Title: Plan C
Chapter 18 – Darkness Falls
A/N 1: Oh my little Lindseride shipper heart squeeed with delight when Sophia jumped into Derek's Twitter Q&A (last week) and said 'bummer I miss my kinney' hehe (the question was why can't we get more Kelly/Erin scenes and Derek's response was 'tight working schedules' hmm yeah flaky answer me thinks hehe but love that she still misses them as much as we do! Okay so a happier note before the angst – please enjoy.
A/N 2: And a special thanks to you all for continuing to read and review! Most appreciated! To those with accounts I love you all and thank you personally. To those without I also love you all and…Newperson, guest thanks so much! I very much appreciate your time to read and review! To Jordyn thanks so much for your time to read and review and yah I try to show some of the 24 hour thing but for focusing on them as a family it doesn't work that well – sorry. Please don't give up
But despite the night before ending on a happy note, the next morning doesn't start off just as problem free.
"Jay? But it's…we have the day off…you have the day off."
"Was just something about the case. It's going to court on Monday," Erin replies with a small groan as she looks at the clock and then flops back down into bed. But when the phone buzzes again, Kelly's lips emit another growl. "I have to go in for an hour or two."
"What?" Kelly asks sharply as he watches her get out of bed and head toward the closet. "Erin…"
"It won't take too long," she insists as she looks at him with a glance that begs for some sympathy. "Kelly…"
"We're going to take Aurora to the Park," Kelly reminds her as she pauses in her dressing.
"And I will be there. It's for lunch right?" Erin tosses back and then pauses.
"Not just lunch," Kelly argues back.
"I didn't say just…" she starts as her phone buzzes again. "I won't be long I promise."
"Erin…this is our day off together and we said we'd spend it as a family. We don't get too many weekends off together."
"I never had…" she starts once more and then stops.
"Had to what? Put a family first?" He retorts sourly; his face wincing a few seconds later when he sees her expression droop.
"Kelly, I'm sorry. I won't be long. I just need to add some of my own notes for testimony. I thought I did it but I didn't…I gotta run. I love you."
"Love you too," he offers somewhat begrudgingly as he watches her rush out of the room and then slumps back into bed; the door still open. About ten minutes later, he's once again awakened abruptly, but this time it's his daughter jumping on his chest. As much as he wants to protest he knows the door was left open when Erin left and since he didn't close it, he can't get after her for breaking a rule that he didn't enforce.
"Hey squirt," Kelly smiles as he starts to tickle her; his mood lifting with her delighted laughter. She manages to get herself away from her father's grasp and starts to bounce up and down; laughing the whole time. Then she jumps off and rushes into the hallway, hearing Matt's voice in the kitchen and asking him to bounce her once more.
"Can't believe this…" he grumbles as he looks at his phone and then pushes himself out of bed, sitting upright and rubbing his face. "The job comes first…." his voice trails off as he pulls on his jeans and then a sweater and heads for the kitchen.
Matt looks up as Kelly enters the kitchen with a small frown but merely offers him a nod and a mug of steaming coffee.
"Hey…" Kelly greets with a tight lipped smiled as he takes the mug. "Erin…she…" he stops and then shakes his head as he looks away and then back at Matt. "It's uh…work."
"I wasn't going to ask. I know you and Shay had those personal boundaries and we have the same. Especially now with Erin here and you two being married. Your business is your own."
"So you…didn't hear?"
"No and I wasn't listening," Matt replies in truth as Kelly's mind somewhat settles.
"Still have your date with Andrea today?" Kelly inquires as he calls Aurora for breakfast; Matt nodding in agreement. "Where're you going?"
The two of them talk a bit longer, enjoying breakfast and some high-jinx from Aurora before Matt excuses himself and heads to do some laundry; Kelly lingering at the table and watching his daughter working on a small coloring project.
"Okay so…are we still going to the Park?"
