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The past few weeks had been quite the adjustment for Chris, to say the least. The transition from S.W.A.T. officer to just a civilian, in just a matter of weeks, had affected her more than she’d expected. She wasn’t expecting the change to be easy at all, given the fact that she was closing the book on a huge part of her life, but these past few weeks had been a constant reminder of how much S.W.A.T. had truly been the center of her world, for the past few years and it both terrified and exhilarated her that this had now changed.
S.W.A.T. would always be a part of her, that was never going to change nor did she want that to change, but this new chapter in her life was everything she'd been craving for a while without even being aware of it. Taking over the safe house meant having a responsibility like she'd never had before, making crucial decisions and a constant fight for these women, who’d gone through more in their ten‒ish to twenty‒something years of life than most had in their entire life. Yet, it also gave her a sense of freedom and inner peace like never before.
Besides quitting S.W.A.T. and taking over the safe house, another major change in Chris’s life would be the fact that she was now in an official relationship with him. Jim Street. Even though she had dreamed of this exact moment of her life, for the better part of five years‒not that she'd ever share that with him or the world‒ there were still moments, she couldn’t quite fathom that they’d made it out on the other side, together nonetheless.
Street had entered her life and it truly hadn’t been the same since. She’d questioned the universe every single day, upon first meeting him, about what she'd done wrong in a past life to ever get stuck with him on the same team. However she quickly learned that the black sheep of the family, as Hondo had described Street to her early on, was just a broken boy whose life had been wrecked by his parents, before he ever even stood a chance and from there on had been hurt a few too many times. She then realized that the asshole-facade he presented them with, was just his way of keeping everyone at arm's length, to keep from getting too close and possibly hurting him again. This was something she recognized very well within herself, which also meant she understood him like no other on the team.
He went from being the guy she’d pray would promptly get kicked off the team, to becoming her best friend, her partner, her confidant and the person she trusted more than anyone. She had never met anyone like him before and it threw her for a loop. How could he have had the childhood he had and been hurt the way he’d been in his life and still be the best person to ever enter her life, with a heart so big, it made her question everything.
From sparring at HQ, to hikes at Runyon Canyon, S.W.A.T. family barbecues at Deac’s and movie nights at his and Luca’s, she realized he’d quickly become the only person she always wanted around.
Deep in her heart Chris always knew their relationship stretched beyond friendship, but she had convinced herself that if they didn't talk about their feelings for each other or acted on those feelings, none of it would be real. Which is why she completely distanced herself from him, after their first ¨drunken¨ kiss. That bottle just exposed what had been beneath the surface the whole time and not distancing herself from him, would have led them to making decisions they’d both probably regret.
If there was one thing she knew for sure, it's the fact that she tried, really tried her hardest to shake him from her head and heart. Yet, each time they fell out, their bond would somehow end up stronger than before and fighting her feelings for him, just made her fall harder.
The realization she was fighting a losing battle, came when he told her about his mother needing a liver transplant and how he was considering being her donor. Being on S.W.A.T. meant they faced death almost every single day of their lives, yet this was the very first time she'd ever been terrified of losing him and ironically the situation had nothing to do with his S.W.A.T. career whatsoever. She had tried everything in her power to keep him from going through with the surgery. Ultimately realizing that he simply wasn't the person to turn his back on his mother, when he had the chance to save her life‒even with their murky history‒ and once again confirming he was the best person she knew. Him actually going through with the surgery, had caused her to crack and admit to him that she too, had feelings for him and couldn't lose him.
Remember when you told me that if you lost me, you'd never recover because…because of how you felt? I can't lose you either.
Street had also confessed the same to her weeks prior, but not being in the right state of mind to hear it then, Chris had just kicked him out and made it very clear nothing would ever happen between them.
This pipe dream about us, is never happening.
This of course forgotten at the very real possibility of losing him and she was no longer going to deny her feelings. However, what she wasn't ready for was a relationship with him. Mostly because of the fact that they were still very much on the same team and she wasn't going to break the no fraternization rule , between team members. She also wouldn't allow him to transfer to another team, knowing how important his S.W.A.T. family was to him. Even though he had made it very clear, he would transfer in a heartbeat to be with her.
Spending the months after his surgery, in a limbo of wanting nothing else than being with Street, but not being able to disregard the rules.
