ECHOES IN THE DARKNESS
Part 51 – Welcome To the World, Seth Ryan

Laura held Brandon as he continued to sob over his son. Though she could feel the waves of pain from the contractions getting stronger, she couldn't bring herself to leave his side.

"Brandon." She whispered to him. "We have to let him go."

"I can't." He sobbed. "Why am I being punished this way? Why is God doing this to me?"

"Brandon, it doesn't work that way." She told him gently. "This isn't God doing this to us, it's Catherwood." Laura cringed with pain as another contraction started. She closed her eyes breathing through it trying not to scream out in pain.

"Laura?" Brandon said suddenly aware that she was in labor. "Are you having the baby?"

Laura nodded clutching her abdomen.

Brandon quickly shook his head. "Go! Don't worry about me."

"I don't want to leave you." She whispered as she breathed through the contraction.

"No, you need to go have that baby." He told her gently wiping away tears. "I need to say my goodbyes in private and then I need to see Jake. You go deliver my nephew, ok?"

Laura wept caressing his face. "I love you Brandon."

"I love you too sis." He pulled her in embracing her. "Thank you for never leaving me."

Laura's eyes shot open as she clutched her abdomen letting out a loud scream. She tried to breathe through the pain. Gabriel ran to her and started to pick her up. "Gabriel! She looked up at him fearfully. "This baby's coming! Where's Melissa?"

Niki looked down at Micah as he sat with his mother in the corner crying.

Gabriel knelt down by her side. "Baby, Melissa was killed tonight. So was DL."

Laura began to cry shaking her head. "Oh God! No! Why didn't we get out of here when we had the chance?"

Peter leaned down stroking her face. "Laura, we can't second guess what has already happened. There is nothing we can do to change it. But right now in the middle of all this sadness, you are giving us all a miracle. This will be the hope that pulls us all through. Let's go bring your son into the world."

Laura nodded.

"Are you ready to make me a Dad?" Gabriel smiled.

"Yeah." Laura tearfully reached out touching his face. " I love you baby. And I'm so sorry."

"Sorry?" He asked her baffled. "Why are you sorry?"

"Because I'm about to turn into a raging bitch from the seventh circle of hell!" She tensed up in pain again as another contraction ripped through her. "OH FUCK!"

"Ok, honey…common, breathe through it!" Gabriel tried to get her to concentrate on her breathing, but she was allowing the pain to control her.

Laura grabbed his collar. "Fuck my breathing!" She hissed at him. The contraction ended. She looked up at him tearfully. "See?"

Peter walked up beside them. "Guys, her contractions are less than two minutes apart and getting shorter. There is an infirmary down the hall. Let's get her in there now."

Gabriel reached down picking her up. "Who is going to deliver the baby?"

"I guess I am." Peter replied solemnly. "I'm probably the closest thing to a doctor you have right now."

"No." Brandon stood up. "I was pre-med until I became a minister. I was also a field medic in the corp. I've delivered a few babies in the field. I'll do it."

"Are you sure?" Laura asked him tearfully.

Brandon approached her smiling sadly. "In the last few months I have been through hell and you have been by my side every single second of it. You never left me once. Even now as you were experiencing your own pain, you wouldn't leave my side. Now it's time for me to be there for you."

Laura nodded as she closed her eyes letting out another scream. "Let's go!" Gabriel shouted running down the hall with her. Peter and Brandon ran down the hall after them followed by Angela and Mohinder.

George turned to Claude and Noah. "I lost one grandchild tonight. Even though he can never be replaced, I thank God for blessing me again."

Noah half-smiled patting him on the back. "Where is Jake?"

"Niki and Heidi are with him and Micah." He replied sadly. "These children have suffered more in the last few months than any child should ever have to suffer. I know we are all supposed to be morally gray, but when it comes to children, I just can't bring myself to turn off."

Claude and Noah both nodded in agreement.


When Brandon and Peter arrived in the infirmary, Gabriel had Laura lying on the exam table dabbing her face with a damp cloth.

"Let's get her undressed." Brandon said looking around the room. "She can leave her shirt on, but the pants need to come off."

