Starsky had to testify in the
trial of John Buchanan. He had arrested him after Hutch had been shot. And the
trial was held in San Diego, as it was where he had escaped from in the first
place.
Starsky was exiting the
courthouse talking to other fellow cops when a beautiful woman ran into him.
“I-I’m sorry” she excused
herself. “I’m in a hurry and didn’t see you.”
“It’s ok. Are you all right?”
asked Starsky surprised with that face. She was the same height as him, brown
hair held in a ponytail, and beautiful green eyes, though she had them hidden
behind glasses. Just seeing her caught his breath.
“Yes, I’m fine… Excuse me, I’m
late for work” she went on her way into the building. She felt her heart jump,
and all she wanted to do was run as far as possible from him.
Starsky couldn’t take that
face out of his mind. “It can’t be possible,” he whispered. And his mind
traveled to a year before when he was happy with the woman he loved, and was
making plans with, till the day life took her away from him.
“What is it, detective? Ain’t
such beautiful ladies in Bay City?” joked one of the officers, bringing him
back to the present.
Starsky grinned sheepishly.
“Just looked like someone I know… I mean someone I used to know.”
* * *
“How did everything go in San
Diego?” asked a happy Hutch seeing his friend back.
“Closed case. Buchannan won’t
see the light for a long long time” replied Starsky grinning, though in some
way somber.
“Then why that face? What’s
bothering you?”
“I think I saw Annie, Hutch… I
mean, I’m pretty sure it was her in San Diego.”
“Buddy, you know that’s not
possible. She’s…”
“We know there was an
accident, but we never found her body from that crash.”
“Starsky, don’t do this to
yourself. It’s been a year already. You’re starting again.”
“Yeah, you’re right... Maybe
it’s just that I still miss her, and that girl looked so much like her.”
“It’s alright you still miss
her. You two were so much in love… But fate took her away from you, and you
just have to go on living, and treasure all the good memories of those times.”
“Yep…” he sighed deeply. “OK,
I’ll go home to take a relaxing shower, and I’ll pick you up later to go
celebrate, what d’you say?”
“OK with me. Maybe Nathalie
and Stephie are up to some fun too.”
* * *
That night they had a good
time with the girls, and after The Pits each couple went to each guy’s
apartment. Starsky had been very cheerful, though he couldn’t hide from Hutch
that he felt a bit serious.
Since Starsky had met
Nathalie, they’d gotten along well. She was a great girl with many things in
common with him. She stayed the night as many others, and they shared a great
night of sex, though Starsky had to bite his tongue more than once not to call
her ‘Annie’.
During the following days it
was almost the same, Starsky couldn’t get Annie out of his mind. During their
shifts things were a little calmer, though Hutch knew there was something
there, and of course it had something to do with Annie. And he also knew
Starsky would open up in the right time; he didn’t have to push him.
When the day ended, Starsky
devoted his time alone to remember his time with his beloved Annie. How happy
they’d been, the plans they had made till that tragic day the plane in which
she was crashed.
One of those nights he made up
his mind and decided he had to see that woman in San Diego again. It was a gut
feeling that there was something in her that had to do with his Annie.
Therefore as they were having some days off at the end of that week, with a
lousy excuse for Hutch – who didn’t believe him, though respected his friend’s
silence – he flew to San Diego again.
* * *
Starsky arrived early that
Friday, and went straight to the Courthouse. Once there he asked the man at the
reception desk. “Good morning. I was wondering if you happen to know one Miss
Anne Harper.”
“Excuse me, Sir, but that name
doesn’t ring any bell.”
Starsky then extracted a black
& white photo of Annie. “How about this face? Have you seen this woman?”
The man took the picture and
studied it thoroughly. “Well, she looks like one of the Assistant Attorneys
here… Hmmm, yes it could be Angeline Hart.”
Starsky’s heart leaped with
excitement “Where can I find this Miss Hart?”
The man turned serious. “Why
so much interest, sir?”
Starsky took his ID and showed
it to the man. “I’m sorry, I’m Det. Starsky from Bay City PD, and I’d like to
ask her some questions.”
“Ohhh, now I remember… You
were here for Buchannan’s trial. That guy was a tough one. Fortunately things
worked out fine.”
