Chapter 11: Duck, Duck, Goose
. . .
Jo entered the living room and saw how Lily dragged the chair to the window. She climbed on it and pulled Mac's suit jacket to get his attention, but he was too absorbed in a phone conversation. Jo smiled lightly and walked towards them. She picked up Lily from the chair and moved her to the couch.
''He's talking and talking...'' Lily sighed.
''He's working, darling.'' Jo answered.
''He said something about the skull smashed with a hammer.'' Lily said. ''What does that mean?''
Jo glanced at Mac and frowned. He was talking about the brain damage now. She quickly grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV.
''Oh look! Your favorite cartoon is on.'' She said in order to divert Lily's attention. Much to her relief, 'My Little Pony' seemed to be much more interesting than the incomprehensible things Mac was saying.
''Yeah, I can imagine that the crime scene is a bloody mess, but you have to process everything.'' Mac said slightly louder and Jo rolled her eyes.
''I'll be right back.'' She said and rose to her feet. She caught Mac's hand and pulled him away from the window and through the living room. She opened the door to her bedroom and made him go inside with a little push. He turned around and looked at her with his eyes wide open. He didn't seem to pay any attention to the voice on the other end of the line. Jo smirked and moved back, closing the door behind her.
''Hey, Mac? Are you there?'' Danny asked, as Mac suddenly went silent.
''Yeah, I am. Continue'' Mac told him. He sat at the edge of Jo's bed, but then he rose almost instantly as he felt like he had done something inappropriate. He listened to Danny's disquisition on the case and at the same time, he moved towards the chest of drawers. He automatically reached for the bottle of perfume. He quickly put it down and touched the silk scarf that was lying next to it. It slipped smoothly through his fingers and for a brief moment, Mac wondered if it had the smell of the perfume. The jewelry box was opened so he took a look inside and admired Jo's collection. He imagined her going through it every morning in order to choose what to wear and he smiled. He slowly traced one of her necklaces with his fingers as he recalled seeing it on her a couple of times. It was nice. Silver and decorative. Slightly long, going down her cleavage, between her... He shook his head and moved his hand away. He turned towards the window and tried to focus on Danny's words.
. . .
When Jo went back into the living room, she sat down on the couch next to Lily and they watched cartoons. After a couple of minutes, the front door flew open and Ellie stormed into the apartment.
''Hey, El.'' Jo greeted her. ''How was school?''
''Terrific.'' Ellie muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Jo furrowed her eyebrows and rose from the couch.
''You want me to make you something to eat?'' She asked.
''No thanks, I'm not hungry.'' Ellie answered, grabbed her bag and walked to her room without even looking at Jo. Only a second later, Rick came out from Ellie's room.
''Ellie threw me out.'' He complained. ''She said she has tons of homework to do.''
''I bet she does.'' Jo told him. ''You can watch 'My Little Pony' with us.'' She offered.
''Great...'' Rick sighed.
''Come on. We can do something more fun when it finishes.'' Jo told him with laughter.
When Mac left Jo's bedroom, he found the three of them sitting on the couch watching TV.
''What was that about? Why did you lock me in your bedroom?'' Mac asked with a confused expression all over his face.
''What's blunt force trauma?'' Lily fired a question, fixing her eyes on him.
''Oh...'' He gasped, as he understood.
''Yup.'' Jo said and smiled at him. ''You have to be more careful.''
''Right.'' Mac nodded. ''I wasn't really thinking...''
''It's OK. Can you watch them for a moment? I need to talk to Ellie.''
''Sure.'' Mac said and took a place between Lily and Rick on the couch.
Jo left the living room and moved to Ellie's room. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She sighed and pushed the door open.
Ellie was sitting on the bed, reading some textbook.
''I'm studying.'' She said without even raising her head. It was rare that she would come from school and start studying right away. Usually Jo had to remind her about homework a couple of times until it got really late and Ellie had no other choice than to start doing it.
''El, can you talk to me, please?'' Jo persuaded as she sat down on the bed next to Ellie. ''I know that something is bothering you, but I won't be able to help you unless you tell me what it is.'' She stated calmly.
