Halcyon

Like a Lost Puppy

"...okay that is great thank you," Nikki says as she ends the phone call to the hospital as she looks at Jack who is sat nervously waiting for her to get off the phone. Nikki places her phone back down on the desk and writes down a date.
Jack looks at her and waits for a reply from her, "So?" Jack asks urging her on.

"I've requested a transfer to University College Hospital, they have a big maternity unit there... they're also going to do another scan to check for any heart conditions or diseases, I asked about Poppy, they have requested we take her to our GP just to be safe" Nikki smiles as she takes hold of Jack's hand from over the desk.

Jack smiles at her and breathes a sigh of relief, "We're going to be just fine, no matter the outcome, I just know it" He replies cheerfully.

She smiles at Jack and lets go of his hand before standing up, "Take away tonight? we give Poppy her dinner, bath her and put her to bed and then we order something nice" Nikki suggest.

"I love it" Jack smiles as he stands and goes to his desk and starts to work on another case that is completely different from Nikki's case.

Later that Day Nikki has just met up with Jack who has been waiting in the car park for her as she had another last-minute postmortem to perform. "Took your time" Jack smiles as Nikki climbs into the car and places her bag between her legs. "Only joking" He smiles and leaves over kissing her on the cheek.

Nikki puts her seat belt on and Jack pulls away and out of the carpark, "I've been thinking, maybe we need a weekend away just us two? we can see if someone will have Poppy" Jack suggests as he joins a queue of standstill traffic.

"Jack... we've just a whole week away in Ireland... I know it was for a funeral but we did things there" Nikki replies.
"Don't... that was a pointless trip" Jack huffs.
"Jack you can't speak like that... Josephine... I mean your Mum did have a good reason not to tell you" She replies looking over at Jack who grips the steering wheel tightly in anger.

The traffic moves forwards slightly so Jack puts the car in gear and moves forward slightly. "My mother is dead... that is all, she is dead, in a box, six feet under... that woman is just my aunt I haven't seen since I was a teenager!" Jack says gritting his teeth.

"But Jack, at least you know both your parents are alive mine..." She is cut off by Jack hitting the steering wheel in a fit of rage.
"Will you give it a rest woman!" He shouts turning to look at her making her jump in the process.

Nikki looks down at her lap and remains quiet for the journey to Poppy's nursery. "I'll go and get her," Nikki says getting herself out the car, she takes a deep breath as she shuts the car door. Nikki heads inside the nursery and enters her password into the keypad on the door.

She walks down the corridor and comes to Poppy's room, she opens the door and smiles at one member of staff who she has never seen before, "Hiya, I'm here to collect my daughter Poppy Alexander-Hodgson" Nikki smiles.

The member of staff looks around the room before noticing Poppy amongst the other children playing happily, "Come on Poppy time to go home" The nursery nurse smiles as she picks Poppy up.

Poppy starts to whine and kicks her legs as she doesn't want to leave what she is playing with, the nursery nurse turns around with her in her arms and walks towards Nikki, Poppy notices her Mum and a cheesy grin appears on her face, "Mummy!" She squeals and claps her hands before the nursery nurse hands her over.

"Hello baby girl, did you have a good day?" Nikki coos kissing her daughter gently on the head.
Poppy giggles and kisses Nikki's cheek before looking down at Nikki's bump which is restricting Poppy from wrapping her legs around her body.
"Hello, baby" Poppy giggles cheerfully as she pats the top of Nikki's bump carefully.

Nikki is overcome by emotion and has to fight back her tears at how sweet her daughter is being for once. Nikki smiles and cuddles Poppy close before placing her down on the floor, "Right let's get your bag, Daddy is waiting in the car" Nikki smiles.

Soon she gathers her things and then walks out the building with Poppy holding her hand dragging behind just a little. "Right in you get" Nikki smiles as she gets to the car and opens up the door to the side Poppy's child seat is on.

"Daddy!" Poppy smiles happily as she gets into her car seat and looks across at Jack.
"Hey Kiddo, did you have a good day at nursery?" Jack smiles turning in his seat to look at his daughter while Nikki secures her in.
"Changed your tune again haven't you Jack?" Nikki says glancing up at him as she places a blanket over Poppy's bare legs as it's starting to drop cold.

Jack just rolls his eyes and turns back in his seat as Nikki shuts Poppy's door and places her bag and coat in the boot of the car. Nikki climbs back into the front of the car and sits looking at Jack as he pulls away, "What?" Jack says glancing across at her as he drives home.

"You... what is going on inside your pretty little head..." She smirks.
"What? there is nothing going on apart from me questioning why you're looking at me like a lost puppy" Jack replies.
"Can we have a puppy?" Poppy speaks up in the back of the car.
"No!" both parents reply at the same time to the disappointment of Poppy who sighs dramatically.

Jack looks at Nikki and smirks, "What's tickled your balls" Nikki huffs.
"Us then... I guess a puppy is out of the question" He replies.
"For god sake Jack... we're hardly ever at home" Nikki replies rolling her eyes before looking out the passenger side window as they travel home.