Somewhere in Queens

Danny had driven to Maria's home but remained silent during the drive. He helped her bring the baby's items into the home and watched her put the baby in her crib without waking her. They stepped out and softly closed the door. "Do you want some coffee or something stronger?" asked Maria.

"What I'd really like is for you to help me lower my blood pressure with your secret techniques." Danny took Maria's hand and led her over to the sofa. They sat down with Danny encouraging Maria to sit as close as possible so he could put his arms around his partner. They sat that way for several minutes and Danny could feel the stress leaving his body. "Thanks, Maria. I feel much better. I need to do this more often." Danny sighed and tried to pull her closer. They sat there, quietly for about ten minutes.

"Pretty soon I'm gonna fall asleep,' said Maria. "Now, are you willing to tell me what your father said to you? When you came back to the dining room you were really angry."

"Angry? Yes, but at him, not you. He kept asking me what was going on between us. I told him that it was none of his business. We're not kids, we know how to behave at work. And we won't let our feelings interfere with doing our jobs." Danny took her hand in his. "I know you and I disagree sometimes at work but most of the time you're right and I come around. He just kept asking about you and me and are we doing anything he needs to know. I told him it was none of his business. But I'm all better now, thanks to you." He kissed her on her forehead. "How about if we sit here forever?"

"As much as I enjoy just being here with you, I still have to take care of Elena." She planted a small kiss on Danny's cheek. "Do you know what Sean said to me before we left?"

Danny looked at Maria. "No, what was it?"

"Well, he said that you sleep better those few nights when you stay here, or the baby and I stay with you. I know I sleep better when we're together. Now, don't take this the wrong way but I don't need to be married to you just as long as we're together. But, if being married is what you want, I can think about it. But that would mean not being partners, wouldn't it?"

"Probably. But only if we're still working." Danny thought for a moment then pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Not to change the subject but did you know that you can set up all kinds of reminders on our phones?"

"Yes, I do it all the time for Elena's doctor visits, when the nanny has classes. Sometimes I even make a note to apologize to you but since that rarely happens…"

"Ha-ha. Well, I'm making a note to call Jack and update my will and some of my other legal documents. I do have a question for you."

"Okay…"

"I would like to adopt Elena. I always wanted a daughter, but Linda was happy with two kids. I want to be sure that if something were to happen to either of us, someone would be there for her. But you would have to be okay with that."

Maria sat there, thinking and wondering about the future. " You're sure about this, adopting Elena?" Danny nodded 'Yes' "Tell Jack I want to be there with you, and we'll work on what we need. When I adopted Elena, I had to have a will, medical proxy and a bunch of other things. Jack should know what I have already set up and see what needs to be changed. I hope he doesn't charge as much as the lawyer CPS suggested. I think I'll call HR and see what kind of retirement I can get. Just in case that's what we decide to do.

"You know Jack was my attorney once. Captain Derek Elwood from IAB planted drugs in my car then called in an anonymous tip that I was buying drugs and they were in my car. Even told the 911 operator where they should look in my car. I was cuffed, brought into my precinct, the whole nine yards. It happened before we were teamed up. My grandfather called Jack and asked that the bill be sent to him but his office sent the bill to my home. Linda opened it and we had a great laugh.

"Wait a minute, you were arrested? I know you wouldn't have drugs in your car. Why did he plant them on you?"

"He was a crooked cop. He owed a bookie big time and he was told if he didn't pay up, the book would find its way to the commissioner. He killed the bookie but couldn't find the book. I was investigating the murder and found out about the book. It was hidden in his safe, there was a false bottom and my partner at that time realized something was wrong with the safe, pulled out the false bottom cover and found the book. I was released and got to arrest Elwood. He was charged with second degree murder and I believe he's still upstate. Got twenty five to life."

"How come I never knew that about you?"

"Well, it wasn't something I talked about. Who wants to admit they've been arrested even if it was false."

"Okay, so you were released, what did Jack charge you?"

"You're not gonna believe me but his fee was one dollar. I think he was trying to get back with Erin but, as you know, they aren't married but spend almost as much time together as we do."

"That's a story I'm not sure I believe. Now, do you want to watch a game, a movie, or something else?" Danny took the TV remote and switched to the music channels. He found the channel he wanted and stood up.

He held his hand out to Maria, "Ma'am, would you care to dance?" She smiled up at him and stood up.

"I thought you'd never ask. I'd love to dance with you, sir. Just don't tell my boyfriend, he can be the jealous type." Danny pulled Maria into his arms and got lost gazing into her hazel eyes. He would lean forward from time to time and place a gentle kiss on Maria's nose, cheek, any area he could reach and still keep her close to him.

They spent the rest of the evening dreaming of what their future could be.