On Rory's first day of kindergarten the three of them head to the school together so Rory has some support for his big moment and so Gail can give Holly some reassurances that he will be fine on their way to work.
Shortly after they arrive at the school Holly looks on in wonderment as Rory gets a bit tearful and scared and Gail knows perfectly how to keep him calm and rid him of his fears.
'I don't wanna go on my own Mama' Rory whispered, tearfully to Holly.
Gail crouches down in front of him 'Little man, you're not on your own, you're never on your own, not when me or your Mum are always thinking about you. But I do know doing new things for the first time can be a quite scary so how about you keep my badge with you today to keep you safe?'
'Really?' the little boys asks wide eyed.
'Yeah of course! I think you need it more than me hmmm?'
'Thanks Gail'
He squeezes his little arms around Gail's neck, slips her badge into his backpack and grabs Holly's hand and drags her into the classroom with a brand new sense of confidence.
As they walk out the gates after Rory is settled Holly begins to wonder if Gail really should have done that, if she is even allowed to give away her badge.
'Hey Babe, do you not need to have your badge at work? Aren't there rules about that?'
'Yeah so I didn't give him my real badge, I went down to a pawn shop a few days ago and got an old one, so now he can have his own whenever he needs it. I read online that sometimes when kids are starting school it helps to give them something of yours to remind them that you're coming back to get them later, in case they get scared and I thought he might like a badge of his own, you know?' Gail says as she unlocks the car.
'Where did we find you Gail? You always manage to think of everything he needs' Holly muses.
'Well he's pretty awesome, so I like to help keep him smiling' Gail replies as they drive.
After a few moments of silence Holly can't help herself 'Move in with us?'
'Sorry?'
'You should move in with us, I've been thinking about it for a while and I didn't know how to ask because I know it's a lot asking your girlfriend to move in with you and your child but I think we're definitely at that place Gail and Rory adores you and you're the most important thing in my life apart from Rory and you're pretty much his favourite person ever so it could be all kinds of perfect. If you want to that is, if you need to think about it whatever or don't want to that'd be fine too' Holly trails off eventually as Gail pulls into the car park at the morgue.
'Jeez Hols you really know how to ramble don't you?' Gail laughs, 'If you're seriously asking me to move in with you, of course there is only one answer I'm going to give you Nerd, I love you and I love Rory, you both are the most important things in my life too. I can't think of anything better than waking up next to your nerdy face every morning' Gail grins.