Thank you for the great reviews! I'm sorry about this, but I am taking a lot of what my friend had saved in her notes to use again so hopefully some things are similar. No LadyRed01, you didn't come off as ungrateful at all I appreciate all the help I can get honestly! Times are tough right now, so I'm trying to keep a level head about what I should do about my brother. But, I'm thinking I definitely have to get him back so I'm open to hearing any and all possible pranks.
Chapter 3- Are You Ready
Will wakes up first. He's not surprised JJ's sleeping in. She must be dog-tired, they both crashed right after putting the boys to bed. Yesterday was exhausting in every sense of the word. He can't imagine how tired JJ is with traveling back from a case and stopping at the FBI to finish up some paperwork, only to hear that some strange girl is at the house demanding her presence. The fact that said weird kid claimed to be her dead daughter must've thrown her for a loop and when the DNA tests came back positive, well JJ…Will got snippets last night, but he reckons Cher is feeling mighty thrown right now.
The thought of having another kid makes Will feel anxious. He and JJ always spoke about having a big family, but three kids is a lot especially when they're fourteen, seven, and one. That's a big age gap; each kid is in a different stage of life. When he first imagined having kids, he thought he and Cher would be like her brother Danny and have them within a few years of one another. But, he and JJ struggled to get pregnant again after Henry was born, so Michael's a blessing. Just like, Will figures, Charlotte is a blessing too. Will briefly wonders how this is all going to work as JJ's eyes start to flutter open. He doesn't know how in the hell she manages to look so beautiful all the damn time.
"Morning," he whispered softly. "You look like hell."
JJ rubs at her eyes, noting the playful concern in his tone. "Are you trying to seduce me?" She raises her eyebrows with a grin as she grabs her phone off the nightstand to check for any messages from Garcia. Unsurprisingly, there are already four messages; two from Garcia, one from Emily, and one from Reid. Garcia's consists of an apology novel text followed by more information about Charlie; Emily expects a call today about the 'newest baby but not a baby Jareau', and Reid has sent her a link to parenting teenagers. She also has a voicemail from Reid that she has no doubt Charlie-related.
"Every day," Will promised as he frowns at the pursing of his wife's lips. "What's the matter?"
"Garcia told everyone. Well, actually, she told Emily and Reid. The others are either being polite or they haven't heard from Hurricane Penelope yet." JJ mused rubbing the back of her neck.
Will gauges her mood. "Didn't yah want that though? So yah wouldn't have to tell everyone."
"Yeah, it's just a lot to read when you first wake up." The blonde puts her phone face down and turns to stare into the compassionate yet worried green eyes of her husband.
"Are yah sure you wanna go in to work today with everything that's goin' on? Maybe yah should stay home today; we could make it a family day." Will's offer hangs in the air as JJ sighs, she wants to do that, but she's had nearly every weekend off for the last month which is unheard of.
"I can't." JJ sits up against the headboard. "We don't have any active cases, so doing some busy work will help keep my mind off things and I'll probably be home sometime after lunch."
"All right, it looks nice out this morning maybe we can go to the park after breakfast." The cop stated thoughtfully. After all, they couldn't go yesterday so Will's thinking a park trip will be fun, especially if they get ice cream too. "Yah know, I've been wondering how are we gonna tell Henry about this. I don't think we need ta tell Mikey much of anything cause he's a baby, but Henry's bound to be confused no matter how we slice it. Charlie's what, six or so years older than him and his sissy. I think we oughta talk over breakfast, best to clear the air early."
The blonde nods in agreement. "You're right; I'm going to see about getting Charlie in our care soon so it's better to rip the band-aid clean off."
"He's either gonna love the idea of having a sister or hate having to share us with another person."
"I think it'll be a mix of both." JJ joked causing the couple to share a lighthearted laugh, the first real one they've had since she's gotten home. "I'm going to need to find out where she lives too. Don't look at me like that William LaMontange; there's something going on." Will holds up his hands in defense knowing better to argue with that face. "I-I can't believe I didn't recognize her."
"That's not your fault, Cher. She looked a little different the last time you saw her. You can't blame yourself, if yah wanna put the blame on anyone; put it on that doctor for giving you girl away." Will answered staring deep into her blue eyes. Sometimes, he worries that JJ takes too much of everyone's pain. "This ain't your fault, so don't blame yourself all right?"
The mom nods climbing out of bed to look for the right clothes to feel comfortable but still look presentable. Sighing, her thoughts drift to Charlie again. "She's so angry and confused."
"Yeah, I think we all are right now." Will agreed as he runs a stick of Old Spice under his arms. "Her being confused will fade once we talk more but her being angry, well that might linger, but it ain't gonna last forever. At the end of the day, we're a family and that's all that matters."
"I love you." The profiler cracks a grin as they hear Michael fussing. He was supposed to move into Henry's room after he turned one, but they both agreed the office they converted into a room works much better for all of them. Henry sometimes stays up later reading and there are times when Michael takes a while to go to sleep and cries in anger. Mike's room is a bit smaller than Henry's too, but Will plans on taking down the wall that divides the rooms and converting it into one big room. However, neither really knows when that's going to be. "I'll get Michael, if you get Henry."
