She awoke to the sound of her phone ringing. It was still dark, she groaned and answered, Rollins… hey Amanda I'm really sorry but we've got a case. It was Fin, he told her to meet him at an address…. Ok text me that address again Fin cause I've forgot it already. No probs partner, see you in a bit. Yep, see you shortly Fin. She looked at the clock, it was 5,30am… not as early as she thought, she'd had a good sleep, would have been better if Nick had been here, but 3 more sleeps till he was home again. She smiled, got up and into the shower quickly. Washed and dressed she had a quick coffee then left Nick's to meet Fin. Hey Fin, what have we got. Usual this time of year, Christmas party gone wrong. Victim is at the hospital, Just the witness to finish up with and then head there, ok you do that, and I'll head inside and see what CSU have got, then we'll head to the hospital.
A few hours later they were back at the station. It was 8.30am. She felt grumpy. Fin asked what was up, she'd been in a good mood all week, and now she was like a bear with a sore head. Nothing's wrong, I was just enjoying my sleep too much, I guess. Plus, it's Christmas Eve, everyone is supposed to be out getting last minute shopping and spending time with their families. Not sitting in a hospital having a rape kit done and patched up. Yeah, I know, look, hopefully we get this son of a bitch today, and you can have an easy evening and hopefully a day off tomorrow. Yeah, I wish Fin. Barba arrived and said anyone fancy a coffee before court to which Amanda shouted yes please, I do… he looked at her and said Ok…. what's wrong? To which Fin said sleeping Beauty got woke up too early this morning. Ah, well, let's go and we'll get proper coffee then. He drove Fin and Amanda to a coffee shop where they sat down and chatted while drinking their drinks. So, any of you 2 heard from Amaro? asked Barba, yeah Amanda said, he text to say he had landed safely and it's warm up there. Fin said he'd text him the same thing, and he'd picked him up his aftershave in Duty Free that he'd asked him to get. Anytime I travel I pick some of it up as it saves me $40 usually. Wow, said Amanda, I slept in on that one, never thought. Barba smiled and said oh I'm sure he'll bring you something back too Rollins. She looked at him confused and he smiled, well you did bring him to the airport after all didn't you? Yeah but I offered, and I wouldn't expect anything in return. Fin put his arm around her and said, yeah, but I'm sure he'll pick you a thank you gift up somewhere. She smiled and said, I'll not hold my breath. Barba said I'm sure Santa will have a word with him, smiling at her again. She looked at him saying to herself, what's he getting at? But pushed it away again.
Fin looked at his watch and said, right time to go. They got up and headed over to the courthouse.
A couple of hours later and it was lunchtime. Barba had left Fin and Amanda back to the station, wished them a Happy Christmas then drove off. They both went up to their desks to check for messages, see if there were any updates from CSU about their case. Nothing yet, the victim was coming in at 2 to give them her statement. At 12.30 Fin said fancy heading out for food, I'm hungry. Amanda said hell yes, I'm starving, remembering she hadn't had any breakfast today. They went across the road to the diner and ordered food. Excuse me for a minute Amanda, I need the little boy's room. Sure, I'll be here when you get back, you better be replied Fin and she laughed. Her phone beeped and she picked it up. It was a message from Nick saying Good morning, you free to talk. She phoned him and he picked up 1st ring. Hey handsome. Good morning Bonita he replied. I can't talk long baby cause I'm out at lunch with Fin, we've been on the go since after 5 this morning. That's OK baby, I've just finished breakfast and getting ready to head to see Zara. I just wanted to hear your voice. She sighed and said, oh it's great to hear yours. She asked him what his plans were, and he said they were going to do some Christmas shopping. Zara wanted to pick a small gift up for her mum. Then they were collecting Gil and going to a Christmas Fare, then that evening he was taking both kids to the children's Christmas Eve mass, After that he was dropping Gil home again then spending Christmas eve at Maria's then heading back to the hotel when Zara went to bed. He had arranged with Maria to arrive at her house early on Christmas morning to see Zara open her gifts from Santa, then after breakfast he was heading to Gil's house. Amanda smiled, and said well take lots of pictures of them both, and one of them together. He said he intended to. Fin was on his way back and she said hey I have to go baby, Fin's coming back. He said goodbye and he'd call later again when he got a chance. As Fin sat down, she said no don't worry about me, just you focus on them. I'll talk to you over the holidays. He said goodbye again and I miss you. Yeah, me too she replied. Talk to you soon babe and they hung up.
