Chapter 52 Thomas
THOMAS
The last few weeks have been bliss. Hannah and I are both back to work and we have created some sort of a routine.
On the days we both are off, we are together, going on dates, or spending time with her siblings or mine.
When we both work a day shift, we go to her house or mine after work and have dinner together.
Nine times out of ten we end up spending the night at one or the other’s house, and every time, I wake up with her by my side. It can’t get any better than this.
I’ve learned that Hannah is a bear on the days she has to flip to a night shift schedule. She gets crabbier than I ever could have expected, but it’s nothing a few orgasms can’t fix.
She’s gone to a few more Sunday brunches as well, and has gotten more comfortable with my family. Arlo is still obsessed with her, calling her “My” every chance he can, since words aren’t his strong suit yet.
I’ve gone to dinner with Hannah and her Grandma, and Hannah with Julia and Tiff. It’s been wonderful getting to know them more, to know the people that helped raise the woman I love.
Hannah opened up more about her parents too in that time, and I’ve loved seeing her with her sister, telling stories about their childhoods.
I’m finishing up my shift, and then heading home for the night. Hannah is off shortly too, and I’m going to make us dinner at my place. I head into the station, walking down the halls to the offices. Henry is still on desk duty after getting shot, but soon should be back in the field investigating.
I haven’t been involved in the investigation since I’ve been back, and I’m perfectly okay with that. After putting myself and Hannah in danger, I’m fine with stepping back from it.
I pass by Henry’s office, offering him a wave, but he stops me. “Thomas, you got a sec?” he calls.
“Sure,” I say, heading into his small office.
“I wanted to give you an update.”
I sit down in one of the rickety chairs, waiting for him to continue.
“While we believe we arrested the main dealers and people associated with Chaz, we have reason to believe he has people that he’s been communicating with on the outside.”
“Okay,” I say with a heavy exhale. This could mean many things. “So what now?”
“There hasn’t been any mention of your name specifically, but a few of the undercover guys with the FBI have heard about plans to get back at the department for arresting Chaz and his inner circle.”
A brewing fear starts in my chest. “Am I being sent back to a safe house?”
He shakes his head. “Like I said, we have no reason to believe that you—or Hannah— are being targeted this time. We will keep an eye on it and keep you in the loop, but stay alert. That’s all.”
I nod, standing from my chair. I know I have to tell Hannah, but I don’t want to burst this bubble for her. It seems like her anxiety has been so much better lately. I don’t want to drag her right back to square one. “Thanks for the update, Henry. Let me know if you need anything from me.”
“Will do.”
I leave his office, trying to think this through.
Do I tell her? Henry himself has said there is nothing to worry about right now, but then again, he said to keep an eye out, and I never want to lie to her or withhold any information.
I’ll tell her tonight, and then I’ll hold her through any anxiety she may have.
A soft knocking at my door makes me smile. She should know by now that she doesn’t need to knock before entering my home, but it’s adorable all the same. I wipe my hands on a towel before heading to the front door and opening it.
Hannah stands in front of it, her backpack slung over her shoulder and her pillow and weighted blanket in the other arm.
I lean forward, grabbing the heavy as hell blanket from her.
She insists it helps her sleep, and I think I believe her.
She didn’t bring it along to Ron and Dottie’s house, and the difference in her sleep is immense.
She sleeps like a rock most nights. The only negative about it is that it can make it harder to cuddle her.
“You know you don’t have to knock, freckles.” I kiss her lips, cupping her cheek in my free hand.
She shrugs. “I’m a guest here, I should knock.”
“Baby, you aren’t a guest. You basically live here,” I say, guiding her into the house and shutting the door behind her. After today’s news, I feel a little on edge, so I glance around outside, noting nothing of consequence.
“I do not,” she debates, and I raise my brow as I carry her blanket into my room.
“Yes, you do. If we aren’t at your house, we are here. I don’t mind one bit, but you also have a key.”
“I do?” she questions, glancing down at her keys in her palm.
“You do,” I state. “I put a key on there after we got home.”
“You didn’t tell me that,” Hannah says quietly.
I shrug. “I guess I forgot.”
“Thomas Cunningham, you have the memory of an elephant. There is no way you put a key to your house on my key ring, then forgot.” She drops her bag onto the floor in the corner of my bedroom.
