AUTHOR'S POV   

One agonizing week has passed since the Bourgeois family said goodbye to Kaylee with each day getting seemingly worse than that heartbreaking day. Larry and Laurent have each spent time in her room where everything remains in tact. They've tried not to go in too often as one step inside the room is enough to bring them to their knees because they miss her so much. They've gazed at her bed and emotions overwhelm them when they realize that she will never sleep in it again. They've taken her books from the shelf to read as they slowly flip through the pages and her sweet scent even wafts from those. There are the sweet images of standing at the door and listening to her practice her violin or watching her read as they smile. Every part of the home holds a memory and they feel as though she's still here. Sleep has remained a struggle for them as they can't seem to get into a deep state of rest until late into the night. It's even gone into the early morning hours. The kids are usually up very early and with little to no sleep they try to appear as alert as possible when taking care of them and breakfast or any other meal isn't normal as their appetites are still limited. It's as if they're eating just enough to get by but they don't have their usual hearty appetites. It's still hard to believe that pain such as this exists and what's worse is the detectives aren't any closer to solving the case so having to deal with their daughter's senseless murder is that much harder knowing that it may be a while before she receives the justice she deserves. Every night their heads don't hit their pillows until they've said a prayer that she will receive that justice and very soon. They already have to live the rest of their lives without her so there's nothing that would put them at greater ease than knowing that her murderer has been caught and given the consequences he deserves. Larry thought about returning to work because he's so stricken with grief he thinks that perhaps he should return as his fast paced career always keeps him busy. But, he isn't sure how productive he would be because Kaylee is always on his mind. Same for Laurent. His career is a bit different in that the math department put another instructor in place of his classes who's following his syllabus so his students are being taught well. Emma is doing as well as expected though they catch glimpses of her face and they can tell that she's thinking about her sister in those moments. It's usually followed by a cartoon they loved and always watched together. When they noticed her watching their favorite cartoon, Polly Pocket, they had no doubt that she wanted her big sister here to watch it with her. They looked at each other as if they could cry on the spot. Larry took a deep breath to hold it all in and Laurent watched his love walk over to sit next to her on the couch. Emma instantly snuggled into him and he stood back to watch Larry nurture her as he watched the cartoon with her. They had been making lunch together when they both got the internal instinct to check on her and Laurent was unable to watch the scene, though sweet and endearing, because it only made his heart break for their little girl more. It isn't fair that Emma has to live without her too and while he was feeling down he was also starting to feel angry so he went back to cooking to keep himself from having a breakdown...

It's currently early morning and mostly everyone is asleep. The only person awake is Emma who's usually still sleeping when her papas get up but this morning she's up before them and she slips out of bed to make her way to their bedroom. Their door is cracked so she quietly pushes it open and her eyes focus on the bed. They both appear to be asleep but she sees Laurent move so she assumes he's waking up and goes over to his side of the bed. She gently nudges him as she softly says, "papa"? He doesn't hear her the first time so she tries again. Suddenly his eyes open and he becomes instantly alert when he sees her. Emma rarely comes in their room to wake either of them up so he knows something must be wrong...

Laurent: "What is it bebe", he asks softly. 

Emma: "I don't feel well papa". 

Laurent: "I'm sorry my love. Is it your tummy"?

Emma: *nods* "Yes", she replies softly. 

Laurent's heart drops at the soft, weakened voice and extends his hand to touch her forehead...

Laurent: "I think you have a fever too bebe but papa will take care of that and your tummy, oki"?

Emma: "Oki", she whimpers. 

Laurent raises up to get out of bed and once he's on his feet he takes Emma's hand in his to lead them over to the bathroom to retrieve the medicine. On the way Larry wakes up and groggily asks, "everything oki"? When Emma hears him she greets, "hi papa" in her sweet voice which is certainly a voice to wake up to especially with the heavy pain in his heart from missing Kaylee so much. He replies with a soft, "hi baby" then looks up at Laurent...

Laurent: "She's sick bebe. I need to take her temperature and give her some medicine". 

Larry: "Oki. I'll make her breakfast. She will need to eat something since you're giving her medicine". *looks at Emma* "Papa will make you some soft scrambled eggs and toast, oki"?

Emma: "Oki. Thank you papa". 

Larry: "Anything for you baby". 

