DESTINY
Chapter 11

Everyone at first, even Lucas, thought that the change in Dara's behavior and moods was due to the added stress involved with the responsibility of the program. It soon became apparent, however, that it was more than just added stress. She always seemed to be in a foul temper, she would burst into fits of rage, only to turn away sobbing in apology for her behavior afterward. Some were of the opinion that Lucas was showing his truer self to his bride and that she wasn't dealing with the reality of it all that well.

One such person was Matt Crower; ever since he had treated Dara after her attack, he had become good friends with her, now he was concerned with her crankiness and irritability. Deciding to stop beating around the bush with her, Matt stopped by her office one afternoon, determined to find a reason for her behavior, and hopefully a solution to bring it to a halt. Matt knocked on her door and waited for her issue a terse, "Come in," before entering.

Dara looked up to see who was disturbing her, smiling when she saw Matt. "Hi, stranger. What brings you to see me?"

Glad so see the smile he had grown accustomed to, but rarely saw anymore, Matt stated, "Well, I thought I would see how you're doing. You know, you have quite a few people cowering in the corner when they see you coming these days."

The warm smile was replaced with an icy glare and acidic tone as she demanded, "What did they do, vote you to be the one to tell me what a bitch I've become?"

Matt shook his head, not backing down from the coldness in her eyes. "No. I came because I'm concerned. This is not the person I know. Is something wrong between you and your husband?"

Dara continued glaring at him, then the ice in her eyes changed to sadness and misery before she buried her face in her hands and began weeping.

Matt came around her desk and knelt by her chair, placing his hand on her shoulder in comfort as he handed her a tissue to dry her tears with. "You want to tell me about it?"

Dara looked up, brushing the tears away as she spoke, "It's not Lucas, it's me. Believe it or not he catches more from me than everyone else combined, but he never complains or argues, he just lets me rant and rave till I realize what I've done, then holds me when I start crying, like I'm doing now. Oh Matt, I don't know what's wrong, I'm so tired anymore, I never have any energy, and this project takes all my time and focus. I can't even eat a decent meal anymore."

Matt looked hard into her face, noticing for the first time the dark circles that had appeared under her eyes, as well as the weight she had lost. Making his decision, he stood and pulled her chair out for her; taking her hand in his he pulled her along to follow him out the door.

"Where are we going?"

Continuing on his present course he glanced over his shoulder to reply, "Where we should have gone when you started feeling like this, to get a check up." Seeing that she was about to protest he turned and held his hand up to forestall her words. "Look, you're due for one soon anyway, hospital policy. So let's do it now and see if we can't get you back to normal, OK?"

Sighing with resignation, Dara silently nodded her agreement following him down the corridor to the examination rooms.


After Matt had done a thorough examination Dara went back to her office and tried to finish her paperwork.

Trying, being the operative word, Matt had taken some blood samples to run some tests, leaving Dara queasy and light headed. When she looked up from the papers in her hand, it was to find Matt standing in her doorway, wearing a serious look, which caused Dara's heart to drop. " You found something serious, didn't you?"

Matt stepped into her office and pushed the door to before taking a seat in front of her desk. "Dara, how long have you had these symptoms?"

Dara considered his question for a second, trying to recall when her malady had started. "I suppose for about two weeks or so, why? Is it something serious, Matt? Come on, tell me."

Matt, despite himself, grinned broadly as he stated, "Yes, I would say it's serious. You, Mrs. Buck, are pregnant. I ran the test myself, twice."

Dara gaped at him in utter shock, not believing that she heard him correctly. "I'm what?"

Matt continued smiling as he reaffirmed, "You're pregnant. That's why you aren't feeling like yourself, your hormones are going wild right now. Not to mention why you're so tired all the time." Matt's smile faded, "It is good news, isn't it?"

Dara sat back in her chair, letting the news fully sink in. She hadn't had any warnings of this, never having had a reliable cycle it wasn't unusual for her to be late, so she hadn't considered this to be a reason for her biological clock to be off, instead she had rationalized that it was just her nerves and stress. "I just hadn't considered that possibility, I mean we want children, we just never discussed a time frame for them. I just didn't think it would be this soon."

Matt, seeing the inner turmoil apparent in her face, rationalized with her. "Well, I mean you've been married how long now, five or six months?"

Dara nodded, "Six months today, as a matter of fact."

Matt continued with his logic, "And I know it's personal, but from all indications you two appear to be a very loving couple, right?" Matt could see by the blush creeping into Dara's cheeks that he was accurate. "And I know for a fact that you don't use the pill, so hon, this was definitely bound to happen, sooner or later."

Lucas chose that moment to gently rap on the door before opening it. "Mind if I come in?" Catching sight of Matt, he asked, "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

Dara looked at Matt with pleading in her eyes, Matt understood the look and replied, "No, actually I was just discussing a patient of mine with your wife. I need to get going on my rounds anyway. Dara, we'll discuss her situation later, all right?" Dara silently agreed by giving a small nod to her head.

Lucas came around the desk after Matt had pulled the door to behind him. Handing Dara a dozen roses he bent down to place a kiss on her cheek.

"They're beautiful, but why?"

Lucas sat on the corner of her desk and answered solemnly, "To make up for our argument last night. I felt guilty."

Dara looked at him with a combination of wonder, sadness, and tender love. "Why, I was the one who was being bitchy, not you."

Lucas placed his hand over hers, "I felt guilty because I should have more patience. I know you're tired and don't feel very well."

Dara looked up, in misery, "Can we please go home? I really don't feel very well right now, and I just want to lie down."

Lucas, alarmed by her pallor, led her to the car and after checking in and letting Ben know he was off duty for the night, headed in the direction of their home.


Lucas could see that she wasn't feeling well enough to stand over a hot stove, so he decided to take charge of the evening meal, letting Dara take a long, hot bath to relax, while he slid a casserole into the oven.

Prowling about the big house in search of his wife, he found her in the study, curled in her favorite rocking chair, weeping. Concerned, Lucas went in and knelt by her chair. Pain tore at his heart at the sadness in her eyes, putting his arms around her and pulling her towards him, he asked, "Darlin, what is it? Sweetheart, if its something I've done, tell me, I'll try and make it right, just tell me, please."

Pulling back so she could look him in the eyes, she brushed the tears away as she stated, shakily, "It's something you've done all right, but you're going to hate me for it."

