Spitting Bullets

Chapter 29

Nicole and Matt had decided to wait until she was 12 weeks along to tell everybody, including the kids. In the past Nicole had miscarried before, so she wanted to make sure this was the real thing. After going in for their ultrasound and getting to hear the baby's heartbeat, both were excited to tell the kids. When they got home, they sat both kids down on the couch before they left for school and daycare.

"So Noah, remember when I had Bella in my belly?"

"Yeah, you were pregnant."

"I was, well guess what. There's another baby in my belly."

"Really?!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air, "Yay!"

"Bella, did you hear that? There's a baby in mommy's belly," Matt repeated sweetly, pulling her into his lap.

"A baby?" she questioned, pointing at Nicole's stomach.

"Yeah a baby brother or sister," Nicole grinned.

"Yay! Baby!"

Both kids were super excited, even if Bella didn't fully understand it. Nicole headed upstairs to change her shirt while Matt finished getting the kids ready. Once everybody was ready, they packed into the two cars and headed off. Matt dropped Bella off at daycare while Nicole took Noah to school.

"Bye buddy! Have a good day! I'll pick you up after basketball!"

"Okay mom! Love you!"

"Love you too."

Nicole headed out of the drop off then and straight to work. Her plan was to tell everybody at work and then she was leaving a little bit earlier than normal to head over to the firehouse to share the news with everyone there. When Nicole pulled up, she could barely contain her excitement. She had her button up shirt on to cover her surprise shirt under it. Everyone greeted her per usual, not really picking up on her behavior.

"Why are you wearing two shirts?" questioned Hailey, pointing at Nicole.

"I got this new shirt I wanted to show you guys, but I still needed to be work professional."

"Let's see it!"

Nicole quickly popped open the shirt to reveal a gray shirt that was fitted to her small bump. The shirt had an ax on it and the words Baby Bump Issued by my Firefighter. It took a second for everyone to read it and have it click. But when it did, she was bombarded with hugs. Jay held on a little longer, being especially excited for his best friend.

"Congrats Nic. I'm really happy for you," he smiled, rubbing her arm.

"Thanks Jay. We are too. After our appointment this morning we told the kids, and they're over the moon."

"I bet. New baby's are exciting."

"What's going on out here?" asked Voight, emerging from his office.

"I'm pregnant," beamed Nicole as a soft smile crossed Hank's face.

He pulled her in for a rare Hank Voight hug before saying, "Congrats kid."

"Thanks Sarge. Now I know you're going to have to send me over to dispatch but-"

"Actually I don't."

"What?"

"They've updated the rules. I can have you working from your desk here and let you do light field work up until a certain point. So you're stuck here."

"Perfect."

***

After work Nicole booked it over to the firehouse. She had discarded her button up and instead had on a light weight hoodie. As soon as she walked in, Matt found her. He wrapped her up in his arms and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.