Angela and Mohinder came in. "Can you use more hands?" Mohinder asked Brandon.

"No fucking way!" Gabriel shouted. "I am not going to have every guy in this place, especially her ex-lover, in here looking at my wife's twat!"

"Excuse me!" Angela glowered at him haughtily. "But I am not a guy, or an ex-lover. I have had two sons of my own; I was there for the delivery of my granddaughter, and my two grandsons. Since her own mother can't be here for her, I am the closest thing to a mother this girl has. And I am most certainly not here to look at anybody's twat!"

Peter and Mohinder both turned away snickering

"I don't care!" Gabriel sneered. "There are too many people in here!"

"Gabriel Harold Ryan just shut the fuck up!" Laura shouted as she winced in pain! "In case you have had your head up your ass, we don't have a doctor in the house. If Angela has given birth to two babies, that means she knows a hell of a lot more than you do. Mohinder may not be an obstetrician, but the fact he has the D and the R before his name means he gets to stay! Now, are you going to argue with me on this?"

Gabriel closed his eyes taking a deep breath. "Wouldn't dream of it." He smiled through gritted teeth throwing his hands up in the air.

"Good answer…Harold." Peter smirked.

"Fuck off!" Gabriel hissed at him.

"Ok…Harold!" Mohinder scoffed as everybody busted up laughing, including Laura while Gabriel fumed.

"Oh honey, chill out." She smiled kissing him. "We're having a baby. You're going to be a daddy in a little while. Are you ready for this?"

He smiled rubbing her shoulders. "I'm ready if you are."

"I think I better be because this baby is coming!" Laura grabbed the sides of the exam table gritting her teeth as she tried to breathe through pain. "Now, is somebody going to give me some drugs, because this is fucking excruciating!"

Brandon looked at Gabriel, Peter and Mohinder. "Guys, I really don't want to be the one to tell her it's too late to give her anything for the pain. She is already nine centimeters dilated and her contractions are less than a minute apart. That kid is going to be here any minute."

"Shit!" Gabriel groaned. "She is not going to take this news well. I'm expecting her head to start spinning around any second as it is."

"I don't think we need to worry about drugs." Mohinder pointed at Angela who had her hands placed on Laura's shoulders with her eyes closed. She appeared to be chanting, which was making Laura calm and relaxed.

"Whatever you're doing, don't stop." Laura moaned softly, her voice filled with relief.

"What are you doing, mom?" Peter asked her.

"It's a little trick I learned from an old Chinese woman many years ago." She replied softly. "I'm sending vibrations to the portion of her brain that controls the pain. When she has a contraction, her body does not realize it is in pain."

Laura looked up at Angela. "You, get to stay."

Gabriel reached down holding Laura's hand. "How are you doing, baby?" He leaned down kissing her forehead.

"I'm ok." She smiled softly at him. "I'm sorry I'm being such a bitch."

"I'm used to it." He laughed softly. "What can I do here."

"Trade places with me." She giggled, then she clasped his hand tightly as another contraction sent waves of pain through her body. Angela again placed her hands on Laura's shoulder and began softly chanting. Gabriel could see the instant relief come across her face. When the contraction was over she looked up at Gabriel. "Honey, can she come live with us?"

He looked at Angela wrinkling his nose in revulsion. "Not for all the money in the world." Angela glowered at him, her lips pursed tightly.


Shuichi stood in awe taking in the curious architecture of the Hotel Okinawan. He grew up in Tokyo but the old world Okinawa style had always fascinated him.

"Once I get that money in my hands, I'll be able to book a room for a night." He thought to himself. "Now that I don't have to share the wealth with the others, the prize is all mine. I might just even be able to hire a geisha for the evening." He laughed malevolently to himself.

Quickly and full of confidence, he walked inside the hotel taking the elevator to the sixteenth floor. Walking down the hall, he knocked on suite number 1607.

Alan answered the door smiling. "Mr. Shuichi. How nice to see you again. Please come in."

"Do you have my money?" He asked Alan as he quickly brushed past him into the suite.