“Yeah, yeah…” replied Starsky
anxious to get back to the topic.
“Well, could you tell me where I can find her?”
“I don’t have any address, I’m
sorry. Besides she’s not due to any trial this week. Though she’ll be here the
next one.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I am. We keep a
very organized schedule, sir.”
“Ok, ok, thanks.”
Starsky left feeling a little
lost. What would he do during that week? He went to a telephone booth and
searched in the directory for an Angeline Hart, with no luck. With nothing else
to do, he decided to go back to Bay City, so he took the first flight back
home.
* * *
Once in Bay City airport, he
took the Torino, which he had left in the parking lot, and headed for the station.
At the station he found Minnie working.
“Hi, handsome, thought you had
the weekend off.”
“I do, but I need a big favor
from you.”
“I knew you hadn’t come to
visit me” she grinned. “What d’you need?”
“I need everything related to
that plane crash on the way to San Diego a year ago.”
“The one in which Annie was?”
“That’s the one.”
“D’you have anything new after
all this time?”
“I’m not sure… Just get it to
me, would you?”
“You know I can’t refuse you
anything.”
“I’ll owe you a big one, Minnie”
he kissed her on the cheek and left.
* * *
The following Monday, when
Hutch arrived he met Minnie on his way to the squad room.
“Morning, Minnie.”
“Hi, Hutch… Could you please
give this to Starsky?”
“Sure.” He took the folder,
and went on his way.
When he put it on the desk, he
peeked what it was about. ‘Oh, Starsk, you have to let it go, buddy’ he
thought.
In that moment, Starsky
entered the office. Hutch lifted his head, and looked at his partner “What are
you up to, Starsky?”
“There’s something missing,
Hutch. Don’t know if it’s in that folder or not, but after seeing that woman…”
“Starsk…” Hutch squeezed his
shoulder.
“I went to San Diego this
weekend, and the man in the Courthouse recognized Annie.”
“What?” asked Hutch
astonished.
“I showed him a black &
white picture of Annie, and he said she looked like one of the Assistant
Attorneys there.”
“You know that must be a
coincidence.”
“Maybe, but I’ve got a gut
feeling there’s something there.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“Next week this Miss Hart will
be in court, and I need you to back me up when I ask Dobey for the week off.”
“What will you tell him?”
“Just that there could be
something related to the accident.”
“He’ll want to know more,
Starsky.”
“But you’ll convince him not
to ask.”
Hutch shook his head. “OK. You
know I’ll help if that’s what you need to let her go.”
“I knew I could count on you
as always, buddy. No matter how crazy you think I am.”
“At least I don’t think you’ll
run any risk there.”
“Promise, nothing crazy”
Starsky grinned.
That week seemed endless.
Starsky’s anxiety was increasing with each passing day. He and Hutch checked the file about the
accident, though they didn’t find anything new. But what kept rolling in
Starsky’s mind was that Annie’s body hadn’t been found.
Finally, after talking to
Dobey and with Hutch’s support, Starsky got his week off and he flew to San
Diego.
* * *
He had no luck on Monday,
though he confirmed with the guy from the previous weekend that Angeline Hart
would be there during those days.
On Tuesday, he was there early
in the morning, and after a while, he saw her coming with another girl talking
about some papers they were handling.
Starsky stood up and hurried
toward them. “Excuse me, Miss Hart. May
I talk to you?” he asked looking straight into her eyes.
She felt her heart leap in her
chest seeing those beautiful eyes and that face. “I-I’m sorry, I don’t think I
know you. Besides I’m in a hurry for a trial.”
“Seems every time we meet,
you’re running late” he grinned.
“Every time?” she asked trying
to sound casual.
“Yeah. A few days ago I was
exiting the building, and you ran into me.”
“And now you’re going to
present a complaint for some damage I caused.”
“No, I just need to talk to
you about someone very important for me.”
“Oh… Don’t know how that can
be possible.” She tried not to show her nervousness.
“If you could give me some
time.”
“I told you I’m in a hurry.
Maybe some other time” she said nervously, and rushed away.
