by Margaret Kay
“Actually, I was thinking Elizabeth and I should move into the neighborhood, for this very reason,” Doc said. It bothered him that Elizabeth looked to him, rather than answering. They would have to talk about that. He wanted her to know that he supported whatever she wanted to do. She didn’t need to ask his permission for anything. “Well for Elizabeth to be near the two of you when we go on a mission and because this is a good neighborhood for kids.”
“And your place is only a one bedroom,” Angel said. “You absolutely are going to have to move. I’ll keep my ears open for anyone who is going to sell, Maybe I can find you a unit before it’s listed with a realtor and save you a commission.”
“I will too,” Sienna said. “Several of the teachers at school live in the area. I’ll put the word out with them too.”
“That would be great,” Doc said. “And Sienna, that is a very kind offer for Elizabeth to stay with you.” He took hold of Elizabeth’s hand. “I think it’s a great idea, honey, but it’s your choice. You could get to know both Sienna and Angel better and help Sienna with the papers she has to grade at night.”
“You can stay here too,” Angel said. “But you’d probably sleep better at Sienna’s. Sammy is cutting some teeth and has been up crying half the night the last week.”
Elizabeth smiled politely. “You are both very kind. I’d like that and it would make a lot of things much easier.”
“Yes, it will,” Doc agreed. He gave Sienna a wink. “I can drop her by on the way to the office Monday morning. We have to be in by zero-six-hundred, way before Angel gets in.”
“Plan on picking me up,” Garcia said. “We can ride in together.”
“Hey, while they’re gone, let’s do a spa day next weekend. I can see if my aunt will babysit Sammy,” Angel suggested excitedly. “Doc, you better leave her an extra five-hundred for it.”
“No freaking way!” Madison exclaimed. “You are not going without me. Wait till we’re back.”
Angel laughed. “Will you be back by the following weekend?”
“The mission may run into it. Make the reservations for three weeks out, please! We’ll do a full day with the lunch special. I love those little finger sandwiches they serve,” Madison said.
Elizabeth didn’t say a word. A whole day at a spa that would cost five hundred dollars? No, she would not be attending.
“My highlights could use refreshing,” Sienna said, running her fingers through her shoulder-length brown hair. Her eyes landed on Elizabeth. She looked like she needed some convincing. “Your ends could use a trim, too. We normally get manicures and pedicures, facials, massages, and get our hair done. And they always do our makeup too.”
“Oh, yes, please,” Cooper said. “The last time you ladies went; Madison came home with every inch of her body incredibly soft from whatever lotion or oil they massage you with.”
Madison laughed. “I’ll want to go out for dinner that night. I’ll have them give my hair a blowout. We won’t be spending the afternoon and night in bed again.”
“Blondie, you come home looking and feeling as sexy as you did last time and I’m not going to be capable of letting you out of bed.” He laughed and hugged her affectionately.
Elizabeth sat silent as the others laughed. Wow, she would never have guessed from how these two interacted in Africa that they had this type of relationship.
“I’ll tell you what, you add in a Brazilian wax and we’ll go out for dinner,” Cooper suggested, with a sly grin on his lips.
“I’ll tell you what, you get one first without crying like a baby, and then I’ll get one,” Madison countered.
Now everyone roared with laughter, everyone but Elizabeth.
Angel’s laughing eyes settled on Elizabeth. “Sorry, you probably don’t know what that is, do you?” She brought her phone up to her face, Googled it, and handed it over to Elizabeth. “I forgot you have spent the last three years in a remote village in Africa. Plus, my mom wouldn’t know what it is, either.”
Elizabeth read the description. “Oh, good heavens. People pay to have this done to themselves?” Her eyes popped up and scanned the group. “And people provide this service, doing this to complete strangers?”
Everyone laughed. Doc embraced her. “Shocking isn’t it? No one is coming anywhere near my ass with hot wax!”
They laughed even harder. This time Elizabeth joined in. From that point on, Elizabeth felt more relaxed. The pizza arrived, and she tried a piece of each kind, deciding she liked the Hawaiian the best.
“Finally,” Garcia said, reaching his fist towards Elizabeth.
She laughed and tapped his fist with hers. She had seen the men do fist bumps, so she knew what to do. “Yes, none of you know what you’re missing. Ham and pineapple are great on the pizza.”
The others scoffed at that.
“I know what we should do. We make dinner reservations for the eight of us after our spa appointments and we will meet you guys there,” Madison said. “Angel do get in touch with your aunt and arrange to have Jackson drop Sammy there on his way to the restaurant. That way we all get a night out.”
“Really, you get a spa day and I have to get all dressed up too?” Cooper moaned.
Everyone but Elizabeth knew he was just giving Madison a hard time.
“Yes, and we both know you compete with me for who looks prettier when we get all dressed up.” She turned to Elizabeth. “Don’t let him fool you. This man right here primps more than any woman!”
