Halcyon

Dinner time

Jack sits at the kitchen table, the evening's dinner has just been dished up and he sits happily watching Poppy eat something for once that isn't potato waffles or baked beans, Nikki's idea of a casserole actually has made Poppy eat. Nikki had sat down with them but has just received a phone call on from a number that Jack doesn't recognise, she has left the room and Jack continues to eat his dinner with Maddison on his lap while he bottle feeds her at the same time.

"Where is Mummy?" Poppy questions with a grin as she takes a spoonful of casserole and eats it, she then puts her spoon down and then picks up her pink beaker cup and sips it carefully.

"Mummy is on the phone darling, she will be back, although she is taking a long time" He speaks as he tilts Maddison back a little more as the milk is near the bottom now, Poppy just nods and continues with her dinner and so does Jack.

Around three minutes later Nikki comes back into the kitchen and slips her phone into her back pocket, "Everything okay Nik?" Jack asks as she grabs a class from the cupboard and fills it with water.

"Yeah, just Thomas... they're calling my PM up in court... you know the Triple murder, them three escort girls?" Nikki speaks as she sits down opposite Jack and smiles.

Jack nods and moves Maddison as she has finished her bottle, "So? you're on maternity... is Thomas going in your place?" Jack questions placing his fork down and gently burping Maddison, "Nik? you did tell him he can do it right?" He adds sense something that Nikki hasn't told him yet.

"He can't go..." She speaks and begins her dinner.
"Why?" Jack questions
"Because he didn't attend," She responds and takes another mouthful of food.
"Just pass the PM notes on to him then" He adds as he doesn't like the sound of where this is head.

She places her fork down and chews the remaining food in her mouth before she can reply, she places her hand in front of her mouth and speaks, "It's not as straight forward, the family of one of the girls has asked me to speak... and the coroners court have requested me in an email to Thomas."

Jack shakes his head and moves Maddison into his other arm, "Nikki, no, you are meant to be on leave... I'm not having you stand up in court. You know how dangerous some of the family members are. remind me again who slashed your tires on the Lyell Car park because you showed them evidence that showed she was a regular user of all those drugs!" Jack speaks and finally finishes his dinner.

"Jack that was grief... they paid for the damage and the police warned Edward Swayer and he was told not to come near you or the Lyell, oh don't forget he threatened to hunt you down and make your life a misery" He speaks.

Nikki glances at Poppy, "Jack... watch what you're saying you know a certain someone has been repeating back to her teachers what we say" Nikki begins and Jack nods as he stands up and moves her plate, with Maddison resting against his chest he walks over with her to the dishwasher and begins to load it. "I'm not going to get hurt Jack, I will stand up in court, give my findings and your forensic evidence and then leave."

Jack walks over to the kitchen table again and with his spare hand wipes Poppy's face before letting her leave the table. "You are impossible Nicola, well I am coming with you... I will see if my Dad can have Maddison and well I'm sure Poppy will be in nursery school" Jack begins and Nikki gives up on the remainder of her food and stands up and holds her arms out to Jack indicating she wants to hold Maddison.

"I will be fine Jack... on my own," She speaks as she carefully places Maddison against her chest and gently pats her back as she sways slightly.
"No I am coming with you, consider me your personal bodyguard" He speaks and Nikki rolls her eyes at him. "Oh and for once can we have a normal conversation at the dinner table, that doesn't revolve around work. I always feel like Poppy never speaks when we are at the table because we are too busy talking about dead bodies and different cases."

Nikki smirks and walks over to him and takes the last remaining plates and places them in the dishwasher. While tidying up the kitchen Nikki gets another phone call from Thomas so she leaves the kitchen with Maddison in her arms and heads upstairs where it's quiet.
Jack rolls his eyes as she walks off and continues to tidy and clean the kitchen up before checking on Poppy and heading upstairs to Nikki.

When he gets to their room and pushes her door open to see Nikki lying on the bed with Maddison asleep on her chest and her blouse unbuttoned so Maddison is lying against her skin. "everything okay?" He smiles as he walks over to her, he clambers onto the free side of the bed and looks at her.
"Yeah just needed a lie-down," She speaks.
"Really? slowing down in your old age?" He smirks and she rolls her eyes at him.
"I'll punch you if you're not careful Mr. Hodgson, anyway I spoke to Thomas again, the court hearing is Tuesday morning, 10 am" Nikki replies and carefully moves so she can kiss him without waking Maddison.