Author's Note: It's short and it's fluffy, exactly what we want for a conclusion, right? :) Thank you for your reviews.
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Chapter 49-It's Been an Honor
The day had finally come. Hank's retirement day. After serving the city of Chicago for over thirty years, he was turning in his badge to spend the rest of his life with his family.
Hank initially refused a party, but Erin insisted, and after several weeks of back-and-forth arguments, Hank reluctantly agreed to let her set up a small party.
Hermann agreed to hold the party at Molly's, open only to CPD, CFD, and of course, Hank's family. Hank asked Erin to keep it small, but knowing her, it would be bigger than he wanted, but if she needed to have the party in order to gain closure, he'd smile and go along with it.
As Hank prepared to leave for work and poured a cup of coffee, he felt his wife's arms slip around his waist and her lips find his shoulder. He smiled as he put his hands on top of hers, pulling her arms tighter around him.
"Morning, Jen."
"Good morning, babe," Jenna said softly. "Are you ready for your last day?"
Hank turned around in her arms, pulling her tight into his. "I'm more than ready. This time tomorrow, I plan to still be lying in bed next to you."
"I like this plan," Jenna said, kissing him hard.
Hank reluctantly pulled away. "Gotta go. Don't want to be late on my last day. I'll see you this afternoon?"
Jenna nodded. "We'll be there. Have a good day, Sergeant."
Hank pulled her close and kissed her again. "Promise you'll keep calling me Sergeant even when I'm not one?"
"Always," Jenna said. She quickly kissed him again before pushing him toward the door. "Go to work. I'll see you later."
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At Molly's later that afternoon, surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, Hank accepted congratulations, well-wishes, and "we'll miss you" greetings from the people that mattered the most to him. He was very surprised at the number of people who showed up to say goodbye, and he greatly appreciated the effort made to offer him a celebration.
After the large group had gathered, Erin grabbed a microphone and walked to one end of the room to get everyone's attention.
"Can I have your attention please?" Erin said into the microphone, trying to quiet the room.
"Oh man, who gave Lindsay a mic?" Adam asked.
"I heard that, Ruzek," she said, glaring at Adam. "Thank you all for coming today. I know Sergeant Voight appreciates you being here, even if he is here under protest."
The room erupted in laughter, knowing how true Erin's statement was.
"I just wanted to take a moment to say a few words about my Sergeant, my mentor, my friend, and my father. Many of you know this, but in case anyone doesn't, when I was fifteen years old, Hank and his wife Camille took me in off the street, completely changing the course of my life, essentially saving my life. There's no doubt in my mind that I'd be dead if he hadn't helped me. Then a few years ago, when I got the phone call that he'd agreed to lead the Intelligence unit and he wanted me on it, I knew I had to be a part of this unit. I knew I had to serve this city beside him."
Erin stopped for a moment, fighting back tears.
"A few years ago, I was approached to be a part of a federal task force. The attorney who asked me encouraged me to take the job because I was getting a reputation as "Voight's girl". What I said to him was true then, and it's still true today. I should be so lucky. Hank, thank you for your service to this city, for your dedication to justice, for being a great leader for this unit, and for being my father. I hope you enjoy your retirement, and I hope that Jenna doesn't get sick of you." Hank laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "If she does, you're welcome to come hang out with us to give her a break. Congratulations Hank. We love you, and we'll miss you."
As everyone clapped, Hank walked up and gave Erin a huge hug. "Thanks kiddo."
They started to walk away, but everyone started calling for Hank to make a speech. He tried to get out of it, but the microphone was thrust into his hands.
"I…uh…don't do speeches, but I just…thank you all for being here. I appreciate it."
He tried to walk away again, but someone in the audience yelled, "So are you retiring to Florida? Or somewhere else to get away from these Chicago winters?"
Hank thought for a moment before he answered. "This city, Chicago…it's MY city, my home. It's always been my city, and even if I'm not serving it in this role anymore, it will always be my city."
His eyes found Jenna's, and a smile stretched across his face. "That being said, when I leave here today, I get the privilege to spend the rest of my days with those two beautiful girls right over there. I would follow them to the ends of the earth. So, right now, no plans to leave Chicago. Who knows where life will take us, but no matter where I am, as long as I'm with them, I'm home."
As everyone started clapping, Jenna mouthed "love you".
Hank immediately made his way over to Jenna and took her in his arms. He buried his face in her hair as he cradled her and Emerson against him. "I love you. So much."
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After Molly's, Hank and Jenna met the rest of Hank's team back at the district. Hank wanted to end his final hours as a sergeant back at the district with his unit to say goodbye.
