The dangers of Smoking

Part II

The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?

Chapter 49

Evie sat on the wall with the basket and looked at her watch, she couldn't go in, James had the tickets, and he was late.

She saw him finally, heading towards her, at a half walk, half run. He wore the habitual suit, minus the tie, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbow.

"Sorry darling" he kissed her cheek as he arrived in front of her and for a moment, she could do nothing but gaze up at him. She chided herself for grinning like a love struck fool and stood.

He took in her appearance and she bit her lip in anticipation of his reaction. The dress was new, but after many hours searching for the same line the first dress had come from, Evie had managed to find one that was almost identical, only new, and not covered in paint.

"How do you do that?" he asked, head on one side.

"How do I do what?" she replied in a breathless voice.

"Improve on perfection?" he answered, meeting and holding her eyes until she bit her lip and looked away. He loved watching her face colour when he paid her a compliment like that "You look amazing"

"Thank you" she said in almost a whisper, she could see he was sincere in his eyes, feel it in the way he slipped an arm around her waist and held her close to him as they walked.

He kissed her temple gently, fondly "I knew you wouldn't wear that dress" he said "But I didn't expect that you had another the same"

"I found a replacement" she smiled up at him "Because you like it"

He pulled her closer for a moment, kissing her forehead without needing to answer.

So wrong Dad. His mind echoed as he sat on the grass, his back against a tree for support. Evie went to sit beside him but he gently tugged on her arm so she sat between his legs, resting her back against his chest. He put his arms around her and relaxed, feeling her relax against him, she wound her fingers into his and turned her attention to the stage as the music started.

She let the music wash over her as she thought. She felt safe, a feeling that she had learned to live without. There wasn't a question of trust, she could trust people in it's rawest form, she didn't suspect everyone of being a monster. But to feel safe with someone, that was something she'd taken for granted, and had been brought to her senses sharply with betrayal of the worst kind. Being treated badly was nothing to the person who you loved, and said that they loved you, putting you in danger for their own gain. That was something that could never be forgotten, if it could be forgiven.

But it hadn't been an issue with James, she realised there wasn't a time she didn't feel safe. She had learned to rely on her judgements, to stick to keeping herself safe, not relying on someone else to do so. But his own particular brand of vulnerability, how ever hard he might try to hide it, told her that instinctively he knew, he knew what it felt like to have love betrayed, and when he said that he loved her, she knew he meant it, in all ways. He may hurt her sometimes, he may speak or act out of turn, because for all she thought he was, he wasn't perfect, he'd never put her in danger. He'd always keep her safe, to the best of his ability, and that was what it was. That was why she loved him, he'd never betray her love and trust for his own selfish ends.

…...

The day before James left was a lazy affair, reading books and newspapers in bed, eating breakfast late.

James yawned and settled his head a little more into Evie's lap as they sprawled on his sofa, him reading a dog eared paperback and Evie reading a new thriller. She stroked his hair absently as he read.

She started as her stomach rumbled.

James chuckled "Guess that's a hint about lunch?"

"Sorry" she pulled a face and laughed.

His kissed her briefly "What would you like to do?" he asked, smiling.

"Whatever" she shrugged "I can cook if you want, haven't cooked a Sunday roast for a while"

James regarded her quietly and she coloured slightly under his scrutiny.

"What?" she asked.

He smiled "Lets have a picnic" he suggested.

She returned the smile, knowing that it was the place he wanted to revisit, the place they'd first realised that they could have something more than a casual affair, and she wanted to go too.

"Perfect" she answered.

…...

Morning came all too swiftly for both. As James prepared to go home and collect what he needed for the week ahead, Evie made coffee.

"I wouldn't have gone you know" he told her suddenly "If Gedge were still around"

"I know you wouldn't have wanted to" she replied "But I'd have insisted"

"I can out insist you" he grinned "Easily"

She laughed "You'd have gone" she said.

"Only if..."

"Only if's are obsolete" she pointed out "It's over, he's not around, and you'll be a DI when I see you next"

"I'll still be a sergeant, officially" he remarked.

"You're going to miss him aren't you? Robbie?" Evie asked "When he retires"

"Yes" his answer was candid, but he had something else on his mind, plans for when he came back, plans that hinged on him being DI.

"You can still see him you know" Evie chuckled "And you won't have to call him sir any more"

"Tried that last time he retired" James sighed dramatically for comedy effect "Didn't work, he'll always be 'Sir' to me"

Evie laughed "Idiot"

"Um hmm" he agreed.

"My idiot though" she said softly, before she'd realised she had.

"Could I be?" James asked, surreptitiously watching her as she coloured and moved away slightly "Forever?"

She frowned and then blinked at him, and all his plans for his return flew out of the window with that look on her face, he wanted it to happen now.

"If...if I were to ask" James said quietly, watching her carefully "In the future, the near future, if I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?"

Evie mouthed slightly, and her blush was equalled only by his.

"I'd do it properly..." he said again quietly, reserved "I just need to know what your thoughts are..."

"Yes" she said simply.

He stared at her for a moment and then smiled, her smile making him smile wider.

"You'd say yes?" He needed to check, be absolutely sure.

"Yes, I would" she laughed happily.

He laughed too and kissed her, pausing to look at her.

"Then I will" he promised his voice gathering speed and momentum "Soon, I don't mean to get married straight away but...well I just need to know...I'm not trying to push you into anything, I know I can be impulsive sometimes... And if you change your mind..."

"Go" Evie pushed at him slightly, laughing "You're going to be late"

He released her and picked up his keys, coming back for another kiss before he left.

"James?" she called out after him and he turned, his hand on the door and an expression of askance on his face.

"I'll never change my mind"

He huffed with laughter and looked down and then back up.

"I love you" he said "I'll ring you tonight"

"I love you too" she returned and then he was gone.

She watched him pull away and sat on the sofa, five days, four nights. It seemed like a lifetime, especially after what had just happened. She jumped up, energy coursing through her.

A week she thought A week that's all.