AUTHOR'S NOTE: I recently found this "one-shot" on my computer and decided to just go ahead and post it...it could possibly be worked into one of my Higher Ground stories ("Home for the Holidays" or "Unforgivable"), but for now it's just a one-shot.
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As we know, the show ended where Martin finally knows what happened between Scott and Elaine, although he still thinks it is somewhat Scott's fault for letting it happen, and Elaine is divorced from Martin.
In my story, the series ending is the same, only with a bit of a twist: there is a baby, it is Scott's, and Martin and Scott have accepted that. Scott is the dad and is doing the right thing with taking responsibility, of course he is still a kid and so Martin takes care of them both and is easing into that role.
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Martin had woke in the night and was going across the hall to the bathroom when he heard something.
He could hear Scott talking and wondered who he was talking to at this time of night. He paused at the nursery door, which stood slightly ajar. Scott was sitting cross-legged on the floor in his pajamas, holding the baby in his arms and staring down at her, talking softly. He was just talking to the baby. Not hushing her, or singing lullabies, but simply spilling out his thoughts to her as if she could understand him.
"There's this girl I liked, back at Horizon, Shelby. That's a pretty name, isn't it? Shelby Merrick….We used to sorta date. We just understood each other, ya know? Well, she's being released from Horizon and her mom and sister and her are gonna be movin' out here soon, so it should be great, she'll be close by and I'll get to see her again. I want to ask her if she'll still go out with me, but I'm scared to. If she says no… I've never felt this way about anybody before. I hope she says yes. Of course, I'm not sure I should be going out with anyone right now. Maybe the only girl I should spend time with now is you, huh? How's that?" Scott tickled the baby's tummy and smiled.
Then sighed and said, "I guess I'm just surprised that I like somebody. Finally, I like somebody. I didn't think that would happen again. I was hoping…I mean, I know what it's like to be without a mom, and I was hoping to be able to give you a good mom. Not anytime soon, of course, but someday. I'm not sure I trust women, but maybe one day I'll find a good one for you. Maybe it will even be Shelby, you never know. She's really great." Scott sighed.
Then he said, a little more forcefully, "But one thing is sure, if anybody ever hurts you- even if it is somebody I marry, even if she becomes your mom- I want you to tell me. And I promise, I promise I will believe you. I'll believe you, and I'll help you. I won't let you be scared and alone. Ever. Okay? Is that a deal?" Scott nuzzled the baby, and Martin felt shame wash over him.
"I guess I should get some sleep now, huh? We've had a long day, haven't we? And I know you're going to wake me up bright and early, so, off to bed with you." Scott kissed the baby's head and stood up to lay her in her crib. Martin quickly stepped back and slipped into the shadows as Scott came out of the nursery and headed for his own room next door.
