It was her last day working, and it was so boring. The previous case had been packed up and put to bed the night before. She had finished her reports, filed them all away, and was now sat looking at a very neat and tidy lab. Was the universe conspiring against her, giving her nothing to do on her last day of official work for at least four of five month depending on how she felt after the baby was born. She didn't want to give up working, she had dragged out stopping as long as possible, the home office had reached its limit, and so had Boyd.
"Frankie, you can't keep working! It not good for you or the baby. Even you admitted yourself you backs not up to doing autopsies anymore." Boyd adding in the bit about her back because he knew she had actually said it.
"Running tests, testing for fibres, matching blood samples, they don't involve standing up. Does tomorrow really have to come?" Knowing she sounded childish but not being able to help herself.
"Frankie, you have two months left, that's it. Two months of it just being you, then you'll spend the next eighteen years taking care and worrying about someone else. Enjoy the peace, relax, watch TV, read a book, anything that doesn't involve working." Knowing the only thing Frankie really enjoyed was working.
"Hey, you look fed up." Mels voice stopping her drowning in her own thoughts.
"I am, this just sucks." Holding her arms up to indicate the very quiet and empty lab.
"Come upstairs, then." Mel suggested as started to rock on the balls of her feet.
"Is up there more exciting than this? I'm going mad in here." Getting off her stool and coming to stand beside Mel.
"Let's go see." Mels contagious joy and happiness spilling over into Frankie.
"I won't miss climbing them bloody stairs." Frankie puffed out as she reached the top, Mel standing beside with a hand on her arm.
Mel let Frankie take the lead as they stepped inside the cold case units squadroom. Frankie stopped and looked around, taking in the all bright coloured decorations. There was balloons and banners, streamers and confetti, the whole room was covered. Frankie felt herself welling up, tears filling her eyes as she looked around at her friends and colleagues.
"Ohhh, guys." She said tearfully, seeing Grace, Spencer, Mel and Boyd all gathering around her.
"We couldn't let you go without a baby shower." Mel still bouncing around beside her.
"But we don't know what we're having yet. We kept it a secret." Taking in the pink and blue balloons and banners.
"That's why we have both up, it's got to be one of them right!" Mel pointing at Frankie's bump as she stated the obvious.
"Take a seat, we even have cake." Grace added as she pointed at a cake on the table.
The cake was in the shape of a dummy, in three different colours to cover all bases. Pink, blue and white question marks were dotted all over it. Boyd pulled out a chair and helped Frankie sit down, stuffing a cushion behind her back as she looked up at him. Without even thinking about it he reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks, smiling as she leaned into his touch. It was such a sweet gesture, and it gave the others a chance to see a side of Peter Boyd they never saw. Frankie saw this Boyd regularly, this was her Peter Boyd.
"So, Frankie. We know you haven't been shopping yet, or done much about the nursery. After a lot of talking to this useless oaf," everyone suddenly glaring at Boyd, "we decided to help out." "We have the nursery furniture in Spencer's garage ready to bring over and build. The paint and the soft furnishings are at my house, and Mel and I took the liberty of buying a few bits so you can make a start on your hospital bag." Grace stepping towards Frankie with a couple of bags in her hand.
The tears that had stopped started again full force, both Grace and Mel leaning down so they could comfort and hug Frankie. Frankie managed to pull herself together long enough to look at the baby's clothes and other items Mel and Grace had bought, then promptly burst into tears again.
"I don't deserve you guys." Frankie blubbered against Mels shoulder, who was now crying along with Frankie.
Boyd and Spencer stayed at a safe distance from all the crying, Boyds defence being he got enough of Frankie crying at home.
"If we sneak out to make coffee do you think they'll notice?" Spencer whispered towards Boyd.
"Probably not. You first." Nudging Spencer for him to take the lead.
They both managed to sneak out, leaving Frankie, Mel and Grace to cry, coo over baby things and Frankie and Grace to share stories of weird cravings, hyperactive sex drives and morning sickness.
"I wonder how long we've got?" Spencer asked as he looked at his watch.
"I'd say ten minutes, possible fifteen tops." Taking a drink of his still burning hot coffee.
