Chapter 15
Amy felt a warm hand on her shoulder, beckoning her from the fitful sleep she had endured, sitting in an uncomfortable chair with her head leaning against the ICU waiting room wall. She looked up into the face of Roy DeSoto, seeing the concern on his ruddy features.
"Amy, why don't you go on home? You need some rest. The ICU nurses told me you've been here all night."
She blinked her eyes, trying to focus on the clock on the wall. It was morning – again. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since she had found Gretchen unconscious behind The Pourhouse.
"I can't leave her, Roy. What if she wakes up and she's all alone?" The exhausted waitress asked, running her fingers beneath her eyes, a futile effort to remove the smudges of mascara deposited by her tears.
Roy frowned, sitting down beside the weary waitress. "There's been no change. She isn't going to wake up in the next few hours. Just go on home, sleep for a while, and then come back this afternoon."
"But-"
"She isn't alone, Amy. The ICU nurses are here with her, and they'll take good care of her while you're gone."
Amy sighed, pushing the bangs off of her forehead. "I know you're right. I don't want to go, but if I stay, then I'm just gonna make myself sick."
"Atta girl," Roy said with a forced smile. "I'll walk you to your car. Are you sure you can drive home?"
"Yea," she said with a yawn. "It isn't that far."
As soon as he had ensured that Amy had arrived at her car safely, he returned to the hospital to check on Christopher. He was grateful that his shift had been a light one through the night, leaving him feeling rested and ready for the meeting at Iris' home tonight.
He pushed through the door of Chris' room, thankful for the bright smile he saw on his young son's face. "So are they letting you go?"
"We're just waiting on a wheelchair," Joanne piped up.
As if on cue, the door opened and a young brunette beauty walked in pushing the aforementioned medical equipment. "Christopher DeSoto, are you ready to leave us?"
The youngster, who seemed mesmerized by the pretty nurse, merely nodded his head in affirmation.
"Very well, let's get you out of that bed and into this wheelchair," she said with a bright smile.
"Okay, easy does it, Chris," Roy warned he scooped his son into a cradle carry, depositing him into the wheelchair.
As the nurse pushed a blushing Christopher out of the hospital, Roy and Joanne walked on either side. The perceptive father saw his son's features turning pink, and knew that even at the age of eight years old, the child was already recognizing a pretty face. He looked over at Joanne who seemed oblivious to the situation. He knew she was just happy to be going home with the knowledge that their son was well on his way to a full recovery.
"Chris, we better let your mom carry the balloons home. I don't think they'll handle the wind very well," Roy offered with a wink.
"Wow, we're gonna ride home with the top down?" The youngster asked, his face beaming for a different reason, the pretty nurse all but forgotten for a ride in his father's Porsche.
Joanne smiled as she accepted the balloons. "I'll see you boys at home."
"Bye, Mom."
"See you in a few minutes, honey," Roy added.
Twenty minutes later Roy and Chris pulled into the driveway of the DeSoto residence, both of them with a happy windblown look.
"Alright, sport… Let me get the door for you," Roy said, rushing around the front of the car. He didn't want to risk Christopher pulling his stitches loose trying to open the car door. "Think you can walk, or should I carry you?"
"Daa-ad," Chris drawled, rolling his eyes. "I'm not a baby, ya know."
"Yea, well… I know that, and you know that, but your mom hasn't figured it out yet, so let's not break her heart, okay?" He gave his son a knowing wink, tousling Chris' blonde hair.
Roy walked slowly behind the boy, ready to carry him if the walk proved to be too much. However, the child made it to the front door with only a slight grimace from a twinge of pain when he lifted his right leg to step onto the porch. Joanne had arrived home ahead of them and was opening the front door just as Chris stepped onto their welcome mat.
"There's my two favorite men," she announced. "C'mon Chris, let's get you settled on the couch."
Chris walked a little slower than usual as he made his way through the formal living room and into the family room. "I thought Dad and Uncle Johnny were your two favorite men."
"Okay, so you and your father are two of my three favorite men," Joanne corrected, tying the balloons to the back of a chair at the kitchen table while Jennifer took the opportunity to play nurse to her brother, tucking him beneath the afghan on the couch and placing her small hand on his forehead to check for a fever.
Roy used Joanne's comment to segue into a conversation about Johnny.
"Jo," he spoke softly, pulling out two of the chairs at the kitchen table. "Have a seat."
Joanne wrinkled her forehead, accepting the proffered chair. "Okay, something wrong?"
"Uh, not really. It's just that… Well, Iris wants all the guys from the station to meet at her house tonight. She has something to tell us about Johnny, and I was hoping you'd come along. Caroline and Rebecca will both be there."
