One - Lexie
Leon Bailey in a suit should frankly be illegal, my temperature rising as I watched him across the huge hall. As usual, he laughed and teased officers, triple his rank, slotting in like he always did and I stood back, the champagne flute in my hand, as usual.
“SFO Duggan,” the rough voice said next to me, and I peeled my eyes off Leon, looking up.
“Hey dad,” I smiled.
“How are you doing?” He asked and I took a gulp of champagne, my eyes flicking up to Leon as someone put their arm around his shoulders.
“I’m good, you?” I looked back up at dad, his tux pressed against him. Once nan passed, me and his relationship improved, slightly. He was still cold, professional at all times, but he had been to me and Leon’s place, so that was something.
“I’m well, I read the report, Bailey’s call saved multiple lives,” he smiled then and I let my shoulders drop, the warmth of pride going across my chest.
“That’s what he tells me,” I chuckled, now I wasn’t able to work with Leon. Although I had no issue with Stuart as my sergeant, he had been before and I liked Matt, neither was Leon. Even when we were just friends, I adored working with him for a few reasons. He was able to relax me, help me turn off my constant anxiety I seemed to have and he was fucking amazing at his job. As dad gave me a firm nod, his dark eyes coming down to me, it made me quickly realise the cause for my anxiety.
“Bailey is confident, trusts his own instincts,” dads voice was rough and I looked down at my empty glass. “You will want to develop that, if you are to move forward,” he added, giving me no time to answer, walking up to the stage. The moment dad got by the microphone, the crowd hushed and I tried not to laugh as Leon walked backwards slowly, his hand going into mine as he reached me.
“Hey,” he whispered, his smile so perfect, lighting up his brown eyes.
“Hey,” I chuckled, moving a step closer to him.
“Police commissioner Duggan talking about how great I am?” Leon’s voice was low, dad talking to the crowd now, looking polished as always.
“Nope,” I shook my head, watching Leon’s smile from the side of his face.
“Such a liar Lex,” he tutted, my eyes going to the front.
“For exceptional bravery in the line of duty,” dad bellowed out, his hands together in front of him. “Demonstrating decisive action under pressure and preventing further risk to officers and public, tonight,” dad paused and I squeezed Leon’s hand. “We honour Sergeant Leon Bailey,” dad finished and I could feel the happy tears coming, clapping with the huge crowd and Leon kissed my temple, before he walked to the stage, hands on his back. With a slight awe, I watched him, shake hands with dad, get his medal and as he turned to the crowd, microphone in hand, his eyes caught mine. I was so proud of him, after everything he had been through he jumped up and worked just as hard as he ever did. Still, he was a massive wind up, still he drove Superintendent Williams mad, but nobody would have him any other way.
“Thank you,” Leon smiled, not an ounce of nerves over him, his eyes still on me. “I just did my job, that was it really but,” he shrugged. “But I didn’t do it alone, my job and life,” he winked at me, a few laughs from the crowd and I tried very hard not to smile. “So, thank you.” He walked down to huge applause, coming straight to me and I grabbed his suit jacket, his arm going around my lower back and it felt like it was just us, in the packed room.
“I’m so proud of you,” I whispered, my voice full of emotion.
“As you should be,” he said seriously and I swear to fucking god.
“Leon-”
“I’m proud of you too, I love you,” he kissed my forehead, his hand moving lower to my arse.
“My dad and brother are literally-”
“I don’t give a fuck,” he whispered in my ear and I burst into giggles, the crowd around us getting fuller and finally I moved back, Leon’s hand in mine as everybody congratulated him on something he told me he didn’t even think twice about. A decision he made based on his gut, a decision he made in a split second and one that was right, exactly what Leon was good at.
