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Family Life - What it's told me
Written by Anna van Gemert

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Other titles in this series:

1. The Shed Disturbance.
2. Courage.
3. Glad I've met you
4. Mothers Day
5. A Trouble in Paradise
6. Family Life - Early Arrival



Hello again. Once again I'd like to tell you the boring things which I know you have heard before. The following characters do not belong to me - HA
THEY DO - but they don't. You see my mind has created some characters such as Mark and Claire so they are mine along with some others I have
created. So, anything you have seen on Blue Heelers are Channel Seven's and Southern Star's. Anything you haven't seen belong to me. Cool isn't
it?

Any comments you would like to send to me can be sent to pmjca32@vicnet.net.au.

My web page is at 
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~pmjca32/index.htm



"I'm Constable Sarah Wing", the woman said approaching Dash at the counter. "Can I speak to Senior Sergeant Croydon?"

The woman was in her late 20's, early 30's. Her hair tied back in a ponytail and was black while she was in plain clothes. As Tom came out to Dash's
girl Maggie came in with the twins in their pram. They were now 2 month old. PJ was back at work, and Maggie came to the station to say hello
every few days. 

"Sarah" Tom said, "If you want to come into my office" 
"Hey Maggs" Dash smiled, walking over to the pram, "Hello Claire, Hey Mark."
"Dash" Maggie replied, "You mind them for a while, PJ in his office?"
"She'd love to entertain them my dear, and our father is in his office" Nick said.



"PJ" Maggie said.

"Hi Maggs" PJ said happily. PJ had missed not being able to work with Maggie all day, everyday. He had missed her correct in put into every case. 

"Hi yourself" Maggie said, before kissing him

"Twins okay?"
"With Dash, or Nick"
"Sure they should be left alone with them? Wouldn't that be called abuse?"
"Very funny" Maggie laughed.
"It's true" he joked as a cry is heard.
"Claire" PJ said.
"Maggie" Dash yelled from the main office.



Time passed and it was now that night. Adam and Dash were seated at the corner table of the dinning room of the Imperial. Both were talking quietly
to each other but then Nick Schultz came and sat at the table.

"Hello" Nick said.
"Hey Nick" Dash replied.
"Hello, Hello" He repeated, "Our family coming tonight?"

As if one cue Maggie and PJ came in to the Imperial. PJ was holding Mark, while Maggie was holding Claire. A baby bag was swung over Maggie's
shoulder and on their way to the table where Nick, Dash and Adam Chris yelled "Hello" to them from the busy bar.

Maggie and PJ knew a wasn't the 'correct' place for babies but they didn't come in that often together, and when they did they always sat in the
dinning room, and sometimes even the lounge.

"How long?" Maggie asked placing the bag on the ground.
"One hour, 15 minutes, and 18 seconds" PJ replied.
"For what?" Adam asked.
"Feeding the twins at home, getting them dressed and coming here"
"You should have stayed at home" Adam replied.
"But then they wouldn't have a social life" Nick said.



"Finally" Maggie said walking into the lounge room where PJ was sitting on the couch, "They're sound asleep".
"For how long?" PJ asked pulling Maggie down to the couch and wrapped his hands around her to hold her.
"That's a question no one can answer?" she replied.
"Well maybe we should take advantage of the time" PJ suggested, grinning.
"Did you take Nick's comment seriously tonight?" Maggie asked.
"What one?" 
"About our social life"
"I haven't thought about it" PJ said.
"He's right," Maggie said sadly.
"No he isn't" PJ said holding Maggie tighter, "We have each other, Mark and Claire, our friends - we have more them him"
"He has Zoe" Maggie said.
"Not exactly, they're friends, but not together as such"
"When did they spilt up"
"They never got back together"
"I didn't know that, but don't change the subject"
"I'm not" PJ said.



"Sarah" Tom said the next morning as he came out of his office. Sarah was in her uniform and waiting at the counter, "Come through".
"Hi Boss."
"Boss?" Dash enquires to Adam.
"Boss?" he repeated.
"I'd like you all to met our new officer, Constable Sarah Wing".
"Hi, I'm Dash" Dash said, rather stunned, "Why didn't he tell us we we're getting another officer?" Dash whispered to Adam.
"Hello" Nick said looking up from he's desk, "I'm Nick".
"Hi" Sarah said.
"Adam" Adam said as the phone rang. He answered it. "Mt. Thomas police station Constable Cooper speaking".
"So where did you come from?" Dash asked.
"Eastern suburbs".
"Quieter here" Nick said.
"Boss" Adam called, "That was Elaine Teags on the phone. Her son's gone missing".
"Right-o, Dash take Sarah with you".
"Okay Boss".