Lucas place his hands on either side of her face, shaking his head and vowing, "Dara Cherice Chambers Buck, listen to me, and listen good. I could never and would never hate you, and especially not for something I've done. Now baby, tell me, what's the matter."

Laying her head against his chest, she started crying once more, Lucas had to strain to make out the words she had spoken. Still unable to comprehend her statement, he placed his finger beneath her chin, lifting it gently so he could look into her eyes, he asked her to repeat her words.

"I said I'm pregnant."

Lucas, unsure that he had heard her correctly, was still for a moment before placing his hands on aside her face once more. Smiling, he looked her in the eyes, with hope brimming in his own, as he beseeched, "Say that again, please."

Dara wiped her eyes as she looked at him in uncertainty. "I'm pregnant."

Lucas, unable to help himself, grinned broadly as he clarified, "We're going to have a baby?"

Dara slowly nodded her head in silence. Lucas jumped up so fast, that for a second Dara was afraid of what he might do, until he grabbed her up from her chair and swung her around, whooping with delight. Dara was certain that he had lost his mind as she begged him, "Lucas, please put me down. Honey, please I'm going to be sick, stop!"

Lucas became utterly serious as he quickly set her back on her feet, watching as she bolted past him for the downstairs bathroom and abruptly lost her battle with the nausea she had been fighting all day. After she had relieved her stomach, he wiped her face and hands and helped her up from the floor. Smiling as he pulled her to him, he looked into her eyes, "That's why you've been acting so strange lately?"

Dara nodded, then asked in uncertainty, "Are you happy about this? I'd like to think by your reaction that you are. Although, we never did discuss a time frame for children."

Lucas looked at her in amusement, "To quote my wife, 'when we have children, it will be God's will', so how could I not be happy, but yes, I am very happy about it." Looking at her in concern and regret, he asked, "Is that why you were crying, because you thought I would be upset about it?"

Dara hung her head, like a child whose been made to feel foolish over the idea of being frightened of the dark, and slowly nodded as she spoke softly, "I wasn't sure how you would react."

Hugging her close he stated, "Well, now you know. Now I think you, my love, need some rest. I'll bring you your supper on a tray when it's ready, all right."

Dara, not feeling well at the moment, nodded her agreement. Grabbing the stair rail, she was about to start up, when she began swaying slightly, closing her eyes tightly, she hoped the feeling would pass quickly.

Lucas noticed the swaying motion, as well as the way she tightly shut her eyes. "What's the matter? Are you feeling dizzy?"

Dara opened her eyes as she slowly nodded, "and very nauseous." As if to prove her point, she bolted past him the bathroom once more.

After she was finished, Lucas was there to once more assist her. Looking in her eyes he asked solicitously, "Better now?"

Dara nodded her head, "I think so." Too weak to argue, she made no protest when he knelt and scooped her into his arms, instead she laid her head against his shoulder, allowing him to take her upstairs and put her to bed.

After he had pulled the curtains and tucked her in, he kissed her forehead and made sure to leave the door open, in case she should need him. Once downstairs he thought about something that his grandmother had told him on his wedding day.

Going to the telephone, he punched out the number and waited for an answer. "Hello, mama Lucy? Yeah, it's Lucas. How are you? Fine, Mama, guess who's pregnant? That's right. I will, you too. Bye." With that he hung up the phone and headed for the kitchen, whistling to himself.


Dara, not certain as to how he would take the news, had asked Lucas to tell Caleb about the baby.

Caleb had been spending more time with Lucas since his marriage, and had developed the habit of popping into the station after school to help our around the office.

Lucas, seeing him head for the soda machine, motioned for him to come in and take a seat.

Caleb, looking at his father with curiosity, sat across from Lucas, "Well, you going to tell me what you want to talk to me about or not?"

Lucas placed his folded hands on his desk as he looked at his son. "Caleb, you know how much I love Dara, right?"

Caleb looked at his father strangely, "Yeah, and I know she loves you too, why are you asking?"

Lucas began, apprehensively, on the subject he wanted to discuss. "Well, I'm sure that if you realize how much two people love each other, than you also realize that sooner or later as a result of that love, they usually have children, right?"

Caleb, not certain he was understanding, asked, "You wondering if I'd mind if you and Dara have some babies?" Hanging his head in shame, he stated with self-loathing, "You're afraid that I might do the same thing to her that I did to my cousin, ain't you?"

Lucas shook his head, attempting to reassure the boy, "No son, that's not it. It wasn't your fault what happened to Gail so don't blame yourself. What I'm trying to say, is that I hope you wouldn't mind a brother or sister, or a couple of them, because Dara is going to have a baby in a few months."

Caleb looked up quickly, with shock in his eyes. "She is?"

Lucas nodded his affirmation of the statement, smiling.

Caleb considered for a moment, "Is that why she's been acting so funny lately?"

Lucas sighed, "Apparently so, she didn't even know until she had a physical, but she is definitely pregnant."

Caleb smiled shyly at his father, "I think it would be nice to have a little brother or sister."

Lucas breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "I had hoped you would feel that way about it, son."


Lucas had decided that since Dara would probably not feel up to cooking and since Caleb was eager to tell her how happy he was about the baby, that he would order her favorite Chinese take-out so that all three would be able to celebrate. He and Caleb had just finished setting the table when they heard the front door open and close. Coming up the hallway to greet her, Lucas began cheerfully, "Darlin, guess who's invited their self to supper?"

When she turned around to greet Caleb, Lucas frowned sharply when he caught sight of her face. She was as white as a sheet, which was more apparent due to the gray circles ringing her eyes. Lucas walked over and pulled her close to him; feeling her sway, then find her balance, leaning on him for support. Guiding her to the living room, he sat her on the sofa, then turned to Caleb, "Go pour her some of that ginger ale in the refrigerator, we'll see if that doesn't help." Putting his hand against her face, he asked anxiously, "Have you felt this bad all day?" Not even bothering to lift her head from the back cushion of the sofa, she weakly nodded her affirmation to his inquiry.

Caleb hurried back, careful not to spill the contents of the glass he was holding, "Here you go, see if this don't help."

Lucas took the glass and placed it to her lips, instructing her, "Come on, honey. Try taking a sip." Dara did as instructed, and then grimacing, pushed the glass away before bolting off the sofa towards the bathroom.

Caleb looked at his father in concern, "Is she supposed to be that sick?"

