Chapter 37-CONCLUSION
Five years later:
Joey was about to graduate from college. Inspired by the good role models she had had around her, she had majored in social work with the goal of helping kids get off the streets and now was about to return to Morgan House, this time as a counselor. She also attended court proceedings for street prostitutes, advising them and giving them information on Morgan House, showing that she was living proof that things could get better.
Brilor had gone through the transition from adorable blond baby to curious toddler and now had just finished kindergarten. Joey still adored the boy and sometimes took him to work with her to give Lorelei a much needed break on her days off from her own job. Both Max and the girls staying at Morgan House loved Brilor; he never lacked for company to play with him when Joey was busy.
Captain Roger Shields eventually retired from the precinct, and now Brian was the sole head of the Major Case Squad. Marie now had her fourth partner since becoming a detective herself with Detective Patti Shultz, who had been promoted from Narcotics.
Detective Ron Quinn was now Lieutenant Ron Quinn, heading up Homicide since the death of his predecessor. Quinn had gotten a high recommendation from Brian for the position, citing Quinn's long list of accomplishments and clearing even the most difficult of case files of the Major Case Squad.
Paul had gotten his law degree, married Cameron, who left modeling to run his PI business while he had become an Assistant District Attorney once he had passed the bar exam. He was about to prosecute his first murder case, one that had come of out the Major Case Squad, the final case Quinn had played a major role in solving. Brian, Marie and Quinn had been his strongest supporters in preparing the case.
They all now sat together as Brilor was performing his part in a city theater production; the child had been "discovered" by a talent agent one afternoon while Joey had taken him to Wal-Mart to pick out a present for his birthday. The woman had been taken by the adorable blond boy and given Joey a card. Joey had informed the talent agent that she would have to speak with their parents, and then get back.
From there, she both informed Lorelei and Brian about the incident and called in a favor to Cameron to check out the company. Cameron had informed them that the agency was one of the best in the city, and they would have to be insane not to let them sign Brilor.
"Their kids division is excellent," Cameron added. "Eileen takes very good care of the kids and watches out for them. She's kind of a mom when the moms aren't around. You guys will love her."
And Cameron had been right; almost from the time he was signed, Brilor had been cast in the play as well as a couple of local commercials. Even the precinct wanted to use the child in one of their PSA's, but Brian had drawn the line there. He didn't want his own son 'pimped out' in his own department.
After the show, they all went to dinner, where Brilor had been fussed over by other diners that attended the play. Like most children, he'd gotten bored with the attention after awhile and wanted to go home.
"I'm tired, Mama," he whined at one point.
"Of course you are," Lorelei replied, hugging him. "You've had a long night, my little star. Let's get Daddy to wrap things up and we can go."
"Are you staying with us tonight?" he asked Joey.
"I sure am," Joey nodded. "It's late and I'd have a long drive home, so I'll be around until at least tomorrow. How about a story when we get home before you go to sleep?"
"Okay!" Brilor was now very interested.
They all walked out later into the warm evening, Joey clutching the hand of her baby brother, tucking him in the car restraints before they all headed home. Everything in life happened for a reason, and as her dad always said, it was never good to assume anything. Life was indeed full of surprises, and the last five years had been an adventure. It never left anyone's mine what the ensuing years would bring.