Nico and Dani are returning from the memorial service for Noelle. It was touching and simple. Dani was

very proud of how Matt conducted himself during this most difficult time. Dani is sitting on the couch

pondering the many thoughts wandering through her mind as Nico returns with a cup of tea. He sits on

the couch next to her and wraps his arm around her shoulders. He too seems lost in thought at the

moment. Dani breaks the silence by starting the conversation that has been gnawing at Nico for a long,

long time. "Nico… you know I love you, right?" Nico looks at her with a sly look out of the corner of his

eye. Hormonal woman… alert… alert… you have been burned before my man… tread lightly onto the

ice… this could be a trap. "Yes… I do." Dani repositions next to him as he waits for the next volley. "Can

we talk about something?" Oh sweet Jesus… is this going to be like the Hallmark incident of last week?

"Anything you wish my love."

"Nico… you know I want to marry you." Okay you have my full attention my lady… "but?"

"Nico, please understand that I want to marry you because I want to marry you… not simply because we

are having a baby together." Okay…. I understand… but… He turns to give Dani his full attention.

"Last time I was in this position… I got married… I got married because I was having a baby… and I got

burned." Ah… that is it…. Okay… I can deal with that… I think.

"Dani… I love you… I don't need a piece of paper to want you for the rest of my life. If you want to get

married… we will… if you don't… we won't… I just want you in my life to the end of it… I want to raise

our child… together… I don't need a piece of paper to tell me that I love you or that I want you." He

prepares himself for the unexpected… remembering the Lifetime movie that rendered her weepy for

three days. Dani leans in and kisses him… Okay… I like this much, much better. Nico pulls her in close

and enjoys this time that they still have in just each other's company.

Hospital:

Anna returns to the hospital after the service to pick up her rounds. Her natural first stop is a quick peek

into the ICU to see how the little man is doing. Though not her patient, she has been keeping a very

close eye on Matt's son. As she rounds the corner she walks into Matt. Matt smiles warmly as he grabs

her to steady her. "Hey, Anna." Anna smiles. Matt looks so tired… and baby duty has not even begun.

With the amount of time that Matt is spending at the hospital, his friendship with Anna has become

much closer. One that is truly extending from just being casual friends and co-workers… She has really

been there for him… at this horrible time in his life. As his mind slowly begins to settle, he is beginning

to realize how blessed he truly is… how many people came to his side when this all happened. All he has

to do is make it through the funeral in Noelle's hometown. He wants to spend some time with his son

before he has to leave. The part about leaving… even for just a few days is killing him.

"You okay?" Anna brings his attention back. "Yeah… just a long day…" Anna kisses him on the cheek

and heads for her rounds about the hospital. Matt heads into the ICU. The baby has been getting

stronger and he has been able to touch him. He cannot wait to hold him. He keeps remembering what

Anna told him…. All things in time… and you have a lifetime.

Few Days Later:

Dani wakes in the middle of the night…. She grabs Nico which startles him out of a deep sleep. His

excitement hits overdrive when Dani tells him that he had better get the car... "It's time to go…"