Chapter 5

Since Bosco had left about an hour ago, Faith passed the time flipping through various channels on the television but at the same time not paying attention. She couldn't stop thinking about the events that would take place later, David realizing she is his mom and Charlie knowing she is back. Bosco made it seem like no big deal and that things would go smoothly but no amount of comfort would overcome the nervousness she felt. It was almost like preparing for doomsday, damned if you do and damned if you don't. She knew Charlie would be angry for the lack of a better word and would probably refuse to speak to her even if he did show up tonight. Truth is she couldn't blame him if he didn't come; she knew she would have a hell of a time forgiving her parents if they just up and left one day. The sound of the key in the lock shook her from her reverie and she turned her head in time to find a flash of brown hair running toward her and making a dive toward the couch she was sitting on.

"Mommy," David exclaimed while he threw his arms around her neck.

Faith was frozen in shock. She knew David would be easier to convince to accept her but she didn't think he would react quite like this. His little arms around her neck were one of the greatest feelings she had ever known.

"Daddy said you are my mommy." David clarified, pulling back enough to look in her eyes and returning his head to her shoulder to once again complete the bear hug.

Faith looked over David's shoulder to find Bosco standing at the door with a grin plastered across his face. He shrugged his shoulders and spoke, "I guess he loves you."

That's all it took for Faith to find her way out of shock and reciprocate the hug her son had given her. "Your dad is right. I am your mommy," she mumbled into his ear and kissed his cheek.

"Just wait until I tell Charlie I have a mommy," he declared with a grin.

With that statement she cast her eyes to Bosco's with an expression of fear etched across her face.

"David, why don't you go to your room and put your backpack away. Charlie will be here in a little bit and we will have dinner."

David extracted himself from Faith's lap and headed down the hall to his room. Halfway there he turned around and announced, "I love you mommy," and continued on his journey to the bedroom.

"I didn't expect that Bosco. What did you tell him? He could have ice cream if he was nice to the strange woman in his house."

"Faith, I didn't tell him anything like that. I explained the situation and told him you were his mom and you left because you were sick and now you are back and ready to be his mom. He decided on his own he already loved you."

"I know you didn't bribe him Boz. I was just joking. I guess I just didn't think it was going to go that easy. I hope it goes that well with Charlie but I am not counting on it. Did you talk to him about me being here?"

"I called Charlie. He is going to come tonight but I wouldn't expect a greeting like David just gave. He's hurt, angry, and confused. But it will be alright Faith. Just tell him what you told me."

"I know," Faith uttered while laying her head on Bosco's shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Do you still work at the 79?"

"Yeah. I work on the narcotics unit for the second watch. I am a sergeant."

"You decided to work second watch? I thought that shift was to boring for you."

"I had to be able to work in the mornings so I could be home in the evening with David. He goes to daycare in the morning and I pick him up at five, no later than six."

"What about weekends?"

"Mom watches him on the weekends I have to work and if she can't Charlie is my backup plan. Either way David loves spending time with both of them, and I know he is being taken care of."

"Do you still keep in touch with the guys from the 55?"

"I see Ty and Sasha once a week. We take the boys to the playground. David and Sean get along together well. They have a little girl now too. Sully moved back to the city last year so he comes by a lot, he claims it's to see David but I know he missed me when he was living in the boondocks."

Faith snickered, "like you didn't miss him too Boz."

"Not as much I missed you," he mumbled while dipping his head down to find her lips with his own before making his way downward.

"Boz," she gasped as his teeth nipped at her neck, "David is in the other room."

Bosco sighed and halted his actions. "I know. It wasn't like I was going to jump you right here. I do have some self control. Plus you need time to process," he commented as his trademark smirk took up residence on his face.

"If you keep doing that my time to process will be completed."

"I'll keep that in mind for later. It's good to know I haven't lost my touch."

"Watch it your head will swell and me and David will have to move out to give you and your ego enough space," she laughed and swatted his arm.

"Faith were you with anybody while you were gone?" he asked completely serious.

His question caught her off guard and she sat up to capture his gaze.

"Bosco are you seriously asking me that! What kind of question is that?"

"A valid one, Faith. You were gone for almost four years. Why are you being so defensive? I have the right to know," his tone had taken a sharper turn and she didn't fail to notice.

"I wasn't with anybody while I was gone. I was and am still married to you, Bosco. I thought you would know I wasn't off whoring around," she snapped her tone matching his. "What about you? Who did you screw while I was gone?"

"Not one damn person for your information Faith. How could I have a relationship with someone while I was still hoping you would come back? I love you Faith, no one else could ever come close to making me forget you so why even try?" The anger drained from his face and he pulled her back to him. "Let's not fight about this Faith."

"Daddy, phone."

Faith and Bosco whipped their heads around to find David standing beside the couch with the phone outstretched. In the heat of their argument neither one heard the phone ring. "Who is it?" Bosco asked.

"Charlie. He wants to talk to you." David handed Bosco the phone and grabbed Faith's hand. "Come on Mommy. I want to show you my room," he was tugging her hand harder with each word passing through his lips. Faith silently accepted the invitation and stood up and let him lead her to his room.

"You are coming right?" Bosco asked without a hello.

"I'm on my way. I wouldn't want to miss this reunion," Charlie remarked sarcastically. "I wanted to know if you wanted me to pick up the pizza."

"Go ahead. You know what to get," Bosco answered ignoring Charlie's sarcasm.

"Sure. See ya."

"Love you."

"Love you too Dad."

Bosco laid the phone beside him and picked up the remote to watch television. He didn't want to interrupt David and Faith yet. It was great David seemed to go with the flow and accept Faith as though she had never left.

"You have a great room David," Faith stated while looking around. The walls were painted a light blue with clouds dotted here and there randomly and planes flying through the makeshift sky.

"It was my idea. Daddy found somebody to paint the walls."

"It almost made me bankrupt. The woman who painted the mural didn't come cheap."

Faith wheeled around, "Is Charlie still coming?"

Her questioned was answered when a knock resounded through the apartment. That's all it took to send David running to the door exclaiming with every step, "Charlie is here!"

Faith gulped and grabbed and Bosco's hand. She wished she was as excited as David was with Charlie's arrival but with every step she made to the front door her heart beat harder and the color drained from her face. This was it. The doomsday she was trying to prepare for.