The Beat Goes On
Meanwhile in Kings' County
Day One
"Wake up Pa-Pa," Jolene enters their bedroom with a tray filled with pancakes covered in butter and syrup along with sausage and orange juice. She has the newspaper tucked under her arm.
Jeffrey stretches, "Well, Sexy Grandma what have you been up to?"
"A breakfast worthy of last night's performance," she flirts. They settle into their meal and she hands him the Sport section; places the front page between them, and keeps the Lifestyle section for herself. The headline reads: Congratulations ADA and Deputy Grimes. Jolene smiles at the reminder of the magical night.
The posed picture of Rick holding Michonne from behind while she holds her bouquet both of their smiling faces turned toward the photographer is followed by a short, fluff piece about the couple's wedding and reception. The reality of the public disclosure was a necessary evil. They allowed the access to their private day because the reporter was cooperating with the DA to make sure Blake received the justice he deserved.
Lonette waits at Daryl's desk deep in her conversation with Gladys while he submits paperwork. "The wedding was lovely. Her uncle was there…I am telling you because he is a widow," she is interrupted by a measured voice.
"Excuse me have you been helped?"
She removes the phone from her ear, "Thank you for asking but I am waiting on my son."
"Is he one of my deputies?" he questions. "I am Captain Morgan," he introduces.
"Oh my, Lonette Williams…nice to meet you formally- hold on. Gladys I need to call you back." She returns to the Captain with a charming smile.
"The pleasure is all mines; I assure you. If I may, you put your foot in that last batch of cookies…I have not had baking that good-well since I left home."
"Well thank you kindly. How is my Daryl doing?"
"Ma'am he one of my best…Can I interest you in a tour?" he extends his arm. She stands and accepts the gesture as he guides her through the department. Daryl catches up with them in the De-Briefing room. She is surrounded by deputies and staff having the time of her life. He shakes his head.
"Mom, let me know when you are ready to go," he speaks over the noise of the group conversation.
She speaks to the crowd but does not take her eyes off him, "Isn't he handsome and so smart. Y'all make sure you take care of him and I will make sure I send you something when I get back to Virginia," she instructs.
"Yes Ma'am…Will do…Promise," they respond.
He blushes and meets her at the door. It has never felt so good to be embarrassed.
Day Two
Penelope places trays of fish tacos, rice and tortilla chips and salsa on the dining room table. She has a house full of teenagers and keeping them fed was a job and a half. The truth of the matter she is stalling. She attended the Grimes wedding after a great deal of persuasion as her daughter's plus one. She thoroughly enjoyed herself for the first time in a long time and decided to take a chance and accepted Abe Ford's offer for a coffee date. Baby steps. "Justice…can you handle the rest of the menu for Movie Day?"
Justice enters the kitchen and surveys the table. Her mom created a buffet of her favorites for her and her friends. "Thanks…this is amazing," she turns, "You have plans?"
Penelope inhales, "I have a coffee date."
Justice attempts to contain her excitement. "You look good…sexy sweater, good jeans and your signature hot shoe," she compliments. Please go well.
"Thanks…need I remind you of the house rules?"
"Nope…living room only and no last minute invites," she replies crisply.
"Alright, I have no idea if this will be 10 minutes or a couple hours…but I will try," she winks at her daughter before grabbing her purse and heading out the door.
Lori enjoys her consultation with Bonnie Rae and Karen. "First, we need to confirm my look for the marketing materials including the bus benches but I need a completely different look for the television commercial," she explains.
"Sure, business casual for the marketing and something elegant for the commercial was your request," Karen repeats, "Possibly a chignon or a French twist."
"Exactly…at our next consultation I will have my wardrobe. I have an appointment with my personal shopper later this week."
Bonnie Rae is at her tolerance limit, "Fine, when you have your wardrobe; give us a call or better yet e-mail photos of your selections and we can respond quicker," she suggests.
"Great, I really look forward to working with you. I am just so overwhelmed with all that is required of me supporting Shane as a leader in the business community," she brags.
The both smile tightly ushering her toward the door. Nike and Athena rise up on their front legs their ears pop up on alert; their eyes focus on the customer. Once she clears the lobby they return to rest in their beds.
Karen does a silent countdown because her baby is getting ready to unleash holy hell. "Who does she think she is…why does she always do the most…she wants us to take time for bus benches and a cable infomercial?" Bonnie Rae rants.
