

They both looked at each other, unable to say anything. They knew she was good but they had no idea how much and she had a point. When they were entering her office, it was usually to talk about any bullshit they were ready to do together. Except for this time, it wasn't really a bullshit.

Henry made a step toward, not letting Jo's hand go

- Actually, lieutenant, it could be my fault.

Reece rolled her eyes

- when isn't it your fault?

He was about to say something but of course she was right. Jo just punched him with her elbow

- lieutenant, Henry is too much of a gentleman but actually, I'm the one who needs your authorization

- but I'm the one who's skipping you away as you pointed out last night

They gave each other the bedroom's eyes and Reece felt uncomfortable in her own office

- what is all about? - she asked before they started doing the horizontal mambo in front of her

- we are going to Paris - they said in unison

And Jo finished off

- so that's why we would like to ask you for a vacation leave.

Reece remained straight and silenced for a while, so much that even Henry couldn't tell what was on her mind.

She finally spoke

- so this time you're really going? No turning back? - she asked mostly to Jo even she knew the answer already and like she didn't guess the reason why she didn't leave the first time

Jo nodded

- absolutely no turning back. I know what I want

Her eyes drifted toward Henry and even Reece could see all the love they were sharing.

She then looked at Henry

- as you know, I have no control over the OCME so I can't tell you not to go. And.. Plus, it's about damn time you two. So yes, of course, take a vacation and don't come back until you fully enjoyed it.

Both of them let out the breath they had no idea they were holding.

- thank you, lieutenant!

- yes, sure! Now go away and go pack your stuff and this time, do bring me a croissant.

Jo laughed

- I will! See you in a week or so Lieu and thanks again.

They both left and Reece watched them go before shaking her head. Some people in that station owned her some money.

Once out of sight of the lieutenant, Jo wrapped her arms around Henry's neck, still not giving a damn about everyone watching them

- I still can't believe it. Tonight, you and I will be on a plane to the most romantic city in the world.

She closed the gap between them and tried to steal a kiss but Henry looked around them and he babbled

- huh, Jo... Everybody is watching us.

Not letting her embrace go, she looked around and shrugged

- don't mind them. We've always been the perfect show for them and they've been having bet on us for a while. Let's give them that pleasure

And she kissed him passionately while everyone around them applauded and whistled. Mike completely dropped his cup of coffee. Not like that he didn't expect them to be together but to kiss in front of their whole colleagues like that without any shame.

Someone walked past him and said

- it was about time, don't you think?

Hanson was still a bit in shock and just nodded

- yes! Of course. About time, indeed.

He finally decided to walk toward them and they didn't seem ready to let the other go, Jo teasing Henry's lips with hers, almost biting it. Hanson rolled his eyes

- this is gross! You guys need to get yourself a room.

They jumped and broke off their embrace

- don't worry Mike! We are planning to - Jo winked

He blinked

- what?

Henry drew Jo closer to him, wrapping one arm around her waist

- Jo and I are leaving for Paris, tonight.

Hanson looked at Henry and then Jo and then again at Henry

- is this for real this time?

They both nodded

- well, in that case, some congratulations are in order. I knew you two were meant to be but you're sure not wasting any time.

Henry replied

- why would we? We've been loving each other for a year now and been dreaming to get lost in Paris together.

Of course, Hanson didn't get it. The « get lost » was their thing and only them could understand. He whistled

- yeah! You're surely going to get lost there! Anyway, enjoy it and please doc, don't do anything stupid while out there, Jo won't have any authority and I think she has better things to do than running behind you because you saw something criminal related.

- don't worry detective! There's no way I'm going to think about work there. That trip is only about Jo and I and nothing else.

Hanson could see the sparks in Jo's eyes. She had changed over the year, she wasn't mourning anymore, finding Henry was the best thing that could happen to her.

She loved him so much, it's been a while since he saw her that way and he saw her loving Sean but with Henry, it was completely different, probably because the guy went through the same thing as she did. He realized how much she seemed happy so he was happy. He smiled

- good then!

Jo smiled, gave him a hug and kissed Henry's cheek

- I've got some packing to do. You'll pick me up with Abe, later?

- yes of course! See you tonight.

