Half an hour has passed. Bobby appears in the doorway. Both Eddie and Essie look at him and he shakes his head. Essie breaks down crying. Eddie moves in closer to her, wraps his arm around her and brings her for a hug.

'It's okay.' He whispers. 'It's going to be okay.'

.

It has been a couple of weeks. Essie can finally leave the rehab centre. She's packed her bag and is waiting in Mason's office for Eddie to pick her up. 

'You've done really well, Essie.' Mason tells her. 

'I'm not so sure.' Essie sighs. 'I feel like I'm just going to go out partying again. The rehab hasn't really addressed the reason behind why I started going out drinking and doing drugs in the first place.'

'That's why I've referred you to psychotherapy.' Mason states. 'One of the nurses mentioned that they noticed scars on your wrists. Does your dad know?' 

'I haven't told him,' Essie shakes her head, 'but he's my dad so chances are he knows. He hasn't asked me about it so I guess he's waiting for me to tell him in my own time.' 

'Parents have a way of knowing everything.' Mason chuckles. 'I have children of my own, actually. Twins. Two girls. They're the same age as you. I know pretty much everything about them even if they think I don't know.' There's a knock on the door and one of the receptionists walks in.

'Dr Hensley, Mr Diaz is here.' The receptionist informs him.

'Thank you, we'll be out in a couple of minutes.' Mason nods. The receptionist walks away. 'I know this has been hard for you so try not to start going out partying again.' 

'I'll try.' Essie nods. 

'Let's take you out to your dad.' Mason says. They both stand up and walk out to the reception area. As soon as Essie sees her dad, she quickly walks up to him and hugs him tightly. 

'Woah.' Eddie laughs, wrapping his arms around her. 'Everything okay?'

'Yeah.' Essie nods. 'I'm sorry, dad.' 

'It's okay.' Eddie whispers. They part and he takes her bag. He looks at Mason. 'Thank you.'

'No problem.' Mason also nods. 'I've referred Essie to some psychotherapy. It will be paid for by the centre.' 

'I appreciate it.' Eddie replies. 

'Take care, Essie.' Mason smiles. 

'Thank you.' Essie smiles back. Eddie and Essie then leave and walk out to the car. They get in and put their seatbelts on. 

'We're going to go and pick Christopher up from Buck's and then I need to head to the Station to fill out some paperwork for personal leave.' Eddie tells her.

'Personal leave?' Essie asks confused.

'Just for a few shifts. I just want to keep an eye on you whilst you settle back in at home.' Eddie responds. 

'Dad, I'll be fine.' Essie says. 'All I've had for the past month is people checking on me every hour.' 

'I'm your dad, it's my job to check on you all the time.' Eddie states. 'It will only be three shifts, after that, you'll go to your grandmother's until I can get you re-integrated into school. Okay?' 

'Fine.' Essie sighs.

.

Half an hour later, Eddie is pulling up in front of Buck's place. Essie turns to Eddie.

'Did you tell Christopher that I was coming home today?' She asks him. 

'No.' Eddie shakes his head. 'I thought we could surprise him.' He adds with a smile. 'Let's go.' They both get out of the car and walk up to the front door. Eddie knocks and a few seconds later, Buck answers.

'Hey.' He smiles. 'Essie, I didn't know you were coming.' He says surprised. 

'I was released today, obviously.' Essie replies. 

'Come in.' He lets them in and closes the door. 'He's just watching some TV.' They follow him to where Christopher. 'Chris, there's someone here to see you.' Christopher looks over at them and grins. 

'Essie!' He stands up off the sofa and using his crutches, walks over to them. Essie crouches down and as soon as Christopher reaches them, he hugs her. 

'Hey, bud.' Essie grins. 

'I missed you.' Christopher says.

'I missed you too.' Essie replies. 

'Can you take me to see a movie now? You promised.' He asks as they part. 

'We'll go at the weekend, okay?' Essie tells him. 'It's only a couple of days away.'

'Promise?' Christopher asks.

'I promise.' Essie nods laughing. 

.

Another half an hour later, Eddie is arriving at 188. They get out, walk into the station and up to the common area where everyone is sat talking. 

'Hey, guys.' Eddie grins. 

'Hey.' They all smile back.

'What brings you here?' Chimney queries. 'I thought you have the next few shifts off?' 

'I do.' Eddie nods. 'I just have to fill out some paperwork, but before I do, Essie doesn't actually know any of yous, formally.' Eddie introduces everyone to Essie. 'Is Cap in his office?' 

'Yeah.' Hen nods. Eddie turns to his son and daughter.

'You two wait here.' He tells them. They both nod and he walks off. Chimney moves over one on the sofa so that Christopher can sit down. Estelle pulls over one of the dining chairs and sits on that. 

