The next day at work when assignments got handed out Nick once again got paired with Anna.
This time their case was of a woman who was found dead in the bathroom at a popular restaurant.
"Nick, before we head to our scene can I talk to you?" Anna said.
"Sure."
"I owe you an apology, I was not very nice yesterday and you were so nice to me. I'm not usually a bitch, really I'm not, normally I'm super nice. I'm just not used to not being able to do things that I need to do like collecting evidence at a scene and it irritates me that I'm not able to do that as well as I usually can, but that is no reason to take it out on you and I'm sorry. What do you say, can we start over?"
"Apology accepted, don't worry about it." He said offering her a genuine smile.
"Thank you." She said as she smiled back.
Nick then started the car so they could go to their scene.
As he was driving he passed a park and smiled to himself when he looked over and saw Jackie and the kids. The kids loved this particular park because it has a tire swing. Good idea Jacks, take them to the park before it gets to be 100 degrees later this afternoon and you're stuck in the house. He thought to himself.
A few hours later they were tired and Nick noticed Anna kept subtly grabbing her back.
"Hey, listen, I'm hungry and I also could use something to drink, what do you say we take a little break and go grab a burger and a coke down the street, my treat." Nick offered.
"That sounds like a great idea, I'd like to sit down for a bit anyways."
After they had gotten their food and sat down and begun eating Anna looked at Nick and smiled.
"So you're married right?" she asked as she nodded towards his wedding ring.
"Yep." Nick said with a smile.
"Any kids?"
"Yeah, eight."
"Wow, do you have any pictures?"
He grinned and dug out his wallet.
"They are absolutely adorable." Anna gushed after Nick had gone through the kids' names and she'd stared at the pictures.
"Thanks, I sure think so." He said with a smile.
"Do you know if your baby is a boy or girl?" He asked after taking a bite of his hamburger.
"Girl."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks, but I think my husband was a tad disappointed, he'd never say it but I think he really wanted a boy. You see he was the star running back on his football team in high school and he got a full ride college scholarship to play football. Unfortunately he broke his ankle badly his freshman year in practice and the injury ended his playing career but because the injury happened at football practice the university still honored the scholarship. So at least he got a free college education. Anyways, I think he really wanted a boy so he could play football too."
"Well speaking as someone that has four daughters I can promise you that your little girl will have him completely wrapped around her finger in absolutely no time flat." Nick assured her with a smile.
"I'm sure you're right." Anna agreed.
"Does your little girl have a name yet?" He asked.
"Carly." She said with a slight chuckle.
"Oh yeah? I kind of like that name." He said with a grin.
She laughed.
"I'm guessing you do."
"Does she have a middle name yet?"
"Jolene, after my grandmother that passed away a few years ago. What is your Karlie's middle name?"
"I'm sorry about your grandmother, but Carly Jolene is really pretty. My Karlie's middle name is Allison. It's a combination of my mom's name and my mother in law's name."
"That's pretty."
"Thanks." Nick said.
He glanced at his watch.
"Well should we get back to work?"
"Yeah, we'd better, thanks so much for lunch."
"Sure, my pleasure." Nick responded.
Nick smiled to himself, Jackie had been completely right, Anna was actually a very nice person, all she'd wanted was a little space.
The rest of the time on day shift wouldn't be bad at all!
The End!