"Deal," Her husband easily takes that action. With Henry all he has to do is remind the seven year old to go to the bathroom before breakfast and more often than not, Will doesn't even have to do that much anymore. The father suddenly realizes something. "Oh yeah about the bedroom situation, I'll clean out the storage room to make space for Charlie to have a real bedroom here. Don't know why, but I think she'd prefer that to the guest room." Charlie struck him as the type of kid who enjoys her space so the guest room downstairs will do for now and when she does get her own room, i.e. the storage room that's also downstairs and far enough away without being gone.
JJ shrugs; she often wonders how his mind works. She loves the man to death, but he can be pretty weird sometimes. JJ puts on a pair of slacks, groaning as she realizes yet again, this is July and she's going to be cold at the office but boiling everyone else. Tiptoeing into her son's room, she grins at the sight of her boy with his lip jutted out. "Hi baby, how's my littlest man this morning?" He maintains his pout at her as though lecturing his mother for not getting him sooner. "I'm sorry Mikey; I wanted you to wake up more." The mother cooed as she gently lays him on the changing table; she and Will have long since discovered that letting Michael eat with just a diaper on is easier for cleanup. "Hey, you have a big sissy, her name's Charlie. You don't mind right?" The boy giggles as JJ lands several kisses to his face. "I didn't think you would."
"Momma has another baby in her belly?"
"No, I don't Bubs." JJ shakes her head as she reaches for a glass of orange juice. She takes a sip before glancing at her son. "You see, when I…before you were born momma was…I had another baby in her belly, Charlie, you remember the girl from yesterday?"
Henry nods, he remembers her. She sure yelled a lot. "The one with red hair?"
"Yes, well I had Charlie in my belly a while ago and I thought when she was born she got sick and went to Heaven, but she didn't. She ended up being okay except I didn't know that so Charlie had to live with other people until she came to see us yesterday to ask…to ask me if I'd let her be on her own. Like, you know how Aunt Penelope and Uncle Spencer live alone? That's what Charlie wanted to, except daddy and I talked and we decided it'd be better if she lived here with us instead." The mother explained in the simplest terms she can think of to get an almost eight year old to understand. Henry isn't stupid, but he's still not mature enough for the adult parts of this conversation.
"How come she didn't anyway? David and Jake's sisters live with them." The boy asked, this time glancing more so at his father who clears his throat. Henry befriended David Simmons at the FBI Family Picnic at the end of June, he and the Simmons boys have been best friends ever since.
Will runs a hand through his hair. "Cause we didn't know she…we didn't know she was here and not in Heaven. We thought Charlie was in Heaven, because someone told momma a lie and said she was."
"Someone lied to momma?" Henry's mouth falls open in shock. He's only told his momma one lie before and that resulted in him getting sent to his room every day after school for a week.
"Yeah, I know, that's never a good thing to do." The father agreed nodding solemnly. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Mike shoving five too many banana chunks into her mouth. He reaches over and much to Mike's chagrin takes two of them out. Will turns his gaze back onto his oldest. "Now, because Charlie came to see us, we know that she's not in Heaven and she's going to stay here."
Henry asked mid-chew of his own banana, "For how long?"
"We hope forever." JJ responded carefully. "How do you feel about that?" She doesn't plan on turning her back on Charlie if Henry doesn't want her around, but she does plan on trying to solve the root of his apprehension if that happens to be the case.
"I like it when Nikki and Lulu play with me and they aren't my sisters." Henry said after some thought. He watches as Michael takes a sip of his milk before spitting it out and it dribbling onto his belly. "And now I have a brother and a sister so I don't hafta just play with Mikey and plus that means she can come to Show-And-Tell." He smiles before getting nervous again. "Do you think she'll like me?"
The blonde mother insisted. "Of course she will." She can't see any reason why Charlie wouldn't.
"What if she doesn't?"
"Bubs, brothers and sisters are friends for life. Uncle Danny and Auntie Ross always looked out for me and I looked out for them too." If she hadn't then Danny would have probably ended up marrying that bitch Casey Atwood rather than Tessy Nichols. "You may fight here and there, but siblings are the best because they're the start of your team." JJ promised as Henry's posture relaxes and he smiles at the thought of having another sibling.
Will shares a look with JJ. "Okay, little man, give momma a kiss. She's gotta go to work for a few hours, but she'll be home real soon. I was thinkin' maybe we can go to the park today." His offer has Henry leaping out of his chair to kiss his mother's cheek before running upstairs to change out of his pajamas. Will chuckles at the sight. "Well, I guess I'll see yah in a few hours."
"Yeah," JJ nods giving him a quick peck on the lips. "I'm going to find out where my daughter lives today."
"Ah, well enjoy your day of stalking and paperwork."
