AUTHOR'S POV   

It's been three days since the wooded search and what the Bourgeois family hoped would at least give them clues to bring Kaylee home essentially put them back at the starting point. They aren't any closer to solving the distressing mystery and every emotion that they could feel is at their highest. Every night gets harder than the last kissing Emma and Ayden good night with Kaylee's bed empty. They can't read her a bedtime story and how they so miss those eyes looking up at them and saying goodnight in that precious voice. Two of her violin lessons have passed and being unable to witness them and watch her play the strings of her violin so gracefully is dearly missed. But, there's no greater pain than missing her. The sweet, beautiful and talented young lady with a heart of gold who's loved by so many. Mama catches glimpses of her boys throughout each day and the deep depression that has set in them only gets harder to see. She's more than willing to help them around the house as well as helping to take care of Emma and Ayden...but seeing them so depressed does quite a number on her heart. She, too, loves Kaylee and would give anything to be able to snap her fingers or blink her eyes to have her here again. They all feel so lost without her and just as much as it hurts her boys to look at Emma missing her sister so much it hurts her too. Mama has had the pleasure of taking care of her grandchildren and to watch Kaylee in big sister mode with her siblings or playing with them always brings her heart unspeakable joy. She watches Emma play without her now and while it for sure breaks her heart she also can't help but to feel enraged. How dare this criminal, this despicable person rip an innocent child from her loving family. How dare he stand inches away and see happy children playing together then selfishly decides to take one. Her tears are that of anger at times as she will never be able to wrap her mind around someone doing something so heinous. It's currently mid-day and the entire home is quiet. She makes sure that her boys get their rest so shortly after lunch she sweetly instructed them to get back in bed. She understands that they want to be out as much as possible looking for their little girl but she's sure to remind them that they need to be well rested in order to do so. Emma and Ayden are also napping so she's been by herself in the deep silence. She's been sipping on a cup of tea as thoughts of this whole ordeal continue to plague her. She's tried not to think of it...but she's been shaken up since being told of the bone discovered in the woods. Nothing can describe the experience of being told so she can only imagine how her boys felt upon hearing it. Then to wait in agony to be told whether it was animal or human remains is something else she can't imagine. The scene begins to creep in her mind and with her elbows placed on the table she shakes her head to rid herself of the horrifying image then drops her face in her hands. She spends the next few moments slowly and silently inhaling then exhaling to relax. She's so focused on trying to calm down that she doesn't the feel the presence of someone walking in. She just hears, "mama? She lifts her head and there stands Laurent. His eyes are still groggy so he can definitely use some more sleep but she understands why it's difficult to sleep for a lengthy time. She tries to straighten herself up as she drops her arms from the table and replies, "hey son". Naturally he noticed the state she was in and he has more than an inkling what it's about so he walks over and takes a seat...

Laurent: "You were thinking for the search". 

Mama: *nods* "Yeah. I try not to because it's a reminder that this isn't a nightmare we're all waiting to wake up from". 

Laurent: "No it's not", he replies softly. 

Mama: *deep sigh* "I don't understand why the investigation still isn't further along. They have to know how painful this is for us so they should be working harder".  

Laurent: "The last time I talked to detective Brunet he said that they're still searching but he thinks it will take someone who saw something coming forward because there isn't anything else they can trace". 

Mama: "There has to be something else they can do. If it was their child they would find another way". 

Laurent: "Larry and I will stay on them to make sure that they do more. We'll call them every day, five times a day if we need to". 

Mama: "That's good son. You should".  

Now they're hearing Ayden waking up so Laurent is about to stand up and go get him but mama tells him to relax. She gets up instead and as she's walking by Laurent whispers "thank you" with mama whispering, "welcome". Ayden more than likely wants a bottle so Laurent gets up to pull one from the fridge to warm up. He also retrieves a bottled water for himself and sips on it as he waits for the bottle to reach the right temperature. Seconds later mama is back with Ayden in her arms so Laurent gives him a kiss then tells mama that his bottle should be ready soon and he's going to check on Emma. When he reaches her room he quietly pushes the door open and smiles at their sleeping beauty. He brings the door back in to a slight crack as he hears Larry's voice and figures he's on the phone. His first thought is he's talking to one of the detectives but from what he can hear of the conversation it doesn't sound like it so he begins walking towards the bedroom. He catches the tail end of it by the time he reaches the door. He sees a look of disappointment in his loves face as he releases the call and he asks, "what's wrong bebe? Larry turns his head to see him standing there and he takes a breath as if he was completely taken aback by the call...