“Maybe it was my way of subtly trying to ask you to move in.” I sit down on the edge of my bed. I didn’t know I was going to bring this up again tonight, I thought maybe I’d give her some more time, but if tonight’s the night, then I’m ready for it.
“You…” Hannah pauses, clasping her hands together and picking at the skin around her nails. “You said we could go slow.”
“I did,” I answer, standing to take her hands in mine, stopping their abuse on themselves.
“But I also know what I want, Hannah. Just because you have a key to my house, doesn’t mean that you need to move in right away.
But it makes sense to keep things here. Unless you want me to move into your place?
” I don’t see how we would all fit in that tiny apartment, but we’d make do if it’s what she wanted.
She shakes her head abruptly. “Don’t be silly. We wouldn’t fit. And I think my landlord is catching on to the fact that Arson is there often. We technically can’t have pets.”
“Then it makes sense to move in here.”
“It does,” she mutters, trying to pull her hands free from mine. I don’t let her.
“It doesn’t have to be right away,” I reiterate, and she nods, leaning her head into my chest.
“My lease is up in two months, maybe we can talk about it again then?” she questions.
“Of course, baby. In the meantime, I’m getting you a weighted blanket to keep here.
That thing is way too heavy to keep lugging around.
” I kiss the top of her head, holding her for another moment.
Arson squeezes his way in between our legs, desperate for her attention. He really does love her more than me.
“Hi buddy,” Hannah murmurs, pulling away from me and bending down to love on him.
“I made a roast for dinner. Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she replies, standing and following me into the kitchen where I dish us both up some roast and potatoes. We sit down at my dining room table, where she tells me about some of the calls she had today, and what her grandma has been up to this week.
Julia and Tiff are coming to town this weekend, so it will be nice to spend some time with them again. I think I’m going to invite them and her grandma to Sunday Brunch too. The table is getting very full, but we can always make room for family.
“How was your day?” she asks, finishing the last bite of her meal.
“Good,” I reply. “Can’t complain I suppose. I talked to Henry a bit.”
I don’t miss the tensing of Hannah’s shoulders. “You did?”
“Yep. There’s nothing to worry about,” I say quickly. “But, there is some evidence that suggests the dealers that haven’t been arrested yet are starting to plot something against the department. Nothing concrete yet, though.”
Hannah doesn’t look up as she wipes her face with her napkin. Her hands shake with the motion. “Baby, don’t worry. We’re safe. They don’t foresee it being a problem.”
“What about you?” she whimpers, finally meeting my gaze. Her blue eyes are full of watery tears. “They came after you once, what if they come after you again? What if they are successful this time? Thomas, I can’t do this without you.”
“You don’t have to. I promise I’m safe. We are safe. They are keeping a close watch on it, and they have agents working undercover to assure that.” I scoot my chair closer to her, and wrap my arm around her, holding her to me.
Her breathing is rapid and short, so I coach her through some deep breathing. Once her breaths match mine, I lean away to look into her eyes. “I am not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, and my annoying dog, too. I told you because you deserve to know.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs, wiping at her splotchy, tear stained cheeks. “As anxious as it makes me, I am thankful you told me. I appreciate it.”
“Of course. Henry made sure to let me know we are safe. We don’t need to go back to Ron and Dottie’s, or lay low. We can live our lives.”
She nods, taking another deep breath. “Okay. I can work with that. I am going to have to get used to being scared every time I say goodbye to you, though.”
“Your job is nearly as dangerous as mine is,” I reply, pushing her hair from her face. “I worry about you too, you know. We both work in dangerous fields.”
“I suppose that’s true,” she replies. “You more than me, though.”
“Agree to disagree,” I respond. “Now, are you okay?”
“I think so,” she says, nodding her head.
“Want to watch a movie or something?”
Hannah shakes her head. “I actually had something else in mind…”
“Oh did you?” I question, with a hint of mischief in my voice, tilting my head.
She smiles, standing from the chair, taking her plate and glass and heading in the direction of my kitchen. “You’ll have to wait and find out. We need to do the dishes first.”
“You’ve turned into quite the tease, freckles.”
“I learned from the best,” she says, turning back to offer me a wink. I watch the sway of her hips with a groan as she strides into my kitchen.