"What?" Joanne exclaimed. "But, Chris-"
Roy butted in to stop her protest. He didn't want to be at Iris' house without Joanne there. The last encounter he had had with the older woman had not gone well. "Mrs. Lopez has offered to keep all the kids here. She'll bring Antonio over, and Chet and Caroline can drop Corrie off here, so…" He reached for her hand, knowing she didn't want to leave Chris so soon after coming home from the hospital. "Jo, please… Chris is doing great, and… I really need you there with me. I think this is something very serious, and if Iris is who I think she is, then…" He hesitated, exhaling deeply. How could he explain to his wife how he was feeling when he wasn't even sure of it himself?
Joanne bit the inside of her cheek, not liking the idea. However, she knew that the crisis with their son really was over, and she trusted Maria Lopez as much as anyone. "You've already made the arrangements, haven't you?"
She saw Roy lowering his gaze, giving her a barely perceptible affirmative nod. "Well…," she hesitated, releasing an audible sigh. "I've got some fruit and popcorn for snacks…"
E!
Hank Stanley picked up the lunch plates, scraping the remnants of the meal into the trash can before stacking them in the sink. He began running the warm sudsy water just as Rebecca walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Do you know how sexy it is when a man washes dishes?" She flirted, slipping a couple of fingers between the buttons on his flannel shirt, whisking them across his belly.
"No. I've watched my men wash a lot of dishes at the station, and I've never once considered it to be sexy." He jumped, startled by her touch. "Ohh, ah-ha," he laughed, using his wet hands to stop the tickling sensation. He pulled her hand away from his abdomen so he could spin around and envelop her in his embrace, the running water completely forgotten. "I love you, my Becca," he said, nuzzling his face into the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo.
"And I love you, my Hank," she cooed back, enjoying the warmth of his embrace.
He leaned against the sink counter, pulling her tighter against his chest. "Would you do me a big favor tonight?" He asked.
She pulled back, looking at him with a knowing smirk.
"Yea, that'd be nice, too, but that's not what I'm talking about, sweetheart," Hank said with a wicked grin.
"Oh, really… Hank, you know I will. What is it?" She inquired, returning her head to his chest to resume the embrace. She loved to hear his breathing and his heartbeat. As a fireman's wife, she never took those things for granted. Too many times she had attended the funerals of fallen firemen, watching the grieving widows, and wondering if she might be in their shoes one day.
"Well… AAHH!" Hank arched his back away from the counter, spinning around and turning off the hot water. There was a wet spot along the small of his back, leaving his shirt clinging to his skin. It seemed to have grown a white beard as the suds stuck to it from the rising water.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell in your ear," he apologized, seeing his wife laughing at him. "You got me, uh, rather distracted."
Rebecca pulled a paper towel off the roll beside the sink, and wiped the suds off his back before they fell to the floor. "Anyway, you were saying?"
"You know how I've been worried about John, lately?" The captain reminded her.
"Yes, and…"
"Well," Hank continued, "Iris Campbell, you know, the lady that runs Bloomer's Florist?" He waited for her to nod in affirmation, then continued. "Anyway, she knows something about John that she wants the rest of us to know. I can't imagine what it is, but… I know I'd appreciate the support if you'd come along with me. Joanne and Caroline will be there. Do you mind going with me?"
Rebecca smiled, kissing him lightly on his cheek. "Of course not, honey. There's no place I'd rather be than by your side. If it involves John, then we'll both be there. He was certainly there for us when we needed him," she said, remembering how Johnny had taken care of her injuries during Hank's depression after Kyle Carrigan's death. The junior medic had been the perfect combination of friend and professional. He never questioned, or judged. He simply bandaged her wounds, changing her dressings when needed. Hank had been worried about John lately, and if John was in some kind of trouble, then he deserved the respect and help of those who loved him most.
E!
By mid-afternoon, Antonio was on cloud nine. He walked between his mother and Mike, holding tightly to both their hands as they meandered down the corridor of the baseball stadium in search of hotdogs and sodas. Mike quickly made the purchases and the trio found their seats, waiting for the first pitch.
"This is the bestest day ever!"
"So, you like baseball, kiddo?" Mike asked, laughing at the mustard mustache the youngster was sporting.
"Here, let me get that off," Lexi laughed, using her napkin-covered finger to remove the offending condiment. "There, there's my handsome little boy," she giggled.
Mike watched the mother and son interact, and it warmed his heart. Lexi had missed so much after leaving her newborn son with her mother. She loved him enough to leave him in a place where she knew he would be safe, even though it wasn't with her. He couldn't imagine how difficult that must have been for her. Now, here she was, making up for lost time and becoming the mother Antonio needed her to be. She had known so much sorrow in recent years, and all he wanted to do was help her create some new memories, fun times with her son. He found himself lost in their conversation, feeling as if he might have found something in his own life that he didn't even know was missing.
