***This story takes place in the future***
Something Old, Something New
By Chiquinta
The girl walked through the crowded boardwalk in Santa Monica. Coming here was a long shot. Coming to LA was a long shot but she had to find what she was looking for. She had to find her past. It was her only hope.
Victor rode down the boardwalk enjoying being out in the sun. He just wished it there wasn't so many people. But you get that at the beach in the summer.
From somewhere in the crowd a lady screamed. Victor searched for any sigh of trouble. His evidence, a boy, perhaps in his late teens was now darting through the crowd carrying a handbag. Victor judged by the boy's clothing that the handbag didn't belong to him and gave chase.
'This is 1PB4 requesting backup for a bag snatching on the boardwalk. Suspect is wearing faded blue jeans, a black shirt and Dodgers baseball hat.' He reported to dispatch. 'I am getting too old for this.' He muttered as he pushed down hard on the pedals of his bike.
It took skill to weave in and out of the swelling crowd as well as trying to catch up to the young thief. Unlike this boy, Victor didn't have the advantage of clearing his path by pushing people out of the way, although at the moment he seriously felt like it.
'Police! Move out of the way please!' Victor's partner Erica Matthews yelled to the crowd. She was a good friend, a great cop and was brilliant at shedding light on problems that Victor had with his wife from time to time. She was the perfect partner for him. She could also go faster on a bike than any other female member of Pacific Blue and could beat a few of them male members too. And the best part, he'd trained Erica himself.
After running a couple of hundred metres along the boardwalk the boy finally turned off down an alleyway giving Victor and Erica time and space to catch up.
It wasn't to be however. The alley let to a dead end for them but not for the teenager. He climbed nimbly over the wall.
'Circle around. I'll follow him.' Erica called to Victor. She pedaled hard before jumping and squatting down on the bike seat to she could still control its movements with her hands on the handlebars.
Victor knew what she was up to. She'd done this plenty of times. A highly decorated cheerleader and gymnast in high school and volunteer yoga teacher now had left her agile. She was also smart and used her skills in her quest to fight crime.
As she approached the wall she used the seat as a platform and propelled herself over the wall. Not that Victor saw this as he was already speeding down another lane in the hope to corner the boy.
He didn't need to however.
'This is 1PB6 requesting a patrol car for suspect transport on Olive Court South.' Erica had beaten him too it.
He skidded his bike around the corner. Erica had the boy in handcuffs and the stolen bag hanging from her handlebars.
'No sweat.' She said.
Victor waited with her for the patrol car to come. 'How did you break go? Pick up anyone good?'
Erica just laughed. 'You'd think the Florida beaches would be full of good looking guys waiting to pick you up but NO! Two weeks of sunning myself on the beach wearing the smallest bikini I've ever owned and the only serious offers I got were from men double my age. In the end I would have settled for a guy is his late 30's.'
Victor laughed. Erica tried to make a joke out of everything. Even though she hadn't met the man of her dreams she still would have had fun. Her and a few girlfriends had gone to Florida for a two-week break to relax. Victor's wife had even gone shopping with Erica to help her pick out a suit for the occasion.
'Seriously though. Does every 50-year-old guy expect to pick up a 25-year-old girl?' She asked rhetorically.
'My dad does.' The boy said with a snide laugh then stopped when both officers gave him looks.
'I'm surprised you didn't get a guy really interested in you only to be dumped when he finds out you're a cop.' Victor moved the suspect towards the patrol car that had just shown up.
Erica made a face. 'Ugh, don't even get me started.' She handed the bag to the officer driving the patrol car.
'The owner is back at the firehouse.' He told her.
'Is she pressing charges?' Victor asked.
The other officer nodded. 'She wants him to get community service.'
'Get the Sarg to arrange it if that's what the woman really wants. I'll sigh the papers when I get back there.'
'Yes sir.' The officer drove away.
Victor and Erica went back to their patrol route.
'You are so lucky.' She said.
'Why?' He asked.
'Well, you have a beautiful wife that you love more than anything else and gorgeous kids. I have an empty house to go home to at night. I don't even have fish.'
