Title: The Guardian – Book II
Chapter 9 – Life's Hard Lessons
As always a special thanks to Iris who doesn't have an account so I can't thank you personally but I appreciate your time to read and review. And of course to all of you who do review (b/c lurkers don't appreciate hard work) I appreciate your thanks and feedback more than you think! Thanks and please enjoy :)
A/N: So the site has been down for about 24 hours and I'm not sure if it's working now so I'm going to reupload this chapter and I hope you can all now read and review! thanks!
With the window cracked slightly, Danny's agitation instantly jumps and his fingers automatically reach for the door handle to jump out and help his brother. But he quickly reminds himself that the man looks startled, isn't armed and that Scott's a trained officer who is armed. Even still, his finger is now poised over his phone to call in back-up if trouble arises.
"Whatever you're selling I'm not interested," the man states with a heavy frown.
"Mr. Williams," Jamie states with a gentle stammer as he looks first at Scott who nods at him to continue and then up at the rather unfriendly looking face.
"Do I know you?" He asks in confusion.
"No but um…I know your father. George."
And there is it, the reason for the young man and the NYPD officer to be standing at his doorway – seemingly out of the blue. Scott notices that Robert Williams instantly bristles and so prepares himself for an instant brushoff.
"What about him?" Robert demands in a gentler tone, his expression morphing from annoyance into wonder but with a softer edge as he looks at the innocent face before him.
All the scenarios that Jamie had practiced in his head and with Danny suddenly vanished; he had thought of multiple answers to that very question but now standing face to face with a man demanding that very answer – his mind goes blank.
"I found him and…" he stops and looks at Scott who pulls his badge. "I found him."
"And?"
"NYPD Sir. My friend Jamie here found your father in a back alley behind where he works and he wanted you to know."
"Really," Robert Williams states as his arms fold across his chest. "Is he dead?"
"What? No," Jamie replies in haste. "He's alive. He's living on the street. I thought you might…want to…maybe put him into someplace better?"
The once hardened face looks at the teen's pleading expression and feels his furrowed brow lessen. Robert shakes his head before he looks away and then back down at them with a small huff.
"I don't know how to say this without sounding like a bastard but…I honestly don't care."
Jamie looks up with a frustrated expression as his brain races for an acceptable comeback.
"Sorry kid, I don't mean to sound harsh but my father left us…and I just don't care where…"
"He was in the army!" Jamie blurts out, Robert looking down in surprise. "He's very kind and nice and…I worry about him living on the street all alone."
The sincere and pleading tone in Jamie's words tugs at the heart of both male adults; Jamie's heart racing at top speed.
"I just thought you'd want to know where he is and um…if you want to help him."
Robert Williams looks at Jamie and shakes his head before he looks at Scott and frowns. "You his father?"
"No, but I have been sent by his father to help him in this. Jamie has befriended George and he just wants to help. We didn't come here to change your life in any way just to inform you that we found George and leave it with you."
"I hate to burst your bubble kid but my father doesn't mean much to me. I'm sorry if that's harsh but I take it you don't know much of our back story do you?"
"I know your brother is dead," Jamie blurts out and then looks up with wide eyes as Robert's shoulders sink. "I'm sorry. I don't know all the details and I'm only hearing one side. I just wanted to help him. He's my friend and I hate to see him alone on the street like that."
"You have a very kind heart k…what's your name?"
"Jamie, Sir."
"Jamie," Robert can't help but smile at Jamie's polite address. "You have a big heart and that is evident and it's easy to see why my father likes you. But I'm not about to help him. I'm sorry. How did you find me?"
"Phone book," Scott replies in haste. "We had your name and just…started to make a few calls. We didn't mean to disrupt your day. If you change your mind or just want to know where he is," Scott extends his card.
"Please," Jamie softly begs as Robert hesitates to take it and then grasps the card from Scott's grasp. "Thank you," he adds before Scott gently pulls him back, allowing Robert Williams to close the door.
"Sorry Jamie," Scott whispers as his hand rests on Jamie's shoulder. Jamie nods but even a blind man could feel the remorse gracing his expression. This wasn't going to be an easy journey at all.
