Third Watch fic: For the Love of a Child (4/?)

[xtremeroswellia]

For the Love of a Child, Chapter Four.



"Get out of the bed," Emily grumbled, shaking her brother to consciousness.

His eyebrows furrowed and he tried to push her hands away. "Leave me alone."

"Get out, Charlie!"

"Why?"

"Because I said so!" She was on the verge of tears. "Just go. Go sleep with Bosco!"

He glared at her before rolling out of bed and rubbing his eyes. "I'm telling."

"Just get out." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand as he stalked toward the door. Then she quickly climbed out of the bed, as well, beginning to strip the blankets and sheets off.

"Uncle B," Charlie whined, shaking him as he lay sleeping on the sofa.

"Hmm? What?" He opened his eyes and sat up slightly. "Chuck?"

"Emily kicked me outta bed."

His eyebrows furrowed, confused in his half asleep state. "Wha-?"

"She told me to come out here and sleep with you," he complained.

"'kay," he mumbled, shifting on the couch and holding the blanket up so Charlie could climb in with him.

"There's not enough room."

"You sure?"

"I'll just sleep on the floor," he grumbled.

"No. No." Bosco swallowed hard and sat up, dragging a hand over his face. "I'll go talk to your sister."

As soon as Bosco stood up, Charlie laid down on the sofa and curled up under the blanket.

He chuckled softly and ran a hand through the boy's hair before heading down the hall.

Emily was crying softly, curled up on the stripped mattress in the dark.

"Em?" Bosco asked softly as he stepped into the room.

She quickly sat up, alarmed. "What?" Her voice was riddled with fear.

He turned on the light. "You okay, kiddo?"

She was silent for a moment, her face drained of all color.

Not thinking about it he pointed toward the bed. "Why are the sheets..." His voice trailed off and he bit his lip.

"I had an accident," she whispered, embarrassed.

"Oh, well...that's okay," he whispered back, taking a couple more steps into the room.

She bit her lower lip, not meeting his eyes. "Am I in trouble?"

"No, of course not. Accidents happen." He swallowed hard, not really sure what to do. "Do you uh...wanna go take a shower or a bath or something?"

"By myself, right?" she whispered.

"What? Yeah. Yeah, of course." He nodded his head. "You don't need my help."

She nodded quickly, sliding off the mattress with her head hung down. "Sorry," she whispered as she moved past him.

"It's okay, Emily," he told her softly. "I'm gonna wash the sheets and stuff, so...if you wanna put your pajamas outside the bathroom I'll wash those too, okay?"

Swallowing hard, she nodded once more, moving to the dresser to get out clean clothes for after her bath. Then she left the room without a word.

Bosco let out a breath as he went to gather the linens, grabbing the phone to call his mother as he did so.

***

Rose was not thrilled when the phone rang a little after one in the morning. She'd gotten home only an hour before from work and had just fallen asleep when the damn thing woke her up. "What?" she grumbled as she grabbed the receiver, knocking over a glass of water on her nightstand in the process. "Shit."

"Sorry, ma," he said softly into the phone.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Maurice? What is it?"

"I um...I just had a question."

She rubbed her eyes, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. "All right. Hold on a second, I spilled my water. I gotta get a towel to mop up."

"Yeah. Yeah, okay." He nodded his head.

Setting the phone down on her bed, she flipped on the lamp, then moved into the bathroom, grabbing a towel off the rack. She moved back to her bed, dropping the towel on the damp spot and letting it soak it up while she picked up the phone once more. "Okay. I'm back. What's your question?"

"Well uh..." He glanced toward the door. "One of the kids...had an accident, ya know," he said very quietly. "I'm washin' the sheets and stuff, but...what about the mattress?"

She was silent for a moment. "Well, is it wet?"

He made a face. "You want me to touch it?"

She rolled her eyes. "Put a kleenex on it."

"Oh um..." He looked around the room until he found a napkin from the last time he'd eaten something in his bedroom. "I didn't think this was supposed to happen. She's eleven," he whispered into the phone.

"Wait...it was Emily?" Her eyebrows furrowed.

"Yeah. Charlie came out and woke me up, said that Emily kicked him out of bed. I came in to find her curled up on the bed and the sheets were stripped off."

She was silent for a moment. "I just assumed it was Charlie because he's still so young..."

"I know what you mean. She was real embarrassed and stuff." He dabbed at the spot on the mattress, making a face as he did so. "She's taking a bath now." He was quiet for a moment. "You know, it was kinda weird..."

"What was?"

"Well...I asked her if she wanted to take a shower or a bath or something, and...she asked if...if I meant by herself."

Rose's eyebrows furrowed once more. "What do you think she meant by that?"

"I don't know, mom. I mean, it was like she thought I was going to bathe her or something. She seemed almost...scared."

