Chapter eight
"What are you talking about?" Erin asked.
"My buddies and I all worked together, until my ex, the baby's mother, died but how is my buddy who was in the bunny costume doing?"
"How many of you damn creeps are actually out there?" Anthony raised his voice.
"I was there with my kid at one of the places we hung out at" He told them
"When I heard the cops coming I ran and had to leave her behind.." Matteo continued.
"That does not explain why you got yourself arrested again later and what chance you have of getting her back now" Erin pushed for more.
"I've only had her a few weeks myself, I knew I would get caught anyway eventually after one of us did, it was a way to get to talk to you properly and more quick, I was never going to hurt anyone but my court date is soon and I will request a DNA test and make things difficult if things don't go my way and I had to be sure she was being looked after.
"So now you're blackmailing?" Anthony wanted to wipe the smile off his face.
Erin placed her hand on his shoulder..
"So you were there in the abandoned warehouse that day my brother and his partner showed up?" Erin asked him
He nodded.
That gave Erin an idea...
"We're done here for now" She told Anthony getting up.
Erin called Danny straight away and told him to meet her as soon as he could.
Danny called Baez to meet him at Erin's office
"What is it Danny asked?"
"Someone has come forward...as the baby's father" Erin told them gently.
"What..who?" Danny asked softly
"The guy who got taken in the other day over the twins, practically turned himself in" Erin told him
"Does he want her back?" Danny questioned
"No..I don't think so anyway he was toying with me" Erin said taking her glasses off
"No.." Maria said quietly.
"You have legal guardianship right now, I wouldn't worry yet.. I need to find out more " Erin sighed
"He was there, the one who left her there that day you found her, meeting his 'buddy' he heard you and ran off" Erin informed them.
Maria held Sofia closer..
"But how can we prove that, link him to yet another kidnapping and abandonment" Danny asked rhetorically
"I may have an idea.. hey Maria why don't you take her to the car I won't be long talking with Danny" Erin placed her hand on Maria's shoulder "If need be I will fight him on this" Erin assured her.
Baez was really quiet when they got home, Danny wasn't sure what to feel or do himself. They were tired and started getting ready for bed.
Danny held Maria close and comforted her as best as he could.
"I'll do whatever I can to fix this" he promised her. The three of them slept in the same room that night...
The next day Danny did not want to leave Sofia and Maria's side and they got ready for the Reagan Sunday dinner . Maria assured him she would be okay but was definitely still on edge herself.
Maria dressed her in a simple cute floral dress almost matching her own and placed her in her stroller.
"You both look beautiful" Danny complimented her.
"Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself" Maria blushed.
"Jack and Sean will meet us there, ready to go and introduce this little one?" Danny asked.
"Yeah let's go" Maria replied and they headed out the door.
Sunday Dinner
"Hey" Danny greeted them
Maria walked behind them with the stroller
"Everyone this is Sofia" Danny smiled
"She's so cute," Nikki said.
"How are you both holding up?" Erin asked rubbing Danny's arm
"It's all good," Danny smiled sadly.
Erin hugged Maria and they sat down to eat
"She is adorable" Eddie said looking over
"Sure is" Henry agreed
Sean and Jack came into the house and joined them
"Hey how was the easter egg hunt after service this morning?" Danny asked
"So cool, all those children are going to have a sugar high for sure" Jack laughed as he and Sean sat down.
"So this is the new addition" Jack asked smiling.
"This is Sofia..she's the coolest though" Sean introduced him to her and everyone laughed
"Everything ok?" Frank asked noticing something with Danny and Maria also Erin
The three of them hesitated for a second
Danny sighed "We may or may not have the father in the picture, the guy who wanted to speak to Erin"
"Seriously" Jamie asked
"Oh.." Henry added and Frank looked deep in thought
"It's complicated as of right now.." Erin explained
"And he only just came forward now?" Frank asked
"Yep" Danny said
"Something doesn't seem right there" Frank frowned
"Could he be lying? would he even have rights now?" Jamie asked
"Maybe and we don't know yet for sure, or what he's planning for definite yet but I'm on it" Erin told him
"I guess it isn't always nature over nurture" Eddie smiled at Maria and Danny
"As long as a child is loved and cared for nothing else matters" Henry said in his usually wise manner
Nikki and Erin had made a delicious dinner, Henry said grace and they began to eat.
Danny and Maria arrived back at their place after dinner. They went inside and prepared some formula before putting the baby to bed together.
Danny was about to say goodnight but Maria wanted to stay together again in Danny's room truth be told he wanted to just as much she placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him.
Danny gently pulled her closer and kissed her. Maria was a little surprised at first but knew she wanted this just as much... and kissed him back deeply.
TBC please review :)