Lucas shook his head in uncertainty, "I'm not real sure myself, Caleb. Why don't you go ahead and eat your supper. I don't think she'll fell up to eating much of anything."

Caleb, taking his father's advice, headed for the dining room, while Lucas went to see about his wife. Waiting until he was sure that she was once more in control of her malady, he took a damp cloth and wiped her face and hands, in an attempt to make her feel somewhat better. Looking into her darkly circled eyes, he asked, "Has it been this bad, all day?

Dara nodded weakly, not bothering to lift her head from where she had laid it against the wall. "I wasn't sure I was going to be able to even make it home."

Lucas shook his head in frustration; he hated seeing her have to suffer, as she was now. "Darlin, why don't you ask Crower to examine you? I know you're expected to have morning sickness, but this seems more serious than plain morning sickness."

Dara looked at him as she swallowed hard to keep the nausea at bay. "Matt isn't an obstetrician, I talked with Dr. Hanson. He said it varies from woman to woman. He seems to think that all I really need to do is get more rest and start taking some vitamins." Managing a weak smile, she chastised him, "Stop worrying, it will pass."

Lucas wasn't certain that he wanted to simply wait till it passed, but since no other alternatives presented themselves he had no other choice. Everyday he waited for the prophesized event of the sickness leaving her to come to pass, but instead of easing her symptoms only gained in intensity.

She had her first check up, discovering that she was six weeks pregnant, which meant the baby would be due around March. Lucas had gone with her, not certain that she was sharing everything about her condition, but much to his surprise, Dr. Hanson kept assuring them both that she would start improving anytime.

Although Lucas was now able to discern a subtle fullness in her breasts, as well as the slight swell of her abdomen, she was still extremely thin, as well as sicker now than on her previous visit.

After four weeks of Dr. Hanson's promises, which still had not come to pass. Lucas found his temper at a very short end as he and Dara sat in front of the doctor's desk going over his findings after having examined her.

"Well, everything seems to be progressing normally."

Lucas's patience had finally found its end as he raged at the older man, "What the hell do you mean progressing normally? Are you blind or just incompetent?"

Dara, shocked by his outburst, tried restraining him by placing her hand on his arm.

Looking at her, now much thinner, hand, he gently took it in his own and held it up for the doctor's inspection to prove his point. "Look at her, she has to wrap tape around her wedding ring just to keep it on her finger. Not to mention the fact that according to your scales, in four weeks time, instead of gaining any weight, she's lost at least fifteen pounds. At the rate she's going she won't be here by the time the baby is born."

Dr. Hanson looked across his desk at the couple, trying to hide his apprehension as he attempted to calm Lucas' anger. "Sheriff Buck, I understand your concern, but let me assure you this will..."

Lucas glared at the man, daringly. "Let me guess, pass? Let me assure you, there is something wrong with my wife. Do you have any idea what she had for breakfast this morning? I'll tell you, half a piece of dry toast and a sip of ginger ale, which I might add, didn't stay down for long. Did you know she is so weak she can't even climb the stairs to our bedroom anymore? I have to carry her otherwise she can't make it. Now, tell me that is normal."

Not certain how to proceed, Dr. Hanson began cautiously, "I see your point." Scribbling on his pad, he handed Lucas a prescription. "Here, see that she takes this twice a day, it should stop the nausea. Bring her back in two weeks and we'll see how she has progressed. In the meantime, I'll give her a vitamin shot, to boost her immunities."

Taking the paper and placing it in his pocket, Lucas watched as the doctor prepared a needle, then injected it into Dara's arm. Once that was done, Lucas helped her our of her chair watching her struggle even to rise, causing him to grit his teeth in aggravation at not being able to ease her suffering, as well as the fact that he realized she was withering away, day by day.

What should have been the happiest time of their lives was seriously marred by the fact that if something weren't done to help her, and soon, she wouldn't survive her pregnancy.

Taking her arm as they left the building and went to their car, he pleaded with her, "Let me take you home, you need the rest."

Shaking her head, she replied, "I want to go back to the hospital, at least there I still feel productive."

Not willing to argue and unnerve her any further, he simply nodded his agreement. After he had settled her in her office he left, promising to see her after work as he left to return to his own office.

That had been another change in their routine, she no longer trusted herself to drive. Having become too weak and tired she allowed Lucas to drive her to and from work.

Lucas had just settled himself in his car, and was about to turn the key in the ignition when he spotted Dara's purse lying on the floor. Deciding that she might be in need of it, he grabbed it and retraced his steps back to her office. Knocking on her door, he waited a moment, not hearing an answer he tested the doorknob, hoping that she had left it unlocked. When the portal opened he noticed that her desk chair was shoved next to the wall, deciding to leave her purse on her desk where she could easily find it, he walked over and as he came closer he saw the reason for the chair's placement. Dara was lying on the floor, unconscious.

Dropping the purse, he knelt and placed his hands on either side of her face, patting her cheeks as he beseeched her in panic, "Dara, Dara. Come on, baby, wake up. Honey, please, open your eyes." Seeing that he wasn't reviving her he placed his fingers on the side of her throat, feeling the steady rhythm of her pulse he breathed a reserved sigh of relief, until he realized that it was beating much too fast.

Matt Crower chose that moment to inquire whether or not Dara had gotten the latest memo. "Hey Dara, did you get this.." Looking up he took in the scene in front of him. "What the hell? What happened to her?" Dropping on his knees next to her, he began examining her as Lucas shook his head.

"I don't know, I came back to bring her purse and I found her like this."

Matt listened to her heart, "Her heart beat is extremely erratic." Then, checking her pulse, "My God, a race horse's pulse isn't this fast." Grabbing the phone he punched the appropriate numbers. "Cardiac? Yeah
this is Crower; I need Dr. Jacobs, Stat. No, I just found Dara Buck unconscious in her office, and let him know she's pregnant. We'll be up in just a second."

Matt looked at Lucas, who was already gathering her still form in his arms, and advised, "We have to get her upstairs, before she goes into cardiac arrest." Rushing to the door he threw it open and ran, glancing over his shoulder to make certain that Lucas was close behind him, to the Coronary Unit. Once there, Dr. Jacobs, who met them at the doorway, quickly motioned them to a waiting examination room.

Lucas gently placed her on the table and was quickly forced into a corner as the physicians and nurses worked over his wife. Standing back watching helpless, Lucas' head snapped up in attention when Dr. Jacob's' spoke.

"My God, this woman's heart sounds as if it were about to explode!"

