"Why didn't you tell me?"
Amanda had the answer in her head, but struggled to let it out. The only thing she managed to say was, "I tried."
"You did?"
"Well...sort of," She explained. "I had an emergency c-section with her, I had a placental abruption—"
"Oh my God,"
"No, it's fine. I was in pain for a few weeks after that." She explained. "And all of a sudden I had Jesse and was up all night between crying and diapers and feeding her and trying to keep myself sane."
Declan looked perplexed. "Didn't your mother come?"
"No, we sort of had a fallout a few weeks earlier thanks to my sister. So it was just myself."
"You had my number. Why didn't you call?"
She gave a lame shrug and said, "You were four thousand miles away undercover in a sex trafficking case. I couldn't let you just up and leave a case to come help me. I told you before that I was fine and that I had this."
Declan remained silent for a few minutes. Amanda's cop investigating eyes studied him. She could tell he was tensed but wasn't going to blow up in anger like some people she knew would do in cases like this, but he did seem a bit upset.
"You're not mad, are you?"
"Not...not really." He answered. "I guess I can kind of understand, but she's my daughter too. First daughter, first child. I've missed out on so much."
"Do you have to leave so soon? Maybe stay for a few more days to make up some lost time?" She suggested. "I get it. A few days can't make up almost a year. But she is starting to get to know you."
"I wish I could darling, but I'm due back in a few days on a new case. I have no idea when I'll be back in New York. A year at least."
Amanda nodded. Now Amanda felt some guilt in her for not calling him back. Why didn't she do that? "You want to meet up for lunch tomorrow? I know this place Jesse loves."
Declan smiled. "Sounds great. Just text me the address and I'll meet you there around one?"
Amanda nodded. "Sounds like a plan." She said as she lead him out the door. "Stay safe."
"Have a good night, Amanda."