Chapter 11: One last drink.

In order not to awaken hope, Reade had proposed to his colleague to carry the girl to the car what she had gladly accepted. After joining the vehicle and attaching the child, they found themselves talking in the street as if nothing was wrong because they did not want to leave even if they were not mutually confessed.

"Thank you for the helping hand," Tasha smiled thankfully.
"It was a pleasure as usual. I really had a good night."
"Yes, me too, when I asked Mayfair to help me announce the existence of Hope to the team I imagined a multitude of scenarios, but none was as optimistic."
"You see I told you it would be fine. I'm always right, since the time you should have guessed," Edgar joked.
"Be careful you will end up having trouble to pass the doors by having the head that is swelling," the brunette continued continuing the game.
"Really very funny you made the school of laughter to what I see."
"I was even the best of my promo. Stop joking, would you like to come and have a drink in order to finish the evening?" The young woman proposed by thinking back to the discussion she had with her friends.
"With pleasure, am I following you in my car? "
"It works."

The two friends departed in their respective vehicles in the direction of the Hispanic apartment. Tasha was happy to have had the guts to make this proposal to her teammate. She was delighted to spend the end of the evening in his company. Perhaps she could take advantage of it to try to perceive what her friends had seen, or at least try. Reade was delighted that his teammate invited him for a drink. He was going to be able to spend more time with her, enjoy her company and possibly try something with the young woman. After about ten minutes they arrived at Zapata, went up to her apartment. Edgar put Hope in her room and then went out. He turned to talk to Tasha but was silent immediately when he saw the touching scene that was unfolding in front of him. He was able to admire his best friend leaning on her daughter. The young woman fondly caressed the cheek of the little girl and then lay a kiss in her hair. She lifted herself up smiling and then went out of the room. The two friends then went to sit in the couch to discuss.

"You're really amazing with her. Hope is really lucky to have you."
"Thanks this is really nice."
"It's sincere and I'm not the only one who noticed it. The whole team saw it tonight."
"You've all been great I wouldn't be how to thank all of you, how to thank you."
"You do not have to do it. We are a team we support each other, help each other and accept each other. We all made mistakes. No one is safe. You had very good reasons. What matters is that it is in the past. I believe that in recent weeks we have all more or less had the opportunity to start again on new bases."
"That's right, you're right."
"While I think about it. Why did you laugh with the girls earlier?" the policeman asked with a smile. It had been a pleasure seeing her so happy. He loved her laugh.
"Nothing special, according to them I am a mule," Tasha admitted slightly embarrassed.
"I totally agree with that remark."
"Hey, I'm not the only one I report to you."
"It is not wrong but in obstinacy, you are in the best."
"The worst is that more Hope grows up more I realize it. She inherited my character. This little one can be stubborn to a point, almost terrifying."
"I wish you much courage."
"Do not tell me, when she has an idea in mind she does not let go."
"As a mother as a daughter; after all Allie, you and Patterson have been harassing Jane for weeks about her relationship with Weller."
"Actually, we went a little strong. I confess only we avoid subjects too sensitive in general while Hope not. The problem with early children is that they do not have a filter so sometimes it leads to special situations."
"Has she ever asked you questions about her father?" The African American questioned by understanding the underheard.
"She did it."
"What did you answer?"
"The truth, I told her that her father was in prison because it was not a good person, just after I also told her that I loved her for two even see three. As long as we are together it is the most important. As hard as it was I also promised her that when she was old enough to hear the whole truth I would tell her. I think she realized it was hard for me to talk about it. That's why she didn't insist. Since that day she has not asked me any more question, but I know that she will do it again someday. After all, it is normal that she needs to answer."
"That's for sure but it will be fine, I'm sure. After all, you did well the first time. Besides Hope is sensitive and intelligent she will know how to react."
"It will inevitably disturb her to know that her own father is a monster."
"Obviously but luckily she has a great mom, so it compensates widely. Your daughter knows you'll always be there for her, no matter what happens. Despite the past, our work and its peculiarities you have succeeded in that Hope is a little girl balanced, fulfilled and well in her skin in addition to being polite, intelligent, kind and generous. So, whatever happens, I'm sure you'll be all right. "
"How do you do it?"
"How do I do what?" He replied intrigued.
"How do you always know what to say or what to do to reassure people? Whether in work or with the team you always do the right thing."
"I have no merit, I just had good teachers. My grandfather and my grandmother taught me a lot. They were great people, humble, nice and generous and cultured too. They had not done any study; at the time it was not really possible but yet they knew an impressive amount of thing."
"Were?" Zapata interrogated by understanding that she had put her finger on something.
"My grandfather passed away three years ago. My grandmother is still alive, but the death of my grandfather has upset her, and she is no longer herself. The doctors said that physically she was fine but that she was just stuck in the past. They were so fused and in love both that she could not bear to lose it," Edgar told with nostalgia.
"I'm really sorry. They seemed to be quite exceptional. The kind of person you can take as an example. It's quite the kind of relationship I'd like to have with someone, it's so beautiful to be in love at this point."
"I did not know you as a romantic, partner."
"Oh, but you know me pretty well I can still surprise you, partner."
"I see that I see that."

The two agents continued to discuss this for more than an hour. After a while, they began to talk about their respective love lives.
"So, since Sarah, you have not seen anyone really serious?" She asked when she tried to try the field.
"Not really anything serious and you?"
"I never found a person with whom I feel confident enough to be totally honest then my priority is Hope, she will always go first, and that people sometimes have trouble understanding it. My grandmother is so surprised that a woman my age is unmarried that she thinks I'm too demanding with men and that I'm going to end up as an old maid. I mean, I don't blame her. It was not even possible at the time. She does not know. Finally, I know that she really wants what's best for me."
"Like all grandparents. One thing is for sure is that these men are idiots, they have no clue what they are missing."
"They definitely do not miss much," she replied by insisting on every word.
"Oh Tasha, you're unbelievable, stop doubting about it. You're beautiful, funny, smart and really wonderful. You should never question that again."
"You, you are really adorable," the Hispanic replied blushing and lowering her eyes
"It's sincere," Edgar concluded by passing two fingers under his chin. The two young people looked in their eyes and they understood that things had to change and that nothing would be like before.