"Have a seat, Detective O'Hara," the chief commanded, shutting the door behind the junior detective and closing the blinds.
Juliet silently did as she was told.
"How is Shawn?" Chief Vick began, starting off with an easy question.
"He's still taking his pain meds pretty regularly for his ribs. It's too hard to breathe otherwise. He wakes up with a headache most mornings and he's a real pill about staying off his ankle. Otherwise, he seems to be improving."
Karen folded her hands and set them on her desk. "How long have you known about the baby?"
Juliet bit her lip, counting forward from that morning before work.
...
Juliet woke with a start and glanced around the room, trying to figure out what had so rudely awakened her. When she caught sight of the clock, she groaned. Somehow, she'd slept right through her alarm. She grabbed her clothes and took one of the quickest showers she'd taken in her life. Throwing her hair up into a clip, she breezed through the kitchen, reaching for a pop tart on the way out. Once in her car, she glanced over at the metallic packaging and felt her stomach lurch. Nothing about her on-the-go breakfast was at all appetizing. She turned on the radio, hoping to take her mind off how weird she felt.
She yawned as she pulled into her regular parking spot in front of the police department. She caught sight of Shawn's motorcycle and grinned. As she allowed herself to get excited about their promised date that night, her mind automatically went back to that night.
Suddenly, all the color drained out of Juliet's face and her keys fell to the ground. "Oh my god," she whispered. "I'm late."
Without even a second glance at the station, she got back in her car and drove to the gas station on the corner. She tossed a bill at the attendant and went back to her car, stuffing the small box in her briefcase and charging straight toward the ladies' room the minute she entered the station.
"O'Hara," Carlton called. "You're late. The chief wants to brief us on a case. We're waiting for you."
"Give me five minutes," she snapped. She didn't wait for a response.
As if it had become the most difficult thing in the world, she suddenly had a really hard time taking the pregnancy test. It was almost as though by refusing to relax, she could somehow prevent the answer she feared. But the waiting while the test rendered was the worst two minutes of Juliet O'Hara's life. She fixed her hair, put on fresh lipstick, and surveyed her entire appearance in the mirror—still with over a minute left.
Before even two minutes were up, the second line appeared. She felt a little sick to her stomach.
"Oh, god," she whispered, letting her head fall backward in complete and utter shock. She allowed herself only a few seconds to process before looking her reflection in the eye and stating in a shaky whisper, "Juliet, you're going to have a baby." With a tight nod to herself, she discarded the test and left the bathroom, headed toward the Chief's office. Shawn smiled as soon as he saw her. She looked away and took her place next to Lassiter, though she couldn't help but see in her mind the disappointment that must have come over his face at her rejection.
...
"Four months," Juliet answered softly. "I've known for four months."
"And no where in those four months did the thought arise that I might be interested in this information?"
"Of course it did."
"Then why didn't you tell me? I realize we've established that officially I am your superior and that is the full extent of our relationship, but I'm also a woman and would have liked the opportunity to at least congratulate you."
Juliet fiddled with the engagement ring newly placed on her finger. "I didn't say anything because of Shawn."
"Shawn asked you not to say anything?"
"No. Not really. But . . . it's complicated, Chief."
"I'm sure it is."
"We didn't want our working relationship to be compromised by the baby," Juliet stated succinctly.
"Or, rather," the chief interpreted, "your relationship with Mr. Spencer."
"Yes, that too. But honestly, Chief, when I first found out I was pregnant, there was no relationship."
Chief Vick squinted and tilted her head, slightly confused.
"You don't need to hear the whole story—unless you want to—but Shawn and I needed to figure out what we were to each other before everything came out."
"You're obviously something now," Chief Vick observed as Juliet continued to fiddle with her ring.
"He proposed as soon as he found out about the baby, but I turned him down. He proposed again after San Diego and I gave him the same answer. But after . . . after . . ."
"After Prescott, you realized you really were in love with him?"
Juliet simply nodded.
"I see more than this department gives me credit for, O'Hara. I knew long before the Prescott case that you two were somehow involved. Honestly, as long as I don't see it interfering with your work, I don't care how you and Spencer spend your evenings and weekends."
Juliet sighed with relief.
"The baby though . . . you realize you won't be able to continue working in the same capacity you have been?"
"Are you going to pull me off of field duty?"
"Not for the time being. You still seem capable—physically, of course. But—if you feel anything like I did—you'll want to be out in a month or two. We'll work it out."
"Thank you, Chief Vick," Juliet gushed, standing and holding her hand out for a hand shake.
"Get back to work, O'Hara," Chief Vick ordered, ignoring the proffered hand.
Juliet returned her hand to her side awkwardly and headed for the door.
"O'Hara?"
"Yes, Chief?"
"You look great."
Juliet smiled and opened the door. "Thank you, Chief."
...