Charlie stands in front of 7 Cherry Lane, Alma's house. She regrets crashing at Bens last night, but she was too tired to think straight let alone take care of Alma. But, Charlie called Alma before bed to make sure the woman was okay and even had a friend in the neighborhood peek through the windows too. Brooke saw Alma was home, relaxing on the couch watching a movie. Charlie fell asleep easier knowing Alma wasn't unintentionally putting herself in harm's way. It was just the factor of waking up to a text from Brooke telling her to come back because Alma had the music on loud this morning and her grandma wasn't happy. That stirred Charlie into action, causing her to just about run back to Alma's and now here she stands in front of the first house, she considered a home.
Rubbing at her eyes, the fourteen year old sighs as she takes a good look at the place she's called home; things have changed so much, especially in the last five and a half months.
When Charlie first moved in three years ago, Alma's was unique in a hippie before it was considered hipster kind of way. That's why Charlie liked it. The small black mailbox to the left of the front door didn't used to be stuffed to the brim with catalogs and payment notices. The paint wasn't chipping like a curled up toe. The house wasn't two slightly different colors. Two months ago, Charlie returned home from school to find the usually yellow house had a few cream hinted streaks on the chipped areas.
The inside is worse too with stacks of boxes and trinkets Alma has collected. Every time, Charlie tries to throw one away, Alma has a panic attack. That's why; Charlie waits until Alma isn't around to stuff as much as she can into her backpack to toss out. Sometimes the inside looks a bit presentable, but not in the way that Charlie can bring anyone except Ben or Brooke over without them wanting to call Hoarders. The only normal part of the house is the yard, Alma's younger son, Randy used to swing by every week to do landscaping, but since the birth of his daughter three months ago; his visits have become less and less frequent.
Charlie sighs wearily as she opens the unlocked door. "Alma," she called. "You left the door open, you have to lock it." She steps into the house to the smell of burnt food wafting through the air. Blinking in mild confusion, the girl rushes into the kitchen to find her foster mother attempting to cook.
"Hi dear, aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"Alma it's Saturday…and the summer." Charlie flicks the beat up old radio off; it was blasting a scratchy version of some oldies song, the fourteen year old can't place.
"Oh right, right, I knew that." The former museum curator nods as she turns back to the stove to get back to work on breakfast. "I'm making pancakes, I added cinnamon to them just how you like it Paige." Charlie blinks, slightly stunned, her foster sister left to live with an aunt in Idaho two years ago this October. She also had black hair and green eyes so Charlie doesn't understand where their resemblance lies. "Can you wake Charlie? I don't think she's too comfortable around me yet. It'll take time, it's like Tanya said, let her come to me…just check on her would you Paigey?" The girl wonders if Alma's mind has wandered to when she first got here three years ago. "I would've made bacon too, but I can't seem to remember where the bacon is." Alma squints in confusion.
The fourteen year old swallows hard as she takes a step closer to her foster parent. "I'm not Paige, Alma, it's me Charlie. Paige moved out two years ago, remember?" There's never been a time in her years with Alma that Charlie's ever been afraid of her. A strong gust of wind could probably knock Alma over and anytime Charlie's gotten in trouble or been sassy, Alma never so much as raised her voice. More often than not the grandmotherly-like woman laughed at her stunts. She left whatever discipline needed to be doled out to Tanya and thus far, that's worked for them.
"Paige left?" Surprise molds over Alma's features while Charlie nods. She blinks as though being snapped out of a hallucination. "Right, yes of course. I-I know that! I knew that." Paige was at Alma's for two years before Charlie came and eight months after that until she moved in with relatives in the Midwest. "I know, I remember now." She drops the spatula into her mixing bowl. "I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Why don't you rest a little?" Charlie gently scoops the spoon out of the pancake mixed with brownie batter. The girl isn't too sure because it smells like brownies, but has a pancake's consistency. She peers around the kitchen taking in the mess before glancing back at her foster parent with a forced smile. "I can cook us breakfast."
Alma's features soften as she pats Charlie's wavy red curls. "You're such a good girl." She walks away leaving an emotionally drained teenager in her wake.
Turning off the stove and unplugging the toaster oven for good measure, Charlie takes a deep breath. The kitchen looks like a food fight had a war with another food fight. She glances around wondering how much longer she's going to be able to keep up this act of pretending everything's okay much longer.
JJ makes a beeline towards Penelope's office. She doesn't even bother to get off at the right floor because once she does; she knows there will be countless questions and she isn't ready to field those off quiet yet. Emily's been texting her non-stop about her 'undead kid' which she weirdly doesn't find that offensive. Rossi sent her a message about them forming a club about their lost kids finding them so that was funny in a not so funny kind of way and Hotch offered to give her the day off to help give her a chance to breathe. JJ plans on taking him up on that, but she needs to get one job done first.
"Garcia–" JJ breathed, stepping into her best friend's office.
Penelope offers her a cup of coffee, a peace offering. "I couldn't keep it a secret, Jayje! I tried, but the powers that be were too much for me."
