I know this may not get much attention. But wanted to take a shot at it anyway. One-shot, following the events of his extended leave, (which I've altered to about 9 months). Mathias returns, pregnant with Gwen's child. I should also note I've omitted him having a wife and second daughter. Please enjoy!
Mathias gives a heavy sigh. He knew returning to the station after such an extended leave would rattle his colleagues. But it was better both physically, and mentally, that he get back to work. The final straw was discovering the woman he'd fallen for and slept with, had been brutally slain and placed in a cast iron tub.
He wasn't in a good place. Carrying the 3 year guilt of his daughter's drowning. Living out of a cramped caravan within the vast, hilly Welsh terrain. There was one thing, however, that kept him going. The gift Gwen gave to him, a daughter, due possibly any day now. He feels her move about and smiles.
"Best we get back to work then, little one"
He arrives at the station. A touch slower than usual, of course, and settles into the chair at his desk to get to work reading up on their current case files. Young DC, Loyd Ellis, enters the room with his head down, scanning various crime scene photos. He looks up momentarily to see Mathias and stops in his tracks. Quite speechless to see the DCI back at all.
"Sir, I didn't think you were coming back"
Lloyd stated. His tone reflective of the shocked expression on his face. Tom smiles weakly and gets to his feet. Now it seemed the poor young man had reached his quota as far as surprises were considered. His eyes widened.
"You're..pregnant, sir?"
His words came tumbling out as though he regretted even saying them in the first place. Mathias nods his head and gathers the files from off the desk. Surely Prosser wouldn't be approving of him doing field work in his condition. Neither would Mared and Sian for that matter. Lloyd pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose and clears his throat briefly speaking once more.
"Best of luck to you, sir. You'll do great"
The young man smiles before departing down the hall. The DCI wished that was all he had to deal with concerning his return. There was also the matter of Iwan Thomas, Gwen's jilted husband. Hell-bent on settling the score with Mathias. His eyes travel over towards the doorway, shortly after, to see Mared standing there. Arms crossed.
"We were worried sick about you, Tom. (He noticed as her focus shifted from his face to his midsection). And you're pregnant, I see. Who's the mother?"
He was almost appalled she'd ask such a thing. It was a private matter.
"I don't think that's any of your business"
Tom countered. Tone almost a growl. She just continued standing there for several more seconds before also departing down the hall. She was a good Investigator, however, she oftentimes allowed her obsession to dig into personal matters to overshadow things. He sighed and scanned the photos displayed before him.
"Tom, a word.."
Prosser's order from the hall causing his heart to nearly skip a beat. He taps the stack of papers against the table and lays it down before following suit. They convene in his office. Prosser shutting the door behind them before settling in at his own desk. Observing Mathias, up and down, like some sort of criminal.
"It's been brought to my attention..that you're carrying Gwen Thomas' child. Is that correct?"
He didn't even want to answer, but felt as if he had no choice. He exhales sharply.
"It is, sir. But quite frankly I don't see how this' anyone's concern"
The Chief Super's expression had now taken on one of a vexed appearance. No one dare argue him.
"It is when a case involves personal conflict, Tom. Best course of action is to relinquish the child to a foster facility follow.."
"SO, THIS' WHY I'VE BEEN CALLED BACK! TO BE SCRUTINIZED?! I AM NOT THROWING MY DAUGHTER INTO THE SYSTEM TO ROT!"
Mathias' trenchant voice boomed. Cutting Prosser off. He hadn't even had time to react before Tom stormed out of the office. Catching Sian's attention in the process. The young woman attempting to match his stride. Oddly enough, it seemed anger fueled his pace.
"Sir, everything alright?"
She calls out. Despite everything, her tone was unusually calm. He waves her off, throwing on his carob-colored jacket and making his way out the doors. He wasn't even concerned if there were any new cases or not at that moment.
He eases the black Volvo up the small incline, towards his caravan. Devastated by what lay before him. A burning inferno of what used to be his home.
"NO!"
