Clear Blue Sky Ch. 20 – Epilogue
Evie couldn't believe that she was almost to the end of her pregnancy. The last few months have been emotional for her and Donovan, between the excitement of being pregnant, the stress of growing a human being, and of course the job.
But that wasn't the biggest stress in her life, it was the family that she married into. Donovan wanted to try to rebuild the bridge between him and his family, his mother she proved to be kindhearted, and actually gave a shit, but his father, he was a piece of work. She could see how it was affecting her husband.
Looking around her little office in HQ, she carefully got up and made her way towards the War Room. She could feel the baby kick, smiling down at her stomach, she gently rubbed herself. "Soon my little monster. Let me finish today, and I'll be all yours."
As she rounded the corner, Evie caught the eye of her son's future God Father. "Hey Hondo. What's going on?"
Looking up from the computer screen, he couldn't help but smile, his girl looked like she was swallowed a watermelon. Coming around the desk, he placed his hand on her stomach, feeling her son kick. "Not too much dixie. How are you feeling?"
Smiling up at him, she couldn't help but smile as the baby kicked, "Ready to have this baby." Letting out a content sigh as he rubbed her belly. Looking around, grateful that they were alone. "Hondo, my father-in-law is causing issues with my husband," letting out a sigh, "you had a complicated relationship with your dad, how did you start to rebuild that bridge?"
Rubbing her shoulder, "It's a little different, my daddy had a lot of faults, being a drunk wasn't his problem, he just bailed on us; started a new family." Taking a second to let her digest that information, "it wasn't easy, and it took years to start being able to build anything with him. I'm still working on a few things, but he kept proving to me and my ma that he wanted to be a part of our lives. It was him continually trying."
Letting her head lean back against his shoulder, "Mark doesn't really try. For the last few months, he says he'll stop drinking, but never does. I keep offering him to come to the house for dinner, and of course I get the yes, but he'll do a no show." Turning around she looked at her friend, "What should I do Hondo? I can tell it bothers him."
Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, he led her toward the cafeteria, "Sometimes interventions are required. A come to Jesus if you will." Opening the door to the café, "Cause then you at least know that you've tried everything."
Following him into the lunchroom, Evie sat down as Hondo got her lunch ready, she couldn't help but snort at the sight of him waiting on her hand and foot. "So, when are you and Nichelle going to give me a niece or nephew?" she teased.
Hondo couldn't help but laugh as he put the tofu stir-fry in front of her. "I don't know. We got married not too long ago, we haven't really discussed the when." Sitting down, it did make him wonder, when would be the right time to try.
Seeing his face go into his deep-thinking face, Evie bumped his shoulder, "Relax, you're going to be a great dad, if it's something that you want sooner rather than later, it's OK to talk to her about these things, it's not pushing her one way to have a conversation."
Kissing her temple, "You know I love you Dixie, right?"
Smiling around her fork, "Of course, I love you too Hondo."
The pair ate and talked, but all too soon the sound of the SWAT alarm going off had him jumping up and heading out the door.
Standing Evie quickly cleaned up their food and put everything back where it belonged. As she finished up washing the dishes, she knew that Hondo was right, an intervention, if Mark couldn't see that they were trying to include him, then to hell with him. She knew that addicts of any kind of vice needed to want to be helped, but also, they needed to want to change. It didn't matter what everyone around them wanted, the start of change needed to come from them.
Letting out a sigh, she dried her hands and reached for her phone. Smiling at the fact she picked up after only 2 rings.
"Is it time, you in labor?"
"Relax Marie, no, I need your help, I'm going to do an intervention on you ex, if he wants a chance to be in my son's life, I need to know that I've tried everything. Will you help?"
Letting out a loud sigh, Marie knew that this was important to her son, and obviously her daughter-in-law. "I will. But I will not sugar coat anything. I won't attack him, but interventions only work if everyone is honest."
"That's fair. Thank you. I'll see you tonight around 7 tonight."
"OK, I'll see you then." Taking a second to think on it, "Evelyn, I know that I'm still showing you and Donovan that I'm changing too, so I just wanted to say thank you for letting me."
Evie couldn't help but smile into the phone, "You are most welcome. I hope you know that we love having you back in our lives."
Wiping a tear from her face, "I love you both. I'll see you tonight."
"We love you too. See you."
Putting her phone in her pocket, Evie made her way back towards the war room, today was her last day, she was a week out from her delivery, and as much as she loved everyone here, there was no way she was going to have her water break in the middle of HQ.
Seeing the faces of Hicks and Lynch, she knew that whatever was happening in the city was bad, shaking her head clear of the fear and moved into position next to Hicks, ready to get to work as he needed.
Rocker was tired, after the long day, two different crews working together to rob banks. They were far more coordinated than most of the crews that they took on before, but between 20 Squad and 50 they were able to divide and concur. It was one thing that always gave SWAT the one up, you defend the city together for years, you know that the men and women that you go into hairy situations with will have your 6. Bangers put enough pressure on them, they will eventually turn on each other.
