Chapter Ten

Woody carefully carried the baby seat with Noel in it to Jordan's apartment, setting her gently down on the counter. Then he turned to help her mother in the apartment. Jordan was still sore and healing from the C-section. "Bed for you…and her," he ordered, guiding her toward her bedroom area. Jordan didn't argue. The drive home had taken more out of her than she planned. She didn't get to rest in the hospital like she wanted to. People from the morgue the Boston PD came and went…she wanted to see everyone and let everyone see Noel, but it had taken a toll on her tired body. Now Cal was in town…Woody was letting him stay at his apartment while he stayed with "the girls" until Jordan was feeling better.

Their friends had been great…diapers, clothing…anything a baby could need, Noel had. Jordan had been given three showers and people were still bringing in gifts and food. But Woody knew Jordan had reached her limitations. She was worn out and still trying to nurse on a schedule. "Sleep while Noel is napping," he ordered. For once in his life, Jordan didn't argue. She went to sleep. Woody put Noel in the bassinet beside Jordan's bed, then went about straightening up the apartment and putting dinner in the oven to warm. When Noel woke up to nurse, Jordan found an immaculate house and supper waiting. "Gee, Woody, I could get used to this," she commented.

And immediately knew she had said the wrong thing. He turned quickly away, avoiding her eyes. Jordan finished nursing the baby and put her back down to sleep. "I'm sorry, Woody," she called softly, to him as he was putting dinner on their plates. "I didn't mean to…."

"It's okay, Jor. It's okay. I know this seems nice…and it is nice…and really family-type stuff. But I still don't know…Noel is so tiny. What if…I did hurt her…what if I really am like my dad?"

She wanted to tell him so badly that there was no way he was like that. She had watched him with his daughter for days now. The only words to describe Woody with Noel was "helplessly in love." He would hold her and talk to her for hours, if allowed. Changed her diapers. Fed her water. Burped her. Doted on her.

But like Cal had said, Woody would have to realize this himself…

For a week Woody stayed with Jordan and Noel. At first he slept on the couch, but was making so many trips between the living room and Jordan's bedroom that she finally told him to "park it in the bed and quit wearing yourself out."

"Are you sure, Jordan?" he had asked, very hesitantly. The last time he was in her bed…well, the results were crying the crib.

"Woody…it makes sense… and besides, even if you wanted to do something, we couldn't for six more weeks. So…just lie down and get some sleep."

He didn't argue. He lay down. The bed was a lot more comfortable than the couch, anyway. And holding Jordan while she slept was an added benefit. And one she didn't argue with. It was nice waking up in his arms…she was getting used to being held by him.

So he stayed for a week. Then he stayed for another. Cal had come and gone, ohhing and ahhing over Noel, taking six rolls of film, bestowing her with a frilly pink dress and her first doll. Much like the ones that Jordan had admired in the store last Christmas. Then suddenly, it was time for Woody to go back to work and life to get back to normal. "Are you sure you'll be okay?" he asked, leaving Monday morning to go back to his office.

"I'll be fine… we'll be fine…don't worry." She was over much of her initial soreness…still moving slowly, but doing well. She had just become used to him being there. Now her day seemed so empty.

"Don't over do…and if you need me, call me….and I'll check in at lunch."

Jordan nodded and shooed him out the door. "Bye…Dad." She made Noel's tiny hand wave goodbye by holding it in her own. Woody grinned and left.

And spent most of his day worrying about them. Was Noel okay…was she eating…how was Jordan? Was she managing? Was she resting? He went home that evening to his very empty apartment. Jordan and he both had assumed that once his time was up and she was better that their lives would once again be split in two. That she would pretty much go her way and he would go his.

But that wasn't settling well with him now, he thought as he lay on his couch and tried to watch TV. He worried about them…did Jordan eat dinner? Did Noel nurse okay today? He knew Jordan was going to nurse for the first six weeks and then switch to formula and bottles due to the fact she would be going back to work. How was she going to manage that alone…Woody saw first hand just how much effort it took to give her an evening feeding, a bath and get her down for bed. And Noel was, of course, waking up two or three times a night to feed again. Could Jordan manage that? By herself? And still get some rest? She needed to rest in order to take good care of Noel…

He shut off the TV and put his hands behind his head, deep in thought. What if, somewhere down the road, Jordan gets married…and this guy is Noel's step-dad? How is that going to work? Will he treat my daughter well? How will she react? Hell, how will I react?

And what are you reacting most strongly to? That nagging voice in his head asked. To the fact that Noel may have a step-dad or someone else will be sleeping with her mother….someone other than you?

Woody wasn't sure he wanted the answer to that, but he knew what he had to do now. He rolled off the couch, grabbed his service revolver and badge, the suit he was going to wear tomorrow, threw some things in a duffle bag and drove over to Jordan's.

And she wasn't at all surprised when she answered the door and he was there, looking a little dazed and confused at the depth of his own feelings. "I know you must think I'm crazy," he began.

"Not at all…As a matter of fact, I've been expecting you," she simply replied holding the door open a little wider to let him in.