Keeping Katie Ch 33

Loud happy cries from the girls bedroom announced the discovery of the girls to each other and everyone else in the morning. Don and Karen were sitting at the dining room table when it happened. They smiled at one another and kept making a list of people to call.

Both girls came charging out of the room and Katie leaped against Karen with glad sounds. Karen grinned and kissed her. "Good morning, my little Katie bug."

Katie saw Don and ran around the table to give him a hug too. She crawled up on his lap at the table and beamed at the world in general. Her face was a little leaner, more mature, but she was fine otherwise. "Hungry." She signaled.

"What's all the fuss about?" Laslo demanded grumpily emerging from his room. "Oh, Katies back. Morning, Katie." He said casually.

"You aren't surprised to see her?" BB demanded.

"I knew she'd come back." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"How did you know that?!" BB demanded.

"Because this is where she belongs and when Karen wants something she usually finds a way to get it. What's for breakfast?"

Karen looked indignant but Don laughed. "He's right you know. On both counts."

"I'll make some breakfast. You start making calls." Karen said grinning. "Would anyone like banana pancakes?"

The consensus was yes. Don got out his cell phone and started dialing. Karen called Charlene while he was on his phone and soon they had the wedding plans underway for 5:00 that evening.

The whole day shifted into high gear. Everything started to come together and there were smiles all around. Don and Laslo were gone getting the last of the things for the yard when the call came from Mrs. Jones. "He's on his way over there and he has a gun. He's going to force you to give him Katie. I tried to stop him, but he won't listen."

"Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me. Just watch yourself."

Karen hung up and called Don. "Cragen."

"Get back here now. Jones is on the way over here and he has a gun. She just called."

"Close the gate and let the dogs out. We're on the way."

Karen was already doing that. She turned to the others. "Get your things and go into the basement. Charlene, before you go with the kids call John and tell him what's going on. I'll call the locals. Do not come out of that basement until you hear someone you know and trust. Go!"

"I'm going to stay with you." Charlene said.

"Don's on his way. Go on."

Karen was busy getting her shotgun out of the way and closing all the windows she could. She locked and deadbolted the back door and went to stand by the window to keep an eye open for Mr. Jones. She saw him minutes before he turned into the yard. He stopped at the gate and started blowing the horn angrily. Karen just watched. If she didn't respond maybe he'd go away.

He backed up and she hoped he might leave. The dogs were barking ferociously at the car. He backed as far as he could then gunned the engine. His older car was big, heavy and already dented. He drove right through the gate. It would have been funny in an old time movie or on a cop show but this was real life. He pulled nearly up to the door. "Katie? Where are you?" he bellowed.

Shaking with nerves, Karen moved into the kitchen as he kicked the heavy wooden door open and charged up the stairs. "Where's Katie? She belongs with me and her grandmother."

"She's somewhere safe." Karen said.

"The court gave her to us and I'm taking her home." He bellowed loudly.

"Katie does not belong to you. She's a child, not a piece of property." Karen said.

"She's a kid and she's going to live with us. Get her."

"No, she's staying right here."

"I'll shoot this place to smithereens if I have to. I want Katie now."

"No. Katie is here because your wife brought her home where she belongs."

"I already dealt with her. Where's Katie?"

"She's not here and you shouldn't be here either." Don said moving up behind Mr. Jones. "Police. Put the gun down." He said aiming his gun at the mans head.

Jones had the gun pointed at the stove and he pulled the trigger. Karen jumped, Don grabbed the shotgun and they wrestled with it for a few minutes. The man was taller than Don but lanky and mad. Don got him off balance enough that he could slip around him and get between him and the counter. Using his heavier weight, Don pinned the man against the counter and wrestled the shotgun away from him.

Karen darted over and grabbed it away from Don and moved back out of reach. The two men struggled until their faces were red. Sirens announced the arrival of the local police, enough to distract Jones. Don got him down on the floor and pinned his arms behind his back. "You're under arrest for trespassing, resisting arrest, attempted murder and anything else I can make stick." Don growled.

The locals entered with guns drawn and took in the scene. "Karen, put the gun down." One of them told her.

Karen set it carefully on the table with the barrel pointed away from anyone and backed away. The local deputies put handcuffs on Jones and lifted him to his feet. "I want to press charges!" he bellowed struggling in their grasp.

"For what?" They asked him.

"I've been set up. I came here to get my granddaughter that she kidnapped and she pulled that gun on me."

"I did not!" Karen said hotly.

"I came in and saw he had the gun, officers. It's his gun." Don said.

"Of course you'd say that." Jones snarled.

"You have the right to remain silent…."one of the deputies started to say.

More cars roared in. Munch, Elliott and Olivia hurried in ready for action. "Where's Charlene and the kids?" Munch demanded.

"Are you okay, Captain?" Elliot asked.

"Karen, are you hurt?" Olivia asked.

"No, I'm fine." Karen said and had to sit down. She had lost all color in her face.

"We need a paramedic here." One of the deputies said.

"Karen!" Don jumped toward her.

Olivia holstered her weapon and moved toward her too. "Put your head down, honey."

"Are you hurt?" Don asked.

"No, I'm fine. Don't call an ambulance."

"It's okay guys. It's just shock." Olivia said. "She'll be fine."