* * *
“Angie, why didn’t you accept
to talk to that guy?” asked her companion, looking backwards to Starsky who
stood there astonished.
“I-I don’t have time for
everybody that wants to-to talk. I don’t even know him.”
“You looked surprised when you
first saw him. He made an impression in you.”
“Well, I-I have to admit he
has wonderful eyes.” She was very nervous now.
“That could be a very good
reason to accept to talk to him. I’d gladly try to know him better” her friend
joked.
“Just forget about it, will
you?” Angie dropped abruptly the subject.
* * *
Starsky wasn’t going to give
up. He knew how to get what he wanted. He’d wait no matter how long he had to
do it.
The next morning, the
situation was the same. Angeline Hart refused again to talk to him. But after
that second failure, Starsky decided to follow her. He’d try anything to get to
her.
That way, on Thursday evening,
he finally found her alone when she arrived to her apartment. He entered the
building, and went to her apartment. He rang the bell and when Angie opened the
door, she was surprised to see him standing there.
“If you keep on this attitude,
I’ll call the police.” She said seriously.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Leave me alone, sir” she was
getting nervous with his presence.
“You forgot about me, Annie?”
“What? I’m Angeline, Angie.”
“No, you’re not. You’re Anne
Harper, the woman I lost a year ago, and I want to know why.”
Faced with this declaration,
she felt defeated, and backed off from the door silently.
Starsky entered closing the
door behind him.
“You really thought I wouldn’t
find you? You changed your name, you dyed your hair, wear glasses. But you
couldn’t fool me, Annie. Since that day I saw you for an instant I knew it was
you.”
“It’s over, David” she said
turning around to face him.
“How? Why? What happened?” he
asked brokenheartedly.
“I-I don’t love you any more.”
“That’s it? You just stopped
loving me and ran away? Why didn’t you tell something? You should’ve told me
something was wrong, and maybe we could’ve sort it out.”
“I just couldn’t. The accident
only helped me to rearrange things in my life, and disappear from yours.”
“What happened, Annie. You
don’t stop loving from one moment to the other.” Starsky persisted, he was
determined to know the truth. “If you didn’t love me any more, you didn’t have
to use the accident to escape from me. Why didn’t you talk to me like a normal
couple should do… I’d suffer, but at least I’d know you were alive.” He was
desperate now, and went on with his tirade. “Don’t you think that’d be better
than thinking the person you love’d died in that horrible way? I’d rather mourn
about a failed love, than the hell I went through thinking you were dead” he
added really upset. “Why you had to lie to me, Annie? I thought what we had was
very special for you too as it was for me.”
Annie was getting very
anxious, desperate searching for words to convince Starsky to leave her. She
could only imagine what he’d been through, but she yet thought it’d been the
best.
“I just couldn’t go on being
with you being while you were a cop. I was always worried about you, and what
could happen to you. And I couldn’t stand it any more. It was a matter of
things adding up.”
“Bull shit” Starsky shouted.
“I won’t buy that.”
“It’s the truth. Like it or
not, it’s over, Dave. Now please leave me alone, and don’t come back” said
Annie turning her back toward Starsky.
But Starsky knew better, and
instead of leaving, he took her by her arms and forced her to face him again.
And without another word he kissed her hard on the mouth.
She tried to fight him, but in
seconds she surrendered to him, and kissed him back. They engaged in a very
passionate kiss, clinging to each other with all the love they’d always felt.
When they parted out of
breath.
“Dave, please go…” she
insisted.
“Shhh…” he silenced her, and
taking her hand he lead her to the bedroom.
Annie then tried to fight him
one more time, but the love she still felt for him was stronger, and she
surrendered to him.
They undressed nervously as if
it were the first time they were together. Once they were naked, they both lay
down and Starsky started to caress her tenderly, lovingly, making her moan, her
body trembling with pleasure.
She felt so overwhelmed with
emotion that she started to cry, and clang to him like a lifeline.
Starsky then hugged her tight
kissing her face tenderly again, drying her eyes with kisses. When she calmed
down, her sobs turned into groans, and then both engaged in making love with
all the passion hidden all that time they’d been apart.
Mouths kissing, hands caressing,
bodies rubbing against each other, and they soon reached the climax. Then they
fell asleep in each other’s arms.
