Author's Note: I am back, this week has been so very hectic but I am glad to take some time out and focus on this for a while. It isn't until you start packing that you realise that actually, I have bought a lot of crap in the last 9 months.
Moving issues aside, I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always I am more than happy to answer any queries you might have. Thanks for sticking with me and my fic.
That-Geek
-SHANDY-
They arrived at the onsite hospital- Rosa had outright refused to leave her home- and made their way in. It was a lot friendlier than most hospitals and if you closed your eyes you would probably forget you were in a hospital, which Rose assumed was the reason Rosa liked this place so much.
They entered a little room that looked like a sitting room; with sofas, coffee table, and a television. Andy headed to the left and called Rose over to the group. A large bed was set up with pillows and surrounded by flowers. It was in line with a window which made the area a little brighter. Sophia was in her uniform busing herself with the pillows, her black hair in a ponytail.
Antonio 'Nio' Flynn was a tall older man. His hair was grey and reminded Rose of an aged footballer. There was nothing extraordinary about him; he was clean cut and her dad looked a lot him except younger. He approached and outstretched a large hand.
"You'll be the surprise." He greeted. Andy placed a hand over eyes and groaned.
"Indeed. You must be the family sumo wrestler" Rose retorted shaking the hand of her uncle. Andy laughed and a quiet chuckle came from the bed. They looked over and Rosa lay there with a small smile.
"Nio, behave" She chided and looked at her eldest child. She moved her head and grinned at Rose.
"Come here, dear" The older woman stretched out her hand towards her grandchild. Rose could feel the bones of the hand more than she had before, it was like holding the hand of a skeleton, it was chilling. The young girl smiled but this sense of dread was filling up inside of her.
"There is no need to be nervous. I'll be better in no time." Rosa told her, she wasn't sure she believed that. The woman in front of her had shrunk; her face sullen, eyes sunken, how did anyone recover from something like this?
"Of course. You have those classes with Grandma to take." Rose smiled. Sophia kissed her mother's forehead and craned her head to the door hoping her brothers would take the hint; fortunately, they did.
-SHANDY-
On the drive home, Rose was particularly quiet, something which was not a common sight to behold.
"Are you okay, kid?" He asked as the traffic slowed.
"Yeah. What was she like as a mother?" Rose asked.
"She was…is a great mom. I have only ever had respect for her. She had her own brand of mothering, I would say." He answered with a smile. Rose nodded taking his answer in.
"What about your dad?" She asked after a moments silence.
"I didn't really know him. He left just before Sophia was born." He lied, if he was brutally honest with himself, he wanted to forget his father ever existed.
"Really, you mean the photo of Sophia's 5th birthday is a fake." Rose quipped, "Don't lie to me. Rosa wouldn't tell me she just looked off into the distance. Was he in the mafia?" Rose asked her eyes wide with the idea of adventure.
"Ma doesn't talk about him, he was a terrible man Rose." Andy replied, "He was also an Irishman so no, he was not in the mafia" he added as they turned off the main road.
"Oh, sorry. Did he drink and stuff?" She asked
"Yes. I gotta tell ya, kid, nobody in my family talks about him. He came and left so many times and created new problems every time he did. Ma was always there to pick us up and get us back on track. Please don't ask me anything else." He explained as they pulled up in front of the house.]
"Sure thing dad. You coming in?" She smiled getting out of the car, Andy nodded and they both headed up to the front door.
Upon entering they heard a lot of noise from upstairs. Rose rolled her eyes, she was sure that boy got away with everything he did.
"Hello you two. Andy, I need to speak to you, Rose, go and…" She paused long enough for rose herself to speak up.
"go somewhere out of earshot" She suggested heading upstairs where she found Rusty frantically packing up his things. She watched him for a moment; he was very eager to leave.
"How long are you going to watch me?" he asked glaring at you.
"I don't know when it becomes clear to me why you are in such a hurry." She replied her arms coming across her chest.
"They found my mom, Sharon did, like she said she would." Rusty pushed a shirt his rucksack. Rose hummed and left for her own room. Downstairs Andy and Sharon were discussing the development.
"This is great news for him." Sharon smiled.
"Yeah, do you trust her?" Andy asked sitting next to Sharon.
"Not one bit, which is why I want you to go to the bus station and meet her and make sure it goes well." She requested.
"Seriously? Why can't you go?" He rolled his eyes.
"I know that sounded like a request but it was an order. Andy, I can't go; the woman who has been playing mother for the last few weeks, that won't go down well." She got up and headed to the kitchen. To find Rusty bustling about.
"Oh hi, is it okay if I take some food for the journey?" He asked.
"Rusty, she is coming here. Lieutenant Flynn is taking you to the bus station. I am paying for her journey which will get her here tomorrow at around 7 pm." She explained.
"Do you not trust me?" He asked slightly offended.
"As police officers and your legal guardian, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure you are safe and cared for. There are still some steps to take before you get to live with her permanently but," she paused seeing the glare approaching Rusty's face "But if everyone plays their part it shouldn't take more than a month" she smiled at him and he gave her a shy smile back.
He put the food he had taken out back into their homes in the kitchen. He then disappeared upstairs.
"How is your mom?" Sharon asked placing a hand on his arm.
"She is sick. I don't know how else to say, there are good and bad days." He admitted brushing a hand through his hair.
"You can stay here if" she trailed off as he began to shake his head.
"Nio is staying with me and he is a nosey bugger. I wanna avoid that crap right now." He told her his arm coming around her waist. She smiled.
"I guess our make up can wait." She looks up at him with a suggestive smile.
"Oh babe, trust me it will be the make up to end all make ups. You won't even remember your name." He whispered in her ear, kissing the skin below prompting a giggle from her.
"Ew!" Rusty and Rose chorused as they came into the kitchen.
"Isn't that a little inappropriate lieutenant." Rusty sneered his nose screwing up with disgust.
"I did not invite you in to feel my mom up. Do we not have unspoken rules about personal displays of affection?" Rose crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry kid. I have to go anyway, I shall see everyone tomorrow." He kissed Rose's cheek on his way out, Sharon grinning the whole time.
"Am I missing something here?" Rusty asked.
"That's my dad. We, dad and I, only became aware of this like 2 Christmases ago" Rose told him before her mother could say anything herself.
"You slept with your lieutenant! Aren't they rules against that?" Rusty exclaimed.
"He wasn't my lieutenant at the time, it also none of your business" Sharon explained then turned to look at her kitchen. Rose shot Rusty a look that implied he should just leave it.
-SHANDY-
Author's Note: In regards to what happened in the actual Major Crimes timeline, I will tell you there is a death approaching, and as many deaths are, it is sad to let a character go but hopefully you will all find it appropriate; unlike certain other deaths that occurred in Major Crimes *cough* Sharon Raydor *cough cough* I am not bitter about that at all.
Next Time: "Be nice to her. Like, make sure to be glad she is here." He requested and then with force sat up "and make sure her hotel doesn't have an open bar or even a mini bar, she doesn't like those" he exclaimed with panic across his face, Provenza watched him for all his moodiness Rusty Beck was a nervous and scared 16 year old boy who just wanted his mother.