Anna can sense a presence behind her as she puts the key in the car door. She is thankful that she

brought her VW instead of her usual ride. Her guard is up until she realizes… its Nico from his reflection

in the window. "So Big Daddy… more baby questions?" Anna knows what Nico wants to talk about.

She also knows that he really needs to get passed this. She turns around and leans against her car with

her arms folded. Nico knows better than to play games at this point. From the look she is giving him,

she knows what is on his mind. Nico looks down for a moment. Anna reaches out and taps him. "Hey…

talk to me Nico." Nico runs his hand through his hair. "I need to know." Anna gives him a skeptical

look. "Need or want?" Nico does not know which it is. Anna knows that too. "Nico before you ask that

question of me… you need to decide if it is a need or a want. It comes with consequences. Go home

and get some rest… you have a big day tomorrow. Goodnight." She smiles as she opens the door and

gets in her car. Nico watches her pull away. He knows she is being a friend though at the moment… it is

ticking him off.

Raphie, Rex, and TK have been planning Matt's Bro Shower. Anna already informed them that they have

about two weeks before the baby will be home and it would be best to have it before. They have lured

Anna is as the distraction for Matt. She will get him to the shower under the pretense of something

else. Anna has told Raphie that Matt is truly not prepared for an infant at home and has helped with

the list of what he needs.

As Anna opens the door to her apartment, she is surprised to see that she has guests. Raphie looks up

at her with a big smile. "Hey there Annabelle…" Anna surveys her dining room to see TK, Rex, Jim (Rex's

boyfriend), and Raphie gathered around her table. "Nice place you have her Doctor… very posh… I must

say." TK announces with a fake British Accent. "Glad you feel at home Terrance." Anna smiles as she

greets Jim and Rex. She heads up the stairs to her bedroom. She drops her gear and changes her

clothes before returning to the group.

It is obvious to Anna that Raphie is having the time of his life with this party which makes her happy.

They are planning quite the event. Anna is hoping that it will help lift Matt spirits. She heads to the

kitchen to grab a glass of wine herself and grabs another bottle for the table. She is impress to see TK…

drinking a diet Coke and brings him a backup. He is definitely making progress. They are talking about

the venue and food which Jim and Raphie are making most of the decisions on. Anna is actually quite

impressed with their plans.

They talk well past Anna's bed time. She politely excuses herself and heads to bed. Raphie is obviously

spending the night. Hell, he even has his own room.

Nico walks into the house to find the kids left him a plate of dinner on the counter. He walks up the

stairs to find Lindsey fussing with last minute details on her sister's room. He quietly stands in the door

way watching her with a smile. He is getting used to this. Lindsey realizes that she is being watched and

turns to see who is behind her. She finishes folding a blanket. "It looks great in here. You did a

wonderful job." Lindsey smiles back at her future stepfather. He is beginning to grow on her. "You

think Abby will like it?" He laughs… "I think she will love it." He puts his arm around Lindsey's shoulders

as they walk out of the room. "There's a plate for you downstairs." She heads for the stairs and down

to the kitchen. She joins Nico while he has his dinner. For the first time, they really talk. She is

beginning to realize that Nico is not a threat to her relationship with her own dad. He is actually

something different. He is something all his own in her life and she kind of digs having a sister.

At the end of the night, Nico slowly walks the house realizing how much everything changes in the

morning.

Next day:

Anna arrives at the Hawks, it's her turn for the coffee run so she heads to Matt's office with his nectar of

life. She is surprised that Matt actually beat her there. Matt is sitting at his desk working way on some

paperwork as Anna places the cup in front of him. Time for their morning ritual to begin…

Nico arrives at the hospital to wait for the Doctor to release Abby and Dani. He walks in to see Dani

nursing the baby. He smiles and takes a seat on the bed across from Dani. He touches Abby's head

once he is settled. He loves the feel of the wisps of hair on her head against his hand. After a short

while Dani hands Abby off to Nico while she readjusts. It has been a long, long time since she has done

these rituals. Part of her is excited, part of her dreads… feedings and changes and feeding and changes.

She knows Nico has not experienced this in his life and it is all new and thrilling… but she has two

teenagers. This isn't her first rodeo with a little one. She loves Abby and she loves that she has a child

with Nico… planned or not… it's just… it has been a long time since her diaper bag days and she already

longing for her freedom.

Maybe she will feel different when she gets home. She glances down at the ring on her finger with a

sigh. She loves him… she truly does… but the reality of their new life… is hitting home… literally.