Joe's pov
I was a bit nervous about returning to work today. Given there was no work with the task force comprised of our family, nor was I needed to work ops with any other law enforcement division, I was working regular cases. Which meant a new partner, the first since LA's death. To say breathing was hard to accomplish was an understatement. Between the appointment of a new partner further cementing LA being gone, and the fact that a new partnership meant a new fellow brother or sister in blue in harm's way because of me, I was not doing so hot.
When I got to Brooklyn North, my precinct, I saw a familiar face. It belonged to an apparent transfer from Warwick PD, Emily Miller. I felt a pang of anxiety along with the surge of happy nostalgia. I had met my best girl friend in kindergarten, and she had even been part of the wedding per Laurie's request, let alone approval. Laurie understood she was the sister I never had. I was already nervous with a stranger's life in my hands after LA, but EM?!
Thankfully, she knew me too well, sometimes annoyingly well
"What happened to your last partner was NOT your fault, and you don't have to be nervous about me. I trust you."
Scared and annoyed at being scared, I replied
"That's the PROBLEM, Em!" The last person to trust their life to me is six feet under!"
She shook her head
"Not your fault. And your family trusts you with their lives every day, they're all here. Now, let's go show Brooklyn what we've got. It'll be like the old times."
I allowed myself to chuckle
"So, you pull pranks while I'm your lookout?"
She rolled her eyes
"I recall that being the other way around, thank you very much."
Full on laughing now, I shot back
"Maybe I SHOULD have been the lookout, because you always signaled too late and we'd get caught."
Deadpan tone in her voice, she retaliated
"You got caught because you egged every house but yours, Joseph."
To that fair accusation, I had no comeback, making my best friend grin at her sweet victory before we headed to rollcall. I'll admit she set me at ease as she normally did, and Laurie texted me
Surprised with your new partner? She told me she was transferring to your precinct and I asked your CO for this partnership. Thought it would make things better.
Smiling, I texted back
Extremely surprised, and grateful. Thank you, I love you so much. See you tonight."
I was working a morning shift, and she was working an afternoon one, so nighttime was our one chance. Grandpa and Pop were keeping CJ, Star, Dusty and Stacy, allowing us a romantic night in. She sent me a message that left me smiling and weak to the knees
See you tonight. Oh, and I may be wearing this. Or less...
Attached under the message was a picture of a racy red lacy nightgown from Victoria Secret that I had not seen since our honeymoon. Smiling, I texted back
You are such a tease, Mrs. Hill-Reagan.
All she sent back was a winky face and a heart emoji, then I followed Em to face another day on the streets.