She was quiet for another moment. "I think you should take her to the doctor's first thing in the morning."

"Yeah." He nodded his head. "Faith said something about me maybe taking her to a shrink."

"I mean...an actual doctor. She may have a urinary tract infection or a bladder infection or something."

"Ohh."

"But I think her seeing a shrink might be a good idea, too."

"Yeah." He paused. "Ma?"

"Yeah?"

"Maybe you could come with us to the doctor? I mean, someone needs to go in to the appointment with Emily and she'd probably be more comfortable with a woman and---"

"I'll be over by eight a.m."

"Thanks. I really appreciate you helping me out like this. Faith does too."

"My pleasure. They're great kids."

"They are. And I promise I'll get the hang of this sooner or later."

"I know you will, baby." She smiled softly. "It's kinda nice to be needed again."

He grinned. "Speaking of that...how do I clean the mattress?" He chuckled, reminding her of the task at hand.

"Did you put a kleenex on it?"

"A napkin."

"Is it wet?"

He rolled his eyes. "Duh."

She chuckled. "Do you have any bleach?"

"Yeah. Should I get it?"

"Duh."

Bosco laughed softly. "Oh you're funny," he told her as he headed out into the kitchen to get the bottle of bleach.

"Well, looks aren't everything, Maurice." She yawned and shut her lamp off, laying down. "Just spray some of the bleach on the wet part, then flip the mattress over."

"Spray it? Ma, it comes in like a gallon bottle. It doesn't spray."

"You still buy those gallons?" She shook her head. "We'll buy a spray bottle tomorrow. Just pour a little on the mattress. Rub it in with a rag or a towel."

"And that's it?"

"That's it."

"Well that's easy," he informed her as he grabbed the bottle and headed back down the hall.

"Your mattress will be a little discolored, but...that doesn't really matter, right?"

"Yeah, that's no big deal. I think I can handle it from here. Sorry I woke you."

"Don't worry about it. That's what I'm here for."

"Love you. See ya later."

"Goodnight, Maurice." She hung up the phone.

He turned the phone off and went to work on cleaning the mattress and flipping it over as his mother instructed. When he was done he quickly put fresh linens on the bed and gathered the old ones as he made his way out into the hall. He knocked on the bathroom door. "Emily?"

"What?"

"I'm just gonna run down and put this stuff in the washer," he informed her as he picked up her dirty pajamas. "I made the bed for you and I'll come check on you when I get back, okay?"

She was silent for a moment. "Okay."

"I'll be back soon. I'm gonna lock the front door and take my key so don't answer the door for anyone."

"Okay." She swallowed hard.

Bosco hurried out into the living room. "Charlie," he whispered softly.

"Hmm?" Charlie didn't open his eyes.

"You can go climb back in bed if you want."

"'kay."

"I'm going down to the laundry room. Don't open the door for anyone, got it?"

"Mmhmm."

He smiled, figuring Charlie would still be in the exact same position when he got back. Grabbing his keys he stepped out of the apartment locking the door behind him and heading toward the laundry room. After he had the sheets and pajamas in the washer he made his way back to the apartment figuring no one would bother taking his laundry.

As quietly as possible he unlocked the door then closed and locked it behind him. Glancing over he spotted Charlie still sprawled out on the couch and sleeping peacefully. Moving over to the couch he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the boy's head before making his way to the bedroom.

Emily had put on the warmest pajamas she had--long sleeves and long pants with footies. Over the pajama top she wore a sweater of her mom's.

Bosco entered the room and made his way over to the bed. "Hey," he whispered. "How ya doin', Em?"

"I'm fine." She bit her lower lip, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Are you feeling sick or anything?" He asked her softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

She scooted away from him a little. "No. I'm okay."

"Okay." He hesitated for a moment then reached out to touch her forehead, something he remember his mother always doing when she thought he didn't look well, and something he'd seen Faith do countless times.

She flinched slightly when he touched her forehead.

He quickly pulled his hand away. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head, biting her lower lip.

"I'd never hurt you. You know that, right?"

Emily didn't answer.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he shrugged it off, figuring Emily was still embarrassed by the fact that she'd wet the bed. "Em, I need to ask you somethin' okay?"

"Okay."

"Does it uh...does it hurt when you uh..." He bit his lip, looking about as uncomfortable as Emily had earlier. He gestured with his hand, as if moving his hand would make the words come out easier. "Go to the bathroom?"

She looked at him like he'd grown another head. "No."

"Okay, I just...well I thought I'd make a doctor's appointment for you causa...well I just thought it'd be a good idea, so..."

"I'm not sick."

"No, not like that, but maybe...There could be something that caused this to happen tonight," he whispered.

"Like...like what?"

"You might..." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You might have like an infection or something."

She swallowed hard, biting her lower lip nervously.

"It's nothing to be worried about," he told her softly. "We'll take you to the doctor and they'll check you over and if something's wrong they'll just give you some medicine or something."