'Not really. I have a beautiful wife who whines every time its about to rain because she gets a sore back and three kids who fight like animals and don't feed their fish.'
Erica grinned. She loved hanging out with Victor's kids, especially his eldest Danika. Those two were like sisters.
'Do you still want me to baby-sit on Friday for your anniversary?' She asked. Victor's wife didn't want to leave their children home alone, even if Danika was 14.
'That would be great if you could. Although I should warn you, Alex is stirring up trouble with the girls.' Alex was the youngest; at 9 he could be a real pest and knew which buttons to press to get his older sisters really angry.
'What has he done this time?' Erica was told everything about Victor's family.
'He read Megan's diary.'
'Oh no!' Erica put her hand over her mouth. Megan did a lot of confiding in Erica so she knew what was in Megan's diary.
'Yep and now Danika is proving to be the real little vigilante.'
Danika and Megan weren't exactly the best of friends but Danika would have been up in arms over her brother's actions.
Erica sighed. 'I wish I had kids.'
'You can have mine anytime you want.' Victor told her.
She smiled at the comment. 'I wish I had a steady boyfriend.'
'What happened to Aaron?'
Erica made a face. 'He found out I was a cop.'
'Oh.'
'Why does every guy feel threatened when I tell him I'm a cop? It's insane!'
Victor laughed. 'You know Cory went through the same thing when she was your age.'
'Cory had trouble picking up a guy?'
Victor nodded. 'And Chris.'
'Right. That's your FBI friend? Isn't she married?'
'Yeah but as she put it at Cory's wedding reception, 'they had to kiss a lot of frogs to find their princes'.'
'How many was she quoting?' Erica said. They laughed.
Victor reached out and patted her arm. 'There will be a guy for you. Don't worry.'
The girl watched as the officers rode by. She dug the crumpled photograph out of her bag and looked at it again. She had memorised the face by now but could it have been that of the man who'd just ridden past her?
When Victor got home that night he was greeted by the voices of his three children yelling and arguing with each other.
It had been quite a busy day. After returning to the firehouse from patrol he had to sort out the teenage bag snatchers angry mother who'd been raising hell ever since she'd arrived after being informed that her son had been arrested.
He also had to sort out yet another bitch fight between two of his female officers who'd hated each other the moment they'd met.
Victor now had a very big headache.
'I'm home.' He muttered sarcastically as he walked into the house.
'Oh thank god.' Linda came out of the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. 'Please do something about them, they've been arguing all afternoon.' She lay her head on his shoulder.
Victor knew what Linda was doing. She'd had enough of their fighting and wanted someone else to break them up for a change. She also knew that with a few kind words gestures to her husband she could have him wound around her finger in seconds. Hence THREE children.
'Anybody who doesn't stop yelling is going to be grounded.' Victor bellowed through the house.' Linda flinched and covered her ears as he said it.
All was quiet for a few seconds until…
Danika stormed into the hallway. 'Dad, that is so unfair!' She retreated into her bedroom and slammed the door.
Linda patted him on the shoulder. 'That is much better, thank you.' She said sarcastically.
Victor put his arms out in defeat. 'At least they are quiet.'
Linda went back to making dinner in the kitchen.
Victor leant on the countertop and watched her. 'Wow, she is beautiful.' He thought.
'Oh, I got a call from your mother today. She'll be flying up this weekend.'
Victor groaned. 'Why does she have to do that?'
Linda glared and pointed a wooden spoon at him. 'Victor, we've been through this.'
'I know, I know. Parents should be treasured…but why does she have to come up on our anniversary? She does this every year.'
'She's not coming up on our anniversary. She's coming on Saturday. Our anniversary is Friday.' Linda tasted the meat sauce that was simmering away on the stove. 'Besides, she hasn't seen the children since Spring Break.'
'That was only four months ago.' He sighed. He knew he wouldn't win this one. 'What time is she coming up on Saturday?'
'Her plane gets in at 9.15 am.'
