Derek lay in bed tracing small circles on Karen's arm. Having her with him was calming and provided him comfort. He had a restless night sleep his mind replaying the day Ivy told him in the hospital his daughter had died.
"Hey," a soft voice pulled him from his memories. "You want to talk about it?" the brunette in his arms asked.
He loved that little words were needed in order for her to understand what he felt or thought. "How could I have been so stupid not have caught onto to Ivy's lie," he commented. "I lost two years," he sighed.
"You had no reason to doubt her Derek," Karen pointed out. "I'm an outsider and even I can't imagine what would make her do such a thing; I can't fathom what you are going through."
"Gods, and Tom; I mean I know we were never close but how could he allow Ivy to deceive me. When I got to the hospital he was sitting with her. He held her blood stained clothes and pushed me to take Ivy home and out of the hospital. He told me he had talked to the doctor and would fill me in on what Ivy needed."
Karen could see the despair and betrayal Derek felt reflected in his distant stare. "Maybe he felt it was best not to shut Ivy out so that he could watch out for Rose," she suggested.
"Rose is my mother's name," he commented. " She lied to me yet had the audacity to name her after the one woman aside from you I ever loved," his words bitter. "I swear to you I tried Karen. I never cheated on Ivy when we were together and I had every intention to marry her; all I asked for was time," he informed. "She hated when I said that. She said I shouldn't need time if I really loved her."
Karen kissed Derek's chest "I know you tried and what happened was something out of your control. What's important now is to figure out what to do next."
"Thank you," he replied.
"For what," his girlfriend asked.
"For not running away; our relationship hasn't been without drama."
"That's an understatement," Karen laughed. "But you don't have to thank me. I lost you once already when I went back to Jimmy; and then I almost lost you a second time when Jimmy shot you. I have no intention of letting you go unless you tell me to leave. The thought of not having you in my life is something I can't even think about. I love you Derek Wills and I'm afraid you are stuck with me."
"You don't know how much it means to me; hearing you say that. Marry me," he told her. "I know I don't have a ring but I meant what I told you last night. I've never been more certain in my life then when it comes to you and Kyle. I want us to be a family and when the time is right I want Rose tol be a part of too."
Karen was quiet. Derek had told her before he saw a future together but to actually hear him lay out there in black and white caught her off guard. Despite his assurance the night before, a part of her woke up this morning with the fear he would leave.
The silence and lack of response made Derek think he had scared the brunette and he immediately started to back track. "I'm sorry, I understand with everything we discovered yesterday now may not be…" his sentenced was ended by the feel of her lips on his.
"Yes, yes and yes, I will marry you," she beamed. "Nothing would make me happier than to know I will be spending the rest of my life with the two men that mean the world to me. And when the time is right a step-daughter who I look forward to loving."
Derek wrapped Karen in his arms and flipped her so that her entire body rested on top of his. "I love you."
"I love you too," she affirmed. "Why don't we go to Sunday service and after you can call Ivy. The two of you can talk here this afternoon? I can take Kyle to visit Ana so Ivy can feel more comfortable and maybe Julia can come so she can keep Tom distracted."
Derek nodded in agreement. He never considered himself a religious man but he had made an effort since his return to New York to accompany Karen and Kyle. He knew it meant a great deal to her and it was a small sacrifice to make. On occasion if he was honest with himself he found the prayer, reflection and singing relaxing. After all, he couldn't explain how it was he managed to pick the exact grocery store she was in that fateful night a little over a year ago.
It was three in the afternoon and Derek was anxiously pacing. "Will you stop already," Julia chided.
"Sorry," he replied. "What if she doesn't come?"
Julia gave her friend an understanding smile. When Karen had called to ask for her help she was shocked Tom had participated in such a deception. "She answered you so that's a good sign. They are probably running late."
As if on cue the doorbell rang and Derek instantly made his way to answer it. "Hello Ivy," he greeted upon opening the door. "Come in," he stepped aside to let her pass. "Tom," he addressed the man that followed closely behind. They entered into the open living area and were surprised to see Julia.
"Hello Ivy," the writer greeted. "Tom, it's been a long time. Derek thought you and I could catch up while he and Ivy talked."
"Hi," the young woman replied. "I was kind of hoping Tom would join me."
