~.: "Hold Me While You Wait" :.~
~.: Lewis Capaldi :.~
~.: Dick's POV :.~
I was finishing the last stack of paperwork when a tap on my shoulder dragged me out of my thoughts and I grumbled, initially thinking it was Riley bugging me again. Refusing to look away from the final file as I finished filling in the last few things, I shrugged off the hand that was on my shoulder and waved a dismissive hand as the person I'm assuming is Riley reaches out to tap me again.
"Riley, I don't have time for you to-" I huffed, running my free hand stressfully through my hair before looking up to see none other than Deanne standing next to my desk with a confused look in her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest, "Oh! Hey, babe!" I sighed in relief, turning my chair around and putting the file in its proper place inside the filing cabinet behind me, "How did the interrogation go?" I inquired, standing up from my chair as I pulled out my phone to check the time. Since we've both finished up here, we might just have enough time to stop by the cemetery-
"Riley? Since when does she work here?" De asked, breaking me out of my thoughts about the anniversary of my parents' deaths, "You never told me she worked here with you at the station?" I smirked, shaking my head in amusement while brushing my hair out of my face before walking towards her and kissing her forehead.
"I just found out earlier, honestly," I chuckled softly, slipping my hand into hers as she leans against me, raising an eyebrow at my reply, "She came by while I was waiting on you and she tried to flirt with me," Deanne's eyes narrow and I laugh softly before pressing a kiss to her lips, "I told her off, don't worry, babe," She huffs, rolling her eyes slightly despite the blush on her face but before I can say anything else, her phone starts ringing in her pocket and she pulls it out, her screen showing that Wally was calling. I raised an eyebrow confusedly. Why didn't he call me?
Deanne looks worriedly at me as she presses the phone to her ear, "Hey, Wally, everything okay? Did something happen?" As she speaks to Wally through the phone, I take the opportunity to clock out since I'd finished my task for my morning shift. The elderly woman at the desk waves me over and I sighed as I approach her, casting one look over at Deanne to make sure she's still where I left her before I turn my gaze back to the other woman.
"Officer Grayson! I hope you're having a nice morning today," She began, smiling warmly as I approach the front desk. I return her smile for a moment. She's going to offer condolences about today being the anniversary of my parents' deaths, I just know it.
"Thank you, I hope you're having a good day so far too!" I chuckled, running a hand through my hair before glancing down at my phone to keep track of the time. Noticing my desire to hurry up and leave the station, the old woman gives me a sympathetic look and I suppress an inward groan of impatience. Come on, I don't need this much pity.
"I'm sorry about your loss. I'm sure your parents are very proud of the lovely man they've raised," My breath catches in my throat at the comment, tears momentarily stinging the corners of my eyes. ...Are you guys proud of me? As the thought crosses my mind, I smile softly at the elderly lady when Deanne suddenly approaches the desk, her eyes wide in a frantic manner.
"Dick, it's Aria-" she began worriedly, then glanced at the old woman who smiles kindly at her before nodding at me dismissively. I let out an inwardly relieved sigh, turning toward the exit while leading Deanne.
"Have a nice afternoon, Officer Grayson," the elderly woman calls out kindly before we step out into the brisk breeze outside the precinct. As the door closes behind us, I turn toward De and she pulls me toward my car impatiently.
"What's wrong with Aria? What happened?" I asked bewilderingly once we've reached my car but she motions for me to unlock the car before answering. Sighing softly, I unlock the doors and we slip into my car, closing the doors behind us.
"Wally said that Aria ran off again," De finally sighed, running her hands through her hair frustratedly as realization hits me like a tidal wave, "She wasn't supposed to leave the hideout- and I can't think of anywhere she'd go-" I turn the key and start the car after buckling my seatbelt then start pulling out of my parking spot carefully.
"I think I know where she went, babe," I murmured, glancing quickly at her before focusing on the road as we drove back toward the hideout, "It's the anniversary of the death of our mom and dad. Aria must've went to the cemetery to visit them-" As I say that, Deanne lets out a soft gasp and her eyes widen.
"I- I forgot that was today..." she admitted, looking down slightly before glancing at me once more, "I'll come with you then. Maybe I can help y-" I shook my head, smiling gently.
"I think I'd better go by myself, De," I murmured in reply as we stopped at a red traffic light, "Right now, Aria needs me to be there for her." Deanne is quiet for a moment and I reach over, taking one of her hands in mine and bringing it to my lips before placing a kiss on the top half of her hand, "Besides, Brodie, Bella, and Alyssa will need you while I'm gone. I'll drop you off at the hideout before heading to the cemetery, and once I bring Aria back, I'll bring you back to the cemetery with me later this afternoon," As I finish speaking, the light turns green and De sighs in defeat while I start driving once again.
"Do you think Aria is mad at me...?" She murmured softly, glancing out the window quietly while worriedly pursing her lips. I smirked in response, shaking my head slightly.
"She might act like she's upset," I carefully chose my words as I reply, "And it might take her a while to calm down... but I think she's going to be okay. I don't think she's angry with you, baby," Deanne looks at me with a small smile and I smile in return as we get approach the hideout, "Everything will be fine. She just needs some time to relax." Once we're at the hideout, I put the car in park and lead Deanne into the cave, nearly being run over by Wally who looks like he's about to have a panic attack.
"Did you find Aria? What took you so long to get back? You're going to look for her right?" Wally's spouting out a stream of questions as De and I walk past him toward our bedroom where Alyssa is napping while Bella is reading a story to a sleeping Brodie.
"Wally, calm down," I sighed, running a hand through my hair before walking toward my dresser and pulling out a casual outfit to wear to the cemetery, "I know where Aria is and I'm going to pick her up in a minute. Don't have a heart attack." As I head toward the bathroom, Wally frustratedly groans and sits on his bed where Amelia is coloring in a coloring book.
Stripping out of my police officer uniform, I hurriedly slip into my civilian outfit and I'm just about to leave the bathroom when Deanne walks in and presses a kiss to my lips, hugging me softly. I smirk at her, returning her hug lovingly before leading her back to our bedroom, "I'll be back soon. Make sure Wally doesn't have a breakdown while I'm out, okay?" As I say that, Deanne giggles softly and nods in understanding before kissing my cheek and walking toward our kids to join them on the floor.
