He’s not going to lie, he’s had a rough couple of nights by not sleeping and getting into yet another bar fight on purpose. His face was a little beaten up and he tried not to acknowledge it as much as possible. When he decided to go to Lorraine’s this morning, Cooper hoped that one of her kids wouldn’t mention it or point it out. He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture or questioning. Being completely sober instead of wasted like he was last night, Cooper really wanted to see Lorraine and talk to her about anything but him and how he was doing and how he was feeling. That’s why her kids were his favorite too, they always put a smile of his face not matter what mood he was in and if he were being honest, the Detective missed them. It was perfect weather out so Cooper didn’t mind waiting a little.
He figured Lorraine was putting dishes away or doing something with the kids, however the food for lunch was getting cold and his arms were getting a little tired. Getting out of his thoughts, the thirty-six year old smiled big as soon as he saw Lorraine’s face “Took yesterday and today off. I needed it.” He answered, the cuts on his face from the previous night were bad and he oh so hoped she didn’t say anything.
Watching and hearing as the kids came running out the door, he smiled big again and then opened his mouth to speak “How are my favorite rugrats doing?” He questioned excitedly “Uncle Coop is here today and we’re going to be having so much fun.” Cooper laughed a little at knowing how cheesy that sounded. Looking at Lorraine he sighed “I went a little overboard with the presents. Please don’t kill me. It’s been a while since Ive done this.” He laughed and then handed Lorraine the bag of food “I bought us lunch too. I’m not sure if you or the kids have eaten yet, so I figured I might as well.” Walking into her home, and into her kitchen he placed the bag full of toys and clothes on the table and relaxed his arms for a few minutes letting out a fake “huff”. “So.. I figured we can go to the park, play some ball with the kids or have a picnic and let them run around like crazy after we eat here?” He questioned, now folding his arms across his chest “How’s my best friend been?”
lorraine liked the days she could spend with the kids, but of course she sometimes craved the adult company of her friends. it was a bit of a long wait between when the older kids were home, so even while lorraine loved spending time with the kids she always noted when someone else would be home. but it was the winding down days of summer so she would take what she could get. as school started that week. by tuesday lorraine would be home alone around this time working and waiting for the kids to get home from school.
she eyed cooper’s face, noticing the scratches as soon as she spotted him. but, lorraine decided not to say anything. she was sure if it was something important, cooper would say it himself. she did, however, look at him. a knowing look. a look that said she noticed. but she kept her mouth shut as the kids excitedly greeted their uncle cooper and backed away from the door so that he could come into the house. “mom did the same! she’s working from home to spend the last summer days with us.” penelope explained with a grin, nodding her head as she turned to look at lorraine.
“oh, don’t ask them, we’ve been watching movies all day. they’re on an adventure kick lately.” lorraine explained, gesturing towards the living room area and the sofa where they’d been sitting. lorraine took the bag from cooper and lifted it up to her face as she poked her head in before turning around and walking off toward the kitchen, “i love that you just knew i didn’t feel like cooking lunch today.” she laughed, putting the bag down onto the counter and calling for the kids to come and help get the plates together. “oh, we could walk to the gazebo from here and sit on the benches there. it would be nice.” lorraine nodded, grabbing a sturdy bag and holding it to penelope to put in some utensils. “i dunno, what do you say, kids? should we eat here or walk over to the park?” she questioned, and got a result of park! from all three of the kids. she directed the kids for a moment to get the stuff together before turning back to cooper. “me? i’m good. work is a bit stressful, but still good. what about you? i feel like i haven’t seen much of you.”