"Garcia, it's–"
"I know you must be so angry with me, but I bumped into Reid when I was leaving and he asked how my day was and if I had any weekend plans. I blurted it out in the elevator…with Tara and Rossi there too." The techie's face burns with shame. She was up nearly half the night hoping to find a way that JJ could forgive her. Coffee, she figures, is a good start. "I couldn't help it, then Hotch stepped in and it all got quiet, too quiet even for him and I blurted it out again. So I'm sorry." With a glance over at her friend, she's surprised to see slight amusement in return.
"Penelope, it's okay." The profiler promised. She half-expected Garcia to be unable to withhold such a big secret as this, but kind of thought she'd be able to last a little longer than an hour. "Wait, so how did Emily find out?"
"She called to check in last night."
JJ takes a sip of the free beverage, chuckling. "Thank you."
"You're thanking me?" Garcia suddenly wonders if the barista put something in the coffee. It wouldn't be all that crazy given the amount of insanity that happens to them. "But, I didn't keep your secret."
"I knew you wouldn't be able to. That's why I told you to keep it a secret." The other blonde smirks doing her best to hide her amusement as Penelope's eyes widen. JJ can already tell she's going to regret saying that, but she had to let it be known to Garcia that she's terrible at keeping secrets.
"Rude…and mean, that's a rude and mean thing to do to someone Jennifer Jareau." Penelope wags a finger at her having half a mind to take back the coffee. She pouts. "You're lucky we're friends or else there would be some definite comeuppance coming your way."
An easy snicker escapes JJ's lips. "Can you do me a favor?" She asked quietly. The techie's face takes on a more concerned hue. "I didn't give Charlie my number last night. I know that was stupid of me, but we were both running on empty and I didn't want her to pull even farther away from me." As much as JJ wants to storm the place where she dropped Charlie off, but she doubts that'd be the best way to go about this. Also, JJ isn't sure she's still there. There's something about Charlie that strikes JJ as runner. The profiler used to be the same way when it came to intimate relationships. "There's something going on with her and I'm worried. She avoided the question last night, but I need to know that she's okay today." Garcia nods, there did seem to be some weird energy surrounding Charlie last night. "So can you tell me where she is right now?"
"Address," Penelope tries to play coy. She may or may not have stalked the little strawberry Jareau last night. "What makes you think I…" JJ shoots her a look, "okay yeah I found her while I was stuck in traffic yesterday." The woman answered as the other blonde gives hugs her tightly. "I'll text it to you momma bear."
Charlie's just about finished cleaning the kitchen when she jumps at the sound of knocking rapping on the front door. She nearly sprints into the living room. If Ben wakes up Alma, Charlie's decided, she's going to draw on his face the next time she sleeps over. What she fails to do is check whose there or remember that Ben usually walks into the house.
"Ben, would you stop fucking knock–" She stops short mid-rant at the sight of her social worker, Tanya Bennett, standing on the front step with a pointed glare angled down at her. "Oh shit." Charlie groans; she forgot Alma had an appointment with Tanya today. The girl swallows hard and runs a hand through her hair. "Umm hi Tanya, y-you're not Ben."
"No and you aren't at the Center like you said when I asked you what your plans were for today. Just like I'm not at my office, having a meeting with Alma, I guess we're both not where we're supposed to be, huh?" Tanya remarked side-stepping around the bemused teenager and into the house. The last time she did a home visit was when Alma got re-licensed as a foster parent ten months ago; it didn't look like the set of an Extreme Cheapskates episode then.
Charlie began. "Tanya–"
"Let me start, why is it I have to hear from a clerk friend there's an emancipation hearing for a fourteen year old that just so happens to have the same name, birthday, and social as you?" Tanya demanded going for the first thing she was going to talk about with Alma.
"Someone stole my identity?" The teenager tries to lighten the mood with a joke.
"You aren't that lucky right now, little girl." Tanya's deep brown eyes narrow dangerously. "You forged a document saying I okayed something I didn't, Charlotte. That's illegal! Do you know what would've happened had you tried to go through with this? You could've ended up in juvenile hall. You're lucky my friend wiped you from the docket." Had Connie not done that then Tanya's almost certain Charlie could've been brought up on charges like fraud. She glances around the living room at the boxes and random trinkets strewn around. "Why is this place such a mess? What's going on here?"
Charlie nibbles down on her lower lip. "I uh I haven't been cleaning…my chore is to clean and I uh I haven't been so that's on me." That's technically not a lie, she is supposed to vacuum and do the dishes if Alma cooks. "You know, I'm starving." She strides into the cleaned up kitchen. "Can you shout at me after breakfast? Even people on death row, get meals before their deaths." Tanya's gaze hardens at the dramatic tone she's taken on. At the sound of knocking yet again, only much lighter this time, Charlie just about dances at the chance to get away from Tanya's questioning look. "Oh hey, I should get that."
"No," Tanya gently latches onto her sleeve. "What you should do is answer my questions."
"But it could be Ben." Charlie can't help the whine that escapes out of her tone.
Tanya, having dealt with Charlie and children in general, long enough to know a diversion when she sees one, shakes her head firmly. "Benjamin can wait, I can't."
