#ejwriteshangster

He doesn't have a lot of time to hesitate, so he picks up his phone and calls. It rings three times before the other man picks up.

"Bradshaw, what the hell?- this better be good."

"Linny's sick," he says quietly, voice shaking so badly he wonders if Bradley heard him at all, "can you- I know it's late, but-"

"Be there in ten."

"No, I can call for an uber, you just-"

"-the uber will take ten minutes to get to your house, at least," Jake cuts him off. Bradley hears the slam of a door and raises an eyebrow. "You go get her ready, I'll be there soon."

"Okay, thank-"

He hears the dial tone, looks down at his phone in mild surprise. "Hear that, Linny?" He says quietly as he adjusts his hold on his daughter, "Jake's coming to get us."

His worry spikes when the washcloth he put on her forehead is hot to the touch now.

He lays her down gently, takes a deep breath as to not let the worry take hold, and gets up to get her things ready.

.

"Thank you for coming," Bradley says as he opens the door.

"Of course," Jake says, as if it's no big deal that he drove over at 3 in the morning to take them to the hospital. "Need help with-"

"Jake?"

They both look at Caroline, who's lifted her head off Bradley's shoulder and was blinking sleepily at the other man. "Hi, Care," he says quietly.

Her eyes fill with tears. Bradley's mouth hangs open when she holds her arms out to Jake, and Jake's wide eyes meet his. "Is it okay if I-"

"Sure," Bradley manages to say, watching the careful way Jake handles Caroline. It takes him a few seconds to sort through the mess of emotions he feels as he looks at them. His daughter hangs onto Jake tightly, her tiny arms wrapped around his neck, and he holds her gently, his hand covering the span of her back, rubbing gently, soothingly. "Do you have everything?" Jake asks him quietly.

Bradley just nods. When they reach the car, he puts his hand on her back and says, "Linny, honey, come here."

She tightens her arms around Jake, shakes her head. It stings. He knows his daughter loves him, knows this doesn't really mean much other than that she trusts Jake to a certain level, and she's sick and probably wants some more attention, but it still hurts when she doesn't want him. It still hurts that he has to watch helplessly as the other man comforts his daughter.

"Hey," Jake breaks through his thoughts, "you good to drive, or do you want to take her?"

"I'll drive," he chokes out, takes the key when he hands it to him.

.

His knuckles are white from how tightly he's squeezing the steering wheel, his eyes straying from the road every few seconds to check on his daughter in the rearview mirror. "How's she doing?"

"Same as she was two seconds ago," he quibs, then when Bradley glares at him, he sobers up, "she's not doing so great, but it's not that bad either. We'll be there in like two minutes. Hang in there, Bradshaw."

He manages to nod, blinks his eyes a couple of times against the burn he feels there.

.

The ER is packed with people, and Bradley looks on helplessly. Jake steers him towards the chairs, transfers Caroline to Bradley's arms, and disappears. When he reappears, he's not alone. A nurse hurries along after him, and Bradley breathes out a sigh of relief. She's gentle and efficient as she takes Carloine's temperature and asks Bradley some questions. "There aren't any available beds right now I'm afraid," she tells them, sounds genuinely sorry, "in the meantime I'll bring her something for the fever, okay?"

Jake sits beside him, leg bouncing as he stares ahead. Every few seconds, his eyes flicker over to Caroline's face and his face does something complicated that Bradley's too tired to decipher. The nurse is back with two foil packages that have him frowning. "What are those?"

Jake's the one to answer him, surprisingly. "Cooling pads."

The nurse smiles. "Yep. You know how to use them?" She asks Jake.

He nods. "One on her belly, the other on her forehead."

Her smile widens. "That's right. Here you go," she hands him the pads and disappears again.

Jake rips open the first package and Bradley lifts up his daughter's shirt, just a little. She winces and whines when Jake puts the pad on her stomach, but eventually settles. The same happens when he places the other one on her forehead. "How did you know about these?"

"Four nieces and three nephews," Jake answers, smoothing down her unruly curls. "Kids like me when they're sick," he shrugs.

