Chi-town to the Big Apple

Sitting your briefcase down in the foyer and kicking off your heels, you made your way through the apartment as quietly as possible. Peter had texted you a bit ago that the kids fell asleep early.

The door to Peter’s home office was open but when you poked your head in the door, he wasn’t there. The faint sound of Peter’s voice coming from the family room alerted you to his whereabouts. Peter was on the phone, looking out the window when you entered the room.

“Thanks Jack. We’ll be flying in tomorrow.” He paused then chuckled, “yeah. She’s good. Still fighting the good fight. No, hasn’t kicked me to the curb just yet.” He chuckled.  “The kids are well, growing. Julian just turned 5, Audra is almost 2.” Another pause. “I sure will. Thanks again.”

Crossing the room, you slid your arms around his waist when you reached him. He squeezed your hands and let out a deep sigh. “Want to talk about it?”, you inquired softly. When Peter called you earlier to let you know about his dad passing away, he seemed unconcerned.

“Not much to say really” he shrugged his shoulders and continued to watch as the snow fell outside the window. Peter and his dad didn’t have a good relationship, but still a parent is a parent. No matter how crappy they were.

“Did you eat with the kids? I could make you something eat or maybe some coffee?”, you offered but he shook his head.

Peter turned in your arms, and pulled you to him. "I feel guilty for not not feeling anything at my dads passing”, he confessed. “I should be sad, right. But I feel, nothing. That can’t be right.”

You pulled back slightly so you could look at Peter. “People grieve and deal with loss in different ways, at different times. The way you are feeling isn’t wrong.” Your hand raised to cup his cheek and he leaned into it.

The day of Ben’s funeral was bitter cold. When you entered the church, every seat was full. Julian held your hand, while Peter carried Audra. He was stopped by a lot of people saying hello and giving their condolences. Some you were introduced to, others you weren’t and wondered why.

Jack gave the eulogy. At the conclusion, the priest asked any family members to come forward to speak about Ben. You squeezed Peter’s hand, “are you wanting to speak?”, but he shook his head no. “I’ll can if you’d like.” He nodded his head. You placed a kiss to his cheek before going up

“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Y/N, Ben’s daughter in law. I’ll never forget the first time I met him. Peter introduced us and informed him that I would be practicing Civil Law. He commented, ‘your pockets maybe empty but your heart will be full.’ I believe that Ben had a full heart. He never hesitated to offer advice not only on cases, but how to be a Cubs fan, but only when they’re not playing the Yankees.” Looking to Peter, you saw him smile and there was a chorus of laughs from the crowd. “He was a complicated man, but under that, was a man, that simply did his best in all aspects of his life. I will be forever thankful to him for raising a man that is a wonderful husband and father. His favorite one liner was ‘lawyers don’t die. We simply lose our appeal.’” 

Peter walked through the door of the suite. He gave you a tight smile as he sat beside you on the floor where you were playing with Audra. She crawled over and sat in Peter’s lap and he pulled her into a hug. 

“Everything okay?” You and the kids were flying back to Chicago the next day. Peter was staying to help Jack with a case and to make sure things were settled with his dads estate. Plans were already in place to move Pamela to Chicago

 “Well, Jack came to me with an opportunity. You know I’m special councel for the Barba case, right?” You nodded your head wondering where this conversation was going. “He asked me to be ADA for the SVU…” Peter trailed off. 

You raised your eyebrows, “and you said?” 

“I told him I didn’t know. That I would have to talk to you about it, obviously.”  Peter was horrible at hiding his thoughts and feelings. They played out all over his face. Audra climbed from his lap to play with her blocks.

“Oh, wow. That was not what I was thinking you wanted to talk about. That would require a move, a big one, Peter. I thought we had talked about moving Pamela to Chicago. I have a career there.” You fell silent. 

“I know.” He sighed and ran his hands over his thighs. “I just feel like it’s sometheng I need to do.” He stood then reached his hand out to help you up.

Crossing your arms over your chest, you studied Peter’s face. “You really want this huh?”, you asked softly. Peter nodded. “Okay. Do it. Take the offer. We’ll figure out ” 

“Yeah?” He scooped you up and spun you around. “You won’t be sorry.” 

You prayed he was right.