Open Case File [COMPLETED]

Finding Order

"Cheer up, solider, I'm not going to die on a ladder," she said.

Donovan used the excuse to wipe off his face as a reason to not look at Carter.

"There is nothing wrong with being cautious," he said.

"True, but there is also a thing about being too cautious. Once this kid comes into the world, our lives are changed forever. Until then I'm going to live as I always have and I'll climb as many ladders as I want to."

When Donovan raised his head, he found Carter smiling down at him. She cupped his cheek and there was a glow in her eyes that had only appeared with knowing she was pregnant. It was beyond happiness. It was peace, surety, hope. It was as if she could see the future and knew that it was all going to be okay. She kissed him and left another smear of paint on his face.

He smiled because he knew that was what she was looking for.

As they worked, Carter talked about a million things they still needed to do to prepare for the baby. The novels on their nightstands had been swapped for baby books, all the things they needed to know.

Carter had read them all in the first couple of months and was going through them a second time as if they were files on an Op. Donovan made notes, forming lists so that they left nothing out. They would show the same attention to details as they would if they were working a case on a drug ring.

By the time late afternoon rolled around, fumes of the paint were overwhelming but the first coating was done. Donovan stepped into the doorway to get the full effect. The walls were a soft blue while the edges were trimmed in a cheery yellow. Carter leaned back against Donovan and he wrapped his arms around her, feeling her small bump.

"I like it," she said.

"Me too. Who says you have to stick to traditional girls have pink and yellow colors while boys have blue and green."

They stood there, taking it in, already picturing where the crib and changing station would go as well as the dresser drawers. Everything would be as it should.

"Want to see how the troops are doing?" Carter asked.

"Yeah, let's see if they've managed to understand how an L wrench works."

To Donovan's surprise, instead of finding mayhem of pieces spread out over the living room floor, both the crib and the changing station was almost completed. Carter clapped appreciatively.

"Look at that, soldiers," she said. "You haven't failed me."

Despite this encouragement, neither team responded, their focus unbroken. Carter peered up at Donovan in question.

"Yeah, I'm guessing Clint made some comment about being able to beat Brock and James. This is a race to the finish."

Carter laughed and headed into the kitchen. On the counter was an open pizza box and she took a cold slice. "Was it ever tiring growing up with such competitive brothers?"

Donovan leaned on the counter beside her, watching as James called out instructions and Brock obeyed without question.

"Yes and no. It made me more determined to be better. I don't think I would have graduated high school so early if it wasn't for them. They were all so smart and I wanted to prove I was the same. They pushed me to be the best I could, to never back down from a challenge. Without them, I wouldn't be me."

Carter nodded and finished off the slice of pizza. For a minute, they remained silent, listening to the murmured instructions and the clink of metal hitting metal as the final touches were being put together.