When he arrived at the CCU basement office he was still smiling. He had done nothing but smile all morning.
"Morning, Spence, morning, Stella." Greeting his colleagues with a smile and putting the two fresh cups of coffee and bagels on the desk beside them.
"Morning, boss. Nice black eye." Spencer Laughing as he took in the black eye and butterfly stitched cut above it.
"Thanks, Spencer. All part of the police service. You okay? Didn't get knock about too much?" Looking Spencer over.
"Couple of bruises but nothing major. He got you the most by the look of it. How many ribs he do?" Not missing the shallow breaths Boyd was taking.
"And this is why you're my favourite detective. Two, maybe, and an amazing bruise to go with it. You want to see? Even Frankie was shocked when she saw it." Starting to untuck his shirt so he could compare war wounds with Spencer.
Just as he pulled his shirt up Grace entered the office, saying a cheerful good morning to everyone. When she saw Boyd with his shirt up she was momentarily surprised, then moved to see why exactly he was stood showing off his chest. When she saw the bruise she sucked in a deep and breath and gave a sympathetic ouch.
"You look good, Boyd. How many ribs?" Asking the same question Spencer had asked.
"Frankie say two, possible three. She couldn't tell properly as it's so swollen." Going to tuck his shirt back in but seeing the raised eyebrow Grace him.
"She did the stitches as well?" Indicating to his head as he straightened himself out.
"Yeah, saves a report on my file, and she looks better than the night shift at the hospital." Winking at Grace as he turned back to the table and picked up the tea he had bought her and the cinnamon roll.
"Drinks for everyone, and breakfast." Passing Grace her drink and roll then picked up his own.
"After breakfast team meeting. Someone go see if Felix is in, her breakfast is somewhere in there as well." Giving everyone a huge smile as he headed into his office.
"Grace, is he okay?" Spencer asked Grace as he eyed his boss with mild concern.
Grace watched Boyd practically float into her office, leaving the door open, and the blinds as he sat on the settee with his back to the squadroom and made a start on his breakfast.
"Yes, Spencer. I just think he's finally sorting a few things out in his personal life and this is the result." Seeing Spencer nod his head as she took her own breakfast and joined Boyd in her office.
Grace did close the door when she entered her office. Taking a seat opposite him she placed her tea on the table, opened her cinnamon roll and took a bite. She gave him a few minutes to start talking but he was too busy eating his croissant, still smiling as he chewed.
"Okay, don't keep me in suspense. What happened?" Taking another bite of her cinnamon roll but her eyes never leaving him.
Boyd finished his croissant and rubbed his hands together, a few flakes of pastry falling on the floor. When he looked up at Grace the smile on his face could have powered the national grid for at least an hour.
"It's mine, my baby. My daughter." His smile seeming to grow as he spoke if that was even possible.
"Oh, Boyd. I'm so happy for you." Putting her roll on the table and standing up so she could reach for Boyd and hug him.
Boyd gave Grace a hug, a bone crushing bear hug as he showed just how happy he was. When he finally let go he sat back down and picked up his coffee.
"So we know it's a girl, what else? When is she due? Why didn't she tell you when she left? Did she ever plan on telling you if she hadn't bumped into you." Seeing Boyd laugh at her questions.
"Slow down, Grace. We didn't really talk much, she was busy patching me up and cooking supper." Seeing the look of surprise on Graces face at the mention of Frankie cooking. "She's changed so much, and she looks amazing." A far-away look in his eye as he talked about Frankie.
"Let me get this right. You turned up at her house looking like you'd been hit by a freight train, she patched you up, cooked for you and you found out the baby was yours and a girl. How long were you there for god sakes, Peter? For a detective you don't seem to be getting much information about the whole situation." Drinking her own tea as saw Boyd again get the look in eyes like he was remembering something.
"Grace, she's pregnant with my baby, not a bloody suspect. She was tired after supper and I gave her a massage, then she fell asleep. Oh, and she's calling the baby Amelia." A hint of both sadness and pride in his voice when he told her the baby's name.
"Wow, I didn't see that one coming. How do you feel about that?" Watching Boyd consider his answer carefully.
"When I saw the name on the nursery wall, it crippled me. I had never even considered a name when she said it was girl. I know Mel is the reason behind everything, but I just didn't think Frankie would name our daughter after her." His voice catching in his throat as he talked.
"But how do you feel about it? Are you happy or does it bring back to many memories for you?" Knowing he was still struggling with Mel's death.
"After we talked about it, I understood why Frankie had chosen the name. I think it's a fitting name for a girl. Mel's death was wrong, and pointless and totally unnecessary. But this baby, this baby is the complete opposite. She's hope, she light, she's a reason to be happy again, a reason to move on." Looking directly at Grace as he explained what the new baby meant to him.
"So, you've finally started to accept that Mel's death was not something you could have prevented. That you can't change the past, but you can move past it and look to the future. This baby has done so much for you since you found out about her, and she's not even born. She's a legacy to a strong, independent, fierce, loyal, funny woman who is still sorely missed by us all." Grace tearing up at her own words.
"Grace, I still have a lot find out, but it's a start. Frankies accepted me back in life, in the baby's life. I won't push her, she needs time just like me. As I sat with her last night, she let me feel the baby move, let me watch as she shifted about. It was such a personal moment, so unlike Frankie. Grace, you know I always had a soft spot for Frankie, right." Hearing Grace gave a non committal mhhh sound. "It's more than that, always has been. When we slept together, it was so easy to do it. She was so upset after the police memorial service, she went to pieces. You remember I took her home after the pub, well that's when it happened. I couldn't leave her, ended up nearly carrying up to her flat. When we got inside we sat on the settee and talked, or she did and I listened. Grace you know I have that part of me that needs to protect my team, well Frankie is different. I know I shouldn't have cared about her anymore than than I cared about Spencer, Mel, or you, but I did, still do. When I woke up afterwards I should have left, but Grace, I didn't want to. She was asleep against my side, and she looked so peaceful. I hadn't ever seen her looking so relaxed, so at peace. I got up and made breakfast, and she talked someone. I sat with her as she curled up against my side and a part of me wanted that, wanted it permanently. I don't think she ever knew then how I felt, I still don't think she knows now. Last night, she returned the favour, when I saw the nursery. She was the one that held me." Dropping his chin to his chest as he coughed to clear his throat.
Grace got up and went to sit beside him, placing her hand on his thigh.
"Frankie must be special, if she can get you to talk, to open up. I haven't had a conversation with you like this, as in ever. When do you plan on seeing her again?" The smile he had earlier returning to his face.
"Soon I hope. Depends on this place. I'm considering take a couple of days off, one weekend maybe. See if I can maybe spend a couple of days with her, if she'll let me." A touch of insecurity in his words.
"Peter, we known each other a long time haven't we. If you really are serious about this thing with Frankie, and it's not just about the baby, you need to talk to her. Don't rush in though, just be there for her, she needs you for support, not to keep her bed warm. She's managed six months on her own, and could have probably managed another six years on her own if she needed to. You have a chance here, don't screw it up by being your normal self." Patting his leg as he took in what she was saying. "Now, if you don't mind I have work to do. Go, write reports, or chew out that suspect that made you like that. Leave me to do my work." Squeezing his leg before she stood up and went to sit at her desk.
Boyd sat still for maybe a minute or two before getting to his feet, hanging on to his chest as he went. Grace glanced at him as he left, that small spring still in his step. She hoped that whatever was going on between him and Frankie was going to last, more for his sake than hers or the baby's. He deserved some happiness, and she hoped this was it.