Still don't own anything. Just fair warning I teared up a little while writing this chapter and no I didn't change the timeline again or break Jo and Zane up. I just wrote about Emma's birth from Zane's perspective.

February 4, 2012, A few days after Emma's premature birth.

How could she look that peaceful as she slept? Hell how could she sleep? Zane wondered because he couldn't. Well the sedatives Allison had given her probably had a lot to do with it. Every time he closed his eyes, though images of the last three days flashed in front of his eyes. Squeezing Jo's hand he thought about just how close he came to not only losing her but to losing their daughter as well.

He had never been more terrified in his life then he had been that day. Not getting stranded in space with Fargo or when the Astreaus was lost or one of the million other disasters he had faced. He couldn't breathe when Fargo told him what happened, he felt his world collapsing when Allison told him they had to delivery the baby and Jo wasn't doing well. Lifting Jo's hand he brushed his lips over her knuckles. But Jo and Emma were fighters; this accident wasn't going to stop either of them.

Still holding Jo's hand he turned to the small bio pod that housed Emma. He placed his palm to the outside of it and closed his eyes as he listened to the monitors play out her heartbeat.

Zane Donovan could honestly say he loved very few people, his mom and his grandmother were givens and being able to love Jo was nothing short of amazing. But Emma, this was a whole new kind of love. It was a heart stopping, unconditional instant love, he knew he would do anything to protect this little girl and he never wanted to let her down. For the first time in his life he knew what family meant.

"How are you holding up?" Fargo had snuck in.

"I'm doing ok. Looks like Jo is doing better too. Allison has her sedated so she'll heal faster. And Emma's stats are holding steady." Zane knew Fargo was keeping a close eye on the situation and probably already knew all of this but it helped to repeat good news.

Fargo nodded and held out the items he had brought with him. "CAIT sent over a change of clothes and Vincent sent over some food."

Zane took the proffered items. He couldn't remember the last time he ate or the last time he showered.

Fargo was staring at Emma "She's so tiny." He whispered and turned back to Zane. "I can sit with them if you want to freshen up."

"Yeah that's probably a good idea. I'll just use the locker room and I'll be right back."

"Zane if you need anything just let me know, ok? More then half the town is ready to drop everything at a moments notice for whatever."

"Thanks, that means more then you know."

"That's what family is for and I do consider the three of you my family."

"Well getting stranded in space twice with someone is one hell of a bonding experience. Thanks Uncle Doug." After leaning down to kiss Jo's cheek he headed out of the room. His gaze lingering on the two most important people in his life as he left.

Zane quickly ate, showered and changed eager to get back to the infirmary. He had a feeling that he and Jo would be sleeping in either his lab or her office until they took Emma home with them. Assuming that they actually lived together, Zane hadn't been back to his place since Jo's house had been completed. They had yet to actually define the terms of their relationship. Yes they were dating but it was so much more then just a boyfriend/girlfriend thing. They loved each other, they had a baby together, they were a family and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Jo. She was it, she was the one, the one who he wanted to give his grandmothers ring to.

Leaning against the nearest wall he pulled out his phone and made two quick calls. One to CAIT, the other to Carter, the infirmary may not be the most romantic place to propose but the end result would be the same.

Looking around Zane realized he had been on autopilot as he walked and had somehow ended up in front of the NLWPS lab. Checking his watch he knew Parrish would be there.

Coming into the lab he saw Parrish hunched over some project.

"Isaac" Zane said as he approached the man.

"Hey Zane, is everything ok? Is there a problem with the bio pod?" Parrish rose out of his seat and Zane noticed that Emma's vitals were on his computer.

"No Emma's fine, she will have the hearing problem but it doesn't look like she'll have any other adverse effects. I just came down here to say thank you. Your quick thinking probably saved my daughters life and there is nothing I can ever say to let you know how grateful I am."

"It's not a problem, just glad that I could help." Parrish tried to shrug off the gratitude.

"Look I know what Fargo said about you not being a pioneer about the Titan thing, but it's not true. You are a pioneer much more then we were. And saving Emma's life and I'm sure hundreds of lives of preemies in the future, that is worth a thousand trips to Titan. Thanks again and if you ever need anything just let me know."

Zane extended his hand and Parrish took it unable to say anything except. "You're very welcome."

Hour's later back in the infirmary Zane still sat vigil. Various people had come by to visit, Henry and Grace, Carter and Allison, Fargo had come back with Holly. Vincent had stopped in with food and coffee for him and some for Jo when she woke up. This was that sense of community that he had always been searching for, this was home.

His eyes had just started to drift shut when he felt Jo stir next to him. Smiling his first real smile in days he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Hi sweetheart, how ya doing?"

"I've felt better but I've felt worse too. How's Emma?" She tried to sit up but Zane gently pushed her back down and raised the bed.

"She is definitely your kid, she's a fighter. Vitals have stabilized and the bio pod is acting as an artificial womb and she should be able to stay in there until she's term. Miracles of Eureka." He had swung his chair out of the way and moved the pod closer to Jo's bed.

Jo laid her palm on the barrier between her and Emma. "Nah she's our kid. Just as stubborn as the both of us, the next eighteen years are going to be an exciting ride."

"Eighteen years just doesn't seem long enough." He stuck his hand in his pocket to retrieve the velvet box Jack had brought over.

Almost absent mindedly Jo asked "What?" Her eyes still focused on Emma.

"I want more then just eighteen years with you Josefina." He tilted her head until their eyes met. "I want 50 or 60 years. I want forever." Opening the ring box he dropped to one knee in front of her bed. "This may not be the right time or place but after the last few days, I'm not sure there will ever be a right time. All we have is now and I want you now and forever. Will you marry me?"

"Yes of course I will." She let him slide the ring onto her shaking finger. "The day after Emma comes home, we'll get married. I would say sooner but she has to be there."

"As long as I get you as my wife as my wife in the foreseeable future, I'm ok with that." He kissed her again and smiled happy for the first time in days and at peace for the first time in years.