Laurent walks her into the bathroom then picks her up and sits her on the sink counter so he can take her temperature. Larry comes in to freshen up before heading to the kitchen. He makes the perfect scrambled eggs and when they're close to being done he reaches inside the cupboard to pull out a plate. He hasn't noticed that he pulled out two plates because he's used to cooking breakfast for Kaylee and Emma. In the past week he and Laurent have each done this once unknowingly though realizing it later. He takes the skillet off of the heat and it isn't until he goes to drop a portion of eggs onto one of the plates that he notices two. That, hits him hard. Much harder than the previous time as it's essentially forcing him to come to grasp with Kaylee being gone. He places the skillet down for a moment then takes in a deep breath as he slowly picks the plate up to put away. After he closes the cupboard he just gazes at it. Then he hears Laurent coming so he quickly straightens up and picks up the skillet to put the eggs on it. He then takes two slices of bread and puts them in the toaster. Once Laurent hits the kitchen he turns to look at him...

Laurent: "She has a fever of 100.5. I gave her some children's Tylenol and she's resting on the couch watching cartoons for now".

Larry: "Oki. Her breakfast is almost ready. I'm just waiting on the toast".  

Laurent hears the tone in that reply then watches as Larry makes Emma's plate and the way he does is what he instantly notices. It's slow and dreary as if something is on his mind. He's almost certain he knows what's upsetting him as he's done the very same thing and in a soft tone he states, "you took two plates out". There's a moment of silence before Larry replies in a tone that matches the solemn look on his face, "yeah I did". Laurent can feel his stomach form into the tightest knot possible and though he's only a second away from crying he holds back with a gentle gulp then replies, "we will get through this my love". Larry nods so Laurent walks over and applies a soft kiss to his temple. Larry closes his eyes when he feels the love and sincerity it's filled with. It nearly brings him to tears but then the perfectly browned toast pops out so after placing each piece on the plate Laurent offers to take Emma's breakfast to her. First he retrieves a small tray to set the plate on top of then heads for the living room. Emma sits up and looks at him...

Laurent: "Here's your breakfast princess. Eat as much as you can, oki"?

Emma: "Yes papa". 

Laurent gives her a small but sweet smile then heads back for the kitchen. On the way he sees mama coming down the hall so he greets her then informs her of Emma not feeling well. Mama being the super nurturing grandmere she is goes over to her. Larry and Laurent watch the sweet interaction from a distance and since they're all awake now Larry decides to make breakfast for them. Emma finished her breakfast beforehand so Laurent made sure she was bundled comfortably on the couch before joining Larry and mama at the table. Larry kept it simple with eggs, bacon and toast. Much like other meals this one is also in silence. Their bites are slow and their chewing is even slower. Larry and Laurent's eyes are on their plates with mama's eyes solemnly darting between them. The pain on their faces is so strong that it's breaking her heart so she just isn't sure what to say. That's when she unexpectedly hears Laurent...

Laurent: "Thank you for breakfast my love. I just can't eat anymore". 

Larry: "It's oki baby. I can't eat anymore either", he replies softly. 

Laurent's fork is then heard clanking softly against the plate and as he stands up he tells them that he's going to check Emma's temperature again. He disappears down the hall to get the thermometer so Larry takes his and Laurent's plates to the sink to wash. He then hears, "bebe" so he turns his head...

Laurent: "Will you pour a glass of orange juice and bring it to princess"?

Larry: "Sure baby".  

Laurent: "Thank you my love". 

Larry: "Welcome", he replies softly. 

Mama is now finished with her breakfast so she comes over and offers to take over washing the dishes while he takes her the juice. Larry retrieves a glass and fills it halfway then heads for the living room only he stops dead in his tracks when he sees how loving and gentle his love is being with Emma. Not that it's really a surprise because just as he whispered to his love several nights ago before they made love well into the early morning hours that he really is the best papa. Laurent has squat down in front of her as he holds the thermometer steady. While waiting for a temperature read Larry watches his love gently push a loc of her curly hair behind her ear while looking lovingly at her and speaking softly to her. Laurent is truly his rock and he couldn't have asked for a better partner in raising their children. This touching moment with her reminds him of the last time Kaylee was sick. He was the same gentle and loving papa with her. Checking on her several times and getting whatever she needed. Larry can feel his emotions stirring so he just takes another deep breath then pushes forward. Laurent feels his presence so he looks up as Larry is placing the glass on the table next to the couch. The thermometer finally beeps so Laurent checks...

