Mistakes of our past | Rhekker

Chapter 29- Rhodes baby

PD had let the family go home after Ava's realisation, intending to bring the baby sitter in to conform. But it look promising, whoever had taken Sophia had also been coming into the hospital and taking her to the playground.

Connor stood in the bedroom doorframe, Ava had not left Sophias side since she'd found her. The two were so exhausted from the eventful morning that they had fallen asleep on Ava's bed, Sophia still being held tight in Ava's grasp afraid to let go of her girl again. Connor watched the steady rise and fall of their breath, finally able to be calm now that his family was safe.
It was ten o'clock but Connor felt like he had already completed a full day, and was ready to sleep. Making himself a sandwich Connor sat down on the sofa, flicking on the tv intending to channel surf. Turning the volume down, the imagine of himself, Ava and Sophia leaving the hospital two hours ago flashed onto the screen.

Secret Rhodes baby found: Connor Rhodes sibling or daughter?

Connor flicked away to the next channel, not wanting to hear everyone pry over his life with Ava.

Did Connor Rhodes sleep with his farther killer?

"She's not a killer, and obviously if I have a child with Ava" Connor groaned to himself, turning on a recording of the Jimmy Fallon show.

Picking up his phone he turned it on and was flooded with messages
Claire: Connor did you know you have a child?
Claire: Is she okey?
Claire: Are you sure it's yours?
Claire: Are you okey?
Claire: Is everything okey?
Claire: Do they know who took her?

Dialling Claire's number, it rang three times before she picked up.
"Connor" she gasped
"Claire"
"Why haven't you been picking up I was worried sick. I tried going over to your apartment and you weren't their, it look liked you hadn't been in days. Than I find out that you have a child through a tabloid and that's she's been abducted" Claire rambles on before sighing.
"Connor, I just want to know your okey"

"I am, I have a daughter, Sophia. Someone took her the night of the gala and she was missing for five days. I wasn't answering because I was spending time with Ava and focusing on my family" Connor explained, Claire could hear the hurt in his voice as he explained that Sophia had been taken.
"Do they know who took her?"
"Look, Claire, I really don't want to get into this over the phone. But they think it's connected to dad's death"
"What" Claire gasped. "Well can I at lest meet my niece"
"I'll have to talk to Ava about it" Connor said.
"She's my niece" Claire argued.
"Yes she's your South African niece that was born out of wedlock" Connor reminded Claire of her words. "Look I'm really tried, I'll talk to Ava about it. I'm sure she won't have an issue with it. Best of luck with the fertility treatments"
The line went quite for a minute as Claire thought, "thank you Connor, take care of yourself, tell Ava I hope she's doing well, everything she's been though".
The tone went dead as Connor hung up, throwing his phone into a cushion he pushed himself back into the sofa, closing his eyes Connor tried to relax.

Feeling two arms snake down his chest Connor opened his eyes to see Ava standing behind him, leaning down to rest her head on his shoulder. "I figured I should give Sophia a break incase I smoother her" Ava murmured into Connors shoulder.
Holding both her arms he chest, Ava looked up at him. "I told you we'd get her back" he said kissing her hands. Ava came to sit with him on the sofa, he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping a blanket around the two of them. "And I am never letting either of my girls go again" he reminded her softly, holding her tight.

Listing to the steady thump of Connors heat, Ava opened up.
"I'm sacred Connor. Of these people, of what their capable of. I couldn't protect her once what if I can't do it again" Ava wept.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't think like that Avery. This was neither of our faults. Come on, what happened to head strong Ave who wouldn't be scared off"
"That was before they got Sop involved" Ava sniffled.
"Come one, she's safe and sound, back with her loving parents. We'll make sure this never happens again"
Ava nodded slowly, holding her wrist in her hand. "I came back to Chicago a year ago. I had some work to for Groote Schuur here. I was apprehensive about coming back, afraid to run into you" Ava said timidly as Connor heart ached.
"I met with Sharron and Voight, it was great, it was as if Sophia had grandparents how much they cared for her. I was walking back to my hotel, it wasn't even to dark yet when a car blew through a red light. It was a big black SUV, knocked me clear of the pedestrian crossing, I threw myself in front of Sophia when I saw they weren't going to stop. I was confused and in tears, I was near Sharon's house so I stumbled to hers. I don't even remember how I made it there" Ava admitted.

"Sharron took care of me, Sophia was completely unharmed, just a bit shaken. I have a broken right wrist. Sharron re-set it and got be plastered up at med in her office. Voight came to see if I was okey, I wasn't until I was sat in med that I remember what was yelled after the crash. "Stay out of Chicago, Bekker". I don't even know how anyone knew I was back, I was so careful. Voight took me home after that" Ava began to sob into Connors chest. Connor rubbed a hand down her back, "it's okey my love, none of this was your fault, and you did protect Sophia. You raised her to be a head-strong, brilliant, intelligent girl. I couldn't be prouder of either of you, we're going to find who did this and we're going make sure they stop" he told her.
Connor took Ava's hand in his, studying her wrist before trailing kissing down the instead of my arm.
"When was this" Connor questioned, still holding her tight.
"Mid August"
Connor squeezed his eyes shut, realising that he had seen Ava before visiting her in South Africa. "Avery" Connor breathed. "I want you and Sophia to move in with me, so I can protect you both. We can be a family, and you can move back to Chicago. She can go to school here, and we'd be back doing surgeries together" Connor knew the risk of rejection that he ran, pushing this idea so quickly. Ava had build a life for herself in Capetown, a life without Connor.

Ava was silent for a minute, as Connors held his breath waiting for a response.
"Connor" she began.
"Ava please, I want us to be a family, you, me and our baby, I want to be with you"
Ava studies his face, finding only sincerity in his words.
"Yes" she agreed kissing his cheek.

A/n: last chapter until Friday this time, I swear ✋. I just didn't want to leave you worrying until then