When everyone had arrived, they all pulled chairs to the middle of the room and formed a circle. Hank was uncomfortable because Erin and Kim both had tears in their eyes already, but he knew this was how he needed to spend his last moments as their sergeant. After a few moments of silence, with everyone struggling to find words to convey their feelings, Antonio started things off.
"Sarge, I think I can speak for everyone when I say we're going to miss you, but for me personally, you have become a friend that I never expected. I'd heard of you throughout my career, but I didn't meet you until a very difficult time in your life. I didn't understand, and I made it a vendetta to tear you down. I can't tell you the amount of satisfaction I got to put those cuffs on your wrists."
Antonio stopped as everyone laughed.
"I was very skeptical when you asked me to join this unit. I thought that you were maybe bringing me on to try to destroy my career, but Hank, I learned so much from you, and I appreciate your friendship very much."
"Thank you Antonio," Hank said, as Antonio hugged him. "That means a lot."
One by one, the other members of Intelligence shared their own thoughts, told stories, and thanked their sergeant for his leadership. A steady stream of tears flowed down Jenna's face as she listened to the kind words and stories about her husband. She'd always been proud of him, but she was overwhelmed as she heard how much he meant to his team.
When everyone was finished, it was Hank's turn to share his goodbyes. After a few moments of silence, he reached for Jenna's hand, hoping her touch would give him the strength to convey his thoughts and feelings to his unit.
Finally, he was able to speak. "Thank you all. You know I don't do feelings very well, but I will do my best." He nodded his head toward Jenna. "This one makes me talk about feelings, so I'll try to channel her a little bit. The years I spent in the gang unit really changed me as a person, or at least pulled out traits that were buried inside me that had no business coming out. When I went to prison, I was in one of the lowest points in my life. I honestly thought my life would probably end before my sentence was up, so if…things hadn't worked out the way they did, I would've died in there. I never expected to be promoted to Sergeant once I was out, but it felt like I finally had a fresh start. Erin, Al, and Antonio, I knew immediately that I wanted you in my unit. You are three of the best detectives and best people I've ever known, and I'm grateful for your friendship. Jay, Antonio recommended you, and I'm glad that you agreed to join this unit. Since I brought you in, you can repay me by making sure I get lots of grandbabies."
Jay covered his face with his hand, turning slightly red as the rest of the group laughed.
"Just make sure you keep the rest of this group in line." He looked around the circle at the others. "I expect all of you to show him the respect he deserves as your new sergeant. Be good to him."
Hank continued to speak to the remaining members of the unit. "Kim, you're very smart and a hard worker and you have done even better than I thought you would. You belong up here. Kevin, I've seen you grow so much, not just as a cop, but as a man, and I'm very proud of you. Adam, Alvin brought you up from the academy for one case. I still have no idea why we kept you around, but you've surprised us all."
Adam couldn't contain his laughter. "Thanks Boss."
"Keep up the good work. Hailey, I don't think I've ever had someone stand up to me the way you did when we met, but I knew this unit needed you, so I'm glad you joined us."
He reached over and took Erin's hand, squeezing it tight in his as tears rolled down her face. "It's ok. I love you kiddo." He looked back up at everyone else. "I love you all. Thank you for your service to this city, and thank you for being in my unit. It's been an honor and privilege to work with you all."
After hugs and goodbyes, everyone began mingling and preparing to leave. Hank walked into his office to gather his last box of personal belongings.
As he walked out of his office for the last time, Hank looked around the room, soaking in the last few minutes as part of the force. For the last thirty years, his main focus, his identity had been his job. He loved what he did, putting criminals away, seeking justice for victims, protecting the city, his city. As his eyes drifted over to Jenna, cradling Emerson as Erin, Hailey, and Kim gathered around them, he couldn't help but smile. As much as he would miss the action and excitement of his job, he couldn't wait to spend every day for the rest of his life with his wife and baby girl.
Hank and Jenna walked out of the district, hand in hand, Hank carrying Emerson in her car seat. As they drove home, Hank took one last look at the district in his rear view mirror. Jenna squeezed his hand and he looked over at her for a moment, pulling her hand to his lips and kissing it softly.
"Today was a good day," Jenna said.
"It was a good day. I'm glad I listened to Erin and agree to all of this…fluff. But as good as today was, tomorrow will be even better."
"Oh yeah?" Jenna asked.
"Yeah, because I get to wake up and spend the day with my two favorite girls."
They stopped at a red light, so Hank took advantage of the moment and leaned over, kissing Jenna deeply.
"I love you Jen."
"I love you Hank. Forever."
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Author's Note: Up next, the epilogue.