Finding out Mama Pina was sick, had ultimately led her to what she needed to do next, taking over the safe house. With her quitting S.W.A.T. and the rules no longer being an obstacle in their way, Street had hoped Chris would finally be ready to give them a real shot, but she still had one thing holding her back. Fear . Fear the relationship wouldn’t work out and then losing her person . Fear of completely losing herself to him. Fear of losing him while he was on the job…how would she ever recover?
She couldn’t be with him, there was too much on the line. It'd be easier not to go through with their situation . That would hurt, but they'd be better off. At least that is what she had convinced herself of, because how could she possibly explain to him that she loved him so much, it actually terrified the shit out of her. So she told him she didn't think they were meant to be. This had strained their relationship so much, she feared they'd never get back to what they once were.
Then came along that faithful mission, where she thought she'd lost Street forever and Luca’s words suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks, “ What you and Street have…the risk of getting hurt, that is nothing compared to the pain of never experiencing it.” That day she decided to take a leap of faith and trust Street with her heart, fear be damned. That was, if she wasn't too late…Which thankfully wasn't the case. In the middle of his and Luca’s living room, the very room where they had shared some of their most intimate moments‒away from everything and everyone‒they had both confessed their love to each other. They had spent a passionate night together, finally acting on all the feelings they had kept hidden from each other for so very long.
Now they were together, in an official relationship and it had been a whirlwind of absolute bliss, playful bickering and moments that took their breath away.
Even though both had pretty hectic schedules, with most of Chris´s time now spent at the safe house and Street´s extensive S.W.A.T. hours, they had promised each other their relationship would not suffer at the hands of those schedules. With Street being the one to bring up the topic, on a quiet night in, as they were both cuddled up on Chris's couch.
“Can I ask you something?” Street carefully asked, as the credits to the movie rolled and Chris turned down the volume.
“What if I just said no?” She playfully replied.
Street just forced a half‒smile, but Chris saw a hint of concern clouding his eyes.
“Go on.”
“So I know both S.W.A.T. and the safe house demand a lot of our time and trust me I wouldn't have it any other way, because we both love what we do.” He started off rambling and Chris caressed his face, in an attempt to calm him down. “But can we please promise each other, to never let our relationship play second fiddle to those schedules?” He continued, avoiding eye-contact with her. “Chris, I've wanted this for a long time, a really long time and I need this to work out because I don't think I'll survive if it doesn't…” His words trailed off, before she interrupted him.
Chris then cupped his face with both her hands, staring at him with big sincere eyes. “Hey, I meant every single word when I told you, I wanted this and I know there have been times in the past where I made you doubt this, but trust me when I tell you that you're the most important person in my life. This relationship is the most important thing in my life and I promise never to let anything come between us. Not after everything we've been through to get here.”
Chris then leaned in to kiss him, putting every single emotion she was feeling into the kiss.
Street released a breath, he didn't know he'd been holding, as it felt so good to hear her say how important both him and this relationship were to her. They had made up for lost time since making things official and his heart skipped a beat whenever she looked at him, every time he woke up to Chris cuddled into his chest, each time she told him she loved him, just the simple thought of her, could leave him breathless. Yet, there was this insecure voice at the back of his mind, that made him fear Chris would wake up one day and decide that he wasn't enough, that this relationship might not actually be what she wanted and she'd change her mind about them. Her passion for helping others was one of the reasons he fell in love with her, so he'd never dream of standing in the way of her and her work at the safe house, matter of fact he´d be her biggest supporter. However, he also didn't want her to put herself last. Losing sight of herself and the people she loved in the process. Simply because she'd done that her entire life already.
When Chris first started helping out at Mama Pina’s, she’d met Camilla and Mariana, who had been with Mama Pina for years now. They had both fled horrible situations in Venezuela, before eventually being taken in by Mama Pina. Now they both lived pretty established lives of their own, but had never stopped helping out at the safe house. Because they had been involved with the safe house for years and the fact that they had also gone through very similar situations, as most of the girls at the safe house, they had great knowledge about the system and its ins and outs. When Chris decided to take over the safe house, she was grateful she wouldn’t have to tackle it all on her own, but could also rely on the help of Camilla and Mariana. The three of them had completely taken over from Mama Pina, equally sharing the different tasks and creating a schedule to spend time and sleep at the safe house. They would never be able to replace Mama Pina, but they would try their hardest to continue the incredible work she started many years ago.
