The following day was a little less stressful for Connor, but his mind will still entirely preoccupied by thoughts of Abby and their unborn child. Knowing he had support from Hank, and that Abby trusted him entirely, made things a little easier for Connor to think, but he wasn't able to reach his final decision just yet. Sitting in his chair at his desk Connor finished up with his deviant witness interview; the deviant had unfortunately seen a mugging in progress and needed to deliver a statement, and went back to overthinking his future as a father.

From his own desk Hank flexed his left fingers repeatedly to keep his hand from getting a cramp while in the wrist brace and he simply went about his business as if he had no idea of what Connor was enduring on his own. More worried about the way Connor still wasn't sleeping well and needed rest Hank decided to take the initiative and get the deviant to drink some Thirium-based tea that would help him to relax.

"I'm getting ice for my wrist." The senior detective stated casually. "Need something?"

Blinking once as he turned his eyes from his terminal screen and over to Hank across from him Connor knew he had been asked a question but didn't catch it. "Pardon? What did you ask?"

"Nothing." The way Connor actually yawned, another human reflex courtesy of his update, Hank just shook his head and rose from his desk. "When we go on break you can a nap in the car while I chow down on my lunch. Sound good?"

"...Yeah," dropping his hand from his captured yawn Connor acknowledged the suggestion. "that's sounds like a good idea."

Another telltale sign of Connor's fatigue was the way his usually perfect diction began to slip into more formal dialogue, but Hank didn't say a thing about it. At least for the moment. "Cool."

Sitting upright at his desk Connor ran a self diagnostic and noted that his power level was down to thirty-eight percent and in the red. It was important for him to get some sleep but he just couldn't turn off his mind long enough to get some decent rest. As he felt his mind beginning to drift off into his numerous worrying thoughts Connor became suddenly aware of something wrapped around his left leg and a high pitched giggle emanating from it.

Looking down Connor saw a sixteen month old baby boy wrapped around his left leg and laughing as he peered up at Connor, and smiled at him.

"...H-Hello?"

"Daaaaaamian?" Chris's voice called out in a silly sing-songy tone to the runaway toddler. "Where'd you go little man?"

Damian giggled louder and crawled under Connor's chair as if to hide.

"Wheeeeeeere are yoooooou?"

The giggling continued and Connor felt entirely lost in the situation.

Chris honed in on Damian hiding under Connor's chair and managed to scoop his son up into his hands and tickle him at the same time. "Gotcha'!"

Connor just watched in fascination as Chris smiled warmly at Damian and was reward with happy laughter in return. Chris seemed so fearless as he held his son up into the air and showed how much he loved the little boy. As the two stood beside Connor's desk with their faces so close together Connor could see which of Chris's facial features were given to Damian, and which features were inherited from Julia.

"You think you can hide from your daddy? I'm a cop, little man! I'll always find you!" Holding Damian on his hip Chris looked to Connor and gave him a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Sorry if he distracted you, Connor."

"N-No, he didn't. I just didn't expect to see him." The smiling baby was drawing the eyes of everyone else in the bullpen toward him. "...That's all."

"Well, Julia just started having contractions and during the drive over to the hospital she needed a pitstop. In fact," realizing Julia was still in the ladies restroom Chris decided to check on his wife to make sure everything was still under control. "I should see if she needs a hand. Uh," looking to Connor in a pleading manner Chris sort of held Damian out toward Connor. "do you mind holding him for a minute?"

"...No." The reply seemed to escape his lips without Connor having the chance to say otherwise. "I... I don't mind."

"Thanks, man!" Placing Damian down into Connor's hands Chris took a step back before going to check on Julia. "I'll be back soon, be a good boy, Damian!"

Holding onto Damian on his lap in his hands Connor observed the happy baby as Damian looked around the bullpen with a fascinated gaze. The way Damian had no fear of him, and saw Connor as no one to be afraid of or treated differently, gave Connor a strange fascination toward the little boy.

"...Hello, Damian."

Responding to his name Damian faced Connor and gave him a big grin. "Hi!"

"It seems you're going to have a sibling soon. I wonder how it'll be to have two babies in one house?"

"It will be loud and fun." Hank remarked as he returned to the desks with his ice pack and a mug of Thirium-tea ready for Connor. Deciding to keep the tea on his side of the desk until Damian was out of the bullpen Hank just smirked at the happy baby from where he sat. "Right, Damian? You're going to make sure the house is always loud and full of fun, right?"

