Father's faults righted
A week after Amy had moved in with her boyfriend Russell, the two of them were peacefully snuggled up together on the couch, Amy dressed casually in a light pink nightie, her blonde hair flowing freely. Russell, now more comfortable to drop his stoic demeanor, at least in Amy's presence, was dressed only in sweatpants and a jumper, zipper halfway down, giving Amy a decent glance at his chiseled pectorals. But today, Amy was distracted by something more than her handsome boyfriend. During her unpacking, Russell had revealed his parents had adopted a little girl, Rose Laliana, and had subsequently lost custody of her after Russell left the Utopians and had revealed every detail of his parents' inability to protect their children. At the end of the conversation, Amy had promised Russell that Rose would be returned to either him or his father, since Jupiter Crane had left the Utopians and had made significant changes in his life in terms of parenting Russell. After all, Russell had brought so much peace and stability to her life since her family drama in White Peaks. Reaching for the remote, Amy turned the TV off and turned to face Russell.
Russell, for once who was in blissful ignorance of the world and it's trifles, suddenly snapped out of his stupor, and turned to face Amy, whose face had apprehension written all over it. "What is it my porcelain butterfly?" he enquired gently as Amy searched for the words. "It's just…since I moved in, I can't stop thinking about your sister," Amy finally admitted as Russell's features softened. "Don't worry about that my darling, you're too precious to worry about such things," he said softly as he leaned over her, beginning to lightly kiss her neck. Amy, fearing Russell's ministrations would dull her purpose, began to push him away. "But Russell," she continued, "you deserve closure, and your sister back." Amy's thoughts drifted to her most recent memories of her brother, being charged and locked up for murder, as Russell caressed her arms in understanding. "You've done so much for me, please let me do this for you," she said as she peered into his face, now soft with gratitude. "Anything you want my dear, you shall receive," Russell said gently, softly caressing her cheek before leaning in for a kiss filled with passion.
The next day, after the hunt for Frank and Karen had concluded, Amy approached Andrea Marquez. "Amy! What can I do for you?" she asked cheerfully as the junior officer approached. "Chief, I know this may be a strange request, and I understand your reasons for turning it down, but…Russell's father lost custody of his adopted sister after Russell left the Utopians and I was wondering, since Jupiter has made significant effort to change his ways, that it would be possible to track her down?" Amy asked earnestly. Andrea, after listening intently to Amy's statement, followed up with, "well it's certainly an odd request, given the circumstances, but Ace and Nat are doing a pretty good job on the hunt, I'm sure they can hold up well," Chief Marquez's face cracked into a warm smile as Amy's lit up with joy. "Now let's go find Russell's sister then, what was her name?" As Amy began to explain, Russell's head swung round the door to his office, listening intently to the conversation. "Well Russell's here, he can explain better than I can! Russell, the Chief has agreed to help us look for your sister!" Amy exclaimed as Russell walked over.
"I appreciate your help Chief, this would really help after what happened in Ivywood, her name is Rose Laliana," Russell said in his typical smooth toned accent, trying to withhold a jubilant smile at the prospect of getting his sister back. "Alright then you two, you can ask Hannah about tracking Rose down, I'll write up a recommendation and a warrant that will enable either Jupiter or you two to take Rose into legal custody," Chief Marquez said before turning to walk towards her office. Before Amy could rush off to Hannah's lab, Russell held her gently before saying "As much as I would love to come with you, there is something I must do first, my dear," he said, giving her a warm smile, "I must speak with my father, inform him of our intentions and ascertain whether he is fit to take care of a child once more." Amy, though crestfallen that her partner wouldn't come with her, understood his reasoning before hugging him tightly. Russell, laughing gently, kissed her golden locks before heading out to his car, giving Amy a departing smile before heading out of the station. Not before long Amy was in Hannah's office, waiting for her to finish her lunch break. In her boredom, Amy sent a text to Russell, wishing him luck with his father. Before Amy was tempted to call him, Hannah entered suddenly, stopping abruptly when she saw Amy.