"How will they know if I have an infection?" She pulled her knees up to her chest.

"Um...well...the doctor'll have to examine you."

There was anxiety in her eyes. "I don't wanna go to the doctor."

"It'll be okay, kiddo." He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "My mom said she'd go in with you. So you won't be alone."

"I don't want to," she whispered.

"I know you don't. I never liked going to the doctor either. In fact I still don't. But if there's something wrong we need to find out before it gets worse."

She looked away, her face pale.

"I promise you it'll be okay, Emily. You like my mom, right?"

She nodded wordlessly.

"She'll be right there with you the whole time." He smiled softly. "When I was little she used to hold my hand when I was scared. I bet she'd do the same for you."

"I want mom," she whispered, tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Em, I know," he whispered back. "I'm so sorry."

She choked on a sob, burying her face in her knees as she cried softly.

His heart sank and he scooted a little closer to her, resting his hand on her back. "She wanted me to tell you that this wasn't your fault," he told her softly.

"I miss her so much."

"I know, Sweetie. I miss her, too." He gently rubbed her back. "She wanted me to tell you that she loves you."

She swallowed hard, wiping her eyes and sniffling.

"Come here," he whispered, reaching out to her.

Emily shook her head, anxiety still in her eyes.

He'd seen that look, that fear before, but he didn't understand where it was coming from. "Em?"

"I don't want to." Her voice was barely audible.

"Okay, I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Am I in trouble?" she whispered back, not looking at him.

"Trouble? Emily, why would you be in trouble?"

She didn't answer.

"You're not in trouble. You haven't done anything wrong, you hear me?"

Swallowing hard, she nodded quickly.

"Okay. Why don't you lay down and try to get some sleep, all right?"

"Okay," she whispered, hesitating a moment before laying down and pulling the covers up to her chin.

"I'll see you in the morning," he told her softly. "I think Charlie's pretty much zonked out on the couch and I'm going to take the recliner, so you've got the bed to yourself."

"I'm sorry, Bosco," she whispered softly.

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything."

Closing her eyes, Emily didn't answer.

"I love you, Emily," he whispered. "No matter what, okay?"

"Okay." A tear slid down her cheek.

Very gently he brushed the tear away. "Get some sleep."

She lay still and silent, waiting til she was sure he'd left the room before she buried her face in the pillow and began to cry.

* * *

"This waiting room sucks," Charlie complained, kicking his feet under the chair.

Bosco nodded his head. "Yeah, it does. Why don't you...go grab one of those books for us to read?" He suggested softly, pointing over to a small table that had a few toys on it.

He made a face. "I don't like reading."

"Then we can flip through the pages."

"Boring."

"I can read it to you," he offered softly, hoping there was something he could do to make waiting for Emily's appointment to be over go faster for both himself and Charlie. No matter how many times Rose had assured him before taking Emily in to see the doctor that this was a very routine appointment he still couldn't help but be nervous. He hadn't been taking care of Faith's children long, but he was already afraid that he was doing a horrible job because Emily had to see a doctor.

"Officer Boscorelli?" A nurse stepped out into the waiting room.

He swallowed hard and looked up. "Yes?"

She offered him a kind smile. "The doctor would like to speak with you."

"Oh, okay." Nodding his head quickly he stood up and started to make his way over to the nurse then he stopped, turned around and held his hand out to Charlie. "Come on, buddy."

Charlie jumped out of the seat and quickly moved over to where Bosco was standing.

"I can't leave him out here alone," he told the nurse quietly, unsure of whether or not he needed to explain why Charlie was coming with.

"It's okay." She smiled at the boy. "I'm sure his grandmother wouldn't mind watching him for a few minutes."

"Oh, she's not---" He shook his head slightly and looked down at Charlie as he took his hand. "You okay visiting with Grandma Rose and your sister while I talk to the doctor?"

Charlie grinned. "Sure."

"Good answer," he told the boy with a smile as they followed the nurse down the hall.

The doctor met them in the hallway, smiling at Charlie. "Officer Boscorelli. I'm Dr. Dannewitz." He stuck out his hand.

Bosco shook the man's hand. "This is Emily's little brother, Charlie."

"Yes, I remember you." He smiled at Charlie. "Long time no see, Chuck."

"I uh...I suppose I should probably find out when he's do for a physical or something, huh?"

"I can have my nurse look it up for you."

"That would be great. Thank you." He blew out a breath then looked down at Charlie. "Why don't you go see Rose and Em, okay?"

"Sure." Charlie headed into the room, leaving Bosco and the doctor in the hallway.

Swallowing hard he turned his attention back to the doctor. "Emily. How is she?"

"Let's go into my office. More private."

"Yeah, that'd be good," he said softly, casting a glance toward the exam room where his mother and the kids were.