Stepping out of the shower, he quickly dressed and made his way out to the living room, not even surprised to see his mom, she was usually here weekly for Sunday dinner. As Evie put it, Sunday is a day for family. He couldn't have been happier that his mother took the chance to start rebuilding their relationship, while there were still things that he needed to work out, he knew that they were moving in the right direction, and that's all one anyone could do.
Walking over to his wife, he kissed her on head, "Hey baby. How was your last day at work?" Looking over at his mom, "Hi mom. What brings you by?"
Marie couldn't help but see how in love they were, she was grateful, for all her mistakes, she was able to find comfort that she didn't screw him up that he was a jerk to women or a drunk like his father. "Intervention, seems like your father is getting one."
His eyes darted towards his wife, "You actually got him to come?" He was almost in disbelief. His father has been asked for months to come to their home, but never actually showed, "How'd you manage that baby?" he asked.
Evie watched his face, she could see that he wasn't upset with her, which was good, she didn't want to intentionally piss off her husband. "I told him if he didn't, I'd hack into his financials and freeze his military benefits." Smirking at his face.
Sitting down next to her, "That my lovely wife, is illegal." Shaking his head at her method of persuasion.
Shrugging her shoulders, "I may have threatened, but I didn't actually do it, nor would I, I may be a great hacker, but there is no way I'm messing with anything from the DOD. I choose life." Leaning over, "He didn't need to know that I was bluffing."
Laughing at her, "Your kind of evil, I like it." Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her close, "I know that this is coming from a good place, but what makes you think that this is going to work?" he asked, both her and his mother.
Leaning into his chest, "I don't know if it's going to, but before I can say I did everything I could to help, I need to do everything I can. If this doesn't work, while heartbreaking, I will let him be." Hearing Hondo's words echoing in her head when she first started working at HQ, no matter what, you can't save everyone.
Hearing the doorbell, Evie couldn't help but feel a little tense to the whole thing, this was the first time Mark has been to the house, first time in almost 2 years since she seen the man, looking over at her husband, she could see the stress in his eyes.
Donovan took a deep breath, and looked over at his mother, he could see that she wasn't exactly thrilled to be in the same room with the man, but by the look she gave his wife, she was doing it for Evie. That was enough for him.
Standing up, he made his way towards the door, he would always love his father, while he was a drunk, he was still his dad, but if he didn't take this seriously, he wasn't going to continue to fight for his attention, his responsibilities as a father would be his top priority. Closing his eyes to center himself, he opened the door, seeing the face of a much older version of himself. "Hey Dad."
Looking up at his son, he could see that he was doing well for himself, "Hey Don."
Stepping aside, "Come on in." Locking the door behind him as he walked deeper into the house, he knew that his father was going to freak out seeing his mother, he was almost certain that the last time he saw her was when she handed him divorce papers almost 37 years ago.
Mark walked into the house, it was nice, large, open space, and wasn't overly pink, but as he looked around he found the face of the woman he lost years ago. "What are you doing here?" he snapped.
Marie couldn't help but roll her eyes, "It's time you hear your family, it's the least you can do, if you can't even do that, then you can go straight to hell."
Evie wanted to stand and greet the man, but it wasn't easy for her to jump up and stand, then sit back down. "Hello Mr. Rocker. I'm Evelyn Rocker." Giving him a small smile.
His eyes took her in, she was so small compared to his son, but those big green eyes pulled you in. Letting out a sigh, "I'm guessing this is an intervention?" Taking a seat on the opposite side of the couch.
Nodding, "Yes." Looking over at her husband, and her mother-in-law, they were watching with rapt attention. "I can't even imagine what in your life made you drink or continue to drink. You lost a wife; you have no relationship with your son." Taking a second to focus her thoughts, "I can almost understand not being able to come to a destination wedding, but when we got back, we invited everyone to our home for a celebration of our marriage, Marie was able to come, and she lived out of state, and still made time to come, but you, you live about 25 minutes from us, and you couldn't be bothered. If you don't start making an effort Mr. Rocker, I will not allow you to be in my son's life."
Placing a hand on her belly, she really didn't want it to sound like an ultimatum, but she knew that she wouldn't allow anyone to come and go in her child's life just to disappoint them.
Turning his blue eyes towards her, he could see that she was serious, "You'd keep me from my family?" Turning towards his son, "You'd allow that?" he asked, disbelief in his voice.
Donovan stared the man down, "Yes. I would stand by her. I love you dad, even with all your faults, but you were such a disappointment, I always had to make excuses to my friend of why you weren't there, at the time I did what I needed to, but I will not lie for you anymore, I'm a man now, and I'm going to be a father. My son's mental happiness is more important than keeping a relationship that you have no interest in trying to fix anymore. I'm sorry, but if you don't want help, don't think you need help, then you can go drink yourself into a hole, but you will not be in my life, I won't watch you kill yourself any longer." Making a move towards his wife, he sat down next to her, wrapping his arm around her, instinctively protecting her and their son.
Mark looked at the pair on the couch, he could see that they were very much a happy couple, and they both meant what they said, he wouldn't be a part of their lives. He could feel his eyes starting to water, blinking them away, he turned to his ex-wife, "You've been uncharacteristically quiet."