"Come in, the door's open." The girl called hoping that with Ben in the room he'll be able to dampen the fire-like glares Tanya is sending scorching her way. Her mouth becomes bone dry as Jennifer awkwardly walks into the living room. "What are you doing here? How did you even find me?"
"I work at the FBI." JJ responded easily. She couldn't believe the amount of junk piled in this house, had she been anyone else, she would've felt apprehensive about one of the boxes falling over. She studies the fidgeting girl in front of her briefly wondering just how long she's been living like this.
"The FBI," Tanya gasped before her forehead creases. That's never a good sign. Charlie's learned that whenever Tanya rubs her brow or her forehead scrunches up, she's upset. Tanya turns to the red haired girl doing her best not to let her temper run amuck. "What did you do?" She rubs her brow as Charlie cringes at the other tell. "I'm gone for a few weeks and everything gets turned upside down." The graying brunette finally turns to JJ. "I'm Tanya Bennett, Charlotte's social worker. Who are you? Is she in some kind of trouble, because legally you can't show up here without informing me first."
JJ is mildly impressed with Tanya's protectiveness. She shakes her head. "Charlie's not in any trouble. I'm Jennifer Jareau, her biological mother and uh also an FBI Agent, but that's just my job. Charlie's not in trouble." JJ said feeling the need to stress that yet again.
"What? I don't understand what's going on." Tanya can feel a headache coming on. Her three boys all came down with similar colds these past few weeks with two ending up in the hospital for pneumonia and the other needing surgery on his tonsils. They needed her home for six weeks which just so happens to be the exact amount of vacation time she's saved up for two years. All in all, Tanya was hoping for an easy transition back to work only to discover, the majority of her cases had been mildly neglected. She turns to the abruptly quiet young girl. "Charlotte, why is your…why is she here?"
"I don't fucking know. She showed up here, unannounced, like you." Charlie snapped, not liking the idea of having two sets of firm eyes planted on her.
Tanya's eyes flash in warning at the tone. "Okay, I think we all need to sit down and have a talk because…because I don't know what happened these last few weeks, but I'm going to find out." Her declaration comes at the perfect time because Alma wanders into the kitchen wearing a pajama top, jeans, and a bathrobe. Her hair is sticking up in every which way resembling an old Troll doll. Never in her ten years of knowing Alma has Tanya ever seen her look so unkempt. The social worker frowns, but offers the older woman a comforting smile. "Alma, I'm glad you're home. Have you been here the whole time? You know, you've missed a few appointments with us and I just wanted to check in."
"Hi Tanya, we had an appointment?" Alma looks genuinely surprised by this news. She squints as though trying to recall when they set that up. "I'm sorry I…I was…w-was…" Her eyes flicker to Charlie pleadingly.
"You were busy, right Alma?" Charlie cut in.
Alma nods. "That's right, busy. I had to uh work." JJ watches the interaction, noticing how Charlie's face falls at the mention of her foster parent's job. That must've been the wrong thing to say, the profiler surmised. Alma nods again, adding. "The museum can't run itself, you know."
"I know you retired from the museum almost five months ago." Tanya stated simply with concern etching onto her features and her lips pursing upwards.
"I did? No, no, that can't be right." The nearly gray haired woman blinks, before anger envelops over her features and she shakes her head. She doesn't remember that. Charlie subconsciously and definitely without noticing, takes a minuscule step closer to JJ; an act that surprises both Tanya and JJ, but neither comments. Alma clenches her fist, not in violence but more upset at the accusation of no longer working. "That's not right!"
The teenager studies her foster parent, the woman who used to put tea in a thermos for her to take to school. It was a weird thing to do, but Charlie liked it. She moves closer towards her foster mother ignoring the worried grimaces thrown her way. "Alma, it's okay. Calm down okay?" She soothed gently. "You still work at the museum, but it's your day off is all. You just forgot cause you took a nap."
"Yes I knew I did." She looks at Tanya pointedly, like a child who believes she's won an argument but has really been appeased. "Wait, I-I need to go the store." The woman's stringy white hair maintains it's frizz despite Alma running a matted hand through it.
"We don't need anything." Charlie stated in a calming tone, one Tanya is beginning to realize she must be accustomed to using based on the fact that it comes so naturally out of her mouth.
"Yes, we do. We need…we need–" Alma tries to remember what was on the shopping list. She wishes she could remember what they needed, but they do need something. Charlie squints, wanting to say the right thing but not sure what that is. "We need something, I know we do."
Tanya, deciding to be an adult here, takes the lead. "Alma, I'll go to the store for you later. I think I need some eggs and cheese anyway. Would you mind waiting in the kitchen for me? I need to do my check-in with Charlie, it shouldn't take long. You know how this goes." She stated as the older woman nods understandingly, but stays put. Tanya turns to Charlie. "Do you have anything else that could get you into trouble? Like any other forms or anything?" The social worker keeps her voice low.
Charlie started. "No, I–"
"Ooh, I'll fix us a cup of tea." The former museum curator decided excitedly. She looks around the room, her eyes stopping on JJ as she takes in the realization that this woman has been here the entire time. Nervousness invades Alma's exterior and she consciously ties her bathrobe strings together. "Oh ah who are you?"
