Ian's Heart - 33. Chapter 33

Adam

 

“Can’t believe there’s only a month until your wedding.” Payne said swinging the door to the gun range exit.

“I know. Time has flown by. I’m excited though.”

“Right?” Payne laughed. “I can’t believe that sweet man agreed to marry your ridiculously large ass.”

“Zip it, shorty. I have a fantastic ass.” I tried to look over my shoulder at my butt.

Payne leaned back to check it out, nodding her head she said, “it’s not too bad.”

I nudged her away. “Stop checking out the goods, woman. They don’t belong to you.”

“You’re just lucky we didn’t use it as a target, nobody would miss.” She laughed throwing her head back reminding me of the we’d just gone through.

Ugh! I hate recertifying to carry my weapon, it’s a royal pain in the ass. Thankfully, the time had gone quickly and we passed with flying colors. One more thing to tick off the to-do-list. Payne had come with me to do hers at the same time. Payne misses working with me out in the field as much as I miss her.

“How’s Wade doing Payne? Give me an honest answer. From his reports and stats he seems like he’s doing fine, but I want your opinion on how he’s really doing?” I asked as we walked to my car.

Payne smiled warmly.

“He’s great Hotshot, I’m not saying there isn’t room for improvement, there absolutely is, but he’s doing a good job. No, he’s doing an excellent job. Although, I think he’s wasted in homicide.”

“How so?” I asked getting in the driver’s seat.

Payne plopped her butt in the passenger seat slamming the door. God that annoys me.

“Do you think the door is shut, Shorty?” I growled.

She just rolled her eyes and flipped me the bird.

“I will cut that sucker off one day. What are you going to do then?”

Payne laughed and flipped me off with her other hand.

“Jesus, now what about Wade?”

I have been worried he wasn’t fitting in with the other detectives, but his work has yet to suffer for it. It’s just a feeling I get and observation too I guess. I’ve seen him make the effort to get to know the other detectives but none of them go out of their way to include him, except for Payne. I heard her sigh.

“Look, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. You promise?” She asked her eyes boring into mine waiting for an answer as I started the car.

“I promise, now damn well tell me girlie.”

She punched me – hard.

“Don’t call me that.” Her face all screwed up in a scowl.

“Ow!” I groused rubbing my arm, thank god, we were still parked in the parking lot. “If you don’t stop punching me, I’m gonna file a report.”

I stuck my lip out pouting playfully like a five-year-old.

“Oh, who ya going to tell? Ian? My dad? They aren’t exactly the most intimidating people I’ve ever met. Amy will be on my side, so what are you going to do? Ya big baby.” She taunted me.

“Nope, I’m going to tell Ian’s mom,” I answered smugly. “You’re in trouble,” I sang at her as we left the firing range headed back to work.

“You wouldn’t!” Payne gasped mockingly.

I nodded my head.

“I love that woman, but she can be hella scary when she wants to be,” Payne chuckled.

That made me laugh. “Now dish, what’s going on with Wade?”

My phone rang blaring through the car.

“Price,” I said after connecting through Bluetooth.

“This is Officer Chandon, The Chief wants to see you as soon as possible.”

Payne’s eyes rounded on me watching my reaction.

“I’m on my way back to the station, I can be there in half an hour.”

“I’ll let him know.”

The call was ended.

“What do you think that’s about?” Payne asked.

“Not a clue,” I said looking in the rear-vision and side mirrors before changing lanes. “Okaaay, so Wade?”

“He’s too soft to be in homicide, Sarge. That doesn’t mean I think he’s bad at his job. He’s more suited to something like Special Crimes, he has endless patience, compassion, and empathy. It’s just a pity we don’t have that unit here, those types of crimes just get lost with whoever can be bothered with it. We need someone like him around.” Payne’s voice softened at the end.

She’s usually hard and to the point when it comes to work but can break out the softer side when necessary. Unfortunately, in our line of work that’s not very often. Payne has a soft spot for Wade, as far as I could tell she always had.