Both men watched her go. Hanson wrapped an arm around Henry

- okay! I'm not going to give you the « big brother » speech because I'm bad at that

- you really are - Henry joked

- you and Jo are really mean to be together, both of you thinking I'm bad with talk. Anyway, she's happy with you doc, she's never been like that for a while and I'm glad to see her face lighten up like that when she's with you. It's obvious she's completely madly in love with you so please, just take care of her and I hope you'll love her as much as she does and if you hurt her, I'll be on your back.

Henry smiled and reassured him

- don't worry Hanson! I am also completely in love with Jo and I will take care of her every day of my life, I will never do anything to hurt her in purpose.

###

- So I heard the news - Lucas shouted, once Henry stepped in the morgue mostly to warn he would be off for a couple of days but obviously everyone already knew

Lucas moved next to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, Henry raised a suspicious eyebrow

- congratulations! You and Jo deserve each other and man, about time you're taking her to Paris. I think she's been craving for that for a while now.

Henry rolled his eyes

- I know and I'm glad I can take her too - he paused - I'm glad everything is settled between us now. I couldn't be happier

Lucas grinned

- so I assumed she now believes you completely about your secret?

- She does! She came back all by herself and I was able to tell her everything about me. That feels good.

Lucas was like a kid in Disneyland and couldn't help this giggles

- I bet it does! Honestly doc, she should have known a long time before me.

He now realized she knew; he knew before her. His face grew pale in a matter of seconds

- wait... She knows... Am I in danger? Is she going to kill me? Did she kill you? Because I must be screwed.

Henry burst into laughings and that was really the first time, Lucas even heard him laughed that loud.

- rest assure Lucas, Jo isn't going to kill any of us. She didn't kill me, she just teased me a little but she's fine. You don't have to move to another country.

He let out a breath of relief

- good then! So I guess I won't be seeing you a lot today and for the next couples days or weeks. How long are you planning to stay in the most romantic city?

Henry shrugged

- I didn't exactly decide yet. I need to book the plane tickets but one or two weeks should do the trick. We can't miss work too much.

- We got it covered here. Everyone know you need to have some time together. You really need because it seems like we're always bothering when you together so take that time to relax and don't think about anything else than the beautiful latina.

Henry smiled. He knew everyone was for their relationship but he had no idea how much. He had great friends, they all became family over the year and he even fell in love. He would talk about that with Jo but maybe later, he would come clean with Reece and Hanson about his immortality.

- well! I'll see you then Lucas. I've got some stuff to take care off before leaving.

- all right doc! Enjoy Paris with your lovely girlfriend.

Jo was standing in front of her closet, with basically all the clothes lying in her bed and she was struggling to know which one to take.

She knew her and Henry wouldn't only just take a tour of the city, they would share a hotel room and it's been actually a while since she's gone all woman to seduce a man.

So really, she didn't know what kind of clothes to bring. Maybe she should be calling Henry, he had great tastes but in the meantime, she didn't want to ruin the surprise.

And she was over the phone, listening to her mother rambling, well for the lack she was listening.

- yes, mom! I'm going to Paris! - she sighed - yes with Henry! Yes, it's true this time.

- Josephine, I need to meet your boyfriend! You've been talking about him for a year, I know more about him than your own life, it's about time I know who my step son is.

Her mother was speaking with a Spanish accent and ever since, Jo sent her a picture of her and Henry, she couldn't stop pushing her daughter to date him. This was last year and Jo always had to say she wasn't dating him, at a point she gave up, her mother didn't want to hear anything. Jo knew she found Henry at her taste, who wouldn't?

- so are you luggage ready now?

- that's exactly what I'm trying to do at the moment

She heard her mother giggled at the other side of the line

- well, stop trying. Just bring all of your sexy outfits, I'm sure he's not even going to remember his own name.

Jo blushed from head to toe

- mom!

- what? Come on Josephine, don't tell me you're not going to lay one hand on that man, I won't believe you. Because in your position, I will tie him to the bed.

Jo rolled her eyes and was glad no one else but her could hear her mother

- mom! That's enough! I'm a big girl, in case you didn't notice. I was also married once, a brief instant but I was so Henry and I aren't teens, I'm aware we aren't going to play cards... Well I hope so, you know, he's quite the gentleman, but also I'm not going to dress like a whore, what the hell?

