Chapter 4
Liv joined Alex the next morning, "Liv, are you ok? You took a shower and when I came in after checking Amanda's work you were asleep." Alex walked up to Liv's face, "I was going to beg you for sex." Liv smiled, "During a trial?" Alex kissed her hard on the lips and held her hands up, "Hey things change. Amanda got away last night." Liv sipped her coffee, "She hates her school, I gave her a pass." Alex laughed loud and hard, "Oh she told me. Verbatim. Nice rhyming by the way." They kissed, "See you in court."
After waking up Amanda and getting her to school, she headed to court. The following week went the same. Some days court was good, sometimes bad. Amanda had been on her best behavior, since the threat. The case was coming to an end. They only had a few more witnesses.
Today everyone from the squad was in the courtroom. Ariel, the young girl that had the glass held to her neck that night was on the stand. Liv was there so she could have a face to look to. Liv helped prep her for the trial. She did great with Alex explaining in great detail the nightmare she went through. Even when Jim tried to discredit her, she didn't back down.
In the middle of her testimony, several women stood up making a scene, calling her a liar and yelling. The judge ordered the courtroom to be cleared and when the court officer stepped forward in all the confusion, Johnny D grabbed her gun and held her hostage. Fin grabbed Alex to shield her. Shots rang out and he hit the judge in the shoulder, Jim in the chest, and he pointed the gun at Beth. Beth looked at Olivia and Nick yelled, "Don't do it!" Johnny D fired first, then Nick shot him twice in the chest.
Liv ran to help Beth, "Oh my God! Alex!" They held her and tried to stop the bleeding. They followed Beth to the hospital. The judge was stable. Johnny D died on the courtroom floor. Jim died en route and Beth was in critical condition, she lost the baby. Liv asked Fin to go get Amanda. Alex and Liv listened to the doctors, while watching Beth. "It's not good, she's lost a lot of blood, the bullet hit several organs. If there is someone to call, you should."
Alex explained, "She has a 13 year old and a 1 year old." Liv remembered Noah, "I need to call Lucy." Liv called Lucy and asked her to keep him, because the hospital wasn't the place. She said she was sending Nick to take her to their penthouse. They headed out to meet Fin and Amanda.
When she saw them, she ran to them hugging and crying, "Aunt Liv what happened?" Liv explained everything, she couldn't lie to her. Her and Alex took turns comforting her and checking on Beth. The doctor came out and Amanda was asleep on Alex's lap, "She's awake, but she needs surgery right now." Liv looked at Amanda, "Is she asking for her?" The doctor shook his head yes.
"Amanda your mom's awake. Come on." They got to the room and Amanda could see her through the glass. Liv and Alex knelt down in front of Amanda, "She's really hurt baby. She needs surgery, but she wants to see you, because she loves you." Alex added, "We'll be right here for you now and always." Amanda held both their hands, "Is she going to die?" Alex and Liv had to be honest, "Baby we don't know, but we hope not. We can only pray ok."
They walked in and went to Beth's side. She was weak, "Hey sweet girl. I love you and don't you ever forget that." Beth looked at Liv and Alex, "I love you too. Take care of her." Amanda knew and tears fell down her face. "Amanda, they love you and Noah so much. They aren't just Aunts, they're your second moms. Kiss Noah for me." Amanda leaned over her mom and kissed her. "Mom, I love you." They took her to surgery and Beth died on the table.
The days before the funeral and weeks that followed were a complete blur for all of them. Especially when Liv told Alex the truth. Alex had a hard time and shut down with Amanda. Alex bounced back, but Amanda hadn't been back to school. Luckily teachers were allowing her to do assignments online. She had moments of acting up and she had a permanent spot between both of them in their bed. Noah was with them now also. They actually hired Lucy as a full-time live-in nanny. That solved their problem of child care and Lucy's problem of having no place to live. Plus it was more money for her.