"Dash" PJ said, sticking his head out of his office.
"She's gone mate", PJ said.
"Gone? Gone where?" 
"Gone with Sarah" Nick said, not being at all helpful.
"Sarah?"
"The new officer" Adam said.
"New officer?" 
"The boss didn't tell you about her".
"Okay, thanks Adam. I'll speak to the boss instead".



Meanwhile Maggie was at home with the twins. Mark was sound asleep but as usual Claire wouldn't settle for a nap. "Come on Claire" she said,
"Why can't you be more like your brother?" 



"Boss?" PJ said opening his office door, "Can I have a word?"
"Yeah, what is it PJ?"
"I just wanted to ask you a question. When you had Sam who did you find to look after Sam that sounded okay."
"You looking for someone to mind the twins."
"Yeah."
"I could do it for you" Tom offered.
"I might take you up on that but I wanted Maggie and I to be able to come down to the pub together, with out the twins to see you all"
"That's a nice thought. Well you know I had Patsy" Tom rolled his eyes.
"But there was also Leslie, and Dash's friend Heather Michael's"
"I might ring Heather Michael's then. Do you mind if I do it now?"
"No" Tom said.



"I thought Nick Schultz said it was quieter here," Sarah said.
"I wouldn't pay any attention to him" Dash said, "Mt. Thomas 608 to Mt. Thomas Station."
"Mt. Thomas Station" Adam said into the radio, "Go a head Dash."
"Adam. We need PJ down here. Possible abduction." 
"Received that 608. Mt. Thomas out."



"That would be great" PJ said on the phone, "Yep 9 o'clock … Thanks again Heather."
"PJ" Adam said coming into his office.
"Yeah, what is it Adam?"
"Dash needs you at Elaine Teags place. Possible Abduction"



When PJ arrived at Elaine Teags place Dash quickly introduced PJ too before she went back to the station and then Dash filled PJ in on what she
knew. PJ then asked her some more questions. PJ found out that Elaine had put her one-year-old son in his room to play with his toys and the
doorbell rang. So she went to get it and it was someone with the wrong house and when she went to cheek on him he was gone. She had gone through
a custody battle for her child only months ago, and won. The boy's name was Mark.

"Thank you", PJ said. All he could think about is that he was glad it wasn't his Mark, or Claire. "We'll try and get him back to you as soon as
possible"

"We understand what you're going through," Dash said, trying to calm her down a little bit more. Elaine was crying, and had been ever science Dash
and Sarah had arrived.

"Do you have children constable?"
"No" she said, "I don’t."
"Then you don't understand."
"Do you have children Detective?"
"Yes", PJ said, smiling. "Twins just over 2 months"
"Well I hope this never happens to you."



"Maggie?" PJ said. As soon as he got back to the station he went to ring her.
"PJ?" she asked, "Why are you ringing?"
"Can't I ring to see how you are?"
"You're welcome too. I'm fine by the way."
"That's good" PJ said, "How are the twins?"
"They're asleep in their room. Claire finally went down."
"Can you check on them?"
"PJ, I just got them down. They're fine."
"Please?" He nagged.
"PJ" she began, "Okay."

Maggie went into the twins' room and found them both sleeping. The curtains were still open so she quickly went to close them before returning to
the phone. 

Meanwhile PJ was staring at a photo Dash had taken only a few hours after the twins were born. Maggie was holding both of the babies in it, while he
sat next to her on the bed.

"PJ" Maggie said.
"Maggs, How are they?"
"Exactly how I left them both - asleep."
"Thanks."
"PJ" Maggie said, "What made you so worried?"
"There's been an abduction of a one year old boy," PJ said, "Called Mark."
"Your case?"
"Yeah" PJ said, "Look I better go."
"Yeah, Love you."
"Love you too Maggs."

PJ hanged up the phone quickly and was tempted to ring Heather Michael's but didn't. He knew she had no connection with this case, and wasn't
even a suspect. 

Over all this he and Maggie needed some time alone. Instead he looked up the number and address of the father of the 1-year-old who was called
Samuel Davidson.

"Yes" PJ said once the phone was answered, "I'd like to speak to Samuel Davidson."
"He not here at the moment" The women on the other end said.
"May I ask who I’m speaking too?" PJ asked.
"Yes, I’m Sam's mother."
"How longs he been gone for?"
"Early this morning, about 6am. He said he had an early work meeting."
"May I have he's work number?" PJ asked.
"Sure" the women said, "9893 4532."
"Thank you" PJ said.
"Can I tell him who called?"
"That won't be necessary" PJ said, "I'm sure I'll catch him at work."



