It wasn't long before they had a new routine. Peter still kept himself busy with work, (she knew he was looking for Neal, but he would never admit) and to her surprise he would even call Mozzie from time to time for a favor on a case. She did love how his focus and how his priorities seemed to change after Neal left. He was spending all his spare time focusing on her and their new addition. He would come home early on most nights; never missed a doctor appointment, and he was determined to finish the nursery himself.

The night she went in the labor. She was having a difficult time getting comfortable. Nothing she tried worked, so Peter stayed up with her, holding her, rubbing her back- trying to ease all her pains. He confessed that he was determined to spend much time as possible with her and the baby. She wasn't sure why he was making such a promise, she knew that no matter what, she and their new addition would be loved, and there would never be a moment when they would ever feel unloved by him.

Peter was propped up-leaning on their head board; Elizabeth was setting between his legs while he was massaging her shoulders.

"Honey, what's going on?"

"Hmmm. What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

"Your focus in life has changed. (Turning to face him the best she could) And I love it...it's been wonderful...but really what's going on?"

Releasing all the air in his lungs... "I just think it's important to as much time with the one's you love...and I don't want to miss anything with Joshua...I've already missed to much with you..."

"Honey... you know that no matter what I'll be here when you come home, and so will Joshua."

Kissing the top of her head. "I know"

She nestled further back on this his chest. They sat there a while; Peter was just about to doze off when

she grabbed his thigh with such a force that made him want to cry out.

()()()()()

The labor took longer than he had hoped; he hated seeing his wife in such pain, knowing that there was nothing he could do about. Once Joshua was laid on her chest, the nurse asked them about his name. Without looking up, Peter quickly told her his name was Joshua.

"Honey, we haven't talked about names in almost 8 months, are you sure you still want that?"

Smiling at her. "Hon he's been named for a while, we're not going to change it now."

Peter reached down dragging his finger over Joshua's face. The little bundle looked up at him, his blue eyes shined like diamonds under the bright lights.

-()()()()()()-

Each time she had to get up for a feeding, Peter was right there next to her, and he was home almost every night to put Joshua down, and on the rare nights he wasn't there, Joshua would cry himself to sleep, and that was only after Elizabeth would call him to let Joshua hear his voice

The first couple of year seems to fly buy at the Burke residence. Peter didn't let a moment of Joshua's young life slip by him.

()()()()()()()()()'