Concrete Angel Part 9

Note: Thanks to everyone who continues to read and review this story. I hope you are all still enjoying. Thanks to everyone for their kind words and pushing me to post sooner. I'm really trying. As usual thanks to CCA for all the encouragement.

Feedback: It means a lot. Please.

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"55-David requesting to go 10-63," Faith said into the radio.

"55-David, 10-4."

"Chinese or Italian?" Faith questioned.

"Italian." Bosco smiled as Faith began to drive to their favorite Italian restaurant.

Bosco stared out the window as Faith drove. He had a million things on his mind. Miss Sellers had called him and told him of her talk with Meg and how Meg wanted nothing more than to be with him. He just couldn't help but think that with Jayme in the picture, that wouldn't happen. How could he convince a judge that he deserved to adopt Meg. He was a single guy, and a cop no less. That wouldn't hold up against a blood relative.

"Bosco? We're here." Faith opened her door and walked around. "You thinking about Meg?"

"Yeah. Just thinking the odds of me getting to adopt her are slim to none." Bosco followed Faith inside.

"Never say never." Faith looked up from the menu. "I have a demand from Emily."

"A demand?"

"Yeah, you don't show, you can't date me anymore." Faith chuckled. "She wants you to come over for dinner tomorrow. She said since we have off, there's no excuse."

"Really?"

"I told you the kids love you."

"Tell Emily I wouldn't miss it for the world." Bosco smiled as the waitress walked up to them. She took their orders and left. "After work I have to go to Davis's. I forgot Jayme's stuff was in my car. I figure she could stay at my place or something since she has nowhere else to go."

"Can I come with you? I'd love to meet her."

"Sure. She's a tough kid. I like her."

"You're just afraid she'll take Meg?"

"You know me too well." Bosco took Faith's hand, then quickly pulled back when people started to look. "Oops, kind of forgot we were on duty. Not many people would consider that normal for partners."

"So you mean I can't kiss you?"

"Not unless you want all eyes on us."

"Let them watch." Faith leaned over and gently placed her lips over his. "I don't want to hide that I love you."

"Yeah?" Bosco pulled back. He looked at the waitress who placed their drinks down. "Maybe though, we should cool it a bit at work?"

"I think you're right," Faith laughed as the young girl walked away.

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Jayme sat down in Ty's living room. She had nowhere else to go seeing as a lot of her stuff was with Bosco. Carlos was sleeping and Ty had to run to the store. She laughed slightly at Carlos's snoring. Slowly, she got up and lifted a picture frame up. The picture was of the cutest little baby she had seen in a long while.

"What are you doing?" Carlos was suddenly behind her.

"Oh, jeez," she cried as she dropped the frame. "I'm so sorry." She quickly went to pick up the pieces when something caught her eye. Another photo was under the one of the baby. Jayme reached for it, and in the process cut her hand on the broken glass. "Ouch."

"Leave it. I'll get it later." Carlos grabbed her hand. "Let me see."

"It's nothing," she said. She switched the photo to the other hand. Her eyes widened as she looked at the picture. A little girl and two young boys were on a play set. "No way."

"What are you . . . ," Carlos trailed off when he saw the photo. "Gimme that."

"Yeah? Ok." Jayme watched as Carlos cleaned up her cut. "You can't be . . .

no . . .," she rambled. Suddenly images flashed in her head. As suddenly as they came, they left. "You are."

"I'm what?"

"That picture. That's you and your foster brother and sister. You had so many. Why keep and hide this picture of these two?"

"It's none of your business."

"Because for once you felt part of something. You had someone who cared and someone you cared for back." Jayme grabbed the picture. "I know it was years ago."

"You don't know what you are talking about!" Carlos yelled.

"You are Dumbo Ears!" Jayme reached for his hand. "You taught me to eat tuna fish and Doritos. You taught me how to play soccer. And I had the biggest crush on you." Jayme laughed at the last part.

"You aren't her."

"I am too. Open your eyes! I didn't see it or realize it before, but it's me." Jayme pointed to the picture. "That's you, Hank, and me. You used to call me Curly Top."

"And you hated it. It is you." Carlos slowly leaned in and hugged her. "I always wondered what happened to you. I tried to write you, but they never let me have your address."

