"Frankie, what the hell are you doing? We're going to be late." He yelled up the stairs, listening carefully for any response.
When he didn't get a reply he made his way up the stairs, making sure he stamped his feet so she knew he was coming up, and he wasn't impressed about the fact he had to come up and find her.
"What's taking you so long?" Pushing the bedroom door open as he spoke.
He stopped just in the doorway and took in the carnage that used to be his bedroom. He could just make out the bed, buried under a pile of jeans and tops. Both wardrobes were open, and so were most of the draws, clothing hanging out and coat hangers everywhere.
"Christ, what happened in here?" Trying to work out what the hell Frankie was doing.
It was then he looked at Frankie, looking her up and down as he took in what she was wearing, or wasn't wearing which was more the point. She was stood with her hair tied up, wearing just a baggy jumper and socks. He scanned the bed, finding most, if not all, of her favourite jeans flung across it. There was also a few pairs of pants buried in there somewhere.
"Frankie." He said cautiously, watching as Frankie turned and looked at him, her hands on her hips as she pouted.
"Are pyjama pants acceptable for working in the lab?" Trying to make a joke out of her current predicament.
He didn't answer, he wasn't sure it was safe to. Instead he looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on her jumper covered abdomen.
"Apparently I didn't get the memo." Seeing Boyds eyebrow raise at her statement. "You know, the one that's said all you clothes will fit on Friday, but by Monday they won't." Raising her arms and indicating to all the clothes on the bed.
"Ahh, that memo. I thought you got it when we were at the doctors eight weeks ago, or even last week at the hospital." Coming to stand beside her.
"I got that memo, it just didn't say how quick it would happen when it happened." Crossing her arms over her chest and pouting again.
"Frankie, we'll find something. Then we'll go shopping at lunch time, dead bodies permitting of course." Hoping to stop her from sulking with the prospect of shopping.
"Of course. But what do I wear until then? Nothing fastens anymore." Picking up a pair of well worn faded jeans from the bed before throwing them back down.
Boyd stood beside Frankie, his eyes scanning the room for something she could wear. Clothes were not his thing, especially women's clothes.
"What about them black legging type things? You know, the ones I hate trying to peel off you." Hoping Frankie worked out which pair he was on about from his description.
"I can't find them, or my blue tracksuits bottoms." Stepping forward and digging about in the wardrobe.
"The blue ones I can help with, I've seen them. Ironing pile downstairs. I'll go get them." Heading out the bedroom and back downstairs.
He entered the bedroom carrying the pants Frankie had mentioned. She had taken off the jumper she had been wearing, replacing it with a striped grey and black, long sleeved t-shirt. As she pulled the t-shirt down he noticed for the first time why none of jeans fitted. He couldn't help smiling, Frankie's small bump now showing with the t-shirt stretched across it. Frankie turned to ask him for the pants when she saw him smiling like an idiot, his gaze fixed firmly on her midsection. He walked up to her, placing the pants on the top of the pile on the bed. He was mesmerised, his focus completely on Frankie.
"You have a bump." The awe in his words as he reached out and gently placed his hand on Frankie's abdomen.
Frankie just stood watching him, her mind in total shock. The tough, moody, short tempered, irritable man she knew and loved, replaced with this one. She knew he had a soft side, a caring and loving side that no one but her really saw. But to see him like this, in awe of the fact she could possibly have a bump, while pregnant with his child, rendered her speechless. She looked down at where he had placed his hand, the small curve under his large hand very noticeable against the tight material of her top. She did have a bump, even if it was small.
"I have a bump." Her own voice having a slightly awestruck tone to it. "I actually have a baby bump."
They both stood looking at the very small but noticeable bump under Boyds hand, both smiling like Cheshire cats.
"Now we have to tell the others." Boyd pointed out, knowing they had planned on doing it that day anyway.
