daydreaming im somewhere else

You’re temporarily distracted by your conversation with Princess and Perlah, when you feel your little one lean away from you to be lifted into Robby’s arms, and you loosen your grip as he takes her. He was assigned as your little one’s godfather at her birth, and tearfully accepted the responsibility. Now, she’s got him wrapped around her finger just as much as her Papa.

Jack signs off his report of his latest patient, and joins the small group across the ED. For now, it’s settled enough to offer this brief respite of connection between friends, and loved ones.

He’s sure you miss the go-go-go of working full-time, yet he also knows you wouldn’t trade the extra hours with your little one for anything - especially during this developmental age, during so many firsts.

She recently started having better grip strength and dexterity, particularly with drawing, and both of you couldn’t help the proud tears that leaked from your eyes when she’d excitedly run up to you two sitting together on the couch, a coloured paper flapping in her hand. The drawing in question is now happily framed and displayed on your mantle for everyone to admire, and even though it’s still mostly squiggles, they’re definitely taking the form of shapes more than before.

Sometimes, Jack worries that your little one is gonna get a complex because of how much you both love and praise her and her accomplishments. Then, he’ll realize, ‘fuck it’, he’d rather his kid feel adored and capable, than unloved and doubting their ability to try at all.

You agreed wholeheartedly.

As he strolls up alongside you, his presence pivoting your focus again - this time easily ending the conversation with your friends -, you smile, turning to greet him. “Hey, baby.”

He places his hand at your lower back, the warmth seeping through your sweater, grounding you. He gives a loving peck to your cheek in response to your sweet smile, “When did my two favourite people get here?”

You did come into the ED with him in mind - you know he hates missing out on time with your little one, especially since he moved to day shift, and gets home when she’s asleep nowadays -, but seeing your coworkers, and friends had you making a pit stop at the nurses station to catch up. Plus, you’d noted that Jack was busy, and focused at the computer so, you felt better about taking your time making your way to him. Not wanting to pull him away from his duties until a pause in time seemed clearer.

“Sorry, love, we were making our way to you, just a little stop on the journey.” Your hand strokes up his forearm from where it rests holding you close, soothing his underlying anxiety over more missed time, over feeling like he’s not showing up enough. “Y’know how she is, a little star wherever she goes.” You both laugh lightly in agreement, and your chin lifts over to the proof of your little one’s stardom happening over Jack’s shoulder.

Still held in the secure embrace of Michael, your daughter is now being shown off to the residents not currently busy on cases, as they each take turns making sweet jokes to your little one. She loves the attention, always curious and interested in meeting new people. You don’t know where she gets it from. Neither you nor Jack are really extraverted, or consider yourselves a ‘people person’, but alas your little one basks in the focused attention.

She’ll pick the brightest colours from her wardrobe, talk loudly about her interests, and unabashedly giggle over anything that tickles her funny bone. You both admire her wild expressions and love for life, and will do whatever you can to help her retain it, to nurture it, as she grows.

Jack and you gaze lovingly at the sight, and stride over to her, your hands now intertwined. The residents disperse back to their work as you two come closer, leaving Robby to turn at the change. “Well, look who’s here, little one?”

He’s passing along the bundle of joy to Jack, as she vibrates with excitement at seeing her papa.

“Papa, Papa!” Her voice carries the infectious joy young kids tend to emanate, her small hands reaching for Jack's collar, and little legs dangling by his side, swinging against his waist. “I talk people, an dey laugh fo me. Unc Wobby fwends happy.”

Jack shifts his hold of her, while she shares the story with her whole body, “Wow, Uncle Robby has some good friends, huh?” He smirks at Robby over her head, both of them chuckling at her sweet perspective that the residents are, of course, Robby’s friends.

“Of course they’re laughing, you have the best jokes, little one.” Robby compliments, poking her gently in the side, making her beam up at him, and laugh again.

Robby leaves shortly after, needing to continue with the constant barrage of chief attending duties.

The three of you opt to extend the moment together by stepping into the break room, and out of the way of the hustle and bustle starting to surround the nurses station.

Even as the occasional staff member makes their way in for a cup of coffee or a quick snack, the air of your private presence together isn’t broken between you. Your little one doodles on the plain paged notebook you’d brought in your bag for her, content on her Papa’s lap, with you sat close at her other side, leaning into Jack’s arm.

The sweet moment won’t last forever, eventually Jack’s alarm will ring and he will have to get back into cowboy/attending mode. For now you all soak up this togetherness, this closeness, with your family.

You gaze at Jack, his hazel eyes on your daughter, and you know for certain in this moment.. your hearts feel full.