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It was an extremely slow evening in the pitt. Robby couldn’t jinx calling it quiet, but it was. He had covered a shift for Ellis so she could attend a friend's bachelorette party, which he didn’t mind, as it meant getting to spend a shift with Jack for the first time in a while. They were laughing over a case from earlier in the day when Shen walked over with an odd look.
“What’s that face for?” Robby asks, grimacing at the sweetness of the coffee Shen was sipping on.
“Something in the ambulance bay.” Robby’s brows furrow as he walks over to the sliding doors and steps out into the chill of the night. A small bucket with a blanket was sitting on the curb, soft noises coming from it. He crouched down, ignoring his knees and pulling the blanket back to find a baby and a note. His eyes widen in sympathy, quickly picking up the small baby with a gentle coo and walking back inside. He meets Jack’s wide eyes and shakes his head softly as he moves behind one of the curtains.
“Hi, baby…You must be so cold…” He whispers, opening the note.
Her name is Lillian Junie. November 21. I cannot afford to keep her. I hope you all will find her a loving place to stay.
Robby looks back at the young baby with a frown, unswaddling her and doing a quick examination to make sure she’s healthy. He changed her diaper, cleaning her up before swadling her again and cradling her to his chest. The curtain is pulled back, and his eyes meet Jack’s. “Someone left her. Couldn’t take care of her.” He mumbles gently, holding the small baby closer.
“She got a name?” Jack asks, looking over Robby’s notes.
“Lillian Junie. She’s only three weeks old.” Jack hums.
“Want me to text Kiara? You might not hear from her till the morning.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’d… that’d be great,” Robby says gently, careful not to wake the baby.
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The hours had passed slowly. He’d feed the girl a few times throughout the evening, rocking her to sleep afterwards. The warmth of the baby was comforting, the smell distinct and calming for the older man. Jack watched curiously, with a small, knowing smile. Robby had blabbed over beers a few times about how much he’d always wanted kids, the strain in his relationship with Jake taking a massive toll on him. Robby looked like a natural, the small bundle tiny against his bigger frame.
“You look like a bear holding a lamb.” Jack smiles. Robby rolls his eyes but smiles as he looks at the small baby, now awake and babbling gently against his chest. “Kiara texted me back by the way… She should be here around six.”
“Perfect… have her find me when she gets here, and she can go home an hour early today if she’d like.” Jack nods before heading off to treat another patient.
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“Kiara? Can I ask you something about her?” Robby asks, a big hand on the baby’s back. She looks up at him with a gentle smile and nod.
“What are.. The ethics of… me… keeping her?” Robby asks slowly, testing the question in his mouth.
“Better than you think. It’s much easier for you to take her than to put her through the foster system. But.. are you sure that would be good for you?”
“I… I’ve always wanted to be a dad… It feels like the chance has just fallen into my lap…” He gives a gentle smile as the baby coos.
“Let me go grab a few things so you can start on the first few steps, alright?” He nods, picking the small girl up again. He coddles her for a long moment as Jack steps into the room.
“You’re gonna call me crazy, brother.” Jack raises a brow.
“And why’s that Robinavitch?”
“You ready to be an uncle?” Robby smiles dopily as the baby, who was weakly grasping at his beard.
“Are you being serious?”
“One-hundred percent.” Jack’s eyes go wide, arms crossed over his chest.
“Who’s going to watch her while you’re working?”
“You and I both know that I make plenty enough money to pay for a good daycare.” Jack snorts and nods gently.
“Can I hold her, man?” Robby nods, handing the small baby over. She fusses loudly, small first pressing against Jack’s scrubs, and both men laugh. “Looks like she already knows who she’s going home with.”
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FOUR MONTHS LATER
Robby now had a crib in his guest room along with a nice changing table and decorations. He’d decided to theme the room around various kinds of flowers, paying an artist to paint soft murals all over the pink walls. Lillian was bigger now, healthy and loud. Even though she wasn’t truly forming full words yet, she babbled her little heart out. Robby was in love. In love with finally being a father, and everyone around him knew it, too. He was lighter and kinder to both staff and patients, and satisfaction scores were slowly rising. Jack hadn’t seen him that happy since before Pittfest. He walked into the pitt on one of his days off, baby strapped against his chest.
“Is that my favorite little lady?” Dana calls out with a wide smile, Lillian giggling.
“Tiny Robinavitch at your service.” Robby smiles as Dana coos at the baby. “She said dada again today.” Robby smiles proudly
“Did she now?” Dana smiles. Robby looks up as Frank walks over.
“How’s our favorite tyke, hm?” He grins, letting the baby grip his finger with a hearty giggle. Dennis and Trinity stand further back with wide smiles. Robby gently takes her out of the sling and lays a blanket out, setting the small girl on her stomach as the nurses and residents surrounded her with big smiles.
“Cashing in that free childcare, I see?” Garcia grins.
“I think they’d all kill me if I didn’t bring her around.” Garcia nods, smiling at the baby before walking off. Dana stood with a loud clap.
“Alright, alright, baby times over, get back to work!” Groans and mumbles filled the area. Lillian watches everyone leave with a pursed lip before starting to cry. Robby coos, gently lifting her and holding her tightly against her chest.
“We’re going to go have some time with Uncle Jack.” Robby gives Dand another squeeze before walking out.
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Jack was more than happy to play with the baby while Robby made the three of them a late lunch. He smiled, hearing his daughter giggle loudly as Jack teased her.
“How was her appointment?” Jack calls out.
“Perfect, healthy, gorgeous baby girl!” Robby smiles, setting the plates at the table.
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Three Years Later
Footsteps patted around the ER, accompanied by a happy giggle. Her shoes lit up with each step as Frank chased her around the counter on a slower day. Dana and Robby stood side by side with matching smiles.
“She’s getting so big.” He mutters gently.
“She loves the hell out of you.” A blush creeps up Robby’s neck. “I mean it. You’ve done amazing with her. And I doubt that that’ll stop.”