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Nigel was going over the last notes on a tox screen when a familiar call of, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" rung throughout the morgue. It was soon followed by a soft weight throwing itself enthusiastically against Nigel's leg. Without missing a beat, Nigel let his hand rest upon the tousled dark curls while he finished his debriefing. Mór snuggled his head into his father's knee, his small hands fisting into the blue scrubs as he waited his turn.

Satisfied with the findings, Peter accepted the report and playfully bopped the little boy on the head, getting a squeal of glee from him, as he headed back to Autopsy One.

"Ooft!" Nigel huffed as he picked up the always growing five-year-old, "How is my little man today?"

"I saw a dog."

Nigel gasped as he walked them back to his office, "You did? What was his name?"

"Walker. He—he had floppy ears and a heart on his nose and—and a big, fluffy tail!" Mór gestures were chaotic and grand as he told his tale and Nigel was quick to make sure Mór didn't tumble out of his arms as he set him on the desk.

"I bet nothing could top that." Nigel grinned as he typed up the final few notes on a report so he could call it a day.

"And—and—and my toof is loosh!" Mór pulled up his lip to show off his latest discovery.

Nigel took a closer look and smiled, "Look at that! Lose a couple more and we can play checkers in your mouth." Mór giggled and cuddled close.

Just then, a three-note whistle sounded. A few staff members stopped to look around but most continued without pause, having gotten used to the little routine. Nigel called back with a four-note and soon Jordan appeared around the corner, Eilís beside her.

The little girl lit up and she ran forward, throwing herself into her father's waiting arms, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"

Nigel kissed the side of her head, "Thank you, little bun! I'm almost finished up."

"Wait till you see what we have planned!" Eilís started hopping up and down on her toes, just about to burst, "I'm going to make dinner—" Nigel chanced cutting his eyes to Jordan who mouthed quickly that she would be overseeing things, "And Mór is going to perform a live painting for the entertainment, Mommy is in charge of decorations. She also baked the cake, but I helped put sprinkles on it!"

"And I helped!" Mór barely got out through his suckling thumb, "I…I picked out blue balloons."

"I can't wait to see it all come together!" Nigel said as he reached over and shut his computer off, "Let's be off, come on, come on!" He pulled his jacket on as he ushed their little troop towards the door. Eilís took hold of her little brother's hand and the pair skipped towards the elevators. Well, the eldest skipped and the youngest did his best to keep up without faceplanting on the linoleum.

Nigel snuck his arm around his wife, kissing the side of her head, "Do you have any more surprises planned, Dr. T?"

Her smile was teasing, "Wouldn't you like to know…"

"Does it involve getting to make another one of those?" He nodded towards their kids; his smile puckish.

A mischievous glint caught her eye and she baited him, "How do you know we haven't already?"

Nigel's expression fell, his steps stuttering, as Jordan continued down the hall, giving a shrug, "Come on, Mr. C! We don't want to miss out on Eilís' famous strawberry Jell-O appetizers!"

His smile brightened when he saw her pull the kids close as they waited for the elevator. He took the memory to heart. It was such a simple act, a normal, nothing-special, everyday gesture, but it reminded him just how lucky he was.

Jordan stepped into the lift, her brow knit, "You coming, Nige?"

Nigel nodded and ran to catch up, knowing he couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect way to spend his birthday.

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