He was just observing them sleeping, still holding Blair's hand in his. It seemed like a dream and he wasn't sure anymore if that was real. She didn't wake up, so her hand was resting shrunken in his. It was hard for him even to move, but he had to see his newborn. He forced himself to stand up from the chair and walked around Blair's bed, where in the cradle the baby was sleeping. She was curled up in a fluffy pink blanket, with both her little arms above her head. She was tiny, with perfectly shaped rosy lips and a small nose and he couldn't help himself but run his index finger over her little cheek. It seemed like he was touching silk. The baby cooed but didn't wake up. Blair was still holding the cradle. The nurse opened the door and gestured him to get out, but he whispered that he need few more minutes. She closed the door.

"Hey you" – He whispered, lifting the baby in his arms. – "How are you?" – He kissed her little head. The baby opened her eyes and was staring at him with such focused eyes like she knew him perfectly well. – "Take care of mom, ok" – He said and the baby girl cooed again, sounding content. It woke Blair up.

"Where were you?" – She said with tired voice. He sat on the bed, still holding the baby in his arms and kissed Blair's forehead.

"I'm here" – He said.

"Now listen to me" – She tried to sit up, but the sharp pain in her stomach forced her to lie down again. – "If something happens to me…"

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Blair" – He cut her words.

"Shut up Humphrey, I know what I've been through. I want you to take very good care of her. I don't have doubts in you, but you will have to provide her the best education, and don't let her by any means wear stupid clothes!" – She smiled. – "There is Jenny, so she'll help you"

"Blair, stop talking like this, please!" – He said, holding the baby in one arm and squeezing her hand with the other.

"It's just in case…" – She sighed. – "Also, don't forget about Clair, please"

"Blair…"

"I woke up and Chuck was here…where were you?" – She asked suddenly.

"Chuck was here?" – He asked surprised.

"Mhm"

"I…I was…"

"What happened?" – She knew that something was wrong. His face was paler than usual and the dark circles under his eyes were betraying him.

"Nothing…I just…I collapsed…when the doctor told me your condition."

"Humphrey" – She smiled. – "Stop being a girl"

"I'll try not to" – He sighed and kissed her hand again.

"Are you ok now?"

"Better than ever" – He sniffed in order not to cry.

"Where are the children?" – She asked another question.

"I really have no idea if anyone was here…" – She managed to lift a bit on her elbows.

"How serious was that collapsing?" – She was piercing him with her eyes.

"I'm fine now. I'm here."

"Humphrey!" – She hissed.

"I slept probably half of the day…I don't know. I don't remember anything…when you delivered her it was day, and I woke up just now…I sort of sneaked out…"

"Oh my God" – She sighed. – "Go back to bad, this instant"

"No. Few more minutes, I already have a nurse measuring my time outside"

She lied back on the bed and sighed.

"She's gorgeous, isn't she?" – She said matter-of-factly.

"Yes" – He answered, staring at the baby who was about to fall asleep again. – "Valerie?" – He looked at Blair.

"Maybe we should ask Dylan and Clair for opinion too…" – She smiled and closed her eyes. – "This one looks like you too" – She mumbled.

"Nah…all I'm seeing is Blair junior here. Look at the lips, and the way she stares, like she tries to tell me "Dad, I'm in charge".

The nurse walked inside again and asked him to leave the room, and even though he protested, Blair made him go and rest.

"I'll wait here" – She said, after he put the baby in the cradle.

"Promise?" – He leaned in and kissed her.

"When I want to stand you up, I'm telling you Humphrey. Now go to bed" – She kissed him back.

….

The following morning Rufus was still in the hospital, alone. Jenny went home to take a shower and to bring Dylan and Clair to the hospital again.

Dan was in his room, getting infusion because the doctor insisted on the "refreshment".

"I know where you were last night. What I've said Mr. Humphrey?"

"I had to" – He simply said.

"I understand, but you were in a state of shock, it's a miracle you didn't suffer a heart attack. And your wife is also in a very fragile condition."

"But she'll be fine, right?"

"She's a trooper. I checked her this morning, she is much better. Still, you will have to take care of her when you go home. The baby is incredibly vivid and healthy, you may be calm for that case." – Dan just smiled.