Danny watches Jamie's face as they near and feels his heart starting to sink. Robert Williams had seemed to calm down a bit but he can tell by the fact the call was cut shorter than if Mr. Williams had been interested in knowing about his father but also Jamie's utterly dejected expression. The rest of the afternoon would be glum for sure.
"You okay?" Danny asks his brother, not having to ask how it went.
"Yeah…fine," Jamie answers sourly as he closes the passenger door and then stares out the window in silence.
Scott's not sure if Jamie will want to stop by and see George right now, so instead heads for the precinct and leaves that subject alone. The few little conversational snippets that Jamie does offer, tells the two other males in the dark SUV that it was best not to push the subject and it was pointless to remind Jamie that this whole journey might not have the happy ending he wanted.
"Jamie, I know today was tough but what about the other sibling?" Scott asks as they reach the precinct.
"I'll um…I'll see okay," Jamie replies with a strained smile as Danny looks at Jamie in wonder. "I just want to be alone for a bit."
"Jamie…"
"Let him go Danny," Scott suggests as Danny watches Jamie hurry away. "He won't get too far. I know he knew the risks and that they wouldn't want to take George home or help him but to hear George's own son actually say it, is a very different story. That reality will sting for a bit yet."
"Okay."
Danny decides to give Jamie about ten minutes and in the meantime decides to search out Detective Spencer Rogers and to see if found out the identity on the strange man who had visited his half-Uncle, Angus McGuiness in jail.
Just after Jamie had departed, Scott went in search of Frank to give him an update; Frank in turn going in search of Jamie – finally finding him in a quiet part of the supply room.
"Frank? Oh uh sorry…" Jamie stammers as he quickly wipes his eyes and then tries to put on a brave face as the Chief of Police nears. "I guess Scott told you?"
"He told me that it didn't go so well," Frank replies as he gestures for Jamie to sit back down. "But I'd like to hear your side."
"I just don't get…okay maybe I do. George's son…he was so cold…but I just want to help George."
"I know you do."
"And I didn't expect…okay so yeah I did. I wanted him to want to know where George is and take him home or find a great place for him."
"I'm sure even though he didn't say it, that man was impressed that you'd have the courage to seek him and tell him about his father."
"He didn't act like it," Jamie shrugs sadly as Frank's arm drapes around his slim shoulders.
"You caught him by surprise. You'd have to ask George how long it's been since he's seen his son or even talked about him but I'm thinking it was a while. I'm sure you're the last person he expected talking about the last person he even thinks about. But it took courage and trust me it will make him think."
"I just want George off the streets," Jamie sighs as his head slumps down onto Frank's shoulder. "I hate seeing people on the street and I want to help them. I know not all of them can be helped and I'm sure there are some…maybe lots I don't want to help but I wanted him to want to help his father. I know you all told me, but I still wanted that."
"I know you did," Frank replies tenderly as he gives Jamie a small hug. "Did you still want to go and see George?"
"What do you think?" Jamie asks somewhat innocently.
"I think that you are hurting right now and you built something up in your mind and you were let down and are hurting and you might take that out on someone that it might not be warranted."
"I don't…"
"This is George's life. If you were to go and see him right now and demand answers, the wrong emotions might come out. You need to let the emotional passion of today rest a bit and then go and talk to George about how he is doing and then maybe ask a few more questions about his family."
"Makes sense," Jamie answers with a heavy sigh.
Frank kisses the top of Jamie's head and then looks down with a loving gaze. "How about you and Danny go and get some paint and we'll paint that bike of yours after work tonight."
"Really? You'd…help me paint it?" Jamie asks with a bright smile.
"I'd love to."
Jamie gives Frank a hug as they both stand up in the quiet room. "I want to go and see George tomorrow before my shift at the bowling alley."
"Okay. But after what happened I want to send someone along, just in case."
"Okay," Jamie agrees in haste. They leave the room and Jamie watches Frank take his leave before he goes in search of his brother; Danny not having any luck in tracking down Spencer Rogers.
