Help Me Heal

Chapter 49

A couple of days after returning from their vacation, Hank and Kalinda had invited Erin and Jay over for dinner. Kalinda had insisted on doing the cooking, as ever enjoying playing host and feeding people. For this occasion, she was making curry, her speciality. Hank was very much looking forward to it. You couldn't beat curry made with what he assumed was a real Indian recipe passed down through Kalinda's family.

"They'll be here soon," he reported, walking into the kitchen. He had just received a text from Erin to say they had left her apartment.

"Okay, that's good," Kalinda said, concentrating on her food prep.

Hank watched her, admiring her beauty and counting his blessings. Once they had agreed on not spending big on an elaborate wedding, they had further decided that there was not much point in waiting until summer. In a few short weeks, he would be marrying this incredible woman in a small chapel before jetting off to Costa Rica for two weeks of sun, sightseeing, diving and drinking. Assuming Erin and Jay accepted the offer that was about to be made, they would be coming too, as would Lucy Thorne and her husband Bobby. It promised to be a wonderful, if not traditional, honeymoon. Hank had never been a man of tradition, so he was perfectly fine with that.

"What?" Kalinda asked, looking at him self-consciously, aware that he had been watching her from the doorway.

"Thinking about marrying you. Feeling lucky," he replied honestly.

"Oh, shush," she said in embarrassment, quickly returning to her work.

"Ms Rai, you don't embarrass easily," he said, walking over to her. He stood behind her and put his arms around her waist. "That's a thought. When we marry, do you want to take my name or would you rather keep Rai?"

"I've thought about that. I'm more than happy to become Kalinda Voight. In fact I like it. Losing KR as a nickname is the only thing that somewhat causes me unease."

Hank smiled at her choice of verbiage and kissed the side of her neck. "There's always KV."

"Hmm," she said sceptically. "Kevin and Jay both always call me KR. Can I imagine them calling me KV? I'm not sure."

"You'll get used to it. So will they."

"You're probably right. Let me work, Hank," she said, wriggling out of his arms.

"Alright. I've set the table. I'll take the wine and some glasses in there."

"Thank you." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek then got back to work.

About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. Erin and Jay had arrived. Hank went to answer the door. When he opened it and saw Erin for the first time in two weeks, it struck him how good happiness looked on her. She not only had a big smile on her face to greet him, she seemed leaner and healthier too. Her work in the gym was paying dividends.

"Dad, you look great! Look at that tan!"

Hank laughed. "We barely moved from the balcony or the beach, apart from when we were diving. You look great too. Come in, both of you."

Hank and Jay shook hands and exchanged greetings, then Hank told them to go through to the kitchen. Jay led the way, showing how much he looked forward to seeing Kalinda. That made Hank happy, mostly because he knew how much it would make her happy.

"KR!" Jay exclaimed when he walked into the kitchen, savouring the strong spicy smells in the air. "Great to see you. That curry smells as good as you look."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Jay," Kalinda as they hugged each other. "It's good too see you too my darling."

Then it was Erin's turn. She was a more reserved hugger, but still happy to see Kalinda. Their connection was growing – at a slower pace, but it was growing.