Bradley can't help but think it's a little pointed, that he said it for his benefit, because of what happened earlier.

Bradley smiles.

"So, how are we gonna do this?" Jake asks Bradley, who frowns, "the paperwork- do you want me to fill it in, or do you want me to take her so you can?"

At this moment, Caroline opens her tired eyes, and they land on Jake. She smiles tiredly.

Jake smiles back, ducks his head so they're eye to eye. "Hey there, Care-bear, how're you doin'?"

"Not so good," she answers hoarsely. "My head hurts."

He winces sympathetically. "Headaches are the worst," he responds, lifts up a hand to stroke her cheek. "But you're gonna get better in no time."

Bradley takes a breath, presses a kiss to the top of her head and leans down to look her in the eyes.

"You wanna go sit with Jake so I can fill out this boring paperwork?"

She nods, no hesitation.

Jake takes her easily. She snuggles into his arms, then tips her head back, looks at him, and giggles. Jake grins. "What's got you laughing, huh, silly girl?"

"Your hair's funny," she tells him.

Bradley barks out a surprised laugh, and Jake splutters, faking offense. "Well, so is your dad's."

"Hey," Bradley protests, smoothing down his hair.

Caroline giggles again, then winces, tears gathering in her eyes.

Jake hugs her tighter, soothes her with a few quiet words. Bradley grips the clipboard tightly, with shaking hands, and starts on his daughter's paperwork.

"How's her fever?" He asks, after a moment, when his daughter's eyes are closed and her breathing evens out just a little.

Jake presses a kiss to her forehead, lingers for a few seconds. "I think it's down for now," he whispers, careful not to wake her.

Bradley, done with the paperwork, puts the clipboard aside. "Thank you for being here. You didn't have to do all this."

Jake shakes his head, looks away. "You don't have to thank me, man. Anyone else would've done it."

But I didn't want anyone else, he thinks, I wanted you.

"Well, thank you, anyway."

"Anytime," Jake mutters into his daughter's hair.

Bradley's heart refuses to settle.

.

The nurse comes to check on them a few times, and the last time she does, Jake and Caroline are both sleeping. She smiles at them, then leans closer to Bradley, "we have a bed ready for her."

He smiles in relief, shakes Jake awake. He jerks up, tightens his arms instinctively around Caroline. "What? What's going on?"

"There's a bed ready for her," Bradley tells him.

Jake nods, stands up easily with her in his arms.

"Want me to take her?"

He shakes his head immediately, then seems to freeze. "Unless you want to? I don't-"

"It's okay, Jake," he smiles, "you take her, I'm gonna go hand in the paperwork, alright?"

He nods, follows after the nurse.

.

They leave the hospital two hours later, Caroline's medicine in a small pharmacy bag, clutched in Jake's hand, and his daughter finally in his arms. Bradley sits with her in the back, holding her in his arms as he closes his eyes.

When he opens them, they're outside his house.

He expects Jake to drive away after he gets out of the car, but to his surprise, the other man gets out and locks his car, takes Bradley's house keys and opens the door for him. The house is a mess, but Bradley's too tired to care. He heads to Caroline's room, puts her on the bed, kisses her red cheeks, tucks her in and finally, turns off the light, leaving the door open, just a little.

When he goes back to the living room, he finds Jake standing by the fireplace, looking at the pictures on the mantle. "She was such a cute baby," he tells him.

"Yeah, she was." He comes to stand beside him, "you remember her?" He asks him quietly.

Jake nods.

"I never thanked you for that night."

Jake shrugs. Bradley turns to face him. Jake does the same.

He doesn't think before he takes a step forward, closing the distance between them and drawing him into his arms. There's a huff of a surprised breath from Jake before he hesitantly hugs him back. Bradley finds himself burrowing closer into the warm embrace, burying his nose in his neck. He feels more than sees Jake's hitched breath, and the arms around Bradley tighten.

They stay like that for what could be seconds, or minutes. Bradley doesn't care. He just closes his eyes and breathes him in.