"She's…uh she knows me, Alma." Charlie has decided this isn't a lie because technically Jennifer does know her. The profiler gives her a look as though bemused by the odd explanation.
Alma takes that for whatever it is and grins warmly. "Right, right, would you like a cup of tea too?" She asked the stranger, accepting her more so than she likely would have had this occurred eight months ago. Alma being a single foster parent succeeded in creating an environment where the kids in her care felt safe and rarely allowed strangers into her home.
"No thank you." JJ shakes her head at the kind offer.
"I made a pot of coffee, it's in the kitchen. Just uh be careful, it's hot." Charlie advised making a face at the odd looks that forms on the other adults faces. After that statement, JJ is now certain Charlie's taken on the role of parent in a way no child should. She glances at Tanya to see if she's recognized this and by the social worker's pinched cheeks, it's clear she has.
Once again a tender smile forms on Alma's features as she addresses the child. "You're such a good girl." She caresses Charlie's face as she turns to walk into the kitchen for a cup.
"I'll be right in Alma; I just need to talk to Charlotte first." Tanya promised, recalling when her husband's father got like this a few years back. They struggled at the beginning a lot too, especially when he came to stay with them for a few weeks until they found him a nursing home that specialized in Alzheimer's patients. There were many nights when she and her husband laid awake wondering if they could keep on as they were for much longer. So, Tanya doesn't know how in the hell Charlie's managed by herself. "How long has she been like that?" The social worker demanded quietly, before adding. "And I want the truth."
The explanation takes a shorter amount of time than Charlie thought it would. She kind of assumed she thought this out more than she did. For the most part, she downplayed just how bad Alma's has gotten, but both adults can tell that's a front. They let her, though, because they know the truth. They know just like Charlotte that Alma isn't well. As Charlie finally stops to catch her breath, she gauges Tanya and then JJ's faces. Letting out one last sigh, she finishes. "So yeah I knew her name and since you were gone, I thought it'd be the best time…cause you'd never lemme get emancipated or anything like that and I-I don't know." She finishes her story with a helpless shrug as she slumps into the couch.
"Well, you're resourceful, I'll give you that." Tanya isn't pleased with her charge right now, but a tiny, piece of her gets why she did it. Yes, it was stupid and not okay but the brunette finds it sweet that Charlie wanted to help Alma this much. If only the girl realized asking for help wasn't weakness, but it's all a process. Tanya has decided baby steps is the best route. Charlie brightens. "That doesn't mean you're off the hook, but it does mean I'm not as upset with you anymore."
"Yes ma'am." The fourteen year old nods, that's Tanya's way of saying she isn't in any real trouble.
Tanya turns to the federal agent thoughtfully. "You know, I heard about Willis through the grapevine a few years back, he caused a lot of upset within the system. A lot of reform happened because of him too, but more upset and tragedy than anything else. So many families were turned upside down over his actions. You are one of those families." There are way too many people like Robert Willis out there; folks who try to decide who gets to keep their children are the worst kind of people. Yes, DCFS gets a bad rap but they also strive to ensure the parents get every opportunity to keep their child before reluctantly taking them into care. "I am curious though, why are you here Ms. Jareau?" She's more asking for Charlie's benefit than her own. The social worker has an idea as to why she's hear, but she wants Charlie to hear it too.
"Because I had to see that Charlie was okay, last night was…" JJ answered without skipping a beat. There isn't a second guess in her mind. The mother turns to Charlie in clear concern. "I'm worried about you."
"She's not the only one." Tanya added for good measure. "Charlotte, why didn't you tell me about Alma?"
"I don't want her to get in trouble." Charlie's mumbling has both women straining to hear.
JJ asked softly. "Why would she get in trouble?" It isn't Alma's fault that nature got to her a bit earlier than the rest of the Boomer Generation. Poor woman's only sixty-seven and she's getting a sucker punch of a health issue in the form of either dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
"Cause well you saw her, she forgets stuff and can't take care of me like before. I-I didn't wanna go and I knew once Tanya saw how Alma was, I'd have to. That's why I told you to take me to Ben's last night. I didn't want you to see this either." Charlie explained tapping her feet against the ground. She briefly hears the sound of Alma opening what sounds like the fridge and relaxes. Charlie isn't sure what she needs in there, but at least she hasn't wandered out the back door. The teen double-locked it so even if Alma tries it should take her a while. "You know, sometimes she's okay; it's mostly at night that's really bad."
"What happens at night?" Tanya demanded, her ears perking up in even more concern. She wants to strangle those in charge of her cases right now. This is mismanagement at its finest.
"She wanders a little, I used to be good at waking up too cause I'd set traps." The young girl rubs at her eyes again, despite having slept a decent amount last night; she's still tired. Maybe getting sleep can make someone tired too, Charlie muses. "Except a few times I don't wake up so I started to not sleep so much."
"You haven't been sleeping? Oh Charlie," the social worker sighs.
