Learning to Live, Again

Chapter Two

Caleb's POV

"Come on you guys. Dean! Quit pushing the doorbell. Heath! Get back here! What are you two trying to do?"

Beth opened the door, a huge smile on her face when she saw my annoyed look. "Trouble in paradise?" I ignored her and pushed the boys in with me following closely after. "How are my two favorite grandchildren?"

Heath grinned, lifting his arms up so Beth would pick him up. She bent and wrapped her arms around him, lifting him into the air. He grinned at her, his grey eyes shining with happiness at seeing his grandmother. She kissed his cheek and set him back down. "Why don't you two go to the playroom for a bit?" She turned to me after they left, the smile no longer on her face. "How are you holding up?"

I shrugged. "I'm fine. Just still getting used to sharing a house with two other living creatures."

Beth nodded, slowly. "It's weird, not having Niamh around."

I shrugged. "She'll be back. We just have to keep an eye out." The way Beth looked at me told me she didn't believe me. It had only been three weeks and already her mother had given up on seeing her ever again. "We'll find her. The guys and I are breaking our backs looking for her. She'll come home."

Beth sighed. "It's been three weeks, Caleb." She took my hands in hers, her head down. I could hear the waver in her voice. "It's hopeless after the first 48 hours. You're a cop. You should know this." Tears dripped down her cheeks and onto our joined hands.

I stepped back, taking my hands from hers. "It's not hopeless. We'll find her. I'll make sure of it." I turned and left her in the living room before she could say anything else. I hadn't noticed I was angry until I was sitting in my car after I slammed the door. My hands gripped the steering wheel turning my knuckles white. I couldn't believe she had already given up on finding Niamh. I mean, sure, three weeks is a long time and the longer it is until we find her, the less of a chance there is, but there's still a chance. People have been found 18 years after going missing. Niamh was strong. She wouldn't give up. I know she wouldn't. 

Sighing, I leaned back, rubbing my hands over my face. I was exhausted, not just physically but mentally. It was hard work taking care of two little kids. I had never been along with even one kid for more than a few hours, so having to watch two of them for days at a time was really messing with me. Most people got to baby stage to get ready and practice with, but I was immediately shoved into the "I'm old enough to walk and fall down the stairs" stage.

It also didn't help that their mother was missing, and I was using all my extra time when I wasn't with the boys to look for her. At this rate, I was getting two, maybe three hours of sleep every day or two. It wasn't healthy, but it was what I was doing. I couldn't sleep not knowing where Niamh was and whether or not she was okay. It was nerve-racking to say the least.

When I pulled into the station, Douglas, Chief of Police and my boss, stood at the front doors. He watched me get out of my car, and he crossed his arms over his chest, frowning. He was stereotypical of a chief with his big belly and graying mustache. His gun hung casually from his hip. I made my way up the steps, and watched as his frown deepened with every step I took. As I reached the top, he shook his head.

"What?"

"Go home kid. You look like shit." Douglas was always good for the truth.

I shrugged. "So?"

"So you're in no shape to help anyway, let alone a case that you're too close with. You've been getting into the files again." Instead of arguing, I just looked at him. Douglas wasn't one to accuse without evidence.

I stuck my hands in my pockets, glaring down the street. "Have you questioned Jeremy yet?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see Douglas shake his head.

"We haven't been able to track him down yet."

I clenched my fists, turning my head to glare at him. "I told you to question him. He has something to do with this."

Douglas nodded. "I know you think so, and I know you think that little blonde thing does, too, but you have no evidence."

I clenched my jaw and spit through clenched teeth, "What about my investigation of the Fischer case? He was constantly in contact with the girl's mother, who then mysteriously disappear. Then he gets with Niamh and suddenly her house is ransacked, her mother beaten, herself beaten, and now she's missing. Too big to be a fucking coincidence don't you think?"

He watched me calmly, giving nothing away. "Listen, son, you're tired. You're stressed. You're worried. I get that, but I can't have you working on this case. You're much too close to it. You know the rules. Now, go home before I have the boys escort you to our private suite."

I glared at him, knowing that he was threatening to put me in a cell for the night. As much as I was tempted to push him, I couldn't. Niamh had entrusted me with the boys, and I couldn't do anything that might ruin that. "I have somewhere else to be anyway," I muttered, glancing at the clock at the top of the building.

It was eleven o'clock, and I was suppose to be down at the courthouse by one-fifteen. Even though Niamh was gone and he now had two baby girls to watch over, it hadn't stopped Corbin from continuing to fight for Heath. In fact, Niamh's absence had fueled his attempts.

I scoffed. Such a coward. Waits until Niamh's out of the way to really start to go after Heath.

I paused on the bottom step when I realized what I had just thought. My stomach clenched, and I shook my head. No. Corbin isn't that desperate to take Heath. Is he? I turned back to Douglas who still stood at the top of the stairs. "Do me a favor."

"And what favor would that be?"

I took a deep breath before saying, "Question Corbin will yea?"

~~~~~

Dear Readers,

I apologize for the long time between updates. I've been in Germany and just got back two days ago. Eleven hour flight and five hour car ride. I was beat. What with jet lag and everything I was in no mood to write. Not to mention, it's hard to write when you have a 2 and a half year old in your lap who loves to push buttons and change the songs on your phone and everything else that goes along with having a 2 and a half year old. I hope you enjoy this update, and I will get to my other books as well. Thank you for your patience. :) 

Enjoy~