PROLOGUE

The past few months have involved a series of momentous events and experiences for Betty and Matt. Almost immediately after reuniting following 6 months apart, during which time Matt "found" himself and Betty had both new and old suitors that led her to realize Matt was the person for her, they discover that Betty had become pregnant shortly before Matt left for Africa. They share their unexpected, but welcome news with family and friends alike, with great variability in their reactions to the pregnancy. They get engaged in a very romantic, public way and learn that their romantic pasts' unknowingly intersected. Betty remains successful at her job while they get started on their own "Good Works" magazine, a concept of Matt's. They have a wonderful and entertaining baby shower along with private baby classes with three very different, yet similar, couples in attendance, namely Betty and Matt, Hilda and Bobby, and Dana and Gio. Challenges with Betty's blood pressure during the pregnancy help prove to both of them that they are meant for each other, with the decision to get married on the same day that their beautiful, healthy daughter, Rosalina, is delivered by a non-emergency cesarean section. Both of their families come to the hospital to meet the baby.

Author's Note: Currently, story is rated T, but will change to M in chapter 6 because of sexual situations. *

CHAPTER 1

Looking lovingly at her daughter as the baby rests contentedly in her arms, Betty announces, "I think I see both of us in her-she seems to have my chin and Matt's eyes."

Ignacio, Elena, and Victoria all nod in agreement, with Cal remarking, "Well, that is how it should be, she is a combination of the best of both of you."

"Let's just hope she hasn't inherited Betty's teeth," jokes Ignacio.

Blushing slightly, Betty retorts, "Papi! I know you realize that teeth, and eyes for that matter, can be fixed, but decent, caring people are hard to find."

Giving both Betty and Rosalina a kiss, Ignacio replies, "Of course I am teasing. You and Matt are both exceptional people who have already proven that love and being true to yourself are more important than outward appearances or societal expectations."

Matt adds, "Rosalina will undoubtedly have some of our good, as well as our less preferred, qualities. As Ignacio just said, as long as we encourage her to be true to herself, like you have tended to be, then we are well on our way to helping her be successful in life."

"Thanks," responds Betty as she looks at both Matt and her father. "I agree that having ourselves and our families as examples of what a person can accomplish, both personally and professionally, despite the challenges one encounters, will assist us in parenting and raising Rosalina."

Dr. Day knocks on the door and then enters the room. She shakes hands with Cal, Victoria, Elena, and even Justin, with nods at Hilda, Bobby, and Ignacio since she is familiar with them already.

"I want to check Betty now that it has been a few hours since the delivery," states Dr. Day.

"Victoria, would you please hold Rosalina for me while she does the exam?" asks Betty.

Beaming, Victoria replies, "I'd be honored."

Matt takes the baby from Betty and places her in his mother's arms. Victoria, who is sitting in a chair, starts to make cooing noises at Rosalina, which results in unable to be concealed laughter from most in the room.

Cal jokes, "She's already got grandma wrapped around her little fingers, now doesn't she. If I knew a baby would mellow you out so easily, I might have suggested one sooner."

"Dad!" exclaims Matt. "Rosalina is perfect and I wouldn't change having her for anything, but I definitely was not ready to be a father, and husband, any earlier than now."

"Likewise," adds Betty as she grasps onto Matt's hand and glances at him adoringly, "I wasn't ready to be a wife or mother until now either, and I wouldn't want to be sharing those titles with anyone else."

Dr. Day closes the curtain around the bed and proceeds to check the incision, Betty's pain control, and her general body condition.

"Matt, I need you to look at the incision as well. Any signs of increased redness or unusual change in appearance of the area are a reason to contact me. Glad you retained your color, unlike in the delivery room," teases Dr. Day.

Hearing a few chuckles from several of the guests, Matt, blushing slightly, replies, "You had to share that out loud, now didn't you."

He then continues, "I'm not ashamed to admit to feeling faint briefly during the delivery. It is not everyday you see the person you love being operated on, but the end result of the surgery was well worth it-a healthy wife and baby."

"Very true", responds Dr. Day. "I've actually had new fathers faint and remain unconscious for several minutes during both types of deliveries. It is hard to see the person you love in pain."

Dr. Day pulls the curtain back and states, "Everything is looking good, so I am going to excuse myself now. It has been a long day. I would suggest that you limit your visiting time to no more than one additional hour at the most since Betty, Matt, and the baby need to get their rest."

"Yes, ma'am," reply the group.