Chris spent the morning running some last minute errands, with her Aunt Helena and younger cousin Gabriela, for her uncle Sarzo's seventieth birthday party, which would be the following day. Her uncle Sarzo had been pretty adamant about not wanting a birthday party, but his wife was pretty dead set on throwing him one, stating, “You only turn seventy once, so we're throwing you a birthday party whether you want it or not.” Not one to ever go against his wife, he’d just accepted there would be no way out of the party and just reluctantly went along with everything.
Even though she hated making a fuss about her own birthday, Chris would celebrate her uncle Sarzo every single day, without complaint. Simply because she owed him and her aunt Helena her life. Chris’s mother had always struggled with her addiction, going in and out of rehab, her whole life. Leading to her uncle Sarzo and his wife Helena migrating from Colombia to the US, a couple years before Chris was born, to support his sister. With her mom going back to rehab soon after she was born and her father walking out on their family, uncle Sarzo and aunt Helena had taken in baby Chris and raised her as their own. Uncle Sarzo, his wife Helena, their sons, Thomas and Julian and daughters Andrea and Valentina, became the family Chris had missed out on. Their presence in her life had always provided Chris with an unfathomable amount of peace and security that somehow almost completely disappeared whenever her mother was around. Which only complicated processing her mother’s death and the grief she felt after her passing. There would be moments where the whole family was lounging together on the couch, or she and Thomas would get into one of their sibling-like banters and Chris would forget about her mom once being a part of her life. She’d only forget for a second, but the guilt she felt would be inexplicable, simply because her life with her mom was incredibly tumultuous, but she also never wanted to erase the time she got to spend with her. She would never be able to pay back her aunt and uncle for all they had done for her, not that they ever wanted her to, but she made damn sure they knew each and every single day how much she loved and appreciated them.
As S.W.A.T. officers the team their days alternated between long, physically demanding and most of the time emotionally draining days in the field and days spent at HQ filing paperwork, working on their physicality, running drills and waiting on calls to come in.
Today was one of those days. The team had spent the morning in the boxing ring and climbing ropes, before some target practice. Street was the first one back in the locker room after they had completed their target practice. Rushing out, to use the quiet locker room to call Chris.
Street hadn't realized before how much of his S.W.A.T. journey was truly shaped by Chris’s presence and now being at HQ, in the field or even sitting in the back of black Betty, was a constant reminder of her and the fact that she wasn't there anymore. It still managed to surprise him how much he missed her at work, when they were undoubtedly in the best place they'd ever been.
He was just about to call Chris, when another thought crossed his mind and he decided to text her instead. He'd been so concentrated on his phone, writing the text with the biggest grin on his face, that he hadn't even realized his teammates had entered the locker room.
“Who are you texting Street?” Tan said, completely startling him.
Before Street was able to come up with a quick reply, Luca answered.
“Come on Tan, that goofy grin on his face means there's only one person he could be texting.”
“So I'm smiling at my phone and that automatically means I'm texting Chris? He acted nonchalant, while putting away his phone and turning to grab his stuff out of his locker.
“Well for one, no one mentioned Chris, you did.” Luca smirked.
Shit.
“And trust me, I see your ¨Chris smile¨ so many times a day now, I know it by heart.” He continued.
“It's actually kind of nauseating.” Tan added.
Street then sat down on the bench and started taking off his shoes, hoping to cover up the fact that he was blushing.
“Leave me alone, man.”
“Ohh I was wondering why he ran out of the range so fast.” Hondo playfully patted Street on the back, as he walked past him.
“Look, I don’t know who decided you would all shit on me today, but I don't necessarily care for it.” Street said, still not able to look at his teammates.
“Look at him guys, he can't even make eye contact with us, when Chris is mentioned. I thought Annie and I were in love, but it's as if you two invented being in love.” Deacon mocked.
“You too now, Deac?” Street looked up, surprised his older teammate was also joining in on teasing him, when he was usually the most serious in the room.
“Come on, give the poor guy a break.” Hondo eventually said, hoping to put Street out of his misery. “You know it's all love.
Street smiled gratefully, his teammates may love to give him a hard time, but he knew they were all very happy for the two of them.