"Please Ivy," Derek asked. "This is something you and I need to discuss. I understand you may feel more comfortable with Tom around but Rose is my daughter not his."
Ivy looked to Tom and Julia unsure of what to do. She didn't want to anger Derek for fear he might want to fight for custody but she also knew she really had no justification for what she had done. "Alright, I guess that will be okay."
"Thank you. We can go upstairs to the outside area it will be private." She nodded as he led her up the stairs.
Tom's eyes followed the director and his friend until his concentration was interrupted by Julia. "What were you thinking?" she asked. "You saw how devastated Derek was after Ivy told him about the baby. How could stand by and watch?"
"It wasn't my secret to tell and I wasn't going to leave her alone. Derek never loved her; you know that. He always wanted to be with Karen and now he can be."
"That's not fair and you know it. Derek committed to Ivy and as far as I know he remained faithful to her," Julia reminded the composer.
"He did," Tom replied coldly. "That doesn't take away the hurt Ivy felt knowing she would always be second best."
"So his punishment was to make him believe his daughter died?" Julia inquired.
"You had no right Tom."
Upstairs, Ivy moved to look out over the rooftop railing. "It's beautiful," she commented.
"Thank you, we enjoy spending time out here," he replied.
"I'm happy for you, Derek. From what I've read and seen in the paper, you and Karen seem really happy."
"We are, but that's not to say I wouldn't have been happy with you and Rose," he answered. "Even if it wasn't as a couple," he added before Ivy could counter.
Ivy rolled her eyes, "You mean so I could watch Karen play mother to my daughter?"
"How many times do I have to tell you, I never saw or contacted Karen again after I left Hit List? It was you who never gave me a chance to forget her," he sighed in frustration. "But all of this is pointless now. Neither of us can change the past," he said with resolve. "What I want to discuss is the present future."
"I won't let you take her," she warned. "Tom will help me fight."
"I'm not going to take her away from you Ivy; but I'm not going to continue to let my daughter believe her father is dead. I won't risk her hating me when she is older because you won't take responsibility for your actions."
"Why is this so important to you Derek, you have Kyle now? You can be his father, he calls you daddy."
"Jimmy left Kyle when he was born and now Jimmy is dead so yes he considers me his father and I consider him my son. But, I'm alive Ivy and I didn't choose to leave Rose," he was practically yelling. "It's important to me because she is my blood. We have a right to be a part of each other's life."
"You mean a life that includes Karen and Kyle right? I won't let that happen."
"You don't have a choice Ivy. Karen and I are going to get married. We are going to be a family and you won't win if you fight me," Derek informed her. "No judge is going to deny me the right to see my daughter. Do you really want to put Rose through that?"
"She has a family already, Tom, my mother and our friends," Ivy responded. "She doesn't need another mother."
"Karen isn't looking to replace you Ivy; all we want is for her to know who I am and to be able to see her. I give you my word I won't take her from you. You owe me that much."
"I want something in writing saying you won't take her from me before I tell her about you," Ivy stated. "I want your rights outlined so that there is no question."
"That's fine; I called my attorneys this morning and I will have something by tonight," he informed. "Again, you need to understand, I won't give up Karen or Kyle. If you try to make me choose you can forget the agreement, I will take you to court. It's not what I want to do but I will."
"Tom also gets the chance to see Rose," Ivy demanded.
"What you do when Rose is in your care, I will trust. But I will not agree to allow Tom to have rights equal to mine. He is lucky I am not pressing charges. Just because I am willing to be amicable Ivy, doesn't mean I have forgiven what you did."
"Is that a threat?" the mother asked.
"It's a truthful statement so take it however way you care too. I want to make the transition into my daughter's life as smooth as possible because it is in her best interest. I am not doing it because I feel sorry for you or because I want to become friends. The truth is there is no one I despise more in my life right now than you and Tom."
"That is righteous coming from you," his ex-girlfriend stated.
"I made many a mistake before I knew you were pregnant but never did I lie to you. I was honest about my feelings from the beginning. I told you that I loved you and in time could grow to be in love with you. If it wasn't enough then we could have remained friends. I would have still supported you and our baby."
"I'm sorry," she said her eyes full of tears.
"I don't care what you are," he said angrily. "All I want now from you is to acknowledge I am Rose's father."
"I will," she whispered before he walked passed her to enter the house.