Always Home for Sunday Dinner

W is for Wedding Anniversary

The sun was starting to set, the orange colour pouring into the precinct through the bright square windows. Working rapidly at his desk, more so than usual, Detective Danny Reagan scribbled away at his work files with no concern as to whether or not it was coherent. He felt like he was on his third cup of coffee, but he didn't need to be sluggish today. His night couldn't be messed with no matter what. As he worked away with his attention glued to his files, he failed to notice his partner, Detective Maria Baez walking past his desk, watching the way he worked. It was something she really ever saw from the older man.

"You haven't moved from that desk all day," she said to him as she sat at her desk, prompting him to finally look up from his papers.

"Not trying to be here past the hour partner," he said quickly, before turning his attention back to his tasks.

"Got a special date or something?" she asked.

"Trying to not miss my wedding anniversary," he informed her.

"Not like last time right?" she teased garnering a sarcastic look from her partner.

"Yes not like last time," he said.

"Then maybe you should've left by now," she said sincerely to his surprise.

"What?"

"I can finish the rest of the files," she insisted, "Go." He looked at her and offered her a smile before jolting up from his seat and ripping his jacket off the back of his chair. With a small thank you, he rushed out of the office stretching as he walked to get his jacket on his back. 

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Hours later, he had exchanged his work suit for another, choosing to undo his top button instead of tightening a silk tie around his neck. His shield and gun were replaced with a bouquet of roses in his hand, and an itinerary planned especially for them. He knew that there were days when he got too involved with his cases. And past times where his dates and anniversaries didn't work out. He always felt bad that he wasn't able to give her everything that she deserved, but he knew at least tonight he could do something that showed just how much he loved her. He had met up with his wife with flowers in hand and escorted her out of the house. They drove down to her favourite restaurant and her eyes opened wide.

"This is where I took you on one of our first dates," he reminisced looking deep into her eyes lovingly.

"I can't even believe this place is still open," she voiced her surprise at the building before them.

"And a reminder, this is just the beginning," he said as he escorted her into the restaurant. Their night at the restaurant was filled with loving talks and sincere laughs, reminiscing on all of their years together. As it came to a close, Danny grabbed the cheque opting to be the true gentleman of the evening. He led her out to the car and began to drive off to their next location. The radio played with songs from their past that she all knew that she loved, admitting their sons helped him figure out how to put it all together on a CD. And finally, the car pulled to a stop in front of Coney Island. He couldn't help but smile at the light that came to her eyes looking at their next location.

"This is where we went on our 5th date years ago," she voiced in surprise, "That's why you were in such a hurry during dinner."

"I know this is mainly for kids but, I thought we could go back there for one more day," he said shyly as he looked at her almost as if it was one of their first dates all over again.

"I can't believe you did all this," she said, her heartwarming at her husband's actions.

"We've had some bumps these past few months and I guess I just really wanted this to be special," he said. She smiled trying her hardest to contain the exploding joy within her. They get out of the parked car and enjoy a nice walk throughout the park, nostalgia filling both of them. Danny didn't take his eyes off of his wife as she walked through the park suddenly looking like a kid all over again. They kept pointing out places and reciting the memories they brought back. The two even stopped at games tables, Danny trying his hardest to win her every prize like they were children once more. By the end of the night, she was walking back to the car with a large teddy bear in her arms, as her husband guided her holding kettle corn in his hand. They couldn't help but smile the whole way. It was at this place all those years ago where he first believed he had found his forever partner. That even such a thing could ever be possible. And even today with them being together for so long, he still felt like he had won the lottery when he met her. When she said yes to his proposal, and when she said I do at the altar. He could never imagine his life being any other way than with her.

When they reached the car all smiles and laughs, he continued his gentleman duties and opened the door for her, holding onto her bear and heading to put it in the trunk. The night had been a perfect one. But as he headed to the trunk, he failed to notice the man coming behind him or to hear the faint footsteps of an approaching figure. Danny lifted the trunk and placed the bear inside, the mysterious figure only identifying themselves when his hood was closed.

"Detective Daniel Reagan," the man stated frankly, his deep voice steady, with a force that Danny never took a moment to register.

"Yeah," he responded his good mood coming through in his voice, but fading the minute he turned around. He never had time to register the man's face or what he was holding. All he knew was the pain he felt when the assailant hit him over the head with the blunt object in their possession. The force was strong enough and the action so unpredictable that it flung him into the back on his car, his impact on the vehicle loud enough for Linda to register. When he lifted his head, he was met with another blow to the head that rendered him near unconsciousness. The man dressed in black took off being mindful not to leave any trace behind, just escaping view before Linda could find him for she had been calling her husband's name, but received no response. She exited the car to find him lying down on the ground motionless. In a state of panic, she rushed to his side and started calling for help, holding his near limp body in her body as she called for an ambulance.

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He could hear the faint sounds of the bustling hospital room as he began to return to his state of consciousness. His eyes fluttered open to see the bright lights of his hospital room. He could feel the burning coming from the cut that now existed on his head and as his eyes squinted against the lights he felt the strain on his head from the stitches he now had. He turned to his side to see his worried wife sitting next to him. She smiled at him but he could see the worry on her face. He moved slightly, reaching out to hold her hand which she received.

"Well, that didn't end the way I pictured it," he forced out, disappointment evident in his voice.

"Your dad says it was probably someone after you for one of your cases," Linda detailed to him, "They're out looking for him now." She could tell he was upset just from looking at him, and she moved from her spot beside his bed to the empty spot left for her on his bed.

"I'm sorry," he told her honestly.

"Why are you apologizing for this?"

"I wanted this night to be perfect," he explained.

"Well, it was almost perfect," she disagreed, "Maybe we can still make it so." She offered a smile as she leaned in and planted a loving kiss on his lips. He smiled back even through the grogginess caused by his medication. As they wrapped their arms around each other lovingly, they both knew that this would be an anniversary they wouldn't forget.

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