// I MAY have gotten a bit carried away with this one. Seems to be my MO though. Thanks for the prompt @musicalmedic //
Stopping the treadmill, you answered your ringing phone, hoping to answer before it woke your sleeping toddler. “Hello?”, you said breathing hard. “Are you okay? Is Ben okay? Is the security detail still there?”, Peter demanded, sounding panicked. “Yeah. Yeah. We’re fine babe. Ben is napping in our bed. Security’s still here. What’s wrong?” Hearing him take a shaky breath, “they got her. They got Pam” he said in a small voice.
“Oh my God.” Running to the bedroom you changed clothes quickly, staying on the phone with Peter. “Peter? Where are you?” “At the precinct.” “Okay, I’m on my way.” “NO! NO!”, Peter raised his voice,”Stay there.We don’t know where they are. I can’t lose you too, darling.” “Oh Peter, I love you.” “I love you, too” his voice leveling. In the background you heard someone ask Peter a question. “Just a second”, he said to you. “Yes I’ll be there in a second”, he said to the person. “I need to go. They have one of the men here that was involved in the trafficking ring.” “Yeah, okay. Keep me posted.” “I will. Remember stay there. More security should be there soon, if they haven’t arrived already. I love you, never forget that. Tell Ben too and hug him for me” “Okay. I understand. I will. I love you too” and he was gone.
The next couple of hours were torture. You prayed that Pam would be okay. She was finally starting to remember Peter, you and little Ben. Pam was the only family Peter had other than you and Ben. It had taken a larger toll on Peter when his Dad died than he wanted to admit. If something happened to Pam, Peter would never forgive himself. The thought of Peter there with no one that really cared for him bothered you. The “ hell squad” as Peter called them hadn’t exactly been welcoming when he transferred in,
The minutes seemed like hours. Trying to keep things normal as possible for Ben was starting to become a challenge. He didn’t understand why there were cops inside and outside the house, why he couldn’t go outside and play.
Peter told you about the threat two days ago. Even if he would have dropped the case, the threat remained. Although it was directed at Pam, eye for an eye, type deal, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t find you. It always amazed you how criminals found out names, addresses, phone numbers of the people they wanted to hurt. And the lengths they would go to to seek revenge.
“When will Daddy be home?”, Ben asked, bringing you out of your thoughts. “I’m not sure buddy. Soon I hope” you answered and you tousled brown curls. “Good cause I want him to see my drawing. I drew one for Aunt Pam too” You heart clenched in your chest. “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we take a picture you holding it and send it to Daddy?” He nodded his head excitedly. You snapped the picture. “I’m gonna hang it in Daddy’s office” and off he ran on a new mission.
You were just getting ready to hit send when Peter’s number popped up on your phone. “Peter. What’s going on? How is Pam?” He didn’t respond, “Peter? Please, say something.” His voice was shaky, “She’s gone. She’s gone. They shot her. The bastards killed her.” You hand flew to your mouth. “Jesus. Oh, Peter. I am so sorry.” He was silent for a few seconds. “The ones involved were killed too.” You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.”Babe, where are you? I’ll come get you.” “It’s okay. An officer is bringing me home. I’m on my way now. We need to be careful for a little while longer.” “Yeah okay”, you responded quietly. “I’ll see you soon darling.”
Ben was watching out the front window for Peter to arrive. “He’s here. He’s here!” He jumped into Peter’s arms when he walked through the door. Peter scooped him up into his arms, squeezed him and kissed his cheek. Ben giggled, “Daddy! Your hug is too big.” Peter smiled and you walked up to your guys and wrapped your arms around both of them. Ben started wiggling, so Peter placed him on the floor and he ran off to his room.
“Hey you”, saying softly as you wrapped your arms around his waist. He put is arms around your shoulders and nestled his face in your hair, taking in a deep breath. He exhaled and lifted his head. “You look beat. Go lay down and try to rest. I’ll wake you up when dinner is ready.” Nodding he headed to his office.
Two hours later, dinner was ready. You went to check on Peter. He was sleeping so peacefully you couldn’t bear to wake him. Ben and you ate dinner. After giving Ben a bath, you tucked him into bed. “Night buddy. Love you.” “Wuv you too Mama.”
Peter was sitting on the couch in his office, a bottle of scotch on the table in front of him. He was holding an empty tumbler in one hand, his head in the other. You leaned against the door way, watching him, trying to find the right words to say to him. He must have sensed your presence, he lifted his head. His eyes were red rimmed, his face a tangle of emotion.
“I let her down. I failed her. When my dad died, she became my responsibility” his voice cracking. You rushed over to him and took his large hand into yours. “Listen to me. What happened was not your fault. You were a great brother to Pam.” “The last thing Pam said was ‘Peter’.”His tears spilled out of his eyes and down his cheeks. Taking his face in your hands you wiped the tears away. Pulling him to you he sobbed in your shoulder,clutching your shirt like his life depended on it.
“Shh, shhh. I’m gonna take care of you, okay. I got you”, you whispered in is ear. After a few minutes he relaxed and released you, “What would I do without you darling?” Smiling at him, “that is something you never need to worry about.” Pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, you felt him relax a little more. “Hey. Let’s get you something to eat, then in shower.” “Together?” “That sounds good to me”, giving him a smirk and waggling your brows. He let out a small chuckle. “Thank you, darling.” “It’s my pleasure. You’ve always taken such good care of me and Ben. I’m happy to be able to do the same for you. C’mon, let’s go get that shower.” You gently pulled him up from the couch. You can’t make what happened go away, but maybe you can help him forget for a couple hours.
Credit to @childofbarisi and @giraffe-puppy as Ben, Peter’s son, is their OC!
SVU addict 