Chapter 9
Caitlyn sat down next to her father as a young women brought tea for the two, and sat it down on the table next to the pair.
"Thank you Agitha, that will be all for now". Caitlyns father then grabbed her hand. "So what's been bothering my sweet daughter"?
Caitlyn didn't even know where to begin. She started telling him about getting new recriuts. How all the extra officers meant more work for her. How she was now the Sherriff of the commissioners daughter, which only adds to her stress. She told him everything, everything except Vi. She couldn't bring herself to tell her father about the young women who she considered her friend, but she didn't know why. Why would she hide this detail from him. She told him how she scolded officers, and even suspended 2 of them for gossiping about the commissioners daughter. But before she could tell him about her confrontation with Vi, she just stopped. "I feel like I'm losing myself, like I no longer have control of my emotions anymore".
Caitlyns father just looked at her, and gave her a little smile. "so what's their name"? Is all he said.
Caitlyn looked at him very confused at this question. "Their name", she repeated?
"Well I'm sure the special person who has stolen my daughters heart has a name".
Caitlyns eyes began to fill with tears. "How did you know".
"Well I knew it would have to be something big to get my daughter to finally lose control. You have always been so steady and sure footed, but also very closed off. I knew the day you finally found love that it would throw you off balance". He gave a small chuckle. "So what is the name of this special person who has finally won over my daughter".
Caitlyn looked at her father in shock. "love", she thought to herself. There's no way she was in love with Vi, she knew she cared for her deeply, of course she considered Vi a special friend. Occasionally she would let herself visualize Vi as more than a friend, but she would always stop herself immediately.
"Love, father no, I don't love Vi", or do I Caitlyn thought, before once again denying herself to think about it.
"Oh my sweet Caitlyn. You always did deny yourself true happiness, maybe thinking you don't deserve it, or scared that it might change you. I always did what I could, hoping you would never deny love. I know your mother never made things easy on you. I know she would tell you love makes you weak, but it's not true. Love makes you human. It's a feeling you should never deny yourself of, or you will regret it. Maybe not now, but I promise you, it's not worth living a life without it".
Caitlyn's father then took both of her hands in his. "You are deserving of love, even if it changes you. And Vi, is a lovely name, I hope to get to meet her soon".
Caitlyn began to sob falling into her father's arms. "I love you", is all she could get out.
"I love you too Caitlyn".
Caitlyn lay in her father's arm a few more minutes, before leaning back kissing his cheek. "I better get going, I have a call with the mayor I need to prepare for". Truth was she knew her mother would be home for lunch, and she didn't dare run into her, especially now she had been crying. She also needed to process her new realized feelings for Vi, and didn't need her mother's input for that.
"Please come back and visit soon, things get pretty lonely around here".
"Of course father" giving him one last hug before heading back to her car.
She turned onto the highway back to the main part of town. "I'm in love with Vi"? Caitlyn said out loud with still a questionable hesitation. "I'm in love with Vi". This time with a little more assurance. "I'm in love with Vi". Tears starting to feel her eyes. "I am in love with Vi". She said one last time before allowing herself to feel it.
Before Caitlyn knew it she was home. She ran into her apartment feeling happy, even hopeful. Now that she knows she feels this way nothing was going to stop her from repairing her relationship, and trying to become more than friends with the girl she was in love with.
She grabbed her laptop and began writing Vi an email. After writing and deleting multiple emails, she decided this is something better said in person. But how would she convince Vi to meet her. She knew Vi wouldn't be willing to just come see her, especially after what she said last time they were in person. "Maybe if I show up at her place, she will have no choice but to hear me out". Caitlyn knew if she were to show up to Vi's, that she needed to know what she was going to say. It needed to be an apology first. She needed Vi to know she messed up, and hope Vi could find it in her heart to forgive her. Then and only then would Caitlyn be able to confess her love to Vi.
Caitlyn began writing, and tossing multiple sheets of paper away, searching for the right words to say to Vi. As the day grew older, she allowed herself to take a break, knowing this was something worth taking time for. She knew she wasn't going to go to Vi's tonight. After all it was still a work night for Vi, and she knew this confession might throw her off. So she would wait till Saturday.
