Chapter 53
It was hard to believe that Phoebe was already a week old and Alex wondered how time has passed so quickly. Together she and Ryan put the skills in practice they had been reading up on the last few months. Phoebe was growing slowly but steadily. Ryan became the master of bath time, managing to hold the baby in his hands even though she was slippery, they soon found out that teamwork was essential, but together they managed to do this thing called parenting.
Ryan woke at 06:30 when his alarm went off, ready to get back to work since O'Conner asked him to come back as soon as possible. He wasn't really up to it, he wanted to take a few more days off but duty calls and he had to get back eventually. He made his way into the bathroom and tried to do everything as silently as possible to allow Phoebe and Alex to get as much sleep as possible. He tiptoed around the bedroom finding some clothes to wear and headed to the kitchen to get some coffee. He was just about to start reading the paper when he heard Phoebe crying. She stopped after a while and he assumed she was hungry. Alex came down a little while later yawning hair still sleep tousled. "Morning." She greeted retrieving a coffee cup before filling it up with some caffeine. "Good morning." Ryan smiled at her, walking over to give her a kiss and putting his empty cup in the sink. "You sure you're going to be okay today?" He asked concerned as he puts on his jacket that was hanging over one of the chairs in the kitchen. "Yeah, don't worry about us." Alex nodded taking a sip of coffee. He didn't look convinced but took her word for it. He headed upstairs to kiss his little girl before coming back down to give Alex one last kiss and headed for the door, to get his day started.
Alex stood in the kitchen sighing heavily. She missed work. Missed the craziness of being in the office, the phones that rang constantly and the way they were always so energetic whenever a new case came up. She watched some TV for about an hour before Phoebe made her presence known and Alex went to the bedroom to give her a bath and get her dressed for the day.
"Welcome back Ryan." Maranda greeted as she passed Ryan on the stairs on the way to his office. He smiled and nodded at her. He entered his office and was greeted by a box on is desk, he was too afraid to open it and to have to face the music. The fact that he is back at work and do the part of the job that he hates most. Paperwork and admin. He could deal with being out on the field all day even teach a few classes at the academy but paperwork was just a burden for him. He slumped down in his chair contemplating on when he should start doing it and decided it's now or never and busied himself.
"What are we doing over lunch?" Nimah asked as she walked into the office with a muffin and coffee in hand. The really need to get something else for breakfast she thought as she sat down. "We're eating. As always." Natalie said smiling looking at the dark haired friend on the other side of the desk. "I miss Alex. This place feels weird not having her here at the office." Natalie commented looking at the empty chair at the desk where their fourth wheel used to sit. "I know right. Why don't we go visit her at lunch? I'm sure she'll enjoy the company.' Shelby prompted and they all nodded eagerly. If Alex can't bring lunch to them they might as well take lunch to her.
Liam walked over to Ryan's office and saw all the paperwork strewn on his desk and a few files open on the chairs in front of the desk. Ryan didn't look up when the door opened but he knew it was Liam. "Whatever you're about to say O'Conner, don't say it. I hate this part of the job." Ryan said still not looking up at his superior. "Don't we all Ryan? It's good to have you back though." He said before turning around and walking out of the office towards the cafeteria. Ryan switched his phone off after calling Alex and asking her if they're okay. Of course she said everything is fine and that he shouldn't worry. He wanted to go over to the house just to check but he decided not to. He had work to finish before he could head home to the ladies, and the way it looks now it might be a late night.
During lunch it still felt as if he didn't make any progress and Ryan accepted the fact that it was going to be a long night. He'd have to stay in and finish all these paperwork before another case comes in. The girls stopped by the drive thru and bought four burgers and fries with some drinks, before they headed over to Alex's. "Should we have called first?" Natalie asked as they pulled up in front of the house. "Too late now, we're here already." Shelby said. "Or not. We can still call and tell her to open the door, we're in the driveway." Nimah laughed as they got out and walked to the front door. They knocked gently and waited for a while, before hearing footsteps approaching. "What the hell! What are you guys doing here?" Alex asked surprised. "We brought you lunch, figured since you're not joining us for lunch at the office for a few months we'll bring lunch to you." Shelby announced and walked past her friend into the house searching for the baby. "Just when I think you guys can't surprise me anymore." Alex said shaking her head and closing the door. They all cooed over the baby who laid on the L-Shaped couch, as her curious eyes scanned the people who were in front of her. "Why does she seem bigger now than when I last saw her?" Natalie asked examining her. "She is growing slowly but surely." Alex commented watching her friends talking to her baby girl. Alex got out some plates and they all sat down in the living room eating lunch on the couch while Penguins of Madagascar played on the TV.
"What's new at work?" Alex asked taking a sip of her cool drink. "Same old same old. You're really not missing out on that much." Natalie said since nothing interesting happened this past two weeks that was worth sharing with her friend. "When are you coming back to work? You are coming back right?" Shelby asked hopeful. "Yes, I am coming back. I should probably talk to Ryan about it, but I want to come back as soon as possible." Alex said looking at them because she really missed their old routine. Yes it wouldn't be exactly the same since Phoebe got here but she needs to get back to the FBI. "And Phoebe?" Nimah asked. "I'll have to start looking for a nanny or a crèche, but the thought of leaving her with strangers scares the hell out of me." She answered honestly. "Hey, we're not FBI agents for nothing. We'll run background checks on everyone." Shelby announced proudly. "You know we're not allowed to use company resources for personal issues, right?" Alex asked the blond making sure she knows. "Pfffttt, it's for a good cause. What they don't know won't hurt them." Shelby brushed it off as if it's no big deal leaving all of them laughing. They needed to get back to the office, but took their time as each of them said a long goodbye to Phoebe before heading for the door, hugging Alex. "Thank you so much for this guys. I appreciate it." Alex said as they walked towards the car. "No problem, we'll do it again soon."Nimah said and they drove off.
