Happily Ever After

Chapter 1: He Loves You

Happily Ever After

Chapter 1: He Loves You

"Being ignored causes the same chemical reaction in the brain as experiencing a physical injury."

It had been a long day at the office, stretching from the early hours of sunrise to the late evening. An excruciatingly long but relaxing and even somewhat calming fifteen hours that were definitely well spent since Erin Lindsay-Halstead, who preferred to be referenced by her maiden name now, would very much rather be at the freezing Bureau than at her three stories, 2,400 sqft. home.

Work, though difficult, was way better than being at home and alone. The field, the many paperwork, reports and tests, the many laughs and banter she shared with her partner and team was where she can divulge herself in and was a reminder that she hasn't yet been forgotten.

When she's out catching bad guys or even just following up on a lead with her partner, FBI Special Agent Blake Rivers, she's forced to forget all her pain and the mess that her life have reduced to once again.

Just when she thought her life was finally on a steady path to eternal happiness, life fired back at her.

It was a vicious cycle.

The Chicago Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was the only place she feels completely at ease and sane. She felt like it's the only time she get to be herself - happy and carefree. A place where she smiled. A place where she laughed. It's the only time she doesn't constantly wreck her brain with thoughts of her husband.

Where was he?

Has he eaten?

Why doesn't he want to come home?

Has he showered?

Why does he ignore me?

Who's he with right now?

She doesn't have any answers to all those questions and Jay, who had the answers, wouldn't give her any.

She pulled up at their townhouse garage in Lake View, turning off the ignition before making her way up the few steps and into their brick home. She can't wait to have herself a glass of Cabernet or more and maybe Chinese or Indian to accompany her for the lonely evening.

Their honeymoon phase pretty much turned to ashes twenty five months into their matrimony. Maybe it was a few months after the news that she was one of the only two police detectives of all Chicago that were personally hand picked by the Agency to join them at their Criminal, Cyber, Response and Service Branch.

She doesn't really know but she suspects that that began his change.

Why?

Shouldn't he be supportive and happy for her success?

The same question riddled her; why?

A paycheque that tripled his. Suddenly she was making more than him. A lot more than him.

A rank and status that diminished his mere detective one. She's a Special Agent and he isn't.