A few minutes later, as Ignacio is holding his granddaughter, she starts to wave her fists and cry. He quickly hands her back to Matt, where Rosalina attempts to nurse on his finger, to no avail, resulting in continued protestations from her.

Matt announces, "I think Rosalina is hungry."

Glancing at Betty, he adds, "I believe my wife would be most comfortable if you men left the room, and I am not sure who she wants to stay among you women either."

"My husband is correct, everyone with a Y chromosome please leave for a few minutes. The women are welcome to stay, but that is their call," responds Betty.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Suarez-Hartley," states Victoria with a slight smile, "I think I will step out for a few minutes since I personally wouldn't want an audience when attempting to breastfeed."

Hilda says, "I'll stay, if you don't mind. I was young and never tried breastfeeding with Justin and want to see how it works."

Elena comments, "Since I've worked in maternity before, perhaps I can be of some help if that is needed."

Everyone but Hilda, Elena, and Matt leave the room, with Elena promising to get them when the baby is done nursing. Matt then brings Rosalina over to the bed and helps Betty unsnap the top of the hospital gown.

"Well, Susan Smart was correct, the new daddy does get to view the breasts quite often, now doesn't he," teases Hilda.

"I certainly don't mind that," retorts Matt, "but they have a much different, important function right now than for my enjoyment."

After a couple of false starts, Rosalina latches on and nurses happily. Elena gladly burps the baby after which Matt assists Betty in positioning her on the other breast, which she nurses at briefly before stopping, seeming full. Rosalina is burped once more, this time by Hilda.

As Matt pulls out the lanolin cream, Betty asks, "Would you mind putting it in on please?"

"I don't mind at all. In fact, it is my pleasure to do so," replies Matt, which results in a slight chuckle from Hilda.

"All right, maybe a poor choice of words, but I am supposed to help Betty in anyway I can," states Matt, who then assists Betty in getting her hospital gown back into place.

Elena goes to fetch the others, who have gone to the common area for a quick bite to eat.

"So, how did it go?" asks Ignacio.

"We both seem to be getting the hang of it nicely, at least for now. Thanks for asking," responds Betty.

Hilda adds, "Bobby, before you ask, Susan was correct. The daddy can assist with the process as much as the mommy will let him."

Bobby comments with a smile, "Good, since I think I'll like that job."

"Enough, please," states Victoria. "We have only about 30 minutes before we should leave, lets move on to other topics than breastfeeding and how much the father likes to help with it, or perhaps just watch it for that matter."

There is light conversation for the remainder of the visit, with all wanting assurances as to when they can return and how they can help once Betty and Rosalina are discharged from the hospital in a few days.

"That went about as well as we could expect," remarks Betty after their families leave.

"Agreed," replies Matt as he gives her a kiss and gently lays the now sleeping Rosalina back in her bassinet.

"Have you thought about where you want her to stay tonight-in here or in the nursery?" Matt asks.

"Since I tend to be a light sleeper, I am thinking the nursery, as long as they will follow the rules about no supplemental bottles or pacifiers as well as me feeding her on demand since I want to try to breastfeed exclusively," replies Betty.

"Does that make me a bad mom?" asks Betty somewhat worriedly.

"Not at all, sweetheart," responds Matt reassuringly. "You just had major surgery and if you will sleep better not hearing every little noise she makes, then that is what we will do. I also think I'll sleep better that way too."

Matt calls the nurse and informs her of their plans, with Nurse Marie assuring both of them that their orders regarding the feeding of Rosalina will be followed.

"Here, I'll let you put this on her bassinet," comments Nurse Marie as she hands him a card that clearly states, in both pictures and words, "breastfed baby."

"Oh, that is cute," comments Betty, who starts to laugh but then stops herself since it feels odd to do so with her incision.

Betty and Matt try to get to sleep early, with interruptions from the nursing staff approximately every two to three hours to feed Rosalina. Matt gets up each time to assist, with weary looks at each other by the morning.

After the 6am feeding Matt states, "Rosalina certainly seems into the breastfeeding idea, which is the best food for her from all that we've read. And, she'll eventually sleep a little more at a time when her stomach grows and is able to hold more."

"I don't want these first few months to go by too quickly, but one thing I already don't think I'll miss is the interrupted sleep," replies Betty with a yawn.

They decide to have Rosalina remain in the room given that the sun is starting to rise. All three of them then proceed to try to rest before the hospital staff starts their rounds and any family or friends try to stop by and visit. Matt, surprisingly, is unable to fall asleep, but smiles as he watches Rosalina and Betty do so. He takes out the baby book they brought with them and reads about c-sections since that was not something they had expected.