I am stating with complete confidence that I have the best readers. Ever. I go so much positive feedback and it seriously shocked me that there were so many people that read this story and enjoys what I'm doing with it. I was so damn surprised that my phone kept showing review alerts and there were quite a few people that took the time to make long detailed reviews that helped me form my ideas as I continue this.
I just...I can't even tell you how grateful I am for all of the people that encouraged me to continue with this. I want to hug you all because I was feeling like crap the couple of days before and the day I posted the last chapter and the feedback lifted my spirits. Just thank you for caring enough to take a minute and let me know you are reading this, it meant more than you'd know. Enough with the mushy crap, enjoy this chapter and the next should be up by Thursday at the absolute latest.
Walking up the stairs of the impressive brownstone, Carter felt the little handle on her nerves she had begin to fall apart. It had been three days since she met John and Amelia, and here she was going to his brother's house to make his daughter feel better. She blew out a deep breath and ran her left hand through her hair, tugging at it gently to relieve a bit of the uneasiness that was eating away at her. She liked feeling wanted over feeling needed, but she felt as if nothing was going to end up the way she wanted. She liked John, who wouldn't, but she wanted to trust him and that was the problem. She'd been down that road, falling in love with a man and thinking he was her one and done, and finding out that it was just a web of lies and deceit. She wasn't fond of getting attached so fast, but something about Amelia reminded her of someone she used to know. She stood at the door and knocked gently, waiting until she heard the locks move and a man only slightly taller than her open the door and just stare at her.
"Hi I'm Detective Jocelyn Carter, are you-"
"Hello Detective, do come in" he said, opening the door wider and walking away from it, leaving her to look perplexed as she followed him in, shutting the door and hearing the echo of her heels on the hardwood floor as she made her way to sit on his couch.
"I'm sorry Detective, I'm Harold, we spoke on the phone"
"Yeah I'm sorry I couldn't come any sooner, there was some paperwork that had to be submitted this morning" she apologized, sitting properly as she watched the way he watched her. He seemed calm as he sunk farther into the armchair and placed his hands in his lap.
"I know that I called you to sooth Amelia, but I must confess that it wasn't the entire truth" he replied, picking imaginary lint off of his pants as he apologized to her. She smiled slightly, relaxing onto the couch as he looked back at her, feeling much more at ease because of his honesty.
"It's fine Harold, if I may call you that," she paused waiting for his nod of consent before she continued, "I really didn't expect you to ask me here because Amelia was upset. My first thought actually was that something was wrong with John" she admitted quietly, this time she was the one playing with her finger, taking a breath before she met his eyes.
"I can assure you that John is quite alright. Saddened that Amelia was in tears before he left, but relatively ok for the most part Detective"
"Please call me Jocelyn Harold, I'm only Detective when it's business"
Harold looked at her again, a slight smirk on his face as he took her in, her black trench coat covering her standard black slacks and black button up shirt, a dark red scarf around her neck. She didn't seem to be someone that would take advantage of his bother and niece, but he knew appearances could be incredibly deceiving.
"Ok Jocelyn, what is it about you that has my brother in knots?" he asked suddenly, amused by the embarrassed expression on her face as she shoved a piece of the hair that fell in her face gently behind her ear, smiling slightly as she looked up at Harold, her ears feeling hot at the all too knowing expression on his face.
"I think…that you'd have to ask John that. I wasn't aware there was anything to be in knots about" she explained, unsure as to whether or not she should say anything to his brother or not.
"Well Jocelyn, I'm well aware that John cares about you, and that doesn't even begin to explain the bond you've been able to forge with Mia so fast" he explained, and her shoulders dropped as she started to understand what it felt like to be on the other side of the interrogation table. She smirked at the thought and continued on speaking.
"It was easy to get along with Amelia, she reminds me a lot of someone I used to know" she smiles sadly, thankful that he just nods his head in understanding. Usually he felt as if people were doing that just to be polite, but it felt genuine to her, as if he understood somehow.
