A/N- I don't own these characters. Well, maybe, I own Danielle and any original characters. Private Practice and ABC own the regulars. I just love playing with them. =)
Chapter 2
She's No Kitten
After about an hour Cooper waltzes into Charlotte's office. The infant's sleeping in a swing Charlotte borrowed from the pediatric waiting room. Charlotte's flipping through her charts.
"Hey." Is all Cooper can sheepishly say as he enters her office.
Charlotte raises only her eyes to look at him. "Where's that baby's mother Cooper?"
Cooper raises his hands and shrugs. "She left her Charlotte. She left her with me."
Now Charlotte lifts her head up. "You need to call social services Cooper. That's what they're there for."
Cooper walks closer to her desk. He quietly explains, "I want to give her mother some time, she's young. She could wake up tomorrow and change her mind."
Charlotte raises an eyebrow, "and she could change her mind back the day after and abandon her again. This is above and beyond your call of duty Cooper. We need to call social services."
Cooper takes a deep breath before tapping his finger slowly on her desk. "Give me two days Charlotte, two days to see if the mom changes her mind and then I'll call social services."
Charlotte waves her pen as she speaks to Cooper. "What are we gonna do with her for two days? She's no kitten Cooper. We can't just give her some milk and set her by the window."
Cooper walks behind Charlotte and puts his hands on her shoulders. "I'll go to the store and buy some supplies to last us a few days. We can handle her for two days Charlotte. It'll be good practice." Cooper rubs her shoulders.
Charlotte turns and looks up at him. She waves the pen at him again as she talks. "Ya got two days and then we're calling social services if we don't hear from the mother."
Cooper nods obediently. "Got it. Two days."
Charlotte looks over at the sleeping infant. "We can't just leave her in the swing all day while we see patients..."
Cooper responds immediately. "I can ask Violet if Lucas's nanny wouldn't mind watching her for two days."
Charlotte shakes her head in agreement. "Fine. But what about at night? Where will she sleep?"
Cooper answers quick, "Lucas is big now. I'm sure Violet has something we can borrow."
Charlotte retorts, "you got all the answers, don't you mister?"
Cooper leans down and kisses Charlotte softly on the lips. "Thank you." He whispers.
She grins. "I'm not really Cruella."
He can't help but laugh a little, "I know I'm asking a lot. You're right she's no kitten."
Charlotte smirks, "good thing cuz I'm allergic to cats."
The infant starts to fuss and squirm in the swing. Cooper makes a move to get her but Charlotte jumps up and picks the infant up first. "What's her name?" Charlotte asks as she wraps the infant in a baby blanket. Cooper stares at her in disbelief. Charlotte asks again. "Coop, what's her name? This lil darlin' must have a name."
Cooper shakes himself out of his brief shell shock. "If I didn't know any better I'd think you actually like her Dr. King."
Charlotte pouts a little. "Just tell me her name Cooper. I don't wanna call her baby or lil darlin' all damn day like I've been doin'."
Cooper smiles now. "I kind of like the way you call her little darlin'."
Charlotte raises her voice. "Her name Cooper? Tell me her name."
Cooper steps closer and concedes. "Her name is Danielle". Cooper helps Charlotte fix the blanket snuggly as she holds the baby.
Charlotte softly coos to the baby. "Hello Miss Danielle."
Violet walks into the office. "Well don't you make the perfect little family?" She teases them.
Charlotte looks up and tells her, "don't get too excited. Your nanny is looking after Danielle for the next two days."
Violet looks at Cooper. Cooper sheepishly tells her, "I didn't think you'd mind if we asked your nanny to look after Danielle. It'll only be for two days."
Violet nods her head yes. "That'll be fine," she says as she leaves the office watching them with the baby.
Cooper stares at Charlotte rocking the baby in her arms. He rubs her back as he tells her, "and you thought you wouldn't be a good mom."
"Don't push it Cooper. This is for two days only. We have Danielle for two days and then social services steps in if we don't hear from her mom."
"Yes sir." Cooper responds.
Charlotte looks up and gives him a smile.
I'm ready for your feedback. What do you want to happen with CharCoop and baby Danielle?
A special thank you to Kelly for offering her input and reviewing this chapter from her hospital bed. Feel better Kelly.
