Loving Scarlett
Chapter 1
Scarlett sat through the court proceedings that were scheduled ahead of hers. She watched her sister squirm in her seat for the millionth time and rested her arm across her shoulders.
"Nervous, shortcake?" she asked Noreen with a gentle smile. The girl shook her head and whispered back.
"No, I'm not nervous..." she answered. "I'm bored..." she pouted. "Why does this have to take so long?" she asked, bottom lip protruding slightly. "They add so many unnecessary words into all this, when all they really need to do is sign our paperwork..."
Scarlett grinned, looking down at the face so much like her own. "I know! If they'd all just cut to chase, the world would be so much simpler..." she rolled her eyes.
Fran looked over at the two. "Keep your voices down," she admonished with a slight grin of her own. Having the two of them staying with her for these few days while Noreen's parental rights were filed had been a joy for her, although sometimes it was a trial to keep up with them.
Scarlett looked over at her mother and grinned wickedly. "Sorry Mama," she responded but winked at Norie.
They stood as their names were called to approach the bench.
"This is it, kiddo," Scarlett took Norie's hand. "You're sure this is what you want?" she asked.
"Yes... I can have the best of both sides this way..." Noreen nodded. "I can still see my friends, go to the same school I always have, and still stay with you and Spencer whenever I want..."
Scarlett nodded. In the months that Noreen had previously stayed with her and Reid, she'd had to travel twice to Chicago on her own when cases pulled the team away. Although Norie was responsible and more than willing to keep doing that, they'd all discussed the arrangements at length. Norie had been happiest to stay with Fran in Chicago, with the stipulation that Scarlett kept primary custody and she could visit at any time there was a break between school and cases, like she had over Christmas time.
Neither of them mentioned the fact that Noreen's adoption papers were being processed in the background of all of this.
Scarlett pinched the bridge of her nose as a headache worked its way up her neck. These proceedings had kept her off the latest case; the stress of which had built into a migraine from worrying about, and missing Spencer. If the case took any longer to resolve, Scarlett was considering changing her flight to meet up with the team in Chula Vista...
The judge spoke to them, reviewed the agreement before him, and then spoke directly to Noreen. After a bit more clarification and discussion, he signed the paperwork to be filed at the courthouse. Noreen Rowan, for the time being, was now officially Scarlett's ward, with Fran Morgan listed as holding active rights to custody and care. The three hugged each other tightly as the judge signed off and congratulated them.
"I think this calls for ice cream," Scarlett grinned as she pulled out of the parking lot. "Large sundaes dripping in chocolate sauce all around!"
Norie stuck her head up between the seats. "Can I get marshmallow on mine?" she smiled.
"As much as you want baby girl," Scarlett laughed and looked over at her sister. "As long as you don't bounce off the walls later..." she teased.
Norie made a face in the rearview mirror. "I don't bounce," she grinned back. "I'm highly intellectual and easily bored," she chirped mimicking her school counselor.
"Speaking of..." Scarlett caught Norie's eye in the mirror. "What did Mr. Bowman say about getting you into the advanced classes?"
The girl shrugged. "I start AP Calculus on Monday and AP History next week. They said I aced the placement tests and will consider bumping me up a grade for next fall..."
Scarlett nodded. "Would you want to do that?" she asked. "Move up grades out of your age group?"
"I'd rather take AP classes and stay with my friends..." she murmured.
"Then that's what you'll do..." Scarlett assured her.
"Really?" Norie smiled brightly. "Is it that simple?"
Frannie looked over her shoulder at the girl. "Sweetie, we want you to be happy. We can figure out ways to challenge your brain and keep you interested in school and still be with your friends. I managed with your sister," she winked. "We'll figure out what works with you…"
Scarlett's phone rang as they were pulling into the ice cream parlor. When she saw Spencer's number, she answered it brightly.
"Hey there farm boy," she stated as she held the receiver to her ear. "Did you guys catch a break yet?" she asked.
"Yeah," Spencer's voice reached her ear and she felt a tingle up her spine. "We got a lead on his location and the missing girl, we're heading in now..."
"Oh," Scarlett couldn't keep the worry out of her voice as she pictured him in his kevlar vest. She took a steadying breath and let it out on a sigh. "Be careful Spence, please? And tell my brother I said so too... all of you..."
"We will Scarlett... I promise," he hesitated a moment and Scarlett could hear voices in the background.
"I gotta go," he told her quietly. "I love you crazy girl..."
"As I love you, farm boy..." she replied and disconnected the call.
Scarlett headed into the parlor with a screaming migraine and little appetite for a sundae.
Fran noticed the change immediately. "Everything okay baby?" she asked as Scarlett took a seat between them.
"They found the perp," she told them. "They're going to take him in now... it'll all be closed out soon..."
Norie watched her sister's face. "You're worried," she pinched her own face in concern. "Are Spencer and Uncle Derek going to be okay?" she asked.
"I'm not worried," Scarlett lied. She saw Noreen scowl. "Sweetie, they'll be fine," she insisted as she reached over for a menu, trying to appear less nervous.
"This is a cake walk... round 'em up, haul 'em in," she teased. "Now for more pressing matters, what toppings do I want?" she scanned the list before her.
Norie watched Scarlett a minute longer before looking at her own menu. "I think I want a banana split," she ordered.
"That sounds perfect," Scarlett agreed. She caught her mother's worried gaze but just shook her head. She wasn't going to dwell on the case. The team would be fine...