"Of course." Alan replied folding his arms. "But first, my employer would like to meet with you to complement you on a job well done."

Shuichi turned looking behind Alan as Phillip Callahan slowly approached him, his hands in his pockets.

"You!" Shuichi whispered astonished. "You are the man that is running for President in America."

"Indeed I am." Callahan replied boastfully. "I suppose you have come to collect your capital."

"Yes, I have." Shuichi nodded hastily. "Now if you would indulge me…"

"All in good time." Callahan grinned. "After all, it is I who is running this show. Not you."

Shuichi stood in front of Callahan smugly grinning. "Perhaps you are, but I think not. I don't believe you, as a candidate for the leader of the free world wishes to be associated with the massacre of dozens of lives on a non-operational military base in a country with whom you are trying to maintain a foreign trade embargo."

Callahan smiled maliciously. "You know, you are absolutely right about that. And it presents a large predicament for me."

"And what would that be?" Shuichi posed overconfidently.

"Well, your team is dead." He smiled turning to the coffee table pouring himself a cup. "This leaves you in a wonderful position. You don't have to share the treasures with the others. But how can I trust you to keep silent."

"You can't." Shuichi replied flatly. "And now that I know who you are, the price for my services has doubled."

Callahan nodded. "Well, I must admit you have me in a bind. I suppose I have no choice but to do as you wish. But first, I must ask you something."

"Please do." Shuichi replied, a condescending tone in his voice.

"Do you really feel you did the job you were hired to do?" Callahan asked him curiously.

Shuichi leaned forward in his chair. "Are you questioning my leadership technique?"

Callahan waved his hands. "Of course not. I am sure you are a fine leader. I just find it odd that you came back alive, but all the rest of your team is dead. How did that happen?"

Shuichi shrugged. "I was fortunate, they were unfortunate. Shit happens."

"How fortunate for you indeed." Callahan scoffed.

Shuichi stood up walking to face Callahan. "Well, I have enjoyed our chat. However, the world awaits, so if you will give me the rest of my money, I will leave here today and no one will ever know you were here. After all, it is beneficial to both of us that no one is aware of our arrangement."

"I couldn't agree more."

Shuichi's eyes widened with horror at the sound of his voice. Something had changed. Slowly he turned around. He was staring into the eyes of a hideous beast.

"Wha…what the hell are you?" He stammered.

"You have no idea with whom you are fucking with." Callahan replied walking closer to him.

Shuichi could only stare at him in fear. Then Callahan opened his mouth as his tongue slithered out. Opening his tongue to display several rows of teeth, he sucked him in as Shuichi screamed.


Niki and Nathan stood outside the infirmary. Inside they could hear Laura screaming in pain as her contractions got closer and closer together.

"Looks like she's going to be delivering any minute." Nathan half-smiled at Niki.

Niki nodded. "You know, it's been almost twelve years since Micah was born, but I remember giving birth to him like it was yesterday."

"Yeah." Nathan replied thoughtfully. "I wish I could say the same thing, but regretfully I was so busy playing politician I wasn't there for the births of either of my sons. I will never forgive myself for that."

Niki placed a consoling hand on his shoulder. "We have all done things in our past we can't change. The important thing is that now we are working for something good." She closed her eyes as tears began to spill over. "It's just going to be a lot harder now."

Nathan nodded. "We took a huge hit tonight. I'm so sorry about DL. He was a good man. How are you and Micah holding up?"

"I'll be ok." She smiled sadly. "Even thought our marriage ended, he was still an important part of my life. But I am more worried about Micah. I know he will bounce back, but he has never lost anybody he loves before. This is really hard on him."

"I know." Nathan said softly.

They were both startled as a metal tray flew through the door crashing against the wall.

"GODDAMMIT! DON'T YOU EVER TAKE MY BLOOD PRESSURE AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONTRACTION, YOU IDIOT! WHAT THE FUCK IS THE MATTER WITH YOU? IF YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN I AM GOING TO SHOVE THAT MONITOR UP YOUR ASS SIDEWAYS! YOU GOT THAT?"

