Month 7

"I can't imagine anything more worthwhile than doing what I most love. And they pay me for it."

~Edgar Winter

Taking a sip of her lime blossom tea, Natara carefully reviewed the police files on Courtnie Smithinson, Pete's wife, who had a high position in her husbands' drug dealing occupation. Now that both were behind bars, Natara could finally rest. She had been working nonstop to arrest them, and her feet were starting to hurt every day. It interfered with her work quite a bit…

Mal was chosen as Captain Yeong's two month replacement. He wasn't used to a big position like Maria's, so like Natara, he had to adjust his work schedule and make his actions more careful. It was a lot of work; sometimes Mal would come home and go straight to bed…without dinner, changing his clothes, or brushing his teeth. The last one really got to Natara.

Her phone vibrated on the desk and a text from Kai appeared.

Natara come 2 the crime lab we got smthn 2 show u! - Kai

Nat shrugged and made her way to where Kai told her to go, going a little slower than usual because she felt a Braxton Hicks contraction coming on.

"Nhhhhhh…" she gripped herself as she tried to walk. She noticed Mal sitting at Captain's desk, answering a phone call from Mayor Seth Holland. He didn't look any happier than Natara did with her Braxton Hicks contractions. In fact, he looked quite pissed.

"Mayor, I already told you…calling the police because there's a cat in your damn lawn that won't leave isn't a justified call! We have murders here to deal with!" Mal slammed his fist into the table and groaned. "…fine. I'll give you a number to call Animal Control. Just leave me alone." He shuffled through some papers, cursing Holland under his breath and taking a sip of his coffee. Natara told Mal that he had to drink coffee, because he wanted to drop that, too, along with the drinking. "…ok, Alvin Animal Control's number is 555-401-3427." He slammed the phone back into its charging dock and groaned.

Natara walked up to his desk. "…Mal, you're being very professional." She grumbled as the false contractions got worse and cramping began.

Mal sighed. "I know who I'm not voting for as mayor next year." He then eyeballed an annoyed Natara's facial expression. "What's wrong? You feeling okay?"

Nat shrugged and nodded. "I've got a Braxton right now, but I'll be fine, I guess."

A slightly worried expression appeared on Mal's face. "Have you tried urinating? Sometimes a full bladder can trigger Braxtons." He thought for a second. "Or you could try drinking water, lying down on your side, or swift movements can…"

Natara cut him off. "I'll be alright, Mal. It's just uncomfortable, that's all. Don't worry. I'm supposed to meet Kai and Amy in the crime lab anyway. The cramps will alleviate soon, I can guarantee you."

Mal nodded, but still looked worried. "Ok, just take it easy. I can give you a ride home if you'd like…"

Natara shook her head. "I don't have to go home. But I have to go meet up in the crime lab. See ya later." She squeezed Mal's hand gently and walked off, feeling a bit of alleviation of the Braxtons.

Approaching the crime lab, she could see Amy and Kai excitedly dancing around a computer. Amy pulled Natara close and gave her a big hug.

"Natara! Natara! Someone bought every item on your registry! It…it's a miracle! I just can't believe it!" she screamed and danced around.

Natara froze. "Amy, who? Who bought everything?"

Kai stopped jumping around and formed a confused facial expression. "Wait, wait…what's a registry?"

Amy ignored him and thought about Natara's question. "Hmmm, I don't know. Do you want me to trace who made the purchases?"

Natara nodded. "Of course…I need to know who bought all these…they really didn't have to. I need to call them, though. That's just…wow!" She couldn't help but smile as the Braxtons went away miraculously.

Amy's fingers flew across the keyboard as she clicked the mouse a few times, and then stopped. She read the name on the screen and stopped smiling, cocked her head to the side, and shrugged. "Says here that it's from somebody named D. Mansingh. Do you know who that is?"

Natara froze. "D. Mansingh…that…that's my dad."