* * *
When Starsky woke up the next
morning, he searched for her by his side, and was startled to not find her
there. He got up, and taking his jeans from the floor, he ran out of the
bedroom calling her name. “Annie… Annie.”
“In the kitchen” she replied.
Starsky went to the kitchen,
and hugged her from behind. “I thought you’d gone again” he said inhaling her
fragrance and kissing her neck.
“I didn’t leave, but you must
go now, Dave. Things should go back to how they were.”
“That’s what I want.”
“You don’t understand” she
turned around in his arms facing him. “Things should go back to how they were
before last night.”
“What d’you mean? I can’t go
back to not having you.”
“You have to. Things changed,
and I can’t go back with you.”
“Don’t start again with that
bullshit about you not loving me any more. What happened last night was love,
the same love we always shared” he said pressing her against him.
She pushed back pressing her
hands over his chest. “Please don’t ask questions I can’t answer, and just
accept my decision.”
“I can’t and I won’t. You know
me too well, and you know I don’t give up easily. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here now.”
“This is different. I can’t be
with you.”
“Give me a good reason, and
I’ll accept your decision.”
She separated, and started
pacing the kitchen. Her expression changed to despair, feeling lost.
Starsky couldn’t help it any
more, and went to her, holding her in his arms.
“What is it, Annie? Please
tell me what’s happening!”
With her eyes filled with
tears she looked into his eyes. “I’m dying, Dave.”
“Wha-What?” he asked in
disbelief.
“I have cancer, and the
doctors don’t know how long it’ll take to the end.”
“That-That can’t be possible!
And why didn’t you tell me?” he hugged her tight, his heart breaking feeling
helpless.
“I didn’t, and I don’t want
you to see me die.”
“You knew it when you left?”
“No, I came for work as I told
you then. The accident left me unconscious, and I was in the ICU for some time.
I’d lost my memory and had no ID with me. No one was looking for me, so nothing
to bring back my past. During that time, doctors made lots of tests and they
found out about the cancer.”
“Oh God, Annie, there must be
something…”
“I’m in treatment with chemo,
but the results aren’t all that good as they expected.”
“Why didn’t you call me when
you remembered?”
“It was a slow process.
Memories were coming back first like flashbacks, dreams, till one day I could
remember all my life before that accident. When I finally had all things
cleared in my mind, and I was faced with the prognosis of my cancer, I realized
that you’d had enough suffering thinking I was dead from the plain crash. And I
didn’t want to add more pain to your life. So I changed my name, and my
appearance, and trusted in that you’d forget about me.”
“I could never forget you. The
day we crossed in that stairs I knew it was you. Then a little investigation in
the courthouse and here I am. And I won’t leave you. There’s no way you can get
rid of me” he hugged her tight again and kissed her deeply.
When they separated they both
were crying.
“I needed you so much during
these months. The treatment was awful, and sometimes I didn’t want to go on.
Didn’t have the strength to go on. Then I used to think about you, and I felt
strong again.”
“Then again, why didn’t you go
back when you remembered and you needed me?”
“I told you I didn’t want to
hurt you. I thought it’d been enough with the accident.”
“Well, that’s over now. We are
together again, and we’ll fight together. I want to talk to your doctor, and
see what else we can do. I want to know how we can handle the treatment living
in Bay City, if that’s possible.”
“Dave, are you sure about
this?” Annie asked incredulous.
“Of course I am. I never
stopped loving you, and I want to live all we can together.”
“Don’t know how long I…”
“Doesn’t matter. An hour, a
day, a year, whatever. I won’t leave you alone. I want for us to be happy no
matter how much time we have” he kissed her. “Now I want you to show me that
beautiful smile that always blinded me.”
And she did smile for him, and
for the love that was still there between them.
* * *
That afternoon they went
together to see Dr. Johnson, who was in charge of her treatment. She explained
him who Starsky was, and what they were thinking to do from then on. The doctor
was pleased seeing the effect that Starsky’s presence was making in Annie – or
Angie as he knew her.
