Chapter 8

Beanie was woken by the feeling of something jumping on her with two legs followed by something jumping on her with 4 legs.

"Mummy!" Carsen exclaimed bouncing on the bed as his mother sat up and rubbed her eyes whilst trying to avoid being licked in the face by the dog.

"Hey sweetie." Beanie smiled reaching out to his hand and pulling him down onto the bed and starting to tickle him, his squeals of delight caused the dog to bark and moments later there were 2 more bodies in the bed in the form of her daughters. Laughing and innocence filled the room with life as Vaughn brought her in a coffee, apologising for the children waking her up but she smiled, it was a nice wakeup call in her eyes. She asked where the other children were but the response came in the form of the 2 eldest boys joining them in the bedroom, something which hadn't happened in years. Beanie sat up in bed with her children, husband and dog around her and for the first time in what felt like ages she was able to relax and enjoy some quality family time before taking the children to see her father in hospital.

xxx

Danny felt awkward but his curiosity got the better of him, he was sat across from Don Flack Senior asking him questions about Ernie Jones.

"He always doted on her, even as she got older." Don smiled remembering the man he'd worked alongside for several years. "I never got why he stuck it out, her mother didn't want her after she was born but he did, luckily his parents helped him keep hold of her which is unheard of from back then pretty much." Danny nodded trying to imagine what it must have been like for a 17 year old back then raising a child pretty much on his own, he'd have struggled on his own with Lucy even at the age he was. He had a heap of respect for Officer Jones, but struggled to work out how his daughter could end up married to one of the wealthiest families in the country.

"College." Don replied, "Ernie busted a gut to try and pay, but she was bright enough for a scholarship. Full ride to the Ivy league." Don smiled. "He was so proud, and then in her first week she met Vaughn, he didn't care that she was the scholarship student from a single parent family, and his family loved her. Ernie wanted them to wait to get married but they didn't want too, there was talk of a pre-nup but I don't know what happened. I remember seeing them together when they were home from college, arm in arm waiting for Ernie at the precinct." Don remembered. "They fitted together then, and even though many people didn't think they'd make it 20 years on they still fit. All Ernie ever said when I asked him what he thought of it all was that you can't help who you fall in love with, and as long as they had love that'd get them through. They both worked hard, and still do, Vaughn's father refused to hand it to him on a plate and Beanie wouldn't let him sit on his ass doing nothing, not when she was working her way up." Don finished and Danny nodded knowing that there was a lot more to his boss than he first thought. Knowing she'd come from nothing and worked hard made him see her in a better light.

xxx

Danny watched as Beanie walked into the office with her eldest son at her side, he looked sheepish which wasn't surprising given his last visit to the PD. Beanie however looked relaxed and smiling, it looked like her day off had done her a world of good.

"So remind me again why you're dragging me here?" Alden asked following his mother through the halls of the crime lab, aware of the eyes of the lab on him given his recent arrest.

"You said you wanted to see what it was that I did before making your mind up for your next move, so you're going to be helping out as a runner for the day." Was Beanie's response.

"So being the boss's son doesn't get me any privileges?" He asked unaware of Danny being in ear shot as his mother handed him a box of test results. Beanie looked at him and shook her head saying he was lucky she wasn't putting him with the cleaning team, as she handed him a map of the building she also wished him luck saying she'd see him for lunch. "Ok mum." Alden smiled as Beanie went to head to her office, before she got a few steps away though Alden called her back. "Thanks mum." He smiled giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Don't embarrass me at work." Beanie smiled heading off in the direction of her office whilst Alden made his way with the results. As he passed Danny the older man nodded at him, Danny suspected his mother would make sure he had a tough day but knew she'd be there looking out for him every step of the way.

"Detective Messer I believe you've got work to do?" Beanie asked pulling him away from his musings.

"Yes boss." Danny replied but for once not in a sarcastic tone. "I was just on my way to fill you in." He added walking over to her with paperwork in his hand; he was ready to start afresh with the lady beside him, his newfound respect leading to a silent understanding between them.

THE END