Nathan and Niki looked at each other and busted out laughing. "I think we had better get out of here." Nathan whispered smiling. "This is going to get ugly fast."

Niki nodded in agreement as they went back to rejoin the others.


"OH FUCK!" Laura screamed in pain. "Oh GOD this hurts! Not even Angela's trick is working anymore! Somebody please make it stop!"

Gabriel rubbed gently her shoulders. "Baby, you're doing great. But you need to calm down."

Laura angrily grabbed him by the collar. "When this is over I am going to take a watermelon and shove it into your ass!" She hissed at him. "Then we'll see how calm you are."

"Laura...please…calm…down." Gabriel told her composedly. "I know it hurts but…OH HOLY FUCK!"

As the next contraction ripped through her, she grabbed a hold of his crotch and squeezed tightly.

"Let…GO!" Gabriel screamed in pain.

"Yeah!" She hissed through gritted teeth. "Tell me to calm down, asshole!"

Angela, Peter and Mohinder all shook with laughter.

"Her contractions are coming one right on top of the other." Brandon told them. "She's almost at ten centimeters. It's will be time to push any second here."

"Poor Gabriel." Peter laughed. "After this is over he's probably going to tie a knot in his dick so he never has to go through this again."

"They'll do fine." Angela smiled looking at them. "Gabriel has made some mistakes in the past, but he is a wonderful husband to Laura. They'll pull together for this. You'll see."

Gabriel closed his eyes to maintain his equanimity. "Laura. I know this is painful, but I'm really doing the best I can here. I don't know what else to do. If I could trade places with you…I would. But please stop yelling at me, and for God's sake, quit grabbing my balls!"

"I'm so sorry baby." She cried. "I don't mean it…you know that, don't you."

"Of course I know that." He smiled softly caressing her face. "And I know it hurts, but you are taking this like a champ. You're doing great, sweetheart."

"Oh God Gabriel!" Her eyes widened as another contraction ripped through her. She dug her fingers into his arms.

"Ok…" Gabriel sat on the bed behind her holding her breathing slowly with her. "Just breathe in through your nose and out through mouth, slowly. In…out."

Laura began to slowly breath in through her nose and out her mouth. Although it was still painful, she felt in control of the pain. She closed her eyes smiling. "I did it. I breathed through it and I didn't kill anybody."

Gabriel nodded. "You did great, baby." He kissed her forehead.

George walked in and slowly walked to his daughter. "How's my little girl doing?"

"I'm hanging in there." She smiled. "How's Jake?"

"He's still sleeping." George replied sadly looking at Laura and Brandon.

"If he wakes up, will you tell him where I am?" Brandon said softly.

George nodded. "Of course, son. But I was hoping my daughter would let me stay and watch my grandson come into the world."

"I think we have an extra seat." Gabriel half-smiled.

Once again Laura grimaced in pain grabbing his hand. Gabriel helped her breathe through the pain, massaging her lower back.

Brandon checked her cervix. "Ten centimeters!" He smiled. "Are you ready to have that baby?"

Laura smiled looking up at Gabriel.

"Ok everyone." Brandon told them. "Peter and Mohinder, would each of you hold a leg. Gabriel, you stand behind her and support her head. Dad, Angela. You two just pray, ok?"

They both nodded as the others took their positions.

"Ok sis." Brandon stroked her face. "Next contraction, you push…hold it for four seconds, then release. Can you do that for me? This boy is in a hurry to make an exit, so this is going to go fast."

Laura nodded. "Ok guys get ready to work because here it comes."

She rested her head against Gabriel's shoulder as she began to push, then breathed it out.

"This kid is ready for the world." Brandon smiled. "I can see his head already."

"Here comes another one!" Laura shouted as she began to push again.

"You're doing great baby." Gabriel smiled dabbing a damp cloth on her forehead.

Laura looked up at him smiling tearfully. "Our baby is coming."

Gabriel nodded as the tears began. "I love you."

"I love you." She smiled up at him. She bit her lip as another contraction started. Again she pushed as Gabriel encouraged her, rubbing her shoulders..

"Let's keep pushing." Brandon told her. "The head is almost out."

