Chapter 218

Alex woke up to her phone ringing on the bedside table having no idea how much time had passed or what time it might be. Without opening her eyes she tried to get the device and answered the unknown caller ID, wondering who it would be that will call at 2AM on a weeknight.

"Hello?" She answered just above a whisper to not wake the sleeping baby but Asher started crying regardless and she made her way out of the room when Ryan got up to tend to his son. "Yes I know him, why?" She asked sitting down on the first step trying to stifle a yawn as she listened to the person on the other side talking. She listened until the officer was done speaking before putting the phone down. She walked downstairs and checked on her daughter who was singing to herself in the crib as sleep was the last thing on the almost two year old's mind.

"Why aren't you sleeping Phoebe Grace?" Alex asked walking into the room and Phoebe sat up in the crib pulling up her shoulders. A new trick her mother had no idea where she learned that – but it was kind of cute.

"No tired. I sing Bah-ney." She explained her singing in an attempt to get the purple dinosaur to sleep.

"Okay, well I'm sure Barney is sleeping and you should try and do the same." Alex suggested running a hand over her daughter's curled hair. "You wanna come sleep upstairs with us?" She asked and the enthusiastic nod she got made it clear that's what the little girls wants. She picked her up and carried her across the lounge and up the stairs towards their bedroom, earning a look from her husband when he saw the two of them appear in the doorway.

"Sleep a you dada." Phoebe explained getting comfortable in the middle of the bed, Alex checking up on Asher one last time before joining them in bed. Once Phoebe's breathing evened out a sign that she was fast asleep Ryan looked over at his wife. "Who was calling?" He asked barely above a whisper his voice sounding deeper than usual.

Alex sighed and pulled her legs closer towards her messing with a piece of string on the duvet. "Police. Luca's been arrested. Public intoxication." She summarized.

Ryan nodded not saying anything. "Are you going to get him in the morning?" He asked and Alex shook her head. "I went there yesterday and he was smoking pot and drinking. He offered me a blunt." She said as if she couldn't believe it. Ryan was about to turn of the light on his bedside when she continued talking , stopping him in his tracks. "It was my dad's birthday yesterday and Luca went off about how he never got to spend the day with him, and that I'm a murderer who didn't go to prison but got sent to India instead." She took a deep breath and then looked over to him. "Nadia heard everything." She said softly and Ryan closed his eyes and swallowed.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay." He said taking her hand in his running the pad of his thumb over her knuckles, but Alex shook her head, removing her hand from his grasp as she gets under the covers and turns her back on him. Wordlessly telling him that the conversation is over, as he turns of the light on his side of the bed. But decided against it. "Sweetheart no matter what happens I'm always gonna be here.'' He said looking at her back knowing she heard the words.

"I doubt that she'll keep it to herself." Alex whispered loud enough for him to hear. " I love the relationship I have with your family amd your mom and sisters but this is going to drive a wedge between all of you and it's gonna put you in the middle." She said looking at him as she turned around. "And if you end up batting for the wrong team I dont wanna have it on my conscience if you guys never speak to each other again."

"I'm batting for team Alex - all the way. We have a life together and if it comes to choosing between you and my sisters - which I hope wont be nessecary - sweetheart I'm choosing you." Ryan assured her looking into her eyes and she nodded slightly smiling up at him stifly.

Around 6AM Alex's phone rang again and she didn't even bother greeting to gear who the person on the other side was, she merely waited for whoever it was to start talking.

"Alex. Are you gonna come get me?" A panicked familiar voice came through the phone. "I know I said some terrible things last night but I can't stay here."

"Luc…

"Alex please! I don't have anyone else to call please just come get me." He said once again and without answering him Alex switched the phone off, looking over to see if Ryan and Phoebe were still sleeping. But her husband was laying awake looking at her and assuming that he heard their whole conversation, or the one side that he could make out he nodded his head and got out of bed washing his face and brushing his teeth before putting on some sweats and making his way over to the door.

Ryan drove down to the police station and talked to one of the officers behind the counter when he walked with him to the cell that Luca spent the night in. Making quick eye contact with the his brother in law and after signing some forms; the two of them walked outside without saying a word to one another. Prepared for the awkward car ride back home. "You wanna talk about what happened?" Ryan asked but Luca shook his head and Ryan left it at that, enduring the silent car ride until Luca realized where they were headed.

"Ryan, my sister's gonna kill me. I cannot go to your house right now." He panicked but Ryan shrugged. "Just following the instructions that she gave me." Ryan said as he got out and unlocked the front door waiting for Luca to enter first before he closed the door. Luca didn't move from where he stood in the lounge and when he saw Alex on the stairs he had no idea where to start but he didn't have to say anything because he knew she was about to start ranting.

"Do you want to die Luca? And you better answer me right about now before I spend any more money on trying to get you sober." Alex said calmly and he was surprised by how calm she sounded.

"Sobriety doesn't mean you get over everything at once Alex! And if that much of a hassle to you why did you opt to help me out? I never asked you to. Stop trying to right all your wrongs by trying to dictate my life." He said looking at Alex but his eyes shifted to the staircase when he saw his niece on the stairs.

"Luuuukiieee!" Phoebe said making her way down the stairs Luca waved at Phoebe slightly then gave Alex one last look as he headed towards the door .

"Luca Joseph Parrish, if you choose to walk out that door, I'm done being a good Samaritan in trying to help you from this point forward." Alex gave him the ultimatum. Luca scoffed and nodded his head walking towards the front door.

"Lukie wait a me!" Phoebe said running over to the door but by the time she reached the front door Luca already closed it, standing on the porch running a hand through his hair as he walked down towards the road.

Guys I am sorry but I just need to vent right now. I'm feeling heavy hearted and I feel like I need to let it out to the world put there (sorry for over sharing). Am I the only one who feels pressured to be in a relationship when all your friends are and you are the only single one? Like why do you need to be in a relationship to be seen as happy or fulfilled why can't you just go through life single and wait for the right person in stead of being forced into something you don't want to be in. Like when they go double dating – instead of letting them hok you up with someone because they want you to go with, why can't they go out on their own and leave you home alone because you told them that you are fine, and being a third wheel actually sucks. Like men does not define your ability as a woman that you need to be with a partner in order to be happy dammit! Okay I'm sorry I just felt like getting that off my ches, and if you agree with me or have advice or even disagree please let me know. Like I am an introvert and I am totally fine on my own – I enjoy my own company, watching This is Us with pizza and wine instead of clubbing. And one day whe I find the guy who is down to do the same and not want to get drunk everynight, I'm pretty certain I've found the one. Until then, leave me on my own you cannot force love.

Lastly there's a poet Aman Batra who has a poem called I don't have an anxiety problem, it's on YouTube. Check that out (it explains my whole situation.)

Damn that's a long ass paragraph and I'm sorry for venting. Thank you for reading.

Lovies-S

Seriously lastly, this wasn't supposed how it would end, I don't know how it'll unravel further, but I am in a shitload of pain right now so I'll think about this ending in the morning. FBI case coming up on the next one and then Phoebe's birthday.