Glancing at Lucas, he inquired, "I take it this is your wife, Sheriff Buck."

At Lucas' silent nod, he further inquired, "Is she on any kind of medication?"

Shaking his head, Lucas volunteered, "No, just pre-natal vitamins."

Glancing at Crower, Jacobs ordered, "Get a blood sample." Watching as the younger man carried out his orders, Jacobs turned back to Lucas, "Does she have a history of heart problems?"

Lucas glanced at Matt, allowing him to field that question. "No. She has had a troubled pregnancy, though."

Jacobs shook his head, "No amount of trouble could account for this. Somewhere, somehow she has been given digitalis, I would bet on it. There isn't any other thing I know of that could produce these symptoms in someone without a heart condition." Turning he instructed, "Give me a hypo of nifedipine, lets try twenty cc's, hopefully that will slow her heart down."

Doing as instructed, Matt searched the medicine locker, finding the necessary bottle he prepared the needle, handing it to the other doctor he watched as Jacobs injected it in the upper part of Dara's shoulder. Getting as close to her heart as safely possible.

Lucas stood silent, watching the older doctor place his stethoscope over his wife's chest, listening for a moment to the sound of her heart. He realized that that had to have been the longest moment of his entire life, up to that point.

Finally, Jacobs breathed a sigh of relief as he withdrew the stethoscope, then taking her wrist he watched the clock on the wall a second longer. Exhaling the breath he had been holding, she smiled reservedly, "I think she's going to be all right now. Her heart and pulse have slowed significantly. I still want to see what that test says, though." With that he left the room to check the results from Dara's blood sample.

Lucas walked over and looked down at his wife lying on the table. Oblivious to Matt's presence, he placed his hand along her cheek, needing the physical contact to reassure himself that she was going to indeed be all right. The look in his eyes changed from one of infinite love to cold calculation, when he looked at Matt to inquire, "What do you know about Hanson?"

Matt, who had busied himself with straightening the debris from the earlier struggle of life and death, looked at him in puzzlement. Not missing the look in the other man's eyes, he explained carefully, "Not a whole lot. I know that he is supposed to be a good obstetrician, but other than that, I couldn't tell you a thing about him. Why do you ask?"

Lucas looked at Matt squarely as he stated, without preamble, "I know how we stand, Harvard. You don't like me, and I know that I have given you reason enough. To be honest, I've never particularly cared for you, but I know you're a damned good doctor. I want you to take over as her doctor."

Seeing that Matt was about to launch a protest, rushed to give his reasoning. "I'm not asking as a favor to me, I'm asking because I would trust you with her life, which is exactly what I'm doing."

Matt, still not certain as to his motives, shrugged his shoulders. "I still don't get it, why?"

Narrowing his gaze at the man's naiveté, Lucas asked, "Look, you're her friend, for one. Which means, you care about her. Now tell me this, Harvard, if you wanted to get even with me for something, but you didn't have any kind of feelings one way or the other about my wife, how would you do it?"

Matt's eyes widened with the consideration of what was being implied, "You don't think Hanson would do this, do you?"

Lucas looked at him in aggravation that he hadn't pieced it together for himself. "She has been seeing him since we found out that she was pregnant. Instead of improving, her health has steadily gotten worse. And I guarantee if you get the bottle of vitamins from her purse, you'll be amazed at what is in them. Not to mention, he gave her and injection this morning. Supposedly it was a vitamin shot to boost her immunities. Now what conclusions would you come to?"

Matt considered the facts presented to him for a moment, he couldn't deny that Lucas Buck had definitely made quite a few enemies. If you had the know how and access to the tools, slowly killing the man's wife and unborn child would definitely satisfy one's taste for revenge. Finally, Matt gave his agreement and consent to Lucas' proposal. "All right, I'll take over as her doctor, but first the thing I'm doing going to do is to admit her. We need to get a handle on what damage has been done and try to reverse it."

Lucas nodded as he stated, "Whatever you say, I won't give you a hard time about it."

Matt looked at the other man, shocked by his ready agreement of his dictates.

Lucas seeing the look on his face asked tritely, "What now?"

Matt couldn't help but shake his head in astonishment, "Oh nothing, I just find it amazing that someone like you can have such a large capacity for love of another person, as you do for Dara."

Glaring at the physician, Lucas emphasized, "Just see that you take good care of her, or you'll see the other side of the coin, Harvard."

Jacobs chose that moment to enter with the results of Dara's blood work. "Well, I was right, she has traces of digitalis in her system." Glancing at Lucas, he inquired, "You said that she is pregnant, didn't you?"

Lucas nodded his confirmation of the doctor's inquiry, "Yes, ten weeks or so."

Jacobs considered the best way to approach the issue at hand; he had no doubts that Lucas Buck wasn't at fault. The love he possessed for his wife was evidenced by the look on his face as he watched the efforts made to save his wife's life. "Well, for the amount in her system it had to have been administered directly into her blood. Did she have any kind of injection or vaccination today?"

Lucas glanced at Matt, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut, he would be taking this matter up with Hanson personally. "She had a shot this morning, the nurse was new and she probably confused the injections with another patients."

Jacobs wasn't comfortable with Buck's ready acceptance that this was a simple mistake, not when it had meant the possible death of not only his wife, but his unborn child as well. However, he also knew what Lucas Buck was capable of, and flirting with disaster wasn't how you lived to an old age. Finally, he nodded his agreement, taking the safest route possible when dealing with this man. "You're probably right, but someone does need to notify Dr. Hanson."

Lucas threw the man a challenging look, "I'll let him know, doctor. I plan on stopping by his office later anyway."

Jacobs sighed, as he nodded his acceptance of the man's statement. Feeling great pity for his colleague, he left the room, allowing the radiology technician in to perform an ultrasound to determine what if any damage the baby might have suffered.

Matt checked Dara's pulse and heart rate once more, making certain that they had indeed returned to normal. Nodding with relief evident in his eyes, he glanced at Lucas, "Her heart and pulse are back to normal. So let's see how the baby fared."

Lucas watched as the technician maneuvered the tool over Dara's abdomen, searching for their child's heartbeat. Finally, he steadied the wand in a central spot and hit a series of buttons on the keyboard, giving Matt the opportunity to study the image and data. Matt glanced at Lucas as he inquired, "Would you like to hear your child's heartbeat?" Reaching over he turned a knob increasing the volume.

