//Second part of my take of Heartfelt Passages’, Better to have loved, in the alternate Doddsverse. Continues from HERE//

When you turned around you were surprised to see Peter Stone standing in front of you. “What brings you to NYC?” Peter was a casual acquaintance of yours and Mike’s when you lived in Chicago.

“Actually, my father passed away. I’m in town to settle his estate,” he explained.

“I’m so sorry Peter,” you said softly.

Cora pulled on your hand. “Mama. Who that?”

Peter knelt down to her level. “My name is Peter. I’m a friend of your Mommy’s. What’s your name?”

She gave him a shy smile. “Cora Danae Dodds.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Cora.”

Peter smiled at her then stood. “Can I buy you a coffee?” Peter offered. “I have an hour before a meeting. I’d like to catch up.”

“That would be nice. Thank you,” you accepted.

“How are William and Anne?” Peter inquired after you found seats.

“They’re doing really well. Anne is an angel. I don’t know what I would have done without them after Mike…” You cleared your throat. “Umm…how long will you be in town?”

Peter gazed at you then Cora, who was enjoying her smoothie. “Couple weeks maybe to get things settled, then I’m going back to Chicago.”

Your phone buzzed. It was a text from Amanda. You locked your screen, deciding to answer it later. “Sorry about that. With kids, you never know.”

“Oh yes, Your son. How old is he?”

Unlocking your phone you showed him pictures of the kids. “His name is Isaac. He’s four.”

“He looks so much like Mike,” Peter commented. He looked at his watch. “Sorry I have to go. It was so nice seeing you. And it was very good meeting you, Miss Cora.”

“Bye Petey,” she said and went back to playing with her doll.

Peter chuckled. “Dinner before I go back to Chicago?”

“Sure text me when you’re free.” The two of you exchanged numbers before he left.

“Bye ladies.” He smiled then waved. You watched as Peter made his way out the door. ‘Had he always been that handsome?’ You thought to yourself.

Before going home, you stopped by the precinct to make a quick visit and see if anyone was available for drinks on Friday. The precinct was buzzing with activity which was nothing new. But there was a different energy to it. A somber energy, like the first time you went there after Mike died.

Sonny was the first person you saw. His face lit up. “Hey, dolls!” He hugged you and Cora jumped into his arms. “Uncle Sonny!” Cora exclaimed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“What’s going on? There’s a weird energy,” you stated and looked around.

Sonny’s brow furrowed. “I thought Amanda talked to you.”

“She texted me but I was having coffee with a friend so I didn’t read it. Is everything okay?” You already knew the answer to that question.

“C’mere.” Sonny put a hand to your lower back, ushering you into the breakroom. He closed the doors behind him.

“This can’t be good,” you said simply. Sonny sat Cora at one of the tables and gave her the tablet and pen that was in his jacket.

“Here, sit,” he gestured to one of the other chairs, taking the one beside you. “Remember that baby that was kidnapped by his father because Mom wanted to end life support?”

You nodded in the affirmative. It had been all over the news. “Was there a development in the case?”

Sonny looked down at his folded hands. “Barba turned off the ventilator. He pulled the plug on that kid.”

“He what?” you said shocked. “What was he thinking? I mean I get it but…”

“Yeah. That’s kinda where all of us are.” Sonny rubbed his forehead.

The two of you sat in silence for several minutes. Both of you processing the information. Cora saw Olivia and her face brightened. “Is Noah here?” She asked excitedly.

“No sweetie. He’s in school. I’m sorry. Maybe this weekend you and Isaac can come over,” she said when she came through the door. Cora nodded enthusiastically. The two of you hugged. “I guess you know what’s going on with Barba.”

“Yeah. Sonny just told me. Have been able to talk to him?”

“No. He’s being arraigned late this morning. I did run into Jack McCoy. He introduced me to special counsel in Rafael’s trial.” She rounded the table and poured herself a cup of coffee.

“Yeah? Who is it?” Sonny inquired.

“Ben Stone’s son, Peter,” she answered with disdain in her voice.

“I ran into him this morning. We had coffee,” you said. Both turned to you in surprise and confusion. “He was an acquaintance of Mike’s when we lived in Chicago.”

“Well, he’s a good prosecutor. Barba’s in for a fight.”

Your cell buzzed in your bag. ‘Thank you for coffee. Nice to have a familiar face in all the chaos. I’ll be in town a little longer than I thought. Let me know what works for dinner.’

“How about never,” you thought to yourself as you slid the phone back into your bag.