"Yeah!"

Chris and Julia returned to the bullpen, the laboring woman looking entirely uncomfortable but excited, and Damian was reclaimed by his parents. "Thanks." Scooping Damian back up Chris held him in his arms against his chest. "We're off to welcome Damian's little sister into the world, and I'll be back in about six weeks."

"Good luck, you two." Hank stated as Chris wrapped his left arm around Julia's waist to help her walk. "We'll be waiting for the good news!"

The other officers all gave the young couple their own congratulations as they walked out of the bullpen side by side to head out to the hospital. The sincere camaraderie that radiated from the bullpen was infectious in a very positive way.

"So..." Hank placed the mug of tea down on Connor's desk and gave him a coy grin. "What did you think of Damian?"

"He was... interesting."

"Uh-huh. And?"

The leading question was very perplexing to the mentally exhausted deviant. "What else is to be said?"

"Oh, nothing much." Shrugging his shoulders dismissively Hank continued to smirk. "It's just the way you were holding Damian and getting smiled at seemed pretty damn natural. Don't you think?"

"...I'm not sure."

Biting his tongue Hank just sat back and decided to let Connor come to his own conclusion without any influence whatsoever. Knowing that the deviant was a guardian by nature left Hank feeling entirely confident that Connor would be an amazing father, but Connor need to make that decision on his own - not have such a role thrust upon him.

A much needed day off blessed the Anderson household as all three detectives were able to just lay around the house, and not worry about anything. Connor still wasn't sleeping well, he only had only gotten ten minutes of sleep during the previous day's lunchbreak, and was now laying on his back across the couch while Lucky used his torso as a nice warm bed. Sumo was laying on the floor between the couch and coffee table just under Connor's right hand as the limb hung off the couch toward the floor, and Hank and Lucas went about their own business elsewhere in the warm house.

The sound of Hank using the equipment in his personal gym to slowly strengthen his left hand echoed through the livingroom, and Lucas playing his saxophone from the loft overhead resonated throughout the entire house. It was as if everything in the world was normal save for Connor himself.

Unable to keep his eyes open Connor drifted off into a light rest mode just as he received another call from Abby. Keeping his eyes shut as he answered the call cybernetically, Connor's brow furrowed and then smoothed out as he fought to remain relaxed.

'Abby, I'm here.'

'Hey, I just wanted to let you know my eight week prenatal appointment will be in one hour at St. Mercy Hospital.'

'...Is there something wrong?'

'You ran the test yourself and already know the baby's healthy.' Abby had quickly transitioned from referring to the baby as 'it' and to baby once she knew Connor was the father. 'This is just routine so I can get a medical file started at the hospital for when its time to deliver. Do you want to go with me?'

Pausing for a moment Connor considered the offer very carefully. '...Are you certain you want me to be there? I'm not... I haven't decided what I wanted to do yet.'

'You don't HAVE to be there, I just wanted to let you know what's going on in case you wanted to join me.'

'...Do I need to do anything special during the test?'

Laughing at the naive and sweet question Abby explained the process to Connor in its entirety. 'No, Connor. It's just a routine blood test and ultrasound to check on everything in progress. If you want to do anything just hold my hand and try to stop thinking for a minute.'

Sitting upright on the couch, Lucky sliding from his abdomen and onto his lap, Connor opened his eyes and blinked a few times as he decided that using an autonomous cab would be better than him driving about while he was so tired and distracted. 'I'll be there.'

'Awesome! See you soon.'

Ending the call Connor pet Lucky's ears and then stood up so he could go retrieve his beanie, hoodie and jacket to keep warm during the harshly cold weather. As he disappeared down the hallway without a word Connor heard the gym grow quiet as Hank stopped his mini workout, clearly having taken notice of Connor's movement. Keeping his bedroom door open Connor slid open his closet to grab his garments and his shoes, and sat down on the bed to tie up his laces.

"Son?" Hank stared at the deviant getting dressed to the leave the house through the opened bedroom doorway. "What're you doing?"

Tying the first shoe Connor answered honestly. "...I'm going to join Abby for her appointment."

"Oh, good."

Sitting upright Connor's perpetually yellow L.E.D. flashed to red for a moment as his brow arched in confusion. "...'Good'?"