Larry: "That was my assistant. I called my job to give them an update and she told me that detective Lane came there a few days ago. He asked if I left that day and if I was acting nervous".  

Laurent: "He really thinks it's us". 

Larry plops down on the bed and with his elbows resting on his thighs he runs one hand through his fro and belts out a sigh of frustration. Seeing him like this only makes Laurent more upset. As far as he's concerned the detective can question him as much as he wants...but it's in his best interest to leave his love alone. In fact, Laurent plans on making sure that he will. In a hurried voice he tells his love he'll be back then turns around and takes off down the hallway. His urgency startles Larry so he quickly stands up and goes after him...

Larry: "Baby where are you going? Let me come too". 

Laurent: "Just stay here with mama and the kids bebe. I'll be back". 

Now that he's reached the living room mama is across the way and sitting down with Ayden on her lap while he's drinking his milk. She sees Laurent storming past and she's confused as to why he's so upset all of a sudden. Larry is trying his best to stop him as it's clear that he's really upset and he doesn't want his love driving while upset...but Laurent picks up his keys and Larry is powerless to stop him from leaving. The door shuts and he stands there completely stunned because he knows where Laurent is on his way to. He then hears mama's voice asking, "what happened son"? Larry can't move for the first few seconds after hearing that question but he finally turns around in a slow, nervous manner and connects with her...

Larry: "He's going to the police station". 

Mama: "Why is he going there"?

Larry: "Detective Lane went to my job and asked my assistant questions. He still thinks we had something to do with this and now my husband is upset". *deep sigh* "I know he wants to fight for me mama but he's so angry and that makes me worried". 

Mama: "Don't worry son. He is angry but he won't do anything wrong. He has all of us to think for. I'm sure he just wants to tell the detective to back off and direct that energy to someone else". 

Larry: "You're right", he replies softly.

Larry solemnly walks over to the couch and sits down...his eyes fixated on the door that his husband stormed out of but he knows that mama is right. Laurent may be upset but he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize being away from him and the kids. Laurent is just really protective of his husband and knowing that the detective has upset him Laurent is going there to put a stop to whatever he's trying to do...

Laurent arrived at the precinct and was relieved to be told that detective Lane is here...but at the same time he's also angry that he isn't out trying to solve the case instead of being so focused on them. Of course by the time he's done with him the detective shouldn't have any problem doing so. He's led to his office by an officer and he stands behind him when that officer knocks on the door to tell detective Lane that he has a visitor. He then steps away to allow Laurent to step forward and when they connect eyes there's a moment of hard silence. The detective will try to greet Laurent...but Laurent knows it isn't genuine and he doesn't care for it...

Lane: "Mr. Bourgeois, how can...."

Laurent: "Leave my husband alone". 

Lane: "I'm not sure what you're referring to". 

Laurent: "You know what I'm referring to detective. You went to his job and talked to his assistant. You had no right to do that". 

Lane: "I had every right. You and your husband aren't cooperating". 

Laurent: "Yes we are. We have been since my princess went missing and we answered your questions". 

Lane: "Not all of them. I asked your husband if he left that day and instead of answering you kicked my partner and I out of your home so I went to his job to get the answer. I was left with no choice".  

Laurent: "You had a choice. You know we didn't have anything to do with this so you had no business asking us those questions. My little girl has been missing for over a week and you have done nothing. Even now you're in your office instead of being out and looking for her. My husband and I have been doing more than you and now you've gone and questioned his assistant. All of this stops right now. You have questions then ask me. Leave him alone". 

The staring match between them now is intense. Laurent is merely waiting for him to respond with none other than compliance...but part of the detective's thoughts are wondering why Laurent seems so aggressive. He doesn't think about nor does he want to think about the fact that Laurent is merely protecting his husband, who just like him, is in complete turmoil over the disappearance of their daughter. Instead, the detective's mind is going to a completely different place but he just decides to give Laurent the answer he's looking for and in a firm voice he replies, "fine". It almost has a sarcastic undertone but Laurent doesn't say anything else. He just huffs then turns around to leave so he can get back to his family...

The sound of Ayden's sweet laughter upon entering the house tells Laurent that he's playing with Emma. Her and Kaylee have always had the ability to make him laugh. When he approaches the living room he sees them on the floor happily playing with each other. He wasn't expecting to see his love sitting with them. He also notices that his focus isn't on them. He's staring straight ahead...his face as if he just finished crying. The sight of it is unbearable. Laurent carefully walks over and when Larry sees him approaching out of his peripheral he looks up. Now that Laurent has a closer look at his face his eyes confirm that he was crying...but Larry will try to appear otherwise...

Larry: "Oh. Hey baby". 

