Hi there, if you read Practising Biology consider this a collection of non linear one shots that align with that AU Abbie and Crane.

xxx

Staring at this shelf was proving to be one of the daunting moments of her life. Abbie never thought, that the third aisle of the Target pharmacy would make such a difference to her. She exhaled again, drawing more stares from the people who had been studying pads and tampons the entire time she stood there. They were probably wondering how much longer she be there, occupying the aisle in an oversized Oxford sweatshirt and leggings , staring glumly at the happily coloured boxes in front of her.

She took in a deep breath and pulled down the pregnancy test that looked the familiar. She offered a small smile to the woman as she passed, making her way to the desk to pay.

"Ichabod Crane," Abbie told the lady and she bustled back to pick up the prescription for Ichabod's allergies. At first she thought she'd passed on her sickness to him. Then, she realised that everything she had been feeling was definitely something different. The woman smiled at Abbie when she passed her the box.

"Congratulations," she said. "To you and your husband. If it's positive." Abbie's mouth curled lightly.

"Thank you," Abbie said softly, staring as the bright green price lit up.

"Did you attend Oxford?" The woman inquired to make small conversation.

"Did I attend..."Abbie mumbled finding the question odd before looking down at her sweatshirt, "Oh no, my husband did. I went to Stonybrook. However, I like stealing his college shirts."

"I completely understand. I do the same with my own husband. Their's just happen to be bit more comfy," The pharmacist smiled again, before passing her the receipt and bag. She gave a small wave to her and made her way through the store, running back out to the car to keep the cold wind from her legs.

It was the anniversary of their first date. In the beginning of their relationship, Crane loved to celebrate anniversaries and other milestones while Abbie thought it was silly. After a few years together, she began to warm put to the idea. She found it endearing he cared so much about what she considered the little things. It also didn't hurt that their anniversary usually fell on Sweetest Day. When she first mentioned to him nearly 10 years ago, Crane was left scratching his head and wondering if Abbie had made up the holiday. She explained to him is was small,concentrated American holiday, originating from the mid-West that was celebrated on the third Saturday of October. When Crane pointed out she lived nowhere near the Midwest she shared it was celebrated it in her household due to her father growing up in Detroit.

Crane likened it to a scaled down Valentine's Day in the fall. He found it more thoughtful and romantic as autumn leaves were nice than winter snow. So it became a way for the couple to carry on one of Abbie's childhood traditions and to celebrate the beginning of their relationship without much did.

She had purchased Ichabod's gift weeks ago, and today while he was at work it had come in. Something extremely special from her to him. Abbie rubbed her bare calf as she pulled into the grocery store, and quickly made her way through, filling up the cart easily and quickly. Crane generally handled the groceries, but Abbie volunteered since she knew she'd have the day off.

Once home with all items but one out away, the internal taunting began. The lone Target bag was teasing her, enticing her, begging her to open it and take out the pregnancy test, but she couldn't. Not yet. Instead, she started on supper. She had already changed into her lounge clothing which consisted of a grey tank top and black yoga pants. Ichabod would be home from work in an hour and hoped to have things completed by then.

It was after everything was placed into the oven, ready to cook that she found herself with idle time on her hands. There was the bag again, sitting on the counter, calling out to her. Abbie stood there silently, Jackson gurgling somewhere in the distance, with her leg shaking. Decided to bite the bullet, Abbie threw the bag into the cabinet but kept the pregnancy test in hand.

Once she left the master bathroom, Jackson was sitting at the door, looking at me happily as if he knew this trip to the bathroom was one of the most important in her life.

"Hey you," she mumbled, kneeling down and rubbing his coat. He immediately flopped on his back and Abbie curled her fingers through his fur and stroked his belly. "I guess this means you're not the baby of the family anymore."

Speaking those words was when she realized Ichabod's child inside me. This man, who she loved more than anything in the entire planet, who she got so ecstatic over seeing each day, who excited her, just from the thought of him. She loved him so much, and this was their baby she was having. This was a combination, a little tiny person that has created.

Abbie began to feel a tiny surge of elation, and she knew exactly the gift she wanted to give him. She left the pregnancy test, with two little pink lines on the bathroom counter. She boiled the kettle and made a mug of black chai spice tea, picking up a knife and an apple as she folded herself into Ichabod's favourite arm chair.

She turned on the television to a marathon of Criminal Minds, and to her delight it had just started. While it was not something she would admit to her colleagues, Abbie enjoyed the dramatised depiction of her job. She pulled the afghan that always managed to smell like Crane off the back of the chair, wrapping it around the dog and herself. Jackson remained curled next to her while she munched on her snack. Roughly 30 minutes into the show, Abbie heard the garage, altering her that Ichabod was home.

"Lieutenant!" Ichabod's deep voice bellowed as he often did on her off days.

"What," was her response.

"I love you!" He pressed a kiss to her keep, before jogging past her, to their bedroom.

"I love you more!" She yelled and Ichabod chuckled.

"Not possible,dear. I love you immensely " That made her burst into a fit of decided to get up from her seat and wander into the master herself.

"What activities did you have on your agenda today?" Ichabod asked through the door.

