Keeping Katie Ch 32

It was the middle of the night. Everyone was sleeping, Don was dozing until headlights flashed down the driveway and stayed there. Immediately alert he got up and reached for his sweats. If the lights didn't go out he was going out to see what was going on. He could hear an engine idling. He lights went out but the engine didn't cut off. He skimmed into his sweatshirt and was reaching for his gun when the buzzer for the front gate went off.

Karen popped up. "Someone's here."

"They've been here for a few minutes. Get dressed. I'm going to go see who it is." Don said unnecessarily.

Karen was already scrambling into hers. "I'll get the lights."

She was headed for the box when the intercom buzzed. "Is anyone there?"

It was Mrs. Jones. Karen and Don exchanged worried looks. Karen touched the box. "Mrs. Jones?"

"Can I come in? I need to talk to you."

"Of course. Someone will meet you at your car." She pushed the button to open the gate.

"I'll go." Don said putting his gun in his waistband and covering it with his shirt.

"I hope Katie's okay." Karen said anxiously.

"Let's find out. Call the dogs in so they don't wake the kids."

They hurried toward the back door. Karen pushed the switch for the gate to close and hurried after him. Fortunately both kids were still fast asleep. They went out into the cool night air. Mrs. Jones had pulled up and got out of the car, leaving it running. "I'm sorry to come so late."

"Is Katie okay?" Karen asked.

"She's fine. She's asleep in the back seat. Can we go inside?"

"I'll get Katie." Don offered.

"Let's leave her here for a minute. I-I need to talk to you where she can't hear."

Karen came over and peeked inside the car at Katie buried under blankets. She couldn't help herself. Satisfied she followed them into the house. The light over the kitchen range gave off a soft glow. "Do you want something to eat or drink?" Don asked.

"Don't be nice to me. I don't deserve it." Mrs. Jones said bitterly. "I'm ashamed of myself and I need to correct what I've done."

"Have a seat and tell us what's so wrong." Don said.

"I kept my mouth shut about what kind of man my husband is. I thought he would be able to change, to get along with Katie. I wanted a second chance, you see, to be a better grandmother than I was a mother, but it's not working. Katie and Mr. Jones just don't get along, they're continually having a battle of wills and it's taking away all the harmony in our house. Katie's not happy, he's not happy and neither am I. I don't understand Katie half the time and she resents me. I'm just….at my wits end. I talked to Ms. Munson and she told me what you'd said. I've been thinking about it. The judge awarded us custody, but I love Katie and I want her to be happy and that's here with you. Would you take her home here where she belongs?"

"If we can permanently adopt her." Karen said, though Don knew what that cost her to say.

"I have the custody papers in the car. All I have to do is sign them."

"What does your husband have to say about this?" Don asked.

"The decision is mine not his." Mrs. Jones said with unusual firmness.

"He'll have a say in the matter." Don warned.

"He always does, but this time he'll lose. I know what's best for my granddaughter and this is what's best for her. I know I don't deserve to but I do have one favor to ask."

"Go ahead and ask." Karen said.

"Could I maybe come see her once in a while, maybe send her a birthday card or Christmas present?"

"Of course you can. You are family. And if you want to just drop by to one of her school functions, we'll be glad to see you. It may take time, but Katie will be glad she got to know you in later years." Don said.

Karen nodded in agreement. "Let's go get Katie and her papers then. Karen, wait here. We'll be right back."

Karen was astounded that he'd even suggested it. "But…."

"Open the door for us." He said firmly.

She swallowed and stayed until they were outside then she flew to the door. It seemed to take forever but she heard the car doors close and she got excited. Mrs. Jones came in then Don came in carrying Katie. He stopped at the door and handed the girl to Karen. "Now she's ours. Our girl is home."

Then Karen understood. The doorway is where they took Katie from her arms and here was where they brought her back. She grabbed Katie in a tight hug. "My goodness, she's grown. Must have been some good home cooking." She said tearfully.

Katie sleepily opened her eyes to look at Karen and smiled. She touched her face and then drifted back to the deep sleep of the innocent. Karen smiled at her and staggered over to the kitchen chair and sat down to look at her, love shining from her face.

Mrs. Jones cleared her throat and looked away. Guilt and longing warred in her countenance. Don put a hand on her shoulder. "You did what you thought you needed to do. Now you've done a hard thing, but you did it. You should be proud."

"Here are the papers giving you custody of her and signing away any further parental rights now or in the future. I had the lawyer draw them up after the first week, just in case. They just have to be filed."

Don nodded. Mr. Jones still had to be dealt with, but he decided not to bring that up just now.

"Take good care of her, please. Just remind her that I love her too." Mrs. Jones said.

"We will." Karen smiled at the woman.

"I'll show you out." Don said softly.

He opened the gate so she could leave and then closed it again and told the dogs what good ones they are and went back inside.

Karen was still sitting in the chair looking at Katie. She looked up at Don with tears streaming down her face. "Am I dreaming?"

"No, she's really home."

"I know I should put her to bed, but….."

"Just hold her. She's sleeping, no harm done. I think you're right, though. She has definitely grown and her hair got longer too."

"They change so fast. I feel like I'm going to bust a gut."

"No busting tonight. It's too late to be cleaning it up. Tell me how happy you are when you and Katie butt heads and you're mad at her."

"Oh, I'll be mad or let her think I am, but I'll always love her. And you. You are a good, good man, Donald Cragen."

"Speaking of which, I think we should pull everything together and get married tomorrow. That way when we file those papers in court we'll all have the same last name."

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. Everything is still here, all we have to do is make some calls."

"That sounds terrific. And Katie can be here."

"Darned right. I'll start calling first thing in the morning."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"There is just one thing."

"What's that?" Don asked prepared for just about anything.

"Can you lift her up? My legs are going to sleep."

He chuckled quietly and lifted the dead weight of his new daughter. "Let's put her to bed."

BB groaned in her sleep and rolled over on her bed and went back to sleep. She didn't realize what was going on. They just left Katie in her clothes and took off her coat and shoes and slipped her under the covers. Both kissed her good night and watched her for a minute then went to bed themselves. The house was full again.

TBC