Laura pushed as hard as she could as Gabriel rubbed her shoulders.

"I can see his head." Gabriel gasped with excitement.

"Ok sis." Brandon rubbed her leg. "I want you to give me one more big push. I've almost got the shoulders out. Can you do that for me?"

Laura nodded tearfully as Gabriel wiped the sweat from her forehead and eyes, kissing the top of her damp head.

"Ok, one more time." Peter whispered. "Push! Just one big push Laura, and your home free."

Laura let out a loud yell as she gave one more final push.

"I got him!" Brandon announced as he took him over to the table to clean him off.

Laura smiled with relief as she collapsed back against Gabriel's chest.

"You did it baby." Gabriel smiled kissing her. "You were amazing! God I love you."

"I love you." She whispered smiling up at him weakly. Then her smile disappeared. "Gabriel, why isn't he crying?"

"Don't worry, he's fine." Peter assured her touching her cheek. "We don't smack them on the butts anymore. He'll wake up soon enough."

Just at that moment, they heard a loud cry. Laura beamed happily as Gabriel held her.

"I'm going to go see our son." He whispered as Laura nodded.

"What is that disgusting feeling between my legs?" Laura grimaced.

"Afterbirth." Peter told her. "It's your placenta and amniotic fluid coming out. Don't worry…I'm taking care of it."

"Gross." Laura made a face wrinkling her nose. "How long was I in labor?"

Peter shook his head. "One hour and forty eight minutes."

Laura stared at him flabbergasted. "Holy crap! That's awesome! Seriously! I hear about women who are in labor for twenty four to thirty six hours."

"Well, extreme stressful conditions tend to speed up the delivery process." Peter walked to the side of the bed looking down at her smiling. "If you want I can heal you right now."

Laura looked up at him tempted by his offer. "Let's give it a few days and see how I manage. I miraculously gave birth without drugs and I have that bad ass powerful feeling going on right now. I kind of want that to last for a few days."

"Well if you change your mind." He replied softly.

"I'll call you." She whispered rubbing his hand.

Gabriel walked up beside her holding Seth who was swaddled in a blanket. "Seth, this is your mommy. Mommy, meet Seth."

Laura tearfully took him from Gabriel studying his little face. He had the same apple cheeks she did when she was a baby, but the dark hair and features were undeniable Gabriel's. "He's absolutely breathtaking." She whispered as tears brimmed over. Gabriel smiled sitting on the bed beside her. He put his arm around her as they both looked down at their son.

"It's a miracle." Gabriel tearfully whispered then looked down at Laura. "Thank you. Thank you for giving me the most amazing gift you could ever give me."

"You had small part in it too." She smiled softly kissing him.

"I just applied the fertilizer." He grinned. "You had the hard part."

"I'm glad to hear that because next time, you're going to carry it." She giggled.

"Seven pounds, two ounces and twenty-two inches long." Brandon smiled.

"Tall and thin. Just like your daddy." Laura smiled as Seth started crying loudly. Laura's eyes widened as she looked at Angela for guidence. "Um…what do I do?"

"I think he's hungry." Angela smiled. "Why don't you try nursing him?"

Seth began crying louder. Laura whispered reassuringly to him. "It's ok buddy. I have no idea what I'm doing either, so let's just learn how to do this together, what do you think? Yeah, me too."

She smiled awkwardly as she positioned Seth to feed him. She took one of her nipples and rubbed it against his lips. Her eyes widened in shock as he latched on immediately and began sucking hungrily. "Oh, you are your daddy's boy alright."

Gabriel grinned proudly as everyone groaned.

"There are some things a father doesn't want to know about his daughter." George shook his head as he approached the side of the bed. He looked down at Laura feeding Seth and began to weep.

"Now what are you blubbering about, you salty old Irishman?" She smiled softly at her father.

"Next to your mother holding the both of you when you were born, this is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen." He said tearfully. "My little girl holding her own baby."

"Oh dad." Laura sniffed tearfully. "You know on the outside, you just a crusty conniving old fart with his head up his ass, but on the inside, your nothing but a marshmallow."