Marie stared at the man; she could see that he was at least taking this seriously, she really didn't have high hopes for him, but that wasn't what she needed to say to him or in front of her son. Locking eyes with the man, she kept quiet for a few moments, "Honestly, I think you're weak. You were the one that cheated, I just left, you took to drinking to cope with it. I got over the cheating a million years ago, but you obviously haven't, I forgive you, if that's what you need to hear, but you need to grow up, own your damn mistakes and face it like a man. Hiding in a bottle all these years is pathetic." Her eyes found her son, "I have no idea how you turned out so well, but I'm glad you did. I know it had nothing to do with either of us."
Turning her attention back to her ex, "I got their wedding invitation, which surprised the hell out of me, I knew I couldn't go all the way to Tennessee, but I called, I spoke to them, I took that moment to do what I could to earn my place in their lives, it wasn't easy, and I continue to do what I can to show them that I'm grateful for the chance that neither one of them had to give," letting out a sigh, "Mark you need to take this opportunity, or you truly will be alone, die alone, with no one to mourn you." Sitting back, Marie said what she needed, now it was on him.
Mark absorbed their words, and right now he just needed to leave, to think. "I thank you for doing this," standing up, "I don't want to make anymore broken promises, but I need to be alone and think. I'll call you in a few days." Turning to leave, he looked behind him, seeing their faces, "I am not just blowing you off, I truly need to see if this is something I can do. Goodnight."
Evie watched him leave, while it was a little disappointing that he couldn't commit to something in front of them, she could at least see that he took in their words, that's all she could have asked for, him to truly listen to them. Outside of that, there was nothing else anyone of them could do. Placing her hand on her husbands' shoulder, she didn't need to say anything, she knew that he either would do something, or he wouldn't, but at least they made their case.
About a week later, Evie got the call from Mark, he checked himself into a facility, he was going to stay for 90 days. Smiling as he apologized to her for not being there when the baby was going to be born, but he wanted to commit to his sobriety and meet his grandson sober. He said that he would call every week, to check in, and after he did 30 days would he want someone to come visit him, he wanted to show them that he was serious before they came.
She was proud, hell she even sent Donovan a letting him know that he was checked in. She couldn't help but smile at his response.
D.: Seems you have power over the Rocker men, I am in awe of your skills my beautiful wife. How are you feeling?
E.: Remember that baby. I'm fine for now, your son is restless, but that's nothing new. I hope he gets the memo that he needs to move.
D.: When I get home, I'll rub your feet. I'll try and talk him out.
E.: I've read that sex helps bring on labor, and I do like having sex with you.
D: I'm going to hold you too that. See you later tonight, I love you.
E.: I love you too.
Putting her phone away, Evie took care of the dishes, and finished up the cleaning the nursery. Looking around she was pleased however thing came out, the walls were a light grey, the accent wall a bit darker, and over the crib was pictures of 50 Squad.
Letting out a long sigh, Evie made her way out to the living room, she was ready tired, and unfortunately, she hated being in the bed alone. Laying down on the couch, she bunched up a bunch of pillows and put them under her back, hips, and legs doing whatever she could to get comfortable. Her last thought before sleep took her was the thought of meeting her son.
TIME JUMP 3 MONTHS
Donovan watched as his wife fed their son. It amazed him how she took to being a mother, he always felt like he was all thumbs with the whole thing, but every day she told him he was doing an amazing job, never once making him feel like he was an idiot.
Sitting in the chair across from her, "That is still the most amazing thing to see." Leaning down to kiss her lips. "I love you so much."
Evie couldn't help but look up at him. "I love you too." Carefully putting DJ in his arms, Evie took the time to go clean herself up.
Donovan watched her head off to the shower, looking down at his son, "She's an amazing wife, and mother, you're a very lucky kid." Quickly changing his diaper, he burped him and put him back in his arms. "She's honestly the most amazing person I know. She's selfless, and does the most amazing things, but her greatest accomplishment, outside of you little man, is saving my father."
He couldn't help but smile at the cooing that he did. This was the first time in the last 3 months that he felt the need to just talk about it.
Looking down, he couldn't help but smile, his son had his dark hair, but his eyes, were all his mother, that was going to cause so many issues for them when he was hitting puberty. Letting out a sigh, he couldn't help but laugh, "Your grandfather Mark has been sober for almost, 90 days, this is the first time in years." Kissing his head, "Tomorrow we are going to visit him, he's finally ready for some visitors, and meeting you is the only thing that he seems to talk about."
Donovan watched as his son started to doze off, he carefully put him in his crib, shutting the door he made his way into the bedroom only to find his wife fast asleep, quickly taking off his clothes, he gently got into bed, pulling her to his chest, while he knew that the next few days were going to be difficult because of his past with his father, he was grateful for a real chance to actually get to know him. As his eyes closed, his kissed her cheek, grateful that she found her way into his life, she mended his heart, and over the last 2 years she seemed to have mended his family.
For that he was grateful.