Page 30 of Rest In Peace

"Hey." I squeezed his hand tighter. "I'm here, Matt. I'm not going anywhere."

"Physically, maybe." He met my gaze, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "But emotionally? You're miles away, lost in a case that's chipping away at the edges of our lives. I got hurt doing what you're doing now. And it terrifies me, every day, that history will repeat itself."

"Matt…."

"Promise me." His plea cut deep. "Promise me you won't let this… obsession become more important than coming home to me. To us."

I searched his face, seeing the raw vulnerability of the man who had faced down criminals yet stood defenseless against his own fears.

"I promise," I whispered, feeling the weight of my words, the gravity of their meaning. "You, Angel, and all my kids are my world. I can't lose you either."

"Then be here with us," he implored. "Really here."

"More balancing, less… tunnel vision. I can do that." I leaned in, pressing a kiss to his forehead, lingering in the comfort of his presence. "We'll get through this together. I love you."

"I love you too." His voice was soft, and a tentative smile touched his lips as he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me closer. "Just… stay safe, okay?"

"Always."

The tension in the room thickened, pressing against my skin like a physical force. Matt's gaze strayed to Angel, now curled up with her favorite stuffed bear on the other end of the couch.

"Look at her," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's so small, so vulnerable."

Angel's tiny fingers twitched, clutching at the soft fur as if holding onto a lifeline.A concern grew inside me that I couldn’t let go. Was Matt asking me to stop the investigation completely? Or just to stay safe?

"Matt, what are you saying?" My voice caught in my throat, the question emerging as an anxious croak. “I mean, what are you really saying?”

"Your work…." He paused, struggling to find the words. "It's dangerous. And after… what happened to me, it's not just your safety I worry about. It's hers. It's all of our kids’ safety. What if something you're tangled up in comes back here? Comes back to them?"

His fear was palpable, a living thing that crept into the corners of the room, wrapping around us like a cold fog. The memory of his shooting, the blood, the hospital beeps, they played in my head on a vicious loop.

"Matt, I'm sorry." The apology tumbled out, quick and sincere. "I didn't mean to…."

"Sorry doesn't cut it!" His hand balled into a fist, the knuckles whitening. "Not when it comes to their lives, to your life."

"I’m not gonna stop. I can’t give up now. Sarah needs me." My voice was firm despite the quiver I fought to suppress. "She's sitting in a cell for a crime I believe she didn't commit. I can't turn my back on her, not when she has no one else."

"Even if it means you’re risking everything?" His eyes searched mine, pleading for understanding.

"Everything I do is to make sure we keep everything." My hand reached out, hovering before settling on his. "But I hear you, Matt. I'll be more careful than ever. I can't lose you or the kids either. Sarah's innocence won't mean much if I let my family fall apart."

"Promise?" His voice broke on the word, the single syllable heavy with unspoken dread.

"That I can promise." I squeezed his hand, a silent vow passing between us.

"Look at me, Matt." I waited until his eyes met mine, the shadows of fear still lingering. "I need you to understand something. Our family," my gaze flickered toward where Angel sat peacefully, "you are my world."

He watched me, a silent sentinel, waiting.

"But being a detective… it's not just what I do. It's part of who I am." The words hung between us, heavy with truth. "But I can?—"

"Will," he interjected.

"Will," I corrected, nodding. "Find a way to balance them better. Our relationship, our kids, they'll come first. That's my promise to you."

"Involve me," he said after a moment, his voice steadier than before. "Not just as your partner, but as someone who knows the dangers. Who's lived them."

"Involve you?" I repeated, surprised.

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