Thank you to all the reviews they mean a lot to me .
ok question as i was watching or should i say re-watching Rookie Blue for the millionth time , Season 1 Ep 7 is it just me or does Andy (Missy Peregrym) have a tattoo on her hip , or is it just a spot, you see it when she is in the white bra and jeans just as she goes to pull out her phone when Luke is calling her after she has been hooking up with Sam. maybe re-watch that scene and let me know.
ok so i hope you enjoy and this chapter will be in 2 parts as i love this mini story so much i wanted this person to keep going.
so review and let me know what you think
Much love Erin
2 years later.
Being a cop means a lot to me, it made me stronger , growing up with my father being a cop, I always thought I knew what it would or could be like but after my mother left and my father became a drunk yeah I was strong I had to be an adult at 14. Being told your mother doesn't want you in her life anymore it could break a child but it made me who I am today.
Finding and falling in love with Sam made me become a better Cop, hearing his stories from his time before you on the force to times as a kid looking after his big sister. Im still changing my way I police, the way I see thing and mostly they way I live and love. Being a mother is the same thing we try to keep work at work and home life at home as much as we can but 2 years after having my daughter Stella, Sam and I were at home talk after what was yet another hard case of me to work on but I have been told time and time again, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I know that more then ever after this case.
It's all started 2 Months ago while I was on foot patrol with my now regular partner Officer Daniel Johnson, we really do work well together. As it was summer and warm I decided to have lunch in the park it was to nice of a day to eat in diner or café. As an I finish half of my sandwich Daniel asks how my daughter Stella is. I always get excited just talk to my friends and co-workers about her she is like everyone's daughter everyone love her just as much as we do she is 15s little rookie. She is great thanks for asking Daniel, how's your girlfriend going it must be hard her working as a flight assistant and flying all the time. yeah was the answer but she is thinking on getting new job so we can be together more its been 3 years and Im thinking of asking her to move in, seeing you and Sam so in love I don't know I guess I had been thinking of starting a family soon working as a cop we all know how short life is and I could see little Johnson's running around. Wow I didn't think it was that serious but can I say one think it could help in your think. Daniel just nods and takes another mouthful of his lunch as I continue. Becoming a parent is the best thing I have done, don't get me wrong it hard but so it being a cop you come stronger in more ways then you could think possible and you will see life in a different way to . I shouldn't say this as Sam I and have only just started talk about it but we are thinking about add to our family soon maybe not this year but after Chris and Gail got married and she had her little boy Craig (lol sorry I had to put it in there) last month I realise how much I missed being pregnant and have a little one around the house.
As I look up to see Daniel face with his thinking face on , I take the time to look around kids were playing with there parents and or other kids they are the days I miss while working around after bad guys when I could be running around after Stella .
I see a young mother with her daughter over near the water fountain filling up water bottles, as it hasn't been a busy day I tell Daniel Im going for a walk and call me on my mobile if there are any calls ill be back soon.
As I walk over to the young mother and her daughter she could have been 19 and the girl Im thinking about 4 maybe 5 if she was lucky. Hi my name is Officer McNally Swarek, How are you guys today. I officer Im Lisa and my daughter is Chloe we good I guess. Will I have seen you guys around for a few months I just wanted to check up on you see if there was anything I could do? My mind was going a million miles a hour I could see they were in clean clothes and Chloe didn't have shoes on, homeless Im thinking but I really couldn't be sure at this stage.
That's really nice of you Officer McNally-Swarek were ok. We haven't got much but we deal with it. Will can I help in anyway, even if it's just to talk I hear Im a great talker but I know Im a great listener. I could buy you a cup of coffee and maybe I could help you out some how I ask .oh no its ok we must be really busy we don't want to take you away from your job to we are just about to go back to the halfway home its not home but we make do.
Im on my lunch break anyway Lisa its just a cup of coffee and maybe Chloe would like a milkshake after a big smile from both Lisa and Chloe we walk over to a little café on the corner where I could still see Daniel sitting enjoying the quiet time as we never really get it on shift in the holidays. As I sit down after paying for 2 coffees and a milkshake. I ask Lisa, I know that this might be too personal and you don't need to answer but what happened to get you to a halfway house. As I see a look from Lisa to Chloe and a slight body shake and then a deep breathe Lisa starts….
