Saving Pierson

Georgie

happy new year!! here's to a better year🥲

River

I pull into my driveway, but instead of parking, I drive to the back of the house where the trails are.

Once I arrive to the wooded area, I get out of my truck with the hoodie in my hand. "Georgie!" I call out. "I'm not sure if you're still here or not—" I look at the old barn in the middle of the woods that she could possibly be in. "I just wanna talk to you!" I shout. "Look, I'm not gonna do anything. I just wanna talk." I walk closer to the barn. I see a shadow in the window, giving me hope. "Georgie, look. I have something that belongs to you that I think you'll want back." I hold up the hoodie. "A red hoodie?" I state. Then the door opens, revealing a young girl with brown hair. "There she is."

"I-I'm sorry. I had nowhere to go and I came across this beautiful area and settled here." she frowns. "I know you're a cop... just please, please don't make me go back." she says in a tone full of fear.

I sigh and hand her the hoodie. "Georgie, everyone is looking for you. Why? Why are you running away?"

She looks down. "Ever since my parents died, I was put into all of these foster homes and I-I can't. None feel like home and I have absolutely nobody."

I clench my jaw.

**

"She's still so young." Pierson takes my hand. "If she doesn't like the foster homes she goes to, what's gonna happen to her? She's just gonna keep running away."

"Pier, I wish I knew. It's not necessarily in my hands anymore." I sit down.

"She's so sweet, Riv. She loves our home! Maybeee we—"

"No way!" I stand up, causing her to flinch. "Sorry. I'm sorry." I take her hands. "We're not married."

"Can we please give it a try?" she frowns.

"Adopting a teenager?" I tilt my head in confusion and she nods. "Pier—"

"We can talk to her. Mandy can bring her back over and we can discuss it."

"Georgie barely knows us. She talked to us for an hour before I had to take her to the station."

"And within that hour, it seems like she really trusted us. Please, River."

I look at her.

**

"Maybe get to know her a little bit more." Mandy suggests.

"Which is exactly what we're doing." I pat her shoulder before walking towards Georgie who is sitting by the car with a look of betrayal. "Hey—"

"How could you?" she looks at me. "I told you I didn't like it there and you still gave me back!"

I sigh. "Georgie, you know I had to do my job. I couldn't have just kept you. Everyone was worried sick and we've been going crazy looking for you. You have to understand that it's my job to protect you."

"Apparently not."

"Have those foster homes hurt you?" I raise an eyebrow.

She tries to form words. "Well, no—"

"Exactly. Come on, why don't me, you, and Pier go on a little lunch date, yeah?" I ask.

"I'd love that..."

"I'll be back to pick you up later, Georgie." Mandy hands me her card.

"Okay." Georgie scoffs.

I give her a look of stern.

Mandy drives off.

"Where would you like to go?" Pierson walks up next to me.

"Steak n Shake is my favorite." Georgie looks down.

"And there it is." I chuckle. "C'mon. We got two hours."

We all pile into my truck.

You'd think the drive would be awkward, but it was far from that. Georgie kept cracking jokes, kept a conversation, and told us about herself.

Well, a little bit.

We walk into Steak 'n shake and order milkshakes as well as lunch.

"I uh... I overheard your conversation that night." Georgie stuffs her hands in her pockets.

"Which?" Pierson laughs.

"Your miscarriage..." she trails off. I clench my jaw and Pierson gets quiet. "I'm sorry— I didn't mean to bring it up. I just wanted to—"

"No no, it's fine." I cut her off.

"Are you trying to have kids?" she asks.

Pierson shakes her head. "We weren't really trying, just life happens."

"I'm sorry..." Georgie frowns. "Will you try for another one?"

"Here's the thing, Georgie. Pierson and I? We really enjoy your company." I state.

"Oh wow... I'm glad!" she hides a smile.

Pierson wraps her arm around her shoulders. "We were thinking..."

"...would you maybe like us to adopt you?" I ask and her jaw slightly drops. "Only if you want!"

"It's up to you! Wont hurt our feelings if you say no." Pierson wiggles her. "You have all the time in the world to decide."

"I-I don't know what to say." she tries to comprehend. "Yes!"

"You don't wanna—"

"I don't need time to think! I'd love for you guys to adopt me!" she hugs Pierson and puts her arm out for me. I laugh and sit up to join the hug. "Thank you!"

"Of course." Pierson squeezes us.

**

"It went through." Mandy smiles. "Georgie, I am so happy for you."

"Thank you, miss Mandy." she responds.

"I'll be back soon to do a check in." Mandy looks at Pierson and I, in which we nod.

She drives off and Georgie squeals. "No way I get to live in this beautiful house!"

"We're so happy to have you!" Pierson hugs her. "Come on! I wanna show you my favorite spot in the woods!" she runs off.

Georgie laughs and runs after her.

A little smile spreads across my face and I pull the little box I was playing with, out of my pocket.

"That's gorgeous!" Sophia claps. "She will love that!!"

"Are you sure? Or is it too much?" I stress.

Cash shakes his head. "Dude! It's perfect! Stop sweating it!"

"I just want it to be everything she's ever dreamed of." I squeeze the box in my hand.

"And it will be!" Sophia wiggles me. "You got this!"

I force a smile.

"River!! Come on!!" Georgie shouts out.

"I'm coming!"

I put the box back in my pocket and run off.