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The day had been exhausting, Conrad couldn't believe that he was finally home. It was Halloween night and he would still have to dress up as he had agreed with Nic, but the fact that he could finally snuggle into his bed after a delicious shower, with a bottle of beer in hand, would already be good enough.
He stared at the costumes his fiancé had chosen with a mischievous smile on his face. In recent months, Nic had been enchanted by a crime series called Chicago P.D. and had managed to convince him (under protest) to dress up as detectives Halstead and Upton, who by coincidence (or not) were also a couple.
The handcuffs and badges were on the nightstand beside the bed, and Conrad became slightly curious about how they worked. He had argued with authorities before, but had never actually been handcuffed.
He placed the beer on the floor and straightened up on the mattress, playing with the handcuffs. Maybe by the end of the night he could convince Nic to use the toy in another way.
He shook his head and chuckled to himself thinking about her face when he offered the idea. To test if it would work, he cuffed one of his arms to the headboard and stretched... It was kind of uncomfortable actually, maybe it wouldn’t please her.
“Oh. My. God. What is that?” Nic's voice entered the room, taking Conrad by surprise.
The nurse held back a laugh as she saw how awkwardly he was lying and how the towel didn't fully cover his body now.
“Hey, baby!” He gave that usual naughty smile. “I didn't hear you arrive.”
"Well, I think I know why... You look kind of busy!" She laughed.
“You’re so funny.” He rolled his eyes. “I was just trying out your toy, but it doesn't seem very comfortable.
“But I can guarantee that the view is wonderful!” She teased him, pulling the towel and leaving him totally naked.
“Nic!” He laughed, trying to pull the towel from her hands but it was too late, he grabbed the pillow and placed it over his nether parts to cover himself.
"Should I be jealous that you started the party without me?" She arched an eyebrow.
“I was just thinking about the idea for later and wanted to make sure I had valid arguments.” He also arched an eyebrow.
“And? What are the arguments?” She crossed her arms, trying not to laugh at the look on his face.
“I didn't even have time to think, you arrived at the exact moment and caught me in the act!”
“Oh, I'm sorry about that!” Nic shook her head, laughing. “Are you going to stay locked up for testing while I take my shower, detective?”
“No!” He shook his head. “I can do that later after a few beers. Grab the key and release me, please?”
“Okay!” She continued laughing, approaching the nightstand. “Where did you put the key?”
Conrad swallowed and felt his heart freeze for a few seconds. In fact, he hadn't even seen if the key was there when he handcuffed himself.
"Where did you put it?" He arched his eyebrow. “The handcuffs were open over there, I just took them.”
Nic stared at him silently, trying not to show panic and to hold back the nervous laughter that was caught in her throat.
"Nic? Where is it?”
She continued rummaging through the drawers and then the pockets on the pants they were going to wear as part of the costume. The key was nowhere to be found.
"Nic? For the love of God!” His voice sounded desperate and she stopped looking around the room.
"Okay, don’t panic…" She looked at him. "But the key isn’t here!"
“How come?” His voice went up a few decibels, making her laugh. “Nic, this is serious!”
“Calm down, okay?” She placed a hand over her mouth to control the laughter. “I think it is in Jess's closet, she was the one who brought me the costumes!”
"And what are you going to tell her? “Hi Jess, is the handcuffs’ key with you? Conrad handcuffed himself to the headboard””. He forced a thin voice, making Nic no longer able to hold on and burst out laughing. “Nic, this is serious! Stop laughing!” He tried to hit her with one of the pillows on the bed, but it didn't even come close.
“I know, I know!” She straightened up, wiping the corners of her eyes and taking a deep breath. “You know it could be worse, don't you? We could have to call Devon to come with some tool to get you out of there or the real police.”
Conrad shivered, feeling he was lucky that it really was Jess who would get him out of this awkward situation.
“You are right!” He nodded and took a deep breath. “Can you call our dear and beloved Jess and ask her to come running?”
“Sure, handsome!”
Nic took her cell phone from her purse and dialed her friend's number. Conrad, in the bedroom, was anxious for her to show up with good news, but when she returned two minutes later, her face said otherwise.
“What is it? It is not with her?”
"I don't know, but she's in an emergency surgery and can't come here!"
“My God!” Conrad ran his free hand over his face, feeling that he was sweating with nerves. “Nic, now what?”
"Relax, okay?" She laughed again, approaching him. “I'm going to the hospital to look for it. Pray it's there or I'll be back with Devon!”
"For God's sake, don't we have another option?"
"The Atlanta police?" She arched her eyebrow with a menacing tone of voice.
“Devon. For God's sake, the key or Devon!” He practically begged, making the situation even more comical.
“Okay, okay!” Nic kissed his lips. “I'll be right back, Detective Hawkins.”
“Nic, this isn't funny!” He muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Well, I think you made Halloween night even more memorable!”
Nic walked away, waving a hand at him.
Conrad lay down on the bed and took a deep breath. For his fiancée this was the best night of Halloween, for him it was his worst nightmare.