So I was laughing at one of my reviews, not in a condescending way but I really wished I had thought of that before about doing a Mrs. Doubtfire theme instead. That is awesome, but since I can't respond to the actual review since they didn't log on or don't have an account I just wanted to say that this will not be so. I don't know if you good sir or madam can see this (as you said you didn't read the story?) but I must frown and say I will not be doing that. So without further ado, I give you chapter 6 (this has to be the fastest I've ever moved through a fanfiction so go us)! MOVING ON…
Booker woke up to what felt like nails being hammered into his head by a handyman. He tried to turn over and go back to sleep, seeing as the chances of finding Higgins had been reduced quite drastically since last night. Now he was just waiting for the next day to speak with Dorothy about temporarily being Anna's nanny while he searched for Norman. He didn't really care for any of it, and Mr. Hanson sure as hell made it known that he didn't much care for the idea either but for his son he would have done whatever it took.
Booker smirked to his self when he thought about the way he had 'negotiated' a price with Phillip Hanson. Perhaps the strikers had the right idea kidnapping the kid as it certainly helped Booker in the end. One thousand dollars would be the payout if Norman was returned safely, five hundred otherwise, and as a bonus he would pay Ms. Small's salary while Booker 'borrowed' her.
Thinking of Dorothy made him frown. Not because he missed the woman, but because he was almost surprised that after a day he already missed Anna. The fact that she wasn't in her crib, or crawling around on the floor looking for something to get into, or babbling to him while he listened just made him miss her more. He checked the clock for the time, it was nearly noon. Booker sighed, he'd slept half the day away. When was the last time he was able to do that? He couldn't recall if he ever had in his whole life and especially not after Anna was born. After she was born he was waking up at odd hours of the night, usually still drunk and stumbling after her.
He rubbed the throbbing in his temples as he dressed for the day. The cool autumn air seeped into his apartment, soon would be winter, he would need a warmer blanket for Anna. Suddenly he realized that if he returned Norman safely, he could buy Anna a new blanket. He could give her whatever she needed blankets, clothing, food, toys if she wanted it Booker would gladly give it to her. All he had to do was return Norman safely to Phillip Hanson.
Booker threw open the door to leave his office, he tried to play it cool but he was startled by Moorely standing arm raised as though he were going to knock. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Well good afternoon to you too," mocked Sam. "I see you're hard at work as usual."
"I'm busy so if there's nothing else you need," Booker gestured down the hall.
"I saw your daughter yesterday," Moorely walked with Booker as they departed. "Pretty little thing. She doesn't look a thing like you." When Booker stopped down the hall, Moorely shook his head. "She's with Dorothy at her mother's. Believe me if anyone can protect Anna it's her. I think she'd nag the strikers to death."
"Good," Booker began to walk once more. "I could use all the help I can get because without a lead to Higgins, I could be at this for a long time."
Moorely snorted, "Please you're like a bloodhound DeWitt. Once you get someone's scent, you'll hunt them into the very bowels of hell. I almost feel sorry for the poor bastard especially since you no longer have Pinkerton stopping you. Which, by the way, they wish to see you today for exactly that reason."
Booker sighed, he knew it was coming and he did say he would gladly accept his dismissal with a smile for Anna. But now he was stuck looking for another job which he didn't think many people would exactly feel comfortable working with an Ex-Pinkerton. "Shit." He mumbled.
"Look on the bright side DeWitt," Moorely clapped him on the back. "You never have to deal with me again."
"Is that why you're so cheerful?"
"Precisely."
When Dorothy was a child, the sound of thunder was enough to send her hiding under her covers until her mother or father came in her room to comfort her. When she grew older she learned how the thunder could not hurt her, and the lightning could not as long as she had shelter. She watched now in no fascination but depression as the storm raged on outside. She had hoped to stop at the market for some essentials Anna would need today, but it looked like walking in this dreaded weather was not going to happen. Instead, she was stuck inside trying to comfort the child who, much like herself, did not much care for the storm.
Dorothy sighed as Anna buried her head in the woman's neck as though she were trying to burrow into a hiding place. Dorothy just pat the baby's back and spoke softly as she continued to watch outside. She wondered if Booker was stuck out in the rain today trying to find Higgins. Dorothy heard that he was most likely going to be fired today for the actions of the night before but she also knew that Mr. Hanson was willing to pay a lot of money to see his son returned.
