Paranoia - s.reid

Honesty is the Best Policy

(I know I'm the worst at updating and it's been almost a month I'm so sorry. Go read my other book called Princess, it's much more entertaining, has better writing, and gets updated often!)

"You sure you feel like going into work today?"

Liz's lips spread into a thin line as she grabbed her handbag. With Diana, Alex and Lyle at school and Margaret in her room with a very good excuse as 'I went to school the other 4 days of the week!' She'd decided to finally make an appearance at the office two months after the passing of her mother. "Yeah, I'm sure. I'll pick up the kids on the way back, make sure Margot does her spellings."

Seeing her off at the entrance, Spencer bid her adieu with a peck on her lips and a soft declaration of love before he ventured off to the room of his youngest child. "Hi, Margie." He smiled at the little girl who'd occupied herself with a puzzle. "Mommy said we have to do spellings, today. Would you mind putting the puzzle away nicely, please?" He requested, waving the sheet of spellings in his hand.

With a short-lived pout, Margaret did as she was told, facing her father with an obvious boredom. "But I already know them!"

He raised his eyebrows, merely surprised. "Do you now? Tell me all the words on the list, from 1-5."

"School, S-C-H-O-O-L. House, H-O-U-S-E. Once, O-N-C-E. Today, T-O-D-A-Y. And beach, B-E-A-C-H."

Raising his hands in surrender, Spencer discarded the spelling list with a proud smile. "Then what do you want to do today?"

Head tilted, she hummed, deep in thought before revealing her answer. "Let's get ice cream!"

"How about ice cream and we go to the park?" After a loud cheer, he chuckled, ushering her towards the bathroom. "Alright, lets get you clean! Can't let a stinky Margie outside!"

Margaret crossed her arms with a frown at the teasing. "Alright, alright, you're not stinky." Spencer began prepping for her bath, balancing his phone between his shoulder and his cheek when it rang. "Hey, sweetheart."

"Hey, can you pick the kids up today? We've got a case, and you're on your 30 day off time."

"Yeah, of course. Everything alright?"

"Everything's fine. Ingredients for dinner are already in the fridge, I'll call you later tonight. I love you."

"Love you, too." 

He put the phone down, sighing at the girl who'd already gotten herself into the bubble bath. "Was that mommy?" Spencer nodded. "Does she have a case?"

Tying her hair up as best as he could, the result not looking very pleasant, he spoke. "Yes, she does. But it's okay because once Dee, Alex and Lyle are back from school, we'll all have so much fun."

"Like building pillow forts?" Margaret gasped, earning confirmation from her father. "But what about mommy? Is she okay?"

With a slightly faltering smile, the doctor looked down at her. "Mommy will be okay, and she loves you so much. We both do, and there isn't anything we wouldn't do for you. If you want the sun, well, we'll find a way to get it."

"Thanks, daddy." 

Part of him knew the 5 year old didn't understand what he'd said, and that it was out of the natural politeness in which her response had been given, but his heart still melted and eyes crinkled as he grinned.

"Mhm. Now, what are we thinking about a watermelon print top today?" 

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She could feel the stares practically burning holes through her when she stepped into the conference room, a heavy weight upon all of them during the debriefing. It was a local case, 4 victims so far and a potential hitman.