Save Me 16
Two months had gone by since the surprise excursion to the Bahamas. Life slowly returned to normal for the Crocketts. Trudy was finally cleared for full duty and there was no date for her and Bella to face the monster in court yet. Bella and Nia were dream roommates for Gina. She spent all of free time at Rico's. The girls would work and keep her apartment tidy. They loved their new life and were grateful for the turn it took.
"Hey Trudy I am gonna pop the question to Gina. Rico blurted out of nowhere as he and Trudy were staking out a building across the street."
"OH shit seriously?!" She squealed with excitement, almost forgetting they were supposed to be inconspicuous.
"Awwwwww I am going to be a matron of honor. Ok let's see, definitely real flowers, she is in love with the color pink." She whipped out a notebook that they were using for note taking during this case. In her own little world she jotted notes and started talking to herself out loud.
"Uh hello earth to Trudy. You wanna let me ask first?" He laughed at her excitement. She nodded, giggled and apologized. They returned to their assignment and planned the surprise engagement.
Rico explained how there was a meteor shower coming into the region that Saturday night. He booked 4 tickets for the watch party at the local planetarium. As the show would start to light up the sky, he would drop down on one knee and pop the question. "Ohhhh Sonny and I would be honored to be there."
"Be where?" Sonny walked into the makeshift apartment with Stan to relieve Rico and Trudy for the night. Right as Rico started to explain, Trudy excused herself to use the bathroom. She had been feeling crappy lately. Her stomach would flip anytime Sonny wore her favorite cologne. Her nipples were sore. She stopped dry heaving and like a lightning bolt she put two and two together. She pulled out her two year planner and flipped through it feverishly. She looked at herself in the mirror with shock. She was late as hell and she hadn't even noticed. She hadn't had a period since the week before the trip. She walked back Into the room to congratulations and hugs between the 3 men. She kissed Sonny and told him she was going to hang at Gina's for a few.
She sat the 4 pregnancy tests on Gina's bathroom sink. The 4 women sat at her kitchen table with a timer and tried to calm Trudy's nerves. "Oh My Gosh I am gonna be auntie yup Tia Gina, no wait Tia Gia is the way to go, I Love it!" The women laughed at Gina as the timer went off.
"Nope I am too excited to see you three go look." She paced and wondered what took so long. The three women walked out with the test in their hands. They all looked at Trudy as Gina yelled CALL ME TIA GIA!" Trudy flopped back in her seat, shocked as she rubbed her stomach. She was actually pregnant. She couldn't believe it. All four tests said plus, two lines and whatever else positive notification they used. "I have to tell him. I am going to go home and cook all the baby foods. Baby back ribs, baby corn, baby carrots, and baby red bliss potatoes."
" Ok what about dessert?'' the girls questioned. "That's easy. I have a brand new baby doll nightie in his favorite color and I am going to gift wrap these." She gathered her tests in a zip lock that Gina gave her and headed home to start her work.
She fluttered around like a woman on a mission. He called and said he was on his way. The table was set for two. She lit pink and blue candles and she already changed into her red baby doll with a matching silk robe.
He was taken aback as he sat down to eat. He enjoyed the delicious meal and of course he didn't notice any of the food clues. Probably because he was too busy wondering what if anything was under the robe she was wearing.
"So baby, how was dinner?" "It was great. I am a little surprised because you said you were hanging out with Gia and Tubbs calls her, it's a cute name I like it." He chuckled to himself. "Did you notice a theme in the dinner tonight?" "Yup I sure did BBQ can't go wrong with it and you know that mama." He grabbed another rib and got to smacking away. She was growing antsy with anticipation. "Uh baby I have dessert ready in the kitchen I will be right back. She hustled off to get the gift and took off her robe and returned to the dining room.
"Here baby this is for you." "Ok what's with the gifts it's not any special day so what gives?" He pushed back from the table to open the box. "Hey Trudy don't think I don't see you standing there in that new baby doll nighty you are getting unwrapped next. You know those little nighties drive me insane." He was so focused on her standing before him, he didn't look down as he opened the box. " SONNY WOULD YOU FOCUS BABE PLEASE I AM ABOUT TO EXPLODE HERE!" She yelled at him as she laughed. "Look at your gift baby please."
"Ok geez babe" he chuckled as he looked from her to the box while mumbling about women having no patience. He opened the newly unwrapped gift box and unfolded the pink and blue tissue paper. He blinked several times, while looking from her to the tests. He just kept blinking and looking as to give his brain time to register what his eyes were seeing. She walked around the table while his eyes never broke from her movement.
"Now that I have your focus baby, follow what I am about to say to you." She pointed at each thing as she identified them. "Baby back ribs, baby corn, baby carrots, baby potatoes, pink and blue candles, pink and blue tissue paper, and finally a new baby doll nighty!" She stood quietly as he picked up the tests and read them. Still silent, he stood with the tests in his hands and processed what was before him. "Trudy Ashley Joplin Crockett you you you're you…" he sat back down then stood back up. She saw tears well up in his eyes as she walked to him and wiped his tears as they sprang free.
"Let me help you because I know you are a great Detective ya know." She smiled bright and took his hands and placed them on her belly. "Yes Sonny, I am pregnant. You are going to be a father again." He wrapped her in his arms and spun her around as he kissed her neck and cheek. "Down daddy" she laughed out "I don't want dinner to come back up babe." He quickly put her down and apologized. He got down to talk to her tummy. "Hey little one, I'm your Daddy I can't wait to look into those perfect little eyes."
He stood up and kissed her with all the passion he had in him. When they broke apart for breath he blew out the candles, picked Trudy up and carried her to bed. He made slow burning love to his wife. She lay sleeping nuzzled into his side with her hand instinctively resting on her tummy. He sat up in their king sized bed deep in contemplation. He thought about how much he changed since he first became a Dad. He loved Billy unconditionally as any father should. But this baby would not suffer the same fate as the first little one that stole his heart. Caroline played both parents many days, nights, events, and holidays. He was too busy chasing that gold badge even though it was meant to be a means for a better life for the new little family. His chase towards the gold pulled him farther away from his 2 loves, his wife and son.
He glanced at Trudy from across the room. He moved to the balcony to smoke. He fucked up with the first set of wives and babies. My God the hatred he held for himself when his wife and unborn child were killed. Was he enough this time? Because the first two times he went from bad to worse between Carol and Cat. "Shit at least her name doesn't begin with a C'' he mumbled to himself. He quietly slipped from the room and straight to his car he needed to clear his mind.
He sped to Rico apartment not even noticing it was after 11pm. He tapped on the door a few times before he heard a muffled fuss and grumble. Rico looked through the peep hole and put his gun on the table next to the front door. "What the hell, Sonny, what time is it? Is everything OK? Where is Trudy?" He whispered as he stepped aside and let him in. "Sorry man, I didn't realize it was so late. I just need to get my head on straight. I got some great news tonight man. I am gonna be a dad again."
"What are you serious?! Congrats man." Rico hugged him as Gina walked into the room wearing Rico dress shirt and shorts. "Sonny, is everything OK?" She asked with concern. "Yea I just had a lot on my mind after the good news I received earlier. "Trudy is expecting and I can't help but to feel a little like a jinx. I wasn't the best dad or husband for Billy and Carol, then I went from bad to worse letting my wife and baby die on my watch with Cat. Guys I have to be honest I am afraid that I am gonna not be enough. The two friends talked for a while before they realized it was almost 2 am. He thanked them and let them get back to bed. He slid back in bed feeling much better about this great new adventure they were about to start on.
