Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own CSI. But I do own the McCarty's! (Claps hands like London Tipton then rolls eyes.)
(Hey you guys get a fancy font!)Previously on Who I Am: "What do you mean I have a new grandchild?" His mother yelled into the phone. Wincing he pulled the phone back slightly now glad that he decided to make this phone call outside. Not that it would matter though from all the activities that they have been doing Auggie has been sleeping like a rock.
"I mean what I said. I adopted a little girl who needed my help. I wasn't going to allow Auggie to be thrown from foster home to foster home for the next twelve years till she was eighteen." Nick retorted back though instantly regretting it. His mama was probably in shock and he didn't make things any better by being snappish.
"I'm sorry Poncho. We're just in shock that is all. You shouldn't spring this type of news on us all of a sudden. Our hearts aren't what they used to be you know." Nick's father said after gently taking the phone from his wife.
"It's alright Cisco. I'm a little tired that is all." Nick said rubbing his eyes.
"How old is this little girl, Abby, anyway?"
"Auggie, or August is her full name, is four."
"But are you sure about this, right?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that? Yes I'm perfectly sure about this." Nick said exasperatedly and rolling his eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I'll be up by Tuesday so don't do anything drastic." His mother said sternly. Nicky looked at his phone in amazement wondering how she knew.
"Mama, you don't have to I have it under control." Nicky said hastily after a moment.
"Nonsense, I want to and that's final. So don't even think about arguing." Sometimes Nicky really forgot how much his mother knew him so well.
"Yes Mama. Love you."
"Love you too Poncho. Happy 30th Birthday Now get some sleep you've got a little one to look after now." Bill said softly
"Night Bye."
"Buh-Bye" was the last thing Nick heard before hanging up his cell phone.
Chapter 7: Home, Oh Mother!
The rest of the week end passed uneventfully and before Nick or Auggie knew it they were heading home. Nick for one was nervous to see what his friends did to his house but had complete and total trust into them.
The reformation on his house was beautiful. Everything that was sharp or breakable was moved up onto handmade oak shelves all throughout the house. The cabinets, fridge, and the medicine cabinet now had child proof locks on them along with a child proof handle on the basement door so if a certain little girl got curious she wasn't able to get down there. In his bedroom there was now a digital number code safe under his bedroom table for him to put his gun in it and Auggie can't hurt herself. Plastic covers covered the glass edges on his glass tables and plastic plug in were placed in the outlets so Auggie wouldn't get electrocuted.
The biggest change though was to the second bedroom. The walls were now murals of a field with grazing and running horses. The window treatment was a warm brown color and the cushion was a nice burgundy. In the corner was a full sized bed with already made horseshoe pattern sheets pillow and comforter along with a guard rail so if Auggie rolled too close to the edge she wouldn't fall off the edge. What he really loved though was above the bed was a hand painted chestnut horse head with a black mane with a horseshoe under the neck. At the end of the bed there was a chest that had toys in it mostly stuffed animals but also a few Barbie dolls. (He can see those coming back to nip him in the butt later.) Next to the door but not close enough for the door to hit it was the set of drawers in here before but had a new stain to it.
He was at a loss for words. The gift they gave him was more than he could ask for. Auggie gave squeal in his ear so loud that he almost dropped her. Slowly he put her down and watched her bounce on the bed with a million watt smile. Hand was gently placed on his shoulder. He turned his head carefully to see Warrick give him a smile.
"Happy Birthday man" Warrick told him gently.
"Thank you so much." Nick told him a whisper watching Auggie bounce on the bed. "Auggie no bouncing on the bed." He added as an afterthought.
"Okay, Daddy." She said still smiling "Uncle Warrick!" She hopped off the bed and ran into his open arms. Nick would have said something but he knew she was just excited on seeing Warrick since Friday.
"Hey squirt. How was your weekend?" he asked her, hoisting her onto his hip. She was really light for her age.
"I was great! Daddy took me on a horsie down a trail. And he's teaching me how to swim." She told him still grinning like a mad woman.
"That's great Auggie! Before you know it you will be better than all of us on a horse." He told her giving her a big smile in return. You couldn't really frown around this girl unless you really tried.
"She's already better than you." Nick retorted to Warrick elbowing him in the ribs. His best friend elbowed him back with his free arm.
"Some of us don't grow up in Austin, Texas." Warrick told Auggie in a stage whisper. She gave a little giggle at the statement. Nick put on a pout and they both laughed at him.