"Carlos! What are you doing?" Ty's voice boomed.

"I . . . ah . . . ," Carlos mumbled.

"It's not what you think." Jayme jumped up. "Talk about fate or something." She showed Ty the photo. "That's me and that's Carlos. For a year and a half we lived in the same foster home."

"Oh, wow." Ty sat down.

"Yeah, wow. I thought he looked familiar, but I just never thought in a million years . . . he was my best friend. Then I left. I feel so . . . wow!" Jayme squealed.

"My ears, girl." Ty joked.

"Sorry. It's just that I've found my best friend after like nine years. I found him and I wasn't even looking."

"I worried about you. I couldn't believe they let your dad take you," Carlos said.

"He'll get his now. I survived. All is well." Jayme sighed.

Jayme looked at Carlos and grinned. In two days she saw two people she was sure she'd never see again. First her baby sister. Then her best friend from childhood. She felt sad inside though, thinking what it took for her to find them. She didn't even realize she was crying until she felt a tear fall on her arm.

"Don't cry," Carlos said.

"You never knew how to handle tears." Jayme laughed. "I'm just on emotional overload. I'm fine. What I wouldn't give for a shower and a clean pair of clothes."

"Bosco still has your stuff. He'll probably be by after his shift. I'll call him and see when he'll be by." Ty got up and left Jayme and Carlos to themselves.

"Where are you staying?"

"A hotel, somewhere. I can only be here one more day, then I gotta go back home to take my finals. I already called my professors and I can get them all done in two days, so I need to study in between trying to find a place here." Jayme sat down.

"A place here?"

"Yeah. Long before I found Meg, I planned on transferring to NYU. I was all set to live in the dorms, but ya know, now I can't. Anyway, I'll be back right after finals."

"Good." Carlos looked away. "I mean, it's nice that you are staying in New York."

Jayme smiled at him. He always sucked at hiding how he felt around her. They were a good 5 or 6 years apart in age, but Carlos had never let that bother him. As for Jayme, she thought it was cool to have a friend who was older. Now, though her childhood crush on him was starting to creep up. She couldn't help but look at him and wonder what it would feel like to have his lips on hers. There wasn't room in her life for that, so she quickly pushed those feelings down.

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Bosco and Faith carried all of Jayme's bags up to Ty's apartment. Faith was excited to meet the girl. Meg was sweet and she couldn't help but wonder what her older sister was like. She also wanted to size her up and see if she was indeed planning on taking Meg away.

Faith slowly got warmed up to the idea of Bosco adopting Meg. It was obvious just how much he needed Meg and how much the little girl needed him. Now, it was all Faith could think of. Some nights, she'd even have dreams of her and Bosco together in a house with a picket fence with Emily, Charlie and Meg running around the front yard with a puppy nipping at their heals. Of course, she'd never tell anyone that.

"So, you are gonna offer to let her stay at your place?" Faith asked as she knocked.

"Yep."

"Bosco. Faith." Davis threw open the door. "Hey." He reached for a bag. "Didn't know which one she'd need, huh?"

"Ya never know with women. Thought it was better to be safe." Bosco laughed. He followed Ty into the living room where Jayme and Carlos were caught up in conversation. "I thought the kid had better taste."

"Yeah, well apparently they have a back story. It's pretty amazing." Ty dropped his bag. "Jayme, Bosco's here."

"Oh, hey!" She jumped up.

"Hi. Jayme this is my partner, Faith." Bosco introduced the two.

"Meg talked a lot about you. She rambled on and on about how cool you two are and this and that. She even said she couldn't wait for you to get married." Jayme smiled then turned to Carlos when he started chuckling. "What?"

"Bosco and Faith married?" He stopped when he saw the look on Ty's face. "It's funny."

"Yeah, well would it be funny if I said we've been dating for a few months now?" Faith questioned.

"Oh, Faith. Stop it." Carlos laughed even harder.

"Hey, Nieto," Bosco said. "Is it funny to you that Faith and I are together?"

"Carlos, just stop," Ty warned.

"It's true? Wow. I thought you were just kidding." Carlos shook his head.

Faith smiled despite the angry look on Bosco's face. Carlos was just being Carlos. No need to get mad. She watched as Jayme hit Carlos on the arm then sat down. Jayme and Meg were like night and day. They didn't look alike at all. Faith decided each girl must have taken after their mothers.