Then she left with a nurse to
take her medicine, and Starsky remained in the doctor’s office. “No way of
knowing how long she’ll survive? Isn’t there anything else to do to end with
this cancer?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Starsky, but
this is the best we can do to help her. Though I really think that now that she
won’t fight alone, her better mood will help her to tolerate the treatment in a
better way… Anyway, I want you to see our therapist and to talk to him about
what to expect, and what you two will find ahead in the psychological aspect.”
“No problem, Doc. I’m ready
for anything.”
“Good to hear that” the doctor
smiled. Then he stood up, and led Starsky to the shrink office.
* * *
Dr. Cameron, the psychiatrist
was a very nice man, who seemed very concerned with Annie’s case. He spoke
clearly to Starsky about what had been the past months for Annie.
“She’s a very strong woman,
Mr. Starsky. She had her ups and downs, but she talked about you and how you
fought when you’d been shot, and that gave her strength to go on…”
“I can’t understand why she
wanted to suffer alone. I asked her why she didn’t look for me once she got her
memory back, and why she left me with the idea of her death.”
“She loves you too much not to
make you go through the pain of losing her again.”
“I’ve already had a tough
experience in the past, doctor. Three years ago my girlfriend was shot in the
head with nothing to do just wait for the end to come. And I stayed with her
all the time.”
“Do you really want to go
through that again, Mr. Starsky?” asked the doctor concerned.
“I told Annie I want to be
with her no matter how long it takes” Starsky said firmly.
“So you got to a decision
already” said the doctor and Starsky nodded. “Annie looked very convinced too
when I talked to her just a while before you came here. I’d say that’s a very
good start.”
They talked a while longer,
made some arrangements to keep in contact being in Bay City. Then Starsky left
feeling more confident about the future.
* * *
Dr. Johnson authorized Annie
to go back to Bay City, and gave her a recommendation for a colleague, the best
there, along with a copy of her clinical file.
Starsky was too excited, and
wanted to tell Hutch he’d found Annie. But he wanted to surprise his
friend when he go back to Bay City, not
to tell him on the phone. Of course the circumstances weren’t the best, but he
didn’t want to spend any time away from her. He wanted to be with her again as
long as they could, and of course he wanted Hutch to be part of this happiness.
Starsky helped Annie to arrange
everything to go back home. He’d convinced her to live together in his
apartment. After a little hesitation, she agreed. There was no need of wasting
time being apart. They should spend all the time possible together.
Three days after their encounter,
they were flying back to Bay City. As soon as they arrived, they headed to
Venice Place to see Hutch.
Hutch had been very worried
for Starsky. They’d talked on the phone at the beginning of that week, but then
there had been no more news. So when he heard the knock at the door, he ran to
open it. He was surprised to find a smiling Starsky. He thought after that
silence, he’d find him discouraged, and somber reliving Annie’s death.
“Hi, Blondie.”
“Hi yourself. At last you
decide to show up. I was thinking of going after you to bring you back home.”
“Sorry for not talking lately,
but I had something very important to do before coming back.”
“So, you realized it’d been
all a coincidence. But that finally made you learn to cope with the loss.”
“Not exactly, but are you
going to let me in? I have a surprise for you, and I’m tired from the trip, and
want to rest for a while.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m sorry. Come
in.” Hutch turned around showing his back to the door.
Starsky then took Annie by the
hand, and both entered the apartment.
“Hi, Ken” said Annie, and the
blond turned around stunned.
“A-Annie?” he said, and she
nodded smiling. “What happened? Why did you disappear? Oh, God!” he hugged her
smiling broadly with happiness.
“It’s a very long story, Ken.
And it’s not that beautiful either.”
“Why didn’t you call to tell
me you’d found her?” reprimanded Hutch.
“As Annie said, it’s not that
lovely a story as it should.” Starsky said looking at Annie.
“What’s wrong? You came
smiling, and now you two turn somber. What’s up, guys?”
“I have cancer” Annie said.
“Oh God” was all that Hutch
could articulate.
The three of them sat down,
and Annie explained everything to Hutch. Then Starsky told him about his plans
of living with Annie, and to live as a normal life as possible for the time
being.
“What about contacting another
doctor… Maybe there’s something new. Medicine’s always improving“ said Hutch
concerned.
