Concrete Angel Part 6
Note: As usual I don't own a darn thing but the non TW characters. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. A big thanks to CCA for reading this before I posted, gave me a big confidence boost! Thanks!
Feedback: Please, Please, Pahhlease????? (in a whiny two year old voice)
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Ty Davis shifted in his seat. It had been eight hours or so since Faith and Bosco left. Meg had quickly fallen asleep after the story. The one he made up as he went along. He couldn't explain his reasons for going back to the hospital. It wasn't like he was friends with Bosco and Faith. They were co-workers.
They were co-workers who he would lay his life down for, and he knew they would do the same. It was a brotherhood of sorts. He was also the only one who knew they were together. It was hard keeping something like that a secret. He knew all about that with Alex Taylor.
Then that detective came to the house. He didn't mean to eavesdrop. But he had heard every word the detective and Sellers woman said. That's when he knew he had to go to the hospital to offer his help. Bosco was actually showing he was human after all.
"You are one lucky little girl," he whispered.
Ty gained a new respect for Bosco once he heard that he was interested in adopting Meg. Then hearing that he already started the application. He listened as Swersky told them of Bosco's attempt to help Meg through the correct channels. Then when that failed he protected her. What really tugged at Ty's heart was that Bosco wanted to take Meg in, but it would be next to impossible.
"Excuse me, who are you?" A woman in a white lab coat walked in.
"Uh, I'm ah . . .I work with Officers Boscorelli and Yokas. I made them go home and get some sleep. So I stayed." Davis extended his hand. "Ty Davis."
"I'm Meg's doctor. Dr. Kost. It's a good thing you got them to leave. Boscorelli watched her like a hawk. A hawk that needed sleep."
"That's Bosco for ya. He's stubborn."
"Visitors really shouldn't be here now." Dr. Kost check Meg's vitals.
"She doesn't want to be alone."
"I can understand that. Apparently she has no family. At least she's got three police officers who care." Dr. Kost turned to Davis. "You can stay. If anyone gives you a hard time have them call me."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you. Meg needs to feel safe and calm. You three do that for her."
Davis smiled as she left. He felt weird being thank. All he intended to do was help Bosco and Faith get some rest. Not once did he think it would actually help her. Now he knew he would help Meg in any way he could.
"Ty?"
"Ah, sleeping beauty awakens." He smiled.
"You stayed." She smiled.
"Promised, and I never break a promise."
"Can you help me with something?"
"What?"
"I don't want my dad to be my dad anymore. I know he hurts me more than he loves me. My mom died two years ago. That's when it started. Dad's don't hurt their kids. They love them. They protect them. Mr. Bosco protects me." Meg closed her eyes tightly then opened them. They were pooling up with tears. "I've thought about this for a long time. Since the first time Mr. Bosco and I played hide and go seek . . . ," she stopped. "Why are you laughing?"
"Bosco. Bosco played hide and go seek?" Ty laughed.
"Yeah. First week we moved in. He was doing his laundry and I begged him. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone."
"My lips are sealed." He pretended to zip his mouth. "Now, I'm sorry I interrupted you. What were you thinking?"
"I want Mr. Bosco to be my new dad. If there is anything you can do to help me and him, will you do it?"
"The best I can."
"That's all I can ask for." Meg laughed suddenly.
"Now, what are you laughing at?"
"Just remembering how embarrassed Mr. Bosco was when the landlord found him hiding in a closet when we played. His face was all red and he was speechless. It was great."
"Bosco speechless? Wow!"
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Faith dressed for work the next day. She and Bosco called off the day before but she really needed to get back to work. She tried her best to get Bosco to go in, but he refused. She just felt bad leaving him alone. He would be that night and the next because she had Emily and Charlie.
"Bosco still sick?" Sully questioned.
"I guess. I dunno," Faith lied.
"Christopher was on a roll because both of you called off."
"Yeah, well when the kids get sick I need to be home."
"You better hurry up. You too, Davis," Sully said as he left.
"Thanks again for staying yesterday." Faith turned to Ty.
"You going after work?"
"Can't. I've got my kids tonight. I can't get Bosco to leave either. It's gonna break his heart when child services place Meg." Faith sat down.
"He really wants her, huh?"
"They both want it. I'm just afraid Bosco doesn't understand what being a parent is all about."
"He's not the only one who will have a broken heart. Meg . . . she really wants Bosco to be her dad."
"I just don't want either of them to get hurt."
"Then we should help them," Ty said seriously. "Don't you think it would help if they could see he was in a stable relationship? I mean why is it a secret anyway?"
"Why did you hide your relationship with Taylor?" Faith shot back.
"Wasn't my choice. She wanted the privacy."
"Same here."
That wasn't entirely true. She was worried that if they announced it then someone could come and destroy it. She needed Bosco in her life too much. She couldn't loose him too. In her mind keeping their relationship a secret protected it.
"I think it would help." Ty straightened his top.
"Yeah, probably." She got up. "You haven't told anyone?"
"No, but word gets around Faith. I mean people are going to find out."
