CSI NY imagines and fanfics

Injured, part 2

A/N- case is solved. Mac, Cat, and Callie are back home. Mental health warning if people are upset by any mention of mental health getting bad after being good, I guess? Don't wanna trigger anyone.

I was kneeling on the floor of the bathroom, giving Callie a bath. Gypsy was laying down next to me. The dog loved her little sister and wanted to spend all the time she could with the baby.

Calliope was babbling at me, splashing her hands in the shallow water.

"I know, sweetie. Today was crazy. I wasn't expecting daddy to come visit at the lab," I said softly, washing her hair out. She took baths like a champ.

The tears had been threatening to spill all afternoon. Mac was right, I was getting bad mentally. With the pressures of running the lab while he healed, and taking care of him and Callie. He couldn't help as much because of the injuries.

Just then, as Callie smiled at me and grabbed at my hand, the tears spilled over. I stayed quiet though, to not let Mac know. He was propped up in bed in the next room.

Soon enough, the baby's bath was over, and I'd be back in the bedroom. Wrapping the little girl up in the towel to dry off, I got up and looked in the mirror. Red rimmed eyes would probably give it away.

Gypsy followed me like a shadow out of the bathroom, and after putting Callie down, I reached down to help the corgi up onto the bed. She liked sleeping at my feet.

Keeping my eyes down, I focused on getting Callie ready for bed. Sitting on my side of the bed with her in front of me, I finished drying her off.

"There's a clean baby," I sighed, sniffling. Mac looked up from his book.

"Cat? You ok?"

"Yeah. No. Maybe," I said, more tears starting to fall. I wiped my face with my sleeve, not looking at my husband laying next to me.

The bed shifted as Mac sat up more. He grunted, resting a hand over the broken ribs.

"Talk to me," he said.

"You were right about how I'm not doing well mentally right now. It's hard, Mac, running the lab, and being a mom, and making sure you're ok. I don't know how you can run the lab without wanting to call it quits."

I kept my hands busy with the baby, getting her squirming limbs into a onesie. She was a squirmy little thing.

He sighed. I glanced over at the man, and wanted to hug him so badly in that moment. Mac hated when this happened. He knew he couldn't cure the anxiety and depression. He could only be there for me when I got bad and support me in any way I needed.

That's why I loved him so much. He gave me space when I needed it, let me vent other times.

"And I need a one of those hugs you give every time I'm like this, but I don't want to hurt you," I mumbled.

Rearranging my pillows and leaning back, I let Callie feed. Mac handed me a granola bar. He knew I liked snacking while the baby ate.

"How do you do what you do, Mac? I mean, keeping the lab going, and everything else you do."

"Because it's what I have to do. I'm a cop because I want to serve and protect New York City. I head the lab to catch the bad guys." 

Our eyes met briefly as I situated Callie to feed from the other side.

"And I'm with you because I want to be with you. I love you, Cat. I love the life we have, and I love our daughter. She's an amazing little human. I love our dog.

"I'm so proud of you and look forward to every day, waking up next to you. You are the light of my life, and Calliope made that brighter."

I had tears steaming down my face when he finished talking, my free hand over my mouth to keep the sobs from bubbling out.

Thankfully, Callie was done eating. I got her burped, and laid her on the bed for some play before I put her down for bed.

"Come say goodnight to your sister, Gypsy," I said to the dog. She army crawled over to us, sniffing the baby's head, before giving her a few licks. She was so gentle with Callie, it was amazing.

"Tomorrow is a new day, Cat," Mac told me.

"I know, sweetie. Let me get this little one down, and we can go to bed. Are you ready for bed, Calliope?" I asked the baby. She yawned at me. "Yeah, you're ready for bed."

I got up and held her in my arms, rocking back and forth. Her eyes dropped and closed. She finally fell into sleep, and I gently placed her down in the crib. I envied her ability to sleep so well.

Crawling into bed myself, I leaned over to Mac and gave him a kiss before we both fell asleep.