A/N: I'm sincerely sorry. I don't have a huge excuse on why this story hasn't been updated in such a long time, but I do have a slight one. Way back when, my computer crashed and a lot of the stuff I had on it was deleted. Along with the stuff that was deleted were a lot of my fanfics. This chapter was completed almost a year ago, but was erased along with a lot of other junk I had on my Mac and afterwards, I just couldn't bring myself to re-write the thing and try to remember everything exactly as I had written it. So excuse the HUGE delay and I apologize for the long, long wait. I hope this chapter makes up for the delay and everyone is satisfied.

There's one more brief, brief chapter after this…. a sort of epilogue if you will. Thank you a ton for all of you who have followed this story. It certainly was the longest winter, eh?

The first thing Dr. Joe allowed Kendall to do was go visit Jayden. Her body was still weak, for she had lost a lot of blood, but with a wheelchair and Reggie pushing her along, Kendall was on her way to see Greenlee's baby for the first time.

"Reggie, you know this wheelchair isn't really necessary, right?"

"Yeah, tell that to your doctor who threatened my life if I let you walk to the nursery," Reggie joked. "We all know how much you hate to be pushed around, but it's not forever."

"Yeah, you're right," she said as they exited the elevator. "There are only so many times in a girl's life where everyone is at her beck and call."

Reggie laughed and continued to wheel her to the NICU. Once he got her there, he would not be staying. For many good reasons, many people were not allowed to enter the NICU. Immediate family was allowed inside, but only a few at a time were permitted.

"Okay, this is where our journey ends, Kendall. I'll wait out here for when you're ready to go back, alright?"

"Yeah, Reggie. And thanks," she said as a nurse led her off to a prep room. Kendall had to dress in special clothes in order to enter the NICU and the nurse had to make sure everything that might be harmful to every baby and not just Jayden, was removed.

After Kendall received the okay to go on into the nursery, the nurse wheeled her inside. At once, a horrible sight greeted Kendall. Babies smaller than she had ever seen were lying in incubators and covered in what seemed like endless tubes. Some babies were bandaged, while others were hooked onto respirators, which breathed for them. Instantly, Kendall silently thanked whoever it was who had controlled the twist of fate. Jayden had been born premature, but according to Aidan, she was more than okay.

And, as she approached an incubator that held a slightly larger child than the ones she had seen, she realized Aidan hadn't been lying. Before she came close to Jayden, she could already tell the difference. There was no respirator, nor were there endless amounts of tubes connected to her body. A large sign, decorated with many colors was attached to one side of the incubator, spelling out Jayden Slater across. No doubt Lily or Reggie had been responsible for such a sign because Erica had not been too discreet in her disliking of such a name. In fact, Erica had even tried to convince Kendall to change the name, but she had been firm. Jayden Leigh was a tribute to Greenlee and if Erica couldn't see that, well… who was Kendall to worry about it.

"And here she is. You're in time for her next feeding too, Mrs. Slater."

Tears came to her eyes as she looked at Greenlee's baby. How could something so small be so strong? How could someone who had only been alive for three days be so full of life? It wasn't fair that Greenlee wasn't here to see her child, but Kendall knew in her heart that Greenlee was close by in her own way. Amazed with the tiny miracle, Kendall reached inside the incubator to rub Jayden's petite wrist. Instantly, Jayden's clenched fist rose in the air and settled near Kendall's large palm. The small fist unclenched for a moment before gripping Kendall's index finger strongly. A tear streaked down Kendall's cheek and for a moment, all Kendall could do was stare at this tiny wonder.

Amazed as she was, Kendall knew that she had to act fast. The nurse had gone to get a bottle for Jayden and Kendall didn't know how long something like that would take. "Jayden, I promise I'll be back as soon as I can. And when I come back, Zach will be with me. So don't you worry. Soon, baby, soon it'll be almost like it should. Mommy is watching, and with her help, I'll be back in no time." Slowly, she unwrapped her hand from Jayden's clenched fist and backed away with her wheelchair.

Shakily and with much strength, Kendall rose to her feet. She quickly exited the NICU and entered the NICU prep room. Kendall had stashed clothes here earlier. Though Erica wasn't good for much, she was at least good for certain things; certain things such as clothing. Kendall didn't even want to know where Erica had acquired such clothing; all that mattered was finding Zach. As she slipped on her fresh clothes, she ignored a bout of dizziness and quickly made her way down the hallway. If she found Zach, certainly everything would be normal. Certainly, everything that could go back into its rightful place would.

Kendall didn't quite know just how she made her way out of the huge hospital. It seemed like every nurse and doctor was giving her strange looks and in Kendall's mind, they knew exactly what she was up to. She also never ran into anyone she knew, which was another miracle for Kendall knew a vast amount of people in the town of Pine Valley; and most of them were visiting her! But, although she felt as if the staff was suspicious, she was never stopped and eventually she made it to an exit.

