Hope everyone likes this chapter :) in celebration of a new episode! Please read & review
Dwayne wasn't sure where exactly he would find Chris. But instinct told him, most likely, he would be at his home. Before heading back to the field office, he'd take a detour to the residence. He eases the silver SUV into the sand covered drive. Stepping out of the vehicle and heading his way up towards the semi-enclosed porch of the bungalow style house. Making small, yet substantial knocks at the front door. A few seconds pass until he hears a commotion on the other side. The door slowly opens.
"Oh, hey King"
Said Chris, in an almost languid tone. It was as if he wanted to appear surprised by the unannounced visit, as one naturally would. But his body wouldn't allow it. The older man gives a small smile.
"Hey, sorry for droppin' by so suddenly. Just wanted to check up on ya. Can I come in?"
He scratches the back of his head momentarily. As if mulling over whether he should really let his boss into his home or not. He nods and steps aside to allow him to come in. He only ever visited Chris' house once before. A rustic, modest place. Maybe in need of a new paint job. But overall, a somewhat whimsical appeal.
"We're all worried about you, Chris"
Pride stated. His anxious manner taking over yet again. He hears Chris sigh. Not sure if that signaled the visit was already over. Or he was simply done with the redundant questions surrounding his situation. Then came a response that stunned even Dwayne himself. Initially at least.
"I know, but.. I don't wanna get into it"
"Christopher, whatever it is I'm sure we can work it out"
Close-lipped he shakes his head.
"No, no we can't, King"
At this point, the older man was ready to admit defeat. But he never gave up on a fellow NCIS agent and he wasn't about to start now. He inhales slowly.
"Well, whenever you are ready. You know where to find me"
He responds with a warm smile. Figuring the more sensible route was to let Chris talk it out on his own terms versus goading him into it. Little was said afterwards. However, Pride left feeling a sliver of hope nonetheless.
"Glad you could join us"
Gregorio quipped when she saw Pride come through the main doors. Corners of his mouth morphing into a grin. She chuckles.
"Where were you anyway?"
She finally asks. He wasn't anticipating such a question. But wasn't about to go into depth of the actual answer. After all, it was no one's concern, aside from Chris', of his whereabouts.
"Just checkin' on somethin'. Miss Loretta find anything during the autopsy?"
Tammy gathers up a couple files off her desk before responding.
"Actually yes, and it was quite surprising. Sad just the same"
Pride raised a brow. He was perplexed, but at the same time, intrigued.
"How so?"
He asks. She now has a hold of the files under her arm and heads towards the doors.
"I think its best if you saw it for yourself"
"Odd". He thought. Going by Gregorio's word, he takes a short walk over to the adjacent Jefferson Parish morgue.
"Oh Dwayne, glad you're here. Something you may want to see"
The kindly older woman stated as Pride entered the facility. He follows her to the autopsy table. She has a scalpel in hand and directs it towards the man's freshly sutured abdomen.
"As I was going through my preliminary examination. I happened to notice something quite unusual." Pride leans in a bit further as she spoke. "His lower midsection just seemed a little bit swollen. It wasn't until I made the initial cut and investigated… Dwayne, Mr. Holt was three months pregnant".
That word hit him like a freight train. His eyes widened and he hoped the coroner didn't see the almost gobsmacked expression on his face. Suddenly it all seemed to come together and make sense. He pats Loretta lightly on the shoulder before leaving.
"Loretta, you're amazing. Great work as usual"
She reacts to this with an almost smug smile and laughs. "Tell me somethin' I don't know"
He wouldn't know what to call it other than fate. Just as Pride was passing through the squad room and into the kitchen area. He spots Chris seated at the large oak table near the marble island.
"Chris?'
The young man was startled from his almost trance-like state, looking down at the table.
"Damn King, you scared the bejesus outta me"
Although his tone now was more lighthearted. He even cracked a bit of a smile. Pride chuckles.
"Yeah, sorry about that".
He takes a seat across from LaSalle. Given the autopsy finds, he knew just the thing to say to finally get the Country boy to open up. The cherry on top was spotting the single frosted doughnut that sat next to Chris on the table. Pride laughs softly once more.
"Y'know, it's funny. Back when I was pregnant with Laurel. Doughnuts were my go-to"
Suddenly, Chris's expression morphed into something that could only be described as "oh shit. He found me out". He stays silent for a bit. Eyes darting between the floor and tabletop. Just then, he utters just above a whisper.
"I ..I'm pregnant, its Percy's"