Ellie looked at her and put her book away. She eyed her mother for a moment and hesitated a little.
''Fine.'' She said with a sigh. ''I overheard our neighbors the other day. You know, those two old ladies from the 5th floor?'' Jo nodded, even though she wasn't really sure where Ellie was heading with this. ''They were both in awe of you and Mac... and your new family.'' Jo smirked, as she imagined what was going on in their heads as they were gossiping about the changes at the Danville's.
''They said that Lily is as pretty as you, but she has Mac's eyes. And Rick has your hair...'' Ellie continued, as her voice became an odd, bitter tone.
Jo chuckled slightly as it had never occurred to her. But, indeed, Lily and Rick could be easily mistaken for her and Mac's biological children. Ellie didn't share Jo's amusement, though. She looked up at her mom seriously with her brows furrowed.
''It's kinda funny, don't you think?'' Jo asked hesitantly.
''Yea, it is...'' Ellie admitted with hesitation. ''But... what about me?'' She asked and Jo sent her a questioning look, as she didn't understand at first. ''I really don't fit in that picture.'' She explained sadly.
''Ellie... what are you talking about?'' Jo asked her softly as she tilted her head and looked into her daughter's eyes.
''From the outside, the four of you look like a perfect little family. And me? It's obvious that I'm not your biological daughter or Mac's.'' Ellie explained. Jo frowned more upon hearing her. When Ellie was little, it bothered her to no end. But lately she had seemed to be over it and hasn't brought up this topic for quite a while. ''I guess that for other people it looks like I'm your au pair from some poor, Third World country.'' She added bitterly and turned her head away, as she didn't want her mom to see the tears that were gathering in her eyes.
''Oh, El...'' Jo sighed. ''Honestly, who cares what people say or think? What matters is that we are happy the way we are, no?'' Jo asked and waited for Ellie to answer, but she remained silent. ''Ellie, look at me.''
''And are you happy, mom?'' Ellie asked with a trembling voice. ''Do you regret that you adopted me? Without me now it would be so much... better for you.''
''Hon... have you lost your mind?'' Jo asked with laughter, but when she saw that Ellie didn't even smile, she got serious as well. ''I've never regretted adopting you and I never will. Nothing will change that.'' Jo assured Ellie and she finally looked at her. ''You know that, darling. I can't even imagine my life without you.'' Jo told her and pulled her into a hug. ''You were my ray of sunshine when my life got so miserable. And we made quite a team, don't you think?''
''Well... yeah, back then, but...'' Ellie started, but Jo cut her off.
''Nothing has changed now. OK, the team got slightly bigger, but Ellie, it doesn't make you any less important to me.''
''But now you have Lily. She simply adores you... and you like her, too. Very much. Rick likes you too, and there's Mac...''
''Yeah, yeah.'' Jo interrupted her. ''They're all so much fun. But, Ellie... Lily is a kid. She's as cute as a little girl can be and I love her even more as she reminds me of you when you were her age.'' Jo said and stroked Ellie's hair absentmindedly. ''Rick is also great. A little self-contained, but it's getting better with time. And Mac... You know that I adore him, but he's a guy, Ellie. You are my little girl, but you're also so much more. You're growing up to be my best friend.'' Ellie pulled away slightly upon hearing that and looked at Jo with a surprised look written all over her face. ''What? It's true. No one knows me better than you do.'' Jo told her and Ellie slowly nodded.
''I guess it's true.'' She admitted.
''It is.'' Jo repeated. ''That's why you will always be the most important thing to me. No matter what.'' Jo said and Ellie finally smiled at her.
''Do you think they like me? Lily and Rick, I mean.'' She asked shyly.
''Of course they do!'' Jo assured her. ''I think you're a great big sister.'' She added and Ellie's smile grew bigger. ''Just come to the living room and you'll see how happy they are to hang out with you.''
''Umm... Maybe later. I have to finish studying.'' Ellie said with a little reserve.
''OK.'' Jo agreed and rose off her bed. ''I love you, Ellie.'' She added and gave her a hug.
