Alright well here's the latest. I don't know how the hell this fic has made it to 100 chapters already, this is officially the longest thing I've ever written and that kinda scares/thrills me. I've still got more coming, who knows how long this will get to by the end but as long as it gets interest I'll keep writing. :)
Speaking of, noticed some new favoriting and following going on so thank you SO much for that.
Also lipamo, indigo and Terzima thanks so much for the reviewage! Bookworm, your latest stories/updates have been fantastic and a few may or may not have made me cry. Proper reviewage though is forthcoming.
Anyway, take this as you will. I enjoyed writing this segment more than I expected to. Blame my Brody love. :)
More to come soon!
After Brody unlocked the door Farrah darted past him, jumped onto the bed to sit beside Carrie. Throwing her arms around her tightly.
"Looks like someone sure missed someone.", Brody smiled as Carrie sniffed, held the girl tighter before letting go.
"You finish packing?"
"Almost. Brody was just helping me."
Nodding, trying not to tear up Farrah bowed her head, fiddled with the corner of the comforter.
"Farrah?"
Slipping an arm around her Carrie tried not to break down when Farrah climbed back onto her lap. Clung onto her for dear life.
"Shh. It's okay. It's okay.", Carrie soothed, rubbing her back before glancing tearfully at Brody who took his cue, cleared his throat and sat at the foot of the bed.
"Hey listen, Farrah. Tomorrow after I drop Carrie off-"
"And I start my assignment..", Carrie filled in.
"Right. I was thinking maybe I'd set up a picnic lunch at the community center. In the library? You, me, Zahira, the imam, some of your friends could be there."
"Picnic?", Farrah frowned, turning slightly to look at him as she wiped her nose on her sleeve.
"Yeah. I'll bring a blanket. Make some sandwiches, fruit salad. Maybe some chocolate chip cookies with M&M's?", he asked enthusiastically, getting a halfhearted shrug.
"Okay.", Farrah sighed, snuggling closer to Carrie.
"What, that doesn't sound fun?", she asked.
Sniffling again, Farrah choked out about wanting Carrie there too. Speaking in Arabic assuming Brody couldn't understand her. She looked up in surprise though when he piped up in the same tongue. Said he wished the same thing could happen.
"hal tatakallam al-lughah al-'arabīyah?, Farrah asked curiously.
"na'am, qalīlan. Yes, a little.", Brody said, but added he didn't speak Arabic very well and was hoping she could give him lessons.
"Dana, she ask for lessons too."
"She did?", he asked, getting a nod.
"Yes, I teach her drawing too!", Farrah chirped.
"Taught her to draw.", Carrie corrected.
"Taught to draw."
Pulling out the sketch she and Dana had been working on downstairs Farrah handed it over to Carrie.
"Oh Farrah, it's beautiful!"
"It is for you. For your as..assign..."
"Assignment."
"Assignment.", the girl repeated.
"Good job!", Carrie praised, looking at the drawing and tearing up.
"Assignment, wait until after picnic?"
"No, Farrah. It can't.", she sighed as Farrah's face fell even more.
"But listen, we're going to have breakfast tomorrow before I go, right? Pancakes?"
"Yes. We..have them."
The girl yawned before snuggling closer to Carrie. Prompting her to lean back against the bed pillows.
Seeing both their sets of eyes starting to droop, Brody shifted off the bed, went to grab a blanket off a chair, but then remembered Farrah's menagerie of stuffed animals and stepped across the hall to Ruby and Josie's room, asked for and got Farrah's backpack.
Unzipping it he grabbed Merriweather and Marvin, along with Calvin who'd run over to him, started purring.
On the walk back to the guestroom he overheard Carrie singing Farrah to sleep. Growing emotional, but managing to get himself together, Brody went to open the door when the lullaby concluded, but felt claws sink into his upper arm and let out a yell. Sending a now spooked Calvin sprinting off down the hallway.
"Motherfucking..Calvin!", he growled, realizing the cat had drawn blood. Cutting over to the bathroom he cleaned and treated the scratch down his arm, then made his way back to the guestroom.
But by the time he got there Carrie and Farrah were curled up alongside each other, fast asleep.
Approaching the bed he tucked the plush cats under Farrah's arm, then draped the blanket on her and Carrie both before stepping out as quietly as he'd entered.
Descending the staircase, far from tired but feeling thirsty, Brody spotted Dana curled up on the living room couch. After draping a nearby throw over her, he walked into the kitchen and saw the overhead light on and Maggie sitting at the table, absentmindedly thumbing through a magazine.
"Getting caught up on some reading?"
"I guess you could say that.", she sighed, flipping it shut.
"Is Carrie asleep?"
"Last I checked."
"Good."
"She sang Farrah to sleep then conked out next to her."
"I'm glad. They could both use the rest."
Getting to her feet Maggie went over to the refrigerator. Grabbed a plate draped in plastic wrap that was housing leftover cheesecake. Reaching into the silverware drawer she looked over her shoulder at Brody.
"Would you like some?"