"After this…this infusion thing, I can go and visit her, right?"

"Yes, you can."

…

"How are they?" – Lily walked to Rufus, who was sitting in the waiting room, reading the morning paper. It's been a long time since he and Lily were alone together. Now they were mature people, but they both knew the feelings they had for each other were still there.

"Better" – He answered.

"Thank God" – She said and sat next to him. – "How are you?"

"I'm tired. All those tours and concerts and interviews. I'm old Lil. I need to slow down and just you know…be a senior citizen. Now I have another granddaughter. I guess I'll be around, watching her growing up, taking her to Central, so she can feed the ducks…teach her playing the guitar…"

"Can I join you?" – She smiled. They were separated for almost three decades, and although she divorced Bart Bass four years after he came back from the dead, Rufus told her that he needed time to accept the entire thing. That time never seemed to come. He was either out of the city with his band, or was avoiding her, still afraid that there might be some other Bart Bass who will always be better than him.

"I think you can" – He smiled.

"Thank you. Eleanor is on her way, Clair called her and apparently your granddaughter doesn't know how to tell news, the woman was beyond disturbed."

"Yes, Clair is kind of harsh. Now, excuse me I have to call her and Dylan. I'll be right back." – He left her sitting alone. He really had to call the children, but the truth was, he needed to calm himself down, because after all those years, Lily had the same impact on him.

…..

Eleanor demanded to speak to the doctor who delivered Blair's baby. She was furious and was criticizing their incompetence, threatening to sue them because her daughter almost died. When they explained to her the situation and that Blair was well, she calmed down and demanded to visit her.

…

Soon after Eleanor's scene, Dylan, Clair and Jenny arrived. Clair had a whole arsenal of flowers, stuffed toys and balloons. The news about Blair having a baby and her bad condition didn't let anyone think bringing her gifts. She didn't wait, so she walked in the room where Eleanor, Blair and the baby were.

"Mom" – She said with shaky voice, putting the flowers and the toys on the night stand. Blair raised her arms to hug her. And instead to be the other way around, Blair was comforting Clair.

"Come on, everything is fine! No tears!" – But Clair was already deep into her crying session. – "You are half Waldorf, and we don't whine. Are you listening to me?" – She was smiling, but Clair didn't stop crying in her shoulder. – "Hello, Humphrey, stop it"- Finally Clair raised her head.

"I thought…"

"I'm fine, honey. Look at your sister" – She brushed the tears from Clair's face.

"We saw her yesterday…and…she's pretty" – She sniffed. Eleanor was holding the baby in her arms. – "Did you pick a name?"

"I though… I thought Valerie Danielle…"

"No Audrey?" – Clair asked.

"No Audrey."

"Well, Valerie sounds good. I like it."

….

"Can I come in?" – Dylan knocked on the door. Blair welcomed him and he walked in. Eleanor and Clair were still amused with the baby. – "You scared us all, Blair" – He said.

"I'm sorry." – She sighed. – "Is Dan ok?"

"He's fine" – He said.

"I told him, and I'm gonna say this to you too. You must take care of your sisters. Please."

"You don't even have to ask me, that." – Dylan smiled.

"So, what you think of Valerie Danielle?"

"No Audrey?" – He asked too.

"What is it with you Humphreys?" – They both laughed.

….

A week later, Blair was home, in the loft, still weak, but she felt much better. Dan was doing everything, even though most of the time she was commanding him to just lie next to her and relax. At night they would have fall asleep – Dan spooning Blair, and she would have held the tiny arm of Valerie Audrey. Fortunately the baby was quiet at night, and during the day she was looking at both of them with her big black eyes, pouting the little rosy mouth. Also she was very content while she was in Dan's lap while he was typing on the lap top, when Blair was resting.

Jenny's old room was turned into a nursery, decorated by Blair's taste. The walls were painted in light yellow with drawn tiny field flowers, the curtains were milky white, and the cradle and the rest of the furniture were made from warm light brown wood. The girl already had too many toys and clothes (thanks to Eleanor and Jenny), even though she was just few weeks old.

Jenny was coming more often to the loft, dragging Nate with her, making an excuse that he wanted to see the baby, because she hated to admit in front of Blair that she was simply crazy about her niece.