Lucas stepped around to the other side of the table, watching fascinated as he saw a small fuzzy image that represented his son or daughter. Listening, he heard the thump, thump of the monitor and realized for the first time how real the baby now seemed to him. Studying Dara's relaxed face, he felt his heart swell with the love he had for both her and their child. Looking at Matt he inquired with concern, "Is it normal for her to still be unconscious?"

Matt nodded, "Part of the charm of the medication we gave her is that in some cases it can work as a tranquilizer. She's out more now because of that then because of the stress of the attack. Besides, she needs the rest desperately." Looking at the screen as the technician completed the ultrasound, he stated, "As far as the baby is concerned, everything looks all right."

Lucas nodded in silence, grateful for the lives of his wife and child. Remembering exactly how close he could have come to losing both, he looked at Matt and ordered, "I have something to take care of, go ahead and admit her. I'll sign whatever I need to when I get back."

Matt shook his head in sympathy as Lucas left, feeling pity for Hanson. He was willing to bet that the man had no idea as to what was coming his way.

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Andrew Hanson had just secured the front door of his outer office before pouring himself a drink from the bottle that he kept carefully hiding in the outer office filing cabinet. Swallowing the fortifying liquid he turned towards his private office to relax and contemplate the events of the day.

It had been an extremely stressful day for him, he had realized at Lucas Buck's outburst that morning that he was going to have to push his plans ahead and move fast than he had anticipated. He had begun to feel nagging guilt for the torture he was putting Dara Buck through, but even that couldn't sway the decision he had made to avenge his sister's death.

After having sorted through his brother-in-law's insane ramblings, he had realized who the true culprit in his sister's death had been. Upon his realization of the fact, he had vowed revenge on the party he had considered to be responsible. Lucas Buck.

When he had decided to open practice in Trinity, he didn't have any clear plan in mind. When he had spotted the name, Dara Buck on his appointment calendar, he had made inquiries and discovered that she indeed was Lucas Buck's wife. Not believing his good fortune to have the answer to his quandary dropped into his lap, he had begun formulating a plan as to how to best make the man pay for his sins through his wife and unborn child. The only thing he hadn't considered was Dara herself.

Expecting to find Buck married to a cold, cruel and calculating woman, he had indeed been shocked to discover that Dara was the direct opposite of his original supposition, being a warm, loving and giving person, who possessed a wonderful personality. Many times he had had several pangs of conscience over the pain and torment he was inflicting on her, but it never deterred him from his goal.

Sighing to himself in regret, he voiced his feelings aloud as he opened the door to his private office. "Unfortunately, she had to be the means to an end." Turning the lights on, he stopped short. There, sitting in his chair was Lucas Buck.

"How did you get in here? I locked the doors and checked every room myself?"

Lucas smiled evilly at the man, "Haven't you heard? The advantage to being sheriff is that I can get in anywhere, anytime." Leaning forward to place his arms on the desk, Lucas pinned the man with his eyes. "You know, doctor, you look like I caught you at a bad time. Am I interrupting something?"

Swallowing nervously, Hanson replied, "Well, I have to leave town unexpectedly. I was just about to find someone to be on call for me."

Lucas nodded his understanding, "Yeah, I suppose that would be a good idea, just in case one of your patients needs a doctor. You know how expectant mothers can be; some of them develop the most unusual problems. Take my own wife, for instance. She was perfectly healthy, until her pregnancy. Oh, I expected her to have morning sickness and such, but I have to tell you, it breaks my heart a little more every time I see how weak and frail she is."

Answering in what he hoped was a dispassionate voice Hanson replied, "Well, hopefully she will regain her health further along."

Lucas shook his head sadly, "I'm not sure about that, doc. She seems to get worse and worse. For instance, I found her unconscious on the floor of her office this afternoon, not half an hour after she was in your office. And the odd thing, she was on the verge of cardiac arrest. Can you explain how she could develop a heart condition associated with pregnancy?"

Hanson couldn't remember Buck ever getting out of the chair, but the next thing he knew he was pushed against the wall with the other man's forearm pressed against his throat, glaring daggers at him from eyes that reminded Hanson of smoldering coal at that moment. The hard, knife like edge in his voice was no less frightening. "Would you care to explain to me how the hell you thought an almost lethal dose of digitalis would boost my wife's immune system?"

Lucas waited for some comment from the man now in his grasp, when it didn't come he continued. "You know, for once I'm glad that she is as stubborn as she is. I wanted her to go home and rest, she decided to go back to work instead. That was your plan, wasn't it? I take her home and leave her there by herself, then she has a quiet heart attack with no one there with her to get help, she would have died nice and quietly, wouldn't she? Luckily, working in a hospital has its advantages. Now, would you care to tell me why the hell you've been slowly trying to kill my wife? I can guess your reason for the injection this morning, you knew I wouldn't let you treat her any longer, and you couldn't afford to have another doctor run any tests and find, God only knows, what in her system. By the way, what are you giving her to make her so damn sick?"

Hanson swallowed hard, gripping Lucas' arm in an attempt to loosen the pressure on his throat. Deciding he had nothing left to lose he confessed to Lucas' allegations. "A combination of benzodiazepines and muscle relaxers."

Lucas sucked in a deep breath, realizing how depraved the man was. As well as understanding now the complete reason for not only Dara's lethargy for the past few weeks, but the reason for why she seemed so out of touch and uncomprehending also. Realizing exactly how the man managed to get her to take the almost lethal combination he narrowed his gaze in hatred. "That's what is in those vitamins you kept pumping into her, isn't it? I know she was having a rough time with the morning sickness from the start, before she came to you, how long have you been giving her this stuff?"

Hanson replied, dejectedly, "Since her first visit, after I realized that she was your wife. I just increased the dosage a little at a time."

Lucas nodded his understanding, having pieced it all together. "That's why she was acting so spaced out, it's a wonder she was able to function at all. One thing I don't understand, why were you trying to kill her, I know my wife, she hasn't ever done anything to harm anyone. So what do you have against her?"

Hanson glared in defiance as he explained his motives. "No, she hasn't done anything, but you have. I don't suppose the name Edda Brown means anything to you, does it."

Lucas searched his memory, remembering the incident between Carter Brown and Wash Suptin. Carter had mistakenly shot Edda, assuming that she was Wash, who had been making advances towards their daughter, Poppy. "Yeah, it rings a bell. Carter Brown's wife, he shot her. Thought she was a guy that Poppy was fooling around with."