Victor groaned again. 'So we won't get to sleep in?'
Linda shrugged. 'We just won't be able to have that late of a night.'
He moved around the counter and wrapped his arms around his wife. 'But I want to have a late night.' He said kissing her jawline and down her neck. 'I want to have a really late night.'
Linda gave him a quick kiss before edging him away. 'Come on Romeo.' She said handing him a small tin. 'Those fish don't feed themselves.'
Victor grudgingly let go of her and put some flakes into the water. The fish picked at them like there was no tomorrow. In fact, if he or Linda didn't feed them, there probably would be no food tomorrow.
'So I have to drive all the way to LAX early Saturday morning after a great night?'
Linda waved her spoon. 'If you don't drive to LAX then you won't have a great night.'
Victor poked out his tongue at Linda. She returned the gesture but smiled.
Megan came out of her room. 'Hi Dad.' She said and gave him a hug.
'Hi sweetie. How was school?' He returned her hug and kissed the top of her head.
'Good.' She looked up at him with a smile on her face. He knew that smile.
'What do you want?' He asked suspiciously.
'Nothing.' She said sweetly.
'No. I know you. You are after something.'
'Well, can I go out on Friday night?'
'Your mum and I are going out on Friday night. You have to stay home. Erica is coming to look after you.' He told her.
'I didn't mean go out with you and Mum.'
'Where are you going?' Linda asked. Megan was starting to take after her mother. In seconds, Victor would have given into her.
'To the movies and we'll probably get dinner at the shopping centre.'
'Who are you going with?' Linda started serving their dinner and Victor came over to help her.
'Just friends, um, from school.' She said but her sweet, innocent voice started to slip.
'She wants to go out with Jason.' Alex said coming up behind his sister.
Megan pushed him. 'Shut up moron.'
'Megan, don't say that to your brother. Alex, stop teasing your sister.' Linda said automatically.
'Who's this Jason guy?' Victor asked.
'Her boyfriend.' Alex said.
'Alex, be quiet. Come and set the table for dinner please?' Linda handed him the cutlery.
'Who is he Megan?' Victor asked again.
'He's just a guy…from school…who asked me to go to the movies with him.' She stammered.
Victor looked at Linda who laughed to herself.
'So he asked you out?' She said. 'And you said yes but you're not going out with him?'
'Yeah. See Alex, Mum understands.' Megan said which made Linda giggle.
'How are you getting to the shopping centre?' Linda asked.
Megan shrugged. 'I was thinking that he could drive me?'
Victor's eyes went wide. 'He's got a car! How old is this guy?'
'He's only 15.'
'He's two years older than you!'
'Victor calm down. Here, serve the corn.' Linda handed him a pot. 'Honey, there is no way Jason is going to be driving you anywhere. We'll drive the two of you to the shopping centre when we go out. Okay?'
'But Mum!'
'No buts Megan. Go get your sister for dinner.'
It was almost 10 pm when Victor and Linda got to bed that evening. Megan was mad that Jason couldn't drive her, Alex was angry because Danika hit him and Danika was upset because her homework didn't make any sense.
Victor got into bed first, sliding under the cool sheets. He watched Linda get dressed for bed.
'Honey, come to bed.' He said seductively.
Linda smiled and crawled over the bed to him. She started kissing his behind his ear before whispering; 'I forgot my pill.'
Victor groaned and dropped his head into her lap. 'Can't you get one of the morning after ones?'
She stroked his hair. 'You have to get them from the doctor and I have to work tomorrow.'
'Do you still have that diaphragm?' He said running his hand up and down her thighs.
Linda shook her head. 'It fell in the toilet remember? I didn't want to use it after that and I never bought another one.'
'I think I have some condoms in my wallet.' He said and went out into the living room.
He brought his wallet back with him. 'See.' He pulled one out and gave it to her.
'Victor, do you realise how old these are?' She held it up. 'I even think the company went out of business a few years ago.'
He sat down on the bed next to his wife and started kissing her. 'I'm desperate.'
'I could fall pregnant.' She said between kisses.
