Six Years Later

Olivia stood outside the large brick building, her back pressed up against the car as she fingered the ring on her left hand. A bell rang out and the front doors burst opened, kids came running out, Olivia could their laughs and squeals echoing across the street. She scanned the crowd, her heart skipping a beat when she didn't see who she was looking for. Ever since Noah was kidnapped losing sight of him always took her breath away until she saw him again. Then her eyes landed on a little boy just coming out from the front door, beside him a small girl with brown hair in pigtails, the spitting image of Olivia. Relief flooding through her and she watched as the kids looked around their eyes brightening when they saw her. The little girl waved enthusiastically when she saw Olivia, who smiled and waved back. The two ran towards her, their bulky backpacks bouncing up and down. Olivia bent down when they got close and they threw themselves into her awaiting arms, hugging her tightly.

"Mommy!"

"Hey guys, how was school?"

"Good! Look what I made for daddy" the little girl said handing Olivia an oversized piece of paper that was slightly wrinkled from her run.

Random colours had been splashed all over the page, the colours mixing in places to make brown. Olivia had no idea what it was supposed to be but she loved it none the less. "Oh it's so beautiful. Your dad is going to love it." Olivia said and she leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "Alright let's go home"

The kids were happily chatting to each other, Olivia barely understand fifty percent of what they were talking about. She zoned out after a while and thought back over the last few years. She never thought she'd find herself here…a wife and mother of two and driving a minivan through the suburbs. She picked up the necklace that sat on her chest and touched the two stones, feeling the little bumps and ridges.

She remembered that night six years ago when she had told Murphy she was pregnant. He had been in such shock at first that he said nothing for a good two minutes. Olivia finally couldn't take the silence anymore so she begged him to say something. When at last he spoke he just said, "I love you Olivia" then kissed her. Then it was her turn to be surprised. She had been expecting a much different response. "Good cause I love you too Declan."

A week after their daughter was born Murphy had presented Olivia with her updated necklace. He had taken it to get their daughter's birthstone put in. As it would turn out, he had also taken the opportunity to get Olivia a ring. He proposed to Olivia that night and less than a year later they were married. Once they were married Murphy had told Olivia that if it was alright with her he would like to adopt Noah too, officially making him both their son. Olivia loved him so much in that moment.

Olivia pulled the van into the driveway avoiding the car on the other side.

"Dad's home!" Noah said excitingly, unbuckling his seat belt, he sprang out of the car toward the house.

Olivia watched him go then moved to help her daughter with her belt who also bolted toward the house as soon as she was free.

When Olivia got into the house she found Murphy holding the kids up and over his shoulders, pretending to be a monster who wanted to eat them, the kids laughed hysterically. He went over toward Olivia when he saw her and gave her a long kiss. The kids kicked their legs in the air and squealed.

"Ewwww!"

"Yuck!"

Murphy put them down and they ran off.

"How come you're not at work?"

"We caught a bad case…I just wanted to see you guys" Olivia hugged him then. She knew exactly how he felt. Since she became a mom each case ate away at her soul that much more, especially the ones involving kids. Coming home to her family, watching at how happy, innocent and care free her kids were made it more bearable.

"How was school?"

"Good…Evy made you this picture" Murphy took the picture from her hands and studied it.

"I love it…what is it supposed to be?"

Olivia chuckled "I have no idea"

Murphy leaned down to kiss her again when a crashing sound came from the other room. Olivia cringed at the sound.

"We didn't do anything!"

"You better go see what your terrible children just did, I'll start dinner" Olivia said turning away from Murphy and heading into the kitchen.

"Why are they only my children when they've done something wrong?" Murphy called out to her retreating back before heading to the other room.

Murphy climbed into the bed next to Olivia heaving a sigh.

"Kids alright?"

"Yup, they're sound asleep"

Olivia turned over and flicked off the lamp, throwing the room into darkness. She turned back into Murphy and rested her head on his shoulder, her hand on his chest.

"Night Liv, I love you"

"I love you too" she replied before drifting off to sleep.

Ta-da! The End.