Returning to Sacramento: Chapter 2
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Disclaimer: Nothing is mine
The sun was setting when they drove into Sacramento.
Patrick Jane let himself avert his eyes to the horizon for just a second, taking in the familiar skyline bathed in the orange and pink light.
"Teresa..." He whispered gently to his wife, who was dozing in the passenger seat beside him. She didn't stir.
Somewhere during the drive, Jess had passed out and the peace of watching her child sleeping so soundly had been sufficient to send the exhausted Lisbon into the land of Morpheus. He didn't want to wake her. She's had a tough week; other than her normal working routine, with its trying hours, and taking care of Jess (who was no piece of cake either), she had the added duty of organizing this weekend.
The call from Van Pelt (or Rigsby, as she was now known) came only a few hours after the invitation did. For some reason Hightower thought that it would be a good idea to invite the old team to Annual CBI Fundraiser. Only Cho still worked at the CBI and there was little doubt that he had some pull in the decision. Grace suggested that they made it a weekend. That way the old colleagues and friends could catch up and see each other again. A sort of reunion, she said. She was going to plan everything.
But pretty soon Lisbon had taken over the entire project, as only a control freak like her could. It had started with a few favors here and there, like arranging that the Rigsby's stay in the same hotel as her and Jane, and getting reservations to a hotel Van Pelt didn't have the number to. Within a few days she had completely taken the project as her own. And with a full-time job and a hyperactive toddler, she had only nights and lunches to organize it.
He had to make very nice for her to make time for her wifely attentions between all the reservations and planning – thankfully, he had learnt pretty early on that when it comes to her, he didn't mind making nice.
She was absolutely exhausted and deserved some sleep. But he knew she'd want him to wake her. If he knew anything about his lady, it was that she loved sunsets. It made her all snuggly...
"Teresa..." He whispered again. "Wake up, honey, we're here."
"Hmm?" She moaned, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes tiredly. "We're here?"
"Yup. Look at the sunset, my dear." He nodded towards the view out the window and watched her shining green eyes light up at the sight.
"Woah. Isn't that beautiful?"
"Yes, it is." Patrick nodded in agreement, but his eyes weren't on the sunset. The sky had turned purple and was bathing a glorious light over Lisbon's ivory skin, illuminating her pristine features and creating familiar stirrings in his heart. She turned to him and met his gaze. She saw the familiar sparkle in his eyes, and realizing what he meant, her cheeks tinged an attractive pink, and she looked away smiling.
"Keep your eyes on the road."
He chuckled and did as he was told. They drove into the city, down the familiar roads to the hotel. It was one of the fancier ones that they never had the opportunity to go to before – mainly because they were living in the city.
Jane drove into the below-ground parking lot and found a nice spot.
"When's Grace and Wayne getting here?"
"They flew in from New Orleans yesterday. They should be here already."
Jane looked over to the backseat and a smile crossed his face. "Look." He whispered, pointing to where Jess was fast asleep, snuggled into the cushions of her yellow car seat with her beloved teddy bear in a vice grip under her arm.
A smile spread over his wife's face and her hand reached for him. She lovingly rubbed his arm up and down as she cuddled into his shoulder.
"I feel so lucky right now." She said softly, enjoying the tender moment looking at her daughter.
"Funny." He said, kissing her head. "I was just thinking the same thing."
X
"Boss! Jane!" They were greeted by a smiling Rigsby as they entered the lobby. "Glad you guys made it!" His voice immediately dropped several volumes when he saw the tiny drowsy figure held in Lisbon's arms. "Oh, sorry." He whispered. "This must be Jess. She's so big! Hey little girl!" He waved at her when he saw her drowsy blue eyes open in curiosity to look around the hotel lobby.
"Hi." She said shyly.
"Hey Rigsby." Lisbon chuckled at the tall agent's clumsy greeting.
Jane and Rigsby exchanged greetings as well with a friendly handshake.
"So, where's Grace?"
"She's upstairs, getting ready for dinner. Are you guys gonna join us? Cho's coming too?"
Lisbon hesitated. "Hm, I don't know. What do you say, sweetie? Are you too sleepy to go to dinner or do you want to go?" She asked to Jess who was now rubbing the weariness from her eyes and taking in the wide, marble interior of the hotel.
"Can I get ice cream?" Jess asked, innocent eyes wide with anticipation.
"Of course you can, sweetie!" Jane said, planting a raspberry on his daughter's chubby, red cheek.
"If you eat your veggies." Lisbon bargained.
The family conversation was interrupted by the jovial laughter of Rigsby. "You guys are hilarious!" He managed between barks of laughter. "You're just like a real married couple."
"Well... sorry to break it to you, buddy, but we kind of are..." Jane said, patting his back comfortingly. "So about dinner?"
"We're leaving in about thirty minutes. Will you guys be ready by then?"
"We'll meet you back here in the lobby. C'mon Teresa, we need to get to our hotel room..."
X
Thirty minutes later, Grace and Wayne Rigsby were standing in the lobby waiting for their dinner dates. They should be coming down the elevator any minute now...
"Did you see Jess when you met them earlier?" Grace asked as she fumbled in her purse for her cellphone.
"Yeah, I did. She looks just like Lisbon, it's crazy."
Grace paused for a moment, thinking. "Did Lisbon ever change her name? I mean, what do we call her? We can't exactly call her "boss" anymore..."
"I did."
"Yeah, but Wayne, you're... you." She said, patting his arm comfortingly. "You have your own set of rules, honey."
"Is that a compliment?" Rigsby mumbled to himself.
The elevator door opened and revealed the three faces they were waiting for; fresh and ready for a night out.
Patrick and Teresa walked out together. His arm was wrapped firmly around her waist and their squirming little daughter - dressed in an offending frilly shirt that she was clearly not happy about – was on Lisbon's hip.
The sight of Jess sent Grace into a squealing frenzy. "Oh my goodness! Is this Jess? She's too precious!" After gushing an sufficient amount over the little girl, she turned her attention to the parents. "Hi guys! It's so nice to see you!"
Hugs and fond greetings were exchanged – Grace carefully avoiding calling Lisbon any name or title.
Jane picked it up.
"You can call her Lisbon, Grace. She kept her name." Grace's face fell only just a bit in shock; she's forgotten over the years how he does things like that. Her expression makes Jane chuckle. "It's who she is. I wouldn't know what to call her if she changed it."
"Plus, I'd look over my shoulder every time someone called me 'Jane'." Lisbon said.
"Okay, now that all the novelties have been exchanged, why don't we get to dinner? I can tell both my little ladies are starving."
"Little?" Lisbon asked with a quirked eyebrow as they all started to walk towards the doors.
"I mean... pocket-sized?"
"You're lucky that my hands are busy holding your daughter, or I would so slap you right now."
"Wow." Rigsby said, as they all exited the hotel. "You guys didn't change at all, did you?"
Sorry for the long, long wait, but my writing mojo dried up. But that's okay, because soon the drama will start and it'll get all suspense-y! Please review!
Much love, Zanny