Everything Changes

Forwards Backwards

Amanda and Nick wanted so badly to stay home with Zara, Lilyjoy, and Rubyjane to play with them and get them used to life in the New York suburbs, but since they were in the middle of an active case, it was all hands on deck, even for them. Wanting to spend time with her granddaughters, Audrey happily volunteered to watch all three of them for free.

At the precinct, Olivia took Amanda aside in her office to tell her what Bedelia had said about their familial tie between the Rollinses and the Grangers. Predictably, she was shocked, but to her credit, she recovered quickly.

"Wow." Amanda sighed heavily as she leaned back in her chair and held her hands to her middle as she felt Grace and Zion tumble around inside her. "So far I've got two new siblings, become closer with you, Alex, and Casey, mended bridges with my mom, and now I have an uncle who has had history with our squad probably since I was a little kid? What's next? A sibling before Leon turns one? My mom loves kids, but I don't think she'd be able to handle having another..."

Though Amanda loved her siblings dearly, part of her hoped, foolishly, selfishly that she'd at least get one more little sibling so that Leon could have a playmate closer in age than Maggie Blue.

Olivia, meanwhile, remembered how Bedelia had confided in her about her darker fears of her husband coming for her and hurting her, so she didn't say anything to Amanda's ramblings, instead changing the subject.

"You up for a field trip?"

"What?"

"It's been awhile since I've been out in the field with you, and I miss it." Olivia elaborated. "Wanna come?"

"Alright. Where are we going?"

"To the hospital to see your sister. We need her version of events, and I haven't been able to see her about this yet, anyway."

Amanda sighed again. "I haven't seen her since last time, but are you thinking that she'll open up if she sees me?"

"You got it, Sunshine."

Olivia rose from her own chair and rounded her desk. When she got to Amanda, she pulled her to her feet and steered her towards the office door.

"Go get your things and meet me by the elevator in five minutes."

Amanda did just that, and they made small talk with each other, although when they were outside in Olivia's Crown Victoria and riding along, Olivia was the first one to say something real.

"Alex and I are going to be pulling a page out of yours and Nick's book."

Amanda arched an eyebrow. "Oh? You guys plan on five kids?"

Olivia laughed hollowly. "Well, not five, but we want at least one more so Rachel can have a playmate."

"Since Noah worships Maggie Blue?"

"That, and Alex and I aren't getting any younger." (They were older than Amanda already, but they were also older than Casey, too, and now that Casey was pushing forty, they had both recently realized just how much time had gotten away from them) "Actually, we're on the real estate market because we're looking at brownstones for sale. Our apartment is beginning to feel cramped, and Noah has entered a climbing phase. It's like living with a baby jungle cat."

"Good luck with that. We lucked out by getting a house in a family neighborhood and also in that Zara entertains herself and the twins entertain each other."

As Amanda said this, her hands went down to her swollen middle as she let out a puff of air. Olivia noticed.

"How are the twins in your belly?" she asked kindly.