"YES!" Aurora exclaims as she looks up at her father with a wide grin.
Kelly looks at Erin's empty spot at the table and feels his heart starting to sink once more. You sometimes get called in when another House is short…his brain tries to reason as he pushes himself away from the table. He looks at the grocery list on the front of the fridge, plucking it from under the magnet and looking at with a heavy frown. Kelly heads into the living room to put a few things away and then telling Aurora to go and get dressed for their day at the Park.
"Okay you need a sweater," Kelly tells his daughter as he kneels down to her and looks at her with a loving smile.
"Where's Erin?"
"She's…she had to go to work for a little bit but will be coming with us okay."
"Okay," she agrees with a somewhat melancholy shrug; Kelly's lips pursing as he watches her go and pick out a toy to take to the Park with them.
About twenty minutes later the two of them are ready to go and head for the front door; Kelly pausing to put one last thing away before they head out, and looking up just as the front door starts to slowly open. At first the think's it's Matt but as soon as Erin's face appears, he can't help but offer her a warm smile.
"Are we still going to the Park?" She asks as she holds up a paper bag with some food in it.
"YES!" Aurora shouts happily as she rushes toward Erin's frame and wraps her arms around her legs.
"Get your bag Aurora," Kelly directs as the little girl rushes back into the living room; leaving the two adults to talk a few minutes in private.
"For the record," she starts in a low tone as she leans in closer and takes his hand. "I'd never willingly put work ahead of family."
"I shouldn't have said that," Kelly quickly apologizes as her hand grasps his.
"I love this family…I guess I'm just used to getting up and going. Before…I never had anything to rush home for."
"I'm glad you can come with us to the Park."
"Kelly I love you and I love Aurora. I just…I want this family. Help me make it work," she softly pleads as her hand tightens around his.
"I rushed to judgment this morning and that wasn't fair," he admits softly. "Forgive me?"
"I'll punish you later," she whispers as Aurora comes rushing back to them; kissing him on the cheek and pulling back with a warm smile.
"Promise?" He wags his brows and grins; Erin smiling and nodding in confirmation.
"So I bought some goodies and…we're all set right?"
"Yes we are. Let's go."
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"Aurora! Just…wait!" Kelly calls out as he watches his daughter pulls her hand from his and rushes toward the play area where a few other children are playing.
"I guess we'll just set up…there," Erin points to a place where they could have a table then watch Aurora and play with her. Erin looks at Aurora with a tender smile as Kelly comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her on the cheek.
"I want so much for her," Kelly whispers as both of them watch her look at them with a wide adoring smile and then blow them each a kiss before starting to climb the monkey bars. But when they watch her slip, Kelly's quick to take action. "But…not falling on her head," he slightly groans as he pulls away and rushes toward the play area.
Erin watches with a proud smile, always delighting in watching Kelly interacting with his daughter and the loving glances that are shared between them. She lays out a few items on the picnic table and then turns to join Kelly and Aurora. But just as she does she hears Aurora's name being called out by an excited voice and turns to see a little girl running toward them.
"Aurora! Aurora!"
"Jasmine!" Aurora calls out as she breaks free from her father and rushes toward her close friend.
Kelly leaves the play area and heads after his daughter coming to stand beside his wife as his daughter's close friend.
"Hey," Erin greets as Jasmine's parents near.
"Erin…right?"
"Yes and my husband Kelly, who I think all the school knew more than me," Erin smiles as Kelly extends his hand to Jasmine's father. "Preeti right?"
"Yes and my husband Gurj."
"Great to meet you," Kelly and Jasmine's father shake hands and trade smiles. "And who are you?" Kelly asks the little face looking up at him in wonder.
"This big man is, Paul."
"Hey Paul."
"I wanted something more traditional for his name but…my wife won this battle," Gurj admits with a sigh.
"The next one you carry you can name," Preeti retorts as Erin's brows arch. "No…I'm just stating a fact. I'm not expecting."