'I'll risk it.'
Something Old, Something New
By Chiquinta
The girl walked through the crowded boardwalk in Santa Monica. Coming here was a long shot. Coming to LA was a long shot but she had to find what she was looking for. She had to find her past. It was her only hope.
Victor rode down the boardwalk enjoying being out in the sun. He just wished it there wasn't so many people. But you get that at the beach in the summer.
From somewhere in the crowd a lady screamed. Victor searched for any sigh of trouble. His evidence, a boy, perhaps in his late teens was now darting through the crowd carrying a handbag. Victor judged by the boy's clothing that the handbag didn't belong to him and gave chase.
'This is 1PB4 requesting backup for a bag snatching on the boardwalk. Suspect is wearing faded blue jeans, a black shirt and Dodgers baseball hat.' He reported to dispatch. 'I am getting too old for this.' He muttered as he pushed down hard on the pedals of his bike.
It took skill to weave in and out of the swelling crowd as well as trying to catch up to the young thief. Unlike this boy, Victor didn't have the advantage of clearing his path by pushing people out of the way, although at the moment he seriously felt like it.
'Police! Move out of the way please!' Victor's partner Erica Matthews yelled to the crowd. She was a good friend, a great cop and was brilliant at shedding light on problems that Victor had with his wife from time to time. She was the perfect partner for him. She could also go faster on a bike than any other female member of Pacific Blue and could beat a few of them male members too. And the best part, he'd trained Erica himself.
After running a couple of hundred metres along the boardwalk the boy finally turned off down an alleyway giving Victor and Erica time and space to catch up.
It wasn't to be however. The alley let to a dead end for them but not for the teenager. He climbed nimbly over the wall.
'Circle around. I'll follow him.' Erica called to Victor. She pedaled hard before jumping and squatting down on the bike seat to she could still control its movements with her hands on the handlebars.
Victor knew what she was up to. She'd done this plenty of times. A highly decorated cheerleader and gymnast in high school and volunteer yoga teacher now had left her agile. She was also smart and used her skills in her quest to fight crime.
As she approached the wall she used the seat as a platform and propelled herself over the wall. Not that Victor saw this as he was already speeding down another lane in the hope to corner the boy.
He didn't need to however.
'This is 1PB6 requesting a patrol car for suspect transport on Olive Court South.' Erica had beaten him too it.
He skidded his bike around the corner. Erica had the boy in handcuffs and the stolen bag hanging from her handlebars.
'No sweat.' She said.
Victor waited with her for the patrol car to come. 'How did you break go? Pick up anyone good?'
Erica just laughed. 'You'd think the Florida beaches would be full of good looking guys waiting to pick you up but NO! Two weeks of sunning myself on the beach wearing the smallest bikini I've ever owned and the only serious offers I got were from men double my age. In the end I would have settled for a guy is his late 30's.'
Victor laughed. Erica tried to make a joke out of everything. Even though she hadn't met the man of her dreams she still would have had fun. Her and a few girlfriends had gone to Florida for a two-week break to relax. Victor's wife had even gone shopping with Erica to help her pick out a suit for the occasion.
'Seriously though. Does every 50-year-old guy expect to pick up a 25-year-old girl?' She asked rhetorically.
'My dad does.' The boy said with a snide laugh then stopped when both officers gave him looks.
'I'm surprised you didn't get a guy really interested in you only to be dumped when he finds out you're a cop.' Victor moved the suspect towards the patrol car that had just shown up.
Erica made a face. 'Ugh, don't even get me started.' She handed the bag to the officer driving the patrol car.
'The owner is back at the firehouse.' He told her.
'Is she pressing charges?' Victor asked.
The other officer nodded. 'She wants him to get community service.'
'Get the Sarg to arrange it if that's what the woman really wants. I'll sigh the papers when I get back there.'
'Yes sir.' The officer drove away.
Victor and Erica went back to their patrol route.
'You are so lucky.' She said.
'Why?' He asked.
'Well, you have a beautiful wife that you love more than anything else and gorgeous kids. I have an empty house to go home to at night. I don't even have fish.'
