Stef POV

February 17th

It was around around 3, when Mike and I got back from our patrol. It had been a quiet and slow day compared to yesterday, when we had gotten 2 domestic calls. Today we wrote few speeding tickets. One guy had driven at a red light, but he stopped as soon as we put our lights on. A woman was driving under the red do not enter sign. Other than that, nothing big had happened - no bulgaries, no fights that we had to stop, no domestic calls, no big chases.

When Mike and I walked in the precinct, we noticed that our colleagues were whispering about something. They stood in small groups, 2-3 people tops. Most of them, time by time glanced towards the Captains office. Obviously something had happened while we were out on our patrol.

Mike and I exchanged a look "What did we miss?" Mike said voicing the exact same thing I was thinking about

"No idea," I said as we walked towards Diaz and Hernandez "Hey, guys, what's going on?"

"Amy is back!" Diaz answer and nodded towards the captains office. Mike and I instantly looked over our shoulder to teh captains office.

"Already?" Mike said in a hushed voice, not believing it as well "It hasn't even been a month!"

"They have been in there for the last 15 minutes," Hernandez said nodding towards the office

"Did she say anything?" I asked turning back to them

"No," Diaz shook his head "Kate was the only one, who she spoke to briefly. They didn't talk for too long. Seemed like they just said hi to one another. After that, Amy went straight to Captains office. Didn't stop to chat with anyone else,"

"How did she look?" I asked concerned

"Like you would expect her to look," Hernandez replied "Did you go see her after the funeral?"

"No. Her family was staying with her. I didn't want to intrude. And I figured she probably didn't want any visitors," I answered, but now started to think that maybe I should have visited her after the funeral at least one time

Everyone's attention was grabbed, when the office doors opened. The chatter stopped instantly. Everyone kind of stopped and wondered what's going to happen next. Captain Roberts appeared in the doorway first, Amy followed her out.

"Get back to work! There is nothing to see here!" Captain said out loud, when she saw that all eyes were on Amy. Diaz and Hernandez walked off to the exit, leaving me and Mike standing at their desks alone.

"I'm gonna go start that paperwork," Mike said to me before he walked off to his desk

I remained standing still, watching Amy and Captain Roberts. They shook hands as they exchanged few more words. Once Amy was done talking to Captain, her look for an moment stopped on me.

I took few steps closer to the path, Amy was going to take to leave the precinct. Captain disappeared back in her office, when Amy started to walk through the precinct.

"Hey," Amy said when she stopped at me

"Hey," I said back placing my hands on the belt "Wanna go grab a coffee?" I pointed over my shoulder to the break room

"Um.." Amy dragged out as she checked the time on her phone "Yeah, sounds good. I have few minutes to spare,"

As we walked towards the break room, I noticed how everyone still looked up from whatever they were doing to see Amy.

When I closed the doors to the break room, Amy was already at the coffee machine, making herself a up. I walked closer to her. The machine was making noises as it brewed the coffee.

"I feels like I'm back at high school and there is some god awful gossip going around the school about me, which puts me right in center of attention," Amy said as I was walking towards her

"They are all just surprised to see you here," I explained as I was up to her "I don't think anyone expected to see you back here so soon," I added after a moment

"I'm starting back next week, if that's what you are wondering," Amy replied keeping her eyes on the cup of coffee. I tilted my head down and leaned back back at the counter as I took in the news. It did come to me as a surprise. I had figured she would still take 2 weeks or something like that off.

"Just say it!" Amy said after watching me for a while

"Say what?" I asked raising my head up to look back at her. The coffee machine beeped, signaling the drink was made.

"That you don't want to be partnered with me again!" Amy grabbed her cup of coffee and went to sit down on the couch

"Why would you think that I don't want to be partnered with you?" I asked, when I pressed the button on the machine to start make my coffee

"Because you don't think I can do my job!" Amy replied in a louder, more upset tone as she gestured toward me

"Don't put words in my mouth, Amy!" I stated back firmly "I never said that!"

"You probably thought about it!" Amy shot right back. She nodded to the window that outlooked the main hall "That's what everyone in this damn preicint is thinking right now!"

"No, I didn't!" I shook my head back "And they don't as well!" I added pointing over my shoulder to the other police officers in the next room

I heard the same little beep. My drink was ready. Turning back to the machine, I took my drink and walked over to the couch to take a seat down next to her. Amy was staring down to the drink, holding it tightly in both of her hands.

"I saw the look in your eyes, when I told you that I'm coming back to work," Amy said in a hushed voice. She raised her cup up to her lips and took a sip.

"Well, I'm not going to lie to you. I am a little surprised that you want to come back to work so soon," I said looking at her "I mean, it hasn't even been a month. Are you sure you are ready?"

"I can't sit at home any longer, Stef!" Amy threw her hand in the air "Do you know how fucking silent it is there?" She lowered the hand that she had waved around back to the coffee cup and looked down to the hot beverage. Amy took few breathes and tried to calm herself down "I need to do something! I need to get back to my life...I want my life to back to normal!"

