Chapter 6

A month passed and a lot changed Noah was about to turn two in July and was ready for a big boy bed. Amanda hadn't slept in their bed since she decided to try it in her room. Amanda's birthday was coming up in June and they planned a pool party. She had been on her best behavior and hadn't missed any school. Her friends came over almost every day. They spent lots of weekends with Alex and Liv and some with Mrs. Tamin.

They were sitting at breakfast when Alex said, "Ok Amanda, a month left in school. You can do this!" Amanda had really settled down, they were proud of her. Alex and Liv left for work, Bye bye sweet boy mama and mommy love you." Noah smiled, "Kiss!" Lucy and Noah dropped Amanda off at school, "Have a great day!" Noah waved, "Bye bye Manny."

Alex was having a lunch meeting with the other ADA's when her secretary entered, "Excuse me Alex. Phone call for you." She excused herself and went to the phone, "Hello." Alex knew it was the school. "Hi! This is Mrs. Greylek. Amanda skipped school today, but she came back. Which is odd, usually when she skips she doesn't come back. She missed the 5th period." Alex was beyond upset, "Did you pull her and ask where she went?" Mrs. Greylek responded, "No ma'am. I figured you should handle it." Alex couldn't be upset with her, "Thank you so much. Olivia and I will deal with her."

Alex left work for the day and headed to Liv's precinct. Liv saw Alex coming through the door. "Hey what's wrong?" Alex threw her hands up and sat down. "What's wrong! What's wrong! Everything is wrong, your kid skipped school again." Liv looked at her concerned, "Oh so she's my kid now. Alex, just tell me what happened."

Alex was on a rant, "Mrs Greylek called and said that she skipped school. After everything we've done, all the fun things, all the praise, how could she do this to us?" Liv sighed, "Alex I don't think she did it to us. Maybe something went on. All we need to do is go home and talk to her." Alex was in a total mood, Talk, I'm gonna spank her ass."

They called Lucy on the way home to see what was going on. Lucy said, "Oh just making dinner. Amanda is playing with Noah but she seems a little off. Maybe because her friends aren't here today." The rest of the way they talked, "Alex I know you're upset, but remember you agreed to talk together with me." Alex had to calm down, "You're right."

They discussed the best way to handle it and decided not to say anything, just to act normal. When they walked in, Noah ran screaming, "Mama, mom!" They each took turns showering him with kisses. They knew Amanda was guilty right away, she didn't give any hugs. Alex looked at her, "Hey Amanda! Where's my hug?" Amanda got up and hugged them both, a little too tight.

Liv asked Lucy, "How soon will dinner be ready?" Lucy looked, "About 40 minutes. Y'all are early today." Liv winked, "We're going to shower." When they went into their room and closed the door, Amanda played with Noah. Lucy called, "Hey! You and Noah set the table." Amanda gave Noah two spoons. He liked helping, but he was so little.

Amanda didn't know what to do, but thought Lucy could help. "Lucy, I did something bad today." Lucy came around the bar, "What did you do?" She put the stuff on the table and gave Noah napkins. "Bad Manny! Bad Manny!" Amanda started to panic, "Noah no!" Noah cried and ran to Lucy. She sat down and rocked him, "Amanda, he doesn't know any better. Don't take it out on him."

Amanda kissed him, "I'm sorry Noah." He smiled, "Lucy I skipped school." Lucy was shocked, "Why? Why would you do that?" Amanda looked at her, "I can't tell you why?" Lucy narrowed her eyes, "You know Liv is a cop and Alex is a lawyer right? Which friend did you skip with?" Amanda's eyes got really big and Lucy kept guessing. "It's Dominick right?"

Amanda had tears, real tears in her eyes. "He was hurt, Lucy." Lucy thought about seeing Dominick's back that night. "Hey it will be ok. Is he safe now?" Amanda shrugged, "Why don't you tell them the truth and let them help?" Amanda shook her head, "They're going to be so mad. I did the one they told me not to do. Dominick even told me not to leave school, but I did."

Lucy felt bad, "I have to finish dinner, but I took Noah to the park earlier and didn't have time to give him a bath. Can you do that for me? I think you'll find it relaxing." Amanda scooped up her baby brother and tickled his stomach, "Stop Manny!" Lucy reminded her, "Fill up the tub, no more than half and throw in his duck. When the duck is yellow the water is a safe temperature."

