Joss sat with Harold and Grace as Leila and Maddie played. "So how was the trip home?" Grace asked as she handed Joss a ceramic mug full of coffee with just a dab of milk as she requested.
"Horrible; which is why I begged to come over so she could see you guys and Maddie could play with Leila this morning! Maddie is just devastated without John. She cried the entire drive to the airport, the entire time in the airport. By the time we boarded she tuckered herself out and slept for the plane ride home. But then when she woke up at the airport in New York, she cried all the way home in that taxi ride. I felt bad for the cabbie," Joss said as she leaned her head back, still filled with remorse and guilt. Her baby girl shouldn't be this heartbroken, momma should fix it and she just couldn't. Not yet at least.
"Oh dear," Harold murmured sadly.
Grace looked at Maddie who didn't seem her usual cheerful self. "Poor baby, so what are you and John going to do now?" she asked.
"He said he needed to do paperwork and have a debriefing about his case with his superior, then he's taking a few days off to come to New York for a visit and we can talk then. I already miss him. God knows Maddie does. Maddie has drawn inward and that's upsetting but I can't do anything until I can sit down with John and talk about our future. John even gave her his heart," Joss said miserably. It was lonely in her bed without John. Those last couple days with John on the cruise and sharing the bed had gotten her used to waking up in his arms.
Grace blinked, "Um what?" she wondered in obvious confusion. So Joss explained what John had done and said to Maddie and Grace's eyes misted over. "That man sometimes," Grace murmured as she rubbed her eyes. Harold rubbed her back affectionately.
"I know. He turned my insides into mush. Maddie was happy to be bestowed with something so special and is taking it very seriously. She tells him every time when they Skype or Facetime that she is keeping his heart safe and sound for him. And Taylor has been amazing with Skyping her a few extra times these last two days to try to cheer her up. It mostly works because Maddie adores Taylor to pieces but then when he hangs up she's mopey again. And when John Skype's her or Facetime's it's just a mess. Maddie doesn't want to let him end it. So we decided to start having the Skype calls at night before her bedtime so she falls asleep during them. It should be easier now."
"I have talked to John myself since the cruise ended. We talked about Richard and Selma, but we also touched on what happened between the two of you and about Maddie. He's miserable," Harold murmured.
He had been extremely upset to learn what Richard had tried to do with paying someone to kill Nigel Wixom and needed John's help to understand it. Didn't Richard care about his daughter one bit? John and he had talked for several hours about what happened; Harold had been embarrassed by the fact that he hadn't known. All this time he had known Richard and he never knew that he had been a controlling freak. Selma never gave any inkling and Richard played the role of perfect father rather well. It was incomprehensible to him how Richard could want to kill Nigel for supporting Selma in endeavors close to her heart. He would never forgive him and Richard could rot in prison for all he cared. He would make sure Selma wanted for nothing but Nigel promised that he was going to take good care of Selma and he believed him. Nigel looked at Selma much as he looked at Grace.
"I know. He looks miserable during our calls," Joss agreed taking no comfort in that because she knew she was as shabby looking too.
Grace rubbed her hand comfortingly. "So when did John say he could come to New York?" she asked softly, being very careful not to say his name too loud. Joss said Maddie was having a hard time and she didn't want to upset the baby any more than she already was.
"He flies in Friday afternoon sometime, I'd have to check the text for the exact time," Joss answered dejectedly, because it was only Wednesday and they had two more days of waiting.
"Well at least that's somewhat soon. Did you get time off from work to be with him?" Harold asked.
"Yes. I work later today and tomorrow and have Friday to Monday off thanks to Felicia. She nearly fell out of her chair when I asked for some time off."
Grace chuckled softly. "Well you have to admit Joss: it is a shock, you never ask for time off. Even for the cruise we had to take the matter into our own hands," she said fondly.
"Yea, Felicia is excited for me and Maddie. She wants to meet John." Joss murmured. She looked at Harold and Grace. "When John gets here I'm going to tell him I am willing to move to Washington D.C." she announced.
Grace blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"I don't want to move, but Maddie's happiness is more important than living in New York. I can get a job anywhere."
Harold shook his head. "Jocelyn, how about you let John come here on Friday and talk. You two need to talk about this before just deciding," he murmured. John had already told him about asking Ma'am for a transfer but he didn't want Joss to know until he knew if he could or if he had to quit his job. He wouldn't know anything further until he had his meeting with Control tomorrow.
"I agree with Harold, Joss. Let John come in to New York so you two pcan talk about things before making decisions. Maybe John would be able to transfer here or something," Grace said gently.
