| Title: For the sake of love Part: Four By: Spanky Content Warning: Adult language, and content. Previously: Roy gets a phone call from Betty Authors Notes: Roy was never so glad to see the end of a shift as he did this last one. As he walked through the door he was greeted by his wife. " Hi Honey, how was your day? Joanne wanted to know. " Roy why dont you rest and I'll go get you a cold drink." He offered seeing the somber look on her husbands face. Walking back into the living room she stopped short seeing Roy craddle his head in one hand. From where she stood she could see a single tear trickle down the side of his face. Setting down the glass of iced tea Jo crunched down in front of her husband " Roy you want to talk about it? She asked softly as she placed her soft hand on his cheek gently wiping away his tear. " Roy did you hear from Betty?" " Yeah she called." Roy said" Nicci's home." he added then taking Jo's dampened hand in his. " How is she doing? she okay?" Jo asked concerned for her step daughter " It's worse then I thought Jo." Roy started." While we were talking on the phone I could hear Nicci in the background yelling and calling Betty every name in the book. And if that wasnt bad enough I think Nicci hit her." Roy said. " Jo I'm scared, I'm scared that the next time I see Nicci she'll be behind bars." Roy caved " Shhhh..there there." Jo soothed. taking her husband in her arms." Roy it'll be okay." "Mommy why is Daddy crying?" Jenny wanted to know. To her Roy was bigger then life itself and to see him cry was confussing for her. " Jenny, Daddy's going through a rough time now. He just needs to cry to feel better." Jo assured ............ Through supper Jo studied Roy. She could see that he was really worried by the way he picked at the contents in his plate. Although she didn't know what to say to her husband she knew she had to try. She knew in her heart that he loved Nicci as much as Jenny and Chris and it was hurting him to live so far away Seeing that Jenny and Chris had all but finished their supper Jo saw her chance " Why dont you two go play in your rooms I want to talk to your father." she suggested Then taking Roy's hand in hers she started " Roy I know your worried Why dont you go to Mississippi and get Nicci " Be serious Jo." Roy said startled by Jo's words " Roy I am serious, get Nicci and bring her back to live in our home. Your her father, and she needs you right now." " Jo I appreiate what your saying, but I dont think you understand what's at stake here. I mean, Nicci isn't the same sweet girl with ribbons in her hair that you remember, she's changed. It seems every time Betty and I talk there's something new added to her rap sheet. Anything from fighting to vandalism and thats just the things she's been caught doing. She's has a real bad temper and every other word out of her mouth is the F word. Not to mention the violence. No, as much as I want I cant knowingly put Jenny and Chris in that kind of enviroment. It's bad enough they hear the language and see the violence on the street they dont need to be exposed to it here to." Roy said " Becides what about you, She hit her mother today, are you willing to take that kind of risk?" " Roy, you take risks everyday, you do it because one you love your job and two you love us." She stated" Roy I'm not saying it will be easy, cause it's not going to be. And yes they'll probably be days where we want to throw in the towel, but she needs you in her life Roy. I am willing to take all the risks, what ever happens we will deal with it together as a family." With her words, Roy took her in his arms." I love you Jo." He whispered in her ear. " And I love you, now lets go tell the children." She smiled. After breaking the news to Jenny and Chris the house was soon filled with Cheer for Jenny and Chris were finally going to meet there big sister. " Look I know you two are excited about Nicci but you guys need to go to bed it's a school night." Roy said .......... After making sure Jenny and Chris were snug in their beds Roy placed a quick call to the local air lines. " What did you find out?" Jo asked " I'm going to catch a 2:00 flight tomorrow, I'll talk to the Captain in the morning to see if I can take the last four days of my vacation. I'll worry about packing after I talk to him. I just hope I can get the time off." " I dont think Hank will see a problem with it, He's got a daughter around the same age as Nicci, if anyone would understand it would be him." TBC |