Deciding that was enough for the moment, Hondo spoke up. “Listen up people, let's take a quick lunch break and then get back to work.”
After running the final errands for her uncle's birthday party, Chris enjoyed lunch at her aunt and uncle's place, with her aunt Helena, her cousin Thomas and his daughter Gabriela. They were just finishing up lunch, when Chris’s phone vibrated on the table next to her and she saw Street’s name pop up. Figuring it was just him checking in during his lunch break, which he'd done everyday since her last day on S.W.A.T., Chris opened the texts and immediately tried to mask her, not so subtle, reaction to Street’s texts.
‒Slow day so far.
‒Can't really focus on anything, because all I keep thinking about is how badly I want you.
‒Can I just come home? It's not like I'm getting much done anyway.
“Oh yeah, I know what that look means.” Thomas reacted, like he was in on some secret.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chris replied, trying but failing at playing coy, all the while she turned beetroot red.
“Sure you do.” Thomas very much enjoyed seeing his younger cousin this flustered. “That's the look of someone who just received a text from the person they're in love with.”
Her aunt Helena immediately perked up at Thomas’s words and she suddenly wasn't interested in making the empanadas, she'd been going on about the entire lunch.
“‒In love? Chrissy’s in love? With who? Since when?” Her aunt fired off, with huge curious eyes.
“Jeez, ¡Cálmate! Chris tried to slow down the older woman. “And thanks for that, Tommy.” She added, while staring daggers at Thomas.
“Are you really in love, mija?” Helena then asked a bit calmer as she took her niece's hand in hers.
Chris knew the jig was up and there was no use trying to beat around the bush, so she decided to come clean.
“Fine! Yes, I'm seeing someone. I have for a couple of weeks now and I'm probably the happiest I've ever been, but that's all you´ll get for now. I'm bringing them to the party tomorrow and you'll get to interrogate us then. Now I'm begging you, please stop with the third degree.” Chris exasperated.
“I don't need to wait until tomorrow, I already know who they are.” Thomas replied a bit cocky, as he got up and headed towards the kitchen.
“You don't know shit about–.” Chris growled after him.
“–Christina!” Her aunt cut her off.
Her aunt had a firm rule against swearing and even though they were all adults now, she'd still yell at them like they were teenagers, whenever they dared to swear in her presence.
“Lo siento.”
Her uncle Sarzo then entered the house and was barely through the front door, before he was made aware of the latest news.
“Amor, our Chrissy is in love.” Helena announced like a giddy schoolgirl, while Chris shot her an incredulous look.
“No way, with who?”
“She won´t tell, she says we get to meet them tomorrow.”
Thomas then walked back into the dining room, sitting down across from Chris and shot her a knowing look. He´d been in Chris´s position before and very much enjoyed being on the other side. His younger cousin however, did not enjoy any of this.
Man, was she going to get him back for being such a pain.
“Why do we have to wait until tomorrow?” Sarzo questioned with a confused look on his face. “What's wrong with telling us now?”
“Ten minutes ago you didn't know anything and now you suddenly can't wait until tomorrow. What's wrong with you people?” Chris rolled her eyes in frustration.
“It's called being interested in your life‒” Her aunt cut her off, while she desperately flapped her hands in the air.
“‒Or being a nosy bunch?” Chris countered. “I'm gonna go, because I've had enough of all of you. Also, Gabby is the only one I did tell and she´s the calmest one here.” She jokingly added, before getting up and hugging her younger cousin, Gabriela.
“Love you, Chiquita. Thanks for being the only sane one here.” She shot her family a mock-annoyed look.
Chris left her aunt and uncle's that afternoon, feeling grateful she had a family who loved and cared about her that much. She may have wanted to tell her family on her own terms, but it definitely felt like a weight lifted off her shoulder, now that they knew she had someone new in her life. She was just anticipating their reaction to that someone being Street…
The roaring of Street´s bike quietened in front of Mama Pina´s house, after he had driven there straight after work. Chris would be spending the night at the safe house and they both desperately craved some time together, especially given the fact that they hadn't seen each other since the day before.
He'd just removed his helmet, when a familiar voice spoke up behind him.
“Coming to see your girl?” Marcos, Street and Luca’s neighbor, asked as he walked towards Street with a flower patterned bag in his hand.