Joss nodded. "I wasn't going to put my two week notice in or put my place up for sale. I just meant my daughter's happiness means more to me than anything and she wants her daddy and I'm going to give her, her daddy one way or another," she said simply.
John rehearsed what he wanted to say to Control the entire morning. He had asked for a meeting with her and the secretary gave him one at one fifteen. He walked up to her closed door and knocked. He heard a gruff 'come in' and he proceeded.
Control looked up from her computer. "Reese, what do you want?" she asked.
"I needed to talk to you Ma'am," he admitted.
Control exhaled in annoyance as she turned to face forward fully and motioned at the chair across her desk from her. "Have a seat, Reese," she instructed.
John did as he was told and clasped his hands together and stared into Ma'am's hard eyes. "So what do you want? You were already cleared for three days off this coming weekend and I gave you the remainder of the cruise off," she stated.
"I know. Thank you for giving me the time off in such short notice," he said sincerely. Control just shrugged. "But I'm not here to ask for more time off."
"Here to complain about the case I sent you on?—because if you are, you better tread carefully, Reese, I heard more than enough from your partner," she said tersely.
"No. I'm not here to point out the fact that you squandered Shaw and I on that cruise because you chose to believe a friend who was trying to have a man killed because he was in debt, corrupt, and wanted to run Selma's life for her," he murmured pointedly.
Control smirked. "So what do you want then Reese?—a raise?"
"I want a transfer," he answered.
Ma'am cocked a brow up. "A transfer?—to where exactly?" she wondered uninterested.
"The New York field offices."
She made a face. "Why?—you're one my best agents, so why in the hell would I let you be squandered there?" she wondered, using his words against him.
"Because the woman I love and my daughter are there. I want to be with them." John said laconically.
Ma'am seemed unimpressed. "You don't have a daughter," she countered.
John smiled. "Actually I do. I didn't know I had a child, not until Joss found me on that cruise. I met her; she's beautiful and I want to see her grow up," he explained.
"How old is she?" Control asked, showing mild interest now. If there was one thing he knew about Ma'am: she was a sucker for children.
"She's four. She'll be five in December. Her name is Madeline. I missed out on four years of her life, Ma'am, I don't intend to miss out on anymore," he said firmly.
Control grew cold once more. "You could always commute in between cases. New York isn't that far from here," she said abruptly.
John tightened his lips. "I don't want to commute, Ma'am, I want to transfer,"he reiterated firmly.
"And who will be Shaw's partner?—the majority of the bureau is frightened of her. And the ones that aren't, hate her."
John shrugged. "I guess you'll just have to find someone then," he suggested. Why was Ma'am even bringing up Shaw?—and why was it his problem that no one wanted to work with her.
Ma'am chuckled. "Sex must be clouding your judgment because you and I both know that Shaw is not going to want a new partner, Reese. You are the only one who can calm her down."
John eyed Ma'am just as coldly. "That's not my problem now is it, Ma'am? I could just quit," he stated angrily.
"You would quit your job just for this woman?"
"It's not just for this woman. This is for my daughter, for Joss and for me, Ma'am. I love them and I want to be with them. So if you aren't going to let me transfer, then yes, I will quit," he said tersely.
She leaned back in her chair. "Alright; I'll allow your transfer on one condition," Control agreed.
John narrowed his eyes. "And what is that?"
The door to Control's office burst open and he turned and saw Shaw there. "Shaw…" he began, he should have known she wasn't going to let this go that easily. She had been suspiciously quiet and now he knew why because she was going to ambush him during his meeting with Ma'am.
"You take her with you," Control stated and he turned to look at Ma'am fully and ignored Shaw.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not taking another fucking partner on and I am not staying in D.C. while you're in New York! D.C. will be so lame and boring without you. And I would probably get stiffed with someone like Donnelly or Hersch or god forbid: Root!" Shaw complained as she dropped into the chair beside him.
Ma'am eyed John. "Agent Shaw and I had a meeting earlier about this and this is my only stipulation for your transfer. Because I do not wish to be forced to listen to her complain the entire time."
John glared at Control. "So you knew this entire time that I was going to ask for a transfer?" he demanded.
She shrugged, the smirk back on her face. "I always enjoy your usual bluntness during our meetings. I needed one last one before I shipped your stubborn and unorthodox ass to New York. If you want the transfer it includes your partner too, otherwise hand me your badge and gun," she said dismissively.
John looked at Shaw. "Are you sure you want to follow me to New York?—there will be far more people you'll have to deal with there," he pointed out.