''I love you, too, mom.'' She said and hugged Jo back. Then she left, leaving Ellie to her work.
It didn't take long for Ellie to get bored with her homework. She decided she needed a break and thought about checking out what was going on in the living room. She walked to the kitchen, took a bottle of juice from the fridge and listened carefully. It seemed like they were playing Scrabble. She quietly moved towards the door and stole a look. Her mom was sitting on the floor and was leaning against the couch. Rick was sitting with his legs crossed next to him and he seemed to be thinking hard about his next move. Mac and Lily were on the other side. Ellie raised her eyebrows, as it was rather an unusual sight. Mac was wearing his suit pants and dress shirt and was lying on his stomach directly on the floor. Lily was lying next to him in the exact same position.
''So... this one is made by Lily.'' Mac announced and Lily rose to her knees. She took two letters and put them on both sides of an 'A' that was already on the board. Jo looked down and smiled as she saw a 'cat'. It gave Mac a miserable amount of points, leaving him even more behind.
''Good?'' Lily asked and looked up at him.
''Very good.'' Mac told her and she laid down back next to him. Then she moved closer and he put his arm around her.
''I didn't know you could spell.'' Jo told Lily with awe.
''I can only spell 'cat' and 'dog'. But we don't have a 'g'.'' Lily answered.
''Shhh. Don't give away our secrets.'' Mac warned her in a serious tone.
''Sorry.'' She said and glanced up at him, as she wanted to check if he was angry. But as soon as she saw that his eyes were smiling, she smiled back.
''OK, so now it's my turn...'' Rick said. He add several letters to the 'cat' that was already on board, linking two words together and making a 'caterpillar'.
''Wooow...'' Jo gasped. ''He's good.'' She told Mac. ''I'll have a lot of trouble winning this one.'' She sighed theatrically and Rick grinned at her.
''What did he make with our 'cat'?'' Lily asked.
''He changed it into a caterpillar.'' Mac explained.
''Eww.'' She winced.
''Caterpillars are cool.'' Rick protested. ''They're green and they move like this...'' He showed to Lily, moving his finger across her arm.
''Ewww!'' She winced even more and they all laughed.
Jo turned her head slightly upon hearing Ellie's laughter from behind and Mac followed her gaze.
''Hey, El. You're done with your homework?'' Mac asked.
''Pretty much.'' She nodded.
''Come play with us!'' Lily asked her cheerfully and Jo noticed how the corners of Ellie's mouth slightly went up.
''OK.'' She said and sat down on the floor as well.
''You want to play on your own?'' Mac asked.
''No! Play with us, Ellie.'' Lily told her.
''You can't make a team of three.'' Rick protested. ''That's not fair.''
''So, join me.'' Jo offered. Ellie looked at her and smiled. She moved to her side and leaned against her bent knee.
''Let me guess, you're losing?'' She asked, taking a look at the chart.
''Yes, I am.'' Jo admitted with a laugh.
''OK, I'm playing with mama.'' Ellie decided.
''That's still not fair.'' Rick complained. ''I'm the only one who plays alone.''
''You're too good.'' Jo told him and Rick smiled. He looked up at Mac who agreed with Jo, ''that's right, buddy. We have to play in teams to have at least some chances with you.''
''Well... That's kinda true.'' Rick admitted modestly, but the big grin gave him away.
They played a few games until Mac noticed that Lily started to yawn as she suddenly felt sleepy.
''I have to put her to bed.'' Jo said and rose from the floor.
''You know, it's a little late. I think we'll be going.'' Mac said and stood up as well.
''Do we have to?'' Rick asked pleadingly.
''You can stay a little longer if you want.'' Jo told Mac as he picked up the half asleep Lily from the floor.
''Thanks, but I really think we should leave you alone. You need some time to get ready for bed and get some beauty sleep.'' Mac said in a joking tone.
''Do you think we need it?'' Jo asked, arching one eyebrow at him. She sounded seriously, but he knew she was only teasing him.
''Did he just call us ugly?'' Ellie asked Jo, instantly joining them in the banter.