Laurent: "Hey my love", he replies softly. 

Emma hears her papa's voice then turns her head up to look at him...

Emma: *smile* "Hi papa". 

Laurent: *smile* "Hey bebe. Are you having fun with your brother"?

Emma: *smile* "Yeah! He's happy too! Look"!

Laurent: *chuckles* "Yes he is". 

Laurent then sees mama standing inches away and she looks at him with sad eyes as she witnessed Larry's emotions while he was away. Knowing her thoughts Laurent gives her a reassuring nod then extends his hand down for Larry to grab as he softly instructs, "come on bebe". Larry grabs his hand and allows his love to help him up. Laurent sweetly tells Emma to keep playing with her brother and they'll be right back then he leads his love to their bedroom. Once they're inside Larry walks towards the middle of the room while Laurent softly shuts the door behind him. Now he's watching Larry turn around to look at him...

Larry: "I um, I was worried because I know you were upset for what I told you so you went to the police station". 

Laurent: "I didn't mean to worry you bebe. I did go and talk to the detective to make things clear. I don't care if he asks me questions and I don't care what he thinks of me. I just want him to leave you alone". 

Larry: "Thank you baby". 

Laurent: "You don't need to thank me my love. I'm your husband. Your protector and I'll do whatever it takes to do that". 

Larry nods and Laurent's words are indeed beautiful. It's just that everything feels like a mountain has fallen on top of him and this nightmare is getting to him like never before. Their little girl still hasn't been found and he just feels numb. He knows Laurent does too and as Laurent looks into his eyes his face begins to morph into the most devastating expression so he begins walking forward then extends his arms and whispers, "come here bebe". Larry walks right over and falls into Laurent's arms whose grasp is immediate, tender and loving. As they stand in each other's embrace they're still holding onto the hope that Kaylee is returned safely and they will continue to do everything in their power for that to happen...

~next day~

She bolts down the garden path like an Olympic champion at the start gun...all the way to the end. She stops to turn around and keeping a light jog in place she smiles at her husband who has yet to catch up. She jokingly calls out, "can you make it"? From a distance she sees him smile then take off with a sprint to meet her where she is. He stops to collect his deep breathing and the water bottle attached to his hip is removed so he can take a large sip of the ice cold water. This husband and wife team are avid runners who always get in a few miles every day. This day is different in that they chose a different area of the city. A small, secluded area with bright flower bushes and beautiful grounds where the landscaping is an indicator of how well they're kept. There's a small wooded area off to the side and a trail that leads deeper into it. They imagine runners take that trail often as it looks like a place to get in a good run. She points to it as she suggests to her husband that they run it. He agrees and while this is a time of exercise it's also a time of fun between them so she jokingly tells him that she bets he won't beat her to the end before running towards it. He smiles then runs behind her. They both take off with gusto and when they reach the end they playfully argue about who won. Then something catches her attention so she says to her husband, "I wonder what that is". He looks with her and they notice what appears to be a blanket covering an object. Their faces turned from joyful to curious in a matter of seconds and she begins to cautiously walk over. She won't get close enough to raise the blanket to reveal what's underneath because she notices something before she's even able to. When she realizes exactly what it is and that her eyes aren't playing tricks on her those frightened eyes widen as she belts out, "Oh my God! It's a hand"! Her husband's eyes widen in fear too and as his wife turns around to run out of the woods and onto the sidewalk he reaches for his phone. His hand is so shaky that it's difficult to place a call to the authorities but he's able to though his voice is just as shaky when he reports what he and his wife just discovered. He tells them exactly where they are and pleads with the operator to hurry up and dispatch the police. He releases the call and spends the time waiting for them trying to soothe his wife from such a horrid sight...

*****

The crime scene investigation unit, a coroner's van and several police cars arrived on the scene that was immediately blocked off. Detective's Brunet and Lane arrive separately but at the same time and once they're out of their cars they begin walking towards the crime scene. On the way they see the husband and wife. She's still shaken and though he's shaken himself his focus is on calming her while talking to an officer. They approach the crime scene tape and duck under it so they can join the team in the discovery. The body is still covered up and though they're used to witnessing scenes of this nature what stands out to them is the size of the body. Knowing the major case they're on right now their bodies tense up as they look at each other. Detective Lane stays back while detective Brunet walks over and squats next to the body then looks up at the coroner. He gives him a gentle head nod which is code to raise the blanket. When he does he gazes at the deceased victim for a moment before solemnly dropping his head. He then turns to look up at detective Lane whose face is more of a blank expression. Detective Brunet just looks away from him and sighs then looks back up at the coroner. In a soft voice, "you can cover it up now". The blanket is delicately placed back over then he and the coroner stand to their feet...