"Just me and you now baby girl. You hungry?" Alex asked her daughter picking her up and showering her with kissed before she started nursing. After she burped her she looked at her little body and smiled down at her. "You know mommy loves you so much." She said stroking her hair as Phoebe entangled her hands together, leaving her mother smiling at the gesture. "I really want to get back to work." Alex said softly more to herself than to Phoebe but, as soon as she finished that statement Phoebe started crying. "You don't want me to go back?" Alex questioned. Laughing at the fact that she asked a week old baby that question as if she'll be able to answer back. She walked around with Phoebe taking her to the nursery while sitting down in the grey lounger with the baby on her chest. She calmed down after a while and Alex placed her in the crib, leaving the door open while she got a load of washing started.
At 3PM Ryan got up to grab some coffee from the cafeteria. He needed some fresh air and a well-deserved break. He went out to the back of the office and sat outside in the cool breeze. He let out a sigh and got a fright when someone talked to him from around the corner. He thought he was alone. "You look terrible." Caleb commented looking at his friend. "Well thank you." Ryan said sarcastically looking at the blonde. "This whole being a dad thing tougher than you've expected it to be?" Caleb questioned taking a seat next to Ryan. "Yeah man, it's no walk in the park I can tell you that. But I wouldn't change it for anything." He replied smiling turning the coffee container in his hand. Caleb looked over at his best friend and nodded his head smiling. Ryan was never one to openly admit his feeling to anyone but this whole baby thing made him a big softie. A side he never though he'd see. "Hey, how about we go chill out after work tonight?" Caleb prompted. Ryan wasn't really in the mood for a social crowd but he figured after the few hours he's spent behind his desk, and the other few he's gonna have to spend there when he goes in, he might as well agree to it. "Sure, I won't be able to stay long though." Ryan answered and Caleb gave him a pat on the shoulder before going back inside.
When Ryan still didn't return home after 7PM Alex got worried. She tried calling him a few times but his phone went to voicemail. She wanted to wait for him so they could eat dinner together so she can tell him about her plans of wanting to go back to work soon. She ate alone in front of the TV after she bathed Phoebe and dished his food out and left it in the oven. She tried calling him one last time around 20:30 and left another message before heading to bed.
Alex woke with a start not knowing what exactly woke her and was still in between sleep and being awake. Someone's mouth was pressed to hers, and it only took her a few seconds to realize her husband's familiar lips and scent giving him away. "Uhhg! What?" She asked pushing him away and glancing at the clock on her side of the bed. 23:30, the red numbers showed on the clock. "I love you." He said leaning down to kiss her again. "Are you drunk?" Alex asked, tasting beer on his lips now that she was fully awake. "Maybe. A little." He replied with a laugh, amused by her question. "Alex, I love you." He said again kissing the tip of her nose. "That's nice." She replied softly before rolling over on her side to try and sleep. "I'm never going to let you go." He whispered moving closer to her hugging her waist from behind and nuzzling her neck. "Ryan Booth. I want to sleep so can you please do the same?" She questioned patience wearing thin. He texted her during lunch saying he'll work late but now she was doubting it. Questions running through her mind, that she needed answers to. She'll ask him about it in the morning because there is no way the two of them can have a rational discussion about it now. "No, I can't sleep right now. Hey, is Phoebe okay?" He asked looking over at the crib where his daughter was sleeping soundly. "She's sleeping, and if you wake her I'm really not going to be impressed Ryan." Alex whispered looking up at him sternly since the night light made enough light for the two of them to look at each other. He didn't say anything, he disappeared into the bathroom to change into his sleepwear and Alex hoped when he came out that he would stop talking and go to sleep or he'll have to spend the night on the couch. "Sweetheart, are you asleep?" He asked looking over her back so he could see her face. "Yes." She answered pointedly. "Can I tell you something?" He asked still not moving from where he was looking over her back to her face, word slurring a little. "No." Alex said again. She didn't have any patience left, the only thing keeping her from telling him to go sleep on the couch was their sleeping daughter in the crib next to Alex's bedside. He sighed heavily and flopped down onto his back on his side of the bed. "I told the guys I couldn't stay long, but one drink turned into three and then a few too many and Clive and Quade came to the bar and then they started talking about things, and we kept drinking, and I didn't know how much time had passed because I didn't switch my phone back on after I texted you. " He said making sure he got everything out there in one statement in case he forgot something.
"Alex, did you hear what I said? Are…. are you mad at me?" He questioned when she didn't respond and assumed she was sleeping. He looked over at her again. Her eyes were closed and he thought she dozed off. "Yes I heard what you said and yes, I am upset about the fact that you came home in this state. Please shush and go to sleep now." She whispered sternly. He didn't respond to what she said he turned around and put his head on his pillow. "I'm sorry sweetheart." He whispered before Alex heard him snoring knowing he was asleep while she laid there waiting for herself to start dozing off
Hey guys thanks for the read. Hope you enjoy. Lovies-S!
