Chapter Text
It's finally time.
The Mid-Wilshire family will be on their way to an all-inclusive resort in a town on the western tip of Jamica where they get to spend the next seven days, free of charge thanks to the Thorsen's who are partial owners of the resort. Not only is the stay free, they will also be traveling in the family's private jet. At first everyone was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of it all being free, but the Thorsen's reassured them it was the least they could do for all they do for their beloved city, and saving their son's life both literally (I mean, he was shot) and figuratively (finding Patrick's killer). Between that, and Aaron reminding them his family is absolutely loaded, everyone got on board with the idea and were eternally grateful for the opportunity and could not stop thanking the Thorsen's enough.
Somehow, someway Wade Grey managed to get himself, Lucy Chen, Tim Bradford, Nyla Haper, Angela Lopez, John Nolan, Celina Juarez, Aaron Thorsen and Miles Penn all off for 8 days straight, thanks to some favors North Hollywood owed him. Bailey Nune, John's wife had no issues getting time off as she has over 300 hours of vacation time. Wesley Evers put in for time off and his boss approved it immediately, as he rarely took time off and kept encouraging him to spend more time with his family. Nyla's husband James hired a kid, well now 21 year old who he use to help at the community center to be his partner. Tyler had learned all the ropes and proved himself to be more than capable of running the place, allowing James to take the time off. Luna Grey was only supposed to be a part time hospital social worker, but of course she went above and beyond and worked almost 40 hours a week, if not more so when she asked her boss for the time off they basically shoved her out of the hospital demanding she go have fun, relax, send pictures and have many drinks for them. Tamara Collins recently graduated from college a semester early with a degree in social work and has yet to start her job so she jumped at the opportunity when asked, as she has never traveled outside of the country.
On top of the fourteen adults, four children would also be attending as it is a family resort and Emmy and Jack Lopez-Evers and Leah Harper-Murray were easily the favorites of the family. Nyla's oldest daughter wasn't able to come, as Lyla’s father did not want her to miss a week of school; same situation with James' boys and his ex. They both promised the kids over the summer they would all go on a family vacation together. Now the fourth child who is coming, that's Beau. Beau Ellis.
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Tim and Lucy first met Beau after they received a call from the daycare asking for officer assistance in locating/getting in touch with his parents, as school was dismissed over an hour ago and he has yet to be picked up and no one could get in contact with them. They had arrived to the school and introduced themselves to Beau, an adorable four year old with deep brown eyes, messy light brown hair and a smile that instantly melt your heart. Lucy crouched down to get on Beau's level and asked him where his parents were. He simply shrugged his shoulders, because honestly, he never knew where they were. They were here, they were there, they were out, they were at work, they were gone.. What Beau did know, was his parents were not at home. They never were.
Lucy and Tim went over Beau's personnel file the school provided them and sent both parents names to dispatch in hopes they would be able to find additional information or numbers for the parents, as they reached out to the others on his contact list with no success. After an hour with no success, Lucy and Tim realized they should probably reach out to Children's Protective Services, as they have a child without proper care and custody and cannot get in touch with his parents or any relatives when a man came racing into the parking lot. "THAT'S MY SON!!!! THAT'S MY SON!!!!" Both Lucy and Tim looked towards man then back at Beau, who immediately stiffened and moved behind Tim's right leg almost as if he was trying to hide from this man who claimed to be his father.