“Primps? I beg your pardon,” Cooper disagreed.
He was answered by the other men agreeing with Madison.
When the evening was over and they left, it was with hugs all around. Elizabeth was looking forward to her stay with Sienna and her training with Angel at the office. “I had a good time tonight,” Elizabeth told Alexander after they backed out of the driveway.
“The Cooper and Madison show is all in fun. I should have warned you,” Doc said.
“I don’t understand,” Elizabeth confessed.
“When away from work, Cooper and Madison trade barbs like that all the time. They entertain the rest of us, that’s for sure. As far as dinner out, all Madison has to do is suggest it and Cooper is all over it. He does anything she wants. As far as I know, he’s never told her no to anything. His moaning and groaning about getting dressed up was all for show.”
“They were completely different in Africa.”
Doc laughed. “Yeah, when on duty or at the office no one would even guess they are together. I surely didn’t and when it came out that they were in a relationship, you could have knocked me over with a feather. That was a huge breach in protocol, and I was really pissed at them both. But once I saw they could keep it separate, and I saw how deeply they cared for each other; I respected their relationship.”
“So, their relationship broke the rules?”
“Yep. So did Jackson and Angel’s, Garcia and Sienna’s, and ours. There has always been a no fraternization policy. No involvement with anyone associated with a mission, and no relationships between agency personnel.”
“But no one has gotten into trouble?”
Doc shrugged. “That depends on your definition of in trouble. It’s frowned upon. Shepherd has considered each breach on its own merits. Any of us could have been fired for our actions. Thankfully, Shepherd hasn’t fired anyone yet.”
Elizabeth considered that for a moment. That spoke volumes to her how much each of the other couples truly loved each other. To risk their jobs to be with the person they loved was inspirational. Alexander risked his job for her too. It gave her hope that she and Alexander would feel that way about each other someday.
“Are you excited about the spa day you girls have planned?” Alexander asked, breaking in on her thoughts.
She glanced at him. The oncoming cars headlights illuminated his handsome face. “I will not be going and spending that much money.”
His head jerked to view her. “Elizabeth, of course you are.” H
e brought his eyes back to the road. “We’re not having the same money conversation again.” He felt himself losing patience with her.
“Five hundred dollars for one day! That is a sin, Alexander.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s not a sin, not any more than masturbation is.”
“It’s widely accepted that self-pleasure is sinful.”
“Elizabeth, you’re not a Sister any longer.” He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. “What I mean to say is, women go to the spa. They spend money, a lot of money on themselves. It’s not something you do every day, it’s something special. I spend a hell of a lot more than that on my fishing gear and trips. Spending money to enjoy life is what normal people do. It’s why we work hard.”
“You want me to spend that much money on getting my hair done and other frivolous things?”
Doc laughed. “I want you to go out with the ladies and have a wonderful day. Try it. If you don’t enjoy it, you don’t ever have to go again, but I don’t want your decision to be based on cost.” He reached over and took hold of her hand. “Look, Elizabeth, I want you to make your own decisions on things. You don’t need to ask me permission for anything, but I don’t want you deciding not to do anything based on cost.”
“I’ve never done any of those things, a massage, a manicure, or pedicure,” she admitted after a few quiet seconds. “My mom trimmed my hair. After she was gone, I learned how to do it for myself.”
“Then it’s high time you experience them. I love a good massage. I think you might too.”
Elizabeth gazed out the window feeling even more different. Every time she thought she would fit in; she was reminded she was not like Alexander and his friends. She felt Alexander squeeze her hand.
“Elizabeth, it’s okay that you’ve never done any of those things, just don’t let that fact stop you from trying them.”
Without turning to look at him she nodded her head yes.
They were stopped at a red light. Doc saw her head nod and was concerned because she had her head turned away. “Honey,” he said, pulling on her hand. Her head snapped back, her gaze on him. She looked sad. He forced a smile. “I want you to try everything. I want you to enjoy your life and not let anything stop you from becoming the person you were always meant to be. I happen to think you are pretty special. You’re my wife and will be the mother of my child. I don’t want to see you sad for any reason.”
Tears flooded Elizabeth’s eyes even though she tried desperately not to cry. “You don’t understand what it’s like to not have any money, Alexander. My mom did the best she could. We didn’t have material things, but we never lacked love and attention from her. My mom would never understand all the money you spent on this coat or the clothes for me and she certainly wouldn’t understand five hundred dollars for spa appointments all in one day. I’m embarrassed by how much of your money has been spent on me.”
“Then I am very sorry she is gone because I would have done the same for her just because she was your mother. And you’re right. I don’t know what it’s like. There was only one time in my life finances were tight and that was over fifteen years ago. Please do not be embarrassed. That is not my intention. I honestly haven’t thought twice about it.”
