Love Will Make You Stay (Alternate Version)

The Family

STEF POV

My stomach is all but in knots as Mike and I speed our way to 101 San Tuscan Drive for we had learned that the 911 call had come from a terrified six year old girl who said her father was hurting her mother and that her older sister was trying to help.  That alone infuriated the absolute hell out of me for  one thing I could and did not tolerate was that! Children being involved and witnessing this shit which never ended well. Ever, as both Mike and I were fully aware of. 

As we make it to the home my stomach is in fucking knots as Mike shuts the siren off. We look at each other and nod as we step out the cruiser onto the rather dark street for we were both rather familiar with this area and sometimes got a few calls regarding minor things such as car break ins or someone's bike getting stolen.  Heading up the walk way the porch is lit by a small little lamp as I notice the home is rather cute. But that  meant nothing if there was domestic abuse going on inside. Nothing at all.

Mike clears his throat as I ring the bell for this went one of two ways. The woman would deny it and say she fell and we would be called back days later if not the next day or she would press charges and change her mind at the station. It happened more times then we could count and yes I was sympathetic very much so because I couldn't imagine being that in that situation. But, it was hard for me not to get frustrated when children were involved.

As we wait another second or so I ring the bell again as Mike tries to peek in the window but the home is dark.

"Lets head around back. Cars in the driveway." He says as we soon hear the door unlock and it open very slowly as I see the same little girl I had seen at the school earlier that day and my heart breaks all over again. She looks right up at me terrified as I bend down and smile at her for this was no making even more sense.

"He sweetheart. My name is Stef and I'm a police officer. See?" I say showing her my badge as I see she is holding the same doll from earlier and is completely terrified. I had no way of knowing if she recognized me and that was ok as her face and eyes are very sad.

"My Mama is crying. She is upset and we were hiding in the closet. Me and Mama and Frankie."

"Ok sweets where are they now? Mm? Still in the closet?"

"I don't know. But my sister was trying to help."

"Ok baby. Um this is my friend Mike, he's a police officer too we are gonna come in and try to help ok?"

"Ok." She whispers opening the door all the way now as I stand and I feel her grab my hand. As we step inside Mike clears his throat as we see a light flick on and man at the end of the hallway as Callie instantly hides behind me and I can feel the fear radiating off of her. Evidently this was her father and I could feel my blood boiling already.

"Callie! What is this! You just open the door to anyone! Do you know how dangerous that is?"He shouts as I feel the girl press into my leg even more and I gently rub her back.

"Sir, we didn't mean any harm we just came to make sure everything was ok. We are responding to a call. Can we ask where you wife is?"

"My wife? She's sleeping. And no one called you! I think it's best you leave you're upsetting my daughter! Callie get over here!" He bites back walking over to us as Callie doesn't move from behind me and Mike steps closer to him.

"Sir, we need to ask you to calm down. We aren't trying to upset anyone we just want to ask your wife a few questions and make sure everyone is ok."

"There is nothing to ask. My wife is fine. Now please leave." He insists as Mike clears his throat and I know I need to get Callie out of this hallway, but it could be rather tricky considering this man was VERY threatened and that alone could be dangerous.

"What, what is going on?" We suddenly hear as I see Callie's mother walk towards us and  Frankie behind her looking just as terrified as Callie.

"See, here is my wife. Lena please tell them everything is fine honey. And my oldest Frankie, tell these nice officers everything is fine? You all must have gotten the wrong address because we were just trying to have a nice night home." He says as I make eye contact with Frankie who quickly looks away but has her mothers hand tight in hers.  This was ugly, and I hated it and I knew Mike hated it as well as I now understood the reasoning for Frankie's question to us earlier. She wanted to hurt her father or whoever this man was to her.

"Yes everything is fine. You really must have gotten the wrong address. Callie, come here honey. It's ok sweetheart." Her mothers says as I now know her name is Lena as she holds her hand out for Callie to take. But she doesn't move from behind my leg as Frankie now walks over to me and it is then Callie takes her hand. "We um were just watching a loud movie is all." Lena looks back at me and Mike as her body language speaks volumes as well as her children. I don't think she realized how transparent this entire situation is.

"We understand but um sir I'd love a word with you. Just a few questions and my partner and I will be out of your hair." Mike says as the man looks at both of us.

"Sure, I assure you all is ok but sure. Lets step into the kitchen. Be right back honey." He says kissing Lena on the cheek as she forces a smile and I look back at both of her children who are sitting on the little hallway bench.

"I have a few questions for you as well. Nothing major."

"Of course." She says as we head into the living room and I take a seat on her small couch. Her face is so swollen now that I get an even closer look at her as she no longer has on the dark shakes that she hid her black eye from earlier but there were certainly fresh bruises on her face. Thing was I couldn't do a damm thing unless she confessed to him hurting her and the last thing I wanted to do was drag CPS in here.

"You have a lovely home Ms.."

"Adams. Lena Adams."

"Ms. Adams. And your girls are very sweet." I say softly smiling as I can see Frankie watching me the hallway as she plays barbies with her younger sister. I could tell she was very use to this kind of situation they both were as I smile at her and she quickly looks away.

"Thank you. Listen I'm not sure who called you or I think you really have the wrong home. Nothing is going on."

"Yeah, you mentioned that.  But um may I be frank and ask what happened to your face?"

"Oh I just fell. I was in an accident last week. Nothing terrible but I'm ok." She lies as I glance at her girls again and back at her.

"Listen, you don't have to stay here. You or your girls. There's places to go if he's hurting you." I whisper. "And you can press charges."

"No. I mean why would I. This is our home and there's nothing to press charges on. I just told you I had an accident." She now grows defensive and I knew I had to tred very lightly as I clear my throat and sit forward.

"Yeah, but your little girl told me her father was yelling and that your oldest was trying to keep you safe." I continue to whisper as she immediately shakes her head."

"No, she must be confused. Sure Ramon and I have disagreements but that's not what was happening. He's never laid a single hand on me or my children. There is nothing wrong here officer..?

"Foster."

"Officer Foster. Listen, it's late and I need to get my girls to bed if you don't mind." She is very abrupt if not harsh as I nod my head and grab my card from my back pocket and hand it to her.

"Of course. Um just incase here's my card. I know you won't need it but I always give it out anyway." We stand as she nods her head and takes it sliding it in her pocket as my eyes look at both of her girls and my heart breaks for them and her. Fuck, did it ever because I knew how this shit was gonna turn out. And I wished that wasn't the case.