Warrick stayed for another hour showing Nick the other stuff he didn't see on the way in. He also gave Nick a piece of paper that had the code for the safe on his bedside. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing and unpacking from their weekend. Nick was surprised to see that Auggie's dresser was fully stocked with what seemed to be Lindsay's old clothes from that age. That afternoon Nicky put Auggie down for a nap in her new bed glad to see that she snuggled up to a stuffed wolf.
After Nicky put Auggie down for her nap, scavenged through his pocket till he found the number for the school Auggie would be attending if the adoption went through and he was sure that it would. He grabbed his phone and was about to dial the number when the phone rang.
"Stokes residence." Nick said into the receiver as he walked out of the bedroom.
"Yes is Nick Stokes there?" a female voice on the other end asked light.
"This is he." he said checking in on Auggie quietly before moving to the living room.
"Sir, this is Cael Porta from Child Services letting you know that your paper work did go through and is approved." she told him happily, Nick sat down in a seat heavily in shock and joy.
"That's great! Thank you." He said, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"You're Welcome. Someone should be by tomorrow to check out the house tomorrow and run through the trial period with you." she told him after a moment of silence.
"Alright thanks. When should I be expecting them?"
"Around one tomorrow afternoon. Have a good day sir." she told Nick.
"Thanks again. Good-bye" He said, hanging up and leaning back in the chair. He couldn't believe it Auggie was his daughter now. That little girl in the next room was his, all his. A single tear slid down his left cheek in happiness, a smile illuminating his face. Looking down at his hand saw the card in his hand and started to dial again without interruption this time. The phone rang four times before someone answered.
"Sun Valley Elementary School." An alto voice answered, Nick guessed it was the secrartary.
"Hi my name is Nick Stokes and I would like to register my daughter to go to your school." Nick said to her that smile still on his face.
"One minute please and I'll put you on with the principal." She told him before some cheesy music started to play.
Tuesday, August 21st, 2000
Nick and Auggie awoke to a loud knocking on the door making them both groan. Nicky slowly made his was out of the warm bed and towards the door that sounds like it was about to break. He gave a groan only his mother would risk waking a four year old this early in the morning.
"Nicolas Stokes! Open this door now!" His mother screeched pounding on the door and then ringing the door bell. Why did he put a door bell in again? Nick asked himself. Quietly as he could he opened the door and made a silencing motion with his finger.
"Please keep it down, mom. Auggie is still asleep and I would like to let her sleep in for a few more hours while I get ready." Nick told her taking her bags from her and leading her into the house. Behind his back Carol gave a smile he already had the parenting instincts kicking in.
"I'm sorry Nicky. I just thought you would be up by now since you were last time I saw you." She told him smiling as she took a seat on the couch. Nick shook his head in silent mirth.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long! Instead of dragging on why I was busy or got distracted. I'm making it up to you guys by giving you a preview of what it to come on Who I Am. Coming up the BAU team visits, Nick get kidnapped, and what goes on when Warrick dies. (The last one I'm putting of as long as possible.) Happy Memorial Day!
BAU Team:
John F. Kennedy once said "If we cannot end our differences, at least we can make the world safe for diversity."
Monday, June 28th, 2004, 11:30
It was the fifth dead body of a little girl in two weeks. Each one between 4 to 9 years old in age with their dirty blonde hair in pigtails. All wearing a white flower embroided dress that at the top had a red two inch seam that went all the way around and went down to the bottom at the spine. All those girls so full of light, innocence and laughter killed with a look of horror on their face. Nick couldn't shake this horrible and awful sensation that these girls who looked like his daughter; it was like Auggie could be next. Fortunately for him Auggie was on summer vacation and he can keep her close for the most part.
"Gris, what are we going to do about this guy?" Nick asked his wise colleague in front of him. (Auggie was currently rocking out with her Uncle Greggo in his lab.) Sighing Gil looked like he was about to regret what he was going to tell Nick.
"I am really reluctant to say it but I've called in the FBI for help." He told him with a bitter face, like he just took a bite from a lemon.
Grave Danger:
"Flip a coin for it." Warrick said, Nick was already getting the coin out of his pocket.
"Where's Auggie when I need her. Sure. Tails" Nick said when the coin was in the air. The reason he wanted Auggie is because she had the knack for the chances when it came to her Uncle Warrick. ( Warrick or Auggie for that matter was yet to tell Nick that Auggie's so adoring god-father was teaching her the way of gambling and chances.)
"Have fun with the trash run man."
"I'd do two out of three, but you've got a gamblin' problem." Warrick gave a laugh. "You know what you keep this its bad luck." Nick said tossing Warrick the coin.