Liv came out of the shower to see what had become the new normal. Alex on the end and Amanda right in the middle of their bed. She hadn't slept in her room since the night Beth died. "Liv how much longer?" Liv sighed, "Are we talking about school, our bed or both?" Amanda was not only sleeping with them every night, but hadn't been back to school yet. Both had been a fight.
Alex answered, "I can deal with the bed a little longer, even though I really need some sex." Liv smiled and Alex explained, "She needs to be in class. She needs routine Liv and the longer we let things go the harder it will be." They agreed to both call in tomorrow and have Lucy take Noah to the park. Alex woke up first and started breakfast. After Liv showered, "Sleepyhead it's time to wake up." Amanda smiled, "Ok Aunt Liv."
They ate pancakes and bacon with tons of syrup. Amanda played with Noah, "Lucy, Noah's sticky." Lucy smiled, "Don't worry, I've got it. Come on Noah. Let's wash your face and go to the park." Noah clapped his hands and laughed. Amanda jumped up, "Can I go to the park?" Liv shook her head, "No baby we need to talk to you."
They sat her down and Alex went first, because Liv was the enforcer. "Amanda, we love you so much, but it's time to go back to school. You only have 3 more months and then summer." Amanda was sad, "I'm not going." Liv looked at her, "Well that's where you're wrong. You are going. As hard as it is, you have to move on, we all have to move on. We can even talk about transferring you back to high school, with your friends."
They could see the wheels spinning. They saw tears falling, "I miss them so much. I never did the right thing." Liv and Alex held her, "Your mom and dad didn't think that about you. They loved you. She told me how much she loved you." Liv saw a smile, then tickled her to make Amanda laugh, "You've gotten away with a lot lately. We wanted to give you time and you've had it. So are you going to go back or does Aunt Liv need to spank that butt." Liv started patting her on the butt playfully. Amanda smiled a huge smile, "Ok. I will go back Monday."
"Can I really go to high school with my friends?" Alex said, "Yes as long as you actually go to school and not skip with them." Amanda frowned, "Can I still sleep with you?" Liv and Alex looked at each other, and Alex answered, "Yes you can for as long as you need to, but can you tell us why?" Amanda explained, "I know my mom loved me, but she always acted like I was in the way. At night I get lonely and one of you holds me. Do you want me to get out of your bed? Liv told her, "No, not if you aren't ready."
On Monday everyone went back as scheduled. At breakfast Alex and Liv reminded Amanda to be on her best behavior. They both dropped her off and headed to work. Liv and Fin were in Cragen's office getting good news. "Well Liv, you passed the Lieutenant's exam and Fin you passed the Sergeant's exam. I'm so proud of both of you. I won't be around forever."
They were sitting at their desks when Alex walked in with a scared Amanda behind her. "Oh great! I can't wait to hear what this is about." Alex walked over, with Amanda following. "Liv, I got a call, she was being rude to her math teacher. I was trying to keep her with me, but she's refusing to stay. She wants you and I asked if she was sure. She says yes." Liv looked at Fin, "Will you take her and grab some lunch and bring her back?" Fin said, "Sure! Come on Amanda your pick." Amanda folded her arms, "No! I don't want lunch." Liv leaned over and whispered something and Amanda went willingly.
Liv looked at Alex, "She's doing that on purpose." Alex shook her head, "The school asked if we wanted to keep her at home longer. What did you say to her?" Liv smiled, "That I was starving and wanted something too. You know I've been avoiding this, but maybe it's time to speak with a professional." Alex agreed, but had to get back to work.
Liv called Alexis Hanover a psychologist they worked some cases with. She was young and Liv hoped she could get through to Amanda. She gave her preview and told them what they were going through. She agreed to come over for dinner, just as a friend. "Do you like spaghetti? Amanda and Noah love it."
Amanda came back with burgers and fries. "Here Aunt Liv!" Now that it was just them, she was perfectly behaved. She took out her computer and did her work. "How come you didn't bring me a milkshake? Why did Fin even get you a milkshake? You misbehaved today." Amanda looked at her, "Are you going to punish me?" Liv wondered, "Is that what you're trying for a punishment? Why are you so good with me and only me?" Amanda shrugged.
