Hello Mama-Bear

“What do you mean the police didn’t show up yet?” Jon demanded.

“I mean they ain’t here yet.” Matt said pissed himself.

“Unbelievable! We just did a two and a half hour show and they still ain’t here?” Richie asked in disbelieve.

“Nope! But Isabella is awake.” Matt told them.

“Really?” Tico’s face lit up. “Come on hijo; let’s check on the little girl.

“Yes, Daddy.” Hector was excited as well that Isabella was awake again and dragged his father down the long corridor. “Hurry daddy!”

The other men laughed. It seemed Isabella charmed another Torres man.

When they were all showered and back in the dressing room, finally two police officers showed up and had to deal with a very mad Jon.

“Well, that’s just great. Her parents are probably worried sick and you have to take care of the traffic. One thing for sure, I’ll never call you when one of my kids is missing.” He told them with glaring eyes.

“We will take care of it now, sir.” The female officer told him and walked over to Alejandra who was still sitting with Isabella on the couch.

“Hello, sweetheart.” The blond woman said with a smile.

“Uhm, don’t…” Richie tried, but it was too late. Isabella erupted in tears immediately and tried to get away from the police officer. Hector looked at the woman angrily.

“You ain’t suppose to make her cry.” The six year old told her and put his arms protectively around the little girl. Tico smiled and carefully picked Isabella up to calm her down again.

Meanwhile the other band members explained Isabella’s reaction to the puzzled police officers and told them what had happened during the day.

“Well, we will try to find her parents.” The male officer told him. Jon snorted lightly, but a glare from Ali stopped the comment he had on his mind.

“Where will you bring her until you found her parents?” Ali asked while gently wrapping Isabella in the blanket. It was way too cold outside without a jacket.

“Probably in a home. I don’t think there’s any foster family available right now.” The female officer told her and tried to stay out of sight for Isabella at the same time.

“A home? Oh, no! No way! You won’t!” Ali protested shocked and took Isabella back from the officer.

“Uhm, ma’am…”

“No, forget it! She’s a baby for Christ sake! She needs 24/7 attention. You can’t tell me she will get it in an impersonal home!” Ali’s instincts kicked in fully. She wouldn’t let them take her to this place.

“Mi amor.” She looked at her husband in a pleading manner. Tico smiled softly.

“Would you excuse us for a minute?” He told everyone and stepped with his wife and Isabella into the hallway, pulling the door close behind them.

“Uhm, they won’t runaway with her now, right?” the female officer asked concerned. David couldn’t help himself and started laughing-

“You really gotta be kidding! Do you think Tico would leave his beloved son here alone?” David sank down next to Hector on the couch. Rich and Jon chuckled as well. They really had no idea about the bond between Hector and his father.

“My parents love me, you know.” The boy told the police officers with a serious look on his little face.

“They sure do buddy.” David said and gave him a little hug.

Meanwhile Tico and his wife talked quietly in the hallway.

“We can’t let them bring her into this home, Tico!” Ali said resolute. “You wouldn’t want Hector there as well.”

“You are right, mi amor. But we can’t stay in Jersey; we have to go back to Florida in a couple days. I’m not sure the Department of Youth and Family Services will allow us to take her with us.” Her husband told her softly.

“We are a registered foster Family in Florida, we have a domicile, you are famous for Christ sake…what should they expect…us running away with her and our six year old son?” Ali’s temper rose even more. Isabella watched her interested.

“Mi amor…” he tried to wrap his arms around her and calm her, but she stopped him.

“No Hector!” Tico took a step back. When she was calling him by his given name she was mad. “Make it work!”

He gulped. “Si, mi amor!”

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