Apprehension: Part One

PULLING RANK

Allie and Alex had been together for eight perfect months.

They were in love. She may not have said the exact words, but Ooh-Rah was frequently spoken in the house. Alex loved it when she said it when they were done making love. She would look into his eyes, breathing deeply, Ooh-Rah Alvarez. He swears she says the actual words to him when he's asleep. That state when you're not awake but not asleep. She drove him crazy. The way she smelled. The way she moved. Every time they were together, it felt like the first time.

They were in the kitchen. He stood behind her with his arms around her waist as she did the dinner dishes. He kissed her repeatedly on her neck and shoulders. He had never been as enamored with someone as he was with her. He wanted to be with her for the rest of his life. He decided to take a chance on love and ask her to marry him. He wanted this forever—this feeling, this experience.

"Baby, why don't you let me do those?" he said.

"Because you cook, I do the dishes. That's the deal."

"I have noticed that I never do the dishes."

She turned around and looked at him. She put her arms around his neck.

"You are the best cook in the relationship."

"I am the only cook in the relationship," he said.

They kissed. He pulled her close and hoisted her up onto the edge of the sink.

His phone rang.

"Let it go to voicemail," she said.

If it's imperative, they will leave a message.

They kissed until the bubbles were gone.

"So, what's for dinner tomorrow?" she asked.

"I was thinking you could cook."

"So, you want to go out to eat tomorrow?"

He let out a little laugh.

"Yeah, that will work too."

"I think it's time for bed. I want some quality snuggle time," Allie said. "Will you rub my back? It hurts from doing the dishes all the time," she said, smiling.

"I'll see what I can do."

They had been in bed for about an hour when Alex realized he had forgotten his phone downstairs.

"I forgot my phone, Cara Mia. I will be right back."

"Okay, baby. I will be right here keeping your spot warm."

She watched him walk out of the bedroom. His glutes flex with each step. His back was a perfect V. He had a tattoo on his upper shoulder, My Beloved. She told him not to get it, but he said it was his body, so whether he marked it or not was his decision. She got a small red heart behind her ear. It was his favorite spot to kiss.

He went to the kitchen and picked up his phone. He saw that he had gotten a voicemail.

"Guess it was important," he said.

He accessed the voicemail and listened.

"Officer Alvarez, this is Deputy Chief Buchannan. Something has been brought to my attention, and I need to see you in my office at eight tomorrow morning."

That was it. No good evening or goodbye. No further explanation.

He slowly walked back up to the bedroom. He walked into the bedroom, staring at the phone.

"What's wrong, baby?"

I got a call earlier from the Deputy Chief. He wants to see me first thing in the morning.