'So the last time we saw you, your dad was taking you to rehab.' Hen starts. 'How was it?'

'Hard. Given that I wasn't actually addicted, I felt out of place.' Essie replies. 'The urge to party is still there but I was taught some distraction techniques that will hopefully take my mind off it.'

'Rehab is hard for anyone.' Chimney says. 'How are you doing?'

'Good,' Essie nods, 'I think. I just want to get back to school. That's the best way I'll be able to distract myself.' They then hear someone walking up the stairs; they look over to see Athena who's in her uniform.

'Hey, guys.' Athena grins. 'Chris.' She nods at the young boy. She then looks at Estelle. 'Estelle.' 

'Sergeant Grant.' Essie replies.

'People who aren't sat in the back of my patrol car, sat in a cell in my station or at parties I'm breaking up call me Athena.' Athena replies. 'So just call me Athena unless you become one of those people again.' 

'And you know that you can call me Essie. I only get called Estelle when I'm in trouble, so unless I become one of "those" people, please call me Essie.' Essie says and Athena nods. 

'Is Bobby here somewhere?' Athena queries, looking around.

'He's speaking with Diaz.' Chimney informs her. 'He should be out soon.' 

'Can you tell him that I stopped by?' Athena asks. 'I gotta get back to work.'

'Of course.' Hen nods. 

'Thanks.' Athena smiles before leaving. Essie looks at Hen and Chimney confused. 

'Athena and Bobby are married. They tied the knot not that long ago.' Chimney tells her. 

'Ah.' Essie says. They spend the next five minutes talking until Eddie walks back out. He puts his hand on Essie's shoulder causing her to jump.

'Hey, it's only me.' Eddie says calmly as he walks around her so that she can see him. 

'Sorry.' Essie laughs nervously. 

'It's okay.' Eddie nods. He looks between her and Christopher. 'Are you two ready to go?'

'Yeah.' Essie and Christopher nod.

~

It's the weekend, Essie has taken Christopher to the movie theatre. They're just leaving when they hear someone calling their name's. They turn around and see Athena, her children, May and Harry, as well as Bobby. Essie smiles and she walks over to them with Christopher. 

'Hey.' Bobby smiles. 'Your dad not with you?' 

'No.' Essie shakes her head. 'I promised Chris that I'd bring him here once I got out of rehab so here we are.' 

'This is May and Harry. Athena's children from her previous marriage.' Bobby introduces May and Harry to Essie. He then introduces Essie to May and Harry, 'this is Essie, Eddie's daughter, and you already know Chris.'

'How are you doing?' Athena asks Essie.

'Well, I haven't snuck out or done anything bad since I got out of rehab so I guess that's a good sign,' Essie responds, 'but then again, it's only been a couple of days.'

'We're all here for you whenever you want to talk about it or whenever you need help with it.' Bobby tells her.

'Thanks.' Essie smiles slightly. She then notices Lukas leaning against a wall smirking at her. 'Can you watch Chris for a sec? I just need to deal with something.'

'Of course.' Athena nods. Essie smiles before walking over to Lukas. 

'Are you following me now or what?' Essie asks him. 

'Our little game isn't over.' Lukas tells her. 'I'm going to text you an address. I want you to meet me there tonight at 7.'

'I can't.' Estelle says. 'My dad has been keeping a close eye on me. He'll notice if I leave the house.'

'Figure a way to get out or someone will tip your dad off that you're taking drugs again and he'll be forced to send you back to the facility. Only this time, you'll be there longer.' Lukas say quietly. 

'I'll see you at 7.' Essie looks to the floor. Luka stands up straight. 

'Wear something nice.' He whispers as he walks past her. Once he's out of sight, Essie returns to Bobby, Christopher, Athena, May and Harry. 

'Everything okay?' Bobby asks concerned. 

'Yeah.' Essie nods. She sees Athena and Bobby look unconvinced. 'Everything's okay.' There are a few minutes of silence. 'We better go, dad will be waiting outside for us.' They all say goodbye and Essie and Christopher leave.

'That dude was creepy.' May states.

'What dude?' Athena queries.

'The guy she was talking to.' May replies. 'He was staring at her and smirking. Essie looked absolutely petrified.' Bobby and Athena look at each other. 'You didn't notice?'

'We weren't really paying attention.' Athena says. 'I'll look into it.'

~~~

Longish chapter! Haha! I start placement next week (5th Feb 20) so updates will most likely be very, very slow. Hopefully, I can get some writing done on my journey to and from placement and every other day. I'll try and get at least two updates (out of all of my books) up a week.

Let me know what you think!

Much love