"Tell anybody and I'll disinherit you." He narrowed his eyes.

"Too late, I already got your money the first time you died." She replied smugly.

"Ouch!" George placed his hand over his heart. "The most beautiful moment in the world and there's that mouth." He smiled proudly kissing her on the head. "You did good, little girl. I have never been prouder of you than I am at this moment. And with you as my daughter, that is saying a lot."

"I love you, dad." She whispered.

"I love you too, little girl." He reached out tweaking her nose then looked up at Gabriel. "I guess the proper words right now would be to take care of that family of yours, but that would be redundant because I know you will take care of my little girl and my grandson. You have done some horrible things in the past, but I could have never asked for a better husband for my daughter. I'm glad you're here, my boy."

He reached out to shake his hand, but Gabriel pulled him in, embracing him warmly. "Thanks George."

"Well, I'm going to go tell the troops that we have a new arrival." He told everyone.

"And I'm going to go see what I can find to eat for the new parents." Angela announced. "Can I get anything for anybody else?"

"If you see any coffee while you're there, that would be great." Peter told her. He looked at Laura and Gabriel who were unaware of their presence as they cooed over their son. "Actually, let me come with you. I want to see my wife anyway. I know she's on pins and needles"

Mohinder took his queue. "Congratulations." He looked up at Gabriel. "Both of you."

"Thanks Mohinder." Laura smiled. "Your a good friend."

"Thanks for being here." Gabriel replied sincerely. "Sorry about being such an ass before."

"If it were my wife, I would have done the same thing." He smiled. "You two take care of that baby. I'm going to see if we can find a more comfortable place for you two to get some rest."

"That would be great." Laura smiled. "This table is not exactly comfortable."

"I'll see what I can do." He nodded and left.

Brandon slowly approached them sadly with his hands in his pockets. "Congratulations you two."

"Thanks Brandon." Laura smiled sadly. "And thank you so much with all you are going through to be here for me. I know it had to be difficult."

"Actually, it was exactly what I needed to keep me from going insane." He nodded closing his eyes.

"You're the best, man." Gabriel pulled him into an embrace. "Thanks for bringing my boy into the world."

"You're welcome." He said softly. "Well, I'm going to go see Jake and…" He gulped back tears. "and make some decisions on what to do with Colin."

Laura rubbed his hand. "If you need anything, you just ask. I don't care what it is." Gabriel nodded in agreement.

"I owe you more than I could ever pay back." He replied squeezing her hand.

"You go be with your boy." Laura half-smiled. "Can you come back and bring him with you in about an hour?"

"Brandon nodded. "You bet." He kissed Laura's forehead and slapped Gabriel's shoulder then walked off.

Laura looked down smiling at Seth feeding. "I think it's time to change nipples." She picked him up turning him around as he latched on to the other side.

"Look at you." Gabriel grinned. "You're a pro already."

"Well, I got the feeding part down." She replied. "But it's the next eighteen years I'm worried about."

"We saw our son as an adult." Gabriel watched Seth as he continued nursing. "I think we're going to do just fine."

"Yeah, your right." She whispered stroking his soft little cheek with her fingers then looked up at Gabriel. "He looks just like you. I'm almost tempted to call him Gabriel Junior."

Gabriel smiled softly. "Well now we know why we call him Seth."

Laura's eyes filled with tears. "My God, Gabriel. If Claude didn't shoot that man…" Tears began spilling out of her eyes.

"Baby, don't think about it anymore." He whispered rubbing her shoulders. "He saved the life of my wife and my son. We owe him everything."

"Yes, we do." She half-smiled.

"So, I guess we're supposed to call him Seth Patrick." Gabriel looked at her thoughtfully.

"Well, I've been thinking about that." Laura looked down at Seth kissing his cheek. "He told us that his birthday is May 17th 2010. Well, today is May 2nd, 2010. He is two and a half weeks early. The future isn't written in stone. Does his middle name have to be?"

Gabriel looked down at Seth, then up at her thoughtfully.