"Thanks for bringing my stuff here." Jayme smiled. "Someone is finally looking out for us."

"What do you mean?" Faith questioned.

"I was finally brought back to my baby sister. Then through Officer Boscorelli, I found my best friend again. It's weird. There has to be someone looking out for us all."

"They say everyone has a guardian angel. That's who's looking out for you." Faith sat down next Jayme.

"Where are you going to stay?" Bosco asked.

"I have to find a decent hotel for the night, maybe two. I need to see about my airline ticket before I know for sure."

"If you'd rather, you can stay at my place," Bosco offered.

"Or mine," Faith added.

"Thank you, that's kind, but I couldn't."

"You'll stay here. Take my room, I'll take the couch." Carlos picked up Jayme's bags and walked to his room.

"I am?" Jayme questioned. "When we were kids, he always bossed me around." She turned towards Carlos who was just coming back in. "I can stay in a hotel, ya know. I'm a big girl now. Almost 21, wouldn't you believe. I have been living on my own for a while now."

"Yeah? So?" Carlos shrugged. "It's been almost ten years."

"Fine, I'll stay. But, you better not pull any of those pranks you used to pull." Jayme laughed.

Carlos and Jayme's playful banter continued for a few minutes. Faith couldn't help but smile. They were cute together. She wondered if there was something between the two or if it was just friendship. Her and Bosco stayed for a while until it was getting late. As they walked to Bosco's car, Faith thought about how much life Jayme had yet to live and wondered if she'd be able to handle taking care of a child.

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Bosco sat across from Lauren Sellers at a crowded Deli. Faith was getting their orders. Miss Sellers had requested they meet, so since it was Faith and Bosco's day off, they decided to do lunch. Bosco couldn't help but think that it was all over. This was it, Jayme was taking Meg.

"As you are well aware, Megan is going to be released at the end of the week. Now, my boss is pressed with deciding on where she goes. He was set on letting you take her, but now Jayme enters into the equation. Jayme hasn't mentioned anything about taking Meg in to me, but I get the impression she will want to take Megan home with her."

"Does Jayme know I want to adopt Meg?" Bosco questioned as Faith made her way back to the table with the food.

"Not that I am aware of. I thought maybe you and I could talk to her." She lifted her turkey sandwich. "She leaves tomorrow, and will back in less than four days."

"I just started my home study. Is there even a point now?" Bosco hung his head.

"Everything depends on Jayme. She is only 20. Maybe if she knows there is a loving, caring person who is willing to give her sister a better life, she may decide that would be better."

Bosco let the idea of Meg not living with him roll around in his head. It didn't settle well with him. All his previous thoughts were of being a father to Meg. He dreamed of watching her get ready for her first prom with Faith's help as he interrogated her date. He dreamt of her high school, then college graduation. He even dreamed of walking her down the isle.

It scared him to think that those dreams may never be a reality. If someone had told him a year ago he'd be trying to adopt an eight year old, he'd laugh in their face. He had turned soft, and didn't regret it. Meg was one of the best things in his life.

"Bosco," Faith questioned.

"Yeah?" he moaned.

"Things will work out." She placed her hand on his arm.

"If you two are free, I've called Jayme and asked if it was alright to talk to her."

"Yeah, we just have a dinner date with my kids later."

"I'll meet you two there then?" Miss Sellers threw some money down for her meal then left.

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"I wonder what she wants." Jayme looked to Carlos who was closing a suitcase. "You do know you'll be bored out of your mind, right? I'm going to take my finals, that's all. I mean come on. The running joke is when asked how to get to Cal it's you turn left at the cow. There's nothing there but rundown coal and steel towns."

"I've got vacation time. So happened Doc let me take it now. I think it shocked him I actually had a friend." Carlos laughed. He stopped when he heard a knock at the door. "Ty is at Alex's. Can you get it?"

"Sure."

Jayme slowly got up and walked to the door. Bosco and Faith stood at the other end. She couldn't figure out why they would be there. Suddenly, a sinking feeling reached the pit of her stomach. She ushered them in, then waited.

"Is Meg alright?" she finally questioned.

