The darkness of the house scared Rosie. Throwing the covers from her small form, she tiptoed down the hallway and into Liam's room. His small chest rose and fell as he dreamed. Slowly, carefully, she scooped him into her arms. "Come sleep with mama tonight, bud." She said grabbing his blanket. Liam yawned and wrapped his arms around her, laying his head on her shoulder. She held him against her tightly for a moment, then returned to her empty bed. Murphy and Connor should have been back by now. But she couldn't be the least angry because Dolly was close friends to all of them. Instead, she took her mind to other things, and cuddle against her snoring son. She had just closed her eyes, when the front door opened and closed. Pulling away from Liam, she hurried down the hallway to run into Connor. His face was drained and tired. "Wh-?" Rosie didn't finish the sentence, knowing the answer already. Connor sent her a forced smile, and walked past her, into his bedroom. Watching his door close, Rosie turned on her heel and continued down the hall. Murphy was in the kitchen, opening a beer. His back was to her, but by the way his shoulders slumped, she could see he was in the same state as his brother. "Murph?" She whispered resting her hand on his shoulder. He turned to her, falling into her welcoming arms. Rosie held him there for a moment, before he pulled away. "I'm sorry." She said, knowing it wouldn't help. He just nodded, "There was nothin' ta do," He wiped his nose on the back of his hand like a child, "The knife punctured 'is lung." Rosie took his hands, "But it wasn't your fault. Nor was it Connor's. You two just need some sleep." Murphy closed his eyes. "C'mon," His wife gently pulled him, "Liam's in bed. He'll love to snuggled against his father." Murphy followed her back to the bedroom. Lying there, with Liam snuggled between them, Rosie looked to Murphy. She knew the twins were going to go after whoever did this. It was definate. And it scared her.
She woke up the next morning to Liam poking her face. Smiling, his toothy grin, he babbled, "Mama." Rosie sat up to see Murphy was gone. "You want something to eat?" She asked, pulling Liam onto her lap, "How about some pancakes? Wants some pancakes, Lee?" He clapped his hands together and squealed in response. "Okay," Rosie couldn't help but laugh, "Let's go get dressed." Once they were both ready, she straped him into the car, and they headed to Lakeview. This place was still awkward for her, but it was cheap and close to the house. And Liam loved the chocolate chip pancakes. As they enjoyed their breakfast, babbling back and forth, Rosie's phone buzzed. "Hello?" She nestled it between her ear and shoulder trying to clean Liam, "Murphy? Yeah, we're fine. At Lakeview. What's the matter? Yeah, okay. We'll be there in a second. Love you too." Hanging up the phone, Rosie ran a hand through her hair. "Mama." Liam said pointing to her. She smiled back, "Wanna go see Daddy?" Liam clapped again. He held his arms out to his mother, who scooped him up. Tipping the waitress, she hurried out of the diner.
The station was filled with the usual officers. Amy, one of Rosie's close friends, was sitting by the door on her computer, when she noticed Rosie and Liam. "Hey, guys," She took Liam from Rosie, "They're in Smecker's office." Rosie smiled sweetly at her, "Thank yuo. I'll be back soon." Amy just waved her off, playing with Liam, "Take your time." Thanking her again, Rosie hurried down to Smecker's office. Knocking once, she stepped in. The room was full of fimilar faces. Murphy being the first she saw. He kissed her sweetly, "Where's Liam." His wife motioned her head back, "With Amy," She leaned over his shoulder, "Hey guys." Smecker sat at his desk, a file in his hands. Connor was seated on the couch across the room. Greenly and Duffy sat at the chairs in front of Smecker. All of them with forced smiles on their faces. "So," Rosie moved around Murphy, "What did you want to talk to me about." Smecker stood, "This," He handed her the file, "We think this is the man who killed Dolly. Or had something to do with it." Rosie flipped through the papers, looking at documents and pictures of a fimilar looking man, "Who is he?" Connor stood now, "We don't know yet. We don't have a name on him, but witnesses discribed him." Rosie looked back at the papers, "Okay. So what are you going to do?" She turned to Murphy who sighed, "We're going to look for him." Rosie handed the papers back to Smecker, "Of course you are," She grabbed the door knob, "I hate to leave so soon, but I have to get to work. And Liam will be at your father's. I'll call if I need anything." She kissed Murphy on the cheek. "Just leave 'im 'ere with us. Amy would love to watch 'im." Connor said shooting her a smile. She smiled back, "Fine. I'll be back at seven." Exiting the room, she returned to Amy's desk, "Would you mind watching him, while I go to work?" Amy laughed up at her, as Liam banged on her computer, "Of course." "Thank you so much. There should be a bag of his things in Murphy's office. If anything happens, call me. I'll be back around sevenish." Rosie kissed Liam's head and left the building. Sliding into her car, she pulled out a slip of paper from her purse. On it was information on the man who killed Dolly. Looking it over, it brought old memories to her mind.
The room was full of people talking amongst themselves in low whispers. Rosie sat next to Rocco's mother, who weeped silently.
"Daniella?" Rosie asked sweetly taking the woman's hand, "It's going to be okay."
Daniella squeezed Rosie hand in return, crying harder. This was awkward for Rosie. She had been left alone, without the boys. They were still at the hotel, in hiding. No one in that building wanted them there, except Rosie. Closing her eyes, she listened to the preacher begin the service. And for an hour she sat, tears streaming down her cheek, holding tightly to Daniella's hand.
Once the service ended Rosie lead Daniella up to the casket where Rocco laid. He looked so nice, and clean. She smiled some at this thought. Before pulling Daniella's shaking body into her's. They both hugged eachother, crying. Finally, Rosie could ball her eyes out. After everything, she could finally let it off her chest.
"How was it?" Murphy asked about two hours later, when she returned.
"Like any other funeral," She looked up at him, "Horrible."
Taking her in his arms, he rocked her back and forth, "Yeah, but now it's over. We'll start over." WIth that he raised her chin up, kissing her sweetly.
And suddenly it hit her. She knew who this man was. He had come into the office one day to talk to Geoni, the man in the cubicle behind her. They were talking in hushed tones so she didn't get anything except for his last name. Yakavetta. He was Poppa Joe's son.
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