Her steps slowed to a stop, and she turned to look at him.
Her first instinct was that he was making a joke of some sort, but that idea disappeared quickly.
She almost didn't speak because the look in his eyes was something she didn't want to see change.
There was a warmth in his gaze and touched her from her head to her toes.
A warmth she never wanted to let go.
Someone walked down the hallway and moved between them. "Excuse me. Sorry."
Once they were alone again, the spell seemed to break, but it didn't mean that the moment was ruined.
Instead, it only seemed to get better.
"Ipo," he said the word again, "means sweetheart in Hawaiian."
Her eyes widened at his words and her heart pounded happily at his meaning.
"Ipo." She said the word and smiled. "I like the sound of it."
Kaleo moved in closer and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It's a shorter version ofku'uipo, but the meaning is the same."
They walked together to the door, and he opened it so she could walk through without a worry.
One step into the door, she turned to look at him, a big grin on her face. "You're going to have to teach me words I can call you."
"Sure."
He smiled and as she walked toward the nurse's station in the pediatrics wing, she heard him speak again.
"You can call me yours."
ELEVEN
DUKE
He arrived back at the E.R. to a crazy rush of activity.
It wasn't just the Rescue Crew taking up the hallway and waiting area, it was also at least four people in handcuffs and a very angry Police Sergeant.
Sergeant Kate Turner.
Or as they knew her at the Fire Station, Rock's wife.
"Sergeant!" Kaleo walked up to Kate and touched her gently on the shoulder. "How is he?"
When her gaze fixed on his face, there was a moment when the 100% badass police sergeant looked all too human.
"Duke, hey."
She didn't answer his question and that alone was enough to make him worry.
Kate was usually spot on in any situation.
No matter how crazy or frantic, she was always focused.
On the job.