Laurent: "Her temperature didn't go down that much".

Larry: "What is it now"?

Laurent: "99.3 but I'll check it again in another hour. If it isn't back to normal I'll take her to the doctor".

Suddenly they hear Ayden waking up so Larry heads for the nursery. Laurent stands up then gently lays Emma against the pillow with a crisp sheet covering her so she can continue resting. They all keep a close eye on her as they try to go on with another day...

~meanwhile~

The detectives have just received the results from all of the evidence collected at the crime scene. They were hoping to get them no later than the day after the discovery but because the blanket that covered her and the footprint had been out in the elements for several days it was difficult to extract anything which caused a delay. They did find a small hair but it, too, had been exposed to the elements for too long to get a solid analysis. They were hoping that some other form of DNA from the suspect would be found. Perhaps Kaylee scratched him and his skin cells were under her fingernails or perhaps there was a trace of the killer's blood that could be analyzed. They didn't find anything of the sort which was another hard blow as it would only make finding the perpetrator ten times more difficult. The forensics team was able to get a read on the footprint which gives them a strong idea of who they should be looking for. The detectives put together an urgent press conference as they previously discussed to alert the community and now they're on site seconds away from getting started. Reporters from several news stations and even newspaper offices are late arriving since it was essentially last minute but now detective Lane is calling it to order...

Lane: "Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining us today. We understand that it was last minute but we didn't want to wait any longer. My partner and I have received the forensic results in the kidnapping and murder case of seven-year old Kaylee Bourgeois. While the lab wasn't able to obtain strong DNA analysis due to the delay in the discovery of the victim they were able to assess the footprint found at the scene. The assailant is of very tall stature. At least 6 feet and the shoe size was determined to be a size 15 which is standard for that height. There was also a short hair found. It resembles curly baby hair but it was black which means it didn't belong to the victim as her hair was long and brown. Again, we ask if anyone saw anything around the area to please come forward. This little girl deserves justice and the police department is seeking exactly that".

The reporters began aiming a series of questions towards the detectives though they didn't answer very many. Their main objective was to get this information out in the hope that someone will come forward so after answering a select few they thanked everyone for coming then headed back to the precinct...

*****

Detective Lane has been back in his office for almost thirty minutes with his partner joining him shortly after. They had been in discussion about the case when his desk phone rings twice signaling that it's a call from within the department. When he answers it's the dispatcher alerting him that he has a call from someone who may have some information about Kaylee's kidnapping and ultimate murder. He thanked the dispatcher and immediately answered the call...

"This is detective Lane. I understand you have some information about the case of Kaylee Bourgeois". 

Caller: "Yes, detective. I just heard about the case and I wanted to tell you that I saw a man in that area who I really believe fits your description. He's the same height and I'm sure his shoe size is what you reported". 

The detective politely urges the caller to continue and hearing the description of the suspect he can't help but notice how similar it sounds... 

Lane: "I see and which store"?

Caller: "It's the Monoprix". 

Lane: "I know it well". *pause* "Thank you for calling. Would it be ok if I have your first name"?

Detective Brunet has been sitting across from him as he took the call and noticed his partner's face scrunch into confusion after asking for the caller's name. Detective Lane then looks blankly at the phone before looking at his partner...

Lane: "The caller hung up". 

Brunet: "That's not alarming. We usually don't ask the callers name for their own privacy and safety". 

Lane: "You're right but I asked because something was odd. I couldn't tell if it was a woman disguising her voice as a male or if it was a male. The voice was very muffled". *pause* "It's also odd that the suspect she described is very similar to Mr. Bourgeois". 

Brunet: "I strongly doubt it was him". 

Detective Brunet curiously looks at Lane who's been highly suspicious of the Bourgeois men, particularly Laurent, and his face is reading as if he's highly anticipating it being him... 

Lane: "I'm going to follow up on this". 

Brunet: "Should I come with you"?

Lane: "I'm ok alone but I'll update you". 

It only takes detective Lane a few seconds to grab what he needs and head out the door leaving his partner to hope that it does lead somewhere so they can give the Bourgeois family good news. While it won't bring her back it will also provide them with comfort...