Feeling so accomplished at the thought of duping everyone, Kendall didn't realize that she had never even thought past her hospital escape plan. Just realizing now, at the entrance of the hospital, that she would actually have to find Zach was a bit daunting. But nothing could stop Kendall, not when she had already come so far. Standing up tall, she set forward for her first stop.

So focused on getting to where she wanted to go, she didn't notice Ryan Lavery enter the hospital. He had just brushed past her, but was so intent on getting to where he wanted to go as well, that he didn't notice Kendall and Kendall hardly was aware of him. A policeman followed Ryan, along with Ryan's lawyer. As Kendall went to find Zach, Ryan went inside the hospital to claim his daughter.

Amazingly, it didn't take too long for Kendall to find Zach. She had gone to the condos first with no luck, but immediately after, she checked the casinos and her search ended. Quickly entering an elevator and walking down a hallway was all that was left to being reunited with the man of her dreams. The elevator ride seemed to take forever and the hall seemed even longer than usual. With her head spinning and her heart pounding, it took all her might not to faint right on spot. But with her determination urging her on, she forgot about her physical well being and continued on what seemed like the longest journey of all.

Zach's office doors were open when Kendall finally got to his office. She peeked in and could see Zach at his desk, working on some papers. Slowly, she treaded in, barely making a sound. Zach didn't look up from his work, but only rubbed his eyes as he continued to look down.

"I had the strangest dream," Kendall started softly. Zach's head whipped up and he stared at her. He blinked a few times, most certainly shocked beyond belief in seeing her. Kendall cleared her throat and continued on, louder this time. "I had a dream that I gave birth to a baby girl in an alleyway. And when I woke up, the person who I wanted to be there the most wasn't. Can you even believe such a thing?" She smiled tentatively at him. "Thank God it was only a dream, right?"

Zach didn't return Kendall's smile, making her smile slightly falter. He stood and for a moment he didn't seem to know what to do. And then, he spoke. "You should sit down." Surprised, Kendall allowed herself to be led to the nearby couch, very conscious of the fact that he did not touch her skin. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you." She looked at his expression and could immediately see that things were not going to go as she had planned them out. Maybe her imagination had run away with her, but she hadn't pictured things working out like this. He was just so cold, something she had hardly been expecting. After all her hard work in escaping the hospital, after leaving Jayden, after everything she had done to get here, after everything they had been through together and this was the way things were going to be. All Kendall wanted to do was throw her hands up and cry. She wanted to shrink back to the hospital and curl up in a bed. But instead, a wall was put up. She couldn't take putting her heart out on the line and it being torn to shreds, she just wasn't strong enough yet. "I heard about Julia. How'd it happen?"

"She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, simple as that." Zach rose from the couch and walked to his desk. He idly played with some papers before turning to her once more. "You're really okay? And the baby, she's okay too?"

"We'll be fine in no time. Actually, I should probably head back. I want to be around for Jayden's next feeding."

"Jayden?"

"Yeah, I may have been nearly dead when I decided on the name but—"

"Don't say that," he interrupted. "Please don't say that."

"Well it's true, Zach!" And she stood up and approached him. "I nearly died! Me and Jayden almost didn't make it – "

"All because of me." He turned his back to her and softly said, "I can't bear knowing you were almost—"

"Almost dead isn't dead, Zach. I'm still very much alive, thank you. Greenlee's child is alive and I'm alive, and everything is just picture perfect. Now I can go on living the life I've always wanted to live." She couldn't stop the tears that overflowed as her harsh words ripped into him. Wiping away the tears with one hand, she slowly made her way to the half open door. As she gripped the doorknob, she paused for a moment. "We were supposed to do this together. After Greenlee died, I needed you more than ever and you were there but suddenly, just when I need you the most, you shut down on me?'

Zach turned to face her with a pained expression on his face. Hoarsely, he said, "I can't help you and I was a fool for thinking I could all along."

Angrily she yelled, "You're a fool for thinking you can't!" She released the doorknob and rushed to where he was standing and hit him. She struck him against his chest, with all the strength she could. When he took the blow without a word or movement, Kendall did it again and again. "You jerk! Big, fucking, lying, no good, son of a…" Finally, after he had made no move and had remained silent, she stopped. Panting for breath, she almost didn't hear him when he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't do anything for you anymore. I'll support you and the baby financially, but I can't be around you."

She launched back readily with her own response and immediately said, "I could call you an asshole but what good would that do? Just know that I don't want your money. I wanted… I want you." She took a step back, but kept her eyes fixed on his before continuing. "All that time we spent together after Greenlee died made me realize how I really felt about you. When I was fat and lonely, you made it all disappear. I could sit and talk to you for hours about things I had never revealed to anyone. You and Jayden became my world and without you… that world just isn't complete." She paused, gathering courage for what she was about to say before actually spitting it out. "When I first came here, I was going to tell you something that I thought you wanted to hear, but you shunned me. And, as you might have noticed, I was shocked and then sad, but those two feelings quickly morphed into anger. And now that my anger has disappeared, I guess I'll let you in on a little secret. You… I love you. And don't you even being try to deny it because I know you love me too."