"Bradshaw-"

"Thank you."

He pulls away, slowly. His cheek drags across Jake's, and their noses nearly touch. Jake's eyes flicker to his lips, and Bradley's do the same. They share the same breath for a few seconds, then-

"Daddy?"

They spring apart, the moment lost, and Bradley clears his throat. "Wait-"

"I'm gonna go-"

They take a breath.

Jake looks away first. "I'll see you around, Bradshaw."

Bradley tries to hide his disappointment. He probably fails.

"Hi, Bradley."

"Hey, Sarah- what's-"

"Tom wants to see you," she informs him, and there's a twinkle in her eyes that tells him she knows exactly what she's doing. "Go, I'm keeping an eye on the kids," Sarah assures him, "all four of them."

At that, he can't help but laugh.

.

Ice is in his office, as per usual, and he gets up when Bradley enters. Bradley hugs him, tight enough to hurt, but the older man doesn't seem to care. "How are you doing, Ice?"

He pats his back, and once they seperate, he types out a message on his computer.

[Not too bad. How about you, kiddo?]

"Doing okay."

Ice raises an eyebrow. [Anything you want to share?]

Bradley rolls his eyes. "Pretty sure Mav already told you what happened, we don't need to talk about it."

[Sure we do.]

"He's- he just gets on my nerves, and usually, I can take it, but this time- he went too far."

[He did. But it's not for the reason you're thinking.]

"Oh?" He asks incredulously, "so it's not just cause he's an asshole?"

Ice laughs, nearly silent, and shakes his head.

"Why's he here?"

[He's Sarah's nephew, and his father is an acquaintances.]

He raises an eyebrow at the choice of word. "Acquaintance?"

Ice mimics him and raises an eyebrow as well.

Bradley rolls his eyes. "It's just a fancy word for someone you hate but have to be nice to."

He shrugs.

"And Jake? Is he an acquaintance, too?"

[No. Jake's family.]

It's so simple, yet the words hold more weight than Bradley could've imagined. Ice means every word, and he can't say he's not surprised.

Ice taps the screen to bring Bradley's attention back to it, then smiles. [He's a good man. A little rough around the edges maybe, but who isn't?]

Bradley wants to argue, he does, but Ice looks tired, and his hands are shaking, so he bites back his response and nods. When he stands up, Ice does too, and Bradley only hesitates a little before he leans in and hugs him.

Ice returns the hug, holds him tight and Bradley buries his face in the man's shoulder and hopes the tears don't fall. "Thank you," he mutters as he pulls back.

Ice just smiles. "What for?" He rasps.

Hearing him speak is jarring, and he feels guilty for thinking it, but it's a far cry from the smooth, gentle voice he was used to. He pushes the thought away. "For letting Linny stay here. I really appreciate it."

"I love that kid," he says, like it's that simple- and maybe it is. "Mav-"

The smile instantly drops, and Bradley shakes his head, backs away. "Don't," he says, a little harsh, "we don't talk about him, that was the deal."

"Kid-"

"Ice, please," he pleads quietly, "please."

He deflates, but nods.

Bradley breathes shakily, "I'm gonna go get Caroline now, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

Ice nods again.

Bradley all but runs out.

He doesn't get a moment to breathe before he's hit with the image of Jake chasing the three kids around in the garden, groaning theatrically when one of them pushes him and dramatically falling to the ground. His breath catches in his throat when his daughter grabs onto Jake's leg with all her little limbs like a koala, and he grins down at her and starts moving. Bradley finds himself smiling when Carloine shrieks and holds on tighter as she's lifted off the ground. Soon, she's joined by the other kids, and Jake, in an effort to keep from squashing one of them, trips and falls onto his ass. The kids laugh, and he fakes a frown. "Alright, alright, you little rascals, go wash up now, I think dinner's almost ready."

Caroline lingers while the other two run inside the house, and she goes to lay beside Jake. She's two, almost three, and she's not talking much, but Carloine loves to babble. Bradley loves it, and from the fond way Jake looks at her, the other man does too.