“The doctor in San Diego were
the best, and they gave me the name of one of their colleagues here” explained
Annie.
“There’s nothing new at the
moment, but they’re confident that Annie’ll respond in a better way to the
treatment now that she’s no longer alone” added Starsky taking Annie’s hand and
kissing it tenderly.
That way, things went back to
the usual rhythm. Annie got a part-time job at an Attorney Bureau, and went on
with her life now in a better mood as expected.
The effect that finding
Starsky had made in her was great, and the doctors were amazed of the better
reaction to the treatment she was achieving.
Slowly, they both were trying
to forget the end due to the illness, and tried to enjoy their lives as much as
possible. There were times though, when they felt somber, but there was Hutch
who tried to support both of them.
* * *
Time went by, and Annie was
improving more and more. She even interrupted the chemo, as the cancer had
retreated.
One night she waited for
Starsky with a surprise. She was dressed in a very sexy nightgown, and the
table set for a special occasion.
“What are we celebrating?”
asked Starsky hugging Annie against his body, and smelling her beautiful aroma,
then kissed her deeply.
“You’ll know in the right
moment.”
“Oh, come on, Annie. You know
I can’t resist my curiosity.”
She smiled burying her face in
his chest. “You’re like a little kid that can’t stand a surprise.”
“Yeah.”
“OK.” She took his hand, and
walked him to the couch. They sat holding hands.
Starsky was starting to feel
nervous, though he thought it couldn’t be bad news, as she was so glad. “Well?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“What? That’s not possible!”
Starsky jumped up from the sofa and started pacing the living room.
“I was surprised too, but
well, it’s not that impossible when a man and a woman are together like we
are.” She teased him. “Aren’t you happy?”
He stopped pacing, and went
back to the couch, taking her hands in his. “Of course I am. Having a baby with
you is all I can dream of. But you… your treatment. I don’t think your system
is up to that process. Besides, isn’t it dangerous for the baby?”
“I talked to Dr. Morrison
here, and I even called Dr. Johnson in San Diego to tell him. They both were
surprised, but with my response to the treatment, they think it’d be all right.
You know it’s been some time since I stopped with my chemo. All my tests say
I’m in good condition. You and your love gave me a special strength to get to
this.” Starsky looked at her worried. “Oh, Dave, I wouldn’t tell you this news,
if I hadn’t make some investigation first.”
“Are you sure you’re up to
this? Are you sure you want to go on with this pregnancy?”
“Of course I am. I wouldn’t
put the baby at risk. I’ll have to take some special care during these months;
I’ll have a close check up of the pregnancy. But besides that, the doctors
don’t think it’d be a problem.” She looked at him with her eyes shining with
happiness. ”We’re going to have a baby, Dave.”
He tried to hide all his
fears, and kissed her passionately. “I love you, Annie. You’re the best thing
that could happen in my whole life.” And he gave her one of his 1000 watts
smile.
That night they enjoyed that
special occasion dreaming about that baby and making plans like there was no
clouds to darken their future.
* * *
The next morning, Starsky went
to pick up Hutch.
“What a surprise! You being on
time is not that usual.”
“I need to talk, Hutch”
Starsky said seriously.
“Come in… What’s up?”
“Annie’s pregnant.”
“Oh God, Starsk…” Hutch said,
though he couldn’t avoid thinking about the implications that pregnancy had.
“Of course I wish I could tell you congratulations buddy… but I know that
you’re thinking about the future of this pregnancy, right? Is it safe for her?”
“She said the doctors told her
it was ok. That she should take some extra care, but she can go on with the
pregnancy. With the interruption of the chemo, there wouldn’t be anything that
could affect the baby either. She’ll need to be checked up frequently, but she
can do it.”
“Then?”
“ It’s great to think we’re
having a baby… But I’m afraid, Hutch. It’s been so great this time we’ve been
together again, that I don’t want it to end any time soon.”
“And you’re afraid that the
pregnancy could evolve in a way to accelerate the end.”
Starsky nodded, his eyes wet
with unshed tears. “I don’t want to lose her again.”
Hutch hugged his friend tight.