The engineer adjusted his cap, looking around at the other young families. This was what he had been missing for years – wholesome activities with those he loved. Love. It was the reason why most of his relationships ended before the third date. He didn't want to string a woman along when he wasn't feeling anything for her - no chemistry, no spark, nothing.
Mike, being a handsome fireman, had gotten his fair share of sultry offers over the years, but he rarely accepted them. Casual sex seemed like an oxymoron to him. How could something so intimate be casual? It was the ultimate form of giving and receiving, of allowing oneself to become vulnerable, and protecting the vulnerability of the one you loved.
Love. It was definitely the element that had been missing in most of his previous relationships. Mike was a serious man; a man who didn't believe in wasting time. If a relationship wasn't progressing, then he ended it. He remembered all the locker room talk between Chet and Johnny, each one discussing his latest bedroom conquests. Mike was a private man, not prone to exaggerating his sexual prowess during testosterone-laden macho conversations in the locker room, like Chet and Johnny tended to do. Those conversations ended when Chet met Caroline, which is when Mike knew the junior lineman had found the right woman.
He looked once more at Lexi and Antonio, both of them grinning and laughing happily. He couldn't imagine being anywhere else than right here, right now. He leaned back in his seat, taking a big bite of his own hotdog. Was it possible that he would find the right woman one day? Could it be Lexi?
"Well, Mike," Lexi laughed. "It looks like you need me to take care of you, too," she said, wiping the corner of his mouth with her napkin.
"Oh really? And what's this… right… here," he said leaning in closer to her, close enough to give her a quick peck on the corner of her mouth. He licked his lips, smacking them loudly. "Hmm, yep, mustard," he said giving Antonio a wink as he leaned back in his seat. There had been no mustard on the corner of her mouth, but only he and Antonio knew that.
Antonio covered his mouth with his hands, lifting his shoulders as he giggled. "I kiss my mama too," he announced, kneeling in his seat so that he could reach Lexi's other cheek. He smacked her loudly, then sat back down on his bottom, swinging his feet excitedly awaiting the first pitch.
Lexi sat stunned. Mike had kissed her, hadn't he? Was that really what had just happened? His whispered apology caught her by surprise.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have done that," he commented, silently kicking himself for rushing the relationship.
"It's okay, really," she said with a blush. "I… I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"Embarrass me?" Mike knitted his eyebrows together in confusion. "How could you embarrass me? I'm the one who kissed you, and… And I didn't ask for permission first. Forgive me?" He asked, all of Marco's warnings yelling at him in his head.
"Nothing to forgive," she responded, curling her dark hair behind her ear. "And… If you'd asked… I would've said yes," she said, hoping she hadn't been too forward. She still wasn't sure how to behave around a nice man like Mike.
"Really?"
She nodded, batting her eyelashes at him just as the announcer keyed up the microphone.
Several hours later, Mike parked his pick-up in the driveway of the Lopez residence. He reached over, picking up the sleeping child from the seat, accidentally dislodging Antonio's newly purchased baseball cap in the process.
"Oh, I'll get it," Lexi said, picking it up from the floorboard before stepping out of the vehicle and following Mike up the steps of her childhood home.
Antonio didn't rouse when Mike walked onto the porch, or when the tall man carried him up the stairs. Mike gently laid the sleeping child down on his bed, sitting beside him while removing his sneakers.
"I think we wore him out," he whispered to Lexi.
"Yes, he said it was the most fun he's ever had," Lexi mused, depositing Antonio's baseball cap on his nightstand.
"Actually," Mike began, standing up and stepping closer to her. "I think he said something like funnest day ever," he said mimicking the child's voice.
Lexi laughed out loud, quickly covering her mouth to keep from waking her napping son. "Well," she whispered, "his mom had the best day ever, too."
"Me too," Mike agreed, licking his lips. He desperately wanted to kiss her again, but was more nervous than he ever imagined. "Um," he uttered, hesitating briefly. "If I asked you that question we talked about earlier, would the answer still be yes?"
In a flirtatious voice, Lexi spoke up. "You won't know unless you ask?"
Taking a chance, Mike leaned in closer. "May I kiss you, Lexi?"
Gulping, she responded with a hushed whisper as Mike leaned in even closer. "Yesss."
Their lips met. Although it was brief, and very chaste, it had happened. Both felt their hearts flutter, their breath hitch, and their chests filled with a nervous heat. Mike backed away slightly.
"Your lips are as soft as I imagined they'd be."
She looked into his crystal blue eyes. "And you're definitely the gentleman I always thought you were. Thank you," she whispered.
"For the kiss, or for the afternoon with the Dodgers?" He asked with a slight smirk.
"Yes," she repeated, leaving him wondering.
