New York Detectives (Book 3)

Chapter 14

I smiled as I ran down the rest of the stairs and to my waiting family.

I hugged Mom first, hugging her tight to me. Once I finished hugging Ma, I went and hugged Dad, then Devin, Brittany, Garth, Amnesty, Donald, Mason, then Lexy.

"How have you guys been?" I asked and I got the chorus of "Goods" and "greats".

"We're on Christmas break!" Mason said and I smiled.

"That's great, Man!" I exclaimed and made everyone sit down. I sat on the chair I'd been using as a step ladder and Sherlock sat in the chair next to mine.

"So, tell me what's happened. It's been several months since I've last seen you guys!" I said and everyone looked at one another, waiting for someone to start.

"I've got a promotion."
"I got a new job."
"The baby is healthy."
"I'm taking art classes."
"I got a job as a vet."
"I have a boyfriend."

"Wait! Hold on! Now I heard a lot of jumble, but I heard you, woman." I said as I pointed to Lexy, and she blushed.
"You have a boyfriend?!" I exclaimed and she nodded.
"Is it that guy we were talking about last?" I asked and she nodded again.
"And how's Dad feeling about that?" I asked, looking to him and he shook his head.
"Eh, she'll be fine. She's got a good family to look after her." I laughed, winking in her direction.

"Why are you out here, Des?" Donald asked and I scratched my neck, looking down.
"I'm actually on a case." I mumbled and felt the piercing eyes of Mom.

"And you didn't even tell us?! What's the matter with you?" She asked and I laughed.
"You know how I am on cases. Everything doesn't really get to me. Just the case." I defensively said, looking at her.

"And what's the case?" Dad asked and I laughed nervously.

"The disappearance of an important person. Not to me, but to others." I quickly said and I could practically hear the question in their faces; "Who is it?"

"Nathan Maiden." I said and everyone was silent for a moment then the riot happened.

"What the Hell has gotten into you?"
"Who freaking hired you?!"
"Why are you looking for the man who thought it'd be funny to hurt you?"
"I thought you were smarter than that!"
"Who told you to find him?!"
"Why didn't you decline?"
"You need to go back to London."

I waited for the questions and lectures to stop, but they weren't slowing down anytime soon, so I stood up.
"Will all of you shut UP?!" I yelled, and they went quiet. I sat back down staring at them, raising a brow.
"Now that you're done treating me like a freaking kid, I can tell you why." I calmly stated, then I looked to Sherlock and nodded to the stairs.

"It's gonna get messy, you should go upstairs." I said and he looked at me, to my family's piercing stares, then nodded.
"The precinct wanted me to find him because Lucie wouldn't let them help." I started explaining, after I heard the bedroom door shut.
"And why should you help that crackhead? All she ever did was treat you like shit." Mom said and I rolled my eyes.
"Because whether I like it or not, and unless proven otherwise, she is my mother. My bio mother. I love you all, so much. But I need to help Lucie out, much to my displeasure." I said and they nodded in agreement.

"Fair enough." Donald said, and I nodded at him.

"You all know I'm dumb, but not that dumb." I smiled.

"We know, we just don't want you to get hurt, Des. " Brittany said and I smiled at her.

"I know, you guys. If I do, then that's what happens. I'll knock the person out. I'm the Queen of New York." I joked and Mom raised her brow.

"You're the queen of Long Island, Ma." I said and she laughed, nodding.
"I'll accept that."

"Oh, I guess I should tell you guys something's, but I need Sherlock down here... " I trailed off and turned in my seat, facing towards the stairs.
"Sherlock, get your ass down here!" I yelled up the stairs and turned back around, smiling at Devin.

"What do you need to tell us?" Lexy asked and I smirked.
"I'll tell you once my boyfriend gets down here." I playfully sneered at her, hearing Sherlock's steps rushing down the stairs.

"We've got something to tell the family." I stated and looked at him from over my shoulder, smiling softly at him. He nodded and walked back to his previous seat, sitting down and slowly looking at each member of the family.

"So Brittany, you're no longer alone." I said and she looked at me, confusion written on her face.

"Oh, God. No way!" Devin said, standing up and hugging me. I hugged him back, laughing.
"Your mind was always working faster." I said, patting his back and he laughed.

"What? What do you mean I'm no longer alone?" She laughed and I smiled, turning to the side and pulling my shirt up, revealing my stomach and the, now, noticeable baby bump.

"My wonderful family, I'd like you to meet our new member of the family." I smiled and everyone's faces were blank