County General

Maternity Ward

Guthrie set the glass of water on the table next to Hannah and gazed down at his niece. He reached out and ran a finger along her cheek.

"She's so small." He remarked for the hundredth time.

"She'll grow." Hannah said smiling at him. "Wanna hold her?"

"I don't know . . ." He replied nervously.

"Oh, come on! You hold Ivy and Jack all the time. It's just the same."

"No, it isn't Hannah. Joy is different. She's special." He blushed as he said it, with downcast eyes.

"I know, Guth." She said warmly, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "Here."

He took the small bundle from her, gazing at his niece's face. He stood beside the bed, as Hannah lifted the glass, drinking the water and watching Guthrie. Just then the door to the room opened and Adam stepped in.

"I thought you were sleeping." He immediately accused.

"I woke up." She answered, rolling her eyes at him. "And hello to you too."

He grinned sheepishly, and leaning over the bed, gave her a kiss. "Sorry, hon."

He sat beside her on the hospital bed and looked up at Guthrie.

"So, what do you think? Should we keep her?"

"She looks just like Hannah." Guthrie remarked.

"Thank God for that!" Adam said cheerfully, kissing Hannah's cheek. "Did the doc come by?"

"Yes." She said. "Everything is going great. They are releasing me this afternoon." She bit her lip. "They think we can take her home in a couple of days, and until then, he arranged for me to have a hospitality room. So, I'm released, but not going anywhere."

Adam studied her thoughtfully. "You could go home and get some real rest."

"No." Her response was firm. She glanced over at Guthrie. "Is it ready?"

"Yep. In the truck and all ready." He crossed over to her, and carefully handed the baby back to her. "But I don't think it's gonna work."

"What are you talking about?" Adam asked with raised eyebrows, but they ignored him.

"Don't underestimate me, Guth." She winked at him. "What about Brian?"

"Yep. All set, but too chicken to come up." Guthrie grinned.

"Guthrie James McFadden, bravest man on earth." She said laughing.

"Oh, no. I'm leaving." He said. "You are on your own, Hannah."

"Coward." She said shaking her head at him.

"Damn straight."

"What are you talking about?" Adam demanded.

"Just a second, Adam." She said impatiently. She turned back to Guthrie. "Are you coming back?

"When it's safe." He told her. He walked to the door, but paused with his hand on the door handle. "There's a Burger King up the street. You want a milkshake?"

"Oh! Yes! Vanilla?"

"Anything for you." He grinned at her.

"Except stay here and back me up." She laughed.

"A man has his limits!" He laughed. "See you later, Mom."

"What's going on?" Adam asked again.

"Oh, well . . ." She began. "Listen, don't say anything until I'm done talking, okay?" She glanced at her husband nervously.

"What?" He sat up and turned so he sat facing her on the bed.

"Brian is downstairs, and Guthrie packed up some food for the two of you. If you leave pretty quickly you should be in San Diego by nightfall."

"No." He said sternly. "Absolutely not."

"Adam . . ." She sighed. "Listen, Joy and I are fine. All we do is sleep and eat. There's nothing you need to be here for."

"Oh, that's nice!"

"You know what I mean! Don't be a jerk. You have to go there. They are taking the bandages off day after tomorrow! What if he can't see? What if they have to do another surgery? We can't leave him all alone!"

"He isn't alone. Crane is there. Hannah, you can't expect me to . . ." He sputtered irritated.

"Adam, you aren't just her father, you know that." She glanced down at Joy who was sleeping contentedly in her mother's arms. "And I'm fine. They are releasing me. Evan is coming home, and you can send Crane back. Caroline and I can manage things just fine - and Elizabeth needs Crane. You know how difficult pregnant women can be!" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Hannah, I don't . . . How am I supposed to just go away?" His shoulders slumped resigned.

"Poor Adam." She said reaching out and brushing his hair back from his forehead. "Always torn in thirty different directions." She smiled sadly at him. "But you know, I'm right."

"Yeah." He agreed grumpily. Sighing deeply, he reached out and lifted Joy out of her mother's arms. "Well, little Girl, Daddy's gotta go look after one of your uncles. It won't be the last time, either, I'm sorry to say. You stay here with your Mama and keep a close eye on her. Try to save anything amazing for when I get back." He leaned close kissing her red lips. "Don't forget about me either! I'll be back just as soon as I can." He looked over at Hannah who watched him with shimmering eyes, and a warm smile.

"Stop it." He said, clearing his throat.

"Tough guy." She said laughing, and brushing a tear from her cheek. "Do you think they'll let you bring him home?"

"It depends. If he doesn't need any surgery." He sighed, looking down at Joy again. "Sweetheart, I don't want to leave."

"Well, that's good news." She said stretching out her arms to take the baby from him. "We'll be right here when you get back. I promise it." She paused thinking. "Well, actually, we'll be home, waiting for you!"

Reluctantly, he kissed Joy again, and then handed her over, rising and taking Hannah's hand. He sighed looking down at him. "Alright, I guess I better . . ." He paused shaking his head. "Damnit, Hannah."

"Language, please." She said automatically.

"Sorry, I just . . ."

"I know." She squeezed his hand. "Go on, now. Brian's waiting, and try not to take your anger out on him. Be nice." She smiled at him. "I love you, Adam."

"I love you, too, Girl." He replied huskily.

"Go on, now. Bring our son home, and call me, please?"

"Of course." He sighed again, and leaning over kissed Joy once more. As he rose, he paused so his face was inches from Hannah's. "You get some rest, hon." He said softly, looking deeply into her dark eyes. "You know I never, ever wanna be away from you. I love you." He kissed her and then moved quickly to leave, but paused at the doorway. "You take care of yourself, alright? I'll miss you." He added before leaving. "I'll miss my girls."

***7***

Brain paced beside the truck. It had been a good twenty minutes since Guthrie had emerged. He knew Adam was gonna blow his top when Hannah told him. They had talked about it yesterday - just hours after she'd given birth, she was worried and planning to take care of Ford. He turned and paced back toward the truck, his back toward the front door of the hospital. He really ought to go upstairs. It was damn unfair leaving a woman who'd just given birth with his brother's temper. Adam had a heart of gold but his temper . . . it was legendary. He recognized he was being a coward, and made the excuse of not wanting to intrude on their privacy - which was a joke. The one thing Hannah McFadden had never had was privacy.

The doors of the hospital burst open and Adam stormed out. He glanced around briefly and then seeing Brian and the truck turned stomping toward him.

"Get in." He barked. "You're driving. I'm too pissed off."

"Got it." Brian said fairly running to climbing into the cab. Adam climbed into the passenger seat.

"Look, Adam. . ." Brian began, hoping he could come up with something to assuage Adam's anger.

"Shut the hell up and drive." Adam said.

"Yep." Brain said turning over the key, as the truck sputtered to life.

"God dammit." Adam mumbled as they pulled away from the hospital.

Brian said nothing. He wasn't dumb. He planned on keeping his mouth shut the whole way.