"Please.", he grinned, taking a fork from her before she uncovered the dish, set it down between them before sitting down across from him.
"It's one of my worst vices. Stress eating.", Maggie sighed, getting a light laugh.
"Hey there's worse ways to cope, right?"
After eating a forkful Brody got a ravenous look on his face.
"Motherfuc...sorry."
"It's fine. I can consider that a positive reaction though, right?"
"Extremely positive. Shit."
Rolling his eyes, embarrassed he shook his head.
"Jesus, excuse my French."
"No, it's okay. Between my dad and Carrie believe me, I'm plenty used to it."
Maggie smiled before going serious.
"Speaking of which, I'm sorry for how he behaved on the porch."
"Don't, there's no need to apologize."
"I tried to explain things to him. I told him you're not the enemy."
"This time.", Brody reminded.
"Right. But even so he still.."
"Maggie really, it's fine. I have a daughter too. If any guy put her through half the bullshit I've put Carrie through I'd have beaten him to a bloody pulp.", he said sincerely.
"Well not to change the subject but Dana's a sweet girl. She and Ruby really hit it off. They were Instagramming earlier."
"Sorry, instawhatting?"
"Instagram. It's like a photo editing and sharing site."
"Ah. Do you do it?"
"Are you kidding?", Maggie snorted.
"Sorry, thought it was like, Youtube. You know that's a funny video."
"Wow. And I thought I was behind the times.", she chuckled as he shrugged, ate some more cake.
"Anyway. It was nice to see Ruby making friends. She's on the shy side. I know your daughter's older but, she made an effort to get to know her. Seems she's got a good heart."
"Yeah. She does. You can thank her mom for that though. That's all Jessica."
"I don't know. Dana seems like a bit of a daddy's girl to me.", Maggie said knowingly as Brody's smile went solemn.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subj-"
"No, it's not that. I was just thinking of something else, I..."
Figuring he'd just bite the bullet and ask, he swallowed his bite of cake then spoke.
"Look, in your professional opinion. Carrie's decision, what she's doing because of the pregnancy..."
"You mean the hospital."
"Yeah. Is her going to such an extreme really fucking necessary? I mean of course I want what's best for her, the baby, but is a stay at the psych ward really...", he trailed off as Maggie sighed,nodded in understanding.
"I'm not going so far as to say it's excessive. Carrie's being proactive about her health which is good. And her motivations for what she's done, there's a lot of factors at play. You, Farrah..."
"Yeah, she's said as much."
"As screwed up as it sounds, the timing of everything is actually ideal. She's not that far along yet so her stay will overlap with what will be the rougher part of the pregnancy for her. And the baby and her mental health are going to have top priority. She'll be in a stable environment, get a routine, some structure. Her meds can be properly monitored, adjusted."
"I understand the benefits it'll offer her but, for Christ's sake. It's not like she's booking a stay at Club Med here. It's the goddamn psych ward. How long can she hold out in a fucking hospital without getting depressed or frustrated or wanting to climb the walls?", Brody asked, flashing back on his times spent in cells and holes and how similar the environments could be to a locked ward.
"I just...shouldn't her emotional health and well being, general state of mind be taken into consideration too?"
"Brody, I have considered it. Believe me, it's my biggest concern.", Maggie sighed. Taking a particularly large forkful of cheesecake.
"I'm sickened at her being separated from Farrah. I mean I know you love that girl like she's your own but..."
"But I'm not her mother. I know."
"As Carrie's doctor, I'm for it. As her sister, I absolutely hate what she's decided, putting herself through. But she has decided."
"No, I understand. I do. I just wish to God I wasn't part of the fucking reason she..."
Setting down his fork Brody plopped his head in his hands, prompting Maggie to reach across the table, rub his shoulder.
"I know."
Feeling the sympathy in the gesture he sat up, looked up at her in surprise, semi-awe.
"Jesus. You know you and Carrie are more alike than you know."
"How so?", Maggie asked, amused.
"You've both got every reason to hate the sight of me yet somehow..."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better I did, for awhile. Hate you."
"Good, that's good to know.", Brody snorted, rolling his eyes playfully.
"But then I don't know, I thought about your situation and I began to hate that more. Carrie's hated it even longer. Luckily she was in a position to at least try and get you out of it. She did everything in her power to get you out of it. And now that she has..."
"I've got to make the most of that."
"Just be there for Carrie, Brody. That's all I ask."
"I have a choice?", he lightly laughed, taking another bite of cake.
"So tomorrow, you're absolutely sure there won't be any surprises. Nothing tacked onto her sentence, bogus rulings."
"As far as I can tell everything's under control. I mean you didn't press charges-"
"And I don't plan to."
"She pled guilty so it won't go to trial. I doubt her stay will exceed five months."
"Five...? For Christ's sake."
"I know, it feels like a lot but-"
"But it's not the state pen."
"It's also the same hospital she stayed at the last time...so, that should help."
"What about visitation? Can I see her? Can Farrah?"
"You, yes. But Farrah..."
At the look on her face, Brody frowned.
"Maggie she's upstairs right now clinging to Carrie for dear life."