"Lucky we already planned to then. Any chance I can have my body back please? I would like to finish getting ready now I've got pants to wear." Tapping the back of his hand as she glared at him.
Boyd removed his hand, reached on the bed and pick the pants back up, passing them to Frankie. He watched her pull them on, adjusting them as they reached her waist.
"Can we still go shopping at Lunch time? These aren't going to last much longer." Shifting the top of the pants to sit lower on her hips instead of pressing on her abdomen.
"Sure, as long as you take Mel, or Grace, or both of them. And dead bodies allowing of course." Ducking out of the way as she took aim with her hand. "What? I'll pay, since it's just as much my fault as it is yours."
She just stuck her tongue out at him in response, her inner child not being able to help it.
"Very mature. Can we go now? Before someone comes looking for us?" Looking over the debri that's as once their bedroom.
"Yes, and I'll clean it up later, or should I say bag it up." Seeing Boyd take in the carnage that was the contents of her wardrobe everywhere.
They headed downstairs, picking up coats and keys on the way out the door. Frankie got in her car, Boyd in his. It was rare they shared a car into work, it was more practical for crime scenes if they had their own. Frankie followed behind Boyd most of the way, only losing him when she stopped for coffee and chocolate croissants for everyone. When she did arrive at the cold case units office she was surprised to see Boyd stood at the top of the stairs.
"What you doing stood out here?" Stopping beside him as juggled the coffees, her bag, and the bag of food.
He reached out and took the drinks holder, scanning the tops of the fives drinks. He smiled when he spotted the decaf one, knowing how much Frankie hated having to cut back on her caffeine intake.
"Well?" She asked impatiently, seeing Boyd looking around.
"This, since I didn't do it at home." Leaning in and gently kissing Frankie on the lips.
"Ahhh, I have found you sensitive side haven't I." Trying not to laugh as Boyd glared at her.
"Piss off, Frankie. We going in before the coffee gets cold then?" Holding up the tray of drinks for extra emphasis.
"Yeah, let's do this." Seeing Boyd nod his head as they started to descend the stairs together.
When they entered the squadroom everyone looked up, Spencer and Mel spotting coffee and getting straight up. Grace stayed seated but turned to see Frankie and Boyd enter together, one carrying coffee, the other breakfast no doubt. Grace had watched the slow change in Boyd over the last several months. His moods, his outbursts, his irrational behaviour, all seeming to have been curbed by the young woman beside him. He still had his moments, god did he not. Yet one look from Frankie, one word, even a gentle touch of her hand on his arm or shoulder, and he seemed to deflate. She seemed to know just how far to let him go before stepping in, how far he could go before the point of no return.
"You're a star boss, I slept in and didn't have time to stop for coffee." Spencer said enthusiastic as he scanned the cups in tray that Boyd held.
"Don't thank me, thank Frankie, she bought them, I just carried them." Watching as Spencer took his and Mels cup from the holder.
"Thanks Frankie, is that breakfast as well?" Mel quired seeing Frankie holding the large paper bag.
"It is, no point having coffee and no chocolate croissants." Moving away from Boyd so she could place the paper bag on the cluster of desks.
Boyd walked over to Grace and passed her her coffee, leaving just his and Frankie's in the holder. Frankie took the last remaining seat around the desks leaving Boyd standing. He placed the drinks in front of her and headed into his office, removing his coat and hanging it up. He pushed the chair from in front of his desk out into the squadroom, placing it beside Frankie's. He noticed Frankie had sat down, her coat still done up as she reached in the paper bag and pulled out a croissant. He knew she was stalling, dragging out breaking the news to her friends and colleagues. Her mother's reaction had stung her, and she didn't want her friends to react the same way. They sat talking as the ate, random conversations involving what they had done at the weekend and other trivial things. Boyd noticed everyone was nearly finished so he decided to push the boat out, give Frankie an opening to tell everyone.
"Frankie, you not getting hot sitting with your coat on?" Watching as Frankie's head whipped round to him so fast he was surprised she didn't have whiplash.