"Boss" PJ said running into his office, "We've got him."
"Got who PJ" Tom asked.
"Samuel Davidson." 
"Who?"
"The father of Mark who lost custody. He lied to his mother, told her he had a work meeting, which he doesn't. I checked with he's secretary."
"So where is HE now?"
"I don't know."
"Where's he from?"
"He lives in Melbourne."
"Anyone at he's place now?"
"He's mother" PJ said, "I'll get a warrant and get all the calls traced that she has called, who answered."



"Maggie" PJ said.
"Hi PJ" Maggie said, "I thought you'd be home by now." 
"Yeah" PJ said, "Sorry. Look we still haven't found the kid. I'll have to put some over time in. I'm just waiting on the faxes from Telstra them I'll
come home."
"You okay?"
"I'm find. Give the twins a kiss from me."
"Okay, bye."
"Love you."



"PJ" Sarah said coming into the C.I office.
"Yeah?"
"That fax you wanted came" Sarah said passing the pieces of paper over.
"Thanks - not much of a first day for you."
"Yeah, Nick said here was quieter."
"We wish."
"Well anyway, Dash and I are going to the pub, Imperial, isn't it. Why don't you join us?"
"No, I might stay here and check out some of these numbers. Try to get that little boy back to his home."
"It's nice to know you care. Not many C.I people back home would, they'd be off when their shift was over."
"I guess it's different up here" PJ sounded distracted.
"Well I'll be off" Claire said, "If you change your mind you know where I'll be."



Maggie is sitting at her kitchen table waiting, holding a mug of coffee. She expected PJ back any minute. She got up to look through the front window
as she hear one of the babies' cry a little. She went into their room and quickly picked up the crying baby. It was Mark for a change. She left the
room carrying Mark and went to give him a bottle.

Suddenly there was a knock at the front door. Maggie thought it was PJ but when she opened it she found a women that she had seen once before.

"Hi" Maggie said, trying to put a name to that face.
"Maggie isn't it?"
"Yeah, sorry, who are you?"
"Heather Michaels. PJ rang me today and asked me to come here. Sorry I'm late."
"What?" Maggie asked, "He didn't tell me anything."
"Tom Croydon recommended me to look after the twins."
"What?" Maggie asked, "You looked after Sam right?"
"For a short time, I'm also a family friend of Dash's."
"Okay. Well PJ had to do over time tonight but as you’re here you might as well stay."
"If you want" Heather said.
"This is Mark. I'll just put him down. Claire's asleep, she shouldn't wake up for a while."
"Okay."
"If they do you can ring me at the station and I'll come straight home."
"First time leaving them?"
"Yeah. If one does wake and needs a change their nappies are in the top draw of their dresser."
"I'm sure I'll be able to find everything and know what to do. I'm a mother my self."



"PJ" Maggie said, "P…"
"Maggie?" PJ said coming out of his office. The main office was empty.
"Yeah."
"Where are the twins?" he asked.
"At home."
"Home, you here. With who Maggs?"
"Heather Michaels…. "
"I forgot about that. I was going to take you out…. "
"I think it's a sweet idea, thanks."
"Sorry we didn't get to do it, maybe another night."
"Yeah, so, where are you up too with this case?"
"Telstra report came, I'm about to check the numbers."
"Need any help?"
"Are you sure?" PJ asked, "How about Mark and Claire?"
"Heather's there. I'll help for about an hour and try to get some leads with you. Besides I miss the work."



"Heather" Maggie said opening the door of her house.
"Maggie?"
"Yeah, thanks for staying."
"No problem" Heather replied, "I did nothing. They didn't wake up."
"Thanks" she smiled, "How much do I owe you?"
"We can fix it up next time, I was only here for a few hours anyway."
"If your sure."

At 3 am Maggie woke up to the sound of her children crying. She moved her hand and placed it where PJ was meant to be lying. "He must be still at
the station," she thought allowed, "Mummy's coming" she called.

After a half an hour of trying to settle both children she did not succeed. Normally, when both Claire and Mark were crying PJ was there to help. She
placed them back in their cots for a few minutes and went to call PJ.

PJ was sitting in his chair asleep when the phone rang.

"Mt. Thomas Police Station" he said sleepily, "Detective Hasham speaking."
"PJ" Maggie said, "You fell asleep?"
"Sorry Maggs."
"Okay, are you coming home?" she said, "The twins won't quit crying."
"5 minutes" he said into the phone, "Sorry."