"It will never be the same way it was, Amy," I told her carefully

"You think I don't know that?" Amy snapped back. She sighed deeply shaking her head "I'm sorry. I just...I know that it's never going to be the same. I know that!" Amy ran her hand over her face "But it can't continue to live the way I have been for the last few days. It doesn't do any good to me. I need to keep busy!"

"Okay," I nodded "But promise me one thing,"

"What?" Amy turned her head to look at me

"Promise me, that you will tell me if you are having a bad day! I need to know if you are having a bad day,"

"I will," Amy promised me "I know you have a family you need to get back to. I know those 5 kids expect you to walk through the front door every night. I won't do anything to jeopardize it!"

"I know you wouldn't," I told her "I trust you with my life!" Amy nodded her head back

We both sipped our drinks and sat in silence for a little while. It was Amy, who spoke up to stop the silence "Thank you!"

I swallowed the drink that I had just sipped and frowned my forehead "For what?"

"For not asking me how I'm doing or how I'm holding up," Amy answered as she looked at me "So many people have asked me that. My stupid neighbors for one. It's like they are wating and watching till I leave the house and then they hurry over to my driveway just to ask me how I'm doing. It's so annyoing and irritating. And every time some other parent see me drop off Callie or pick her up from school, they just have to come up to me ask me that question every time. I'm just sick and tired of answering it!"

"Hey, if you ever need someone to ignore your feelings – I'm here!" I smirked at her "But honestly, I figured if you wanted to talk about it, you would bring the subject up yourself,"

"Thanks for that," Amy replied "I appriciate it,"

I noticed that during our conversation, not once Amy had smiled. Before the tragedy, Amy had always been so happy and cheerful person. It's sad to see how emotionless and empty she seemed right now. I can't really blame her. If it was Lena who had die, I don't know how I would move on. I can only imagine the pain that Amy is going through right now.

Her phone in her pocket started to ring. Amy reached in her pocket and pulled her phone out. It was a reminder, not a call or text. The message under the alarm read– Callie's doctor appointment in 45! Amy turned off the alarm and held the phone in her hand.

"I have to go," She told me briefly glancing down to her phone "I have to pick up Callie from school,"

"Everything okay with Callie?" I asked worried pointing to the phone

"Yeah," Amy said putting the phone away "A social worker wanted for Callie to do a full physical, to make sure she's healthy,"

"A social worker?" I sat up a bit straigher. Lena and I have had our share of social worker visits. I can't say that they have been the most delieghtful experiences. And of course it grabbed my attention, when Amy mentioned it. I was curious as to why a social worker was talking to Amy and Callie. Although, I did have my suspisions about it.

Amy avoided my question. She stood up and said "I will tell you about it on Monday," I stood up as well

"Till Monday!" I said, when Amy was walking pass me to get to the doors

"Yeah," Amy replied opening the doors "Till Monday," she said and walked out. I remained stadning in the break room and I watched how Amy walked through the room till she was out of my sight.

I got my phone out, found Lena's number and dailed it. As it was ringing, I took a sip of my coffee.

"Hi, honey!" Lena said when she picked up

"Hi, love," I smiled as I said that

"Is everything okay?" I nodded my head back, thinking she could see it "Stef?" She asked in more concerned tone

I snapped out of it "Sorry, I was nodding," I chuckled, Lena laughed back softly "Yeah, everything is good. I just wanted hear your voice and tell you that I love you," I said looking down to the floor

"I love you too, babe!" Lena replied without any hesitation "I'm about to drive to the day care to pick up Frankie. See you at home?"

"Yeah, see you at home. Drive safe!"

Amy POV

February 19th

Today marked the one month anniversary since Aaron and Markus had died. I couldn't belive it has been 4 weeks since I lost them.

I woke up a little after 8, when I heard Callie walking around the house. As I opened my eyes, I turned on my side to look at the empty side of the bed. I stretched out my arm over to the other side of the bed over the sheet.

"I miss you," I whispered out, with tears in my eyes

I didn't feel like doing anything today. There was no moving power for me this morning. All I wanted to do today, was remain in my bed and sleep. Thankfully, today was Sunday, so I could do that. There were no plans, I didn't have to take Callie to school, this was my last free day before I return to work. I will take advandage of this day as much as I can.

I pulled the blanket up to my chin and closed my eyes. In few short moment I drifted asleep with the thoughts of Aaron and Markus in my mind.

After some minutes, I was woken up by a small knock on the doors.

"Come in," I mumble back not lifting my head up from the pillow. I was too comfortable and warm underneath the blanket. I didn't want to move.

Callie knocked again, obviously, she didn't hear me reply. This time I roll on my back and call out louder as I sat up "Come in, Callie!"

The doors pushed open a little bit. Just enough for Callie to be able to peak her head inside the room. Once she saw that I was looking at her, she opened the doors wider and took a small step inside. Callie was wearing her only sweatpants and her old, worn out t-shirt. Her hair was up in a messy bun at the top of her head. She looked kind of cute. Lazy outfit suit here very good.