“I’ll figure something out Shorty, we won’t lose him. Not if I can help it.”

<>-<>-<>

Officer Chandon nodded at me when I arrived seeing I was in my dress uniform. Something that was expected when called to the chief’s office. He led me into the chief’s office with a quick knock on the door opening it immediately after then stepping aside so I could enter. He shut the door behind me then immediately took his seat in the corner of the room. My boss was sitting in a chair in front of he chief’s desk. They were laughing at something one of them had just said. His eyes met mine as he stood with a smile still on his face indicating for me to take a seat next to him.

“Come sit, we would like to have a quick chat.”

“Yes sir,” I answered sitting in the seat next to him still wearing a confused frown.

The chief waved his hand to stand down. “Don’t look so serious, Captain Price.”

My frown deepening as the chief and my boss chuckled.

“Uh…” I didn’t know what to say because he’d confused my rank even at the interim level.

“We’ve finally made a decision. I apologize for the length of time we’ve kept you waiting. But we had to be sure you were the right man for the job. Starting this morning you are the new Captain. You’ve taken the exams and you’ve more than proved you’re ready for the job.”

“I…” I must have sounded like a moron, I thought I was going to be a sergeant if they decided to keep me at all. After all the cafuffle with the FBI and the drug case they’d taken from us I didn’t think there was much chance of the promotion now. This was confusing, great, fantastic even, but confusing.

“Look, we need new blood in there. You’re not a favorite of some detectives and officers but you don’t seem to care about that. You treat everyone fairly it seems and you have grace under pressure and foremost you make a decision and you stick with it. We need someone like you in that position. They’ll come to respect you if they don’t already. Now lets hear what you have to say and you can inform us of what you’d like to…”

<>-<>-<>

I signed in at the school office. I couldn’t wait to tell Ian but I didn’t want to do it over the phone. I’d gone back to the station and changed into my uniform then told the detectives I was taking my fiancé to lunch.

Walking through the school all proud and puffy chested a few of the local stoners balked at my presence giving me a wide berth.

“Dad!” I heard Pat’s voice behind me, turning around I came face to face with my son and his girlfriend Sasha holding hands. “Is Riley okay? What are you doing here?”

Smiling at Paddy I shook my head, “Riley’s fine, bud. I’ve come to see Dad, I have some news. Do you want to come with me, to be honest I’m a little lost?”

Pat chuckled. “Sure.” He quickly kissed Sasha. “Tell the everyone I’ll be there soon.”

“M’kay. Hi Uncle Adam,” Sasha said hugging me quickly before she disappeared.

Pat led the way toward Ian. “She’s lovely Pat, make sure you treat her right.”

“I do. Promise.” He smiled up at me and by up I mean all of probably three inches, the kid is growing like a weed.

“Good man.”

Pat knocked on the open door before entering with me on his heels. Ian was sitting at his desk with Quinn, Sasha’s older brother who was an English teacher that started teaching this year. They were eating sandwiches and had been discussing one of their students. His face lit up reflecting mine when he saw me all be it he looked confused.

“Hi,” he said standing coming toward me. Ian greeted me with a peck on the lips and made sure I remembered who Quinn was. The man is nothing if always polite and on top of social graces. I love that about him.

“You remember…”

“Quinn,” I said stepping forward to shake his hand. “How are you handling the hormonal teenagers?”

He laughed. “Not as well as they’re handling me.”

I smiled in response. I can’t imagine doing their job, I don’t have the patience.

“I’ll let you guys visit. Thanks Ian, for your help.” He stammered before picking up his lunch and leaving us for a family chat.

Ian smiled as Quinn left before turning his focus on me. “What brings you by? And is that a different uniform. I haven’t seen that before?” His head tilting as he looked at my captain’s uniform, I’d changed before coming to see him.

“I came to take you to lunch but I guess I’m a little late for that. But, yeah, I have some news for you both.”

