Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Author's Note:
To avoid any confusion and maintain a 'flow' of facts and details, all future 'Adelaide' stories will now be published under this title 'Calamity Jane.' Some chapters will be related, whilst others will be standalone.
In addition to this series, four other stories have already been published with links to the 'Adelaide' universe. For those interested these stories, in story chronological order, are:
- Crimson Casanova, part 2
- Furtive Musings
- Baby Adelaide
- Coincidence
And so without much further ado, on with the story.
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The next time Patrick Jane meets Dr. Sophie Miller is when they bump into each other in a hospital cafeteria three years later.
Sophie was walking between wards when she spots the familiar blonde haired gentleman – hair just a little more unruly than she recalled – seated at a small table to her left. By all appearances, from what she could see walking toward his back, he was having a coffee and reading the paper.
But when she drew closer and stepped in front of him with a 'Patrick!' it was to a vision she never expected to see. Here sat Patrick Jane cradling a child in his arms as said child sucked on a bottle. Patrick's left arm held her in place, and balanced the bottle that his daughter gripped, whilst his other hand manned the coffee.
He'd just put down the hospital-grade coffee when Sophie had appeared in front of him. 'Sophie!'
To say that Sophie was shocked was an understatement! Taking the chair opposite him, she managed to push aside her disbelief long enough to attempt a conversation. Patrick wasn't very forthcoming on any details, but she did manage to discover that the child in front of her, with gorgeous blonde curls atop her head, was indeed Patrick's daughter – Adelaide Jane – but discovered very little else about Patrick, what he was doing these days, or even why he was at the hospital in the first place.
Further attempts at retrieving more information from him were interrupted when Addy finished her bottle and squirmed, wanting to be held upright. Acquiescing, Patrick stands her on his knees, keeping a firm grip on her, mindful of the coffee on the table in front of him.
When Adelaide gets fidgety in his arms, wanting to be put down on the floor, Patrick stills her movements by pulling her up near his face. 'Hey munchikin. Let Daddy finish his coffee, and then we'll head up and see Mummy. Yeah?'
When Addy heard her mother's name she clapped her hands gleefully. 'Mummy! Baby!'
Laughing at her enthusiasm, Patrick nodded. 'Yes that's right. Mummy had a baby. You've got a sister.'
Adelaide nodded her head with a smile just like her father's as she attempted to say sister. 'Sh... shi... Shitter!' Struggling to keep his laughter under control, Patrick tries to correct his daughter. 'Sister, sweetheart! Sister.'
Sophie had kept quiet throughout this entire exchange. Seeing Patrick so comfortable in his father role, and clearly in love with his family, it's a far cry from the man she'd helped nurse back to health all those years ago.
Gulping down the remainder of his lukewarm coffee, Patrick stood up with Addy in his arms bidding his farewell to Sophie.
'Good to see you Sophie.'
'You too, Patrick. Congratulations.'
Flashing his trademark grin, Patrick picked up his two bags and strode off down the hallway.
Sophie's last sight of Patrick Jane is of his back and the cheerful waving hand of his daughter as he retreated down the hall. Sighing, she rose from her chair and made her way in the opposite direction. She had patients to see.
Stopping to buy some flowers from the gift shop, Patrick and Adelaide Jane make their way upstairs.
Teresa Jane was seated upright in her hospital bed, sleeping baby in her arms, when Patrick and Addy peeked their heads around the door. She grinned as her husband and daughter entered the room, flowers and all.
Addy was placed on the bed with several 'careful' warnings as she leaned into give her mother a slobbery kiss, before observing the baby before her in awe. Patrick too leans down to kiss Teresa, looking at their latest miracle who had made her arrival the day before.
Teresa opened her mouth to speak when Addy suddenly points at the baby and said in a very loud voice 'Shitter!'
Years later, at Adelaide's 21st party and much to the birthday girl's mortification, Marta Jane took great joy in telling the story to all present of what her older sister's first words to her had been!