Brunet: "What's your guess as to how long the victim has been deceased"?

Coroner: "I would say about a week but I won't know for sure until I've performed a full autopsy. I'll be in touch as soon as it's complete".  

Brunet: *nods* "Ok. Thank you". 

Coroner: "You're welcome". *pause* "You seem to know the victim detective". 

Brunet: "I believe I do but we still need the family to make a positive identification". 

Coroner: "We'll be transporting the body soon so you can bring them down for that". 

The detective softly nods then begins walking towards his partner. Once he's standing in front of him he tells him that he'll go to deliver the news then gets in his car and begins making the drive...

*****

Larry and Laurent have spent most of the day with their babies. The morning started off with their customary breakfast and they have plans to leave soon to search again now that Emma and Ayden are napping only now they're hearing the sound of the door bell. Laurent walks over to answer it with Larry behind waiting to see who it is. They see detective Brunet and right away Laurent notices the look on his face so he asks in a shaky voice, "what is it"? There's a brief moment of silence before the detective responds, "a body has been found". Laurent's eyes widen and the emotions are instant. He gulps as two tears fall down his eyes. Larry is behind him and he's shaking while also crying silent tears. Laurent then responds...

Laurent: "It...it's not Kaylee. It can't be". 

Brunet: "I'm sorry, Mr. Bourgeois, but I believe it is her". 

Larry is in the background crying, "noooo". Mama is in the background too and she's crying silently but deeply at what she heard. Then the detective hits them with something else...

Brunet: "I know it's difficult but we need you to come and make a positive identification. I'll take you down there and bring you back". 

Naturally Larry and Laurent are completely distraught. Neither of them never thought that they would ever have to identify one of their children in this manner and the detective is right in saying that it is difficult...but they do have to be sure. Laurent turns around and sees Larry shaking his head so he walks over to him...

Larry: "I can't do it baby". *sniff* "How are we supposed to do that? How are we supposed to look at...."

Laurent already knows what his love is trying to say but is unable to. He can't imagine doing this either. Nothing in the world can be more painful than a parent having to do this...but they need to... 

Laurent: "I know bebe". *sniff* "I know but we need to make sure". 

Larry holds onto him tighter and just weeps against his loves shoulder but he ultimately agrees. Larry wipes tears away as he begins walking towards the door while Laurent goes over to mama. Her tears are on a steady stream but she quickly tries to pull it together...

Mama: "Go son". *sniff* "I have everything taken care of here". 

Laurent: "Oki". *pause* "We love you". 

Mama: "I love you too", she breathes out. 

Laurent turns around and as he's walking towards the front door two tears fall from his chin. Mama steps forward to lock the door behind them and she's so distraught that she crashes her forehead against the door and begins crying again. Larry and Laurent are now in the back of the car and as they're en route their hands are connected and their bodies are trembling. This can't be real and they don't want to believe that it is. It isn't until they arrive at the morgue that the reality hits them. They're slow to get out of the car and they couldn't be any closer to each other as they walk inside and are led the way. The walls in this place are mostly white and the silence is eerie. Suddenly they see an open door ahead of them and the grasp on each other's hands become tighter. Once they're inside they see an abundance of the color grey including the hard table the body is resting on. The coroner is standing next to it and they take in a deep gasp because although the body is covered they notice the small size of it. Their walking comes to a halt and the detectives turn to them to ask if they're ready. There's an understandable moment of hesitancy before Laurent nods that they are. The detective looks at the coroner and nods so he grasps the sheet then slowly pulls it back. What Larry and Laurent see on that table is horrifying and right away Larry shelters himself against his loves chest as he screams, "noooo"! Laurent feels Larry sliding to the floor so his grip on him becomes tighter though they both can hardly stand. Laurent manages to pull Larry up and the detective begins to guide them out so the coroner can proceed with the autopsy. In their distress walking is a task as they're crying relentlessly. Larry then belts out through his tears, "Kayleee! We're so sorry baby"! Laurent is crying so hard that breathing is a struggle. They have to be helped inside the car and they hold onto each other all the more as it hits them that their little girl was lying on that table. Through relentless tears they realize that they have to break this devastating news to mama...and to Emma...

--------------------------- 

A/N: I put this chapter off for as long as I could as I'm sure there's sadness and perhaps anger among everyone. I know you all were hoping for a different outcome so it may be too difficult to continue reading but there's so much more to come and I'm hoping you all will stay with me. Please share your thoughts and I'll be replying very soon. Love you guys. ❤️