Chapter Ten

On the day Ian turned one, Bobby finally decided that he wanted Alex's family to know that she was alive and that they had a grandson.

While Ian played happily with his favorite car in the playpen, Bobby looked up John Eames' number. He was already prepared on what to tell the family. His hope would be that they would accept his reason behind not letting them know the truth.

"Eames residence." A masculine voice boomed over the phone.

"Am I speaking to John Eames?" Bobby asked, having forgotten what her father's voice sounded like.

"Yes, you are. Who is this?" John lowered his voice, still firm. Obviously, the man had forgotten his voice, too.

"This is Detective Robert Goren, your daughter's partner. I need to speak to you in person."

John's voice softened. "Bobby? It's been a long time. How are you? Do you know something about Alex?"

Bobby remembered that John hadn't dismissed him as quickly as her mother had. Beth Eames blamed Bobby for her daughter's supposed death. With the background of being a detective himself, John understood Bobby. He knew what being a cop was like. Bobby was grateful that John hadn't completely blamed him like Beth had.

"Well, I have some news. News I should have told the family two years ago." He explained. In the background, Ian squealed.

"Well, come over. Despite whether Beth likes it or not, you were special to Alex and I'll respect her wishes." John accepted. "Was that a child's squeal in the background?"

"Yeah, my son." He walked to the playpen and ruffled his son's dirty blond hair. Ian's hazel eyes looked up at him and a goofy grin perched on the little guy's face.

"Wow. Never thought I'd hear you having a son. Can you come soon?"

"Yeah, sure. Just let me get my son ready and I'll be there soon." Bobby answered. He said his goodbyes and went to fetch Ian's heavy coat. It was near 30° - too cold for either not to be wearing heavy coats. He got Ian and the baby bag ready, then turned on heels and got himself ready.

John answered the door after it rang twice. Beth was in the other room, messing on the computer. "Bobby? Come in, come in." He greeted with a smile. They gave each other a hug. John shut the door as Bobby loosened the scarf around his neck and pulled himself out of the coat.

"Here, I'll take that." John offered.

"Thanks, Mr. Eames." He handed the coat to him and bent down to release his son from his prison.

"Well, what do we have here?" John looked at the little wide-eyed boy with wondering eyes. Something about him made John think of Alex.

"This is Ian." Bobby introduced the two. John said hi, and Ian accepted him, squirming to be in the older man's arms.

"I'll take him if that's okay." John held out his hands.

"Of course." Bobby gave him his precious gift. John took them to the study room, where Alex's empty coffin had been displayed – the lid closed of course. Now, it looked normal.

"Sit, Bobby." John offered a chair to him. Bobby sat while John sat across from him, playing with the little guy. "So what news do you have for us?"

Bobby was about to explain when Beth interrupted them.

"John? Who's here?" She asked as she came in. Stopping short when Bobby moved to see her, her mood changed. "What are you doing here? I thought we were through with you?" She said coolly, just like Alex could do whenever she was pissed.

"Now, Beth, can it. Give him a chance to explain. He came with news." John looked at his wife with annoyance. "You know damn well that Bobby isn't at fault."

"Uh-huh." Beth moved to the middle chair and sank in. She turned to the little boy who played with John's tie. "Who's that?"

"My son." Bobby answered, keeping his cool. He turned his attention to John, never averting his eyes. "Now, as I was about to explain to you, Alex is not dead."

They gasped in surprise.

"To prevent Alex from getting killed, the police commission decided to pull Alex out of the undercover work she was on and put her in the Witness Protection Program. They made up a story that Alex died in the line of duty to throw her pursuers off. I can't tell you where she is because I don't know the exact location, but I felt like you needed to know." Bobby sighed; his heart pounding against his ribcage.

"Oh my God!" Beth blew up. "Why'd you wait until now to tell us this?"

"I wanted to make sure she was completely safe before telling you."

"Where is she?" John asked.

"Nevada?" He wanted to make it seem like he wasn't certain. If he wasn't to tell them this much, he deduced, they might as well know the whole truth. "She has a son."

It got quiet. "What?" Her parents said at the same time.

He gestured to Ian. "He's our son, your grandson."

Shocked, John looked down. Ian looked up at him with a curious look. He reached up to touch his nose. He wasn't a bit scared.

"How? What the hell?" John stuttered. Beth went on to go ballistic.

"It was her wish not to tell you. He needs to know his extended family. On my side, he doesn't have the type of family you have. Ian needs stability." Bobby pleaded. He rose and paced.

"Ian." Beth sat down, looking at the toddler. "How old is he?"

"A year old today." Bobby answered. He scooped up his son. "I probably should have listened to her and not said anything. I'll leave you two be."

Flustered, Bobby started to walk out before Beth stopped him. "I forgive you. I'm sorry for blaming you. It wasn't right."

"You didn't know. It's okay."

"Bring him over more. After all, you both are family." She gave a weak smile. Bobby was amazed at how she suddenly accepted them into the family. She held his hand, reassuringly and felt the wedding band. Beth pulled his hand up to look at it. "You're married?"

"I asked Alex to marry me after I visited her at her old location. We went ahead and did it." He explained.

Beth smiled. "I knew it! John, didn't I tell you?"

"Yes, dear."

"Tell him what?" Bobby was curious.

"Let me get the old playpen out. That way Ian can be free." John walked up the stairs and retrieved Nathan's old playpen. He put it together. Bobby put him down.

"That she already found her soul mate. I suspected that Alex wasn't finding any luck with men because her subconscious had already found him. They never measured up. Her heart had set their eyes on you and wouldn't let any other man in." Beth explained. At Bobby's shocked look, she said. "We talked about it once."

"Oh," Bobby sighed. "What about her wishes, John?"

"She told us about her feelings for you and how she knew it was against policy but her heart wouldn't let it be. Alex wanted to tell you that she loved you; but after your mother's death, she thought best to give you space." John explained.

That's not what I wanted – needed! More than anything I wanted her close. I had thoughts to tell her myself, but…I couldn't. Bobby silently thought. His mind went crazy. "I shoulda told her. I didn't want her to pull away. God, I'm so stupid."

"You didn't know, Bobby." John dropped a soft pillow for Ian to lay on. "It's in the past. We have to move on. Now, back to him."

Bobby disgusted the new information before giving his boy attention.