"Yeah. I saw her this morning. Didn't Miss Sellers tell you she wanted us here?"

"No, she didn't." Jayme loosened up a bit. She saw Carlos drag his bags into the living room. "It's just a few days."

"I have finals next week too." Carlos pointed to his backpack. "Oh, hey. Bosco. Faith."

"You going with her?" Bosco blurted as Faith smacked his arm.

"Yeah."

"We are leaving first thing tomorrow. I'll be back in three days."

There was another knock on the door. This time Carlos got up and answered. Miss Sellers walked in in a pair of blue jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. It threw Jayme off not to see her in her business attire. The woman now looked much younger.

"Jayme, there is a reason why I needed to talk to you before you left. I need to know who will be taking Megan home next week," Miss Sellers said.

"Me. There is no way she'll be a ward of the state."

"What if I said that wouldn't be the case."

"How so?" Jayme felt her chest tighten.

"First, can I ask you a few questions?"

"Sure. Go ahead."

"Before I you found Megan, what were your plans for the future?" Miss Sellers asked.

"I was transferring to NYU. I planned to get my degree in Criminal Justice then get my law degree."

"You wanted to be a lawyer?"

"Still do. I want to prosecute scum bag parents like my dad. Eventually, I want to be a judge. I can still do it. It'll just take longer," Jayme explained.

"Ok. So you are going to juggle a job, college courses and being the primary care giver to an 8 year old? All that on top of living your own life? You are only 20 with so much more to see and do." Lauren Sellers smiled sadly. "I've seen some kids your age take in younger siblings. Six months down the road I had to take them. It burned them out. It was just too much."

"I can handle it."

"You sure?"

"Yes!" Jayme yelled.

She got up and began to pace. Everyone was watching her and she hated it. Once again her life was on display for all to see. Her life and Meg's. It wasn't fair that they had to decide Megan's future. It wasn't fair it all fell on her shoulders.

"I'm not trying to upset you," Lauren said. "I want what's best for Med. I have two options for her. Neither involve her living with strangers."

"How's that possible? I'm her only family."

"You know Jayme, blood doesn't make a family. Love does." Lauren looked her in the eye.

"I love her." Jayme dropped down to the couch. "I didn't keep her safe before. I need to now. Just like you did, Officer Boscorelli." She stared at Bosco for a few minutes then tilted her head in realization. "YOU!"

"Him what?" Carlos questioned.

"You are the other option?"

"Yes," Bosco answered.

"No."

"Jayme, just listen to us. To him." Lauren soothed.

"She's my sister. It's my responsibity."

"Do you want it?" Lauren moved to Jayme's side.

"It's my responsibility," she tried not to cry.

"It's your responsibility to decide what's best for Megan." Lauren placed her hand on Jayme's shoulder. "You tell me what you see when you think of Meg and Officer Boscorelli."

"Megan adores him. Can't stop talking about him." Jayme let a tear fall. "I see it in their eyes. I see the joy when she talks about him, when he comes by." She once again looked at Bosco. "You look at her the way my dad should have looked at me. You love her as if she was your own."

"I do."

"You'd lay down your life for her."

"In a heartbeat."

"And I'd never see her again," she chocked out.

"What?" Bosco questioned. "That's not true."

"I saw kids get adopted. I saw them leave. No one gets to see them. When they sent me back to my dad they wouldn't even let Carlos write to me," she said.

"That wouldn't happen. Meg needs you too. I wouldn't do that to either of you. I just want to give her a good home. A good life. And you still have a lot more life to live before you can give Meg that."

Jayme dropped her head. So they all thought she wasn't capable to take care of her own flesh and blood. Bosco wanted to adopt Meg. How could she be sure he wouldn't keep Meg from her. It was all too much to take in.

"I need to think . . . time . . . yeah. I need time to think," she managed to get out.

"You have a week. That's when Meg is released." Lauren got up. "We are going to go now."

"Yeah. Fine."

Carlos walked the three to the door and shut it. Jayme felt his hand on her shoulder. He didn't need to say anything. She knew he was there for her. She leaned into him and began to cry. Slowly, he pulled her closer to embrace her.

"You just need time. Then you'll know what to do," Carlos whispered.

"I think I already do. That's the problem," she cried.