"Feeling better?" Danny asks as he leads Jamie outside toward their car.
"A little. I really wanted him to want to take George. But I still want to see George tomorrow."
"I gotta work so the answer is no."
"Frank said he'd come," Jamie retorts with a small smirk as Danny shakes his head before he playfully wraps his arm around his neck and ruffles his hair. The two of them head toward the hardware store and Jamie picks out a dark metallic green color with an anti-rust finish. After that they head home and Jamie writes down some notes on his outing for the day and Danny makes a note to check in with Spence before his ride along in a few days.
As soon as they get home, Jamie goes to prepare the bike like Frank had instructed and Danny calls Linda and then heads to his computer to see what he could find about Sonny Malvesky on social media. I don't care if that jerk's behind bars…he has friends – everywhere.
A few hours later Erin comes home and the three of them go about making dinner and just bonding as would-be siblings while they cook; Jamie telling them about his meeting with George's oldest son; Erin talking about her law court outing and Danny adding bits and pieces – his mind still distracted thanks to Sonny.
That night Jamie and Frank work in the garage together, painting Joe's bike that was now Jamie's and talking a bit more about George and his family and what Jamie's next visit might be like.
"So you think I should still go see his daughter?"
"I think if you don't go, you'll always wonder…what if. Nothing worse than what if," Frank reminds Jamie with a loving smile. "The bike looks great."
Jamie beams under Frank's fatherly praise. But Frank is right and he knows if he doesn't at least try to contact George's daughter he would always wonder…what if she said yes. So he makes a plan to go and see George tomorrow and then talk to Scott about finding George's daughter and going to see her. He tells himself the result will be the same and that'll be it. But at least he'll have tried and satisfied all his 'what ifs'.
XXXXXXXX
"I know you're in good hands," Danny tells Jamie the next day before he goes to work. "I'm glad Henry's going with you. But you better not go and see George on your own on your break."
"I won't. I learned my lesson," Jamie huffs as sits on Danny's bed looking up at his brother. "Are you nervous about the ride along?"
"Not really. Renzulli will be in uniform but won't be on duty. Too bad because it would be cool to see him in action but I get it. I just want to pick his brain about the job and other things. Get his perspective."
The two of them talk a bit longer before Danny takes his leave and Jamie goes to find Henry.
"Are you sure you didn't have anything more important?" Jamie asks Henry as he hovers in the entranceway to the home office.
"Not than my grandson."
Once again Jamie's heart swells at Henry's tender confession. His birth father never did so much as want to read to him and hold him, offer any kind of support; these men, while not biologically attached are going out of their way, even rearranging work schedules to help him. It was almost still overwhelming to comprehend.
On the way to the bowling alley, Jamie once again promises Henry that he won't go and see George in the tunnels, if he was still there without him or Frank or someone armed. But if George was back in the alley – it would be okay. Danny would pick him up after work.
"I don't see him," Jamie states in a mild panic, his mind always wondering if today is the day he'll come to work and find George dead in the alley – having died alone on the cold, mean streets.
"Let's not panic now," Henry reminds Jamie as they leave the SUV and head toward the apartment that would take them down into the tunnels.
As they enter the musty smelling entranceway, Jamie's mind and heart both start to race as he recalls being surprised by the gruff stranger, nearly mugged and then injured. His hand gently moves to his side to feel the bandage but then quickly retreats when Henry looks at him in concern.
"I'm okay…" Jamie confesses meekly as they round the corner that would take them deeper into the bowels of the city. "Where…" Jamie starts, his speech giving way to a small gasp as two homeless women appear out of nowhere. "Nora?"
One of them points in the direction of the older woman they had met a few days ago; another friend of George's.
"Henry, I'm worried," Jamie whispers as they enter the main area; a sea of dark eyes looking up in wonder.
"Do you see the man that tried to mug you?" Henry asks in an undertone.
Jamie looks around for the person who had successfully given him quite a fright the last time he was down here alone. But the man's face isn't to be seen. "No. I don't see him but…George!"