"I won't deny it," he softly said. "I do love you. I love your laugh and the way your temper can flare and then die down in an instant. I love your loyalty towards people who certainly don't deserve it. And most of all, I love your bravery. No body fights like you do and that's why this is so hard for me. You're not making this easy." Zach rubbed his eyes once more before continuing on. "I can't risk hurting either one of you again. I love you both too much."

"Then you're a coward," she whispered. Wiping away her tears, she stepped closer to him and before he knew it, she was kissing him with the remaining strength she had left. She wrapped her arms around him, trying to crush him to her but failed miserably. She felt weak in the knees, but wasn't sure if it was because she had just so recently given birth or because he made her feel this way. Her grip loosened as the kiss continued, slowly surrendering to the fact that she couldn't change his mind if it was already made up. But he only wrapped his arms around her and suddenly there was no distance left between them. She broke the kiss to whisper, "Zach" before she promptly fainted.

Immediately he carried her over to his couch and laid her down. He ran to the phone and dialed for assistance, cursing the amount of time it took for someone to answer. He wasn't even aware of what he barked into the phone, but was aware that help would soon be coming. It was only when he rushed back over to the couch and to Kendall that he noticed the blood trailing down her legs. And then he cursed once more and gripped her hand and waited.

Kendall felt groggy as hell when she awoke next. She felt tired and weak, but couldn't fight the feeling that it was rather important to open her eyes just about then. So, because Kendall wasn't one to give in or give up, she did just that. It wasn't the easiest thing she had ever done, but she was certainly greeted with a nice sight when her eyes finally did open.

Zach was sitting at her bedside and a wave a déjà vu hit her, but she knew she still wasn't pregnant. She hadn't jumped in a time machine that was for sure. She met his eyes briefly before whispering, "Zach?" He grimly smiled and clasped her hand into his. He was so warm and she smiled to herself and sighed contently. "I fainted, didn't I," she said and it wasn't a question.

"Yeah, you did. Scared me." He smiled again, but she knew something was wrong. His smile wasn't right and it seemed so out of place on his weary face.

There was a moment of silence before she couldn't take it any longer. "So what is it, Zach? What's wrong?"

Breaking her eye contact he remained silent and looked down at the floor. She knew he was at a loss for words, but couldn't seem to say anything either.

"Something happened, Kendall. Jayden… she – "

"Oh God. Did something happen to her? I mean I saw her and she didn't have a respirator or anything and she did seem small but so strong compared to all the other babies up there and she was eating fine… Was it because of the delivery? Was she too cold for too long? Zach, tell me." Her eyes filled rapidly with tears as she thought of all the horrible possibilities that could have happened to Jayden.

"Kendall, listen to me. Nothing is wrong with Jayden. She's healthy and strong and beautiful. It's just…" and he shook his head in disbelief before continuing. "Ryan found out, Kendall. He got a lawyer and contacted the police and he wants her."

Immediately Kendall's fear turned into anger. Bright, strong, red anger. But that anger could only materialize into tears. "Well he can't have her, Zach! She's not his. He never wanted her and he doesn't deserve to experience and shape that precious life. She's mine. She's mine and Greenlee's baby. And she's your baby. The three of us did everything in our power to protect that little baby and Ryan doesn't deserve her," she sobbed.

"I know, Kendall. I know." He stood from where he was sitting and reached for her. She gripped him as tightly as she could and cried angrily. Her angry sobs touched his heart and he wanted nothing more than to never hear her cry in such a way again. Stroking her hair, he held her and let her cry. Eventually though, she pushed back and he was surprised to see that her eyes were nearly dry. There was that fire in her eyes. The fire he couldn't help but adore and fear at the same time.

"I can do this. Ryan will never touch that little girl. I can get lawyers and police officers too. I can do this."

"We can do this together, Kendall."

"But you said… in your office. You can't be with us. Does this just change your mind because you think I'm weak and need you to keep Jayden? I'm not weak, Zach. I love you, but I don't want you just because you think I'll fall apart without you."

"Believe me, Kendall, I know you won't fall apart without me. But when you fainted in my arms and I felt you almost slip away… when I saw the blood on your legs… I woke up. I've never wanted someone more than I want you."

"Well, if that's all it took," she joked and rolled her eyes. "What about when I was lying in bed before? I've been in this position before, Zach, and that never changed you mind."

"I want you. I want Jayden. And I want to fight for the family I almost lost. I love you. And I'll never stop saying it especially because it's taken me so long to say it in the first place." He kissed her softly and stroked her cheek.

"Oh, just a side note, I guess I'm fine then?" she asked against his mouth.

"Well, you shouldn't've been up in the first place, but yeah, Joe says you're okay. He just hopes your stubbornness doesn't kill you one of these days."

"Well, look what my stubbornness has got me. Now let's go kick Ryan's ass and bring Jayden home."

"I can't think of anything more I'd like to do," he said before kissing her again.