"How old are you Paul?"
"TWOOOOO!" Paul replies and then ducks his head behind his father's neck and then laughs; the four adults laughing as well.
"Okay so…put your stuff here and…." Erin tells Preeti she can put their stuff on the other end of the table and then all four adults watch the two little girls turn and race back toward the playground; Erin and Preeti following a few minutes later, Paul holding onto his mother's hand.
"So what do you do for work?"
"Engineer," Gurj replies to Kelly. "You?"
"Fire fighter."
"And…your wife's a cop," he states slowly as Kelly smiles and nods.
"Yeah our schedules can be challenging."
"No kidding."
"Jasmine, follow me!"
Erin watches Aurora starting to climb the bars and then stands up, wanting to warn her but holding back and looking at Preeti with a frown. "Sorry…I hate to seem the nervous parent but…I think I'm more worried here than when I'm on the job. How do you do it?"
"I don't think that will ever change. I still worry about Gurj at times and as he reminds me the worst he can do is get a paper cut," Preeti lightly retorts. "But I don't think a parent ever stops worrying."
"I'll remember that," Erin tosses back with a smile.
"Him I worry about most," Preeti laughs as they both watch Paul plunk himself down in the sandbox and then pick up a handful of sand that wants to make its way to his lips. Erin stifles a small laugh as she watches the mother rush toward her child, warning him that what he's about to do is very bad.
Erin walks over to Aurora, hoisting her onto the overhead bars and then helping her swing across to the other side; Jasmine calling out to Erin to help her next and after getting the okay from her mother, Erin helps her also. She then turns and heads back to Preeti, talking to the woman who's about her age and for the first time maybe ever enjoying the company of a relative stranger and a mother of two at that.
Preeti turns away for a second to get some snacks when they hear a large wail and all heads instantly turn back to see Paul on his belly looking up with a Red face and wet eyes. "Jasmine what happened?"
"He fell. I told him he couldn't come with us!" Jasmine moans as her mother hurries toward her; Gurj and Kelly in tow.
"I'll take him. He can hang out with the men for a while."
"No dadda!" Paul whimpers as Preeti reminds her daughter that it's up to her to keep an eye on her younger brother. Jasmine gives a halfhearted nod and then goes back to chasing after Aurora.
"Can't look away for a second," Preeti lightly sighs as they both nod in agreement. The conversation then steers toward the coming week with their first set of official pictures being taken and then the outing to the high school for the play. "Are you able to go with the children to the high school play? I was going to but I have to take Gurj's mother to the optometrist and the only time they can see her is Wednesday at 2pm. I know the teacher and a few others will be there but I'd like one of us to be there."
"I think my boss will understand if it's a slower day. I know Kelly's on shift and it's harder for him to get away."
"You're sure?"
"I'll text you if there's an issue."
"Oh good," Preeti comments as her hand rests on Erin's arm. "I'll feel a lot better with you there. I always worry," she pauses, looking over at her daughter who waves back and gives her an adoring glance. "Okay so what were you saying about…"
While keeping an eye on the girls, the two women talk about the upcoming week and what they'll dress the kids in for their school pictures; Kelly and Gurj with Paul in his father's grasp join them by the play box and soon all four adults are on the swings having just as much fun as the kids.
About an hour later, the food is brought out and a relaxing picnic ensues. A few hours later the day comes to a close – a complete success; Erin and Preeti both happy to have solidified a new friendship and Erin agreeing for her, Kelly and Aurora to come for a last fall backyard BBQ two weeks later.
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"You're quiet tonight," Kelly comments as they lay in bed together; Aurora fast asleep from her fun day at the Park and Matt still on his date with Andrea Green. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah…just thinking about today," Erin replies as she looks up with a small frown. "Preeti and Gurj. They're not typically the type of people I would have seen myself associating with or drawing closer to."
"Why?"