“Well, spill Dad. I’m hungry and Liam will eat my lunch.” Pat shifted around impatiently.

“Okay, okay.” My smile had them both grinning in anticipation. “They finally made a decision on those interviews from last October. I’ve been promoted to Captain.”

“Really, congratulations Dad.” Pat gave me a hug. “I have to go get some lunch, but that’s awesome Dad. I’ll watch Riley tonight so you and Dad can go celebrate.”

As he went to leave I called him back. “Hey Pat, I want to celebrate as a family so if you want to help your dad after you’ve done your homework. Get your sister ready for when I get home. That would be great.”

“Sure no problem.” Pat’s smile warmed my heart. I’m such a big sap, but the happiness he showed just by being included was amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time.

“I love that kid.” I sighed pulling Ian into a hug.

“You’re amazing,” Ian whispered into my ear, “we’ll have our own celebration tonight once the kids are asleep. Congratulations you’ve earned this.”

“This means better hours, babe. We’ll getmore family time, I’ll occasionally be called away but we’ll be able to spend more time together.” I squeezed Ian to me. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” he said before kissing me. A little less PG than the school would like, but eh. I don’t give a shit. I love this man and I dare anyone to tell me I can’t kiss him whenever I want. Maybe.

The damn bell rang right then finishing our time together. I gave him another quick kiss before making my exit. As I was leaving the kids started piling in. I laughed when one kid asked, “What are the pigs were doing here?” Ian corrected him politely but with his usual amount of sass.

“I’m not quite sure why the police were here but they asked about you specifically.”

I laughed all the way back to the car. That’s my man, gently terrifying teenagers with his calm demeanor everywhere he goes.

<>-<>-<>

We’d had a nice family dinner at a local Italian restaurant to celebrate my promotion, but I’ve been anticipating and day-dreaming about having Ian to myself all afternoon. Finally. And boy! I think we need to celebrate the celebration; he’s just about drained me of everything. I’m spent.

“Holy shit, babe. Where the hell did you learn that?” I panted trying to catch my breath lying next to him; he was smiling smugly short of breath himself.

My man maybe quiet and reserved in most situations, but in the bedroom he is a tiger. Uninhibited, forward, sometimes downright aggressive but in the sexiest way possible. Seriously I can’t even catch my breath right now and my body is still trembling. He knows how to work me over, shamelessly.

“Research, plan, execute.”

“Sexy.” I laughed. “So porn.”

“Yeah.” He laughed with me.

“Can’t believe you watched porn without me.”

He laughed harder. “You were here… just sleeping and I was bored.”

I used what energy I had left to roll over pulling him to me. “Next time wake me up, we’ll research together.” I bit his nipple hard then soothed it with my tongue.

“Nghh, don’t get me started again. I don’t think I have the energy. You wore me out. That was work.”

“What? Having sex with me is not work!” I slapped his bare ass.

He laughed again. “Sexy, fun, enjoyable, work. Do that again.”

So I did I slapped his ass and bit his nipple again, he moaned erotically and loud.

“Shower, then I want to try that thing you did to me on you.”

Ian was running across the bed, leaping through the air toward our bathroom. “Hell, yes.”

Thank god we aren’t still in the apartment we’d wake the kids with our bedroom olympics. It was always athletic, even when it was tender it was amazing. Better every time. Ian is never boring, he likes to experiment sometimes he keeps things exciting. I’ve never had anyone excite me or get me so aroused before in my life.

“Hurry up, I’m starting without you.” He called just loud enough for me to hear him.

I hauled ass into the bathroom.

<>-<>-<>

When I strode into the shift briefing I was met with applause head on. Some more enthusiastic than others.

