Hey everyone!

So I remembered to post finally. It's been a rough week and then saw a movie that messed with my head. Big thanks to everyone still reading this. Means a lot.

Lots of Love,

LM xxxx

A New Family, a New Future-Part 26:

Jane knew Louisa was struggling with being confined to the apartment and sighed as she spoke to Hope.

"She wants to go and explore but I'm worried in case they follow us here," Jane said, "she wants to see a Broadway show."

"Jane I can handle a gun. Paddy taught me and if we take a plain clothes officer then she'll be OK. If you give me authorisation then I can shoot if there is a threat to her life. I can protect her Jane," Hope said, "I would not let anything happen to her because it would happen to me first."

Jane tore her eyes away from the skyline and looked at Hope,

"You'd protect her as if she were Maura or Cailin…?"

"Yes I would. Paddy and I may never have been together officially but I did love him," Hope said, "and she's related to him so yes I would if it meant she was safe."

Jane stood there; lost for words. That was something that never really happened with the Italian. It was that much of a shocker that Maura walked in and paused.

"Jane close your mouth. You are a human not a fish," she said and Hope just burst out laughing and the tension seemed to rather quickly defuse.

"Hope said if she can have her gun and permission to shoot anyone who tries to take Lou and a plain clothes officer then she will take Louisa out into Manhattan and to a Broadway show," Jane managed to get her words out and then it was Maura's turn to look like a fish.

"Maura close your mouth. You are not a fish," Jane smirked before being swatted by Maura.

"Hope…why would you do that…?" Maura asked.

"Because I still love Paddy and she's his blood relative," Hope explained, "so those are my conditions."

So the next day Louisa was heading out to the shopping area of Manhattan with Hope and a plain clothed detective.

"Can we go to Macy's?" Louisa instantly asked.

"Yes it's on the list of places you discussed with Maura last night and we are going to see Wicked…"

Hope wasn't allowed to say any more because a squeal came from Louisa and she hugged Hope so tight.

Seeing as Louisa wanted to go to Macy's first Hope managed to alert the detective through the discreet communication system that they would be heading to Macy's first. That was a Maura influence for sure, however Hope said she and Constance both went there. It was clear that when it came to clothes Louisa had inherited Maura's side of the family's clothes tastes and Hope knew that pleased Maura greatly.

The two walked into Macy's and Hope remembered what Maura had said Louisa needed and began to show her a few things and soon they had a few outfits together and Hope arranged for the bags to be taken back to the apartment before she and Louisa moved onto the next store and she was always on alert in case of any threat to Louisa but there appeared to be none. The fact that they were in a built up area meant that even if they were found they blended in so it wasn't that bad.

The day wore on and eventually the two ended up at a restaurant that Jane had made a reservation for. Louisa could barely contain her excitement and the meal time left enough time for a walk along Broadway before the show started. Hope knew Louisa was just making the best of a situation she had no control over and that pleased her greatly. Knowing Jane and Maura helped because as soon as Jane and Maura were involved things suddenly took a whole lot less time to sort out.

Hope actually held Louisa's hand as they walked up and down Broadway and Louisa just drank all the sights and sounds of the famous place. She looked around and pointed things out to Hope, triggering memories for the older woman of a little, excited Louisa at anything new. She held a secret, a secret that would shatter everything but she was going to keep it a secret and she checked the time.

"We'd better head to the theatre," she said and the two began to head towards the theatre and were in a balcony seat as it was easier for the detective to be able to keep an eye on the two and he could get to them if needs be.

Louisa sat there and squealed as the show started and she didn't take her eyes off the stage. She knew all the words of course and when Popular started the teenager's sassy side showed and she sang the song word perfect.

Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I

And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?

My tender heart tends to start to bleed

And when someone needs a makeover I simply have to take over

I know I know exactly what they need

And even in your case, though it's the toughest case I've yet to face

Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed, follow my lead

And yes, indeed, you will be

Popular, you're gonna be popular

I'll teach you the proper poise when you talk to boys

Little ways to flirt and flounce, ooh!

I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair

Everything that really counts to be—

Popular, I'll help you be popular

You'll hang with the right cohorts, you'll be good at sports

Know the slang you've got to know

So let's start cause you've got an awfully long way to go

Don't be offended by my frank analysis

Think of it as personality dialysis

Now that I've chosen to be come a pal

A sister and adviser, there's nobody wiser

Not when it comes to—

Popular, I know about popular

And with an assist from me to be who you'll be

Instead of dreary who-you-were, (well, are)

There's nothing that can stop you from becoming popu-ler... lar

La la, la la

We're gonna make you popular

When I see depressing creatures

With unprepossessing features

I remind them on their own behalf

To think of

Celebrated heads of state or

Especially great communicators

Did they have brains or knowledge?

Don't make me laugh!

They were popular! Please, it's all about popular

It's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed

So it's very shrewd to be

Very very popular like me

Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you. You're beautiful!

I...I have to go

You're welcome...

And though you protest your disinterest

I know clandestinely

You're gonna grin and bear it: your newfound popularity

La la, la la

You'll be popular

Just not as quite as popular as me!

Hope just stared and watched, recording a little to send to Jane and Maura and Angela and Cailin as well.

All too soon for Louisa's liking it was time to head back to the apartment and Louisa sat and told everyone what they had been up to that day and then she was sent to do some schoolwork.

"Thanks for doing that," Maura said, "you have permission to take her out again tomorrow, same procedures. A library though this time so she can get some schoolwork done but be outside as well."

"She shouldn't have to be trapped if we take precautions," Jane said before going and making herself a coffee before Hope and Angela went to bed, leaving Jane and Maura to head back to the NYPD for another update hoping they'd soon be able to return home to Boston.