It was three o'clock p.m. Samantha had left an hour earlier to get Cecilia from day care and had decided to bring her back to see everybody. Martin and Danny were the only ones left in the bullpen, Vivian had gone home after they found the missing woman and Jack was in his office doing paperwork. Martin walked over to Danny, "You knew didn't you?" Danny looked up in surprise. "I knew about what?"
"You knew I had a daughter. Two years ago when you came to Denver to help on that case, you could have told me then."
"What was I supposed to say? It's not just something you can just drop into a conversation: 'Hey Martin, by the way, you and Samantha have a two year old daughter back in New York. Can you get me the credit cards bills?' And I thought it would be better if Samantha told you."
"You could have done something."
"I didn't want to interfere with anything."
Martin walked back over to his empty desk. He had only been sitting for a minute when he heard voices in the hallway. "Uncle Danny!" Cecilia ran over to Danny and he lifted her up and gave her a hug. "Hi Cecil, how was school?"
"It was fun! I drew a bunch of pictures. I have one for you." Danny dropped Cecilia down and she ran back to her mother, "Mom, where did you put the picture of the dog?" Samantha opened her purse and handed her daughter the rolled up picture labeled 'Uncle Danny' written in Carole's handwriting. Cecilia watched Danny open it. "It's a big dog. I didn't know what else to draw."
"Thank you Cecilia. Do you want to help me put it up?"
"Okay!" Cecilia walked with Danny to his desk, and they put up Cecilia's latest drawing.
Martin walked toward Samantha. Samantha had changed into jeans and put her hair down. "What time do you get off?"
"I don't know. I could probably leave whenever I want to."
"Cecilia's staying at a friend's house tonight. She's been looking forward to it for a week. It'll give us sometime to be alone. Tomorrow is Saturday, I don't work weekends." Martin smiled at Samantha. As much as he wanted to get to know his daughter, it would be nice being alone with Sam for an evening. "We should probably get going. Can you be home before five?"
"I think so. I'll call if I can't make it."
"Ceel, are you ready to go?"
Cecilia nodded at her mother and hugged Danny goodbye. She then walked towards her father, "Are you going to be at home tonight? Martin looked down to her, "Yes. I'll be there."