Who was that asked Fin? Oh, just my friend from the other night, she's in town today and wanted to meet up, but I told her I can't as we've got this case. Hey if you wanna go see her for a bit I'll stay late, she said, no honestly, it's OK. She's going to see her grandparents then heading home, but I'll phone her over the weekend, and I might call and visit her next week for a coffee when I'm off. Good plan. Thanks Fin she said. She felt guilty for lying to him but she wasn't sure how things would pan out, and what would happen if Olivia and the bosses at the top found out so they wanted to keep things quiet for now, see how things went, although for Amanda, shit was getting serious, she was pretty sure she was falling for Nick big time. She smiled and they ate their lunch.
Nick was walking around yet another shop with Zara, she had expensive tastes for a 7 year old. She couldn't decide what she wanted to buy her mum for Christmas. Now remember Zara, we're not going mad, just a small gift. I bought Mummy some perfume at the airport, so you just need to pick one more thing. OK daddy, she walked over to the jewellery counter, and while she looked at watches Nick found himself looking at the Pandora bracelets and charms His eyes kept going back to 2 charms, one, had the year on it, the 2nd was a Christmas tree. He walked away, and Zara said she wanted to buy her mum a watch. OK which one mi hija? How much is that one, Do I have enough for that? He looked at the price tag, $25 yes you have enough. Yay she said, then that one. She didn't really have enough but of course he would be putting the rest to the cost, not that she would now. She had gone to look at other items and the cashier asked is that all sir, he said yes, then his thoughts went back to the bracelet and charms…. Actually, no, sorry, can I get this bracelet and these charms please, he pointed out the ones he wanted. Yes certainly, would you like them wrapped? Ermm, no not just yet, just in a gift bag please he replied. As he paid Zara came back up beside him. The cashier asked did he want the items in the same bag, no, no he said. Separate bags please. Are they both for mummy? Zara asked. No bebita, just the watch for your mum. The cashier looked at him and smiled. He smiled back saying, she's good at appearing at the wrong moment's, the girl said aren't all kids good at that. He smiled, yeah, hopefully she doesn't ask any more questions. She's a lucky lady whoever she is replied the cashier. Yes he smiled, she's very special indeed. Zara re-appeared and Nick handed her the bag for her mum. Is the other bag for me she asked? No bebita this one is for me. Who is it for daddy? I'm doing a message for uncle Fin bebita, that's all. Oh OK.
They went and picked Gil up and then headed to the Christmas Fare and bought a few other things. They asked him to buy a decoration for their abuelita, and Zara saw a teddy that she said baby Noah would like, Gil wanted to get him a toy car. Nick took lots of photos and sent one of him and the 2 kids to Amanda. He text underneath, wishing you were here with me mi cariño xo He then said right let's go for some dinner then it's time for mass.
After dropping the kids back off to their houses Nick looked at his phone. It was 7pm, so 10pm back in New York. He looked at his phone and saw a text from earlier. It was from Amanda, she said wish I was with you too. Talk soon x he replied back are you busy and she replied, just woke up. He felt worried, give me 10mins and I'll call you x
*a few hours earlier*
Back at the station the victim gave her statement and done the line-up. She picked the attacker and Fin sorted the paperwork for Barba for Monday morning. It was 3.30pm and Fin said, right I'm heading off Rollins, just as he was about to get his coat the Chief came in. Hey you two, just thought I'd call by and see how things were going. Fin said yeah, we've just wrapped up the case from this morning, I'm heading off home now. He turned to Amanda, how about you Rollins? She said yeah, I'm on call tonight, and tomorrow but I need to go to the bunk room and get a few hours kip chief, me and Fin have been at it since after 5 this morning. He looked round the room and said, hey, there's still a good cover here, why don't you head home too. These guys have got your number you need some shut eye at some stage. She looked at him then Fin, Fin said good, cause she needs sleep and those bunks aren't exactly comfortable. The chief said yeah, I'd agree with that, go on, hopefully it's quiet the rest of the shift and for tomorrow. She said yeah, thanks chief. He said no thank you guys, come on I'll walk out with you. They got into the elevator and headed to the garage, They said their goodbyes to the Chief, Amanda wished him a Merry Christmas, and he wished her the same. He was going round the other 2 stations then heading home.
When he left Fin said, quick get into the car and go before he changes his mind. Amanda laughed and said yeah. She gave Fin a hug, wished him a happy Christmas then drove home. She stopped off at Nick's to set the timer for his lights then went home and headed straight to bed. She checked her phone and saw a message from Nick, she opened it, smiled at the photo and replied. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.
She woke up a few hours later to darkness. Confused she had to think about where she was and why she was there. Realising what was going on, she got up and went into the living room and switched the Christmas tree lights on. She stood back and stared and smiled. She had that pang again at missing Nick. Jeez I have it bad she said to herself. She went to the kitchen and started to make something to eat. While sitting at the table, she got a text from Nick, she replied back, and he said he'd ring in 10mins. She looked at the time, he should be at Maria's still, she wondered what was wrong.