A/N: thank you so much, all of you, for your reviews. Here's chapter 11, only the epilogue left. And a big thanks to phnxgrl.
Chapter 11
Teresa's behavior was most changed after Patrick proposed. She would leave work earlier. Sometimes she would take her lunch break with Patrick with Amy. She was more patient with her colleagues. In short, she became different woman.
In the evening returning home she found Amy and Patrick busy playing in the park. There was a nanny available or simply standing by for the next day if she was needed.
Patrick had found a serious neighborhood student who was pleased to care for the little girl day or night. The there was times when she or Patrick could not return in time to pick her up from daycare this nanny stood at the ready to assist at a moment's notice.
Months had passed and everything seemed to be going well. Patrick had moved in with Amy and Teresa but still kept his previous house. He could not bring himself to sell it. It held too many memories for him to callously discard. Teresa understood perfectly.
After the hearing the judge had legally declared them guardians. They were now the proud parents of Amy.
The date was set for a June wedding. They were looking forward to it. It was this her first time unlike her fiancé. Teresa was being plagued with fears of the unknown, being the perfect wife, and failing in her marriage. So many things made her nervous. But Patrick was always there to comfort her, reassure her, to promise her the most perfect and happy life.
Patrick had given up his revenge. He was far calmer. Even though he had mellowed he was still Patrick Jane the person who made Teresa Lisbon crazy. He still did not behave as expected. He had a reputation to uphold.
That evening when Teresa had returned from work she found a quiet and silent house. No sound, nothing. Amy was not in the park. Patrick was not at home. She quickly climbed upstairs to find Amy's room empty. This time she was really scared. Where was Patrick and why Amy's room was empty? Who had emptied it and why? These questions plagued her.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket and tried to call him. She heard ring tone but no pick up it went straight to voice mail. Frustrated Teresa called again and again with the same results.
She hung up and called Grace.
- "Van Pelt," said the redhead.
- "Van Pelt is Lisbon, is Jane with you?" she asked anxiously.
- "Uh ... no he left before you and told me he was coming home. Was he not there?" The redhead questioned.
- "No and Amy is not there either, and her room is empty. His calls all go to his voice mail." Teresa said with much frustration to her voice.
- "Maybe I can try to find him Boss." Grace smoothly said trying to lessen the worry which was very evident in her voice.
- "Grace please do what is needed and hurry." Teresa said with her voice cracking.
She then hung up then decided sitting around being worried would not solve this mystery. There had to be clues she thought Teresa you are a detective you know what to do. She gave herself a little pep talk. Having her confidence boosted she begin to search for any indication what had happen. She needed to see beyond the obvious.
She knew Patrick and he would not have done anything without leaving a note or something. Especially he knew how this fear of abandonment affected her he would not subject her to this worry not after all these months together. She was extreme happy for all these months plus approaching marriage. He would not jeopardize this happiness on a whim.
Teresa could not reconcile the mixed clues. She became more despondent with each passing minute. She sat on the couch close to tears. The dark thoughts were consuming her. She was alone again. Patrick had taken Amy and left like all the others before him. She was ashamed she allowed her happiness blind her. Where could Amy be? If he did why would he?
Teresa allowed the tears to stream down her cheeks. She was bewildered. Nothing made any sense. She was profoundly sad to think Patrick would discard her. Teresa began to wail. All her sadden had appeared at once. She cried with her body convulsing.
In her moment of grief the phone rang. It startled her too. She picked up before seeing the name of the caller. She was so hoping it was Patrick. It was not his dulcet tones she so craved it was Grace and she had information.
- "I triangulated his phone Boss. I know where his phone is located." She stated.
- "Grace please tell me where?" Teresa said almost blubbering on the phone.
- "Boss according to the locator he is two blocks away from your present location." Grace said.
- "Were you able to talk to him?" Teresa hopefully asked.
- "No, I was only able to ping his phone. There was no connection when I called." stated the younger agent.
- "Thank you Grace for your time and effort. I will take it from here." Teresa said wiping the tears from her face.
Teresa ended the call. She knew she would look a mess. It would not do to confront her wayward almost husband being in this condition. She ran upstairs past Amy's barren room to the Bathroom. It was odd things were missing in here too? Why was her favorite shampoo missing? The cabinets are bare? Why would Patrick want with my Feminine protection? Cleaning her face she looked in the mirror. There are too many things which do not add up. There was only one person who could unravel this mystery. He was Patrick Jane.