“Hey, man. How are you doing?” Street replied a bit surprised. He hadn't even noticed his neighbor’s impala parked in the driveway.
“Not good, now that I have to see your dopey face.” He said dryly as he walked past Street and headed towards his car. “And man, please stop broadcasting to the world that you’re in love. It’s all over your face and it's making me sick.”
Street just smiled, deciding to choose his battles.
“Always a pleasure, Marcos.” He replied instead and made his way to the front door.
“Hey! You know I love to bust you guy’s chops, but Chris is doing really good work over here.” Marcos called back from his car as he slightly leaned out of the window.
“No arguing that.” Street looked back, smiling slightly, as he thought about how proud he was of Chris.
When he entered the house, the girls were setting the table for dinner. Mama Pina had been adamant about daily dinners together and Chris felt it was very important to carry on that tradition. The girls insisted they had it all under control when Street offered to help with dinner and setting the table, so he decided to wait in Chris's room instead, as she finished up her shower.
“Jeez! You scared the crap out of me.” Chris slightly jumped back, as she entered the room and saw him sitting on her bed.
Street just smiled, while he tried ignoring the impure thoughts swirling his mind, at the sight of her in just a towel.
“Missed you today.” He whispered against her lips, after he got up from the bed and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Oh trust me, I could tell by your little text earlier.” Chris laughed.
“Sweet, huh?”
“Yes, sweet.” Chris replied sarcastically, while arching an eyebrow at him. “It was also really sweet when Gabriela almost read it too.”
“What does that matter? She knows about us.”
Chris grimaced.
“Yes, but I don’t need her to know we have sex.”
She then stepped back and walked towards the closet to grab some clothes.
“She’s seven, Chris. Not stupid.” Street retorted.
“You're ridiculous and by the way, my aunt and uncle also know about us now.”
“Wait, you told them about us?”
“Well, they know I’m dating someone. They just don't know that someone is you.” She smirked. “But for some reason Thomas seems to think he already knows who it is. Did you tell him about us?”
Street just stared at her for a second, guilt written all over his face.
“Dude, how did you ever manage to get Hicks to approve your undercover assignments? You have no poker face at all.” Chris snorted.
“Ouch, I think Hicks would agree I’m one of his most skillful cops to send undercover.” He faked being wounded, with a hand on his chest. “And what makes you think I said something? Maybe he just figured it out by himself.”
“Please, the idiot couldn’t put it together if we were making out in front of him.”
“Fine, but I technically didn't tell him we were together. We just discussed me finally being with the girl of my dreams. Not my fault, he put two and two together.” Street offered as he walked up to her and brought his face distractedly close to hers.
“Whatever. Now, can you please wait in the living room while I get dressed?”
Chris was barely able to get out the last part of her question, as Street started kissing down her neck. He clearly had ideas of his own and none of them involved leaving this room or having dinner, so he just ignored her question and continued what he was doing.
“Please don't start anything right now?” Chris almost pleaded between kisses, as she could feel her body slowly start to give in.
“Too late now.” He replied in a husky tone, before he gently coaxed open her mouth, his tongue dancing against her.
“Save it for tomorrow.” Chris whispered.
Street just smiled at her mischievously, before Chris felt his hand slide down her chest to undo the knot of her towel. That’s when she decided to put an end to his shenanigans.
“Living room! Now!” She commanded, as she slightly pushed him off of her.
“I was dead serious in that text, Chris. I might explode.” Street responded only half‒joking, before trying to capture her lips again.
“There was a time where you had to wait five years, one day won't kill you.” She said matter-of-factly.
“We don’t know that.”
“Get out!” Chris whisper‒shouted and gently pushed Street out of her room, before shutting the door in his face.
They spent the rest of their night having dinner and watching a movie with the girls. They all even got to talk to Mama Pina, as Camilla Face Timed Chris while visiting her at the hospice, before they eventually said goodbye and Street headed home. Chris hadn't realized how exhausted she was from the day’s activities, until she dozed off while on the phone with Street, after he called her before bed.
Every inch of Street´s body ached as he got off his bike. It'd been a long day, with the team having to roll out four different times, which was a lot, but not out of the ordinary for them. Getting jumped by the suspect, during their last call and having to tackle him down a flight of stairs, had completely taken it out of Street. He quickly freshened up, got dressed and made his way to Chris´s apartment, after their final debrief of the day. Sporting black jeans, a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his signature boots and black leather jacket, he was ready to head to Sarzo’s birthday party. They´d be taking Chris´s jeep to the party, so he decided to let her know he´d arrived, while he loaded up the car with his gifts and hopefully saved them some time.
