I'm really getting into the fall spirit - and after last night's episode, I'm on a bit of Gilladec high. So I decided to write something a little fun today, and what could be more fun than the idea of Adam Karadec forced to spend a day at the pumpkin patch?
Fandom: High Potential (TV Series - US) Pairing: Morgan Gillory x Adam Karadec Characters: Ava Sinquerra, Elliot & Chloe Radovic Rating: Teen Words: ~1,700
Summary: When Karadec passes by Morgan's house in the morning, all of their days take quite an unexpected turn. The question is - will they survive?
A/N: I totally stole the name from the Peanuts, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" I imagine Karadec had that Charlie Brown energy as a kid, so it worked! I only did a quick edit, so please forgive any errors. 🎃
Fictober Prompt 5: "But you promised!"
“MOM! Where’s my flannel?” Ava’s voice called from her room, followed by the sound of slamming drawers.
It was a typical Saturday morning – and that meant utter and complete chaos.
“This is LA, Ava! LA doesn’t care if it’s October - it’s going to be eighty-four degrees. You do not need a flannel!” Morgan shouted, juggling her travel mug and a diaper bag that seemed to have doubled in size overnight.
“It’s for the photos!” Ava was indignant. “For a fall aesthetic, Mom. You wouldn’t understand!”
Morgan rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder she could still see. “Oh, I understand perfectly. I'm just going to feel pretty stupid explaining to the ER nurse that my teenage daughter got heatstroke for the sake of her Instagram grid.”
Before she could continue, a shriek of laughter that sounded like no good came from the living room. “Elliot! Please watch Chloe - she’s trying to feed the dog crayons!”
Elliot froze mid-crayon handoff. “In fairness, he looks hungry, Mom. Chole is just problem solving.”
“Yeah, well, who is going to solve my empty wallet problem after the vet bill?” Morgan muttered, intercepting the dog before he could swallow a cerulian blue.
She mussed Elliot’s hair. “Unfortunately, they don’t accept smiles from cute little kids as payment these days.”
Morgan knelt on the floor and put Chloe into her car seat, while the dog nudged the box of crayons nearby. The baby was far too delighted with this.
“Oh, don’t act so proud of yourself,” Morgan said, strapping her in. “You’re an accessory to attempted canine poisoning.” But that only made Chloe squeal louder. “Yeah, yeah, you won’t be so happy when I have to press charges!”
They were just about ready to go when Morgan realized she had no idea where she’d left her keys — she rifled through her purse, the diaper bag, the couch cushions. She looked in the freezer, because – why not? Weirder things had happened - when a knock came at the door.
To her surprise, Adam Karadec was standing there – neatly dressed, perfectly coiffed - looking infuriatingly calm and composed amid her domestic hurricane. And dangling in his hand? Her keychain.
“Morning,” he nodded. “You left these in my car after I dropped you off last night. I thought you might need them.”
Morgan’s shoulders dropped as she let out a sigh of relief. “Oh my God! Thank you! But wait—how did I get in the house last night if you had these?”
Ava’s voice floated into the room. “You came in with me. I was taking out the trash -remember?”
Morgan frowned. “Right. That’s me! IQ of 160, a photographic memory, but apparently no recollection of walking in my front door.”
Adam’s mouth twitched.
“Anyway,” she said, shaking off the thought. “You're a lifesaver. Can I get you a cup of coffee to thank you? I’m making another pot — but warning – it’s industrial strength.”
He hesitated before stepping inside. “Sure, I’ll take my chances.”
Five minutes later, he was leaning against the kitchen counter, coffee mug in hand. He was the picture of serenity as mayhem unfolded around him...
Ava FaceTiming a friend about her outfit. “It’s a farm, Ava, not Milan,” Morgan hollered.
Chloe was throwing cheese puffs at the dog, who was far more pleased than he had been with the crayons.
And Elliot – who had taken it upon himself to explain the entire process of pumpkin farming - “…and if the soil pH is too low, the vines can’t absorb nitrogen efficiently, which is why farmers rotate their crops every two years. It’s basic plant biochemistry.” Adam nodded, doing his best to pretend that he understood half of what he just heard. “Good to know,” he smiled, glancing toward Morgan – he knew exactly where this came from.
He took it all in with the same nonchalant, observant stance he’d use on a stakeout - grateful those skills were coming in handy. “You know,” he mumbled under his breath. “I’m really going to appreciate my quiet, spotless apartment today.”
Morgan glanced at him. “What was that?”
“Nothing,” he said, not sure if she was amused or irritated. “So this is what your days off look like?”
“Mock all you want, Karadec,” she teased. “But someone has to keep the world populated — and since it’s clearly not going to be you, I’m just doing my part.”
He smiled, a rare, genuine smile that settled in his eyes. “It’s chaotic, but… you’re doing a good thing - giving them a solid sense of fall spirit.”
Morgan’s eyes narrowed inquisitively. “Are you trying to say something nice to me, Detective?”
He held up a hand. “Just an observation,” he said. “You’re a good mom, Morgan.”
She faltered - was she rendered speechless? She was thinking of something witty to say when her phone buzzed and Ludo’s name appeared. Saved by the bell!
“I... I’ve got to get this.”
She began pacing the floor with the phone pressed to her ear. “Oh no!” She said, face falling. “You’re kidding. Please tell me you’re kidding.... No, no, it’s fine. Do you need me to bring you anything? I can stop by. OK. Feel better.”