It was two weeks before Shawn was allowed to work cases—and even then, he was confined mostly to simply observing crime scenes and photographs due to his crutches and consequent immobility. His first case back had to do with a missing parrot.
"I see it all," he stated, beginning his usual wrap-up monologue. "You killed Tracy," he stated, pointing to the parrot's owner. "You thought you'd hidden it nicely, until . . . Squawk! Polly want a cracker," he crowed, putting on his best parrot impression. "You slept with my husband. Squawk! Now you'll pay. Squawk!"
"Shawn," Juliet whispered, nudging his elbow.
"Jules, I'm in the middle of the wrap-up!" he hissed back. "The parrot was an unaccounted for witness! So you . . ."
"Shawn!" Juliet repeated, this time more insistently.
"Jules, please."
"The baby's kicking," she whispered.
"She's been doing that for six weeks," he whispered back, placing his hand to his head again, preparing to continue with his 'revelation'.
"No, Shawn. You can feel it. Put your hand here."
He opened his eyes and turned to look at her, slowly dropping his hand. Completely forgetting about the case—or anyone else in the room, Shawn pressed his hand against Juliet's abdomen, waiting in complete silence and stillness for the promised contact. Gus quickly picked up where Shawn had left off and Lassiter cuffed the parrot's owner—and murderer.
"My god," Shawn whispered, unable to move his hand or his eyes—which were staring intently at Juliet's stomach. "There's a little person in there," he murmured.
She placed her hands over his affectionately. "We're halfway, Dad," she whispered.
"I can't believe someone's going to be calling me that," he replied in a soft, awed tone.
She ran her palm against the short stubble that had grown along his jawline, finishing with a quick kiss on his cheek. "But I can."
...
About the time Shawn was able to go back to work, Juliet volunteered herself for desk duty.
"Jules, come on," he whined, perching on her desk. "We haven't worked a case together in ages."
"I can help you from here. You remember all those times you asked me for background checks or information on cases I wasn't supposed to help you with? Now I'm all yours."
He pouted, but didn't respond, having nothing left to offer as an argument.
Juliet changed the subject. "I got the time off for Regan's wedding next month. Have you put in your request?"
"Jules, I'm a consultant. I can say 'no' whenever it's convenient."
"Shawn, have you put in your request?"
"I'm owned by no man!"
"Shawn . . ."
"Jules?"
"What?"
"Do you think you could put in a time-off request for me while you're on desk duty?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Shawn. I'll do it for you."
He kissed her hand. "Thank you, my beautiful wife-to-be."
She sighed and gave him a glimpse of a smile. "You go work, now. Make some money, Spencer. This weekend we're going baby furniture shopping."
"Yes, ma'am, Detective O'Hara."
...
Shawn woke up the night before the wedding to find Juliet absent from their bed. He lifted his head groggily and glanced toward the bathroom to see if the light was on. Sighing, he stood up, shivering at the shock of the temperature out from under the blankets.
"Jules?" he called softly, rounding the corner. She was lying on the couch. "Is something wrong?"
"Just a contraction or two," she answered.
Shawn rubbed his face. "Like, 'Shawn, put on a shirt and some shoes; the baby's in trouble' contractions?"
"No," she whispered, a slight smile coming to her face. "Like perfectly normal, irregular, but terribly uncomfortable Braxton-Hicks contractions."
He flopped down on the couch next to her and began massaging her feet considerately. "How long have you been up?"
She glanced at the clock. "An hour, maybe."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"We could go for a walk."
He glanced at the clock, then the dark outside before sighing and standing up. Offering his hand to help her stand, he stated, "I'll grab a sweatshirt."
...
After she signed the guest book, Dylan escorted Juliet to a front-row seat, next to that saved for their parents. Shawn followed nonchalantly behind. He immediately wrapped his arm behind Juliet's shoulders on the back of her chair when they settled. She reached her left hand across his lap, inviting him to take her hand with his free one. He kissed her temple quickly.
"It'll be us before too long," she whispered.
He pursed his lips and tilted his head to look at her.
"What?" she questioned, her brow furrowing with her inability to read his mind.
"Tell me about it."
"You'll be fidgeting up there at the altar while I put the final touch on my veil."
"Who's got the baby?" he asked, his voice low and tender.
"My mom, of course," she answered, with a sweet smile. "Unless Carlton wants to fight for her."
"Aw, Lassie wanna hold the baby?" Shawn teased.
"Of course, Gus is standing next to you."
"Who's your maid of honor?"
"I don't know . . . maybe Janine."
"Mark's wife?"
Juliet nodded and placed a finger to her lips as Ewan escorted Colleen to sit beside Juliet.
Colleen didn't say anything to Juliet until they stood to acknowledge Cheryl's entrance. "You finally said yes?" she whispered to her daughter.
"To what?" Juliet questioned, slightly taken aback by her mother making conversation as the ceremony began.
