Quite The Picture
Jack Abbott x Reader: Jack forgets his keys and asks you to drop them off during a busy shift. Dana breaks several hospital rules in order for you to cover for a very special patient….
(OR Jack forgets his keys, and when you go to deliver them, Dana asks you to babysit Baby Jane Doe)
Romance, Husband and Wife Abbott, broody Jack and Reader, mentions of being unable to have kids, flirty, sarcasm, fluff
You cleared away the dishes from dinner despite Jack’s insistence on doing it. You quickly shut down his argument with the fact that if he kept pestering you over cleaning up instead of him doing it, then he was going to make himself late for his night shift (and would subsequently have to deal with a pissed off Robby and Dana).
Jack gave in, grabbed his coat, rucksack, lunch bag which you had packed with snacks and leftovers for his break, gave you a long lingering kiss, and went out the front door.
The man had only been gone about half an hour before his name showed up on your phone.
Forgot my keys, work is chaos, don’t have time to come back home, can you drop them off please baby - J
Sure enough, you turned around from your seat on the couch and saw up on the dining table Jack’s keys. Sighing and shaking your head, you got up, retrieved the keys and replied back.
You’re making breakfast tomorrow morning to apologize x
--
You parked up a block or so away from the hospital and made your way over to the entrance to the A&E. Before even stepping foot inside the building, you could hear the noise and busy commotion coming from within.
The waiting room was jam-packed with people, and you did your best to not step on any toes as you sheepishly made your way over to the reception, trying to avoid scathing glares from waiting patients who -to them- you were seemingly cutting ahead.
“Hey hon, looking for Jack?” Lupe said from her chair beyond the plate of glass as you got close and waved a ‘hey Lupe’ at her.
“Yeah, idiot forgot his keys.” You answered, rolling your eyes at the ordeal. “Would you give them to him?”
“Oh sure thing hon, just-“
“Lupe, in here, I need you! Chart system has gone wacko and I need someone to watch over our little guest in the visitor’s room.” Dana suddenly exclaimed as she swung around the doorway behind Lupe, waving for her to follow.
“Dana I can’t, we’re swamped out here tonight!” Lupe protested, gesturing to the masses sitting, standing and hunched, all complaining in the waiting room beyond the reception desk.
“Just ten minutes, please, I got Robby on a knife edge, hand over to night shift has been stalled because of the charting fuck up, McKay is baby-sitting Santos and Mohan, and I can’t find Ellis or Diaz anywhere.” Dana huffed as she finally came back up for air.
“I can’t, I’m still waiting for cover so I can go on my break that should have happened thirty minutes ago.” Lupe said as she motioned as politely as she could for you to move to the side to get at the patient waiting behind you.
“Oh, sorry” You meekly smiled at the old man glowering at you for standing in his way.
“Jesus Christ I’m gonna pass out and it’s only eight thirty.” Dana remarked as she rolled her eyes and looked around behind her for a free body.
“Jack wasn’t kidding when he said it was chaos in here.” You nodded as you took in the bustling atmosphere of the waiting room. “Listen, I know you guys are swamped here, but can someone just take Jack’s keys and I’ll get outta your hair?”
Dana looked at you, then did a double take, eyeing Jack’s keys, then you.
“Actually…that’s perfect.” Dana said, looking right at you, as if a lightbulb had just switched on in her head.
“What?” You asked, looking from Dana to an equally confused Lupe who was juggling the old man’s paperwork.
“You’re perfect hon. Oh dear god you are perfect! Hot damn! Wait there!” Dana suddenly exclaimed with a loud singular clap before she sprinted back out of the reception office.
You and Lupe exchanged looks, but before either of you could question what had just happened, Dana practically burst through the double doors to the waiting room and made a b-line for you.
“Come on come on, I need you my little angel.” Dana quickly said as she grabbed your hand and practically hauled you through the double doors.
“D-Dana what are you doing?” You frowned as Dana continued to lead you through the busy ER.