George walked into the common room of the fallout shelter where the team was gathered. "Everyone may I have your attention please!" He announced as everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up at him. "This has been a tragic several hours. We have lost friends, family and allies. We have lost mother, fathers, sons…" He closed his eyes as he choked back tears. "and grandchildren."

"But this morning, in the center of all this tragedy, my daughter and son-in-law delivered their son Seth into the world at seven-o-nine am."

Everybody started cheering as Heidi and Niki ran down the hall to see the baby.

Noah approached George slowly. "I know this is a bad time to bring this up, but we can't stay here. Our position has been compromised."

"Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind." George replied worriedly. "I'm open for suggestions."

"I do have one." Noah replied. "But everyone is going to hate it."

"Saskatchewan Canada?" George replied.

Noah nodded. "It is completely off the radar. It's self contained and there is enough food to last for a long time. It was built for the company to go into isolation if we are ever exposed. It may not be as wide spread and comfortable as it is here, but we are low on options."

"Well, we have without a doubt been exposed." George shook his head dejectedly. "But Canada! What were we thinking?"

"We were thinking absolute desertion." Noah replied.

"Well, at least it is going to be spring." George sighed. "Ok, we'll be safe here in the shelter for a few days. We can start teleporting small groups up there as early as tomorrow."

Noah nodded thoughtfully looking at the small group of people gathered throughout the common area. "So this is all that is left of us. We had over two-hundred people and now we are down to less than thirty. How did it all go so wrong?"

George said nothing. Just shook his head sadly.


Laura and Gabriel moved to one of the bedrooms in the shelter. Gabriel had fixed up the bed for Laura and created a make-shift bassinette for Seth out of a laundry basket and towels. After Gabriel helped her take a much needed shower, Laura lay in bed desperately wanting to sleep as Niki and Heidi sat beside her cooing over Seth. Gabriel sat in a nearby chair looking on unnervingly.

"Oh my God! What a beautiful baby." Niki whispered as she held Seth. "I can't get over how much he looks like Gabriel."

"Did you have that much hair when you were born?" Heidi asked him.

"Yeah, I came out with a pretty good head of hair." He smiled softly. "But I was all red-faced and looked like an alien."

"Well now we know why you were popping Tums like candy." Niki smiled. "They say when your baby has hair, mama gets heartburn. I guess theres more truth to that old wives tale."

"Well, that explains volumes." Laura replied. "For the last few weeks I had heartburn so bad the back of my throat was burning."

There was a knock at the door. "Can we come in?" Brandon asked softly.

"We?" Gabriel grinned. "Who exactly is we?"

"See for yourself." Nathan replied as he came in with Simon and Monty, followed by Peter, George, Angela and Micah. Jake came through the door last and ran to Laura, who pulled him up on the bed holding him tightly.

"Well, this looks like the whole family is here." Laura smiled.

"Not everyone." Claude grinned as he came through the door. "I know I'm not really family, but I was told you wanted me here."

"You absolutely are welcome here." She replied holding her hand out to him. "And after what you did last night, you have earned a place in this family. I owe you everything, Claude"

He nodded gratefully and took a seat next to Brandon who slapped him on the back.

"Can I finally hold my grandson?" George asked Laura.

"If you can pry him out of Niki's cold hard fingers." Laura giggled. "She has taken him over."

"Oh." Niki pouted as she reluctantly handed Seth over to George. She turned to Peter. "I want to have another baby. Now!"

Peter nodded kissing her forehead. "When things get settled, we'll get right to work on that."

George looked down at his grandson in sheer disbelief. "Even after holding the two most beautiful babies in the world almost thirty years ago, this moment just never gets old."

"I wouldn't know." Gabriel replied stiffly. "I've hardly had a chance to hold my son yet."

George stood up and handed Seth to Gabriel. "The dads kind of get the short end of the stick when the baby arrives. Believe me when I tell you, my boy that over the next year or so, you are going to be more invisible than Claude here."

"Tell me about it." Gabriel rolled his eyes. "It's started already."

Laura looked up at him smiling sleepily. "Excuse me, did you say something."

He laughed softly as he sat down on the bed next to her with Seth kissing her softly.

"So Laura, are you still going with the name Seth?" Nathan asked her.

