Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.

Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.

9.8 Growth and Development

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Construction of the Forest of Dean facility was going slower than expected.

When Abby had returned from maternity leave, she had been appalled at some of the design plans that had been previously approved. Abby had demanded a recheck on the facility size, bringing in reams of data from nearly ten years worth of creature care. The changes she recommended for the holding areas alone would probably double the cost of the project.

Lester rubbed his eyes and smiled. He had tried to explain to Abby that the changes she was requesting were not feasible, not with the limited budget they had. But she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"We have a responsibility to these creatures," Abby exclaimed "Lester, we can't just cram them all in together in tiny spaces like Leek did!"

The newest proposal Abby and Lester's new assistant Lucien had developed was brilliant, not that he would ever tell them. It might go to their heads.

Lucien's ideas to bring in supporting funds by imposing fines on anomaly tourists caught too close to the anomalies had already been implemented and were starting to show positive results. But this geodesic dome structure that Abby was recommending to top off the creature preserve and allow the aerial creatures room for flight… that was going to be tricky.

Lester looked at his watch. Abby would have gone home for the day by now. Although she was back at work, she was only working a part time schedule for the foreseeable future. But Lucien would still be here. Lester pressed the intercom button.

"Lucien," called Lester "if you have a moment I'd like you to stop by and discuss how we're going to fund the latest changes to this proposal… especially the geodesic dome structure."

"Be right over," replied Lucien.

As Lester disconnected the intercom he thought how lucky the International ARC had been to get Lucien. The young man had graduated at the top of his class with a double major in finance and political science. He could have gone to work anywhere in the world, but Lucien had specifically requested a position at the London branch of the ARC.

Lester was glad the young man was on the team. He found himself relying on Lucien more and more every day.

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Lucien closed the door as he exited Lester's office holding a slim folder. Lester's approval signature was on the newest proposal for the Forest of Dean creature preserve… including the geodesic dome structure. Lucien grinned. He was excited about the progress they were making for the creature preserve… not that he would ever let Lester know.

"Hey," Lucien called to the man walking down the hallway.

Head bent down, turning the pages of the report in his hands, the man was totally oblivious to the presence of another human being in the hall.

"Abby's boyfriend… you need to look where you're going," continued Lucien with a chuckle.

Connor stopped. He was mere steps away from running into Lucien. "Husband," he responded with an answering chuckle. "Hi Lucien."

"Going home?" asked Lucien.

"Yeah," replied Connor, pointing at the papers in his hands "just as soon as I finish this."

"Well tell Abby we got the approval," said Lucien holding up the project file folder.

Connor grinned. "That will make her day."

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Connor entered the front door juggling a bag of take away, a movie, the mail, and files from work.

Abby watched from across the room as he started setting things down on the table by the door. At the sight of the files, she exclaimed "Connor, tell me you didn't bring home work again."

"Look who's talking," Connor replied with a chuckle.

Abby looked down at the large glass tank in front of her. Regina the coelurosauraus and the three remaining hatchlings looked up at her. Regina chirped. An answering call came from Rex as he soared down the stairway into the living room.

"I had to bring them home," she protested "it was too cold in the menagerie for the babies."

"Lucien asked me to tell you that Lester approved the proposal for the Forest of Dean creature preserve," said Connor.

Abby smiled at the good news, but she also remembered the many late nights she had worked on the proposal. She and Lucien had gone over the data files for weeks as they created the newest proposal. Often they had worked through dinner at the dining table right in front of her while Connor juggled taking care of Sarah, making dinner for all of them and keeping up with his own work.

She watched Connor as he hung up his jacket on the coat rack by the door, paused for a moment and then peeled off his button down shirt hanging it up too.

"And I have to read those files before tomorrow's meeting," he added reasonably "but not right this minute."

Connor picked up the bag of take away and the movie and carried them to the dining table. He ran his hands gently up Abby's bare arms before he wrapped his arms around Abby drawing her close for a kiss. She leaned into his body with a small sigh.

"I've been unfair to you," she admitted "but you do work too much."

"I'm not working right now though," Connor replied looking into her deep blue eyes. "This is our time… dinner and a movie… yeah."

Abby tilted her head sideways to look at him. "What movie did you get?"

Peeking down at the little girl squirming on her play mat beside her mother's feet Connor asked "Sarah, would you like to watch Land Before Time after dinner?"

The baby, wearing nothing but a diaper, gurgled and reached her little hands out to grab her toes.

"She's too little to watch a movie," protested Abby "she won't understand…"

"She might watch it…," replied Connor as he leaned close to Abby's ear and whispered "thought it might be a good distraction..."

"Connor!"

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That evening, Sarah fell asleep between bites of mashed carrots.

Connor didn't get to read his files.

And no one watched Land Before Time.

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