"I'm glad you two have found one another, it seems to have opened up a new side of Amelia, one that's thoughtful and genuine beyond what either John or I have taught her"
"I appreciate that, but I can't take any credit because it just sort of happened. I'm glad it did, but you and John are the true stable figures in her life" she said with confidence, meeting his eyes convincingly as he nodded once again. He could see a spark of something in there, a fire within her that would be something John was drawn to. She was of the same thread, compassionate and caring with a shield that kept out those that aren't willing to really see what they have to offer.
"I relish in your honesty Detective, and the fact that you are true when you say things. You say exactly what you feel, it's rather interesting I must say" he explained, enjoying the small smile he had as she shook her head and laughed lightly, the sound genuine and soft rather than fake and trying.
"Thank you, I appreciate that. I just think life's too short to say anything other than what we mean when it really matters. Everyone always says that they wished they could have said something after an event happens, but I don't think I could live with knowing that I let an opportunity to happy pass me by. I don't want to be that person" she says, watching the way Harold stares at her, this time a warmth in his gaze that he'd been missing before.
"I couldn't agree more. There's something to trying to get the most out of, for example, the ones that love you and you love in return?" he asked innocently, watching the way she stared at him, reading between the lines of his words. She nodded slightly, tipping her head to the side as he nodded back, aware that she understood his message loud and clear.
"With that being said Jocelyn, are you ready to make Mia's day?" he said as he stood up, having her follow him down the hall to where she could hear a TV on, but no movement from inside. As he opened the door just enough to poke his head in, she could see the way Amelia was laying in a fetal position, looking bored as she stared at the TV.
"Mia, how are you feeling?" he spoke softly, hiding Jocelyn behind him as Mia's eyes swung to him. He could tell she was on the verge of tears again, her little blue eyes red rimmed and her nose and cheeks pink. She sat up on her bed, pulling her knees up to her chest as they stared at one another, Amelia's little sniffle the only thing that made any sound at all. It broke Carter's heart to hear the little girl near tears, and instinctively she place a hand on the back of Harold's right shoulder, him moving aside as Amelia came into full view. He smiled as he moved into the room, immediately moving in and off to the side as Amelia turned toward the wall, missing Carter walking in. Carter slipped off her heels by the door as she walked over to Amelia and sat on the bed behind her, rubbing up and down her back softly as she felt Amelia sigh. She felt Amelia shift back towards her and she saw the way Amelia registered that it was Carter there and not Harold.
"Hi" Carter whispered, running her fingers through Amelia's hair as Amelia moved closer to Carter, placing her head in her lap as she sighed, Amelia's hand grabbing Carter's pants in her tiny fist. She wrapped an arm around Amelia as she rested her body against the headboard, supporting hers and Amelia's weight.
"Hi Joss" Amelia whispered, her eyes now glassy with tears as she looked up at her, the tears starting to fall as she silently began crying again. Carter's heart fell to pieces as she picked the little girl up and placed her entire body on her thighs and legs. Amelia curled into a ball again on top of Joss as she cried, Harold silently coming closer to place a blanket over them as he backed out of the room. Joss sighed as she sat and lightly rocked Amelia back and forth until she fell asleep, looking at the clock on the wall and sighing as she thought about shifting out from Amelia before Harold appeared in the doorway.
"Detective I hope you don't mind, but I made a call to the precinct and let them know that you had food poisoning from your lunch. They let me know that you had the weekend free and that they hoped you felt better" he said as his eyes shifted around the room, avoiding hers as he looked down at Amelia's sleeping form sprawled over the detective's lap. Carter couldn't help but smile softly as she shifted Amelia sideways so only her head rested on her lap.
"Thank you Harold, I don't-"
"There's something about you detective that she trusts. I understand she misses John but it's never this bad. Please don't thank me, I should be thanking you for calming her and making her feel safe I suppose"
"My father was a police officer. I remember when he'd leave for work and my mother used to say I'd just sit and cry all morning after he'd left. I was just a kid, but I think there's just something about your dad walking out the door that can tear at you at the most random times" she whispered, looking up to blink back tears as Amelia woke up, rubbing her eyes with little fists as she looked up to Joss and smiled. Amelia jumped up and hugged her much like she had that morning, and Joss sagged with relief that the little girl was back to her normal self.
I know this was anti climactic compared to the last chapter, but next chapter is a HUGE step up. I suggest you hang in there, things are about ot get really interesting.