Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs.
Whitebeard Manor, Sabaody, Saturday, April 21st
Thatch paces around his father's living room. "Oh my god," he mutters to himself. "Oh my god. What if I can't do this? What if I mess up? Oh my god, What have I done? I don't know what I'm doing. I'm going to-"
"Thatch. Son," Pops interrupts his rambling. "You will do just fine and if you need help, your family will be here for you."
Thatch stops pacing.
"He's right yoi." Marco puts a hand on his younger brother's shoulder. "I'm positive you'll do great. Stop doubting yourself yoi."
Ace slips into the room with a grimace. "My mom is on her way here. She said she can help you pick up stuff for them."
"Thank you." Thatch sags in relief.
"You don't seem too happy about that yoi." Marco leaves Thatch to hug his boyfriend from behind.
Ace's scowls and leans into Marco. "She's bringing that man with her."
"Ace," Marco sighs. "He is her husband and he is your father yoi. No matter how much you try to deny it."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it. Or him." His scowl deepens.
Marco rolls his eyes.
SVU Squadroom, Saturday, April 21st
Elliot Stabler crouches down by the two little girls. He gestures to Thatch standing in the office doorway. "Do you remember this man?"
Rouge and Maxx nod.
"That's Mister T'atch. He help us find here," Rouge asserts.
"That's right," Stabler agrees. "Mister Thatch is going to take care of you while we find out what's going on with you your mom and dad."
"Okay." Rouge grins. "Mister T'atch is really nice."
Stabler chuckles. "He is. Are you two ready to go?"
They both nod. Stabler accompanies them on the short walk to Thatch.
"Thank you again, Mister Edward," he greets. "Please give us a call if you find out anything on their parents or home life."
"Will do." Thatch shakes Stabler's hand. "Alright, you guys ready to get out of here?" He picks up Maxx and holds out a hand for Rouge. She grasps it tightly with her little fingers. "There are some people outside that want to meet you."
"Is they nice?" Rouge asks as she lets Thatch lead her out of the building.
"Most of the time," Thatch laughs. "One of them is my brother. Then there's a friend of mine and his mother."
"Cool."
"Very cool." Thatch agrees.
Once outside of the large office building, Thatch leads them over to two cars. Standing by the cars are two men and a woman.
"Hello there," the woman greets with a smile. "What are your names?"
Maxx hides her face in Thatch's neck. Rouge giggles. She raises her hand as high as she can. "I'm Rouge." She points to the other girl. "That's my little sissy, Maxx."
"Such beautiful names." The woman crouches down in front of the child. "Did you know, my name is Rouge too?"
"Really?" Little Rouge stares up at the bigger Rouge in awe.
"Really, really."
"That's so cool."
Rouge giggles at the child's excitement. "If you want, you can call me Grandma."
"Okay, Gran'ma." Little Rouge grins. The woman stands up. "This is my son, Ace." She gestures to the twenty-five year old ebony. "And Thatch's brother Marco." She points to the blonde man holding Ace's hand.
"Hello!"
Walmart, New York, Saturday, April 21st
"Why did we have to come," Ace whines.
"Because Marco volunteered you and your father needs time to catch up with Newgate."
Marco shakes his head. "Who would have thought our fathers would know each other yoi."
"He's not my dad."
"Yes, he is (yoi)," his mother and Marco chorus.
"Whatever." Ace scowls and watches Thatch lead the girls down a toy aisle.
"So much toys," the older child gasps.
"Toys. Toys," Maxx cheers.
"Would you like to pick one out?" Thatch offers.
"Pick one out?" Little Rouge looks up at him.
"Yeah. Have you never picked out your own toys?"
"Daddy brings them home. Us and Mommy pick from pictures on co'puter."
"You never went to a store?"
"We no leave home before other day."
Rouge, the older one, freezes. "Those poor girls." She sighs. "And you said they're related to Teach Marshall?"
"It's possible yoi."
She shakes her head. "I can't imagine what they've been through."
"Do you know him yoi?"
"I never met Marshall but I've heard of him. My daughter, Jacklynn, was dating him for a while. Roger met the man and didn't like him." She looks at Ace. "That's the first and only time I've seen your father and sister fight like that. She's been giving us the silent treatment ever since. And that was over four years ago."
"Do you think they ran off together? Maybe those are her kids?" Ace gestures lamely to Maxx and the much younger Rouge.
"Doubtful. Jacklynn and I may not have seen eye to eye on many things and we may have gotten into as many fights as you have with your father. But I know my daughter is not that stupid. She would not have stayed with that man."