It took a moment, but Mike finally realized that she had enjoyed the entire day just as much as he had. He felt as if he were walking on air. "So, are you sure you don't mind going with me to Iris' house? I have no idea what this might be about, but if Johnny is in some kind of trouble, then we all want to help." He hung his head, not wanting to bring up bad memories for Lexi.
Lexi knew what Mike was thinking and spoke up before he had a chance. "He was there for us – both you and me. I'll never forget that, Mike. I'll do anything I can to help him now. And I know you will, too. You have a heart of pure gold," she smiled.
Mike ushered them out of Antonio's bedroom, closing the door behind him. Together they walked down the hallway. "I don't know about that," he said, bashfully.
"I do. Mike, you have no idea what a wonderful man you truly are, do you?"
"Nah, I'm just a hose jockey," he joked, walking behind her as they went back down the stairs.
When Lexi reached the bottom step, she spun around looking deeply into his eyes, losing herself in the depths of the azure pools. "No, Mike. You're a knight in shining armor. Not just to me, but to a lot of people." When he smiled warmly at her, she continued. "I had a wonderful afternoon, and I know Antonio did, too. I can't thank you enough. This must've cost you a fortune."
"No thanks needed, Miss Lopez, and it was worth every penny. Just, ah, maybe go out with me again?"
"I'd like that," she answered, appreciatively. "Are you still coming by to get me later, or should I ride with Marco and Beverly?"
"I'll pick you up," he said, "but not until I wash some of this baseball sweat off of me," he laughed. "I don't want offend anyone."
"I understand. I could stand a little freshening up myself. C'mon," she said, turning towards the front door. "I'll walk you out."
Inside the kitchen, Maria Lopez was eavesdropping on the conversation. Hearing the footsteps walking across the wooden floor, she scurried back to the kitchen counter when she heard a loose board creak in the foyer. She felt the backs of her eyes stinging. Her family was whole again. Maybe, just maybe, everything would work out for all her children. That thought led her to think about Marco's friend, Johnny. She considered all of Marco's shiftmates to be her sons. From what Marco had told her, Johnny was in a dark place. She remembered how Chet had been in just such a place before Caroline came into his life. Maybe Johnny needed the love of a good woman. Perhaps that would make him happy, just like Mike was making Lexi happy, and Beverly was making Marco happy.
Returning to chopping her vegetables for their dinner, she began to pray for Johnny. She had always been comforted by her religious beliefs during difficult times, and her faith had always held the answer, even when she wasn't able to see it, at first. Silently her lips moved as she chopped the lettuce. If Johnny was in trouble, then she would storm the Pearly Gates of Heaven with her prayers on his behalf.
E!
Lieutenant Crockett removed his tiny notebook from his shirt pocket, flipping through the worn pages in search of the phone number he needed. Finding the string of digits for which he was searching, he sat down in his recliner, reaching for the telephone.
Iris Campbell paced the floor of her living room, wringing her hands with anxiety. She had been busy cleaning up the already tidy house, moving every available chair she owned into the largest room in her modest home. While she had been grateful to Chet, who had informed her that the men from 51's were going to bring their female companions to make her feel more comfortable, this also added to the pressure. She was dreading telling the group everything about Johnny's past, knowing that she was betraying his confidence. Having both Joanne and Caroline there, the only two women in Los Angeles that she felt somewhat close to, was going to be difficult. She had lied to them. Even though it had not been an intentional act of deception, it was an act of omission, but that still made it a lie, as far as she was concerned. She hoped that they would look past her and all of her faults, and agree to help Johnny out, and perhaps Lily, too.
When her telephone rang, penetrating the quiet of her sanctuary, she was startled. She uttered a shy curse, as the shrill noise pierced her ears a second time. "Oh, please don't cancel on me," she muttered to herself, fearing that one of the men, or perhaps all of them, were going to nix the gathering.
Interrupting the third ring, she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Iris? This is Ron. Can you talk?" The feisty detective had never been one to mince words, getting straight to the point.
"Uh, yes, is something wrong?"
Realizing he had probably alarmed her, Crockett decided to change his tactic. "No, no; I apologize. I guess I'm a little too brash. Comes with the job, you know?"
Relaxing a bit, Iris took a seat in her favorite chair, relieved that the caller wasn't one of Johnny's crewmates. "I suppose it does."
"Uh, Iris, remember I told you I had some friends that might know something about that cult?"
Iris closed her eyes, dreading whatever news she was about to hear. Good news was not something she associated with the group that had lured her daughter and Johnny away from her. "Y-yes, I remember."
"Well, I spoke with one of the fellas this afternoon, and I think you'll like what he told me."
Iris eyebrows lifted in anticipation and her breath caught in her throat. "O-okay, what is it?"
