Perfect Storm

Chapter 39 - Perfect Storm

Six Months Later

Spring was probably Hank's favourite time of year. The sound of birds chirping in the trees, the smell of rain in the air, bold colours replacing the dull greys of winter. As he looked out over the increasingly familiar landscape, he closed his eyes, the gentle breeze dancing across his skin.

Here, he felt close to her; close to them both.

Opening his eyes once more, he crouched down level with the marble headstone, placing his palm against the cool surface before running his fingers of the ridges of the engraving.

It had been six months since he'd cradled her in his arms, begging and pleading with her not to leave him as blood spilled onto the floor of a dingy warehouse roof. Hank dropped his eyes to the ground, using his free hand to clear away the fallen leaves and overgrown shrubbery, gently placing the bunch of flowers down just under the stone. Lilies and white roses.

Tracing his fingertips over Camille's name, he let a small smile creep onto his face.

"You made me promise that I'd move on and find someone to love me. I think I exceeded your expectations, sweetheart. She drives me crazy. Stubborn as a mule, downright terrifying when she's angry but, my God, she loves deeper than you'd ever believe was possible."

Leaning forwards, he pressed his lips to the cold stone for a long beat before pulling away. With his face still close to the white marble, he whispered.

"She's the perfect storm."

Pushing to his feet, he reached over to pat the top of Justin's headstone.

"I love you both."

Hank turned on his heel and followed the well-trodden path back to his car. As he rounded the big willow tree, his eyes came to rest on the figure waiting at the car. Coming to a stop in front of her, Hank wrapped his arms around Kate's waist, dipping is head to press a gentle kiss to her lips, taking comfort in her arms as she pulled him close.

"You okay?"

Hank smiled, his forehead resting against hers as his hand slid from her waist to the very prominent swell of her stomach.

"I'm just perfect."

"I'm sorry...I was hoping to update you hours ago but the surgery was more complex than we initially anticipated. We were forced to resect part of her liver to control the bleeding but she had already lost a lot of blood."

Hank could feel his very soul slipping away from him with each passing word.

"She's still in critical condition but, if she makes it through the next few hours, we're hopeful they'll make a full recovery."

If Kevin hadn't have been nearby to reach out and steady him, Hank was sure his knees would have hit the linoleum in gratitude.

"Can I see her?" The doctor nodded, gesturing for Hank to precede him out of the waiting room but, before he could get too far, Matthew piped up from behind him.

"Wait, who's they?" His brow was furrowed in confusion as he looked between Hank and the doctor.

Hank turned to face him and, for the first time in what felt an age, a smile tugged at his lips.

"All things going well, in six months' time you're going to be an uncle."

Matt's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline as everyone else within earshot also processed the new information.

"Sarg, you old dog!" Adam muttered, cutting through the tension in typical Ruzek fashion.

"Congratulations!" Matt slapped him on the shoulder just as Grace threw herself into his chest, her musky, lavender scent filling his nose as patted her back awkwardly. After a few seconds of her tears soaking into his shirt, he sent a pleading look towards Matt who, along with Ted, gently peeled the emotional woman away from him.