Chapter 48
Saturday...
They don't work the weekends if they aren't on a case. Too high up the food chain or if someone asked for a swap, so it's usually the days they take to spend with the boys. He's not surprised she's up before him, stepping out of the shower wrapped in a towel as he stepped into the bathroom, crossing to the toilet. He had thought it was weird that the toilet was in it's own little closet but now it made sense as he shared the space with Maria. She's mostly dressed by the time he steps out and he crosses to her, wrapping two arms around her body from behind as she finishes with her hair.
"What's the plan for today?"
"Boys wanted to see a movie."
"Fun." She squirms against his exploring kisses and the way he noses through her wet hair before he pauses and simply enjoys the moment of holding her.
"So…' she says softly as she reaches for her make up kit, catching his eyes in the mirror. Danny watching as she pulls out the packet of pills and holds it up. '... What am I doing with this?"
He takes it from her, tossing it in the trash can beside the sink. Watching as she nods… 'you sure? I mean it would change a lot."
"I am if you are."
"I'm not exactly young anymore Danny."
"You're not old either… what? 38? You're healthy. You stay in shape. "
"There are still risks."
"We'll take it as it comes." He says and she nods, "Okay?"
"Okay."
Sunday
Dinner had been an easy affair, Sean disappearing to a friends house afterward and Jack to work on a report for class. Danny had picked up an overnight detail to cover for Sanchez who had a family emergency and she was not remotely interested in after the on call schedule from hell they had just left.
She is halfway through her book when she gets a text from Danny. *4551 Tubb Road. Queens. Sean. Needs pick up.*
*Why?*
*Friend called, said he's being stupid.*
*On my way.*
It's late, she tired and he's about 30 minutes away. There is a party in full swing when she gets there, kids passed out on the lawn. Radio blasting. She can see him standing with a bunch of other kids outside and pulls to a stop outside the house. A quick glance at her laptop shows at least three calls on the party and three units have been dispatched. She gets out, watching as he spots her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Get in the car."
"You're not my mother!" Sean watches as that statement hits her, the disappointment and hurt flashing over her face before she nods. Causes a pit of dread forming in his stomach.
"I know that. But I am an adult responsible for your well being who loves you.' Sean looked at the ground. 'So get in the car!" The cop edge he rarely heard, mostly when she was muttering about something Dad had done. But it was a tone that demanded no argument.
He does, sliding into the passenger seat and she watches as his friends shuffle away, back towards the house. She slides into the car and pulls off, closing the lid on the laptop and turns the corner off the street as she sees blue lights in the distance.
She keeps the radio off, sends a quick text off to Danny and heads towards the house.
He's silent until they reach their street. 'I'm sorry."
"Go shower, we'll talk about it tomorrow." He hums, climbing out of the car.
*we're home*
*we'll talk to him tomorrow. Go to bed*
She waits until Sean is showered and in bed. Leaves a water bottle and two tylenol beside his bed. Jack is still sleeping and she climbs in bed and settles there.
Wakes only briefly when Danny gets home, feeling him climb into the other side of the bed. 'He okay?"
"He's gonna have a hell of a headache.' She answers, feels him slide over and press against her back 'you okay?"
"Everything was fine. Fucking boring.' She snorts, lifting her head enough for his arm to slip beneath it. His other hand wrapped around her body searching for her hand. 'Dougherty snorts when he thinks something is funny."
She can't help the small smile, "That your way of saying you missed me."
"I always miss you."
"Smooth talker." He smiles, pressing a kiss against her neck before scratching the stubble across it, just to hear the giggle as she tried to squirm away. "Stop… stop, go to sleep."
He settles, "Was he an ass?"
"Nothing too bad, sleep Danny. We'll deal with it tomorrow."
She wakes before him. But not before Jack if she is judging from the soft noise of the television coming from the living room. Danny is snoring lightly behind her, his arm still beneath her head. She slides his hand down her side, slipping from the bed. Smiling as he grumbles in his sleep and reaches for her. Carefully escaping and watching as he pulls the blankets tighter around him instead. Pads out of the room to the smell of coffee.
Jack is nursing his own cup and she makes half a bagel and joins him to watch the news. "Sean okay?"
"For now." Jack smiles, watching as she does as well,
"Dad mad?"
"What do you think?"
"Dad's mad." He confirms,
She finishes her coffee, watches as Danny stumbles out near the end of it and takes her cup and gets his first. She smiles as he drops beside her on the couch, eyes sliding closed as his hands closed around the cup. She sips on her second coffee as he works up the brain power to begin his first.
Both watching as Sean stumbles out an hour later. Danny waiting until he had a drink before standing… "Family meeting…'
Maria rising with him as Jack appears from the back… all heading towards the table.
Sean looks miserable and Danny let's him stew in the silence. "It was stupid." Sean says, "I'm sorry…"
"Why?" Danny asks, watching as Sean stares into the cup before he shrugs slightly. "Sorry's don't count in this house if you don't mean them."
"I worried you. I worried Maria…' he frowned, tears edging at the corner of his eyes, 'I said something stupid that was hurtful." Danny glanced to Maria, watching as she took an even breath but didn't glance his way. Her eyes on Sean before she leans forward, holding her hand out towards him.
Danny relaxing as he closes the distance immediately, Jack sitting silently beside his brother. "Look at me.' Maria says softly and Sean does, the tears still fighting in his eyes. 'I am not your mother and I am never going to try and replace her because she was beautiful, funny, smart and god knows we all miss her everyday. I would give anything I could to give her back to you boys… You know that." He nods quickly, using his free hand to wipe at tears, "And sometimes, sometimes it's gonna hit you you so hard that you don't know how to deal with it but… what you did yesterday… that's not the way."
"I know."
"You. Are. Not. Alone.' She whispers it fiercely, and he nods quickly again. 'You can talk to me. You can talk to your dad. Linda…' she says softly, 'that's not a name you have to avoid."
"I miss her."
"We all do bud." Danny says as he leans forward, setting his hand on top of theirs and Jack does as well the next moment. "We all do."
"I know." Sean says softly, "It helps…' he says softly towards Maria, watching as she raised an eyebrow 'that you're not like her."
"Oh?' She says softly, 'Not pretty, not smart or not funny?"
They all laugh and Maria smiles, 'That… you know how to help us… when to let us be." Sean says softly,
"I do love you." She says firmly and he nods,
"I know. We love you too." Sean answers. "And I'm sorry I hurt you."
"I accept your apology.' She says softly, and he gives a shaky smile.
"I'm assuming I'm still grounded."
"Oh you betcha." Danny says evenly, watching as Maria leans back.
"2 weeks?"
"Yep."
"Fair enough."
