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The girls at the front desk gushed over little Eilís, who remained indifferent even as Emmy cooed at her. Her gentle, dark eyes hadn't stopped wandering around since they got there, and Jordan wasn't sure if it was because of the twinkling Christmas lights hanging above the desk or if she was surprised to find that there was a world outside her little corner at the apartment and the hospital.

"Mamá Jordan, she is so curious!" Gloria smiled.

"Ya, she's already babbling and can push herself up some during tummy time. Not bad for an almost Halloween baby!" Jordan beamed as Eilís softly took hold of her finger. She had always thought that the maternal genes had skipped her over, but slowly they were coming out and Jordan was pleasantly surprised to find that she didn't hate it like she thought she would a couple years ago. If truth be told, she loved being a mom.

The elevator dinged and Eilís tried to look for the weird sound as the boys piled out. Bug and Garret headed over and began showering her with their attention like they always did.

"Hey, where's Nigel?" Jordan asked as Garret made funny faces into the carrier, he was at least rewarded with a half-smile.

"He's helping bring the pickup in." Bug didn't bother looking up from Eilís' gentle face, "Should be up soon." Jordan just shook her head, quite amused. Eilís had them completely wrapped around her little finger.

Eilís' eyes flit to the doors, sensing him a second before Jordan did. Nigel popped the swinging doors open with a flourish; his large smile leaving no corner untouched.

"I heard there was a gridlock going on at the front desk, but I didn't know it was my girls causing the delay." He teased, sneaking an arm around Jordan and kissing the top of her head. Eilís fussed a bit and he quickly reached for her. She took hold of his long finger and instantly settled, "You know I wouldn't forget about you, but Mum always gets the first kiss." Nigel pulled her out of the car seat and snuggled her close. With a small yawn, she settled into the crook of his neck as he fell into his routine of rocking back and forth, "There ya go, little luv."

The girls at the front desk sighed, rather taken by the pair, while Garret and Bug smiled, used to Nigel's fatherly touch by now. Jordan leaned onto the counter and Nigel grinned when he caught her watching him.

Jordan knew how much he loved being a dad and she never grew tired of watching him dote on their little one. He had never missed a doctor's appointment, for either her or Eilís, and the nurses always appreciated how sweet he was on them, commenting on how nice it was to see a man so invested in being a husband and father. When Jordan had told them how he'd completely taken over the shopping and house cleaning since they brought Eilís home, they started asking if he had any brothers.

Jordan smiled at the memories as Nigel called her back to the present.

"Want to grab some lunch, Dr. T?"

She smiled and grabbed the carrier, knowing Eilís would have no use for it with dad around, "Sure, Mr. C."

XxX

Later that night, as Eilís lay fast asleep, finally, Nigel crawled in beside Jordan and was out before his head hit the pillow.

Jordan lay awake a while longer, watching his peaceful face and resisting the urge to brush aside his tousled hair.

Motherhood was no walk in the park of course – she didn't even want to think about how many outbursts she had had in the first month or how snappy she had been lately trying to get Eilís on a schedule – but she couldn't help admiring everything Nigel did for her and Eilís. He had taken over every adulting task so she could focus completely on Eilís; from shopping, to cooking, to dusting. He always made sure he wasn't home too late during the week and every Friday and Saturday night like clockwork he'd take Eilís and shoo her out of the house to go get coffee or have dinner with friends.

Jordan wasn't exactly sure if the breaks were entirely for her benefit or so he could enjoy some time with their daughter without her hovering, but either way she was pretty sure they were the only thing keeping her sane some days.

Nigel had always been so kind, so gentle, and she couldn't believe how long it had taken her to see it.

Her thoughts began to wander back to their first time, and she smirked, remembering how it had been the same night he had returned her locket. They had never been one for social norms or the "rules", but Nigel had hesitated in that moment and took a gentle hold of her face as he looked into her eyes, asking if she was sure this was what she wanted.

She was so used to selfish partners, who took what they wanted with little thought to her. It's not like she'd been much better, she had jumped into bed more than once with only her needs in mind, but the lack of affection had been weighing on her for years now, slowly chipping away at her, leaving her emptier than before. Her first time Sophomore year had nearly broken her, and it had set her on a dark course; it was always in the back of her mind, reminding her how worthless she was. She knew flings were probably the best she could hope for, since she didn't deserve much more and because loving someone always came with too many risks.

And then Nigel came along, giving her his whole heart without question.

The way he had kissed her that night after she had given her yes. The way he touched her, so thoughtful and tenderly. Her comfort had been first and foremost to him, and she learned that night what is meant to made love. She shivered at the memory, amazed that he could still made her feel that way after all this time.

It had taken her a while to accept this new intimacy. The present could never forget the past, but the more love he poured into her, the more she could easily let her demons lie. He cherished her, truly, and never once had he ever made her feel discardable. She was his greatest treasure, and she believed him.

"Take a picture, it will last longer, luv."

Jordan startled at his voice.

Groggily, Nigel opened his eyes and shifted to his back, "You mutter when you think to yourself." He chuckled.

Jordan reached over to trace his jaw, "I love you." The words were no longer foreign to her, she had been caught more than once saying them at the morgue and they now blessed their home often.

"Yes, I am quite lovable." He quipped, opening his arm to her, "Now, go to sleep."

She snuggled close to his side, with her head on his chest. Her favorite place to be.

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