“Hey, are you here?” Chris asked, as soon as she answered the phone.
“Yep, do you need help with something up there?”
“No, I´ll be right down.”
“Okay, I'm in the car.”
It wasn't long before he saw her exiting the building and Street practically let out an audible gasp. She matched him in all black, wearing a black top with cut‒outs on the side, black skinny jeans, black boots and bright red lips to complete the look. Street had a hard time keeping track of the million thoughts speeding through his mind, each racier than the other.
How was she more beautiful than the last, each time he saw her?
Chris had barely made it into the passenger seat, when Street grabbed her face and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. Completely catching her off guard.
“Hi.” Street murmured breathlessly against her lips, keeping his forehead pressed against hers.
“Hi.” She whispered, as she pulled back and used her thumb to remove some of her red lipstick that now stained Street´s lips.
“You look‒I mean, this look‒You’re just…” Street struggled to finish his sentences, without taking his eyes off of her.
“I really hope the end of those sentences are good.” She teased.
“They are, you just look so good.” He caught himself, while awkwardly scratching the back of his head. “Do we really have to go to the party? Can't we just go back upstairs?”
Chris burst into laughter.
“I'm afraid my aunt and uncle will have a seizure, if we don't show up.” She joked. “And you don't look so bad yourself.” She seductively said, as her eyes skated over his body.
She would never tell him this, because he didn’t need the ego boost, but she had never denied to herself that he was the sexiest man she'd ever met. He could be wearing a S.W.A.T. tee, TAC gear, his leather jacket or simply be shirtless and still always manage to take her breath away.
“Thanks.” He replied bashfully.
He kept his eyes locked on hers and Chris flushed.
“Stop! Can we please go?”
Street grinned, before interlocking his right hand with Chris’s left and used his free hand to grip the steering wheel, as they made their way out of the parking lot.
After driving a little over thirty minutes, they’d made it to Chris’s aunt and uncle's house and by the looks and sound of it, the party was in full swing already.
“Ready?” Chris turned to Street, after the car was parked.
“No, are you?”
“Are you nervous?” She teased, as she ran her hand up and down his torso. “You hang out with them, more than I do.”
Street grimaced.
“Yes, but never as your boyfriend.”
“They love you already, so it’ll be okay.” she said matter‒of‒factly, before giving him a quick peck on his lips.
Even though she was putting up a brave front, Chris completely recognized Street´s nerves, as she was also nervous about tonight. She’d never been one to introduce her family to the person or people she was dating. She had always preferred to keep those two worlds separate. Over time she realized she’d never introduced her previous partners to her family, because she secretly never believed any of the relationships would go the distance. This was not the case with Street. She may not know what the future holds for them and that’s scary, but for the first time in her life, she’s allowing herself to be loved and treated the way she deserves. She recognized the nerves she had about the night were less about him meeting her family and more about the fact that she was now entering uncharted territory. Even with the fear of taking this next step, she had faith everything would be okay, because she had him by her side.
“Wait, are those all for him? How many presents did you get him?” Chris laughed, after she turned around and saw three neatly wrapped gifts on the backseat.
“Well, three.” He replied, a bit embarrassed.
“You know he's my uncle, right? And I got him just the one present.”
“Maybe I'm just really generous.” Street playfully retorted.
Chris shot him an unimpressed look.
“Or maybe you're just a kiss-ass.”
Street laughed and pulled her in for a kiss.
“Let´s go, they're probably wondering what's keeping us.”
Chris took one last look in the visor vanity, before they grabbed the presents and headed inside.
“I knew it!”
A familiar voice called out behind them and Chris swore under her breath. Of course Thomas would be the first one they'd run into at the party.
“Told you I already knew.” Thomas playfully nudged Chris with his elbow. “Can’t keep secrets from me.”
“Maybe we weren't trying to keep it a secret, just private.” Chris mumbled.
“Whatever. The point is, I was right.”
That’s when Chris had enough and just punched Thomas´s arm, while Street laughed at their sibling-like banter.
