JR SWAT 2: Two, Taken

Chapter 17: Ladies night

"Hey baby!" Nichelle called

"Hey!" Hondo answered, tiredly, taking a deep breath.

"You ok? What happened with the girls? Did you find them? Are they ok?" Nichelle asked desperately.

"Yeah, yeah. They're fine." he responded, tired.

"Where were they?"

"They ended up in the middle of gang turf. We pulled them out of a covert armory!"

"Oh my God!" Nichelle paused, "Are they alright? Please tell them they can call me if they need to talk."

"Think they're fine now. I will. Listen, um...I gotta tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"The meeting this morning?"

"Yeah?"

"Bosses were presenting a bunch of numbers about not having enough cops in the force, especially in specific units. This could mean more work, and -and- listen to me, baby, I'm not gonna let this get in the way of us spending time together. Ok? I aint planning to do overtime every day!"

"I understand, honey. Workers are hard to find these days."

"I know, but...my boss always says he kinda regrets not dedicating enough time to his family. I don't want that. Having a family -you and the baby- are the most important things in my life. These couple of weeks have taught me to take nothing for granted...especially time!"

"I'm glad to hear that."

"They never really finished the meeting, coz of the stunt the kids pulled, but...uh..."

"Wait! The kids? They were there?"

"Girl, they pulled the fire alarm and made everybody leave the building!" Hondo responded annoyed.

Nichelle giggled.

"That's how we knew the girls were in trouble. And then Rubio came forward about installing a GPS app in one of the girls phones. That's how we found them!"

"Oh no! Please tell me it was Kelly's phone because Leyla..."

"Yeah, she um..went for his head! Street had to intervene and then Luca went over the phone with her to make sure to erase it."

Nichelle giggled. "Those kids are a handful!"

"Yeah, and I'm sorry for missing dinner tonight. Bosses want us to finish the paperwork."

"It's ok."

"You with your parents now?"

"No, I'm with the ladies having dinner at a restaurant."

"Say what? What about me?" Hondo asked, hurt.

"Your sister reserved an entire floor just for us! We already celebrated Neenee's pregnancy and my baby!"

"You gon' save me a plate?"

"Nuh uh! Tonight is ladies' night!"  Nichelle said.

They both giggled, as Hondo placed a hand inside of his pants pocket.

"Sergeant?" he heard a voice behind him.

Hondo turned around and met with Ja'Quan. He was holding several folders in his hand.

"Aight, baby. Have fun. Love you!" he said quickly.

"Thank you! Love you too!"  Nichelle said, before handing up.