"Why is it when one cries they all bloody cry? I'll never understand that." Spencer looking over his shoulder as he heard a very girly screech.
"I stopped asking them questions years ago, it's easier to not know the answer." Boyd pointed out as he looked over Spencer's shoulder in the direction of the noise.
"You do have a point there. Sometimes I ask Mel something then instantly regret it. She can turn a simple explanation into a three hour speech." Taking a drink of his own coffee.
"So, you and Mel, how's that working out?" Boyd deciding if Spencer brought the subject up he could continue it.
"It's going okay." A big smile spreading across Spencer's face as he answered.
"Why do I get the feeling it's better than okay." The huge smile on Spencer's face not being missed by Boyd.
"I just, it is good, really good. At least she gets all of this." Spencer Indicating the building as a whole.
"Course she does, she's part of it all. I think that's why Frankie and I click, she doesn't give me a hard time when I don't make it home for a week." Finishing his coffee as he sighed.
"Of course she doesn't, she's probably not been home either for the same length of time." Knowing there had been cases when he hadn't been home for days as well.
"Incoming." Boyd inclined his head, seeing behind Spencer as he saw Mel approaching.
"What are you two up to?" Mels voice breaking the silence in Boyds office.
"Enjoying a coffee," Spencer turning to look at Mel, "you ladies finished being all girly?" Seeing Grace and Frankie entering his office behind Mel.
"Yes, and now we're ready for food. Frankie wants Chinese's, or at least the baby's does apparently." Mel shrugging her shoulders as Frankie just stood grinning.
"Well, Chinese's it is then, on us of course." Boyd Smiling at Frankie as she came to stand beside him.
Between them all they managed to close down the office and head out to the cat park. Boyd had his arm around Frankie's waist while carrying the gift bags in his other hand. When they reached the cluster of three cars left in the car park they all looked at each other. Mel and Spencer went to Spencer's car, Grace to her own, while Boyd helped Frankie into his silver Lexus. With Boyd in the lead they made there way to the small Chinese restaurant that Frankie had stumbled upon near to the river. They had expected it to be full but were escorted to a table straight away.
Everyone ordered their own meals, Frankie of course ordering more since she wanted lots of different things, and Boyd had reused to eat anything to spice. The wine and beers were brought to the table separately, Frankie eyeing the bottle of red up as she drank her Diet Coke. Boyd noticed, sliding his hand in hers under the table. She leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. When the food arrived everyone tucked in, Frankie managing to get a piece of Mel's Chicken, one of Spencer's spare ribs, and some of Boyds sweet and sour pork. She still managed to eat all her chicken curry, fried rice, chilli salt and pepper chips, and mini spring rolls.
Everyone was finished long before Frankie, all watching as she finished everything.
"If that's what being pregnant does to you I think I'll pass. Christ Frankie, I've never seen you eat so much." Mel's usual bluntness making everyone laugh.
"It's his fault, he did this to me." Placing her fork down and putting her hand on top of her bump.
"Like you were innocent in all of it. If I remember right, wasn't it you that had us in the backseat in the first place." A chorus of too much information, and groans going up around the table.
"And that's my cue to leave, thank you for a loving evening. I'll see you all Monday morning, I hope. As for you Frankie I will pop round when I can, see how you're both doing. You have my number, and you know where I live. Don't be a stranger." Both Grace and Frankie standing up as they hugged each other.
"Thanks, Grace." Frankie hugging Grace as she geared up.
"And we're calling it a night as well." Spencer interrupting the hug between Grace and Frankie.
"Aww, thanks for coming out guys, and the presents. If that slave of a boss of yours every lets you have any free time please come visit, for my own sanity please come visit." Giving Mel and Spencer a hug as they came to stand beside her.
"We will, I promise." Mel said as Frankie hugged her.
Frankie sat back down beside Boyd after Mel, Grace and Spencer had left.
"How about we turn in to, it's been a tough few days." Looking at Frankie as he spoke.
"Yeah, I just can't believe today was my last day." The tears dripping from the end of her nose.
