Page 102 of Sebastian

She hadn’t ever been in Hank’s office, but could immediately see little touches of Daisy everywhere. She smiled at the ultrasound picture Hank had framed on his desk. Was she about to get her baby back, too?

“Emma.” Hank stood, walking around the desk before he pulled her into a big hug. “She’s okay.”

“I want to see her, Hank. When she gets here. I want to see Natalie, too.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Em. At least, not initially. Legally, we need to establish that Addie is your daughter. That will take a few days to run the DNA through the lab and in the meantime, she’ll be assigned a social worker who can help place her into a temporary foster home.”

“She can’t go home with us tonight?” She felt Sebastian’s grip tighten on her hand.

“I’m sorry. That’s just not how things like this usually work.”

“Will I at least be able to see her?”

“The department has a psychologist that we work with for kids who are involved in any sort of case, I’ve called her to come in and speak with Addie. I think we should defer to whatever Dr. Sloane feels might be best in the situation.”

“She has to be scared, Hank. Wouldn’t it be better for her to go home with someone she knows? She’s been around Emma a ton, and she knows me a little, too. We don’t have to explain anything to her tonight. We just want her safe with us. I can afford to get her the best counselor, the best tutors if she needs to stay home from school for a while.” Emma loved that Sebastian wasn’t going to back down from this either.

“Look, I agree with you both. So, let’s see what the social worker, and the therapist think, and we can go from there.”

“And getting to see Natalie?”

“I’m sorry, Em. That really is out of the question. When we get back the evidence that Addie is your daughter, she’ll be formally charged in her kidnapping. We don’t want anything to happen that would cause the case to be thrown out. No tampering.”

A shrill voice cut through the air, and Emma immediately knew who it was.

“Natalie.” Emma stood, grimacing at the pain in her belly, and Sebastian followed, pulling her tightly against his chest. “They’re here, Seb.”

“I know it’s hard, Em, but we need to wait here. Addie needs calm, and I’m sure the theatrics Natalie is putting on right now isn’t helping.”

“I better go out and see what’s going on,” Hank said before stepping out of his office.

Ten minutes later, the door opened. Emma said a silent prayer that it would be Addie, but she couldn’t be mad when Stone, Gage, Hawk, and Nash walked in. Emma threw herself into Gage’s open arms.

“We did it, beautiful. Your girl is back safe and sound,” he whispered as she tried to hold back her tears.

“I’m so sorry, Gage.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m so happy for you. This is nothing short of the blessing you deserve.”

“I know it must be hard?—”

“Stop right there, Em.” Gage placed his hands on her arms and held her away from his body. “Melody and Mikey wouldn’t have wanted this to turn out any other way. I’m happy for you. That’s the end of that.” He pulled her back into his chest before kissing the top of her head.

After another moment soaking in what Gage had said, she gave Nash, Hawk, and Stone hugs. “I can never repay you guys. For everything, but especially for this.”

“We’re so happy for you, Emma.” Nash ran his hand up and down her back.

“She’s doing great, just so you know. We took a few minutes at the house where they were so I could look her over. Aside from the emotional toll the night took on her, she’s healthy,” Stone smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Are they going to let you take her home tonight? Or, I guess at this hour it’s really more like this morning?” Gage asked.

“Hank’s trying to sort it all out,” Sebastian said, clearing his throat before Emma felt his hands on her waist, gently pulling her away from the guys and back into his arms.

“We need to give our statements, and there’s a bunch of follow up shit the FBI needs from us, so we have a few more hours here, at least. You let us know what happens, okay? And if you need anything, Em, we’re still here for you,” Nash said.

Emma went through another round of hugs and gave each man a quick kiss on the cheek, despite Seb’s grumbling, before they left Hank’s office.

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