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The warmth of the Reagan family dinner lingered in Maria Baez’s mind as she stepped out of Danny Reagan’s car, trying not to let her emotions overwhelm her. The drive back had been quieter than usual—filled with a comfortable silence on Danny’s end but a storm of conflicted feelings on hers. She was trying so hard not to let it show, but Danny was observant; he always knew when something was off.
“Thanks for driving me home,” Maria said as they reached the stairs leading to her apartment. Her voice was steady, though her emotions threatened to crack the surface.
Danny shrugged casually, though his eyes didn’t leave her face. “You’re my partner, Baez. It’s what I do.”
Maria offered him a small smile, grateful for his constant support. He had no idea how much tonight had meant to her. The Reagans weren’t just welcoming—they were warm, genuine, and effortlessly loving. Their banter around the dinner table, the shared glances of understanding, the unspoken love they radiated… it was something Maria had always longed for but never quite allowed herself to believe she could have.
The evening had been perfect. Too perfect. And now, back in her quiet world, the stark contrast felt almost unbearable.
As they climbed the stairs, Danny glanced at her. “You’ve been quiet since we left. Did something happen back at dinner?” His voice was casual but laced with concern.
Maria hesitated at her apartment door, fumbling with her keys. “No, it was great,” she said, forcing a smile. “Your family’s amazing.”
“Then what’s up?” Danny pressed, stepping closer. “You’ve been kind of… distant.”
Maria’s hand stilled on the key. Her throat tightened, and before she could stop herself, her eyes filled with tears. She turned away, but Danny was quicker, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and turning her back toward him.
“Hey,” he said softly, his brows knitting together as he took in her watery eyes. “Maria, talk to me. Did someone say something? Did we do something wrong?”
“No,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “It’s not that.” She wiped at her face, but the tears kept coming. “It’s just… your family, Danny. They’re so… they’re so wonderful. And I—” Her voice faltered, overwhelmed by the raw ache in her chest. “I don’t know how to deal with it.”
Danny’s face softened, and he pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her securely. She buried her face against his chest, letting herself cry as his hand rubbed soothing circles on her back.
“It’s okay,” he murmured, his voice low and reassuring. “It’s okay to feel this, Maria. It’s okay to want to be happy. And it’s okay to let yourself have that.”
Maria shook her head against him. “You don’t understand. I’ve always had to do everything on my own. I’ve never had… that. A family like yours. It’s hard to let people in.”
Danny gently pulled back, his hands coming up to cup her face. His thumbs brushed away her tears, and Maria closed her eyes, allowing herself to bask in the warmth of his touch.
“Maria,” Danny said, his voice firm but kind. “Family isn’t just about blood. It’s about who’s there for you, who loves you, and who’s got your back no matter what. You’re already part of my family. And we’re not going anywhere.”
Her eyes opened, meeting his steady gaze. There was no pity in his expression, just unwavering care. The intensity of his words made her chest tighten in a way that was both painful and comforting.
“You really mean that?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Every word,” he said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. He wanted so badly to kiss her in that moment, but he didn’t want to push too far, too fast. Instead, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, holding her close once more.
“I’ll never hurt you or abandon you, Maria,” he whispered. “You’re stuck with me.”
A quiet laugh escaped her as she clung to him. “I know,” she admitted. “But it’s just… it’s hard. I’ve been alone for so long. I don’t know how to let someone else… help.”
Danny’s hold on her tightened. “I get that,” he said. “But I’m not giving up on you. You’re not alone anymore, Baez. You’ve got me.”
Her heart swelled at his words, and she felt a sliver of hope break through the walls she’d built around herself. Slowly, she stepped back, her hands lingering on his arms. “I’ll be okay,” she said, though part of her wished he would stay. “You can go home. I’ll be fine.”
Danny hesitated, his eyes scanning her face. He didn’t want to leave her like this, but he respected her space. Nodding, he turned toward the door.
Before he could step out, Maria’s voice stopped him. “Were you really going to go home, or were you planning to stay in your car outside again?”
Danny froze, caught. He turned back to her, his sheepish smile giving him away. “I was gonna stick around for a bit. Just to make sure you were okay.”
Maria shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “Stay,” she said softly. “I’d feel better if you did.”
“You sure?” he asked, his voice cautious but hopeful.
