Disclaimer: again no claim to the Flying Wallendas, L&OCI or any other Character I don't own ... I do however own all rights to my insane imagination ... Bobby on a hire wire?? Yeah ... right! Enjoy ... I hope.
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CHAPTER SEVEN: HE TALKS THE TALK AND WALKS THE ... WIRE!
Bobby Walks the Walk
Alex calmed Liz down and Bobby entertained Nate with stories of his time in Germany. He took the opportunity to give Nate a geography lessen since Nate loved the computer. They went for a ride on "google earth" and Bobby showed him all the spots on the 'map' that he had visited in his lifetime. They even looked up their own address and things like 1 PP and Nate's school. Liz was thankful for her Brother-In-Law's love and attention for her young son. She felt, not just sad for herself but hurt and resentment towards Matt for putting their son through this just before Christmas. She could see that Bobby was jumping through hoops to make it up to him … probably due to his own childhood. She and Alex had no idea what kind of 'hoops' Bobby was prepared to jump through, broken ribs and all. They would soon find out.
The rest of the day was relatively quiet. Bobby called Lewis and invited him to the circus … he always loved the circus. Lewis called Mike and invited him. Mike called Captain Ross and his boys said that they would go … they were humoring their old man. They both had girl friends and were spending less and less time with him. It was lame going to the circus but unlike their Dad, they thought Bobby and Mike were the two coolest guys on the force and they liked spending time with them albeit usually playing basketball but this was fine for this time of year. Bobby had no idea that Lewis started this chain reaction of people coming and Lewis had no idea that they would all witness Bobby walking the high wire. Alex wanted her parents there to see Nate's reaction to the performers and her other brothers had children too … they were also coming. Bobby was getting nervous … shaky legs were not a good thing on a high wire with no net. He started a mental chant …
"I'm a cop, I carry a gun … I'm a cop, I carry a gun … Alex is gonna kill me … Alex is gonna kill me … no, wait … what? I'm a cop, I carry a gun … I'm a cop, I carry a gun …"
He took his pain meds and a sleeping pill and went to bed. He slept like a baby. He was woken up by a very excited Nate.
"Uncle Bobby, Uncle Bobby … It's circus day!"
"Hey buddy."
"Nate! Leave Uncle Bobby alone. Let him wake up in peace."
"No, no Liz, it's fine … I'm up … I think." He wipes away the cobwebs and gets out of bed.
"You're too good to him Bobby … too good to us."
"No such thing Liz. You haven't threatened to smash me in the face for a long time so it's the least I can do."
Alex walks in holding Haley and starts laughing.
"If you ever treat me bad, she will smash you in the face Bobby."
"I know and I'll let her. He walks over and kisses his wife and daughter. But it won't ever happen so I'm not afraid."
Liz grabs Nate's hand and leads him out of Alex and Bobby's bedroom.
"Nate called Matt and asked him to come to the circus today."
"What did Matt say."
"Maybe."
"Eh … why doesn't he just say no instead of getting his hopes up."
"I don't know but he wants us to leave him a ticket at the window."
"That's fine, Tino gave me a dozen or so tickets … we'll leave one for him."
They all ate breakfast. The babies were all bundled up for there big circus adventure and Alex was packing her video camera once again. Bobby pointed at the camcorder.
"Ah Alex? What's that for?"
"I want to record all the 'firsts' in our babies lives. The circus is a first."
"Oh … shit."
"What?"
"I said … Oh"
He started pacing.
Car loads of Eames and friends made their way to see the Flying Wallendas and the Flying Detective, of course they didn't know that part and Bobby didn't know that most of the influential people in his life would be there either. Ladder Company 101 was there on duty which meant Mike and Bobby's friend Jackson was there. Various uniform NYPD cops were out and about, on duty and knew Goren or knew of him as well … all there to witness the big event.
The show began and Bobby was noticeably nervous, his right leg was bobbing up and down and he was biting his thumb nail … something he only does when Alex makes him nervous. She, of course noticed this and was very confused by it … what did I do to make him so nervous … I'm not mad at him for anything!? This day he planned for Nate is wonderful, Nate is beaming! And Matt showed up what could be upsetting him?
Tino had a plan to get him away from his family without letting on that he was part of the act … it was time.
"Excuse me, Detective Goren?"
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Mr. Wallenda is having a problem with an over anxious fan of his, he said you were here and wouldn't mind showing them the door. I know that you're with your family but would you mind helping?"
"No not at all."
"Detective, I could just make a call and the uniforms will take care of that."
"No Captain, that's okay, he's a friend. I'll be right back."
Bobby leans over and kisses his wife and babies and disappears with the mysterious woman. The day before, they arranged for Bobby to wear his dress blues for the act. He refused to wear their costume … for obvious reasons and Tino thought his uniform would balance nicely … everything was physics. His size thirteen shoes were another story … he had to wear specially made shoes for the hire wire … believe it or not … they had size thirteen's. Of all the luck.