Henry watches Jamie pull away from him and hurry toward his friend who is reclining on a ratty mattress, looking up with a tender smile as the young teen approaches.
"Jamie my boy," George greets with a warm smile, his cold, old hands grasping the young warm ones and holding on.
As always, Henry can only marvel at Jamie's selfless concern. But his protective instincts always surge when he sees a stranger wanting to reach out and touch the boy – even if just a harmless pat on the back. His hand reaches for his gun but when George tells the stranger to pull back and he does, Henry's hand relaxes.
"Are you okay?"
"Just tired," George answers with a kind smile. "I am missing my salty snack these days."
"I'm glad you're here though, it's warmer and safer."
"Oh Jamie you worry too much," George replies before he looks up as Henry approaches. "I see you brought the muscle today," George gently teases Henry who bends down and grasps his hand. "How are you Sir?"
"I'm well. How are you?" Henry asks in concern.
"I'm old and tired," George replies before he looks back at Jamie. "Come sweet boy, I'm still here."
"I know but…but I wish you were someplace better. Like with um…your family."
"You are my family."
"I wish I could take care of you better. Do you um…have any grandkids?" Jamie asks in a sheepish tone, wondering how to broach the subject of family without hurting his friend more.
George looks at the sincere expression on Jamie's face and frowns before his clasps his hand once more. "I don't know. I'm sorry if that's not the answer you want to hear. I guess my children, if they have children, don't want to come and show their children how their grandfather really lives. I'm guessing they just tell them I died in the war. Maybe it's better that way."
"No!" Jamie blurts out and then rests back on his knees as Henry's hand rests on his back. This time, however, George's face relaxes and he offers Jamie a tired smile. "Everyone deserves a second chance. What about…"
"I had a son…he was your age when he passed," George starts, Jamie's heart instantly stilling as he knows at least part of what's coming next. "I was on tour…figured the army needed me more than my family. I didn't realize how fragile my boy was until I got a letter from my wife telling me he took his own life."
Despite the fact that he already knows the painful truth, Jamie's eyes water prompting George's grasp on his hand to tighten.
"I should have been there for him. I left my family when they needed me most and now when I need them…"
"No…don't say it. You don't deserve this! It's not fair," Jamie tearfully protests.
"I loved my boy and maybe that's why I'm drawn to you. You remind me of him," George admits softly as Henry's lips slightly purse. "I want him back. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't wish I could go back," he pauses as he pulls out his tattered wallet and then hands Jamie the well-worn letter.
Jamie's fingers gingerly open the yellowed piece of paper and he blinks away a few remorseful tears as he starts to read. He looks at the picture of George and his son, maybe 16 at the time – before he went to war and his heart sinks. He looks up at Henry as a tear escapes and then back at George.
"You didn't know."
"I didn't ask," George replies with a small wince as he tries to shift to a more comfortable position. "Had I known my youngest was…I would have asked for a leave. Family should always comes first. My wife tried not to hold it against me but my absence was too much. She left. We never divorced. Never believed in it but I had to give her her space. She never came back. She passed a few years back. My other children…they cursed my name and left. Blamed me for letting their youngest sibling die. I'm not proud of my history Jamie, but I just wanted you to know that this noble quest you're on might be in vain."
"I just don't want you to be alone anymore."
"I'm not alone."
"But um…well if you could see them again…would you?" Jamie dares to inquire. "I know life isn't like the movies but I got a happy ending and I want one for you also."
Henry's heart sinks with those loving words and his fingers squeeze the young man's shoulders. But in that moment, in the darkness of their murky world, there wasn't anyone's heart that wasn't softened by the young man's words – spoken so heartfelt and true. He had lived on the streets and at one time his future threatened to turn out like George Williams. But he was given a second chance and something inside just ached for him to want to give back.
"Well…I guess if they were able to forgive me then…I wouldn't say no. But I won't hold my breath either. You're far too kind to worry about an old man like me. You have a good boy here Commissioner."
