The Curse Of Eden
Chapter 17- I love you Pumpkin

Adam sent his friend off after long hours of talking. They've both finished a dozen beer cans, littering the living room upside down.

He signed as he looked at the mess but wasted no time in cleaning it up before going to bed. He didn't want Collette to eat his ear out in the morning and he surely didn't want to get into another argument. He took a warm, relaxing shower before getting into the comforts of his bed.

Collette was already fast asleep, her back facing him as he soft, shallow breathing filler the room.

And he found himself sighing once again. A habit he's been doing quite often.

She was his little pumpkin. The girl he fell in love with almost instantly and knew right then and there that she was the one.

Everything he knew in the past couple of weeks and everything that has happened had changed something in him. The way he saw Collette changed. He felt proud of her more than he ever did.

It was the same as when she got her Ph.D. in criminal anthropology. It wasn't the same as when she was first scouted out but the FBI to help as a criminal profiler. And it wasn't as when she got a medal from the mayor.

No. It was more than that. For her to get through that childhood of hers and then out to be the person who she is now made me feel pride for his wife like he never did before and a wide smile crossed his lips as he stared at her back. He scooted closer, snaking his arms around her petite body and holding her close to his.

He could feel her body heat cover him in a warm, comforting hue and he buried his face in her neck.

"Adam." Collette stirred sleepily, her voice rough.

He kissed her shoulder gently.

"Yeah baby girl. Go back to sleep."

To his surprise, Collette turned around so she faced him and buried her face into his hard chest, wrapping her arms around his torso.

"I love you baby." He whispered into her hair as he planted a soft kiss there.

He could feel her smile against the thin fabric of his shirt as he nested herself closer to him.

"I love you too Adam."

Collette woke up to an empty bed, yet Adam's side was still a tab bit warm.

The sound of the water rushing down from the showerhead told her that indeed Adam was still home.

She rubbed her lazy eyes as a yawn escaped her chapped lips. She could still feel Adam's warm hands around her body and a small smile grazed her lips.

It didn't take Adam time to turn the tap off and emerge from the bathroom, hair dripping wet and nothing hiding him but a towel around his waist. "Morning pumpkin." He smiled once their eyes made contact.

"Morning handsome."

"How do you feel about a quick coffee date before we head to HQ?" Adam suggested with a playful smirk as he took a seat on the bed right in front of Collette. Her smile widened as she nodded her head happily.

"I'd love that."

Adam cupped her face with his hand, bringing her face closer and touching her forehead with his lips in a gentle kiss.

"And maybe wear that orange dress you like so much."

Collette's face wrinkled up on one side. "Nah...I don't feel like wearing it today."

Adam ruffled her head as he got up with an airy chuckle. "Sure, wear whatever you want."

Right on cue, Collette was up to get ready.

"Let's go to Wild Aromas." Collette suggested once they got into the car.

"Wild Aromas it is then."

"Are you sure it'll be okay?"

"The chief has work at the mayor's office." Adam winked. "No harm running a little late. I'm the head detective anyways."

Thankfully, Wild Aromas was only a couple of blocks away. It was the couple's all-time favorite coffee shop when in need of a relaxing environment to sit in.

The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans hit their nostrils way before they entered the mouth-watering haven.

Collette went to replace a table for them while Adam made his way to the counter to order.

Ten minutes in and they were both enjoying their hot latte's, sided with chocolate chip muffins and a plate of shared pancakes.

"This reminds me of our very first date." College noted with a suggestive look towards her husband who groaned loudly. Collette chuckled at his reaction.

"Don't remind me." Adam whined.

"What? It was very memorable." She chuckled more.

"It was a disaster. I did everything wrong." Adam couldn't help the brief escape of humourful air that escaped him.

Collette laughed more.

"Someone jinxed that day I'm telling you."

"I mean, what were the odds that my car would break down in the middle of my way to you and get my wallet stolen from me!"

Collette's laughed hard at her husband's frustrated expression.

"Me? A detective getting mugged!"

"It happens to the best of us dear."

Adam let out a laugh of his at the memory.

"Yeah and like that was the end of it. We ended up coming here for a cheap date remember."

"I had already decided in my mind that I was going to delete your number for good." Collette joked with tear-filled eyes.

"Honestly, at some point I thought you were bad luck. I didn't know how to face you at the time."

"What? If it wasn't for me having cash we would've roamed the streets aimlessly." She laughed.

"Uuhh...the memory." Adam laughed as he placed a hand over his face. "And don't forget sweetheart how you accidentally pushed the juice off the table and onto me. I was drenched!" Both their laughter echoed loudly around them, possibly attracting looks but none of them cared. They were enjoying each other's company and the recalling of their favorite memory. "Thank God we gave each other a second chance. It was bad for the both of us." Adam calmed down as he wiped a stray tear.

Collette nodded with a grin. "Our best decision yet."

Adam reached for her hand across the counter, holding it gently.

"You know what-" Adam's words were cut short with the noisy ringing of his phone.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance as he fetched it from his pocket.

"It's Ken." Adam noted.

"We should go Adam."

With a sigh, he nodded his head and the two started making their way to the car.

They both needed that time together. Even if it was short but they were both sure it made a difference in contrast to the tensed up days they've been through the last couple of weeks. "Everything alright?" Ken whispered to Adam, gesturing with his eyes to Collette who was already a couple of steps ahead towards the briefing room.

And it didn't take a genius to understand what he meant.

Adam narrowed his eyes at his friend. "What do you think? I'm the boss man." He replied smugly.

It was now Ken's turn to narrow his eyes. "Don't let your good mood get in my way. I'm a professional martial artist. I can kill."

Not waiting for a reply he left towards the briefing room what the rest of the team were.

Adam let out a low laugh as he followed Ken.

The while team already gathered and ready around the round glass table including Doc Ruby.

"Okay, what do we have?" Adam asked once he entered, his expression serious and professional.

"Avery and I went to each of the victim's homes with the warrants but we found nothing." Ken started.

"Did you search our new vics' homes as well?" Adam crossed his arms across his chest.

"Uhm..no actually." Avery answered as she and Ken shared a look. "But I don't think we'll get anywhere either way."

"Was the phone not turned on at all till now?"

"No boss. We've been keeping an eyes up since yesterday but we got nothing." Elliot answered.

"I already appointed two guys at the house?"

"Erm...Adam. What phone?" Collette asked suddenly in confusion.

"We found the phone that E has been using in your childhood home yesterday." Adam answered.

"What? You didn't tell your wife where you were going yesterday detective?" Ruby commented causing all eyes to turn on her but no one replied.

"So? It's his job not mine." Collette challenged with a straight face despite her inner turmoil. A part of her felt heavy for being in the dark, especially that it was at her own house. But that never gave Ruby the right to judge her, Adam or anyone on the team for whatever they do.