When Eames went into labor, Ricky was at work, in the middle of a stakeout, and unable to even take her call. They got a message to him, but his reply was for her to take a cab and he'd get there when he could. She was not surprised. She really didn't even expect him to show up at all.
Her father didn't answer and her sister was caring for her sick son, so she called her partner, who dropped what he was doing to take her to the hospital, as she knew he would. He sat with her through the night as her labor progressed, struggling to help her through the pain in any way he could. He was confused. He knew that childbirth was painful. He'd read all about it the first time, when she had been pregnant with her nephew. Childbirth was supposed to be beautiful, but he didn't understand how any beauty could come from that much pain. Then the nurse had brought a little bundle to them, placing the baby girl in his arms. Neither of them felt a need to correct the nurses' assumption that he was the baby's father; it was none of their business. Dark curly hair poked out from under a little pink hat and she made soft noises of a kind he had never heard before. For him, it was love at first sight. He sat back in the chair, his arm resting against the side of her bed. She leaned over, resting her head on his arm. He offered the baby to her but she shook her head wearily. "She seems happy. You hold her for awhile."
She closed her eyes, drifting off with her head resting on his arm. He kissed her forehead and sat there, quietly content, holding the newborn baby, who slept in his arms. And his restless soul was at peace for a little while…for the first time in far too long.
When she woke up, he was still there, sleeping in the chair. "Bobby?"
He slowly opened his eyes, looking around the room. He finally looked at her. "How do you feel?"
"Exhausted. How about you?"
"Me? I didn't just have a baby."
"No, but you were up all night with me. Where's the baby?"
"They took her to the nursery. They said they were going to weigh her and give her a bath."
She sighed wearily. "What do you think?"
"About what?"
"The baby, silly."
He smiled. "She's beautiful, just like her mother." He stretched wearily. "What are you going to name her?"
"Margaret Rose."
"I like it."
She laughed. She was glad he was there as she studied his exhausted face. "Thank you, Bobby."
"For what?"
"For bringing me in and staying with me."
"I couldn't let you do this all alone. I should thank you for letting me stay."
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. The door slid open and her father came in. Goren stood up, accepting John Eames' outstretched hand. He was surprised to see his daughter's partner there, but not surprised that Ricky wasn't. "How are you doing, Bobby?"
"Fine, Mr. Eames."
He kissed his daughter. "I got your message, Alex. Your mother's not feeling well. I came over as soon as your sister could come by to stay with her."
"It's all right, Dad. Bobby brought me in."
"You've been here with her all night?"
"Yes, sir."
The retired cop smiled. "I worry less about Alex since you became her partner than I ever have. Thank you for taking care of her."
"That's what partners do."
John laughed. "I don't know if I would have sat at the hospital all night with any one of my partners, much less stayed through childbirth with them."
Eames laughed with him. "Dad, if any of your partners had gone through childbirth it would have been a miracle."
"That's beside the point. So where's my newest grandchild?"
"In the nursery."
He put a hand on Goren's shoulder. "Come and show me. We'll be right back, honey."
The two men headed down the corridor toward the nursery. "Boy or girl?"
"A little girl."
"Wonderful." He hesitated for a moment before he said, "Where's Ricky?"
Goren shrugged. "We haven't seen him. Alex said she called him but he was on a stake out."
"Did he even call to see if she's ok?"
"Not that I know of."
John shook his head and stopped before they got to the nursery windows. "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"You've known my daughter for a long time. What do you think about her marriage?" When Goren hesitated, he added, "I won't say anything to her, I promise. But I want to know what you think."
Goren leaned against the wall. "I don't like the way he treats her. She's unhappy and I hate that. I don't know what to do, except let her know I'm here if she needs me."
"That's all any of us can do, son. But I'm glad she has a friend like you she can depend on."
"I'll always be here for her."
John put a hand on his shoulder. "Show me my new granddaughter."
When they returned to the room, Goren told her, "Since your dad is here, I'm going home to get some sleep. I'll come back later, if you want me to."
She nodded. "I do."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "See you later." He shook her father's hand. "Good to see you again, Mr. Eames."
"Thank you again for taking care of my daughter."
John turned to his daughter once her partner had gone. "She's a beautiful baby, Alex."
"Thanks, Dad."
They brought the baby to her to feed, and she went back to sleep. When she woke up several hours later, her father was gone. And still, there was no sign of her husband.