by Jackie D
So instead, she took a step closer and framed Lucy’s face with her hands. Lucy’s eyes searched Erica’s for an answer. Erica leaned down and kissed her. She summoned all the long nights apart, all the missed days, all of the love she had and that still remained for her. She kissed her until she felt Lucy’s arms come around her neck, pulling her in. And then she kissed her a little longer.
“I still love you too.” She pulled away from her mouth just far enough to breathe out the words.
Lucy put her hands on her waist and pulled her against her, even harder now. “I’m sorry.”
Erica kissed her forehead. “No more of that. No more ‘I’m sorrys.’”
“I’ve missed you so much.” Lucy put her forehead against Erica’s chest, and ran her hands up and down her back.
“We have some things to figure out.” Erica kissed the top of her head.
“Like what?” Lucy’s hands froze.
“Like how frequent flyer miles work.”
Lucy kissed her again and allowed her hands to travel back up Erica’s back. She could feel her smiling. And for the first time since the last time she kissed Lucy so many years ago, she knew everything was going to be okay.
Chapter Thirty-four
Seven Months Later
Lucy slid the last box into the U-Haul and stared up at her apartment building for what would be the last time. She never imagined she would be moving back to Clearbrook, but here she was, giddy with anticipation. She would be starting her new job with the San Francisco Chronicle in a week, and she was thrilled. She even received a signing bonus to come up there, and would actually be getting her own office. Everything had fallen into place, even better than she had hoped.
Grayson slid the door shut and put the lock on the back. “You couldn’t think of anything more cliché than renting a U-Haul?”
Lucy patted the back of the truck. “I did this so that you could tease me the whole drive up.”
“And I will.” He chugged a bottle of water.
“We wouldn’t expect anything less, Grayson.” Erica walked up beside her, putting her arm around her waist.
They had spent almost every weekend together since Erica made the first trip, and Lucy’s heart still caught in her throat when Erica touched her. She craved her touch, her smile, the way she would go on and on about political issues, even the way she would subconsciously chew on her knuckle when she read a book. The little girl Erica once was was still there, peeking her head out sometimes when they would chase each other around the kitchen for something Lucy had said. But this version was better than anything she could have imagined.
Erica had grown into a strong, beautiful, sweet, passionate adult. She was everything Lucy had always hoped to find in someone. Her only regret was spending so long pretending that it hadn’t always been Erica. Their time together, getting to know each other again, playing, laughing, having mind-blowing sex…it was so precious, and she reveled in every moment. Wrapped in Erica’s arms at night, she slept better than she had in years, and even her nightmares had mostly abated. When one still happened, Erica was there to soothe her and bring her back to the present.
The Frank Wilds case had turned out to be a major turning point for both their careers. When Lucy’s story broke, Clearbrook PD was contacted by agencies from four different states. Erica and Diego met with all the agencies and gathered together a vast amount of information, which ultimately ended with Frank Wilds confessing to the murders. His confession meant they’d taken the death penalty off the table, and he’d been handed eight life sentences in San Quentin State Prison. Families of the women who had died at the hands of Frank Wilds were finally able to gain some closure, and hopefully, peace. He had been responsible for a total of eight murders over the course of his quarter-century killing spree. Now these communities and families finally had a face to attach to the monstrosities they lived through, not just a phantom. Lucy wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse, but knew from experience closure meant more than most people would ever understand.
Lucy still kept in touch with Jessica. She was doing her best to find some peace and normalcy after her painful and terrifying experience with Frank Wilds. Jessica had briefly toyed with the idea of taking a year off from college, but had ultimately decided against it. She did, however, change her major to psychology. She wanted to be able to help people that had been through traumatic events. Lucy was proud of her for turning her situation into something positive, for herself and her community. Zack had been the picture of understanding and had never left her side. Only three days ago, she and Erica had received an invitation to their wedding for the following fall.
Bella lay on the grass beside the truck, able to sleep anywhere at any time. Holly was curled up next to her, best friends already.
Grayson walked over, picked up Holly, and nuzzled her face. “Can she ride with me in this hideous truck thing? She hates your music.”
Lucy smiled, knowing this was his way of saying how much he would miss the little ball of fluff. “Yeah, I’m sure she would really like that.”
“When are you moving to New York?” Erica joked.
“Not anytime soon.” He slid his sunglasses down his nose. “Have you seen the weather reports out there? It’s like eight degrees there right now. I didn’t even realize that was a thing. Why would I leave this?” He swung his arm around in a tight circle above his head. “Your brother’s cute, but he ain’t that cute.”
“We’ll see.” Erica pointed at him.
Grayson slid his sunglasses back up on his face and tossed his head back, walking toward the driver’s seat like he was getting into a limo.
Erica turned and looked at Lucy. She placed her hands on either side of her face and kissed her forehead. “You ready?”
Lucy looked up and kissed her. “I have been waiting for this chance my whole life.”
Erica rolled her eyes. “I see what you did there.” She walked toward the driver’s side of the car.
Lucy opened the backseat and let Bella hop in. “This is my last chance.”
“You’re very clever.”
“I’m so glad you took a chance on me.” Lucy laughed.
“Have you been saving these up?”
Lucy leaned over and kissed her. “By chance are you busy for say, the next thirty years?”
“Okay, now you’re really pushing it.” But Erica turned into the kiss, pulling Lucy in and letting her mouth linger over her own.
“You love it.” She reached across the seat and put her hand on top of Erica’s, loving the way it felt when their fingers were intertwined.
Erica picked up their hands and kissed the top of Lucy’s. “I do, and I love you.”
Erica’s phone rang, and she hit the talk button on the steering wheel. “Detective Chance.”
“Detective, I hate to do this to you, but we’re going to need you. I know you’re on vacation, but we need you back up here ASAP.”
“What’s the problem, Chief?”
“I’ll uh…I’ll explain it when you get back up here, but it isn’t pretty. Rodriguez is on it now, but we could use your help.”
“I’ll come in first thing in the morning. We’re leaving San Diego now.”
“Thanks, Chance, sorry about this.” The phone line went dead.
Erica looked over at her. “Sorry. I’m going to have to go in as soon as we get back.”
“I understand, and it’s okay.” Lucy meant what she said. She had been in the reporting field long enough to know that there are certain jobs that you don’t get to clock in and clock out at the same time every day. Being a detective was one of those jobs, and Erica knew there might be assignments Lucy had to suddenly take off for as well. “Hey, this is what I signed up for. And maybe it will be a good story for me to cover.”
“You going to change your mind?”
Lucy leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Never.”
Erica smiled at her response and Lucy, for the millionth time, than
ked whatever force was responsible for things like this in the world, for bringing Erica back to her. Erica always had been and always would be, Lucy’s Chance.
About the Author
Jackie D was born and raised in the San Francisco, East Bay Area of California. She now resides in Central Pennsylvania with her wife and their numerous furry companions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration and a dual master’s degree in management and public administration. She is a Navy veteran and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a flight deck director, onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
She spends her free time with her wife, friends, family, and their incredibly needy dogs. She enjoys playing golf but is resigned to the fact she would equally enjoy any sport where drinking beer is encouraged during game play. Her first book, Infiltration, was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award.
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