Its all started when I was pregnant with Chloe my boyfriend hit me so I knew he couldn't be in our life's I was working in a café trying to make as much money as I could before I had this little one and then my parents found out I was pregnant I must have hid it really well as I got to 7 months before they kicked me out I really had no friends or family that care enough to help me so I kept work up until the day I gave birth to Chloe 4 years ago today its why we are out at the park its her birthday present , I was going to say something but after a breath she kept going .
I was lucky enough that the café that I was working at let me take her to work with me I was all fine until 6 months ago it all come crashing down .
A single tear rain down her face, I had to kept it together I knew I could break down at home but I needed to be strong for her.
Young mom on her own
she needs a little help, got nowhere to go
she's looking for a job, looking for a way out
'Cause a halfway house will never be a home
I was on my way to work Chloe loved the café and all the other staff to worked there they looked after her like she was there own as we turned the corner to where the café was they was a police and fire there and people running around everywhere, it had been fire bombed I found out in the end, my ex boyfriend did it, as she took a breath I broke in asking wait was the coffee on queens. Yeah Lisa said how did you know, I was called for back up there damn it was really good coffee to. Yeah you know it, I was known to the customer for my good coffee making skills. Sorry back to your where I was I oh ok so my ex boyfriend fire bombed it, he said it was because umm oh something on the line of I should be able to live and look after his kid. It was hard, Im still looking after a job that I can work around my daughter. I make some money singing on street corners but it just gets us basic food, new clothes at this moment in time are a dream until I get a job. this isn't they way I had my life dreamed out but if I didn't have Chloe I wouldn't want that life. Im just looking and hoping for a way out to make a life for us.
Just as I was about to ask if I could help in any way I get a called over the radio. sorry Lisa I really need to go but here is $100 now I don't do this for everyone or anyone its all I have on me now, but you have touched me its hard to see you like this as I have a 3 year old .but I ill come and find you soon and help you out some more I maybe even able to help with a job for you.
Oh thank you Officer McNally –Swarek you don't know how much this means, oh Lisa I say before I really need to run ill be in the park on Monday with my husband would you like to come have lunch with us and met my daughter, yes ill be there thank you so much oh and Chloe I say happy birthday sweetheart.
As I run up the Daniel and apologue for taking so long we rush off to the car and answer the call as we are now called as back up as I let Daniel drive I had a little time to think, by the time we got to the scene I knew what needed to be done to help Lisa and Chloe I just needed to wait until after shift to put it into action.
Back at the Halfway house Lisa had brought a little cupcake for Chloe's birthday as she sung happy birthday to her daughter to thought about how amazingly nice officer McNally-Swarek was to her . As she lay down to sleep with her little girl she whispers in her ear. Someday we'll find out place here in this world.
At night she whispers to her baby girl
"Someday we'll find our place here in this world"
Monday couldn't come fast enough for me, after getting Sam on my side and working out a few things I knew this would help Lisa out a lot. This smile that was on my face hadn't left it since I meet her 3 days ago, my girls who where mothers Traci, Zoe, Noelle and now Gail had all helped out with the mini surprises. We had all brought Chloe some little birthday presents the girls brought her some really basic clothes and I brought her a little set of pencils and a few little colouring books and I had a got Lisa a gift card of Macys but that was to do with my other surprise.
As we all day the day off and Gail was still on her baby leave as she called it we all made our way to the park we used to do this just as couples with Leo and the Shaw girls but as our group got bigger with kids we try and do it a few times a year when we can all get time off.
