Hey, I'm over 100 reviews! Thanks everyone for your kind words. Okay, from here on out, the story is going to pick up the pace a little. Let's see what Mama Rossi has to say.
"Your daughter," Mrs. Rossi said slowly. "And just how long have you known you had a daughter?"
"About a month," Dave said.
"I see," the older woman said. She looked at Skylar. "She looks like your sisters at that age,"
"I thought so," Dave agreed.
"You and I are going to have a long discussion later," she said. Dave knew that meant his mother would be talking and he would be listening. "Right now, I would like to get to know my granddaughter."
She sat down at the kitchen table. "Come here, child," she smiled. Skylar looked at her father then walked over to Mrs. Rossi. "You are a very pretty child." Skylar gave a small smile.
"She doesn't talk, Mama," Dave told her.
"That's alright," the older woman smiled. "You talk enough for both of you, I'm sure." That got a giggle from Skylar.
"Hey!" Dave protested. "Are you two going to gang up on me your entire visit?"
"Most likely," his mother said. Skylar nodded.
"I'm outnumbered," Dave groused playfully, throwing up his hands. "At least I still have Mudgie." With that, the dog barked, got up and went to stand by Skylar. "Mrs. Nichols, are you on my side?" he asked.
"Only because you sign my paycheck."
"I'm feeling the love here," Dave said.
"It's time for lunch," Mrs. Nichols smiled. "Skylar, go was your hands." She pointed at her father. "He didn't use soap." The little girl scampered from the room.
"The salad's in the fridge," Mrs. Nichols said as she began getting plates and bowls from the cabinet.
Dave opened the door. "Mrs. Nichols?" he asked.
"Yes, sir?"
"Why are there five jars of pickles in the fridge?"
"Because your daughter eats them like they were candy," the woman said. "She went through one jar in two days last week. If you look in the vegetable bin, you'll see her raw veggies as well."
"How did you get her to eat vegetables?" Mrs. Rossi asked. "Most children don't like them."
"Ah, the wonders of peanut butter and low fat yogurt and ranch dressing," Mrs. Nichols smiled. "Plus she knows if she eats her vegetables, she gets her cookies."
"Whatever works," Dave said as he placed the salad on the table.
"That was my thinking," Mrs. Nichols said.
Later that evening, after Skylar had taken her bath and gotten ready for bed, Dave and his mother were in his office while Skylar watched television. He poured her a brandy and himself a scotch then sat down next to her.
"Tell me what happened," Mrs. Rossi said.
"Do you remember Elizabeth Peterson?" he asked.
"I remember how much she hated you," she said. Her eyes went wide. "She is Skylar's mother?"
"She is," he said.
"She had your child and never told you?" she asked. "Why did she tell you now? She suddenly feel like giving you visitation rights? She wants child support, doesn't she?"
"She didn't tell me. Her mother did," he said. "I don't even know if Elizabeth knows that I know. And I don't have visitation rights. I have custody, at least temporarily. The hearing for permanent custody will be in a few months."
"Why would her mother tell you?"
Dave took a deep breath. "Mom, Elizabeth had Skylar placed in a psychiatric facility for children," he said quietly. "Skylar had quit talking and, add that to what her mother told me, she didn't really want the child in the first place. She put her there then went to live in Europe. As soon as I found out, I flew to Atlanta where she was, got custody and brought her home. That was a little over a month ago."
"Mia povera bambina," she whispered. "How is she doing?"
"She's adjusting," he sighed. "I never thought I would become a father in my fifties."
"You will be good for her," she said, "and she will be good for you."
"I am discovering an entirely new way of looking at things," he agreed.
"Your brothers and sisters are going to be very excited," she chuckled. "You know what that means. They will want to come and visit as soon as they can."
"I'll leave it to you to keep them at bay for a while," he said. "I don't want to overwhelm her just yet."
"I will do my best," she promised. "Expect a number of phone calls."
There was a knock at the door and Mrs. Nichols came into the room. "Skylar has fallen asleep on the couch," she said. "Do you want me to put her to bed?"
"No, I'll do it," Dave said.
"Then if there's nothing else, I'm going to retire for the night," the housekeeper said.
"See you in the morning," Dave said. He and his mother stood up. "Shall we put Sleeping Beauty to bed?"
When Skylar walked into the kitchen the next morning, the adults were already at the table and breakfast was almost ready. She kissed Dave on the cheek and, after a moment of hesitation, kissed her nonna as well. She sat down and Mrs. Nichols gave her a glass of orange juice.
"So what are we going to do today, David?" Mrs. Rossi asked.
"Well, if it's okay with my two favorite ladies, I thought we might do a little sightseeing, maybe some shopping," Dave said. "We could have lunch at this deli I found."
"It would be a hardship, I suppose, spending someone else's money," Mrs. Rossi sighed.
"I know it'll be tough, Mom, but I think you can handle it," Dave said, rolling his eyes.
Mrs. Rossi looked at Skylar. "What do you think?" she asked. "Should we spend some of your father's money?" Skylar quickly nodded her head. "It's unanimous. We shall be more than happy to help you spend your money."
"Everyone is always happy to help me spend my money," Dave chuckled. "Tomorrow, we'll start setting up for the party."
"What party?" his mother asked.
"My team is coming over Saturday for a paint and decorate party," Dave said. "We're doing Skylar's rooms. Afterwards, we'll fire up the grill."
"Your team?" Mrs. Rossi asked.
"You've met Aaron Hotchner and Derek Morgan before," Dave said. "You haven't met the others yet but they'll all be here."
"I remember Aaron," Mrs. Rossi said. "He has such a lovely wife. Will she becoming as well?"
Dave was quiet for a moment. "Mama, Hayley was... there was a serial killer we were chasing. He went after Hayley and Jack, Aaron's son. Jack was okay but we didn't get there in time to save Hayley. It was about a year and a half ago."
"That poor man," she murmured.
"It's not a subject we discuss unless we have to," Dave said. glancing at his daughter. The older woman nodded.
Mrs. Nichols started setting breakfast on the table. "Mrs. Rossi, may I ask a favor? she said.
"Of course," the older woman said.
"Your son has told me about his team and their... appetites," the housekeeper started.
"I believe what I said was they can clear a table of food not unlike a swarm of locusts," Dave said as he began to eat.
"Sounds like you and your brothers," Mrs. Rossi said, looking at her son. Dave just glared at her, making her smile.
"Yes, well," Mrs. Nichols said. "Your son is handling the grill, steaks, chicken, burgers, hot dogs. I, on the other hand, am making everything else. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I could use another set of hands."
"I'd be more than happy to help," Mrs. Rossi said.
"Wonderful," Mrs. Nichols said. "The menu is already set and I'll do the shopping while you three are out. Tomorrow, we cook."
TBC...
Next chapter, there was a little girl, who had a little girl...