His office phone rang four times before he picked it up, not really sure if it was a good idea.
"I have a doctor Wharton on the line for you sir, shall I put her through?" The voice on the other end asked him.
"Yes, put her through." His heart rate increasing slightly at the thought of hearing her voice.
"Boyd, that you?" Her voice coming through a second later.
"Hi, Frankie." Not being able to keep the happiness out his voice at hearing her speak.
"Someone is happy today aren't they. I bet Grace and Spencer are major freaking out." Laughing as she pictured Spencer and Grace being freaked out by a happy Boyd.
"Grace has already grilled me. Apparently me being happy is not a common thing." Looking across the office and into Graces office.
"I take it she knows?" Frankie knowing he would have told her everything.
"I told her, yeah. You know she has that knack of getting me to talk, a bit like you. How are feeling today? Did you get your keys off the doormat? Did I lock up right, was everything clean?" Firing loads of questions at her as he heard her laughing.
"Thank you for last night, I can't believe I feel a sleep though. I was so relaxed when I woke up this morning. Maybe we can do it again one night." Hope laced in her words.
"I can do that. Listen, when I was talking to Grace I said I was considering taking a couple of days off, maybe one weekend." Hearing the mock gasp of surprise coming down the phone from Frankie. "Grace did that as well. Anyway, how would you feel if I did that? Maybe spend some time with you, catch up, get to talk properly about stuff." His heart now hammering in his chest as he waited for Frankie to reply.
"That sounds nice." The genuine surprise evident in her tone. "When were you thinking of taking time off? I'm due to start maternity leave soon, five more weeks then I can sit and be bored stupid until the baby arrives." Sarcasm Frankie's go to when she wasn't happy.
"I'll ring up as soon as we're done on the phone, book it for as soon as I can. It's not like I ever take time off so they can't say no. How about I come over later, I'll cook this time while you take that soak in the bath. Then if you get stuck I'll be there to help." Not really thinking the logistics of that one out before he asked.
"You went all chivalrous last night at me in my underwear, you think you can handle me naked?" Giggling as she recalled his face at seeing her in just her underwear.
"I must have done to get you in the situation you're in." His own mix of sarcasm and humour coming out full force.
"You got me on that one. You sure you can get away? I know what that place is like. That's why I'm still single, the same as everyone else there." Knowing that a social life was something the team only talked about but never had.
"I'll get away, even if I just walk out." Both laughing as that was typical of something Boyd would actually do.
"If you're sure then. If you can't make it ring me. Give me you mobile number since the one I have is out of date." Boyd hearing her rummage around for a pen and paper.
He managed to give her his number on the third go, after he dug out one of his police issued business cards that he normally left with witnesses.
"I'll text you so you have my number. I never thought to give you it when I gave you my address since I've changed that as well." Hearing another voice on Frankie's end of the line. "I have to go, I'm needed in the lab. Don't forget, ring if you can't make it or going to be late, okay. Bye, Boyd."
"Bye, Frankie." The line going dead just as he said it.
Placing the phone back in its cradle he pushed his chair back and put his feet on the desk. He leaned back in the chair and went to fold his hands behind his head, stopping when his ribs shot a sharp pain through his chest and reminded him why that wasn't a good idea. Folding his arms across his chest instead he looked out into the squadroom. He had assigned Spencer and Stella the joy of questioning the man they had arrested the night before. Boyd wasn't in the mood for shit so he stayed clear. Felix was no doubt in the lab, shut away from everyone but he knew she would be working on something or another. Grace was working on whatever she was working on, he didn't ask her and he wasn't that bothered. Taking in the stack of reports he had to either read, sign or write put a slight damper on his mood, he just want hometime. Looking at his watch he groaned loudly, ten thirty, was he stuck in groundhog day? Sitting back he tucked his feet under his desk and pulled himself closer. The paperwork wasn't going to do itself, so picking up his pen he hoped by doing something, no matter how mundane and boring it was, it would make hometime arrive quicker.
Three hours later he stood up and stretched out as best as he could considering. He looked out and saw Spencer and Stella had arrived back for their interview, and he hadn't been told. Walking out his office her keep and arm around his chest, his ribs now reminding why he was getting too old to be chasing down suspects.
"What's happening, Spence?" Seeing both Spencer and Stella look at him, both smirking.
"He's cooling off for a bit boss. He's not too keen on Stella, not since she possibly broke his hand when he went to grope her." Spencer looking at Stella who was not sat looking rather smug.
"That's my girl. Next time aim for his neck though." Smiling as both Stella and Spencer laughed. "Listen, I'm popping out for bit, anyone want anything? Grace, you want anything while I'm out?" Turning his head so he could shout over his shoulder to Graces office.
Grace came out with her purse in hand, Spencer and Stella digging out their own wallets or whatever they used. By the time he was done he wished he had never asked.
"Spence, write this lot down will you. There is no way I'll remember that lot." Going to get his coat as Spencer checked what everyone wanted before writing it down.
Spencer held the list out for Boyd as he came out his office, Boyd taking it and stuffing it in his pocket. He had just reached the doors to head out the squadroom when Grace called him back.
