A/N: hi guys. Just so you know, the speaker of this chapter has changed from 1st (Benny) to 3rd. I am super sorry that I haven't updated. Grade 10 is upper stressful and doing art, drama and history as my chosen subjects doesn't make it any easier. Updates will be slow, but they will happen. I promise that I will update a new chapter every month (that being the absolute maximum update gap), but will try to do it sooner. Please bear with me. Read, enjoy and don't hold back any criticism or request you might have. In fact, if you have any ideas, I could use some extra creativity. Thanks guys.
XXX
Chapter 2: The good start…
It was a Monday morning. The house was quiet, as its occupants were all sleeping. Benny and Mouse were peacefully sleeping in the main bedroom of their Chicago house. They rested easy knowing their kids were dreaming happily in their bedrooms.
Having a family of 7 meant many beds; this meant many bedrooms, which meant a big house. When Benny fell pregnant with Charlie, they realised that their house at the time wasn't big enough, but their budget was limiting. After 4 months of searching, they realised they couldn't afford a house with 6 bedrooms and big enough for other rooms. They stumbled across a house with 4 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, pantry/laundry room, lounge, spare room and a big stoep at the back. Mouse and I slept in the main bedroom while Miles had his own room, Danny and Jackson shared another room, and Charlie and Nicky shared the last. The spare room was very small so we turned it into a guest room.
Benny and Mouse's peaceful sleep was sudden interrupted by the blaring of their alarm clock. Mouse, wanting to sleep more, reached across his beautiful wife to turn it off. However his attempts were unsuccessful when the covers of the bed were ripped off, exposing his warm body to the cool air. Benny knew what he would do, but as much as she wanted to stay in too, she knew they couldn't be late.
Both husband and wife trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen. Mouse dropped some bread into the toaster while Benny set out plates, knifes and whatever spread she found in the cupboard. Taking some homemade rooibos ice tea from the fridge she filled the 7 glasses sitting on the table. Mouse put the plate carrying the mountain of toast on the table and turned on the coffee machine. While Benny went upstairs to wake and gather the herd, Mouse made coffee for Benny and himself. A minute later Benny came trotting down the stairs and helped with the coffee.
5 minutes later, the laughing parents heard a stampede of children shuffling down the stairs, into the kitchen and sitting around the table. It wasn't even a nanosecond before the mountain of toast disappearing onto plates and into stomachs, which is why Benny and Mouse had taken before the kids came down. Stories were exchanged and after school arrangements were made and soon they were all piling into Benny's black SUV and jetting off to school.
Miles was the last to be dropped off as he was in high school.
"Miles, don't you dare forget to pick up your brothers after school. Go drop them off at their friends, except Nicky, he is staying for late baseball practice. Meet us the station by 3:30. Okay?"
"Yeah mom, I know, I will do everything and pick up a sandwich on the way."
Miles kissed his mom and fist pumped his dad goodbye and ran to class.
Benny and Mouse pulled up to the station just as Jay and Erin did.
"Hey stranger, how's the herd?" Jay said as we entered the building.
"Loud, big and energetic, you know the usual." Benny said.
They all had a soft chuckle, greeted Platt and went upstairs. They all sat down at their desks. Just then, Voight entered and signalled Benny to his office. Exchanging glances with the rest of the team (with the exception of her partner, Antonio, who was not there), she stood up and followed Voight to his office.
"Hey Sarge, everythi-"
"Shut the door."
She shut the door, puzzled as to what this was about.
"What's going on Sarge?"
"Benny, it has come to my attention that you are an exceptional field agent. You have one the highest conviction rates as a junior detective in Chicago history. Did you know that?"
"No Sarge. May I ask if there is a point to you making my ego grow?"
Voight let out a smug chuckle, as he does so often when Benny makes her sarcastic comments.
"Yes Detective, there is. Captain wants me to inform you that you are being promoted to senior detective, effective immediately."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. The paperwork is being drawn and your badge is on its way. Congrats."
"Thanks Sarge."
"Dismissed."
Benny exited Voight's office. She sat down, a smug look on her face, and put her feet on her desk. Jay asked her what that was about, followed by the others gathering around to hear her answer. She was congratulated and teased from all her co-workers. There celebrating was cut short when Voight walked out.
"Gear up. We got a call."
The team got their gear and were heading for the door when Benny realised that Antonio still wasn't there.
"Hey. Anyone seen Antonio?"
Everyone shook their heads. With that, Benny entered her car and rang Antonio.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Hey, Antonio. It's Benny. Where are you? We got a call."
"Hey. Sorry, got held up at home. I'm on my way out the door."
"Hang tight. I'll come and pick you up."
"Thanks." Benny went to pick up Antonio and went to the crime scene.
After they handed the case to narcotics, the team was left with nothing to do. It was 3:20 and Benny was expecting Miles soon. Just then, he trotted up the stairs.
"Hey bud." Benny greeted him with a peck on the cheek.
"Hey mom. I got you all coffee."
"Wow, all this and you're 7 minutes early."
"What can I say, I am just an awesome son." Benny laughed at his humorous arrogance.
"Where's dad?"
"Just briefing narcotics on a case. He should be here soon. Did you drop your brothers off?"
"Yip."
"Good. Now, while I go get that paperwork for your principal, you will sit at my desk and do your homework."
"Yes ma'am."
Miles did as he was told until Jay walked through the door with Adam.
"Hey little man." Jay said.
"Your mom making you do homework?" Adam mocked.
"Hey Uncle Jay. Hey Adam. Yip, you know her."
"Well, you listen to your mom and do your homework."
"Oh Jay. Why listen to your little sister. Let the kid have some fun."
"Adam, if we disobey her, she will kick your ass, my ass and his ass without breaking a sweat."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
A moment later Benny and Mouse were coming up the stairs. Benny discussed the papers with Mouse and Miles when her phone rang.
"Just hang on, let me get this. Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Detective Benina Halstead Gerwick?"
"This is she."
"Is your son, Nicholas Halstead Gerwick?"
"Yes. Is he alright?"
"Yes, he is fine, at least for the time being. If you want to keep it that way, listen very carefully."
"Excuse me?"
"Detective, I have your son…"