Chapter Text
Thea stood on her brother's porch she paused, looking around to make sure that she was alone. Adjusting the baby carrier, she pulled her jacket around her. She smiled at her sleeping daughter, letting out a sigh; the last year had been difficult, truthfully the last three years have been hell.
She was at her brother's house now, and he could help her, keep her and Alivia safe. She raised her fist to knock on the door when it swung open. She looked at her brother, her eyes feeling with tears.
"Theodosia, oh my God! What are you doing here?" He pulled her towards him, noticing the baby strapped to her. "Who's this?"
"This is your niece Alivia Clara. I needed....I needed...." She broke down into tears, not able to have the conversation she wanted. Her brother pulled her into his house
"I've got you sis....and Alivia. Whatever you need."
"Thanks Kevin."
XXX
Wordy walked into the Barn, his sister and niece early morning arrival had him worried. They had not talked in two years, thanks to her husband. Bryan had separated Thea from her family, he had isolated her. He hadn't time to discuss with her in details why she was on his doorstep at the crack of dawn. He was hoping Shelly could get Thea to open up and talk. Wordy was in his own head when he walked into the gym bumping into Spike.
"Earth to Wordy..."
"Sorry Spike, I had unexpected visitors this morning."
"Everything okay?"
"I hope Spike."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"I'm not sure right now."
Chapter Text
She woke up with a start, looking around the room, she began to orient herself. She was at her brother’s house, they were safe. Her eyes focused on Alivia, she let out a breath, relaxing a little. Hopefully Bryan, if he was still alive; and the men he had associated with would leave her and Alivia alone.
She knew there would be questions, Kevin would want to know where she's been for the past two years. Thea was torn on how much to tell him, she wanted to keep him and his family safe, She wanted to make sure Alivia would be safe, Thea had taken some precautions already.
XXX
Kevin was going through the motions at work. His thoughts on Thea, after two years of nothing, she just shows up: with a six month old baby.
Part of him was pissed off at her, he hated that he felt that way. He wondered why she could not find a way to contact him. He had blamed her husband before, but maybe it was on her; maybe she did not want to be a part of his life. She was strong, stubborn, and a force to be reckoned with, she would have gotten in touch with him if she were in trouble.
"Constable Wordsworth, are you with us today?" Ed Lane called out.
He blinked his eyes, looking around the room. All eyes were on him, he smiled.
"Sorry! What's going on?"
"We're patrolling the streets today. You're riding with Spike!" Greg Parker replied.
"Copy…ready to roll Spike?" Kevin asked. He had to clear all the worries of his sister out of his head. He needs to focus on the job, keep the peace, come home alive, and keep his partners at work safe.
XXX
Thea rolled out of bed and did her morning routine. She smiled at the sounds of Alivia cooing in the pack n play. She picked up the little girl, holding her close. Thea changed her diaper, and then nursed her before going downstairs to feed her some breakfast.
She knew that Kevin probably put Shelly on interrogation duty since he was at work. She would keep her answers simple, just give enough information to answer the question that was asked. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the kitchen.
“So where the hell have you been for the last two years?”
XXX
Spike chose to drive that day, he looked over at Wordy. He took a breath, letting it out slowly, before starting the conversation. He turned off his radio, to keep it private.
“So, tell me about your sister.”
Kevin was looking out the window trying to get his thoughts straight.
“Thea is my baby sister, by 2 years. Three years ago she married this jerk named Bryan Cates, they moved to the states. Two years ago she just went radio silent, I did wellness checks at first, she was fine. Then nothing, she just disappeared. This morning she showed up on my porch. She looked terrified.”
“Have you talked to her?”
“I have Shelly talking to her….she’s the good cop….”
“I can see if anything comes up with Bryan Cates, do you have any information on him?
“Do you think I’d let my sister marry someone I did not vet?” Kevin smiled, “Come over tonight.”
Chapter 3
Notes:
Sorry I didn't post last week, my RA is kicking my butt!
Chapter Text
"Good morning to you too Shel!" She said sweetly. Thea placed Alivia in the high chair.
"There's baby food in the cabinet. Your brother dropped it off,"
She teared up at the thoughtfulness of her brother. The damn burst, tears ran down her face.
"Shel….I…it's been…I…" Alivia let out a cry. She quickly made the baby breakfast. Sitting down, Thea fed Alivia, breathing deeply; bringing her emotions in control.
Shelly walked over, putting her hand on. Thea's shoulder.
