Merrville County

  Newsome Residence

  Dave shuffles into the house, tossing his keys on a small table beside the door. A soft sniffle draws his attention upward. The deputy's eyes land on Detective Patterson, his breath catching in his throat. The glass table situated in front of the couch is littered with tissues, and Octavia dabs her eyes with yet another.

  Dave takes in a deep unhappy breath. Rarely has he seen his lover cry. The few times he has ever witnessed such vulnerability, the same topic was on the stern detective's mind. If Dave were a true betting man, he'd say whatever is ailing Octavia must undoubtedly have ties to her late daughter--Vivian. The Aquarius Killer's last known victim.

  The large deputy crosses the darkened room and plops down beside Octavia on the couch. He pulls her close, so that her right cheek rests just above his beating heart. Stroking Octavia's hair, Dave utters a soft reassuring whisper.

  "It's okay, Octavia. I'm right here. It's okay."

  Octavia's shoulders heave with the depth of her sorrow and emotion. Dave closes his eyes and allows her to cry without further interruption. What's most important is that he be there for her. Everything else is secondary.

  Octavia eventually finds the strength necessary to break from her torrent of tears. She wipes at her eyes with a damp tissue before tossing it on the table with the rest. Dave remains silent, rubbing Octavia's back with one hand. Detective Patterson sits up straight on the couch. Dave loosens his hold on Octavia, opening his eyes and meeting her gaze. Octavia shakes her head.

  "I'm...I'm sorry, Dave. I'm sorry you had to see me like this" Octavia whispers, reaching for her box of Kleenex.

  Dave nabs the box instead, offering it to her. Octavia smiles warmly and removes a facial tissue from the offered box. Dave lowers the tissue box to the tabletop with one hand. With his free hand, he gently plucks the tissue from between Octavia's fingers. The female detective's eyes soften as Dave takes the initiative. He wipes the silent tears streaming down Octavia's left cheek. The deputy's hand, not holding the tissue, caresses Octavia's face.

  "You have nothing to apologize for, Octavia. I completely understand," Dave replies, leaning in to kiss Octavia's lips. "I understand...And I love you, Octavia. What's happened to you...Should never happen to any mother. You cry all you need to, Octavia. I'm here for you."

  Octavia sniffles loudly. She reaches up to wipe a tear with her left index finger. Dave dabs it away with the tissue instead. They stare at each other in utter silence for what feels like forever. When Octavia speaks again, her voice has a slight tremor.

  "This was Vivian's favorite holiday," Octavia says, holding back tears. "Didn't matter how old she got. Vivian loved watching the parade. All of the nice men dressed in skirts...She used to say. One year, she actually requested her dad and I buy her a kilt for her birthday. I think it ended up staying in the back of her closet. I didn't see it when I was rearranging all of her things. I don't know where the damn thing is now. Really wish I could find it. We eventually explained to her about Gaelic traditions and things like that. She stopped thinking of them as skirts. It was a fun time though. We never missed a single parade. I always made time to be with Vivian on St. Patrick's Day. That was our day to be together. No matter what. Two years. More than two years without my little girl. Goodness...I don't know what to do, Dave. I'm supposed to be stronger than this. But I feel so broken. I don't know if I can do this anymore."

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  As if on cue, Titus wanders into the living room. Madison's overstuffed corgi mix crosses to the couch and stands on his hind legs, staring up at Dave. Dave briefly glances down at the needy little dog, rolling his eyes. Just as quickly, he returns his attention to Octavia. If Titus is wandering loose, Russo must be chained up in the yard. The sooner Titus goes home the better.

  Dave places a hand under Octavia's chin, tilting her head upward and kissing her intensely. Octavia wraps both arms around his neck, sharing in the heat of the moment. Dave separates just enough to peer into Octavia's eyes.

  "I've got some vacation time saved up. A bunch, in fact. Until Aquarius came along...I almost never took a day off. Let's say...We go somewhere? Just you and me. Someplace nice."

  Dave renews their kiss, wrapping both arms around Octavia's waist. This time, Octavia is the one to separate. She purses her lips, studying Dave with narrowed eyes.

  "Don't make promises you can't keep, Dave. Besides, any time you make plans...Things always go terribly wrong. I'm alright. No need for you to put yourself out on my account."

  "Put myself out? Octavia, you're my...," Dave stops short of finishing his sentence, pondering what he should say next.

  "You're my....Girlfriend," Dave says, not liking the way the word sounds coming from him.

  The deputy heaves a loud sigh. A man his age shouldn't be living like some young feckless bachelor. He's getting too old for the singles life. Traveling back and forth to see each other, sleeping in separate beds, sharing the dog between two households, only seeing each other when convenience allows. Octavia deserves more than this from a partner. He deserves more than this. Maybe it's time he did something about it?

  "Octavia...I have something important I need to ask you," Dave says. "You don't have to give me an answer, right now. Just think about it, okay?"

  Octavia's eyes widen and her heartbeat increases. She stares at Dave without saying a word. Is he thinking what she thinks he's thinking? Oh goodness.

  "What would you say to us getting married, Octavia?" Dave continues. "Not now. I won't rush you. Whenever you're ready to make that decision. It's just...I want you to know...I'm willing if you are. That's all."

  "Dave..."

  "Please, you don't have to give me an answer right now. There's absolutely no pressure. I want you to think about it. I love you, Octavia. I'm not as young as used to be. I'm tired of being a lonely bachelor. The bachelor life has its perks. Like being able to sleep in...Once in a blue moon. But, I think I'd sleep better at night...Knowing you were beside me all of the time."

  Octavia leans close to Dave so that their noses are touching. She offers the large deputy a sly grin. More snuggly draping both arms over Dave's shoulders, she intertwines the fingers of her hands.

  "No pressure...He says," Octavia teases.

  "No pressure," Dave repeats.

  "Now...Where's the fun in that?" Octavia says, before bringing their lips back into contact.