Chapter 59
59
BEN
“Come on, Rex.” I pat my thigh as I hold the back door to the cruiser open. He’s mostly moving freely again, but he still can’t put his full weight on the leg that was injured, which means he can’t run yet. I’ve been told he’ll be able to run again, but not as fast as before, so we’ve settled for short, slow walks around the block for now.
Evan gives him a small boost, and once he’s securely inside the cruiser for his very last ride into the precinct, I close the door. Nervous energy rockets through my system. It’s our last day on the job—not that Rex will be working. Hope will take him home while I go on patrol for the last time.
She leans in and kisses me. “See you there,” she murmurs.
I return her kiss, keeping it chaste in front of Evan. “Thanks for coming.”
“We wouldn’t be anywhere else. This is an important day for both of you.”
Evan and Hope follow in her car, and when I arrive at the precinct, I find an empty parking spot out back. I open the gate that separates me from Rex and he surges forward. We need to be together for this special moment. Then, I put the planned call into dispatch. “Car three-Adam-twenty-five.”
A static buzz sounds. “Car three-Adam-twenty-five.” Katie’s voice sounds over the radio, and Rex tilts his head to the side, his ears twitching. Normally, when he hears her voice over the radio, it’s to call us out to work. Not today, though.
I get choked up with the next words I’m about to speak. “Will you show K9 Rex 10-42?”
“Copy break,” Katie announces. “All units prepare to copy a special transmission. This transmission is for decorated K9 Officer Rex.” I look at the best partner an officer could ever hope for. “Rex is coming in for his final goodbye. Due to a career-ending injury, he’s heading into retirement after serving our city for the past six and a half years. We want to thank him for his service and his dedication to keeping our city and its citizens safe.” Katie pauses, and I hear her take a deep breath.
“With more than three hundred deployments, Rex has made a significant impact in our community. We thank him for bringing fifty-five children home safely to their parents, eleven missing adults home to their families, and aiding in the apprehension of 186 offenders over the course of his career. He’s been instrumental in seizing over $120,000 in illegal drug money and twenty-five pounds of methamphetamine, as well as locating and seizing other illegal substances. He has participated in forty-two demonstrations at public elementary and high schools, as well as at community events, showcasing his skills and tenacity in taking down criminals.”
My eyes sting, and my nose tingles as I listen to Katie list his achievements. I press my lips together to stem the emotions threatening to spill over as I rub Rex’s jaw. He nuzzles into me, almost as if he knows this is his goodbye.
“Rex has earned the respect and admiration of his peers, and deserves a much-needed rest.”
A tear falls over my lashes and trails down my cheek as Rex and I watch each other, his eyebrows moving up and down as his eyes trace over my face.
“We thank him for keeping his handler safe over the course of his career and for bringing him home after every shift. We wish him the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys his time being a dog with long days resting in the sunshine, belly rubs, and indulging in his favorite treats. You will be missed, Rex. K9 Rex, you are 10-42 for the final time at 1809.” Emotion drips from Katie’s words. Everyone at the precinct loves Rex, and I know they’re all going to miss him.
“We all copy. Thank you,” announces Captain Thoms.
“Everybody copies.”
“Good job, boy,” I tell him through sniffles. “What do you say?”
I hold the radio close to his face so Rex can sign off with a bark, and I follow him with a simple acknowledgement of appreciation.
I blow out a long breath. That was tough. Tougher than I expected. I climb out of the cruiser and adjust my belt, then help Rex down, protecting his injured leg.
Once I have his lead, I head toward the back entrance of the building. When we step inside the door, my breath catches. Unexpectedly, a guard of honor lines the hallway with what looks like every available police and dispatch officer, as well as admin staff.
I grin proudly, and Rex wags his tail excitedly, making his rump shake from side to side. His claws clip—unevenly because of his limp—on the polished linoleum as I lead him down the passage amid pats and words of congratulations.
At the end of the line are Captain Thoms and Commander Stiles, as well as Hope and Evan. Once Rex notices them, he tugs on the lead, his feet slipping on the polished floor while his tail goes ballistic. Everyone laughs at his excitement, and when Evan drops to his knees, I release the lead so boy and dog can be reunited. He’s so excited that Rex is his now.
I shake hands with my captain and commander, then pull Hope in for a hug, chastely kissing her cheek in front of my colleagues. She squeezes me tight as she looks up at me, checking that I’m okay because she knows this is a tough day for me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Hope, Evan, and the jellybean are my priorities now, and I’m thankful I’m allowed to keep Rex in his retirement.
Everyone gathers around to listen to our commander’s retirement speech, reiterating most of what Katie announced in Rex’s special announcement. Snacks and drinks are set up on a table, and officers grab something to eat on their way out after saying goodbye to Rex. Katie presents Rex with his own small cake, which he demolishes in around fourteen seconds flat.