Amanda shook her head, "Noah, remember stay in your bath chair." Noah laughed, "Kay Yucee." Lucy turned off everything and left it to stay warm, "Are you two ok?" Amanda laughed while watching Noah play in bubbles. "10 minutes and out." Amanda gave a thumbs up. Lucy went to knock on Alex and Liv's door. "Come in." Lucy walked in and closed it, "I'm sorry to bother you. Amanda is giving Noah a bath. She was upset."

Alex put on her socks, "Because she skipped school." Lucy laughed, "I told her she was dealing with a lawyer and a cop. Guys it's Dominick, I think he's in trouble." She explained seeing Dominick's back and not saying anything. Then combined with what she just heard, "I'm really concerned." Lucy hung her head, "I feel so dumb, I knew I should've said something." Olivia approached her, "Hey, nothing is your fault. Thinking now, Peter mentioned the skipping. We will help him now."

Lucy left to finish dinner. Liv and Alex came out to a happy, clean Noah and a sad face Amanda. They all sat down for dinner. Alex started, "Amanda you're too quiet. How was your day?" Amanda looked at Lucy, "Good mommy." Noah piped up, "Bad Manny!" Lucy tried to feed him more food. Liv answered, "Enough of this, Mrs. Greylek called mommy. So I'm going to stop you from digging your hole any deeper." They finished eating in silence. Lucy and Noah put everything away and left the room.

After dinner Amanda stood in front of her mama and mommy trying to explain. "He didn't want anyone to know. I was trying to protect him. His dad beats him." Liv was disappointed, "He's your friend Amanda, he needs help. You shouldn't have kept his secret. Where is he now?" Alex didn't give her a chance to answer, "Is he safe?"

Amanda was getting it from both of them, "He's with Peter now, because his dad is gone. He stays with Peter when things get really bad." Liv grabbed her phone and Amanda panicked. "What are you doing mama?" Liv looked at her, "Calling his sister. Telling something you should have done for your friend."

Alex consoled Amanda, while Liv made the call. "Baby do you understand? If you were hurt or in danger, we would never want you to hide it. We want you safe. Even though his dad doesn't want Dominick safe, someone does. We have to tell, to help him." Teresa said she was calling her husband and coming to their place.

When Dominick's sister got there, Amanda figured she was in trouble with her as well. "Oh Amanda, next time tell us." Amanda was upset and crying, "Are you mad at me? I know he will be." Teresa smiled, "I'm not mad at you, but I'm furious with him." About 30 minutes later the house was full. Dominick and his uncle were there, along with Pippa Cox. She was a social worker Alex and Liv knew very well. Dominick had a split lip, black eye, and bruises on his stomach and back. Dominick's uncle was a pediatrician. He wanted him checked immediately. Pippa explained to Dominick's sister and uncle they could have emergency custody, while this was sorted.

Amanda walked up to Dominick, "Are you mad at me?" He smiled, "I don't think I could ever be mad at you. I'm sorry I asked you not to tell. I was wrong. And don't worry my sister is going to give me a long lecture." When they were leaving, Dominick apologized to Liv and Alex. "She lied because I asked her to, so please don't be mad at her for that." He looked at Amanda and winked, "But I told her not to skip school today, so she's all yours for that." Alex smiled, "I like him.

Alex looked at her, "Take your shower and come see us in our bedroom." Amanda responded quickly, "Yes mommy." Lucy came out with Noah running at full speed. "Hey slow down!" Noah smiled, "Yes mama." Liv picked him up and went to the bedroom.

Lucy followed, "Is she still alive?" Alex smiled, "Barely." Liv rocked Noah and she watched his eyelids drooping. "Liv, he played hard today. He's all boy and he has so much energy. Liv brushed his hair back, "Alex what's the punishment? She's getting ready to be 14. Spanking isn't going to be something we can continue."

Amanda knocked, "Lucy, thanks I've got him." Lucy kissed Amanda on the head, "Night." Olivia looked at Alex and Amanda, "Let me put him in bed and I'll be right back." Alex kissed Noah and brushed his hair back. When Liv returned, it was time to deal with Amanda.

Alex asked, "What do you have to say?" Amanda hung her head, "I was wrong." Liv scoffed, "Oh we know that. What should happen?" Amanda's blue eyes looked so sad, "I guess you're going to spank me." Alex took the lead, "We aren't going to spank you. I thought you understood that we want you to talk to us."

When she was done, Liv asked her, "Do you plan on defying us at every turn?" Amanda answered, "No mama." She kept talking, "Amanda, if we say we don't want you to do something, we expect you to do what we say. You're getting older. We want you to talk to us and come to us."