"Uh…hey Amy what's up?" she said in surprise as Amy greeted her with a smile. "Hannah, I'm glad you're here, I have a task for you," she said cheerfully as Hannah slumped down in front of her computers. "I need help tracking down someone, a girl. I've only got a name, but that shouldn't be too much of a challenge for you right?" Hannah chuckled smugly as she opened her tracking software. "Are you kidding me? I'm the best, what's this broad's name?" Hannah asked, then subsequently typing down Rose's name. Before long, Amy was called back into Hannah's office, after musing over the picture of the two of them on the first date, taken by Nat, "Now I see why you're so interested in this girl Amy, she was Russell's adopted sister! Well she's been in and out of foster care for a while now, but is currently back in Angel Wings foster care centre, so she is fair game for adoption," Hannah said cheerfully. "Thanks Hannah! You are the best," Amy squealed before running towards Russell's office. To her temporary dismay, she found it empty, then remembered her previous idea. Trying to find her phone, Amy was soon distracted by Hannah dropping it off, "you left it in my lab, oh and you just got a text from lover boy," Hannah said with a smile before leaving Russell's office. "Oh uh…thanks Hannah!" Amy yelled after the retreating Korean before opening her inbox.
Smiling at the text Russell sent, sending her his love, she dialed the number, then waited. It wasn't long before Russell gracious tones sounded. "Russell my love, I have fantastic news. Rose is currently in foster care, her last sponsor dropped her off about a month ago, so she is available for adoption as of right now!" Amy said excitedly into her phone as Russell spoke once more. "Oh my dear that is fantastic! Where is she situated currently?" Amy, pleased with her efforts, replied "she's currently in Angel Wings foster care," the line on Russell's end suddenly went quiet, before "err…. My sweet I have to go now, but please come to 141 Beverly Street, I'll explain later," Russell hurriedly said before hanging up. Amy, now very confused, rushed back towards the entrance, where Nat was coming. Breathless, Amy yelled out to Nat, "Chief Inspector! I'm sorry to bother you but I really need to get somewhere!" Nat, immediately catching onto Amy's drift, grabbed Ace, coming in behind her, and ran back to the car. "What's the address Amy?" Amy, breathless, had to write it down before passing it to Nat, who immediately revved up the engine. "Ok let's do this people," she said as she slammed down on the accelerator.
"So why the hurry Amy?" Ace enquired as Nat drove through Paradise City, "Russell and I found the location of his adopted sister, Rose, but when I told him where she was, he went quiet and asked me to meet him. I'm a little worried about him to be honest," Amy admitted as Nat neared Jupiter's house. "Well it must be serious, Russell hardly ever loses his cool," Nat speculated as she pulled up outside the house. As they all rushed towards the door, Amy smiled as she remembered Russell's emotional opening up to her, knowing she was one of the few privileged people who had ever seen that happen. After Nat pounded on the door, it was opened by Russell who was pleased to see Amy, but also glad that she had brought backup. "Please, everyone, come inside," he said as he rushed them through to the living room. Jupiter was waiting for them, a worried look on his face. "Amy, it's nice to see you again, though I apologize for the circumstances," Jupiter said fondly as the pretty blonde officer made her way into the room. "Thank you Jupiter, Russell sounded agitated when I told him where Rose was, I thought we might need backup," Amy replied politely, smiling at Ace and Nat.
"Well we all agree that this is pretty serious, why don't you tell us the meaning for our little visit?" Ace enquired as Jupiter and Russell inhaled sharply. "Well I'm sure you're all impatient, so I'll be brief. The foster centre where Rose is, Angel Wings foster centre, is financed by Eustace Nolan and Hubert Bannister." Jupiter said, sighing with relief, as if a burden had been lifted. "We know Hubert Bannister, the husband of Tyler Snakes' killer and the father of a murder victim, but who the heck is Eustace Nolan?" Nat asked, trying to figure out the significance. "Nolan…the name seems familiar…" Ace mused as Russell let out a sigh, and began to speak. "Ace, Nat, Amy, Eustace Nolan is the uncle of Brett Nolan, remember him? The main actor from the Ornery dies last?" Russell asked as looks of recollection passed across the faces of his company. "He's also the one who…" Russell's voice trailed off as Amy got up and stood by him. "Russell…I hope that doesn't mean what I think it means," Ace said, concern filled in his voice. "Yeah, for his sake, otherwise he's dead meat!" Nat yelled jumping to her feet. "Nat…no, we cannot stoop to his level," Russell begged, significantly calming Nat, "My guess is he's teamed up with Hubert for their own personal vendettas against me, Eustace for my running away and Hubert for my locking up his wife." Russell finished, his hard exterior cracking.