"Maternity leaves not forever. You'll be back in a few months, even if it's only part time." Knowing how insecure Frankie was about leaving work.
"I know, but this has been my life, even before we met. I've always had work, and now I have," her words ending as her crying become a sob, Boyd wrapping her up in his arms.
"You have a baby, our baby." His hand coming to rest on her bump. " A baby who will need you more than anything or anyone else in the world."
"I know, it's just going to take time, and probably labour, and the actual birth, to make me see that." Sniffing as she lifted her head from Boyds now shirt.
"Come on, let's get you both home." Kissing her temple before helping her to stand.
The drive home was quiet, Frankie looking out the window as Boyd drove through the streets of London. When he pulled up outside his house he saw Frankie yawn as she went to get out the car.
"Hang on, I'll come help you." Boyd telling Frankie as he got out the car and came around to take Frankie's hand.
They walked up the path, climbed the stairs and Boyd set about unlocking his front door. Three locks later the door opened and Frankie stepped inside. Boyd followed behind her, locking all four locks and putting the chain on. He was always big on protection, yet now he had something to protect he was worse.
"You want a bath? I can run one for you before bed." Seeing Frankie shrug out her coat and hand it up.
"Oh, yes please. May help with my back and let me get some sleep." Reaching up to kiss Boyd as he went to pass her.
"Go get changed, I'll get it started." Finishing hanging his coat up as Frankie kissed him.
Frankie went up to their bedroom while Boyd followed behind her, his eyes never leaving her arse.
"I have no idea how you can find that appealing. It's the size of a house." Stopping at the top of the stairs and glancing behind her catching Boyd staring at her arse.
"I love it no matter how big or small it is." Not being able to resist the temptation to reach out and squeeze her arse through her jeans.
Frankie didn't reply, just moved along the landing into the huge master bedroom. She could hear Boyd in the bathroom, the bath already running as she sat on the edge of the bed. She bent down to remove her trainer but couldn't reach it. She tried pushing it off with the other foot but the lace was too tight.
"Boyd." She yelled, Hoping he could still hear over the running water. "Boyd!" She yelled just as he entered the bedroom. "You did my trainers up too tight, I can't bloody get them off." Looking between her feet and Boyd.
Boyd just chuckled as he bent down to remove them. He took her socks off as well before leaving her to remove the rest of her clothes. As she waddled into the bathroom naked he turned the water off and stood up, taking her in completely. He couldn't help his bodies reaction to her, a sudden rush of blood to his groin as his hands twitched to touch her.
"Do you have any idea just how hot you look stood there?" Taking a step closer as he reached out to take her hands in his.
"Piss off, Boyd. I'm seven months pregnant and the size of a rhino." Looking down at her naked body.
"Yes, you're seven months pregnant, with my child. That is one hell of a turn on for any man. Seeing a woman carrying his child, seeing her body undergo so many changes, watching as she fills out." His eyes flicking to her breasts which had grown vastly in the past couple of months. "Frankie, are the most beautiful woman on the planet, never ever doubt that. But if you do," Taking a step closer to her so they were toe to toe, "Remember this is what you do to me naked." Taking her hand and brushing it against his erection. "Now get in the bath before I end up just as naked as you and the bath water goes cold." Keeping hold of her hand she stepped into the bath.
Once she was sat down and settled Boyd left her too it. He went and removed his suit jacket, handing it on the back of a chair in the bedroom. He decided to finish a few reports while Frankie was relaxing, knowing she would be there a while. He entered the study and switched on the lamp and his computer. He wasn't sure how long he had been working, or even what time it was when Frankie entered the study wearing his dressing gown.
"I'm going to bed, will you be long?" Yawning as she stood looking so small and fragile in the doorway.
"No, I'll just finish this report and then I'll join you." Seeing Frankie attempting to stiffile another yawn.
Frankie padded off to bed leaving him alone. He did manage to finish one report, then got halfway through the second one before his own brain turned to mush. He gave it up as a bad job and went to join Frankie in bed, spooning up behind her as she slept. Frankie was officially on maternity leave, the countdown to them meeting their child had begun, and he just couldn't wait.