A single man has not nearly the value he would have in a state of union.
He is an incomplete animal.
He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Marriage …
After much red tape and wrangling and a steadfast refusal by both Ben and Meg to be parted, Ottawa relented.
"They know I'll be on maternity leave and think I'll quit the Force afterward." Meg commented one day shortly after receiving Ottawa's decision.
Ben feared to ask but did anyway; "Will you?" His face remained impassive but his eyes searched Meg's for an answer.
"Will I what?" Meg asked, having moved on to the next thought.
"Leave the Force?" Ben clarified.
"Of course not. If I were going to quit I wouldn't have fought so hard to stay." Meg answered logically.
"Very well." Ben shrugged and let the subject die. Still part of him wondered if she'd follow through once maternity leave ended.
Birthday …
"It's a girl." Ben announced to the waiting room full of anxious people.
"That's greatness!" Ray nearly crowed.
"Aww …" Frannie flailed her hands around as tears filled her eyes. Dief howled in delight. Everyone gathered around to shake hands and slap Ben on the back.
"What's her name?" Detective Huey asked, handing Ben a bag of 'It's a Girl!' bubble gum.
"Alice Caroline Fraser. After both our mothers." Ben beamed.
"That's very pretty, Sir." Constable Turnbull nodded and grinned enthusiastically.
"When can we see her?" Frannie bounced on her toes beside Turnbull, her eyes bright.
"This way." Ben beckoned everyone to the viewing area where a dozen babies lay swaddled.
"Look, just born an' she's fussin', just like the Inspector." Ray chuckled as he pressed closer to the glass.
"Ray!" Frannie slapped him on the back as all the rest laughed and snickered.
"Finally, Son, a grandchild." Bob Fraser chimed in.
"Dad," Ben half whispered, looking at his father in the glass' reflection.
"Little Caroline, eh?" The older Mountie seemed to approve.
"Though Alice is a good, solid name too." he went on.
Ben ached to pull his father into a hug; to shake his hand.
"I thought Mum would like it," he whispered.
"Do what, Fraser?" Ray asked.
"Oh, ah, my Mum, I thought she would have liked Alice Caroline for her name." Ben answered, not entirely lying.
"Yeah, it's a great name." Ray shrugged.
By the time everyone congratulated Ben and marveled at Meg and the baby, visiting hours were mostly spent. Only Ben stayed behind.
"Finally, it's just the three of us." Meg smiled sleepily, baby Alice in her arms. They watched, both captivated.
"Come on, time for you to go." A chubby, motherly nurse waded into the room with a rolling bassinet. Carefully, Ben took baby Alice from Meg's arms and laid her in the bassinet. With a kiss to the forehead, he sent her to the nursery.
"Have a good night. Don't worry, she'll be fine." The older nurse's cheeks dimpled as she smiled.
Ben turned from the nurse to Meg. Tears welled along her lower lids. Her face crumpled a second later, just as the door closed.
"I miss my baby." Meg wailed, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed.
Utterly confused, Ben tried to pull her hands away, to talk to her. After a few moments he pulled Meg against his chest and let her cry.
"The books never said anything about this." he thought.
Eventually, Meg fell asleep nestled against her husband.