'Not really. I have a beautiful wife who whines every time its about to rain because she gets a sore back and three kids who fight like animals and don't feed their fish.'
Erica grinned. She loved hanging out with Victor's kids, especially his eldest Danika. Those two were like sisters.
'Do you still want me to baby-sit on Friday for your anniversary?' She asked. Victor's wife didn't want to leave their children home alone, even if Danika was 14.
'That would be great if you could. Although I should warn you, Alex is stirring up trouble with the girls.' Alex was the youngest; at 9 he could be a real pest and knew which buttons to press to get his older sisters really angry.
'What has he done this time?' Erica was told everything about Victor's family.
'He read Megan's diary.'
'Oh no!' Erica put her hand over her mouth. Megan did a lot of confiding in Erica so she knew what was in Megan's diary.
'Yep and now Danika is proving to be the real little vigilante.'
Danika and Megan weren't exactly the best of friends but Danika would have been up in arms over her brother's actions.
Erica sighed. 'I wish I had kids.'
'You can have mine anytime you want.' Victor told her.
She smiled at the comment. 'I wish I had a steady boyfriend.'
'What happened to Aaron?'
Erica made a face. 'He found out I was a cop.'
'Oh.'
'Why does every guy feel threatened when I tell him I'm a cop? It's insane!'
Victor laughed. 'You know Cory went through the same thing when she was your age.'
'Cory had trouble picking up a guy?'
Victor nodded. 'And Chris.'
'Right. That's your FBI friend? Isn't she married?'
'Yeah but as she put it at Cory's wedding reception, 'they had to kiss a lot of frogs to find their princes'.'
'How many was she quoting?' Erica said. They laughed.
Victor reached out and patted her arm. 'There will be a guy for you. Don't worry.'
The girl watched as the officers rode by. She dug the crumpled photograph out of her bag and looked at it again. She had memorised the face by now but could it have been that of the man who'd just ridden past her?
When Victor got home that night he was greeted by the voices of his three children yelling and arguing with each other.
It had been quite a busy day. After returning to the firehouse from patrol he had to sort out the teenage bag snatchers angry mother who'd been raising hell ever since she'd arrived after being informed that her son had been arrested.
He also had to sort out yet another bitch fight between two of his female officers who'd hated each other the moment they'd met.
Victor now had a very big headache.
'I'm home.' He muttered sarcastically as he walked into the house.
'Oh thank god.' Linda came out of the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. 'Please do something about them, they've been arguing all afternoon.' She lay her head on his shoulder.
Victor knew what Linda was doing. She'd had enough of their fighting and wanted someone else to break them up for a change. She also knew that with a few kind words gestures to her husband she could have him wound around her finger in seconds. Hence THREE children.
'Anybody who doesn't stop yelling is going to be grounded.' Victor bellowed through the house.' Linda flinched and covered her ears as he said it.
All was quiet for a few seconds until…
Danika stormed into the hallway. 'Dad, that is so unfair!' She retreated into her bedroom and slammed the door.
Linda patted him on the shoulder. 'That is much better, thank you.' She said sarcastically.
Victor put his arms out in defeat. 'At least they are quiet.'
Linda went back to making dinner in the kitchen.
Victor leant on the countertop and watched her. 'Wow, she is beautiful.' He thought.
'Oh, I got a call from your mother today. She'll be flying up this weekend.'
Victor groaned. 'Why does she have to do that?'
Linda glared and pointed a wooden spoon at him. 'Victor, we've been through this.'
'I know, I know. Parents should be treasured…but why does she have to come up on our anniversary? She does this every year.'
'She's not coming up on our anniversary. She's coming on Saturday. Our anniversary is Friday.' Linda tasted the meat sauce that was simmering away on the stove. 'Besides, she hasn't seen the children since Spring Break.'
'That was only four months ago.' He sighed. He knew he wouldn't win this one. 'What time is she coming up on Saturday?'
'Her plane gets in at 9.15 am.'
Victor groaned again. 'So we won't get to sleep in?'