“I’m sure,” she said firmly.
Danny nodded, kicking off his shoes and settling on the couch while Maria fetched a spare blanket and pillow. As she handed them to him, she paused, her gaze lingering on his face.
“You need to take care of yourself, Danny,” she said quietly. “You can’t keep staying up late, stressing yourself out over everything. I worry about you.”
Danny’s brows lifted in surprise. “You worry about me?”
“Of course I do,” she admitted, stepping closer. “You work yourself too hard. Promise me you’ll take better care of yourself, okay? I still need you around.”
Danny’s expression softened, and he reached out, pulling her into another hug. “I promise,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Maria held onto him tightly, letting herself savor the moment. As she pulled back, she surprised them both by leaning up and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Goodnight, Danny,” she said, her cheeks flushing as she stepped away.
Danny watched her with a tender smile. “Goodnight, Maria.”
He stayed rooted in place, watching her retreat to her room and close the door softly behind her. As he settled onto the couch, he let out a slow breath, his heart full and his mind racing.
He was in love with her. He knew it now more than ever. And he would wait as long as it took for her to feel safe enough to let him in.
Meanwhile, in her room, Maria lay on her bed, smiling and blushing as she thought about the man on her couch. If only she knew how much he cared for her… how much she wanted him to.
For now, they both held onto the quiet hope that someday, the walls around their hearts would come down, and they would finally let each other in.
———
The soft light of dawn crept through the blinds, gently rousing Danny from his sleep on Maria’s couch. He stretched quietly, careful not to make too much noise, then folded the blanket and pillow he had used. Glancing at the time, he decided to pick up coffee and breakfast for them before heading back to change for work. He scribbled a quick note—“Back in a bit. -Danny”—and left it on the coffee table, heading to a nearby café.
Maria woke shortly after and found the empty couch. Seeing the note, she should’ve been reassured, but unease settled in her chest instead. She couldn’t help but overthink: Did I imagine the connection between us last night? Did I read too much into the way he stayed, the way he held me, the way he looked at me?
Sitting on the couch where Danny had been, Maria found herself tearing up, a mixture of vulnerability and doubt swirling inside her. Just as her thoughts threatened to spiral, the door opened, and Danny walked in, balancing a paper bag and two steaming cups of coffee.
“Morning, partner,” he said brightly, a grin spreading across his face as he kicked the door shut behind him.
Maria blinked, startled, and quickly wiped at her eyes. “Danny,” she said, her voice softer than usual. “You didn’t have to do that.”
He shrugged, setting the food on the table. “I was up anyway, and I know you don’t usually eat before work. Figured you could use something to start the day right.”
Maria’s heart and stomach seemed to do somersaults at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you,” she managed, her voice thick with emotion she hoped he couldn’t detect.
They sat together at the table, sipping coffee and eating breakfast sandwiches in a comfortable silence. But Danny couldn’t help noticing Maria’s distant demeanor. “You sleep okay?” he asked, his tone light but laced with genuine concern.
Maria hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her coffee cup. “Yeah,” she said with a small nod. “I feel much better now.” Her voice was steady, but inside, her feelings were a whirlwind of confusion and longing.
Danny watched her carefully, sensing there was more she wasn’t saying. He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering just long enough to make Maria’s breath catch. “You good to ride to work today?” he asked. “I need to swing home for a quick change of clothes, but I can come back if you want.”
Maria shook her head, forcing herself to smile. “I’m fine. I’ve got a few errands to run before heading in—dry cleaning, shower, all that. I’ll meet you at the precinct.”
Danny nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “Alright. I’ll see you there.”
As he stood and moved toward the door, Maria followed him, still holding her coffee. Before leaving, Danny turned to her and leaned in for a quick hug. To her surprise, he added a soft kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering just long enough to send warmth flooding through her.
“See you later, Baez,” he said, his voice casual, but his eyes holding a deeper affection.
Maria stood frozen for a moment as he walked away, her hand coming up to touch the spot where he had kissed her. Her cheeks flushed as she smiled to herself, feeling both exhilarated and terrified by how deeply she was falling for him.
Inside his car, Danny took a deep breath, a grin tugging at his lips as he drove off. He was in too deep with Maria Baez, but he didn’t care. She was worth every moment, every risk. And he silently hoped she’d see how much she meant to him, in time.