Shaw shrugged. "I'll just run them over. They'll learn to get out of my damn way sooner or later," she murmured casually.
John smiled as they both climbed to their feet before he turned to look at Ma'am. "Thank you, Control, I appreciate it."
She grunted in response. "Your transfer is effective immediately: clean out your desks, you are to report in at the New York offices next week from Monday." Ma'am said distractedly as she looked at her computer, which he took as their cue to leave.
They turned and exited Ma'am's office. "Now what do we do?—'effective immediately' colorfully means we have one week and a half to move our asses to New York," Shaw wondered.
John looked at her. "We pack up our desks and I'll call Harold; he should be able to help us find places in Manhattan easily. Thankfully my lease was up next month at my apartment, so I'll just pay the last month's rent,and that's that. What about you?"
Shaw exhaled. "Just signed a year's lease two months ago." she admitted before eyeing him as they walked towards their desks. "Does your rich billionaire friend have a good lawyer to help me break my lease since this is your fault for us moving to New York?" she commanded archly.
John smirked, not pointing out the fact that she didn't have to move because he was kind of glad; he was going to miss her and now he didn't have to. "Did you even need to ask?"
"Is he here, Mommy?" Maddie asked again, only minutes from the last time she asked the question. She was standing on the couch leaning against the back of the couch, chin in her hands as she stared out the large window that faced the street.
Joss sighed as she looked at her phone. "No. Daddy promised to text when his taxi was coming down our street baby and there is no text yet," she repeated. Maddie was tired. It was well past her bedtime but mommy made the exception to let her stay up to see daddy. It wasn't Maddie's fault that his flight got delayed because of an engine malfunction.
John had asked her to not come to pick him up from the airport because of it being late and not wanting Maddie's night disrupted. And that not happening was a million to one chance since she was all jazzed up that daddy was coming in since she got up this morning. Joss had painted Maddie's nails then tied her shoulder length hair into cute little pigtail buns that sat high on her head; Maddie was tired of braids and Joss loved their daughter's soft curly hair. Maddie's hair was a pretty caramel color, not at all as dark as hers that she always had conditioned and straightened, but on occasion she curled it such as today, just for John's arrival. She knew John was a sucker for curls. But her primping was a bit more elaborate than just curling her hair because she had gone and gotten a bikini wax, shaved, and stopped at the nearest Victoria Secret.
Maddie pouted as she stared out the window. Maddie and mommy had spent the afternoon picking up toys and cleaning her bedroom before baking. They baked daddy chocolate chip cookies and she knew their daughter wanted to give him them so badly. They had glasses of milk already ready for John's arrival so they could eat their cookies together before Maddie headed for bed.
Joss jumped as she ran her hand over her daughter's back as her phone buzzed with a text. She looked immediately at the phone excited that it might be John, to only exhale in disappointment when it was from Grace, asking if John had arrived. She texted her back with a short answer of: no.
"Was that daddy?" Maddie asked eagerly.
"Sorry baby it was Aunt Grace asking if daddy arrived yet," Joss said.
Maddie flung her arms around her. "Mommy I want daddy here, now!"
She held Maddie. "Oh I know baby, mommy wants daddy home too," she murmured gently as she rubbed her back soothingly. "But he'll be here soon and then you can hug him and kiss him so he can have his heart back that you took such good care of."
"Yea!" Maddie agreed.
Her phone buzzed with a text again. Maddie let her go and she picked up her phone and squealed much like Maddie did when she got excited. "Daddy's coming!" she said looking up into Maddie's eyes.
"DADDY'S FINALLY COMING!" Maddie cried as her eyes shifted for the window. Joss nodded as she slid from the couch and hurried for the front door. "HE'S HERE MOMMY!"
Joss didn't need Maddie's help to know that. She saw the taxi pulling up in front of their brownstone just as she opened the door. "Madeline Rae!" Joss shouted sternly as their little four year old shot outside onto the front stoop in the middle of the evening in the cool March's air barefoot, in her jammies, and without a jacket on.
Maddie stopped dead in her tracks and turned to look at her. Joss frowned at her daughter, letting her know she was not pleased with her before motioning to get her ass back in the house. Maddie sniffled as she shuffled inside.
"I know you want to see daddy but you do not ever walk out this door without mommy's permission. You know better, young lady," Joss said forcefully, not swayed by the looming tears in Maddie's eyes. She knew Maddie was beyond excited that daddy was here but that wasn't an excuse to not follow rules.
"I'm sorry, mommy." Maddie apologized with a small voice as she stared outside at daddy who was climbing out of the taxi.