Linda shrugged. 'We just won't be able to have that late of a night.'
He moved around the counter and wrapped his arms around his wife. 'But I want to have a late night.' He said kissing her jawline and down her neck. 'I want to have a really late night.'
Linda gave him a quick kiss before edging him away. 'Come on Romeo.' She said handing him a small tin. 'Those fish don't feed themselves.'
Victor grudgingly let go of her and put some flakes into the water. The fish picked at them like there was no tomorrow. In fact, if he or Linda didn't feed them, there probably would be no food tomorrow.
'So I have to drive all the way to LAX early Saturday morning after a great night?'
Linda waved her spoon. 'If you don't drive to LAX then you won't have a great night.'
Victor poked out his tongue at Linda. She returned the gesture but smiled.
Megan came out of her room. 'Hi Dad.' She said and gave him a hug.
'Hi sweetie. How was school?' He returned her hug and kissed the top of her head.
'Good.' She looked up at him with a smile on her face. He knew that smile.
'What do you want?' He asked suspiciously.
'Nothing.' She said sweetly.
'No. I know you. You are after something.'
'Well, can I go out on Friday night?'
'Your mum and I are going out on Friday night. You have to stay home. Erica is coming to look after you.' He told her.
'I didn't mean go out with you and Mum.'
'Where are you going?' Linda asked. Megan was starting to take after her mother. In seconds, Victor would have given into her.
'To the movies and we'll probably get dinner at the shopping centre.'
'Who are you going with?' Linda started serving their dinner and Victor came over to help her.
'Just friends, um, from school.' She said but her sweet, innocent voice started to slip.
'She wants to go out with Jason.' Alex said coming up behind his sister.
Megan pushed him. 'Shut up moron.'
'Megan, don't say that to your brother. Alex, stop teasing your sister.' Linda said automatically.
'Who's this Jason guy?' Victor asked.
'Her boyfriend.' Alex said.
'Alex, be quiet. Come and set the table for dinner please?' Linda handed him the cutlery.
'Who is he Megan?' Victor asked again.
'He's just a guy…from school…who asked me to go to the movies with him.' She stammered.
Victor looked at Linda who laughed to herself.
'So he asked you out?' She said. 'And you said yes but you're not going out with him?'
'Yeah. See Alex, Mum understands.' Megan said which made Linda giggle.
'How are you getting to the shopping centre?' Linda asked.
Megan shrugged. 'I was thinking that he could drive me?'
Victor's eyes went wide. 'He's got a car! How old is this guy?'
'He's only 15.'
'He's two years older than you!'
'Victor calm down. Here, serve the corn.' Linda handed him a pot. 'Honey, there is no way Jason is going to be driving you anywhere. We'll drive the two of you to the shopping centre when we go out. Okay?'
'But Mum!'
'No buts Megan. Go get your sister for dinner.'
It was almost 10 pm when Victor and Linda got to bed that evening. Megan was mad that Jason couldn't drive her, Alex was angry because Danika hit him and Danika was upset because her homework didn't make any sense.
Victor got into bed first, sliding under the cool sheets. He watched Linda get dressed for bed.
'Honey, come to bed.' He said seductively.
Linda smiled and crawled over the bed to him. She started kissing his behind his ear before whispering; 'I forgot my pill.'
Victor groaned and dropped his head into her lap. 'Can't you get one of the morning after ones?'
She stroked his hair. 'You have to get them from the doctor and I have to work tomorrow.'
'Do you still have that diaphragm?' He said running his hand up and down her thighs.
Linda shook her head. 'It fell in the toilet remember? I didn't want to use it after that and I never bought another one.'
'I think I have some condoms in my wallet.' He said and went out into the living room.
He brought his wallet back with him. 'See.' He pulled one out and gave it to her.
'Victor, do you realise how old these are?' She held it up. 'I even think the company went out of business a few years ago.'
He sat down on the bed next to his wife and started kissing her. 'I'm desperate.'
'I could fall pregnant.' She said between kisses.
'I'll risk it.'