Epilogue

About 9 months later..

Wes sat in the back of the limo staring at the 4 day old miracle in the car seat next to Jen. Jen looked pale and tired, the seemingly endless line of visitors at the hospital, many of them she didn't know, had taken a toll on her. Wes had told his father that he didn't want him dragging all of his business associates into the hospital, but he did so anyway being a proud grandfather. They were married just a few months before in a very simple ceremony that brought many old and new rangers together. Wes unbuckled his seatbelt and moved to sit next to Jen. She smiled at him and laid her head on his shoulder. The limousine slowed to a halt in front of Collinswood mansion.

"Why don't we get you and Ariel upstairs to rest?" Wes suggested.

"That sounds good." Jen said gratefully.

"All right stay here and rest. I'll take all of your things inside." He said opening the door.

"Don't worry about that." Carter said appearing in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" Jen asked smiling.

"Mr. Collins called us and said you might need some extra hands these next few days and since we had a few days off we thought we might come here and help out our friends." Dana said coming up behind him.

"Dana!" Jen said happily seeing the woman who was quickly becoming her best friend in the car door.

"Hi Jen. How are you feeling?" She asked. Dana had been there during the 18 hours of labor that Jen endured before having to have a c-section and even then she was in the operating room with them encouraging Jen and lending strength to Wes.

Wes climbed out of the car. "Thank you for coming." He said shaking Carter's hand.

"That's what friends are for."

They turned to look back at the car where Dana was helping Jen climb out.

"Here let me." Wes said hurrying over and picking his wife up.

"Wes, I'm perfectly capable of." Jen complained

"Not on my watch you're not." He said cutting her off. "The doctor said you are to rest."

Dana climbed back into the car and picked up Ariel who snuggled into her shoulder. "Welcome home sweetheart." She breathed into her goddaughter's soft blonde hair. She opened her pretty green eyes for just a moment to see who was holding her and then content sighed and went back to sleep.

"Is there anyone here?" Wes called as he stepped into the doorway.

Phillips the butler emerged from the kitchen. "Your father is in his study he's been waiting for you."

"Jen, I'll get you and Ariel situated upstairs then I'll go down to see my father."

"All right" Jen agreed.

After Jen and the baby were settled in the others having finished unpacking the car had gone off to relax by the pool Wes walked up to the big cherry doors to his father's office. Softly he knocked on the polished wood.

"Come in Wes." His father's voice answered from behind the door.

"Dad, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes son, I have someone I want you to meet." His father said helping a familiar woman from one of the high backed chairs facing his desk.

"You?" Wes said confused to see Arianna the waitress from Martin's in his father's house.

"Hi, honey." She said quietly.

"What's she doing here?" Wes asked looking from Ari to his father in confusion.

"Wes, Ari is your mother."

"My mother? No my mother is dead." Wes said shaking his head.

"No that's what your grandfather would've liked you to think." Ari said. "He made me leave you here with him. He had me declared unfit and took you away from me."

"Dad, Why?" Wes said tears in his eyes.

"Your grandfather was a proud man. He felt that Ari wasn't good enough for me. 'not of the right stock' he said. I loved your mother truly I did, but your grandfather wouldn't hear of it. He threatened to take you from both of us if we didn't do as he said."

Tears filled Wes' eyes.

"I'm sorry Wes, this must all come as a shock to you." Ari began. But before she could finish Wes pulled her into a hug and cried into her shoulder.

"You don't know how many things I wanted to tell you." He choked.

"Well now you have the chance Wes. I'm sorry I should have stood up to my father." The elder Collins said.

"It doesn't matter now what matters is Mom's here and there's someone she should meet." Wes said lifting his head up and wiping his eyes.

Wes took Ari's hand and led her up the stairs. Carefully he opened the door to his and Jen's room. Jen was sleeping peacefully curled up on the bed next to Ariel. Gently he reached down to pick up his sweet little daughter whose eyes immediately opened.

"Shh, It's okay it's just daddy." He whispered. Jen didn't even stir. He bent over and kissed her cheek. Then stole out of the room.

"This is Ariel, your granddaughter." Wes said turning the perfect little girl so Ari could see her.

"She's beautiful." Ari breathed.

"Ariel, this is your Grandma." He said handing the little girl to Ari.

"Welcome back to the life you should have had all along." Mr. Collins said kissing Ari on the cheek. "I have some more good news for you Wes."

"What could be better than giving me back my mother?" Wes asked.

"I asked Ari to marry me and she said she would."

"Really!" Wes said excitedly "That's great!"

"And I'd like you to be my best man. Do you think you can handle it?"

"Are you kidding? I'd love to!" Wes said hugging his father.

"Well I think it's a good beginning." Mr. Collins said.

"For all of us." Wes finished for him