Chapter Text
“Why is there a toddler in the Archives?" Jon looked down at the plump baby fist making an utter mess of all his carefully sorted paper clips and leaving baby goo everywhere (disgusting!) and frowned.
Martin came running in. "Oh, hi, yes, uhm, that's… that's my niece - found out over the weekend I had a half-sister, apparently, and -”
"So you decided to bring your niece to work, without even asking permission.” Jon’s frown deepened.
"Well, uhm, you see… the key word here is ‘had’... she died.” Martin scooped the toddler up, his expression nervous.
Jon felt like the worst person ever. “Oh… J, I'm… I'm so sorry, Martin, I didn't know.”
Martin let out a nervous laugh. "It's okay, I didn't know either until it was too late - apparently my dad took another wife at some point - but anyway, I guess I'm a dad now.” He brushed his bangs out of his face and Jon noticed he was starting to develop eye bags. Another nervous chuckle. "Didn't want this little one to end up in foster care.”
Jon was at a loss. "Er, right.” He cleared his throat. "Well, erm… let me know if you need anything. Maybe I can get Elias to allow me to use archival funds for an office playpen or something.”
Martin looked at him in shock. “O-oh, thanks Jon, that's really kind of you -"
Jon waved a hand dismissively. “Whatever you need, Martin. Just let me know.” He looked carefully at the child and realized she did look an awful lot like Martin - same red hair, same freckles, same bright blue eyes - how could he have missed it? Probably because she's about two or three and Martin's in his mid thirties. Even if he does look very youthful for his mid thirties.
"Of course!” Martin hurried towards the doorway. "And I'll do my best to keep her out of your office - I really am sorry about that -”
Jon waved a hand dismissively again. "It's fine, kids… do that sort of thing.” He looked Martin in the eye. "I'm going to email Elias about ordering a playpen and some baby gates though so it hopefully doesn't happen again.”
“Of course, thank you, I really mean it."
And it was clear he did, Jon mused, as Martin left the room, carefully making his way towards the archival assistant office where he could already hear the excited cooing of the other two assistants. Of course Tim and Sasha are thrilled. He let out a sigh and knelt down to begin cleaning up the mess the baby had left behind. I just really hope that Martin makes her feel loved.