On the other end of the line, Ronald Crockett seemed to waffle. He wasn't comfortable telling her everything over the phone. "Uh, listen, I was wondering… May I meet you at your house? I'd rather discuss this face to face, and besides, I need to get that roll of film from you."
"Oh yes, the film," she muttered, thinking about the evidence the small film canister might hold.
"Iris, I did call Summerlin. I told him about the roll of film, specifically that you are now in possession of it. Summerlin HAS to have those pictures developed, especially if Johnny isn't going to testify. You did tell me that Johnny wanted you to turn the roll over as evidence, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Well, because of the age of the film, Summerlin thinks they should be sent to Quantico for processing. If you give the film to me, then I'll make sure to send it."
"Who's Quantico?" Iris asked, having no idea what the detective meant.
Ron couldn't stop the chuckle that erupted from his chest. "Oh, Iris… You have a way of making me smile. Quantico isn't a WHO; it's a WHERE. It's the training facility for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The federal boys have some specialized equipment. If anyone can develop that film, it'll be them. Besides, that way the defense can't argue that the film was tampered with, you know?"
"Oh, yes, of course," Iris said, blushing because of her faux pas. "You must think I'm stupid," she snickered, feeling much more comfortable conversing with the lieutenant.
"Not at all. If you asked me a question about flowers, I wouldn't know the answer," he said with a warm smile, even though Iris wasn't able to see it over the phone.
Iris pressed her lips into a thin line, unsure of what to do. Ron already knew most of the details that she was about to share with Johnny's friends. Would it be wrong for her to invite the detective over, too? Deciding that having at least one person who understood her, she made her decision.
"Well, could you come over in about two hours? I've, um… I've invited Johnny's shiftmates over this evening. I wanted to tell them the truth… The truth that you already know. Is… Is the news you have for me something that they can hear, too?"
Ron smiled on the other end of the line. She had followed his advice. He knew that what she was going to tell the men of Station 51 was going to shock them, and if he could support her in any way, then that's what he needed to do.
"I trust those men completely, Iris. So should you. I think they'll be particularly interested in what I've got to say." He hesitated, sensing her anxiety. "And I'll be there to offer you my support, too. It's the right thing to do; I really believe that."
"Then why does it feel so wrong, Ron? Why do I feel like I'm hurting Johnny when all I'm trying to do is help him?"
Ron leaned back in his chair, searching for the right words to use to comfort the woman who was fast becoming a friend. "It's kind of like… Well, when Lily was a baby, did you take her to the doctor to get her baby shots?"
"Of course, I did. What kind of mother would I be if I didn't take care of her?"
"You knew it was going to be painful for her, yet you did it anyway. It wasn't easy, especially when she cried, but you knew you were doing what was best for her. You were protecting her from something worse down the road, right?"
Iris felt her eyes beginning to sting. "I see your point," she said, sniffling slightly. "I guess I never thought of it in that way."
"It's the same thing. You may cause Johnny some pain when he finds out that you told his friends about his secret, but in the long run, it'll be for the best. You ARE protecting him, Iris. And I hope that, perhaps with the help of the rest of 51's A-shift, we'll get Johnny AND Lily back."
Iris felt stunned by the detective's comment. He had said WE; was he going to help, too? "Okay, um, do you have something to write with?"
"Yes." Ron took down Iris' address, jotting down the directions in the margin next to her telephone number. When he finished, he clicked the pen and dropped it back on the end table beside his notebook. "I'll see you soon, Iris. May I bring something? Sodas, donuts?" He asked with a belly laugh.
Iris understood the joke and laughed along with the officer. "Now, Ron, I can't let my police officer friend show up with donuts. Those firemen I have coming over would never let you live that one down."
"Hahaha, touche`, Iris. Touche`."
"I've got some cookies made, and I thought I'd make a pot of coffee. Johnny always told me that firemen like coffee."
"So do cops… What you're doing is the right thing. It might not feel like it at the moment, but it'll all be okay in the end."
"Thank you. Goodbye, Ron." Iris hung up the phone, feeling a little better about the impending meeting. If Ron thought it was a good idea, then it must be. She stood up, heading for her bedroom. She had a lot of pictures she wanted to show the men when they arrived. She felt more confident with the thought of the handsome, self-assured lieutenant who was going to be joining them.
E!
Marco arrived at Beverly's apartment at the appointed time. He walked up to the door, knocking loudly.
"Hey," the green-eyed beauty remarked, welcoming him into her home. "Come on in."
"Thank you so much for going with me tonight, Bev. I know that having ladies around will make Iris feel more comfortable, but…," he hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.
"But?" Beverly asked, collecting her sweater and purse.
"But, I also want to pick your brain a little." He blushed at the way Beverly arched one eyebrow at him, silently questioning his comment. "Well, Chet says that this has something to do with Iris and Johnny. Since you have a remarkable insight into relationships and the psyche of people, I was hoping that you might be able to help us understand what's going on."