Alex was getting nervous, a half an hour had passed … no Bobby … she kept looking. The lights dimmed … the crowd was full of anticipation for the next act … still no Bobby. Over the PA system came the big announcement …
"Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages please give your warmest welcome to … THE FLYING WALLENDAS ….
The crowd comes to life with hoots and hollers, whistles and screams … everyone is looking skywards, clapping and smiling.
The Flying Wallendas entertain the crowd with head stands on the wire. Tino runs from one side to the other. They perform the famous "Seven" … The Seven Person Pyramid.
Nate is so excited bouncing in his seat, pointing and laughing.
"Look Dad isn't this great!"
"Yeah Nate, great." He's less than enthused but he's there.
Bobby has shaken off his nerves and is more than ready. The adrenaline has kicked in and he's ready. He's been up on the platform hiding in the shadows … it's his turn … the big announcement … Tino slides down to center stage …
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls … I'd like to direct your attention to the hire wire. My son Alex has a very good friend of mine with him today a distinguished member of the NYPD …
"Auntie Lexie, look up there, it's a bird, it's a plane … it's Super Uncle Bobby!"
… Detective Robert Goren of the Major Case Squad!"
The crowd once again goes wild.
Jackson from the NYFD, drops his "hose." Mike drops his beer. Lewis shakes his head and smiles. John Eames grabs the camcorder that Alex dropped. Ross calls for a psyche consult and Alex sits and put her head between her knees. Carolyn points and says … "He told me about this once." They all turned and looked at her like she had two heads.
Tino yells up to Bobby … "Nothing fancy Detective … just a headstand in the middle and maybe a back flip or two and then be on your way."
Alex bolted up and screamed … "WHAT?"
The crowd turned and looked in her direction.
"Oops, that must be the Mrs. Only kidding … just a walk in the park Bobby … just like we practiced."
Bobby did his goofy salute and grabbed his very long balancing bar and walked across the wire. Alex watched through fingers stretched across her face. When he made it across she grabbed for her chest. Nate went wild!
"That's my Uncle, That's my Uncle!"
Then Bobby did the unthinkable and walked back across … he made it.
"He is so dead!"
"Eames … I'm calling for a Psyche consult before he comes back to active duty!"
"That's if you find his body, Captain!"
Matt sat back and realized the one thing that no one else did … Bobby may be crazy but he would do anything for his family. What he did today he did for his son … his son. It was time he did something for his son. He was going to get the name of the facility that Bobby had and straighten himself out. It wasn't walking on a high wire but that's sort of what he's been doing but not as well as Bobby … he's been falling off. It was time he found his balance for Nate's sake and his own. If Liz would take him back … that would be another balancing act all together.
Would Bobby live to see any of this? Only time will tell … the ball or jingle bell … was in Alex's court.
Bobby slid down the wire laughing like a little kid … he bounced over to Tino and shook his hand.
"Detective Robert Goren everybody … give him a hand!"
You couldn't even hear yourself think with the noise coming from the crowd. He ran over to his family and friends. Nate jumped into his arms and he leaned over to kiss Alex who pulled away. Ross put his two cents in.
"When you come back to work Goren, I'll see you in my office!"
He glanced over at Alex and she said …
"My office first!"
He leaned in close to whisper in her ear … "Are you gonna use the pink cuffs?"
"You wish Goren … you think that wire was thin … huh!"
His attention was turned away by all his friends coming over to tell him that he truly was a whack job … he didn't mind … the adrenaline was still pumping through his veins and Nate was so proud that he was his Uncle … mission accomplished.
After the crowd dispersed … Tino and all his circus friends gave the kids and whatever adults wanted to participates, lessens on a wire only a few feet off the ground. The clowns and Bobby did magic tricks. The animal trainers gave out rides and training lessens … Alex started to soften … a little. Ross's sons were also having fun … acting like kids and not teenagers … to his delight … he was also softening … a little more so than Alex. Nate was a natural on the wire and everything he tried … that made Liz a little bit nervous. He could someday run away and join the circus!
Matt pulled Liz aside and simply said … "I'm sorry … I'll do better."
Carolyn was riding a horse when Mike said he should get off his horse and marry her.
Jackson who had been dragging his feet on the Captain's exam for the NYFD, decided right then and there to take the damn test.
Lewis and Laura set the date for their wedding.
And the babies started to giggle for the first time!
Alex heard and saw all of this … was it that time of year … the "magic" of the Christmas season … or was it her husband? He came up to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry for scaring you but it's all a matter of physics you know. I wanted Nate to have a smile on his face … I don't ever want him or our kids to have a lousy Christmas … ever."
She turned and faced him and kissed him deeply and passionately. He pulled away and looked up.
"What?"
"I'm looking for one of your strategically placed mistletoe."
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Yeah, I know ... I'm totally insane ... but you can picture it ... can't you? ... didn't think so! Thanks for reading anyway ... Judy:)