"I was worried you were going to try to work overtime or something. You're too tired to do that."

"...Oh."

"Need a ride?"

"No, I'm using a cab."

"Even better."

"I'll be back after an hour or so."

"Take your time." Speaking up just enough to be heard over the saxophone upstairs Hank made sure Connor knew he was still being supported. "Don't think you need to just go to the appointment and return home. Spend some time with Abby and make sure she's comfortable."

"Comfortable?"

"The first trimester isn't so bad, but once she starts really growing and showing her back, hips and ankles are going to be sore. Not to mention the frustration of finding clothes that fit and being able to handle crazy cravings throughout the day. If Abby's comfortable then the baby will be comfortable, remember that."

"That is very interesting to think about."

"Treat Abby as if she and the baby are the same person. She's going to need love and support, and she's going to need reassurance that she's safe."

"I'll remember that." The autonomous cab pulled up in front of the house and Connor rose from his bed. "Thank you for helping me."

"No problem. Just handle everything with a delicate touch and everything will be just fine."

It was an odd feeling for Connor going to the hospital and joining Abby in the waiting room for a prenatal appointment. The kind technician was actually glowing and she seemed entirely upbeat as she kept her left hand over the modest swelling bump pressing against the front of her blouse. Having the beanie to cover up his L.E.D. Connor looked like any other supportive boyfriend or husband with his significant other, but he still felt out of place. Even as Abby wrapped her right hand around Connor's left hand the deviant still felt like he simply didn't belong there.

After Abby's name was called and they were directed to the exam room Connor glanced about the room curiously as he continued to hold onto Abby's hand for dear life. Abby of course was impressively calm and eager to meet the doctor and perform the ultrasound.

"Don't be nervous, Connor." Tightening her hand around his Abby pulled him closer to the exam table as she laid back and pulled up her blouse to expose her lower belly. "This happens all the time and is just a routine check-up."

"...I'm sorry. I just can't help but worry that maybe I missed something during my test." Admitting her was anxious Connor tried to calm himself down. "If I was wrong and something ends up being wrong with the baby, I don't know what I'd do."

"Probably panic just as I would."

The door slid open as a tall, young woman with dark hair, short dark hair and an incredibly bright smile entered the room. "Hello, I'm Dr. Darius. I'll be tending to you and your baby over the next..." Checking over the details already provided by Abby that had been recorded by the nurse for her chart, the kind doctor smirked as she did the easy math. "Seven months. I'm going to do a quick blood draw, physical and then the ultrasound. Sound good?"

"Everything but the blood draw."

"That's what everyone says." A deviant nurse entered the room to take the blood sample, and she gave Connor an odd look. It was easy for her to recognize a fellow deviant, and she knew who Connor was due to his local celebrity status. "This won't take too long."

Holding still Abby trusted the blonde haired deviant to get to her vein and blood sample painlessly, and then relaxed as her arm had the alcohol soaked cottonball taped over the tiny puncture mark. "Great. Step one complete."

"Rebecca," the kind doctor addressed the deviant nurse holding the vial of Abby's blood. "please do a routine blood test for any genetic or chromosomal anomalies."

"Right away, Dr. Darius."

As the deviant nurse took her leave the good doctor proceeded to give Abby a typical physical to check her vitals before the ultrasound began.

Cooperating fully Abby let Dr. Darius listen to her heart, lungs, take her blood pressure and take her temperature to be documented for possible later use. Sitting upright on the table Abby lifted her shirt up and sat as still as possible as a tape measure was wrapped around her waist to get a good idea of how the baby's growth was going to progress throughout the pregnancy.

"Everything seems well within normal parameters." Dr. Darius confirmed as she made notes in Abby's electronic chart. Peering over the chart and toward Connor as he refused to let Abby's hand go the seasoned doctor could sense that they were both first time parents and tried to be comforting. "Try not to worry."

Knowing that the suggestion was directed toward him Connor lifted his eyes and looked to Dr. Darius as she spoke.

"Everyone's nervous during the first exam. I can assure you that your friend and baby are in good hands."

Impressed by the fact that Dr. Darius referred to Abby as his friend rather than wife or girlfriend showed that she didn't judge anyone for their decisions, and didn't seem to care that the two soon-to-be parents weren't married. Giving her a simple nod Connor tried to relax his stiff posture but he failed to do so even with the renewed sense of confidence being shown toward him.