She hugged them, "Do you have anything else to say?" Amanda sat between them. "It's been going on so long. I didn't know what to do and we promised each other. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I'm sorry I skipped school. I want you to give me one chance. I promise the next time I will tell you, even if I get in trouble."

Liv pulled her to sit between them, "Amanda we will never punish you for talking to us and being honest. You don't need to skip school. If you need us, call us. We will come or send Lucy. Just talk to us and we will always help you and love you, no matter what." Amanda hugged them, "Can I sleep with you? Just tonight?" Alex smiled, "Come on, hop in."

A month went by and school was over. Summertime was finally here. Dominick was safe and living with his sister. The parents got all the kids together and had a long discussion about always coming to them if someone was in trouble. The kids realized how dangerous it was to keep Dominick's secret. Amanda had grown so much since losing her parents. Lucy was given a big time raise. All the other parents chipped in to pay her to watch the kids all summer. She couldn't believe how much she was making.

In June Amanda had her 14th birthday party. She wanted it small, just her three friends and the pool. Liv and Alex invited the parents and some of their friends. Fin and Nick were in charge of the grill. "Guys these kids can eat. Keep the hamburgers and hotdogs coming." Lucy carried Noah screaming and crying, "Hey, what happened?" Lucy said he needed to be changed and refused to leave the water to eat anything. Alex was in the pool with the big kids. "He thinks he's missing the fun. Noah was having a full tantrum. "I've got him Lucy."

Liv gave him a stern warning, Noah James Rollins, stop right now!" Liv popped his butt, she was sure he didn't feel much with the diaper, but he knew to straighten up. She went to the bathroom to change him. "Do I need to spank you?" Noah poked his lip out, "No mama." Liv changed him, "When we go back, you eat a hotdog for me ok?" Noah smiled, "Yes mama."

Everyone got out of the pool. Noah ate while Amanda opened her gifts. "Mama! Mommy! You got me a new Apple Watch, phone and iPad?" They smiled knowing they had a bigger gift downstairs. "Yes baby! Happy birthday!" They all had cake and ice cream and after their food settled they went back in the pool. Dominick went over to Liv and Alex, "Can I give her a kiss? Just on the cheek, I promise." They gave him the ok.

Everything was cleaned up and they promised the kids a weekend sleepover, because even though they were on summer vacation, Alex and Liv had to work. Noah was getting his bath and barely awake, but Alex and Liv had a big birthday surprise. "Check out your room!" They fixed up her room, with new bedding and filled her closet with summer clothes and shoes. The best thing was the empty wall with the bedroom nook. They put a picture of Jim, Beth, Amanda, and Noah on one side and the other side was a picture of Alex, Liv, Lucy, Amanda, and Noah. She sat on the padded bench and looked to each side, "I love it!" They sat next to her, "And we love you! Happy birthday sweet girl!"

In July they had another birthday party, it was a water play party for Noah. He was turning 2 and he loved the pool. It was going to be difficult watching a bunch of little kids near the pool, so Amanda thought of a water play party. "Mama, we can have baby pools all over, water guns, water balloons, slip and slide, and a huge water and sand table." Liv and Alex rented out the entire top deck, plus it still allowed the adults and bigger kids to use the pool on the lower deck to cool off. The party was a hit. Noah had his own small circular cake that looked like a pool. It even had a little boy going down the sliding board. The other cake for guest looked like a huge rectangular pool, but the coolest thing was it was made completely out of cupcakes. They had a great day celebrating him.

They finished out the summer with a family vacation to the Hamptons. They stayed at Alex's dad's beach house. They got to meet Grandpa and Grandma Cabot. Her father wanted to be in her life and know her family. He really changed and Liv thought it was great to see her let her guard down. It was bittersweet saying goodbye at the end of the week.

Everyone was happy and tan. Grandma Cabot spoiled Amanda with a whole new high school wardrobe. Noah cried saying bye to Grandpa Cabot. "Alex, Liv I would love to spend more time with you guys. I know you have Lucy, but we would love to keep Amanda and Noah anytime. We're both retired and willing." Liv and Alex smiled, "Thanks dad! I think Noah especially is missing a man around. Lucy would appreciate the break."

They turned to leave when Liv spoke, "Amanda loves Taco Tuesday. It's become a family, work, friend dinner every Tuesday. It's just us, Amanda's teenage friends, and some of our closest work friends, so you're welcome any time." They both smiled, "See you Tuesday." They headed back home and looked at the sleeping back seat, including Lucy. "Alex in less than a year we've taken on a 19 year old, four 9th graders, a 2 year old, and now grandparents. I think we hit the family lottery.