"Because…they're parents," she looks up with a slight smirk. "Any parents…before I was…what do I have in common with a mother. Even now I worry but…but we talked just kids stuff and regular stuff, some job stuff…and it seemed so natural. It was weird but at the same time I really enjoyed it. This afternoon….was a lot of fun. Think I can get used to this family stuff," she confesses warmly as his arms tighten around her. "What about you?"
"Yeah it was fun. Gurj is a solid guy and Aurora loves spending time with Jasmine. Was another first though. Shay and I would take Aurora to the Park and she'd play with other kids but…but it was always a bit different because it was just us with…Aurora. But today…with my wife and daughter. Was pretty special."
Her lips press against his, the two of them holding each other close a few more moments before their grips relax and the conversation starts up once again.
"But…you're still tense. What's going on?"
"Seriously you'd think I have some kind of fluff job," Erin groans as Kelly looks at her in amusement. "I'm stressing about what Aurora will be wearing tomorrow for her first pictures."
"Really?"
"Yes really. I want her to be perfect for you…and Shay."
Kelly's lips press against her cheek as he whispers that "no matter what she wears, she'll look perfect,"; their conversation turning to little girls outfits and Kelly laughing when Erin pulls her phone to goggle outfit ideas. But much like the little girl in question, about half hour later the lights go out and neither adult has any trouble falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning is a flurry of activity as the alarm fails to go off in a timely manner and it's all hands on deck in a matter of minutes.
"Okay you should wear…no wait this…okay how about…" Erin frets as Kelly hurries into the kitchen to get something edible for breakfast for them; Matt entering with an amused smile and giving his friend a chuckle when he grabs a can of salmon instead of the tin of coffee.
"I'll make the coffee!"
"Lifesaver," Kelly comments as he rushes from the room; telling Matt he wants all the details of his date as he disappears from view.
"Okay…this is it," Erin tells Aurora as Kelly pokes his head into his daughter's bedroom.
"Look daddy!" Aurora exclaims as she rushes up to her father with a wide smile.
"Wow you look beautiful," Kelly praises as he looks at Erin with a wide grin. "Shay would be proud."
Erin can only beam under the heartfelt compliment as both look down at Aurora with happy smiles. She was wearing the new pink jean jacket that Benny had bought her; a little pink sweater with a beaded neckline and her jeans with the pink flowers on the cuffs.
"Okay I need to get ready," Erin states as she rushes out of the room, Kelly taking Aurora's backpack to the kitchen; Matt rushing out to get himself ready for their day.
Pauline arrives about twenty minutes later, telling them she's going to put a few curls in Aurora's hair for her pictures and then when they'd be ready for pick up. "Trust me today will be perfect," she promises as they all leave the apartment with anxious minds.
"So tell me about the date yesterday?" Kelly asks Matt as they head toward Firehouse 51.
"So do anything exciting yesterday?" Jay asks Erin as he slumps down into the chair beside her desk.
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"Did you get to eat dinner? Or are you eating with Kelly?" Pauline asks Erin when she shows about 7pm to pick up Aurora.
"Kelly's working…probably won't see him til tomorrow evening," she replies with a small frown as she looks at Aurora with a warm smile.
"Daddy's at the Firehouse?"
"He is," Erin answers in truth. "If it's no trouble…dinner would be great," Erin confesses honestly. She hadn't wanted to put Pauline Shay out any more than she thought she was but didn't really want to go home and try to find something to make for dinner and then just settle for a beer and protein bar – what would it teach Aurora? At least she's used to this routine…Erin's mind correctly reasons.
She enters the kitchen, Aurora bouncing on Don's lap and holding up the picture she's coloring and then looks back down to finish.
"How did the pictures go?"
"Great!" Aurora replies with a toothy grin as Erin looks at Pauline who nods in agreement.
"Today was a success," Pauline tells Erin in truth. "Andrea said Aurora did great. Speaking of Andrea she also said her date with Matt went well yesterday."