Hanson narrowed his gaze, accusingly. "That is your story. I've talked to Carter; I know that if it weren't for you, Edda would still be alive. She was my sister, you bastard."

Lucas pulled back somewhat, staring at the man in shock. "Let me get this straight, the reason you've tried to kill my wife; a woman who has done absolutely nothing to you, as well as our unborn child, who is also innocent, is because you believe the ramblings of a psycho, who shot his wife?"

Hanson nodded, "I know you manipulated it to happen. The same way you manipulate everything else in this town. You're a demon from hell, which is exactly what that child will be as well. That's why I had to do this."

Lucas shook his head in disgust, "You need to get your facts straight. Carter pulled the trigger, not me."

Hanson, realizing that his own future was over with, asked dully, "So what happens now? I don't see you as being the forgiving type."

Lucas considered, he would like nothing better than to rip the man's throat out for the pain he had caused Dara. Not to mention the fear he had put into Lucas at the idea of life without her. The only thing that stopped him from doing it was the fact that he knew what Dara's reaction would be to such an act. The look of disappointment and heartbreak that would be in her eyes wasn't something he wanted to see. However, the good doctor administering his own punishment wasn't something that he could be faulted for.

Turning his full attention back to the man, he ventured, "You know, you've almost cost me something that I simply am not willing to give up without a fight. Not to mention what you've put her through. That's why this is going to take careful thought and consideration on my part." Releasing the man, he turned to the door as he threw over his shoulder, "I think however doctor, that you just might know the best cure for your own diagnosis." With that he pulled the door to and left, knowing that Hanson would never pose a threat to his wife again.


Matt was making his rounds when re ran into Lucas in the hallway, motioning towards an unoccupied room, Lucas waited till the door shut before inquiring, "How is she?"

Matt nodded his head in satisfaction, "She's stable, her heart and pulse rates are back to normal, and she's resting now."

Lucas handed Matt two bottles of pills for him to examine. After looking at the labels carefully, Matt asked cautiously, "What are these?"

Still seething with anger at the audacity that Hanson had possessed, Lucas replied, "Those, are what that bastard was pumping into my wife."

Matt looked at the bottles once more, dropping his jaw in astonishment he asked, "How did he ever get her to take these? She isn't ignorant when it comes to medication, she would have spotted the labels..." Realizing how it had been accomplished, he answered his own question. "He gave her capsules in different bottles." Matt shook his head in wonder, "My God, no wonder she's so sick, the side effects alone would wreak the results he was after, not to mention the reason she hasn't been able to function, but what changed? I mean, why administer the digitalis this morning?"

Lucas sighed, aggravated that he had not followed his first impulse and taken Dara to another doctor sooner. "Because, I stopped buying the line he was throwing that she would improve. And had she not been so drugged and confused, she wouldn't have bought it either. He couldn't afford for me to take her to another doctor, when they ran blood tests whey would know what was going on."

Matt shook his head in disgust of Hanson's disregard for human life. "So he decided to go ahead and kill her."

Lucas nodded, "And if she hadn't insisted on coming back to work, it would have worked. I wanted her to go home and rest, if she had, she would have went into cardiac arrest, with no one there to get her help."

Matt narrowed his gaze, suspicious of the motive prompting Hanson's behavior. He knew it couldn't have been anything on Dara's part to provoke the man this far, so the reason had to lay on her husband. "But why?"

Lucas could see the thoughts turning in the other man's mind as he confirmed his suspicions. "Do you remember Edda Brown?"

Matt searched his memory for a moment, and then remembered, "Isn't she the one whose husband mistook her for a boy he thought their daughter was fooling around with?"

Lucas nodded, "One and the same. Hanson is he brother, he blames me for his sister's death."

Matt looked at him in stark honesty, "So he as after revenge, only instead of killing you, he was going to kill Dara."

Lucas nodded in agreement of his statement, choosing to remain silent. Since he had no words to justify any of what had taken place.

Matt was about to walk out the door when he turned and pinned Lucas with his eyes, stating his feelings in a tone that was neither that of reproach or condemnation, just simple honesty. "You know, you've caused a lot of damage to people's lives so I strongly suggest that you be more on guard. I'm certain that there are others out there waiting for a chance at revenge. Although I cant say I would blame them, the fact is that more than likely, Dara would be the one to pay the price for it, and that would be the true crime of it." With that Matt left him to ponder his statement.


Lucas was sitting in a chair dozing when his wife finally regained consciousness the next day.

Not able to focus on her surroundings, Dara glanced about the room. She was about to panic until her gaze fell on her husband, asleep in a chair next to her bed. She wanted to reach over and touch his arm, to awaken him, but she couldn't quite seem to make her hand follow through with the actions necessary to accomplish the task.

Sensing the change, Lucas opened his eyes to witness the beginning of his wife's panic. Rising from his chair he stood over her bed, taking her hand he gently placed it back on the bed as he sat on the edge next to her.

Looking at him as though she weren't certain whether she were dreaming or awake, she hesitantly reached up to touch him, assuring herself that she wasn't hallucinating. Reassured by the solid flesh she felt beneath her hand, she began crying with relief.

Lucas, not certain what was taking place, carefully pulled her against him, cautious of the IV tubes in her arm. "What is it, darlin? I'm right here, go ahead and tell me." Relaxing his grip so that she could look up at him, he noticed the odd look in her eyes.

"I don't know. What's the matter with me? I remember going for my check up and that's all. I feel so strange; I've had all of these strange dreams where I couldn't find you anywhere. And I don't feel as though I have any control over my own body. Oh Lucas, what's wrong with me, and what about the baby?"

Lucas had made his mind up to tell her the truth when she asked about the events leading to her present condition. Pulling her to him once more, he explained, "I found out why you weren't getting any better."

Looking up at him, she asked, "Why, what was the matter?"

Sighing heavily, he replied, "Hanson was poisoning you, he was switching your vitamins with tranquilizers and muscle relaxers. He was going to let you get run down to the point of death. He admitted that he was increasing the dosage gradually, till eventually you would more or less overdose. Yesterday he decided to speed things up, he couldn't take the chance that I would take you to another doctor. If they ran tests, they would know what he had been doing, so he gave you an almost lethal dose of digitalis in that injection he gave you. You were about to go into cardiac arrest when I found you in your office. Thank God you decided to come back here and forgot your purse in the car, if you had went home..." Lucas left the remainder of the statement unfinished, not wanting to consider the possibility of what might have happened.

