Fic: Birth 2/2 (Numb3rs, Charlie / Eppes / Colby Granger, David Sinclair / Ian Edgerton)
Title: Birth 2/2
Fandom: Numb3rs
Pair: Charlie Eppes / Colby Granger
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Feedback: Always Welcome
Chapter 1/2
NUMB3RS Main List
“I’m leaving now.” Colby announced and closed the lid of his laptop.
“Are you picking up Chuck on the way?” Don asked from behind a thick case file.
“I took him there this morning when I came to work. He’s been at the hospital all
day. Alan’s at the house, we’re all having dinner after we take the baby home.
By the way, your dad said that if you’re not there….”
“Then what?” Don was pretty sure what he was about to hear.
“Then he’ll come here and drag you out by your ear in front of all the staff.”
“Sounds like dad.” Don chuckled. “I’ll be there.” He paused. “How is it?”
“How’s what?”
“Being a dad.”
“It’s…. good.” Colby grinned. “And Charlie’s a real mother hen.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t believe the trouble I’ve had trying to drag him home when
the visiting hours are over. Once when the nurse came to take the baby he
actually growled at her.”
“Are you talking about Charlie?” David asked when he came to his workstation.
“Who else?” Don shrugged.
“And I don’t think you’ve heard the latest. He’s taking a two month leave of
absence from CalSci.” Colby beamed.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“So he’s gonna….?”
“Stay home with the baby? Yeah.”
“Good thing I’m sitting down….” Don groaned. “I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. He’s still going to do some consulting stuff, but he said he can
do them from home.”
“I think somewhere Hell just froze over…”
“You want one more shock? He and Ian are acting like best buddies.”
“You like to shock me, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I think I learned it from Charlie.”
“He’s a bad influence-” Don chuckled. He was cut off by his cell phone. “Eppes.”
“Donnie?”
“Dad, what’s up?”
“I just wanted to make sure Colby gave you the message.”
“I got it. I’ll be there when I’m done with my paperwork.”
“You’ll be here in an hour. Paperwork can wait.”
“Dad-”
“Donnie, do I need to come and get you myself?”
“No, I’ll be there.”
“Good boy.”
---------------------------------------
“Edgerton.”
“Hey, it’s me. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, I just left the gun range. You want me to pick you up from home?”
“Sounds good.”
“And there’s a gift bag for the baby in the bedroom closet. Make sure I cut
away all the price tags.”
“Don’t tell me you got her more stuffed toys….”
“I did. And after that crib thing, you better keep your mouth shut about it.”
“That’s not fair. I paid for that lie, my ass was sore for days.”
“You loved it.”
“Okay, I did.” David chuckled. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
---------------------------------------
“Are they here yet?” Don yelled as he walked in.
“No.” Alan’s voice boomed from the kitchen. He came out carrying a big serving
bowl.
“What are we eating?”
“I’m going to start the grill soon, we’ll have a barbeque in the back yard. Hold
that for me.” He shoved the bowl to Don.
“Who’s coming? Chuck, Granger, you, me-”
“And David and Ian. Megan can’t come. She had some plans with that paramedic,
whatever his name was. And Larry’s running a student trip. They’re going to
see the Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite Valley.”
“Larry on a nature trip…. That’s a weird concept.”
“Remember last time he was on one of those trips?”
“No.”
“He had a painful encounter with a Poison Ivy. When they came back he had rash
everywhere. And I really mean everywhere….”
“That’s enough about that.” Don followed Alan to the back yard and placed the
bowl on the table. “So…”
“So what?”
“Are you happy now, granddad?”
Alan smirked. “Yes. For a while I thought I wouldn`t live to see this.” He paused.
“It would be even better if your mother could be here it, but…. Well, no use talking
about that. This is a good day.”
“Yeah.”
“We’re here!” Charlie announced from the back door. He was holding the sleepy
baby against his shoulder and Colby was standing behind them, grinning like a
lunatic. “When do we eat?”
“I haven’t even started the grill yet and give me that baby.” Alan demanded.
Charlie shimmied the baby carefully to his arms.
“Mind the head.”
“Charlie, I’ve done this before.”
“But it’s been a while. You could be rusty.”
“There’s nothing rusty about me.” Alan smiled down at the dozing infant. “Hello
there….”
“Did pick a name yet?” Don asked.
“Yeah, we… made a compromise.” Charlie grinned.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Helen Margaret Eppes-Granger.”
“Margaret?” Alan repeated.
“After mom.” Charlie confirmed.
“And Helen is my mom’s middle name.” Colby added.
“That sounds nice, doesn’t it?” Alan cooed to the baby. “You know… she definitely
has her fathers eyes.”
“And hair.” Colby smirked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much hair on a newly born.”
Charlie chuckled. “I don’t mind as long as she doesn’t get my nose.”