“Well, I’m glad he liked it,” she says with a chuckle as she rubs his scruff. She leans down, nuzzles him between his ears, and lays a kiss there. When she pulls away, her blue eyes are shiny with tears. “I’m gonna miss you, buddy.”
“You’re welcome to come and visit him any time, Katie.”
She pushes to her feet and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you. I just might do that.” When she pulls away, she jabs her thumb over her shoulder. “I’d better get back. Good luck with your last shift, Ben.”
“Thanks.”
I glance at the time and share a smile with Hope. “I need to get out on patrol.” I rub Rex’s head. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“You sure you don’t want us to pick you up?”
I shake my head. “Nah. Seb’s coming off the night shift too, so he’s happy to pick me up and bring me home. I need to make a stop on the way, so I’ll be a little late.” As much as I miss them, I’m hoping they’ll already be at work and school by the time I get home, which will be ideal for my plan to work.
Hope presses up on her toes to place a soft kiss on my cheek. “Be careful, please.” I can’t miss the worry in her eyes.
“I will. Promise.” I squeeze her in reassurance.
I say my goodbyes, then sign in for my last shift. I never thought I’d leave the police force before I turned thirty. I imagined I’d be retiring in my sixties after a very long career. I imagined climbing the ranks and possibly becoming the commander, but it wasn’t meant to be. As much as I’ve always wanted to be a cop, I want to be here for my family more.
I climb into Seb’s truck, dump my bag on the floor, and pull the seatbelt across my body. “Thanks, man.”
“No problem. How was your last shift?” he asks as he checks over his shoulder and presses the gas.
“Uneventful,” I tell him as he pulls away from the curb and I mentally say farewell to the precinct.
“That’s good. Better than having to deal with a ton of crap.” I nod. “Still want to make that stop?”
“Yes, please, if you don’t mind. Did you bring the beers?”
He tips his head toward the backseat. “Yep.”
I glance into the back and see three bottles of beer, a black velvet ring box I had asked him to hold for me so Hope wouldn’t discover it before I was ready, and the box set of Theodore Boone by John Grisham. I’m hoping Evan will love these—especially since I sourced a signed edition.
Sebastian pulls into the parking lot closest to the main gate, and we climb out, collecting the beer and Hope’s engagement ring. We make our way through the large iron gate and follow the path to Wyatt’s final resting place. The area around his headstone is well maintained, and I crouch in front of it to trace the chiseled letters with my finger.
I shake my head and look up at my long-time friend. “He was so fucking young, and he left so much behind.”
He heaves a loud sigh. “Life’s so fucking cruel.” Something we both fully understand.
We both drop our asses onto the grass, and I crack open my beer and Wyatt’s, even though it’s only 7:30 in the morning. Seb and I catch up like we normally do as we drink our beer. For every drink I take, I pour Wyatt’s into the grass as if we’re sharing a drink.
I tell Seb all about the special broadcast and the fuss everyone made for Rex’s retirement yesterday evening, and he tells me all about a guy who overcorrected while speeding and drove over a sidewalk, collecting a stop sign before coming to a stop in someone’s front yard.
I take my last swig of beer. “Hey, do you mind giving us a minute?”
He nods and climbs to his feet, collecting the empty bottles. “Meet you at my truck.”
I dig the box out of my pocket and fidget with it as I gather my thoughts. “So … ah … you probably already know I love Hope and Evan more than I’ve ever loved anyone before. I gave up my dream job as a cop so they wouldn’t experience the daily trauma of worrying about my safety.” I swallow the lump in my throat that feels like sawdust. “They’ve already lost enough, and I’d do anything to keep their hearts safe.”
I repeatedly snap the lid of the small velvet box open and closed and shift on my butt. “Uh, you probably also know we’re expecting a baby.” I glance around, then back to the headstone, paying close attention to Wyatt’s name. “I’d like to call him or her Sullivan, if that’s okay with you. I figure it works whether we have a boy or girl. And I’d like to honor you in some small way.”
I open the box and look at the engagement ring that’s nestled in the black velvet cushion inside. A simple princess-cut diamond centered on a channel-set platinum band. It’s classically beautiful, and it reminds me of Hope.
“I also wanted to ask if it would be okay with you if I proposed to your wife. I know she’ll always love you, and I’m okay with that. You were her first love, and you’re the father of her son. I would never expect her to stop, but I hope I’ve shown her that she can love both of us. I’ve already asked Evan, as well as your parents and hers. I even asked Shane and Nix, because I know they were important to you.” I snap the lid closed. “I promise to always make Hope and Evan my top priority and to keep them safe. To make sure they’re loved every day; the way they deserve.”
I climb to my feet and touch the headstone. “They’ll always be your everything, but now they’re mine too.”