His words made Elizabeth cry harder. He was so generous. She believed him, believed he would have spent his money on her mother too. “I’m sorry. I am trying to not think about the cost of things. This isn’t my world.”
“It is now, honey,” he said squeezing her hand again. “Please don’t cry. I had a good time with you tonight. I don’t want our night out to end this way.”
“I had a good time too. I really like everyone.”
“It was very nice of Sienna to invite you to stay with her while we are away. I’m glad you will be with both her and Angel. I won’t worry about you as much with you there.” Elizabeth didn’t say anything when he paused. “I hope I didn’t twist your arm too much to agree to it. I noticed you didn’t give her an answer until I said something.”
“I wanted to be sure it was all right with you before I agreed.”
“Elizabeth, listen to me. You don’t ever need my permission for anything.”
Papa
“I’ll miss you,” Elizabeth whispered when their lips parted.
“I’ll call and text when I can. I don’t expect we’ll go dark during the first week, but you never know,” Doc replied. It was zero-five-thirty. He glanced out the windshield at Garcia and Sienna’s front door. He placed one more kiss on her lips and then nodded towards the house.
He grabbed her over-stuffed backpack, the laptop case for the new laptop he’d bought her the day before, and the bag of perishable groceries they’d packed up. He held her hand, walking her to the front door. A fine dusting of fresh snow coated everything. Garcia opened the door as they neared.
“Morning,” Garcia greeted sleepily. He took the backpack from Doc. “I’ll run this up to the guest room.” He pointed to the kitchen. “Sienna’s still in the shower, but coffee is on if you want a cup, Elizabeth.” He had a travel mug in his hand.
“No, thank you. I generally have herbal tea. I brought my own.”
“Make yourself at home and open the cabinets to find a mug if you want to make yourself a cup.” Then he disappeared up the stairs.
Elizabeth glanced around. This unit was very similar to Angel and Jackson’s home in its layout. They were both end units.
When Garcia came back down the stairs, a large chocolate lab trotted down the stairs beside him. “Hope you’re not allergic to dogs. I don’t think we mentioned Bailey.”
Elizabeth put her hand down for the dog to sniff and then she patted the dog’s head. “No, I’m not. He or she is beautiful.”
“She, and yes, she is a sweetie,” Garcia agreed. “Come on girl, let’s go out.” He brought her to the sliding glass door in the kitchen, opened it and sent her out alone into the small, fenced-in backyard. “You don’t have to go out with her, and she will go to the door and bark when she has to go out.”
“Got it,” Elizabeth said from within the kitchen. She found the mugs and selected one. She dropped the tea bag in and filled it with tap water.
“Go ahead and put the food away in the fridge anyplace you find space.” Doc had texted Garcia and told him they would bring the perishable food items from the condo with them. After a few minutes he went to the kitchen door and let the dog in, using the towel that hung from a hook beside it to wipe her feet. “Anyway, make yourself at home. Sienna will be down in about a half-hour.” He put on his coat and picked up his multiple bags from the couch.
Doc gave Elizabeth one more kiss as Garcia gathered his gear. And then the two of them left, closing the door behind them. Elizabeth watched the headlights of Alexander’s car retreat down the driveway through the open blinds on the front window. She stood at the window watching its taillights as the car pulled away until it was out of sight.
When her tea was done, she sat on the couch and turned the television on. She liked to watch the news in the morning. Bailey jumped on the couch and settled in beside her. “I sure hope you’re allowed up here.”
A half-hour later, Sienna came down the stairs wearing a robe and with a towel wrapped around her wet head. Her makeup was on, Elizabeth noticed, and she held a coffee mug in her hand. “Good morning,” Sienna greeted. “Good, I see you’ve made yourself at home.”
“Good morning, yes, thank you.”
Sienna patted Bailey’s head as she walked by. “I just need a refill on coffee while I finish getting ready for school. I leave around seven-fifteen. I’ll show you your room before I leave and make sure you are logged into the internet. You’re not going into the office with Angel until tomorrow, right?”
“No, not till tomorrow. Are you sure you don’t mind me just hanging out all day here?”
Sienna laughed. “Not at all. You can let Bailey in and out and make sure she has plenty of water. She’ll love the company.”
Elizabeth’s hand stroked over her soft fur. “She’s a sweetie.”
Sienna turned back, filled cup in hand. “She is. I’ll be home for lunch. I always come home to let her out.”
“Let me know what time and I’ll make us lunch,” Elizabeth offered.
“That would be great, thank you, but don’t go to too much trouble. I usually just have a sandwich, soup, or a salad. Make yourself at home and feel free to rummage through any cabinets for whatever you need.” She disappeared back up the stairs.
Doc sipped his coffee, his eyes on the large monitor mounted on the wall. Montana in the dead of winter! Whose fucked-up idea was it to accept this case in January? Of course, the client had approached them in December, and they’d put him off this long, not that December would have been any better.