Immediately you were hit with the familiar smell that came off Jack after shifts; the sterile, clean hospital smell that he always insisted on showering off before getting close to you, and one that you recognised when doing his laundry. There was also the slightly not so pleasant, yet faint, coppery smell of blood and body in the air, attributed to several patients laying out on beds with particularly grizzly injuries.
Don’t look
Don’t look
Don’t look
“D-Dana I…Dana I can’t be in here.” You said, averting your eyes to look down at Dana’s trainers as she continued to lead you through the chaos of patients being moved around, doctors shouting and using language that was lost on you, machines beeping and patients groaning and crying out in discomfort.
Don’t look you’ll puke
Don’t look you’ll puke
Don’t look you’ll puke
“For the next ten minutes you are.” Dana corrected over her shoulder to you as she marched you through the ER.
Christ Jack how the hell do you do this? You thought as you attempted to keep up with Dana, eagerly pulling at you to follow her.
“I need you to do something important for me.” Dana said, ignoring your paling demeanour. “I’ll cut to the chase; we got an unattended baby in the visitor’s room that needs just ten minutes of supervision. Just ten, then one of the junior doctors will take over once I get the charting system straightened out.”
“A baby?” You winced. “Dana no, no – I’ve already broken maybe ten rules just by coming in here! I’m not a doctor or staff! I can’t be left alone with a baby! I just stopped by to give Jack his keys!” You exclaimed frantically.
“And you can give them to him! I’ll go tell him you’re here, and whilst you wait, you can keep an eye on Baby Jane Doe.” Dana reasoned as she pushed you towards the visitor’s room.
“Baby Jane who?” You frowned in confusion.
“Baby Jane Doe; got no parents or guardians, left unattended – Jane Doe.” Dana briefly clarified. “Look, we’re jammed in here, Robby is on the war path, I got staff trying to figure out a charting system that’s crappin it’s pants right now. I got day staff who are chomping at my hand to be relieved so night shift can take over.” Dana halted and rubbed her forehead in exhaustion.
“I need all hands-on deck, and whilst I’m usually not in the habit of trusting non-medical staff, particularly with this sort of thing - I know you and I know you will be fine for ten little minutes whilst I quickly iron out this god forsaken chart system.”
You and Dana exchanged looks, and immediately you felt your resolve give way to her stressed demeanour. With a heavy sigh, you shook your head. “Fine. Ten minutes.” You gave in and allowed Dana to smile thankfully at you. “But if you get fired for this, you only have yourself to blame.” You muttered, earning you a tired chuckle from Dana.
“Thank you honey, I’ll buy you a round next time we all go out.” Dana exhaled deeply in relief before she reached for the door handle to the visitor’s room.
It was dim inside, not entirely dark, but just enough to not disturb the little bundle in the corner of the room. As Dana went over to look into the little cot, you shrugged off your jacket and draped it over one of the vacant chairs.
“Sound asleep.” Dana whispered, trying to reassure you.
“Let’s hope she stays that way.” You mumbled pessimistically, but smiled at Dana nonetheless. This wasn’t her fault, not really, and to be honest if Dana truly needed help, you would be more than happy to give it.
“M’sorry for asking this of you, but my hands are tied.” Dana apologized. “When I see Jack, I’ll tell him to swing in.” Dana said as she walked back over to you.
“And tell him he’s lucky to have me.” You grumbled quietly.
“We’re all lucky to have you.” Dana said with a smirk. “Ten minutes. There’s formula on the countertop.” She gestured beside the cot with a wink before ducking out of the room, a brief influx of noise from the busy outside ER filled the room before it went back into silence.
You turned your attention back to the little cot, and slowly approached, curious to peer inside and take a look at all the fuss.
A tiny, sleepy, pink face peered out from the blankets, swaddled up tight inside, the baby’s small rosy lips parted as she snoozed soundly. Your features softened at the sight of her, a complete polar opposite of calm serenity compared to the manic chaos that lay only a few feet outside the visitor’s room.
Several moments passed by, relatively undisturbed as you paced slowly around the room, mindful to keep your steps light and slow. Eventually you settled into the vacant armchair adjacent to the cot, and rested for a moment or two.