"You better hope she's okay." Elliott told Jones sharply.

"I want her arrested." Jones yelled.

"On what charges?" the deputy demanded.

"Kidnapping. She has my granddaughter."

"It's true. I was here when they removed the child." The other one said.

Karen tried to jump to her feet, Olivia held her down. "Keep your head down."

"Katies grandmother brought her over here and signed over her parental rights. Katie is not their child anymore."

"I didn't and I'm her grandfather." Jones said harshly.

"You have no legal standing. I found out why you wanted Katie and it won't hold up in court. You are Katies grandfather only in that you married her grandmother. You have no blood ties to her or the money she will inherit when she turns 21. That's why you wanted her. Not because you have any feeling for the child, but for the money she inherits." John said.

"No, I…."

"The con is over. I talked to your parole officer. Jones isn't even your real name. Stanley Wright is your real name and you're going back to Louisiana State Prison where you escaped from."

"My name is Jones."

"Your name is Stanley Wright. I saw the papers with my own eyes." Mrs. Jones said as Fin escorted her into the room. "You looked like my husband and I hadn't seen him in years, I wanted to believe you. But you're just like him. Lying, stealing, thieving bastard. Just like him you deserve to rot in prison."

The basement door opened and Charlene stuck her head out carefully. "Is it okay to come out?"

"All clear. Are you and the kids okay?" Elliott asked.

"We're fine. I heard a….oh, my." She saw the wreckage of the stove.

John hurriedly grabbed her to him. "It's okay. No one is hurt. We'll just have to add a charge to this mans already full dance card. Stoveslaughter in the first degree."

The two deputies hustled Mr. Wright out of the house. Fin picked up the shotgun and took it out to the car for them. The kitchen was in a shambles, the whole house smelled of gunpowder residue and everyone just stared at one another. Fin was back in a few minutes later with yet another arrival. It was the priest. "Look who showed up. There's no keeping religion out of anywhere."

"I came for a wedding…." The mans said. "I guess it's off now…."

"Not necessarily." Don said looking at Karen. "What do you say? Everyone is here."

"It's kind of a cheesy way to get a new stove." Fin suggested with a grin.

"I'm overwhelmed." Karen said.

"Say yes, Karen. You love Don and he loves you and we're all together. You know you want to." Charlene said with a grin.

"Yes. I'd marry you naked in a snowstorm."

"That's not something I want to see." Elliot said with a grin.

"John, my best man?"

"I'd be honored."

"Charlene?" Karen asked.

"You know it."

"Let me get my clothes changed." Karen said.

"We all need to." Don said.

"Olivia, will you help Katie get ready? Charlene our dresses are here. They delivered them a couple of days ago."

"I'd be happy to." Olivia held out her hand to Katie.

BB took them to her room and closed the door. "Just look at this kitchen." Charlene said.

"We'll take care of it, baby girl. You go get all dolled up for the wedding." Fin said.

Don helped Karen to her feet and they went into their quarters. He touched her face gently. "This wasn't the way I'd planned our wedding day. Are you okay with this? We could wait for another time..."

"Donald Cragen, are you trying to get out of marrying me?"

"Never. I love you. I just don't want you to regret getting married under these circumstances."

"I don't regret a thing. We're here, so are Katie and the other kids, Charlene, John, all my friends at your squad, Mrs. Jones, everyone who was going to come anyway. You're not getting away from me one more time, Captain Cragen. You are going to be mine."

"I always was from the first time I laid eyes on you and Katie. I just didn't know it at the time."

"Then get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep the preacher waiting. Come on, you have your marching orders."

"Yes, ma'am. Which suit shall I wear?"

"I'd love to see you in your dress blues."

"You would." he teased her with a smile.

He dressed in his uniform and she changed into the wedding dress he'd had made just for her. He zipped it up for her and then watched as she styled it as much as possible in a short time. Truthfully, he liked it simple on her.

They emerged to a much cleaner kitchen and Fin and Elliott taking out the damaged stove. Charlene had changed into her dress and looked beautiful. John was sneaking peeks at her and she was showing off for him.

Most of the food had been already prepared so it was just a matter of getting it all out on the table, the bride and groom ready for the ceremony and knocking together the panels for the trellis in the backyard. Elliott moved Jones car out of the way and they picked up the remnants of the gate and straightened the yard as best they could.

Katie had grown since they purchased her dress so Olivia put a blouse under it and a vest over the top to hide the gap in the back. The length of the skirt would just have to do. BB's still fit.

Karen had lost some weight since the dress had been fit to her, but it still was the prettiest dress Don had ever seen. They all paraded out to the backyard where the minister waited.

There was a small semblance of the usual order, but no one minded. The preacher smiled at the bride and groom. I don't believe I've ever seen a bride get ready so quickly. You look lovely, my dear. You, sir, are a very lucky man."

"I know." Don agreed with a smile.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today..." the preacher began.

The ceremony was simple and elegant, stripped of most flowery phrasing and elaborate verses. In a short time he pronounced them man and wife. "You may kiss the bride." Don turned to her and smiled at her. He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. She pulled him firmly to her and gave him a real kiss, much to the amusement of his detectives and the preacher.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Captain and Mrs. Donald Cragen."

COMPLETE