Laura and Gabriel looked at each other smiling. "Well, when our son came to us, he told us he was born on May seventeenth, but I guess he didn't like that birthday. Obviously the future has changed."

She looked at Claude. "Early this morning, I realized how vulnerable I really am when I felt the barrel of a pistol being aimed at the back of my head and even heard the trigger click inside my ear. But Claude was there and shot the gunman. To say I owe him my life only begins to cover it."

"So…you'll be naming your son Claude Raines Ryan?" Nathan shrugged.

Laura and Claude exchanged looks as she nodded at him to tell the story. "Until today, the only people that know my true name in this organization are the top brass and my good bloke Noah Bennett. I did tell Gabriel one day when we were talking about this wee lad, but I think we both passed it off as a coincidence, since Gabriel and I only share a mutual annoyance of each other since I covet his wife." Everyone laughed as Gabriel slowly shook his head. "But my God given name is Seth Earl Banks."

"Wow!" Peter grinned shaking his head. "Who knew?"

Laura continued. "So, we know why we named our son Seth because believe me, it was not a name either one of us was overly enthusiastic about." She looked over at Claude. "No offense."

"None taken, luv." He replied nodding his head.

Gabriel began to speak. "When we met our son he told us his middle name was Patrick. While we both like the name, it just didn't feel right. We talked about this and there was just no question what our son's middle name would be. So, having said that, we would like you all to meet Seth Colin Ryan."

Laura looked at Brandon who smiled tearfully at them. He stood up and embraced them both. "Thank you." He wispered.

"I don't think you could have made a better choice if you were trying to." George smiled. "And just for the occasion in light of the day's tragedy…"

Everyone groaned.

"Oh God! He's going to do another toast." Laura rolled her eyes. "Everybody run!"

"Do you see any whisky here?" George bellowed. "But for my new grandson, an Irish blessing. I'll make it short."

"There is a God after all." Gabriel smirked.

George cleared his throat.

May God guard you through each night
and day
and ever watch above you...
May God smile on everything you do
and always...God love you.

"Thanks Dad." Laura smiled softly. "That was beautiful."

"And short." Gabriel grinned as Laura gave him an elbow in the ribcage.

Seth began to cry loudly.

"Ok, we just changed him." Laura stuck her finger inside his diaper. "He's not wet, or poopy. But he's making a sucky face, so I think he's hungry." She looked around at the group. "I love you all, but unless you want to see me whip it out, I suggest you beat it."

Everyone laughed as they began to file out of the room. Angela stopped by kissing Laura on the cheek. "I wish your mother was here to see this." She smiled. "She would be so proud of you."

"Thanks Angela." Laura whispered.

"You have had a rough day, sweetheart." George rubbed the side of her face. "You try to get some sleep after that boy eats, ok."

"I will Dad." She smiled softly.

"If you need anything, your Dad and I are right across the hall." Angela told her. "You call me if you need anything, ok?"

"I think you just want to see me sleep in my boxers." Gabriel grinned.

"Don't flatter yourself, you ox." Angela smirked as George and Laura both chuckled.

George hugged them both as Angela gave Gabriel a loving punch in the arm, then left as Seth began to go to town on his mother's breast.


After Seth finished his dinner, Gabriel laid back on the bed propped up on several pillows as Seth lay on his chest sleeping. Laura lay beside him smiling as she watched Gabriel bonding with his son.

"He's pretty amazing, isn't he?" She whispered.

"Yeah." Gabriel smiled softly. "I know I should put him down to sleep, but I can't bring myself to let go of him yet."

"Then don't." She said pulling herself up laying her head against his shoulder. "You're against the wall, so he can't fall out of bed. He just came out of a nice warm enclosed place, so sleeping against us probably feels good to him right now."

"Well, it feels really good to me right now." He whispered. "I've got my whole family right here beside me, exactly where we belong."

He looked down at Laura who had fallen asleep. Gabriel smiled as he tucked the covers around her, kissing her forehead. "I love you Laura Grace." He whispered. Then holding his wife and son, Gabriel closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

END OF PART 51