Redemption

Chapter Thirty-Two

More conversation ensued as Bobby and Danni rested upon the couch. Bobby leaned against the arm of the sofa while his girl sat in between his legs with her head resting against his strong, muscular chest. His arms were wrapped lazily around her as she got everything off of her chest. He hadn't realized how much of a weight she'd been carrying on her shoulders, but it was good to listen to everything she'd feared for the past few days.

Bobby couldn't help but smile. To see Danni brighten up so much in a matter of an hour or two was such a relief. It was so good to see the girl he fell in love with again. "I love you," he whispered into her hair as he buried his nose deeper and deeper in her still pinned-up tendrils. The floral scent smelled so good that he couldn't resist. When they'd begun dating, they would sit there like this for hours and it felt good to do it again.

"I love you too," she replied when she took his hands in hers and studied them. The sight of his bare wrist caught her eyes. His watch would usually sit there, but he'd broken it a week ago while on a case. It surprised her that he still hadn't gotten it repaired. "You still didn't get your watch fixed?"

He finally, and reluctantly, pulled his nose from her hair as he rested his chin upon her shoulder to see what she was talking about. He hadn't even realized that he wasn't wearing it anymore. Other things had been plaguing his mind; a watch was trivial. "I've been busy. It's been a long week and it wasn't really important." He didn't think it was possible, but her face lit up even more; this time in a mischievous grin as she wiggled free of his grasp. Usually, he would be able to tell what was up her sleeve, but he was just so mesmerized by the completely renewed glimmer in her eyes that it was impossible for him to focus on anything else. "What's with that look?" A chuckle escaped him as she only smiled and disappeared into the bedroom only to come out with an even bigger grin on her face. "What are you up to?"

She curled up on the couch, at his feet, and handed him a medium-sized, square box. "Happy Anniversary… I figured that with all of the talking we did, maybe we should at least exchange gifts if we can't celebrate our anniversary the way we wanted to. And before you say anything, I bought it before the other one broke. I only bought it because I thought you'd like it."

Bobby's smile widened in a teasing motion. "Let me guess, is it a watch?" he joked before he pulled off the paper and let the box fall into his awaiting hand. He cracked open the box and peered inside to reveal a much nicer watch than the previous one. It was a brand new Fossil Titanium Watch with a brushed and shiny titanium bracelet, a brushed titanium case and a red dial with silver chronograph eyes. "It's great. Thanks, Luv," he said, planting a light kiss upon her lips. He slipped it over his wrist and closed the safety clasp to find it was a perfect fit.

"I'm glad it fits. I bought an extender just in case."

"I love it," was all he said and kissed her again.

"Good, just don't ask how much it cost me." She giggled to show the humor of it all, but she was also being serious. He really didn't want to know how much a gem like that would cost.

"I think I'd be afraid to," he joked as he lightly cupped her chin and pulled her closer to capture her lips with his own, once more. This wasn't just a peck or like one of the other kisses they had shared today; this one was filled with so much more passion. He'd kissed her like this for two reasons: to show her how much he appreciated the gift and to leave her wanting more. Before he could get lost in the fog of her returning the feelings of love, he abruptly pulled away. "Okay, I have to go get your gift from across the hall. I'll be right back."

Before she could even register what he'd said and ask the question that was on her lips, he was already gone. She chuckled softly to herself as she took her lower lip in between her teeth and let her tongue gently run over the swollen flesh. Bobby tasted so good and she only wished he would hurry up so they could continue what they started. The present didn't matter. She wanted her boyfriend only to herself for the rest of the day; that was the perfect gift. She wiggled her eyebrows at herself and giggled. She'd missed him these past few days and felt terrible that she'd pushed him so far away for the past few days. She owed him big time.

A few minutes after he'd disappeared, he poked his head into the apartment with a huge grin on his face. "Okay, close your eyes," he instructed.

"What?" she asked in disbelief.

"Close your eyes," he repeated and even signed for her to get the idea. She did as he asked, but she couldn't help but feel ridiculous. "Keep them closed."

