Chapter eighteen; Tampered evidence and couches.
I love it when Jo is sometimes pissed at Henry's ways of solving a case.
Three days was how long Henry wasn't allowed the luxury of his bed and the luxury of Jo's sweet scent. He was an absolute fool in his own eyes. He wished that he had listened to her and rather caught the criminal the old fashion way rather than plant the murder weapon on the killer. There was enough evidence against the man after all, but the case wasn't going fast enough for his taste. He was going to propose to her three nights ago and thanks to his impatience she got rather really angry at him. She was thankfully the only one that had noticed what he had done, but at this moment he'd rather take his chances with an angry Reece. At least she'd have the curtesy to shoot him and get it over with. It had been a week since Lucas had discovered Henry and Jo's secret and since then he was much closer to Henry. Unfortunately for the poor lad he asked them what was wrong this morning and Jo almost shot him. She was in fact still angry and rather touchy in the matter as to why Henry was sleep deprived. The couch wasn't as comfortable as his bed and he felt awful for putting Jo in the position he had. Henry sighed as he tightened the black bow he had tied around his neck. He tucked in his shirt and made his way to the balcony for the final preparations. He had begged her to meet him there tonight so he could thoroughly apologize. Though he also had the surprise of his proposal up his sleeve. He sighed once again as he sat on the edge of the roof. He was really, really nervous and scared. As pissed as Jo was he didn't know if this would make up for not listening to her again.
Though he had spent hours setting the table behind him and placing the candles in all the right places and also finding the right wine to drink to this occasion, he still had his doubts about whether she would want anything to do with him. Immortality is never a gift and even though he wasn't the one who pulled the trigger and caused her first death, but he felt responsible for it in a way. He wish he could just find a way to make it up to her or to solve the mystery behind it, but there was no such luck to him or to her. He felt the burning sensation behind his eyes again and he quickly wiped them. Tonight wasn't a night for tears, it was one for celebration or so he hoped. He heard the balcony door creak behind him. He sighed as he knew it wasn't Jo, but Abraham. It was still too early for Jo to be home since it was 5'o'clock and she'll only be home at half past.
"Wow, dad. This place looks amazing." Abe whistled in awe. Henry smiled at his son's complement.
"Thank you, Abraham. I just hope that she doesn't think it's too soon or that she'd rather take off like your mother did. I mean I'm not the easiest person to live with, especially with my condition." Henry said with a sigh.
"You're right, you aren't easy to live with." Abe stated as he crossed his arms. Henry kept facing the city ahead. He thought that if he looked at anyone now he'd break down.
"Well, that was quite reassuring. Thank you, Abraham." Henry said sarcastically. Abe smiled, ignored his father's sarcasm and continued.
"But, she won't take off, Pops. Have a little more faith, will you?" Abe stated with a laugh.
"When one has seen as much death and betrayal as I have, Abraham, you intend to forget the meaning of faith." Henry said with an enormous smile.
"It means to believe in someone, dad. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm going out to dinner with Fawn." Abe said as he made his way to the door.
"Your friend's widow? Abraham where are your manners?" Henry asked as he turned around to glare at his son.
"Will you calm down. It's just dinner, Dad." Abe said with a sigh before he left through the door. Henry chuckled at his son before turning to face the city again. Jo wouldn't be long now. His only hopes were that she wouldn't still be so angry. He had really missed her these last few days. Henry's mind drifted back to the day she had practically kicked him out of his own bed. She was really angry that day and he hadn't been that scared since the day he discovered how death by mustered gas felt.
"I can not believe you went behind my back and did it anyways." Jo fumed with anger as she stormed through the kitchen. She was thoroughly pissed off.
"Well it was his possession either way, Jo. I found his fingerprints on the weapon myself. Lucas can vouch for my discoveries." Henry said with a frown. At that point he didn't really understand what he did wrong, but lets face it. When does Henry ever think that his methods are wrong.
"You're missing the point, Henry. That was evidence that I had discovered. So if one of the smart ass uniforms start asking questions you pin this all on me. Gosh, sometimes I swear you're younger than Abe. At least he would open his damn ears and listen to my orders.' Jo said angrily.
"She's got you there, Pops." Abe said as he lifted his head from the newspaper he was reading to give his opinion.
"Who's side are you on, Abraham?" Henry questioned in irritation.
"The winning side." Abe snickered as he continued reading. He was glad that Jo didn't take his father's nonsense and he was very thankful that he closed the shop early today to witness Jo teach his old man a few manners.
"This is the last time you pull something like this, Henry." Jo said as she entered there room. He was thinking of following her when she exited with his pillow and a blanket. He eyed her suspiciously. "And to show you that there is consequences to your actions, you'll become best friends with the couch." Jo said as she handed him the pillow and blanket and disappeared into their room once again. Henry sighed as Abe burst into laughter. Henry was thoroughly screwed.
Jo was right though. He needed to listen to her when she asked it from him and he needed to learn some restraint and patience. You'd think for a 236 year old man he'd learned it by now. Henry pulled out a small black velvet box and opened it's cap. He traced the beautiful ring with his thumb before he put it in his pocket once again. He loved her so much that he couldn't bare to lose her. He would do practically anything for her and if that meant showing some restraint or even a drop of patience he'd gladly do it. Henry pulled out his pocket watch and checked the remaining time. It was 5;30 on the dot which meant that she'll be home soon if she wasn't already.
As the door to the balcony opened Henry slowly turned around. His breath was almost knocked away as Jo walked towards him in a beautiful black dress. He guessed that it was the one that she had wore that one time on a date with Isaac. Henry smiled brightly as he realised that she was wearing it for his eyes and his alone.
"I'm only doing this because I love you and is willing to hear you out, not because I'm done being pissed." Jo said as she crossed her arms over her chest. Henry smiled at her as he knew in his heart that everything would be alright.
I love this chapter… I hope u do too… Until next time…