Now it was Beverly's turn to have heated cheeks. "I'm afraid that you give me too much credit, Marco. I'm not a psychologist."
"You should be. Why don't you go back to school?" He asked, opening the front door for her.
"Money… Time… Not enough brain cells for that kind of thing."
Marco gently placed a hand on her shoulder, slowly turning her around to face him. He looked deeply into her eyes, seeing the self-doubt that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her soul. "Beverly, we've talked about religion a little, and I know that you and I share a belief in God. He's using you to help so many young women, including Lexi and Bri. But, I really don't think you've reached your full potential. I believe in you, Beverly Marsh. I believe. Lexi believes. Bri believes. Most importantly, Mama believes." He smiled warmly at her, seeing the shimmer of tears pooling along her lower lids. "Mama and God are like this," he said, indicating a close relationship by crossing his fingers. "You need to believe, too. Are you truly happy with what you're doing now, or do you want more?"
Beverly adjusted her purse strap along her shoulder, feeling her heart thudding inside her chest. She did want more for her life, but it had nothing to do with her career. "I wish I could do more to help the ladies. There just aren't many female psychologists, and it's hard for them to trust a man," she said, dropping her eyes to the ground. "After all they've gone through," she added.
"Then don't sell yourself short." Marco reached over, using the crook of his index finger to lift her chin so that she was looking at him. "God wouldn't give you the desire to be more without giving you the tools you need to do the job. All the tools, including the education… But you didn't answer my question. Are you happy?"
Beverly felt her bottom lip quiver, feeling vulnerable with Marco, and yet, not feeling anxious about it. "Am I happy?"
He nodded.
"I'm happy when I'm helping others, but… I'm happiest… when I'm… with you," she finished in a quiet whisper, sucking in a ragged breath.
Marco suddenly felt taller and more self-assured than he had ever felt in his life. He had somehow managed to break through the wall she had built up over the years of her abuse. She seemed to be open to talking to him, telling him how she really felt. Without saying it in so many words, she had just told him that she trusted him, and he silently vowed to never betray that trust. He didn't want to break the contact he had with her, so he kept her chin resting on his finger. He licked his lips, both he and Beverly knew that the time was right, and slowly they each leaned in a little closer.
When their lips met for the first time, the warmth spread throughout their bodies. The kiss was soft, but confident, and even though it only lasted a moment, it ignited a raging inferno inside both of them. Marco was surprised when she didn't pull away from him, and in response to her readiness, he parted his lips slightly, timidly seeking an entrance with his tongue. Beverly responded likewise, their tongues meeting passionately as the kiss deepened. Both of them trembled, each enveloping the other in an embrace, communicating through soft guttural murmurs of pleasure. The future seemed to have been given to them in those few moments. Both of them felt it, and neither wanted the kiss to end.
Marco slowly pulled away, his eyes closed in ecstasy. When he opened them, he looked at the response on Beverly's face, grateful that she seemed to have enjoyed it as much as he had. He cleared his throat, lightly running his thumb across her chin. "Ahem… that was nice."
He squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment. When he opened them again, he looked away from her. "Argh, Marco, you idiot," he groaned, rolling his eyes, his face heating. The kiss had been much more than nice. It had been the most wonderful kiss he had ever known.
Beverly chuckled, thankful that she hadn't been the one to speak first. "Hahaha, you are NOT an idiot, Marco," she said, lightly punching him on his shoulder. "You're absolutely right. That was nice."
"Nice enough to do it again sometime?" He asked, feeling a little bolder.
"Yes," she said with a wide grin, offering him a quick kiss on the cheek that held the promise of more to come, then flipped her hair away from her neck as she turned to walk to his car. Her face was red, but not from embarrassment; it was from something else that she was feeling. As he opened the door for her, she looked up at him, appreciating how he was making her feel special. "Thank you."
"Hey, my Mama raised me right. She taught me how to treat a lady," Marco grinned bashfully, closing the door.
Beverly waited for him to take his seat behind the wheel. When he closed his door, she reached out, grasping his hand. "I'm grateful to you for treating me like a lady, but… I was thanking you for the kiss."
Marco cranked up the car, backing out of the parking space. "Let's get out of here before I say something embarrassing again," he laughed, but inside he was thinking about how warm her lips had felt. And he couldn't wait to kiss her again.
E!
Maria Lopez felt right at home in a kitchen, even if that kitchen wasn't hers. "Do not worry about Christopher," she relayed to the DeSotos in her thick accent. "He will be just fine with Mama Lopez," she said confidently.
"I trust you completely," Joanne spoke up. "Thank you for doing this for us."
When they heard a knock on the front door, Roy walked across the living room to answer it.