"Not a lot. I am currently eating a Fijian Apple..."

"Did you get it from Fiji? That would have been quite a journey for a singular apple. " he asked teasingly.

"Of course!" She answered with sarcasm and Crane laughed. "I also made tea, your favourite."

"I would thank you for your thoughtfulness if that statement had not been made in jest !" he chuckled. "I have to use the lavatory. I'll be right out, and you can tell me more about this tea you've brewed."

Abbie immediately had a worried grin across her face.. She leaned against the wall next to the door.

"I left some of my things on the counter," she told him. "You can just throw them out, I don't need them anymore." It was quiet for a moment, so she pushed the door open and looked inside. Ichabod was holding the test, his eyes wide and jaw wide open. Abbie smiled, he looked so cute. Slowly he looked up at her as if looking for confirmation. She bit he lip waiting for his reaction.

His lips curled into a silly grin. " Truly?!" He asked goofily. She smiled and nodded, leaning against the frame. Crane placed the test in the garbage bin and crouched down to the cabinet, pulling out the box of condoms and began furiously reading the back. "But how did this happen?!" he exclaimed. "There's meant to be 97% accuracy." There had been a recent time the couple had returned condoms as Abbie was evaluating different birth control methods available to her.

"It appears we are the the 3% then." Abbie smirked. His eyes shot up to her and he threw the box back into the cabinet, standing up quickly and leaning down, kissing her deeply.

"Happy Anniversary," Abbie murmured against his lips. Ichabod smiled brightly, completely lighting up his eyes before he pulled her against him and kissed her roughly, taking in deep, shaky breaths.

"We're having a baby!" he said quietly, almost as if he was in disbelief. Abbie grinned and giggled before jumping up into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. "This certainly surpasses the gift I purchased for you," he said with a frown.

"Good," Abbie responded in jest. " I still have one more present from you though!" Ichabod's face paled as she foot upright again. She grinned at him and kissed his soft lips, clutching his hand and leading him to the his study.

"Dear heavens..." he mumbled, before slapping his hand over his mouth. "Abbie!" he exclaimed.

"How...whe...when did you buy this?!" He stumbled out giddily, like a small child as he strode over to his desk and let his fingers brush the hat lightly. On his sat desk an 18th Century, beaver fur, tricorne hat. Ichabod had been hoping to acquire an authentic one for quite some time,but had not had much luck in securing one that met his standards. His friend Caroline had helped her find one on auction that they both felt would suit Crane's reenactment wardrobe.

"I think you continue to forget, dear, that we are both very well-to-do people. This was quite the expense, but it was nothing, really, in comparison to how much I love you."

Crane looked at Abbie over his shoulder, grinning madly. He held out his hand and sat her down next to him before placing the hat atop of her head. She leaned on his shoulder ,and he took her by surprise as he wrapped his arms tightly around her and left a trail of kisses up her neck and cheeks before reaching her lips.

"I am beyond elated that you are with child ," he whispered and Abbie grinned, pressing her lips against his.

"Just do me a favour and don't gain any sympathy weight. That would piss me off more faster than my inability to fit my clothes." Ichabod chuckled and kissed her again, before she decided to be silly. "So where's my gift?" Abbie asked excitedly. He sighed and furrowed his brow, clearly thinking his gift inadequate now.

"Well," he said with a heavy sigh, reaching into his pocket. "I purchased your gift last week. Unfortunately it will not arrive until Monday." He held out a piece of paper that Abbie took skeptically. Unfolded, Abbie's eyes grew large as they book in the printed picture.

"By no means does it compare to what you have gifted me with today, but I do this token of my affection pleases you," he murmured. It was an original, unopened Whitney Houston doll. Abbie had once told him she regretted boxing her doll as a child, because she couldn't add it to her collectibles. Since that conversation he'd sought to find her what her heart desires.

"Ichabod, you remember," she smiled at him and he gave her a soft chuckle. She had mentioned this doll to him before they were even married.

"One of the many benefits I possess by having an eiditic memory, " he teased. Abbie grinned and laughed her before nodding and kissing him once again.

"I'm very pleased. One day I'll be able to share the joy of this doll with our child."

Ichabod carried Abbie into the living room and kissed her again while he stroked her stomach. His graceful fingers spelt the word "treasure" across her abdomen. Abbie pulled away from him and stood up. Crane looked up at her without having to ask, "We still have to eat. The food is staying warm in the oven."

The pair made their way to the kitchen with Jefferson on their heels. Crane insisted his wife sit in his lap while they dined. He told her about a student who had come to office hours and the remainder of his day. Before too long, their meal was complete and they were dancing around the kitchen, exchanging kisses all the while whipping up the dessert. Soon the timer on the oven went off.

"Could you pass me the oven mitts, Mr. Mills?" Abbie asked, wiping crumbs from her hands on her purple flowered apron.

Ichabod grinned and pushed them onto her, his fingers running over her ring as he kissed her sweetly.

"Anything for you, Mrs. Crane. Happy Anniversary and Happy Sweetest Day."

"Happy Sweetest Day to you too. I can't wait to be a parent with you!"