As I helped Stella get out of the car I look around the park to see if Lisa was there yet I couldn't see her but that didn't mean much, Sam with the help of jerry grabbed the esky and tub of food and blankets from the boot of the car and make our way over to the spot we always go, it was the place where I found Lisa and Chloe so I just hope she could find us. as every arrives hellos and hugs and kisses were shares and oh isn't he growing to Gail about Craig it was just after 1 in the afternoon I look around the park again still nothing as adult were talking laughing and the kids were being looked after by the Shaw girls I grab my drink and went for a walk I see If I could find Lisa yet I guess I was just super excited to help her out knowing we were all behind her and going to help her I kinder felt like I was looking after a daughter , its what being a mother was like as I reach the other side of the playground a felt my leg being grab I turned and looked it was Chloe , I bended down and pick her up , hello miss , and where is your mother, as I saw Lisa running down the path oh Chloe why must you run so fast was all that could come out her mouth before taking a breath, it ok Lisa she must have seen me looking for you , as I put Chloe down I took a step helping Lisa with a bag, ask if she was ready to met my husband and everyone else , I could see in her eyes she wasn't sure, as I gave her a smile and when her face lit up to I held out my hand of Chloe and Lisa took her other hand and we walked over to what I could only call my family.
Sam walked over to us, oh that where you went I looked up after changing Stel and you where gone, sorry how rude of me, you must be Lisa, Im Andy sorry officer McNally-Swarek's husband Officer Sam Swarek but as we are not working please call us by our first names, and who is this little cutie here, Lisa and Sam both kneed down as Lisa said Chloe this is Sam, Officer McNally-Swarek's Husband can you say hello to Sam for me.
Hi Sam, Im Chloe and Im 3, hi Chloe it nice to meet you would you like to come with us and meet my daughter Stella she is 3 too. with a nod of her head she was off with Sam to the playground with the other kids as Andy gave yet another smile to Lisa as they walked over to where the food and adults where. Hey guys, I spoke up I found someone, as everyone turned about, I said everyone this is Lisa, Lisa is this Officers Chris and Gail Diaz they have a 1 month old Craig hi guys, nice you meet you, next we have Detective Traci and Jerry Barber they have a son who is 12 and a daughter who is 6 months older then my daughter Stella Kristen is 4 Smiles all around Traci lean in a gave a small hug and a so nice to finally meet you. Now we have Officer Oliver Shaw and his Wife Zoe they have 3 teenage girls Izzie, Emily and Melissa. They are the best babysitters. With a goofy smile from Oliver I moved on , this is Staff Sergeant Frank Best and his wife officer Noelle Best they have both a daughter and son Elizabeth is 8 and James is 5 now here is Dov Epstein and his girlfriend Sue she works in Eft- Bomb squad , Daniel Johnson you may have seen on Friday at the park his my Partner while at work and I see him more as a brother his girlfriend is away working now here are our single guys Pete Sun and Nick Collins both gave her a so nice to meet you so that is everyone the kids are over at the playground but you can meet them while we eat , wow was all Lisa said as there was a few tears I pull her into a hug hey its ok , this is just a start after we eat , we, will mainly the girls and I have a few little surprises for you and Chloe. I told you on Friday I was willing to help, I know I only met you 3 days ago but something about you got under my skin and I knew I needed to do what I could to help. As Lisa stopped crying and took a deep breath she thanked me for what seems like the millionth time. hey Lisa don't thank me yet we are just getting started , think of it as today will be to start of you new life and if you will let us , we will like to help you in as many way as we can . you are really amazing Andy you all are amazing people and cops as Lisa turned about to talk to everyone, this is more than I could have hoped for, I didn't think people like you guys lived, ok ok Oliver butted in before the girls all get teary eyed knowing he would soon cry to he was a softy inside too lets get the kids and Sam and eat. as jerry walked over to the playground I thank Oliver for cooking and not burning the meat as we all seat down and eat and talk and find out more about Lisa I knew what I was about to give her was perfect , Sam sat next to me and whispered into my ear did I ever tell you how much I love you , I try and hide a giggle and turn into him with a quick kiss I say yes every day but I never get tired of hearing it , when there wasn't any food left the guys walk over to the playground with the older kids while the girls and I stay with Lisa, Chloe Stella and Craig ok Lisa are you ready for the many surprises I told you about. I could never be ready but ok , with a quick smiles from all the girls they pull out the presents of Chloe , ok so I told the girls it was Chloe birthday they other day its not much but I hope it helps as Chloe started ripping open the present I could see a tear slip from Lisa's eye , as I pull her into a hug I say there is more , she got clothes and a few books it was like all her birthdays and Christmas's had come at once I pull out a present that I brought for her , now Chloe everyone little girl needs a doll , after she opened it she ran and jumped into my arms just to say thank you Lisa couldn't stop thanking up as Chloe got down and stayed playing dolls with Stella I turned to Lisa ok now its your turn.