Charlie insisted. "I sleep, just not like a lot. I don't mind, honest. I like Alma, she's nice." JJ's face becomes one of sympathy at the desperation in her tone. "She took care of me for a while, now it's my turn."
Tanya studies the young girl practically shaking in front of her. "Honey, that was her job; she was supposed to take care of you, not the other way around. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of you for taking care of her but…" Charlie's eyes are cast down. "Look at me, please. Thank you, I know you won't like to hear this but you're just a kid and if Alma was in a different frame of mind she'd say the same thing." She reaches for the fourteen year olds hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. JJ watches the interaction feeling oddly jealous and concerned. "I know you care about Alma; if you didn't then you wouldn't have tried so hard to hide what was going on from me. But, Charlotte that also means you know you can't stay here; it's not safe."
"Alma won't hurt me." The girl's promise hangs in the air as JJ and Tanya exchange undecipherable glances with one another. Charlie pouts, not liking the fact that she can't read them.
"That's not what I meant." Tanya responded kindly. She knows Alma Bertram is a lovely woman, but she also knows losing one's memories can bring out a venomous anger in a person. Her husband's father was a gentle man before the disease rocked his system; he's now a shadow of the man he once was and requires round the clock care.
"What about Alma?" Charlie asked doing her best to ignore the disheartened grimaces JJ throws her way. She has never been the type of kid who responded well to pity. Having grown up practically in a hospital, Charlie's gotten good at reading when someone pities her and she can tell now is one of those times. "What'll happen to her now?" The girl picks her nails, a habit Tanya thought she stopped between the McCall's and the Dalton's.
"First, I'm going to call Randy and then Social Services." The social worker keeps her tone even as she reaches into her back pocket. Alma's youngest son, Randy Bertram, is a good guy. He's the type of man a mother would be proud of unlike his older brother Ronnie. Randy works as a surgeon so he definitely knows people in the right places that could help too. "Right now, though, you need to pack your stuff up with Jennifer while I talk to Alma about what's going to happen next." Charlie's face falls, she never wanted Alma to feel bad. Tanya swallows. "This is the way it has to be, Charlotte. Alma can't take care of you anymore."
Charlie shakes her head. "I don't wanna go to Morning Dew."
"You don't have a choice." Tanya stated hoping she doesn't sound as unsure as she feels. Morning Dew is a fine facility, but it's not what the social worker considers an adequate home. "Don't make this harder than it has to be Charlotte." The last time Charlie stayed at Morning Dew was after getting released from the hospital. Due to severe complications following the surgeries she stayed there semi-permanently until she was deemed healthy at about eight. The staff is well-meaning and caring individuals, but a facility isn't a home. Had Tanya been Charlie's social worker earlier, she would've put her in a family placement sooner. However, she only became Charlie's social worker after the McCall fire in 2013. "I promise I'll find you new foster parents but until I do you have to stay there. You can say your goodbyes to Alma after you're done packing." Charlie feels tears rush to her eyes. "I'm so sorry, honey."
JJ suddenly speaks up. "Can I take her?" The question itself renders the profiler stunned too similar to when a person cuts in front of you at the check-out line. At first, you're surprised it happened but then you feel like you have to say more. "Charlie, I'll take her…I want to take her if I can."
"What?" Charlie finds her voice before a thoughtful looking Tanya.
"Excuse me?" The social worker peers at JJ, trying to comprehend what she's saying.
"The paper she tried to get me to sign said I never really gave up my rights as her parent, so don't I have some say in well her custody?" JJ questioned. She doesn't know much about the particulars when it comes to custody arrangements, but based on what Charlie said yesterday, she still has some of her parental rights.
The fourteen year old can see where this is going. "No, Tanya, I'll go to Morning Dew." She sees a strangely hurt look flash through Jennifer's eyes and does her best to ignore it. The woman seems nice but getting attached to people has proven to be a problem, Charlie thought.
"Shush, Charlie." Tanya points at the sulking teen. "I guess you do." She finally admitted appraising the agent with scrutiny JJ knows even Hotch would be impressed over. "Pending a home study and background checks for you and any other adult living in your home, I guess I could relinquish Charlie into your custody. The background checks can be finished by this evening and if we do the home study today then maybe I can give you temporary emergency custody on a trial basis." JJ's eyes widen at the fast pace this is all going, but if that means she'll get a chance to have her daughter then she'll take it. "I'd have to do a second home evaluation within this week though and a third one in two weeks before keeping her in your custody. That would mean after the third visit, you would be on track to become her long-term foster parent." She inwardly berates herself at the presumption that Jennifer wants to do this long term. "I mean if you want to be her long-term foster care parent that is?"
"Yes, I do." JJ declared watching Charlie's reaction out of the corner of her eye. In fairness, the teenager could be protesting much more, which tells the profiler Charlie has a trick up her sleeve. Charlie wouldn't have gotten this close to being emancipated without being a little bit smart. "I want her with me."
