Detective Murdoch had prepared everything carefully for several minutes already. He needed such an evening as this one to forget the terrible week he had. He had been called to a hostage situation in a jewelery in downtown Toronto. Known as the most peaceful and capable Detective reason toughest of fugitive Constable Chief Gilles did not hesitate a single second. The negotiation was difficult but masterfully conducted by Detective Murdoch, until the young man wanted to go where his accomplice opened fire on him when the shots rang out from all sides, where William felt touch the ball in the shoulder.
He still felt the throbbing pain in his arm, but yet, for nothing in the world he had wanted to cancel that appointment. He placed the dinner he had brought with him, a gramophone, some records, he lit candles and simply waited, glancing at the clock next to the bed. Only five minutes to wait. He then took advantage to go in the adjacent bathroom to spend some water on his face, and then he sat on the edge of the tub, taking to control his pain. Two shots were given at the door of the hotel room and he got up to open a jump. He found Julia in the doorway, smiling tenderly.
-Good evening Detective, she said in a soft voice.
-Good evening Miss Ogden, he replied in the same way.
They smiled and embraced briefly before he let the woman in and he closes the door behind her.
-I thought a dinner would please you, William whispered in her ear as she watched the room decorated with care.
-Yes, I expected this evening all week, I need to relax. I had a lot of work.
-An issue with the young women of the club? William asked as they walked toward the table.
-Yes, it is difficult to relocate, to ensure that they are stable and decent employment. I'm a little overwhelmed by eveything. I would really like to help, but I fear not being able to do for all unfortunately.
William approached of her and she snuggled tenderly in his arms.
-Happily you're here, she sighed against him.
Yet instead to tighten his grip around her, he stiffened a moment, feeling his shoulder still too painful. Julia immediately noticed and she moved away from him.
-William? Something is wrong? She asked tenderly.
-The week was also difficult for me, grimaced him, I ... I still have a little pain in the shoulder.
-A pain? Worried young woman. What happened?
-A hostage situation gone wrong and I had a stray bullet.
-You got shot?
-All is well, William whispered, stroking her cheek to reassure her, I'm fine do not worry.
He smiled and kissed her tenderly before guiding her to the table, taking her by the hand.
-And now what if we had dinner Miss Ogden.
-You risked your life William, Julia continued ignoring his remark.
-I did not want to talk about tonight, he grumbled in her neck, come sit and dine. Please.
She sighed and she did so not without throwing him a look. Then they dined quietly, talking about everything and nothing, of William investigation, the fight that Julia led every day to protect young women she had exited from the street , the last Olivia's mischief and exploits of the young Constable Crabtree that William considered a bit like the little brother he never had. When dinner was engulfed, Julia went to freshen up in the bathroom and William took the opportunity to start up the gramophone and the first disc. The music rose into the air and a few seconds later the woman reappeared in the room, smiling widely. They passed their eyes and spoke.
-Jazz William ? Do you listen to jazz? I do not imagine a single second from you.
-You still have much to learn about me, you know, he said with a teasing smile.
-I do not doubt it, said Julia, laughing, that's why we set up these meetings, to get to know us differently than the way we already do.
He smiled again and held out his hand for her to take. She did it with joy and he pulled against him for dancing gently, moving from left to right without leaving her eyes. Yet when he raised his arm to rotate, he let out a grunt of pain and he froze. It was enough to Julia that she approaches him and tenderly puts her hand on his chest.
-You should relax William, we will dance again together another time.
He grinned and she took his hand to draw him towards the bed.
-Lay down and rest.
He nodded and a second later, she did the same at his side, propping her head on his intact shoulder and tenderly stroking his shirt fingertips. They lay there, pressed against each other for long minutes, savoring this moment in silence.
-Julia, I wondered, what if you take back your medical studies? After all you miss a very little to pass your exam.
Julia sat up to meet his eyes and he just stroked her cheek before speaking again.
-You're in very capable I'm sure.
-William, I'm pregnant, I have a little girl of five and I only read medical journals, nothing else. Do you think that it will be the right time?
-I understand that it's a bit complicated, but I know this is what you love, take care of the people, listen to them, care for them. Your hands are made for treatment, he added, depositing a kiss on them, you would make a wonderful Doctor.
-And where I would put my baby when I should treat flus and infections? I do not intend to give birth to this child and leave him to a nurse, I want to raise him by myself.
-I'm not telling you to abandon him, nothing prevents you to take him to the office with you and leave him to someone who would take care during your auscultation. He would be by your side.
-This would mean I have my own practice, sighed Julia.
-Yes, William replied the same way.
-Would you be ready to have this life? A woman who raises your child as she is not your wife, a woman who works almost every day?
-Yes, as long as it's you, said William, laughing softly when he saw her look up to the ceiling, Julia, I fell in love with you for who you are and I am sure that you are doing for this. I can help you to learn your notes, if you wish, I will support you in your choice, but I want you to be happy. Well then, William continued hesitant tenderly stroking the belly of Julia, I hope to take care of our child a little and to Olivia occasionally.
-Really? Threw Julia stunned.
-Yes, I ... I want to be a good father to them.
Julia's eyes undertook to tears and a second later she threw herself into his arms to kiss languorously.
-Oh William.
He groaned in pain and she walked quickly away.
-Oh, forgive me, Julia threw confused.
-I think I'll just hold you in my arms on the left if you do not mind.
They smiled and they lay once more against each other. From many minutes to just let their fingers dance on the skin of the other.
-I believe you're right, Julia whispered, laying her hand on William who was on her belly, I really want to become a Doctor, I always dreamed of becoming one. And if you're with me, I think I can juggle a career and a family.
-I'm going to have to get used to call you Doctor Ogden, Dr. Julia Ogden.
-Doctor Ogden Julia, Julia repeated, I think I can get used to quickly.
They laughed tenderly and they exchanged a long kiss. Then after a few minutes still entwined, they separated. Julia took her belongings and prepared to leave the room to goes home, ensuring embrace one last time the man she loved.
-Goodbye little angel, William whispered, kissing on her belly, goodbye my love, he said on Julia's lips.
-Goodbye, then replied the young woman away yet giving him a soft and huge smile before passing the corner of the hallway.
to be continued...