“You made a tough decision already, when you brought her back home. Try not to
think about the end, buddy. Try to go on enjoying life together as long as you
can. And above all, enjoy this great adventure of becoming a father.”
As always, talking to Hutch
helped Starsky feel better.
After that conversation, they
went to the station. They had a usual day at work. And at night Hutch went with
a girl friend to Starsky’s apartment, to celebrate the baby to come.
* * *
Annie’s pregnancy was
developing fine. She had some small bleedings at the beginning, but nothing to
threaten neither the baby nor her health.
They started getting the
apartment ready for the arrival of the new member of the family. They went
shopping together, and they spent lots of time choosing among clothes; what
color was the best; if it was going to be a boy or a girl.
When they went to look for
toys, Starsky used to get lost among all the different things he’d like to buy.
Cars, trucks, dolls, miniature trains, doll-houses. They were like any other
couple expecting their baby. They were full of joy, and Annie enjoyed the most
watching Starsky so excited.
Nevertheless, as she was
getting bigger, her body began to feel some weakness. So her doctor recommended
her to be in bed for the rest of the pregnancy.
And at last the due time
arrived. Her doctor decided it was better for her health to make a C-section,
instead of making her go through the effort of giving birth to the baby. They
programmed the surgery two days before the estimated date.
Annie felt great, though a bit
nervous as any other mom in that situation. Starsky was so excited, that he
couldn’t get quiet. After some discussion with the doctors, he was allowed to
go in with Annie. She was given partial anesthesia so they both could enjoy in
a better way the birth of their child.
In the meantime, Hutch, Huggy
and Cap. Dobey were in the waiting room going nuts till they got news from a
nurse. She told them that the Starskys had a baby girl. The baby was in good
condition, as well as the mom. And that they would see them as soon as they
were taken to a room.
* * *
Starsky couldn’t resist his
excitement, and was almost jumping of happiness for having his wife and
daughter alive and in good health.
Before anybody else could
enter the room, the newly parents enjoyed some precious moments alone with
their child.
“You did a great job, Annie.
You’re an incredible woman. And I won’t get tired of telling you how much I
love you.” He said smiling broadly, his face showing all the happiness he was
feeling.
“Half of the job is yours. I
wouldn’t be able to bring this beautiful baby without your help.” She added,
and they kissed deeply.
“You made me the happiest man
in the whole world.”
“I think I’ve finally made up
my mind about the baby’s name. I want to call our daughter Melody.”
“I like it… Melody Starsky”
said Starsky smiling.
“She’ll be the melody of our
love, the melody of my love for you… She’ll always follow you reminding you how
much I love you.”
“Just seeing you everyday
reminds me how much you love me.”
“I know, but you know we don’t
know how long…”
“Please, don’t talk about that
right now. The doctors are pleased with your recovery, and your development.
Let’s just enjoy life as we did since the moment we’ve met again.”
She grinned at him. “OK… I
love you, David Starsky, and you made me the happiest woman in the whole world
too.” She said caressing his cheek.
“You know something?” she went on. “when I discovered about my cancer, I
thought there wouldn’t be more happiness in my life. Then you found me, and
gave me all I thought I’d lost. You gave me love, faith… I thought I’d never be
a mom, and here I am holding our beautiful baby in my arms… you made my biggest
dream come true.”
“You made mine. You gave me
the family I’ve always wanted” he said caressing Annie’s cheek, then they
kissed deeply.
After a while the visitors
were allowed to go in and meet Miss Melody Starsky.
* * *
The life for the Starskys
changed as usual for any family that received a new member. They had to adapt
to the baby’s schedule. Annie was at home all the time. They had decided she
wouldn’t go back to work. And Starsky
was very tired with no good nights of sleep, though he was enjoying all that
participating in his baby’s care involved.
Almost six months after the
baby’s birth, Annie started with symptoms of her illness. The cancer was
attacking again, besides the expectations of a full recovery. She had to
restart her treatment, but her body was getting weaker each passing day.
“Mr. Starsky, I think that
we’re getting to the last phase of Annie’s illness” Dr. Morrison told one
afternoon to Starsky, while Annie was getting her chemo at the hospital.
“So there’s nothing else to
do?” Starsky asked his eyes filled with tears. “How long?”