Karen rubs her shoulders, "You know this is in response to the Grimes' fabulousness. Let's be grimy about this…think of the weekend getaway we can afford based on our consultation and service fees."
"Fine, but I am drinking my way through this entire foolishness."
"When are you not drinking your way through something," she laughs.
"You love drunk me," she leans back against her shoulder.
"Damn straight and every other version too," she kisses her temple.
Penelope and Abe are laughing in the middle of the local coffee shop. "How are you not married with a man following your through the mall holding your purse?"
"Timing…choices…plus I am very possessive about my purse," she lightens the discussion, "What about you? Funny…charming…what gives?"
"Won't lie…had my chance young but too stupid to get it together; recently decided to try again," he explains.
"Whoever made you want to try is lucky," she concludes.
He doesn't reply, "You're good people," he raises his mug.
She responds in kind, "You too." Good baby step.
Day Three
Glenn marches down the hall slamming doors and mumbling. "Who crawled up your ass," Daryl asks.
"City Council is a bunch of old fools. I need to upgrade our equipment and they rejected my proposal," he explains in frustration.
"What'd you mean?"
"We have the basic forensic machines and our team is smart and creative but there is new technology and better versions of some of our existing stuff. We could process evidence quicker, provide greater analysis, help prosecute suspects or exonerate the falsely accused. We are being punished because we were successful but we are pushing the limits."
"Send me the proposal. No guarantee but I may be able to help. Don't ask how."
"Thanks Man," Glenn smiles and rushes to his office.
Rae-Ann looks around the Court Mess Hall looking for a space. She notices an empty seat across from a sweet little blonde. "Excuse me, may I join you? This place is packed," she asks kindly.
"Oh, please do. My name is Beth," she introduces with a giant smile.
"Rae-Ann," she returns, "I am a court recorder."
"Hmm…I am the executive assistant to Sasha Williams in Investigation."
"Wow…that sounds like an exciting job. How long have you been in that position?"
The young women fall into an easy conversation based on genuine curiosity. Beth's phone rings and signals incoming messages threatening to interrupt their lunch fun but she chooses to ignore the device. "Whoever that is not giving up; I can excuse myself so you can take the call," Rae-Ann addresses the issue.
"To be honest I don't want to respond now or for that matter in the future," she confesses to her lunch buddy.
"Is it a boyfriend or a shady friend?"
"She is not a good friend and probably shady but I am try to give people the benefit of the doubt."
"For what it is worth I find I feel better when I get rid of the toxic stuff in my life…even if it is a person," Rae-Ann offers.
Beth considers her words and the phone rings again, "Hey Lori…may I be honest. I am at lunch and I do not want to discuss your day…there is no need to call me later. Goodbye," she exhales in relief. I cannot believe I did it.
"Good for you…now what is the deal on Happy Hour?" she changes the subject. They both laugh.
Day Four
"Aaron and Eric, it is so nice to see you again. I received your request to activate your petition with an addendum," the case manager clarifies.
"Yes, we no longer want to limit our options to infants," Aaron responds.
"Great, that will definitely increase your opportunities," she nods revising their electronic file.
"Actually we have a specific child we would like to adopt," Eric clarifies.
The case worker turns in her chair, "How did you make contact with this ward of the court?"
"By happenstance I assure you. We were all guests at the Grimes wedding and she captured our heart," Aaron offers quickly passing her a piece of paper.
"Judith is 13 and she provided us with her address," Eric continues.
"I will do some research and contact her case worker. Please do not get ahead of the process," she instructs.
"We won't but have we already ruined our chances because of how we met?" Aaron asks.
"I do not see a problem moving forward. Have you made promises?"
"Not to her but probably to our hearts," Eric confesses.
The case manager smiles, "I will make this a priority."
"Jesus…I thought they would never leave," Sasha pants.
Daryl grunts wiping sweat from his forehead, "I feel like it has been a month. At one point I thought my dick might run away," he jokes.
She snorts a laugh, "Don't tell me having your fan club in town was a problem?"
He smacks her ass, "We have a close, loving family. We just need to set some boundaries. First, parental PDA is not okay. Next, never let Mom loose in your office-we both learned that lesson. Finally, extra sex before they arrive."
"Deal," she climbs out of bed, "Take a nap because your work is not close to done."
AN: To CLKit I left you a little treat. LOL! You earned it.