''It does seem so, doesn't it?'' Jo agreed.
''That's not what I meant.'' Mac said and rolled his eyes. Jo smiled at him and then he glanced at Rick who very reluctantly rose to his feet and stood up next to Mac.
''Do we really have to go?'' He asked again.
''Yup.'' Mac confirmed.
''OK... I'll put it all in the box.'' He offered.
''Let's just move it to the coffee table and we'll finish tomorrow.'' Jo told him.
''OK.'' He agreed more willingly.
''Umm... so...'' Mac started, still holding Lily in his arms. He turned towards Jo, but she was busy helping Rick move the game from the floor to the table.
''I'll take her.'' Ellie offered and took Lily from him. She opened her eyes at the sudden movement and looked directly at Ellie. ''Hey, lil' one. Tonight I'm going to help you get you ready for bed.''
''OK.'' Lily agreed cheerfully. They both left the living room and Mac took his suit jacket from the chair. He moved towards the front door and waited for Rick to join him.
''Put on your shoes and your jacket.'' He said and Rick only nodded.
''So... Tomorrow as usual?'' Jo asked as she approached them.
''We'll give you an extra half an hour.'' Mac smiled at her.
''Great.'' She said and smiled back. ''So... 9 a.m.?''
''Yes.''
''So see you tomorrow.'' She said softly and before he had a chance to answer back, she stood on her tiptoes and leaned towards him. She put her hand on his shoulder for support and the next thing he felt were her lips on his cheek. It lasted only for a fraction of second and was barely perceptible, but he was very aware of her closeness and how good it made him feel. Even when she pulled away, he stood frozen to the spot, not wanting to move and losing this feeling. She looked him in the eye and smiled. He didn't even have to reciprocate it as the silly grin was on his face the whole time.
''Are we going?'' Rick asked and it brutally brought him back to the reality.
''Yes, yes. We are. Bye Jo.'' He said turned around to leave her place.
. . .
''Jump in.'' Jo told Lily as she held the blanket up for her. The girl climbed into the bed and made herself comfortable in the middle of it. Jo sat down beside her and smiled. She looked so tiny in a big, empty bed.
''Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?'' Lily asked.
''Of course I will. I always do.'' Jo told her as she tucked her in.
Lily closed her eyes and sighed softly. In this moment, Jo always got the impression that she would start to purr like a cat, feeling warm, sleepy and content.
''I wish he could stay with us...'' Lily murmured quietly.
''Who? Rick?'' Jo asked in a soft voice.
''Mac...''
''Mac?'' Jo repeated in surprise.
''Yea.''
''You like him, don't you?'' Jo asked with a smile while she gently stroked Lily's curls.
''Mhm.'' Lily confirmed and Jo smiled even more. She thought of how she herself liked Mac, how he made her feel... But she couldn't suspend the feeling that Lily was able to see something more in him, something that he was showing only around her.
''Why?'' She simply asked.
''I like to cuddle up to him.'' Lily answered and Jo had to try her best to keep herself from laughing. That wasn't at all the answer she suspected to get.
''You're cuddly in general, pet.'' She noted jokingly and put her arm around Lily like she wanted to remind her how close she was to her right now.
''Yea.'' Lily answered with a smile. ''But with him it's different.''
''How?''
''When I cuddle up to him, he does this...'' Lily said and pulled away slightly. She furrowed her little eyebrows, perfectly mimicking Mac's expression and making Jo laugh. ''… and he doesn't do anything for a moment.'' She finished. Then she laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes again. ''But then he always cuddles me back.'' She added.
''He does, doesn't he?'' Jo asked while smiling unconsciously.
''Mhm...'' Lily murmured sleepily and finally went silent. Jo sat next to her for a couple more minutes as she wanted to make sure she was asleep. Then she turned the lights off and she left the bedroom. On her way to the kitchen, she peeked into Ellie's room. It looked as if a tornado had gone through it only a minute ago – almost all of Ellie's clothes were on the floor and on the bed. Ellie was standing in front of the mirror, holding a pink top and denim skirt. She groaned and dropped the denim skirt to the floor and the top on the bed. Then she threw herself on top of it, covering her face with her hands.