"I know you are." Joss agreed softly as she grabbed her little pink jacket and pink faux UGG boots. She helped her daughter with her jacket and boots before tugging hers on too. "Now you may go out on the front stoop so we can greet daddy," she said as they exited the house.
Joss and Maddie climbed down the front stoop just as John removed his suitcase from the trunk. He turned around and the taxi took off and he smiled. "My two favorite girls," he called out.
"DAAAADY!" Maddie cried in sheer jubilation.
"Hey, buttercup," he moved quickly and leaned down to scoop her up as she pressed a kiss to his cheek and hugged him so tightly. He pressed a warm kiss to her cheek as he held her just as tightly. He closed his eyes as he held her. She was so perfect and he missed her so much, he opened his eyes and found Joss easily. He missed her too.
Joss sped over and wrapped her arms around his waist squishing their daughter between them. "I've missed you so much," Joss said quietly as she pressed a kiss to his lips.
"I've missed you too, Joss."
They stood outside hugging for a few minutes before Joss let him go and led him to the house. John held onto Maddie who had no inclination of letting him go anytime soon. He grabbed the handle of his suitcase and followed Joss up the stoop.
Once they entered, John set Maddie down so he could take his jacket off and she wrapped her arms around his leg. "Daddy, I'm so happy you are here," she cried as tears rolled down her little cheeks.
"I'm so happy to be here with you and mommy," he murmured, rubbing a hand over her head as he tugged his jacket off. Joss took it and hung it up beside hers before she squatted down and cajoled Maddie to let daddy's leg go long enough to remove her jacket.
Maddie did so reluctantly and Joss immediately set to work at removing her jacket and boots. John unzipped his suitcase and produced Mrs. Pickles. "Mrs. Pickles kept daddy great company until I could come back to you and mommy," he said as he handed their daughter her beloved pink bunny. She hugged the bunny tightly as if it was a long lost friend and she led him into the living room where she ran to the couch. He followed slower as he waited for Joss and they walked to the couch together. He sat down between Joss and Maddie as Joss wrapped an arm around his and Maddie climbed on his lap.
"Maddie, don't you have something to give back to daddy too?" Joss asked gently as she held his hand, linking their fingers together.
"Yea, I have your heart and I took good care of it, daddy," Maddie said. "I really did."
"I know you did sweetheart," he agreed with a smile as she flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek several times. "Oh thank you, Maddie, for taking such good care of it, it feels much better since I gave it to you to hold onto for me. You must have done something magical to it," he said before tickling her with his free hand and she squirmed before sitting on his lap again.
Joss really wanted to kiss John badly but she knew Maddie wanted to go get daddy his cookies they baked. She was fighting sleep to see daddy and now that he was here Maddie was going to tucker out quickly.
"Baby, why not go get daddy's surprise?" Joss suggested.
Maddie immediately squealed in delight as she set Mrs. Pickles on the couch beside him and slid off. "Don't go nowhere, daddy!" she stipulated before turning and running for the kitchen as quickly as her little legs could take her.
John looked at her in confusion. "Surprise?" he wondered.
"It's something we made you to celebrate," she acknowledged before sneaking a kiss from him. She sighed as she longed to deepen it but didn't. She really didn't want to be caught making out with John by their daughter. "I'm so glad you're here," she whispered after she broke the kiss.
"So am I."
They pulled apart as Maddie came hurrying back in with a tray full of cookies. John smiled, sitting forward as Maddie set them on the coffee-table in front of them. "You and mommy baked me chocolate chip cookies?"
"Uh-huh," she agreed bashfully.
Joss smiled as she sat forward too. "And guess who was a good girl and waited to have one until daddy came in?"
"Mommy?" John said with a smirk.
Maddie laughed loudly and Joss shoved his shoulder. "I was talking about the little sweet tooth our daughter has that she got from her father," Joss insisted.
"Oh that she got from me?—more like mommy had the chocolate stash," John countered as he snatched Maddie up and plopped her onto his lap as he handed Maddie a cookie, then mommy, and grabbed one for himself. "How about a toast?—to mommy and Maddie," John murmured as he held his cookie forward.
Joss smiled. "How about we toast to us being together once more," Joss suggested instead as she rested her cookie against his and Maddie realized what she was supposed to do, she giggled and tapped her cookie to mommy and daddy's before they all took a bite of the delicious cookies.
AN: Sadly there is only one more chapter left. Next chapter:
Ch 24: Love Me Like You Do
Yes, I love that song so much. I had like twenty names for the next chapter but I settled on that one. Speaking of songs I have 'Play That Song' by Train on repeat right now ;D Thanks for reading!