"Boyd, check with Felix and see if she wants anything before you go." Seeing Grace grin as he threw her a dirty look.
"For fuck sake. Spencer, ring her and ask her will you. I'm not walking all the way down there to find out she doesn't want anything." Boyd huffing as she stuffed his has in pocket as listened as Spencer phoned the lab.
Fifteen minutes later Boyd finally made it out the building, a shopping list as long as his arm stuffed in his pocket. It wasn't that far to the local shops, but with everything he needed to buy and the list in his pocket he decided the car was the way forward. What he hadn't factored was how tiny the car park at the shops were. Sitting waiting for a space he looked at the list in his pocket, between the four of them they wanted half the shop. He had no idea what some of the stuff was so he knew he would be on ages. Ten minutes later he had finally got parked and was heading into the shop, list in one hand, his own mental list running through his head. His shopping was more important than the team's so he got that first.
The chicken breast were fresh, so were the peppers and carrots. He spent way to much time debating between rice or pasta, then another ten minutes picking a sauce to go with the chicken. When he was happy he had had everything he needed, including the non alcoholic wine he made a start on the team's list. Spencer, Grace and Felix wanted normal stuff, but Stella wanted some random french crap he had never heard of. Two shop assistants help later he was done, everything everyone wanted was in the trolley. The queue for the checkout wasn't as bad as he expected considering how long he waited to park. Next time he decided to go shopping he wasn't asking anyone what they wanted.
By the time he got and parked the car he had been away an hour and a half. Carrying the shopping down all the stairs was not fun, and he was growing annoyed as he pushed open the door the squadroom.
"Let me help you, boss." Spencer suddenly appearing beside him and taking a few of the bags.
Spencer placed the bags on his desk and started to look through them, taking out what he knew was either his, Stella's or Graces.
"Who ordered fresh chicken, pasta, some mixed peppers and some non alcoholic wine?" Holding up the packet of mixed peppers.
"Fuck off, Spencer." Boyd grabbing the peppers and putting them back in the bag.
"Ohhhh, who are you cooking for or shall I guess?" Grace coming out her office at just that moment to collect her items.
"Don't start, Grace! Really don't start. Your stuff is somewhere in them bags. Who's taking Felix her stuff?" Picking up the bags he knew had his stuff in for that night and heading to his office.
He didn't take any notice of what the others did as he packed away the wine and chicken in the tiny fridge he had brought in from home. The others stuff he placed under the coat rack as he took his coat off. When he turned back around he saw Grace stood in the doorway to his office, arms folded across her chest.
"You didn't answer my question. Or shall I just presume Frankie is the lucky lady being wined and dined tonight." A smug grin on her face as he became flustered.
"Fine, yes it's Frankie. Not sod off and go eat your lunch or something." Holding his ribs as he went to sit down.
The mobile phone on his desk beeped, making him dig his glasses out his jacket pocket. Flipping the phone open he clicked to open the message.
"Boyd, I got an early finish. I'll be home by five tonight. If you get away early come straight over, I'll be in, Frankie X"
That smile that seemed to be becoming a permanent fixture on his face was back. Two hours, he had two hours to make it through. As long as he didn't answer his phone, and no one else did.
"Spencer, Stella, Grace, do not answer the phone. I want to finish at five and on pain of death will any of you take a new case on. Got it?" Hearing Stella and Spencer replying yes boss and okay.
Grace being Grace had to come and see him in person.
"Has Frankie got an early finish?" Grace asked as she sat down on the settee.
"Yes, and I want one as well. Shit, I forgot to ring and book some time off." Glancing at his watch as he picked up the phone.
Grace didn't leave as he phoned HR and attempted to book a weekend off. By the time he was done on the phone Grace was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. He had booked two weekends off, a month apart, then queried at paternity leave. Grace was glad she wasn't drink or eating anything when she heard him ask that part.
"You are planning ahead aren't you. You don't even know when the baby is due." Not being able to hide her smug grin as Boyd just stared at her.
"At least it's shows willing on my part. If she knows I'm serious then maybe she'll let me be more involved, be there for her and the baby when they first come home." His words full of hope.
"Time will tell. Remember what I said though, let her set the pace and tempo. She needs to know that it's not all about the baby but her as well. I would say be yourself but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not." Boyd glancing at his watch as she talked. "Why don't you go home, get showered and changed then go to Frankie's. You are no use here, keep glancing at the time like a man waiting to be hung." Seeing him grin at her suggestion.
He was out his seat and had his coat on in less than a minute.
"Thanks, Grace." Picking up the bags and getting the stuff out the fridge as he saw Grace stand up.
"Give Frankie my love, tell her congratulations. Ask her if we can meet up sometime, either before or after the baby arrives. Tell her we all miss her." Boyd nodding his head as he stopped at the door and checked he had everything.
Grace watched him leave, not even bothering to say bye to Stella and Spencer.
"What is up with him?" Spencer Asking Grace as she came out of Boyd's office.
"I think he's in love, Spencer." Winking at Spencer seeing his mouth practically fall open.
It wasn't Grace's place to tell him, she would leave that to Boyd, or Frankie. She would keep his secret, but for how much longer she had no idea. Happy Boyd was making everyone suspicious.