Looking at him fearfully, she inquired, "What about the baby?"

Lucas smiled, finally able to give her something positive to consider, "Your new physician, Dr. Matt Crower, did a thorough exam and an ultra sound. The baby is fine, with a good healthy heartbeat."

Relaxing visibly that their child was still alive, she leaned back against the pillows, already fatigued.

Just then Matt came in for his rounds, "Good, you're awake finally, lets have a look." After satisfying himself that she was progressing well, he sat down to discuss his prognosis. "All right, here are the ground rules. I've checked, you're at least ten pounds underweight, so when you start gaining at a steady pace we'll see about letting you out of here. Plus, you have a large quantity of drugs in your system, luckily what he gave you isn't habit forming, but you may still have withdrawal symptoms, so with that in mind, you're here definitely until your systems clean, all right?"

Dara nodded her acceptance of the situation, not particularly having any choice considering that the life of her baby was at stake.

Ben chose that moment to lightly rap on the door, peeking in he grinned whe he saw Dara fully awake. Coming into the room, he pulled a bunch of flowers from behind his back.

Smiling weakly, Dara thanked him as she asked Matt to place them in some water.

Motioning to Lucas, they both stepped outside of the room so Ben could give him the news he had just received.

Leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest, he waited for Ben to tell him what he already knew.

"Lucas, they found Hanson's body in his office this morning. Apparently, he committed suicide; they found an empty bottle of whiskey and two empty bottles of pills next to him. Looks like he downed both bottles with the booze."

Lucas nodded his head, careful to mask the fact that he already knew what had happened. "All right, Ben. Can you handle it?"

Ben shrugged complacently, "Yeah, me and Floyd can manage it. You just take care of your wife."

Lucas walked back into the room, just as Matt was leaving. He could see the questioning look in his wife's eyes. Steeling himself, he sat next to her on the edge of the bed and waited for her begin. Even after the ordeal she had been through, and the drugged state she had been in, Lucas knew she was a very astute person. Taking her hand in his, he opened the doorway for her to start. "You want to ask me something?"

Dara swallowed hard, then nodded her head in uncertainly, "Yes, but I'm not certain I really want the answer to it."

Lucas, already knowing what she was wondering, asked the question on her mind. "You want to know why Hanson was trying to kill you?"

Dara searched his eyes, stating rather than asking, "It has something to do with you, doesn't it?"

Lucas placed his hand along her cheek, sighing with guilt, "Yes darlin, I'm afraid it does. There was a man a couple of years ago, Carter Brown, he mistook his wife a boy their daughter had been fooling around with and shot her. He's in Juniper House today, but he blames me because I helped get the boy a job with Carter. Hanson was Edda Brown's brother. He believed, like Carter, that it was my fault, he decided to come her and get back at me. Unfortunately, choosing him as your obstetrician dropped the perfect opportunity into his lap."

Dara looked at him, considering for a moment, she asked, "What happens to him now?"

Lucas sighed heavily, not wanting to upset her any further, but not wanting to keep the truth from her. "Now, he goes to Hell. They found him in his office this morning. He chased down two full bottles of the same pills he was giving you with a full bottle of booze. My guess is he knew it wouldn't take long to find out how you were injected with digitalis, so he decided to punish himself."

Dara sat quietly for a moment, then looking up at him, unable to hold the tears at bay any longer, she voiced softly, "I'm frightened."

Pulling her tightly into his embrace, he answered, "You have nothing to fear anymore. I swear it. I talked with Crower, he's taking over as your doctor, and we know he can be trusted." Placing his hands on either side of her face he vowed, "I swear I wont let another living soul ever hurt you again. I should have taken the initiative and taken you to another doctor a lot sooner, for that I am most definitely sorry, but nothing like this will ever happen again." Although he dreaded her answer, he inquired, "Would you feel better if you went away, or would you feel safer if we got a divorce?" Watching her face for an answer, holding his breath and hoping it wouldn't be the one he didn't want to consider, he waited for her reply.

Looking at him in shock, she stated, "I thought you said before we were married that there would never be a divorce."

Nodding his head in response, he replied, "Yes I did, and I meant it too, but I would rather try to live without you, then to risk someone harming you. I'll leave the choice up to you."

Shaking her head vehemently, she stated, "No, I love you too much to leave you and we said for better or for worse. I guess this is the worse."

Holding her close, he smiled, "That's my girl."


For the almost two weeks that Dara was a patient, Lucas stayed constantly by his wife's side as she regained her health.

During her stay, Caleb popped in and out with flowers he had picked, or some small stuffed animal he had used his allowance to purchase for her. Caleb couldn't help but feel pleased with his efforts when he saw the smile it brought to her face, making it well worth his sacrifice, be it time or money.

Finally, Matt came in after she had been a patient for about ten days, smiling despite himself. "Well, I just got the latest test back. Your system is totally devoid of anything that shouldn't be there. And all the tests on the baby came back, the baby wasn't affected, not to mention that you are now six pounds heavier than what you were when you were admitted. So you can go home today, if you want."

Dara sighed in relief, "Thank God, I'm sick of this place!"

Matt nodded his head in empathy; he had spent his share of time in a hospital as well. "Oh, by the way, as your physician, until your health is improved and the morning sickness completely goes away, as of now you are on maternity leave from Fulton County General. You can still work on the project, but only if you agree to delegate the responsibility and not do all the work yourself."

Dara reluctantly agreed with his edict, "All right, Matt. I get the hint."

After all the papers were signed, Dara was more than ready to leave when Lucas came to take her home. He had spent most his time with her during the day, but she had insisted that he sleep at home, that being the case, he had become overly aware of just how big their bed had become without her in it beside him.

Once on their way home, Lucas informed her that he had a surprise waiting for her when they reached the house.


As soon as the car pulled into the driveway, Caleb came running out to greet Dara. Throwing his arms around her, he stated, "I sure am glad you ain't got to spend no more time in the hospital. Besides, it just aint no fun here without you." Taking her bag from Lucas, he ran back inside to deposit it in their room.

Since Dara was still feeling weak and drained, she made no protests when Lucas took her in his arms, carrying her inside. Pushing the door shut, he inquired, "Do you want me to take you upstairs, or would you rather go to the den?"

Dara shook her head, "I'm sick to death of beds, let me sit in my rocking chair for awhile." Once she was settled, she looked up at him in curiosity, "So, what's the surprise?"

