The Way My Heart Beats

Chapter 28

Grant

Clara's parents came and went. We enjoyed Christmas with them making new memories in a home that we both call ours. Yes, Clara moved in with me, but it wasn't me who asked. Her mother insisted her daughter move in with me without even consulting me, but she knew without a doubt I was all in. It was actually her father who convinced her, though. He was worried about her well being and safety. After everything that has happened the past few months, let alone in her lifetime, he trusted me enough to look after her and care for her. 

"Clara, are you almost ready?" I call to her from the living room.

"Yeah. Just finishing up my makeup." That's the third time she's used that excuse.

"If you don't come on we're going to miss the party." Mitch and Amelia are hosting a New Year's party at their home. Yep. They took the step, too. Even though they tried to use the "it's safer" method, we all know they were just waiting on excuse to move in together. This is the first time all of us have gotten together since the chaos has died down.

"Grant Holland," she scolds as she walks towards me in a beautiful satin, green dress that fits every nook and cranny of her body like a glove, "who says I want to go to the party? I might not want to show you off looking like you do in that suit."

"Show me off? What about you? I'm the one that would have you to show off. Nobody will be looking at me the way you look in that damn dress, babe." She wraps her arms around my neck with a smile.

"If it wouldn't disappoint Mel, I would definitely rip that suit off your body right now," she said in a whisper right into my ear causing a shiver to go through my body. "But, we can't disappoint, now can we?" I nip at her neck which only makes her giggle. "Okay mister, that's not getting us any closer to the door."

"I know. I know. I'll gladly take you to this party and show you off knowing that I'm the one who gets to take you home." I give her my arm as we walk out the door.

The street is lined with vehicles when we arrive. I'm sure the entire department is here along with the hospital staff. "This is probably the safest party I've ever gone to."

"Or the most dangerous.."

"Or that, but whoever decided to try anything would have to be pretty stupid." Before we could knock, Amelia and Mitch greet us with an open door.

"Hey you guys. What took so long?" Amelia put up a hand, "wait! Don't tell me. I don't need to know the nasty details." Then, not so quietly, she "whispers" in Clara's ear, "...or do I," causing both the girls to break into a fit of school girl giggles.

"Mitch? How's the wound?" Even though he's had weeks to heal, I haven't talked to him since he returned to work. 

He did fill us in on the investigation with Jackson Stanfill once he was out of the hospital. Turns out Joe Manning had used Jackson as his puppet throughout Clara's years in college to keep tabs on her, except Jackson ended up obsessed with Clara which turned into a huge mess. All along it had everything to do with her ex trying to keep his thumb on her. Jackson's obsession turned almost fatal when he couldn't handle seeing her with another man–myself. 

"It's better. I'm still on restricted duty, but what they don't know won't kill 'em." He chuckled.

"Now that sounds like the Woodrow I know." We walk to the open room where I notice the dining room table is missing to make room for a dance floor.

"I'm going to see if my lady would like to dance." I say to Mitch as I turn to see Clara smiling at me.

I walk to her offering my hand. "Would you care to dance?" Her cheeks turn slightly pink.