Chapter 16

Stopping by the shade of a tree in the park, Gabriela shrugged off her uniform jacket and laid it on the grass beneath the tree. She plopped down, leaning her back against the trunk, letting out a deep sigh.

Gabriela groaned, closing her eyes. "So much for being a police officer," she muttered to herself, chuckling to calm her nerves. Her supposed day off had been ruined by an emergency call from the station. She popped open a can of cola and took a long sip.

"Gabi?"

Mid-gulp, Gabriela froze, swallowing hard as she blinked and looked up. Blair was standing in front of her.

"Blair," Gabriela said, offering a smile to the young girl, who looked at her curiously.

Blair grinned and ran toward her, giving Gabriela a hug. "Gabi, it's you!" she said, giggling. "Thanks for taking care of mommy last time, Gabi!" She planted a kiss on Gabriela's cheek.

Gabriela blinked, laughing softly. "No problem, Blair," she said, gently patting the girl's head.

"The last time I checked, you're a forensic investigator. Why are you in a police uniform?" Vien's voice rang out, causing Gabriela to gulp as she turned to face Vien, who was looking down at her.

Gabriela chuckled. "Aside from being a forensic investigator, I'm also a police officer," she said, shaking her head.

Vien tilted her head. "What's your rank then?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm a commander," Gabriela replied with a proud grin.

Vien scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You grin like a maniac," she remarked.

Gabriela laughed. "You could just admit you like it when you see me grin like this," she teased.

Vien was about to retort when Blair giggled, tapping the spot beside Gabriela. "Mommy, sit here," she said, pointing at the space. "Sit beside Gabi, the cool officer."

"What?" Vien blinked, glancing at her daughter, who had already settled on Gabriela's lap.

Gabriela smirked. "You heard your daughter clearly. Sit here," she said, patting the space beside her.

"Don't spoil her too much!" Vien hissed, avoiding Gabriela's gaze. "I don't like sitting," she added, standing stiffly.

Gabriela shrugged. "Okay, keep standing there in the sun," she said with a soft laugh as she watched Vien remain under the bright sunlight.

Groaning, Vien sighed dramatically and slumped down beside Gabriela, leaving just enough space between them. Blair giggled at the gap.

"Mommy's blushing," Blair said, covering her mouth as she continued to giggle.

"I am not, Blair Briar!" Vien hissed, her face turning pink. "It's just the heat from the sun," she quickly explained.

Vien glanced at Gabriela, then quickly looked away. "You look good in that uniform, anyway," she muttered, hugging her knees and burying her face in them.

Gabriela grinned. "Or you could just say you like me, instead of saying I look good in my uniform," she said, laughing softly.

Vien shot her a sharp glare. "Shut up!"

Vien looked at Gabriela just as her radio communication device suddenly squelched with static. Tilting her head, Gabriela pulled out the device and listened intently to the other line.

"Any units in the vicinity of Parc La Grange?" came Ashley's voice.

Gabriela tilted her head. She pressed the button to respond. "This is Commander Vaega, I'm nearby. What's the situation?"

"Commander Vaega, this is Detective Ashley. We need assistance with a pickpocket near Parc La Grange. Suspect is heading northeast, towards the children's park. Do you copy?" Ashley asked, checking if Gabriela heard her clearly.

Gabriela sighed and nodded to herself. "Copy that. What's the suspect wearing?"

"Suspect is wearing a white knitted jacket, a black bonnet, and denim pants," Ashley responded.

Gabriela smiled as Blair looked at her, confused. Blair tilted her head, staring at Gabriela.

Gabriela gently patted Blair's head as she responded to Ashley. "Copy that. I'm en route to assist. Requesting additional units."

"Blair," Gabriela said, "Would you stay beside your mommy for now?" she asked, tucking the radio back into her chest.

"Why, Gabi?" Blair asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Gabi needs to work, Blair. Come here," Vien said, pulling her daughter close. She glanced at Gabriela, who was now standing and stretching.

"You'll be back, Gabi?" Blair asked, sitting beside Vien, who held her securely in her arms.

Gabriela looked at Blair and bent down. "I'll be back," she reassured her. Then she glanced at Vien, who hastily avoided her gaze, making Gabriela chuckle softly.

Vien bit her lower lip, her breath hitching as she felt her face flush. "Be safe," she mumbled, unsure if Gabriela could hear her.

Gabriela clicked her tongue in response. "I will," she said before jogging toward the direction Ashley had indicated.

Vien squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her face grow warmer.

"Mommy, why is your face so red?" Blair asked, her voice full of innocent curiosity.

"Gosh, Blair," Vien muttered, playfully tickling her daughter, causing Blair to shriek with laughter.

Vien paused, looking at her daughter, a soft smile crossing her face as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Blair, baby," she began.

Blair looked up at her, waiting. "Yes, mommy?"

"What if mommy started to like Gabi?" Vien asked, studying her daughter's reaction carefully.

Blair's eyes lit up, and she beamed a wide smile. Vien swallowed hard, surprised by her daughter's response. "What's with that reaction?" Vien asked, clicking her tongue in amusement.

"Do you, mommy?" Blair asked, her voice soft with hope.

Vien chuckled nervously. "I asked, what if, baby," she said, her breath catching in her chest.

"Then you'll be happy, mommy," Blair said simply, shrugging as she looked up at her mother.

Vien gazed at the path where Gabriela had just walked, sighing deeply. "Do you think mommy deserves to be with Gabi?" she asked quietly, almost to herself. What does a kid like Blair know? she thought.

Blair tilted her head, looking up at her mother before nodding gently. "Yes, mommy," she answered with certainty.

Vien smiled, giving her daughter a gentle pinch on the cheek before leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Will it really be alright to risk another shot at love? Vien wondered, pulling her daughter into a tight hug.