"Good morning," Callie greeted me as she clenched her hands in front of her

"Morning," I replied skipping the good, because it didn't feel like a good morning to me

Callie's mouth parted a little. She had some trouble actually saying what was on her mind. This was not the first time.

"I'm listening, sweetie," I encouraged her

Callie cleared her throat. She briefly turned her torso back to the hallway and pointed out to the hallway "I made breakfast,"

"Oh," I breathed out. That was clearly a surprise. I hadn't expected that. She shouldn't have to make breakfast for me. I'm the parent after all.

"Do you wanna join me?" Callie asked warily and then started to chew her lower lip nervously as she waited for my answer

"I'll be down in a minute," I replied to her. In no way, I could say no to her.

My answer put a smile on her face "Cool," Callie looked excited all of sudden "I will be in the kitchen," she turned and walked out of the room. I heard her hurry down the stairs.

I joined Callie in the kitchen few minute later. My mouth dropped. There was a pile of pancakes in the middle of the table. A jar of jam stood next to the pancakes. The table was set neatly. Kitchen smelled like coffee. Steam was raising from the cup that stood next to the plate. Callie herself was already sitting at the table, waiting for me to join her. There was a small mess by the stove and sink, but it was nothing.

"Callie-" I breathed out "You didn't have to do all of this!"

When she had said breakfast, I thought she had made a sandwich or poured cereal in the bowl or something. I didn't even know that Callie knew how to cook. I underestimated this girl.

"I wanted to do something nice for you," Callie replied in a small voice as she looked at the breakfast she had made, while I took a seat at the table

It felt strange. Part of me was expecting Markus to run down the stairs and call out from the hallway - what's for breakfast? But I knew better, that's not going to happen ever again. And Aaron and I weren't going to sit alone at this table in the early morning, drinking our coffee's and talking about or plans for the day.

Taking a deep breath in, I reached for my fork. I stabbed the fork in the pile and pulled two pancakes over to my plate. Callie took one pancake herself. Before I dig in, I took a sip of the coffee.

"Mmm," I hummed when I tasted it. It was made exactly like I drink it. Tasted as if I had made it myself.

Callie wasn't eating herself.

"Why aren't you eating?" I asked placing the cup down on the table

"I will," Callie said picking up the fork and knife

I reached for the jar of jam and put some on my pancake. After that, I cut part of the pancake off. It looked and smelled good, I really hope it tastes as good as it looks. Sometimes the food can look good, but it can taste horrible. I really hope this is not that case.

Callie seemed to be waiting for a verdict, whether or not the food was good. As I chewed the pancake, I realized that they tasted very familair. I looked down to the pancakes to examine them closer as I chewed it. They tasted like the pancakes that Aaron used to make. It had the same structure as well.

No, I had to be wrong. These couldn't be the pancakes Aaron used to make. Aaron was dead. There was no way...

Once I swallowed the pancake, Callie asked warily, while watching for my reaction "Well?"

I placed my fork and knife down and pointed to the plate "These taste exactly like the ones Aaron used to make,"

Callie breathed out relieved "Good. It means I got them right," She said cutting her pancake

"How do you know the recipe?" I questioned her, still feeling the taste of them in my mouth

"Aaron taught me," Callie said casually after swallowing the food

"Aaron taught you?" I asked to make sure I heard her right. I had stammered a little. It was hard for me to believe.

"Yes," Callie cut off another piece of the pancake

This didn't make any sense to me. I had asked Aaron to give me the recipe for years. Years. He never told me. Aaron never told the recipe to anyone. He kept joking that it was the only reasons I married and why I stayed with him – because of the pancakes he made.

"Why?"

"So I could make them for you," Callie said without batting an eye at me

"Can you tell me the recipe?" I asked prestting my elbows on the table and leaning closer to her. I was hoping to hear a yes.

"No!" Callie answered, her voice firm

"Why not?" I questioned, not understanding her reason behind it. It was just a recipe after all.

"I promised Aaron that I wouldn't!" Callie stated gazing right to my eyes. I blinked back at her, trying to wrap my head around what she had just told me.

This is, when I realzied, that Callie will never tell me and that I should never ask about it ever again.

Up until now, I thought that Aaron and Callie never really had a moment, where they bonded. Sure, the girl had gotten more used to Aaron over the time. But she never seemed to be fully comfortable around him. This proved otherwise. They did have a moment before he passed. Callie will have a memory of him, other than that her being scared of him.

I felt this warm feeling in my heart, that Aaron had shared something so private with her. It's like he gave a little, tiny part of him to Callie so she could remind me of him.

"This is really good, Callie!" I told the girl. Her cheeks blushed. She looked down to her plate.

"Thank you for making them," I picked up my fork and knife "Maybe you can make them to me again sometime?" I asked, gazing at the young girl

"I can do that," Callie replied nodding her head few times

"Good. I would really love that!" I said smiling at the girl. Callie smiled back at me shly, before we both resumed eating.