Mrs. Martinez kept laughing

- I believe you my niňo. But that's cute to hear you're blushing.

- I'm not - she said with a voice she could hardly recognize as her own.

- I made you Josephine, I know you!

- whatever!

If there was someone that could make her feel uncomfortable, it was without a doubt, her own mother. She had no shame and she kinda feared the day she was going to introduce Henry to her.

She already felt the embarrassment coming.

- well! I think you're going to have a great time there! You never really did tell me but I knew you were in love with Henry for a while, I'm glad you finally took a step forward

- yeah... He's the one who told me he loved me first though but you're right, I'm glad we're together now. I'll try to make it work as long as possible

- I'm sure it will! He really does seem like a good man

Jo couldn't suppress her dreamy face

- he really is. And also one of the kind too.

- so I figured! Enjoy it cariňo! You deserve to be happy. Try to bring a little Eiffel Tower to your old mom and tell Henry I want to meet him, be ready to schedule one of your weekends when you come back, family dinner as « the mother in law meets the step son » theme.

Jo felt herself melted a bit on her bed

- tell me you're not going to invite both Luis and Clara, just to introduce Henry?

- yes! Absolutely! Your brother and sister need to meet him as well.

- damn, mom! We're not getting married yet, don't need to climb on your high horses and bring the whole family

- shttt! You know it's important to me and when he will propose, that will be a huge party.

Jo slammed her face with her hand. She was screwed with a mother like that but she smiled, she loved her anyway.

- all right mom! Gotta go! Still a lot of packing to do and honestly didn't start any and Henry will soon pick me up so need to rush a bit. Talk to you later

- bye my babe! Have a safe trip and enjoy it! Te quiero

- I love you too, mom!

Around 6 pm, Henry knocked at her door. She finally managed to put every kind of clothes because even they were in May, she didn't know what the weather would be like in Paris, she heard it was doing all four seasons in one week no matter the actual season. But she was still a woman after all and felt sorry for bringing such a big suitcase.

She mumbled to herself

- the things I'm doing for you Henry

She opened the door to face a very elegant Henry and her heart just melted a little bit

- for someone who's going to take a plane, you're more than suitable - she scoffed

He grinned and helped her out with her suitcase after stealing her a kiss

- Well, as we are going to Paris, you know. The old habits caught me.

She rolled her eyes

- sure!

She stepped out and double lock her door and took a long breath, Henry offered an arm

- you are not having second thoughts, are you? - seeing her worrying face

This was a legitimate question, still a bit surprising, she loved him and she has been dreaming about that

- of course not! I couldn't stop thinking about anything else for over a year.

Henry smiled and wondered what would happen if they actually went the past year. Maybe this wouldn't have been as excited as it was right now, he was still hiding his secret and wasn't ready to tell her and he was confused with his own feelings but now it was different and he knew what he wanted, more than ever.

They reached the car where Abe was waiting for them, he motioned to them to rush it a bit

- don't forget you're catching your plane at 9 pm, so, hurry up a bit, the traffic is awful at that time of the day but hopefully we can make it to JFK before 8 pm.

Henry raised an eyebrow

- you're exaggerating! Sure it's still a bit the rush hour but it's not as worse at that time of the year. We should be there in 40 minutes.

Jo giggled when she saw Abe rolled his eyes

- you're right! Keep the damn watch around, to see if you're right. Now let's go you lovebirds.

Henry was pretty right, they were at the airport in about 30 minutes. The traffic has been very fluid

Abe decided to pay a parking ticket just because he wanted to say a proper goodbye and not only to drop them off even he knew they were looking forward to being all alone.

The activity of the airport never ceased and there were a million of people walking down every aisle, looking for their planes. Henry had visited the airport from time to time but even in his very long life, he never really did take the plane. As he mostly remained in New York the past years and he traveled by boat in the first place.

Abe noticed how nervous he was and joked with Jo

- can you believe that Jo? The old man never took a plane before

Jo's eyes widened

- really? - she was near bursting into laughings as Henry sighed

- Yes, it must be true. I did take the plane, don't say any bullock but it was for very short distances and I have been in New York since the 40's, Abigail and I came here by boat and well ever since, you know, didn't really have time to travel, all we did was moving on from one place to another here in New York.

