Is It A Dream?

Telling Frank

While Linda dozed, Danny stepped out of the room to call his dad. His Dad answered on the fourth ring.
"Danny? What's the matter?" Frank wondered.
"Listen, Dad. You know how we thought Linda died in a helicopter crash?"
"What do you mean 'we thought'?"
"As in she didn't. She was locked in a utility room in an abandoned warehouse in Jersey."
"What?"
"Yeah. We're at the hospital now."
"In Jersey?" Frank thought Danny had finally snapped.
"Yeah! Look, it's a long story, and I'll tell you Come Sunday dinner. Can you take the boys? Tell 'em I'm working all night."
"Danny, are you okay?"
"You don't believe me? Fine. Look at this." He walked into the hospital room and took a picture of Linda sleeping. He texted it to his Dad, with the caption "believe me now?"
"What? How? Why? Who?"
"That's exactly how I reacted. And I don't have any answers to that. Don't tell anyone." Danny looked behind him when he heard his name being called. "I gotta go, Dad. See ya Sunday." He pocketed his cell and walked back to Linda. "What's wrong?" He sat on the bed next to her.
"You weren't... I didn't ... I thought..." she cried, not being able to form sentences.
"It's okay. I'm here now." He pulled her into a hug, "you'll get outta here soon."
Linda nodded as she clung to his shirt. The full impact of her situation had hit her like a ton of bricks. She couldn't begin to imagine what Danny had been feeling. He loved her like she was the most precious thing in the entire universe, and she had gotten herself captured.
Danny kissed her cheek, catching her salty tears. "It'll be okay. I promise."
"I scared you. I'm sorry. I just- I can't-"
"Hey." He pushed her hair out of her face, "it wasn't your fault. You did scare me, but..." he sighed, "but now you're here. And I couldn't be happier."
"But I-"
"Linda, Listen to me. You did nothing wrong. And I swear, I'm gonna get this son of a b!tch, even if it kills me."
"No!" Linda hugged Danny tighter, "don't go!"
"I'm not going anywhere. What makes-" Danny realized saying 'even if it kills me' probably wasn't the best word choice. "No, honey. It's- it's a figure of speech. I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"I'm staying right here."
Linda nodded, hating the whole situation. She rubbed her eye and yawned.
"Why don't you lie back down and see if you can get some sleep?" Danny commanded more than asked.
"Will you stay with me?" She laid on her side, pulling the blankets up.
"Of course." He spooned up behind her, throwing an arm around her waist. "I love you."
"I love you more."
"I love you most." He kissed her shoulder and hugged her tightly.
*******
Linda sighed as she watched the city whiz by. She had been discharged after a whole day and a half. Danny told her he'd spend the night at the precinct with her, wanting to surprise the family. He knew exactly how to surprise them, Linda agreeing as long as her husband stayed close by.
Danny led Linda into the 54th precinct, smirking a little when he saw his partner, Maria Baez. She was busy looking at her computer, the perfect opportunity to surprise her.
"Hey, Baez."
She casually looked up as her partner and his wife walked passed her, "Hey, Danny. Hey, Linda." She went back to her computer, "Linda?!"