"I know."
Faith was thinking about what Ty said later that night. After work she had called Bosco to see how Meg was. She didn't need to ask how he felt about telling people they were together. He wanted it from the beginning. The first people she wanted to tell were her kids.
Fred already knew. After his initial anger that lasted a month he accepted it. They agreed it would be best not to tell the kids right away. Two weeks ago Fred told her he wanted the kids to meet his new girlfriend. Maybe it was time Em and Charlie knew about Bosco.
The kids were fast asleep and she really didn't have the energy to tell them anyway. Tomorrow would be Saturday. She'd tell them about her and Bosco then. If they reacted well to that then Faith would see if they wanted to meet Meg.
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"Mom! I'm bored!" Emily cried from the living room.
"Me too," Charlie added.
Now would be a good time, she thought. It was only 11 in the morning and her kids were already complaining. Typical. She left the breakfast dishes in the sink and made her way to the kids.
"Kids, can we talk?"
"Sure, mom. What's up?" Emily sat up.
"What do you think of your dad's girlfriend?"
"Dana's nice."
"Yeah," Charlie added.
"I can so hate her if you want though. Say the word mom, and I can make her miserable," Emily said.
"Me too." Charlie jumped up.
"Don't hate her. Your dad deserves to be happy."
"You do too," Emily said.
"I am." She took a deep breath. "You two like Bosco, right?"
"Are you kidding mom? He's the greatest. It was so cool how he came with you to parents day. Stevie Slater thought he was cool because his dad was a lawyer. Everyone else thought it was cooler that my mom was a cop and they thought it was even cooler when Bosco and Dad demonstrated that self defense stuff. Dad didn't like that much, but he did volunteer." Charlie took a deep breath.
"Geez, Charlie. Breath," Emily teased. "Charlie's right, mom. Bosco is great. I mean, all the girls were so jealous when Bosco took me to that father/daughter dance when dad got sick and couldn't. I could tell he didn't really want to be there, but he did it anyway. You know that we like him, mom. Why ask?"
"I don't know." Faith put an arm around her children. "He cares about the two of you. How would you feel if I said Bosco and I are together?"
"You mean like Dad and Dana?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah."
"I guess if you and dad aren't getting back together. Bosco's never made you cry like dad," Emily said.
"So, you are ok with this?"
"This mean I get to have two dads?" Charlie asked.
"Let's not jump too far ahead." Faith smiled brightly at her children. If they hadn't been ok with her relationship with Bosco then she didn't know what she would do. Maybe things were looking up. "There's something else I wanted to ask." She took their silence as the go ahead. "Bosco has a friend in the hospital who's sick. I think she'd enjoy a visit from people her own age."
"Bosco has a friend our age? That's strange."
"She's his neighbor, Emily. Her name is Meg. She and Bosco sort of stuck to each other. She got hurt pretty badly and she has no one."
"That's sad," Charlie said. "She'll be ok if Bosco is with her. He told me he'd never let anything bad happen to us. The same probably goes for Meg."
"Would you two like to meet her?"
"Sure."
"Got nothing better to do." Emily got up and went to her room to change.
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"Do you have any twos?" Meg asked Bosco.
"Go fish."
"I think you're cheating," she joked.
"I do not cheat," he said in his defense. "I think it's impossible to cheat at go fish."
"No, it's possible." She grinned.
Bosco watched as Meg grabbed a card from the pile. It was their third game of go fish, and before that they played checkers. One of the nurses had been kind enough to bring them some games. Bosco wasn't sure if it had been a good thing or a bad thing, but the look on Meg's face made him realize that playing kiddy games was what Meg needed. She seemed to be in better spirits.
"How you feeling? Sleepy at all?"
"Nah. I slept all night. Are you sleepy?"
"I don't need sleep."
"Everyone needs sleep, Bosco."
He turned his head to find Faith in the doorway. Emily and Charlie were standing behind her holding a bag each. The two kids kept looking from Bosco to Meg.
"How are you doing, Meg?" Faith entered.
"Better."
"These are my kids. Emily and Charlie, meet Meg."
"Hi," the three said at the same time.
"Mom said the Dr. would have to say ok, but we brought you some apple pie." Charlie set his bag on the table.
"Thank you."
"That was Charlie's idea. I thought you might like something else. I had a friend who was in the hospital and she said all she wanted was a pair of comfy slippers and her CD player. I couldn't get you a CD player, but I did you get you the slippers." Emily pulled out a pair of fuzzy slippers. "I also thought it might get boring here. I brought you a sketch pad and some markers."
"Wow. Thanks."
"No problem." Emily smiled then turned to Bosco. "Mom said you were dating. It's cool with me and Charlie."
"Yeah?"
"Yep. Just don't make her cry." Emily grabbed a marker. "Can I decorate your cast?"
"I don't care."
"You kids hang out. Bosco and I will be in the hall."
Bosco followed Faith outside. She seemed nervous. Why would she be nervous? It was great that she told her kids about them. Maybe now they could be open about their relationship.
