The Postcard ʚଓ

Couldn't be better here, but I miss you anyway. Jane's heart ached as she read the words written by her partner from three thousand miles away. Who would have thought that the rookie who got mocked for losing his lunch at crime scenes would become such an important part of her life? Heaving a sigh and tussling her unruly hair, Jane dialled his number. Grabbing a soda out of the fridge, plopped down on the couch as the person on the other end of the line eventually answered.

"Hey, Jane."

God, just hearing his voice immediately lifted her spirits. The sound of traffic in the background caused her to remember where he was.

"Sorry, Frost, I know you're driving."

"Don't worry about it," he replied. "I was due for a pit stop anyway. How is your case going? Did you manage to find the missing baby?"

Jane thought back to the way baby Brian had fussed and grasped her hair tightly when she had lifted him out of those bushes, and felt a lump in her throat.

As she gently stepped out of the bushes, Brian fussed and let out a cry. Cradling him in her arms, Jane hushed him as she pulled the homeless woman's jacket closer around Brian to keep him warm. Meeting Korsak's gaze, she could see the emotions in his features knowing that this little innocent baby was safe.

"I found him at the church," said Terri, her voice breaking. "He was all alone, he was gonna freeze if I left him." Her eyes darted between baby Brian and the police officers.

Jane smiled at her, holding Brian close to her chest as she rocked him gently back and forwards. "You kept him safe and warm. You did good," she said reassuringly.

Korsak reached out and put a hand on Terri's back, nodding. The woman smiled, relieved, watching Jane with baby Brian.

"Hey, sweet boy," Jane cooed, tears prickling in her eyes at the overwhelming feeling of relief that they had finally found him hit her. Brian's fingers wrapped themselves in her hair, and he snuggled into her chest and she held him close to her.

"He's an angel," Terri said, touching Jane's elbow gently as she looked into the baby's face.

As baby Brian fussed and leaned into her, Jane couldn't help but agree, the feeling of a child in her arms feeling unfamiliar but somehow… right.

"Jane?"

Brought back to the present, Jane hastily wiped her eyes. "Korsak just called a few minutes ago to let me know that Child Protective Services granted temporary guardianship to his aunt and uncle. Baby Brian is home and safe."

After a momentary pause, Jane could hear the smile in Frost's voice when he replied, "I'm glad to hear it, Jane."

His reply softened something inside Jane, thinking about the way that sweet baby boy had held onto her so tightly. Something stirred inside her, and she looked down at her stomach. It was still too early for her to be showing, but she already felt the pull of affection toward her unborn child.

After she and Frost said goodbye, she hung up the phone and sat for a moment in silence. Hesitantly, she reached out and rested a palm over her stomach.

"Hey, sweet baby," she whispered with a small smile.