Colleen reached over and removed Juliet's hand from the larger one that held it, running her thumb across the engagement ring. Juliet blushed ever so slightly. She'd taken off the ring for the rehearsal dinner, not wanting to distract from Regan and Cheryl, but had obviously forgotten to leave the tell-tale jewelry at home.
"Congratulations, Shawn," Colleen whispered, a mischievous gleam in her eye.
"Thank you, Mrs. O'Hara," he whispered back, as his future mother-in-law returned her daughter's hand to his in a gesture that he was sure was more than purely physical.
Juliet leaned into him happily, contentedly, as the minister began the ceremony.
...
Shawn was having an enjoyable lunch with Juliet and Gus at Juliet's desk when something at the cage caught his attention.
"Shawn?" Juliet questioned, noticing his diverted attention.
"Mom?" he questioned, setting his food down on Juliet's desk and standing up. He quickly paced over to her. "Mom, what are you doing here?"
"Chief Vick called me in for a consultation and I was in the area."
"You didn't call . . ."
"It was kind of last minute." She pulled him into a hug. "How are you, Goose?"
"I . . . uh . . ."
"Why is he standing there so awkwardly?" Juliet whispered to Gus, observing the interaction. "He's not even hugging her back."
"He probably doesn't know how to tell her," Gus answered.
"Tell her what?"
"You know, about the baby."
"He hasn't told her yet?" Juliet hissed.
"You didn't know?"
"I guess I just assumed he called her."
"He tried a couple of times. When he got her voicemail, he chickened out."
Juliet frowned. "I'm eight months pregnant. As soon as she walks over here, she's going to know," she whispered angrily.
"Mom, I wish you would've called," Shawn responded, re-gathering his senses and doing everything he could to block his mom's view of Juliet's desk.
"I'm sorry my being here is such an undesirable surprise," Maddie commented, obviously hurt.
"No, Mom. That's not what I mean . . . I tried to call a couple times . . . I have a couple things to tell you."
"Is that Gus? And Juliet?"
"Mom, wait," Shawn pled, attempting to block her way.
"Can't I at least say hello before we get into the emotional revelations?" she teased, walking around him and heading straight for Juliet's desk.
Shawn tightened his jaw and followed her.
"Gus, Juliet, it's good to see you," she greeted congenially. "Juliet . . . are you . . ."
"I'm due in June," Juliet responded, curtailing any possible discomfort Maddie may feel from her assumption.
"Congratulations!" Maddie gushed. "And who's the lucky . . . husband? Fiancé?"
"Fiancé," Juliet answered, shifting her eyes to the floor.
Shawn scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Maddie followed Gus's eyeline straight to Shawn. "It's me, Mom," he relented. "Juliet and I are having a baby and I asked her to marry me."
"Shawn," she responded in a tone that was mingled hurt, shock, and approval. "Congratulations, Goose," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "I can't believe you're going to be a dad."
The corner of Shawn's mouth turned up. "In just a couple months you'll have a granddaughter," he informed, turning to Juliet with eyes brimming with love and admiration.
"Do you want to see the most recent sonogram?" Juliet offered tentatively.
"Of course I do," Maddie answered, blinking back tears. "And can we all have dinner tonight—with your father?"
"Of course," Shawn answered. "It's good to see you, Mom."
...
"Can you believe we're going to be grandparents?" Maddie questioned Henry at dinner that night.
"It's about time," Henry stated, ribbing Shawn. "After all, our son is almost thirty-four years old."
"Physically, anyway," Juliet contributed.
"Jules, you too?" Shawn pouted.
She kissed his cheek. "If it weren't for your boyish charm, we wouldn't be here right now."
"You know that's right," Gus put in, squeezing a lemon into his water.
"How long are you here for, Mom?" Shawn asked.
"Just a few days. I'm just stopping through on my way back to Europe."
"Well, you'll have to come back in June to meet the baby," Juliet invited kindly.
"Oh, of course I will," Maddie stated quickly.
...
The chief walked up at lunch hour the following day to find Gus, Shawn, and Juliet in their normal positions—eating lunch together at Juliet's desk.
"Upon the recommendation of an outside consultant, we are having a team-building retreat next month. Mr. Spencer, Mr. Guster, that includes you."
"A retreat?" Shawn repeated.
"We're going up to the mountains for a weekend. Do you think you can make it?"
Shawn eyed Juliet interrogatively.
"We'll be there, Chief," Juliet answered decidedly.
"But, Jules . . ."
"Good. Details to come." Chief Vick walked away.
"It's a whole month before my due date, Shawn. And we're not in the old west or anything. Even if something goes wrong, we'll have cars and hospitals nearby. Nothing to worry about."
"Do I need to pull up all those YouTube clips of 'As The World Turns' again? Babies are always born in remote mountain locations when there's 'nothing to worry about'."
Juliet rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything else, Shawn interrupted.
"But, you're the mom. It's your call."
"Thank you, Shawn. Yes, it is. And we're going—all of us."