Author's Note: Been a while since I wrote for this story and this has been sitting half done for a while.
Enjoy.

Rip smiled as Lily walked into the restaurant, waving her over to the table.

"Hi," she greeted him, standing waiting until he stood and gave her a quick hug, "You're getting better."

Rip rolled his eyes, "I'm guessing your mother told you to do that."

She grinned at him before opening her menu, "Actually it was Caitlin."

Shaking his head in amusement, Rip studied the woman in front of him who was fidgeting slightly while she perused the menu. Lily had decided that Clarissa's unofficial adoption of them meant Rip was family, so she insisted that they met for lunch at least once when she was in the city to catch up. Rip enjoyed his lunches with Lily, she was not only very sweet and kind but also brilliant. In some ways she reminded him of Miranda, and Rip had become quite protective of her.

They ordered and Rip watched Lily confused by how nervous she was acting. It was very unlike her. Their lunch came and Rip caught her up to date with the things that had happened with the 'family' and Jonas especially.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Rip asked softly when they left the restaurant and started walking back to Star Labs, "Because you've been acting odd since we met."

Lily sighed, "Do you remember me telling you about Tony?"

Rip nodded, "You seemed to really like him."

"Well he asked me out," Lily told him, "We dated for a while, things didn't work out and we're still friends but…"

"But?" Rip asked getting concerned, the worst scenarios possible flitting through his mind.

Lily stopped walking, turning to him and shrugged, "I'm pregnant."

Rip stared at her for a moment before saying, "That's…is it wonderful or not?"

"I don't know," she whispered, "I don't know if I can raise a child on my own."

"If I can do it," Rip told her blandly, "Trust me you are more than capable, Lily. You will be a wonderful mother, I know that. Besides you're not alone. You have every one of us to help you."

Sniffing back tears that she found filling her eyes, Lily smiled when Rip hugged her tightly.

"There's another reason I wanted to talk to you," Lily said softly, "I haven't told my mom yet and I was hoping you'd be there for back-up?"

"Of course," Rip assured, "I'll be there, whatever you need."

With a smile, Lily hugged him again.

x

"Alright," Clarissa said as she sat in Rip's living room the next afternoon, a mug of tea in her hands and a plate of homemade cake in front of her, She looked at Rip and Lily who were standing in front of her, "What do you want or what did you do?"

Rip held up his hands in surrender, "I am merely here to provide neutral ground and refreshments."

Clarissa frowned confused, "Meaning?"

Turning to Lily, Rip nodded encouragingly. She grabbed Rip's hand and took a quick breath as he squeezed it.

"Mom," Lily said softly, "I have something to tell you. It's not bad," she hurriedly assured Clarissa, "But it is going to change things."

Standing Clarissa moved to her daughter and rested her hands on Lily's arms, "Whatever it is you can tell me, sweetheart."

Lily took a deep breath, "I'm pregnant."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant," Lily repeated, "And I know this isn't the way you would want it but…" she didn't get a chance to finish as Clarissa pulled Lily into her arms.

"Oh darling," Clarissa whispered, "It's wonderful news."

Lily smiled tearfully, "Are you sure?"

Clarissa laughed nodding, "I'm ecstatic. We need to tell your father. He'll be so excited."

The two women turned to Rip who nodded, "Gideon, please contact the Waverider and ask Martin to use the Jumpship to come visit. Assure him it's not bad but a family issue he's needed for."

"Of course, Captain," Gideon replied before saying, "And may I add my congratulations, Miss Stein."

"Thank you, Gideon," Lily smiled as she leaned against her mother.

x

It was about twenty minutes later when the Jumpship arrived in the back garden with Martin who jumped out, concern on his face. Rip stayed back watching the family reunion before smiling as Martin greeted him with a hug.

"So," the older man asked as he joined them in the living room, "Why have I been summoned?"

Rip stood back watching Lily tell her father her news, smiling at the stunned look that quickly turned into one of complete joy. Leaving her parents for a moment to talk, Lily joined Rip smiling.

"That didn't go too badly," Rip noted, "Did it?"

Lily laughed hugging him tightly, "Thank you for this."

"Anytime," Rip assured her, "And I am here for everything you need, I promise."

"And I will be holding you to that."