The clerk behind the counter at the large store that sells a variety of items is alarmed when she sees what she's sure is a person of authority walk in. She's seen her fair share of them before and most often than not they're here to make purchases like other consumers...but something tells her that this particular detective isn't here to make a purchase. He spots her at the counter and begins to make his way over only a customer approaches first with a single item for purchase. She's courteous as usual and after handing the customer his receipt he walks away so detective Lane steps up, shows his badge and asks to speak to her manager. She promptly calls for him who shows up in less than a minute...

Manager: "Hi. How can I help you"?

Lane: "Yes I'm a detective who's investigating a recent kidnapping and murder. I received a call today about a suspect that could possibly fit the description of who we're looking for so I need to see the footage of the customers in your store the day she was kidnapped and in the time frame it was reported". 

Naturally the manager is completely stunned because not only is an investigating detective in front of him but he's also stunned at his request. He's as still as a statue when he notices the detective giving him a "what are you waiting for" look that prompts him to shake himself out of shock. He then politely instructs the detective to follow him. Once they're behind the closed door of the loss prevention room the detective gives him the date of the kidnapping. It doesn't take long to find that date and when he's given the time frame he's able to essentially filter through the footage and the detective begins his observation. There were several people in the store that day and he took a strong mental note of those who closely fit the description of the assailant. He will request transaction information such as the items purchased and if they were purchased by cash or credit once he's viewed all of the footage but for now he's studying their features. Then his eyes widen when he sees a very familiar face. Laurent. And seeing him confirmed in his mind what the anonymous caller described so his eyes squint in anger. He tries to see what Laurent is purchasing but the camera that monitors transactions don't show the items as clearly as it shows the customers so the detective wastes no time asking the manager questions. The manager can't see the item himself but deduces that Laurent must have had a single purchase due to how quick the transaction was. But, as far as the detective is concerned he doesn't need to see anything else. He asks the manager if he's able to produce a screenshot as proof he was there and once he has it he thanks him then immediately leaves to head for his car. On the way he checks the time and it's still early enough to request an emergency search warrant. It's only 1 pm so he's confident he can get one. He makes a call to his partner and when he hears the urgency in his voice he knows he discovered something...he just isn't expecting what it is...

Brunet: "What did you find"?

Lane: "Laurent Bourgeois was at the store close to the crime scene. I requested the footage from that day and there he was". 

Brunet: "That doesn't prove anything". 

Lane: "Look, the caller described him and said that he appeared to be in a rush. He was close to the crime scene and his height is a match to the evidence".  

Brunet: "It's circumstantial". 

Lane: "It's enough for a search warrant to look for additional evidence". 

Brunet: "Detective, I...."

Lane: "I'm getting a warrant and I'm sure that I can get it today once I present what I've discovered. When I have it will you come to the Bourgeois home"?

*silence*

Lane: "Detective". 

Brunet: "Yeah". *pause* "Yeah I'll be there". 

Lane: "Good. I'll touch base with you once I have it". 

Without so much as a goodbye detective Lane releases the call leaving his partner with an extreme gut feeling that this case is headed in the wrong direction...

~4 pm~

Since breakfast the Bourgeois family has had most of their focus on Emma. Thankfully, her fever broke and she was able to eat all of her lunch which her family was happy to see. Since she's feeling much better she's gone back to the happy, energetic little girl who's played with her toys and has even brought a couple of smiles to her papas as well as her grandmere. Larry and Laurent are in the middle of prepping for dinner when the door bell rings. Laurent dries his hands off and heads for the front door. Emma is on the couch watching a movie and mama is in the chair across from it with Ayden on her lap. No one is expecting to see detective Lane and though Laurent doesn't care for him he greets him as he's sure he's there to give them an update. He thought perhaps he would call but of course they won't object to being told in person. Then he notices a few officers standing a short distance behind him so he realizes this isn't just an update visit. When Laurent asks what they're doing here with him the detective says nothing. By this point Larry is standing closely behind and they're giving him a confused look when he doesn't respond...

Laurent: "Detective? What is it"?

Lane: "I have a warrant to search your home". 

Laurent: "For what"?

Lane: "It's come to our attention that you were in the area your daughter's body was discovered". 

