Lindsay sat in the rocking chair in the nursery she and Danny had created, clutching a pink and white baby quilt to her chest. Today marked her little girl's sixth month and it had been six months since hide or hair had been seen of either the infant or Danny. They had made the drop, pulling every penny Danny and Lindsay had, as well as contributions from the entire crime lab, but no one had come to pick it up. Lindsay let the tears roll hot and freely down her cheeks. Normally on important days like this, Stella would be around, keeping Lindsay from the nursery as much as possible and offering the numerous hugs that she seemed to need. But as it had turned out, Danny and Lindsay hadn't been the only crime lab employees hiding a secret marriage. A month after Fina and Danny's disappearance, Stella and Flack had come forward and admitted that they were actually approaching their fifth year of marriage and expecting their first child. He'd been born yesterday, a bouncing baby boy, Micah James Flack. Lindsay hadn't been to see him yet, and she wasn't sure she wanted to. She hadn't been back to the maternity ward at the hospital since she had left it with empty arms to return to her empty apartment.
That was how she felt now; empty, like everything that made her was gone. Work held nothing for her; she was still considered one of the top in her field, even more so as she barely took time off. Work was the only place she didn't have time to stop and wonder. At work she could almost act like things were normal, like Danny had the day off and was watching Fina. She'd see them in her mind, Danny stretched out on the couch, watching baseball or some such game, and little Fina sleeping peacefully on his chest, her head tucked right under his chin. On some of those days, she come home and curl up on that couch, tears trailing down her cheeks as she fought to detect Danny's distinct smell, which was slowly fading from around the house. Lindsay closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
--
Danny lay on the hard concrete floor, trying to sleep, cradling his daughter. They'd been allowed some time outside today, and Fina had loved it. He could see she had a bit of her Momma's country spirit to go along with the light brown hair that was starting to show a hint of curl and the smile that could melt his heart. Danny reflected on his Montana for a little while, picturing her in his mind. He had no idea where they were now, but he knew that today was his daughter's six month birthday. She seemed so big already. Danny gazed out the window at the star speckled sky and made a wish on the North Star. Then Fina stirred a bit, turning her head to look at him with her big blue eyes so much like his own.
"Fina Mac," he whispered, his voice solemn, "I'm going to get you home before your first birthday. I promise."
--
Mac sat in the hospital room cradling his new godson. He was hesitant to speak, but he had to know.
"Has Lindsay been by yet" he asked. Stella and Flack both shook their heads.
"She hasn't been at work since yesterday either," he mused.
"It's exactly six months today," Stella realized, shaking her head sadly. She laced her fingers in with Flacks and reached the other hand over to stroke Micah's downy head. A tear trailed down her cheeks as she thought of the pain her friend must be feeling.
"I'll make sure to stop by and check on her," Mac assured them. He handed Micah back to his mother and turned to leave the room.
--
At the sound of the doorbell, Lindsay stirred and rose, working the stiffness out of her body. She walked to the door, blanket still in hand and opened it. Mac stood on the other side, an envelope in his hands. He gave it to Lindsay as he stepped through the doorway. She pulled the pages free from the container and gave a little scream, letting them slip from her fingers. Mac bent down to pick them up and found himself staring at a photo of Danny and a little girl he assumed to be Serafina sleeping. The second page was a note.
"Detective Monroe-," it read, "feeling lonely? Good. Six months down, a lifetime to go."
AN- I know, really depressing, huh? Don't worry, it gets happier, promise. And actually, Fina is going to be an amazing character. Her name- by the way, is Latin for Seraphim, which is one kind of angel. I might explain this in the story later, but she's sorta named for Stella BonaSERA and Mac (Mackenzie). AnywayI love hearing what you're thinking.
