Help Me Heal

Chapter 45

Once the ball had gotten rolling, it had gathered pace quickly. Less than two weeks had passed since Hank, Kalinda, Erin and Jay had agreed to what Jay had called 'playing musical chairs with houses.' That description had amused Kalinda in particular, appealing to her keen sense of humour. She laughed a lot, and Hank enjoyed that, although he would never be able to match her. It simply wasn't in his personality to laugh often.

The moves were to take place over a weekend. Firstly, on Saturday, Kalinda's things were to be moved from the apartment she was vacating to Hank's house. Then Erin and Jay's things would be moved into the apartment the following day. The two days promised to be long and arduous, which was why Hank, Jay and Kalinda were up early, making a start on her belongings before daylight even came.

"We might as well run what we've got in the van over to the house," Hank told Kalinda. They were in her bedroom, where she was still working on packing things for the move. Cardboard boxes and duct tape had been in plentiful supply over the past few days but time had not, thanks to both Intelligence and Voight Detective Services being extremely busy. That meant that packing and moving were happening at the same time, which was hardly ideal.

"Okay," was all Kalinda said.

Hank could tell she was stressed, understandably, so he figured it was best to leave her to it. "We'll be back a bit later."

"Yeah. See you," she said, not stopping what she was doing.

"Moving is the worst, isn't it?" Jay said to Hank as the two men walked out of the apartment. He was carrying one last box for the current load, so Hank held the door open for him and closed it when they left.

"Yes. And we're only at the start. How's Erin doing?"

"About as stressed as Kalinda. She's trying to finish our packing as well as cleaning the place. Think we'll all be glad of a drink tonight."

"That's what I thought," Hank said. "I'm stocked up on beer and wine for that exact reason."

They were soon on the road, heading for Hank's house. Since Hank was the one who had rented the van, he was doing the driving.

"You know, Hank, you've really struck it lucky with Kalinda. She's such a nice person, she obviously thinks the world of you, and she's gorgeous too."

"Believe me, I'm well aware of all of those things, including how lucky I am."

"Never thought I'd see you all loved up with someone."

Hank realised the comment was meant with humour, but it was too early in the day for jokes as far as he was concerned. For that reason, he responded seriously instead.

"Neither did I. Seemed I was going to spend the rest of my days alone. But then Kalinda and Erin showed up in quick succession and everything changed. Kalinda and I make each other very happy. We're not the only ones though." He looked at Jay for a second, thinking that his daughter was about to take the next step with the man by moving in with him. Hank didn't doubt that they would be happy.

None of Jay's detective skills had left him, and he picked up on the meaning behind the quick look. "I love her, Hank. Wouldn't be doing this if I didn't."

"What do you see in your future? Or, what are you hoping for? That's a better way of putting it."

Jay didn't need thinking time. "I want to marry her. One day, I mean. And I'd like to have kids. Two, maybe. Neither of us are getting any younger, so that's a conversation I'd like to have with her sooner rather than later. Would you be okay with me proposing to Erin, when the time is right?"

"I wouldn't be okay with you not doing it, given how deeply she loves you. Being with you makes her very happy, and that's what she deserves. Now, can we talk baseball or something? It's early, and I've only had one coffee."