Chapter 77, Honest talks and sweet surprises
…
…If someone had told Danielle the day after she'd try to commit suicide, that one day she'd wake up feeling utterly contented and happy, she would've laughed at them. But on this day, that was exactly how she felt. She could hardly believe everything that had happened the night before, and just how beautifully things had turned out. She was getting married! She was actually getting married! Something Adam would never, ever had done, at least not to be romantic. Keep her as his slave wife, maybe. Danielle Myers, she thought, still not quite used to the name yet, even in her own head. Although she'd started longing for it ever since they'd got together, she never actually thought it would happen, not like this anyway. For the first time in a long time, she started to whistle as she got out of bed. Nigel had told her once he liked it when she whistled, as it meant she was happy. She'd had precious little to whistle about back then of course. When she woke, she realised she was alone, so heading to the desk, she picked up her phone, and just seeing a text from her now Fiancé made her beam with happiness.
It would appear sleepyhead has returned. I have gone to get some breakfast, then meet with Dr Loomis. He told me to tell you Dr Stark is back in today and would love to catch up with you. I will see you in the exercise yard if not before. I love you, M.
Tears rushed to her eyes and even as she blinked them away, a huge smile lit up her whole face. Reaching forward for her water glass, she was surprised to find instead a full flask of tea and some white chocolate cookies. Where on earth had they come from? Sitting down at the desk, she texted Nigel. We need to talk, seriously big news to tell you! Damn it Charlotte needs to wake up! Any change yet?
Maybe it was harsh, but even thinking about her desperately ill sister couldn't completely burst the happiness bubble which had expanded in her chest.Drinking her tea, she stood up and started to dress, still whistling away.
…
Dr Loomis could hardly believe where he was currently sitting and with whom. He and Michael Myers were sitting in his private office, with only a desk between them. There was a time not so long ago this would never, ever have happened. Yet now, Dr Loomis felt relaxed around his patient and even trusted him to some degree. There was a gentle knock on the door and Andrea one of his Pa's entered with two steaming coffees. If she was surprised about who was with him, she was too professional to show it.
"Thanks Andrea," Dr Loomis smiled at her, and she was sure Michael Myers also did. "So, tell me, Dr Loomis said as she left, closing the door again. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" There was a silence, before Michael raised his notepad. It was the kind of notepad which could easily be refilled with another block of notepaper, so as the killer wrote, Dr Loomis slid another block into the emptying pad. He was certain Michael smiled at him. He then read the message Michael was showing him.
Danielle and I reconciled last night, and I am very happy about this. Maybe she was right on some level, I was being a little stubborn. I just couldn't understand why she would want to be with me after… what I did to her.
"She loves you," Dr Loomis murmured. "That's why. She knows it wasn't on purpose, why you did it, so you just had to accept her forgiveness. It's not going to happen again, is it?"
No chance.
"There you are then. I'm really happy for you both."
Thank you, but that's not the whole story. She… she asked me to marry her, Dr Loomis.
For a second and for only about the third time in his whole career, Samuel Loomis was stunned. Then his face split into a wide and genuinely happy smile. "Oh Michael, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!" He realised he was blinking back tears. Without hesitating, he reached across his desk and held out his hand to his patient, something he'd only done twice, all post Danielle. The killer smiled at him and took his hand.
Thank you. But I… I'm nervous. I don't know what she is expecting of me.
"From marriage?" Michael nodded. "Nothing, she just loves you and wants to commit to you for life. You just carry on as you are, it just means she will have your last name or you can have hers, you will share each other's lives, property, everything."
That sounds too easy.
Dr Loomis chuckled. "Don't be so sinical, I promise you that's all there is too it. He pressed a button on his desk and Andrea stuck her head around the door. Dr Loomis handed her a piece of paper and she retreated again, only to return a few minutes later with two leather ring boxes, which she handed to him and left. "Believe it or not, we keep some of these here at Smith's Grove just in case this very thing happens." He opened the box and showed Michael the simple lady's engagement ring, gold with a small diamond, and a man's gold wedding band. "You can give her this if you want to," he said, gesturing at the engagement ring. "It's just a sign that you two have promised each other marriage." Michael nodded, taking the boxes.
Thank you. What do I do with this?
