Chapter 4:

Sue and Jack waited quietly in the waiting room until Sue's name was called. Dr. Miller had suggested coming to see Dr. Amelia Mireck; an OB/GYN that he knew well and said would take good care of Sue, especially with her recent injuries. Sue had made her 1-month appointment, though slightly nervous. She didn't know what to expect. She barely felt pregnant. Sure, she had a bit of morning sickness and the smallest things would make her cry but it really wasn't much different then having the flu. She was actually looking forward to the day when she could feel the baby kick, and actually see that she had a life growing inside of her.

Jack squeezed her hand. She could tell he was a little nervous too. However, they didn't look out of place. They simply looked like another young married couple expecting their first child. Sue wondered in her mind what would happen next between her and Jack. She knew that he was committed to her and the baby. Every time that she hesitated he made sure she understood that he wanted this, to be apart of hers and the babies life. To be a family. Lucy was certain he was going to propose soon. Sue didn't know how she felt. She knew that he was the one, and that she wanted her baby to grow up in a family with two parents but the last thing she wanted was for him to resent her. They had only been seeing each other, technically for almost a month but after 3 years of being close friends, the timing really wasn't the issue. It was more that Sue felt Jack wouldn't want to propose to her.

Sue sat contemplating. Part of her was excited at the thought of being married to Jack. She started imagining what their house would look like. Waking up every morning with him beside her, raising their son or daughter. Going on vacations. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift. Unknowing to her, Jack was sitting beside her also lost in thought. Thinking of the baby, of Sue and how much he wanted to be a family. The thought of having a child was so exciting. Even if it wasn't his own flesh and blood. Having coffee every morning with Sue around the kitchen table with the little one running around, thinking of the first time his little boy or girl says daddy. Having another kid eventually, a brother or sister for the little one. It was all so overwhelming. It had happened so fast. One minute he was a lonely bachelor, looking for a lost colleague, then a week later he was a devoted boyfriend and expecting almost-father. No matter how fast its been, Jack thought, I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

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Back at the bullpen, the boredom was starting to get to Myles, Bobby, D, Lucy and Tara. Lucy suddenly came up with a brilliant idea.

"I just thought of something guys. Let's start an office pool." She ripped out a pen and paper. The all came over to her desk.

"What are we betting about this time?" Myles asked.

"The Baby. Jack and Sue. Bets going for whether the baby is boy or girl, when he or she will be born and…when Jack and Sue will finally tie the knot. One condition. No mention of this to Jack or Sue." The all nodded.

"No mention of what to Jack and Sue?" Ted Garrett's booming voice entered the room. Lucy tried to think of a quick comeback but came up with only a few sputters incoherency. Ted just smiled.

"Baby is a girl, born June 26th, and by Christmas. And you all owe me big if I win." They all sat in shock for a few seconds until Ted finally broke the silence. "Nice to know you're all working hard."

"Sorry boss, but it's been kind of dead around here ever since we caught...you know…" Bobby said. Talking about Greg still made his stomach turn.

"I know. I just wanted to see how you were all wasting your time. Once you figure out your bets, maybe start working on some old cases, catching up on paperwork. I don't mind you all taking a bit of a breather but we do need to do some actual work." Ted said with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. "Now what does the winner get from this bet?" Lucy couldn't help but smile. Even their supervisor was in on the bet.

"Whoever gets the least amount right, out of all 3 bets has to buy the whole team dinner at a fancy restaurant once the baby is born. If there is a tie, they split the bill." Lucy finally decided. They all agreed.

"Well, I should get back to my office. I'll let you finish off your bets, but then back to work." Ted said, in a no-nonsense voice that didn't fool any of them, as he walked out the door.

"Okay. Who else thought that was incredibly funny?" Tara said, barely able to hold back her laughter. Lucy was laughing too. It was so wonderful to have things back to normal. Lucy continued on,

"Okay, everyone needs to give me their bets. I'll write them down on this paper. We'll keep track of everyone's points until all 3 events happen. Not a word to Jack or Sue - deal? I'll write down Ted's bet. Girl, June 26th, Before Christmas. Okay who's next?" Bobby piped up.

"Definitely a Boy. Ummm…due date. Well it's supposed to be nine or ten months right?" Tara nodded, and tried not to laugh at Bobby's lack of knowledge on pregnancy and babies.

"Nine months Bobby. And Hurry up!" She said, still trying not to laugh. Bobby gave Tara his dazzling smile.

"Hold your horses Sheila. Okay. I say Boy, June 16th, and before Valentines Day." Lucy jotted down Bobby's bet. Tara went next.

"I have to say Boy too." Bobby beamed at her. "June 8th, first babies are normally early, and sometime in November." Lucy continued to write. She looked up and noticed D in the corner, talking on his cell phone. Myles instead gave his bet.

"Girl, June 3rd, after the baby is born." He spoke with confidence, undoubting his guess. "I'm quite looking forward to the dinner you'll all owe me." Lucy waited for D, but noticed he was still talking on his cell, in the corner where no one could hear.

"Okay, well since D is busy, ill put my bet. Definitely a girl, June 12th, and in December." They waited a few moments, until D finished his call and walked over.

"Okay, I'm ready now." He announced.

"Who was that mate?" Bobby asked. Dimitrius looked back at him a little sheepishly.

"My wife."

"Oh, what did she want?" Myles asked. D hesitated, wondering if he should lie but then it occurred to him that it was a bet and why not rub it in to his friends that he had an advantage.

"Actually, I was the one that called her. We've decided on our bet – Boy, June 14th, around Christmas and New years."

"Hey! That's no fair." Bobby said indignantly

"I was just using my resources. None of you have ever had kids or gotten married so I have the advantage on all of you. Donna and I are quite looking forward to the dinner as well." Myles just scowled. This was one time his resources wouldn't be of much help.

"Okay. All the bets are in." Lucy announced. "We'll probably know either the wedding or the sex of the baby first, so we'll just have to wait and see. I guess we should get back to work." The small crowd slowly fizzled out and headed back to their own desks, working on the dull paperwork but basking in the relief of having nothing pressing to do.