"CORRIE!" Antonio shouted, seeing his best friend walking into the living room ahead of her mother and Chet.
Both youngsters were happy to see each other again. They had enjoyed playing the previous day while Caroline was at work.
Warm greetings were shared among the adults present as the children congregated in the living room. Joanne and Roy said goodbye to Jenny and Chris, reminding Chris that he was only allowed to get up from the couch to eat a snack, or use the bathroom.
"Mrs. Lopez will help you if you need it, so don't be afraid to ask, okay, sweetheart?"
Chris groaned, not wanting the extra attention from his mother in front of their guests. "I know," he groused.
"You folks head on out for your meeting," Maria said, shooing them with a waving motion using the backs of her hands.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Caroline asked, knowing that Corrie could sometimes be difficult to contain with her endless energy.
"I raised five children, including a set of twin boys," Maria reminded the young mother. "I can handle this."
Caroline's cheeks turned rosy. "I guess you are a little over-qualified for the job, huh?"
The group snickered as they walked out of the house, leaving Maria in charge of the four youngsters. They knew that their children would be well cared for. What they didn't know was what they were going to be facing when they arrived at Iris' house.
E!
Iris was just setting the tray of cookies on the table, when she heard the doorbell ring. A quick glance at the clock told her that her first guests were arriving twenty minutes early. She felt her heart dance around inside her chest as her anxiety level spiked. She quickly placed the tray on her dining room table and hurried to the front door.
Relief swept over her when she saw that the visitor was Ronald Crockett. With a smile on her face, she opened the door to the detective. "Ron, welcome. Won't you come in?"
The detective entered Iris' home, carrying a pink box. He waited for her to close the door before he spoke up. "Thank you for the invitation, Iris. Where should I put these?"
Iris tilted her head slightly, a smile parting her lips. "You didn't!" She laughed nervously.
"No," he said cockily. "I didn't get donuts. I brought some petits fours."
A graceful hand fell across Iris' chest. "Oh, Ron. How thoughtful of you. You can put them there," she waved her arm towards the table.
"Well, I didn't want to come over empty handed. Besides, I thought you might want some extra sugar to give you a boost." He followed her to the table, placing the box beside the tray of cookies just as she had instructed.
Iris pulled a glass serving tray from a cabinet, and together the two of them placed the confectionary delights in rows on the dish. When that task was completed, they poured a couple of cups of coffee, and sat down in the living room.
Ron was the first to break the silence. "I know this won't be easy for you, Iris, but these cats from 51's are real good guys. It'll be fine," he said, sipping the hot coffee.
"I wish I had your confidence, Ron. I'm just afraid that they'll be angry, you know? I should've told them about me and Johnny, but… He didn't want them to know."
Ron studied the nervous woman as if he were searching for nonverbal cues from a suspect. "Are you really afraid that Johnny's friends will be angry… Or is it Johnny's anger that worries you?"
Iris cast her gaze to the side, away from the perceptive detective. She knew he was good at his job, just by the way he had questioned her. He went straight for the jugular. "Both, I suppose." She lifted her cup to her lips, looking at the detective over the rim of her brown mug. She swallowed the hot coffee, feeling the burn as it flowed down her throat and into her empty stomach. "I'm betraying his trust, Ron. We both know it."
"And we BOTH know why," he said reassuringly.
"Oh, my, I almost forgot the film," she said, setting her mug down on the coaster on her coffee table. "I'll go get it."
Ron stood up, waiting until she left the room before removing an evidence bag from his coat pocket. When she returned, he accepted the canister from her, sealing it inside the clear bag. "Thank you. I'll take extra special care of it."
The doorbell rang again, and Iris made her way to her foyer. Her legs were shaking as she pulled open the large wooden door. She was greeted by an older man who introduced himself as Hank Stanley and his wife, Rebecca. Just as they were ushered inside, a maroon sedan pulled to a stop along the curb. Marco got out, walking around to open the door for Beverly. They made their way up the sidewalk, and again introductions were made.
"Thank you for coming. I've got coffee and sweets over-"
Her instructions were interrupted by a pick-up truck parking behind Marco's car.
Mike helped Lexi out of his vehicle, recognizing both Marco and Hank's cars. He walked up the sidewalk, introducing himself and Lexi.
"I'm Iris, and… I appreciate this. Please help yourself to some coffee and snacks," she offered, waving her hand towards the table. She noted that her guests were talking among themselves, with Ron joining in comfortably.
Another car parked along the curb across the street, and she felt her legs grow weak once again. These were the guests that she had dreaded seeing the most. Joanne and Caroline walked ahead of Roy and Chet as they made their way up the sidewalk. Both women smiled at her, offering her their warm greetings as they each gave her a quick hug.