She hung up and blew out a breath. “That was Ludo. He’s sick. I guess the pumpkin patch will have to wait for another day."
Ava appeared in the doorway, defiantly dressed in her flannel best. “What? Why?”
“Because,” Morgan said dryly, “once your boyfriend gets here, you’ll forget any of us exist, and I’m not about to brave that much nature and chaos with Elliot and Chloe alone. I’ve got two arms, one brain, and exactly zero death wishes.”
Ava frowned. “Well... your partner just said he had the day free.” Ava turned to Karadec. "Why don't you come?" She was all smiles and puppy eyes; the “Pleeeeeease...” was fully implied.
Adam nearly choked on his coffee. “I— I didn’t say that.”
Morgan smirked. “Relax, Detective Lysol! Ava - Even if he wanted to come along - Karadec isn’t exactly built for this kind of mission. Too many kids, too many germs — I’m pretty sure he’d have to go into detox for 3 weeks after – and honestly – I need him on the job.”
Elliot’s lip began to tremble. “Mom! But you promised!”
Karadec looked from the kids to Morgan, silently weighing something in his mind. “I’ll probably live to regret this,” he mumbled. “But, if I can handle crime scenes, I think I can handle—what’s this place called?”
“Tanaka Farms,” Morgan said cautiously.
“Right. If I can handle a triple homicide, I can handle Tanaka Farms.”
Morgan blinked. “You’re serious? They’re very different dynamics, you know.”
He set his mug down and took the keys out of her hand. “I can’t let the kids down.” He shrugged, his voice softening. “Can’t let you down either. But one thing — I’m driving.”
“Why are you driving?” she asked, semi-offended.
“Because I’ve seen how you take corners.”
“Hey!” Morgan yelled, crossing her arms defensively. “I drive perfectly fine! I was married to a driving instructor, you know!”
“Annnd... you’re divorced now. Tell me,” Karadec turned to her with amusement. “If I ask Ludo, would he say your driving contributed to the split?”
“Very funny!” She smirked, throwing the diaper bag into Karadec’s arms. “Fine. You drive then - but you’re taking this, too!”
Fifteen minutes later, they were on the road. Adam at the wheel, Morgan riding shotgun, and four kids with a duffel bag full of snacks in the back.
“OK, who picked this playlist?” Adam grumbled when a far-too-peppy pop song blared from the speakers.
“I did!” Ava chirped from the third-row seat beside her boyfriend. “You don’t love Sabrina Carpenter, Detective?”
“Who?” Karadec winced.
Elliot pointed at Chloe, who was clapping and squealing to the beat. “Chloe likes it! See?”
Adam adjusted his sunglasses, giving Morgan a side look. “I studied this at the academy. This is psychological warfare.”
Morgan grinned mischievously. “Welcome to parenting. Trust me, the LAPD’s got nothing on this.”
A few seconds later, something squishy hit Karadec in the temple as he drove - the look of horror that fell on his face as the slimy substance dribbled down his cheek could not be described.
“Did someone just throw applesauce at me?”
Morgan tried — and failed — not to laugh.
“It’s not too late to bail, Karadec.” She said before reaching over and cleaning off the side of his face with a Kleenex. "We're only fifteen minutes from home."
Her fingertips tenderly grazed his skin as she wiped away the offensive substance, lingering for just a beat too long, and the air became heavy.
Karadec swore the car went still. Everything – the kids, the music – all dissolved into a warm, ambient haze that he couldn’t explain, much less understand. As he tried to will himself back to the present, there was only one question on his mind – was it just him? Or - by some chance - did she feel it too?
He didn't know, but next to him, Morgan was wrestling with the very same question. Sensing the tension, she pulled her hand back, and Karadec cleared his throat, though nothing could stop the tender smile on his lips.
“If I had half a brain," he said quietly, so only Morgan could hear. "I’d run. But clearly, I’m more deficient in the brain department than I realized.”
Morgan’s mouth curved as she looked out the window. “Oh, your brain’s just fine, old man — most of the time, anyway. I mean – it’s not as good as mine, but...”
“Morgan...” he deadpanned.
She turned to him with a knowing smile. “We can talk about your brain another time – honestly, I have some pointers for you. But your heart?" She paused. "Your heart’s a lot bigger than you let on. I know that now.”
“Well, let’s keep that between us,” he grinned, eyes on the road. “I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Then you’d better bribe Ava not to post any pictures of you today,” Morgan said, unbuckling her seatbelt as they pulled into Tanaka Farm’s parking lot. She reached into her bag and held up a garish orange knit cap shaped like a pumpkin. “Because the minute the world sees you wearing this at Tanaka Farm, that carefully curated tough-guy rep of yours? Gone. Right out the window.”
Karadec was genuinely horrified. “No. I have to draw a line somewhere,” he insisted. “I’m not wearing a pumpkin hat.”
Morgan lifted Chloe out of her car seat, hoisting her onto her hip. “We’ll see,” she winked.
“Morgan…”
But Morgan only grinned over her shoulder as the kids tumbled out of the SUV, their laughter echoing through the lot. “Come on, partner. Let’s go make some fall memories.” 🍂
(To write the day at the pumpkin farm, or not to write the day at the pumpkin farm? That is the question. Lol)
I did! Part 2 - the day at the pumpkin farm - can be found here.
@fictober-event