That was until you heard a small grumble of discomfort coming from the cot. You got up from your chair and saw the baby’s face beginning to turn and screw up with unease. At the sound of her first whine, you instinctively reached down into the cot to retrieve the baby.
“Hey…hey little lady.” You whispered as you carefully scooped up the unhappy little one. “It’s alright, it’s all okay.” You hummed as you adjusted the baby in your arms to properly cradle her.
You didn’t have much in the way of experience with children, other than the odd cousin, nieces and nephews, but you knew what would work best to bring some sort of relief to the upset bundle in your arms. The baby squeaked out her crocodile tears, and you continued to coo and rub at her little back, patting at her.
“Shhh…shhh…it’s okay…I’m here.” You whispered, bouncing a little at the knees to lull the baby back down into a sense of comfort from her disturbed sleep. “Just ten minutes…and you’ll be in good hands again.” You muttered as you looked over the little human curling up into you.
Ten minutes
Just ten minutes
--
(thirty minutes later)
“That should be fixed.” Mel said with a chipper tone with Jack looming over her shoulder.
“Thank christ for that.” Jack grumbled with relief. “Alright everybody listen up, charting system is back online and ironed out! Make sure you have all your patients and keep em organised. Day shift can finally hand over, thank you for your patience. If I have to do this again, I will quit on the spot.” he threatened and sighed as his focus turned to the computer in front of him.
“Hey, did Dana get someone to watch over the baby in the visitor’s room?” Mohan asked curiously as she retrieved her charts from the desk. “There’s still nothing up on the board…surely Dana wouldn’t have left a baby unattended?”
Jack frowned and turned to look up at the charting board which was now back in order, where sure enough there was the room number and patient name, but no attending. A small wick of panic began inside of Jack, and he exchanged a brief look between Mohan to where Dana was now helping Robby and Ellis with another patient.
“Dana!” Jack shouted over. “Any attending for Baby Jane Doe?” he asked with his hands out to the sides in a questioning manner.
Immediately, he saw a look of realisation dawning on Dana, as if she had forgotten something and was now figuring it out. Jack didn’t wait for Dana to explain what from across the room, instead he quickly left the desk area and marched over to the visitor’s room, whereupon entering he took two steps before he froze. His eyes widened, head turned a fraction as he saw you, sitting with the baby.
“Close the door.” You quietly hissed, frowning at the sudden intrusion.
Jack did as told, and carefully closed over the door to the room before slowly approaching you. The baby was on the cusp of sleeping, her tiny eyes lulling closed every once in a while.
“I didn’t know you worked here.” Jack whispered as he lifted a seat over to sit down in front of you. “You take up a part time shift in the maternity ward without tellin me?” He smirked wryly.
“I expect my wage by the end of the day.” You replied with a quirked brow. “Dana roped me into this. She also promised it would only be ten minutes…that was over half an hour ago.”
“Oh baby…oh sweetheart, I am so sorry.” Jack shook his head, planting his hands on either-side of your knees and bowing his head a little in shame “I didn’t mean for you to get tossed into all this. Next time I’ll duct tape my stupid keys to my chin” Jack added, earning him a bitter chuckle from you which made him smile through the embarrassment.
“S’not so bad. Rather be in here with this one than out there.” You said, nodding towards the door and the chaos out-with it. “I dunno how you manage it, I nearly puked and passed out when Dana hauled me in.” You shook your head in disbelief.
“You get used to it” Jack shrugged. He couldn’t help but feel his heart squeeze at the way your kept your eyes trained on the baby, how delicately you fixed her blankets and little sleep cap.
“Seems you’ve made a friend.” Jack mused as he looked down at the baby, his rough index finger softly ghosting across the little girl’s chin.
That was when you caught it. That particular expression Jack only used for puppies and nieces and nephews. You knew it all too well, and how dangerous it was.
“Don’t.” You quietly yet firmly stated.
“What?” Jack said, looking up at you innocently.
“You’re getting broody.” You warned.
“No I’m not.” Jack argued. “I do not get broody.”
“Yes you do, and yes you are. I know you are, because I can already feel myself getting broody and it’s only been half an hour with her in my arms.” You reasoned. “I dread to think how you feel, you’re a softy when it comes to kids. New borns especially.” You remarked with a quirked brow.
