A/N: My plot bunnies have returned, although I highly doubt they'll be sticking around for long. I've felt deprived these last few weeks because I haven't written anything. Hopefully this little oneshot will be sufficient for the bunnies. The text in italics is a flashback. Enjoy!
THEIR DAUGHTER
"Danny?"
Lindsay Monroe carefully stepped out onto the roof, wrapping her scarf around her neck as a cold breeze whistled past. It was nearing winter and the city had just been blanketed with a new snowfall. A full moon hung over the skyscrapers as she spotted a familiar figure near the edge of the roof, surveying the countless stars that dotted the uncharted vaults. He turned, an instant smile lighting his handsome features.
"Montana. I see you got my note."
She returned the smile as she made her way over to him. "What are we doing up here? It's freezing."
Danny offered his hand, and when she slid her smaller mitt into his, he tugged gently and pulled her in. She immediately felt his warmth wash over her, and she sighed contently.
"It's a beautiful night. I thought we could watch the stars for a while."
Lindsay jabbed him softly in the chest. "You do realize it's almost winter, right?"
Danny furrowed his brow in mock severity. "Don't be such a baby, Montana. It's not that cold. Besides, I brought you up here for a reason."
"Oh?" her voice held a playful note. "And what would that be? Make me freeze to death?"
Still clutching her hand, Danny bent down on one knee. A gasp emitted from Lindsay's throat, and he swallowed his heart before speaking.
"Montana, I love you. You're my entire world, and I don't want to move on in it without you by my side. My life is complete now that I found you. You've given me strength, courage, and hope, but most of all you've given me a reason to live." Pausing, he reached into his coat pocket and took out a small purple box. Lindsay was thunderstruck; her heart pounded in her temple and her breathing became shallow. Gazing up at her through his oceanic eyes, Danny opened the box to reveal a sparkling ring and spoke the four magical words.
"Will you marry me?"
The answer came instinctively. "Yes."
Taking the ring out of its holder, Danny slid it onto Lindsay's finger. It was a magnificent gold band, with a centre cut diamond and two smaller ones on either side. It gleamed as the moonlight hit it at just the right angle.
Cupping her cheeks with his hands, Danny placed a chaste kiss on her lips. They drank in each other's taste, celebrating their love under a watchful moon and shimmering stars.
When they had parted, Lindsay buried her face into the crook of his neck. In the midst of his proposal, she had completely forgotten they were outside in the cold.
"I love you too."
---
Smiling at the recollection, Danny Messer peered at his sleeping wife and rubbed the bridge of his nose. It had been a long day, but despite all that he was overcome with a sense of joy and happiness. In only a few hours he would be a father.
Father. The word caused a shiver to run down his spine. Never in his life would he think himself a parent. He loved kids, but he never expected to have one of his own. That is, until Lindsay Monroe entered his life.
She was funny, intelligent, caring, stubborn, sassy…the list was endless. He was not one to fall in love, but the petite girl from Montana had instantly captured his heart. She was the complete opposite of him, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
The last nine months had passed by swiftly and without complications. Lindsay had suffered the usual pregnancy symptoms, often having mood swings and eating more frequently. They had gone for several ultrasounds, not wishing to know the sex of their future child. In all honesty, though, Danny didn't care whether it was a boy or girl. He was thrilled to finally have a family with the love of his life.
---
"Come on babe, just a few more pushes. I know you can do it!"
Sweat glistened on Lindsay's temple, and her veins bulged from her neck as she complied. The pains that shot through her body were almost unbearable, but she was determined to get through the birth without any medication. Grasping Danny's hand tightly, she drew in several sharp breaths before continuing with the motions. The entire team was in the room, off to the side as to not make Lindsay feel pressured. Mac was filming the occasion as Danny and Stella encouraged the young woman further. It was a wonderful moment, and Danny wanted to make sure that every second of it was captured.
"One more push should be enough," the doctor announced proudly. "You're almost there, Mrs. Messer."
Stella wiped the perspiration away from Lindsay's face. "C'mon kiddo, just a little bit longer."
With her last vestige of strength, Lindsay groaned and gave a mighty push. Silence, then a shrill cry filled the room. Lindsay looked at Danny anxiously. He merely smiled brightly and kissed her nose, voice filled with admiration.
"It's a girl."
---
After the child had been cleaned and assessed, she was bundled up in a blanket and handed over to the proud parents, who were both given the honour of cutting the umbilical cord. Danny watched over his wife and daughter with immense pride as the team drank in the sight of the newborn. She was staring at them through widened eyes, which housed the same oceanic blue as her fathers. Her sparse brown hair was velvety to the touch, and when Danny held out his finger, her tiny hand inquisitively wrapped around the digit.
"So what are you going to name her?" Flack asked the question they all wanted to know the answer to.
Danny and Lindsay shared a glance, and the latter provided the reply.
"Brinn Montana Messer."
---
About two hours later, Lindsay lay slumbering in the Recovery Room whilst Brinn was in the Nursery for the time being. The new mother was exhausted after the long hours of labour and months of pregnancy, and she was grateful for the rest period. Stella and Hawkes had been called to a scene, so the remainder of the team sat patiently in the Waiting area. Mac had wandered off to Lindsay's room, where he stood in the doorway, watching both her and Danny. The former was beginning to nod off, holding his wife's hand.
"Danny? Can I talk to you for a second?"
Shaking his head to clear his senses, the young man rose from his chair, not keen on leaving Lindsay alone. Stepping outside the room, he stole a glance at her before turning to Mac, whose face was creased with a rare smile.
"You've come a long way since you started working for me. I know Lindsay has brought a lot of happiness to your life, and now you both have the greatest gift of all: a family. I'm proud of you, Danny. You and Lindsay."
Danny blushed visibly and shook the elder's hand, eyes filled with respect and honour. "Thank you."
---
A few days passed before Lindsay was strong enough to go home. During the pregnancy, she and Danny had purchased a small house, closer to the lab and near Central Park. An apartment was no place for a new child. In order to build up and enhance their developmental skills, they needed plenty of play area, which an apartment did not provide. Lindsay was allowed all the time she needed to recuperate, and Mac urged her that there was no rush in returning to work. Brinn was an excellent baby; she rarely cried and, like all newborns, almost always slept. Danny still worked, though not as much as he usually did, giving him plenty of alone time with his wife and daughter. The child was a big part of the NYPD Crime Lab, and when she was old enough she would be brought down for everyone to see.
---
It was like a picture from a storybook. Danny slowly entered the room, careful not to frighten Lindsay or the babe. The former was nestled in a rocking chair near the window, gently swaying to and fro as Brinn slept peacefully. Shafting through the panes, the sunlight encased them both in a wondrous golden aura.
Padding over softly, Danny stood over them, watching as his new daughter slumbered. Instinctively knowing he was there, Lindsay hummed a gentle tune as he reached down and stroked Brinn's cheek with a light finger.
"She's so beautiful," he whispered. "I can't believe she's really ours."
"You'll make a fantastic father." Lindsay said admiringly.
Danny leaned down and gave her a kiss, bumping noses with her in the process. "I love you so much, Montana. She's lucky to have you as her mother."
Lindsay turned her attention to Brinn, who had shifted slightly but remained asleep. She was their hope and future, an innocent being who had done no wrong in the world.
She was their daughter.
A/N: The name Brinn is credited to my friends who named their daughter this. If their assumptions were correct, she was born right around the time Anna had her child :) as always, reviews are welcome and appreciated.