"Go with your gut," Ansell advised. Zhubin nodded in agreement on her other side. "Besides, you can always bring him into work with you. We can set up a playpen in the corner of our office and he can play and nap in there if you want to work part-time after you've given birth. It gives you the option to stay busy and in the know, but you'll just have to avoid any offsite jobs until he's older."
"Do you really think that would fly? I would love that. I wouldn't go out on calls but I could do the legwork that involves deskwork and computer work. Filing and all the other boring-as-crap stuff that we have to do but would still keep my mind off not working." She needed to stay busy, had to, and they both knew it.
"Why not?" He shrugged. "Others have done it in your world. And really, you'll still be working, just in a slightly limited capacity. You are good at all the legwork leading up to cases so, really, I don't see it being an issue."
"If it is, then we'll just have to kill the Captain and get someone else in," Zhubin said.
Lacey snorted her drink when Zhubin said that because he said it in a completely deadpan voice as if he had said nothing at all unusual. "Holy hell. Seriously?" She shook her head and wiped her face. "Goodness gravy, you are too funny. No we won't be killing the Captain and you darn tootin' well know it." She knew it had been a tease, but it had been a damn good one with the way it was delivered.
Ansell was leaning on the table, looking around her, and shook his head. "I don't think he was kidding, Lace," he said, shooting her a shocked look.
"Of course I wasn't kidding," Zhubin said. "We all know ways that he could vanish without a trace and the body would never be found. Besides, if he fucks with our mate, it'll be fully justifiable."
Ansell hummed slightly and eased back, sharing a worried look with her. "Sure, buddy, whatever you say."
Lacey laughed at that and shook her head. She smiled, she couldn't help herself. "Well whatever happens, happens. All that I know is that no matter what I want to be with you boys. I need to be with you boys. I love you both very much and I know that we will have a great life together, only without making the captain disappear please?"
"We shall have to wait and see, so far he's not high on my list of people I really want near you," Zhubin muttered. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry if I've upset you at all, Lace. That was never my intention."
She honestly wasn't sure why that was and cocked her head to the side. "What is it that you both know that I don't? Why is it that you don't want the captain anywhere near me right now? Is it because he's male, or is there something else at play that I don't know about?"
"Zhubin has a theory, one I'm not on board with," Ansell said. "One that has the captain in cahoots with your psychopath," he said that part very quietly. Which was probably a good thing given the number of other agents in the cafeteria who could have repeated it back to the captain.
"Oh that would be bad. That would be very, very bad indeed," she whispered. "Well we will talk more later." When there were fewer people around to listen in on their conversations. "Maybe when you boys take me home?" she asked with a smile.
"We'll be here for a while yet, remember," he said, lifting an eyebrow. "We have to wait for the night shift of the janitors," he muttered. Then he just stared at her until she remembered they were going to do some role-playing and bait the trap even more. Or so they'd said.
"Crap on a cracker, true that," she muttered. "Okay, well I will have to have a nap then. After we finish eating I will need a nap or I will never be able to stay awake long enough. Oh, the couch in your office Ansell. I think that would be good. What do you guys think?"
"Best place for you." Zhubin nodded. "We can keep working out the details of this mess and you can sleep with us close by. A very win-win situation for all involved." Sitting back in his chair he wiped his lips and fingers before looking at her. "You feeling all right, Lace? You look exhausted," he said gently, reaching over to touch her cheek.
"Besides, I always sleep so much better when you are both near me." Which was the sad but honest truth. She slept far better having them near her than she did without them close. She was addicted to them, truth be known. "I'm fine. I'm just so very tired. Between what happened with the sickness and this pregnancy I'm afraid that I'm just plain-jane tired all the time seemingly. Sorry."
"There is no reason for you to apologize, Lacey." Pulling her closer he hugged her, rubbing a hand up and down her back. "Why don't you finish up your dessert and then we can go up to the office? We'll get you settled and then get to work ourselves. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good to me." She knew that she would likely have to see the doctors on the other side of the Veil sooner rather than later so that they could make sure their son was okay, and so that they could ensure that whatever it was that she was going through was going to be okay as well. "We will see Gennette's doctors when they can see us as well. I just want to make sure that our son isn't hurt because I'm human, you know?"
"The baby is fine, Lacey," he assured her, yet again. "But yes, we have an appointment scheduled for next week. Mom will let me know the exact day and time when she has a moment. She had to confirm with the doctor before letting us know as there was an emergency that ended up messing up the scheduling a bit."
"Good." She knew that she worried too much, but it was her right to worry. She was going to be a mom. She was in charge of growing and creating a baby, a perfect little baby boy and she damn well was going to do everything in her power to ensure that the child was happy, healthy, and safe. All while inside of her. Somehow. Dammit.
"Deep breath and eat your sweets," Zhubin suggested with a grin as he drew back. "Finish up your food and then let's get out from under all these prying eyes. They all know something's up but since they haven't been told what's up, they are all waiting for us to say or do something to give them a clue."
"Damn irritating is what it is," Ansell grumbled. Picking up his bottle of water, he finished it off and set it back on the tray.
"Well, we will get out of here as soon as I have finished my food. I just have a few more things to finish and then we will be able to get out of here. Mostly because I'm ready for a nap. Like whoa ready for a nap."
"Finish up," Ansell said. "I'll get rid of the rest of this and grab us some more water for later. Z, you want anything else?"
"Nah, I'm good, thanks though," he said as he moved the empty dishes onto the tray. Ansell collected it and moved off to dispose of everything.
Lacey finished the last of the foods that she wanted and then pulled back with a happy smile. "That was yummy. I swear food tastes better now." That, or she was just finally letting herself enjoy it. "But I am so ready for my nap now."
"Considering all you ate." Zhubin grinned at her. "Can't imagine why you might want a little nap. Come on." He got up to his feet and held out a hand to her. Helping her up to her feet he drew her close to him and let her step around him to lead the way out of the cafeteria.
This was one of the many things that Lacey loved about her men, now that she had fully accepted them into her life she was held close, she was protected as if she were the singular most important being in the world, and she loved it. Even more now that she was pregnant. No, it wasn't a planned pregnancy, but she was so very happy about it that nothing else mattered but the love that created the child that she carried and the love she felt for both men.
Ansell joined them for the walk to the elevators and grinned down at her. He didn't say anything but did give her a little bump with his hip to hers. The ride up to their floor they stayed quiet, since there were another couple of office workers in there with them.
When they were finally up in the offices Lacey yawned and grabbed her blanket from Zhubin's desk chair and followed them to Ansell's office. "All right, boys. I'm sleeping," she muttered and dropped onto the sofa, trusting them to close up the blinds and dim the lights enough for her to rest. Pulling one of the throw pillows close, she put it under her head and yawned. "I love you guys. Good nap for me," she teased with a smile, and then was sound asleep.