Chapter Seven

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Upon her announcement, they all stared at her in astonishment. Sue even elicited a reaction from the assistant director who until then had remained impassive and inconspicuous by the water cooler. The man raised an eyebrow.

Judging from the expression on the faces of Thomas and Hudson's colleagues, Gloria wondered if she stumbled onto some kind of office romance that the couple tried to hide, only to be discovered by the untimely birth of their child. From what she'd gathered, the couple worked together. Gloria sensed the connection between them. Maybe one of them was married. It wouldn't be among the strangest things she saw during her career with Children Services. "Please, Ms. Thomas, make it succinct. I have other more pressing issue to deal with." She gave the agent with an Australian accent a dark look.

"Yes, well..." Sue turned toward Jack. The intensity with which he gazed at her emboldened her. "It's pretty much like... like Joe said."

Dimitrius felt compelled to repeat. "Pretty much?"

"Yes, except I wasn't wobbling." A smile tugged at Jack's mouth, but he didn't correct her. "I just needed to go badly. Abigail's appearance took me by surprise."

"I bet it did."

Upon hearing Myles' mumble, Bobby elbowed him, but the sarcastic blond agent deflected the blow.

"But you were expected her, were you not?" Gloria Florins didn't look impressed.

"Not in the washroom." Sue tried her best not to lie too much. "And not quite so early. She was so tiny."

"Was she premature?" Gloria had noticed how small the infant was. It would explain why her colleagues might not have known Thomas was pregnant. She might not have shown very much.

"Yes. By many weeks." At the hospital, the doctor had presumed she was premature. She only repeated his assumption.

Myles muttered under his breath. "Only by about... forty weeks."

Bobby leaned toward him. "But who's counting?"

"I see." Gloria's gaze traveled across the bullpen. "Anything else you'd like to add?"

"I don't remember much after that. It's very hazy. I... I was cold. Going up a staircase... I think. The fireplace. Jack warming us up..." Sue shrugged. "That's it."

"How about you, Agent Hudson. You've been interrupting constantly, trying to give us your version of the events ever since you came in." Gloria glared at the agent who'd remained uncharacteristically silent since his partner had admitted giving birth to the infant.

Contrary to Bobby who uttered some colourful Aussie slang, Jack's reply died on his lips. He couldn't afford to alienate the woman who held Abigail's future in her hands unless...

Sue gazed into his soul with the same love and trust she bestowed on him the nights he spent with her. Love for him and the little girl they did call their own, and trust that he would make it right for all of them.

"Only that we took Abigail to the hospital, and she is perfectly healthy." He smiled at his future wife, which reminded him he had errands to run.

"Abigail?" Stunned by Jack's answer, Bobby whispered her name in shock.

"They named her?" Myles didn't quite believe it either.

Tara beamed with joy. "What a lovely name."

"Jack?" Dimitrius searched for the explanation beyond the explanation.

"It was an amazing journey." Jack concluded without lying or stretching the truth.

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