Evie Grace (Repost)

Carol returns from South Africa.

When I wrote this fic to start (almost a year ago) I was a very new writer. I want to have another crack at this fic, so enjoy. Will probably post some new content as well.

'Captain Jordan of the Johannesburg Police is former Bradfield DCI Carol Jordan,' said Tony rushedly.

As half of the travellers had decimated, Tony clapped his eyes on Carol. She was still beautiful, she still had that ethereal glow about her that made him smile every time he glimpsed it. She had a new hairstyle as well, a longer version of her slightly wavy, laid back style. Her eyes still had the captivating look to them, that left Tony feeling like he was being immersed in their deep beauty.

And she was pushing a buggy?

'Hello Tony,' she said timidly, shifting uncomfortably and feeling the tension between the three of them.

'Carol...' he said in awe. 'It's really you...'

'Yeah,' she replied quietly.

'Uhh, Carol, this is DI Alex Fielding, Alex, Carol Jordan,' said Tony awkwardly, his eyes still focused on the child.

Shaking her hand, Alex and Carol said in unison, 'Nice to meet you.'

'I've heard so much about you,' said Alex to Carol.

'Ah don't worry,' replied Carol. 'Can't all be true.'

An awkward silence descended upon the three of them, Tony turning his attention to the child in the buggy. From the pink she was dressed in, the child was very obviously a girl. She seemed to be about 2 years old, had tufts of brown hair and cute little chubby cheeks.

He mentally scolded himself for the thoughts held in his mind. He shouldn't be analysing a child like he was. He shouldn't be so jealous that Carol had shared such a gift with another man, the gift of a child.

Tony's thoughts were interrupted by a small squeak from the buggy. Tony flinched slightly at the sound, which made Alex and Carol stifle a laugh.

'Tony it's only a toddler,' said Alex.

As Carol bent down to tend to the sleepy eyed toddler, she said soothingly, 'It's okay Evie, shhh.'

'She's beautiful,' remarked Alex with a smile.

'I can't take credit for her beauty,' said Carol. 'She's her father's daughter for sure.'

'Her name's Evie?' asked Tony, bending down to the buggy's level and looking into her eyes. They were such a deep blue that Tony wondered if oceans dwelled there. They were the most beautiful eyes Tony had ever seen.

Carol nodded, 'Evie Grace.'

Evie smiled at him, and Tony returned her beam.

'She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen,' he remarked in awe.

'Again,' said Carol. 'I can't take any credit for that.'

Standing up, Tony said, 'Must be a good gene pool.'

'Must be,' replied Carol quietly.

Alex had now bent down to the buggy's level and was cooing at little Evie, a bright smile evident on her face. But inside, Alex's mind was scurrying around trying to piece the puzzle together. Where had she seen those eyes before? There was something so familiar about them. And the way little Evie wrinkled her nose, that seemed familiar too. Had she seen this child before? Or did she know her parents?

The startling realisation hit her, and she nearly gasped with shock, although she managed to contain it at the very last moment. Not that Carol and Tony noticed, they were too busy trying to outstare each other.

Alex weighed up the pros and cons of mentioning her realisation and decided that perhaps now wasn't the best time.

'What are the chances that you'd end up back in Bradfield eh?' said Alex, standing back up.

'Almost impossible, until now,' replied Carol. 'Johannesburg keeps me busy enough, but when I heard about Dingane, I knew Bradfield was where I had to be. Hope you didn't mind me bringing Evie.'

'That's perfectly fine,' said Alex. 'I'm sure she'll be no trouble. Have you got a place to stay or would you like me to book a hotel?'

'A hotel would be nice,' said Carol. 'It was so last minute I never got around to organising anything.'

'I'll sort it,' said Alex.

'No,' said Tony. 'You can stay with me Carol. There's plenty of room, it'll be cheaper and it'll give us a chance to catch up. It's been too long.'

'It has,' replied Carol. 'I graciously accept your offer.'

'Well that's sorted then,' said Alex. 'Let's get going, we have a lot of work to do.'

'Yes we do,' replied Tony, lifting up the suitcase beside Carol and following Alex's lead out of the airport.

The way home...

Tony and Alex sat in the front of the car, whilst Carol and Evie were in the back. Tony, creaking his neck constantly in the process kept turning his head around to look at Evie. She was fast asleep now, but she was like an angel. A peaceful, sleeping angel. Noticing that Carol and Alex's eyes were on him, he turned back around.

'My, my, Evie seems to have made a mighty impression on you,' remarked Alex with a laugh.

'Yeah,' replied Tony quietly.

'So Carol,' said Alex. 'How come Evie's father couldn't look after her in South Africa?'

'We're not together anymore, and he's always very busy with work,' said Carol. 'I feel better knowing that she's close to me.'

'I'd feel exactly the same way if it was Ben,' said Alex.

'You have a son?' asked Carol.

'Yeah,' replied Alex. 'He's 12 now, growing so fast.'

'Tell me about it,' said Carol. 'Seems like only yesterday that Evie was a newborn, and she's close to her 3rd birthday. It's surreal.'

'How was South Africa?' asked Tony randomly from the front.

'A good experience,' said Carol. 'Definitely very different to Bradfield, but I've learnt a lot with the Scorpions. Have you heard that it is due to be disbanded?'

'Really?' asked Alex. 'I never knew that.'

'Yeah, so in a month I'm out of a job,' said Carol. 'When that happens I have a decision to make. I could stay in Johannesburg, or come back to England.'

'I'm sure that the ACC will have something for you,' said Alex. 'If you decide to stay in Bradfield.'

'I'm not sure that he liked me that much,' admitted Carol. 'I definitely got on better with his predecessor.'

'Was that Brandon?' asked Alex.

'Yeah, it's a shame he decided to retire,' said Carol. 'He was a great officer, but after he was nearly killed, I can't say I blame him.'

'That would make anyone want to retire,' said Alex.

'We're here,' announced Tony.

'So we are,' replied Carol. 'Hasn't changed a bit.'

'Nothing ever does,' said Alex.

'Oh yes it does,' says Tony.