''El? Are you OK?'' Jo asked as she entered her daughter's room.
''I have nothing to wear.'' Ellie complained.
''Umm... OK...'' Jo murmured and swept the room with her eyes. Ellie took her hands from her face and sat up.
''Nothing is right.'' She groaned.
''I like this.'' Jo told her, picking up the denim skirt from the floor.
''It makes me look like I'm 10.'' Ellie winced.
''That's not true.'' Jo protested. ''You look really cute in it.''
''Cute!'' Ellie rolled her eyes. ''I don't want to look cute...''
''Oh...'' Jo sighed. She eyed her daughter for a moment. It was obvious that there was someone special for whom she wanted to look good for. ''So how do you want to look?'' She asked. Ellie looked at her, trying to figure out what to say. Then she fell back onto the bed with a groan.
''I don't know. Definitely not cute.''
Jo smirked. She remembered being her age and how tricky it was to find the right outfit. Not childish anymore, but not too feminine either.
''Are you dolling up for someone special, hon?'' She asked.
''No.'' Ellie snorted. ''I just want to look nice.''
''OK.'' Jo nodded, not at all convinced by her answer. ''How about wearing this skirt with some leggings? A nice top and your leather jacket would do?'' Jo offered. Ellie jumped to her feet upon hearing her.
''It could!'' She agreed. ''But which top?''
''Definitely not the pink one. A dark one. And a cool silver necklace.''
''May I borrow one of yours?'' Ellie asked and made puppy dog eyes.
''Sure.'' Jo answered with a smile.
''And your high heels? Those black pumps?'' Ellie pleaded.
''My black pumps? Ellie, they're too high and too big for you.''
''Mom... please...'' Ellie moaned.
''Is he taller than you?'' Jo asked and Ellie fixed her eyes at her. She blinked twice and sighed.
''Damn...''
''Looks like you're wearing flats, darling.'' Jo laughed.
''You were so lucky with Russ.'' Ellie sighed dramatically. ''You could wear any high heels you wanted.''
''Yeah, and they still weren't enough. I always had to grab him by his tie and pulled him closer to kiss him. And if he wasn't wearing one, I could do this only on the stairs.''
''Yuck, mom...''
''Kiss him, I mean.'' Jo specified. ''Although...''
''Oh my God, mom! Too much information!'' Ellie exclaimed, covering her ears.
''OK, OK, I'm not saying anything more.'' Jo laughed. She glanced at Ellie's room once more. ''You're going to clean this all up before going to sleep, right?''
''I think I don't have other choice.'' Ellie moaned.
''So how about... I'll help you and then we make some tea and you tell me about this special someone who doesn't exist, yet he isn't taller than you.'' Jo joked.
''Everything I say can be used against me, huh?'' Ellie joked back.
''Seems so!'' Jo laughed, picked up the sweater from the floor and threw it at Ellie, making her laugh as well.
. . .
''We have a day off tomorrow, both, Jo and I. And Ellie doesn't have school as it's Saturday, so how about we all do something fun together?'' Mac offered, casting Rick a quick glance through the rare mirror. He was looking out through the window. A little crease on his forehead was indicating that he was deep in thoughts.
''Sure...'' He agreed absentmindedly.
''We thought about going to the zoo. How do you like this idea?'' Mac asked.
''Sounds like fun.'' Rick answered, but there was not a tiniest sign of excitement in his voice. Mac sighed and hesitated for a moment.
''What is it?'' He finally asked Rick. ''Is something bothering you?''
''No... Everything is fine.'' Rick assured him quickly, although he sounded slightly sad. ''It's just... I wish we didn't have to leave Lily, Jo and Ellie every evening.'' He said. ''I mean, I like your place very much, but...''
''Yeah, I know what you mean.'' Mac interrupted him.
''Why don't you live together anyway?'' Rick asked bluntly.
''Who? Jo and I?''
''Yes.''
''Well... we aren't a couple and...'' Mac started to explain.