- I can relate on that - Abe added

They walked for a few minutes all along the big hall, until Henry seemed to spot the counters of the company. He looked at the tickets and stopped on his tracks, Jo and Abe bumping on him.

Obviously, Abe grumbled

- now come on! Pops, just put a warning sign when you stop like that!

- My apologies! It's just, I think this is our counter. The time and the name match.

Jo leaned over his shoulder to read and approved after checking out the screens above the counters where it could be read « Air France - Paris - Roissy Charles de Gaulle » departure - 9 pm

- yep! Definitely the right place.

The checking obviously had started. There weren't too many people yet, people were usually coming on the last minute thing, but the sooner it was done, the sooner they would be luggage free and take a walk in the waiting room.

- well! Abe, will you wait for us right here? We're checking and we'll be right back

- yes yes! Just do what you have to do, and don't worry I'll be dealing without you for a week.

The checking was pretty fast. Jo and Henry sent their suitcases in the baggage hold, showed their passport, Jo laughed when Henry's birth date mentioned 1979 and they were done, joining Abe.

- so I guess you guys are soon going to get in the waiting room, so it would be done.

Jo leaned against Henry and nodded

- yeah! There's not much to be done around here and plus with all that noise. We'll have time to relax before the big trip.

Abe laughed

- you guys are going to be so excited that I'm pretty sure none of you are going to sleep, considering Henry isn't going to freak out during the whole flight.

- With everything I have been through, I can hardly think how a plane could frighten me.

Jo teased him

- your bad tendency of dying everywhere maybe

He glared at her and she laughed, he hold a warning finger

- so you're starting too

- hey! What can I say, it's already getting under my skin.

Abe and her shared a high five and Henry had to shake his head. Apparently, they were already bonding like mother and son which was pretty much ironical considering how YOUNG Jo was next to both of them.

- so lovebirds! I think it's time for me to let you fly and enjoy the French capital. You deserve that.

Jo remembered the last time he burst into the shop and broke the moment. She kinda held a grudge since that day

- yes, you bet we need to because last time I wanted to tell him, you ruined the moment.

Abe rolled his eyes

- I'm sorry about that! If I knew, I would have waited, plus Henry never noticed me first, you did.

- of course, you ruined my confession so...

Henry laughed and kissed Jo's cheek

- now all that matters is that beautiful trip awaiting for us. So, shall we detective?

- We shall! So Abe, see you in a week, huh?

- yep! Have safe trip guys and enjoy it

They all went for a very needed group hug and Abe whispered in his father's ears while Jo turned her back to them

- and don't need to get the kid pregnant yet, let the relationship begins first.

- wha.. Sometimes I wonder where did you learn such manners.

Abe gave Henry his child's smile

- you and mom were good teachers

- see you in a week, Abraham! Not sure I'll bring you a present

- so what, you're going to ground me? I'm 70 years old Henry.

- very well! Be safe this week and be nice

- Don't worry! Everything is under control. Plus, I won't be very much alone, Fawn told me she would stop by for a coffee so see? I'm fine. Maybe when you'll come back, we would actually double date, you with Jo and me with Fawn.

Jo came back to them and raised an eyebrow

- that won't be awkward at all, I mean for Henry

- yes! It's always something.

Abe looked at his father and couldn't be more proud and happy for him. He smiled, really Henry deserved that. And Jo, she was shining and was completely crazy about his father, he had no doubt about them lasting as long as Henry and Abigail.

- now go before I get all emotional and don't get kill out there, not sure Jo would appreciate

- surely won't! I'll watch him and lock him up if I have to

Henry didn't know if he should be scared or not and just awkwardly smiled. They finally were able to let Abe go and went to the securities controls. Jo could hardly hide her excitement and Henry could feel it by the way she was holding in his hand. He kissed her forehead

- I would make that trip being worth it, my darling.

She smiled at the name

- as long as it's with you, nothing matters more.

The plane took off at the right time and once they were up enough in the sky, Jo leaned her head on Henry's shoulder and they kissed. They were ready, this trip would definitely something they would always remember.