Frankie was unusual quite at breakfast, picking at her toast as she watched Boyd drink his coffee.
"When you've had breakfast why don't you go back to bed? You look shattered." Boyd said to Frankie as she gave up with her toast and pushed the plate away.
"Who's fault is that? I probably will, not like I have anything to do. Are you coming back later?" Taking a sip of her tea as she sat back in her chair.
"I don't know. It depends what today has to throw at me. I'll ring you, let you know." Getting up from the table as he stacked up his and Frankie's plate to clear them away.
Frankie yawned as she watched Boyd wash and dry the dishes before putting them away. When he turned to look at her he caught her yawning, her eyes half closed.
"Bed, now, come on and I'll tuck you in." Standing in front of her as he held out his hand.
Frankie mumbled something incomprehensible as she stood up, Boyd just watching her as she slowly walked in front of him out the kitchen and up the stairs. Boyd did just as he said he would, tucking her and and kissing her cheek before he went to leave. He stopped at the door when she called his name.
"Ring me, don't shut me out." Her voice groggy as she started to fall asleep.
"I won't forget, sleep, Frankie." Smiling as he stood watching her for a few minutes.
Using the key he still had he let himself out, locking up as he left. When he arrived at the office he was pleased he hasn't made any promises to Frankie as his day steadily got works. By the time he was ready to go home he knew deep down it wasn't going to happen. Now was the time to phone Frankie.
"Hi." Was his customary greeting when he heard Frankie pick the phone up and say hello.
"Hi, Boyd." Frankie still sounding tired as she replied.
"Are you okay? You still sound tired." The concern in his voice making Frankie smile.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm going for a quick walk before tea, then I'll probably head to bed. You didn't ring to ask me how I was did you?" Frankie knowing that she was about to be told he wasn't going to be coming over.
"Listen, this case is picking up pace. I won't be over tonight, but I'll ring you tomorrow, check in with you. What time are at the hospital Thursday?" Frankie knowing he was asking just in case he don't make it to hers on Wednesday either.
"Ten. I can meet you there if it's easier. I understand if you can't make it though, stuff happens." Frankie hoping deep down he could be there.
"I'll let you know. I don't want to promise just in case. You understand right." Boyd knowing Frankie would understand but still be disappointed.
"I understand. Listen, I'm going to go before it gets dark. I don't want to be out to late." Knowing that being upset with Boyd wasn't fair, but she couldn't help it.
"Okay, text when you get back in. Let me know you're okay." Hearing the disappointment in Frankie's voice but knowing he couldn't do anything about it.
"I will. Stay safe." Frankie trying to sound upbeat as she went to end the call.
"You to, bye." Boyd putting the phone down as he saw Grace knock on his office door.
Grace managed to get out of the trip to the woods in the dark, but Boyd did make her promise a very early meeting in the woods. He did receive the text from Frankie saying she was home safely, and he text back telling her to have an early night. Frankie being Frankie of course text back yes dad, a comment she had made to him when he was being overprotective after she was attacked by Sam Jacobs. Trudging around in the dark was not fun, and neither was sleeping in the car as he waited for Grace. He was glad when he made it back to the office and was able to put his feet up for five minutes, catch a few minutes respite from the case. It's didn't last long, Eve asking the team to go down as she had come up with a name for the body they had in the morgue.
Boyd was beyond furious, the fact that no one had claimed the body in sixteen years paled in comparison to the fact that his parents hadn't even reported him missing. Boyd and Grace went to see the family, Boyd tearing strips of the father while Grace went to see the mother. They did agree to finally come to the lab and claim the body, Eve waiting for them as they arrived. No one was surprised when a world of illegal fighting, unfrequented love, and family betrayed came to light as the case slowly unwrapped itself. At least the family had peace of mind as they had their youngest son back after so long. Boyd wasn't happy, the thought of never trying to trace Luke hanging over him as he sat in his office late on the Wednesday night. Thinking of Luke made him think of Amelia, which of course brought him to Frankie. Frankie who he hadn't had two minutes to ring all day. He glanced at his watch and picked up his mobile, hitting the speed dial for Frankie's home phone. When she didn't answer straight away he began to panic, Frankie should be at home at this late hour. He ended the call and tried again, the phone again clicking to voicemail. Now he was starting to worry, if Frankie was home she would answer. Pressing the button to call her mobile he was already on his feet, switching his computer off and picking his jacket up from the back of his chair. He was put the office and climbing the stairs to head out when the call connected.