He held up the gold man's band. Dr Loomis smiled. "You wear it if you want to." Michael nodded again. "I wish you both nothing but the best," Dr Loomis said. He was sure Michael smiled at him again. He suddenly became aware the killer was looking at him almost as if he was searching for something. He felt something he'd never felt before in his job, vulnerable. It was as though Michael could look right into his very soul and he couldn't hide anything from him at all, right down to his inner most thoughts.
You look tired.
He smiled a little. "I'm ok, just…"
Don't lie. You're working too hard, you've tried to work with me for 35 years, you're wearing yourself down trying to get answers from me. You need more time off and more sleep.
Dr Loomis gaped at him, speechless. That was exactly what he was doing, had it been that obvious? But then, this was Michael Myers of course. "I'll try," he rubbed a weary hand across his face, feeling his growing stubble. He needed a shave too. "He was speaking before he'd thought it through. "Did you kill Dr Hazard below ground?"
As soon as the question was out of his mouth, he heartily wished he'd listened to Danielle. It felt as though it was a stomach bug, something he just had to vomit out of him. Now he had though, unlike with a stomach bug, he felt worse, not better. He'd looked at Dr Hazard's contact forms and she'd quite deliberately filled out 'NONE,' in the next of kin and emergency contact boxes. So, either she didn't want anyone to know, or she didn't have anyone to contact. This thought saddened him just a little. Yes, she might have been heartily disliked by the vast majority of her colleagues, earning names like 'Dr Death, Dr Hell, her destiny was only to be a serious hazard to everyone she met,' but she had still been a living, breathing woman. When push came to shove, she had still been a human being. At the very least, she deserved a proper funeral. As to who would attend though, that was another matter entirely. He looked up and saw Michael looking at him, once again with that cruel, amused smirk on his face. This made him regret asking it even more. He remembered Danielle's sarcastic words. 'So, what in the hell are you intending to do? Just stroll up there and say 'hi Michael, here's your coffee. Oh, and by the way, did you commit a brutal and bloody murder underground by cutting Dr Hazard's throat and slitting her stomach?' Sure, he's just going to smile and write 'oh yes, that was me!' Get real Dr Loomis!' He sighed, once again she was right. Looking back up at Michael, the killer was now showing him a new message.
I don't know what you're talking about.
"Yeah, ok," he sighed, slumping back into his chair, suddenly feeling a lot older than his just over 70 years. Maybe it was approaching time for him to retire, call it a day. Michael was telling him exactly what Danielle had said, albeit in different words. They would never prove he'd done it and of course Michael knew it too. He made to stand up, not exactly clear what his intention was, when he felt the soft tugging on the sleeve of his suit jacket. He turned back. Michael was still looking at him, but the smirk was gone from his face and was that softness in his usually cold gaze? He sighed, showing his latest message, which was comprised of only six words.
Yes Dr Loomis, I killed her.
As soon as he'd read it, Michael put it into Dr Loomis' shredder and pressed the button. Within seconds, there was no record those six words had ever existed on paper. All that was in the basket beneath was ash.
Now can you possibly go and relax a little? Now you know for certain it's the truth/
"Thank you," it was Dr Loomis' turn to say. "I appreciate you telling me the truth." He sighed. "You know as well as we do, we'll never prove it; all the evidence points to an… unfortunate underground accident. You saw all the crap down there; the official verdict is an accident."
Hmm.
"The only thing we had pointing to you as Danielle herself said, was the motive and that would not stand up in a court of law. Dr Hazard had absolutely no right to be so cruel to her, that was out of order, I… I will say that much."
That's one word for it.
"Good thinking with the shredder…" Dr Loomis lowered his voice and actually leant towards Michael. Yet another thing he would never have done just weeks before. "How in God's name did you get your mask? It's in here," automatically he glanced at the cabinet it was stored in. Michael just looked at him, a slight smile on his lips.
That is my secret.
"Did you?" Dr Loomis almost whispered. "Were you wearing it when…"
I was.
Dr Loomis couldn't stop himself shivering. Jesus, this only confirmed what he'd always known, since the man in front of him was the age of just six. Michael Myers was one scary son of a bitch!
…
When Danielle pressed her call button a few minutes later, it was Sarah, one of the early guards who came to collect her. Danielle didn't know her very well as Michael had said, but she seemed nice enough. "Hi Danielle, it's Sarah. Do you want some breakfast?