She glared at him, knowing exactly what he was doing, and why.
"Bastard," she mumbled at him as she stood up.
"Mel, Spencer, Grace, I have something to tell you. We, have something to tell you." Reaching to her side and thumping Boyd on the shoulder making him yelp. "I'm pregnant." Swallowing hard as she looked at first Mel, then Spencer, then Grace.
"Oh my god, Frankie. Really? You're really pregnant?" Mel spluttered out as she watched Frankie stand up and unzip her coat.
"Yes, Mel, really, really." Shrugging her coat and looking down at her now not so flat abdomen.
"Shit, Frankie, you kept that secret." Mels gaze following Frankie's as the both looked at her abdomen. "I can't believe it, you and a baby. That's brilliant news, I'm so happy for you Frankie." Mel shrieked, jumping up from her seat and practically fling herself at Frankie.
"Thanks, Mel." Frankie replied as she suddenly found herself being hugged tightly by Mel.
"Congratulations, Frankie. You deserve to be happy." Spencer winking at Frankie as he congratulated her. "And you too, boss." Spencer acknowledging Boyds part in Frankie's news.
Boyd didn't speak, just tipped his head at Spencer, a silent thank you man to man.
"Oh yeah, congrats boss." Mel quickly said, her arm still around Frankie's back as she looked down at Boyd.
"Thanks, Mel." Boyd said, seeing Mel point at Frankie's bump.
He sat silently, watching as Frankie nodded her head and Mel carefully placed her hand on Frankie's bump.
"That's so weird." Mel laughed as she looked up at Frankie.
"Tell me about it. It wasn't there Friday, then bang, there it was when I went to get ready this morning. Oh Mel, you fancy doing some clothes shopping with me at lunch time? And you too Grace." Seeing Mel get even more excited at the prospect of shopping.
"Hell yeah, I'll never say no to shopping." Both women looking over at Grace.
"I would love to Frankie. Now come here and give me a hug." Grace said as she stood from her chair and opened her arms to Frankie.
Mel let go of Frankie so she could move around the desk to Grace. Grace wrapped her arms around Frankie and hugged her tightly, the words congratulations and if you need anything being exchanged as they hugged. Mel went to stand with them and soon the three women were talking about shops, clothes and babies. Boyd just shook his head and looked at Spencer, Spencer laughing as watched all three women getting quite animated about shopping.
"Okay ladies, how about we do some actually work now, leave the shopping until lunch time." Boyds voice just slightly louder than the three gossiping women.
All three women stopped talking, each one giving Boyd a dirty look for interrupting their little get together.
"I'll go type up that profile you wanted." Grace managed to say as she made hand gestures at Mel and Frankie.
"I'll go put all these files away like you asked." Mel quickly replied, going to pick up one of the boxes from the floor.
"And I'll head down to my lab" Frankie being the last one to reply.
"I'll walk with you." Boyd offered, Grace Smiling at the sweet gesture.
Frankie just nodded her head, walking over to the doors that led down to the labs. Boyd joined her and they headed down together, Boyd slipping his hand in hers when he was sure no one was around.
"That took it really well." Frankie remarked, stopping just outside the labs door.
"Of course they did, their your friends, your colleagues. Their happy for you." Smiling when he saw Frankie smile.
"They're happy for us, Boyd, both of us." Taking their joined hand and brushing her bump with the back of his.
"Go on, go get some work done. I'll see you before you go out for lunch." Letting go of her hand as he turned to walk away a.
"Yes, oh great and powerful slave driver." Frankie giggled as she pushed open the doors leading to the lab and stepped inside.
He knew telling the team would be a good thing, a confidence booster that Frankie needed after what happened with her mother. If Frankie was happy, he was happy, even if it was going to cost him money to buy her new clothes, she deserved it. She deserved everything, and he was more than happy to provide.