"Hello." A very groggy Frankie managed to say as he stopped dead in his tracks.
"Shit, Frankie. You just about gave me a fucking heart attack. I've been ringing for ages with no answer." Boyd starting to climb up the stairs again.
"I went to bed early. My mobile was on silent, sorry. What time is it?" Frankie going to sit up as she tried to pin the phone between her ear and shoulder.
"Just after nine. Listen, as long as you're okay I'll let you go. Go back to sleep, I'll meet you at the hospital at Ten." Boyd feeling guilty for waking Frankie up.
"Where are you, Boyd?" Frankie now at least awake enough to speak properly.
"Just heading out the office. I was going to call over when you didn't answer your phone, you had me worried." The doors to the building opening as he approached them.
"Are you going in before you meet me? If not, why don't you just come over now anyway? We can go together, at least you'll be there on time." Frankie hoping he agreed so they could arrive together and she sure would know he was there with her.
"I would have to call home first, get clean clothes and a few bits and pieces. I don't want to keep you up, Frankie." Knowing that even though he had suggested it she would tell him to cover over anyway.
"Come over. I'll make something to eat, now I'm awake I'm hungry again. At least if you arrive with me I know you won't be late, or miss anything." Finally putting her concerns into words.
"Give me half an hour, forty-five minutes tops." The thought of him going over making him happy after the day he had had.
"Okay, see you soon. Bye, Boyd." Frankie hearing him say bye before she hung up.
Frankie breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of him actually arriving with her. She had only had one scan but had heard the baby's heartbeat several times in the last few weeks and months. Frankie couldn't wait to see his face when he saw the baby on the screen, seeing the tiny miracle they had created together. Frankie got out of bed and put her dressing gown on, fastening it as best as she could around her bump. Going downstairs she opened a couple of tins of soup, cut some fresh bread and then smothered a couple of slices in butter. She had just finished in the bathroom when she heard the front door open and close, Boyd calling her name from the hallway. As she came down the stairs she saw him smile, his eyes looking over every piece of skin the dressing gown didn't cover. Frankie did try and pull it right but gave up. It was partly his fault she was in this position so he could grin and bear it, quite literally. When she stopped in front of him he pulled a bag out from behind his back. Frankie eyed him curiously before taking the bag and opening it. She couldn't help but smile at the contents of the bag as she pulled it out.
"I thought it was only fair you get to wear mine, it's half my fault yours doesn't fit anymore." Seeing Frankie holding up his dressing gown.
"Thanks," Frankie said as she smiled at Boyd and started to remove her dressing gown.
Boyd stood grinning as Frankie took her dressing gown off leaving her in just her bra and knickers. He held out his hand and took hers as she slid her arms into the sleeves of his and put it on, wrapping it around her front and tying it on her side.
"No more cold bump." Running her hands over the material as she buried her nose in the collar and inhaled the strong scent of expensive aftershave and soap. "Let's eat, least I can do is feed you since you brought me this." Frankie grinning from ear to ear as she took her dressing gown from him and headed into the kitchen.
As these sat at the table eating Frankie was surprised how talkative Boyd was. He had hardly said two words to her when he was last over, yet now he seemed to have a case of verbal diarrhoea and wouldn't stop talking. Frankie learnt more about Boyd in the fifteen minutes they sat eating soup than she had learnt about him in the four years the work together. When they were finished they washed and dried the dishes together, Frankie mesmerised in the sudden change in Boyd. She was terrified to ask anything in case he suddenly clamped shut again. Even as they lay in bed, he continued to talk, telling her about Luke when he was just a baby and the lack of sleep both Mary and himself had suffered due to colic and then teething. Frankie tried to stay awake and listen to him, scared in case she fell asleep and he thought she wasn't interested. Boyd must have sensed how tired she was as she kissed her temple and told her to go sleep, her eyes practically closed already. Frankie fell asleep wondering, wondering what had happened to the Boyd who had walked out all secretive and sulky and returned all chatty and open.
On the drive over to Frankie's Boyd had made a promise to himself to be more open with a Frankie, and once he started he couldn't stop. He watched Frankie fall asleep, knowing that in a few hours he would get to see for himself the baby they had created together. The one piece of his life he was determined to not screw up.