Unspoken Legacy

Unspoken Legacy 9

The next morning, Lily is outside in the backyard, dressed in her favorite play clothes and twirling around with Max, who's happily chasing her. She giggles as she tosses a ball for the dog, his wagging tail a blur of motion. The sun is shining, and the garden is filled with the scent of roses from Gideon's carefully tended flower beds.

Inside the house, Gideon is at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, watching Lily from the window. The peaceful moment is interrupted when his phone buzzes on the counter. He picks it up and sees Fin's name on the screen. A chill runs through him as he answers.

"Fin," Gideon greets, his voice steady but cautious. "What's going on?"

"Jason," Fin says, his tone serious. "I've got some news about Tonya. We've confirmed it. Steve... Steve was the one responsible for what happened to her. He caused the accident."

Gideon's grip on the phone tightens, his jaw clenching. For a moment, he can't find the words. "Steve?" he finally asks, his voice low, filled with a quiet fury. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Fin replies. "We've got evidence. He tampered with her car. It wasn't just an accident—it was deliberate."

Gideon feels a wave of anger and grief wash over him. He closes his eyes, steadying himself as the weight of the revelation settles. "That bastard," he mutters, his voice thick with emotion. "He hurt Tonya, and now he tried to take her from Lily completely."

"We've got him in custody," Fin assures him. "But I thought you needed to know. I'm sorry, Jason."

"Thanks for telling me," Gideon says quietly, his voice firm but strained. "Keep me updated."

After hanging up, Gideon stands there for a moment, staring at the phone in his hand. He looks out the window at Lily, who's still laughing and playing with Max, completely unaware of the dark truth that's just been uncovered.

Gideon takes a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He knows he has to protect Lily now more than ever. She's already lost her mother—he won't let Steve take anything else from her.

He steps outside, forcing a calm expression onto his face as he walks toward Lily. She looks up at him, beaming. "Daddy! Max and I are playing chase! He's so fast!"

Gideon kneels down, ruffling her hair gently. "I see that, sweetheart. You two are having so much fun."

Lily nods enthusiastically. "Max is my best friend! But you're my best daddy."

Gideon smiles softly, pulling her into a hug. "And you're my best girl, Lily. Always." As he holds her close, he silently vows to keep her safe and ensure she never has to face the darkness of what Steve has done. The next morning, Gideon prepares Lily for school, helping her pack her backpack and making sure she has everything she needs. Lily is excited, chatting nonstop about what she's going to do at school that day.

"Daddy, can I draw a picture for Max today?" she asks, her blue eyes bright.

"Of course," Gideon says, giving her a small smile as he fastens her seatbelt in the car. "I'm sure Max would love that."

After dropping her off, Gideon takes a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead. He drives to the BAU, his thoughts heavy with the information Fin had shared with him about Steve. As he walks into the office, he heads straight to Aaron Hotchner's office, knowing his brother-in-law needs to hear this directly.

Aaron looks up from his desk, his expression softening slightly when he sees Gideon. "Jason," he greets, though his tone carries the usual seriousness. "What's going on?"

Gideon steps inside and closes the door behind him. "We need to talk," he says, his voice low.

Aaron leans forward, concern immediately flickering across his face. "What is it?"