Laurent: "I told you that I was at home sick". 

Lane: "Not all day. You went to a store very close to the scene". 

Laurent: "To buy medicine. How did you even know I went to the store"? 

*brief pause*  

Lane: "Step aside please. If I don't find anything I'll direct the case elsewhere".  

Laurent turns to look at Larry who's just as fearful and confused as his love. Larry then rushes over to pick Emma up and take her to her bedroom so she doesn't have to witness this while mama stands up to take Ayden away as well. Once they're inside her bedroom he sits her on the bed then his shaky voice tells her to stay inside and he will come and get her soon. Her papa's face scares her so in a soft, shaky voice she asks...

Emma: "What's happening papa"? 

Larry: "Don't worry baby. Just be my big girl and stay here".  

Larry gives her a soft kiss on the forehead then she watches her papa leave her in the bedroom and is near tears as she senses something just isn't right. Larry was unaware that he would be stepping out to see the officers as well as the detective take various parts of the home to search. He gives them explicit instructions not to go anywhere near Emma's room. But, he sees one of them go into Kaylee's room and naturally he's instantly livid as he screams nearly to the top of his lungs, "that's Kaylee's room! Don't go in there"! The officers don't listen and the moment they begin touching her things angry tears begin to pour from him as he and his husband don't want anyone touching anything in their angels room. He then hears Ayden crying as if he senses something is wrong too. Laurent is also filled with angry tears as the police just touch whatever they want with both of them being powerless to stop it. While the officers search the home the detective requests their car keys. They both have "no" on the tip of their tongues ready to shout at him...but they know they haven't done anything wrong and if searching the cars will get them out of here they will cooperate with whatever they need them to. They hand over their keys all while thinking that they're going to report this detective as soon as they can as he's clearly looking for anything to pin this on them. They're also wondering how he could have possibly known Laurent was at that store. It just doesn't make any sense. Since he left the front door open they walk over to it to watch as he searches the cars. He checks the trunk of Larry's car then the trunk of Laurent's. That's where he pulls out a sweater that belongs to Kaylee. He thinks nothing of it because the sweater served as an extra layer of protection when they went to the ice skating rink for what they didn't know would be their last time taking her there that he just left it in the trunk. The detective walks over and in a deeply suspicious voice he asks who it belongs to. Laurent replied that it's Kaylee's then proceeded to explain...only the detective cut him off and bypassed him when he sees his team collectively headed back for the living room. One of the officers speaks up to tell him, "shoe size is 15 sir". A brief silence falls and the detective just huffs then tosses the sweater to him and demands that he put it in an evidence bag. He turns to Laurent then steps behind him to grab his arms and bring them behind his back...

Lane: "Laurent Bourgeois, you are under arrest for the murder of Kaylee Bourgeois...." 

Laurent: "What"?! 

Lane: "....you have the right to remain silent...."

Laurent: "I did not kill my daughter"! 

Lane: "....anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have...." 

Larry: "He didn't do this! Please! Let him go"! 

The detective has completely ignored Larry's plea and Laurent's insistence that he isn't the culprit...yet the words are just flowing out of the detective's mouth as he continues to read Laurent his rights who turns to his love and in a shaky voice tells him, "bebe call a lawyer"! When mama heard the commotion she ran out of the nursery. She didn't realize that Ayden is still in her arms and when she sees her son being arrested she cries as Ayden cries in distress. Emma also ran out of her room when she heard the noise and when she sees Laurent being led out by the police she begins crying for him. Larry picks her up and as he watches his love being escorted to the police car he sees detective Brunet show up who looks extremely confused by it. He sees Larry standing at the door who gives him a look of disdain as he thinks he was a part of this so he just shuts the door...but he's unaware that detective Brunet feels differently. He just sighs then gets back in his car to head for the precinct. Inside the Bourgeois home Larry comforts Emma who whimpers through her tears, "I want my papa". Larry walks over to sit on the couch and as he rocks her gently he replies, " I know baby". With tears falling Larry gazes at the door as he can't believe he just watched his husband being taken away...

----------------------------- 

A/N: I know my loves. It was an arrest under extremely weak "evidence" and it's only been one week since Kaylee's funeral. This was a fear from several of my readers and I imagine emotions are all over the place but please, share your thoughts. Love you guys. ❤️