"I'm so sorry," PJ said coming into the house and into the twins room where they were still crying.
"Can you take Claire?" she asked. Maggie was tired, and you could see it. "Come here baby" PJ said quietly picking up the little girl who
immediately stopped crying.
"How do you do that?" Maggie asked, "You always have THAT effect."
"How's Mark?" he asked. Mark had stopped crying as soon as Claire stopped.
"Copying his sister" Maggie laughed.
"Sorry I stayed at work" PJ said, "But all I could think about was what if it was our Mark, or Claire."
"But it wasn't."
"But IF it was all I would want is for them to be returned to us and I want to do everything in my power to do that as soon as possible for Elaine."
"But you can't do any of that through the night."
"I know" PJ said walking over to Maggie still holding the baby, "I'm sorry" and he kissed her forehead.



"PJ" Sarah said coming into his office after knocking, "Call for you from Heidelberg Police in Melbourne." 
"Thanks Sarah" he said before she left the room, "Hello … yeah. If you could … Main Road Inn … Yeah, room 14. We think Mark's father is there
with him … thanks … radio or call with the result."



"Hello. Mt. Thomas Police Station Constable Wing Speaking."
"Hi. Is PJ there?" Maggie asked, trying to figure out who she was speaking too.
"May I asked who's calling?"
"Maggie."
"I'll just see if he's free."
"PJ" she called, " A Maggie's on the phone?"
"Thanks Sarah - send the call into my office" he shouted from he's office.
"Okay" she said, "Just passing you through."

"Hey PJ" Maggie said, "Who's Wing?"
"Oh, Sarah" PJ said, "With all what's going on I forgot to tell you. A new officer arrived yesterday."
"New officer?" Maggie asked.
"As much as a shock to all of us, as to you."
"Okay. Any new leads on that case?"
"Yep" he said happily, "Thanks to your help last night I think the kid's father is hiding out in a Motel in Melbourne" "Sending the boys from down
there to check him out?"
"Yeah, the Heidelberg boys should be on they're way now."
"Hope the little boy's there. I'd hate to be he's mother."
"Yeah. What are you doing for lunch?"
"Eating here I guess."
"I mind come by."



"Thanks" PJ said before hanging up.
"What's the result?" Dash asked.
"They've found him. Social Services are bringing Mark back here now."
"Good Work" Tom said, "Now Lunches, Dash, Adam."
"How about Nick?" Adam complained.
"I'm going out on Patrol" Nick said, and left.
"Okay then" Adam said.
"We'll be back soon" Dash said and left with Adam and Tom went back into his office.
"I guess that leaves the two of us," Sarah said.
"Guess so" PJ said.
"Listen' Sarah began, "I was wondering what you were doing tonight?"
"Look" PJ said, "I’m kind of in…" he started as Maggie walked in holding both the twins.
"PJ" she said, "Can I get some help?"
"Maggs" he said, "Here."

PJ went and took Mark and gave Maggie a quick kiss.

"Was he there?" Maggie asked.
"Yep" PJ replied, "Maggie, I'd like you to met Sarah. Sarah this is my girlfriend Maggie and my son, Mark, and daughter Claire."
"Oh" she said, "Hi."

Seeing Maggie Tom came out of his office. 

"Maggie" he said, "How are you?"
"Good."
"Have you met Sarah?"
"Yeah Boss" Sarah said, "Just before."
"Right-o" Tom said, "Can I hold Claire?"
"Sure" Maggie said and handed her over to Tom.
"Hello there" Tom said, changing his tone of voice, "How are you today…"
"PJ?" Maggie called, he had gone back into his office without her knowing. 
"In here Maggs!"

Maggie went into the C.I office and found PJ writing some notes down while Mark sat on his lap, resting his head against PJ's stomach. Like normal
Mark was very quite. Maggie was convinced that he took after her, while Claire took after her grumpy dad.

"I wish I had a camera," Maggie said.
"Why?"
"That looks so sweet. He's just resting against you."
"You like that?" PJ said looking down at Mark, "You do."
"What are we doing tonight?" Maggie asked.
"Imperial?" PJ questioned.
"Sure."
"I'll call Heather."
"No you won't" Maggie said, "What your last case has shown me is that our kids are everything to us, and we're not leaving them with a baby sitter
we hardly know."
"If you want."
"But there's always the Boss, Adam and Dash, or Nick if there's one of those nights."
"If you say so … " PJ laughed.

Dash and Adam arrived back to the station with the lunches laughing. Sarah was sitting at the desk at the time. Dash, seeing Tom in his office with
Claire went in to see her, while Adam placed the box down on the front counter and threw Sarah her lunch.

"Here you are" Adam said, "What's the matter, you look upset."
"What are you doing tonight Adam?" she asked.
"Going out with Dash I guess."
"You too together?"
"I'd say that."
"Okay."



The End - till next time