As I hand over a card inside was a gift card of Macys this is for some new clothes for your new job at Sam's sister café, Lisa pulled me into a hug thanking me over and over and over again. Pushed back of her that's not all I what to say one this before I let you know that last thing. I really want you to know my story and why I wanted to help you if you will let me. Yeah ok, I looked up to the girls they smiles and nodded. how about we got for a little walk for a minute Chloe is fine her with the girls, with a smile we start off over the hill to the pond as I sit down with Lisa and took a deep breathe ok if I told you the full story we could be here for a week so ill give you a short version
I was 14 when my mother left my father turned into a drunk and 6 years later he was kicks off the force he was a cop to. I become a cop to safe, help and protect people just as my father did before he lost his love of his life.
As an only child and no family around to help out I was kinder like you but instead of looking after a baby, I was looking after my dad. so I understand when you say it not easy I really do to this day Im still looking after my dad and seeing you with your daughter the same age as mine it hit me it could have been my life . I dated bad guys and I was in a really bad relationship when I was your age too when he started yelling at me and calling me names and hitting me I knew I needed to get out but I didn't know where to go as I was living with him at the time. Somewhere inside of me told me there was a life I needed to life without him in it, that he was temporary, as well as all the hurt he had put me thought. I became stronger because it him and my dad being a drunk and my mum leaving me.
Just hearing part of your story of Friday I knew straight away how strong you were and that you and Chloe and going to live the life you want and not they one you had to live because of bad things that happened. Andy, Lisa said still trying not to cry again, you truly are the most amazing Copper and person I have met, no-one in the halfway house would even try and help us as much as you have in the 3 days. How can I ever repay you for everything you have done? Lisa Hun, I only do this because I care , it may be way more then I do for anyone else but I see a light in your eye , it's a light of hope , you know its is just temporary, you where looking for a way out and I hope you will take it and keep going.
As we were gone for nearly an hour I said we should get back it's getting late as we walk back to the group only to see the Barber and Nick still there with Sam and the kids still looking after Chloe.
Oh before I forget Nick pasts over an envelope to Lisa with a puzzled look upon her face she opens it only to see a key inside.
Nick walks over and says , this key , you can look at it 2 ways this is a key to my granny flat out the back of my place or you can see it as your future , where your hopes and dreams can grow . Lisa nearly knocked him over when she jumped on him to give him hug tears now rolling not only Lisa's face but Traci and mine to. Lisa I need to breathe nick jokes oh Im sorry, thank you thank you all but are you sure this so huge, yeah Im sure, when Andy pulled us all aside after Friday shift it's the first thing thought about when I got home I cleaned it out over the past 2 days and I painted the wall I just hope Chloe likes pink. As I butted in oh and there is food in the kitchen and also some clothes in both wardrobes just some hand downs from us girls to you and the Shaw girls and Elizabeth for Chloe its not a lot but it's a start. Lisa you are going to have a family you have us now, oh and Sam sister Sara the one who you are going to be working of as of next Monday so you have time to get used to your new chapter in your future.
With another hug she said she should go back to the halfway house and pack and she told nick she will move into tomorrow if that was ok with a nod of the head and nick told her he would pick her up tomorrow morning to bring her and Chloe over to his place we decide it all time to go we bid your farewells and I pull Lisa and Chloe into a hug , Lisa I will see you soon ok , oh and Lisa yes this is all real we only met but you are now family anything you need just ask nick and if he can't help he will call one of us to help ok . With a smile we all the leave the park knowing we just help 2 lives more then ever thought possible.
As Lisa packs what little they have up while they are at the half way house Chloe was slowly falling asleep after playing with new friends all day must have really tired her out, Lisa lies down close to Chloe and in a sing song tone says baby
"This is our temporary home, it's not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we're passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know this is our temporary home"
Knowing everything that could change had she knew is going finally going places all thanks to Officer Andy McNally-Swarek. Even tho she always saw things as temporary boyfriends, jobs, family, she knew deep down that this halfway house was only her temporary home and she was only passing though on her way to something better, as she drifted to sleep she dreamt of this new life she could only wish for.