“I can’t tell you the exact
moment, but I think it’ll be a matter of days, maybe a week, no longer than
that.”
“Does she know?”
“Annie wanted to know
everything from the beginning, as Dr. Johnson had already told me.”
“Is she hurting too much? Is
there a way to help her not to suffer much pain?”
“We’re increasing the
sedatives along with the chemo. And she’s coping with it better than any other
person in her position would.”
“Thank you, doctor. I know
you’ve done everything possible.”
“Think that if not for having
found her, maybe the end would’ve been sooner… Besides, she’s told me how
grateful she was with God and life to have being allowed the possibility of
being a mom.”
“Yeah, we’ve talked about that
too. She’d thought she’d never had the chance of having a baby of her own.
Thank you again for all your support.”
“You know you can count on me
any time.” They shook hands and Starsky left to wait for Annie outside the room
she was taking her treatment.
* * *
Soon after that conversation
between Starsky and the doctor, Annie started to feel too weak to get up, and
she remained in bed all the time.
One afternoon, while Starsky
was taking care of Melody, Annie asked Hutch to have a talk. He sat on the edge
of the bed, holding her hands.
“Ken, you know the end is
near” she began.
“Annie…”
“Don’t try to fool me, Ken. We
know it’s true. Even Dave knows it, though he doesn’t want to talk about it,
and I respect him. So I want to talk with you.”
Hutch nodded his
understanding.
Annie then went on. “I want
you to promise me you’ll be with Dave as you’ve always been, to help him raise
Melody.”
“You don’t need to ask that,
Annie. You know Starsk’s like a brother to me, and I love Melody too much too,
as to let them go on alone.”
Annie grinned weakly. “Yeah, I
know, but I needed to hear it from you. I need to be sure they’ll be as fine as
possible after I’m gone.”
“I’ve always known you’re a
very special woman. When I first knew what had happened after the crash of that
plane, I couldn’t understand at first why you’d kept silent. But then when you
explained your reasons, I knew everything was because you love Starsky so much,
that you wanted to spare him more pain.”
“That’s true, Ken. I thought
it’d been enough with the accident, to add the hurting of this illness… But,
when I saw him so determined to stay by my side no matter what happened, I
became a woman in a mission…” she smiled lovingly. “I decided that from then
on, I’d do anything to make him happy, and to make this time worth living, no
matter how long that time would be.”
“And you did it.”
“Being with him this last year
really looked that way. And we could even have a baby. I’d thought I’d never
been able to get pregnant after my diagnosis. But David’s love made it
possible. He gave me the strength I needed to fight the cancer a bit longer,
and get to achieve this dream we’ve always had.”
“You can really feel proud of
yourself, Annie. You accomplished your goal, and you both could build the
family you’ve always wanted.” Hutch said, his eyes filled with tears.
Two days afterward, Annie was
admitted at the hospital. She was almost all the time sedated to avoid more
pain.
Melody stayed with the Dobeys,
as Starsky wanted to be with Annie. He knew this was the last opportunity he
had to be with her, and he needed that time.
Hutch stayed at the hospital
too, not wanting to leave Starsky alone.
And the so feared day arrived.
Annie couldn’t fight any more against her cancer. She died peacefully in her
hospital room with Starsky by her side.
* * *
Epilogue – A month later
Starsky and Hutch were in
Starsky’s apartment enjoying a quiet evening. Little Melody in his father’s
lap, playing with a doll and smiling at them.
“I’m glad things are fine,
Starsk. You seem to get along very well with little Melody.”
“I don’t regret anything I
did, Hutch. I’m glad I found Annie, and convinced her to come back. Otherwise,
we’d had lost those beautiful moments we lived together till the end. Besides
she gave me the best gift I could get.”
“She was a very special woman,
Starsk.”
“She sure was. She said we
should name the baby Melody for the melody of our love, so I’d always be
reminded of her love for me… And because of this baby and your support I know I
can go on living.” He kissed her forehead.
“You know I’ll be always here
when you need me, buddy” Hutch said patting Starsky’s leg.
“And I thank God for this”
Starsky put his hand over Hutch’s.
THE END