She sighed as she ran the doorbell, hoping that the afternoon wouldn't be too awkward. She knew she had a job to do, just as they all did, but still, it didn't help that sometimes she felt like the "Bad Guy," even though she was just making sure things were in the best interest of everyone involved.
"We moved recently," she remembered being told a couple days ago as she was invited to the barbeque. The impromptu afternoon gathering was setup because she had to check on Mark. He and Julio had certainly been having their ups and downs, but she was hopeful that both would adjust. She didn't really have another placement for Mark, and Julio was a good fit, even if he didn't believe it.
Suddenly, while lost in thought, the door opened, and there stood another past "challenge."
"Hi, Cynthia, come on in. Mark's here," Rusty told her.
"Good afternoon, Rusty. Nice new house you have here. I didn't know you had moved until Captain Raydor mentioned it the other day," Cynthia said as she looked around.
"Yeah, well, it's home, I guess. I'm still getting used to that 'Home is Where the Heart is' junk."
Chuckling, Cynthia said, "Yes, I suppose it is hard to adjust when you were finally getting settled, but Captain Raydor mentioned you needed more space, and this certainly looks spacious."
"Umm, yeah, something like that. Follow me. Everyone is in the backyard or kitchen."
Cynthia walked slowly throughout the lovely home, taking in all of her surroundings as she walked. Part of her job was to be observant, and even though Rusty wasn't in her care anymore, it didn't stop her from taking note of his living arrangements. Rusty seemed to have hit the jackpot, foster parent wise. She noticed his textbooks stacked up with something from UCLA on it.
"Rusty," as she followed him, "are you going to UCLA?"
"Yup, I have been-studying journalism. Mom won't admit it, but I know she had her judge friend work some deal. She always has a deal."
Cynthia chuckled again, glancing around at the living room. It had a great view to the backyard with a pool, and there, she saw Mark in the pool with many other familiar faces watching him. As she rounded the corner to head toward the kitchen, she caught sight of a framed photo.
"No," she thought, "Really?" she said to herself…"Captain Raydor and Lt. Flynn in a photo with Rusty? Can't be. I've never gotten that vibe at work."
Before she could internalize that thought, she was greeted by Sharon.
"Cynthia, how nice of you to join us. I know that Julio is a bit anxious, and I am hoping that this casual setting with his friends allows you to see how well he and Mark are doing together," Sharon smiled warmly.
"Captain, thank you for having me over. I am looking forward to the afternoon, and yes, it's nice to see my families outside of their normal environments sometimes. It may be a home visit, but it can be in a friend's home too. Might I add that you have a lovely home. You certainly did gain that space you said you needed."
"Oh, well, yes, we are very happy with the house. It took awhile to find the right one, but this really seems to fit us," Sharon said as she turned back to the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink, and please call me Sharon?"
Before Cynthia could answer, she followed Captain Raydor's movements toward the kitchen, where she spotted another one from the office, Lt. Flynn preparing food for the grill. He looked very much at home with his sleeves rolled up and effortlessly moving around the kitchen, which brought her back to her thoughts of the photo.
"Flynn and Raydor? No, they seemed to get along okay, but even that at times seemed rocky. Raydor had enough issues with that deadbeat husband of hers," Cynthia thought and her mind trailed further, "Besides, last I heard, she had to divorce that deadbeat just to adopt Rusty."
"Cynthia, hi," Andy said to her, as he finished preparing the food for the grill, "Welcome to our home!"
"OUR HOME," Cynthia thought to herself again. Yes, she'd heard it.
Shocked, she stuttered, "Ummm, thank you. I didn't realize that you lived here too, Lt. Flynn.
Chuckling, Andy replied, "Yeah, well, we don't exactly advertise to the whole police department and others with whom we work that we are a family, but you know, sometimes strange things happen. Rusty, Sharon, and I have been living here for a few months. Even Rusty is mostly okay with everything. Please, come, let's get you outside to talk to Mark and Julio."
Cynthia almost couldn't form words in her mouth. She had seen a lot of strange situations in her years, but this whole large Major Crimes family was definitely interesting. First, Rusty was one kid she never thought would give up his "tough guy" act, but she had to hand it to Captain Raydor that five years had proven a world of difference. Now, here was Rusty, well adjusted, a high school graduate, attending college, adopted, and living in a stable environment, all surrounded by police detectives who cared about him.
Suddenly, she thought of Mark and what Julio could do for him, and she smiled thinking that maybe, just maybe with a lot of love and support, he could turn out in a similar manner. Now, that thought that had her shudder was someone for Julio. She never would have paired Captain Raydor with Lt. Flynn, but as she watched the couple smile and joke with each other, she could tell them were very much in love. Further, to see Rusty actually helping Lt. Flynn at the grill-now that was a new one. He actually didn't seem to mind helping and come to think of it, she thought that Rusty had now really lucked out in the parent department. He had two now, and they were both willing to put up with him, not to mention a whole police division willing to be there for him. Cynthia collected herself from her thoughts and stepped out onto the patio and pool deck area.
"Gentlemen and Detective Sykes, nice to see you. Julio and Mark, I'm anxious to talk to you and see what you think about the next year and longer."