Jake's head turns his way, and before he can duck out of the doorway, their eyes lock. It takes a moment for him to process. The other man's face goes slack in shock, then confusion, then he looks at Caroline, back at Bradley, then at Caroline again, and it registers. He sits up slowly.

"Linny," he calls out, eyes never leaving Jake's, "time to go, baby."

"Dada!" She screams, getting up quickly and almost falling on her face in her haste to get to him. Jake steadies her, the move almost unconscious.

Bradley crouches, holds her tight when she reaches him, and stands up with her in his arms.

Jake's still staring at him.

There's no hate, no anger in those green eyes, but there is something unreadable in the depths of them.

He doesn't bother trying to figure it out, he's got more important things to think about.

Like the little girl in his arms, and what would happen to her if things didn't work out the way they planned tomorrow.

He kisses his daughter's temple, turns to leave, but she wiggles in his arms, wanting to be put down.

He does, and is surprised when she runs back to Jake. He looks as surprised as Bradley feels when her little arms wrap around him. "Bu-bye, Jake."

"Bye, Care-bear," he says it quietly, with care, and Bradley can't take his eyes off him, even as his daughter comes running at him and her little body collides with his legs. Jake's eyes find his again, and Bradley has to make an active effort not to get lost in them.

He nods once, a sharp and jerky motion.

Jake nods back.

.

A week later, Jake Sersin saves his life.

He goes to the kitchen next, fixes himself a cup of coffee. Just as that's done, the front door opens and Caroline flies in.

"Linny," Bradley says quietly, "slow down- we don't wanna wake Jake, remember?"

"Okay, daddy," she practically shouts, skipping over to the kitchen, when she freezes in the doorway at the sight of him.

Jake smiles automatically at the sight of her, windblown hair, face smeared with chocolate and all, and his smile widens when she launches herself at him. He's used to it by now, having been on the receiving end of her sneak attack hugs too many times to count, so he catches her easily. Her little arms come up around his neck and she squeezes tightly. "Happy birthday," she whisper-shouts in his ear, thinks she's being discreet.

Bradley walks into the kitchen then. "You're awake," he says, sounding disappointed.

Jake feigns hurt, puts his free hand to his heart. "Well, good morning to you, too, Bradley."

Bradley rolls his eyes but smiles as he closes the distance between them. One hand goes to Jake's waist, the other around Caroline, and he leans down to kiss him, chaste and sweet. Caroline puts her head on his shoulder and giggles.

"Morning," he mumbles against Bradley's lips.

"Morning, sweetheart," is Bradley's quiet response, "happy birthday."

Jake smiles.

"Now go back to bed because Linny and I have a surprise for you."

"But-"

"Nu-uh, hush-" he wags a finger in his face, tone brooking no argument, "bed, now."

“Yes, sir,” Jake sighs, rolls his eyes, but he's secretly pleased. He looks down at Caroline, "do you wanna help your dad, or do you wanna come snuggle with me?"

She thinks about it, then says, "I help daddy."

He's a little disappointed, but he hands her over to Bradley easily. He kisses his cheek just before he takes her from his arms and pushes him out of the kitchen when he lingers a little to see what the surprise is.

With a huff, and one last kiss, he's resigned to his fate and drags himself back to the bed.

.

Caroline comes rushing into the room about fifteen minutes later. She climbs onto the bed and settles beside Jake. "Hi, baby girl," he says, opening his arms. She crawls into them, head on his chest and he holds her tight. He kisses the top of her head, then frowns when he catches sight of something in her hair. Jake inspects it closer, determines it's probably pancake batter, and laughs. "How'd you get that in your hair, huh?"

She just shrugs, giggles.

He tickles her, then hoists her up in the air, making her roar with laughter and immediately put her arms out, like she’s flying and takes her to the bathroom, where he makes quick work of cleaning her hair, then they're back on the bed.