"What made you decide to finally tell them?"
"It's time." She leaned against the wall. "Can you promise me that nothing will come between us?"
"Faith . . . ," he began. "I've been in love with you for . . . a long time. I'm not letting you go now that I have you." Bosco leaned in.
"That's all I needed to hear." She pressed her lips against his. "Are you coming to work today?" Faith asked once they parted.
"I don't want to leaver her alone." He backed up and peered into the room.
"You have to come back sooner or later. Two more nights and we have off. Bosco, you can't live here."
"I know that. It's just . . . ," he trailed off. "You think she'll be fine if I'm not here?"
"Yes. A little lonely, but Meg knows you care about her."
"I'm doing this for you. I'm the best partner there is. I can't have you working with someone substandard." He laughed as he opened the door to Meg's room.
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He rushed around his apartment trying to get ready for work Faith and her kids stayed until it was time for Faith and Bosco to leave so they could get ready for work. He had just enough time for a shower and a sandwich. Bosco opened his door only to see Miss Sellers shutting Megs.
"Hello," he said.
"Officer. Good afternoon. I was just picking up some things I thought Meg might want. I'm on my way to see her actually." She shifted a box in her arms.
"Need some help?"
"If you don't mind." She handed him the box and began to walk away. "Are you serious about wanting to be Meg's dad?"
"Very."
"Your application was approved. You will need to start the home study very soon. My fiance is a lawyer. He'd be willing to help you with any legal questions you may have. I'm positive Mr. Hargrove's parental rights will be revoked. I had talked my boss into letting Meg stay with you, but we found out some information that may prevent that."
"What?"
"Turns out Meg has a sister."
"Sister?" Bosco stopped at Miss Sellers car.
"Jayme Hargrove." She pulled a large file folder out. "Age 20. Resides in California, PA. Completing her Sophomore year at the local college. Spent two years in our foster care system when she was ten. There were abuse charges brought up on both parents, but after an investigation the judge gave custody to Mr. Hargrove when she was 12. Long story short, Jayme's mom got custody after some years of fighting and took her away."
"So the bastard probably beat her too?" Bosco shook his head. "Different moms?"
"Yes. Megan's mother had listed Jayme as the one to take custody of Meg if she was of age. Jayme is her only other relative." Miss Sellers put the file in her brief case.
"20 though. She's a kid herself."
"Yeah, well she's kid who refuses to talk to me. I called her and told her it was regarding her father. She hung up on me and won't return my calls. Maybe you could try."
"Do what?" Bosco asked.
"Explain to her what happened. Have her call me." She handed Bosco a small sheet of paper. "Here's her number."
"I'll try."
"Have a good day. Don't worry about Meg. I've planned to spend the evening with her." She smiled as she hoped in her tan Toyota Camry.
Bosco couldn't help but smile as she drove away. He stuffed the paper in his pocket. He'd call later. Right now he had to get to work. Faith would kill him if were late.
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She tossed her book bag on her bed then waltzed to the kitchen. She had just spent a fun and exciting Saturday after noon in the stuffy library. Two more weeks, though then she'd be done. She shuffled through the mail and grabbed the package from NYU.
"Hey, girl. Jess and I are on our way to get a movie for tonight. Any suggestions?" A freckled face red head came in from down the hall. "Oh, NYU? What is it? Housing forms?"
"Probably. Don't worry though. You get the house all to yourself. Find any roomies? I can only keep from selling it if I have renters. I hate to sell my Grandma's house."
"No problem there. Jess is coming back."
"Good." She poured a glass of water. "Get a funny movie, Rachel."
"You got it." Rachel walked down the hall. "Jess, let's go."
"Coming," a tall girl said as she emerged from her room. "Hey, Jay. That woman from New York keeps calling. Is she from NYU?"
"Yeah. Now, go. All the good movies go fast."
"Oh, please. The video store in town is a joke. In fact this whole town is a joke. Not even a McDonald's. What's the world coming to? We're going to Belle Vernon. We'll bring ya back some grub." Jess put out her hand. "Quarters for the toll?"
"Take the back way. I'm all out of quarters," she laughed as she pushed her roommates out of the house. She then walked to the answering machine and pressed play.
"Jayme? It's Lauren Sellers again. Please, I need to talk to you," the voice said.
"No, you want me to face him. I won't." Jayme walked back to her room.
She picked up a picture of her, her stepmom and little sister. Meg was only four then. A month after that picture her mother took her away from New York and her father. They moved to a small town in Pennsylvania to live with her grandmother. She was 16. A year later her mom committed suicide.
When she was 18 her step mom died. That was the last time she heard from her dad and sister. They moved and she was unable to find them. And, if her life wasn't already one loss after another, just last year her grandmother passed away. She was left with her grandmothers house, but she couldn't bear to sell so she got two friends to move in and pay rent. Only now she could go to NYU like she always wanted.
"Oh, Megan. I hope he treats you better than he treated me. Damn near killed me once. Be safe little sister." Jayme ran a finger over Meg's face as a tear dropped onto the photo.