''I know.'' Rick cut him off. ''But why not?''
''Why we aren't a couple?'' Mac repeated, feeling a little lost.
''Yes. You do like her, right?''
''Of course I do.'' Mac confirmed. ''Very much, but...'' Mac broke off as he tried to think of any possible excuse he could give Rick. ''It's not that easy, you know.'' He murmured gloomily. Rick stayed quiet for a moment, although Mac could sense his gaze on himself. Something was clearly on his mind. Finally he spoke, ''do you think it's not fair to your wife?''
''To Claire?''
''Yes. Because for me... Sometimes I feel it isn't right to like Jo... because of my mom. And that it isn't right to like you as well.'' Rick confessed quietly. Mac stopped at the red light and turned towards him slightly.
''Rick, I don't think it's not right or not fair. You need someone to take care of you, you need parents. Of course, nobody will ever be as good as your mom and dad but I'm sure they wouldn't mind. They would like you to be happy. You and Lily.'' He explained calmly and Rick nodded lightly. But the crease on his forehead became visible again.
''So you think Claire would like you to be with Jo?'' He asked, following Mac's way of thinking. Mac frowned upon hearing his question, as it had never occurred to him that it could be posed like this.
''Well... Maybe.'' He answered evasively. Then he glanced at Rick and he knew that his answer wasn't satisfying for him. He sighed deeply. ''I like Jo. And I like being around her. She makes me feel so... so...'' He stumbled, trying to find the right words.
''Calm?'' Rick finished for him. ''Like you are sure that everything will be just fine?'' He added and looked up at Mac, trying to figure out if that was the way Jo was making him feel.
''Yeah.'' Mac nodded. He wouldn't be able to capture it any better. ''Yes, exactly like that.''
Rick glanced at Mac and saw a soft smile that was playing on his lips, so he smiled too.
''I really like the idea of going to the zoo.'' He told Mac.
''That's good.''
When they arrived at Mac's place, it only took Rick 10 minutes to get ready for bed whereas Mac tried to find something to keep himself busy, as he didn't feel tired yet. He turned on the TV, but nothing interesting was on, so he quickly turned it off. He decided to take a shower and read a book in bed. He was just opening the book when his phone started to ring. He frowned slightly, as it was already pretty late, but his frown disappeared instantly when he saw the name on the screen.
''Hi.'' He answered it. ''Did something happen?''
''No, no. Everything is fine.'' Jo assured him quickly. ''I just went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and I found your watch lying on the counter. I thought I'd call you to tell you it's here so you wouldn't look for it in the morning.''
''Oh, OK... I must have taken it off when I was washing dishes.''
''Yeah, probably...'' Jo said in a lowered voice.
''You're already in bed?'' Mac figured out.
''Yeah, just slipping under the duvet.'' Jo told him.
''Lily's asleep?''
''Like an angel.''
Mac smiled upon hearing it. For a brief moment, he wished he could see her sleeping peacefully in Jo's bed.
''That's good.'' He said, unconsciously lowering his voice as well.
''See you in the morning, Mac.''
''Sleep well, Jo.''
''You, too.'' She answered. They both went silent for a moment, but neither decided to hang up just yet. He wished she could say something more, but she didn't. He cleared his throat.
''OK, so bye.''
''Bye.'' She answered quickly and hung up.
He placed his phone down on the nightstand and glanced at the book. He didn't feel like reading anymore. He put it aside as well and turned off the light. Then he turned to his side and closed his eyes. He thought about Jo lying in her bed across the city, slowly drifting to sleep. He was sure she was curled up in her usual position with Lily cuddled to her side. Jo's soft, quiet voice resounded in his head, making him feel so calm. He wrapped both of his arms around his pillow and let out a sigh, falling asleep almost instantly.
. . .
A/N I'm terribly sorry for the slower updates – they aren't caused by the lost of my interest in the story, it's just this stupid thing called life...
I hope you'll enjoy it. Don't forget to tell me what you think :)
Huuuuuugs for Jess (csinyfan28), who corrected this chapter. You know that I adore you as my beta? :) Well, you do now.