"Sister club rules are sacred. Rule # 87 Secrets are told if damages are done to others or to you, then loved ones are told, for our safety and health. "
"We made these rules when we were 13, most of them are dumb…"
"That may be true; but at least 3 rules stand the test of time and are still active. So spill!"
She closes her eyes, blowing out a breath. "It started when Bryan kidnapped me to the states."
XXX
Wordy had not had time to call in and check in with Shelly. Team One had a hot call that took most of the afternoon.
He was leaving the locker room when Ed stopped him.
"I need to know you're focused while at work. You were distracted today, distractions get you killed."
He could feel his anger building, he took a calming breath. Wordy knew his job depended on what he said next.
"Eddie, I'm fine. Thea showed up this morning, with a baby. I didn't get a chance to talk to her. I'm focused. "
"Take tomorrow off, spend time with Thea. It's been two years…"
"I know, I just don't know what to say to her."
"Wordy, this is your baby sister. You know you tried to find her, she didn't reach out for help….ask her where the hell she's been!"
"I can't be hard on her…what if she's been through hell and I didn't do enough to help her?"
"You did your best, go home and talk to her."
Wordy nodded, walking away.
"See you on Thursday. "
xxx
Thea and Shelly had been baking all afternoon. It had always been a form of therapy for her.
"It looks like we robbed a bakery." Shelly smiled. "Team one is going to get fat."
She smiled sadly, not feeling any better. After telling her sister-in-law her story, she didn't feel better.
Shelly seeing this dragged her into the kitchen and they started to bake. They made breakfast pastries, cupcakes, cookies, pies, and cakes.
"I know it's not my story to tell, but I can tell Kevin…if it's too much."
"No, it's on me. I need to tell him."
Chapter Text
Wordy could smell cinnamon and brown sugar as he walked into the house. He closed his eyes knowing that his sister had a rough day.
He could hear his daughters and Alivia laughing and talking. He paused before he walked inside. He isn't going to push, he will give (Y/N) sometime.
"I'm home family!" He was tackled to the ground by his girls. He felt a little body climbing on top of him. He smiled as his neice joined her cousins tackling him.
"Hi my babies!" He sat up with all of them in his arms. Looking up, he saw Shelly and (Y/N) standing I'm the doorway of the kitchen.
"Hey big brother! Glad you're home. When you're settled…"
"When you're ready sis…no rush. You're safe here…and welcome to stay for as long as you need."
Wordy watched (Y/N) tear up and nod her head. Shelly pulled her into a hug.
XXX
She let out a breath, relaxing a bit. It was going to be hard to tell Kev what happened. He was going to be pissed at her
She would tell him later tonight.
"I made your favorite cake." (Y/N) smiled looking at her brother.
"Coconut banana? Grandma Gia's recipe?"
She smiled nodding her head, he walked over hugging her. Thea knew she had a lot to tell her brother.
XXX
Spike stared at the information he had on Bryan Cates, he frowned wondering how this guy got past Wordy’s vetting. He was involved with a known crime family. Three years ago Brayn just disappeared and Devon Thomas arrived in Texas.
He continued his research on Bryan/Devon, he was invested now. Two years ago Devon Thomas disappeared, there was no trace of him. Spike frowned, wondering what happened to him.
He researched Theasdosia Cates, there was nothing on her. Maybe a few speeding tickets, She disappeared three years ago. He found a Shannon Thomas that just appeared three years ago. Shannon had some ER records, for accidents the hospital had marked as suspicious.
XXX
“I need you to promise me you will let me finish the whole story before you say anything, and you won’t get too angry.” She was already tearful.
“I promise to let you finish, I can’t promise not to get angry, but it won’t be at you.” Wordy said. He pulled Thea in for a hug, his eyes filled with tears. He knew whatever she was going to tell him was going to be painful and emotional.
She took a deep breath, attempting to regain control of her emotions before she started.
“Three years ago, when I left for Texas, it wasn’t by choice. Bryan told me I had to leave or he would arrange for you and your family to be killed. I fought him, and that’s the first time he hit me.”
She watched the burst of anger roll over her brother’s body. Thea reached out touching his hand,
“I called you and said my good-byes, then turned off my phone.” He told me then that is the last time I would ever talk to you. He took my phone and destroyed it. He had all my personal papers and my ID. Once we got into the states he told me my new name, and if I told anyone the truth, he would kill me and my family.”
She took a deep breath, and tried to calm down. Wordy reached out and grabbed her hand, comforting her.