“But I'm really happy you two are finally together. Took you long enough.” Thomas said sincerely. “Now if I were you, I would find my parents because they've asked me about five times already, where you were.”
Chris just exasperated and rolled her eyes.
“Good luck with them, dude.” Thomas laughed, before giving Street a patronizing pat on the shoulder.
It didn’t take them long to find Sarzo and Helena. The two were standing in a corner of the beautifully decorated room, in deep conversation with a couple of Sarzo’s younger employees. She may not have looked it, but the sudden white knuckled grip Chris's hand had on his, was evident enough, he wasn't the only nervous one. Street shot her a reassuring smile, before pulling her into his side and laying a tender kiss on her temple.
“Well, who do we have here?” Sarzo cheerfully asked, when he noticed Chris and Street making their way towards him, catching the attention of his wife, who turned around to see who he was referring to.
“Happy birthday!” Chris embraced her uncle, choosing to ignore the confusion on both his and her aunt’s face. “Love you!”
She then moved to hug her aunt.
“Is Street the person you’re dating, Chrissy?” Helena asked in Spanish, as she embraced her niece.
“Yes? Are you dating him?” Uncle Sarzo then also inquired in Spanish.
Clueless about what was being said, Street just stood there awkwardly, staring at the Alonso family as they went on in Spanish.
“Couldn't wait, could you?” Chris shook her head in mock-disappointment. “At least let the poor guy wish you a happy birthday and give you his gifts first.” She answered in Spanish.
Chris then switched back to English.
“But since you’re so impatient, Yes! He’s the one I’m dating.”
Street got a big dimpled-filled smile on his face.
“Hey! Look at that!” Sarzo exclaimed with a huge smile on his face, before embracing Street. “I love it, I love it.”
Helena, no longer able to contain herself as a wave of joy washed over her, then joined in on Sarzo and Street´s hug. Both her and Sarzo, now completely smothering Street.
“I'm so happy for you two, mijo.” Helena whispered over Street´s shoulder, as she held on to him tightly.
“Okay, enough! Let him breathe now.” Chris laughed, as she gently maneuvered past the two and snuggled into Street´s arms. “Now that you know, you can leave me alone.”
Street smiled, as he wrapped his arms around Chris.
Sarzo and Helena beamed at the two, both feeling overjoyed at seeing their niece this happy and in love.
“Happy birthday, man.” Street eventually said, remembering he hadn't actually gotten the chance to wish Sarzo a happy birthday yet. “These are also yours.” He pointed to the gifts on the table next to them.
Sarzo thanked the two for their presents and headed off to mingle with the rest of his guests, but not before yelling over his shoulder, “Enjoy the party, I´ll find you two later.”
Chris and Street were just about to find a quiet spot, when her younger cousin, Gabriela, came running towards them.
“Jimmy!” She exclaimed, as she ran into Street´s arms and he was just quick enough to grab her and pick her up.
“Hey Chiquita, you look so beautiful.” Chris greeted Gabriela, as she ran her hair through the girl’s hair.
“Hey! It's my favorite girl.” Street caressed her cheek. “Missed you.”
“Missed you, too.” Gabriella responded, while she held onto him.
Chris silently enjoyed their sweet interaction, with the biggest smile on her face. He had always been amazing with children.
Chris knew with absolute certainty that there was no human being walking this planet, who loved Jim Street more than she did and then she'd watch Gabriela interact with him and question that thought. It was at the family dinner, almost five years ago, she had dragged Street along to‒kind of against his will‒where Gabriela first met him. Hondo had asked Chris to show Street that their team wasn’t just any S.W.A.T. Team, they were a family and she thought the best way to communicate that to him, was to take him to one of her family dinners. Chris hoped to show him the bond they all shared, stretched beyond just co-workers and that they could always rely on each other, no matter what. Street had been apprehensive at first, but Chris’s family had welcomed him with open arms and he'd never told her this, but he had felt more loved that night, than he had in a really long time.