Hi Sarah, yes please, I'm starving."
Sarah laughed and guided Danielle into the patient's canteen. Michael wasn't there, so she assumed he was still talking to Dr Loomis or out in the exercise yard. She knew by now that Dr Stark, Rick, Jack and Joanne would be in at 1PM, starting their second late shift. She couldn't wait to see them, and to catch up with Dr Stark, who she hadn't seen for several weeks.
After breakfast, Sarah guided her out into the exercise yard and towards Michael's yellow warning line. Danielle couldn't help wondering again what the guards who didn't really know them thought of what was going on. But of course, she'd never ask, and they were too professional to say anyway.
"Good morning, Danielle," said William's voice. "It's Darren and I here again this morning."
"Morning," Darren said sleepily, which made her smile. She knew he hated mornings. She stepped over the line and instantly Michael pulled her into his arms, as she leant in for a kiss. "Morning darling," she murmured, as he took her hand with his cuffed one. "Are you ok?" As she said this, she realised he wouldn't be able to answer her as he couldn't reach his phone when handcuffed. For the first time ever, she reached into his pants pocket, retrieved his phone and handed it to him. He squeezed her hand in thanks.
Good morning to you too. I'm ok, are you?
"Yes thanks," she yawned. "I was just really tired last night. After…" she smiled at him and squeezed his hand again. She knew he'd understand. He chuckled softly and lowered his head so she could reach his ears. She grinned.
I love you.
"I love you too," she whispered, still unable to believe this was really Michael Myers, the, Michael Myers who was texting her this. Reaching up on her toes, she kissed him again. "We still have loads of chocolate and other junk food in our room," she said. "I looked in the drawer this morning. Speaking of, where did those white chocolate cookies come from?"
Ah, now how could I possibly tell you that?
"You know?" She asked, he just chuckled.
Maybe.
She could hardly believe her ears. Michael Myers was being romantic! Damn, she loved him! She couldn't wait to tell Joanne and Dr Stark her huge news, she'd even almost texted then called Joanne earlier, but had decided she would tell her in person something as big as this. "Please tell me?" She asked, pouting and pretending to be annoyed. He squeezed her close and kissed the top of her head.
I might just have asked a certain someone to get them from the staff canteen for me. I'll have to make an IOU list to pay them back though someday.
"Oh Michael," she hugged him as tightly as she could. "Thank you, I had one and it was lovely!"
You're welcome.
Who would've thought? Michael Myers getting me white chocolate cookies? Damn, I can't wait until he's my husband, I love him so, so much!
…
As soon as they were back in their cell, William handing them hot drinks, they sat down on the leather seat, and Michael drew her into a hug. She rested her head on his shoulder, now certain he had a specific space on it, purely for her head to rest in. She nuzzled her nose against his neck, and he chuckled, squeezing her close. She opened the drawer and asked him what they still had in it.
Cans of apple juice, two boxes of assorted chocolates and some chips.
"Thanks darling," she leant in and kissed him. As much as she didn't want to talk about it, something was on her mind, and she wouldn't be able to relax properly until she had. He was going to be her husband after all. "Darling, can I talk to you about something?"
Of course.
"What would have happened if I hadn't told you I was lost?" She spoke quietly, desperately wanting an answer. "Would we have reconciled?"
Does that still matter to you now?
He didn't sound angry, and it was a fair question. "No, I just wondered how… things might have gone."
Well, I can't answer that, because they went as they did, and I'm very glad about it.
"Fair point, me too."
But if you're asking me whether I would have come to look for you if you weren't where you said you'd be, the answer is yes. If you hadn't answered my first text, as cruel as it was, I would've come to find you. I would never have left you like that all night.
She nodded, taking his hand and squeezing it. "I… I need to show you something now, if that's ok?"
Don't ask me, you know you don't need to do that sweetheart, show me anything, always. You never have to ask my permission for anything.
"Thank you," she blinked back tears. Pulling out her phone, she turned off the screen curtain, (a feature within Voiceover which disables the screen for privacy) and brought their message conversation back into focus. Michael held her close, and she felt him nod, so she knew he was looking. Raising the phone, she typed in 'RS.'