3 o'clock chimed in at the precinct as Vi and Alina were working on the paperwork from an earlier arrest. Vi writing with extra enthusiasm kept breaking her pencils. Alina considered offering her a pen, but didn't want to see how that would end.
"So what are we going to do about you being in love with the Sherriff"?
Vi began chocking on her own spit as she quickly looked around to make sure no one heard what Alina just said. Thankfully the office was mostly empty with most officers being out on patrol.
"What in the hell did you just say" Vi exclaimed a little angry and embarrassed.
"Oh Vi, there is no need to hide it from me. I want to help".
"I am not in love with Cait, I mean the Sherriff".
Alina now chuckling "Oh please girl, tell me your not in denial"?
"I'm not denying anything I", but before Vi could finish her sentence Alina leaned closer to Vi and cut off her words.
"You most certainly are. I've known it since the day I started. You can be in the worst mood, but a simple smile from Caitlyn instantly changes that. You talk about her non stop even if the conversation has nothing to do with her, you will find a way to bring her in it. If she doesn't invite you to sit you her for lunch you get sad and frown".
"I don't frown"
"you most certainly do. And every time Caitlyn walks through the office you find a reason to get up and talk to her, getting all giddy and excited,".
"I don't do that". Her face becoming red in embarrassment, for Vi knew very well she did all of that.
Alina smiled "and you always rub your hand through your hair before making eye contact with her, like your trying to peacock. And since she has been out, you have looked into her office at least every 10 minutes like she will magically appear, and when she doesn't I can see a part of you break".
Vi wanted to deny all these accusations but knew it was pointless. She leaned her head foreword on her desk. "so what if I'm in love with her, she clearly doesn't feel the same way".
Alina chucked a little more loudly this time, bringing Vi up from the desk.
"You really don't think that women loves you back, wow you 2 really are made for each other".
Vi looked at her with confusion. "what makes you think she loves me"?
"Well I'll admit Caitlyn isn't as obvious as you, but there are still many signs. Whenever Caitlyn enters the office, no matter how busy it is she always looks for you right away. After locating you, she gives off a small smile. When we are here doing paper work, and your becoming stressed, it's like she can feel your emotions, and will always come out of her office placing her hand on your shoulder, helping you to visibly relax. If she goes hours in the mornings without seeing or talking to you, she becomes stressed. And when ever you would flirt with me or touch me, I could see it physically, and emotionally destroy her".
Vi looking shocked at this last one. "why did you never say something"?
"Well I never felt it was my place. I was still trying to fit in here, trying to get to know you as my partner and friend. And as I did get to know you I'll be honest, part of me didn't want to in hopes that I had a chance with you. But as soon I you told me your heart belonged to someone else I knew I never stood a chance".
Vi smiled. "Babe in another life, I would be all over you".
Alina now blushing. "So how do we fix this"?
"I don't know if we can. If Caitlyn once loved me, I'm afraid she doesn't anymore. No way she could love me and say those things".
Alina reached her hand foreword to Vi's. "unfortunately she said those things because of how much she loves you. Only someone that in love would get that jealous, and people always do stupid things when in love".
"I guess I'll have to trust you on this one. I suppose I could come up with some grand gesture, try and win her back or something like that".
"Caitlyn doesn't seem like a grand gesture kind of girl. I have an idea though. Bring a bag of decent clothes to work tomorrow. We will plan on getting off work a couple hours early".
"And how exactly would we get off early on a Friday"?
"oh Vi you really need to learn to be more observant". Alina said while now adjusting her breasts to make them look more perky, fluffing up her hair, and reapplying her lipstick. Just then Sgt Andrew's started walking around the corner. Alina quickly jumped up running over to him, while bumping into him making it look like an accident. "oh Sgt Andrews, I'm so sorry", as she ran her hand along his arm.
Vi smiled while she watched Alina giggle and continue to touch his arm.
Alina returned to her desk moments later. "alright we can leave at 3 tomorrow, to you know, do a little undercover investigation at that shop that keeps getting robbed". Alina said while winking at Vi.
"Damn, color me impressed babe".
All Vi could do now was trust in Alina. She knew this girl wouldn't let her down, and after her talk today, she knew this girl was smarter than most gave her credit for.