Back To "Normal" Life - A Drew and Rick Story (The Night Shift)

Chapter 12 - Brianna Comes Home From College For The Weekend

Drew's POV       A month later

I was at work when I got a text from Brianna that she was coming home for the weekend and had a 4-day weekend off of school. I replied that Rick would be ecstatic for the surprise and then asked her what time she'd be at the house. She then replied around noon.

An hour later

"Someone happier than usual," Krista said with a questioning look. "Maybe, Bri's coming home for the weekend and we're surprising Rick," I say smiling. "Oooo, When was the last time she was here?" " Ryler's birthday party,"

"This has to be the longest shift in existence?" Jordan says, putting her head on the desk. "I couldn't agree more, I'm so looking forward to toddler cuddles when I get home," I say. "Me too," Krista replies. "I keep forgetting that you let her move into your house," Kenny says. "Eh, we had the room, considering our house has 5 bedrooms and we're only using 3,"

After Shift and at home

Krista and I beat Rick home, relieved the overnight babysitter, and told her that our eldest would be home and could watch Ryler if all three of us got called into work over the weekend. I got a text from Derrick that they got a last-minute raid and that he wasn't going to be home for a couple more hours. "Yes, the plan can work now," I say. "What are we planning?" "Well, our idea was to have Bri hide in the office when Rick gets home and then have him go in the office and Bri would be there," "Ah,"

A Few Hours Later

Bri was here and we were setting up some stuff for later when I got a text that Rick was driving down our street. "Go in the office, he's pulling in right now," "Got it,"

Rick walked in the door. "Hey," "Hi, how was work?" He asks. "Long," Krista and I both say. "There is a surprise in the office for you," I tell him. "Okay?" He walks down the hall and opens the door to the room. "Oh my God, What are you doing here?" "Surprising you, and I have a 4-day weekend so I'm staying the weekend," "Nice,"

Later that night

We were all sitting on the couch watching a movie Bri wanted to watch. Rick and I zoned out once Bri picked a movie. RyGuy was sitting on Bri's lap in the armchair, Krista was on the lounge of the couch and Rick was laying on the couch with his head on my lap and his laptop on his lap and I had my computer on the arm of the couch, catching up on charts. "How are you able to see your computer like this?" "I don't know. Are there any explosions in this movie?" Rick asks, already not interested. "Does anyone die, or get killed?" I ask.

"There are guys who are shirtless," Bri says, causing us to make an unamused look. "Actors are too young, can't do it," I say.

"You're not that old," Bri replies. "No, I'm not," I sighed. "But Rick's 40," I say smiling.

"Excuse you, I am 35!" "Basically 40," I teased and then received a punch to the shoulder in return.

"Watch the movie," Bri sighed. "Highly unlikely," Rick muttered.

We never ended up watching the movie. Bri scrolled her phone and occasionally watched the movie. Krista took Ryler upstairs to his bed, and Rick and I were doing reports, charts, and I helped Rick with his homework.

When the movie finished, Rick looked at Bri, "Good movie?"

"Oh yeah," Bri smiled. "What was your favorite part?" "Oh you know, all of it," Rick said with a wave, got up off the couch, and went to the fridge.

"Uh huh," Bri replied unconvinced, "I am going to bed,"

"Oh, you mean I don't have to sit through another crappy teen college rom-com? What a shame," Rick said sarcastically as he then came back and picked up the remote and turned on 'Forged in Fire', a show where Blacksmiths compete to make knives and weapons.

"Is this a new episode?" I ask, looking up from my computer and accepting the beer Rick handed me.

"Goodnight," Bri says. "Night," We both replied. "You know you aren't going to learn anything if I keep helping you," I tell Rick. "I am. On all the quizzes I've taken, I've gotten 100 percent," "Good for you,"

The Next Day

"What are your guys' plans for today?" Bri asks. "Don't know, I'm on call," Rick says, as I hand him a cup of coffee. "I am currently one of three Captains available to work this week, so I could be called in for a daytime or night raid at any moment," "Ah, can we go to the mall?" "Sure, I don't see why not," Rick says.

We got to the mall and walked around and went shopping for Levi and got him some new clothes because he keeps growing out of clothes. "Hello.. Yeah.. Is anyone else available?... Ok, I'll be there in 10 minutes," Rick says into his phone. "I guess it's a good thing we took 2 cars," I say as Rick gets off the phone with his boss I'm assuming. "I gotta go, bye, love you," He said, running for the exit. "Love you too, be safe," "Always am,"

"What do we do now?" Krista asks. "Food, I haven't had good food since before I left for school," Bri says. "Ok," We left the mall, went to a restaurant nearby, and then returned home. "What else would you like to do?" "Watch movies?" "We did that last night?" "Yeah, but Rick's not here to complain now," "True," "Romance Christmas movie?" Krista asks. "Yes," Bri says. "It's the middle of August," "So," Bri and Krista both say. "And here is where I zone out on the computer for the second night in a row," I say and Bri rolls her eyes. I looked at Ryler and he was asleep.

A few hours later

We had all parted ways after the movie and went to our rooms. I was laying in bed almost asleep when I felt the bed dip. "Hi," I sleepily say to Rick. ''Hi, sorry did I wake you up?" "No, I was in the twilight stage but it's okay. How did the raid go?" "Good. I would have been home sooner if it weren't for us getting another raid right after we debriefed from the first one," "It's ok. You're home now, and I am going to try and fall back asleep now," "Okay," Rick says laughing. "Shut up," "I love you," "Love you too."