I'm so sorry I'm late replying Sir, I… flashed up on the screen, and she hit send, sending it to him. He kissed the side of her neck and texted her a question mark. "It was… I had to use that so much with Adam, I made a damn keyboard shortcut for it! if I didn't respond to one of his texts within five minutes, I had to send that with details of where I was, who I was with, why I was there, you get the idea. I would then get raped every night, either because he was angry and was going to give me a 'good fucking,' or he'd pretend to 'make love' to me because he forgave me, and I couldn't stop him from doing it. 'Don't do that to me again please baby,' he'd say. 'Text me as soon as I text you, or I worry.' Bullshit! He just wanted all the control! I used that to you last night, because I was trying to find the call button and it was over five minutes since you messaged me."
Oh, Danielle, you know you don't need to call me 'Sir.' I have told you before, I will tell you that as many times as necessary, even if it takes years. For my part, I am so sorry I told you to quit with the 'Sir,' especially after knowing everything he put you through. But you have absolutely no need to use that with me, I would ask you please not to, unless you really can't help it. I'm not 'Sir,' I'm Michael, I love you. Do you feel you can delete that?
"I'd like to," she whispered. "But I'm not sure I can…" Lovingly, he took her phone from her hand and looked in the settings, finally finding the 'text replacement' setting and deleting her 'RS' key. She smiled at him, unable to hold back the tears now.
There, all done. No more apologising for not replying to a message fast enough. Not to me, never. It doesn't matter if it's five minutes, or five hours. If you're busy, or out having fun, so be it.
"Thank you," she just managed to whisper over the lump in her throat. "That means more to me than I could ever tell you."
You're welcome.
He pulled her into his arms again, and they started to kiss. For the first time, she slid into his lap without prompting or by Michael making the move for her. He hugged her tightly and raised her right hand to his left ear. Their mouths opened and their tongues slipped into contact. Eventually he released the kiss and picked up his phone again.
I have something here for you.
Danielle almost started crying when he handed her the leather ring box, already pretty sure of what was inside. She opened it to reveal the gold engagement ring.
Danielle, I obviously know nothing about marriage, but Dr Loomis has told me enough for this. I love you, and I want you to wear this from me. Someday, I will get you a proper engagement ring, I promise.
"Oh Michael, thank you!" Leaning in, she took his mouth in another long kiss. Reaching up, she stroked his short, spikey hair. Damn, her Fiancé was one gorgeous guy! Opening the other box, he showed her the ring he would be wearing. Taking it out, she slipped it onto his left ring finger and handed him hers. Raising her left hand, he slid the ring onto her finger, before kissing the back of her hand. She smiled at him, tears sliding down her face, of complete and utter happiness.
…
"Hello you!" Danielle smiled with delight when she heard Joanne's voice. Standing up, she walked fast to the door and threw herself into Joanne's arms. "I only saw you yesterday," Joanne said, hugging her back. "Missed me, did you?"
"I just have so much to tell you," Danielle gushed. Michael had tactfully left a few moments before, going with Jack to get a coffee. He knew this was a girl's moment.
"Spill, I'm all tiny 'ickle' ears," Joanne said, lowering her head so Danielle was touching said 'ickle' ears. Danielle laughed and hugged her again. "Would you mind if Dr Stark hears this too?" She asked, remembering how she'd asked Dr Stark if Joanne could be present in one of her sessions at the very beginning, now it seemed it was the other way around.
"I wondered why my ears were burning," Dr Stark's voice said, and she beamed as she ran to hug her too. "Damn, how do you do that? You're using that gift again! Hi Dr Stark, how was your leave?"
"Very nice thank you, how are you?"
"I've never been better," she admitted truthfully. "Do you mind if we talk in here? There's a reason for it, I want to show you something."
"Of course," Joanne and Dr Stark said together, entering the room. Danielle sat down on the leather seat, while her guard and doctor stood in front of her. "Shit," she exhaled. "It's a really long story and I don't know where to begin."
"Maybe I can make it a little easier for you," Dr Stark said. "Dr Loomis told me what happened between you and Michael as soon as I got back. About what he almost did to you I mean. Why don't you take it from there? I also know about what Dr Hazard did and Danielle, I am so very sorry. I was furious when Dr Loomis told me that, furious."
"She really was," Joanne said fervently. "I wouldn't have messed with her!" Dr Stark smiled, but only slightly. "She had no right to do what she did, absolutely none. I feel a little guilty I wasn't there."