"I know, but Carrie was very specific. She doesn't want Farrah inside the psych ward. Period."
"She's going to be lost without her."
"Who's going to be lost without who?", Maggie asked rhetorically, before swallowing hard. Forcing herself to bring up the next subject.
"Look, I know Carrie's asked you to take care of Farrah. And I know you're certainly capable of it, but..."
"But what?"
"I think she should stay here, Brody. The guestroom is already made up. She can be with the girls, Danny, me, my dad. And you can come over and visit, stay as often as you like."
"No, Maggie.", Brody refused.
"But..."
"No. Look, Carrie got me cleared primarily so someone she trusts can stay with Farrah."
"She trusts me!"
"Of course she does, Jesus. I know that. But she specifically asked me to take care of Farrah and I'm going to fucking do it. I appreciate the offer, and I probably will have you take her a few nights here and there, but there's no way I'm backing out of the one thing she's asked me to do."
"Well, if you're sure."
"I am. One hundred percent.", he insisted as a smile crept onto his face.
"Besides, it's not like I couldn't use the practice."
"That's right.", Maggie grinned.
"I mean, shit. I still can't believe it."
Smile fading slightly Brody took another forkful of cheesecake.
"I mean after she lost. I never thought she'd consider..."
"Neither did I. But, I mean I know a baby's not going to be a walk in the park but after seeing Carrie with Farrah. That girl grounds her so much. Another girl or boy will just add to that."
When Brody's smile faded all together Maggie frowned curiously at him.
"What?"
"Just, that word. Grounding. I..I don't like the sound of that. The idea of that."
"Brody it's not like I'm saying she's a teenager with a curfew. I'm saying her condition evens out when she's with.."
"I know that. But there's evening her out and then there's trapping her."
"Hey, you know that she was willing to leave the CIA to be with you."
"I know she was."
"And she loves Farrah. And will love your baby."
"I'm not saying she won't, but I'm saying she loves her job too. I know it was her choice to burn bridges with the Agency and maybe now she's fine with it. But what about three years from now, when she's got two kids and she's restless or bored, fucking resentful. What if she thinks she's made the wrong decision?"
"Brody, there's only so much you can navigate Carrie's thought process, okay? There's only so much any of us can."
"I just don't want to see her with regrets. Stuck in a fucking hole she can't get out of. I couldn't live with myself if that happened."
"Well, maybe she won't be in as much of a career-less hole as we thought."
"What does that mean?", Brody asked.
"I mean, after Carrie's situation with the CIA the first time, Saul told me there was no way she'd ever set foot at Langley again."
"But then she became my handler."
"Danny told me she was run off book. And he doesn't see why in situations down the line the same thing can't be done."
"Wait, I mean I know he's the big man in charge now but.."
"But...Saul and Carrie are both invaluable to the Agency."
"Well Saul can come back."
"It's doubtful he will."
"Really?"
"I've been talking to Mira. I guess Saul's told her more than once in recent years if he was ever critically injured on the job, almost lost his life, if he recovered he'd retire to put her fears to rest."
"So what, if Saul wakes up Danny would consult with him? And Carrie?"
"If the situation warranted it, yes. They're both brilliant at what they do and could be good resources for him. Also Virgil said he could even use help with his freelancing."
"Carrie working with him and Max five days a week?", Brody laughed.
"It's something at least. Once the baby's born and things are settled, she may need something like that."
"Hey wasn't that the point I was trying to make five minutes ago?", he teased as she smirked.
"Well what's that they say about great minds?", Maggie asked before fighting back a yawn.
"You alright?", Brody asked.
"Yeah, just a little past my bedtime."
"Go on to bed then, I got this." Brody said, standing up to clear the empty cheesecake plate. After setting it in the sink he felt Maggie come up behind, hug him.
"Wow, offer to clean a plate and look what it gets me.", he laughed, turning around and hugging her back.
"Just do good by my sister, okay?"
"I will, Maggie. I swear it.", Brody assured as Maggie nodded. Pulling back she gave him a smile.
"You know we should do this again sometime."
"You bet. Chocolate cake next time though, okay?"
Rolling her eyes she said goodnight and stepped out before Brody turned, finished the dishes. Then went to find another couch, chair, part of the floor to sleep on not wanting to go upstairs, risk waking anyone up.
Only to hear footsteps and realize he had.
Frowning, he slowly went to leave the kitchen only to be met with a shove, pushed back against the refrigerator then passionately kissed.
Returning the favor until he went breathless, he shook his head, forced himself to pull back as she snickered.
"Carrie, Jesus...", he half laughed, half sighed in exasperation.
"Something wrong?"
"Is something..for Christ's sake, you were afraid they'd hear us in the guestroom! But the middle of the kitchen is alright?"
"I didn't say we were going to stay here..."
"Then where the fuck do you suggest we-"
"Settle down, sergeant.", she scoffed. Reaching under the countertop into the wine cooler, for a bottle of sparkling grape juice, she took Brody by the hand and led him down the hall.
"I know a place."