Title: Rarity
author: Cindy Ryan
category: future fic

June, 2018

Former NCIS agent Chris LaSalle hummed softly as he laid his six month old daughter Nicole in her crib for the night. He leaned on the railing and watched her as big brown eyes focused on him and smiled. If you had told him three years ago he'd be out of NCIS and back with the sheriff's department, happily married and with an infant daughter...Chris shook his head in amazement at how fate and life changed fast. The day Meredith Brody walked into his was the start of some of the happiest years of Chris's life.

"Time to sleep, princess."Chris whispered tenderly as he reached in and brushed a lock of brown hair away from the baby's forehead.

Convincing Meredith to break her rule about not dating coworkers had taken almost a year. Lethal combination of flirting, banter and southern charm eventually led Meredith to believe Chris was serious in pursuing a relationship. Serious about a commitment. It'd taken a few close calls on the job for Chris to start reevaluating his priorities. Family and fatherhood had always been on the someday list. Watching Pride's marriage crumble hadn't helped...if Dwayne Pride couldn't make it work how could he? A few stumbling blocks later he and Meredith were figuring things out as they went.

Nicole reached out a tiny hand and grabbed Chris's right fore finger. He laughed.

"Not tired, are you?"Chris asked.

With his work schedule it was a rare thing that Chris was home to put his daughter to bed. Most nights it was late when he stopped by the nursery and watched her sleep. She amazed him every day. Chris never thought he could love this much. One of the reasons he'd left NCIS. As much as that job meant to him the more serious he and Meredith got the more he knew he couldn't be her partner. It killed him every time she was in danger even though he knew she could take care of herself. Knowing that one mistake on his part could give a killer an opening to take the most precious thing away from Chris had led to long talks with Meredith. She had the same fears knowing that somebody could use him as a hostage to get to her or worse. They had both known the risks with law enforcement careers but being able to eliminate some of those risks and heartache and made them stronger and happier as a couple.

"Can't get her to sleep?"Meredith asked from the doorway causing Chris to turn.

"She's avoiding my charms."Chris replied with a grin as Meredith joined him.

"Don't think that's possible. She's had you wrapped around her finger since day one."Meredith stated with a smile.

"That is true."Chris commented as he looked back at Nicole who's eyes had now drifted shut.

"What were you thinking about? You looked miles away."Meredith inquired.

Chris gently disentangled his finger from his baby daughter's hand before he straightened and took his wife in his arms. He lighltly caressed Meredith's right cheek before slipping his hands around her waist.

"Us and how lucky we are."Chris replied as he kissed her.

Meredith smiled as they broke apart. She rested her head on his chest as they watched their sleeping daughter.

"Some days I still can't believe this is our life. "Meredith stated softly. "Never in a million years would I have picdtured this as my future when I first got to New Orleans."

"Hey,"Chris said in mock protest. "I wasn't that bad a catch."

"No but you broke my golden rule."Meredith responded with a laugh.

"Worked out for the best didn't it?"Chris replied.

"Yes it did."Meredith acknowledged. "I love you."

"Love you too."Chris stated tenderly.

Chris knew how rare and precious this moment was. He intended to enjoy It and the many more that were to come. Life had a way of reminding you of what was important and showing you a way to achieve that. Chris was grateful things had worked out the way they did. He couldn't picture his life any other way and really didn't want to.