Chapter 15: Makeshift Bandages: Tiffany and Stuart
With Nina back at work, Stuart went to 26Fed with baby Doug in his stroller. He already explained everything to Jubal and Isobel on the phone. Nina has a big undercover operation. She won't be the one making contact but she's the one guiding their informant on what to do. She had to make sure the things went according to plan. Which meant Stuart would have to take care of their son.
It started well. Everyone surrounded them and found Doug cute. Elise agreed to watch over the baby if he needed to be in the field.
When it was mid-morning when Tiff noticed him missing. "Have you seen Stuart?" she asked Elise.
"He said he had to go change Doug's diaper. But that was a while ago."
She went towards that direction. She was about to ask somebody to go in and look for Stuart inside when she heard a baby crying. It had to be Doug. She braced herself and went in. "Stuart?"
She saw Stuart trying to cover Doug with what appeared like a washcloth. He then grabbed the burp cloth and used it instead. The scene was almost hilarious if it weren't for the pitiful expression on her partner's face. "What's happening?"
"Uh, I forgot to buy more diapers," he answered distractedly. "Nina told me this morning but I forgot to buy some before going to work."
Tiff shook her head. "You can buy everything online. It's easy to have everything delivered nowadays."
His eyes went wide. "You want me to send diapers to 26Fed?"
"No," she found it hard not to roll her eyes. "Have it delivered in your house."
"This isn't working," he said looking at his improvised diaper.
"Okay, just stay here. I heard someone from accounting just had a baby, let me see if they've got an extra." She returned later with a couple of diapers.
After meeting an officer who had information about their person of interest, they passed by a grocery store.
They immediately went to the diaper section. Giving her the appropriate pack, Stuart said "You could wait for me in the cashier while I get more stuff."
Tiff picked the aisle with two customers, which would hopefully give ample time for him to finish his shopping. While waiting, she saw candy canes displayed near the counter. She grabbed two and placed it with the pack of diapers once it was her turn.
"Oh congratulations!" the cashier greeted her.
Tiff crossed her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
She gestured to the diapers. "On your newborn."
The agent was speechless. It didn't help that her partner chose that time to appear and add more baby supplies to the diaper. The cashier grinned. "What do you have?"
Immediately understanding the question, Stuart beamed. "A boy." Which earned an "aww" from the woman.
After the transaction, the cashier said "Have a good day, you two. And again, congratulations!"
When they're out of earshot, Tiff glared at Stuart. "Why did you make her believe that we're a couple and that I had a baby?"
"I did no such thing, I was just answering her questions," he retorted and walked to the exit. Curling her fists, Tiff groaned in exasperation.
It was already late in the afternoon when they closed the case. He was preparing his and Doug's things when he heard his son giggling from the stroller beside him.
Tiff was playing with him, giving him the candy cane she got earlier. Stuart smiled at his partner.
When she noticed him staring, she went to her desk and took a wrapped up gift from her drawer. "You asked me for your gift back then but it wasn't ready yet," she said as she handed him the gift.
When he opened it, it's a onesie with "Coffee Baby" printed in front and a small bag of his favorite and expensive coffee beans.
"That is my original gift. But after today, I think you need this too." She gave him a folded bond paper.
As he read it, he started laughing. Tiff joined him as well. It's a delivery subscription for diapers.
Notes:
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