“Am not.” Jack said, his husky voice rousing the baby a little, freezing both yourself and Jack as you waited for her to settle again. “I am not.” Jack said, light and practically wordless as not to upset the baby in your arms.
You sighed and kept a watchful gaze over the little one, your thumb briefly brushing against her tiny forehead and sparse hairs. Jack hated to admit it, but you were right; it was hard for him to not love the idea of you and him with a baby, and the current scenario was only fuelling the matter further. How gentle and tenderly you looked, how his imagination ran away with the image of you loving a baby together and raising it together.
“Where will she go?” You asked, breaking Jack’s train of thought.
“Well, usually after she gets a few urine and blood tests done, and everything comes back in the clear, she’ll be taken in by a foster care program organized by the hospital .” Jack explained, reaching to tuck the baby up a little more into her pink blanket.
“And then what?” You asked. “You guys…just let her go?” You sighed, poorly trying to hide your sad tone.
“Pretty much. Once all the tests are done, we’re no longer required.” Jack nodded, his tender hazel eyes moving from the baby up to you.
“Oh.” You simply said, though Jack could already tell it was weighing heavy on your heart.
“Hey, she’ll be fine.” Jack reassured, his hands reaching out to the sides of your legs and patting you gently. “She’s young, cute, she’ll be snapped up and looked after.”
“Yeah…yeah she will.” You nodded, fending off the stinging feeling of tears as they threatened to gather.
Jack bit his lower lip, contemplating the thought in his head and sighing deeply.
“She is…also available for kinship adoption. Doctors and nurses are eligible.” Jack threw out, his heart picking up a little as he looked from the baby and at you. “We could-“
“No.” You said softly, shaking your head. “I appreciate what you’re doing Jack, but no. M’just…just emotional. Babys do that…puppies too.” You added, much to Jack’s amusement. “Besides…at our age…taking on a newborn?.” You chuckled bitterly. “Unwise.”
“You make us sound wrinkly and senile.” Jack huffed a smile at you.
“You know what I mean” You shook your head and looked back down at the baby. “She needs a young couple, solid and ready, not two fortysomethings taking her in on a whim just because they got misty eyed.”
Jack looked at you and the way your face remained soft with a hint of a smile, all the while watching over the little girl. He looked past your features and to your temple where only a few months ago you had announced the first few gray hairs beginning to crop up at the roots of your scalp. It was a hard truth, but it stood regardless that you and Jack had found one another at an age where certain things just weren’t viable anymore, children namely. That ship had sailed, and both of you were simply content in being aunt and uncle to your family members.
“For what it’s worth, I think you’d be a kick ass Mom.” Jack shrugged.
“You’d be a nightmare as a Dad.” You quirked a brow.
“I beg your pardon?” Jack said with mock offence.
“And as a girl Dad? Forget it, you’d have her locked away until she was forty.” You pressed with a smirk.
“More like fifty.” Jack shrugged, unable to hide his grin as you lightly chuckled at his antics.
Jack continued to look you over. “Hey, look at me.” He said.
You did so, admiring Jack as he angled himself to lean forward over the baby and kiss you, his hand cupping your cheek and brushing his thumb from side to side against your skin.
“I love you.” You said, peppering your mouth with little kisses. “I’d be lost without you.”
“At the very least you’d be without your keys.” You playfully whispered, kissing Jack once more, as you managed to fish out his keys from your jean pocket and hand them over to him.
“Completely and utterly lost.” Jack agreed with a smirk as he took the keys. “Lemme find someone to take over so you can finally get out of this place.” He said as he turned around and walked to the door.
“Take your time. I’m in no rush over here.” You said as you looked back down at the baby.
Quite the picture…Jack took in the scene before him one last time.
"Now who's super broody." Jack muttered playfully as he opened the door.
"Remember you're making breakfast." You said snidely, trying to maintain a quiet enough tone to not disturb the baby.
"I'll see you in the morning." Jack nodded, kissed at you and closed over the door to not let any further noise in as he set out to look for someone to take over babysitting duties for you.
