It had been nearly seven years since the last time Donald Flack Jr had been in the heart of New York City. The only reason he'd even returned was a job offer and promotion. He'd be earning an extra $2000 per-year as a homicide detective. No longer having to work various beats in shady neighbourhoods and he'd be able to put his son in a better school.
It'd been six years already since he went from fly boy cop to father over night. He'd only been 22 years old when he saw her in the bar. Fresh out of the academy; She caught his eye from across the dance floor. Luscious hips swaying to the beat of the music. He was enchanted by her grace and beauty and asked her to dance. One minuet there on the dance and the next they were falling into his bed. He woke up alone the next morning and went on with his life.
Nine months later he'd answered the door and she was there. She thrusted the crying child in his hands and told him to take his bastard son then handed him a diaper bag and left. He didn't know what the hell to do with a child so he cradled him to his chest and did the only thing he could. He called his mother and all she said was " Oh Donnie" and " We'er on our way". The second the Flack's laid eyes on the little child the only thing Gloria could say was " He has your eyes Donnie, but wow he looks like my cousin Dan." It took the little boy a couple of minuets to steal his Papa's heart.
" Junior….tell me your not going to name him Donald?"
" No"
" Good! It's already bad enough during family meals and this little fellah needs his own name" Flack Sr said as he put his finger to the boys nose and watched the little eyes cross.
" His name is Mackenna Taylor Flack"
" After Grandpa Flack and Cousin Dan"
By nightfall little Mackie Flack's name was official and he knew everything would be ok.
It was with those memories Don woke up as the New York sun poured in through the naked window. Stretching he got out of bed and straight into the shower. After he showered he was ready to take whatever challenges the day brought his way. Thankfully he'd brought one suit in a hanging bag for the move so he was dressed right quick. He'd only managed to unpack their beds, A few kitchen appliances and they'd packed their essentials in duffle bags. He set the coffee maker before going to his son's room.
Mackie was sprawled out all over the bed arms and legs at odd angles making Flack wince. If he'd slept in such a position he'd need the fire department to get him out of it.
" Wake up Mackie" …..Nothing
" Mac" he said as he shook the boy gently making him snuggle further into the cover.
" Come on Mac wake up" he said a little harder and shook just that much harder. This time his son pulled the covers over his head and said.
" Mackie's not here…try again later" chuckling he pulled out his secret weapon.
" Alright then I'm guess I'm only making banana pancakes for myself"
" Banana Pancakes?"
" uh huh" and that was all it took for the boy to jump out of bed and start getting dressed. He ruffled Mackie's hair on the way out to start making breakfast. Banana pancakes were Mackie's favourite. The kid loved bananas from the start and even through a phase were Bananas went with everything. Banana spaghetti, Banana Hamburgers, Grilled Cheese and Banana Sandwiches. Thankfully he'd outgrown the phase and only ate Bananas in his ice cream, cereal, on Peanut Butter sandwiches, pancakes and of course just the bananas. But he did not like banana juice.
" Daddy are the pancakes ready"
" I dunno Mackie….are you ready?"
" uh huh"
" Did you put on your socks"
" Yes"
" Did you rinse your mouth?"
" Yeah"
" Did you put on clean underwear?"
" Yep and I can prove it, cause I wore blue ones to bed and these are white" Don rolled his eyes as the kid did just that.
" Did you put on clean underwear Daddy?" the question was turned on him.
" Yes Mackie I put on clean underwear"
" What colour?"
" White with blue stripes…..hey I'm doing the interrogating here"
" Did you…SHAVE?"
" DADDY! "
" Alright your banana pancakes are ready"
Breakfast was a quiet affair for the Flack boys. Don read the sports section of the paper and Mackie took care of the comics.
" Hey sport I've got to go to the crime lab today to meet the head of the crime lab and see if I'll be working with his team and shift."
" So bring some crayons or something so you don't get bored"
" Kay Daddy…oh can we get ice cream?"
" Tell ya what….be good and we'll go to the diner for lunch"
" Yippie" the boy said as he ran off to grab his new book about the marines and his G.I Joe Colouring book.
The drive to the crime lab took 20 minuets and another 10 minuets was spent getting visitors badges and taking the elevator to the 23rd floor. They walked down the hall and Mackie happily made comments.