"Well don't!" Danielle said sharply, taking the consultant by surprise. "You were on leave, so don't you dare go feeling guilty for something that was completely out of your control. It's not like you were speaking to Dr Hazard on the phone, was it? 'Chain Danielle up please, if she breaks any rules like grabbing a guard's radio, she goes in solitary.'"
"Well said," Joanne said, as Dr Stark was momentarily speechless. "Well, that's me told," she said eventually. "Ok boss."
"Nice." Joanne smiled at Danielle. "Damn, you're not someone to mess with anymore."
"So, it would seem," Dr Stark said. "I don't know you anymore, you're so much stronger than the young woman I first met, good for you!"
Danielle took a deep breath and began talking. She told them how Jack, Rick and Joanne had come down into solitary on Cutter's orders, to await Dr Hazard's arrival to release her. She was pretty sure Dr Stark already knew this of course, but she had to get it out. She told them of how they'd found Dr Hazard dead, and the discussion they'd had below ground. She then told them both of how she and Michael had exchanged harsh words, before she'd told him she wanted to go into the cell next door for that night to get away from him. "That's not quite how I put it," she admitted sheepishly.
Joanne chuckled. "Men," she rolled her eyes. "Sounded like Michael was being a typical man." Danielle and Dr Stark both laughed.
"So, I… well I left this room," Danielle said, standing. "This is where can I show you something?"
"Of course," the two women said again. She took Dr Stark's arm and Joanne followed behind, as she unfolded her cane. With its aid, she by pure luck managed to find the passage she'd walked down and stopped outside the cell she'd locked herself in.
"How on earth did you get down here?" Dr Stark asked. "First off, how did no one see you on the cameras, and second that's a long way from the cell next door?"
Danielle chuckled sadly. "Those last were Michael's exact words." Pulling open the door, she walked in and felt the hard bench with her cane she'd tried to sleep on. Yep, this was it. Joanne stayed by the door, keeping it open.
"So, I texted Michael I was lost… and well it didn't go down well at first because he was angry after our… conversation. But then I started looking for a call button, and well, panicked when I couldn't find one. I texted him again and told him I was about to have a panic attack, and he came straight out and found me, taking me back to our room. We… we talked and… reconciled." She felt her face heat up, but both women were too professional to say anything, Dr Stark whistled softly though, and Joanne squeezed her arm. "Sorry," she apologised. "You could probably cook a tomato on my face right now!"
"More like a whole bag," Joanne quipped and the other two chuckled.
"Dr Stark, what is this place?" she asked, still sitting on the bench. Dr Stark came and sat beside her, while Joanne kept the door from closing. "We call it a 'calming box,'" the consultant said. "It's where we put patients who are being abusive or refusing to calm down. It's kind of like the adult equivalent of the naughty step or chair. Patients are only in here for 45 minutes maximum at a time, then we give them another chance, or if that fails, they go into solitary."
She nodded. "That would explain why I couldn't find a call button then, right? They'd be pressing it every five seconds. I also tried to sleep on this bench, but it wasn't big enough, now I understand why. It's not designed to be slept on as you're not on it long enough."
"Correct," Joanne said. "But we do check every few minutes. There's a hatch on the outside of the door."
"That's what scared me the most," she said, tapping the door. "There's no hatch in here. It's not locked from the outside, but of course it doesn't need to be. I would not have got out if Michael hadn't found me until one of the guards did, that's if hopefully I made enough noise!"
"I still don't understand how no one saw you walking down here," Dr Stark said, and Danielle could tell she was not happy about it.
"I thought that too, maybe they were on a shift change over and weren't watching the feed or something?"
"Ug that pisses me off!" Joanne exclaimed furiously. "Someone is supposed to be watching that at all times, they should've seen you coming down here! If I'd been here, I would've been there immediately to find out what was going on."
"I know, thanks Joanne. I just… I wasn't concentrating and I just wanted to get away from Michael. I was so angry and hurt by what he'd said to me, luckily, he found me within minutes."
"I would ask how no one saw Michael either," Dr Stark said, then took a breath. "But… guess there isn't always an answer to that question." Danielle and Joanne laughed humourlessly. "Yeah, like how Dr Hazard had her… accident?" Danielle smiled grimly.