"Really? What else did she say?"
The two of them have an enjoyable conversation about the day, Matt's date and how many pictures they'll be buying and who will be getting a copy. An hour later, Erin takes her leave; happily talking to Aurora about her day and then telling her that she'd like to arrange another Park outing with Jasmine and her parents, this time also including Belle's family and maybe grandpa Benny.
After putting Aurora to bed, Erin heads into her bedroom and then looks at the empty bed with a small frown. First whole night alone…her mind laments as she heads to her side and slips under the covers. Just as she turns off the light her phone buzzes and she's quick to reach for it.
'Tanker spill…accident. Matt and I'll be sleeping here. Kiss Aurora for me. Love you.'
'I already kissed her for you. Be careful and I love you too.'
With that she puts the phone onto the bedside table, rolls onto his side and falls asleep with his scent teasing her senses and lulling her into a world of romantic dreams.
XXXXXXXX
"I promised Preeti I'd be there but…" Erin huffs as she looks the message on her phone and then looks up at Kelly in a panic.
"I'll…I'll try okay?"
"You know…I'll just send Antonio to court. The only need one member of the team and he was there too."
"Thought this was all done on Monday?" Kelly inquires; a few days later.
"He just needs to swear that the evidence entered is correct and that's it; we don't actually have to give a statement. I got this. The Wizard of Oz…maybe I'll even get Jay to come with me."
"I actually feel sorry for him today," Kelly snickers; earning a playful swat from his wife. "Okay I'll see you both later. Love you," he whispers as he kisses her on the lips and then kisses his daughter on the cheek.
All of them disperse, Erin telling Aurora that she'd see her at the school for the play and then afterward they'd go to the playground and play with her friends; something that delights the little girl to no end.
The day starts out happy and carefree but is about to take a turn in the extreme opposite direction.
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He arrives at the school his heart full of angry hatred and his head full of vengeance. He wants to hurt…that's all he wants. To kill…to take away his own pain…pain that blames others for causing. Others he blames…he doesn't plan for a way out…he plans for the end. Their end…his end…the end. No way out.
XXXXXXXX
"Ah late!"
"Hey at least we made it right? It's not like the kids are on their own in there."
"I know…I know…" Erin huffs as Jay's phone rings.
"I'll finish up with Voight and be right in," Jay tells her as his phone rings.
"Okay," Erin nods as she pulls away from the police issue dark sedan and heads for the entrance to the high school; her mind anxious about the court case but at same time happy to be able to text Preeti and assure her that she was at the school and she'd see her later at the Park.
But that plan wasn't about to come to fruition.
Erin enters the quiet front hallway and then slowly heads for the gymnasium; her mind happily thinking about the park outing with their new friends; her phone back in her pocket after just texting her new friend and then husband.
But the dark clouds of emotional misery start to move in and a few seconds later she stops suddenly – her ears picking up the last sound in the world she wants to hear where she is; her eyes widening as she stares in horror at the closed gymnasium doors at the end of the hallway – the source of the sounds. The sounds she knows…all…too…well.
"Oh my God! AURORA!"
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"Glad today's quiet so far," Kelly tells Matt a few seconds before the overhead paging system goes off.
"Way to go," Matt snickers as he slaps Kelly on the back.
"Engine 51, truck 81, squad 3, ambulance 61, battalion 25 – ALL first responder services needed at Templeton High School. Shooting in progress. School gymnasium. Multiple injuries."
Kelly looks at Matt who is a few seconds from understanding just what the urgency is all about. "AURORA!" He shouts knowing that's the same place his daughter and now his wife are at for the high school play.
Darkness falls.
A/N: *runs and hides* so…well had to get some happy times in there before the next big event in their lives. And I wanted something that will affect all of them (in very different ways and emotional levels). So please do review before you go with your thoughts and thanks so much!