How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

6| Andrew's Diagnosis

May walked Andrew to the parking lot like a good host, even though technically it was Phil who hosted. She appreciated the suture practice that her partner gave her, even if it was the result of his own stupidity. The way he stared up at her as she sewed him up, with that twinkle in his eye and that half-smile...

She shook her head. He probably had a concussion. They'll probably need to report to the medical office first thing tomorrow.

"Melinda." Andrew's voice snapped her out of her thought train. They had stopped walking a few seconds ago.

May smiled at him. "I hope you had a good time, Andrew," she said honestly. "I'm sorry about Phil's injury. Our line of work is a little rough."

"That's fine, I just..." he sighed. "I don't think this is going to work out."

May blinked. "Why not?"

Andrew leaned against his car, letting out a breath. "Because you're in love with him," he said simply. "And I don't think that's going to change anytime soon."

May scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, I'm not in love with him. He's my best friend, he has been for years. We work together. We've known each other since we were sixteen."

"Just because you're in love with him doesn't mean you know it, Melinda," Andrew replied gently. "I can see it. Hell, I'd be blind if I didn't. The way you look at him, the way you respond to each other, the glances, the mirroring... and I know you didn't know about this. It's fine. I don't blame you. It's easy to not notice when you've loved the guy for so long. And I get it; Phil is a great guy. Passionate, friendly, the works. And he knows you. I just wanted to let you know." He opened his car door before glancing back at May, who stood, a little speechless. "But hey, if you ever need a psychologist, a friend, a thesis, don't hesitate to call. You're a wonderful woman, Melinda. But you're taken. So have a good night, and maybe I'll see you again at some point."

Andrew closed the door and gave her a quick grin before driving away, leaving May alone in the parking lot.

"Huh." She walked back into the building, seeing her friend, Jack, an inactive agent who also served as the front desk person on a few days out of the week. "Hey, Truman?"

Jack blinked up at her. "Yes, May?" he asked, adjusting his tie in the little mirror he had on his desk. "How may I help you?"

She sighed, propping up her chin with her elbow on the counter. "You think I'm in love with Phil?"

Jack paused in his movements. "Extremely. Excuse me, I've got to make a call." He fairly jumped out of his seat to get to his jacket on the coat rack. "You can head on up if you don't need anything else. Oh, and you've got mail!" He shut himself into the mini office behind the desk.

May rolled her eyes and got her mail, grabbing Phil's as well almost subconsciously. She stared at the stack of letters in her hand, all addressed to him. A birthday card to him in his mother's handwriting with a note to May to give it to him on his birthday.

She suddenly remembered last Christmas when Julie mouthed 'Please marry him' while hugging Phil, and a flush crept up May's cheeks as she climbed the stairs.

Phil opened the door for her with a bright grin. "Do you want ice cream and champagne? Barton just dropped off a bottle- he and Cooper got engaged." He pulled her inside with his smile and closed the door, accepting the proffered mail. "They're going to get married the day after their grad ceremony. We're invited, of course. I'm his best man, so watch out for Laura when she inevitably chases you down to be her maid of honour."

Phil grabbed the bottle and the ice cream and paused when he realized that May was a little subdued. "You okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Yeah, no, I'm fine," May lied. "Just a little tired." And very confused.

"Nothing ice cream and champagne can't fix, then," Phil said cheerfully. "You in the mood for the Beatles?"

She finally cracked a wider grin. "When am I not? I'm offended that you had to ask." May grabbed the spoon from him and stuck it in the ice cream pint. "Pour the drinks."

He complied and set out flutes of champagne for the both of them before putting on a record.

"I Will" poured out of the speakers smoothly as they enjoyed their dessert.

A few minutes later, just as "Here Comes The Sun" came to a close, the phone rang.

Phil lifted the needle off of the record and answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, Phil," Cal's voice said with a kind of brokenness to it. "I'm calling about the baby."

The new agent's heart dropped. "Right. Yeah, no, what- what happened?"

"She was born yesterday, early morning. 6:16 AM. Her name is Daisy. Johnson, after me." The poor man's voice shook as he continued. "Um- sorry, give me a second-"

"- Of course, take all the time you need," Phil soothed anxiously. He sat down on a barstool, hand on the back of his neck, as he waited.

Cal sighed heavily. "Her mother, my wife, she had a- a few difficulties during childbirth and she's-" he inhaled sharply before letting it go- "Long story short, she's... she's gone."

"Oh, Cal." Phil hoped his sympathy could be heard through the phone. "Do you need anything? Anything at all?"

Cal took a shaky breath. "Yeah, um... could you maybe take care of Daisy when she's out of the hospital? She's fine, she's healthy, but it'll be a few days before they discharge her. Phil, she's beautiful, an absolute angel, I'm just not sure I'm in the right headspace to take care of her right now. I can drop her off on the seventh? They said they'd discharge her then."

"Yeah, no, of course," Phil said vehemently. "I'll take good care of her, I promise."

There was a long pause. "Thank you, Phil," his cousin said shortly. "I'll... I'll see you then."

"Take care, Cal," Phil replied warmly. "Okay?"

Cal hesitated. "Yeah." He hung up.

Phil listened to the tone before putting the receiver down.

May was watching him with concern in her eyes. "Was that Cal?" she asked, walking over. She handed him his drink.

Phil sipped it gratefully. "Yeah, um, his wife died and I said I could take care of the baby for a while as soon as she's discharged."

"That soon?" May put her glass in the sink. "That's barely any time to get to know her."

"I think Cal just needs some time to process what just happened," Phil said finally. "Maybe to get her affairs in order, the funeral, the sort. I feel bad for the guy."

"Me too."

They sat in a glum sort of silence before Phil drained his glass and put it down. "We should probably go baby shopping," he sighed. "And a baby book. I don't know much about them."

May cracked a small smile. "Me neither."