"Well exactly," Dr Stark said.
"You know that's the official version, right?" Joanne said, surprising Danielle. Though she'd been right there, she hadn't expected Joanne to divulge this to a patient, but she was extremely grateful for it. "The CEO has decided it was, as you said, a horrible and unfortunate accident."
"Yeah, ok," she said, her tone sceptical. "A horrible accident, right. But we'd never prove it like I also said."
"Indeed," Dr Stark nodded.
"Isn't this dangerous though?" She asked, tapping the hard bench she and Dr Stark were still sitting on. "Wouldn't a patient hurt themselves? I doubt they just sit still in here and say 'sure, I'll chill!'"
Joanne chuckled. "It could be dangerous, if they weren't either in shackles, or a strait jacket."
"Wo," she shivered. "I'm so glad I've never given you that kind of trouble then!"
Now Dr Stark took her hand and helped her to her feet and out of the 'calming box.' They went back into Danielle and Michael's room, and now it was time for her biggest news of all. She had carefully kept her left hand hidden in her pocket until now. "But that's not all guys," she said, the smile lighting up her whole face. "I asked Michael a certain question last night, and… and he said yes!" Pulling her hand out of her pocket, she showed them her engagement ring.
"Oh congratulations!" Dr Stark and Joanne exclaimed together, both rushing to hug her. She was touched to hear them both close to tears. "Oh, I'm so happy for you!" Joanne almost squealed, making Danielle smile. She had never imagined her professional guard and friend would ever talk like an excited schoolgirl.
"Me too," Dr Stark said.
"Thanks," she was blushing again she realised. "We were just lying in bed talking, and… and I asked him. He asked me if I was serious, I said I was 'deadly.' He said yes."
"Yay!" Joanne and Dr Stark said once again in unison, hugging her again. "Yay Mrs. Myers," Joanne almost sang. "Can I come to the wedding?"
"Well duh," Danielle said, laughing at her guard and friend's genuine excitement. "That's a stupid question. You too, Dr Stark."
"Thank you," Dr Stark smiled. "Do Rick and Jack know? I don't want to say anything if they don't yet."
She shook her head. "No, but I do want to tell them at some point. Unless…" she was stopped at that exact moment, as the corridor doors opened.
"I hear congratulations are in order," said Jack's voice. Danielle smiled all over again as Rick, Jack and Michael entered the room. "I'm so happy for you both," Rick said, as he and Jack hugged Danielle and shook Michael's hand, followed by Joanne and Dr Stark. "Can we come to the wedding?" Rick asked.
"Well of course," Danielle said seriously. "We need some security in case Michael decides to start slaughtering the wedding guests!" Just weeks ago, she would never have dared say that, but now they all burst out laughing and she could hear Michael chuckling.
"Oh, I see how it is," Jack said in a mock wounded voice. "We're just your security guards, I get it."
"Well yeah, why hire some if we won't have to pay you for it?"
"You're a cheeky thing," Joanne teased, hugging her again. "But we love it. This is the Danielle Avery, sorry, Myers sense of humour I heard about in your file back at the beginning, I'm so glad and I feel privileged I'm getting to see it in the flesh."
"Me too," said Dr Loomis' voice, as he now entered. "Like the engagement ring, Danielle? We keep some at Smith's Grove just in case this type of thing happens. But yes, I agree with Joanne, it's so nice to see the woman back who was described to us by those who know and love you!"
"Thanks," she was touched by this and brought close to tears. Michael stepped forward and drew her into his arms.
"You need to watch your wife," Jack warned him. "Keep an eye on her or goodness knows what she'll do next. Firing guns, using radios… I mean seriously!" Everyone laughed again.
…
That night, the guards bought Danielle and Michael a three-course dinner, but they were taken to the office they'd eaten in just before they got together. The table was beautifully laid with candles and sparkling crystal water jugs. There was even a small bottle of champagne and a signed card from the guards and doctors, all the guards on their block had signed it. They'd bought them another chocolate treasure chest as an engagement present. Before Joanne left the room, she'd read the card out and all the signatures.
"How did they arrange this so fast?" Danielle said in awe. "It's been what? Two hours? Some of these guards like Darren, William and Jordan, also of course Mel are not even in tonight and they've still signed it! How?" Michael reached across the table and just as he'd done that night, took her hand in his.