Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 37: Connections

A/N- So... y'all can thank insomnia for this chapter coming earlier than expected. 🤣 I also changed my plan slightly... and longer than intended... but anyway... hope y'all enjoy...

After a few hours, Jamie was barely able to hold his eyes open as he was cuddled up with Vivian and Siobhan watching The Good Dinosaur. Both women looked down at the sweet boy as he let out a heavy yawn. Looking back up at each other they giggled and Vivian whispered, "come on little man, let's get you to bed."

"No mommy, I want to stay up with you and Bon Bon. You will be gone when I wake up." Vivian felt the tears begin to burn her eyes, hearing her son say those words hurt her heart a little. Siobhan placed her hand on Viv's shoulder rubbing soft circles to comfort her. She lifted Jamie in her arms as he laid his head on her shoulder.

As she began to carry him to his room, "could you and Bon Bon read me a story?" Smiling she turned her gaze to the blonde seeing her immediately rise from the sofa to walk with them to put Jamie to bed. The two took turns reading pages of the book, but before they even finished they heard a faint snore. Smiles spread across their faces and they each gave Jamie a kiss on the forehead. Vivian slid her hand into Siobhan's as they walked out of Jamie's room shutting the door. The brunette placed a gentle kiss to her girlfriend's lips, "I love you Bon. Thank you for today."

Walking back into the living room they hear the front door close and Vivian's dad enters with a loud voice, "Sweet pea!" Athena smacks him on the back of the head playfully and sternly says, "They just put Jamie to bed! Quiet!" The 6' 5'' man hangs his head slightly apologizing to his wife and daughter. In an exaggerated whisper, "I'm sorry... I was just so excited to see Sweet Pea's car outside!" All three women roll their eyes at the man while Vivian walks over to hug her dad.

"Hey daddy, your such a softy..." she giggles as they step away from their hug. Vivian turns to Siobhan, "This is Siobhan. Siobhan this is my dad, Beckett." She steps forward putting her hand out to shake his, but he bypasses her hand bringing her in for a hug.

Oh God, not again! This family... they really don't do personal space.

Vivian fails at holding back her laughter as she watches her loves eyes widen. "Dad... Siobhan really isn't much of a hugger." Her dad pulls back and looks at his daughter, "well... we will get her to change her mind eventually." Vivian shakes her head at her dad as they all sit around the dining table.

The light mood quickly shifts as Athena tells Beckett that we needed to have a serious talk. He was vaguely aware of Siobhan's previous situation and concerned about repercussions that may present themselves as his daughter began dating her. "How serious are we talking?"

Siobhan shifts in her seat, she can barely look up much less make eye contact. Vivian takes her hand interlacing their fingers as she responds, "Well dad... it's a similar situation to how it was with Chris."

She can see her dad's face tense up as he clenches his jaw down. He stands slowly walking over to the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of water. He rejoins the women at the table and gently asks, "What's the plan?"

Vivian starts by explaining what happened the night they rescued her from Roger in detail, including the tapes that were stolen back from Mia. As he listened, he had to get water bottle after water bottle, ensuring he remained calm. Anger was boiling inside of him as he thought of the horror this sweet woman had been through and is going through. He couldn't stop his mind from playing flashbacks of his daughter when she finally left Chris.

Beckett breaks his silence, "How 'connected' is Roger?"

Vivian's eyes dart towards Siobhan as she gently squeezes her hand. "Roger has powerful allies in law enforcement and politics. He knows how to manipulate people to protect himself. People who try to stand against him... don't usually succeed." When Siobhan finished speaking, she diverts her gaze to her lap feeling overwhelmed with the conversation.