"That I do," Henry agrees in a kind tone. The three of them talk a bit longer until Jamie knows he has to get to work. He promises to quickly go and get the popcorn and bring it back with Henry still at his side. But as they take their leave to go to the bowling alley, a set of dark eyes peers out from the shadows and slightly narrows before disappearing from view again.
"I want to try his daughter," Jamie mentions after they resurface the second time. "Thanks for coming with me."
"Always," Henry tells Jamie in a soft tone as he gives him a hug and watches him head inside the bowling alley and lock the back door. The police issue SUV pulls away and Henry can't help but worry that the visit to George's daughter is going be just as strained as the one to his son. Most like George don't have a happy ending. That was the harsh reality of life, something he knows Jamie knows all too well, but now that he loves and cares for him wants to shield him from – or at least try to.
XXXXXXXX
"What is it?" Linda asks Danny as he lingers at the counter bar in the diner she works at later that same afternoon. "You keep looking over there and the last time I checked he wasn't your type."
Danny's eyes turn back to his girlfriend with a heavy frown. "He just seems…familiar," he replies in a quiet tone; his mind processing that maybe Sonny was paying guys on the outside to try to cause trouble. But pay them with what? Spencer said his bank accounts are being monitored. Maybe he has others? Under a different name?
"You've been on edge the past few days. What's going on?" Linda gently presses.
"Ah it's just…maybe I'm nervous about the ride along tomorrow," he resigns with a sigh as the patron he thought had been watching him gets up and leaves. Of course what Danny didn't know, is his instincts are spot on and that man was hired by a friend of Sonny's to just – keep tabs.
"Officer Renzulli's off duty right?"
"He is…and maybe it's the pending adoption and the stress of dealing with the assumed fallout when I enter the academy as Danny Reagan or…or just that I need another helping of that poutine but I don't want to ruin dinner," he ends with a small smirk as his phone buzzes. "I gotta go pick up Jamie. Love you."
"Love you too."
Danny gets up to leave but then pauses and turns back. "If you see him again…"
"We have many regulars in here," she carefully reminds him.
"Right," Danny nods.
"But if I see that particular guy I'll let you know what he orders."
Danny returns an uneasy smile as he heads for the front door of the diner and gets into the car; his eyes looking around for anything amiss. He pulls away, heading to the bowling alley to see Jamie, his mind still wondering about the visitor to his half-Uncle and what it could be about. Maybe he knows something about the adoption? Thankfully when Jamie gets into the car, he's able to turn his mind to his brother, asking about his shift but more importantly about George.
Jamie tells him the whole conversation and how he's still determined to contact George's daughter in the hopes that she'll be more amicable to hearing about her homeless father. Tonight Erin would be out with friends, so the two of them go about trying to make dinner for Henry and Frank.
"Never thought I'd miss Erin so much," Jamie moans as he opens the lid to the rapidly boiling pot.
"Turn that down!" Danny exclaims with a small chuckle as the pot boils over. "Yeah me too. I guess we just go back to what we know."
"Think we should take a cooking class?" Jamie asks weakly as Danny can't help but offer his brother a small smile and then nods.
"You should for sure."
"Thanks a lot!" Jamie offers a mock mad face as he tosses a balled up tea towel at his brother. Danny merely laughs and tosses it back. A few more playful high jinx are enjoyed between the two before they get back down to business – trying to make a dinner that was edible and wouldn't kill any of them from being undercooked.
"Something smells good," Frank mentions as he walks in the door about an hour later.
"I'll be a miracle if it tastes good," Danny retorts in sarcasm; earning a swat from his brother, Frank's brows slightly arching.
"We miss Erin," Jamie admits as Danny playfully grabs Jamie and covers his mouth.
"We're…fine," Danny ruffles his hair as Jamie tries to pull away.
"Leave your brother alone."
"Yeah listen to dad!" Jamie snickers as he swats Danny's arm.
Frank's mind and heart always delight to hear the boys use the term 'dad' or even the more seriously affectionate 'father' in his presence as it always reconfirms that his plan to make them both Reagan's is the correct one. Henry joins them about a half hour later and all four of them sit down to a very casual dinner of salad, creamed corn from a can and spaghetti and meatballs.
