The hallway to Ressler's apartment was dark and cold as the three of them silently approached his door. However, when Ressler walked in, the atmosphere inside was starkly different. The lights were on, and there was a warm glow to the place. He smelled coffee and cookies; he heard laughter and talking. He spotted his mother, taking command in the kitchen, refreshing the cup of Cooper, who was sitting at the kitchen bar with his coat off, smiling. Park was there too, and there was a lightness to the conversation. The three of them seemed like old friends.
"Well, look who's here," Mrs. Ressler said in a cheery voice. Her eyes were focused on the shy looking girl holding Aram's hand. She made her way around to greet the crew. As she approached, she crouched down to see Agnes eye to eye.
"Hello, you must be Agnes. I've heard so many wonderful things about you. I'm Mrs. Ressler. Would you like a cookie?" As she said it her eyes went wide and Agnes nodded in agreement. She took the little girl by the hand, but gave her son a little wink before walking into the kitchen to fetch a sweet treat. Ressler was a bit stunned. Aram quickly shed his coat to eagerly join the party.
While the task force chatted with Agnes, working to lift her spirits and put the girl at ease, Ressler poured himself a cup of coffee and surveyed the scene. His apartment had never been so full of people…friends, family. He smiled into his mug. He liked the way it felt, even if it wasn't under the best circumstances. Agnes hopped up on a kitchen stool, coat shed, and nibbling on a cookie, she smiled too.
Soon, out of the mouths of babes, Agnes asked a very important question. "Where am I going to sleep?" Eyes darted around, first at Ressler, and when he looked just as clueless, to each other.
"Oh, well, Alina and I did a bit of shopping after I arrived," Mrs. Ressler said with a mischievous grin. "Would you like to see what we got for you, Agnes?"
Agnes jumped down and the two walked into a small room, which had been a mostly empty office/den. But instead of what Ressler expected to see – boxes of files, stacks of books – he saw swathes of pink fabric hanging down from the ceiling, with stars spinning around, projected from a nightlight on the floor. A small purple bed was set up under the fabric canopy, with a few stuffed animals perched on top. It was quite the sight. His eyes were questioning it all, but he couldn't help but smile. Agent Park joined him at his side.
"I know what it's like," she said in a matter-of-fact tone, "to all of the sudden be in a new place without your mother. These little details, a special place just for her, they matter. It can make all the difference."
Ressler blinked, acknowledging what she said, and the life she had to lead to get to where she was today. Her experiences would help make Agnes get through this rough time, as unscathed as possible. He understood the weight of what she was admitting to him, her past. He gave a sincere, "Thank you." Park blushed at the remark. She felt proud of herself for doing what she knew she needed to do.
Agnes delighted in her new space, and the rest of the crew delighted in her. Eventually, Mrs. Ressler noted the late hour, especially for a little girl, and signaled that it was time for everyone to say their good byes. After the last guest was gone, and Mrs. Ressler had gotten Agnes ready for bed, with a new toothbrush and fun new pajamas, she signaled to her son that he needed to come into Agnes's new room. He hesitated. This was new territory for him. But he decided quickly that even if he didn't feel like he knew what he was doing, it was fake it 'til you make it time. Agnes could probably sense his rookie childcare skills, but he was going to try his best. He crouched down and asked her to show him all of her new things. It included a few new books Park and his mother bought, and he settled in to read her one. She accepted the offer. He wasn't sure he had ever read a book to a child before. He noticed how calming it was; for him and in short order, her. She yawned and her eyes became heavy. He slipped out as best he could without disturbing her. Before he closed the door, he stopped for a moment and gazed at her. He could Liz's features and his heart hurt a bit.
He sunk into the couch with a thump, the day's events had taken their toll. His body, mind, heart, were all weary. His mother came over and lightly sat next to him.
"Hi mom," he said with a small grin. Their greeting each other having been delayed, he finally had a moment with this woman who now looked like his hero.
"Hi son," she mirrored back. She put her hand on his arm and gave it a little pat. After a moment of quiet she said, "tell me about Liz."
His eyes locked in with hers and a thousand memories went through his head. He took a deep breath. "Now that is a long story…"