There was a simple 'ding' as the electronic chart in Dr. Darius's hands was update with the result of the blood test, and the kind doctor just smiled even brighter. "The tests have all come back with great results. Both mother and baby are doing just fine."

Feeling his shoulders slump a little Connor breathed a sigh of relief as Abby's fingers tightened around his hand. "...That's good to know."

"Okay, with all of the technical details out of the way we can begin the ultrasound."

Abby laid back down and kept her blouse pulled up while Dr. Darius wheeled over the ultrasound machine and a small rolling stool to sit on. "We're finally going to see what this little nugget looks like." Flinching a little as the cool gel was placed on her belly with a small squeeze of a bottle Abby held still and slowed down her breathing to keep her abdomen still as well. "That gel feels gross."

"A lot of people hate it." Grinning a little Dr. Darius pressed the wand down over Abby's belly and gave her a quick exam. Within a few seconds a small humanoid figure appeared in black and white on the monitor for Connor and Abby to see for themselves. "All right, there it is."

Staring at the monitor with wide eyes Abby relaxed on the table as she saw the tiny blob of life squirming about gently where it was currently growing inside of her own body. There was a gentle and rapid fluttering of a heartbeat filling the air as the tiny new life slowly developed second by second as it neared its impending birth in just seven more months.

"Strong heartbeat," Dr. Darius noted as she moved the wand about slowly. "and of a very good size for being eight weeks along. It's a little bigger than average but that's nothing to be worried about. A big baby is a healthy baby."

"Healthy is all we care about," Abby smirked as she tightened her hand around Connor's hand. The deviant was statuesque with his eyes fixated on the screen almost hypnotically. "right, Connor?"

"...Yes." The deviant was truly in awe of what he was seeing and didn't even dare to blink. He, an artificial being, created new organic life. "...That's amazing."

Abby could see the emotions in Connor's tired soulful brown eyes and knew that he was still conflicted in his decision. Giving his hand another squeeze she tried her best to reassure her dearest friend as she stared at their unborn child on the monitor. "We're all going to be okay. You'll see."

Finishing with the ultrasound Dr. Darius turned the machine off and handed Abby a tissue so she could clean the gel off her belly, then printed off a copy of the ultrasound to give the parents a sonogram to keep for themselves. "It looks like everything is perfectly healthy and developmentally on schedule. I'll see you again at eighteen weeks for a routine follow-up."

"Sounds good." Pulling her blouse back down Abby took the sonogram and held it in her free hand with adoration in her hazel eyes. "Do we want to know the gender when it gets big enough to tell?"

"...I don't know." Connor stared at the sonogram and never once let Abby's hand go. "...I'm not sure if we should know."

"I get that." Sliding off the table with Connor's help Abby proceeded to slip back on her jacket after she wrestled her hand out of Connor's grip, and zipped it up over her barely showing bump. Seeing the fatigue in Connor's eyes she reached up with her right hand to gently caress his left cheek in her soft palm as Dr. Darius took her leave. "I think you should go home and sleep."

"No, I don't want to leave you alone."

"Connor, I'm okay."

Pressing his left hand over Abby's hand Connor kept her close as he closed his eyes and let out a small sigh. "Please? I want to stay with you for a little longer before I go home to rest."

Giving the deviant a small kiss on his lips Abby relented and let him keep her company for a while longer. "Okay. I'm feeling a little hungry, so how about we get some lunch?"

"Yes, okay. Let's do that." Interlacing his fingers through her fingers a second time Connor resumed holding her hand as if he needed to make sure she was by his side at all times. He needed to keep Abby and their child safe. "I just want you to be comfortable."

Indulging on her first odd craving Abby dipped her french fries in her chocolate milkshake and walked with Connor through the shopping plaza in search of new items that would make Abby's pregnancy more comfortable. Remembering what Hank said about keeping Abby comfortable so their baby is comfortable, Connor insisted on Abby getting extra pillows and a large body pillow to support her eventually heavy belly as the pregnancy continued. In spite of her protests that it wasn't necessary, and that she'd be find with her own pillows and blankets, but Connor was insistent on getting the pillows.