After dinner the four of them play a spirited game of poker before all turning in. Tonight both boys' minds are somewhat agitated and restless as they each think on serious matters. Jamie's of course is occupied with the search for someone in George's family who wanted to help the kind, homeless veteran. And Danny's thinking about Sonny, McGuiness and the ride-along.
He awakens early the next morning, opting for only a breakfast bar and some strong coffee before he reconfirms with Frank that this was still a go and then heads for the precinct.
"There he is."
"Off duty officer Reagan reporting for duty," Danny blurts out and then stops cold. A few nearby officers instantly turn and look at him; one in wonder, one in amusement and the other in disdain.
"Just because you mooch off our boss don't mean you ever have the right to call yourself a Reagan!" One hisses as he purposely walks past Danny and bumps into him.
"Damn I just…" Danny stammers as he shakes his head.
"Don't worry about him. It was kinda amusing," Renzulli replies with a small smirk. "Anyone who has a problem…" his voice raises as he looks at the other two officers who quickly look away, "is their problem and they need to mind their own damn business. Now…you ready?"
"I am," Danny replies with a tone of gratitude. They head outside and Danny offers a small chuckle at the old police car that was about to be turned into scrap metal. "Wow…how old is this thing?"
"Probably the same age as you," Renzulli shoots back as they both get into the car. "But wait until you see the new one."
"Can't wait," Danny smiles as he buckles up and they head out. "How's it going?"
"Pretty good. This job has good days and bad…and you gotta just say to bad ah to hell with you and focus on the good."
"Best arrest of the week?" Danny asks as Renzulli chuckles. "Sorry."
"Nah don't be. I like the new enthusiasm. Reminds me of when I was about to enter the academy. Are you excited?"
"I think I'm more nervous," Danny admits as he looks out the window with a heavy frown. "I really want to do well. And yeah I guess it's no secret we live with Frank and I really don't want to let him down," Danny adds without including the part about the pending legal adoption and sooner rather than later he really could be saying Officer Reagan reporting for duty.
"That's natural. You look up to him. Ah we all do but I know you guys really have a great bond and you don't want to let him down."
"Who was that back there?" Danny asks, referring to the cold shoulder he received.
"Larry Abalos. He was close friends with Joe and took his death hard. You can ignore him. He'll get over it."
"Ah damn I didn't do it on purpose."
"Trust me, it'll be fine."
"Can I ask you something personal?"
"Depends. I'm not giving you my inseam measurements," Renzulli retorts, making Danny chuckle at the lame comment. "Sure, what's up?"
"It's about um…your marriage. I know cops work long hours and such but um…this guy at work. His brother is a cop in Jersey and his wife just left because she got tired of competing with the job and such but um…how do you make it work?"
"First thing is you need someone who is on the same page as you and gets what it's like to be around or married to a cop. Some women can't handle it…just like some men can't handle being married to a female officer."
"Yeah…never thought of the reverse."
"Officer Sandra Jenkins is remarried because her first husband just couldn't take it. This guy…he's a real gem. And you gotta be willing to talk. Some stuff you can't talk about but some stuff you can. You uh…getting married?" Renzulli asks with a broad grin as Danny can't help but smile.
"Not yet but I want to make sure I don't screw this up. I love Linda but I don't want to ruin her life either."
"You know as long as…" Renzulli pauses as his foot starts to push down on the brakes.
"What?"
"Ah damn thing is…sluggish…" Renzulli states with mild panic as he tries to gear down. "Gears are…she's not slowing down."
"What?"
"Yeah she's…Danny…"
"Can you just…"
"Oh damn!"
Danny looks at Renzulli in a panic and both of them look at the incoming red light. "LOOK OUT!"
A/N: eeks! So how did you like Jamie's meeting with George's son? And then how about him meeting with George? And then of course the sweet Danny/Jamie broments interjected in between the more serious stuff. Did you like the heart to heart with Jamie and Frank? But now…uh oh…has Sonny finally struck? Would love all your thoughts so please do review before you go and thanks so much!