Chet gave Iris a respectful nod, then felt his eyes widen in surprise. "Uh-oh, Johnny must be in big trouble if the fuzz is here?"
Iris smiled lightly. "Oh, it's not what you're thinking," she commented, waving off the young lineman.
As Iris was closing the door, Roy caught her attention.
"Iris," he began, looking around to make sure no one else was listening. "I want to apologize for my behavior over the last few days."
Iris looked up into Roy's blue eyes, noting the sincerity she saw in those shimmering pools. She tried to swallow, but found her mouth had gone dry. "Um, okay… It's alright." His heartfelt apology had caught her off guard. "There're things you… You don't know, Roy."
"I know more than you think I do." He stared at her intently, ensuring he had her full attention. "I went by Johnny's apartment today. I saw a photo album there that I'd never seen before. I have to admit, I don't know why Johnny never told me about what he did, nor do I understand why he never told me the truth about you, but…" He blinked rapidly, not wanting to lose control of his emotions. "But Johnny's like a brother to me, to all of us," he croaked out, jerking his head toward the group assembled in her living room. His crystal eyes looked at her, connecting with her soul as he watched her tears welling up. When she pressed her lips together tightly, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "And that makes you family, too." He saw her nodding slightly, unable to speak. "Please forgive me for how I've behaved towards you. I'm both ashamed and… And really sorry."
"For-gi-given," she whispered, struggling to force the words past the lump in her throat.
"Thank you," he said, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "I want to help, we all do. Just please tell us the truth, all of it, so we can figure out how best to help Johnny, okay?"
Iris nodded. She had not been prepared for Roy's apology, and his honesty and boldness encouraged her to forge on ahead. On trembling legs, she followed Roy into the living room, quickly taking a seat.
Ron, sensing Iris' discomfort, decided to help her get started. "Everyone, I'm glad you all are here. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here, but that'll be obvious later on. Um," he stuttered, locking eyes with Iris. When she nodded affirmatively to his unspoken question, he continued. "If you all will take a seat, we'll get started."
When the commotion settled down, Iris scanned the room, seeing that all eyes were on her. She felt waves of heat and nausea washing over her, and a trickle of perspiration made its way down the nape of her neck. This was it. This was the moment she had been dreading for days now. She saw the worry in each person's eyes, and her own eyes began to grow misty. Johnny had no idea that so many people cared about him so much. She wished that he could see the group gathered here, anxious for an update on their friend. John Gage, the young man who felt so unworthy of the respect and admiration of his coworkers, had a close work family, and he didn't even realize it. These men and women gathered here on his behalf, were his brothers and sisters. They truly cared for him. Loved him.
"Iris?"
Jerked from her musings by Roy's voice, Iris blinked her eyes rapidly, clearing her throat. "Ahem, I'm sorry, this is just so… So difficult."
"It's okay," the red-haired paramedic said softly. He had an entirely new opinion of her since his discovery in Johnny's apartment.
"Um, thank you for coming, especially on such short notice. Uh… I'm sorry. H-how much do you all know about Johnny?"
The men from 51's exchanged concerned glances with each other. Hank, feeling like the leader of the group, even when they weren't on shift, was the first to speak up.
"Well, we know he grew up on a ranch in Montana. Moved to California where he finished high school and-"
"And he was on the track team where he was known as Gage the Galloping Greyhound," Chet added, a smile peeking out from beneath his mustache, though the action failed to light up his face. Even the Phantom was worried about his pigeon.
Iris only smiled wistfully.
"He loves photography and rodeos," Mike added, staring into his coffee cup. For some reason, this felt as if they were remembering a fallen brother, and it made his stomach burn.
"But hates anthropologists," Marco added. "Because he's Native American."
"Semi," Chet corrected, remembering how he had called Johnny their semi-red brother during a particularly heated discussion about Johnny's heritage, shortly after 51's opened.
"And he's one of the best rescue men and paramedics in the whole state," Hank added.
Roy, who had remained silent while the others were reminiscing about his partner, lifted his face from his plate, locking eyes with Iris once again. It was time to speak up about what he knew.
"His parents are still alive, but he moved here to LA where he lived with his aunt to finish high school. My kids call him Uncle Johnny, not because he's my blood brother, but because we're as close as brothers… Maybe even closer." His voice faded. "At least we were," he muttered, incoherently.
"Yes, sometimes our friends are even closer to us than our blood family," Iris added, her comments having a dual meaning for her. Her own family had disowned her over twenty-five years ago, and she had found a new family member in a young man named John Gage. "John and I are close like that. I mean, we're not related, of course, but…"
When Iris' breath hitched, Roy filled in the gap, adding the words that Iris' seemed to be having difficulty saying. "But he lived with you when he moved out here. Iris… You're the woman Johnny calls his aunt, aren't you?"