Nodding, the doctor lead him down the hall to his office and motioned for him to have a seat.

He sat down in the chair and fidgeted slightly, shifting nervously in the chair and wringing his hands. "I uh...I've only been taking care of the kids for a little while. I've never...had to do this before."

Dr. Dannewitz smiled at him. "You seem to be doing just fine. Emily and Charlie are both fond of you."

"I bet they teach ya to say stuff like that at all those fancy doctor schools, huh?"

He chuckled. "Yeah. Ten years of school on how to flatter people."

Bosco managed a smile. "Sorry, I get a little..." He shrugged.

"Don't worry about it." He leaned forward at his desk. "Emily's just fine. I ran a urine test. She doesn't have a bladder infection or a UTI."

His eyebrows furrowed. "Really? So what's...why'd she..."

"Well, there's nothing physically wrong with her. I'd bet my money that it's due to emotional stress."

"Huh." He let out a breath and relaxed slightly. After a moment he nodded his head. "I guess that's possibly, I mean...with everything going on."

He nodded. "It makes sense, under the circumstances."

"She was so embarrassed. The poor kid," he said softly.

"I recommend that she see a counselor. At least for a few sessions. Someone who can help her work through her emotions."

"Yeah. Faith had mentioned something like that to me, and my mom thought it was a good idea too. Is there someone you can refer us to? I'm thinking maybe Charlie should see someone too." He paused for a moment. "He tends to seem pretty good on the outside, but..."

"Of course. That's not a problem at all. There's a woman down the hallway actually, who's very good with children." He wrote down a name and phone number on a piece of paper.

Bosco took the offered information and looked at it as he held the paper between his hands. "So Emily's really okay?"

Dr. Dannewitz nodded. "She's not running a fever, and there's no indication of any illness."

"I guess I'm just a little nervous or something. I've never had to take care of anyone other than myself before really."

"It's understandable. And very admirable that you agreed to take care of Faith and Fred's children."

"Well...I've always had a soft spot for those two."

"Easy to see why. They're great kids."

"Yeah." He nodded his head. "They are. Thanks."

"No problem. Have a good day, Officer."

"You too. Thanks again." He stood up and reached out to shake the doctor's hand once more.

Dr. Dannewitz shook his hand.

He left the office and made his way back to the room his mother and the kids were in. "Hey, you guys ready to get outta here?"

"Finally!" Charlie quickly got up out of the chair he was sitting in and all but ran toward him.

"Easy, squirt," he chuckled, scooping Charlie off his feet.

He laughed. "Uncle B!"

Bosco grinned. "I'll put you down if you promise to act like a civilized young man," he teased.

"I'll try." He grinned, as well.

He carefully set Charlie down but kept hold of his hand. "How ya doin', Em?" Bosco asked her softly as he looked over at her.

"I'm fine. I told you I wasn't sick."

"I know, but us adults tend to get overprotective. Don't we ma?"

"That's right." She smiled and took Emily's hand. "Come on. Why don't we get some lunch before we go home?"

"Lunch sounds perfect. You're payin', right Charlie?"

"I don't have any money," he informed Bosco. "Unless you're giving me an advance on my allowance."

"Allowance? You've never gotten an allowance in all your life and don't even try telling me you have," Bosco told him.

"Darn." He sighed.

Bosco chuckled softly. "So...that means either Emily or Grandma Rose is buyin' lunch, right?"

"I don't have an allowance either," Emily told him.

"Hmm. Maybe we'll have to set something up," he informed them.

"Really?" She looked at him in surprise.

He smiled softly. "Sure. Why not?"

A smile tugged at her lips.

The four of them walked to the receptionist's desk together and after Bosco was given information on when Charlie was due for his next physical they all headed out to his car. He held the door open as the kids climbed into the backseat. "Make sure you put your seatbelts on," he informed them as he stood next to his mother on the sidewalk.

"Mom always makes us wear our seatbelts," Charlie told him.

"She always makes me wear mine too."

Emily couldn't help but chuckle.

When both kids appeared to be situated he turned to his mother. "How'd she do in the doctor's office?" He asked softly.

"She was nervous," Rose murmured. "She kept flinching when he got near her. Maurice...do you think it's possible that Faith's husband...maybe beat her?"

His eyes widened slightly but he shook his head. "No. No, he wouldn't..."

"It's just...you and Michael..." She swallowed hard and looked out the windshield. "Used to do the same thing."

"We did?"

"Any time someone got too close," she whispered.

He shifted his gaze to Emily. "That would explain why Faith..." Bosco's voice trailed off and he let out a breath.

"Maybe you should go and see Faith," Rose murmured.

"I will," he whispered, nodding his head.

Falling silent as he started the car, both of them drifted into their own bad memories, both hoping that Emily and Charlie Yokas hadn't suffered the same wounds that they had.