Coming downstairs she took her keys then headed to her car. On the drive Teresa had another talk in her head. When she located him she would first determine if they both are alive and safe. The specter of Red John suddenly leapt to mind. She would want him to explain if he was unharmed. He would need to be very convincing if he wanted to stay alive. She was so fearful.
The distance between her place and where his phone was located passed quickly. Too quickly when she saw his car on the side of the road she had barely enough time to react. Slamming on the brakes she skidded using her police training she controlled the skid so that she paralleled the street facing his car. She leapt out of her car then ran up to his car. Amy's seat was there. That proved Patrick and Amy were in the same location. She looked at the nearest house and spotted the stroller.
She did not know if Patrick and Amy were being held captive or not. She called for backup. Cho answered.
- "Hey Boss." He said.
- "Cho get some Sacramento PD to this address. Make sure they are rigged for silent running. I do not want to spook whoever is in this house." Teresa said thinking the worst that Patrick and Amy were kidnapped.
- "Ok Boss they are called units should be arriving in two minutes." Cho said.
- "Cho that is great I see them now." She said.
- "Please keep us in the loop Boss in case we need to roll." Cho said.
- "I will Cho if I need more help you will be the first to know." Teresa said.
- "Ok Boss" Cho said.
Teresa hung up then spoke to the two officers.
- "I'm Teresa Lisbon with the CBI. I have suspicions of a kidnapping occurring. I need you to go around the back and cover the back door. You officer are behind me." Teresa said.
The two officers followed her instructions. They got into position.
- oooo -
Patrick was wondering why was there police cars in the neighborhood.
He came downstairs just as Teresa Knocked on the door.
- "This is the police we are coming in!" Teresa checked the door it was unlocked. Teresa opened the door to a surprised Patrick Jane which the officer mistook as a perp. He took him down and held him at gun point.
- "Where is Amy?" Teresa demanded.
- "What…?" Patrick said.
- "You heard me where is my daughter! You thief…!" Teresa said.
Patrick finally figuring out what is going on calmly said.
- "Your daughter is in her new house bedroom. Surprise…?" Patrick said.
-"Officers please lower your weapon there was a miscommunication somewhere. This is no kidnapper. He is a stupid Male who I love dearly but scared me out of my mind!" Teresa said.
The officers lowered their weapons after Teresa gave them assurances that Patrick was who she said he was. Finally satisfied they left.
- "Patrick what was wrong with you? I find our apt empty of Amy's things. You weren't answering your phone. What was I supposed to think? I could only jump to one conclusion. You and Amy were kidnapped possible by Red John!" Teresa berated him.
- "Teresa I am so sorry. I wanted to surprise you. I did not expect you would go all Rambo on me. I thought I would be back before you got home. I guess the time got way from me. Please forgive me?" Patrick said with his puppy dog eyes.
- "Patrick of course I forgive you but if you ever pull another bone headed thing like this I might shoot you just for general purposes." Teresa said kissing him. "Now let's go see Amy."
They climbed the stairs then Teresa saw her little girl. She reached up toward her then leaning down her daughter wrapped her little arms around her "mommy's" neck and laughed. Teresa pulled away to look into her eyes and saw that she laughed even. Teresa was overjoyed kissed her daughter but Amy looked in Patrick's direction.
- "So sweet girl did you have fun today?" Teresa cooed as she held Amy attention on Patrick.
Seeing she could not interest Amy into looking at her she spoke.
"I guess you want Daddy? Well Daddy scared Mommy and he is in the dog house." Teresa explained.
Amy pouted in such a cute way that she relented.
-"Ok dog house or not. Patrick your daughter wants you." Teresa said handing Amy to him.
Patrick perked up and moved to take Amy from her Mommy. Amy immediately giggled.
- "Oh I see it now. You are Daddy's little girl!" Teresa said.
- "Teresa, cheer up, you are Daddy's big girl!" Patrick said kissing her. "Is all forgiven?"
- "What do you think about it Amy? Should Mommy let Daddy out of the dog house?" Teresa asked her daughter.