The very night Chris introduced him to her family, Street also met his favorite little girl. He’d shaken her hand and gotten, “Gabby” in response, when he asked her for her name. She’d stretched out her little arms to be picked up by him and spent the rest of the night comfortably on his lap, with Thomas even joking, “Street man, we’re never inviting you to another family dinner again. My daughter seems way more interested in you, than me.” She may have only been two years old at the time, but Chris was convinced it was love at first sight for the little girl. Street and Gabriela had instantly bonded and that bond had only gotten stronger over time. She was also the only person Chris had secretly confessed to, about her feelings for Street, completely unaware Street had done the exact same. Even though the little girl was only seven years old now, she always had some sound advice to share with the lovesick pair. Which is also why Gabriela was the very first person Chris told about her relationship with Street, after the two had made it official and the absolute joy on her little face was something Chris would never forget.
Street smiled when he noticed the reminisced look on Chris´s face, unaware of her train of thought.
“What?”
“Nothing, you two are just super cute.”
“Oh, we know.” He playfully wiggled his eyebrows at her, making both Chris and Gabriela laugh.
They spent the rest of the night enjoying the party and good company. Somehow a different nosy family member would find them every few minutes, with questions about their relationship. Most of them admitting they always knew the two would end up together, or they’d admit to hoping the two would eventually end up together. By the end of the night Chris had had enough of all the questions, but felt extremely grateful for a family and friends who cared that much.
That night in Chris's darkened bedroom as she was fast asleep, completely cuddled into his chest, Street reminisced about the incredible night and wondered why he’d ever been nervous in the first place. The night had gone better than they could’ve ever dreamed off and had been full of unforgettable moments. From Gabriela's innocent, “Now we can have sleepovers all the time.” to Chris’s cousin, Andrea, yelling across the room, “Hey lovebirds, wanna use my bedroom to continue that? Since you’re practically already having sex out here and I promise, we don't want to see that.” after they had gotten a little carried away, when an innocent kiss quickly turned into a full-blown make-out session. Chris had gotten beetroot red and buried her face in Street’s chest, but that hadn’t stopped her from firing back “Oh we would if we really wanted to, Andrea.” before playfully sticking out her tongue at her older cousin.
Street’s favorite moment of the night was at the end of the party. Helena had pulled him aside, as Chris was saying goodbye to the rest of the family and the serious look on her face had him instantly worried, but what came after had moved him beyond words. Helena had taken both his hands in hers, before she let out a nervous chuckle, “I'm doing this without Chris here, because I know she'll say I'm being dramatic, but I really need you to hear me. Mijo, our Chrissy’s been through so much in her life, more than anyone should ever go through. She’s one of the strongest people in our family and we know she doesn’t need anyone, but we always hoped she would find the person she wanted, her person .” Helena rambled, without breaking eye-contact with Street. “We knew from the moment we met you, how special you were and I know you’ve probably heard this a million times tonight, but we did always wish you would be that person.” Helena continued. “We know how much you love her and even when she's taking care of the rest of the world, you’re always there to take care of her. Though we both know she does not need that, but you do anyway because she’s worth it.” That's when Street noticed the tears in the older woman's eyes, as she went on. “I guess what I'm trying to say is that it brings us such peace to see her loved and treated, the way she deserves. For us to see her with someone who knows how special she is and who is truly deserving of her. We honestly never thought anyone was deserving of her before.” She laughed, before embracing him and whispering over his shoulder, “We love you both so very much and know that you’ve always had a very special place in our hearts, Jimmy.”
Chris had shown up, just as Helena and Street were hugging and she could tell the two had probably had an intense conversation, but chose not to comment on the situation. On their way home, she did however try to get out of Street what the two had discussed, but he casually responded, “Nope, that's between Helena and I. Deal with it!” Before he used his free hand to grab hers and dropped a soft kiss on it.
As he reminisced about the night, Street also thought back on the night Chris came over to his and Luca’s, after his mother had passed away. The strained relationship between him and his mother had never kept him from praying she’d somehow kick her addiction and live out the rest of her life in peace. God knows she deserved it, after everything she’d gone through. Yet, having witnessed so many other situations in which the complete opposite happened, he’d subconsciously also prepared himself for the day his mother would lose the battle against her addiction. When Chris came over that night, he had told her how much he’d always dreaded that very day, because losing his mother meant losing the last family member he had left and that from now on he’d truly be alone. A feeling he’d never be able to put into words.
Now, barely a year later, he was experiencing the complete opposite of emotions he felt that night and he knew he was wrong about one thing, he’d never be alone.
One, because his S.W.A.T. family would always be there;
Two, the Alonso family was his family.
In a way they always have been, he'd just never realized it before.