"They're closed," she said with slight irritation, though she couldn't stop giggling.

"I just want to be sure. I don't want to ruin the surprise." He saw her shake her head and entered the apartment once again.

Danni couldn't stop laughing, but she didn't know why. Maybe it was because old lady Angstrom actually let him hide something in her apartment for the cop. It was very well-known that she disliked Danni with a passion; she had since the first time she met the young woman when she was moving in. Danni had gotten a large group of friends—her old teammates and all males at that—to help her move in, but the old lady thought there was something wrong with that. Danni couldn't help it if she'd only worked with men.

The apartment had grown quiet. Usually, Bobby's footsteps could be heard upon the hardwood floors, but not a sound was made. She only felt the other side of the couch sink down from the added weight and knew he'd returned to her. "Can I open them yet?" She heard his deep chuckle and knew he was going this just to torture her. She was tempted more than once to peek out and see what he was up to, but she didn't want to ruin the surprise.

"Not yet. Give me your hand."

Her brow creased in confusion, but she did as he asked and extended her left hand. She felt him place a light kiss upon her middle knuckle and she couldn't resist giggling again. Every time he did romantic things like this, she'd always turned back into a little girl. She was ready to ask if she could open them again, but he'd taken her hand and ran her fingertips lightly over something soft and smooth. She tried to pull away, but he kept a firm grip on her hand.

"Don't worry. It's okay," he reassured her.

"What is it?"

"Open your eyes and find out."

She'd heard the smile in his voice and she did as she was instructed as her fingers brushed once more against the soft surface. It took a moment for her eyes to focus upon the large, amber eyes in front of hers, but when they did, they widened as her jaw fell. A large grin formed upon her lips as she began laughing at the adorable face in her boyfriend's clutches. In his lap, sat the sweetest little cat she'd ever seen.

Her eyes were wide in curiosity, but her demeanor was calm as she sat upon the large man, gently nudging his hand with her head. Her fur was tan with flecks of white, black and gray colors that meshed so well together. She was the most adorable kitten in the world, yet she wasn't exactly a kitten and she wasn't fully grown. She was the perfect size for their apartment.

"What do you think? She's yours if you want her."

Danni continued to chuckle as she took the little bundle of fur in her arms and looked her square in the eye. "I think I'll call her Luna," she answered with a grin. What had made her choose that name, she didn't know. She just looked like a Luna.

"Happy Anniversary, Luv." He leaned in and placed a kiss upon the tip of her nose.

"Happy Anniversary. It's not how I'd pictured it, but as long as I spent it with you, that's all that matters to me." She held the Calico in the crook of her arm as she leaned forward and kissed him softly upon the lips. "How did you get Angstrom to keep her in her apartment for a few days?"

"I worked a little bit of my Aussie charm," he gloated with that sexy grin of his.

"So, you mean, you flashed those gorgeous dimples and she melted right at your feet," she reiterated for him.

"You make it sound like a crime." He pretended to sound offended and stuck his lower lip out to show his faux shame.

"No, not really. After all, that's how you got me," she teased as she captured his lower lip within her teeth before she gently suckled it with her mouth. She gently ran her tongue across the soft flesh and felt him give a shiver in response.

"And that was the best decision I've ever made," he said against her lips. The gap between them was beginning to grow smaller and smaller until the cat became the only thing separating them.

"I'd have to agree," she said breathlessly as she felt his fingers expertly removing the pen in her hair before threading through her soft locks. By speaking, she'd given him the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the recesses of her mouth with his tongue. Her tongue joined with his and soon they were lost in the haze that clouded their minds.

Bobby pulled away suddenly, which confused her and caused her to elicit a soft groan of protest. He only grinned at her plump lips before his eyes traveled to the cat. He pulled her from Danni's grasp and with a ruffle of her fur, he set Luna off to explore her new home while her master and mistress became reacquainted with one another. "Much better," he said as he pulled Danni onto his lap, which made her squeal, excitedly, and resumed kissing her once again.