Bradley finds them like that, sprawled out and watching her morning cartoons on the TV in their room. Jake smiles when he sees him in the doorway, holding a tray with a plate stacked with pancakes and three cups- one plastic- of what he assumes is orange juice. Bradley walks in, puts it in the middle of the bed, and they crowd around it.

"Daddy," Caroline suddenly shouts, startling them both, "you forgot the candle," she admonishes him.

Jake gasps dramatically, shakes his head. "How could you forget the candle?"

Bradley rolls his eyes, mutters something under his breath that sounds like "can't believe you're ganging up on me" as he gets up off the bed. Seconds later, he's back with a candle and a lighter.

Bradley puts it in the pancake, lights it.

"Wish!" Caroline tells him excitedly as she claps her hand.

He closes his eyes, pretends to take his time in wishing for something, but if he's honest, there's nothing he can think of- he's got everything he needs right here in this room.

Bradley leans forward, kisses him. "Happy birthday, babe."

The truth is, it's the best birthday he's ever had since he can remember.

.

He thinks that's how they'll spend the day, just the three of them in a little bubble, but he's proven wrong when Bradley, three hours later, tells him they're going out. He tries to protest, but he shuts him up with a kiss and that stubborn look he gets when he's dead set on something. So Jake bites his tongue and gets ready.

.

The Hard Deck is dark when they get there, and Jake groans inwardly. "Seriously? A surprise party?"

Bradley is unimpressed as he turns to glare at him. "Yes, and you better act surprised."

"Why would they think turning off the lights is a good idea?"

Bradley stifles a laugh at this and shakes his head. "I don't know, man. Just go with it."

Caroline is happily walking in between them, holding both their hands and lifting her feet off the ground every other step so they swing her.

Jake has never been so content in his entire life.

When his boyfriend opens the door to the darkened bar, the lights are suddenly on and the daggers, plus Penny, Mav and Amelia jump out from behind various tables and shout, in synchrony, "Happy Birthday!"

Jake smiles genuinely as he's drawn in various hugs. At some point, he loses his hold on Bradley's hand, but it doesn't bother him much since he's busy being mocked by his team about being an old man. The harmless ribbing is cut off by a few notes on the piano.

They all turn to the source, and find Bradley at the piano, Caroline sitting on his lap. The smile Jake gets when their eyes meet is one just for him, and it's one that he doesn't think he'll ever get enough of.

"Birthday boy," his boyfriend starts, beckoning him over with a move of his head, "come here."

Jake walks over to him, puts his hands on Bradley's shoulders, squeezes once, before he leans down and kisses the top of his head. Caroline looks up at him expectantly so he laughs and leans down to kiss her head too.

Bradley winks at him and starts playing a familiar tone. The others join Bradley in singing him  happy birthday, and it's overwhelming in the best way. Jake's misty-eyed by the end of it, and as soon as the song's over, he grabs Caroline off her father's lap, and with his free hand, he drags Bradley up and into his arms. He crashes their lips together, and though It’s meant to be bruising, and deep, it quickly turns soft and reverent.

They pull back to the sounds of wolf whistles and cheers and groans, but they don't care, too lost in their own little world.

"Thank you," he whispers against his lips, "this is- probably the best birthday I've ever had."

There's a sad look in Bradley's eyes, but it's gone quick enough that Jake can ignore it. "I love you."

"Love you, too."

There's more singing, and gifts, after that, and Jake can only bask in the warmth of this moment, of this family he's somehow found himself to be a part of.

"Hey," Bradley says, tugging on his hand, "come dance with me."

He goes easily, holds the man he loves close.

"Mav and Penny are taking Caroline for the night," Bradley tells him casually, though he can hear the smirk in the words.

"Oh yeah?" Jake sounds nonchalant, but he knows Bradley can hear the slight shake in his voice as he says it.

The song ends right then, he presses a kiss to the underside of his jaw, drags his lips all the way up until his breath is tickling his ear, making him shiver. Jake smirks. "Wanna get out of here?"

●•••••••Ficlets [1-2k]•••••••••●

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Kid fic.

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