Mrs. Adams chose that moment to enter the room, bearing a tray.

Dara looked at Lucas in uncertainty, noticing the broad smile he was now wearing. "I thought the best thing all the way around was to get someone in to help out, till after the baby comes."

Dara frowned sharply, and then noticing the stricken look on Mrs. Adams face, she hastened to explain. "Please don't misunderstand me, Mrs. Adams, I'm thrilled you're here, but I..."

Lucas, already certain as to the remainder of her statement, chastised her sharply. "Damned, Dara be sensible. You're still weak; you're in no condition to run this house by yourself, not to mention all the cleaning, cooking, and shopping. By the time you do get back to full strength, it will be just about time for the baby to be born." Realizing that he had spoken more sharply than he had intended, he knelt down and placed his hand along her cheek, gazing into her eyes, "And besides that, I would feel a lot better knowing that there is someone here with you when I'm not. I came too close to losing you to risk it again, so please do this, for me."

Dara, seeing the pleading look in his eyes turned towards Mrs. Adams, "I guess we'll be spending a lot of time together, Mrs. Adams."

Relieved by her words, both Mrs. Adams and Lucas smiled at her. Just then Caleb came bounding down the stairs. "Hey, I just thought about it, what's for supper?"

Lucas shook his head, laughing, "That's my boy."


Later that night in the privacy of their bedroom, Dara was trying to gently coax her husband into some recuperative care of a different nature.

Lucas, who was wary of subjecting his wife to any type of physical discomfort, was trying to reason with her, although the sight of her lying propped on one elbow in the middle of their bed, was almost more than his self restraint was able to bear. "I'm just not sure that this is a good idea, honey."

Dara huffed in frustration, "You are aware that there are women who do make love up until just before they deliver, aren't you?"

Lucas nodded his head, "Yes, that's true, but most women didn't almost die and spend two weeks in the hospital."

Dara, looked at him sharply as she tried to patiently reason with him. "Lucas, there is nothing we can do to change that, but other than still being a little weak and tired, I feel much better." As if the thought had suddenly occurred to her, she looked at him in contemplation, "However, if you don't find me attractive anymore because of my condition, than that's a different matter. I'll just have to try and understand." With that said she pulled the covers over herself and turned towards the wall.

Lucas, realizing that she was insecure in her ability to still tempt, as well as please him, walked over to her side of the bed and knelt down to face her. Shaking his head he stated, "I could never find you unattractive, darlin. It's just that your body has been through so much, I don't want to cause you anymore pain or hurt you in any way." Smiling at her sadly, he emphasized his plight, "Believe me, you have no idea how much I hated this bed without you in it with me."

Placing her hand on the side of his face, she looked at him beseechingly, "Please, make love to me. I missed you so much."

Lucas leaned over and kissed her deeply, lifting his head, he stated, "I've missed you just as much."

Putting her arms around his neck, she pulled him down to kiss her once more.

Lucas was trying hard to control himself, aware of how sensitive and fragile she still was. A fact evidenced by the jerking movement she made when he traced a pattern across her breasts. Looking up she asked in concern, "Did I hurt you?"

Dara shook her head, brushing it off with a shaky laugh, "No, I just didn't realize how sensitive I am there."

Endeavoring to be even more gentle, he ventured do her abdomen, which was beginning to show a slight curve to it. Raining kissed over her middle, he heard her giggle. "Lucas, that tickles."

Lifting his head to smile at her, he asked playfully, "Well, if you'd rather I stop."

Dara shook her head, smiling, "Don't you dare!"

Lucas feeling his own desire rising, poised himself over his wife, "Are you sure this won't hurt you or the baby?"

Smiling up at him, she puller him to her. "I'm sure."

Bracing himself, he gently continued, watching her face for any signs of pain.

Dara smiled up at him, "See, I told you it would be all right, besides it's not healthy to practice self denial, you know."

Nibbling at her mouth, he expounded on her statement, "I can understand why, I don't think I could live if I couldn't touch you."

After they had both found satisfaction in each other, Dara was silently grateful. She had been afraid that the magic and joy that they had shared in their lovemaking would be changed forever. They had discontinued with making love shortly after the discovery of her pregnancy, because of the state her health had taken. Although at first they had tried to continue as they had been since their wedding night, but with the morning sickness and lethargy that she had suffered, due to the drugs she had been given, Lucas had contented himself to simply hold her close to him through the nights. Dara had wanted this encounter more to prove to herself that the combination of interweaving not only their bodies but also their souls and hearts, hadn't been extinguished with her illness.

In the after glow of their enjoyment of each other, Lucas, who was lying on his back with Dara curled next to him, voiced the concerns his wife had tried to keep hidden to herself. "Now, are you satisfied that what we had before we still do?"

Dara had become use to the ease he seemed to possess when it came to guessing her thoughts at times such as this, but it was still disconcerting to have the fact placed in front of her. Sitting up, clutching the sheet to her chest, she accused, "You knew, didn't you? You knew the whole time that was one of the reasons why I wanted you to make love to me."

Lucas sat up, bracing his arm across his upraised knee, nodding. "Yes darlin, I did" Cupping her face in his hands and gazing deep into her eyes, he stated, "Sweet heart, listen to me and listen good. I have not become un attracted to you, if anything I find you more beautiful and sexy. What we have between us, in bed or out, that won't ever change. You're it, for the rest of my life. I know that you were afraid because it had been so long, but honey, that wasn't your fault. And let me assure you the whole time you were ill the only thing I could think of besides you getting better, was when you would be well enough for me to make love to you again. And before you begin worrying about it, even when you look like someone's put a basketball up your dress, you'll still be beautiful to me. Do you understand me? Nothing in the world will ever change my love for you."

Dara sat with tears streaming down her face as she nodded her acceptance of his statement.

Looking at her with a concerned smile, Lucas asked, "I hope that those are tears of happiness, although I understand your hormones aren't exactly normal right now. I guess I'll just have to keep you so happy you cant find a reason to cry."

Dara placed her hand over his, replying softly, "You already do that."

Wiping her tears away, he straightened the pillows and laid back down, pulling her closely into his embrace, after making certain that she was warm enough, he kissed her gently. "Now that we have satisfied both our cravings, common sense suggests that you and our baby get some rest. So goodnight, love."

Snuggling closer, she replied, "Night, I love you, too."