A/N: Little Connie/Rita one-shot idea I had because they are such a perfect pairing :3 they have a newborn baby; Maddie. Would love to know your thoughts?:)

~Mini Peacelet~

Lullabies

Tiny wails reverberated the night time atmosphere, disturbing the peaceful ambience of the master bedroom. Rita exhaled a weary groan, rubbing her eyes sleepily with her curled fist as she tapped the faint bedside lamp on, a pastel glow highlighting the background. Planting the soles of her feet firmly on the bitterly cold wooden floor, she rose to her feet and padded across the room towards the crib in the corner.

"Hey, what's all this noise about hmm?" She cooed delicately as she extended her arms and raised the newborn baby girl from her blankets and into her embrace, instantly rocking her gently in the hope to end the strident cries.

Yawns floated continuously from the blonde's mouth as she shuffled back over to the bed, fighting to keep her sleep deprived eyes open whilst she hummed melodiously, "Shhh baby girl. Shouldn't you be asleep hmm? You can't be hungry yet and you definitely don't need changing." She concluded with a murmur as she flopped back down onto the bed and pulled the covers over herself and her daughter.

"Are you missing your other beautiful Mummy? Because I'm missing her too." She whispered as she stroked the baby's tummy with her fingertips, tracing random patterns.

Connie had been called into work earlier that afternoon. Although she was currently sharing some leave with her wife since the arrival of their baby a week ago, this was an exceptional emergency. The consultant had argued and declined stubbornly but with a shortage of staff, an influx of patients and a catastrophic incident, she had to attend.

The nurse was extremely fatigued and the sleepy yawns persistently drizzled from her lips. Her eyes fluttered shut momentarily before snapping open again as the little infant in her embrace grizzled. Her wife had left her and her daughter over eleven hours ago. And it was now two o'clock in the morning.

Their daughter, Madeline - or Maddie, as Rita preferred to call her - had been grumpy for the entire afternoon and evening, refusing to settle and allow her birth mother to catch up on some well needed rest. The brunette had been wonderful at caring and tending to Maddie while the younger adult slept and recovered; to the extent that Rita was convinced that Connie had some secret magical talents that maintained a content and happy baby.

Maddie persisted to sniffle and shriek snuffled sobs, so Rita reluctantly regained her equilibrium and grabbed her dressing gown before ambling out of the bedroom and flicking the landing light switch on and proceeded to wander down the stairs and into the kitchen. Like a pro, she successfully juggled the baby bottle and the contents that contributed to creating the milk along with her daughter and dropped the bottle into the bottle heater to warm to the correct temperature.

Equipped with the milk bottle and a blanket, the blonde returned to the nursery and perched herself in the old, wooden rocking chair in the corner and carefully placed the teat in her daughter's mouth. Gratified, the baby guzzled for a moment before deciding she wasn't actually hungry and blubbered irritably.

"Oh Mads, what do you want hmm?" She murmured softly as she attempted rocking the newborn again. "You should be sleeping baby girl; that's why you are grumpy, because you're far too tired." As a last resort, she began to hum a lullaby to the baby, mumbling the words to twinkle twinkle little star.

That melodious tune appeared to have some positive effect, and the baby began to settle marginally. Grateful, Rita continued to softly sing another little lullaby.

'Hush little baby, don't say a word

Momma's gonna buy you a mocking bird

And if that mocking bird don't sing

Momma's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring gets broke

Momma's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat don't pull

Momma's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over

Momma's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

If that dog named Rover don't bark

Momma's gonna buy you a horse and cart

Hush little baby don't say a word

Momma's gonna buy you a mockingbird.'

However, Rita had failed to realise that her wife was finally home subsequently to a gruelling shift at the ED. The consultant kicked off her designer heels and chucked her handbag and coat over the banister before ascending the stairs quietly. She followed the tender noise and silently leant against the door frame to the nursery observing. She was exhausted but perceiving her wife singing a cute lullaby to their daughter allowed a smile to grace her dry lips.

It was adorable.

"You have a gorgeous voice you know." With a low tone so she didn't disturb Madeline, Connie announced her presence and padded through the dimly lit nursery to the pair. Her sentence had caused the blonde to jerk and her cheeks blushed a rosy shade of pink along with the tips of her elfish ears.

"How long have you been here?" The nurse demanded with a hushed voice, glancing at the infant who was finally starting to float into a slumber.

"Long enough." She jerked her shoulders in the approximation of a shrug, "How have you both been in my absence?"

"Maddie's been terribly grumpy." The blonde sighed forlornly, "It appears lullabies are the only thing that will settle her."

"Have you been hard work for Mummy, Madeline?" Connie cooed as she carefully lifted the baby into her arms and briefly pecked her partner's lips before enjoying sleepy snuggles with their daughter.

"She has." She grumbled, "She definitely has your stubborn attitude, that's for sure. And her name's Maddie or Mads." She stated sincerely with a huff.

"My attitude?" The clinical lead scoffed and stifled a half-hearted laugh, "Madeline suits her much better. You know that really even if you won't admit it." A smirk refined her expression.

"Yep!" Rita confirmed with a nod, "I am never - ever - that cranky!"

"You are so charming, Freeman. So charming." The older woman muttered as she rolled her rich, chocolate orbs, cynicism lacing her words as she made a fuss of the newborn.