Looking like any other young couple on a shopping spree Connor carried the shopping bags with the new purchases contained inside, and Abby finished her special dessert. As she threw away the now empty container Abby happily took Connor's hand in her own again as they continued their walk around the shopping center together before heading out to the parking lot.

"I think the pillows and blankets are enough." Smirking at the way Connor was adamant on keeping her cozy Abby decided to get him away from the plaza before he went and purchased her a massage chair or ultra soft king-sized bed. "And stop trying to buy me things. I'm okay!"

"...I just want you to be comfortable as you go through with the pregnancy."

"You can buy me all the pillows in the world but I'm going to have aches and pains from my body growing and changing." Rubbing her left palm over her belly Abby did her best to reassure her worrying friend. "I'll just be sure to rest my back and not stand for too long when I really start showing and getting heavy."

"Please call me if you need anything." Leading the way back to Abby's little blue car Connor put her purchases in the backseat and opened the front passenger side door for her to sit down. "I don't mind coming to your aid."

"Connor, stop." Giving him a kiss on his right cheek as she sat down Abby watched as Connor walked around the front of the car to sit down behind the steering wheel. "Don't forget that Skye's going to be checking in on me, too. I won't be alone and if I ever need help I have my two best friends to rely on."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry." Turning over the car's engine Connor pulled the car out of the parking lot and onto the street to head for Abby's home. He would drop her off and then take a cab back to the house. "But since the baby is also mine I feel as though I need to help pay for everything necessary to keep you both safe, healthy and comfortable."

"If you want to split the bill on groceries that'd be great." Abby was already feeling hungrier than usual. "If I keep craving milkshakes and salty snack I'm going to need the extra cash."

"That's acceptable."

"After next payday I'll go with Skye to shop for maternity clothes and a super nice, extra soft and padded bra." Adjusting the thin straps of her bra under her shirt Abby let out a small sigh. "My girls are absorbing the hormones like crazy and I'm worried they'll break free and go on a rampage."

"...I don't think that's physically possible."

Laughing at the comment Abby grabbed onto Connor's right arm and leaned against his shoulder. "I hope not. The last thing I want to do is try to wrangle 'the beasts' back into their pens."

Running a biometric scan over his pregnant friend Connor noted her healthy vitals and positive attitude. She truly was unafraid of what she was going through and he was impressed with her emotional fortitude. In a way her confidence help him to feel confident as well. It was as if she was lending him her strength while he made his decision at long last and knew where his future was going to go.

Connor did in fact finally know what he was going to do.

After returning Abby to her home and making her a rich pasta dinner, Connor was given a goodbye kiss and he went back home via autonomous cab to be with his father and his little brother. Opening the front door of the house Connor spotted his family sitting on the couch and watching a cheesy movie from the 1950's with mild interest. Removing his hat, jacket, hoodie and shoes by the front door Connor sat down in the recliner beside the couch and was promptly greeted by Sumo's cold wet nose pressing into his hands as the massive dog welcomed him home.

Hank looked over at Connor and put a handful of popcorn in his mouth as if he had been waiting for the deviant to give him some news. Beside him Lucas was also watching his every move, although he didn't have any popcorn to eat or any clue as to what Connor was going through.

"...Dad," speaking clearly and loudly Connor addressed his father with a level tone. "I made my decision."

"Oh?" Muting the television Hank turned to face Connor while Lucas was at a total loss of what was going on. "And what's that?"

"...I want to keep it." The yellow L.E.D. flashed to blue as he admitted his true feelings and told Hank what he was thinking. "I'm ready for this. I want to be a father."

"Not at all surprised." Smiling eagerly Hank began internally celebrating the good news. "I had a feeling that's what you'd say, and I'm damn proud."

Lucas's confusion only mounted as he dared to ask what he was missing out on. "Connor, what're you talking about? To whom are you going to be a father?"

Looking to his brother Connor took in a deep breath and told him what was happening. "Abby is pregnant..." Holding up his right palm Connor showed Hank and Lucas the sonogram to see for themselves. "With my child."

"She..." Lucas was genuinely stunned at the sonogram. "WHAT?"

"I'm going to be a father." As he said that word Connor felt a renewed confidence filling his mind and his heart. "In seven months I will have a child of my own. You will be an uncle and dad..." Turning to look at Hank again Connor gave him a simple nod. "And you're going to be a grandfather."

-next chapter-