Amy sat in Patrick's arms for a moment acting like she was actually contemplating her Father's fate then looking like she made up her mind began to giggle.
- "Teresa, the verdict is in. Amy chose for you to let me out." Patrick said with a twinkle to his eyes.
- "She did huh? Are you sure you are not tickling her to get her to laugh?" Teresa mockingly said.
Patrick pantomimes an arrow through the heart. Amy laughed even more.
- "Teresa you wound me. I would never resort to such crude tricks on my daughter. She is a Jane and Janes always know a con. They were born with that knowledge." Patrick said.
-"Patrick, do I need to remind you that you were chosen to be the Father?" Teresa said giggling herself. "Daddy is very silly"
Amy agreed by blowing bubbles. Patrick now turned serious.
-" I'm so sorry Teresa" he began. "I wanted to surprise you but I think I badly blew it."
-" You think…?" she asked with a slight smile on her face.
- "I know I messed up Teresa. This house was supposed to be a surprise" he explained. "I wanted to give you this house for the beginning of our new life. I wanted a place to raise our children in a new place."
- "I'm kind of sad I spoilt the surprise Patrick" she said.
- "That is ok Teresa I'm such a dolt. Of course you would think the worst. You are trained that way. I'm so sorry." Patrick closed to kiss her while Amy grabbed Mommy's hair.
- "Ow Amy…Patrick can you get her to loosen her grip? It is painful." Teresa complained.
- "Amy let loose your Mother's hair." Patrick said in a very stern voice.
Amy looked at her Father and then her Mother then let go of Teresa's hair.
-"I guess no kissing until I place Amy in her crib." Patrick sheepishly said.
He placed Amy in her crib. Amy seemed to understand what Patrick was speaking. He stood up and hugged tightly then kissed his love of his life deeply with as much love he could give. She pressed herself against him while kissing him back so passionately. Amy laughed when she saw her parents doing so. The one year old seemed to understand what was happening. She was smarter than the average child. She was the delight of her adoptive parents.
Teresa smiled against his lips then wrapped her arms around his neck. They left the room Since Teresa had not yet seen the rest of their house. Patrick showed Teresa where they could christen the rooms and they did so with gusto.
Finally, Teresa was happy. She had the perfect man, tender and loving. She had a perfect daughter who did nothing but make her happy and now she had a nice big house. What more could she ask? There was something that could still embellish their life. Patrick said he wanted more children but was it too soon? They have Amy but she found out from the doctor other news.
She turned then looked at him. She had to share with him the good news. He had a right to know. What if he already knew? Why buy a big house otherwise? After all he was the Mentalist. She would not be surprised that he already knew.
Patrick looked at her racking her brain. He knew the topic that she wanted to speak about he had known for a few days already. He also knew if he was patient she would tell him. He was so excited by the news. They had returned to Amy's Room. Patrick picked her up.
- "Patrick I ... I have something to tell you," she began.
- "I'm listening" he said while bouncing then stroking the hair of his daughter.
- "I don't know how to break this to you. Patrick I ... I ... I'm pregnant." she finally said.
-"I know" he replied.
She was not surprised with his confession. She had suspected for some time he had known. It was probably why the house was bought. It was to contain their growing family.
- "Why you didn't tell me you knew?" She inquired.
- "I wanted to give you the chance for you to tell me. I knew if I was patient you'd tell me and we could be happy together. Besides I wanted to be the first to see the joy in your eyes." Patrick said kissing his almost wife and mother carrying their child.
- "Thanks Patrick" she said kissing him back. "I love you."
-" I love you too." Patrick said kissing her again.
They fell into each other arms then finally they fell asleep on the floor. They were all three a family.
In a few months they would be four in a new home with a new life. They didn't have an easy life but together they had succeeded and now they were happy.
Teresa Lisbon didn't think that one day she would have the chance to have children or to have a man in her life or even to simply have a life. She finally had everything she had dreamed of since childhood. And contrary to what she thought she did have the maternal instinct. Patrick always had confidence in her and he was right as usual. Without him she would never have had the courage to look after Amy. Patrick's confidence in her allowed her to have the dream life which she shared with the most wonderful man in the world, Patrick Jane.
TBC ...
A/N2: next chapter as soon as I can.