March 18th, 2004
Bug shuffled down the hallway after he dropped Maya off at daycare. Lily was home in bed sick, but Bug couldn't afford to take another day off.
"Bug, you need to take the case in the room that's been waiting for ten minutes." Garrett stood in the doorway watching him.
"I know. I'm on it." Bug growled slightly. He walked into the morgue and grabbed a smock. Jordan stood in front of him.
"Good. I'm working with you." She chuckled.
"Lucky me." He winked, "Don't start with me today. I didn't get any sleep last night. Lily was throwing up every five seconds and Maya was fussy. At least after almost five months she's sleeping more." Jordan nodded.
"My god daughter takes after me I see." She winked.
"Oh great." He said as he pt some gloves on, "Okay, what do we got here?" Jordan pulled back the blanket and an infant lay on the table.
"They say SIDS, but we'll see." She said. Bug's stomach turned. He nodded.
"All right." He mumbled and put his goggles on. His hands trembled as he touched the infant; "There…There are small contusions…On her shoulders…" Jordan looked at Bug.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"I'm fine." He said, "Give me the camera."
"Are you sure?" Jordan asked.
"Now please!" He cried. Jordan held her hands up and grabbed the camera; "This…This wasn't SIDS. Her bruises are on the back or her neck too. Let's flip her over."
"Okay." Jordan took hold of the baby and flipped her. Bug's stomach wouldn't hold back. All he could see when he looked at this baby's name was Maya. She looked like this baby.
"What was her name?" He mumbled. Jordan looked at the chart.
"Emma-Beth Grant." Jordan whispered. "She was eleven months old." Bug turned from the child and ran over to the trash bin. He started to throw up.
"I c-can't do this." Bug groaned. Jordan nodded.
"You don't have to do this. I'll have Nig help me." Jordan said. "Are you okay, Bug?"
"No I'm not!" He cried, "She was only eleven Months old. Maya is five months old and so healthy. It's not fair. Why would someone touch such a beautiful creature as her?"
"Some people are messed up." Jordan said softly, "We see how bad people are every day in our line of work, but we have to separate our home life from our work life or we won't make it." Bug shook his head.
"We have to find out how she died." Bug said walking back over to the table. Jordan nodded.
"Blunt trauma to the back of the head. Right beneath her hair line is some discoloration." Jordan said. Bug looked at it.
"They hit her head off of the crib bar." He whispered. "Same width and shape." Jordan nodded and took a picture.
"She was probably crying and gave them a headache." Jordan growled. Bug nodded slowly. His heart was aching as he worked on this little girl. Why did things like this have to happen?
* * *
Bug cradled the sleeping Maya as he quietly walked into the nursery. He laid her down in her crib and gave her a soft kiss.
"Good night, my sweet butterfly." He whispered, "I love you with all my heart. I promise to protect you from all the evil and bad people in this world." Maya shifted in her crib. Bug smiled softly. His daughter was utterly perfect.
April 2nd, 2004
Lily ran the brush through her hair. It was so nice that it had actually gotten to be over forty degrees today. She was so ready for the winter to be over with. She hated winter. No, She hated New England winters.
"I want to go back down South." She said glancing out the window. Bug's eyes widened.
"Wh-What?" He stuttered, "Why? Don't you like Boston??"
"I love Boston, Sweetheart." She laughed gently, "I don't mean move back down there, but I would like to have a trip down there this summer. Maya would love it." Bug sighed with relief.
"Yeah. She would love it." He said, "I've never really been down there. I think we should go to England. Maya will love that, I believe." Lily nodded.
"We can go if you want. We'll need to save up." She said, "Maybe down South this summer and next summer we'll go to England."
"We need to start saving." He said as Maya started to cry from her crib. He sighed softly.
"I'll go get the butterfly." Lily said as she left the room. Maya was trying to pull herself on her unstable legs. Lily smiled softly at her daughter. "Did you have a good nap, Little one?" Maya lifted up her arms as soon as she saw Lily. She scooped up the brunette.
"Hey, Lily?" Bug called out from the bedroom. Lily walked in with Maya.
"Yes, Sweetie?" She plopped down on the bed and started to strip Maya.
"When do you want to have another baby?" Lily glanced up.
"Oh… God, I don't know." Lily said, "A couple of years I think."
"So you do want more?" He asked. Lily nodded.
"I would love two more." She said. Bug's face brightened up.
"That's great." He said as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." He got up and went to the door. No one was there but there was a boxed Pizza sitting there. Bug picked it up. "Someone sent us a pizza."
"Pizza? I was going to order one for dinner tonight." Lily said walking out.
"Andy's Pizzeria, New York City, Hmmmm." Bug frowned deeply as he looked at the box, "Why would someone order a pizza from al the way there?" Lily stood there for a moment staring at him.
"Andy's pizzeria?" She asked. Bug nodded. Lily bolted for the door and ran outside, "Andy??" Lily's brother stepped out from around the corner.
"Hey Sis." He said. Lily was floored.
"What are you doing here??" She asked as she hugged him.
"I thought I'd bring you some pizza." Andy chuckled. Lily smiled brightly.
"You did it, Andy. You opened your own pizzeria." Lily said.
"I told you I would do it." He said. "It's pretty successful."
"That's great, Andy." Lily smiled softly as Bug walked out into the hallway with Maya in his arms.
"Lily?" Bug looked at her. He recognized the guy but couldn't place him.
"Bug….Oh! Andy, this is my husband, bug, and Our Daughter, Maya." Lily smiled proudly.
"Maya. Mom said you were having a baby." Andy grinned, "Bug…Hey." Bug nodded.
"Hey." He said looking at Lily. "Why don't you guys come inside so the neighbors don't call the cops." Lily smiled as she brought Andy inside.
"She's gorgeous." Andy said as he looked at Maya. She clapped her hands as she looked at her uncle.
"I think so." Lily said running her hand through her brown hair. "How long are you in town for, Andy?" Andy shrugged.
"Just for a couple of days." He said, "I hope I can spend some time with you and your family. I know I haven't been in touch for awhile." Lily nodded.
"It's okay though." She said, "You've been busy opening your own pizzeria. I understand." Andy smiled at his sister. "Well, Why don't you sit down and relax. Bug will get you some coffee." Bug stood up.
"Right, Coffee." Lily smiled softly at her brother. It was very strange to have Andy right here, sitting here in her living room. Last time she spoke with him on the phone it hadn't been very cordial. Now…Now he was being very nice towards her. Lily wasn't going to mention anything. She didn't want to jinx this.
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