“Alright, alright. Thank you and lets get down to business,” I said as I approached the podium, I continued without a pause and the room quieted down. “There are a few announcements. First, Officer Windsor.” I looked around as he stood up at attention. “Everyone meet Detective Windsor. He has been promoted and will be taking Wade’s place. He’ll be working in homicide. After the briefing get one of the detectives to take you home to get a suit, then go down to headquarters and get all everything squared away.” I switched to the next topic. “Detectives Muller and Potts are now heading up a new unit of Special Crimes, the unit will specialize in crimes against children, crimes of a sexual nature, and other sensitive matters that fall into the category. Officers Jankowski and Sullivan will be at your disposal whenever needed, otherwise they’re on backup for other matters.”

The room fell into a rumble of disarray while congratulations and welcomes being tossed around. I waited a couple of minutes until everyone fell back in line.

“Okay, as you all know the FBI has taken quite a load off our plates. That doesn’t mean we aren’t busy. There is nothing of particular urgency right now so back to the grind. I’d like the five new appointees to stay behind as well as Head Detective Richmond. That’s all, dismissed.”

I cringed at the sound of chairs scraping and loud conversations echoed through the room as everyone headed out for their shift. The six left behind took seats at the front of the room staring at me expectantly, well except for Richmond because of course he’s above being told what to do.

“I want you partnering with Windsor the next little while, if you could take him to get changed and then do what you do.” I smiled, it was genuine, kinda.

Detective Richmond muttered under his breath as he left the room with Detective Windsor on his tail.

“Now, as for you four,” I said sternly, “Officers, I want you shadowing the detectives this week, see if you all can’t find a rhythm to work together.” My eyes glaring at Payne because sometimes she doesn’t play nice with others.

“Yes, sir.” They all answered simultaneously.

“Good.” I nodded my head. “We have your first case here.” I dropped a file down in front of Payne. “This case has come from CPS, your contact is Theo Scanlon. All the details are in the file, but may I suggest you meet with Theo to get a feel for the case. The man’s been doing this a long time, he’s also a close friend. And let me tell you he has a knack for weeding out the truth. He doesn’t suffer fools, but at the same time he knows you are all new to this unit and has the patience of a saint. Go over the file together then get to it. Muller, keep in touch.”

After speaking I headed back to my office. Sitting in my chair I took a deep breath, then realized my hands were shaking. It’s going to get easier, they just have to get used to me is all. My eye caught on my in-tray, how freaking long was the briefing this morning? My in-tray was now overflowing with files and paperwork. I swished my mouse to make my computer come alive while pulling off the first file on the pile. Once I put my password into the computer my emails flashed up. Eighty-freakin’-three new emails, reminders, meeting requests, and god knows what else.

Welcome to the big leagues Captain Price.

<>-<>-<>

Paddy handed me a beer before I’d even managed to sit down.

“God, I love you kid.” I smiled then gulping down half the bottle.

“Feelings mutual, long first day?” He chuckled.

“It was okay. I just forgot how much bullshit, red-tape, and paperwork comes with the job. My old Captain in Florida used to be inundated, I never really thought about it until now he made it look easy. Even doing the Sergeants job for the past couple of months didn’t have this much.”

I sat at the table where Pat was doing his homework.

“How was your day? Learn anything?”

Pat laughed out loud. “Yeah, it’s school. That’s my job – to learn.”

Ian gently tapped Pat on the back of the head as he walked behind his chair with Riley. “Don’t be a smartass.”

“Thanks babe, I didn’t have the energy.” I snickered while Ian chuckled.

Patty huffed, but he was grinning from ear to ear. Riley landed in my arms in just enough time for me to put my beer bottle on the table. Then Ian leaned down and kissed me hello. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” I said between kisses then I gave Riley a few of her own while we had our after work snuggle.

“Dinner’s still a little while away,” Ian told me as he swung around sitting in the chair next to me, playing with Riley as he did so. Pat had gone back to doing his homework.

“So, I was thinking today. It never really occurred to me after the wedding and the adoptions what our surname will be. Have you thought about what you want to do?” Ian asked me and Pat then patiently waited for us to answer.