He shouted. Leaping from the driver's seat. Feeling the heat on his face as he approached. His heart shattering into a million tiny shards. Tom attempted to retrieve the treasured photo of his daughter but this was futile. He could only watch, hollow, as his home would soon be reduced to a charred metal frame.
Suddenly, he felt a wave of pain wash over his abdomen. His daughter's movements more intense. These weren't Braxton Hicks, this was actual labor. He let's out a hiss of distress and grips his stomach. Taking short, swift breaths in hopes to wane his discomfort. Carefully making his way back towards the car, gingerly easing himself into the driver's seat. He grits his teeth as another contraction tore through.
There was no chance in Hell of him getting to a hospital in time. Through his labored breathing and closer contractions, he attempts to phone Mared for help. It rang twice before he heard a voice on the other line.
"Tom, everything alright?"
She asked. Her tone sounding genuinely concerned. His strained panting continued and before he'd even had a chance to respond, his water broke. His anxiety now tripling.
"The baby...she's comin' "
He managed to choke out.
"Sit tight, I'm on my way!"
One thing to be said about Mared that separated her from the rest. Was her incredible gift of keen sense and hunch. He didn't even have to tell her where he was, she knew. He sets his cell on the dash, gritting his teeth through another contraction. Feeling beads of sweat drip down his forehead, stinging his eyes.
A good 10 minutes had passed before his weary sight could behold his saving grace. A set of headlights beaming through his windshield. She appeared panicked, exiting swiftly from the vehicle. Her eyes darting from him to the smoldering RV. She rushes to the driver's side, a couple towels tucked underneath her arm.
"You're here"
He said with a battered smile. Finally feeling some sense of relief and security.
"What happened to the caravan?"
She inquires rather abruptly, simultaneously positioning his arm over her shoulder to help him to the back of the car.
"Iwan"
Came a pained response. Mared shakes her head, muttering "should've known" under her breath. He is helped into the back seat. In what was possibly the worst pain imaginable. She tosses him a towel.
"Keep yourself covered, but make sure your pants are removed so there's nothing blocking her, okay?"
She orders. Working as swiftly as one could in his condition. Mathias strips his jeans, whilst keeping his waist and everything below it concealed with the aid of the white cotton towel. Within that short window of time he could already feel her progressing further down. He shuts his eyes and let's out a weakened cry of pain.
"Shit, this hurts"
He groans, feeling the fatigue take hold in a vice-grip. Mared caresses his sweat-dampened forehead.
"I know, I know. But you're doing great. She's almost here"
She replies. Still trying to keep her tone calm and overall mood, encouraging. Suddenly the poor, exhausted man let's out yet another cry of pain.
"She's crowning, Tom!"
Mared grinned. It wouldn't be long now.
"Just a few more pushes"
She stated once again. Never losing that reassuring semblance. It took what little strength remained to push his daughter the rest of the way out. A solid half hour passed since her crowning. He gives one, last effort. This time, it finally paying off.
"She's here!"
Mared announces. Her tone sounding as though she were on the brink of tears. His head falls back into the seat in exhaustion. The infant's cries filled the air surrounding them. The DI makes haste of severing the umbilical cord with a sterilized pocketknife and swaddling his daughter in the second towel.
"Tom, she's absolutely beautiful"
Mared beams, carefully placing the little girl in her weary father's arms. He couldn't help but smile like a fool upon seeing her. Fair, strawberry blonde hair. Opening her eyes to reveal a breathtaking hazel. She starts fussing and contorts her face.
"Shhh, it's okay, sweetheart. Daddy's here"
He spoke, as softly as he knew how. Caressing the side of her tiny face.
"Congrats, Tom. Looks just like her daddy"
Smiles Mared. He gives a small smile in return. She then turns her attention, once more, back to the caravan. To see it withering away to nothing more than red-hot embers. She turns back to the duo, expression never fading.
"Does she have a name?"
The DI inquired, still keeping her tone light. Mathias peers down lovingly upon his baby girl. Never wanting this moment to end. He clears his throat a bit before responding.
"Carys..."
"Welsh for "the beloved" "
Mared beamed. Mathias nods his head lightly at her observation.
"Carys Rose Mathias"
~End~