“I bought a burner phone, so I could call you. I hid it, so Bryan could not find wouldn’t know; until one day he found it. I ended up in the ER, I told them I fell, and it was the last time I called you.”
Thea looked at her brother and saw him crying. She pulled him into a hug, his arms wrapped around her.
“That’s enough for tonight…Thea. No more I’ll protect you and Alivia.”
Thea nodded her head, she knew she couldn’t put this all on her brother. She had no idea if Bryan was still out there, with whatever danger he had put them in, but she had made sure Alivia would not face the same. Tomorrow, she would tell her brother what she had done.
Chapter Text
Wordy wished it was his day off, he slept horribly, all he could think about is what kind of hell did his sister face. He hated himself for not being able to see the signs the Bryan was not a good guy. He could have stopped his sister from marrying him.
“Get up already! Go take a shower, I’ll fix the coffee, and make us breakfast?”
“How did you know I was even awake?” Wordy asked?“How did you know I was even awake?” Wordy asked?
“I’ve heard you laying there, worrying all night.”
“I haven’t said a word or moved all night!”
“You, just laying there still, is loud enough to keep me awake!’
Wordy wished it was his day off, he slept horribly, all he could think about is what kind of hell did his sister face. He hated himself for not being able to see the signs the Bryan was not a good guy. He could have stopped his sister from marrying him.
“Get up already! Go take a shower, I’ll fix the coffee, and make us breakfast?”
“How did you know I was even awake?” Wordy asked, he rolled over, looking down and Shelly had her eyes closed.
“You’re loud worrying and overthinking kept me awake, Constable Wordsworthy.”
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her gently, holding her close to him.
“Sorry, ma’am. I’m worried and concerned about my family. I love them dearly and with all of my heart. Technically, I didn’t say a word all night.”
“Your family loves you dearly, and with all their heart! At least one of them is going to send you to the couch tonight if you are this loud tonight!” She pushed him away and got out of bed. “
XXX
She was in the kitchen, the coffee was brewing, she had heated the coffee cake up, and poured the frosting on top, she had also heated up and frosted the blueberry tarts.”
She had been up since two am, organizing her thoughts about the rest of her story. Thinking about his reaction, when she he knew everything.
“No matter what happened, what you had to do to survive, Kevin won’t care. He loves you. “
“How did you know?” She asked.
“You and your brother are so much like…worrying and overthinkers! It’s 4:30 in the morning; I can smell the coffee is brewed, and you have heated up some breakfast.” She looked around the kitchen. “Alivia isn’t up, so…..”
She rolled her eyes, looking at her sister-in-law. (Y/N) knew that Shelly was right’ her brother would love her no matter what.
“You’re right, I’m overthinking everything. I know Kev will love me and not care.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I did some internet stuff ro earn money….soft porn.”
“You left that out yesterday.” Shelly sat down.
“I was desperate, I had just gone out on my own, knew I was going to need money…I wore costumes, so I was disguised and hidden.”
“I know you’re not proud, but tell me more; I’m intrigued.”
“Maybe after the officer leaves, I’m not ready for him to know.”
XXX
Spike had a folder full of information to give Wordy. The things he found about his sister, is going to come as a shock. He wasn’t even sure if he should tell him. Walking towards the door, he was considering telling Wordy he couldn't find information in his brother-in-law or his sister. It might be easier that way.
Spike arrived at the Barn, letting out a sigh; Wordy was already here. He slid the folder in his bag, still not deciding what he was going to do.
As he entered the building he was overwhelmed with the smell of cinnamon and brown sugar. He walked into the conference room and the table was covered with pastries, cookies, and cakes.
“What’s all this? Did Tean 3 bust a bakery?” Spike asked.
Ed laughed and slapped Wordy on the back. Wordy rolled his eye and pushed Ed away from him.
“Wordy’s sister is staying at his house, when she is upset, worried, mad, or is emotionally overwhelmed, she does extreme baking, and we benefit.” Ed stated.
“How long is she staying? I need to know if I need to increase my cardio?” Jules stated.
“Not to worry, we have a whole route for her baked goods, each team gets her treats, there are the hospitals, the police stations, EMS, other emergency services, nursing homes….”
“I hope your sister is ok and it’s nothing serious. If you need a few days, take them.” Greg looked at Wordy.
“Thanks Sarge.”
Spike had the answers, he knew he needed to Wordy but he just couldn’t destroy him like that.