"Okay, then let's get started." Tanya nods firmly as she sends off a few messages to colleagues asking them to get custody papers started. "There'll be a lot of paperwork that we can get done at my office, but for now, you can help pack Charlie's things up and we'll put them in your car." She said with an air of finality.
Charlie stamps her foot. "No!" She doesn't care how childish she looks right now. Glaring accusingly at the social worker, her face scrunches even further into a pout. "You're supposed to be on my side!" The girl's voice breaks while it rises in octave out of irritation.
"I'm always on your side, Charlie. Even if you don't understand it at the time, I am." Tanya replied giving Charlie's hands a comforting squeeze. The teenager pulls away after a second letting her social worker know she isn't happy with her but she isn't going to shut her out completely. "I have to talk to Alma now, why don't you and Ms. Jareau get started?" Knowing an order when she hears one, Charlie harrumphs as she stomps towards her bedroom. As her gaze now shifts to JJ, Tanya remarks. "You and I both just did her the biggest favor she'll ever not know."
The entire packing experience takes Charlie half as long because Jennifer ends up helping. It was decided without being said that because Alma knows and feels comfortable around Tanya that the social worker would wait with her while Charlie boxed up her belongings. Tanya's likely explaining what's going to happen next too and that isn't a conversation Charlie wants to hear nor was it one either adult wanted her to hear either. JJ opted to help Charlie as a way of connecting with her. But, every time she tries to talk to her she gets clipped responses, an eye roll, or a shrug.
It also helps that Alma is a generous pack-rat so at least Charlie doesn't have to pack up the majority of her stuff in garbage bags like she's had to the last times she's left a placement. JJ's heart broke as she watched Charlie reluctantly take two black trash bags out of a kitchen drawer to finish up the remainder of her belongings. In sum, Charlie used four suitcases and two garbage bags. Alma stayed in the kitchen watching in defeated dismay as her longest foster child packed up her things. This isn't a situation she can fight either. She merely has to watch. Tanya did promise the old museum curator that she'd get her suitcases back as soon as possible, in response Alma nodded wordlessly.
As JJ puts the final garbage bag into her trunk, she turns to the girl feeling guilty but deciding it needs to be said before Charlie gets herself into real legal trouble. "Okay, give me the form."
"What?" The almost freshman is shocked; she sort of forgot Jennifer knew about that.
"Tanya may have believed you in there because she was too distracted by what was going on, but I know you still have the emancipation papers." JJ heaves an inward sigh of relief that she correctly read Charlie's expression in there. Charlie thinks, she has to figure out a way to talk her way out of this. For the time being she pretends to look confused, the mother raises her eyebrows. "Don't play dumb, you're too smart for that." There's a sudden urge crack a smile at Charlie's expression, but JJ knows now isn't the time for that. It's just ironic because that's the same faces Nik and Lulu pull when Tessy catches them in a lie. "The form you wanted me to sign, give to me." She holds out her hand.
Charlie asked, wanting to sound tough but her voice coming off scratchy instead. "Why?"
"Because, I'm telling you to, now give it." The parent said only to receive a defiant pout which causes her to switch up tactics. "Look, I don't want you to get in any trouble. If you try to get emancipated again then you could get in a lot more trouble than a lecture." Charlie makes a face. "So, here are your choices; you can give me that form and whatever else you have that'd get you in jail or I can take it from you and I'd rather not start our relationship off like that."
"Kinda shitty choice," Charlie muttered with an eye roll. She spins her backpack around so it's on her chest and unzips the front pocket. She offers the emancipation papers and a few other files that would've helped her get a court date. "Fine, here."
"Watch your language, please," JJ's tone is light almost conversational as she takes the offered documents. "Thank you." She studies her kid. For someone so smart, she wasn't using her head when it came to all of this. "You really planned on going to court with a forged document." Charlie shrugs nodding reluctantly. "You could've gotten into a lot of trouble for this, you know." JJ said not lecturing anymore, but merely stating the facts.
Hanging her head, Charlie mumbles into her chest. "I just wanted to help Alma. If I got emancipated then she wouldn't get in any trouble."
And just like that JJ wants to wrap the girl into a tight hug again. "She's not the one who's in trouble, though. It isn't her fault she's sick." The profiler takes a deep breath.
"It's not mine either." The girl suddenly sounds defensive and on the verge of a breakdown.
"I didn't say it was. What I am saying is that Alma isn't well and needs people, like doctors and nurses to look after her now. Just like you need someone to look after you." Charlie huffs, she can take care of herself. "You're smart, I can see that, but everyone needs someone to look out for them and I'd like to be that person for you." JJ honestly wouldn't blame Charlie if she did start to cry right now. Given everything that's happened it'd be perfectly okay for her to fall apart a little, the poor girl wipes her eyes at JJ's words. "You hate me right now, I get it and I wish you didn't. If I'd known you were alive, things would've been very different."
The fourteen year old studies her mother, not sure what to make of this situation. "I don't hate you." She said in such a low whisper JJ strains to hear her. "I don't like you so much right now, but I don't hate you." With that, Charlie clambers into Alma's house for most probably the last time.