Love of a Lifetime

As Starsky recovers from Gunther’s hit, Hutch makes some decisions about their future.

“Love of a Lifetime” was originally published in the zine, Me and Thee, a memorial zine in honor of Cherokee Girl produced by Secret Pleasures Press in 2002.

“I guess the time was right for us to say
We’d take our time and live our lives together day by day
We’ll make a wish and send it on a prayer
We know our dreams can all come true
With love that we can share”
Firehouse

Hutch looked at Starsky sleeping next to him and his breath caught. Starsky was so beautiful lying beside him. He looked so serene in his sleep the soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. My partner, my friend, my lover and my life, Hutch thought.

As Hutch lay and softly stroked Starsky’s hair watching him sleep he thought of the time he had almost lost him. He knew that he would never forget the sound of Dobey’s voice when he called the hospital to check on Starsky. Dobey had just told him to come back to the hospital; nothing more. That’s when an icy dread had gripped Hutch’s heart and he felt as though half of him had been torn away.

Praying he would get there in time but fearing the worst; he raced to the hospital with only one thought in mind: Please God, let me get there in time to tell him I love him.

When he arrived, he saw the doctor coming out of Starsky’s room shaking his head. Hutch froze. But then the doctor looked up, smiled and said, “We got him back. I don’t know how but we got him back.” Hutch felt as though he were going to collapse with relief.

That night Hutch sat in Starsky’s room holding his hand. He looked so pale and fragile lying there that tears came to Hutch’s eyes as he realized how close he came to losing the most important person in his life.

Just then Starsky’s eyes fluttered open. When he saw Hutch sitting there crying, he whispered, “Don’t cry, blintz, I’m here,” as he weakly reached up and tried to brush away the tears.

“I thought I lost you,” Hutch whispered as he stroked Starsky’s hair.

Starsky looked at him, his eyes filled with love. “You’re not going to lose me. I’m you’re partner. I gotta watch your back.”

“You’re not just my partner buddy, you’re my life. I love you, babe, with all my heart.”

“Me too, Hutch,” Starsky whispered as he drifted back to sleep.

Hutch had moved in with Starsky to help him during his recovery. Still, it was almost a year later, when Starsky had returned to active duty, before they made love for the first time.

Hutch brushed a curly lock of hair out of Starsky’s eyes and sighed contentedly as he thought about the last few months. In Hutch’s whole life he had never loved anyone the way he loved this sweet precious man lying next to him. He remembered the first time he had held Starsky in his arms and kissed him. The reality of finally being able to make love to the man that he had loved and desired for so long had made Hutch wild with desire. Their love-making had been explosive as passion lit passion, desire lit desire, and flame lit flame.

He awakened the next morning with Starsky watching him; his eyes filled with love. He gathered Hutch in his arms, hugged him, and whispered, “I’m never gonna let go of ya now, blondie; never.” Then they had kissed, passionately.

With you I never wonder—Will you be there for me
With you I never wonder—You’re the right one for me

Hutch had to smile as he remembered what happened when they had told Captain Dobey. He and Starsky had decided to buy a house together since neither of their apartments was large enough for two people. They had talked it over and decided that they would tell Dobey why they suddenly had the same address. They both dreaded the consequences but knew they had to tell Dobey the truth; they owed him nothing less. They realized they were taking a chance of being separated as partners at the very least and being kicked off the force at the worst.

He would never forget the stunned look on his partner’s face when the captain just smiled and shook their hands saying, “Congratulations, what took you two so long?”

Dobey had promised then to keep their secret from IA and the rest of the department. But the Captain’s support didn’t stop there. He and Edith had invited them to dinner on several occasions and when they moved into the new house, they came over with a house warming gift and helped them unpack.

Chorus:
I finally found the love of a lifetime
A love to last my whole life through
I finally found the love of a lifetime
Forever in my heart, I finally found the love of a lifetime

Hutch looked at his sleeping partner and felt such a surge of love that it threatened to overwhelm him. He pulled Starsky into his arms and held him tightly. As Starsky snuggled against him Hutch could feel his warm breath against his neck and the strong beating of his heart against his chest. He thanked God again for the precious gift he had been given.

Starsky stirred in his sleep and Hutch kissed his lips softly and whispered, “I love you Starsk. I’ll always love you. Now and forever partner; just me and thee.”

With every kiss our love is like brand-new
And every star up in the sky was made for me and you
Still we both know that the road is long
(But) We know that we will be together
Because our love is strong