Author's notes: Thank you so much for your support for this story and I welcome the new followers. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Jane opens the door to Lisbon, he turns to Betsy with a big smile on his face.
"She's brought books."
Betsy slides off the chair and walks towards them. Lisbon holds them out to her.
"These are yours I believe."
Betsy takes them. With her hands full Jane helps her on to the couch and sits next to her. He invites Lisbon to sit on the other side.
"Is that okay Betsy, if I sit next to you?"
Betsy nods and Lisbon sits down. Jane speaks to Betsy.
"Betsy."
She tears her eyes away from the books and looks at Jane.
"Do you remember what it is you should say to someone when they give you something, or do something nice for you?"
Betsy shakes her head.
"It's hard to remember when you're learning. When Lisbon handed you the books, that was a time to say thank you."
Betsy turns towards Lisbon.
"Thank you."
Lisbon smiles at her.
"You're welcome. Now which book do you think you want to read the first?"
Betsy takes the top book and moves it to the bottom of the pile and the next and the next until she gets to the book with flowers on the cover. She hands it to Jane.
"Why don't you give me the other books then you can hold this one while I read it?"
Betsy looks at the pile of books in her lap and the one in her hand. She nods in agreement.
After the third book, Jane makes a new suggestion.
"Shall we show Lisbon what we've found on the laptop?"
Betsy looks puzzled at him.
"The house."
Her face breaks into a smile and she shoves the books behind her as she jumps off the couch. She turns to Lisbon.
"Come see."
Lisbon looks at Jane who's beaming and looking pleased with himself at Betsy's reaction. Lisbon raises her eyebrows at him.
"She likes the idea then."
"She doesn't like it here Lisbon and it's not good for her. She's a little girl, she needs space and she wants to play, just like any girl does. Wait until you've seen what she's chosen."
Betsy's already sitting at the table and is opening the lap top. She presses the on button. Jane shakes his head.
"I think kids today are wired with a computer button."
Betsy shifts over so Jane can sit on the chair and he lifts her up and sits her on his knee. Lisbon pulls a chair round so she can also see the screen. Jane has booked marked the page, Lisbon on seeing this couldn't resist remarking.
"Has she been showing you how to use it?"
"I worked it out myself, it didn't take very long. Being around Van Pelt I know what a computer does I just have to figure out how it does it. This was pretty easy."
Betsy looks at Lisbon to see her reaction to the home.
"It's a pretty home."
Betsy points to the swing in the background.
Lisbon is suitably impressed.
"That's good-looking swing."
Betsy smiles
"Shall we show her the rest of the house?"
Betsy nods.
Jane clicks on the photos showing the inside. He looks to Lisbon.
"What do you think?"
"It's a nice place. Not far from where I live actually."
Jane turns to Betsy.
"Do you hear that, we will be living near Lisbon?"
"You have to get the house first and how are you going to do that in here. I know there's a lot you can do on the internet but I doubt if it's good to buy a house without looking at it."
"Ah I've already arranged a viewing. I talked to the realtor and the owners and they're happy to let us look around the place by ourselves."
"Betsy's going with you?"
"Of course. I can't leave her and it will be like a trial run."
"So when are you going?"
"After dinner tomorrow"
"That's fast Jane you have to be appointed her guardian first."
"Buying the house will take some time, so the sooner we get started the better. Come with us?"
He turns to Betsy.
"Would you like Agent Lisbon to come look at the house with us?"
Betsy thinks about it then nods.
"I guess I can."
"Good. We have a taxi picking us up after dinner at 6.
Lisbon fetches take out for dinner. She gives Betsy her bath and stays to watch a movie with them. Betsy falls asleep near the end and Jane settles her in the bed while Lisbon gets them each a drink. They settle on the couch. Jane looks at Lisbon.
"I can see you have concerns Lisbon, so out with them."
"First, what about Guardianship? That needs sorting before you can take her anywhere."
"Doctor Wride and social services are working on that one. Betsy's situation's been explained to the judge and she's coming to observe us and I'll talk to Betsy and see if she's willing to let the judge come in and talk to her."
"Do you think she will?"
Jane shrugs.
"I don't know, she might let her in but whether she'll talk to her, we'll find out. If she won't, the judge is still willing to make a judgement. Guardianship is the least of my concerns because who else can they give her too.? I've also been thinking about the bath situation, it's unrealistic to expect you to come by and give her a bath all the time. Once I'm appointed guardian, I feel it will be proper for me to help her."
"She only needs help with her hair."
"I thought you could be there the first two or three times just in case she finds it difficult."
"Of course."
"What else?"
Lisbon looks down at her cup gathering her thoughts, the idea of Jane setting up home with Betsy has been on her mind all day. She looks up at Jane.
"I'm concerned for you Jane. How are you going to cope when she eventually leaves and is adopted?"
"I'll be a total wreck."
Lisbon's shocked she didn't expect such an honest answer, she expected him to placate her. Jane smiles gently at her.
"If I walked away today it would hurt just the same. I know I'm setting myself up here, but I don't have a choice..."
"You don't have to set up home with her."
"I do, because it's what's best for Betsy. Lisbon, since my wife and daughter died my life has been about revenge. I've forgotten how to live. With Betsy I can feel I'm changing. I have some one who needs me, someone who I think about before myself."
Jane shakes his head.
"I don't know how to say this without sounding like a saint, a martyr or something.."
"No chance of that with me."
Jane smiles gratefully at her.
"I know in the end it's going to hurt when she's ready to accept another family. I will miss her..."
His voice breaks and he takes a moment to regain control.
"I feel lucky and privileged that I have this chance to help Betsy and I feel lucky and privileged that I have a friend who I can turn to, who will help and support me when the time comes. Betsy deserves the best of me and that's what I'm going to give her, regardless of the consequences."