Pat looked away from his homework chewing on the end of a pen pensively. His head tilting until his face morphed into a horrified scowl.

“Are you okay Pat? There’s no right or wrong here, we will support whatever you want.” I told him alarmed at the look on his face.

He swallowed almost audibly. “I was going to suggest hyphenated, b…b…ut have you really said it out loud. No matter which way we go we’ll sound like a bad game show.” Pat’s head dropped into his homework. “Oh my god.” He groaned. “I can already here them taunting me.” He looked up making us both laugh because the paper he had been writing on was stuck to his forehead. We both laughed harder when he snatched it away.

Ian and I looked at each other for a moment, I’m sure he was saying it in his head too because eventually I was looking at a face that was mimicking mine in amusement. Yep our hyphenated names would absolutely not be received without at least a chuckle.

“Crap, what are we going to do?” Ian asked quietly.

“I’d at least like the kids to have the same last name.”

Ian nodded in agreement with me, in the corner of my eye I could see Pat nodding along as well.

“Price has a nice ring to it,” Ian said, “Ian Price, Pat Pri…” he stopped his whole body cringing.”

“Yeah,” I laughed fiddling with my empty beer bottle, “I don’t think so. What about Wright, Adam Wright. That’s a good name. Riley Wri…” now it was my turn to cringe. “Christ.” I wiped my hand down the front of my face. “Our kids are going to get beaten up aren’t they? Maybe we should just change our last name to ‘Smith.’” I suggested jokingly to Ian.

“Pat Smith,” Patty said with his face screwed up in disgust, “you might as well change my name to John Doe.”

Riley clapped her hands squealing like any happy baby, oblivious to the turmoil the adults were suffering. Ian leaned over to Pat taking his face in his hands kissing Pat’s forehead.

“I love you sweet boy,” he said with a chuckle, “we wouldn’t lumber you with either of those names.”

Mulling over our options in my head I stared at the beer bottle in my hand. “What if we went with our mothers’ maiden names. Ian shook his head ‘no’ vigorously.

“Nope, that’s the name Anna used when she met you.”

“Geez, I forgot about that. And don’t say that name in this house.” I said dazed.

“I’m with you there,” Ian replied.

“I hate that woman,” Pat mumbled quietly. Ian and I let it go, she really hurt Pat with all her nonsense. I hope she never comes back into our lives because I fear with the way Patty feels about her, I’ll be an accessory to crimes I don’t even want to think about.

We all turned when we heard the front door open and close then my parents appeared in front of us. Pat packed his homework away before getting up to greet them with a hug.

“Coffee?” Pat asked them both moving closer to the kitchen waiting for them to answer.

“Oh, yes please,” Mom answered.

“Beer if you have it Pat?” My dad asked.

They both sat down at the table smiling.

“You here for dinner?” I asked my folks.

“Yes, Ian invited us for Pat’s lasagne.” Dad grinned.

“It is not something you say no to.” I grinned back.

“No, definitely not. So, what are you all up to?” Dad changed the subject.

Ian let out a big sigh. “We’ve been trying to figure out what surname to use after we’re married and with the kids adoptions.”

Pat came back with a coffee and three beers, placing the coffee in front of his nan and the beers split between, me, Ian, and his grandad.

“Uh, why do nan and grandad look like they’re about to bust a gut?”

My parents both erupted into a raucous laughter. Riley flinched but then squealed again slapping her hands on the table from where she sat on my lap.

“Oh, my god,” mom said holding a hand to her chest trying to catch her breath, “we’ve all been laughing about this very thing since you boys got engaged.”

I moved my squirmy daughter around on my lap trying to get comfortable. “What’s so funny? We can’t come up with anything that won’t get the kids beaten up in the playground. Although I’m sure Pat can hold his own.” I added as an after thought.

Mom glanced at dad, he gave her a curt nod.

“Well, all us grandparents have been talking and we may have a solution.”

Oh, dear god. No! Ian looked as scared as I felt but Pat looked intrigued.