Lucy stepped in front of Tim and Beau, stopping the man from getting too close to Beau before they could figure out the situation. The man stopped in front of her, basically gasping for air continuing to claim Beau was his son. "Sir, I need you to take a step back and breathe for me." The man complied and Lucy led him to the back of the shop, opening the hatch allowing him to sit and compose himself. The man was able to calm down and introduced himself as Chris Ellis, the father of Beau. Mr. Ellis stated his wife was supposed to pick up Beau today and he only learned from his assistant once he got out of court that she didn’t, and came as soon as he could. Lucy could tell the man was distraught, but there was something about him that left her feeling uneasy so she followed up with more questions. "Sir, do you know where your wife is?" Chris scoffed. "Knowing her, she's out prostituting herself. It's all she does these days." Chris, clearly annoyed, and apparently disgusted with his wife and the mother of his child continued on, "I work my ass off, give her everything she needs and could ever want, and what does she do? She throws herself at every man she meets. Can I take my son now?" Lucy stood there listening to the man, the uneasy feeling only growing. Lucy turns to Tim who is now at her side, as Beau is comfortably sitting on the bench in front of the school with the assistant principal watching a youtube video on Tim's phone. He asks Chris for identification, which Chris provides. Tim then goes to the front of the shop to run his name; he comes back clean. Beau had confirmed with Tim prior to running his license that Chris was in fact his father. Tim then got down to Beau's level to ask him if he felt safe with his dad. Beau simply nodded, avoiding eye contact with Tim.
Tim knew something wasn't right. Lucy knew something wasn't right. But, they had a parent who showed up (almost 2 hours after scheduled pick up time) who was ready to take their child home, had a reasonable excuse as to what happened, and no reason to prohibit him from taking the child home so they released Beau to his father who ran to hug and pick him up, apologizing profusely for the misunderstanding as Beau remained stiff, silent, and nothing like the silly, giggly, happy little boy they had the pleasure to get to know in the past couple of hours.
Both Lucy and Tim were silent for the first ten minutes back to the station. It was Tim who spoke first. "Jack and Beau are the same age. I've picked up Jack there before. They have to be in the same class." Lucy, still staring out the window quietly acknowledges him with a "mm yeah maybe." Tim knew Lucy's head was spinning, as was his. He reached over the center counsel and grabbed her hand, gently rubbing his thumb to the back of it trying to get her out of her head. She looked over him and gave him a soft nod and gentle smile, squeezing his hand in thanks.
Once they arrived to the station they immediately went to find Angela, who thankfully was still at her desk completing paperwork. "Beau. What do you know about him" Tim asked basically hovering over her. "Well hello to you too Timothy" Angela said sarcastically, giving Tim her typical Angela look. "Two things. One. It's called personal space. Can you not breathe down my neck. When was the last time you brushed your teeth." Tim took a step back, but still had the same determined look on his face. "And two, who the fuck is Beau?" Lucy, who lets be real is always within arm's reach of Tim and vice versa, answers Angela, "Beau Ellis. He goes to Jack and Emmy's preschool and would be in the same class as Jack." Ah, Beau. Angela knew who exactly they were talking about now. The sweetest little boy who has become one of Jack's best friends and is constantly at their house. "THAT Beau?? Uh I know he and Jack are best friends, they are almost inseparable and he basically lives at our house half the time. Why do you ask?" "What do you know about his parents" Tim asks. Angela looks between both him and Lucy picking up on the concern etched in both of their faces, "What happened?" Tim grabbed a chair for Lucy to sit in as they filled Angela in on their latest call. Once done, both Tim and Lucy simply stared at Angela waiting for a response as she let out a big sigh. "I don't know much about Beau's parents. I do know Chris Ellis works at the DA's office with Wesley. I also know Wesley avoids him as much as possible and has heard multiple rumors about him that I am not going to repeat, because they are just rumors as of now. I do know you would never know he has a child or a wife if you were to meet or see his office. I have met Kayla, Beau's mom but basically only communicate with her via text to set up playdates for Beau to come over after school and to for her to tell me when I should bring him home, as she apparently does not drive and is rarely home." Tim and Lucy exchange glances and thank Angela before they walk to the locker rooms to change out.
Tim is waiting for Lucy when she exits the locker room so he can walk her to the car. They walk in silence, both thinking about Beau. They get to Lucy's car and Tim pulls her into a hug, Lucy melting into him. "Something is not right" she whispers. "I know," Tim sighs, "I know." With that, he hugs Lucy a little tighter, kissing the top of her head before telling her to drive safe and let him know when she gets home.
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