Faith walked into Bosco's room to find him sitting up in bed watching TV with a scowl on his face. It immediately changed to a smile, though, when he realized Faith was there.
"Hey Bosco, how you feeling?"
Bosco quit smiling and rolled his eyes. "My side is killing me, it hurts to breathe, and these idiots keep poking me like every five minutes! How am I supposed to relax and rest if they keep bugging me? And they tell me I'm not getting out of here for at least 2-3 more days, so I get to spend Christmas lying in a hospital bed, being poked and prodded, and trying to choke down nasty hospital food. Yeah, I'm feeling just peachy."
"I'm sorry Bosco. Hey, how about I bring the kids by tomorrow afternoon and we'll bring you some real Christmas dinner and spend the evening?"
"I seriously doubt the kids want to spend their Christmas evening in the hospital Faith."
"Actually, they're the ones that suggested it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They said since you couldn't come to us, we would come to you."
Bosco couldn't keep a smile from spreading across his face. Faith's kids were great, and they had really accepted him into the family. "Ok, great. Could you go by my apartment and pick up the presents then and bring them here? They're in the living room on that table by the window."
"Sure, I can do that."
"Great. Hey, shouldn't you be getting to work?"
"Lieu gave me the day off."
"Oh, well, don't you want to spend the time with the kids?"
"They're at Fred's parents today. You trying to get rid of me?"
"No, I just don't want to feel that you have to stay here and baby-sit me."
"I'm not babysitting you Bos."
At that point there was a knock on the door, and Josie, Nicholas, and Zack came into the room.
"Hi. I hate to bother you officer Boscorelli, but the boys and I heard what happened and the boys wanted to bring you something."
Nicholas and Zack ran to Bosco's bedside and Nicholas held out a small, gift-wrapped box to Bosco.
"Open it!" the boys said excitedly.
Bosco looked at Faith, who just smiled at him, and then slowly took the box from Nicholas and opened it. Inside was a small, blue, guardian angel pin.
"It's to help protect you like you protected us. Mommy explained to us that you're not really an angel, but that you do protect people, so we wanted to get you something to help protect you." Nicholas told him while Zack just smiled at him.
"Thank you, it's perfect. I'll wear it every day." Bosco told the two boys, trying not to let himself show all the emotion he was feeling.
"Told you he'd like it!" Nicholas told his mother.
"Yes you did. Now, how about you two wait outside for Mommy so I can talk to Officer Boscorelli ok?"
"Please, call me Bosco."
"Ok, so I can talk to Bosco."
"OK, bye Bosco!" both boys called as they left the room.
"Bye."
"I'll go keep an eye on them for you."
"Thanks."
Faith followed the two boys out the door, leaving Bosco and Josie to talk.
"Well, I told the boys you aren't a real angel, but I'm really beginning to wonder."
"Excuse me?" Bosco asked confused.
"The jewelry store robber, the one that was killed, he was my ex-husband." Bosco stared dumbfounded at Josie and was about to say something, but she cut him off. "Just, let me finish before you say anything. I've been on the run from my ex-husband for the past year. He became an alcoholic and started taking drugs so I left him. When I left, he told me that he was going to kill me and my kids, so I moved here thinking he wouldn't be able to find me. Yesterday morning, he called me, told me he was coming to kill the boys and me. I immediately hung up and started grabbing what we would absolutely need so we could leave when I smelled smoke. The house was already on fire, and I know he's the one that did it. I don't have any proof, but I know. Luckily, you came along and we all made it out ok. I'm glad he's dead because now I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder and worry that he's going to find us. I just wanted you to know that so you would realize what a difference you have made in our lives in two short days. You may not be a guardian angel, but you are an angel to my family, and we will never forget you." Josie then turned and walked out the door, leaving Bosco speechless, something that rarely happens.
Faith walked back in and stopped as soon as she saw the look on her partners face.
"Bosco? Bos? Earth to Bosco."
"What?"
"You ok? You look kind of…spacey. What did she say to you?"
"You're never going to believe this Faith…" Bosco then repeated everything that Josie had just told him.
"Wow, small world."
"Yeah. You think they'll be alright?"
"Yeah, Bos, I think they'll be just fine."
"I hope so."
"Hey, I gotta go pick up the kids. You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I think I just need to take a nap."
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
EpilogueThe Yokas family joined Bosco in his hospital room for Christmas, as did his Ma and Regina, and a joyous time was had by all. The nursing staff was not overly joyed by the wrapping paper strewn about the room, but decided to let it slide, seeing as it was Christmas.
Josie, Nicholas and Zack spent Christmas at Josie's parents as they had already planned to do. Luckily, Josie had already sent all the presents to her mothers, so Christmas was not ruined by the fire. Nicholas and Zack, though more than thrilled by all their new toys, spent the day making sure everyone had heard the story of the angel who had saved them. At the end of the day, a late Christmas present was delivered to the boys…a cute little puppy. What did the boys decide to name their new best friend? Well Bosco of course! J
Author's Note: Ok, I know I kind of copped out on the whole Christmas day thing, but I really didn't wanna try to come up with what kind of presents they all got for each other b/c I really am not good at picking out stuff for my own friends, and family. Sorry if the ending disappoints anyone.