"Well we'd better get moving, before they get to Rose!" Ace said, rushing towards the door. All five people rushed to the Land Rover as Ace took the wheel. "Watch out guys, it's going to get pretty rough back there," Ace remarked before speeding off down the street. The GPS navigator had a hard time keeping up with their position as Ace continued to speed towards the foster centre, red and blue lights flashing like fireworks on the 4th of July. Russell's heart raced as Amy held onto him for dear life as Ace finally pulled up outside the terraced block that housed the foster kids. As the company rushed in, Jupiter got to the reception desk first, asking "I'm here to see Rose Laliana please," desperately, as the receptionist looked up at him with a spiteful demeanor. "Sorry sir, unless you've made time to see any child in this establishment or talked to either Mr Nolan or Mr Bannister, you're not getting in. Who are you crazy people anyway?" she said in a malicious and accusatory tone, as Ace made his way to the desk. "Senior Trooper Ace of the Pacific Bay Police Department here, and my partner Chief Inspector Nat. We have reason to believe that this girl may be in danger and that Mr Nolan may be a child abuser. Now if you'll be so kind…" Ace said in a polite yet firm tone as the receptionist opened the door. "Alright then, but only you two! The other three will have to wait." Eying Jupiter suspiciously, she led Russell, Jupiter and Amy through to the waiting room.
Upon arrival in the waiting room, Russell's eyes began to water as Amy held him. Breaking down, Russell said through sobs and tears, "I never should have left her alone, this is all my fault," Amy and Jupiter, stunned and pained by Russell's outburst, began consoling him. "This was none of your fault Russell, it's mine. If only I had seen what was happening to my family, to you, Rose would be safe," Jupiter said, tears coming to his own eyes. "Stop it both of you, neither of you are to blame. Eustace and Hubert are monsters, too caught up in their own importance to grasp the concept of human decency," Amy finished, with an angry tone in her voice, surprising Russell. "God, I'm getting all fired up and that's me!" she quickly said, laughing it off. "Well if you're getting agitated, I feel sorry for Eustace. Chief Inspector Nat's got a bit of a temper," Russell joined, laughing along with Amy. Suddenly, bumps and thuds were heard from the upstairs rooms, and soon footsteps were heard coming down the staircases. "Amy!" came a shout from upstairs, abruptly causing Amy to spur into action as she raced up the steps.
Russell and Jupiter waited with anxiety as Eustace and Hubert, escorted in handcuffs by Amy and Nat were shoved out of the foster centre and into the back of the police station. Russell and Jupiter, followed by the receptionist, rushed out as Nat closed the door. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You have no right!" cried the flustered receptionist, quickly silenced by a death stare by Nat. "Alright everyone listen up!" Nat addressed the waiting room filled with children, "The financers of this establishment are going away for a VERY long time, you'll all be moved to different foster establishments where I will personally see to your wellbeing and health are being adequately treated." She finished as the children began jumping up and down with joy. Russell and Jupiter's faces lit up at the sight of Eustace's imprisonment in the Land Rover, when Nat addressed them. "Uh guys? I think you'd better turn around," she said with a smile as Russell and Jupiter turned to face the now closed foster centre. Standing in the doorway was Ace, holding the hand of a 13 year old girl, with bright brown eyes and chocolate skin. Jupiter dropped to his knees as Russell rushed forward to greet her. "Rose?" he said to the girl as a smile emerged, "You might not remember me, but I'm you're big brother, you're safe now." Rose's smile grew even wider as she flung her arms around Russell, Amy placing a hand on his back. Smiling approvingly at Ace, Nat said, "Well, looks like our work here is done. Shall we get going? I'm ready to turn in," as she got into the driver's seat of the car. Leading Rose and Ace into the car, the five turned six drove away to the police station.