Dorothy had a feeling she was about to be unemployed as well for her inability to protect Norman from being kidnapped in the first place. She hoped he was okay, not for her job sake, but she did genuinely like the little boy. Even with his outbursts, he was a good kid just a little misled from his father. Dorothy wondered what they were doing to him, assuming he was even still alive. Were they hurting him, were they turning him against his father, or were they simply leaving him alone just holding onto him until his father paid his dues?
Anna whimpered against her neck, bringing Dorothy back to herself. "There there," she comforted. "It's alright, I'm sure it'll soon pass."
"I doubt it," a voice made her jump. She spun around to find Sam soaked from the rain standing in the doorway. "These clouds stretch on for miles and they're only getting darker." Dorothy frowned at the news, like it had saddened her, but she didn't say anything about it. Instead she greeted her brother-in-law before she continued with Anna. "I saw Mr. DeWitt again today. He seems to be in low spirits today."
"Must be the weather," suggested Dorothy.
"I think it has something to do with the bundle in your arms there," he indicated the baby who was still trying to avert her eyes to the outside. Dorothy didn't like the tone he used when he mentioned Anna, it was like he wanted something and was going to use Anna to get it. "I wanted to speak with you about her."
"Oh?" She tried to sound surprised but it was pretty hard to do. "Is something wrong?"
"Not with her," Sam shook his head. "But rather with her father. Booker is only good for one thing, being a father is not one of them."
"I don't think that's entirely true," Dorothy didn't like where this was going. Anna picked her head up and glanced back at Sam, obviously unhappy about what he was saying about her dad. Dorothy was a bit amazed by the baby's ability to pick up on words about her father. "I think Booker is a good father willing to do anything, no matter how dangerous, for Anna."
"I don't think he doesn't love her," Sam said heatedly. "What I am saying is that he is not the provider he should be. Always drinking, gambling, and killing is that anyway to raise a young lady? You have seen where they live, it is a mess and he does nothing to change it. She needs a stable home with a father that will give her everything."
"Sam what are you getting at," Dorothy had a faint suspicion she knew what it was. She just wanted to hear him say it.
"Maria and I have been speaking about it," he hung his head. Almost like he was ashamed to say the words. "She and I have been unable to produce a child, we've tried so hard for a year now and so far we have nothing. But if Anna suddenly went missing, if we were to just leave New York, somewhere Booker cannot find us. I think she would have a home-"
"DE DE DEDEDE DEDE DE!" Hollered Anna. She didn't like the idea one bit. "DE DE DE DE DE DE DE DE BAH BAH!"
Dorothy didn't know what she was saying, but she had a feeling they were thinking the same thing. "I'm sorry Sam but I cannot help you. I am not going to be responsible for another child missing."
"But this time it's for the better," argued Sam. "Norman's kidnapping is unfortunate. Her kidnapping would be unfortunate but we can all agree that this is for the best. She'd have a home, a loving mother, a nanny who could care for her, a father who could provide. Can Booker give her any of those things?"
"Beh beh beh," grumbled Anna. She still didn't like the sound of it. As the thunder rolled outside, she didn't shy away this time. Her eyes locked with Sam's in a dark glare, much like her father's did when he heard something he didn't like. Like this morning as he was being reprimanded and fired from his job as a Pinkerton.
'She really is his child,' he thought angrily. But she was still young, he could break her of that quick. He could wipe the memory of her useless father and replace it with his self. He could make her love him just like he made Maria love him.
"Just think about what I have said," offered Sam. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back, Maria still insists that we try to have one of our own." Dorothy said nothing. He should have considered his self lucky that she didn't run to Booker and tell him what Sam had said. But then the image of a crazed Booker crossed her mind and she shuddered. He could be quite a scary man when he wanted to, and it was rubbing off on Anna who once more did not flinch as the thunder clapped loudly outside.
(A/N: Whew this one was a little hard to get out. I'm already starting on chapter 7 and should have it up soon but let me know what you think on this one in the meantime. Read, review, and remember: I love you!)