They finished up and headed home. "Amanda, set the table a friend is coming over." Amanda gave her a thumbs up. Liv was holding Noah, "Hey sweet boy!" Noah was a happy baby, in a way he was lucky. He didn't feel the pain Amanda did. They all heard a knock. "Alexis come on in. This is Noah." Alexis waved at him and he laughed. "That's Amanda." Alexis smiled, "Hi Amanda!" Amanda said hi. "The chef is Lucy." Amanda giggled. When the door opened it was Alex. Amanda ran to her and hugged her, "Aunt Alex!"
Liv and Alex both thought that was a change. She didn't want to stay with her earlier. Alexis just observed. During dinner Amanda was the center of attention, she was sweet and kind to everyone. She was helpful to Lucy and even begged to help give Noah a bath and that was after cleaning up the kitchen with Lucy. "This is what we see all the time. Whether we send her to school or not. She's helpful and likes Lucy, but she gives Lucy hell until she calls one of us. Alex and I have both left work to either come here or school. She wouldn't even stay with Alex today. She acted up until she brought her to me."
Alex added, "And sleeping, she sleeps in between us every night. It's not normal. She's going to be in high school sleeping in our bed." Alexis had an idea, "I haven't talked to her, but everything you're describing, she's scared of losing you two. Alex the way she hugged you, Liv's not her favorite. She probably worries about Liv more. Her job is more dangerous. I think you should talk to her and if she doesn't give you anything, maybe see someone. I can give some names."
Lucy and Amanda came out with Noah. "Ma...Aunt Liv and Alex, He's ready for bed." They all heard the slip. Alexis told her, "You're great big sister, I can tell." Amanda smiled, "Thanks!" Noah started making noise, "Mamamama!" Amanda looked, "He can't say Aunt, so he calls them mama." They all said goodnight to Alexis. Then Lucy picked up Noah and they all kissed Noah goodnight.
Liv and Alex sat down, "Amanda, we want to talk to you." Amanda sat down a little nervous, "Ok. I know I'm in trouble." Alex spoke, "Not exactly, not yet, but it's time to have a serious conversation." Liv loved that they were on the same page even without discussing anything. Liv explained, "We don't like the misbehaving, missing school, being disrespectful. We haven't punished you, because we know it's been a lot, but we can't continue like this. We want you to talk to us. Tell us how you feel."
Amanda twisted her hands, "When I lived with my mom and dad. I wished and prayed that I could live with you. I didn't know they had to die for me to get my wish. It's my fault they are dead." Alex picked her up and hugged her tight. Amanda started crying, "Baby, is that what you think? None of this is your fault." Liv joined them, "Look at us, none of this is your fault. He was a bad man, that did a bad thing."
Alex rubbed her back and let her cry, "Just let it out baby. It's not good to hold this in. You can always talk to us." Amanda sat up in her lap and sniffed, "What if I lose you too? You could die in court Aunt Alex and Aunt Liv could any day because her job is dangerous." Liv tried to help, "Is that why you act up, so one of us comes to you?" Amanda shook her head, "Aunt Alex wouldn't call you today, so I acted up until she brought me to you."
They both talked to her about their jobs. "Amanda, I'm not going to say nothing bad will ever happen to us, because I can't promise that. What we can promise you is that we fight to make sure you and Noah have a safe and happy environment to grow up in. We have a circle of people Amanda and losing your mom and dad made it smaller, but we all love you.
They talked about going back to school and returning to normal. "You've got to do it. Now if you return to school and do everything right, next weekend Aunt Alex and I will take you and your friends out for shopping, dinner, and a movie. How's that sound?" Amanda's blue eyes sparkled, "Yes!" Alex finished, "But Amanda if you have any trouble, deal is off and punishments will start. You know right from wrong. We won't tolerate this behavior." Amanda shook her head, "Anything else while we are talking?" Amanda answered, "Can I still sleep with you?" Liv kissed her, "Sure, now get your butt in the shower, because you have school tomorrow."