" Daddy it's all made of glass"
" Yeah sport "
" I hope I don't gotta pee while I'm here cause everyone's going to see"
Don let out a snort at the comment " The bathrooms aren't made of glass sport" and ruffled his hair again.
They finally came up to the office marked Det. Danny Messer. Don took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
" Come on in" came the reply behind the door.
Opening the door Flack motioned for Mackie to sit on the couch. As he approached the desk.
" Don Flack" he said as he stuck his hand out.
" Danny Messer" the lab head returned as he shook his hand.
" And who do you got there" He asked as he glanced at the boy in the chair.
" He's my son. I haven't had the chance to arrange for day care yet and I don't know anyone in the city near by to watch him."
" Oh alright then"
" Hey Bud what's Ya name" and Mackie looked up.
" Mackie"
" Mackie…uh I like it. What do you want to be when you grow up?"
" A Marine cause they protect and serve the country"
" Good answer, Do you want to see the lab?"
" Yes please!" Mackie said excitedly
" Come on Flack, You had the job as my main detective the minuet you walked into an interview with your kid instead of cancelling"
" That's it"
" Yeah unless you want me to make up some questions, I can do that…right Mackie?"
" Yeah cause your the boss!"
" I like you already kiddo" Danny said as he fist bumped the boy.
" I like you to Mr. Messer"
They continued on the tour and Danny was presently surprised by the questions the young boy asked about the science behind what they did.
" I take it you like science?"
" Uh huh but Daddy doesn't he says science is boring and for nerds. But he watches Star Trek"
" Well Star Trek is pretty nerdy"
" Hey!" Flack said as his little boy and the crime lab head snickered and walked ahead.
On the last door Danny poked his head in the door and yelled to some one.
" Hey Doc…ya got any visitors on the tables"
" No they've all been tucked in for the afternoon."
" Good I'm bringing a kid in..a live one!"
Danny opened the door for the two Flacks and Mackie eyed the room taking in every last detail.
" This is autopsy, it's where our medical examiner finds out what made people die"
" Mackie this is our ME Sid Hammerback"
" Hello Mr. Hammerback" Mackie said and offered his hand.
" Well hello Mackie, aren't you the polite little guy"
" Thank You."
" Do you have any questions?"
" uh huh where do you keep your visitors?"
Walking over the steel wall of independent freezer drawers he motioned for the his three guests to follow and opened an empty drawer when they arrived.
" Well Mackie we tuck them away in their own drawer where they rest until the funeral home comes for them."
" Oh…can I sit on it?"
" If you really want to, I guess you can"
" Really ?" Little Mac asked hopefully.
" Sure there always clean when there empty, and you really want to sit on it?"
" Yes Please"
" Alright come here" The excited boy almost ran to the ME and was lifted up so he could sit on the drawer. No sooner had his butt hit the drawer had the boy jumped off and into the waiting arms of the ME. The three men just started to laugh as they'd all seen that coming.
" Hey thats cold!" the little boy said and pouted as he said " My bums cold".
" Hey you wanted to sit on it sport" Flack said to his son who was still held in the ME's arm and laughed as the man allowed Mac to click and unclick his glasses.
" Hey Mackie it's time to go now"
" Daddy I wanna stay"
" We gotta go to lunch and get you registered for school"
" O.K"
Danny rolled rolled his eyes and smirked at the close relationship the two Flack's shared and spoke up.
" Tell ya what Bud when we have slow days. You can come to lab after school and I'll even let you do your homework at my desk."
" Really?" the boy practically screamed
" But only if you be good and listen to what your Daddy says and what Hawkes, Adam, Monta…I mean Lindsay, Sid or I say"
" I promise I'll listen my bestest"
Flack leaned against the doorframe watching both Sid and Danny interact with his son. At his previous station while he was working beat. The boy was often passed by or seen as a nuisance more then anything. But here they seemed to genuinely like him and engaged him. Maybe just maybe he'd finally found a job and a place where he and Mackie could call home.
" Alright go on get outta here bud"
" And Flack, The kids hairs out of control. Talk to Adam his hairs just as bad he'll probably be able to help you out."
" Really?"
" Well at least I know where Mackie get's that Really from….Yeah now get outta here"
" Thank you Danny, Have a good night Sid"
With that they were off.